Waves

The canteen was alive with muted chatter, the occasional clinking of utensils punctuating the otherwise tense atmosphere. Both the Kyoto and Tokyo teams had gathered, their faces grim in the wake of the tournament's abrupt and chaotic end. Yaga stood at the head of the table, his presence commanding as always, though his sombre expression amplified the weight of the moment.

"The Star Corridor was infiltrated," Yaga began, his deep voice silencing the murmurs. "A special grade cursed spirit breached our defences. They stole several key items, including..." He paused, letting the gravity of the next words settle. "...ten of Sukuna's fingers."

A collective hush fell over the room. All eyes instinctively turned to Yuuji, who sat with an unyielding calmness, her hands clasped on the table, her posture perfectly upright. Her long pink hair cascaded over her white kimono, her golden eyes sharp and unwavering as they remained fixed on Yaga. Inside, though, her mind was a maelstrom of worry and cold analysis.

Across the table, Todo was oblivious to the room's collective tension. His chin rested on his hand, his eyes dreamy and locked on Yuuji. He let out a small sigh, lost in admiration.

Nishimiya leaned toward Kamo, whispering, "What's wrong with him now?" Her tone carried a mix of irritation and bemusement.

Kamo adjusted his glasses, glancing briefly at Todo. "It's probably just... Todo being Todo." He shrugged, returning his attention to Yaga.

Nearby, Maki smirked, clearly entertained by the spectacle. She leaned closer to Nishimiya, her voice low. "I think he's found his second idol."

Todo, meanwhile, sighed again, utterly enraptured.

Yuuji, still unaware of Todo's dreamy gaze, raised her voice, cutting through the tense silence. "Do we know which cursed spirit did it?" Her tone was calm, professional, yet carried an undertone of command.

Yaga nodded, though his grim expression didn't falter. "A high-level special grade. Their identity remains unclear, but their intention is obvious: chaos. This won't be the last we hear of them."

"Chaos," Maki echoed, leaning back in her chair. "That's an understatement. Ten fingers? Whoever's got those must think they're unstoppable now."

Kamo frowned, his brow furrowing deeply. "The potential devastation is immeasurable. If Sukuna's power is fully restored—"

Yuuji cut in, her voice sharp and resolute. "Then we'll take them down." She glanced around the room, her golden eyes meeting each person's gaze in turn. "No matter what it takes." Her words carried an undeniable authority, and for a moment, even the air in the room seemed to still.

Todo's sigh shattered the moment. "What a woman," he murmured dreamily, loud enough for everyone to hear.

Nishimiya groaned, burying her face in her hands. "Seriously, Todo? We're talking about literal world-ending stakes, and you're... fantasizing?"

Kamo shrugged. "When he gets like this, it's better to just let it pass."

Nobara, seated beside Yuuji, turned toward Todo, raising an eyebrow. "You okay there, Romeo? You seem... out of it."

Todo ignored her entirely, his eyes still locked on Yuuji. "Her resolve... her strength... her beauty... it's unparalleled," he whispered, clearly meaning for everyone to hear.

Nobara exchanged a look with Megumi, who sighed and shook his head in resignation.

"Ignore him," Megumi muttered to Yuuji, who finally glanced at Todo, her expression puzzled.

"Uh... is he okay?" Yuuji asked, her voice tinged with genuine concern.

Maki chuckled, her smirk widening. "Yeah, don't worry. It's just Todo being Todo."

Yuuji frowned slightly but turned her attention back to Yaga. "What's the next step?"

Yaga leaned forward, resting his hands on the table. His tone was grave. "We need to regroup and strengthen our defences. Everyone here will play a critical role in what's to come." His gaze settled on Yuuji. "Especially you."

Yuuji nodded solemnly, the weight of his words settling on her shoulders. "Understood."

Nobara nudged her lightly, a small but reassuring smile on her face. Megumi gave her a subtle nod, his usual stoic support.

The conversation shifted to strategies and logistics, but Todo heard none of it. His eyes remained fixed on Yuuji, admiration radiating from his very being. Nishimiya, thoroughly exasperated, groaned loudly.

"This is going to be a long day," she muttered, resting her head on the table.

T~T

The sun hung high over the field, its warm rays illuminating the hastily arranged baseball diamond. The teachers had scrambled to salvage the day after the tournament had been unceremoniously disrupted by the special grade cursed spirits. Their solution? Baseball. A friendly game between Team Kyoto and Team Tokyo to lighten the mood and foster camaraderie—or so they claimed.

The students, still recovering from the earlier chaos, now found themselves donning baseball caps and gloves instead of wielding weapons or curses. The contrast was almost laughable.

Yuuji stood by the dugout, her golden eyes scanning the field with a mixture of curiosity and mild apprehension. She adjusted the white kimono she stubbornly refused to change, standing out starkly against her teammates, who had adopted more traditional athletic attire.

"I've read about baseball," she muttered, mostly to herself, as the Tokyo team warmed up. "It's a... recreational activity? A sport, I suppose. Striking a ball with a bat and running in a diamond pattern? It seems simple enough." After her awakening, her memory of this world was a bit… blurry.

Nobara, nearby, overheard and smirked. "You've read about baseball? That's adorable, Yuuji. Don't worry; we'll get through this."

Maki, adjusting her gloves, shot Yuuji a teasing glance. "Just don't overthink it. Hit the ball. Run the bases. Try not to accidentally obliterate the field with your powers."

"That's... specific advice," Yuuji replied, her tone flat but her lips twitching with the faintest hint of amusement.

The game began with Team Kyoto taking the first turn at bat. Nishimiya was up, her petite figure dwarfed by the oversized bat she held. She looked determined, squaring her shoulders as Panda—acting as Team Tokyo's pitcher—took his position on the mound.

"Let's see what you've got!" Nishimiya called, her voice carrying over the field. Panda grinned, winding up for the pitch. The ball flew towards her, fast and straight.

Nishimiya swung with all her might, her cursed energy flaring for just a moment to add extra oomph to her strike. The bat connected, sending the ball soaring high into the air. The crowd—composed mostly of their teachers—cheered.

"Nice hit!" Momo yelled from the Kyoto dugout.

But as the ball reached its apex, something strange happened. Nishimiya snapped her fingers, and the ball stopped mid-air. It hovered for a moment before reversing direction, speeding straight back toward the pitcher. Panda ducked just in time as the ball zipped past him, embedding itself in the backstop with a resounding thud.

"Foul!" Gojo declared from his umpire's position, his blindfolded face tilted in mock seriousness. "And that's... disqualification. No using cursed energy to manipulate the game!"

"What?!" Nishimiya protested, hands on her hips. "It's not my fault I'm resourceful!"

"Rules are rules," Gojo said with a shrug, though his grin betrayed his amusement. "Take a seat, Nishimiya-chan."

Grumbling, Nishimiya trudged back to the dugout. "This game is stupid anyway."

Next up was Yuuji. She approached the plate with an air of quiet confidence, her kimono fluttering slightly in the breeze. She gripped the bat awkwardly, testing its weight.

"Let's go, Yuuji-chan!" Gojo cheered, waving dramatically. "Show 'em what you've got!"

Yuuji ignored him, her focus entirely on Kamo, who was readying another pitch. The ball came hurtling toward her, fast and low.

Yuuji swung—and missed.

"Strike one!" Gojo called.

Frowning slightly, Yuuji adjusted her stance. The next pitch came, and this time she connected, sending the ball flying.

But then, instinctively, she reached out with her gravity powers, pulling the ball downward and straight into her hands. She blinked at it, momentarily confused.

"Uh… Itadori," Megumi called from the dugout. "You're supposed to let the ball stay hit."

"Disqualified!" Gojo announced, laughing. "No cursed techniques allowed, Yuuji-chan. Nice try, though!"

Yuuji frowned, setting the ball down carefully before returning to the dugout. "This game is more complicated than it appears," she muttered.

Todo, watching her, sighed dreamily. "What grace. What elegance. Even in disqualification, she is magnificent."

"Focus, Todo," Mai said, exasperated.

The game continued, with Kyoto struggling to make headway. Several players struck out, their frustration growing as Team Tokyo's defence proved solid.

Then came Maki's turn at bat. She approached with a confident smirk, twirling the bat like a staff. Panda pitched, and with a resounding crack, Maki sent the ball flying over the fence for a homerun.

"Take that!" she called, jogging around the bases as the Tokyo team cheered.

Next up was Toge, who gave a simple thumbs-up before stepping to the plate. His calm demeanour belied the power behind his swing, and like Maki, he sent the ball soaring for another homerun.

"Salmon roe," Toge said with a satisfied nod as he rounded the bases.

By the time the game reached its final inning, Team Tokyo had pulled ahead, their coordination and raw talent outshining Kyoto's efforts. The final score was 7-3, with Team Tokyo emerging victorious.

As the teams gathered post-game, Gojo clapped his hands, his smile wide. "Well done, everyone! That was a great game. See? Baseball brings people together."

"Or tears them apart," Nishimiya muttered, still sulking over her disqualification.

Yuuji stood quietly, watching as her teammates celebrated. Despite the unfamiliarity of the game—and her less-than-stellar performance—she felt a strange sense of satisfaction. The camaraderie, the laughter, even the friendly rivalries—it reminded her of something she couldn't quite place.

"You did well, Yuuji," Maki said, clapping her on the shoulder.

"I got disqualified," Yuuji replied, her tone even.

"Yeah, but at least you didn't accidentally crush the ball into oblivion," Maki teased. "That's progress."

Yuuji allowed herself a small smile, the faintest hint of amusement in her golden eyes. "I suppose that's something."

T~T

The library at Jujutsu High was quiet, save for the faint rustling of pages and the occasional creak of a chair. Yuuji Itadori sat at a wooden desk, her white kimono pristine even in the dim light, her long pink hair draped over one shoulder. Her golden eyes scanned the pages of a thick, dusty tome, her expression as stoic as ever. The book was old—older than most records she had seen since arriving at this school. It detailed the structure of the Jujutsu world, its ranks, and its peculiarities.

"This world," she murmured under her breath, "is both similar and dissimilar to the Shinobi world I once knew."

Her thoughts lingered on the parallels. The Jujutsu world valued hierarchy, strength, and strategy. Yet, unlike the Shinobi world, there was no village system, no unified goal to bind the sorcerers together. Here, everyone seemed to fight their own battles, some for glory, some for duty, and some simply to survive.

As she turned another page, her senses tingled faintly. Someone was approaching, their footsteps echoing softly against the polished floor. She didn't look up immediately, focusing instead on a section detailing cursed techniques.

"You've picked a fascinating book," a voice said. It was calm, deliberate. Yuuji finally raised her head.

The man standing before her was dressed oddly, even by her standards. His slick white trousers contrasted sharply with his blue shirt and cheetah-themed tie. Thick-rimmed glasses sat on his nose, and his expression was neither warm nor cold—just professional.

"It provides good information," Yuuji replied, her voice steady and devoid of unnecessary pleasantries. "Are you a staff member?"

The man adjusted his glasses. "More like a freelancer. I'm here helping out a friend."

"Freelancer?" she repeated, narrowing her golden eyes slightly.

Before he could elaborate further, an annoyingly familiar voice broke the tranquility of the library. "Nanami! I see you've met my beautiful student!"

Gojo Satoru strode in, his ever-present blindfold covering his eyes, his grin wide and mischievous. Yuuji felt a muscle in her jaw tighten.

"Gojo-sensei," she said, snapping the book shut with a decisive motion. "What do you want?"

"Oh, don't be so cold, Yuuji-chan," Gojo said, pretending to pout. "Can't a teacher just check in on his favourite student?"

"I doubt it," Yuuji replied flatly, her expression unchanging. "You dragged me into this mess, you're hardly a favourite."

Nanami gave her a small nod, seemingly impressed. "She's disciplined," he remarked, his voice laced with approval. "It's refreshing."

Gojo, on the other hand, was clearly dissatisfied. "Disciplined? Sure. But she's also no fun. Look at her—so serious, so businesslike. She used to be so fun before the Detention-Centre incident. Yuuji-chan, you need to cheer up! Smile a little!"

"I'll smile when there's something worth smiling about," she retorted, sliding the book toward the edge of the desk.

Nanami's lips twitched, almost imperceptibly. "I like her."

Gojo feigned heartbreak, clutching his chest dramatically. "Et tu, Nanami? My own colleague, betraying me?"

"Focus, Gojo," Nanami said, ignoring his theatrics. He turned to Yuuji. "He has something to tell you."

Yuuji's gaze shifted back to her teacher. "What is it?" she asked, her tone firm.

"A mission," Gojo replied, leaning against the desk with a grin.

Her interest piqued, Yuuji's golden eyes sharpened. "How interesting," she said, standing up and brushing off her kimono. "Let's hear it."

Gojo Satoru leaned against the library desk, his grin as wide as ever, watching as Yuuji Itadori absorbed the details of her assignment. She stood straight, her golden eyes sharp and focused, her white kimono flowing as she clasped her hands in front of her in an almost militaristic posture. Her stoic demeanour made it hard to tell if she was excited or indifferent about the mission, but the subtle nod she gave was all the confirmation Nanami needed.

"I'll be in your care, Nanami-sensei," Yuuji said, her voice calm yet respectful.

Nanami Kento adjusted his tie, his expression as neutral as ever. "Nanami is fine."

"Nanamin it is, then," Yuuji replied, a faint glimmer of dry humour sneaking into her tone.

Nanami sighed, tilting his head slightly. "It's Nanam... Fine. Nanamin if you must."

Gojo burst out laughing, clapping his hands. "See? She's already loosening you up, Nanamin!"

"Don't call me that," Nanami replied flatly, shooting Gojo a tired glare before turning back to Yuuji. "When do we leave?"

"In half an hour," Nanami said, glancing at his watch. "I have a tight schedule, so be ready on time."

"Understood," Yuuji said, bowing slightly before leaving to prepare.

As she exited the room, Nanami adjusted his glasses thoughtfully. "She knows the chain of command. Acts like a soldier in the military." His gaze slid to Gojo, his tone dropping with disapproval. "Unlike a certain white-haired buffoon."

"You hurt me, Nanamin!" Gojo exclaimed, clutching his chest in mock agony.

"Don't call me that," Nanami snapped, his patience visibly wearing thin.

"But Yuuji-chan calls you Nanamin," Gojo teased, clearly enjoying the dynamic far too much.

"Shut up," Nanami said, turning on his heel and walking away, leaving Gojo behind.

Gojo's laugh echoed through the library. "Oh, this is going to be fun," he said to himself.

T~T

Author Note: I am back with this story! What do you want next?

Thanks for reading this chapter. The next chapter will be released depending on your responses.

Drop your thoughts in the review section. Your words motivate me to write better, larger and with more depth.

Till next time!