November 19th, 2018, Tokyo Jujutsu High

  “Choso… Are you sure this wi--”

  “Be quiet, Yuji; if you talk, you won’t be able to concentrate,” Choso said sternly.

  Stifling a sigh, Yuji closed his eyes once more and tried to refocus. He was sitting cross-legged across from his self-proclaimed older brother who had assumed a similar stance. The two were in Jujutsu High’s main lobby, having set up shop in the empty space in order to practice. The pair had spent all of yesterday in the same position. Hours on end of Yuji attempting to “feel his connection” and Choso attempting to further his own.

  Yuji had been unsuccessful so far, despite how much time he had devoted to the task, he hadn’t raised any objections to Choso’s form of teaching even though there was a striking lack of results. Gojo’s method of teaching him the fundamentals of cursed energy consisted of watching movies and getting punched by a teddy bear, so he was willing to give Choso the benefit of doubt. Still, four hours went by and Yuji felt like he was closer to obtaining the feeling he was meant to.

  Time was the last thing they were privy to wasting. Yuji’s attempt to confirm with Choso that this would work had ended with him being interrupted, so he tried once more to do what Choso had instructed him to do when first starting. Letting out a deep breath as he began to focus internally.

  “The human body is one giant organism. Blood manipulation grants control of the largest aspect of this organism. You need to envision yourself as one city, joined together by roads of blood. It’s impossible for any sorcerer to control every blood cell they have, but sensing them all is a different matter.”

  It started with hands; Yuji let them go loose as he rested them in his lap. From there he traveled up his arms, a warmth flooding through them. He worked down from his shoulders, traversing through the torso till he reached the tips of his toes. Finally he let the warmth rise over his head, a breath imperceptible to anyone but him escaping his lips.

  “After you’ve done that, you want to try and decentralize yourself. I know it runs counter to the first part, but it’s important to do. Blood manipulation at its core is about utilizing clumps of your blood in small amounts to achieve great results. If you try to do anything while your control is extended to all your blood—you’ll die. You need to gain an understanding about how to control a precise amount of blood; only then can I teach you anything.”

  Attempting to follow Choso’s teachings, Yuji tried to divide the mass of warmth he felt within him into different sections. A moment passed as he tried to envision it. After taking deep breaths in and out for a length of time he couldn’t tell, he had managed to achieve it. Each of his limbs and torso becoming different segments of warmth. They all still felt the same, but Yuji could tell they were different, more distinct from one another. Experimentally, Yuji tried to further this distinction, then again, and again.

  Eventually he had managed to distinguish countless pockets of warmth within him. Experimentally he reached out to one of the pockets of warmth in his right hand. Trying to will it upwards, the pocket followed his instructions as it raced up through his skin. A slight pain was caused by this pocket as it did so, but it was nothing the boy couldn’t handle.

  As the pocket broke the skin, it did so in a discreet manner. Creating a millimeter-sized cut as it escaped into the air. Opening his eyes, Yuji looked towards the pocket of warmth he had willed to the air. The pocket seemed to be a small amount of his own blood, clumped together. Creating a small sphere as it hung a few feet to his side.

  Yuji tried to will the mass of blood to move. The sphere did as he commanded, just rather slowly. Moving up towards the ceiling at a snail's pace, after a minute or so passed, the blood had managed to move a foot up. Becoming eye level with Yuji. Next he tried to make the sphere morph into a cube. Slowly yet surely the smooth surface expanded outward, multiple faces beginning to form as it did so. Taking the same time as it had to move, the sphere had become a cube.

  Yuji let the blood fall to the ground as he finished toying with it. Turning into a droplet as it splashed onto the floor. The drop of blood created a mark only around the size of a dime as it hit the ground; a vague sense of guilt came over Yuji as he realized the floor would likely be stained from his actions.

  “Good job Yuji, you’re progressing a lot faster than I thought you would,” Choso said with a slight smile.

  “Faster? It’s been a day and a half.”

  “A day and three quarters, actually; it’s almost six.”

  “What? It was around three just a second ago…”

  Not trusting Choso’s sense of time, Yuji turned his head to inspect the clock. Surprisingly, it did indeed show the time was five fifty-three; he had tried to ask Choso if he was sure this would work nearly three hours ago. It felt like that was only a handful of minutes ago.

  “So, what now?” Yuji stood up as he spoke, stretching his limbs while he waited for a response.

  “Now that you’ve gained a feeling for controlling blood, you should be able to do it with ease. I’d like to spend a few days getting you used to controlling blood outside your body more freely and at a quicker pace. next, working on Flowing Red Scale till you’ve mastered it is probably the best course of action. After that we’ll have to see how much time is left, if any at all, to determine what you should work on next.” Likewise, Choso also stood up as he explained the next course in Yuji’s training regiment.

  “Flowing Red Scale?”

  “It’s a technique where you forcibly accelerate the blood flow within your body. Doing so increases your oxygenation and cardiovascular function drastically.”

  “... I don’t get it,” Yuji tilted his head at Choso’s technical explanation. The meaning behind the abilities function being lost on him.

  “Your physicality is boosted while you use it. Give your fighting style of melee combat; It’s the ability that would give you the greatest advantage in battle.” Letting out a sigh, Choso dumbed it down for his little brother. Adding on why he thought this was the foremost ability he should learn.

  “I thought the point in me learning blood manipulation was to give me more options when fighting Sukuna. Not just double down on what I’m already doing?”

  “Most sorcerers build their combat style to function around their cursed technique. Since they have them from birth. You’re an exception, having gotten your technique after your style of combat was founded. It’s best to use blood manipulation as an add-on to strengthen your already pre-existing style.”

  “That makes sense. You’re a much better teacher than Gojo, Choso.”

  “It’s the duty of the eldest to pass on his knowledge to those younger than him; think nothing of it.” Choso’s humility was undercut by the smug smile and prideful glint in his eyes.

  I finally have a cursed technique. It’s no Rasengan, but I’ll manage.

  Yuji went stiff as the thought ran through his head, nearly forgotten words his teacher had spoken to him flashing through his mind. He had been Sukuna’s vessel for quite some time, while he never viewed it as a positive thing. Certain unwanted benefits had come from the demon within his head.

  The first of which had been his resilience to poison. Having managed to endure the one’s Choso’s brothers had used on him as well as Junpei's Shikigami. Yuji Itadori was unsure if he would still be resilient now that Sukuna had left him; it seemed unlikely. He would have to test it to see if it’s the case. Looking down at his hand, shame ran through Yuji as he realized what he might possess. It had no reason to manifest now, but that didn’t mean it couldn’t.

  “YUTAA! WE MADE IT. Bellowing out their arrival, Yuta’s curse stood just outside the entranceway to the room. Hovering a few feet off the ground.

  “That we did, Rika. Thanks for getting us here so fast.”

  Stepping off of her back, Yuta and Inumaki reached the ground safely before Rika vanished. Yuta placing his ring around his neck before walking forward towards the two brothers.

  “Sorry we took so long getting back; I saw some players on the way and thought I should get rid of them since they were destroying buildings with no concern for people.”

  “Good thinking, Okkotsu; that was probably for the best,” Yuji said, while he was glad Okkotsu had taken such measures. His voice was distant, a question lingering in his mind he wanted to ask.

  “What did you discover in Sendai?” Choso asked the question in Yuji’s stead, attempting to make the conversation flow smoothly and easier for his younger brother.

  “We didn’t find Sukuna, only what he left behind. He killed whatever sorcerer had incarnated in Tsubomi.”

  All four of them fell silent as the weight of Yuta’s words hung in the air. After Tsubomi had been removed as a player, none of them expected to find anything other than a corpse waiting for them. Even still, it wasn’t as if they hadn’t hoped for some miracle. Though such things were hard to come by in the cursed world they called home.

  “Tuna.”

  Inumaki broke the silence with a single word; all three people present turned to him as he spoke. Holding up their phone for them to see.

  Are Maki and Angel healed?

  “Miss Ieri finished their treatment yesterday. She said they would wake up sometime today,” Yuji responded to Inumaki’s typed question.

  “They woke up about an hour ago. Shoko’s running physicals to be safe, but she’s never screwed up healing someone before so I’m sure they’ll be fine.” Walking down a hallway into the lobby, Kusukabe made his appearance. Elaborating on Yuji’s answer with more specifics.

  “And where have you been?” Yuta asked the question that had been lingering in Yuji’s mind since he first arrived. A light rage creeped into his voice as he did so.

  His anger seemed strange to Yuji; while having not known him very long, Okkotsu didn’t seem the type to get mad easily. The chase down that happened as their first meeting being the exception. Yuji was told the first-grade sorcerer had left unexpectedly shortly before his arrival. He hadn’t known Sukuna had been let out, so it wasn’t his fault he had left at such a critical juncture.

  Kusukabe seemed undaunted by the enraged special grade that stood before him. Merely placing a piece of candy in his mouth before responding melancholically.

  “I had to go visit Ino and give him some directions. He’s getting Principal Yaga’s associates out of this country in case of a worse-case scenario. Utahime called me yesterday and told me the situation, so don’t bother expla--”

  “A new rule has been added to the culling games. No new players are allowed to join the culling games.” Echoing itself threefold, the game master appeared to announce the addition of a new rule.

  Yuji jumped slightly at the surprise announcement; it wasn’t till a few seconds later, when he processed this rule that an equal amount of confusion replaced his surprise.

  “How’s that possible? Doesn't that contradict rule seven as having a long-lasting effect on the game?”

  “It does, but Kenjaku could have implemented a loophole to get around it, like how the soldiers are able to enter the colonies,” Yuta responded to Yuji, proposing an explanation for the added rule. “I’m not sure why someone would even add th--”

  “A new rule has been added to the culling games. The culling games will end when all players except Surgery Geto and Megumi Fushiguro and Amari Momoe have died.”

  “Kogane, who added those two rules?” Kusukabe asked, directing his question towards the game master hovering near Itadori.

  “Well, assigned to Yuji Itadori, I can’t answer you.”

  “It’s fine; Kogane does as he says and answers him.”

  “The player who added those two rules is Amari Mome.” Receiving permission from its assigned player, the game master happily responded to Kuskuabe’s question.

  “How many points does this Amari Mome have now, what colony are they in, and are Suguru Geto or Megumi Fushigiro in the same colony as them?”

  “Amari Mome has three hundred points currently. They are in the Morioka colony, and Suguru Geto is in this colony as well.”

  “Well, this sucks.” Burying his head into his palm, Kusakabe announced the obvious with a sigh.

  “I don’t see how it changes anything. Noritoshi Kamo’s goal is to merge the talking thumb with the people of Japan. He told me he would do it after taking them, but it seems he was just bluffing. If he’s adding a rule like that, it only shows that he can't start the merger till he ends the culling game,” Choso said.

  “Him being unable to start it till the game ends makes the most sense. The issue is the specification on the rule and who added it. It included Sukuna as one of the three exceptions to ending the game, meaning him and Kenjaku working together went from likely to a near certainty. Then there’s the addition of their new ally, who added the rule. We were at a disadvantage enough as is.” Kusukabe began to chew down on the lollipop he had in his mouth as he finished. Yuji reasoned it to be his response to stress.

  “It doesn't have to mean a new ally ; it’s probably just the ice sorcerer who attacked Yuji and Maki,” Yuta said.

  “It doesn't make sense for it to be her. While I’m sure she’s capable of scoring five hundred points, so is Kenjaku. I don’t know why they both would go to a different colony just to have her get all the points to add his rules. This Amari Mome seems to be someone Kenjaku went to in order to get their points. Maybe more sorcerers died from the soldiers than he expected to, and he didn’t want to track down all the players himself. Regardless, I don’t think the person who added the rules and the ice sorcerer are the same.”

  Yuji looked back and forth from Choso to Yuta to see how they were reacting to Kusukabe's explanation. To him it all seemed reasonable and made perfect sense. His seniors seemed to agree with his own assessment as well. Having both of their objections to his examination struck down, they could only grimace as they realized Kusakabe had hit the nail on the head. His understanding of the situation left Yuji feeling admiration and respect towards the middle-aged sorcerer.

  He came to that conclusion in just a moment. Choso and Okkotsu didn’t reach that point on their own, and I didn’t get it either. Everyone said Kusukabe’s really strong; he seems to have excellent tactical sense. Although…

  Yuji had always heard remarks in passing about the grade one sorcerer who would only fight cursed spirits of grade two or lower. He was something akin to a joke amongst the school populace. An unreliable coward who only picked battles he knew he could win with absolute certainty. It wasn’t Yuji’s place to judge, but it seemed like such a waste.

  “All four of you get some sleep; we’ll unseal Gojo tomorrow morning. Before we plan our next step, freeing him from the prison realm is the top priority. I’d like to do it now, but Angel said she needs a little time before using her technique. Shoko’s also worried about the flow of time in the prison realm having a negative effect on his mental state. So we’ll all take cover when it’s opened and calm him down if need be,” Kusukabe began to walk off as he finished speaking, waving to the sorcerers who had gathered as he left.

  “Calamari.”

  Uttering what Yuji assumed to be his way of saying goodbye. Inumaki started to head in the direction of the dorms.

  “I’ll keep watch in case Sukuna or some other player tries to attack us. Let everyone know for me, Yuji,” Yuta said, before leaping up onto the roof of the building. Yuji heard him jump a few more times before he got too far away.

  “Yuji, there’s still time left in the day. I’d like to teach you some more about controlling your blood efficiently now that you have a grasp on sensing it. It’ll become natural the more you practice.” Not wasting a moment. Choso spoke from Yuji’s side, determined to show his younger brother everything he could in the time they were allotted.

  “Alright, Choso, teach me how.”

  Even if Gojo’s coming back, I have to get stronger. I have to do everything I can to help him kill Sukuna and bring Megumi back.

  “You can’t beat Ryomen.”

  This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  Staring up at the night sky, the words of warning a defeated foe had left him ran through his head. He had been debating their merit since she had told him about the impossibility of the task that lay before him. Defeating a demon king and saving the world. It was something out of children's fairy tales, a story as old as time. They even had a prince they needed to save.

  He had always thought the world he had been sucked into was far more fantasy than reality. It hadn’t taken long for that fantasy to become his new reality. Having grown accustomed to his worldview. Then again that fantasy had changed to an even deeper realm of lunacy, a realm where monsters lay. Monsters he would have to conquer.

  Unsheathing his blade, the special grade sorcerer held it out in front of him. Enveloping it in his cursed energy and observing it as time passed by. The blade was surrounded by a cloud of purple energy, imperceptible to most people. It swirled in and out with no definite shape, letting off parts of the cloud by the moment as it dispersed amongst the wind.

  “Your output isn’t anything that impresses Yuta. Not to say it’s bad; it’s just at the level of your average grade one sorcerer. Your overall cursed energy is where your strength lies. Though that very strength has given rise to your greatest weakness, you're incredibly sloppy when it comes to managing your cursed energy. You have so much of it you’ve never consciously tried to stop it from being expended wastefully whenever you use it. It’s never been a problem till now since you’ve never run into an opponent who can fight you for a long enough time to take advantage of the fact. If you ever come across an opponent with almost as much cursed energy as you, or an even greater amount. You’ll be at a major disadvantage.”

  Running his other hand over his blade, Yuta attempted to smooth out the shifting cloud. The change was subtle, but Yuta could tell it was a little more refined. The way it moved around happened at shorter intervals, staying closer to the blade as it moved. He attempted to condense the cloud further, but after a minute of trying with no progress--he gave up. Letting his hands drop and sheathing his sword once more.

  In terms of overall combat ability, Yuta Okkotsu was the strongest sorcerer Jujutsu High had ever documented in their extensive history. With the exception of Satoru Gojo and Ryomen Sukuna of course. As such he had been issued the rank of special grade, a power great enough to bring a nation to its knees.

  He never cared what rank he was given, nor how the world viewed him because of it. So long as he was strong enough to protect the things he held dear, that was enough for him. Yuta had never run into an obstacle that he couldn’t overcome with some practice. The king of curses was no exception.

  He would refine his control and efficiency. The only hurdle left to conquer before his jujutsu would be perfected. Even if he reached perfection, it wouldn’t be enough to step into the realm of monsters where Sukuna and Gojo resided. In order to reach their domain, it required a shift in the way one viewed the world. “To cast aside all others” was how Uro put it. To gain the strength he needed to protect the things he cared for, he would have to cast them aside.

  Gojo’s been fighting alone all this time. It’s way too selfish to have him be the monster all for our sake isn't it? If I can reach the height of a monster, then he won’t be alone anymore… Do I have what it takes to--

  “Aren’t you supposed to be on watch?”

  Startled, Yuta jumped backwards and drew his blade in the direction of the voice. He let out a lengthy sigh after seeing who it was, letting himself relax.

  “Yeah, that’s what I was doing, Maki.”

  “You must’ve been doing it pretty badly if you couldn’t tell I was here,” cutting into her classmate with sharp words. Maki stood behind where Yuta had been sitting with her arms crossed.

  “Sorry. You're really quiet though, and you don’t have any cursed energy. So it’s hard to detect you.”

  “...You're the same as ever I see. Way too nice.” After a moment of deliberation, Maki said her retort, letting out a sigh as she sat down.

  “Well, I’d rather be nice to my friends, you know? Anyway, I'm glad you're fine now. When Yuji brought you there, you were looking real bad.”” Yuta moved closer to her as he spoke, sitting down next to her as they stared off into the starry sky.

  “I’ve looked really bad for three weeks. Though whatever Shoko did to heal me got rid of some of my burn scars. She said they would be permanent last time, so I guess she just didn’t feel like healing them.”

  Glancing down at her arms, Yuta had to admit it did look like her arms were significantly less scared. Her face didn’t seem like it was any different… not that he had been paying close enough attention to know if it was.

  “Well, I’m sure Shoko just didn’t have time to heal them the first time; besides, you’d look nice no matter what scar Maki.”

  Maki’s eyes widened slightly at Yuta’s compliment, looking away as she brought her fist down on his head.

  “Ow! What was that for?”

  “You being an idiot.”

  Yuta had choice words to say about intelligence but decided to keep them to himself with a sigh. A silence enveloped the two as their exchange finished, both staring off into the distance. Eventually Yuta found the courage to ask the question he’d been meaning to.

  “Are you scared, Maki?”

  “Scared of what?”

  “What we’ll have to do to keep the world on its axis. Everything we might lose in the process,” Yuta’s voice was soft as he spoke. Looking down as he brought his knees closer to his chest.

  “Not really,” Maki’s response came quickly, too quickly. It left Yuta to look at her suspiciously.

  “What? All we have to do is win. There’s nothing more to it, Yuta.”” Her tone was cold yet focused, hubris leaking into her voice.

  “You say that it's going to be easy,” Yuta muttered.

  “That blindfolded idiot’s going to come back, and we're all way stronger than we were back at Shibuya. Besides, you’re here now, and we have that player who scored two-hundred points. I’m not saying it's going to be an easy victory, but I find it hard to imagine we won’t be the victors.”

  “And just how many people will die to crown our side as winning none? This is going to be a war between monsters, Maki... I’m the only one who can stand close to equal with them. Everyone else would just be throwing their lives away trying to help.”

  “You haven’t changed at all, Yuta,” Maki let out a lengthy sigh as she stood up. Beginning to walk towards the roof edge in front of Yuta.

  Yuta wasn’t sure what about him not changing in particular she meant. Yuta thought he had changed in all sorts of ways since coming to Jujutsu High and meeting everyone. Though Maki didn’t bother to elaborate before continuing on.

  “In war there are always casualties. No matter how strong someone is, they can’t avert that reality. Don’t spend so much time thinking about something you’ll never be able to stop. People are going to die; it’s inevitable, stop trying to do the impossible and focus on mitigating the losses,” Maki stared back at Yuta as she spoke. Her eyes are as sharp as diamonds cutting into him. The moonlight cast Maki’s shadow that stretched across the roof and covered Yuta, shrouding him in darkness.

  “You’ve sure changed a lot, Maki. Being able to say all that so bluntly. You’ve always been to the point, but you’re being a lot more cold and callous now than you ever were before. Don’t you have a heart?” An uncharacteristic degree of anger within him reached a boiling point and vented outwards. Yuta knew everything Maki said held merit, but she didn’t have to phrase the obtuse fact that their friends were going to die so crudely.

  Maki’s eyes widened slightly before narrowing. A wave of an emotion ran across her face that That Yuta couldn’t identify.

  “No. Mai took it with her.”

  While Yuta was processing the meaning of Maki’s words. She took the liberty to jump off the edge of the roof, vanishing to the grounds below.

  Mai? Did she… We’ve been so busy that I never did ask her how things went with her family. I’ll ask her about what happened tomorrow… or whenever she won’t hit me more for doing so.

  Yuta let the mental image of Maki beating him up linger for a handful of seconds. After he was satisfied with the duration of her assault, he placed the necklace, which held the ring, in his palm. He fiddled around with it, examining all sides of it. He had long since memorized The ring's design and every grove placed upon it. His intention with inspecting it was not to look for something physical, only to stir the emotions brought about by his curse.

  The love he and Rika shared had become a curse upon him. That was what Gojo had told him and something he believed entirely until recently, but the truth of that matter was that what Rika had left for him was no curse: It was a blessing. Rika had guided him to where he was now. Without her, Yuta never would have found the friends and people he was surrounded by now. Nor had the strength he currently did to protect those precious people.

  Rika had bequeathed to him things he would be eternally grateful for. It’s why Yuta believed himself to be blessed; he was fortunate to have what he did. Surrounded by people he cherished, people who were all under an incredible threat.

  “I’ve seen it. What surpasses the horizons of sorcerers, cursed spirits, and strong fighters is… Overwhelming aggression that disregards all else. Like a calamity.”

  To protect the people he had been blessed with. Yuta Okkotsu would cast those very blessings off. They were things he never wanted to part with, but they only held him

  back from the place he had no choice but to strive for. Embracing the curse of solitude that bound the strongest, Yuta Okkotsu resolved himself to reach that lonely summit.

  November 20th, 2018, Tokyo Jujutsu High

  Looking out the classroom window, Miwa saw the rising sun. She had always been an early bird and typically spent her hours before sunrise sulking alone. Ironically, she had never felt more adrift in what she should be doing, but she wasn’t alone before the rising sun this time.

  Sitting at the desk across from her was Kashimo, who was engrossed in playing something on her phone. While she was sneaking out of her room and making her way to walk around before dawn in silence. She had run into him by accident, having woken up before even her and gone about walking in his own circles.

  He had been staying in one of the school's many empty dorms since he had arrived. He was surprisingly punctual, always going to bed by nine sharp and waking up before even her. It had been their unspoken routine for the past few days for them both to wander till they found one another. Then Miwa would surrender her phone and watch him play in silence.

  Outside the one time on the first day, they had barely spoken to one another beyond simple requests. Neither made attempts to find out more about the other or tried to become “closer”. This deadlock wasn’t born out of an awkwardness or dislike that one party held towards the other.

  Miwa had never been sociable; she was far from such a moniker. She would have liked to get to know Kashimo better, but her own anxiety kept him at bay. Kashimo simply had no desire to become more acquainted with her than he already had. He had learned his lesson a long time ago about forming such frivolous bonds.

  Still, Miwas' trepidation over how a dialogue with Kashimo may go had gradually fizzled out over the three days they had interacted. She was quite fortunate that there was also a perfect conversation starter she could use on this particular day. Taking in a shaky breath, the self-proclaimed useless sorcerer began a conversation with the strongest sorcerer of the Edo period.

  “Were you planning to go with everyone to greet Gojo when they break the seal?”

  It had been discussed yesterday that they would be removing Gojo’s seal at eleven sharp. That would be in about three and a half hours from now, though they were going to do it away from the school to be safe, so they had to leave around ten-thirty.

  “No, I don’t overly care about witnessing this era's strongest return,” Kashimo didn’t look away from his game as he spoke. Seemingly deeming it more important than trivial conversation.

  “Well… you said you’ve been looking for someone strong enough for you to fight with your technique. If Gojos is strong enough, would you fight him then?”

  “...If I said I would, would you try to stop me??” Kashimo said disinterested, his eyes never once drifting from whatever game he was in the midst of.

  “Yeah, I probably would… For all the good I’d do.”

  Saying that attempting to stop Kashimo would be an utterly pointless act was quite the generous phrasing. Miwa would be no more than a single tree trying desperately to hold back an avalanche. Getting swept away and destroyed the moment that unstoppable force made contact with her.

  And yet, despite Miwa being aware of how pointless her resistance would amount to. She still was certain she would stand her ground to hold back that avalanche. Her resolve came as a shock to her; she who had never once felt like she had ever committed herself to anything.

  Kashimo naturally was undaunted by Miwa’s pointless proclamation. Still, he set his phone down and met Miwa’s gaze for the first time. His eyes studied hers for a moment before he spoke up.

  “We’ll don't worry about it. Even if this Gojo person is stronger than Sukuna, I won’t be fighting him or anyone else. The king of curses is the only one who I’m able to fight with my technique.”

  “Why’s that?”

  “It was part of the deal I made in order to participate in this game. I made a binding vow with him that I wouldn't use my technique on anyone other than Sukuna.”

  “With Kenjaku?”

  “Yep,” Kashimo reclined back into his chair as he spoke. Kicking his legs up onto his desk as he relaxed.

  “That… doesn't make any sense.”

  “Huh?”

  Understanding something Edo’s strongest sorcerer didn’t, Miwa spoke with her hands folded before her, deep in thought. The seconds dragged on as neither spoke a word. Miwa trying to place how this new information made any sense at all given what she knew, and Kashimo trying to decipher what exactly the issue was.

  “What exactly does not make sense?” Eventually, Kashimo spoke up to inquire about what her realization was.

  “The binding vow he made with you. Ensuring you’d be obligated to only fight Sukuna even if you managed to find a more capable sorcerer,” Miwa said, trying to convey the discrepancy to Kashimo.

  “I… guess that’s what it did; why exactly is that a problem?” Kashimo said, confused. Miwa brought her hand up to rub the creases out of her forehead, letting out a sigh before she began a more simplistic explanation.

  “Sukuna and Kenjaku we know are most likely working together thanks to the rule that was added to the games-including Sukuna as an exception-, and the way Kenjaku spoke with Yuji and allied himself with the ice sorcerer during Shibuya.”

  “...And?”

  “Why would Kenjaku restrict you to only being able to fight his ally?” Having led Kashimo to this discrepancy. Miwa let out a slight sigh at how slow he could be, which was rather ironic considering he fought with lightning.

  Kashimo’s eyes widened slightly as Miwa’s words hit him; he opened his mouth as if to speak, but no words came out. Not finding an explanation for Kenjaku’s strange condition. Kashimo looked up as he pondered, letting out a lengthy sigh after a few seconds had passed.

  “It probably doesn't matter. He’s just weird like that; besides, he doesn't think I can kill Sukuna anyway. I could tell by the way he reacted after I said I would fight him. The binding vow is probably just to ensure he’s able to watch when I fight him. To entertain whatever annoying curiosity he had when we first met.

  “Yeah, you're... probably right,” Miwa admitted while looking away.

  “It’s probably just what Kashimo said; I’m reading too deep into it. There’s no reason why Kenjaku would want Sukuna dead.

  Despite her admission that she was most likely wrong, something still nagged at the back of her mind. A missing piece that could explain away Kenjaku’s contradicting actions. A piece she couldn’t manage to place.

  “So are you going to watch the strongest get unsealed, or just stay with me and stare at me all day like normal?” Not caring for Miwa’s internal dilemma. Kashimo became the engager for the first time in their conversation.

  Miwa flushed slightly and fidgeted with how he described their typical interactions, or lack thereof.

  “No, I won't be going. Everyone’s concerned Gojo may be out of it after spending so much time in the prison realm. If he is a danger, then I’d only be holding everyone back by being there.” 0Miwa left out that she had been told not to come for that very reason despite wanting to. She didn’t even get to have a seat at the table, did she?

  “Yeah, you probably hit the nail on the head there.” Kashimo’s response was rather blunt, but it felt quite sharp as it cut into Miwa.

  “I’m not sure how accessible they are in this era, but have you tried using curse tools to make up for your deficiencies?”

  Miwa’s eyes widened at Kahimo's suggestion. Not having considered he would… do the bare minimum and suggest a method for her to improve. She needed to start putting more faith in people.

  “They’re somewhat restricted for student sorcerers. I tried using some of the swords that Jujutsu High had; I liked a few of them, but it doesn't really matter now.”

  “Why not? This place is deserted; I’m sure no one would care if you took one.” Kashimo raised an eyebrow at Miwa’s defeated attitude. Confused as to why it persisted even now.

  “Well, um… You remember when I told you I put everything into one swing and Kenjaku brushed it aside?

  “I do.”

  “Well, I… Made a binding vow in order to strengthen that swing… the restriction being I would never swing a sword again.” Taking a few pauses to soften the blow her own words dealt her. Miwa managed to tell him the crux of her current uselessness.

  Kashimo unexpectedly didn’t laugh at her as she told her about what her feeble attempt to put Kenjaku down had cost. Instead, looking at her thoughtfully with a hint of confusion before speaking.

  “Swords are… were your weapon of choice then, yes?” Miwa cringed as he corrected himself before answering in the affirmative.

  “Why would you use a sword?”

  “Huh?”

  Kashimo looked at her perplexingly, seemingly incredibly confused on why Miwa had fought with a blade. Miwa could only look back in equal dumbfoundedness at his question. An instinctual response of confusion coming out before she could think.

  “Someone with your physique and build trying to use a blade is like a bodybuilder trying to master archery. Sure they can do it, but it’s going to be anything but efficient.”

  Miwa could only stare in bewilderment as Kashimo proclaimed her suitability for a blade as next to zero. Kashimo raised an eyebrow at her confusion, leaning into the table to break down what he meant.

  “You’re short and lacking in terms of physical strength. A sword is a weapon that while it’s not exclusive to being used in conjunction with brute force, is without a doubt the most common and well-fitted option. Against pretty much anyone and everyone, you’d be overpowered trying to fight them. That’s not to say you using a blade is impossible; it’s just far from what I think your ideal battle style should be. Traits like physique and size are mostly inborn. There’s very little someone can do to overcome that wall. Rather than trying to contort yourself to fit in a box, you should look for a different box that suits you better.”

  That… makes a lot of sense.

  Listening to Kashimo’s explanation. Miwa had to admit everything he said was very fitting. The times Miwa overpowered her opponents were vastly dwarfed by the times she herself had been overpowered. She’d never considered trying another weapon since it was all she had been taught.

  “You said you had no cursed technique, yes? So is attacking head-on with a sword all you’ve been doing till now?”

  “No, I use simple domain as well. Do you know what that is?”

  “Yes, it was used frequently in my time. Along with its offshoot hollow wicker basket. So is your being unable to fight with your normal weapon why you’ve been so self-deprecating? That’s not just how you normally are, is it?”

  Quickly transitioning from confirming he understood Miwa’s method of combat, Kashimo began a series of daunting questions. Questions that made Miwa feel rather uncomfortable.

  “It um…Kind of is… how I normally am, I mean.” Miwa looked away as she confirmed his impression of her. Shame flooded through her as she spoke.

  “Well, why don’t you go try and find a weapon that’s a better fit for you? I presume this place is something akin to an armory,” Paying no mind to Miwa's answer, Kashimo went and suggested she go look for a way to fight anew.

  “Are you… sure I should go?”

  “Very much so. It would be a better use of your time than sitting here and watching me. You seem to want to contribute, so go and take the first step to doing so.”

  Kashimo reached over to where he had placed Miwa’s phone, sensing that there talk was over and wanting to return to his game. Miwa stalled for a few seconds while processing the conversation she had just had with this man. Beyond surprised with the direction it had taken.

  It was… strange. To find herself being able to talk with him so openly, and in turn him giving her much-needed guidance on what she should be doing. Even around her fellow students, who she had spent years around, such free-flowing discussion happened rarely due to her recededness. Yet she had felt comfortable talking with Kashimo, a murderer who she barely knew.

  Had she always been this odd?

  Not wanting to waste any more time, Miwa stood up and made a few steps to leave the room. Realizing halfway to the door she had no idea what she was doing. Miwa was no expert in combat; she had no idea what kind of fighting style suited her skillset. She barely even knew what her own skillset consisted of.

  Looking back behind her, Kashimo was engrossed in his game once more. Completely ignoring the outside world, or so it seemed at the very least. Having no one else to turn to. Miwa decided to ask him for even more help.

  “Um… If you don’t mind me asking. What do you think would be the kind of weapon that suits me?”

  “Hmm?”

  Making a noise of acknowledgement, Kashimo looked in her direction puzzlingly. As if asking for her to continue.

  “Well, you said a sword wouldn’t go well for someone of my size. So what do you think would work well for me?” Miwa felt a nervous smile tug on her lips as she asked, strangely she wasn’t worried Kashimo would take offense to her wasting his time and electrocute her. Such irrational thoughts of what the slightest distraction could cause him to do had long since left her.

  When Miwa had first heard about the man, she attributed him more as a wild beast than any person. Though this impression barely lasted through their first encounter, it had long since stopped affecting the way she treated him. Miwa thought the reincarnated sorcerer was just… normal. It felt surreal to have that be how she looked at his character, but it was the most well-fitting adjective Miwa had to describe him with.

  Kashimo hesitated for a moment, thinking over the answer to Miwa’s question before he spoke.

  “You probably want something small and compact, like a scimitar or dagger. Though the reach of the blade is also important since a simple domain is your main weapon, maximizing the automatic attack upon entering its range is something you should focus on. In order to do that, the weapon's natural attack speed is important as well as the range. So that’s something you should keep in mind when looking for what you should use. Just try different weapons out and see what feels natural; pay attention to how quickly you can strike with them as well.”

  “Alright, thank you for telling me that,” Miwa spoke with excitement in her voice, having found direction again after weeks of aimless wandering.

  She rushed out of the room and was practically skipping with joy as she moved towards the building armory. Miwa smiled widely as she jogged towards it, overjoyed at having found the first step of many towards helping everyone.

  Having been left behind as the girl took his advice to heart, Kashimo let out a slight sigh as his eyes lingered on the door she had left from. He hoped she would be satisfied with what he had told her; he wasn’t even sure why he had bothered trying to help her as much as he did. He didn’t care how she ended up, whether or not she found a better way to fight was of no concern to him.

  Every other sorcerer here was equally irrelevant; Miwa was far from an exception. They were all just guiding him to his fated bout with Sukuna. Win or lose, he would have finally fulfilled his duty as a member of the Kashimo clan. He will have died as a warrior and be able to see everyone again. The lives of the people here after he left them behind were completely irrelevant. He didn’t care one way or the other.

  “Thanks for the advice, Mr. Kashimo.”

  He didn’t care.

  Leaning against a support pillar, Shoko Ieri lit the cigar that was in her mouth. Glancing at the clock, she saw they were due to leave in about fifteen minutes. Looking out into the room, most of the people they had expected were present. Kusukabe was the only exception and was why they were waiting.

  They were talking amongst themselves and trying to keep things lighthearted. Shoko didn’t overly care to join them in the chit-chat, and thankfully none of them tried to engage with her. Reaching into her pocket, Shoko pulled out the cube-shaped living box that her friend was inside. She had been holding onto it since Kenjaku had attacked.

  “I’ll foster a strong and intelligent group. I won’t leave anyone alone.”

  Such were the words that the strongest had told her. A resolution she had been privy to hearing, one he had made in the days after Suguru had left them. Having resigned himself to live in isolation, Satoru Gojo sought to save all others from that fate.

  One might say that Gojo was not alone. For despite the loss of Suguru Geto, he still had his parents, teachers, and Shoko around him. However, none of them would ever be enough to mend the emptiness in his heart. Suguru Geto was one of the only people who truly understood who Satoru Gojo was, the person behind his mask of jokes and an aloof attitude. The only other person who saw beyond that mask was Shoko Ieri. The only other person Satoru Gojo considered a friend.

  But we were never going to be enough for one another. No matter how much we confided in one another, or tried to give each other warmth. We could never replace what Suguru meant to us.

  Shoko smiled bitterly, taking in a deep breath of smoke a moment later. Shoko didn’t blame Gojo for failing to be there for her as she grew more distant over the years; likewise, Shoko hoped Gojo didn’t blame her for not being there as he went off to train the next generation alone. One could say they should have tried to comfort one another, be there to morn Suguru together. But Shoko didn’t see the point in trying to replace something that never could be.

  Shoko looked out once more at the group Gojo had brought together, countless powerful sorcerers who stood together. A group who, through their efforts, were working together to prevent the world's end. Gojo’s wish had come true; they were all powerful beyond belief. Standing together united, seeking to save the person among them who had fallen to the devil's touch.

  Shoko looked down once more and began to fiddle with the prism realm, rocking it side to side in her hand with a pensive expression on her face.

  They’re all waiting for you. So come back already Gojo.