"You're sure?"
"Yes, these are the instructions from the top brass."
"Then, I'll go with them."
"You have other assignments."
Akane bit back the urge to curse, her grip on her phone tightening as she let out a resigned sigh. "Understood, I'll get them." as the call was dropped Akane could only stomp towards the dorm rooms.
She knocked once, then pried open the sliding door. Where a transformed (Y/n) and Itadori were busily arm wrestling. "(L/n)-sensei." Fushiguro greeted with his usual bored manner.
"Huh?" Itadori turned away, allowing (Y/n) to gain an advantage and pin his hand to the table. "Oi! That's cheating!"
(Y/n) jumped from his seat, and did a lap. "I can't hear you over my victory."
"Enough." said Akane. "All of you get dressed, you've got an assignment."
(Y/n) quirked a brow. "Don't you mean "we"?"
Akane shook her head. "I have other matters to attend to." she glanced around, the others did not need to be told twice to get ready. Akane placed a hand on (Y/n)'s shoulder. "I can trust you to handle things on your own, right?"
She already knew the answer, (Y/n) had been making great strides in controlling and regulating the output of his power. But to send him on this assignment...no he'll be fine.
"Of course, mom.' Replied (Y/n). "I won't let you down."
"I know you won't."
"So the person supervising us." (Y/n) began. "If it's not Gojou-sensei and it isn't you, then who is it?"
"I have an idea of who it is." Akane replied. "If it's who I think it is, then you'll be in good hands."
"Are they strong?"
"Find out for yourself." Said Akane.
-|-|-|-|-|-
It was strange. (Y/n) felt sleepy, almost bored even. He'd never felt this way before, and especially not before an assignment. He straightened himself out, doing his best to relieve the tightness in his back.
Maybe it was the weather?
The sky was entirely gray, not a trace of the sun nor the bright blue that anyone would associate with a day of fun. He would always try to take naps during rainy days, but now didn't seem like the time.
"(L/n)-kun, are you with us?" A gangly looking, but well kept man asked him.
"Yes, Ijichi-san." (Y/n) replied.
"I'll keep this brief." He said. "Three hours ago we confirmed the existence of a Cursed Womb. The institution was evacuated, but five people are unaccounted for. Furthermore, if the Cursed Womb were to metamorphose then it may become a Special Grade Cursed Spirit."
(Y/n) lightly shivered at the mention of that word. A Special Grade, the same ranking as Sukuna. In the view of his peripheral (Y/n) could see Fushiguro and Kugisaki's slight apprehension regarding the assignment.
"Eh? Is that bad?" Itadori asked. "I don't really understand all this Grade stuff."
"Hold it in." (Y/n) placed a hand on Kugisaki's shoulder. The only female first year looked as if she was going to chew Itadori's head off. "Yuji, aren't Mom's–I mean, (L/n)-sensei's lessons sticking?"
"Well..." Itadori trailed off.
"(L/n)-kun, why don't you explain to us the ranking system for Curses." Ijichi said. "Consider this a pop quiz for a newcomer like yourself."
"Sure." (Y/n) thought back to the lessons he was being given, then turned to Ijichi. "A Curse's Grade is reflective of its power, and how much effort is needed to bring it down. Basically, the higher the Grade, the harder it is to put down." Itadori seemed to be understanding, at least that's what he hoped the nodding meant. "As for how we deal with them. We send Sorcerers of equal or greater strength to deal with them."
"Well said." Ijichi praised the male. "In the case of Special Grades, we send Gojou-san. However, currently, that isn't an option."
"Then, why send us?" (Y/n) asked. "Kugisaki is a Grade 3, while Yuji and I are still uncategorized. Only Fushiguro has an actual high ranking, but he's nowhere near Special Grade." (Y/n) waited for an answer, but quickly turned back to his classmates. "No offense."
"Why do you have to be right?" Kugisaki groaned.
"The unfortunate truth of our industry is that we constantly have a shortage of labor." Ijichi sighed. (Y/n) could see the reasoning for his words. If being a Jujutsu Sorcerer was as dangerous as he thought then it made sense. Weaker sorcerers that got the short end of the stick would end up dead, then the stronger sorcerers would be spread thin taking as many jobs as they could to pick up the slack, so to speak.
"Today's assignment however is an anomaly." Ijichi continued. "The sudden appearance of this Curse is cause for alarm. It needs to be exorcised before it matures. However, we have no way of telling if its grown in power since being discovered, therefore your assignment is simply reconnaissance and rescue."
The quartet nodded.
"In the event the Curse has matured you have two options." Ijichi held up two fingers, each finger moving as he listed off the options. "Run or die."
(Y/n) didn't like either of those options.
Though before (Y/n) could voice his concerns. A new voice called out, at the entrance of the institution was a middle aged woman being held back by the security detail Jujutsu Tech had sent with them.
"Tadashi!" She cried out. "Is my son okay?"
"There's a chance a poison has leaked into the buildings ma'am." Ijichi raised his glasses. "At this time we cannot give you more information."
Seeing the pain spread on that woman's face made (Y/n) falter somewhat. He could partly understand why his mother was so apprehensive in letting him join Jujutsu Tech. He looked to Itadori, and the pair shared a nod.
"Fushiguro, Kugisaki." Itadori called out. "Let's save them all."
"Of course." Kugisaki nodded.
The group approached the institute and then paused at its entrance. "Give me a moment to bring down the screen." Ijichi muttered something under his breath. (Y/n) on the other hand was starting to feel the lightest pain creeping into his head. It was getting intense, he was sure if he were to enter the building then his head would start hurting even more.
"You okay?" Kugisaki asked.
"I'll live." (Y/n) shook his head hoping for some of the pain to vanish. "Let's hope this headache doesn't incapacitate me the second I see the Curse."
"You better not." Kugisaki barked. "I'm not carrying you out."
(Y/n) could only chuckle in response. Correctional institutions weren't necessarily too large, he hoped they'd find the missing people then get out as soon as they could.
Or so he thought.
(Y/n) blinked. He was sure he'd just entered the building, but he nearly doubled back just to make sure he did.
"Watch it." Fushiguro called out to him after he took a step back. At (Y/n)'s feet were one of Fushiguro's hounds. He didn't even notice Fushiguro had summoned it. "Are you okay?"
"It's like I'm wearing a really tight helmet." (Y/n)'s mouth went dry as he took in the interior of the correctional facility. From the outside it was a simple two story building, but the interior basically told his expectations to take a hike. Pipes ran up into a dark void in place of the sky, and even with (Y/n) straining his eyes he didn't think he could see anything remotely close to a ceiling.
"Hey guys-" (Y/n) began.
"Where's the door?!" Fushiguro quickly asked.
Turning back the quartet suddenly found themselves without a way back. In place of the door were the same pipes that ran up into the void. "Oh crap." (Y/n) muttered.
"How're we supposed to get out of here?!" Kugisaki exclaimed.
As Kugisaki and Itadori's shared brain cell prompted them to panic. (Y/n) simply looked over to Fushiguro who seemed to be as calm as usual.
"What's the plan?"
"It remembers the way out." Fushiguro simply pointed to the "it" in question. One of Fushiguro's hounds sat at his feet, awaiting what it was to do next.
"Well isn't that convenient?" (Y/n) turned to look back at the still panicking Itadori and Kugisaki. "Should we tell them?"
"Their panicking is getting on my nerves." Fushiguro groaned. "Oi! Shut up, the dog knows the way out."
Itadori and Kugisaki let out a gasp of surprise and immediately went to shower the dog with praises and pets. "We don't have time for this." said (Y/n), lifting Itadori and Kugisaki by the scruffs of their uniforms with his transformed arms. "My headache isn't getting any better, can we go now?"
"Oh right." Itadori got back to his feet and pointed down the only way forwards. "Let's go find those survivors."
-|-|-|-|-
(Y/n)'s mother had once told him that to see a body that had been ripped apart would be one of the better things he'd see if he continued to be a Jujutsu Sorcerer. It wasn't until now that he understood what she had meant.
(Y/n) swallowed the bile that threatened to rise up in his throat.
Out of the three corpses he saw in front of him, only one of them could be called a corpse. The other two were condensed balls of broken bones, blood, and bare muscle. He could only shudder as his mind wandered on how these people felt. He prayed that these people died quickly.
"Hey." (Y/n) flinched as he felt Kugisaki's hand on his shoulder. "Are you okay?"
"I guess it's just sinking in." He tried to pry his eyes away from the corpses, but found himself unable to do so. "I might end up like this." That wasn't the thought that scared him, it was that: what would happen if his mother was to be the one who found him?
"(Y/n), come over here." Itadori called out. "I need your help, we need to bring his body back to that woman."
(Y/n) stiffened, was Yuji serious?
"(Y/n), c'mon." He called out.
"Yuji, I think we should focus on ourselves right now." said (Y/n).
"What're you-"
"We don't know if the other two are still alive or not." Fushiguro told him as he pulled Yuji back. "Leave his body."
"We might not find it later." Yuji argued. "You saw how the entrance disappeared after we wen-"
"I didn't say come back for it later." Fushiguro clarified. "I said leave it." Fushiguro and Itadori glared at one another. Itadori looked at the raven haired male as if he'd just been slapped. "I don't care about people I have no intention of rescuing, nor those who have turned into corpses."
"The hell is that supposed to mean?" Itadori snarled.
"He hit a primary schoolgirl on her way home from school." Fushiguro didn't turn away as he said this. "This was this cretin's second time driving without a license."
(Y/n) could only glance at the corpse. He knew it was wrong to speak ill of the dead, but he couldn't help but feel that he got what he deserved. "Kugisaki what do you thi-?"
(Y/n) stopped breathing.
Where was Kugisaki?
Itadori and Fushiguro's bickering was getting louder, their screams echoed within the large chamber. The pain in his head was slowly getting worse and worse, it was forcing him to wince. "Guys." (Y/n) began.
When (Y/n) turned, he froze.
It was staring right at him.
A tall barely humanoid albino monstrosity. The pain in his head was secondary to the fear he was feeling right now. He wanted to scream.
He wanted to run.
(Y/n) move!
(Y/n) flinched as Itadori suddenly came into view with Slaughter Demon in hand, and swung. Blood sprayed and splattered onto the floor, but all he could see was the now handless Itadori staring wide eyed at his stump.
MOVE!
(Y/n) roared and swung at the Cursed Spirit. His hand met with the creature's face, and it smiled.
He hadn't transformed.
When (Y/n) felt his ribs shatter he wanted to die right then and there, he flew back. He was honestly confused, and then snapped back to his current situation when his back hit the wall and he fell to the ground.
-|-|-|-|-
Akane (L/n) could only sit in her office with wide eyes, her mouth hung open as a preliminary report of the assignment (Y/n) had been sent on arrived at her desk.
Her eyes focused on only one part of the report.
1 Casualty
It hadn't even been an hour since they'd left. To have a report ready would be impossible. Akane's eyes slowly drifted to the messenger.
The next thing he knew, he had been flipped onto Akane's desk. She'd held out a hand and from the back of the room a slightly curved blade flew into her hand, and pressed against his throat.
"Explain the report." She snarled.
The man's eyes darted around the room, he was looking for an escape. This made Akane furious, now the bastard wanted to get away scottfree?
"I don't have time for this, tell me now or the janitorial staff is going to be working overtime." The blade in Akane's hand seemed to morph and wrap around the man's
forearm. The blade sitting atop his skin.
"Talk!" She commanded, and tugged on the blade's hilt. The man screamed blood gushed as his flesh was cut into. "Tell me what I want to know, or this crude approximation of a zip tie is going around your neck next."
-|-|-|-|-
(Y/n) (L/n) shot back into the realm of consciousness with a gasp. Eyes wide and realized he was in the interior of the car Ijicihi had arrived in. His stomach was rolling in on itself, he pushed himself to get out of the car and into the fresh air.
Then he vomited.
"(Y/n)!" Fushiguro rushed to his side. "You're awake."
(Y/n) didn't even bother to register his words, he only looked back to the facility they had entered in earlier. "He let him out..." (Y/n) managed to rasp out.
"He had no choice." Fushiguro replied. "The Curse was too strong, it was going to kill all of us." Fushiguro placed a hand on his shoulder, and pointed at the car. "Get going, I'll wait for him to come out. You and Kugisaki are injured."
(Y/n) shook his head. "No, I'm not leaving without Yuji. Curses be damned, I want to at least be here when he comes out."
"You know there's a chance it won't be him that walks out of there." said Fushiguro. "Please be practical (Y/n), you couldn't transform earlier. I don't want to be the one to explain to Akane-sensei why you died."
"I won't." Finished (Y/n). To make a point he transformed his left arm into the familiar white furred claw. "See, I can transform."
"Ijichi-san." Fushiguro walked over to the passenger side window. "Please expand the evacuation zone by another 10 Kilometers, and take Kugisaki to the hospital."
Ijichi sent a glance at the pair. "And you two?"
"We'll stay behind, just in case Itadori's lost control."
"On the off chance that's happened." (Y/n) called out. "We could really use some backup, maybe a few Grade 1 Sorcerers?"
(Y/n) felt the inside of his head pulse for a moment. He looked to the facility and wondered what could be happening inside. "Does it ever get easier?"
"You learn to live with the fear." Fushiguro approached just as the car drove off and joined (Y/n) at his side. "Is that why you couldn't act earlier?"
"I don't know." (Y/n) shook his head. "There was something about it. Something deep inside me told me I was going to die, but I didn't." (Y/n) let out a scoff. "I learn to control my abilities somewhat, and suddenly I think I'm strong enough to take on anything." Flashes of the Curse inside the building simply swatting him aside made (Y/n) shudder. "I guess I needed to be humbled."
"I don't think that's how it works." said Fushiguro.
"Maybe." Then the facility seemed to return back to normal and (Y/n) could feel some of the pain he was feeling vanish.
Yet not all of it.
"Fushiguro, something's wrong." (Y/n) suddenly said. "There's still something-" (Y/n)'s knees buckled, and he almost ended up face first into the ground.
A whistle. "I guess your mom wasn't talking out of her ass." (Y/n) could barely recognize the voice of Sukuna through the pain. The King of Curses stood before him and Fushiguro using Yuji's body. "Just the residual Cursed Energy from me is enough to put you on your knees. When she said you were hypersensitive, she meant it."
"Now, if you two are waiting for the brat." Sukuna grew a wicked smile. "He's currently indisposed. He probably thought he could just keep switching with me forever, but he was wrong." Fabric tore and then flesh. Blood sprayed onto (Y/n) as he watched Sukuna hold out his friend's still beating heart. "Now the brat is my hostage."
"Put it back!" (Y/n) screamed.
"Feisty even when you're in pain." Sukuna smiled. "I like that. Though, I can live without the heart but the brat can't." Sukuna pointed to the gaping hole in his chest. "Hence, the brat is now my hostage. If he switches he dies, simple as that."
"(Y/n) get up." Fushiguro ordered.
"You'd be right to listen to him." Sukuna chuckled. "After all, killing you both would be more fun if you at least tried to fight for your lives."
"You're wrong." (Y/n) said as he got up. "We're not fighting for our lives."
Sukuna seemed to enjoy this development.
"We're buying time for Itadori to switch out." (Y/n)'s arms transformed into the white tiger's with a shout.
"He's right." Fushiguro chimed in. "Even if the result is his death, Itadori will come back. That's just who he is."
"Interesting." Sukuna chuckled. "But you're both wrong, the brat doesn't have the guts to kill himself. Though, on the off chance he does." Sukuna took out a mummified finger from Itadori's pocket, and proceeded to swallow it. "That should deal with that."
"Tch." (Y/n) crouched down. "Fushiguro, let's go!"
"We're going to need to beat him." said Fushiguro.
"I know that."
"Itadori lost his arm, remember?" (Y/n) seemed to get what he meant. Sukuna had somehow regenerated Yuji's arm. "If you get what I mean, then you know what we need to do."
"No holding back." (Y/n) snarled, then the pair dashed forward.
"Nue!" Fushiguro cried out. An avian creature flowed out from Fushiguro's shadow and ran in tandem with its summoner. (Y/n) came from the side and swiped at the already open chest wound on Sukuna's chest.
(Y/n) wasn't holding back in the slightest, he saw a weakness and went for it.
Sukuna however seemed to acknowledge this effort, and simply sidestepped into Fushiguro and shoulder checked the raven haired male as he swung. "I can't believe you two have only been working together for a couple of weeks." Sukuna cheered. "Though both of you are lacking."
Sukuna caught them as they sent their punches by the wrists. "Put some more Curse when you attempt to strike me." Then forcefully pulled them both into each other. (Y/n) and Fushiguro collided with one another by their faces, before Sukuna punched Fushiguro away.
Though as the King of Curses turned to deal with (Y/n), the male had narrowly slashed at his forearm with Byakko's claws. For his troubles, (Y/n) was clocked in the jaw and skid into a tree.
Sukuna paused for a moment, and glanced at his forearm. A light stinging sensation tingled his senses, and the source were the smallest cuts that (Y/n) had inflicted on him. "Well that's new." Sukuna commented, then looked back at the reeling male that was sitting against a tree. "How interesting."
"Genbu!" (Y/n) barely reacted in time as his armored forearms took the brunt of Sukuna's knee. The male went through the tree, and rolled a fair ways off.
"Orochi!" Fushiguro's voice cut through the one sided battle.
Sukuna was lifted into the air by a giant serpent. "Nue!" A screech from the avian shikigami was the only indication it was coming.
From the ground, Fushiguro could only hope that he was doing substantial damage. Then rushed to (Y/n)'s aid as he got up.
"Where is he?" (Y/n) asked. Fushiguro only turned his head to Orochi, and (Y/n) was off. "Suzaku!" Fire danced around (Y/n) as his legs transformed. His singular wing flashing beautifully as he suddenly began running up the length of Orochi at amazing speeds.
Though, just as (Y/n) was about to reach the head of the massive serpent.
It imploded.
A hand clamped over (Y/n)'s windpipe, then forced him back down to the ground. He struggled, and kicked at Sukuna's head. Though the King of Curses was unbothered. "It would be a shame to be outside and not use the space." Sukuna cackled. "That goes to both of you brats."
In one brief motion Sukuna had thrown Fushiguro while still holding onto (Y/n). "Let's go after your friend, shall we?" He asked (Y/n) then threw him as well.
He flailed as he soared, cursing his lack of flight as he neared his landing spot. "Genbu!" (Y/n) cried out with grit teeth, then braced himself.
His armored arms took the brunt of the impact, but he didn't stop. He rolled and skid on against the concrete before finally stopping. (Y/n) could feel the impact within his body, how he was trembling.
Then he heard the destruction that ensued. It sounded like bombs were going off, but he knew it was Fushiguro.
Get up!
The building in front of (Y/n) was suddenly missing a large part of its walls. Fushiguro Megumi was barely hanging on to consciousness.
"Fushiguro..." he called out.
They'd both been thoroughly deconstructed, and their enemy had only been toying with them.
Sukuna landed with a crunch, the concrete at his feet giving way as he landed. He stalked forward with an expression full of thought. "The two of you interest me very much." Sukuna began. Fushiguro hadn't moved from his seated position, and simply dismissed Nue. "A versatile technique that forgoes the traditional use of charms as a medium, because your shadows themselves act as a medium."
"So what of it?" Fushiguro managed.
"You're a waste of talent." Sukuna replied.
In a single instant (Y/n) had jumped from his place on the ground. Arms transformed into those of Byakko, and swung at Sukuna.
"Don't worry, I haven't forgotten about you." Sukuna smiled as he caught (Y/n)'s arm. Then forced (Y/n) back down onto the ground, his foot pressing against the male's throat. "If I had met you in a few years, maybe you could have given me a proper challenge." Sukuna twisted his wrist and inspected his claws. "You're an anomaly, when you struck me earlier it actually hurt. I felt part of my being erode, and it was exciting."
"Let him go!" Fushiguro cried out.
"You are the very antithesis to a Jujutsu Sorcerer." Sukuna ran a finger down one of (Y/n)'s claws, and cut himself on it. "You don't Curse, you bless for lack of a better term. You're human purity given shape with power, my very opposite." Sukuna cackled.
"It's no wonder you're hypersensitive to Cursed Energy." Sukuna's hand flared with power. (Y/n) squirmed at it felt like Sukuna was repeatedly stomping on his head. He laughed as he watched the male squirm. "When a space is clean, you tend to notice the dirt more."
(Y/n) tried to fight, throw the bastard off him if he could, but to no avail. "I wonder what would happen..." (Y/n) screamed as he felt his forearm be split in two, his elbow and shoulder popping out of their sockets. "If we dirtied you up."
It felt as if (Y/n) had been set on fire, and even then he was sure this pain he was feeling would be even worse.
He likened the pain to swallowing water on an empty stomach. The sensation of feeling the water traveling down the throat before settling in the stomach. Except now it was boiling water, and (Y/n) could feel it traveling through his very veins.
Sukuna felt a sick satisfaction in watching the young sorcerer convulse. The ambient Cursed Energy around him was getting more potent, no doubt the one called Fushiguro was adding to it. After all his friend was being tortured, and he could do nothing but watch.
Sukuna flinched as his wrist was grabbed, and he was forcefully pulled down and a fist hit him across the cheek.
"I see..." Sukuna cackled.
(Y/n) slowly rose from the ground, a dark navy blue pattern ran up his arms, onto his shoulders, and then onto his face. Flesh was ripping and moving into place, a pair of jagged horns had forced themselves out from the top of his forehead.
He let out a roar that shook the ground, and made Sukuna very excited. "The Azure Dragon, I suppose it was only a matter of time before you used his power."
Then he vanished.
Sukuna had managed to catch the fist that had been launched at him, but he hadn't been able to track the male before he'd swung. "I see you're faster now." Sukuna commented.
(Y/n) roared and tried to snap at him with his teeth.
Sukuna seemed disappointed. "I see now, you're not in control." The King of Curses kicked the male away. "Your power itself is reacting to the Cursed Energy I pumped into you, it's acting as a defense mechanism to save you from the pain." He sighed. "And here I thought you were just holding back."
Sukuna's gaze turned sharp. "You're just a rabid mongrel right now." Sukuna had closed the distance in an instant, his knee colliding with (Y/n)'s jaw before he kicked him in the knee and shattered his other arm.
"Though I admit you've piqued my interest even more." A hand wrapped around his throat. "So in exchange, I'll let you live." Then (Y/n)'s face had been introduced to the concrete nearly a dozen times, and only then did he stop moving.
Fushiguro fought to get to his feet.
"Now you want to fight?" Sukuna sighed. "You're expending energy on a useless endeavor. I won't regrow his heart, you fool." Sukuna kicked the unconscious (Y/n) over to Fushiguro's feet. "You're wasting your talent."
Fushiguro's eyes narrowed.
"Even so." Fushiguro continued. "I will continue to fight, and save those I deem fit to be saved." Power flared within the raven haired male, and Sukuna grinned.
"Good! Entertain me, Fushiguro Megumi!" Sukuna cheered.
"Sacred Treasure Swing and Ring, Eight Grip-" He paused, allowing his Cursed Energy to recede. "I had no reason for my want to save you back then..." said Fushiguro, he dropped his stance and stood tall. "I just didn't want to see a good person like you die, and so I made my choice to save you."
And looked into the eyes of Itadori Yuji.
"It was selfish, but I didn't care." Fushiguro smiled. "I'm a Sorcerer, not a hero. That's why I never regretted that night I saved you, not once."
"I see." Itadori finally spoke. "As expected of you Fushiguro, you're really smart." The raven haired teen couldn't help but smile at how genuine Itadori was. "I think I understand you better now, and how you see the world. However, I don't think my way is wrong and neither is yours."
Fushiguro could've been content with this, but he had to face reality. When the blood sprayed from Itadori's chest, Fushiguro knew it was time.
"I don't need to worry about you, Kugisaki, and Gojou-sensei, right?" Itadori fell forward, but placed a hand on Fushiguro's shoulder as he fell. "Please watch over Akane-san and (Y/n) for me..."
Fushiguro couldn't move, and when Itadori had landed with a thud. Fushiguro's legs finally gave out, the rain masking the tears that threatened to fall as he recounted Itadori's last words to him.
Live a long life...
-|-|-|-|-
The tension in the air was so palpable that Ijichi doubted that a knife would be able to do anything. Though he was sure it was just the ambient Cursed Energy that Gojou Satoru was emitting as he silently fummed.
"This was deliberate." Gojou began. "Wasn't it?"
Ijichi did not want to reply, especially when Gojou was in this mood. "You say that, but the pr-"
"The proof is right in front of us." Akane (L/n) stood behind him, arms crossed. Her eyes focused on the tarp covering the body they'd brought in. "They sent First Years to rescue five people who's statuses were unconfirmed." Akane's gaze turned sharp as she glanced at him. "To top it all off, there was a Special Grade there. This was information that you were aware of."
Ijichi took a step back.
"I had Yuji-kun's execution postponed indefinitely, but they went and disposed of him regardless. And with a Special Grade no less, so people will be treating this as an unfortunate loss of life." Gojou's fists balled, his knuckles turning white. "All under the guidance of myself and Akane."
"I see this business has just become more rotten." Akane sighed. "They didn't even think of the others."
Ijichi swallowed the lump in his throat. "How is (L/n)-san?"
"He's already healing." said Akane. "The breaks are just large fractures after a day." Akane turned to Ijichi. "I apologize, Ijichi-san. I know you're in a difficult position, but its just hard not to see this in a way that somehow doesn't involve you."
"I understand, please remain weary of me until you see fit to trust me."
"Oh we will." Gojou cut in. "However, the perpetrator is still out there and we have no leads." Gojou leaned forward, he could feel his gaze through the blindfold. "Shall we kill all the higher ups, Akane-chan?"
"I hope not, who'll pay my wages if you do." Ieiri Shouko stepped into the room. She was a woman around the age of Gojou or perhaps Akane, it was hard to tell her age due to the tiredness that always plagued her features. "However, its odd to see you emotional Satoru. I expect Akane to be the angry one as it was her son that almost died, but this is a nice change."
"I'm a nice guy who's fond of his students." Gojou replied.
Ieiri pulled off the tarp revealing the body of Itadori Yuji. Ijichi wanted to avert his eyes, he felt responsible for this death in particular. He'd send them in to face the Curse, so he was just as much to blame.
"This is Sukuna's host." Ieiri glanced up and down the length of Itadori's body. "I can do as I please with him?"
"Yes." was Gojou's simple reply.
"However," Akane grabbed onto Ieiri's wrist. "Please do so in a way that let's those who he mattered to, remember him whole."
Ieiri pulled on her gloves tightly. "Of course I will, who do you think you're talking to?"
-|-|-|-|-|-
He told us to live a long life.
The words hung heavy around the trio that remained. (Y/n) couldn't believe it, but he'd already cried his fill. He was simply in the melancholic state that came after the shedding of tears, and he supposed he preferred this over tears.
"That doesn't make any sense." Kugisaki sighed. "All your problems disappear when you die."
"He meant well." (Y/n) replied, and got up from his spot on the steps. He preferred to stand by the railing by Fushiguro.
"Is this the first time you've lost a comrade?" Kugisaki asked.
"This is the first time I've lost a classmate." said Fushiguro.
"This is the first time I've lost someone this close." was (Y/n)'s reply. He'd lost pets, neighbors, and even Classmates who'd lost their battles against sickness. But losing Yuji just made him feel hollow.
"You both seem fine though."
"So do you." (Y/n) growled, was she implying that he was crying over nothing?
"Of course I am, I'm not the type of woman to cry over the death of someone like him." (Y/n) was about to speak, but saw how Kugisaki turned away. Her lip trembling lightly as she did.
"It's getting hot isn't it?" (Y/n) decided to speak up.
"Ha?" Kugisaki turned to him. "You've got short sleeves you don't get to complain." He was somewhat glad that Kugisaki could flip her faces on a dime.
"You look more depressed than usual." The trio's attention snapped to the newcomer that came. A bespectacled young woman with green hair tied in a ponytail stood tall before them. "The hell is this, Megumi? Did someone die or something?"
A gust of wind blew past Kugisaki and Fushiguro, before a flash of red flame and feathers vaguely in the shape of a human being slammed into the newcomer. Though, (Y/n)'s eyes were wide. This woman, whoever she was, had caught him by the leg and was holding him in place.
"Who are you supposed to be?" She asked. (Y/n) was just plain confused, how had she just caught him. "But if you want a fight, then I'll be happy to oblige." The woman roared as she threw him back, but (Y/n) had landed by Fushiguro and Kugisaki no thanks to the agility Suzaku bestowed onto him.
"Zenin-senpai!" Fushiguro quickly got in between the two. (Y/n) on the other hand was still glaring daggers at this person who was apparently his upperclassman.
"Maki! Maki!" A new voice called out, and (Y/n) was just dumbfounded.
Is that a Panda?
She turned to the panda and noticed a smaller white haired boy. "Someone really did die, one of the First Year boys."
Maki went white, eyes wide. "You should've told me that sooner!" She exclaimed. "No wonder this guy attacked me! You made me seem like I was some cold heartless devil!"
"That's exactly how you came off as." The Panda replied.
Kugisaki and Fushiguro stood by his side. "You alright?" Kugisaki asked. (Y/n) simply nodded, and allowed himself to revert back to normal. He was still in shock, this upperclassman of his Maki Zenin. She'd effortlessly caught his kick.
Suzaku was a transformation built around agility, and was meant for quick strikes and hit and run tactics. It was arguably the weakest of his forms, but even so any blow from him wouldn't be caught so effortlessly.
"So...these guys are our upperclassmen?" (Y/n) asked.
"The Second Years, to be exact." said Fushiguro. "Zenin-senpai is the best at handling Cursed Tools out of all us students." Fushiguro moved over to the panda. "That's Panda-senpai." Then over to the white haired male. "That's Inumaki-senpai, he's a Cursed Speech user. Though his only vocabulary is Onigiri ingredients for safety reasons."
Kugisaki and (Y/n) had the same thought run through their minds after that introduction. "Nothing more on the panda? / Aren't you going to say more about the panda?"
"Okkotsu-senpai isn't here, but he's the only one I can openly respect." Fushiguro continued, ignoring the curious pair.
"You're really not gonna elaborate on Panda?" (Y/n) questioned.
"Okkotsu-senpai is currently abroad."
(Y/n) sighed, he supposed he was going to have to wring it out of Fushiguro another time.
"We're sorry to spring this on you, especially during such a sad time." Panda began. "But we'd like you to participate in the Kyoto Sister School Exchange Event."
Exchange Event? This raised the brows of (Y/n) and Kugisaki.
"Doesn't ring any bells." Kugisaki added.
"Its an event that supposed to foster goodwill between Jujutsu Tech and its sister school in Kyoto." said Maki, she crossed her arms. (Y/n) didn't take his eyes off her, she just felt off. She kinda felt like him.
"Isn't that event reserved for the Second and Third Years?" Fushiguro continued to question.
"We're down people on account of the Third Years getting suspended." Maki groaned. "Those idiots."
"So what do we do at this event?" It was Kugisaki's turn to ask. "Smash Bros? I won't lose if its the Wii version." (Y/n) couldn't help but chuckle, though on the off chance that it was Smash Bros. (Y/n) was confident enough with his Captain Falcon that he'd give anyone a run for their money.
"Officially the events are decided on by the school's Principals." Panda chimed in. "The events are carried out over the course of two days, but for simplicity sake the first day is a Team battle while the second are individual matches."
(Y/n) turned to his upperclassmen, the implication of individual matches was not lost on him. "We're going to be fighting other Sorcerers?"
"That's right." Maki grinned. "An all out battle against other Sorcerers where anything but killing goes."
"You'll do it won't you?" Panda asked. "After all, you lost a comrade. The Exchange Event is going to give you invaluable experience."
The trio glanced at one another. "You guys decide on your own." (Y/n) took a step back. "I'm not too excited at the prospect of getting back out there again."
Fushiguro glanced at Kugisaki. "You in?"
"Was there any doubt?"
"C'mon new kid, what's it gonna take?" Maki called out. "Your friends are already in, what about you?"
(Y/n) looked at the expectant gaze of Kugisaki and Fushiguro. Then to his upperclassmen. Panda and Inumaki seemed somewhat sympathetic to him, maybe they'd lost people too.
However it was Maki that got to him.
The way she was looking at him, her eyes silently issuing a challenge at him. Telling him to step up and face her.
"C'mon, what do you got?" Maki stepped forward. She held up her hand, a reddening portion and a few scratch marks were the only evidence she had on her that (Y/n) had attacked her. "If this was your best, then you're better off quitting."
A low growl unconsciously left (Y/n)'s lips. The black markings that came with him unleashing the power of Byakko formed on his face.
"I'm recovering." He said. "But I'll put you on your ass, anytime, any place."
"I'll take that as you accepting our offer." Maki smirked.
Kugisaki and Fushiguro stood beside (Y/n). "Don't misunderstand however," Fushiguro cut in. "If we deem the training useless we're out."
"Same goes for me." Kugisaki added. "No use going through hell if it won't help."
The trio of upperclassmen simply smirked. "The ones with attitude are my favorites." Said Panda.
As the Sorcerer trio faced off against their senpai, (Y/n) stood tall. The markings on his face didn't disappear, his own silent challenge to the one known as Maki Zenin.
"I look forward to working with you, Senpai."
||•~•~•~Jujutsu Stroll~•~•~•||
Akane (L/n) was confused, not because of the talking Panda that was with her son and his friends, but because her son and his friends were sniffing said Panda with such serious expression.
"Do I want to know?" Akane asked.
"I told them Panda stinks." Maki replied.
"I don't stink! Stop treating me like I'm some animal!" Panda cried out.
Akane sighed. "Stop sniffing him! It's weird."
(Y/n) and Fushiguro simply turned to one another. "He kinda..." (Y/n) felt silent, thinking for a moment.
"Like he got a hug from Mr. Sun?" Fushiguro asked.
"Exactly!" (Y/n) beamed. "Mr. Panda and Mr. Sun must be very good friends."
Maki and Kugisaki on the other hand were practically horrified.
How...
How could these two be so adorable yet be dangerous killing machines at the same time?
Akane simply placed hands on the two women's shoulders. "None of you get any ideas." She said.
"Ugh, mom." (Y/n) looked away for a moment. Red tints dusting his cheeks. "Why do you have to do this with every girl I know? Kugisaki is one of my closest friends, and Maki is my senior. I might as well call her Maki nee-san if anything."
Kugisaki felt lightheaded after hearing that, while Maki placed a hand over her nose.
Truly (Y/n) and Fushiguro were dangerous.
A/n: The Jujutsu Stroll's main gimmick in the anime was that Fushiguro used a term that children use given to anthropomorphized objects. He uses the word "Ohi-sama" which would roughly translate to Mr. Sun. So I hope I did good enough to capture the shock that people would experience when a brooding person like Fushiguro busts out the Japanese equivalent of baby talk.