Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

"So... any idea how long we've been here?"

Said question was posed by Shoko Ieri, the nurse at Jujutsu Tech Tokyo, who's currently atop one of the theatre seats rubbing her eyes. Sitting next to her is her longtime nuisance of a childhood friend and teacher Gojo Satoru, who she addressed. He was also in the process or putting on back his blindfold. The two have just got out of sleep, with Gojo in particular having finally deactivated his Reverse Cursed Technique just for a chance to join his peers in a sleepover.

"Uh, I guess it was like... nearly 505 hours we were watching, meaning we spent approximately six days here. I never felt this drained before!"

"I'll say".

Shortly after, they were followed, one by one, by Masamichi Yaga, Kento Nanami, Utahime Iori and surprisingly Aoi Todo. He came up ahead of everyone.

The upcoming silence was so heavy, it started to wear out the adults even though they just got up.

They had a lot on their hands now, and so did the students. Sukuna's Binding Vow with Yuji, the Special Grade Curses' plan for Yuji, Gojo and the rest of the Jujutsu society, the fake Suguru Geto, and the Death Paintings' mystery. Even though a lot is unpacked, the implications of all these interlocking mysteries aren't becoming any clearer. 

"Hey, Gojo" suddenly said Nanami.

"Hm?"

"What do you think about the next viewing? If the the last line from yesterday, and I quote, something completely different, is any indication?"

Gojo was deep in thought. But alas, he couldn’t come up with a satisfying answer “Dunno”.

They did promise to shift the students' education and training to accomodate for all these new revelations, but they weren't lying if they admit none of this over by a long shot...

"Yo! Gojo-sensei! You're up early!"

"Morning, Nanami-san!"

“Good morning, Iori-sensei!”

The silence is immediately broken, however, by a certain pinkette Sukuna vessel barging in with his light-haired female friend, alongside their long-suffering black seaweed-haired peer.

Next to Yuji Itadori, Nobara Kugisaki and Megumi Fushiguro are their upperclassmen, Maki Zenin, Toge Inumaki, Panda, and Yuta Okkotsu. And right behind them are the Kyoto Tech students, Mai Zenin, Momo Nishimiya, Noritoshi Kamo, Kasumi Miwa and Mechamaru. All of them were full after breakfast, with Yuji, Nobara, Toge and Miwa still carrying snacks despite dining.

Hale and healthy, not to mention excited, compared to the adults, they quickly accosted them.

Good mornings' were exchanged, and they soon moved to take their seats. 

But, why were the students more upbeat next to the teachers? This might be because of a notice that's sent specifically to Gojo himself, which he reluctantly shared to Ieri, then to Nanami, before it spread to Yaga and Utahime. He was told that unlike previous episodes, this one will actually have ramifications on him and one of his students. It didn't specify which one, but it said it will be clear at the very first scene.

Thus, Gojo Satoru, of all people, was left briefly nerve-wracked. He wasn't all that sure, but part of him had an idea of what this could be. He spent so much time mulling over it, he got sick of it, and felt the need to drop Infinity for what seemed to be a long time. 

"Sensei!!"

He snapped to his direction, and saw a concerned Yuji next to him in the first row. "Are you okay? Everyone's saying you slept like the dead since the day before."

"Was the information overload too much for you?" asked Nobara.

"Impossible" the rest mentally stated. If that were the case, then something is up with the man, which was very concerning.

"Oh, uh... yeah. To be honest, with this power of mine, a nice nap will always feel like I never had any in my life" he laughed off. "And besides, there is nothing like cuddling with you guys!".

Said guys, namely Nanami, Ieri and Utahime, were not pleased, with the latter being downright disgusted at the idea of having had a slumber party with sleeping bags alongside him. But since he, like Yuji said, slept like the dead, it didn't feel too much gross.

"Anyway, are starting soon?" Megumi cut them off to present the current matter at hand.

"I guess so" Answered Kamo. 

After a few seconds, the screen started to flicker...

The scene shows someone rather familiar walking ominously in a dimly lit street. He was musing about the nonstop curse activities this year and the one before.

Gojo was immediately stupefied in his place. He knew it! Of course that was the completely different thing.

The Tokyo second-years, adults were similarly on guard. Despite having heard that voice early, something about it now feels wildly different... and much more familiar.

The first-years felt the same, but they also noticed Gojo's frozen posture.

Gojo realized it ahead of them, though.

"Hold on, that's..." Maki spoke up.

"Yeah" Okkotsu and Ieri let out.

It quickly cut to reveal a certain Jujutsu sorcerer, Suguru Geto, wearing a grim expression, who turned to a creepy alleyway, where he found a curse having already preyed on someone. He quickly absorbed it using his Technique.

"That’s him" Okkotsu says blankly "the real one". 

The full illumination of the man, surprisingly clad in the same school uniform as them, had them in shock. His face... had a look those who met him as a Curse User never saw on him before.

But Yaga, Ieri, Nanami and Utahime knew exactly the circumstance behind the scene. They turned to Gojo, who was almost like a statue.

So, are they going to bear witness to his fall from grace in full?

Megumi, remembering the prior discussion about Gojo's health, quickly deduced that he must have been notified about this firsthand. Him specifically.

"Exorcise. Absorb... over and over. No else understands what cursed spirits taste like.

Gojo was so gobsmacked, he actually removed his blindfold beforehand, and let himself experience the full view of his once best friend in his misery.

It's like swallowing a dirty rag that's been used to clean up shit and vomit" he reflects on as he swallows the cursed spirit he captured.

Those aware of his Cursed Technique winced mentally. Indeed, if touching a Cursed Spirit is too unpleasant, then swallowing is a whole new level of gross.

"What I witnessed isn't common, because I understood the ugliness of the masses. But even then, I still chose to be a Jujutsu sorcerer that saves others". The scene shows the feet of two girls, before showing Geto disappearing in a crowd.

The moment hit the now blindfold-less Gojo like a freight train, because it showed that day. Ieri was watching intently, remembering having found Geto in that same area the day he snapped.

"That's what I've been telling myself since then.."

Gojo was also in the crowd.

In fact, he and his closest co-workers have already hazarded a guess about what will this episode centre on, which won’t bode well for certain viewers. With Gojo in particular stealing glances at his ward and student Megumi’s direction, even though he pulls his eyes away whenever the former looks at him.

The same man mentally winced, the street being frighteningly familiar. He aware not only he will re-experience that awful year all over again, but so will the students.

"... ever since that day"

Gojo now held his hands behind his neck and stretched slowly. If his guess was true, then his intended talk with Megumi will take on an unexpected direction.

Now, the youngsters aren’t all that surprised Suguru Geto was once like them, regardless of how dramatically different he was as a cult leader.

The scene shifts to a nostalgic collection of images about a family. A voiceover, again familiar sounding, recounted the story of a company president who was driven to bankruptcy and ended up committing familicide before doing himself in. Earning his home a reputation for being haunted.

A younger Utahime and Mei Mei were at a car, mulling over the rumors, as well as the casualties.

Utahime was stunned at witnessing herself as an adolescent, and alongside Mei Mei no less.

“Iori-sensei!?” Miwa pointed out.

“Whoah, that’s you!” exclaimed Mai, “you look so cute!”. It was something Nobara, Todo, Panda and Miwa agreed with. Utahime blushed fiercely.

“It really is Utahime! Damn, you looked like such a cute kouhai!” but Gojo kinda ruined the moment, as she instantly turned deadpan.

“Isn’t that Mei-san in the back?” inquired Maki.

“Yeah”

This seems to have relaxed Gojo a little bit. Although judging from her looks, Mei’s presence, and especially their mission, he and the adults had a good idea of where is this taking place.

“Wait, isn’t that the mansion you...?” Shoko trailed off, surprisingly recalling that incident.

“It... is, I guess” was Gojo’s slow reply.

“So, we really are about to witness the past, huh?” Most of the adults thought. “But why?”

"Then that means..." Utahime started fuming. She did not have fond memories about that mission. Not that her memories of Gojo were all that fond to begin with, but that one was special, in that it was the last time she saw him, Shoko and Geto as carefree teens.

Naturally, it soon became the Jujutsu world's problem, since the two women were dispatched to deal with it. Mei Mei seems to have joined up simply because they paid her for it, much to Utahime's consternation.

“Some things never change, eh?” remarked Todo.

The two walked over to the mansion. Utahime tried to erect a veil, but Mei Mei persuaded her against it, at least for now, saying that there were no cursed spirits nearby, probably being inside the house. 

“Oooh, are we about to see them in action?” wondered Nobara.

Gojo barely held in a snicker, while Utahime felt a vein popping in her forehead in response. 

She could snap at him, but appearing still bitter about that incident would make her look bad, so she moved on.

Utahime barely got inside the house due to the blocked door, before immediately sensing 'it', as confirmed by Mei Mei. The former then handed Utahime a flashlight, claiming she has no need for it. 

“She doesn’t?” asked Yuji.

“Does this have to do with her Cursed Technique?” said Maki.

“Kakuni” was Inumaki’s reply.

She began exploring the interior of the house, making note of how messy, yet intricately designed it was. Electricity is still on, as Mei Mei demonstrated, to her surprise. Mei Mei instructs Utahime to search on the second floor while she stays on the first. The Miko was spooked, but she still complied.

The Kyoto students were admittedly floored by how callow and vulnerable their teacher used to look. Some found it adorable, but others were glad for her newfound maturity, since she wouldn’t make it out alive like that. Still, it gave them as well as Tokyo students an idea of why Gojo liked to call her weak.

Throughout her walk, Utahime was constantly on edge from the downright eldritch place, but still, she went through several rooms successively, until she found the last one, which belonged to the owner's children. When it seems she'll locate something under their bed, she was met with mice instead, freaking her out.

Almost everyone started to giggle, with Gojo nearly sputtering. Utahime was just chagrined throughout the whole thing. “Great, he now has more reason to haunt me for the entirety of our stay here!”.

Out of the room, a mere hand on her shoulder from Mei Mei was enough to make her shriek.

Now they graduated into full-blown laughter. 

“Sheesh! That’s a scream worthy of a horror film!” Yuji let out in between laughs.

“Ain’t it?!” Agreed Nobara.

Megumi, meanwhile, just wondered how is she still alive to this day, a sentiment echoed by Maki, Mechamaru and Kamo. She did get a facial scar out of her trouble, so it isn’t too ludicrous to think about.

The Miko teacher now just wants to become one with the floor, especially with her best friend and annoying acquaintance conspiring to make her do exactly that.

Mei Mei joked she could become the next scream queen at this rate. 

“Took the words outta my mouth” Gojo quipped, which was the last straw for poor Utahime, who contemplated spilling the lemon tea juice can on him.

Momo, Todo, Miwa and Nobara noticed her poor state, however, and came over to her, “S-sorry, Sensei!”.

Anyways, the silver-haired woman reveals that they're actually on the first floor, to the other's confusion, especially when says she was walking in it, since they never met. Mei Mei points to a series of objects that she has passed through three times, and markers that she left.

“Huh? Are they stuck in, like, a loop?” Yuji asks.

“Probably some form of innate domain. Though I didn’t encounter such thing before” Megumi said.

It soon becomes clear they reached the center of the beast.

They continue on walking anyway, further confirming Mei Mei's suspicion. Utahime asks her how long have they been here, and the other replies that it was 30 minutes, meaning about four kilometers. Utahime wonders if they're even in an innate domain, but Mei Mei postulates that the spirit may be creating overlapping space the longer they move, instead of trapping them in a loop. 

“Thank goodness. Were it a loop, it’d be a real pain!” Nobara stated.

“For a spirit to be able to create more space, I wonder what grade this could be, and how it should be countered” Maki wonders.

“Sounds like something out of a roguelike" Momo commented.

“If they remain trapped by walking in a consistent line, the best solution in this situation would be to improvise!” Todo suggests.

“In what capacity?” Yuji and Nobara are a bit lost at his answer.

Utahime lays down that the overlapping space theory is the more likely solution, and the solution for that is to split up and move in unpredictable directions, in hopes that the barrier won't keep up, allowing them to get out and perhaps counterattack or call for help.

“There it comes...” Ieri cryptically utters. The others stare at her, thinking she was probably involved.

Utahime gripped her skirt, bracing herself for the upcoming humiliation.

Gojo, on the other hand, suddenly went silent.

Mei Mei agrees to try it. But just as Utahime started to run, the building suddenly unravels, before rapidly breaking apart. Utahime barely manages to get away from it with her life before falling down. She gets out if the rubble just in time to get a good view of her "savior".

“That kind of handiwork seems... familiar” Panda says, in a noticeably resigned ‘this is going to suck’ tone.

The other Tokyo students stiffened, now knowing why it was familiar. Megumi, Nobara and Maki in particular felt a giant headache coming, compared to Yuji and Yuta, who were slowly becoming excited.

Nanami couldn't help but pinch the bridge of his nose, feeling the exact same upcoming headache "Dammit, Gojo".

"I came to help you... Utahime!

“Gojo-sensei!!” Yuji hollered.

“Ha HA! Of course!” said sensei followed suit, echoing his excitement.

The rest, though, did not like this a lot. Some for petty reasons, but mostly due to what this could mean for the future forecasting. 

But yes, mostly for the idea of watching only Satoru as a teenager, with all that entails (read: supreme pain).

“Dear god, no...” Megumi and Nobara weakly complained, horror apparent on their faces. The same went for their upperclassmen and teachers. 

Who was none other than Satoru Gojo, wearing round shades and Jujutsu Tech Tokyo uniform.

“There you, uh, are” was all what Yuta squeaked out. When Gojo looked at the audience, he noticed that, with rare exceptions, they weren’t terribly enthusiastic, much to his dismay.

“Why are you guys like this?”

“No, why are YOU-” Nobara fired back by pointing at the screen “-like that?!”.

“But still, Sensei is still cool even in our uniforms!” Yuji defended him. “wait, how old were you back then?”

“I was a second-year.”

“This was shortly before the Star Plasma Vessel incident, so it will be unveiled here today” Shoko was thinking. Gojo knew it already, but he’s content letting everything play out, perhaps giving him an insight of what he missed out on back then. Well, save for the matter regarding Megumi’s dad.

"Are you crying?"

"I'm NOT" she screams, trapped by debris "and be more polite!!"

“So, you were like this for more than a decade?” A deadpan Mechamaru asked Utahime. The latter nodded, almost robotically. Everyone violently shuddered at the mere visual.

“Oh come on, Utahime! You might not believe it but you were one of my best friends! I swear!” Gojo passionately laid out, but none were all that convinced. Unless Gojo’s idea of a friendship was just warped like that.

But before continuing, his head was suddenly grabbed from behind by the principal, “I think I remember that incident, Satoru. You forgot something back there, didn’t you?” he went on with a menacing glare.

Regardless of his strength, Gojo’s state of mind was instantly reduced to that of his adolescent self, and he weakly protested “I-It was more than a decade ago, P-Principal...”

The onlookers were mostly smirking amongst themselves, enjoying the look of Gojo somehow still overpowered by his own former teacher, particularly Utahime.

A completely unharmed Mei Mei walks over, asking Gojo if he would console her were she to ever cry. Gojo rejects the possibility of her ever crying, since she's strong. The exchange pisses off Utahime even more, before she gets up to yell that she never asked for his help...

Most were surprised by Mei Mei’s intact appearance compared to Utahime’s, even the latter herself “Wow. Nothing gets to her” commented Nobara.

“Wish I gained that level of swagger” Momo said.

“You mean nonchalance?” inquired Mai.

“You didn’t change all that much from twelve years ago” Maki finally told Gojo.

“What she said” added Megumi.

“If anything, everything about what I see on-screen is even more off-putting than usual” also added Panda.

“He’s not wrong” Shoko, Yaga and Nanami mentally commented.

... before a cursed spirit emerges right behind her.

“Well, shit!” was Mai's reaction.

"That's just convenient" Nobara noted, snickering.

"CAREFUL, IORI-SENSEI!!" Miwa yelled out.

It's immediately caught and eaten by another spirit, which turns out to belong to Suguru Geto.

He commands it to not devour it, as they'll take it in later. 

The dark-haired teenager with the elongated earlobes then chides Gojo "Satoru, it isn't nice to pick on the weak"

What was amusing a few minutes ago soon turned deathly silent. 

The younger students were now more vigilant, but nowhere near the level of their upperclassmen. That Suguru Geto was a close friend of Gojo’s is forgone conclusion, but if what’s being presented is any indication, they might even witness how he ended up the way he was.

They turned to look at Gojo, who took off his blindfold once again. The look on his face was... soft. So soft and wistful. The nostalgic air eventually got to his other close friend Ieri, who didn’t exactly like the feelings this was getting out of her. The same was for Yaga, as well as Nanami, albeit for different reasons in case of the latter.

“Wait... not nice to pick on the weak?! He... is that really Geto Suguru?” Maki was astounded at hearing him, of all people, scold Gojo.

Gojo retorts saying no one's stupid enough to pick on the strong, while Mei Mei blames Geto for being unreasonable. The whole conversation drives Utahime up the wall, at least until she hears a certain voice.

“I don’t feel like wanting to experience more of that Gojo” admitted Nobara, almost aware of what they’ll see of him

"Utahime-senpai!" 

Said senpai beams like crazy, immediately recognizing it as belonging to her best friend, Shoko Ieri, who's shorter haired, more vibrant, but a smoker. "Shoko!!"

Nobara similarly grins “Ooh! You look so beautiful! Shoko-san”

The woman snorts. Everyone takes note of her smoking as a teenager, with them feeling relief that she quit.

"You look much more youthful! And kinda like..." Yuji complimented, before noticing the resemblance between Nobara and a teenage Shoko. The light brown-haired girl snapped at Yuji "What?!"

"N-nothing!"

As if in response to the scene, Utahime laid her head on Ieri’s shoulder, nostalgia getting to her as well.

Ieri asks if Utahime is okay, since they've never heard of her for two days. Utahime runs to her and hugs her tightly, begging her to never become like her two troublesome male friends. She assures her she'll never turn into trash like them.

“Hah! That’s why Shoko-san is one of my favourite adults here!” boasted Nobara.

“Yeah, right?” agreed Utahime.

“Good for her” Megumi added.

Her calling him and Geto trash hurt Gojo more than he’d admit, as seen by the words literally piercing him. But he set that aside (literally as well) to take in his childhood with his once best friend.

Geto is using the stairs Utahime climbed from just now, as Gojo playfully warns him that it's falling apart, prompting Geto to shut him up.

Maki, Yuta, Panda and Inumaki blinked twice at the exchange. This Suguru Geto was... warmer, kind of like Nanami, but more talkative.

Utahime is shocked by how she and Mei Mei got stuck for two days in reality. Gojo speculates that the spirit's barrier must mess with time perception, which is rare but does happen, while feeling surprise over how even Mei Mei was trapped in it. She realizes it was a two-days' labor she was in.

Todo recalled having ended up in a similar situation before “Ugh, does that bring me back to that damn Curse”.

“You mean the one that impersonated Takeda-chan?” Mai brought it up.

“How long did you get stuck?” Asked a curious Yuji.

“Two weeks” Todo, Mai and Kamo responded simultaneously. “but for me, it was only a couple of days” helpfully added Todo.

“EHHH!!?"

She then asks Gojo about the curtain. The three saviors freeze up in shock.

Most in the room facepalm so hard it caused an echo. The students were quite dismayed, knowing that the tomfoolery they bore witness to was just the beginning.

“You, of all people!!?” shouted Yuji at Gojo.

“It was a different... me. Hehe” he quietly defends himself.

“Like you wouldn’t know” grimaced Nanami.

Back at Jujutsu Tech, there a news report on TV about the abandoned house's explosion, believed to be caused by a gas leak. 

Gojo, Geto and Ieri were on the floor, with Yaga, a teacher back then, looming over them. He tells them about somebody that promised to put up a curtain only to leave the assistant manager behind and forget all about it. Before ordering them the culprit to come forward.

“Man, this truly takes me back” Shoko commented.

“Really?” Gojo said, incredulous.

Geto and Ieri promptly point to Gojo, who then dramatically asks to stop pointing fingers at one other (despite having been just sold out).

He gets a "DISCIPLINE" punch down on his head, courtesy of Yaga.

They couldn’t take it anymore, with Nobara, Yuji, Maki and Panda bursting out laughing at Gojo’s piss-poor attempt to dodge responsibility, and ended up on the ground, nearly spitting out food when he was hit by Yaga. The former almost sounded proud. But of course, it was rare that someone got the drop on The Strongest (even in the name of discipline).

Megumi wouldn’t show it, but seeing Gojo looking this unimpressive did wonders for his mental health. It was high time that buffon got knocked down by a peg.

“At least I remembered to put up one” Utahime murmured, shooting a smug side-eye at Gojo, who scoffed. “So this is how it feels to be at the receiving end?”. 

At the gym, Gojo, playing with a basketball, m questions if the use of curtains is even necessary, not really caring about whether normal people can see them or not, as they can't see curses anyway, while Ieri is wearing his glasses.

“Gojo-sensei, where are you going on with this?” mulled Megumi, not liking at all his frivolity about the whole thing.

The white-haired man just sighed in defeat. This is going to show not just where everything went wrong, but also why. This did make him and his co-workers more relieved, though, for outgrowing it.

Catching the basketball Gojo threw, Geto affirms that yes, it matters. The mental calm and peace of the populance is a deterrent to cursed spirit outbreak, after all. Hence their need to conceal everything as much as possible.

Gojo quickly snatches the ball from him and scores a goal, while lamenting how exhausting it is to protect the weak, before throwing it back at his black-haired friend.

The students were quite stunned at seeing their teacher act so... callous, particularly Yuji, Megumi and Yuta. The same person who always drilled on them the importance of completing the task fully and safeguarding the populance, always.

The other students, namely those from Kyoto, weren’t all that surprised at seeing how much ego he acquired from winning the superpower lottery.

Geto insists that society must protect the weak and keep the strong in check, because Jujutsu exists to protect non-Jujutsu sorcerers.

As he throws the ball, Gojo mocks his argument as too self-righteous, while declaring he hates that stuff. Geto is bewildered, and angered by this.

“The hell... Sensei?!” Yuji croaked out. That is the same man who instilled the same values Geto is now preaching?!

Not only that, but Geto, of all people, is the upstanding one in this situation?! Wasn’t that the same man who turned on humanity and wanted them all gone? Many of those who knew what he was like after becoming a Curse User are at loss for words. But not to the same level as seeing their teacher and nurturer Satoru Gojo act like such an abrasive presence.

Gojo could easily pull his eyes away from that exchange, having never felt this degree of... shame his whole life. If it wasn’t obvious he was going to live with the full knowledge that Curse User Geto was essentially him at the time fully realized, right now, it is now.

"Assigning reasoning and responsibility to Jujutsu is what weak people do, so stop making yourself feel superior by spouting that garbage", and makes an exaggeratedly disgusted face to prove his point. 

Megumi glowered at Gojo’s direction, his own convinctions making witnessing the man like that particularly painful, whereas Yuji was still disbelieving. Nobara quickly settled down, having figured out that the only reason they’re shown this is to demonstrate how he grew out of.

Ieri wastes no time leaving the premises, since Geto is now angry enough to start a fight, having summoned his curses.

"Let's take this outside, Satoru"

"You lonely? Go by yourself" Satoru also readies himself...

“Hey, is it sad that I’m kinda rooting for Suguru Geto to trounce him?” Panda inquired.

"Well, it could be worse..." Miwa said weakly, completely turned off by her same-aged crush being so apathetic and distanced from others.

They're quickly interrupted by Yaga entering the gym. He notices them about to square off and tells them off, before asking about Ieri's whereabouts, to which they sheepishly answer probably the bathroom.

“Buffons” 

From what Yuji gathered, Gojo, Geto and Ieri were a close trio, kind of like himself, Megumi and Nobara. Which was rather interesting.

Yaga sets all this aside to inform them about a mission they'll have to undertake. They react with boredom, to Yaga's annoyance.

The teacher admits the mission will be quite the handful, since it comes from Master Tengen themself. It has two objectives:

Master Tengen has found the perfect Star Plasma Vessel, they are to escort the girl, and erase her.

...

“What?” was what most young students simply vocalized.

“That will probably be elaborated on now” Nanami simply answered.

Todo leaned on his seat, looking back to something his mentor discussed. “The Star Plasma Vessel, wasn’t it?”

"Escort the girl... and erase her?"

"Correct."

Gojo and Geto then cheekily whisper among each other about the last line, believing Yaga has lost it due to the spring pollen and his upcoming promotion as a principal, much to the man's irritation.

“Come on now, sensei. Is your goal is to drain the life force out of everyone around you?” Yuji questioned, just as annoyed as Yaga is.

“It’s probably his own way of showing affection, I guess” Yuta offered.

“It doesn’t come out that way, especially after what we heard him just say a minute before” Megumi countered.

Geto collected himself and asked Yaga if they're going to reset Master Tengen's cursed technique. Gojo is out of the loop, having no idea what they're talking about.

Most rolled their eyes at the clueless Six Eyes user. 

Yaga explains that although Tengen's Cursed Technique involves immortality, it still doesn't stop their aging process. And when they reach a certain age, the cursed technique will cause them to change bodies. And as a result, Tengen will acsend to a higher state and cease being human.

As Gojo finally understood, Geto murmurs that at this rate, Tengen will cease to have a will, and when that happens, the Jujutsu world will hit a huge slump since it's Tengen who manages and strengthens the veils, pillars and barrier techniques. At worst, Tengen might even turn on humanity.

Yuji was quite alarmed at hearing such thing, so he turned to his teacher for an explanation “Sensei, did you...?”

“No spoilers!” Gojo suddenly announced.

“HUH?!”

“Of course! If he reveals everything, all tension will be gone!” Nobara reminded Yuji.

The boy was out of it. Which he attributes to Gojo’s emotions being all over the place since this viewing began.

Setting aside the inappropriately funny situation, the implications of such outcome were too grave for the students to just ignore, so Yuji begged "Come on, sensei, at least a hint! Please!"

After ignoring him, Gojo reconsidered it, but then all he said was "Ain't telling!"

Yuji slumped on the seat in disappointment. But Megumi was very concerned. Such response could very easily mean anything.

He then reveals the common solution for this: merging with a compatible Star Plasma Vessel once every 500 years, thus overwriting their genetics. This will refresh Tengen's body as well as their cursed technique, preventing them from evolving.

“Erasure” Kamo uttered, the word now bearing a different meaning. It’s not like he didn’t know about what Tengen did to maintain their form, but he didn’t get to know the full mechanics of it.

Todo, meanwhile, reflected on something she said few years ago. He noticed back then her unusual attitude regarding Tengen after she explained the whole process. Not to mention she never quite gave an answer about the current day’s ritual. Probably why Gojo insisted no spoilers.

The ultimate fate of the vessel left the likes of Yuji and Yuta conflicted. From the way Yaga described it, it seemed as if the person will cease to exist and become part and parcel of Tengen, almost as if they never had a self. 

And besides, were Gojo a part of such mission, why wouldn’t he reveal anything about it? Yuji quickly glanced at his teacher and saw him... melancholic? Yes, in a whiplash, the man went from trollish to depressive. Yeah, something definitely's up.

He, Megumi and Nobara discussed this tidbit amongst themselves.

Gojo comes with an analogy using Digimon franchise's Greymon's evolutionary levels. Geto reluctantly agrees with the comparison.

“Ha ha! Digimon?! Man, this really is a blast from the past!” Yuji squealed. He was getting all nostalgic at the mention of his number one favourite childhood show.

“Yeah!” so did Nobara.

“Salmon” as well as Inumaki.

“Man, I miss the old Adventure shows and the games!” and Panda.

“I prefer Tamers, though” Said Momo.

“How cute, being so edgy and all” Mai teased her blonde upperclassman.

“So kiddy” grumbled Maki “but then again, that wasn’t a bad analogy”.

“Why did this suddenly become about Digimon?!” Megumi not-so-quietly complained. They were just in a serious discussion. And speaking of the one who brought up the analogy, the Ten Shadows user turned to see Gojo, and he didn’t join in the silliness at all. This was worrying. One thing they did conclude, however...

“Did this mission have something to do with what happened to Suguru Geto? Or is there something more to it?"

Yaga continues, revealing that the Star Plasma Vessel's location was leaked, and now there are two groups after her. One is the Curse User Group Q, which aims to upend the Jujutsu society by making Tengen evolve, and the other is the Star Religious Group, or Time Vessel Association, which comprises worshippers of Tengen. He caps it all off by announcing it'll be two days before Tengen and the Star Plasma Vessel merge on a full moon. Henceforth, Gojo and Geto's mission would be to escort the girl to Tengen at once.

He warns them that if they screw up, the ramifications this will have on Jujutsu society are going to be massive.

“It actually did. In a way” Ieri, Yaga and Nanami mentally noted.

“And the consequences will probably keep on piling up” Reflected Yuta.

Gojo and Geto are on their way to Riko Amanai's place, having picked up snacks, while walking rather strangely.

Yuji, Nobara, Maki, Momo and Panda barely held in their laughter. Yuta was mostly embarrassed.

“Classic swagger” Panda snarked.

“Pssht! They look ridiculous! Has he ever heard or looked at himself those days?!” Mai interjected.

The insult also hit Gojo like an arrow, but like before he refused to do anything about it. His mind was elsewhere.

Gojo admits to not getting the Star Religious Group's rationale behind wanting to eliminate the vessel compared to Q.

“the Star Religious Group? Is it the same group that...” Megumi trailed off.

“Yes, the one headed by Suguru Geto” Maki confirmed. Megumi, Nobara and Yuji glanced at each other, all nodding.

"Knew it"

Geto replies that they worship a pure version of Master Tengen, and the merging process would soil their purity. He says that they're no threat since they're non-curse users, which leaves Q as their main problem.

“But if he took leadership of them, maybe they weren't as they seemed to be" Megumi thought.

The Six Eyes user scoffs, claiming that it should be no problem since they're the strongest, and Yaga sent them for that exact reason.

Geto then takes his time to remind Gojo to watch the way he talks, especially around his seniors, claiming he's too rude, and this might pose a problem when they encounter Tengen. In fact, even their juniors are intimidated by him as a result. 

“Can’t believe I’m agreeing with him” Maki remarked in disbelief.

“Bonito flakes, Kankoro” voiced Inumaki. Less rude, more idiotic.

But during their conversation, an explosion rips out from the apartment where the vessel is supposed to be, startling them.

“Uh oh”

“Is this how it ended Sensei? She died right then and there?” asked Yuji. Megumi nearly face-faulted at such conclusion.

“Too anticlimactic!” Panda rejected the possibility out of hand.

The two turn around and ready their cursed techniques for a potential skirmish, before noticing a figure falling from that floor. It was Riko Amanai.

At the sight of her, Gojo could positively feel his emotional state deteriorate even further. While it’s a given due to the whole viewing airing out his failings, the mere sight of Amanai once again opened the gates for all traumatic memories about their mission back then to flood back in his head. He didn’t witness exactly how she died, so this will probably be revealed.

Miwa was worried “no way, she looks like just a middle schooler!”

“Sadly, not everyone views her as a child. In fact, not as a human anymore. As soon her Star Plasma Vessel status is exposed, she’s just an unwanted extension of Master Tengen” Utahime somberly explains.

From her apartment, a Q member, Kokun, watches her fall below, while declaring she can blame this situation on Tengen. Only to be blinsided by Geto rescuing Amanai by using his Curse. He scolds the soldier for making a mess, since they just got into trouble today. Taking a good look at her, he confirms her status as a Star Plasma Vessel.

Gojo, once again, stretched and sighed heavily. If Riko is shown, then he is going to be next. No doubt. “Tch. How am I gonna explain this for Megumi?

Kokun, recognizing Geto as a Jujutsu Tech student, orders him to hand Amanai over at the risk of death, provoking Geto to taunt him from afar to get closer.

Gojo was watching everything from below, sighing that they made it in time. At least before he gets a row of bladed weapons fired at him, only stopping due to his Infinity.

“I dunno, but something about that image of Gojo-sensei is...” Yuji says before spitting into chuckles.

He notices a figure arriving, a Q soldier named Bayer, who claps and compliments Gojo's ability, before telling him to show if the rumors were true.

“I wonder what came of this organization, Q, nowadays” Mechamaru queried.

“It was dismantled in 2006, due to the loss of one of their heavy hitters. The remnants split off into independent Curse User groups that roamed the Southern part of Japan, but they were swiftly exterminated after their discovery during a Jujutsu mission gone haywire." Yaga explained. 

However, he, Mechamaru, and every other student noticed that it was during the same year this viewing is taking place. They slowly turned to stare at Gojo, who noticed them. He then snorted, eradicating any doubt about who was responsible. They all sighed wearily.

Gojo agrees, but sets a rule. Setting the knives away from his face with Infinity, he says he won't go all out and get into trouble once again. So at any point should Bayer cry and apologize, he'll spare him. Punctuating the statement with a confident grin, it only grinds on the soldier's gears, who curses him as a brat.

“Dang. Look, I know this Gojo-sensei is a complete tool, but he still manages to make it sound badass!” Yuji commented.

“Don’t worry, I actually feel the same. Surprisingly enough” said Nobara.

In another nearby building, two prople were observing the action. One of them comments on Q's first move, before talking about how although the Star Religious Group doesn't have the power to fight, they still have plenty of money.

The suit-clad man, Kong Shiu, thereby offers "So, how about it, Zenin? Want to get in on the assassination of the Star Plasma Vessel?"

Megumi, Maki and Mai’s eyes widened at hearing that surname. Gojo just suddenly felt a chill down his spine. 

“That’s him, isn’t it?” Shoko and Nanami mentally questioned, while glancing down at Megumi, who’s now very (unfortunately) interested.

"I'm not a Zenin anymore, I got married and took my wife's name".

Megumi blinked. Why did that voice and general aura feel too familiar to him? Who was that?

The other person's appearance is shown, revealing a tall, raven-haired, and quite familiar-looking thirtysomething man with a scar across his lip. 

Now almost everyone’s breath hitched, their eyes plate-sized. Those features, hair and eyes, they were a spitting image of not only Maki and Mai, but also...

Said wide eyes slowly veered to the direction of a certain other Zenin in the room, in descent if not in name.

It's Fushiguro now..."

"... but sounds good, I'll take it."

The nearly one minute silence was overpowering enough that one didn’t need Heavenly Restriction-powered senses to hear a pin drop. But then the pandemonium followed.

“WHAAAAT?!?!”

“FUSHIGURO?!?”

Megumi was stupefied, the only part of his body moving being his jaw, which fell off his skull.

“No way!! the name’s the same as..!!” Yuji exclaimed before turning to the stone-bodied Megumi.

“Oh my god! That’s your dad!?”

“We’re gonna watch him!?”

Maki and Mai were in the same state as Megumi, but to a lesser extent. They couldn’t help but suddenly flash back to something their cousin Naoya said about an outcasted Zenin clan member...

Megumi was briefly speechless, only muttering to himself while staring at the figure "N-no way..."

“Oh it DOES!! No one else was a Zenin and changed his surname to Fushiguro AND had a part in Gojo-sensei’s past! Face it, that’s your old man in the flesh!”

The adults were rather concerned. If this keeps up, Megumi will find out Gojo’s role in shaping his life a lot earlier than intended. Although the boy claimed to have no further interest in the man, the effect something as drastic as killing one’s dad might have shouldn’t be understated.

After having been slack-jawed for a few minutes, Megumi finally sinks into his seat. So, his own father of all people’s in the spotlight? There’s no harm in it. He might have detested him, but he won’t lie that seeing him in full for the first time made him feel... things. As antipathetic as he was, he won’t deny he’s just a teeny bit interested in the role the man had in the Star Plasma Vessel debacle, judging by his designation as an assassin. 

On the other hand, Gojo was shaken a little from his slump. Dragging his eyes upward, he could witness the still image of the much feared figure from his past. The cause of everything to go wrong, the nail that unraveled it all. Instead of lingering fear or trauma, Gojo's lips curled into a tired smirk, and he quietly addressed him.

"What? Are you here to ruin my life again?"

END

Chapter Text

There was a short break after the bombshell that was the last scene. However, most didn't feel in the mood for nourishment or rest. They all wanted answers. Right now. Especially Megumi, who was the most tense out of all of them.

Maki couldn't help but recall something from her childhood with Naoya. Despite disliking those memories, there was something to gleaned. The ambitious Zenin heir always used to go on about how much inferior her Heavenly Restriction, and called her a cheap copy of... something. Or someone. She could not remember what exactly, because of how fuzzy the memories were as a result of injuried. But one thing she did note is how he was often scolded for bringing up that afterwards by the elders. In fact, he was the only one to try to compare her Restriction, but to who?

Mai clearly thought the same. The two turned to their direction simultaneously, and decided to share this tidbit with their nephew after the next viewing is finished.

"Sensei, how are you feeling?"

An absent-minded Gojo was stirred into reality by the voice of his prized student, Yuta. The boy, like everyone else really, is quite concerned. He was soon followed by Yuji, Megumi and Nobara, then Toge, Panda, and even Miwa and Utahime. Even Maki decided to come over to console her much-derided teacher.

"Your... Cursed Energy seems to have fluctuated a lot the last half hour. Which means your emotional state isn't all there. Is going through all that again causing this?" Utahime firmly questions. She was clearly indirectly telling him to snap out of it.

Seconds later, he softly replied "It's fine, really. I'm sorry to bother you all, kids". 

"Listen, Sensei, if what's about to be shown is hurting you, how about you just... don't watch?" Megumi suggested. He bit his own tongue at the mere idea. Satoru Gojo, afraid?!? The sentiment was echoed by everyone in the circle, which is why they're so worried.

However, he does have ulterior motives for such idea. It's not like he would let Gojo get out of talking about this specific topic he had in mind. But more importantly, he was genuinely worried.

Gojo, at witnessing how much concern and uncertainty he helped sow inside of everyone, immediately feels shock and guilt building up within. What the hell is he doing wringing his hands about something that was over and done with 12 years ago?! As much as he wanted to lash out at the sender for showing this, he has a feeling there is a point behind it all. And besides, right now, the exact last thing he needs is pity. He never liked being felt sorry for, and this actually started internally pissing him off.

He soon gets up, nudges his glasses back on, and loudly proclaims "ME?! Stop watching?! Come on now, you guys! What are you taking me for?! I didn't accept this deal so wishy-washily! And quit this pity party already, it's getting outta hand!!"

"Now THAT'S the spirit, Gojo-sensei!" Yuji happily applauds and slaps his teacher's back, which the latter takes in gusto.

"About damn time, you stupid blindfold. I was gonna say the same thing!" Chided Maki.

"Hehehe, sorry!"

However, the shivers won't go away. This confounds him further. Is this terror really about Amanai, or...?

"Everyone! The viewing is about to resume" Nanami came over and told the flock as the screen began to flicker.

"Oh sweet!" Exclaimed Yuji as he and all the viewers went back to the seats, excitement, as well as relief, washing over them.

The scene opens up with tea being prepared by Geto.

He picks it up and brings to a devastated room. Turns out, he's in Riko Amanai's apartment, as shown by the sleeping forms of the girl and her maid.

"Phew! They're okay" sighed Miwa.

“Please! Listen to me! I was wrong! I'm sorry! I'm really sorry!!”

The scene shifted to reveal Kokun, the Q soldier from earlier, being restrained by one of Geto's Curses, which is trying to kiss him. The soldier even promises to quit this job and stop being a Curse User just for a chance to be freed from the Kissing Curse, even leaving Q and returning back to the countryside.

Everyone predictably collapsed into wheezing laughter at seeing the Curse User's fate. The likes of Nobara, Yuji, and Momo dropped their snacks outright, while those like Maki, Mai, Todo, and Inumaki just covered their mouths. Surprisingly, even Gojo and Ieri were laughing. Utahime just gagged at the Curse's appearance and treatment of Kokun. The rest tried to ignore the noise, but wouldn't deny the amusing scene.

"That's-HAHAHA- Too gold!!" Nobara exclaimed in between laughs.

"There are Curses derived from kissing?!?" Said Yuji incredulously.

"There are Curses about every category you could throw a stone at" Kamo replied.

"Believe me, brother, there are even categories you're better off not knowing about" Todo added.

"Huh?! You mean like...?"

"OKAY! Don't get too gross!!" Momo loudly cut him off.

"Quitting? Why now?" Mai mocked the soldier's attempt at a surrender.

Geto derides him for thinking he can't hear, before stating that as a Curse User, he'll never cut it as a farmer.

"My thoughts exactly" Several in the room internally admitted.

"I like that guy" Nobara opined about Geto while grinning, before noticing how everyone began staring at her, even Gojo. "What!?" She defensively said.

Yuji turned back to the screen "Now that you mentioned it, you never specified your type. Saying something like, not UBSSD..?"

"Whaddya mean? Actually, why should I share something like this to you!?"

"Exactly!" Agreed Mai.

"But still, that's Suguru Geto you're talking about" Panda reminded her.

Kokun, despite the state he was in, gets pissed at the former’s condescension, anf proclaims that as long as Q's strongest combatant Bayer is here, he should shove that attitude where it belongs since he'll wipe them all out. 

Geto picks up his phone due to a notification, before showing it to Kokun and asking him if this is their Bayer. It was a picture of him being utterly trounced by Gojo, who of course took the photo and sent it. Kokun dejectedly confirms that yes, that's him.

Rather than laughing out loud again, everyone just winced horribly.

"Man, that probably wasn't even a fight!" Maki commented, admittedly a bit amused at the guy's state.

"Wonder how long it lasted, 4 seconds?" Panda inquired. 

"NO WAY! It was definitely 2 seconds!" Yuji countered.

"Five!" Shouted Nobara.

"Maybe three?" Yuta tried to offer a compromise.

"Stop digging nails into the coffin of the poor guy's misery already!" Kamo scolded with tick marks on his forehead.

"And stop giving the blindfold cretin this much credit! It was probably half a minute!" Claimed Maki as well.

"So, how long did the fight approximately last, if you recall?" Todo asked Gojo.

"Uhhhh... maybe 4 or 5." "Huh! Give us a straight answer!" "That I still remember it should be a point in my favor! It wasn't that fast!". Nobara and Panda gave each other a high-five, while Yuji and Yuta sunk in their seats in defeat.

At seeing Kokun's reaction, they all actually felt felt sorry for him. "If I were him I'd rather crawl to a hole and starve to death" Momo commented sympathetically.

"Is this how Mt. Fuji felt" Yuji wondered, flashing back to Jogo's ill-fated attempt to fight Gojo.

Needless to say, his defeat spelled the end for Q, as confirmed by extraneous narration.

"Ouch!"

The scene then changed elsewhere to show a boat race. Toji Fushiguro is shown on the stands, apparently betting pool.

At the sight of the elder Fushiguro, all eyes were pierced on him. Nobara's first impression mechanism started working overdrive, while Megumi took note of the paper the man was carrying. "He's betting? I'm already not liking this very much".

He's approached by his associate, Kong Shiu, while declaring it'll be a win. The suited man bluntly told him he never once saw him win, to the other’s consternation. When Kong asks him about his job, Toji just shrugs and tells him to give it a rest, accusing him of believing he's just unemployed.

"So... a problem gambler?" Kamo suggested.

"Seems like it" replied Nanami. At witnessing Fushiguro's associate, he decides to make a rough portrait of him on his notebook, hoping to at least track him down when this viewing is done.

Megumi could feel a twitch in his left eye.

"Must be financially... say, stifled" Mai comments.

"N-No way, for Fushiguro's dad to be like this...!" Yuji disbelivingly protests. Could it be the reason for his abandonment of his son?

"Just a few seconds in and there are red flags springing around him everywhere" Nobara muttered. Combine this with him scratching his foot earlier, he easily fulfilled the poor and smelly part of her criteria. She couldn't empathise with Yuji more than she does now.

Except Kong reminds him that he is. The man pouts in indignation.

Everyone deeply scowls. 

"Broke too, huh?" Guess who noted that down.

The twitch on Megumi's eye got even worse.

A certain white-haired Sorcerer started fiddling with his fingers nervously, aware of the younger Fushiguro's current state of mind. The same went for the latter's pink-haired best friend.

"The apple definitely fell far away from the tree" Maki murmurs, comparing the serious, steadfast Megumi to the flighty Toji. Didn't stop her from getting very invested in that man, tough.

Kong then relays to him that he must report to the client the current state of the job.

Toji explains that since he's up against Satoru Gojo, he has to stick to a complicated strategy just to get to him, because facing him in an open fight is just asking for trouble. He reveals his intention to wear him down using decoys.

"Call me crazy, but for... pretty much everything about him, he's quite the looker" Miwa voiced her out-of-field opinion on the elder Fushiguro. Everyone was stunned at such conclusion, but when they took a good look at the man, they admitted she wasn't wrong, but wouldn't say that out loud. A select few females even blushed in response.

"Yeah! He actually looks like an older, straight-haired Fushiguro!" Yuji agreed. "Except for the scar".

"Must be where you got your magnetism, huh?" Nobara told Megumi, who grimaced heavily.

"If he didn't look so shady and broke, he's be a total ladykiller!" Panda compliments.

"I know I'm giving away a bit but..." Suddenly voiced Gojo "that guy actually had a lot of tail behind him, and even got married twice".

"HAH!? That jobless bloke!?" Nobara yelled in disbelief. Gojo nodded.

"Must be the looks then" Panda concluded. How said broads looked behind his social status is beyond most of everyone. Was it his dangerous aura?

At hearing about Toji's strategy, a few were shocked "He actually has a plan to take him down?" Yuji said in surprise.

"But, how could he possibly wear Gojo-sensei down?" Asked Yuta. "Unless... he didn't have the totality of his powers back then?"

That possibility was in the minds of many.

"What kind of combatant is he, and how strong he is to think he can take on Gojo" Was the thought shared by Megumi, Mai, Yuji, and Kamo. 

Todo, unlike the youngsters, had an idea of what his ability could be, but wasn't sure, merely hardening back to something Yuki Tsukumo brought up once. But if his hunch is correct, then it all makes sense. He glances at Maki, who thought the same.

Gojo, on the other hand, had a... strange look on his face. He suddenly started sweating and shivering lightly, weirding him out. Ieri took notice of this, and got quite alarmed. "What's wrong?"

Gojo lied "Nothin'!". It can't be! I'm still scared of him?!

The two then share a light-hearted banter about their jobs, with Toji reassuring Kong to have accounted for the deposit, at least until he finishes exhausting Gojo, just like he accounted for the race he's watching.

"Tiring him out, huh? Is that why the initial fight ended like that" Thought Nanami.

Only, the racing boat he bet on ends up not winning the first place. This sends the former Zenin to a borderline fit of pique. Kong snacks that he isn't cut out at all to make easy money. Anyway:

"Yep, broke indeed" Maki flatly said. Everyone snorted at Toji's horrid luck. Megumi was just plain mortified at being related to that. The residual fury from his parent less childhood was slowly building up the more he was gazed upon that man.

“I'll be counting on you, Sorcerer Killer”

The students' eyes widened at hearing that epithet, "Sorcerer Killer?!" Exclaimed Yuji, as well as Yuta.

"Someone like that existed!?"

"With a title like that, was he a Jujutsu sorcerer at all?" Mechamaru wondered.

Before leaving, Kong asks Toji how his son Megumi is doing.

At the mention of Megumi, all doubts about his relation to him completely dissipated. After all, no other boy has a name like that. "Whoah! It's you, Fushiguro!"

Said boy is now oddly interested. He has no memory of the man from back then, even accounting for his own age. But still, he had a tiny sliver of hope for him.

Toji takes too long to answer, almost seeming completely lost at the question. Until he finally says:

“Who's that?”

....

The resulting silence was so defeaning, even the flow of time seemed to slow down, somehow screwing with even Gojo's Six eyes. Everyone's eyes shot out of their skulls, and their jaws nearly fell to the floor. Out of all responses they expected, that... wasn't.

Snap

Yep, that's it.

A completely enraged Megumi shot up from his seat and threw a half-full milkshake cup at Toji's face onscreen, with enough force to deform the cup's shape and all the contents to splatter most of the screen. 

"SHITTY BROKE OLD FUCKER!! BURN IN HELL FOR ALL I FUCKING CARE!!"

That was the dam that caused everyone's reactions to follow suit. Comical shock, outrage, disappointment, and even morbid humor was all out.

"WHO'S THAT?!? THAT'S YOUR KID! SENILE OLD BASTARD!!" Yelled Maki.

"HE FORGOT HE EVEN EXISTED!?" And Yuji

"I TAKE THAT BACK! HE'S NOT HOT AT ALL!!" And Miwa.

"So... a deadbeat, gambling addicted, broke and stinky geezer?" And Nobara, albeit quietly, but even more harshly. "As far from our Fushiguro as it can get".

"Someone spent too much time dodging child support, huh?" Snarked Todo. "Though if this was true then he" shooting a look at Megumi shouting profanities "... is better off without him as a parent".

The rest either buried their faces in their palms, or had their one eye twitch violently. From what they gathered, the old Fushiguro wasn't all there in the head. Whether he was mentally disturbed, running away from child support like Todo said, or just being a Special Grade troll, is something they may or may not find out later.

Even Nanami started massaging either sides of his forehead. Seeing such level of neglect clearly getting into him. Gojo's glasses fell out of his eyes, total disbelief coloring his expression. "Are ya for fucking real there, old man!?" He knew he left Megumi and Tsumiki to their devices, but was it long enough to poke holes in his memory?!

He turned to see Megumi completely lose it, having to restrain himself from tearing out his hair or even punching someone nearby. He didn't and would never blame him. Nobody else did. Megumi and Tsumiki went through so much in their formative years, and he hoped he would get an insight to what his father was doing, so seeing how little it seemingly meant for him drove him to the edge. 

Almost as if he read Gojo's mind, Nanami went over to the black-haired teen and, putting a hand on his shoulder, orders "Fushiguro-kun, please walk laps around the room and take short breaths." 

Surprisingly, he immediately complies, and starts jogging around the place. Miwa also got out of their seats, and when asked, she said to bring something to wipe the screen with. Mechamaru, Momo and Panda followed her to help her.

Watching over Megumi trying to relieve his fury, Yuji is aghast, seeing as it's the first time the normally taciturn boy lost his shit, but internally admits to completely feeling him. After all, he also never heard from his own father since his mom left. Though he put it out of mind to take care of his grandfather and to train as a Jujutsu sorcerer, he still wonders about his whereabouts, and secretly regrets not letting Wasuke fill him in.

Thankfully, once everything has calmed down and the screen is cleaned, they all resumed watching.

Back at Riko Amanai's hiding place, Gojo and Geto discuss whether to take her to a hospital. The former lamenting at his own inability to use Reverse Cursed Technique like Shoko, clearly having not understood a single thing about the process as described by her. This is emphasised by a flashback of Ieri trying to explain it to them (keyword: trying) by using weird sound effects. Poor Geto's brain was steaming, whereas Gojo was plain irritated at the “explanation”.

"You didn't know how to use it back then?!" Yuta Shouted in surprise.

"Yep" Gojo confirmed.

"So he didn't reach his full potential back then, huh?" The rest of the students thought. Notably, Yuji and Maki accidentally correctly hazarded a guess that he might be able to learn it in this viewing.

At hearing Ieri's "explication", most had the same reaction as Gojo and Geto onscreen. Nobara finally voiced her thought "Must be so complicated".

"Like you wouldn't know!" Said Gojo. 

"It's not all that bad in theory, but to put it into practice, it's quite the handful" Mechamaru explained.

"Of course, because to break down negative energy piece by piece and transforming them all into positive, and turning the destructive force into creating one, it takes natural affinity for it, like Ieri, or just infinite Energy reserves, like Gojo" Todo adds. 

"Ah" Yuji felt rather enlightened by the lesson. He then turned to ask Gojo "So when did you learn to use it, sensei?"

Said sensei, however, was busy talking with Ieri about her piss-poor attempt at teaching to him when they were younger. Yuji just sweat dropped, and returned to his position sighing, knowing he won't tell them "Nevermind".

Riko then wakes up, just to find herself between Gojo's arms. 

A certain blue-haired swordsman desperately wished she was in Riko's place, blushing and mentally squeeing at the sight.

What follows a bitch slap to the Six Eyes user's face, strong enough to release her from his grip. The girl then loudly declares her intention to kill them off before they could do that to her.

A new row of laughter followed.

"HAH! Exactly what I'd do if I were her" boasted Nobara. Utahime eagerly nodded. They and a few others in the audience envied how the girl somehow blindsided him. No one could pull it off all those years, and the kid didn't seem like a sorcerer.

"Seems spunky. A total far cry from the state she appeared in" Mai articulates.

A bewildered Gojo was wincing at the slap mark on his face, while as Geto came over to defuse the situation and explain that they don't want to harm her.

"Dammit. I'd give anything just be able to do that" Utahime lamented internally, the sight of an actually hurt Gojo getting her worked up.

Riko throws Geto's words back at his face, claiming he looks like a liar, even going as far as insulting his bangs, to which Geto responds seemingly placidly.

"Hey, his bangs aren't that bad!" Nobara protests.

"Agreed!" Adds Miwa.

"He does look like a liar though" Maki says. 

However, when Riko's maid Misato Kuroi wakes up and descends to the room they were in, she catches Gojo and Geto twisting Riko's body from either ends in vengeance, with the poor girl shrieking at their disrespect. When Kuroi shouts at them to stop, they unceremoniously drop her on the ground.

"Soooo mature" Maki, Nobara and Panda sarcastically drawl. Yuji, Inumaki and Momo could not help but stifle a laughter, despite not liking Gojo and Geto's solution to the problem.

"How disrespectful" Mai and Utahime snarl when Riko is dropped.

Kuroi tells Riko that the two are allies sent to protect them, before the latter turns to see Kuroi riding a bull-like Curse. When she asks her, Kuroi replies that it's Geto's Cursed Technique, or rather Bang-guy as she refers to him. Said bang-guy politely (but wearily) tells them to cease calling him that.

Most were snickering at the nickname Geto was saddled with.

As he explains to them his Cursed Manipulation Technique and its mechanics, Gojo admits that Riko is a lot more aggressive than they expected, and that he tried to be softer thinking she’d be sad about the merger. However, Riko quickly dismisses such commoner thinking.

She hops atop the bull Curse, and loudly declares while posing that she's Master Tengen, and Master Tengen is her. Claiming that their idea that merging and death are the same are short-sighted, she hammily goes on about how she and Tengen will become one and the same, and how her will keep on living on inside of them...

"... Wow" was all Nobara could utter.

"Seems to have taken it to heart" Panda comments, bemused.

Most didn't know what to feel about this, even those aware of her fate. Yuji, however, felt a certain emotion at seeing her apparent acceptance of her role. Megumi and Gojo picked up on it, though.

"She's... actually like Itadori, in a way" after being silent for a while, Megumi finally opined. The Sukuna vessel was surprised at such comparison. "You think?"

"Yeah, she's kind of like a Vessel who's forced into that role, and has no choice but to follow the destiny forged for her" Ieri elaborates. Everyone is similarly interested in the analogy. Yuji is naturally conflicted about this, not helped at all by the adults refusing to spoil what happened to her, but eventually accepts it, and part of him comes to see Riko as a kindred spirit.

Speaking of which, he notices how Sukuna is strangely inactive, which leaves him uneasy.

... just to see that the Strongest Duo kinda lost interest and are discussing something else entirely, to her irritation.

"Really now?" Yuta just wearily said.

"In all honesty, I'd do the same if Itadori goes on about how he's Sukuna and Sukuna is him. And besides, I didn't like how blasé she was about it" Gojo laid out.

Yuji, as well as his friends, shuddered at the mere visual, complete with the boy using old-timey speech patterns. Surprisingly, Yuji felt something in him quietly gag.

It was Sukuna's mouth appearing on his face for a split second before dissipating. 

The two murmur amongst themselves how she's probably friendless because of the way she talks, and concur that it'll be a cinch to send her off. Riko furiously counters that she talks fine at school, thank you very much.

"I mean, I like her way of speech. It's adorably princessly" Miwa said.

Then she remembers school, asking Kuroi for the time. Despite the maid's misgivings, Riko makes her own opinion final, and thus she's off.

"Pampered brat" Maki grunts.

"She left just like that?!" Megumi exclaims in disbelief.

"What if she just wants to spend what time she has left with her friends?" Yuji suggests. The onlookers, including Maki and Megumi, actually consider this possibility, while feeling surprise over Yuji's nuanced perspective.

Later, they await her where she studies. Gojo receives a call from Yaga about their current whereabouts. Despite Gojo wanting to take Riko to Jujutsu High for her own safety, Yaga instructs them to fulfill all her demands before the merger, since that's what Tengen wants too. As he hangs up, Gojo mutters about Amanai's hands-off upbringing. Geto solemnly tells Gojo that there's nothing to be done, since the merger will overwrite the girl's whole personality and force her to be the barriers' lynchpin, she won't ever see her loved ones again.

The mood instantly turned dour. With Yuji hit the hardest by this development. He pitied Riko, the resemblance of her ultimate to his not lost on him, and even wanted nothing more than to offer her the chance to reject the merger. He almost laughed at himself for such dumb notion. "Who do you think you are, idiot?! Giving a choice to a girl from 12 years ago who may or may not even be alive while you proceed on your own?! You can't have it both ways and you fucking know that!"

Kuroi is quite saddened, as the scene cuts to Riko at class hanging out with her friends, looking genuinely happy, with Geto’s voiceover emphasising letting her do whatever she wants one last time is part of their mission.

"Seems you were right, Itadori" Nobara softly told him.

Kuroi reveals that Riko has no family, as they died in an accident, leaving her the only one to take care of her ever since, expressing the desire for the girl to have what time she left with her friends. Geto smiles that she must be Riko's family by definition, which uplifts Kuroi's spirits noticeably. Gojo feels out of his depth during the whole exchange.

Most viewers looked back to their own families in response. It seems ever since fate called them, their relationships were never the same afterwards. It didn't click with those from Jujutsu clan the same as others, which explains Gojo's confusion on-screen, but nevertheless, they still fondly reminisced about their blood and flesh.

He then asks Geto about the state of the Cursed Spirits he sent to watch over Amanai, but Geto says he can't share senses with them like Mei Mei does, but assures him that they'll let him know if any development happens.

"So that's Mei-san technique?" Yuji said to everyone. They all nodded. "So cool".

Suddenly, though, the air around Geto changes, and he tells Gojo to go to Amanai's side. He reveals that two Curses have been exorcised.

Everyone tensed, trouble already starting.

The scene abruptly cuts to a certain old man version of Megumi Fushiguro messily eat takoyaki dumplings while on the phone. He was watching another race with a sly smile, licking the crumbs off of his mouth.

The mere sight of him triggered poor Megumi enough, he was a stone's throw away from flat-out summoning freaking Mahoraga itself. Everyone noticed this and they mostly freaked out.

"Megumi! Deep breaths! DEEP BREATHS!" Gojo panickedly(!) commanded, knowing damn well what hand signs he was about to bust out. So did the adults and most of the students. 

"He's THAT pissed off enough to do THAT?!" Maki, Mai, Todo, and Kamo internally shrieked.

"Geez, Fushiguro, chill out!" Nobara told him, embarrassed at how her formerly stoic friend is acting. But who wouldn't, considering what he was contemplating to do?! 

Gojo is thankful he killed Toji now, since if he's still alive, the entirety of Japan is screwed.

Despite denouncing him earlier, Nobara and Miwa were still distracted by Toji's visage as he licked his lip, angry at how easily they're suckered back despite his son contemplating killing him and himself. Noabra wondered if his natural sex appeal is hereditary.

Then comes Kong, who was on a portable computer in his car. It turns out he released a bounty on Riko Amanai online, worth nearly 30 million yen, with a time limit of 48 hours and her location exposed.

"Oh, it was that fucker who did? Actually, why am I even surprised?" Gojo blankly muttered, still angered due to the sheer stress and fatigue he was in those days.

"Shit! They put even more of a target on her!" Panicked Yuji.

"Is that what he meant earlier by exhausting Gojo?!" Wondered Maki.

"I guess it is" gritted out Megumi. Now he had even more of a reason to despise the old man, knowing he actually is after Amanai's head.

Meanwhile, at Amanai's girl-only school, Gojo, Geto and Kuroi were running in the hallways. The maid says Riko currently has music, so she's either in the music room or at the chapel, reminding them it’s a missionary school. They split off to different directions, Gojo to the chapel, Kuroi to the music room, and Geto to deal with the assailants.

Kuroi recalls how Amanai won't take well to them intruding on her, which pisses off Gojo, who insisted earlier on having her near their field of vision.

"There are other times and places to be bratting out!" Maki scowled just like Gojo onscreen.

Back at the boat race Toji is still attending, he learns from Kong on the phone that the duo never returned to Jujutsu High. With a new plate of takoyaki in front of him he muses on how this will make it easier for the grunts attracted to the bounty. Kong reminds him that the 30 million bounty is the deposit the Star Religious Group prepared for him, so if the bounty hunters get to Amanai, Fushiguro won't get the deposit, and he won't be a factor in the Group’s transaction at all.

The man claims that Gojo is the first person in a long time to possess both Six Eyes and Limitless, so it’s just impossible for anyone to get to Amanai as long as he is nearby. Kong asks if it means him too. Toji loses concentration while eating, before noticing the boat he bet on taking the lead. He now breaks into a smile, replying to Kong that to keep the bounty up for another 47 hours, so that the grunts will be able to wear down Gojo and all sorcerers accompanying him.

"Knew it!" The students declared. If that Gojo hasn't mastered Reverse Cursed Technique, then it won't be hard to put pressure on him. This made the Tokyo students anxious about Gojo's safety. Yes, he's alive and well today, but from his reaction to seeing Toji (which they noticed) and refusal to talk about the event, a lot of things must have gone wrong.

While getting up, Toji bumps into a worker, knocking him down and making him drop a bowl of ramen. When he walks away, the other tries to stop him, but he simply kneels and gets on his face to intimidate him, before leaving.

"Tch. Bastard" Yuji growls at Toji's abuse of an innocent worker.

The more he sees what Toji was like, the more Megumi thanks his lucky stars that the man didn't raise him. He's fine with himself now, the last thing he needed is a mentally unbalanced criminal involved in his life, especially one that had no qualms assassinating a young girl.

He continues on talking, saying that the chances of them slaying the Star Plasma Vessel are very low, so it'll be free labor. Kong surmised it was a good idea to put the time limit on the bounty, since Curse Users are flocking rapidly to it. When Toji witnesses his preferred boat already losing lead, he gets a bit upset and tells Kong that things have moved faster than expected, before reminding him about the 30 million.

"Yep, still a broke problem gambler" quipped Mai.

This time, however, Megumi snickered at her remark, much to the terror of his friends and teacher. He'd now give anything to see him dead, or at least, inconvenienced.

Kong retorts out that he's not an anonymous messaging board for help wanted posters, saying there are different fees to be handled, but the Sorcerer Killer suddenly hangs up, claiming the signal is too low, much to Kong's annoyance. Toji has already left, and to add salt to wound, he didn’t even finish his takoyaki, leaving two chopsticks upright on the dish.

"Yep, that's not ominous in the slightest!" Panda acerbically remarks at the upright chopsticks.

Back at the school, Geto runs into the location of the adversary, wondering if it’s a remnant of Q, or a hired muscle of Time Vessel Association. He finally reaches him, and he turns out to be a bespectacled elderly man that also uses Cursed Spirits, albeit with invocation, who then comments on Geto’s uniform.

"An... old man?" Yuji voiced in disbelief.

"Don't be naive! Curse Users come in all sizes and appearances. He's definitely not as harmless as he looks, brother!" Alerted Todo to Yuji.

The Curse Manipulation user deduced that the elderly Curse User must have anticipated multiple opponents just from seeing his uniform, which is why he covered himself in Shikigami, showcasing his vast experience. Said old man notices Geto's lack of intermediary when he summons Curses and different Cursed Energy reading, immediately pinpointing him as a Curse Manipulator. Geto compliments his wisdom for getting it right, though he counters old age isn't all that cracked up, bringing up how costly it is to live long.

"Shikigami? Like Fushiguro?" Asked Yuji.

"Yes. You do know that my Shikigami aren't unique to me" replied Megumi. "The ten of them are innate to me because of my Technique, even if I can't tame all of them. Sorcerers can actually learn to summon simple Shikigami with a proxy, like the old man shown there".

Yuji hummed in thought at the explanation. "So this is why his Ten Shadows ability is considered overpowered".

The Curse User mentally notes that despite Geto's greater Technique, his youth and identical thought process to a Shikigami User will make it easier to read him. He concludes that he's not one for close-quarter combat, and won't anticipate a Curse User closing in on him. 

"He's not wrong" Megumi adds. "It's because of that common weakness I had to learn martial arts and handling weaponry. The summons can only carry me so far". After finishings, he notices everyone is rather taken with his soothing info dump, to his confusion. Despite it being obvious that it's due to his significantly calmer mood than earlier. 

However, Geto immediately fires off a huge caterpillar Curse his direction, telling him to quit wasting time overthinking. This causes the Curse User to realize the two Curses Geto summoned were decoys.

"Oooof! So no-nonsense!" Nobara whistles in approval.

"Couldn't have said it better" Adds Momo.

Maki, Yuta, Toge and Panda don't know what to make of the situation, but decide to shrug it off for now. Gojo is quite amused by the girls' apparent gravitation to Geto.

When Geto thinks he's done with him, the elderly man suddenly breaks out of a window from the outside brandishing two daggers, while boasting that the young man shouldn't have left any blind spot where he could escape.

"Well, he's not a pushover himself" commented Kamo.

But just as he got to him, he's suddenly faced with a Shiba dog in his place.

"Wha-?!?" Everyone was startled at the sudden image of a dog.

Everything turns strangely serene, as the old man approaches the dog, apparently named Tasuke. During the reunion, he reflects on his past when his parents spent all their time and money on his younger brother, while being disgusted by him due to his ability to perceive the unseen. His only solace was his dog, Tasuke, who liked him and never once got afraid of him. He morphs into his adolescent self in his joy, going on about how long it was since Tasuke died. However, it finally clicks with him...

Color literally drained from everyone's from in utter perplexion. Even their eyes shrank to dots. "W-What the hell's going on?!"

... that it was life flashing before his eyes as Geto lays down a brutal smackdown on the poor old sod. 

"Ohhhhhhh" they finally got it, color returning to their formd, just in time to witness Geto whale on the poor old man. Yuji and Miwa was horrified, with the latter even covering her mouth. The rest side-eyed them, planning on lecturing them later about their soft-heartedness.

Turns out, Geto lured him in on purpose, having already picked on his plan to get closer. The teen muses on how those with a singular way of winning are easy to bait when presented with the opportunity. Then, Geto interrogates the old man on who sent him, whether it was Q or the Time Vessel Association.

"Hopefully you accounted for that too, Fushiguro" Nobara tells Megumi.

"Of course I did"

Outside, Gojo and Kuroi are running on the campus, before splitting off to take on different places. Gojo makes it to the chapel, forcing the doors wide open where he does find the female students reciting. 

And Riko shocked and incredulous at his presence.

For some reason, Utahime can feel a headache incoming. 

The girls practically implode at the sight of such a gorgeous specimen.

And the scarred Forbidden Zone User is proven right. 

The students' reactions were less than impressed. In fact, the whole lot of them are vaguely disgusted at the mere notion of Gojo being a popular Ikemen.

Although they do understand that Gojo is an inhumanly handsome man and can easily cut it as a world-class supermodel, his infuriating antics wore them out so much that it lost its intended appeal.

"If only they knew..." Yuta muttered in annoyance.

They hound Riko, some questioning his relation to her, thinking he's her boyfriend and envying her for it. Others flock to him, enamoured by his appearance, and ask to see his face.

The audience then slowly turns to stare at Miwa, the only one whose attitude didn't burn her out. They admittedly envy her strength, or just obliviousness, with Mechamaru not knowing how to handle this development, even though he was aware of her fangirlism for quite a while.

The gremlin in a handsome white-haired lad's body shamelessly capitalises on the attention by revealing his eyes, driving the fangirl hordes into frenzy, and mortifying Riko.

Everyone now cringed, hard. With the likes of Utahime, Megumi, Nobara and Maki even necessitating some brain bleach. Yaga and Nanami just pulled their eyes out, while Ieri burst out laughing.

"Sensei, you know this is basically fraud, right?" Megumi finally states. This causes Gojo to fall off his seat in mock horror, while others passionately agree. "That hurt! Megumi-chan!"

"It IS defrauding, dumb blindfold!" Utahime and Maki digged in further. 

"Though to be honest, sensei, it's only your current personality. If you had the attitude of, say, Nanami-san, you actually would be the perfect man" Mechamaru tried his own hand at explaining. Everyone's eyes widened. He was far from off the mark. Miwa wonders what got him interested so much, while also thinking of what Gojo would look like as a serious businessman. She nearly fainted from excitement.

"Geh! But I wouldn't be have as interesting as a character" fired back Gojo.

"Intere... you, really?!" Utahime groans at him. "And why're you calling yourself a character!?"

When the teacher tells them to quit it and confronts Gojo about his intrusion, the girls accuse of just wanting to monopolise him. They're immediately proven right when the teacher gives him her phone number, much to the schoolgirls' ire. A verbal spat breaks out, where insults about cougars are exchanged, even a passing reference to Hikaru Genji. 

"Please, the last thing we need is you turning respectable women into cougars. Cut it out and get Amanai out now!" Nanami said in his usual blank tone, before punctuating the last point much more strongly. Gojo sank further in the ground.

This enables Gojo to slip in, take Riko, and leave in a heartbeat. Gojo chuckles about what a fun school it was, while Riko demands why he showed up before her friends. He informs her that Curse Users have attacked, and she can fill in the blanks what that would entail. He then grabs her from her back and makes her float, before jumping to the roof and running. He reminds her she wouldn't want for her friends to get hurt, something she silently agrees with.

They were spied on by another figure, who recognised Amanai as the target but failed to do the same for Gojo. It was a large man with a paper bag concealing his face. He mused on what a sweet deal it was to kill a non-sorcerer kid, claiming that dinner tastes best after snuffing out someone.

"Ugh. You were right when you said they come in all shapes and sizes" Yuji addressed Todo, completely lost at the Curse User's appearance. The latter gave him a high-five, to which the pinkette weakly responded. "I said ages and appearances" he chuckles. Most were either done like Yuji is, or giggling at his appearance.

"Tastes best after... actually fuck it, this is just getting outta hand!" Momo sympathises with Yuji, even handing him a pudding cup, which he snatches quickly in his weary funk.

“Are you from the Star Religious Group?”

He turns behind him to see Kuroi carrying a broom, looking surprisingly menacingly, while murmuring about how those who are associated with Q have a weird fashion sense, clearly meaning his paper bag mask.

"Wow, I've never seen someone look so intimidating with a broom of all things!" Nobara commented, fighting the urge to sputter from the hilarious image.

"Wonder how she'll fare against him" Added Kamo.

He accuses her of being an amateur, as she's supposed to kill without talking. She soon rushes him. Despite claiming she’s too slow, she hits his right side with her broom, which she uses like a polearm. When he defends himself with his right forearm, she grabs the other end of the broom, and reverses the grip, scoring a hit on the Curse User’s groin. 

"Not bad!" Said Maki.

Everyone, even some of the girls, winced loudly at the crotch attack.

"Thinking of every conceivable advantage, eh?" Muttered Panda.

"Tarako" said Inumaki.

"Wait, how did YOU feel that?!" Yuji and Yuta address Panda, who was a Cursed Corpse and an animal at that. Even Inumaki is surprised.

"... habit?" he offered.

The pain causes him to fall on his knees. Kuroi points the broom to his face, while declaring she'll kill him if he tries anything with Riko.

"Hardcore" Miwa compliments. The rest couldn't help but feel the same. For a non-sorcerer maid to take on a Curse User, that was impressive.

Shadowy spots appear on the ground next to the paper bag-headed Curse User, from which arms emerge and pin him. It was Geto’s doing. He comes over to Kuroi and asks her about Amanai's whereabouts, learning she's with Gojo. They decide to follow him, but as the Curse User confirms that Amanai is the 30 million prize, his body melts, exposing it as a decoy.

"Is that a Shikigami as well?" Queried Yuji.

The others looked doubtful.

Kuroi thinks it's a shikigami, which Geto refutes. He announces a change in plan, so he shares with Gojo the bounty that was put on Amanai's head and posted on a deep site for Curse Users. Gojo and Riko are surrounded by multiple versions of the paper bag man, each on top of a different building, with Riko noting in shock how they're all identical.

Gojo faux-laments the low number of Jujutsu sorcerers is compared to Curse users, saying they're always welcome to return. The Curse User declines, claiming the profession is too risky, and demands he hands over the girl.

"Too risky?! But couldn't they find another, more productive job?!" Miwa asked angrily.

"Probably just a barefaced excuse, if he decided to use it his talents to become a murderer" Megumi replies, looking mad as well "As there are Curse Users who get worn out from killing Curses and turn to people instead"

Obviously refusing, two of doppelgangers attack, but upon approaching Gojo, but he causes their bodies to hit each other instead.

"Smooth! Not gonna lie, I actually wanna see Gojo-sensei fight! This is the first time I'll be seeing him do it onscreen" cheered Yuji.

When Riko notices the Shikigami aren't disappearing, Gojo replies that they're clones, not Shikigami, and, as extensions of the same man, they're all real. He then carries Riko above him with one hand, as other two clones attempt to jump him, but they are stopped by Infinity. Gojo tells them about that ability, whose name he apparently picked Tortoise and Achilles, before reminding them how important education is. 

"So like Shadow Clone Jutsu!?" Yuji queried.

"Yeah" confirms Gojo. The boy beams at getting it rid, the sight actually being comforting to those nearby, especially Gojo, Megumi, Nobara and even Nanami. Ever since seeing the debacle with Junpei Yoshino, the Death Paintings, and what they believe will follow next, they were worried about Yuji losing, if not outright forsaking, his innocence, as it was a rare asset for a Sorcerer, especially one with Sukuna inside of him. But they conclude it's only a matter of time.

Nanami in particular couldn't help but flash to a figure in his past, with that same exact boyish enthusiasm. He sighs in defeat, sensing he will see him again in the viewing.

He quickly punches both of them in the face, while laying out the mechanics of the host body's Technique. Namely, how he’s able to switch his real body with one of 5 clones any time he's threatened, and how he takes longer to make a clones if one of them is damaged. Then asks why he's so weak with such a unique power.

"Can't you go several seconds in a fight without saying that word?" Megumi annoyedly grumbles.

"What word?" Gojo teases him with another question. The boy wisely tries to ignore him, but not before firing back "didn't talk to you".

When one of them asks how he knew all of that, Gojo reveals his Six Eyes, and elaborates on how it involves the convergence of a series of infinite numbers, so when things approach him they slow down and fail to reach him, plus when he amplifies his Limitless Technique, he gets natural negative numbers, like a single imaginary apple, and such thing causes everything nearby to get sucked into that space. He admits its impracticality, though, like how he can't create a field of attraction close to himself, as seen by the destruction of the mansion in the previous viewing. As a result, manipulating the Cursed Energy becomes a real pain, and it tires Gojo out.

....

The poor pinkette's brain is literally steaming at Gojo's intricate exposition. Then again, so did Nobara and Miwa's. Everyone who saw them either pitied them or facepalmed at their limited intelligence.

"Seriously, Itadori, like past me said seconds ago, education is important!" Gojo reminds him. Yuji shoots him an exhausted grimace. 

"For once, Gojo is correct. One day, your superhuman strength won't be enough to carry you in the real world, or even fights" Nanami adds.

Megumi then drags Yuji and Nobara by the ear, hurting them "I swear, If I need to, I'll bump you so full of physics lessons that if your grades don't pass double digits not even Shoko-san will be able to fix what I'm gonna to do you!" He threatened. 

"How does that even work!?" They lamented.

Todo, Utahime Mechamaru did their own thing with Miwa as well "Say Miwa-chan, I read reports about your middle school work performance and I wasn't all that impressed. Said you were too distractible and preoccupied with social media. I can't let you rely too much on your swordsmanship, since you clearly won't survive much longer without it" Utahime said rather intimidatingly.

"I'm gonna have to tutor you again at this rate, Miwa" finished Mechamaru. "Because there's no telling what'll happen if I sic Todo on you" he pointed at the buff Sorcerer, who started cracking his knuckles. Poor Miwa's face paled in terror

He gets interrupted by debris thrown at him by the paper bag man.

"Thank god" they wouldn't say out loud, but the two were relieved Gojo's physics lesson from hell is interrupted.

Completely uncaring, Gojo mentally admits that it's just standard for his Cursed Technique, before advising Riko to shield her head as he turns his sight to the nearby building. Using his power, he effortlessly runs through the glass, and all nearby stuff, and floats over gracefully. Well, except for Riko screaming her head off.

"That entrance is metal!" Yuji exclaims.

"Oi! Be careful with Amanai, jackass!" Yelled Nobara and Maki

He catches the real Curse User, and traps him with his Technique. He then unveils the “divergence” of Infinity. Putting his index and middle finger up, he prepares to fire Reverse Cursed Technqiue: Red.

... only, it doesn't fire, somehow.

"Eh?" Everyone simultaneously let out in bewilderment.

“It didn’t work!?”

An annoyed Gojo just punches the Curse User, yelling this.

"HAAAAH?! YOU DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO FIRE RED TOO?!" Yelled most Tokyo students in dismay.

Gojo wouldn't even look them in the eye. The situation even got a chuckle out of Yaga, Utahime and Megumi.

"Weird. He would try to defend himself, why isn't he now?" Megumi stopped his laughter to wonder.

Releasing Infinity, the gravity returns once more and everything falls off on them.

"Man that's disappointing" Yuta remarked, unimpressed.

"Yeah. He doesn't look all that impressive now" Yuji agreed

"Okkotsu, Itadori. Please shut up" they turned to see their Sensei revealing his Six Eyes with an implicit threat on their health. They slowly turned to the screen, blue with shock at Gojo's sudden aggression.

Gojo complains about how it didn't work this time, to a still-floating Riko’s disbelief. Her phone vibrates and she pulls it out, seeing a message from Kuroi.

"Ah, so this time it just didn't work" Said Yuji, part of him still wanting to salvage Gojo's rep.

"Now you understand, Yuji-kun!" He tackled his student, tears comically falling from his face. Yuji just kicked him away hard "DON'T JUST BUMRUSH ME LIKE THAT!!"

The students took glee in seeing the depressed blindfold on the ground.

A shocked Riko then shows Gojo what she has been sent: a photo of Kuroi bound and gagged, asking him what to do.

END

"NO! KUROI-SAN!" Screamed Miwa and Yuta

"Damn it!" Everyone is now alarmed. Was this when things started to go wrong?

Gojo, Nanami and Ieri now looked amongst themselves. All too aware of what would the next chapter entail.

Megumi looked at them. Will the old man be coming in next?

Chapter Text

Despite just finishing, the students were even more restless than anything, the question of Kuroi’s and potentially Riko’s wellbeing hanging over their heads. 

“Oh calm down already!” Gojo scolded.

“How can we be so calm when...!” Yuji was about to fire back when he saw his Sensei with a displeased expression on his face, one eyebrow raised in emphasis.

“Ah... oh, yeah. You were there. But STILL, you wouldn’t tell us how it ended so I wanna watch!” He loudly concurred, to Gojo’s frustration and the students’ approval.

The faculty stared at Gojo, confused. Was he actually afraid of seeing Toji? Or could it be Amanai’s...?

The last one made more sense, since he didn’t actually witness how she got killed, but now he will. 

The two possibilities were correct. Gojo was not looking forward to reliving that incident, but was even more jittery at having to see where things went south with Riko and Geto.

Mai, who asked others to bring her some more snacks, was in deep thought. If Toji is going to show up next, then she’ll have to bring up a certain subject to Maki she was too scared to even think about. From what Maki shared with her earlier, there was no mistaking that man’s identity.

Megumi was now in severe mental conflict. Gojo wouldn’t tell them anything. Hell, he never even told him anything about his father all those years, which, granted, was his fault for his distaste of the subject as a whole. But if things progress like this, a few outcomes are possible: either Amanai died to spare Kuroi, Gojo having failed to save her, triggering Geto’s breakdown and Gojo’s fear of talking about the past, or she successfully assimilated, and Gojo fears that the students will learn about something else, maybe something his father did to scar him and Geto while keeping her safe, which might’ve helped drive the latter over the edge. 

But all that speculation no longer matters. Because now, all will be unveiled. The students thought that to themselves.

Everyone is set once again, the screen flickering and then lighting up.

The scene began with a view underwater, fish swimming rapidly in one direction. Amidst them is, surprisingly, Amanai, floating upright and motionless. She slowly opens her eyes...

The scene shifts to earlier, when Riko realizes Kuroi’s been kidnapped.

“Back to where we stopped, huh?” Utahime comments. She wasn’t all that worried, having a feeling that that wasn’t quite when the incident unfolded. 

A flashback clarifies this happened due to Kuroi insisting that Geto heads over to Riko’s side and leave her behind. He’s shown to be guilty over it, and apologizes for it to Gojo. The latter muses on how they didn’t account for the enemies valuing Kuroi as much as Riko due to their relation.

“Damn! We should’ve also thought this over!” Maki hisses out.

Gojo surmises that their goal is to arrange an exchange between the two women, or holding Kuroi as hostage to ensure that Riko is killed. He does state that having Riko gives them more power in the transaction, and when they find out the location of the deal, they can make it work out by hiding Riko in Jujutsu High and have someone else, like Shoko, impersonate her.

“Not a bad plan” Nobara said.

Ieri chuckles at hearing Gojo’s plan regarding Amanai, when the man hears her, he forces a cough and whispers “C’mon Shoko, y’know it was a cinch!”

“Then why’d ya have to act all dramatic over there?” she whispered back. However, she and Gojo glance next to them to notice Yuji trying to eavesdrop on them. Next thing the boy knew, he had a mark on his forehead from a finger-flicking punishment by a certain nurse. He was being comforted by Nobara and Todo.

Riko adamantly refuses this, however, and insists on being part of the deal, saying she can’t trust them yet, a statement Gojo is of course ticked off by. She continues, expressing worry over them failing to retrieve Kuroi before the merger. 

One of the possibilities Megumi mulled over reared its head. “Wait... what if they missed the deadline until then?!”

When he glanced at Yuji, Nobara, and the second-years, it’s clear they all had the same idea.

She tears up at the thought of never even saying goodbye to her.

“Well, that does hurt” Miwa opined, feeling for Riko onscreen.

Yuji nodded. The death of his grandpa playing in his mind with this possible outcome. He shook his head to dispel such intrusive thought. That went for Megumi as well, due to having thought the worst about Tsumiki's health.

Nobara surprisingly felt the same. She similarly worried whether she’d bite it in a mission before reuniting with Saori and Fumi, and it often kept her awake all night. But tried to brush it off now.

Gojo thinks this over after she said that, and then approaches her with an ultimatum: If something goes wrong when the kidnapper reaches out to them and Kuroi is endangered by bringing over Riko, then they’ll leave the latter behind. She fully concedes, and Gojo further adds that if she got scared partway and ran away, they’ll even ignore her, mission be damned.

The younger students held in their breaths. Was this how it all ended?

But something mercilessly needled in their heads. Something only Todo, Kamo, Mechamaru, Momo and Maki noticed. They tried to stop themselves from loudly groaning at their juniors for falling for such theatrics.

Eventually, even Yuta and Megumi caught on, and barely suppressed the urge to groan.

... however, the scene suddenly transitions to both Gojo and Riko in swimwear, striking poses under a sunny day.

Everyone (again!) Felt colour leave their forms.

“The fuck now again?” Megumi sounded out.

“I second that” Yuji agreed.

“Me too” and Nobara

“Why now of all situations?!” Yuta nearly shrieked, things getting weird once again, reminding him of the old man and his dog earlier.

They were at the beach, frolicking. All tension is completely gone, and even Kuroi is there with them for some reason. 

“Ah! There’s Kuroi!” Panda pointed out

“She’s fine?!” Yuji asked aloud.

“Wait, they already rescued her?!” as well as Miwa.

“Seems so” Yuta replied. However, he suddenly bursts into laughter.

“What?”

“I mean, look guys! I’m can’t be the only one to notice the sheer absurdity of this all!! Gojo-sensei, complying to Curse Users he could stomp six ways to Sunday!?” He exclaims.

Yuji realizes this, and groans at himself “Oh RIGHT! We were so caught up in Kuroi’s fate that we forgot Gojo-sensei is RIGHT THRRE!!”

Turns out, they’re at Okinawa. A now safe Kuroi reflects on her shame at being so easily captured by a non-sorcerer Star Religious Group member, but Geto reassures her, even blaming himself partly for that.

“Mentaiko” Inumaki said. What a pain.

“Indeed, we got up in the arms for naught” agreed Panda.

Kuroi flashes back to when she was a hostage, and how the Strongest Duo – actually, just Gojo, didn’t even pay heed to the kidnappers whom they literally stomped over, with Riko coming to her rescue. 

“Even worse than that “fight” against Q. At least we didn’t get the impression those guys would succeed” Complained Maki.

"They had to go out of their way to make it seem so complicated" Muttered Utahime.

"What the... ?! If you could beat them up then why go through the trouble of waging psychological warfare on that poor girl?" Loudly queried Nobara to Gojo.

"I had to remind her that this escort mission is no playdate. After all, you did notice she didn't seem to take all that danger seriously" he said. "And besides, a part of me just wanted to punish her for making me exhaust myself all those days".

"Painfully obvious why" Ieri and Nanami echoed, almost as if they read his mind.

When Kuroi learns they came by plane, she asks how were they even safe. Geto answers that they checked the passengers thoroughly, inside and outside, helped by Gojo’s good perception, as yet another flashback shows Gojo looming menacingly on one of the hapless travelers. He also had some of his Cursed Spirits keep watch, with his Rainbow Dragon seen flying alongside the aircraft.

The teachers facepalmed at Gojo's... inspection efforts, whereas the students' reactions ranged from mirthless laughter, to being the same as the teachers.

"Gee, wonder how being threatened by a white-haired punk in glasses feels like?" Sarcastically remarked Nobara.

"Whoah! That Curse! It actually looks majestic!" Raved Yuji about the Rainbow Dragon flying with the plane.

"Yeah! Wonder what spawned it" agrees Yuta.

When Geto wonders why the kidnappers chose Okinawa as the exchange place, Kuroi replies that the distance will make it so that even if they fail to kill Riko, they can delay her from the deadline, and thus fail to join in the merger.

"Well, those plans no longer matter now" Megumi told himself.

Geto muses that in that case, they could’ve chose a more isolated area with less transit infrastructure. This leads Kuroi to fear that they might hijack the airport, but Geto says that it won’t be a problem, as they called in some reinforcements.

The extra help turns out to be a younger Kento Nanami, who was in first year, and looked rather frosty, and his brown-haired, excitable classmate, Yu Haibara.

"NANAMIN!!" Exclaims a supremely excited Yuji, happy to see his mentor as a teenager.

"YOU'RE THERE!"

"Oh my god! Nanami-san, whaddaya look so emo for?!" Nobara laughed.

"Emo? He actually still looks attractive" defended Maki "even more than Gojo".

The last statement caused the man to fall over once again, this time getting up with blood spurting from his head in a comical display. The adults would've grimaced at his childishness... but were distracted by something. Something he eventually also noticed.

Nanami himself was nowhere near as blown away by his younger self as he was by the first appearance of someone whose... everything, haunted him for all those 11 years. He actually removed his goggles in shock at the sight of Haibara. Although the screen stopped to let the audience fully take in their appearances, for Nanami it felt like forever as he suddenly felt like regressing back to his adolescent years.

He gulped harshly, trying to prevent a fresh wave of less than pleasant memories to leak in. He didn't want to return back to that same emotional pit from back then again, so when opportunity presented itself...

"Uh, who's that?" Yuji asked softly, about Haibara.

It took long to get an actual answer, if they got it at all. Clearly it was far from just Nanami who was affected by Haibara's image. 

"A Jujutsu alumnus from their past? Could it be...?" Megumi meanwhile speculated. Unlike before, the adults were less than subtle about their sorrow at seeing that figure, as evidenced by Ieri trying to wipe her eyes, Gojo sighing in a rather... disappointed manner, Yaga failing to compose himself, and finally Nanami seeming to leave this plane of existence entirely.

Because of this, Megumi nudged his classmates, messaging them cryptically. They still understood perfectly, and thus, they dropped the subject.

Nanami drawls sceptically that this doesn’t look like a mission fit for first-years, in contrast to Haibara, who’s in high spirits. He proclaims his desire to show off to Geto and help out his classmates and Riko. Nanami says that their efforts could be rendered for naught if a typhoon came and caused the airport to shut down.

"He looks so optimistic" commented Yuta.

"Is... it me, or does he kinda remind me of Itadori?" Wondered Maki.

"Same, Maki-senpai" Megumi and Nobara felt the same.

"Almost like he's his past life..." Panda said, but nearly choked on his words. He feared the adults won't take well to having figured it out so easily.

Surprisingly, they didn't mind. "Now that you mentioned it, they look so alike" Ieri hums in agreement.

"Yeah, right?" Said Gojo, who then turned to Nanami, still a bit lost in thoughts, and whispers "Don't worry Nanamin. He might not be here with us anymore, but you can't deny his spirit doesn't live on with us" he pointed his glance at Yuji "Am I wrong?"

One would think Gojo's attempts to cheer him up seemed insensitive, but after a bit, Nanami decided that indeed, he grieved enough for the last years since he left Jujutsu High to become a salaryman. Seeing Haibara might've triggered a few what-if scenarios inside the suited Sorcerer's head, but that was literally more than a decade ago. Should he let it die now?

"You have some way with words. Eh, Gojo" Nanami quietly remarked.

"I'm just glad someone's really sharing my suffering now" he teasingly responded. Nanami just tsk'd in regret at what he's created.

The scene changes to Gojo and Riko goofing off like there’s no tomorrow, with the former brandishing a sea cucumber and trying to throw it on a disgusted Riko.

Most students laughed just like the two, especially those who got to see a sea cucumber for the first time like Yuji and Nobara, but others were turned off by the sudden humour.

"Someone didn't do much growing up except in the physical sense since the past ten years or something" disapprovingly remarked Megumi. That sentence pretty much summed up almost everything about Satoru Gojo, so it made a big impact in the room (mostly in form of agreeing nods), much to the man's consternation

One of the onlookers (Kuroi) asks if they should be sightseeing like that, with Geto replying that it was Gojo’s idea, wanting Riko to have some more fun, as the former chucks a cucumber at her, causing her to trip on water, laughing devilishly at his handicraft.

At the reveal that there isn't much left for Riko, some students in the room deflated a bit. Conversely, they felt more respect for their teen teacher returning bit by bit. Maybe he wasn't such a callous blowhard in the end. Though that conclusion in itself weighed on them.

Did Gojo have a heart of gold all along, or... did spending time with Riko, a normal human, let him experience more spectra from life than just linear notions of power?

But even that was ruined by Gojo's roughhousing with Riko onscreen.

"Yep, grown up only in the physical sense" Nobara and Panda echoed Megumi's statement from before.

Geto calls them, saying it’s time they head back, much to Riko’s disappointment. When Gojo notices it, he requests to Geto that they head back tomorrow, as the weather is steady, lifting the girl’s spirits considerably.

"Aw, she's just so cute! Please just stay in the beach and forget about the mission!" Begged Miwa in vain. 

"Wish it worked that way" Everyone mentally confessed.

"Trust me, I wish I could do just that." He assured Miwa, to her delight that he actually responded to her for the first time since the viewing.

Gojo and Geto come under a shade, further discussing matters. Gojo rather dramatically reassures the black-haired teen that the number of Curse Users in Okinawa is low compared to Tokyo. Geto chides him to take this seriously, but Gojo insists on it, saying that the time limit on Riko’s bounty will run out by the time they flew from Okinawa.

Gojo's unserious overconfidence regarding Curse Users managed to get a few chuckles out of the viewers.

"True, but that does leave one factor we forgot to account for" Kamo declared. Everyone could feel the room get chillier. No, didn't quite forget him, even when the kidnapping wasn't his handiwork. 

Geto then questions if he ever released his Technique since yesterday. He’s also sure that Gojo didn’t sleep, and isn’t planning on doing so anytime soon, before suggesting they head back to Jujutsu High.

Everyone couldn't help but stifle a gasp. Flashing back to that assassin's plan to overwork Gojo, seeing it actually unfold caused a sense of dread to hang by everyone. But what were they scared of? It's Gojo. And sure, he was younger and didn't have all of his powerset, but... still, the mere thought of anyone managing to best him, much less defeat him, was just plain uncomfortable to even contemplate.

Gojo dismisses this, lightly punching Geto’s chest, claiming that finishing 99 years worth of Momotetsu was more draining. He caps it off by saying Geto is also by his side, causing the latter to smile.

"Well, isn't that such a useful function of Limitless, there" Mai snarks. Everyone nods in agreement.

"Does that mean I can watch all of Jennifer Lawrence films in one setting with Limitless!?" Yuji suggested.

"Or play all of Resident Evil games!?" As well as Nobara.

"Or watch the entirety of a K-drama in a day?" And Momo.

"Sure" affirmed Gojo "but as I said there, be fully prepared for the blowback" he playfully warned.

At seeing Gojo and Geto's interactions, Nobara and secretly even Todo couldn't help but be taken by the... thing between them. She felt like entertaining what kind of relationship they had. "Say, sensei, when did you meet Geto, and how did you become friends?" Asks Nobara.

Gojo leaned back in his seat and started explaining "Uh, well, we actually encountered each other before we entered Jujutsu High, in what seemed to be a routine mission I took as a middle schooler. You see, Suguru was born from a normal family, so he taught himself everything pertaining to Jujutsu and his own technique from secretly interacting with our world. He wasn't intimidated by me, and in fact, didn't care at all, which was kinda rare. Anyway, we met each other more frequently afterwards, and I was impressed. I told Principal Yaga about him cuz I, y'know, liked to hang around Jujutsu High before I even came of age, and so he was enrolled, and the rest is history".

The story was quite engaging indeed. It didn't seem like much at first sight, but from everyone has seen from the Strongest Duo's interactions on-screen, Gojo considering someone his intellectual equal despite the former's overwhelming power was quite interesting. No wonder he was so attached to him.

Back to Haibara and Nanami, the former gets a text message confirming that the party will be extending their stay another day. The boy then nonchalantly wonders if something is wrong, in the same tone Itadori would use. Nanami just gets pissed.

"Pffft, Nanami-san and that... what was his name again?" "Haibara Yu" "Oh, Nanami-san and Haibara look perfect together, kind of like Fushiguro and Itadori" Maki good-naturedly opined.

"You think?" Skeptically voiced Yuji. Though it was more déja vue-induced surprise than anything. This is the second time he was told he’s similar to someone in the flashback.

“Of course you do! Don’t even try to deny it!” Nobara aggressively shoved him. 

"Why d'ya have to get this violent?!"

Some giggled at Yuji and Nobara's interactions, as well as Nanami's irritation onscreen after receiving the news.

The screen shows a montage of Gojo, Geto, Riko and Kuroi involved in various activities to kill time, like kayaking, exploring a beautiful flower garden, walking next to the beach and having lunch there too (complete with Gojo trying to add hot sauce to Riko’s bowl without her knowledge, to her annoyance). And at night, visiting a nearby aquarium, with Riko walking by the fish tank, engrossed by the sight of them swimming inside.

Serene warmth washed over the viewers at the montage. It was quiet, yet it told everything. The idea of spending one's last days scratching off a bucket list was quite appealing, particularly to a certain audience member. Yuji wouldn't lie if he admitted that ever the death sentence was imposed on him and Sukuna, everything he ever did, aside of fighting for his life, was fulfilling a bucket list of his own. In truth, he wasn't all that over-the-top boisterous back in middle school, and in fact, felt alienated from most of the friends he made. His time in Jujutsu High and the bonds he forged were done as much to not be forgotten as much as they were part of that list. He reached out his hands to to his two friends, Megumi and Nobara, which they took, squeezing slightly. Gojo couldn't help but sigh. Not just from his student trio, but also...

The next day, they’re all back at Jujutsu High in Tokyo, and climbing up the foothills of Mount Mushiro. It was the third and last day.

"They're finally here" Yuta said, bracing himself for the next.

"But he is not" though Megumi about the assassin. It was a no-brainer he would attack them soon, but when?

Having reached the top, Geto announces that they’re in the place, a barrier behind them. Riko is very relieved, with Kuroi handing her a handkerchief.

Gojo, obviously tired, hears Geto calling him. The latter congratulates him on a job done well with a smile on his face. Gojo sighs and complains that it’s one babysitting duty for a lifetime, kinda hurting Riko’s feeling.

Everyone burst out laughing, even harder than before, with a few clutching their stomachs. Even stoic figures like Megumi, Inumaki, Yaga, Nanami and Kamo snorted to themselves. Gojo just sweatdropped at how badly he tempted fate.

“HAHA-seems like-HAHAHA-teaching wasn’t in the cards huh!?” Yuji barely squeezed out between laughs.

“You’re set in for life now, Sensei!” Nobara added for emphasis.

“Sure I am! And I ain’t regretting a single moment with you kids” Gojo finally confessed, with said kids blushing begrudgingly.

And then a blade penetrates Gojo’s chest.

And so the festive mood halted overnight.

“SENSEIIII!!!” A whole lot of them yelled in horror, even Megumi.

The sight of a blade actually stabbing through him did wonders to the students, who are now pallid and petrified. Though a few, like Yuji, nearly lunged to the screen on instinct. The teachers, while nowhere near as horrified as the teenagers, were similarly wide-eyed.

"N-No... way. S-Sensei?!" Yuta choked out, utterly stunned at the scene "... Y-you were..."

Everyone is instantly on alert, with Geto especially panicking since they’re inside Jujutsu High’s barrier.

"I-Impossible. T-they're inside the barrier..." Megumi uttered, completely unable to believe what he just saw.

As for Gojo himself, at the scene, he actually held his chest instinctively, the scar on his torso suddenly flaring up. When he saw his hands, his palms were working up a sweat, and now even his body started shuddering. He shook his head in disbelief.

When Ieri and Nanami glanced at him, he concluded that after all those years, it's obvious Gojo was so preoccupied with missions, teaching, Megumi and Geto's affairs, he never quite broke free from Toji's looming influence on his psyche.

"That... could that tool be...?" Some, like Megumi, Maki, Mai, Yuta, Mechamaru, Kamo and Utahime internally queried, recognizing the blade.

The perperator was none other than the assassin himself, Toji Fushiguro.

"W-Who the hell is that man?! How did he do that? How did he break into the barrier?!" This was the thought dominating most viewers' minds.

"So that was him huh?" Todo now recognized Toji, and more importantly, his unique status, which the scene from before confirmed. He glanced at Mai, who then did the same to Maki.

Despite the state he was in, Gojo asks if they ever met. Toji brushes it off, saying even he is terrible at remembering others’ names.

"Could've fooled me" Nobara muttered. Even in her shock, she never let Fushiguro Sr. live down forgetting about his son. That line added further salt to Megumi's wound, NOT helped by what's going on now.

A flashback shows a snowy day in the woods. Toji’s voiceover reminisces about having went to see the Gojo heir with the Six Eyes on a lark. Satoru was a child back then, walking alongside his mother under an umbrella. With Toji watching them from afar.

"So... I wasn't wrong" Mai whispered, which Maki still heard.

The white-haired child turned behind and saw Toji, his Six Eyes twinkling. Toji was rather shocked, even admitting that no one ever noticed him standing behind before. This was the impetus behind Toji’s plan to wear down Gojo until those senses dulled. And he succeeded, actually stabbing him from behind without anyone, let alone Gojo, ever noticing his presence.

Witnessing Gojo as a kid, as interesting (and cute) as it was, wasn't enough to dissipate the tension roaming in the theatre room. Satoru Gojo got stabbed, for crying out loud! A sight that was borderline heresy to think about for many. Not to mention that man's words. What did he mean by not being noticed his entire life? Unless he was being metaphoric (which is unlikely), the only way that could make sense is if he were...

Suddenly, a few eyes were on a certain Restricted young Sorcerer in the room.

Gojo releases Blue on Toji, getting him off just in time for Geto’s hookworm Curse to swallow him.

When Geto tries to check on Gojo, the latter reassures him that the stab missed his vitals thanks to casting his Cursed Technique, before he buffed himself to prevent further damage from the blade, likening it to passing a pin through a knitted sweater.

"Didn't cast in time...? seriously, who IS that guy?! How did Gojo-sensei not notice him at all?!" Yuji was in a whirlwind in his own mind.

Maki and Mai, as well as the latter's seniors, already caught on to it. It was easy as a cake to do so though for the bespectacled girl, since she hoped to achieve that effect herself. That guy was exactly like her. And if he could blindside Gojo like that, what's stopping her?

Gojo reminds Geto that Riko is their priority, before ordering him to take her and Kuroi to Tengen’s place and leaving him to deal with the assassin. Despite his hesitancy, he’s reminded of the peril the now-terrified girls were in, so Geto ultimately complies, and leads the way for them.

A sword rams from outside the Cursed Spirit, easily cutting through its body like it’s nothing. From its bloody remains emerges Toji, brandishing the Split Soul Katana on his back. Gojo notices it wasn’t the blade used to stab him, and a worm-like Curse on his shoulder, with no idea where it came from, the entire matchup filled with too many unknowns.

No one knew what to say anymore. Most teens were exactly like Gojo onscreen, having no idea what is going on at all. A quick side-eye revealed that the teacher was just as frozen as he used to be previously. Was that man the reason behind it? But why?

“Did Gojo actually lo...?”

Impossible. No way. Can’t be. 

That was Gojo they were talking about. This is too ludicrous. It couldn’t have happened, right?

But if it did, then... what was that man's power?

Toji mulls over the now-gone Star Plasma Vessel, having hoped to take down Gojo with that attack earlier, believing himself to have gone rusty.

"He believes he could've taken him down?!" Yuta shouts internally in disbelief "But... if that weapon he stabbed him with it is what I think it is, then, maybe...".

When Gojo reminds him that the bounty has been taken down, Toji fires back that it’s because HE did it, explaining how to gain an advantage over someone untouchable like Gojo, he had to create several ups and downs to give him the illusion of achieving his goals.

Showing Kong Shiu having lifted the bounty, Toji continues by laughing off the Star Religious Group’s attempt to lure them to Okinawa, and voicing disappointment at the lack of any Sorcerer casualty with him. He finishes by admitting that without imposing the time limit on the bounty, Gojo couldn’t have released his Technique until the end.

"He effectively killed two birds with one stone, as a result, waiting until the very last stretch of the mission after letting Gojo do his own thing and convince him that this is all to it.” Todo summarized. “Tch. That is one cunning demon, if only I could meet him one day. That is, if he were alive, though".

When Gojo attacks him, Toji dodges so fast he might’ve as well teleported. Gojo expresses disbelief over having not seen him. This also confirms his early suspicions about him. Namely, Toji having zero Cursed Energy, revealing that the man has Heavenly Restriction barring him from having any Energy in exchange for inhuman physical prowess.

"Heavenly Restriction!?" Shouted Yuji.

"Like Maki-san?!" Exclaimed Nobara as she turned over to her Senpai, who was very stunned, but nevertheless deeply invested. She nodded at the question. This cast a new light on his nature and achievement.

"So... he was born with that Vow?" Uttered Megumi, unable to fathom being descended from someone like that. Someone with no energy at all! If he were a Zenin, then how did the Clan take it? 

"No wonder they called him Sorcerer Killer" says Momo. "With such ability, Barriers and Techniques might not even work on him".

"Not only that, but earlier, he was called a Zenin!" Yuta further adds.

Remembering it, everyone was left jumbled. As much it added clarity to things, it only opened a whole new can of worms. Among them:

"Two Zenins with Heavenly Restriction in the same lifetime? Is thay even possible?"

Toji flash steps again, away from Gojo’s sight, and blitzes across trees in such intense velocity, he’s invisible to the naked eye. 

"...U-Unbelievable" Yuji breathed out, coming this close to falling into his knees at the monstrous display of blinding speed. He doubted if even he could match that if he tried hard, hard enough.

It was the same for everybody. Yuta, Megumi and Nobara's mouths hung open. The former could probably reach that level by downing in enough Cursed Energy with his Technique, but it didn't stop the sight from flat-out hypnotizing him, a sensation that gripped the likes of Todo, who was close to breaking into a demented smile.

Maki was following the man very closely, something that her sister Mai and Mechamaru did as well. 

No Black Flash. No Cursed Energy reinforcement. Just pure, natural talent. And all that was just physical might. And it was all more than enough to challenge Satoru Gojo...

The adults frowned as they analyzed the scene. Such person was indeed vanishingly rare. As similar as he was to Maki, something about his power felt off compared to even her.

Hell, to think Maki could reach that level...

He then uses the momentum granted by the jumps to rush at Gojo, aiming the dagger-like Cursed Tool at him, but is blown away again by the former’s Technique, with enough force to destroy the ground in vicinity and send him flying towards several nearby buildings.

Gojo doubts someone would try to challenge him without a plan, but verbally concedes that if such plan involves stabbing him with the Inverted Spear of Heaven, then it’s next to impossible unless he can actually get close to him. This time, Toji also disappears from his line of sight.

"What is that dagger, exactly?" Yuji asked his seniors, barely recovering from his astonishment.

"I believe that's the Inverted Spear of Heaven" answers Yuta, his eyes locked on Toji. "It's capable of canceling Cursed Technique upon contact, which... is why it penetrated through Gojo-sensei's Infinity". Yuji couldn't even contain his gasp, the unpleasant implications rearing their ugly heads. Megumi was fidgeting in his seat, his nerves wracked at the whole travesty.

The man, again, jumps out from various places, still invisible to Gojo. The latter is now downright paranoid, unable to see him, much less sense him, and unable to gamble on pure instinct.

Everyone had no idea what to make of Gojo being incapable of leveraging his strongest asset, which said more about the threat than about the former's capacities. As terrifying as he was as an opponent, none could deny a faint sense of exhilaration from such performance.

"Hold on... in this case, we can't sense Maki-senpai too, right?" Yuji brought up.

"Y-yeah" Nobara and Yuta replied hesitantly.

There was a reason for that, and it's because of how Maki still has some energy left, enough to dull her senses and full power. Which was the main difference between her and the assassin. Also, she was part of a twin, which is probably why. This didn't bode well for either of the two sisters, hence why Mai is clearly avoidant of the whole subject during Toji's showdown.

But if one thing was clear: fighting someone like that was going to be a real pain in the ass, as it were for Gojo.

Deciding to track him by his worm Curse companion, as hard as it is due to his speed, Gojo decides to unleash a Maximum Output Cursed Technique Amplification: Blue, attracting all matter to it in a downright stunning display, before releasing it and making it annihilate everything in sight, leaving just him in the middle of a crater.

"This is how it looks like at maximum power? Incredible" Thinks Yuji. He takes one look at Gojo, sadly back to the same mental pit he was in when this viewing started, but in his face is an undeniable undercurrent of... fear?!

"Is it enough though?" A realist part of him ponders.

When the dust settles, Gojo reassures himself that Toji can no longer rely on the element on surprise, wondering if he retreated to the forest, but something from afar emerges...

"Oi! There are better times and places to lose focus" Most viewers hissed threateningly to the younger Gojo.

Gojo turns to see thousands of Fly Heads flying to his direction, before surrounding him.

"What are those?! Curses??" Yuji yelps.

"Yeah, probably" Megumi replied, gritting his teeth at the direction this fight was taking. That man was unbelievably sneaky.

"Shit, what else does he have on his sleeve!?"

Gojo deduces that they were stored inside that Worm with Toji, and he must have released them as some sort of chaff grenade. Frustrated at having his sight blocked, he contemplates using Blue again, but realizes too late who he’s after...

“Amanai!”

As Gojo turns behind, Toji sneak attacks him with the Inverted Spear of Heaven. Despite Toji’s lack of energy, Gojo still felt an unusual amount of Cursed Energy emanating with his Six Eyes, but he barely has any time to react as the weapon is aimed at him...

"SHIT!" Nobara, Megumi and Panda hissed. Toge rose from his seat, unable to vocalize, but it was more than enough to display how he's feeling. 

"With... with that Tool..!" Maki sputtered out, not liking where this is heading at all. Even the Kyoto students were filled with dread.

"N-No. It can't...!" Yuji was in disbelief as the Cursed Tool pierced through Infinity, slowly.

"Fuck! Run, Sensei!" Yuta screams out futilely.

However, said Sensei's Six Eyes were locked on his younger self as that dreadful event played out. It was sort of... like watching a car crash slowly unfold, all parts coming off and the people inside getting mutilated. He wouldn't take his vision off, no matter how much he wanted. And now, his acquaintances and especially his students and going to see him like that...

... and somehow breaks through Gojo’s Infinity, stabbing him on the throat. Toji comments that he finally got him on the defensive, before ramming the dagger across the boy’s torso, drawing out lots of blood.

"HOLY SHIT!"

"GOJO-SENSEI!!"

"OH MY GOD!!"

"NOOOO!!"

Shrieks of horror and disbelief abound. The Kyoto students were just as disturbed at the sight as their Tokyo counterparts, especially Miwa.

That... was blood oozing from the wound? Gojo was injured? Injured? He couldn't defend himself from that?! All were redundant questions, since Okkotsu laid out the weapon's effect earlier. So, why was it so hard to accept it would affect even Gojo?

Not unfinished, he also proceeds to deal stabs to his limbs. When Gojo attempts to defend himself, Toji easily dodges his attack and resumes on his assault, kicking him to the ground and finishing off with a brutal stab on his head.

Now the teens couldn't do anything as the assassin began maiming their beloved teacher. It was worthless to scream more, since he was, well, with them, alive and unharmed. They were slumped on their seats and, just like Gojo is currently, just... kept on watching. Some shuddered at the stabs. The whole thing seemed downright comical to even ponder, but here they are, shell shocked, forced to do nothing but witness the supposedly invincible prodigy get dunked on in visceral detail.

Never in their wildest daydreams could they even fathom such concept. That or the idea of someone reaching a godlike level without any hardship was unrealistic, and kind of infuriating.

So that... man (to them, he was anything but), was a warrior so powerful, he actually injured Gojo, much less nearly kill him. Sure, he was young and inexperienced compared to now, but the sheer ease he went on about it more than made up for it. On such calibre, he could just wipe out everyone in Jujutsu world, including even the major clans like Zenin, without batting an eye, with them being none the wiser.

So... where is he now?

With the Six Eyes user out of commission and (in Toji’s mind) presumably dead, Toji reveals the Special Grade Cursed Tool’s main function, which is to nullify any Cursed Technique it comes into contact with.

Yuji was about to say something, but stopped himself. Gojo, dead? That was now just brainless. Unless, by some unbelievable fucking stupid curse that was so stupid he could swear Sukuna was laughing his ass off in his mind, this Gojo was an impostor like fake Geto, this was... like that, dumb. And a product of his fractured psyche from witnessing his teacher of all people brutalized. Of course he's alive. He had to. There was no way. Another possibility he cooked up is that this too was some demented imagine spot like the old man and his dog from earlier, which was actually more plausible, and unbeknownst to him, shared by a few other students.

Cleaning the blood off the Tool and smirking, Toji declares he still hasn’t lost his edge. And thus, he’s off to where Amanai is.

Most quickly regained their wits about, knowing that, with Gojo incapacitated, Riko is, in short, screwed. 

Gojo is left on the ground, bloodied, grievously wounded, and barely clinging to life, insects flocking to his near-lifeless form.

Nobody in the audience, least of all Gojo himself, who was in kind of a PTSD-induced daze, would deny that the whole view was just plain... dreamlike, the bugs making it ten times more terrifying. A defeated version of him did sneak into their imagination and dreams, particularly if their annoyance or sometimes fear reached a breaking point. But to see it was a whole new level of frightening, if not actually. morbidly interesting. They still had trouble wrapping their heads around the idea, even those that grew with him.

A few even wished that it was just a weird fantasy segue not unlike that incident with the old Curse User and his deceased dog, because it was the only way this would make sense.

“S-Sensei... that actually happened?” Yuji finally asked.

A beat later. “What are you on, Itadori? Of course it did, duh! And I made it, to boot” was Gojo’s response. But something about it felt... robotic, almost as if his naturally jokey self had reasserted itself automatically amidst his trance. 

“Good to... know” Nobara slowly responded.

Inside the Tombs of the Star Corridor, Geto, Riko and Kuroi were on a lifter. Upon reaching the intended floor, the Curse Manipulator and the Star Plasma Vessel get off the elevator.

Now they had even more to worry about aside of Gojo. At the rate things are going, the chances of Riko making it out alive, or at least the same, are rapidly diminishing, putting more damper on the students’ mood than ever, which was saying a lot.

Kuroi also follows, but only to notify Riko that this is the furthest she can go.

She tells her to take care of herself with a teary face, but doesn’t finish as Riko runs to hug her.

“Regardless of how it will unfold, something tells me this is the last time they’ll have together” Megumi grimly concluded.

Most in the audience could feel mist in their eyes.

Riko cries about how much she loves Kuroi, and always would. The maid does the same, as it’s the last time they’d see each other. Geto watches over them with an unreadable look on his face.

Yuji was silently wiping tears threatening to fall on his cheeks at the sight. It wasn’t hard to guess why it hit him so hard. He had similar thoughts about how his goodbye with his newfound friends and teachers will go about, after all.

He glances at the rest, especially Megumi and Nobara, and realizes that despite their seemingly stony reactions, it seemed really forced, with Yuta and Megumi’s eyes lightly quivering.

Having bid her farewell, Riko continues walking along the corridor with Geto, until they reach their destination: the Main Hall of the Tombs of Star, and the source of the nation’s key barriers, where Tengen resides.

“Eeeeh!? So this is how Master Tengen’s headquarters look like?” Miwa was awed by the architecture.

The Tokyo and Kyoto students were similarly amazed, as it’s the first time they were allowed to see the compound.

Geto instructs Riko on what to do, and how when she fulfills them, she’ll find Tengen and be protected inside a barrier that separates them from the outside until the assimilation. Riko is emotionless through the whole thing.

“So when she gets there, that assassin won’t be a able to reach her?” Asked Yuji. Nanami roughly nods, clearly tormented by what’s about to come.

He wasn’t alone. All adults wanted nothing more than to just tell the youngsters and be done it. But, “no spoiler” policy aside, it felt like just trying to assuage a guilty conscience from something that came and gone, so they just kept silent.

“That... or we can turn back around and go home with Kuroi-san”

The teens’ eyes were widened, surprised by Geto’s proposal, and a bit hopeful. Especially Yuji, since Geto’s words resonated exactly with how he felt about the situation. 

But a few others were in even lower spirits, particularly Megumi. Because, well, if Riko refused to merge, then she’s fair game for another threat lurking nearby. In fact, he already made out how it ended, like most of his seniors.

“Of course she bit the dust. There is no other fucking way around it! It completes the whole puzzle about Suguru Geto! Why did I even entertain the possibility of her as anything other than a corpse? Why else would Gojo-sensei and others fear watching this and then refuse to talk about it?!”

The black-haired teen shook his head, before exhaling sharply. He tried to not be seen by his two classmates.

Geto’s alternative offers startles Riko, and she turns to him.

Geto explains how when their teacher Yaga tole them about the mission, he referred to the assimilation process as “Erasure”, almost if he was trying to warn them about how heavy of a sin it was. He admits Yaga might’ve been a muscle-brain, but still had a roundabout way of talking and doing things.

As Riko is engrossed in what Geto had to say, he also adds that he and Gojo talked about it before they even met her. In the flashback, Gojo raises the possibility of Amanai potentially refusing to assimilate, calling off the whole thing. Geto chuckles and asks Gojo if he’s sure, since that might mean confronting Tengen themself. Gojo is undeterred, even accusing Geto of being scared. He reassures him that they will work it out somehow.

Yaga’s face softened a bit. Even if it wouldn’t salvage anything that happened in the escort mission, he was glad his students had enough moral fiber in them, and they used it to look into how things were being run in such world critically. It was something that Geto sadly had taken way too much to heart, but he hopes Gojo can apply it in a more healthy way.

For the first time in forever, the adults and more experienced teens were actually surprised by the annoying blindfold’s ability to think through such stuff. It dawned on them that they let his outward behaviour colour their perception on him and blind them to his true self. Satoru was more than just a flighty idiot; he was an insightful imparter of wisdom, as unorthodox as he was. His ultimate plan of reforming their world wouldn’t hinge on anything else.

Some relaxed on their seats, relieved at glimpsing their mentor’s convinction, others flashed smiles. At least the Gojo they knew was always there, deep within, even if he didn’t realize it.

The more idealistic types, like Yuji, Yuta and Miwa, at seeing their preconceptions vindicated, warmly chuckled amongst themselves.

Geto finishes by declaring that as the Strongest Duo, they’ll do whatever it takes to secure Riko’s future regardless of what decision she makes. 

Now Yuji’s lips curled into a smile, joyous on Riko’s behalf for being allowed to choose. He doubted he would be granted that privilege, even by his new companions. But that was fine with him. Sukuna wasn’t something that could respawn later on and benefit the others, so going out was the only path he could find fulfilling.

After a brief silence, Riko reflects on her upbringing. She knew she was different from the others, and thus special for it, and it became normal to her. She made sure to stay out of danger in preparation for that fated day. Because of this, tragedies in her life, including her parents’ death, no longer affected her, since she figured out that after assimilating, that feeling, and that sad and lonely existence would stop. 

Needless to say, Riko’s outlook on things was polar opposite to Yuji, something nobody failed to notice as the unfortunate vessel felt himself frown. 

From what the tapes demonstrated, Yuji was rather hard on himself whenever he failed to save others or made them worried. His eventual fate didn’t harden him and if anything, only skyrocketed his resolve to help everyone.

But now, she’d give anything to live a little longer. As seen by Riko breaking down crying.

“Honestly... I want to be with everyone longer! I want to see all kinds of things and do more!”

“You can now, Amanai” Yuji agreed, feeling himself in Geto’s place at the moment.

Sadly, he was the only one left with such hope. It already clicked in the others, as life started leaving most of their eyes.

Geto, now visibly relieved, gives Riko a hand “Let’s go home, Riko-chan”.

Gojo, for once, averted his eyes, turning to the ground. Nanami and Ieri followed suit.

A now overjoyed Riko complies and tries to take his hand.

“Yeah...”

And a stray bullet hits her in the head, tearing through her hair wrap.

Loud gasps were heard. Predictable as her demise was, the sudden gunshot genuinely startled them. For others, they weren’t just startled...

Poor Gojo barely lifted his head to see the screen, and boy, did the full event pierce through his very soul.

Geto’s expression morphs to shock. He sees Riko on the ground, dead. “Riko-chan?”

“N-No...” Miwa’s body shook, as tears began to leak. “... Riko... chan!” she nearly fell from her seat in devastation, now weeping in earnest from shock and horror at the poor young girl’s fate. Mechamaru and Momo went to comfort her.

Her breakdown was a good indicator of the impact such surprisingly sudden end had on everyone else. They were all heaps of sorrow, shock, and desolation, despite anticipating such outcome. Some, like the adults, second and third years, put up stronger faces, but only barely, as evidenced by Mai leaning into her sister’s shoulder and trying to hide her face,  Toge and Panda restraining Yuta from nearly jumping from his seat in tearful fury, Yaga and Nanami trying and failing to keep their bodies from trembling, Utahime covering her mouth in audible shock, Todo trying to look anywhere but the screen, and Ieri looking like she's in desperate need for any depressant nearby, tobacco or otherwise.

Yuji’s expression was identical to Geto’s, but even slower on the uptake. The future he imagined for Riko fading into the black in his head. After a while, he finally snapped. Loud sobs racked his body as he sucked in his breaths repeatedly, struggling to not break down like Miwa did. Megumi and Nobara’s reactions were harder to discern, due to hair covering their eyes, but Megumi was clearly very, very close to flying into a murderous rage, as seen as by his hands nearly tearing into the fabric of his sleeves, while Nobara looked... disappointed? Sure, she was in the same boat as most grownups in the room, but from how she stole sad glances at Megumi, it's obvious who she was disappointed in.

Lastly, Gojo just... how to describe it? A single traitorous tear fell from his right eye, but was too late as he could do nothing but hide his eye with his hand. Memories of rising from defeat, killing Toji, carrying her corpse, the Star Religious Group’s applause, the last day he was truly carefree and happy with Geto... he finally broke down from all the incumbent stress reaching fever peach, and began sobbing, though much more quietly than Yuji, a full hand on his face as he turned his head upwards.

However, the atmosphere wasn’t caused by just Riko’s death. But most importantly, by the vain sense of hope they all held unto about the girl’s fate. Gojo was nothing but shaken by the idea of watching his past again, why would he aside from having to re-experience Geto’s fall into darkness? And why die that happen exactly? It all adds up perfectly.

It was why it hit Yuji as hard as it did. He was the one most vocal about his wish for her survival.

“Okay, the job’s done” The perpetuator was obviously Toji, coming leisurely from the corridor with a handgun “Well, you’re free to go”.

The depressed mood started to slowly wane, only to be replaced with pure, rippling hatred.

Now glares tore holes into the man onscreen, holding nothing more than the desire to break his body, the biggest offenders being Yuji and Megumi.

That was his father? A contract killer who’ll kill a child in cold blood for some gambling money?! What did he and Tsumiki even lose from not having him in their lives at this point? Or did he still try to ruin it? Whatever, he'd give anything to see someone, preferably Geto or Gojo, unalive him as soon as possible.

A distraught Geto turns and voices out “Why are you here?”

“Why? Oh... that’s what you mean” Toji was confused, but soon recollected himself and replied, with a frightening grin that framed his scar.

“Because I killed Satoru Gojo”

That statement, along with his smile, sent a chill down everyone’s spines. 

The Rainbow Dragon and Kuchisaki-onna were summoned in an instant. They surrounded the now enraged Geto, who snarled.

“Is that so... then die”

“I fucking hope so” declared Megumi, fury clear on his face.

Yuji was staring blankly into the screen. Sure, it was Megumi's dad. But after that... "Why the hell not?"

END

Chapter Text

Despite being just finished, the fourth past viewing suddenly began without a hitch. No one minded at all, it’s not like there’s anything left on their minds except seeing the fallout and that bastard paying the price. Sure, some, like Mai, had some concerns, but she eventually pushed them to the backburn until this is all over.

Yuji has calmed down from his sobs, but only barely thanks to Nobara and Megumi. The same went for Miwa, as well as Gojo, surprisingly enough, thanks to the efforts of Kyoto second years and Ieri, respectively.

It’s little wonder Yuji was adversely scarred by the moment. Because to him, having someone you sought so hard to protect, to the point of pulling all nighters and burning out much energy from it, randomly get killed and you’re unable to do anything about it hit too close to home.

The only thing he could glean is that this was probably the catalyst for Gojo’s gradual change in mindset. as well as Geto's.

The scene rewinds back to the moment of Riko Amanai’s death, Geto’s devastation over it, and Toji (her killer’s) laid-back attitude to it, before showing Geto attacking Toji with Rainbow Dragon.

Yuji, Megumi and Miwa couldn’t help but flinch at reliving Riko’s murder from a different perspective. It made it so much worse. Gojo was nearly catatonic, the Six Eyes replaying that moment in front him again and again. They were so close, if they just let her fuse with Tengen he’d just call it a day and maybe he might even spare Toji, and Geto wouldn’t fall apart like he did. But alas, there was no chance for any of that to happen.

He had a feeling Toji already reached Geto and Riko, and waited for the latter to make her choice before striking. So maybe everything was doomed from the beginning. As long as Toji was involved, there was no compromise.

The Curse aims towards Toji, devastating the corridor while trying to devour him, flying straight into the traditionally-built floors leading to Tengen’s Chamber. However, Toji still manages to shoot several rounds at Geto, from which the latter defends himself with another Curse.

Even though a gun wielder was amongst them, the sight of Toji using it in combat was more than a little interesting, especially considering his capabilities. Said gun wielder, Mai, looked rather consternated. She didn’t appreciate that technically, Toji was the first gunslinger in the clan, and unlike her, didn’t need Cursed Energy to produce bullets, yet he packed even more of a punch.

Besides, him being related to her didn’t help matters at all.

Geto jumps towards the floor where the Rainbow Dragon subdued Toji. However, the draconic Curse suddenly fades away, to Geto’s shock.

From the smoke appears a completely unharmed, gun-toting and smirking Toji, who warns Geto to not be so impatient.

“No way, did he exorcize it or something?” Yuji quietly wondered.

“Not... sure about that” Megumi slowly replied, looking unsure of what happened. The sight of his father’s recent deed being too fresh in his mind.

However, there was something else a few younger viewers couldn’t put their fingers on, something that perplexed the likes of Maki especially.

But he unceremoniously walks away from the teen, who closely follows him. Toji talks about the structure of the barriers in the Forbidden Vault and how he still managed to get into it, thanks to the absence of Sorcerers and the Fly Heads he released as camouflage, taking advantage of the mayhem outside. According to him, his lack of Cursed Energy makes him akin to an invisible man, but the Cursed Tools he carries get in the way of him being truly invisible.

The viewers heard this and their eyes widened for a bit, while Mai bit her lip. Yes, that man does have zero in total of Energy, alright. That man was the perfect Pact warrior. It was extremely rare, and a sight to behold in battles. And someone like that is either a good omen or a bad one.

“If he’s truly invisible like he said, can he handle the Special Grade Curses too? Or even...” Yuji pontificated, before touching the extra eye underneath his own. He lost sight of his own train thought, somehow, at the mere possibility.

Geto takes the chance to fire several Curses like bullets from his fingers where he assumes Toji is. When he thinks he got him, the assassin casually waltzes from the corridor behind Geto.

“Man... is it the structure, or is he just that blindingly fast” Yuji muttered in frustration.

Toji continues on with his explanation, clarifying that he employs the use of a Cursed Spirit to aid him in storing the weapons, pointing to the inside of his mouth as the place where he hides the Curse. While he admits said Curse will also expose him, he spits it out and reveals he can have it shrink so much that it fits inside his stomach, because for him, an invisible man’s insides are also invisible. All this is how he manages to pass through any Barrier despite the amount of Tools he has on his person.

“Wait that...! Isn’t that the same Curse Suguru Geto once had? The one he got the Playful Cloud out from?!” Maki shouts. Yuta, Toge and Panda recall it, and they’re a bit 

“The very same” Yuta confirms.

“But how does he even...” Megumi inquires further, but trails off, and slumps to his seat, uncertainty gradually getting to him. He didn’t like what this implies, at all.

“Like he said, spoilers” was all Shoko could offer, in the light of Megumi’s visible deflation.

He wasn’t the only one, though. Maki could feel uncertain dread pool into her very being.

She can’t do that! Or at least not yet, so she thinks.

Even without Cursed Tools, Barriers and Domain Expansions clearly still affect her, and is still bound to their rules despite their mechanics. So for him to somehow ignore them and successfully take advantage of the Inventory...

This must only mean that something is... incomplete about her Restriction.

When she turned to look at Mai, for a split second, it was obvious the girl was staring at her as well but couldn’t turn fast enough to the screen. Maki narrowed her eyes. Her sister was acting strange since that man appeared.

Before Toji can elaborate further on how he evaded Gojo’s notice, Geto cuts him off and says point-blank he knows he has Heavenly Restriction, and the perks it gives. He instead poses the question of how did Toji know which door led to the Tombs of Stars, since they never left any residuals.

Maki snorted, already knowing the answer to that, since she relied on her senses enhanced by the Restriction to help in missions. But her mind still returned to the complication she’s now dealing with. “Should I ask everyone about this later?”

Toji replies that there are still physical signs of them, like footprints, stating his Restriction endows him with superior sense that enable him to pinpoint the faintest scent, sound and view.

Geto remembers Kuroi, and inquires Toji about her fate. The latter claims she’s probably dead, but doesn’t elaborate whether he checked it. This enrages Geto once more, and he fires Rainbow Dragon against him again.

The fury that simmered down into nervous silence erupted once again. Wasn’t Riko enough?!

Yuji trembled in his seat in anger and despair, Megumi, Maki and Yuta clenched their teeth, Nobara and Mai were baffled, and Miwa was completely horrified.

Apparently, yes, she wasn’t. Not by a long shot. But still, it’s too early to ascertain that.

The Curse flies through several walls and doors, finally reaching Toji, who defends himself with the Split Soul Blade. When the Dragon sends him flying upwards, Geto further fires off several projectile-shaped Curses the assassin’s direction, which he evades and slashes through effortlessly, before landing on one of the floors’ roof. Geto summons a gigantic, one-eyed Curse that punches out Toji, before disappearing. Another hail of Projectiles attack him, all of which he gracefully dodges even while running.

He jumps into the air in the Dragon’s blind spot, but instead, he falls to its direction and manages to deal a long, clean slash through the Curse with the Katana, to Geto’s disbelief.

Nevermind, despite their escalating distaste of him by the minute, the viewers were all astounded, and dare they say, impressed, by his further displays of superhuman agility and strength. What they saw of his confrontation against Gojo was merely the tip of the iceberg. And this one fight is pushing those expectations to their utmost limits.

And now that he one-shot the draconic Curse, some were close to falling from their seats in disbelief. In no part due to the infuriating ease by which he pulled it off, implying vast experience in that area.

“Does this mean...” Yuta and Megumi realized.

“Maki-san could also achieve that level?” Wondered Nobara.

the students glimpsed the pony-tailed Restricted sorcerer, who was... amazed. Yes, she actually was amazed at that assassin’s feats.

Toji lands where Geto is, as the defeated Draconic Curse falls down on the floors, severely wrecking the place, and causing the floor where the two are standing on to collapse. Even while falling, they’re still intact, with Toji snarking at him for how he easily beat one of his strongest Curses.

Suddenly, a Simple Domain is erected, halting the flow of time, as Kuchisake-onna enters the fray. Toji notices her from afar, realizes she’s a Vengeful Spirit and that the Domain he’s trapped in comes with a Binding Vow that ensures nonviolence unless he answers her questions badly.

“Does the fake Suguru Geto still retain all those Cursed Spirits?” was the predominant question in the minds of most of the audience, after witnessing just how overpowered they were.

Toji decides to answer that she’s not his type, just in time for him to lose a few strands of his hair and bleed from behind his left ear, courtesy of the Spirit’s ability to conjure scissors from the Domain. However, using his Inverted Spear of Heaven, he makes quick work of the Curse with instantaneous slashes, immediately destroying the scissors and exorcising the Spirit at the same time. Time returns to normal as the Domain is dispelled.

Yuji and Yuta wouldn’t lie that they were slowly becoming broken records with their awe at seeing Toji’s achievements. And why wouldn’t they?

Geto is right behind the deriding Toji, and as a last-ditch effort, attempts to absorb the Inventory Curse that’s attached to Toji. He believes that as long as the Curse is two grades lower than him in strength, he can just skip the whole taming part and instantly make it his, and the worm isn’t that strong despite its ability, so taking it will deprive Toji of his arsenal...

“Is he gonna succeed in it...?” The Tokyo second years were on the edge of their seats.

But Toji stops him with his dagger before the Inventory Curse is fully assimilated. Wasting no time, the assassin immediately deals a dual ‘X’ slash on Geto’s chest, capping it off with a brutal kick that sends him flying feet away.

Gojo and Ieri flinched, barely dragging their eyes away after the kick. If Riko’s tragic sendoff didn’t do Geto’s state of mind much favors, then such brutal defeat definitely would. This only factored to their overwhelming guilt, despite other factors.

The collapsing building they were on finally hits the ground. A victorious Toji marches towards the fallen Geto, musing that the wound he dealt him wasn’t lethal, since he used Cursed Spirits and not Shikigami, there was no need to kill him, due the trouble a huge amount of Curses at his disposal would cause, which he seeks to avoid at all costs.

“If that’s so, then the original Geto’s death would have released them” Todo expounds. “I don’t think there were any further incidents with any of the Spirits he had in disposal”.

The adults suddenly realize that, contrary to expectations, they were indeed far and few between. It was easy to calculate the time period the impostor managed to conquer Geto’s corpse.

Kicking Geto’s face, Toji mocks how despite his blessing, he lost to an energyless monkey like him. This statement is punctuated by showing the beaten Gojo, and the corpses of Riko and, unsurprisingly, Kuroi. He reminds Geto to never forget this fact as long as he lives as he sheathes the dagger inside the Curse.

 “So it was you...!” Gojo growls in barely contained outrage at Toji’s further degradation of Geto, his Energy flaring up considerably, especially at the term he used to refer to himself. Now he, as well as the teachers and Tokyo second years got a very good idea behind the origin of that slur.

The youngsters, particularly Megumi, Maki and Mai couldn’t help but sense an undercurrent of resentment in Toji’s trash talk. Which mixed with his status as a Zenin, told a lot about his time there. Maki couldn’t contain her interest, because he obviously outclassed everyone around him, so the Zenin were probably nothing to him as well.

At witnessing Kuroi’s corpse, thus fully confirming her death, many students completely deflated, horror at her fate visible on their features, and a few shut their eyes in condolence. A devastated Miwa was close to resuming her crying, but chose to bury her face into Momo as the latter immediately held on to her.

 “H-He... He didn’t need to... He DIDN’T HAVE TO DO THAT!!” Yuji bellowed at the screen in borderline feral rage. “WHY’D HE EVEN HAVE TO DO IT?! WHY DID HE KILL HER?!?”

“Oi! Pull yourself together!” Nobara was forced to restrain him. The rest weren’t much better, though, especially Megumi, who had to grab his face so as not to rein in his fury and not blow up. But if anything, he was even worse than he thought, and it made him feel shittier.

Gojo’s stability crumbled even further once again. It’s not like he didn’t know about it, not at all. It’s just that, like Riko previously, actually getting to witness Kuroi’s corpse was a double blow to him, especially since he never actually got around to seeing her corpse compared to Riko, the matter having been taken care of while he was recovering.

Suddenly, he recalls a certain boy, and gets bewildered along with the Curse.

The scene seems to have obliterated the tension overnight, as chemical shock hit the viewers like a freight train. Why? Why does this always happen?!

Megumi reacted the same as Toji onscreen, though. Which a few of those closer to him noticed, and in the case of Gojo, who wanted to get his mind off Geto’s humiliation, snorted. Needless to say, this only exacerbated his self-loathing over it.

Turns out, he named Megumi after blessings, and only remembered the child’s existence due to dropping that word.

Needless to say, the sorcerers could either tilt their heads in disbelief (and partial relief) that Fushiguro Sr. Actually did remember his son, or break out into immature, albeit very joyless and robotic snickers, or just get angry and worried even further at the total mood swing.

But hold on, wasn’t Megumi a female name?!

That... Seems like another nail in the coffin.

“What the fu- YOU B..!!” Megumi was close to exploding again, but paused “Oh wait, mind you. Not that I give a fuck anymore. Hell, you didn’t even remember if I were male or female, so does it matter!” After all the shit he pulled, Megumi was rather unconvinced. Or so it seemed, since his two friends notice that he looks somewhere between angry, bewildered, afflicted and touched. Though they were relieved he didn’t throw an over-the-top fit of rage like he did earlier.

Yes, for all his understandable disgust with the man, Megumi suddenly felt his heart almost murmur. He pushed it back, for now.

Meanwhile, a seemingly lifeless Gojo’s hand seems to have slightly twitched.

The teens felt a lot of vitality return to their bodies, and consequently, their eyes, at his survival. Which was foolish enough on its own. It seems that their hope was to instead see Gojo exact vengeance.

“Gojo-sensei, h-he’s...!” Yuji exclaims, already bouncing on his seat in rising excitement. To him, the upcoming payback was more than enough to clear his mind from the stress the deaths have instilled unto him.

“I told you!” said sensei reminded him forcefully.

“So, it’s only then that he finally figured it out” Yuta realizes.

“About freaking time!” Nobara declares, “That child support dodger should probably count his remaining hours, if not minutes!”

Sure enough, the excitement was drowned out, and instead, everyone got cold feet.

Did Gojo ultimately kill Megumi’s father in revenge?

The possibility hung over their heads as their bodies froze, except for their eyes, which stole glances at the Six Eyes User.

This is the only outcome that would make sense. Because otherwise, why hasn’t he returned or be seen ever since?

Megumi was especially disquieted. If that’s the truth, then... was this why Gojo came to him? Was Gojo trying to tell him that?

He shook the thoughts out of his head. Not now, It was too early to ascertain. But even then, his refusal to confront a possibility so likely has a lot of interesting implications.

Back the Star Religious Group’s headquarters, a fancy, traditional mansion called House of the Children of Star, Toji and Shiu are there to receive payment.

The Group’s leader places a cloth on the adjacent table, and when he’s done, Toji orders the Inventory Curse to spit out Riko Amanai’s corpse. Toji presents the deceased girl on the table as a bounty.

Not everyone was terribly pleased at seeing her corpse, with Yuji, Megumi, Maki, Yuta and Miwa averting their eyes away, sorrow resurfacing once more.

Gojo’s expression was rather vacant, however, almost as if he’s trying to shake off that image from his memory, but also trying to bury it within at the same time. He didn’t know which.

The representasive, Shigeru Sonoda, checks on her, before turning to Toji and thanking him for a job well done, and promises him payment in time, even adding a bonus, much to Toji’s contentment.

Shiu asks if the add-on was necessary, despite all the help they’ve given them. Sonoda admits their reactions weren’t what he expected, and that he even thought they’d fail this mission. He then monologues about the  origins of the Star Religious Group, as provided by Tengen’s teachings. But despite that, the worlds of Jujutsu and religion were at odds with each other, necessiating the creation of the modern Time Vessel Association, which posited itself as a non-Curse User group, which places them outside the Jujutsu sorcerers’ jurisdiction. He suddenly starts raving about how the arrival of the merger caused them to resort to desperate measures in order to preserve Tengen’s purity and retain their followers without encurring the Jujutsu world’s wrath, enough to get generous with their money, as he rather aggressively wraps Riko in cloth, before carrying her.

Riko’s body being traded in a transaction, her life treated as if it were worthless in the grand scheme of... whatever the hell that representative is spouting, made everyone only anticipating their downfall as much as they did for Toji.

When Shiu bluntly reminds him that humanity will be screwed when Tengen loses control from the failure of the merger, Sonoda isn’t deterred, even stating that if they fall alongside their ‘Star’, so be it.

“Those fuckers are out of it” Maki growled.

“You don’t say” agreed Megumi.

“This is bad” Yaga said, “since this merger, and the one before it, failed, I’m afraid Master Tengen doesn’t have much longer”. He glanced at the teachers in the room, and they totally comprehended. They didn’t like it one bit.

However, Todo was the only one to catch on, and even he felt worried.

Toji looks very incredulous at the cultist’s insane conclusion, even making a ‘screws loose in there’ gesture towards Shiu, who chuckles in defeat.

“Man, he’s totally us now for real!” Nobara incredulously points out.

Several students and even some adults were grossed out at the mere thought of being compared to that shitty child killer, but they couldn’t refute it. The religious group were, at best, completely out of their depths concerning the Jujutsu world.

Toji and Shiu are shown walking out of the building, with the latter asking the former if by his statement about the Association helping them out, he meant the Okinawa transaction. Toji agrees, and when asked why he didn’t just kill the maid back then, Toji retorts that he already ordered him to do it the day before. Shiu didn’t because he already knew about Toji’s plan beforehand, and concluded that keeping Gojo in a sense of false security was much more effective than having him collapse from failure, something that the former Zenin ribs him about due to his habit of coming up with his own decisions clandestinely. Shiu waves off that it all worked out in the end, and when questioned about choosing Okinawa, says he had no choice due to the risks with using public transportation. He actually got there using a private jet, so Toji is a bit disbelieving at the notion, but Shiu just summarizes that the rich have a different wavelength than others.

None of that mattered anymore, Kuroi was still gone. In fact, merely seeing them still talk about her put a damp on the students’ spirits even further. A few were just anxiously waiting Gojo’s arrival.

“Wonder where all that money from the Group went” Nanami thought.

Gojo looked on blankly, knowing that the same time, he was walking towards the building those two men were in.

Toji decides to call it a day and offers Shiu to go eat with the money from the job, preferably in a high-end restaurant. Shiu refuses point-blank due to Toji’s habit of never even paying, claiming, just as he leaves, that he only promised to associate with him in work or Hell.

“You know, on a closer look, he doesn’t seem like a guy that gives two fucks about Jujutsu society, about exorcizing, or even the overall system.” Nobara weighed in.

“No wonder, being raised with the Zenins without any Cursed Energy will definitely do that to you” Maki remarked, stretching her arms behind her head.

People aware of the Zenin twins’ history almost winced in understanding. Megumi was on the same boat surprisingly enough. For all the antipathy he held for that guy, he knows damn well his relatives were so much worse. It made him wonder if they contributed to his shitty nature and poor parenting.

Gojo couldn't help but mirthlessly chuckle at seeing Toji's materialism. A part of him bitterly implanted the idea that, had he known that, he could've just offered the man double the amount of the Time Vessel Association's bounty, and then nothing would occur. No deaths, no ruined friendships and no hardships. But he rolled his eyes at the idea and shot it down immediately in his mind. He was not impressed that a side of him wanted things to return to the way they used to be with no consrquence.

As the evening comes, Toji is seen leaving the Time Vessel Association premises. But when he tries to protect himself from the sun, he sees a figure in his field of vision, and to his shock...

It was Gojo.

“FINALLY!” many cheered, and even those that couldn’t stand him cracked a grin at seeing him back at the fray.

“Yo, it’s been a while”       

The present-day Gojo blinked in perplexion. Yes, he did remember the payback fight quite well, but if you were to ask him about his state back then, his memory about himself was surprisingly foggy despite, or perhaps because of, Six Eyes awakening.

“Damn, call me a bit edgy, but you look terrifying and awesome so drenched in blood like that!” Yuji gleefully commented.

“Awesome? I look like I was run through by a shit-stained rag!” Gojo shot out in embarrassment.

“Were you alright, Sensei?” Yuta worriedly asks, “those wounds seem way too grievous, and you weren't experienced enough in Reverse Cursed Technique".

"Yeah, I actually had to take a leave of absence to be treated like, in an actual surgery" Gojo reveals, to the astonishment of many. 

Him, hospitalized too?!

Seriously, this was one weird day.

“Is this for real” Toji lets out in disbelief.

“For real real!” Gojo replies while showing the healed wound on his head from Toji’s attack earlier “I’m alive and kicking!”. Toji realizes that it’s Reverse Cursed Technique, which Gojo confirms.

“Bingo! When you stabbed me through the throat, I gave up on counterattacking and poured all of my focus into the Reverse Cursed Technique. Cursed Energy is negative energy... while it can enhance the body, it can’t fix it... so you multiply that negative energy against itself to create positive energy, that’s the Reverse Cursed Technique!” he raves, looking obviously euphoric “I hadn’t been able to do that up until now myself! And I couldn’t understand anything the person who could do it said!!”

....

“Uh, are you... okay there, sensei?” Yuji nervously voiced what everyone’s been thinking about his state onscreen.

“You’re being even more demented than usual” Megumi noted, a bit freaked out, surprisingly enough.

 “Did that stab in the head mess with your brain matter or something?” Nobara wondered.

Gojo stammered a bit, “It’s, um, you... Yes.” He finally gave up on making excuses, “It did give me that feeling”.

Meanwhile, Toji wonders if he’s on drugs or something like that, as the focus turns to Gojo’s crazed face, and most importantly his shining Six Eyes. “But I finally grasped it, on the verge of death! The true essence of Cursed Energy! The reason you’re going to lose is because you didn’t chop my head off and because you didn’t use that Cursed Tool when you stabbed my head!”.

Most looked stunned for a bit at Toji’s comment, “He... actually he does look like he’s high!” Utahime admitted. It was the second time someone agreed with him, which left her feeling a bit filthy.

“So the head injury did indeed affect him. ” Panda mocked.

Toji looks surprisingly miffed. “Me, lose?” he slowly said as he brandished his weapon. Gojo was still out of it.

Severall students now had a somber look on their faces. If what Gojo claimed was true, then someone wasn’t going to leave this fight alive. There’s no denying that gut feeling.

Megumi was now deeply troubled over this. Yes, his old man was a no-good son of a bitch that remorselessly shot a defenceless young girl for money, and he obviously did this to many other people, but...

Despite everything, there was an ugly truth staring right at his face, which he was slow to acknowledge. He blinked in distress several times, trying to ignore it, but eventually gave up.

“Gojo-sensei... did you kill him?” He turned to look at Gojo, having no idea how to even feel about that.

“Oh is it? Yeah... MAYBE SO!!” he shouts, looking close to laughing.

Everyone violently shivered.

“Y-You look scary!” freaked out Miwa.

“And stoned out of your mind, to be honest” Nanami quips.

“You act like that Spear used to slash your head was infused with meth or something” Momo adds.

“More like angel dust” Maki muttered.

“OKAY I GET IT!” Gojo yelled out in frustration, partly for them talking down to him, and partly because even he got freaked out by how he acted in hindsight.

Toji blitzed his direction to attack him, but Gojo easily dodged each of his strike. In the last one, he even materialized behind Toji.

Now the viewers tried to tone down their chatter as much as they can. This was a momumental battle, this is the one time they’ll finally see Gojo cut loose and not hold back for the first time ever.

When the man turns behind him, Gojo now unleashes a complete Cursed Technique Reversal: Red at him.

“Finally pulled it off?” The Tokyo students mentally commented, the cursed memory of Gojo screwing up the spell way earlier fading away.

Toji barely fended it off with the Spear, but its sheer force sent him flying towards a temple far behind, nearly destroying the whole place. the Sorcerer Killer is on the ground, injured, as he witnesses a floating, completely stoned-looking Gojo.

“Monster!”.

“Wow, drunk on power? More like shitfaced on it” Nobara snickered.

“I don’t think he could help it. I mean, I bet a shitton of Energy must have returned back to him by that moment, and too much of that is actually dangerous” Yuta explains.

“But still, as cool as it the whole thing is , I just can’t take him seriously when he looks like he’s in the middle of a trip” Yuji declared while holding his laughter.

“Alright, enough drug jokes at my expense already!” Gojo finally complains. “You should enjoy what’s next! No?!”

He gets up, digs the Spear on the ground, and starts stretching. He thinks to himself “No bones are broken. That shock wave was one application of Limitless, Cursed Technique Reversal: Red, huh? Did he pour the positive energy generated by Reverse Cursed Technique into Limitless. 1. The power to stop, which the usual application of Limitless, and 2. The power to attract, which forms the other application of Limitless, Blue. And 3. The power to repel, the reversal of that cursed technique, Red!”.

 “Not gonna lie, but the way Fushiguro’s dad explains Sensei’s powers is better than how you did it earlier” Yuji vocally confesses. Nobara agrees, patting his head to show it.

Gojo got a tick mark on his head on his head in response. At the same time, he looks rather anxious at the amount of information on his Clan Toji had.

Because of this, Toji decides to change his approach. He takes out a chain from the Inventory Curse, attaches the Inverted Spear of Heaven unto it, and waves his new combined weapon full speed, claiming he can still handle it.

From the look on Maki’s face, it’s clear she’s already thinking up plans to incorporate this feature into her Tools.

“Something’s off.”

Meanwhile, Gojo’s focus returns, and he turns to look at Toji, with a stare that actually frightens him.

“W-What’s that?” Miwa questions, startled.

“Is it the assassin?” Panda wonders.

Gojo and Nanami frown, the former clicking his tongue when he immediately realized it.

“Something’s off.”

Despite the noise, Toji shakes it off and smirks, declaring that this is fine. Leaving indents on the floor from the chain-dagger, Toji now aims it at Gojo with the full intention to end him, this time for real. “I’ll kill you!”

“No...” Several viewers actually understood what that was. Which made Toji’s chances of survival rather clear. Megumi’s panic got even worse, but he didn’t even understand what was that feeling in the first place, and why he had it.

Gojo deftly dodges the Spear with inhuman grace, but with a melancholic look on him as he stares up to the clouds. “I’m sorry, Amanai. I’m not even angry over you right now. I have no grudge against anyone in this moment. It’s just... the world feels so wonderful right now”. With the screen showcasing highly detailed nature sights, to accentuate his truly awakened Cursed Technique.

The viewers frowned. Gojo’s motivations for pursuing revenge, from what he described, seemed less about Riko, and more about wounded pride, which some took rather poorly, particularly Yuji and Megumi. The former due to his own fury over her death, and the latter for the same reasons in addition to feeling irritation over his teacher prioritizing his power high. The likes of Nanami, Todo and Utahime were more understanding, however. From Gojo’s behaviour, it’s clear the consequences of his failure didn’t fully sink in within due trauma from experiencing his first true defeat overriding his senses.

At the sky, while floating, Gojo now poses upright, points one hand downward and another behind him with the thumb and pinky folded. A pose which, with the clouded sun painting the sky golden, and his injuries, gives him a total Buddha-esque appearance and aura.

“Throughout heaven and earth, I alone am the honored one.”

But nevermind. The whole sequence was so freaking breathtaking, even Gojo’s biggest detractors were blown away.

The incredible pose and especially one-liner left everyone dumbstruck, each with their own expressions of awe. The younger students (alongside Yuta, Panda and yes, Inumaki and excluding Megumi) blushed and had stars in their eyes, the others were all over the place, from Megumi, Maki, Mai and Momo’s dropped jaws and saucer eyes, Yaga, Ieri and Nanami’s genuine smiles, though marred with exasperation over his theatrics, and Todo, Mechamaru, Kamo and Utahime’s amusement at Gojo’s phrase, namely its inspiration.

The man himself, of course, managed to see how he looked like that time and yes, it did NOT disappoint.

“The honored one, huh?” Todo says, entertained. “Hopefully all that strife got you closer to enlightenment”.

“I don’t think so” Not many agreed. Whether due to Gojo’s attitude being the exact opposite of what they envision is enlightenment, or sincerely thinking he didn’t truly find it, the reason varies.

Seeing that Toji is still attacking him, Gojo monologues about how inherited Techniques have the benefit of coming with a manual, but the downside of becoming common knowledge to others. Summoning a huge number of debris to his side, he observes Toji, and recognizes him as a member of Zenin, which was how he knew about Limitless. He reveals that there is, however, one Technique only a scant few in the Gojo clan know about.

“Zenin? Hold on, this reminds me...” Nobara trailed off, then glanced at Gojo “You never once told us his name the whole time!”

When the teenagers realize this, they all gasp. With the exception of Maki, Mai, and Todo, who did know his name (the former two only remembered it a while ago).

“I didn’t?” Gojo said innocuously.

“No!” Nobara and her classmates yelled.

“And besides, even in the recording, neither he nor anyone else revealed what his name was” Momo pointed out. “He’s only referred to as the assassin, Zenin, or Sorcerer Killer!”

After a few seconds, Gojo breathed out, realizing that they were right, and replies “It’s Toji. Toji Fushiguro”.

Megumi suddenly jolted at the mention of the name. It didn’t help his current crisis at all. When Gojo studied him, he got more bowed down by the minute.

The students went back to facing the screen, now a bit more clued in “...Toji.” Repeated Yuji.

With a familiar stance, the world around him seems to stop. ”Take amplification and reversal, then smash together those two different expressions of infinity to create and push out imaginary mass.

If Yuji, Nobara, Yuta and Miwa weren’t going to blast off from their seats minutes ago, they surely are about to do just that now.

“Holy sh... don’t tell me that’s what I think it is...?!” Yuji was close to imploding.

Imaginary Technique: Purple!”

“That’s when you finally used it!” Yuta loudly utters.

“Like a power-up you finally figured out at the brink of death!” Yuji blurts out, unable to contain himself.

“... Yeah, kinda” Gojo’s reply was rather slow.

A violet-colored blast of contradictions is fired, aiming towards Toji.

Megumi couldn’t help but instinctively flinch away. Knowing full well the surehit effect of the technique. A pang of fear and distress pulsated within him.

“... Something’s off.”

“I see now...” Mai suddenly spoke.

“What?” Miwa was confused.

“That voiceover was his own instincts screaming at him to run away from Gojo” Utahime laid out in full. “By the time he reappeared fully awakened, his superhuman flight-or-fight responses were working overdrive to ensure his survival.”

“Then, why didn’t he...?”

“It should be painfully obvious by now” Todo sighed.

“I refuse to do any work for free. Normally, I would’ve said that and hightailed it out of here, yet the freshly-awakened Limitless user was right before my eyes, he was probably the strongest Jujutsu sorcerer of this era. I wanted to reject him, I wanted to bring him down to his knees. I wanted to take down the pinnacle of the Jujutsu world and the Zenin clan that rejected me”. The screen showed a hole blasted in a wall, before fully revealing Toji, missing his upper left torso and bleeding fatally.

The cast just... stared, not even blinking. None had any idea how to deal with the knowledge. It did give a good idea to why he didn’t run from the fight, but the whole thing opened a whole new can of worms regarding Gojo and Toji’s motivation for engaging in battle. Especially Gojo.

When Toji’s eviscerated form was fully shown, they all breathed heavily at the thunderbolt of a sight.

Megumi was pale as a ghost, his pupils shrunken and palms sweating. Suddenly, everything made more sense, but also didn’t. Everything he thought was such a big deal didn’t matter, and his earlier rage at his parent dissipated into... actually, he doesn’t know at all how to feel right now.

He, and everyone watching, couldn’t just brush off the gigantic elephant in the room that resulted from the aftermath of the battle onscreen. Normally, it shouldn’t have been this depressing, considering all that he’s done. But...

He was still Megumi’s father, and Gojo was the one who did him in.

Yuji and Nobara looked at the petrified Megumi, sympathy evident on their faces.

“Fushiguro...” said Yuji, dejected on his best friend’s behalf.

“I twisted myself to try to affirm the real me. That was the moment I lost”.

A downcast Gojo was staring at Megumi, whose form was in tandem with Toji’s on the screen. A part of him laughed at his apparent effort to outright delay letting the cat out of the bag to Megumi for 12 years. Not that it’s hard, since Megumi would had the same investment in the topic as he would for a movie he’s forced to watch with his two classmates. But for everything to be spilled out in vivid detail in front of his eyes, that... was just overkill.

Forget wringing his hands about Geto, he was over and done with it (so he thinks). This was the part he felt fear about the whole time. Would Megumi look him in the eyes the same way again after this? Would he forgive him? Would he even care? But one thing he knows deep down is that nothing will be like before  anymore.

Chains falling from his hand, Toji tries to touch his left half only to find no flesh at all, only blood dripping from his lung. He stares at his blood-stained hand wistfully, thinking to himself. “I thought you had abandoned that pride”.

Maki’s eyes, as well as heart and mind, were all too fixed upon those words. They resonated so hard, she was almost seeing things through his eyes. There was no denying her current career and efforts were the result of her desire to prove herself, to escape the misery she and Mai were destined for. In a way, it’s almost like history repeated with her.

Sure, it seems incredible when one realizes it. If she pushed herself harder, maybe she can even challenge a Special Grade Sorcerer with no issue, like Okkotsu. But it’s not what it looks like. That man... had so very little to lose, and was abused so much, it warped his personality, centering his self-worth and existence around being as much a greedy, merciless killer as possible. All to take revenge against those who put him down for such a gift, those who feared him. What if, with enough push, and enough losses and disappointments in her life, she might walk down that same path and not look back even once?

She could worry about that later, since her nephew, Megumi, was the picture perfect of a jumbled heap at the sight of his father’s demise. She saw Mai from the corner of her eye, but now she didn’t bother to tear her sight away from her. It’s clear what is it that they had to do later on.

All in all, it warped back to the same thing that destroyed many before and will keep it up: pride. There was no place for such thing in Jujutsu world, as it’s capable of birthing powerful Curses with no issue, and there’s no disputing that it was a negative thing to have in excess. Sure, a lot in the room, Gojo included, held some semblance of pride in themselves and their capabilities, but it had nothing to do with their true life objective.

Then, an image of a woman with short, messy black hair happily holding a baby flashes in his mind.

Megumi felt like he was hit by a ton of bricks, his mouth hanging open. It’s not rocket science at all who that person was onscreen. He might not have identified his own father without it being outright spelled out for him, but that woman was different. And without realizing it, a strange sense of warmth welled in his chest. His friends similarly noticed, and they tried to lighten up the mood.

“That’s...” Yuji was going to ask but...

“Yes. My mother” Megumi cut him off

“Whoah” Nobara felt a smile creep into her face “No wonder. You do take after her”.

Maki and Mai hummed in agreement, “I bet you really were lucky” The bespectacled one remarked.

Megumi sadly chuckled, “I... guess so”. He suddenly felt something in one of his eyes, and tried to make sure, but found they were tears. Why? It’s been forever since he last cried, probably back in elementary school or something.

He might’ve had zero memory of her, but he would lie if he weren’t immensely thankful right now to her.

“I thought you had chosen to live without respecting yourself or anyone else”.

“Tch. Maybe you could’ve spared your kids all that bullshit if you did dovetail outta there. Revenge wasn’t even in the cards at that moment.” Gojo was beating himself up internally over being exposed to Toji’s full thought process in his last moment. He didn’t think it was this... painful.

Gojo floats down to the ground, and asks Toji. “Any last words?”

Megumi’s glance was on his teacher. But this time, he tried his best to abate his volatile emotional state, and just assess the situation from an objective point of view. Because like, it’s not that Toji didn’t deserve it. He almost punched himself for forgetting the whole debacle with Riko Amanai and her maid. So he had nothing to contribute to the upcoming conversation aside of useless self-pity. And he didn’t even remember this man, so why is it tearing him from the inside out in the first place?!

Toji, bleeding from his mouth, smiles. “Nah”. But a certain black-haired little boy appears on the foreground of his memory, and his eyes widen.

Many were taken aback, but nowhere near the level of the young Fushiguro himself, who already had trouble sorting out his crisis. He should’ve figured out there was more to his father’s story with himself than is apparent back when he did recall his name.

Maybe he was his “blessing” for a reason.

“Two or three years from now, my kid will be sold off to the Zenin clan. Do what you will with that”.

... “Huh?” Yuji and Nobara simultaneously voiced out.                                                                                        

“Wait, did Toji just... entrust Megumi to him?” Yuta seconded that.

“I bet he’s the one that decided on that Zenin deal” Maki said it as if it were a fact, not an inquiry.

“I-Is that true, Sensei?” After what seemed to be an eternity, these were the first words Megumi aimed at Gojo.

The white-haired man just gingerly nodded, “Yes, Megumi”. The dark-haired boy was at loss for words, things taking on a whole new form.

 “Look, I had no idea what a total menace your old man was in his daily life and relationships. And to be frank, I could just throw that plea right at his face and leave you on your own devices to the Zenin.” He shook his head, “But you have to know. He wouldn't say that out of the blue... if you weren't his only anchor. I didn't even need my Six Eyes to ascertain that".

Megumi fell to his seat at his answer, his mind still digesting everything and making some semblance of sense out of it. But that was fruitless. It was all too clear and straightforward.

And like that, he breathes his last breath, still standing.

Many in the theatre room didn’t celebrate or feel any relief, despite everything. Even his greatest grudgeholders, Yuji and Yuta, just turned their heads down and closed their eyes solemnly, like everyone else. In fact, Yuji was trying to prevent more tears from leaking out, not just from the shocking tragedy of Toji, but more importantly, how his own friend is handling the situation.

Megumi sensed the room around him spin. Not hard to figure out why. Like he said earlier, things were now so incomprehensible, yet more believable than they ought to be.

When he brought his finger, on which a caught a teardrop, it finally settled within him. Despite the mayhem, he couldn’t find anyone to blame; his teacher for seeking revenge, unaware that his aggressor had children, his father for having no sense of self aside of what he could offer as a professional killer, and so damaged by his upbringing he probably doesn’t even know how to be a parent, or the Zenin clan, since their ruthless traditions led to this entire pandemonium. Yes, he now realized that, if Toji had a hand in Suguru Geto’s turn for the dark side, which resulted in the Night Parade of Hundred Demons, which resulted in that impostor showing up for unpleasant plans against them, then yes, it was their fault. Totally.

He didn’t want to care too much, but the innocent child within him didn’t want the genuine affection he was gifted with to go to waste, as insufficient as it was. Clasping his hands together, he tried to think of some sort of gratitude.

“Whatever..."

The sun has already set, and Geto is seen, fully healed, finding the Inventory Curse that belonged to Toji crawling to him, bleeding due to losing a good chunk of its body, and sqeaking at Geto to hug him, calling him mommy.

“Oh, it's Geto” Panda said in a rather exhausted, dismotivated tone, mirroring the audience’s current mood.

“He already came to me back then” Shoko confessed.

“Must be how he got his hands on the Inventory Curse” Yuta notes, clearly saddened at seeing the wounded Curse.

When the Curse called out to Geto, the audience’s stomachs dropped even further. From what they gathered, it was probably Toji’s only companion aside of his handler, and he seems to have cared for it despite its status. And despite being a Cursed Spirit, a few did lament its miserable state.

When nighttime came, Geto has already found the Star Religious Group headquarters and headed inside to find Gojo and Riko. When he opened the steel door, he was greeted with an odd sight...

Namely, dozens of cultists clapping happily. From between them, emerges Gojo, carrying Riko’s cloth-covered corpse.

It seems as if the rage viewers had towards Toji eventually went with his death, but it was pumped up full force by the sight. Many glared ferociously at the Star Religious Group members being so merry after all that transpired because of their demented beliefs, and for paying extra last disrespects to poor Riko. In fact, Maki was that close to firing her spear at the screen.

Yuji was cognizant that despite Toji’s role in everything unraveling, he was merely hired and paid for it. Riko and Kuroi would probably still be alive and safe if it weren’t for them. besides, their celebration of Riko's death striked a painful chord to poor Yuji, increasing his distaste of them.

Though he and everyone else should certainly worry about them much later in favor of Gojo, who looked truly shattered.

“You’re late, Suguru... No, I guess you got here fast. There are several Star Religious Group facilities in the city, after all”. When Gojo approaches him, Geto looks at his face and is blown away by the beatific, yet eerie expression on him, especially on his eyes.

“... Satoru? Is that you? What happened?”

The students looked on dejectedly. They all were worried for their teacher’s mindset when they were glimpsed upon him as a teenager, and were admittedly happy for a chance to see it corrected, but this...

“...Sensei”.

If witnessing him vanquished so savagely was too far-fetched, then seeing him not just sad, but so crushed so as to be an empty shell, was a close second.

“I see you already saw Shoko” Gojo softly states.

 “Yeah, she healed me. I’m fine now”. After a beat, he grimly admits “No, me being safe doesn’t help with anything at all”.

Gojo and Ieri were now completely worn out from the clusterfuck, so much that they’re unable to wrap their heads about the fact that it’s been only an hour since the confrontation against Toji was aired to them. In particular, Ieri still recalls Geto’s appearance when he met her after the Star Plasma Vessel mission went south. She already sensed darkness emanating from the boy back then, and a part of her already knew where this was heading. So yes, she did contribute to his descent to total mayhem by deliberately ignoring that gut feeling.

“I screwed up. You’re not at fault here” Gojo says. Geto suggests that they head back now. Suddenly, the white-haired Limitless user blindsides him with a question:

After everything, Gojo flatly admitting having failed lost its novelty factor within his students. They have finally now accepted that a superman, he wasn't. And that image couldn't be further from the bitter truth presented to them.

“Suguru, should we kill these guys?” he emotionlessly proposes, surrounded by festive Star Religious Group members. “The way I feel right now... I doubt I’d feel anything about it”.

The words caused gasps to reverberate across the room. While from shock, it’s also due the question evoking the exact same sentiment that’s been echoing through everyone’s heads after all’s said and done.

Gojo, when sighted upon that moment again, was internally thankful at having not went through it. Because were that to happen, he would have taken a page out of Geto’s eventual fall into the deep end that resulted in that village massacre.

While yes, no one really has the heart to go through effectuating the threat in a similar hypothetical, even the most cutthroat members like Megumi and Maki, sometimes, they can’t help but reconceptualize the ideals hammered into their very being and identity as Jujutsu sorcerers.

But Geto’s answer is even more surprising, considering everything “No. There’s no point in it. It looks like there are only common believers here. The masterminds who know about our world probably fled already. And unlike with the bounty, they won’t be able to talk their way out of this. The organization has problems, it will be dissolved soon after”.

Geto’s rebuttal led to a new wave of surprise, but also morbid amusement due to its sheer irony. The Suguru Geto that most students did actually interact with and confront was like a different beast altogether in that regard, to the point that, the body snatching he did suffer aside, the Curse User Geto did actually sound like someone else possessed the adolescent Jujutsu Sorcerer Geto.

“No point, huh?” Gojo hums, with him and Riko on a dark corridor compared to Geto being in a lit room. “Does there really need to be any point to it?”

“... Point” Yuji breathed out. “Of course there has to! It just doesn’t compute!” He couldn’t help but internally lash out at Past Gojo for not getting it, especially since he’s such an experienced and gifted Jujutsu Sorcerer even younger than Yuji ever was. Or maybe...

“You didn’t need to find the devil in the details, since it was all presented to you so simply, and you conquered all and every curriculum with ease” Megumi deduced, continuing in about Yuji’s realization.

“Did it literally take this mission for you to finally get it through your head, Gojo?” Ieri asked Gojo in her usual laid-back manner while nudging him, but there was an undertone of bitterness in her question. Of course, that it’s until Geto’s resolve and ideals were ruined that Gojo actually realized his own was just so rich.

Gojo chuckled softly, shaking his head “You’ve no idea”.

The same conclusion finally sank in inside of everyone. Now, the young students, and especially the Second Years, have gotten an idea about the source behind the former Strongest Duo’s conflict.

 But most importantly, they all had a feeling this would probably set the stage for their own upcoming ideological conflicts.

The question clearly affected the Cursed Manipulator, not helped by the sound of the cultists applauding Riko’s death. Despite this, he clenches his hand, and finally weighs in.

“It’s very important that there is, especially for a Jujutsu sorcerer”.

As he says it however, darkness slowly consumes him.

Many Jujutsu sorcerers sighed, their eyes closing in agreement, but also disappointment. Because if he grasped it, why did everything end like that?

However, a few perceptive others, like Megumi and Todo flashed back to Geto’s monologue early into the past viewing’s beginning. Unlike their peers, they that maybe, Riko’s death wasn’t all to the situation at hand.

END

Chapter Text

It was a while before most viewers could fully finish processing the new information provided to them the last few hours.

To say the last two visions were a double serving of clusterfuck would be a gross understatement. Why, when those moments were probably the only times they were genuinely shocked at the outcomes (barring Sukuna’s intervals, and even then, he grew on them after a while... kinda. Naturally, this made his conspicuous absence this time more noteworthy)?!

Seriously, who would’ve ever thought Suguru Geto was a disciplined, righteous person who cared about humanity?

That Gojo once got ragdolled so savagely?

That Megumi’s father was a Jujutsu-less mercenary whose presence flipped everything upside down?

That he was ultimately killed by Gojo in the end?

That he considered his son (whose gender he couldn’t even remember) a blessing and was the factor in Gojo picking him up and training him as a sorcerer?

That the Star Plasma Vessel’s story was left to be forgotten?

So much stuff shone a new light on many aspects of the teachers’ (and even Geto’s) lives, and left the students with a new impression on them and how those events formed their current attitudes and worldviews

Megumi barely recovered from the events of the last viewing, trying to hold himself together. When Gojo looked torn on whether to approach him or give him space, he gestured at the man that they will deal with that later. The latter reluctantly obliged.

*Growl*

Speaking of which, Gojo tried his best to distract himself from... well, everything he was feeling right now. And upon hearing his stomach rumbling, decided it was time for some fulfillment.

“Heya kids!” He addressed the teens, who turned to him at break-neck pace “It’s been a while since you tasted anything. Mind if I bring you something?”

His students, touched at his request, and realized that they didn’t as much even imbibe water since things began picking up, turned to each other, before Nobara replied “No need, Sensei, we’ll get some by ourselves”. And get it they did.

Stretching his arms roughly, Yuji asked aloud “Hey, don’t you guys want to take a break before the next one?”

“According to the earlier notification, the past vision would be roughly 100 minutes” Answered Nanami, “and as of now, it’s only been an hour and a half, in other words, 80 minutes”.

“So you propose that we finish the next one and then call it a day?” Yuta suggested.

“More or less.”

“And besides, we still didn’t see how what came of Geto” Maki reminded everyone.

Gojo quietly squeezed out, “... Right”. He was not terribly looking forward to that.

“Look, the screen’s starting up!” Pointed Panda, as the viewing resumed.

The screen shows that a year has passed since the Star Plasma Vessel incident. It’s now 2007.

“A timeskip?” Most teens raised their eyebrows. It was the first time this happened in the theatre.

Shoko and Geto throw a pen and an eraser respectively at Gojo at the same time. The Six Eyes user catches both of them with Infinity, but the eraser falls off. He grabs it and muses on how his power activated automatically, to Shoko’s confusion. Geto notices this and asks Gojo about it, which he confirms, while explaining that he now trained his Technique to stop the projectile on its own depending on its speed, mass and shape. He also reveals he’s now training it to discern poison, which is proving rather difficult. All of this will allow him to keep Limitless constantly active with little effort.

“I get it now! All those times, Gojo-sensei was forced to activated Infinity by himself!” Yuji exclaimed. “So doing that nonstop must have taken a toll on him.”

The students were genuinely stunned by Yuji’s deduction, not having seen it at all coming since they’re the ones that wanted to say it.

“Excellent, Itadori-kun!” Gojo joyfully clapped and nodded at the answer.

“That’s amazing, brother! Seems Fushiguro’s threat is keeping you on your toes” Todo complimented. Yuji instantly grimaced at the reminder, but his displeasure was short-lived as he felt the dark-haired boy sneaking glares at him. Yuji just huffed in annoyance.

When Shoko warns him that such action will fry his brain, he assures her that’s what Reverse Cursed Technqiue is there for, running nonstop to refresh his brain all the time.

“Yeah but, aren’t there drawbacks to using too much Reverse Cursed Technique too?” Yuji also questioned.

“Nope, like I said earlier, Positive Energy has none of that baggage. Plus Gojo can just get rid of the excess”

Having figured out how to cut back on the hand sighs, he admits he’s now learning to use multiple Reds and Blues at the same time, leaving only his Domain and teleportation techniques that need further work.

“Is this when he finally started looking inwards and taking his calling as The Strongest seriously?” Yuta wonders, holding his chin pensively.

But as Gojo discusses his progess further with Shoko, Geto is not really all that focused, looking rather unwell.

Geto’s poor state unsettled the viewers, now this time especially the adults. Gojo was dispirited rather quickly at the sight, his body language becoming nearly the same as Geto’s at the moment.

He reveals Satoru has truly become the Strongest, to the point he can handle missions on his own. With Shoko not really being involved in dangerous tasks, he also decided to take on more solo missions as well.

“Suguru, have you lost some weight? Are you okay?” He hears Gojo calling out to him in concern.

It seems that this time, Gojo would be forced to confront something much worse. In hindsight, everything with Riko wasn’t even his biggest failure. As much as he was tempted to lay the whole blame on himself for his arrogance, he knew on a certain level that it wouldn’t have ended any differently due to his then-current power, and there were things out of his control, like Toji and (as he found out) Riko’s decision to refuse assimilating. But what was his excuse when it came to Geto?

They might’ve drifted apart slightly ever since, but was Gojo so fixated on breaking his limits to prevent another disaster like that from happening that he tuned out everything else, including his friend’s deteriorating mental state? Did he even truly awaken Six Eyes and attain enlightenment if he couldn’t even notice Geto’s decreasing cheer?

“It’s just the summer heat getting to me, not much of a problem” he unconvincingly replies, leading Gojo to believe he had too much unhealthy food.

A few students were tempted to bluntly chastise Gojo for how ignorant he was to Geto’s turmoil, but seeing his exhausted, dull cyan eyes pierced on the screen made them relent.

Shoko was in the same boat as her former schoolfriend. When it came down to this, Geto abandoning them was so predictable it wasn’t even funny, so she was just as big of an idiot as Gojo for dismissing it.

...

“It was a busy summer. Last year’s frequent disasters probably had to do with it. Curses were constantly spawning like maggots” Geto’s ominous voiceover reverberated. A montage of him going on missions, hunting Curses and absorbing them, all while surrounded by oblivious humans, is played.

“An endless cycle of exorcism and consumption

Exorcize

Consume

“They’re the exact same words he said earlier!” Nobara remarked.

“Yeah!” Yuji nods, clearly rattled alongside Megumi.

“Was the opening scene from before some sort of flash forward, with the Star Plasma Vessel events showing how he got here or something?” Panda asked.

“Salmon” uttered Inumaki. You could say that.

“Doesn’t stop the words from feeling so blood-curdling even for a second time, though” Miwa says.

It’s a taste that nobody knows. The taste of a Curse. Like swallowing a rag used to clean vomit and shit.

Exorcize

Consume

But... for whom?

Geto’s query couldn’t help but pull in the young Jujutsu sorcerers, but most especially Yuji, who’s left feeling strange upon hearing it. They didn’t like to think too hard about it, but when offered the chance, most didn’t really take. But then, that left them feeling rather worse.

Geto is shown taking a shower in Jujutsu High.

The bleak atmosphere is kind of ruined, with some viewers trying their best not to look at Geto in the nude. Though in the case of Nobara and Mai, it was for lack of trying, much to their dismay. All that time they snorted at their classmates’ (namely Yuji, Panda, Inumaki, Todo and Miwa) hormonal decisions, they were no better themselves.

Ever since that day, it’s been running through my head. What I saw was nothing out of the ordinary. That evil was known to everyone

I knew that very well... which is why I chose to become a Jujutsu sorcerer.”

“Don’t falter...

Follow through with your duty as a Jujutsu sorcerer”

Everybody related all-too much to Geto during the monologue on a profound level. There was no way of knowing just how harsh the job actually became for the Curse Manipulator down the line, since Gojo went through the same thing and came out as a better person by comparison. It’s presumptuous, since not everyone processes bad experiences the same way, but there’s something to be said about just how unsettlingly quick Geto degenerated to this state. If this took place a year after Amanai's death, then at any moment, the man would definitely run past the point of no return.

His thoughts are intermixed with memories of the Star Religious Group cultists clapping at Amanai’s corpse. The claps get louder and louder, interspersed with the sound of hot water running. Geto’s countenance gets creepier by the second the more he thinks of that day.

“Fucking monkeys...”

Most violently shuddered, especially his once best friends and opponents.

Meanwhile, Yu Haibara is walking down a hallway, when he stops by the changing room and finds Geto there, and gleefully greets him, to which Geto weakly responds.

Nanami is disturbed at having to see Haibara again. Sadness, as well visions of happier times, crossed over his thoughts, and he couldn’t help but exhale wearily, last thing he needed was to mope around like a certain Special Grade Sorcerer he’s stuck with at the moment.

Seriously, it was twelve years ago, shouldn’t he have put a sock in it all those years? That is, unless he let that issue fester further, which was on him.

Out of a sudden, he felt something cold and wet bump on his head, and he turned to his left to see Gojo offering him a serving of iced coffee, with Shoko joined at him from behind, implying it was her that gave it. From what seemed, they were also rather down at seeing Haibara, so they tried their best to do something, anything.

A lot of students didn’t feel exceptionally well about this, and the reason told itself. If Haibara was an old friend of Nanami, and by extension Gojo and Shoko, where is he now?

They were in no mood to dwell on it, though. Enough brutal, pointless deaths were enough.

Haibara praises him for his phenomenal work. When Geto asks if he wants something to drink, the brunette underclassman at first resists, but quickly relents and demands a cola.

“Seems like a pretty bright fellow, especially considering the circumstances” Yuta assented.

Nanami nods, going with the flow “he didn’t li—experience much to let it drag him down.”

“Haibara was the kind of guy to treat the whole thing like a video game came true so as to get by” Shoko described, propping her hand up her face on the armrest.

“Was”

Yeah, it was as clear as the sun.

The two sit together and chat. Haibara mentions he’s leaving for a mission far away from here tomorrow, so Geto tells him to bring some souvenirs, which Haibara obliges. The latter asks if he likes snacks sweet or salty, and the visibly exhausted, depressed Geto chooses the sweet stuff, knowing how much Gojo adores it.

The mere mention of that mission put a damp on his former classmates’ mood. Since Geto was one of the last people he talked with before he went... maybe it played a part in his instability.

Nah, it definitely played a part.

After a brief pause, Geto suddenly questions if Haibara can keep going further as a Jujutsu sorcerer. In response, Haibara clasps his fingers together underneath his chin and admits that he’s not really one to think about most things too deeply. However, he ultimately concludes that giving his all in something he’s accomplished in, in this case, Jujutsu sorcery, is what drives him forward and gives him a good feeling.

“Hehehe, he really did treat the whole thing like a game!” Nobara chortled.

“Maki-san wasn’t wrong, he does remind me of Itadori-kun” Yuta commented.

“Hey! I’m not that divorced from reality!” Yuji angrily defended himself.

“Truly the embodiment of ignorance being bliss” Todo evokes. The adults’ lips thinned, that simile was all too correct.

The answer surprised Geto, and admittedly stirred him in a way. A closeup of him showcases visible eyebags underneath his eyes.

“He looks like shit” Mai bluntly said. Soon she felt a foot on her knee, courtesy of an offended Miwa.

“Don’t get so cocky, you’re gonna reach that point soon at the rate you’re going at, Zenin” Gojo darkly warned the girl from behind. To say he’s not going to take any smart remarks about Geto well right now would be an understatement.

However, another person comes to the scene, and inquires about Geto.

It was a tall, beautiful woman with long blond hair in jeans, who asks the Curse Manipulator what type of woman he’s into.

A flat, humorous silence descended on the room. That appearance, that damn question...

“O-Oi...” but before Yuji (and Nobara, Maki and Momo for that matter) could voice his thoughts, he was beaten to the curb by his best friend in middle school^TMS

“TSUKUMO-SENSEI!” Todo rose from his seat and yelled, excitement taking ahold of him.

The sight hit them like a whiplash, but not as much as hearing her name.

“Holy shit, is that her!? Your teacher?” Momo whooped. Todo excitedly nodded, leaving his classmates rather awed. But nowhere near the level of Yuji, who started feeling... things at seeing Yuki for the first time.

Upon glancing back forth between Todo, Yuji and Yuki on-screen, Kamo looks like he got hit with an epiphany “Explains freaking everything.”

“His type, huh? You didn’t need to tell us, it was all too oblivious so as to be unfunny” Panda quipped.

“Hold on... Tsukumo?! You can’t possibly mean to refer to Yuki Tsukumo, the Special Grade Sorcerer?!” Megumi exclaimed.

“The very same” The adults, and Kyoto students, alongside Todo, all replied.

“W-Wow” Yuji is... dazzled, so to say. No points for guessing why, “She really—”

“—Looks like Jennifer Lawrence?” Nobara and Megumi continued after Yuji, in a deadpan tone. “Yeah, could’ve fooled me” snarked the Straw Doll girl.

“Tall with a big butt, and blonde” Mechamaru mused, taking in her features “She must’ve given you that persuation, I assume?” He prodded Todo.

“Like you wouldn’t believe!” The brawny sorcerer proudly declares.

“Oh dear, Itadori is heads-over-heels right now” Shoko playfully pointed out Yuji’s dazed reaction at seeing Yuki. Gojo got all interested so suddenly, a nice reprieve from being exposed to Geto.

“Mochi” Said Inumaki. Lovesick as hell.

“I-I’m not! Not at all!” the pink-haired lovesick bundle badly denied.

“Nice try, brother, I still remember when you struggled not to ask Tsukumo-sensei for her phone number when I took you to meet her during summer break” Todo teased Yuji while patting him in the back. The two boys’ respective classmates groaned at the continuing delusion.

“Yeah~” Shockingly, Yuji actually went along with Todo’s fantasies in bliss, to his friends and Kyoto students’ audible horror.

“AW HELL NAW!” Nobara brought Yuji to her and frantically shook him, “Reality to ITADORI!!”

“Hurry up before he gets sucked in the Instrumentality!” Panda, Miwa and Momo all shouted. Megumi was more creeped out than anything, alongside Maki, Inumaki and Kamo. Seriously, what was that ability?

Trying to dissipate the carefree climate the students have made, Nanami raised his concern “But more importantly, has Tsukumo actually conversed with Geto that time?”. That was enough to pull the focus back to the matter at hand.

Geto is stumped, but Haibara immediately replies that his type is a girl that eats a lot, much the former’s consternation. Haibara reassures him that it’s fine since that woman is not a bad person, claiming to be a great judge of character. Geto wryly snarks about Haibara saying that while sitting next to him, but his junior cheerfully affirms it.

“Great judge of character? Really? How the hell this guy even make it ou—?” Mai was about to opine in incredulity, but got interrupted by Momo and Miwa hissing at her “MAI!!”. She turned to them in confusion, but when they pointed to the Tokyo students’ glares transfixed on her, and Maki even pointing her eyes at Nanami, Gojo and Shoko for emphasis, the gun wielder gets the hint and wisely keeps silent.

“OOOOH” Most youngsters winced in unison at Geto’s sardonic statement. This made Gojo just sulk even worse, which now began to get on Shoko and Nanami’s nerves. The latter even becoming briefly tempted to splash the iced coffee on Gojo and shout at him to hold it together.

The exchange amuses the woman, Yuki Tsukumo, who tells Haibara that Geto was being sarcastic. Shortly after, Haibara excuses himself from the room to let Yuki and Geto talk. When she inquires about him and expresses fondness for his outspoken attitude, Geto is more disapproving, thinking Haibara should be more suspicious of others as a sorcerer.

Yuji barely calmed down from his “butterflies” thanks to Nobara’s efforts, and managed to make it back to reality (Thank God!) against Todo’s wishes. Still, that lady was out of this entire world, as if every scene featuring her is playing in slow motion.

 Suddenly, he felt stares poking holes through his soul. He looked around and saw exactly that.

“W-What?” he squawked, feeling rather threatened.

“Look, you might not be that naive, but there’s no telling what’ll happen if an enemy got the drop on you by acting innocent, or even using someone against you” Megumi explained, sighing. “That lesson should apply to you better”. He was clearly referring to Yuji’s earlier haze regarding Yuki.

“S-Shut up! I’m not gonna let that happen!” he quickly countered.

When Yuki reiterates her question about Geto’s type, Geto fires back with the more important question about her identity. She introduces herself, and reveals her status as a Special Grade Sorcerer.

Geto soon recognizes her, shocked at finally meeting her in the flesh, much to Yuki’s delight. She merrily asks him what others say about her, and he bluntly responds by bringing up her refusal to take any missions, and her laziness for spending time abroad. Poor Yuki progressively deflates from his unflattering assessments of her personality, leading her to childishly pout and whine about not liking Jujutsu High, much to Geto’s incredulity.

The viewers looked displeased. Just great, yet ANOTHER immature Special Grade Sorcerer!

 “Does that mean she never goes on any missions?” Megumi asked sharply.

“She’s... a unique individual” Todo offered his reply. “she claims to chase after a goal she never told me much about aside of vague locutions.” But remembering this suddenly plants seeds of unease, not just within him but also within Geto’s former friends in the room, who know that she was one of the last people he met before he went downhill from there.

“I met her once after the Night Parade of a Hundred Demons. A really carefree spirit, like Todo-senpai said” Yuta goes on, “She never said it outright, but some of the things she told me made me think she was more involved in the matter than it was apparent”.

“Do you have any idea about her Technique?” Asked Maki.

“Not really, though she was accompanied by a strange Shikigami back then, unlike here onscreen. Not to mention, there was something about her aura I couldn’t really get behind compared to others...”

Something about the last sentence Yuta articulated made some minds work overdrive in suspicion.

However, she claims to be just joking. She clarifies that she has issues with Jujutsu world’s policies due to believing that they’re merely dealing with symptoms of a much greater-reaching problem, when she wants to treat the cause, which has Geto rather interested.

“I want to create a world where Cursed Spirits aren’t born”. The response hits Geto like a tons of bricks.

And it did the same for everyone hearing in the auditorium. Most had their jaws drop, confounded at the sheer resemblance her ambition has to the original Geto’s endgame goal. They put the two and two and figured out what went down.

Needless to say, Gojo soon felt excactly the same as Megumi when the latter met his father onscreen and was exposed to his worse excesses. He... was not about to like this. Like, at all. “Tch. Couldn’t you’ve just chosen a different time to barge in?!”

Yuki goes on to explain her point. She asks Geto about the nature of Cursed Spirits, and he replies that they’re creatures born from negative Cursed Energy unwittingly leaked by humans to a huge degree. Yuki then reveals that in this case, there are two possible ways to remove Cursed Spirits permenently: 1. Eliminate Cursed Energy from humans, 2. Make all humans capable of controlling their Energy. She elaborates on her first option, to remove energy entirely, by bringing up the curious case of Toji Fushiguro, or Zenin, as he’s known, which startles Geto.

Yuki’s solutions brought out to the open caused lots of mixed feelings within the viewers, but none as Gojo, obviously. Despite his previous fondness of her, he’s now kinda starting to lose all respect for her for coming to Geto at the absolute fucking worst time. He was having a hard time getting a grip on his energy.

“Are those two options even possible to effectuate? I know Suguru Geto wanted to eliminate humans to prevent more Curses from spawning, but would it have worked?” Maki vocally questions.

“Yes, and no.” Was Nanami’s reply.

“How come?”

“While on paper it’s not a bad idea in itself, the implementation would’ve caused more problems than it would have solved. The influx of Curses birthed from the process could make it near impossible for the results to become clear

“And don’t forget” Utahime added, “Only a select few people in this country can use Cursed Energy, so this plan should account for the rest of the world who don’t have it. There are cases, but they’re far and few between”.

Utahime’s last statement reminded Gojo and the second years of Miguel, the foreign sorcerer under Geto’s employ. They didn’t think much of it when they met him, but they really, really ought to look twice with this new piece of information in tow. Yuta learnt that the Angolan sorcerer managed to access his Technique in a way unlike theirs owing to drastically different cultural totems, but there was no mistaking it was indeed powered by Cursed Energy.

“It could have had a 68% chance of passing the trial test” Todo clarifies, “but in actuality, it could be higher or lower depending on the levels of Curses spawned compared to the power awakened by humans”.

She says that Toji was an incredibly rare case of someone whose Cursed Energy count is absolute zero, but still enabled him to perceive Curses using his enhanced senses, giving him resistance against them, which alongside his crazy high stats, made him superhuman. She assures Geto not to take his loss against him hard because of that. Yuki also confesses that she wanted to study him, even though he declined, so she laments losing the only link that favors her first option, due to the dearth of people with Heavenly Restriction. This leads her to move towards option two.

“Absolute zero” Mechamaru seconded. That was disquieting on its own, since Maki Zenin, the only one with Heavenly Restriction of that type, was... not an empty flask. Maki could feel the air around her get heavier, but couldn’t pinpoint the reason why, despite it being presented to her point-blank.

Mai just pretended Maki wasn’t there at all.

“If he truly had none” Megumi heaved, utterly astonished. “... When was the last time a case like this manifested?”

It wasn’t a question aimed at anyone in particular, despite seeming like the opposite. Didn’t stop Nanami from reflexively answering in place of the slowly derealizing Gojo, pulling his glasses back “Tsukumo’s right. Toji was a one-in-a-ten-thousand case. In the same way Limitless and Six Eyes were only found in one person once half a millennium”.

Everyone went quiet. This information cast a new light on the battle Gojo had against Toji.

She drops a notable bombshell, though. “Did you know that Cursed Spirits aren’t born from sorcerers?”.

A few viewers blinked, but not the expected reasons “Huh? None of you were informed about this?” Nobara confusedly pressed the adults. Not all of them met her eyes.

Unlike back then, Gojo made sure to inform his students point-blank about this one issue, and might’ve not-so-secretly inspired Utahime to do the same.

“In a roundabout way, you could say” answered Yaga. “Most had to figure it out their own”.

“—We weren’t informed because it kept the cycle going” Gojo butted in, with a cold, hard truth.

“Cycle?”

“WHAT?!”

“... All I can say is, it’s a huge pain to deal with the ones pulling the strings in this show. But you have no choice if we want to induce anything resembling change” he replied cryptically, but with enough context to let them knoew what they’re dealing with.

The statement rattles Geto. “Excluding cases where they turn to Curses after their death, Jujutsu sorceres leak very little Cursed Energy compared to non-sorcerers. There’s some variance based on the sorcerer’s capacity, and the amount of Cursed energy their Technique expands. But the main reason is their flow, as sorcerers are capable of circulating energy around their bodies well enough. So to put in rough terms, if all of mankind were Jujutsu sorcerers, Cursed Spirits wouldn’t be born”.

As Geto thinks through her explanation, he suddenly proposes “Then you could solve it simply by killing all non-sorcerers”.

A sudden chill overtook the room, the worst concentration being found surrounding a certain Limitless wielder.

No one wanted to comment, or even could, since the uptick of Cursed Energy being enough to paralyze them in place.

Gojo didn’t say a single word. The worst part is that he looked relaxed, but also close to blasting something to smithereens with Infinity if he were blinked at the wrong way.

“How did your mind suddenly jump to that?!” On one hand, Yuki unintentionally put the idea in his head, on the other, it was Suguru that weaved it to fit his current mindset. Right now, he was conflicted on who to blame, and the vortex of confused emotions caused him to lose grip on himself and his Energy.

“Hey Todo?” Momo suddenly said, trying her best against the stifling atmosphere.

“Yeah?”

“Not trying to be mean, but, that mentor of yours is the very definition of the friend who gives you the worst advice at the absolute worst time” she lambasted.

Todo couldn’t, no, wouldn’t even refute that, despite how hard the words hit him metaphorically upside down. Furrowing his brows, he just sighed and gave his brutally frank assessment “Well... in all honesty, she wasn’t one to think ahead most stuff”.

“Not one to think ahead? At this rate, she could have been easily accessory to genocide!” Yuta hissed.

"But Geto was the one who came up with the killing-all-sorcerers idea in the first place. That it was his conclusion says more about him than it does for Tsukumo" Maki objects.

Of course, upon revisiting the scene, there was an undeniable slippery slope rooted in that proposal. Sure, Yuki gave him the building blocks, but he's the one that built a WMD out of them. 

The teen was silent, and when Yuki addresses him,  he expresses visible distress over the notion. She solemnly concludes it’s probably the easiest way to achieve it. Namely, by culling non-sorcerers and force them to adapt into sorcerers as a survival mechanism. By weaponizing danger and fear, they can evolve into sorcerers just like how birds evolved to have wings. However, she admits to not really wanting to go through this solution.

As the explanation went on, very few could appreciate what Yuki suggested, since the pressure a few inches away from them didn’t allow for that luxury. And hell, if there wasn’t, they weren’t about to give her the time of the day since it was all too evident where Geto got those ideas from. Like Nishimiya commented, being at the wrong place at the wrong time was the only way to describe this situation. Which wouldn’t be so bad if it didn’t have horrible ramifications down the line...

“H-Hey, Gojo, cool it off!” Shoko and Nanami whispered at the snow-haired ball of nuclear rage nearby. He could barely hear them, in fact, nothing made sense anymore to him at this moment.

As it begins to rain, Yuki asks Geto, “Geto-kun, do you hate non-sorcerers?”.

Geto parts his lips in uncertainty, “I don’t know. I always thought Jujutsu sorcery exists to protect non-sorcerers. But lately, the value of non-sorcerers has been wavering in my mind. The admirability of the weak, and the ugliness of the weak... I find myself struggle to discern the difference and accept those things. There’s a part of me that has come to despise non-sorcerers, and a part of me that wants to reject that part too. My vision for what lies at the end of the marathon game of being a Jujutsu sorcerer is so vague now that I can’t tell which represents how I truly feel”.

Quite a few viewers sighed, that... wasn’t a ridiculous conclusion, so to say.

One way to deal with that knowledge is to throw oneself into training and treat everything like a game, just like Yu Haibara allegedly did.

Yuji didn’t feel all that well, being confronted with something that will have repercussions on his morale down the line if he didn’t deal with it. But why? It’s not like he’ll live long enough to feel that anyway. Why was he getting all up in the arms for nothing all over again? Didn’t he learn a single thing from Riko Amanai’s debacle??

But... His friends...

When he looked at everybody, they... didn’t seem all that shaken, contrary to what he thought.

Maybe they didn’t bother to examine the bigger picture because Gojo’s influence and map for this generation was deemed enough of a satisfactory solution to the situation they had. Yet, he had a feeling this didn’t have much to do with the Jujutsu world, but rather with something much more insidious.

....

“Neither one is how you truly feel.” Was her cryptic reply. She furthermore adds “You’re not at that stage yet” and then points to the exit door “This part of you despising non-sorcerers” and to the hallway “and this part of you rejecting that... are both possibilities that you’re just considering. It’s up to you to choose which part becomes your true feelings from here on out.”

After they’re done conversing, Yuki decides to leave and rides her motorbike, bidding Geto farewell, while lamenting not seeing Gojo as well. She vocally wishes for her and both of the boys to get along as fellow Special Grade Sorcerers. He promises to pass the message to him, though. However, Yuki brings up one last thing about the Star Plasma Vessel, claiming that either another one is still alive, or a new one has sprung up, reassuring him that Tengen is still stable. Upon driving away, he muses on that statement.

Shoko is seen waving a handkerchief at Gojo, trying in comical vain to curb the man’s emotional outburst.

By the time the students turn to see this, the pressure that froze them in place has somewhat dissipated, so they are not terribly amused.

“What the hell was THAT eyeless bastard?!” Megumi and Maki shouted at him.

“Jeez, sensei, what crawled up your ass all of a sudden?!” “You were nowhere near like this earlier!” so did Nobara and Yuji.

An unusually meek Gojo turned his head down to avoid facing everyone, an apologetic look on his face “S-Sorry, guys. I guess I did it again." He forcefully ran a hand through his head and turned upwards, "Dammit, this is getting out of hand. I look so pathetic now, right?"

"Yes" Megumi, Nobara, Maki, Panda and Utahime replied simultaneously. Gojo just softly laughed at their bluntness, and at him. 

“Well, hopefully you weren't planning on blaming Tsukumo this time. Otherwise all your "moral posturing" would've been lip service" Yaga stated, taking relief in his former's student's humility at the moment. It was rather comforting, not just to him, but also Nanami, Utahime, Shoko, and admittedly the students.

Gojo snorted. That Yaga brought up something he told Geto when they were teens wasn't lost on him.

Meanwhile, after she took off, Yuki remembered that she never knew Geto’s type, to her annoyance.

“... Soooo, does anyone have any idea what it was?” Miwa tried to lighten up the mood her own way. It was received... differently.

“I dunno, he didn’t seem like a relationship-oriented guy” Shoko shrugged.

“Bet it was Go—“ Nobara nearly blurted it out, but stopped herself at the last moment. It wasn’t enough to escape her Six-eyed teacher, who caught on it, but pretended he didn’t hear it.

“I guess he might’ve had an appreciation for more... exotic chicks” Gojo came up off the top of his head. When people stared at him in skepticism, he defended “Well, he had... healthy appetites like any other guy, believe it or not, or I might’ve just jumped to conclusions!”

“Last thing I needed was to learn he was a rice bunny like you” Nobara muttered in disgust.

“Hey! I don’t— actually, forget it!” he snapped and returned to his original position, embarrassment eating him out. Many kids tried to resist snapping photos of him like this.

Later, the scene cuts to what seems to be a hospital, or rather, a very familiar morgue. Nanami’s pained, throaty voice is heard yelling:

 “It was supposed to be an easy mission to exterminate a Second-Grade Curse!”, followed by a chair being thrown. “Dammit!”.

The total mood whiplash was enough to numb most viewers. They knew that place very well, and when it was shown, it never ended well. So imagine their surprise when Nanami’s voice reverberated.

“N-Nanamin?” a startled Yuji said.

Scratch that, they all knew why. After all, they vividly remember Haibara saying something about a mission...

Nanami appears slumped on a chair, a towel thrown on his face. “They believed in Ubusanagami. It was a local deity... that was a First-Grade Case!!” he croaks out.

Present-day Nanami could sense that pressure once again return, the residual distress from that moment making his body shudder out of nowhere. His grip on the coffee cup weakening, he was honestly contemplating leaving the place for now. But he put his foot down on that idea before it even formed.

The adults from Tokyo High still vividly recall that incident, not just for the obtuse loss but also for the incredibly baffling circumstances behind it.

“Hold on, was the case misdiagnosed?!” Utahime yelped in shock.

“What else could it be?” Kamo conceded, just as stunned.

An even more disheveled Geto is at the scene, he demands that Nanami should rest now, since Gojo has taken over the mission.

The reason behind the dour mood is revealed: a deceased Haibara on the table, his face injured and bloodied, with a blanket covering his mortal wound.

No one could muster up the strength to even act shocked. Many students hung their heads low, just as devastated as Nanami was onscreen.

It made sense. If he truly made it out, they would’ve known who he is and interacted with him. But unlike Riko, they didn’t want to give themselves any hope the moment they witnessed Gojo, Shoko, Yaga and especially Nanami’s reactions to seeing him.

But to say it was a huge shame... Yu Haibara was a promising figure. Kind, cheerful, relentlessly optimistic, and a shoulder for everyone around him to lean on. So was it such a fricking surprise he was reapt off next?

But on a bleaker note, it also opened the door for unwanted imagery to breath on their necks.

Seeing their end of the line, and that of each other, being some gruesome brutality subjected on their bodies. It wasn't something they liked to dwell on that much, understandably, but pushing it out of mind probably wouldn't do much good. There would come a day where such thing will be a logical conclusion, and they will end up like young Nanami and Geto at the moment.

They will probably lose anything restraining them, go against their principles, or even leave the game entirely, like Geto did.

“H-Hey, Nanamin” The blonde-haired sorcerer was jerked from his troubled pit by Yuji’s voice. He returned back to reality to find the boy looking at him gently.

Yuji was a bleeding heart for every bad event that occured in the visioning, so his flashes of empathy for something that came and went wasn’t surprising. What is surprising was the reason behind it. Tracing back to something the others said about him, about his resemblance to Haibara, the boy was left wondering if, somewhere deep down, Nanami saw Haibara in him. He wasn’t the only one to entertain that idea. Nanami’s cohorts did the same. They always suspected it based on his and Yuji’s instantly close relationship, but only until being sighted upon Haibara again that they started to take it seriously.

“I- I’m so sorry this happened to you” he murmured, downcast on Nanami’s behalf.

The blonde sorcerer was stumped for a moment, a proof of the effect Yuji’s simple words left on him.

Yes, it was because of Haibara that he tuned out exorcism and became an office worker. Sure, other stuff influenced his decision, but there was no denying Haibara was the biggest catalyst. Upon encountering Yuji, he wasn’t sure what to think of him, of all this. He didn’t want to risk reliving that day again, even though it was a total necessity this time. Kind of like Gojo and Amanai, funnily enough.

“That’s quite alright” he said after what seemed to be an eternity, “Everyone just manages”.

Nanami’s surprisingly mature, accepting reply wasn't something they expected, assuming he was just as torn up as Gojo was.

After all, it was in Nanami's best interest to just leave the issue to sort itself for now.

“Why can’t we just leave everything up to him alone at this point?” Nanami drawls. From the blood on the sheet, it’s implied Haibara was either gutted or bisected.

The state of Haibara’s corpse and the wound shown made a few youngsters and even certain adults stifle a gag, before pulling their eyes away from the screen. All except Nanami. He would never even think of forgetting that sight. It was a proof of so many things, but mostly the moment where his innocence ended.

Gojo and Ieri’s limbs quievered, Haibara’s state leaving yet another bloody mark on their psyche. The former due to Nanami’s armor-piercing conclusion, which not-coincidentally formed the entire impetus behind his current plan, but that none of that meant hearing it firsthand didn’t feel utterly painful. The latter also had quite an odd relationship with Haibara, since he clung to her the most compared to her unapproachable classmates, not helped by his frequent visits to get healed. She was lying to herself if she didn’t admit she was just waiting for the day when he’d be handed over to her without a pulse, so when it came to fruition, she didn’t muster up even the capacity to act shocked.

“The marathon game of being a Jujutsu sorcerer” As Geto recalls, blood appears on his hand, and paints the sheets in red. “If the only thing waiting at the end... is a mountain of our comrades’ corpses then...”. the blood metaphorically floods the ground, with it coming from each door in the morgue.

Everyone inside have accepted this long ago, but not all. Yuta, Yuji, Panda and Miwa automatically shuddered at Geto’s ominous conclusion, and the visual that accompanied it. They might be a powerful Special Grade sorcerer, a vessel of the strongest, most evil entity of all time, a Cursed Corpse and, by her own description, a useless dead weight sans her sword, but the implications this set for their careers were not lost on them. But still, damningly, they still refused to confront it. And they know that, which intensified their distress further.

Their more seasoned comrades stared at them, almost as if they’re waiting for them to find it within themselves to accept this inevitability.

That Sorcery was nothing to be thanked for. It was this way since the Heian era, and would remain that way til the ages fog unless Satoru dealt with it somehow. Unless the future generation found it in themselves to change it.

In a traditional-built, candlelit room, Geto then is shown taking on a new mission: find the source of a series of freak incidents occuring in a village. But unfortunately, two young girls were shown imprisoned by the locals, since they blamed them for those happenings. Geto, pressing his thumb on his forehead, concludes it’s not them. The scene is interpersed with someone, implied to be Yaga, reading a report about the case.

The adults, as well as a few Tokyo second-years, sucked in a sharp breath. Those two girls, that place...

“Them??” Yuta gasped.

“Who?!” Demanded Megumi.

“Nanako and Mimiko Hasaba, they became followers of Geto after he defected.” Answered Yaga.

“His followers? Then, does that mean...” Yuji trailed off his question. He didn’t need to say it, the fearsome atmosphere was good enough of an indication.

Gojo, despite his and his co-workers’ best attempts, was thrown into yet another depressive funk. Needless to say, he was starting to really get sick of this.

The two visibly beaten Hasaba sisters, the brown-haired Mimiko, and the auburn-haired, slightly tan Nanako, were further degraded and verbally abused by the villagers who requested Geto’s help, resolutely insisting that they’re responsible. But Geto reveals that he already found the cause of the incidents and eliminated it, stress gradually getting to him as he taps his finger on his forehead.

“Dammit, he’s not in a very good headspace right now” Kamo pointed out in worry.

“Exactly what he needs at the moment” Megumi bitterly cracked wise, extremely furious at the treatment of the girls.

“Why are they being like this?!” Yuji shouted, horror at the state of the twins marred on his features “Geto said he already found the source, didn’t he?!”

Nobara, Maki and Todo scoffed in unison, “Human paranoia, what else did you expect?” the bespectacled Zenin grimly replied. To say she has seen it all would be putting it mildly.

“But still...!”

One of the villagers speaks about her granddaughter’s endangerment, but when Nanako tries to protest, she’s yelled at harshly, “Shut up, you monsters!”

 “Your parents were just as bad!”

“I knew we should have killed you two when you were babies”

The students quaked in their seats in outrage and sorrow at the scene unfolding, some of them visibly chipping at the armrests. This wasn’t surprising, as for some of them, it was FAR from the first time they came across such folk.

This especially roused some bad memories within Yuta, increasing his sympathy towards the girls.

“W-Why...? They’re just two harmless children...” Miwa heaved, barely keeping from breaking down again.

Her seniors and juniors alike glanced disapprovingly at her.

“You just haven’t had enough missions, either you or my brother” Todo bluntly told her.

A strange, skull-like shadowy Curse tries to reassure the girls “It’s okay”, they both stare at it inquisitively despite the insults.

Many were caught off guard by the two kids' innocent facades. To think their attitudes would take a turn for worse later on...

“This part of you despising non-sorcerers, and this part of you rejecting that...” Yuki’s words echo during the scene, as Geto’s shadow, split into two apparitions, is seen.

An emotionally exhausted Gojo dragged his eyes upward to see this, wanting to burn this moment in his memory forever, a testament of how horribly he failed his best friend.

“... It’s up to you to choose which part...” .

Nanami, Shoko and Yaga shook their heads, their eyes shut in discontent. It wasn’t a matter of how, now, but a matter of when.

At witnessing the twins’ miserable state, a candle fire is blown. Geto good-naturedly requests to the villagers that they step outside for a moment.

“F-Fuck... don’t tell me he’s gonna do it...?” Fright crept to Yuji’s features as he reacted.

Nobara sighed, dragging her hand across her hair “It’s pretty much self-explanatory, right now”.

“... Becomes your true feelings from here on out.”

A fire engulfs the village. Caused by a Cursed Spirit under Geto’s control.

Shrieks of horror, panic, and excruciating pain are heard. It’s all too obvious what happened.

How to feel about this, now? Well, aside from the likes of Yuji, Yuta and Miwa’s blood freezing at the massacre, especially the screams flying around, there were their peers staring penetratingly at the scene. Not just for the total slippery slope jump Geto pulled, but for reasons regarding their own convinctions. Their sanity. Their ability to handle more.

They’d be damned if they lied that one bad day, they might just get sick of the normal folk altogether. All their grisly, hard work, the torment they went through, not just with exorcism, but also their own family lives

“Hey.”

A single, soft exclamation from Utahime was more than enough to pull attention to her.

“Ask yourself this, each one of you... what do you truly fight for?”

Her question was simple, but booming, enough to visibly unnerve the strongest students present. It wasn’t something they liked to think about, ironically kind of like Haibara himself.

Surprisingly, several of them didn’t care that deeply about humans themselves, only the barest minimum. Only Yuji, Megumi, Yuta, Panda, Inumaki, Kamo and Miwa were genuinely concerned about the populance like how Geto once was, especially Yuji.

A strange realization finally hit the rest.

Maybe one just wanted to fulfill a childhood reunion promise, and exorcism was an easy avenue to that. Maybe someone was forced into the job, regardless of their feelings on the matter. Maybe it was a path to self-acceptance. Maybe they didn't care for the underlying system at all, just wanting to fulfill a specific high. Or maybe they have too much personal problems to even care about the outside world.

Maybe they deeply cared about the system, but either found themselves just a pawn within it, or wanted to help change it. There were no other options.

All in all, there was a pattern. And for those who do care, it wasn't terribly easy to ackowledge it, much less look back on it.

“I don’t need you to find answers right now. And if you did, you don't need to disclose them.” The scarred woman asserted, looking each one of them straight in the eye.

The students fell eerily silent, now the massacre onscreen feeling less like a betrayal, and more like a consequence of caring way too much. Geto was not unlike Yuji and Megumi, oddly enough, he was too concerned, but after a while, it felt artificial without establishing meaningful connections with those he claimed to be concerned about. Or having those connections severed in heartrending ways.

Maybe Geto wasn't really in the wrong at all. I mean, sure, annihilation of humanity was going too far, but if everything said was true, maybe there was no other choice. Because villifying him would be an open acceptance of their roles as mere pawns.

As cogs in the machine, in other words.

The only way to not feel terrible about it was to just follow the other great authority in this situation. Because without him, No one would have found an answer anytime soon, and would just be the latest in the series of discarded, forgotten pieces.

Geto is shown commanding his Curses to slaughter the inhabitants and burn the place to the ground, a cold, brutal expression colors his face, enhanced by the dancing flames around him.

Honestly, who knew a mere presentation of events from a certain perspective was enough to induce five stages of grief within the Strongest Sorcerer of this era? So far, he was scared, tried to deny it, was re-traumatized, shook that off, had the game shown away, was distressed once more, and the more stuff was laundered, the more he got displeased, enough to lose grip over his emotions several times. That alone was humiliating on its own, especially when his own students managed to notice, and worse, start to pity him over it. That was a horrible start.

But Suguru’s face... that was the exact minute where it hit him.

“I can never truly smile from the bottom of my heart in this world”

When that one memory flew to the forefront of his mind, he found himself recontextualizing a lot of his interactions with Suguru. What if his moral qualms were shackles he created and collared himself with to prevent from thinking further ahead, like a Vow? What if the Geto he thought he knew was an artifice? After all, his Six Eyes didn’t fully awaken until it was too late, so maybe he didn’t know him all that well.

The report shown earlier was indeed of the village mission, which ended with the death of 112 villagers from a fire, which was revealed by Jujutsu High’s investigation to be Geto’s own doing using his Technique.

As a result, Suguru Geto is sentenced to death.

“... Who knew such a simple sentence could feel utterly cold?” A visibly dejected Shoko thought.

Gojo besides her was just plain on his last legs emotionally. The total picture was never clearer than before, and no, Six Eyes had nothing to do with it. He now saw all of it. So what’s next?

A completely flabbergasted Gojo is shown, appearing to have trouble processing the news, to put it in mild terms. “Huh?”

The adults near Gojo mentally winced. “Who knew telling him all that would get this ugly?” Shoko mentally noted down in addition.

Yaga, the one who told him, declares, clearly disappointed “Don’t make me repeat myself... Suguru killed everyone in the village and—“

“I heard you the first time!” Gojo cuts him off, “that’s why I said “Huh?”!”

“... Seems it didn’t really click” Megumi muttered.

Yaga continues, “Suguru’s home was already empty as well. But from the bloodstains and residuals, he most likely killed his parents too—”

At learning about Suguru’s parents, everyone’s eyes shot out of their skulls. From what seems, he took that plan way too seriously. But... for him to switch gears and go after them like that...!

“LIKE HELL HE DID!!” Gojo yelled in fury.

Everyone jumped out of their skin from shock at Gojo’s scream, to the point of dropping stuff they had on hand.

“... S-Sensei?!” Yuji and Yuta couldn’t believe it. OK, this was the latest in unbelievable shit going down, so they should get used to it, BUT...

Aside from his power high against Toji, and his current state, this is the first time the white-haired man looked so... enraged. It was absolutely terrifying.

“Satoru! I do n’t understand what’s going on either!” The teacher castigates.

To say Gojo is devastated by the news is an understatement, since he visibly hyperventilates, before digging his fingers so deep in his palm, it bleeds, as he clenches his teeth.

Everyone tried the best they could to calm themselves, and assess what was happening.

Seriously, what was Geto even to Gojo, if he could make him act so wildly out of place? Gojo never lost his cool like this, Riko Amanai and Toji Fushiguro aside – which is to be expected, but that was very mild compared to his overreaction at Geto’s betrayal.

Was it because he was his true equal, like they thought?

Or was it because despite everything, Geto was, ironically enough, Gojo's compass?

"It's important that there should be meaning"

Those words, and the apparent effect they had on the Six Eyes user, weren't to be taken lightly.

Meanwhile, in Shinjuku ward, Shoko is hanging out, trying to find something to light up her cigarette, when she’s offered a lighter by a certain someone.

It was Geto, of course, but his appearance is a bit different, with most of his hair down instead of all of it being held up in a bun, giving him his signature cultist persona’s aura. He casually greets her with a disarming smile, contrasting everything he’s just done.

Panda sighed sadly at the familiar portrait, “Well, here’s the Suguru Geto we all knew and love”.

“Tarako” Added Inumaki. Sure it is.

“Yeesh, how long did it even take him to make such turn?” Griped Nobara.

“Yeah, didn’t seem like a week passed since the Haibara affair” Mai noticed.

“Oh, the criminal? Need something” she casually greets back while smoking, with a hint of mockery.

“Huh, the IDGAF is off the charts with this once” Nobara remarked “I respect that”. Most were more disbelieving at her underreaction than anything.

“Kinda like you” Mai mutters, recalling her first encounter with the brown-haired girl. The latter just hmph’d, more pleased by the comparison than anything.

“Why are you so happy-go-lucky about this, Shoko!?” Utahime disbelievingly yelped, worried for her best friend.

“I knew him better than anyone else at that moment. Besides...” Shoko responds, but was interrupted by a sigh “It do... lose its novelty after a while”.

“Just testing my luck, I guess” he replies.

“Nevermind, even Geto is all too free and easy” Momo murmurs, “hardly what anyone would expect from someone that wiped out a village a few hours ago”.

“Call me crazy, but... for the first time since we laid our eyes on him, he’s actually genuinely relaxed” Mechamaru noted.

Shoko is surprisingly laid-back about the whole thing as she lightly chuckles “I’ll just go ahead and ask, is there any chance those charges are false?”

“Nope, unfortunately not”

“I’ll ask further, why though?” she presses.

“I’m going to create a world of only Jujutsu sorcerers”. The answer makes her laugh, making Geto admit that he’s not a child holding out hope that everyone will get it. Picking her phone and calling Gojo, Shoko fires back “Sulking over the idea that no one will understand you seems pretty childish to me, though”.

“Damn, hit the nail on the head there” Maki snickers in approval. Shoko’s rebuttal was universally well-received, to tell the truth.

She informs the Limitless user that she found Geto in Shinjuku. When he presumably asks her to stop him, she flat-out refuses, not wanting to be killed.

“You serious now, Gojo?” Yaga exasperatedly chides his student.

“Hardy har har... WHAT WAS I SUPPOSED TO DO?! You just told me about the village slaughter!” Gojo loudly protested. “I wasn’t exactly thinking strategircally at the moment!”

“YOU don’t NOW, either” Everyone hearing insulted him in their heads, his mispronounciation of “strategically” NOT helping his case.

Walking down the Memory Lane street, flanked by dozens of passerbys, Geto is confronted by a figure dear to him.

“Explain yourself, Suguru!”

It’s clear Gojo is right behind him. When Geto tells him that what Shoko said over the phone was all there to his intentions, he doesn’t have any of it “So you’re just going to kill everyone who’s not a sorcerer?”.

Yuji was taken aback, “I don’t think I’ll ever get used to seeing Sensei so feral”.

A close up of Gojo shows him incredibly hurt, “Even your parents?!”

“I can’t make special exceptions based on emotional attachments. And besides, those people aren’t my family anymore...”

The sorcerers who had ordinary families, namely Nobara, Momo, Todo and Utahime had lumps in their throats. There was no use denying the huge distance they felt from their own kin at the end of the day, no matter how deeply they cared about them.

“That’s not what I was asking! I thought we weren’t allowed to kill when there’s no point to it!”

Geto, hearing the words he once espoused, counters, “there is a point to it. A significance. Even a great cause”.

“No there isn’t!” shouted Gojo. “You’re going to kill all non-sorcerers and create a world of only sorcerers?! You know that’s impossible! There’s no point in chipping away bit by bit at something you can’t possibly accomplish!”.

Despite the intense confrontation going on, a few students couldn’t help but notice something about the scene they couldn’t put their finger on, for some reason. After a while, Nobara and Todo did notice, but before they could speak, the sound of wheezing was heard.

It was Ieri, who desperately tried to restrain herself from collapsing into laughter for some reason.

“W-What’s wrong, Shoko-san?” Yuta asked worriedly.

“Pffft– it’s- mffmmf– nothing, really!” she barely said in between wheezes. She took a while to calm down, even after being offered water by Utahime. Downing it in one go, she clears her throat and explains “Actually, I realized something during this moment...”

“... something?” Nobara wiggled her eyebrows. Did she also notice it?

“Yeah. You see, Gojo was an avid lover of KFC, since he adored eating their wraps and milkshakes, to the point of devoting his birthdays to dragging us into one of their restaurant. But suddenly, after Geto left Jujutsu High, he ceased doing that. Hell, he almost never got any KFC product anymore—”

“—HOLD IT SHO—MMFM !!” Gojo tried to butt in, but was chokeheld and gagged in place by Yaga, with Maki gleefully helping.

“—I didn’t think much of it. It seemed like it was never the same without Geto, so he refused to visit the place. So imagine my surprise when I learnt the reason why...! Because people in Memory Lane were still talking about that one freakishly tall guy who acted out melodramatically before stomping away from KFC and moping on a long stairway. I should've realized it soon, though!”

“Huh, what does that have to do with—?” Yuji trailed off as he turned to the screen once more, and made note of a KFC chain being located there. It did take long for the realization to hit compared to others, but when it did, it did.

Just as Gojo barely maneuvered from Yaga and Maki’s restraint holds, he was instead thrown into the fire.

“Sensei... was Colonel Sanders, like, a constant reminder of your breakup or something?”

It was the last fuse that set off a chain reaction of mass laughter, as well as cringing. Some collapsed to the ground, a few (like Inumaki) temporarily left the room so as not to cause incidents.

“DAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!” Yuji was clutching his stomach, the mere idea being so ludicrous, it just rolled back to actually making sense. Notably, even Megumi was genuinely amused, barely keeping from falling to the ground as well like Yuji, Nobara, Maki, Panda, Momo and Mai did. The grown-ups (except for Shoko) Yaga, Nanami and Utahime had no idea how to react. It had nothing to do with the problem at hand at all, but still, seeing the mood lightened up did count for something. Also, Gojo being shown up once more was also nice to see.

“FUCK was that diabolical!” Nobara shouted maniacally, “You wouldn’t keep your paws off your banged lost love away from KFC so he took revenge by ruining the entire restaurant chain for you! Just so, so diabolical. I’m so putting it in my bingo list!”

“Ah, haa!- What bingo list? Oi, don’t tell you’re—?” Maki interjected, barely stopping her laughter, but Nobara vocally rejected.

“What?! NO!! It’s just that I plan to use it for a prank, nothing more!”

However, Gojo was silent for a few minutes during the mayhem. He couldn't decide whether to laugh alongside everyone to salvage his ego, or to just accept his karma like a man. However, one thing Nobara said bothered him. “Wait, did you just say... I broke up with Suguru?”

“Uh, yeah?”

“Well, actuall—WHO TOLD YOU WE WERE EVEN IN LOVE?!!” He suddenly yelled, embarrassment and humiliation rising past sceptic shock.

“... you’re not?” Nobara, Miwa and Todo repeated at the same time.

“FUCK NO!!! QUIT THAT OVERACTIVE IMAGINATION ALREADY!! I SHOULD'VE KNOWN THAT WAS THE REASON WHY YOU WERE SO INTERESTED IN SUGURU!!"

Now aiming at Todo "WASN’T INVENTING A WHOLE BACKSTORY WITH ITADORI ENOUGH?!?”

“THAT WASN’T INVENTED!! IF SO THEN WHAT WOULD THAT MAKE YOUR SO-CALLED FRIENDSHIP WITH SUGURU GETO?!” Todo reproved just as passionately, only to realize a bit too late what he just said.

"Oooh shit!" Nobara, Yuji and Mai covered their mouth, bitterly anticipating the uproar that will follow.

"Oh my god, Todo! What did you just...!?"

"OKAY, TIME OUT EVERYONE!" Yuta and Utahime loudly cut the tension in the air, hopefully stopping things from escalating further. Surprisingly, they decided that enough fun was, well, enough (especially at the expense of someone capable of vaporizing them if he wanted to), and they returned back to their seats. Soon, Inumaki was called back after the dust has settled. From his reddened face, he clearly was forced to deal with his emotional outburst on his own.

“How arrogant” he ultimately declares.

“HUH?!”

“Okay, that was nice and all, but Satoru has taken enough emotional pounding today, perhaps it’s best to not overkill?” Yaga addressed the still-snickering kids (and several adults), before pointing to the Gojo heir shrunk in his seat, comically growing mushrooms.

“Y-Yeah! S-Sorry Sensei! I’m so sorry!” Yuta declared, desperately trying to stop laughing as the hiccups set in.

“Yeah, thanks a whole bunch” Gojo responded, still depressed.

“You could do it, couldn’t you, Satoru?” he asks, “Yet you would try to convince someone else that it’s impossible to do something that’s possible for you?”

Needless to say, most Tokyo students heaved a gulp, as their eyeballs slowly shifted to the location of their teacher.

“In a heartbeat” he suddenly stated.

“Gee, thanks for your reassurance! But that ain’t the point!” Yuji bemoaned his total smugness.

“Sure you could that and whatever, but how exactly could you destroy humans and leave the sorcerers? Can Limitless affect the whole world or something” Nobara questioned.

“Glad you asked that. Well, normally, I could easily adjust the effect for that purpose” he concurs, “but I never tried it before, and... come on! Imagine 8 freaking billion people dropping braindead at the same time! Crazy, huh?”

He really shouldn’t have brought it up, since the confirmation that he CAN in fact annihilate all humanity in a heartbeat caused silent, abject terror to descend on the room. They didn’t want to think about it, but to hear him admit it so cavalierly the stuff of nightmares.

Geto finally turns to face Gojo, despite all the people surrounding them.

“Are you the strongest, because you’re Satoru Gojo? Or are you Satoru Gojo, because you’re the strongest?”

“The strongest because he’s Satoru Gojo... or vice versa”

That line was rather bewildering for a large section of the audience. Though a select few did comprehend the intention behind it. Either he centered his identity too much on his unparalleled strength, just like Toji, or it was just a bloodline quirk that allowed him to come so far. But the sum of it is that his very name became associated with a specific, balance-breaking, godlike presence.

“Sensei” Megumi brought up, “What would happen when... let’s say, you lose those powers?”

Gojo was dumb struck at the question. “Why’d you even think about—?”

“I’m serious. Have you gave it any signifcant thought? What if Sukuna was too much to handle?”

A heavy silence settled within the group. The Strongest himself was frozen in thought. 

But a bit later, he exhaled and addressed Megumi "Well, figure that one out yourself. Wouldn't be too hard"

"Again with the cryptic hint-dropping?!" Yuji and Nobara groaned.

"Learn to deal with it" The man just told them to suck it up. However, it was difficult to read his expressions, despite doing nothing to hide it, and no cursed energy flaring up to spot the thread from. 

The only ones who realized it were Shoko and Yuta, who now looked down the ground, their faces hidden by shadow.

“What are you trying to say?!”

“If I were able to become you, this foolish ideal would become a lot more grounded in reality, don’t you think?” Geto concludes. Gojo was getting more impatient and distressed by the second, not really having the time for his (former) friend’s philosophical rambling, but it still hit the mark.

“I’ve decided how I’ll live my life, now it’s just a matter of doing the best I can to achieve that”. And after that, he turns to walk away.

He definitely wasn’t off the mark. Gojo’s existence, alongside the circumstances that created him, was a total fluke, there are no two ways about it.

It hit a significant amount of viewers that just now, Geto looked as if he were trying to reach out to the person Satoru used to be before encountering Amanai and Toji. Telling him that he was capable of genociding anyone, it wasn’t something the old Gojo looked above doing. But that thought gave them goosebumps.

Funny, wasn’t it? It’s almost as if... as if Gojo and Geto’s growth interwined in opposite directions, like an hourglass.

Gojo looks extremely tempted to attack him as he walks further away.

“If you want to kill me, then do it. There will be meaning in that too”.

“Oh, if only he did” Many viewers aware of Fake Geto’s imminent machinations bitterly commented.

“No there wouldn’t” Except Yuji. He didn’t feel the same at all.

Ultimately, Gojo can’t go through it, and just clenches his fist in defeat. He’s later shown sitting on a stairway, moping. Yaga comes over and asks Gojo why he didn’t pursue him. The teen was incredulous at the question, especially due to the turmoil he’s undergoing right now. This leads Yaga to ultimately relent.

Nobara snorts at Gojo’s appearance “Pfft, seems like someone was traumatized for life by the KF—”

“—Finish that sentence, and your work performance will really suffer... Ku-Gi-Sa-Ki~” Gojo interrupted her with a menacing threat, holding his two fingers interlocked.

“Look, as incredibly mature and not at all petty as that idiot is acting, knock it off already, Kugisaki!” Maki chides her. “It’s already getting old!”

"... Fine" the girl whined, but not before winking at Mai and Momo in secret.

After a long pause, Gojo suddenly inquires “Sensei, I’m strong, right?”, which Yaga confirms.

“But apparently, it’s not good enough for just me to be strong. The only ones I can save are those who are already ready to be saved by another”. This moment sets the stage for Gojo’s ultimate mission to raise the next generation.

“Probably the only best decision you've ever made your entire life" Utahime finally confesses. His former teacher, co-workers, and most of all, students all nod in accordance, particularly Yuta and Megumi.

Gojo is rather flattered. But was a bit exhausted to bother them further about it. "Just take the compliment. That's the nicest thing anyone is going to say about you at this rate"

Then, the scene shows the Star Religious Group headquarters. Geto, and another figure heavily implied to be Kong Shiu, are discussing the the cult, with the former expressing surprise at its re-inception considering it was presumably dissolved, but the other man states it’s a different group with the same ideology who apparently bought the same existing space. Geto sets his spot of bother about this aside for the sake of using them to gather money and Curses.

“Huh?! isn’t that Toji Fushiguro’s handler?” Utahime asked.

“Most certainly, yeah” Gojo replied slowly. Hearing Geto and realizing where he was, he decided that perhaps it’s time to give up, for real.

“Was he still keeping tabs on the Group even after Toji passed away?” Nanami ponders.

The twin little girls Geto saved, Nanako and Mimiko, appear alongside him, and express curiosity about the place. When the Curse User approaches them, he pats their heads affectionately, with them giggling to themselves.

Despite everything, the short, cute display of affection really nonplussed audience. It was heartwarming to see Geto still had a shred of humanity left in him. Why not, when those girls were the reason he finally cracked? In fact, a few viewers even smiled, unable to shake off the intense cuteness overload.

“So fatherly~” Miwa and Momo sang-song, giggling.

“Gotta admit, it’s actually quite wholesome” Megumi and Nobara couldn’t deny how sweet the moment was.

“Too bad they became total buggers” Panda and Maki disagreed.

"Are they still alive, though?" Asked Yuji.

"They weren't heard of again after Geto was killed following the Night Parade, so it's safe to say they're probably still around" Yuta answers. Yuji is visibly relieved.

Geto is told that everyone of importance to the organization is here, so it should be a cinch. He soon shows up at the auditorium, clad in his signature Buddhist-esque dark blue kimono with a patterned orange sash, addressing the audience present with a microphone. He announces straight-up that from now on, the Time Vessel Association is under his control, with its name changed too. Naturally, it wasn’t taken too well, so Geto asks Sonoda, the previous figurehead of the Star Religious Group, to come over here.

“And thus, the transition is full-circle” Todo announced in a solemn voice.

“Ugh” Gojo and the Tokyo second years were none too amused. All this time, the one gripe they had about him was his new dress makeover. Seriously, they might’ve agreed on a certain level with his concerns, but maybe Evil Boddhisvatta look wasn’t the way to go.

In less than a half-second, Sonoda is gorily crushed to death in front of everyone as a warning. Now Geto throws the gloves off (and the microphone), and flat-out threatens, “Now once again...”

Most were greatly disturbed by the out-of-nowhere display of violence. Sure, that bastard was the whole reason everything went to shit, Toji notwithstanding, and a handful of viewers did feel some satisfaction at seeing him pulverized by the man whose life and morals got ruined indirectly by him, but by this point, it was just like dogs chasing a car.

Gojo clasped his hands together near his forehead, squeezing his eyes shut in dismay. The village massacre was only the first in a series of horrifying atrocities eventually committed by his once confidant, but that didn’t mean he liked to see one of them firsthand.

“I hate monkeys...”

“... You obey me now...”.             

that’s the truth I chose”.

“... Monkeys!”

A distinct raw chill pervaded in the theatre. The chapter of kind-hearted, upstanding, principled Suguru Geto is now closed, probably forever. 

....

The scene transitions to Gojo coming to meet a certain young Ten Shadows Technique user, catching him while he was leaving school.  “You’re Megumi Fushiguro, right?”.

“WHOAH! There you are!” Yuji was quite energized at seeing his young best friend.

“Why, hello there, Fushiguro!” Nobara grinned at the sight of a little Megumi, before frowning exaggeratedly “Meeting Sensei must’ve been a pain, I bet?”

“You’ve NO idea” he admitted. His classmates (and Yaga and Utahime) were chagrined.

Megumi, back then was only first year in elementary schooler, stops dead in his tracks, before turning around to confront Gojo “Who are you? And what’s with that face?”

“SO cute~"  Many viewers internally squeed.

“The hell? You didn’t change at all from childhood!” Maki chortled at how grumpy Megumi used to look even as a grade schooler.

Gojo chuckled, “He was always such a mature, dutiful child. It was kind of adorable, actually!”

Turns out, viewing Megumi’s devastating resemblance to his father didn’t sit well with the white-haired teen, who sported an over-the-top disgusted look on his face. “You look just like him, that is all” complete with a background portrait of a pissed-looking Toji.

Actually, it’s the viewers that now looked over-the-top disgusted at Gojo’s expression.

“Ugh, really, Gojo?” Utahime gagged, in a monotone.

“Were I Fushiguro, I would’ve just took off right then and there” Yuji confessed.

“My exact words” Nobara, Maki, Panda agreed.

“Don’t be too harsh” Yuta scolded, “Maybe his encounter against Toji-san was that traumatic, I mean, he did just say Fushiguro-kun looked like him just now”.

At the mention of his father, Megumi visibly deflated. Great, is he now going to join his Sensei and Nanami in hand-wringing session? This was just beyond stupid. It was irritating.

But more importantly, did this mean Gojo saw Toji in him on some level whenever they interacted before?

Many barely kept from laughing at Gojo’s unflattering recollection of Toji.

Megumi is perplexed, but Gojo excuses it as his own issue. “So listen, about your dad... he’s from this big shot Jujutsu sorcerer family called Zenin. But they’re such scumbags they make even me sick, so that’s why your dad left the family and had you. Now you’re one of those who can see things, so you’re privileged there”.

“Scumbag is too generous of a word” Maki huffed. Everyone around her who did know them silently conceded. Yuji, however, wants to know “Eeeh? Just how bad are they?”.

“Trust me, you’ll lose several braincells if you try to understand how they’re still even alive and functioning to this day” she professes.

As Megumi is listening intently, Gojo continues “You’ve noticed the power within you, haven’t you? The Zenin clan just loves strong powers. Most become aware of their Cursed Techniques around 4 to 6 years old, so it’s the perfect timing to sell a kid off. So, Megumi-kun, you were the ultimate card that your dad kept on hand against the Zenin clan. Pisses you off, doesn’t it?

“... Was that true?” Megumi suddenly put forward, uncertainty, and a bit of residual fury against Toji, painted all over his question. “Did he do it because I would be yet another money-spinner of his?”

“Hell if I know. Maybe he did saw material value in such transaction, but maybe he genuinely wanted you to live a happy, blessed life, since the Zenin would cherish you for your Technique” he plainly responded. “It’s up to you to figure it out, since you were given the basic transcript just now”.

So, about that dad of yours, I ki—“

“Uh oh”

Well, it’s not like it matters now anymore. Watching this, Megumi could only cringe at his past self.

“—I don’t care” he got cut off. “I have no interest in where he is or what’s he doing. I haven’t seen him in years so I don’t even know what he looks like. Though I get the general idea from what you said. Not to mention, Tsumiki’s mother hasn’t come home for a while now, either.”

Everyone were a mix of relieved and flabbergasted, “HUUUUH?!!”

“You didn’t give a single hoot?!” Yuji questioned Megumi in disbelief.

Indeed. It was all for nothing.

“Why would I have to?” The black-haired teen fired back. “It might be a foreign concept to you guys, but why get attached to a figure whose face you don’t even remember? Even if it was your parent or guardian?”

“Yeah, but...” Yuji scratched his neck, trying to get the hang of what Megumi meant “Someone your age back then would’ve been more curious”.

As if on cue, a young Tsumiki comes from the balcony and sees Megumi, glad he’s back home.

Megumi couldn’t help but smile, melancholy clear on his features. Having Tsumiki awake and healthy was just downright unbelievable at this point. But this was enough to embolden him further after nearly feeling his resolve shaken the last few hours.

The boy continues “That means they’re finished with us and they’re off enjoying themselves somewhere, right?”

Everyone winced. Boy, the irony...

Megumi could feel a part of himself facepalming. Maybe his father would’ve done that if he lived, but from what he gathered about his mother, it couldn’t have been farther from the truth.

Needless to say, Megumi’s uncanny maturity and grim outlook stuns Gojo, who is left wondering if he’s even a first-grader. “Well, whatever. If you want to know about your father, just ask me!”. He gets up after crouching for too long “I think it’ll be pretty interesting to hear.

“He’s right, were you a stick in the mud since birth or some shit?” Mai queried.

Megumi scoffed and turned away, not really understanding what’s wrong with his personality.

“Megumi-chan is just unique like that” Gojo playfully waved off.

Now, on the main point, what do you wanna do? Do you want to go to the Zenin clan?” he offers an ultimatum.

“What will happen to Tsumiki? If I go there, will Tsumiki be able to find happiness? It all depends on that” Questions Megumi.

The scene now cast a new light on Megumi’s ambitions behind pursuing Jujutsu sorcery. It’s not like that wasn’t common knowledge. Everyone learnt about his motivations firsthand at the very beginning, but to think he cared for and protected his older stepsister even before learning how to write... it was oddly beautiful, as well as mature of him.

“Nope. A hundred percent no. I can say that with certainty” was Gojo’s brutally honest reply, much to Megumi’s antipathy. However, Gojo reassures him while patting him a bit too roughly on the head “Okay! Leave the rest to me, then!” and turns to live.

“You really made the right call to refuse it when given the chance” Utahime grumbled. She recalled her time in Kyoto High with a certain Zenin heir almost Gojo’s age, and he personified everything wrong about what was going on there.

The others conceded with Gojo's point, grimly aware of the clan's flagrant misogyny. Tsumiki being a girl on top of being a non-sorcerer would have done her zero favors whatsover, something Gojo and later Megumi keenly took in mind.

“Let me guess, Naoya?” Mai suggested.

“Naoya?” Megumi repeated, cocking an eyebrow.

“He’s the current Zenin heir-in-waiting. A great sorcerer, sure, but complete dog shit in human form...” Maki growled. Her malice was downright paralyzing.

Yuji was quite freaked out by the environment made manifest, “H-Hey, was it really that bad?!”

Gojo leaned back in his seat “Actually I met Naoya several times while still in Jujutsu High during Goodwill Events, when Suguru was still with us, and, uh...” he wheezes, covering his head, not knowing how to convey it “... He truly pulled the Girl Repellent achievement. Seriously, his idea of wooing Utahime was to ask her to—“

“—Please don’t tell them. I still feel dirty to this day” Utahime cut him off, comically gloomy.

“I’m actually curious, what moves did he try on you?” Mai leaned next to her teacher, interested. Maki similarly turned over, teaming up with her sister for once.

Gojo quickly pulled Mai and Maki over, against Utahime’s angry protests, and whispered in their ear. It wasn’t anything good, or even safe for sanity, judging from the girls' faces looking rather stupefied in trauma, before shivering and scrunching up in revulsion.

When Maki returned to her seat, she called Megumi and warned him "Please try to not have to do anything with them, okay? Like, Naoya really, REALLY doesn't like you. That's all I can say". Everyone next to her nodded quite strongly.

Megumi turned his attention back to the screen in a very stiff motion, fully in accord with his aunt.

“I might need you to push yourself a bit, though. So do your best...

... Get stronger. Strong enough to keep up with me”

“Oh I will” Megumi put his mind to it, fully determined.

He wasn’t the only one.

Every youth in the room was dead set on living up to this chaotic generation’s legacy and rise above the strongest.

...

The viewing finally flashes forward ten years later, in the present day.

“Gojo-sensei?”

“So even Sensei sleeps, huh?”

“Yay! We’re finally back to the present!” Yuji hollered, quite glad the past arc was over, just like his dear teacher.

“About high time! I missed seeing my mug” Nobara admitted.

“Of course he does. What kind of nonsense is that?”

“Well, sorry to bust your bubble, but as Nanamin and Utahime can attest, I do sleep just fine” Gojo scoffed. “There is such thing as sleeping for the heck of it!”

“Only YOU can do that, geezer!” Maki furiously disagreed.

Nanami and Utahime, however, were less than thrilled about being reminded of the sleepover. They both tried to hide the exaggerated grimace on their faces, which was kinda similar to Gojo’s own reaction to meeting Megumi for the first time.

The screen clears to show the Jujutsu High first-years, Megumi Fushiguro, Nobara Kugisaki and Yuji Itadori.

“Is it weird to say it’s been quite a while, I couldn’t even recognize my own face onscreen?” Yuji innocently remarked.

“Nope, nothing weird about it at all.” Panda reassured him.

“It is weird” A few of his friends did not share the same opinion, wondering if he’s so distractible, he might not even recognize his own reflection.

“Gojo-sensei!” Megumi was the one calling out to him.

“Oh, he’s awake” Yuji remarks. Turns out, the reason the trio came into view is because it’s shot from Gojo’s point of view as he opened his eyes.

He wasn’t gonna lie, knowing that his pupils were by his side and genuinely cared for him filled Gojo with an indescribable sensation. It was a nice respite from the constant rollercoaster he was strapped to the entire viewing.

“Hey, that’s one of those expensive chairs, isn’t it!” Nobara exclaims at him. “Please don’t fall asleep after summoning us all here.”

“What’s with you and chairs anyway??” Maki exasperatedly told Nobara.

“N-Not all that important” she stammered.

Gojo is shown as an adult, partially removing his blindfold to reveal that he had tears forming.

Gojo tearing up was... oh screw it, compared to the stuff they saw earlier, this one was completely tame for a lot in the room. While none could tell if the tears were caused by drowsiness or something else, it still struck a chord for how unusual

He gets up from the chair, leaving Nobara to occupy it with gusto, much to Yuji’s chagrin, since he wanted to sit on it, and begs her to let him do that next. Megumi asks Gojo what was he smiling about just now.

Gojo claims it was nothing.

“Well, now we know the whole story, so don’t you worry your head off, sensei” Yuji chuckled.

“It was nice getting to witness such incredible journey. So filled with tragedy and violence, but also has lots of lessons to offer” Yuta muses, before frowning “even if you take them all the wrong way”.

Nobara stretched quite widely, before dusting off her clothes and getting up from the seat “Well, that was one hell of a ride!”

Maki, who was fixing up her joints from constant sitting, concurred “Yep. And that’s not even the end of it!”

“I’m really craving for a nap right now” Shoko yawned. Many steadfastly agreed with her.

“I’d probably doze off ‘til... hey, what time are we at now!?” Miwa was in cloud nine, before suddenly loudly questioning.

“There’s no way to be sure, now that we’re stuck here outside the bounds of time” Mechamaru stated.

“Except the time flow seems to be simulated to almost feel like it’s going normally” Todo said, scratching his head. “Not that we noticed this, though”

“Just about right”

Now that they let everything they just learnt sink in, the Sorcerers decided to take a long break. And it probably wouldn’t even be all relaxation and stuff, considering the festering questions most members had that they want answered soon.

“Whassup, Fushiguro? Where are you going?” Yuji asked his friend, who was heading the opposite direction, not coincidentally, where the adults went.

“Not really that important” he bluffed, “I’ll join you later”.

The Honored One himself, after taking a glance at every single one inside the room, wanted to let that one feeling wash over his spirit. After hours of mental agony, having his mistakes and traumas thrown back at his face over and over again, and getting himself humiliated several times, he learnt something valuable. Actually, many valuable lessons.

It’s important to surround oneself with a positive support system. If Positive Energy managed to bring back someone to the state they were originally in, a dozen positive people can certainly do the trick.

It’s very important that there is a point in every decision done, no matter how frivolous it was.

But also...

It’s very important to let go of the past... even though the past won’t EVER let go of you.

END

Chapter Text

“You know there’s no point in hiding it further, Mai”

The younger, short-haired Zenin twin stopped dead in her tracks. She was just enjoying a simple meal with Todo and Nishimiya, before taking a walk around the enclave. A dozen thoughts ran through her head, mostly centering around the discovery of her long-lost, enigmatic cousin. The man whose ground he walked on Naoya worshipped. The stain on Zenin legacy.

And her predecessor.

All before she was interrupted by said girl, her forever pesky, pigheaded sister. She didn’t like it so much.

“Hiding what?” she played dumb, setting herself up to fail. She didn’t even meet her eyes.

“You know something about that man even I don’t. And I made sure to... inquire your classmates about it too. But everyone showed me just you” Maki responded, not even pretending to buy it. “That’s no coincidence. I thought Mechamaru and Todo, with their wealth of knowledge, would want nothing more than to spill the beans, but alas, you say otherwise”.

“What does he have that I don’t yet?” Was her question. Simple, rolls off the tongue, but capable of changing the trajectory of their lives and relationships forever.

“He didn’t pretend to give a single fuck about the clan, unlike you, and well, he also took advantage of his allure to escape the blame” Mai bluffed, not even bothering to take this seriously. “Trust me, had you disappeared like he did, none of this idiocy would’ve persisted”.

“First please stop feeling sorry for yourself, it aged even worse older than Gojo angsting over Suguru Geto. You know you can’t change a damn thing” Maki blankly fired back. “Second, I actually remember Naoya bringing him up, it’s kinda hard to forget no matter how many concussions I ate from that shitfuck. It’s also hard to forget him dissing me as “second-hand” or “knockoff”. It’s an unusual insult for him, so to say, aside from being rather specific. “

“But most of all, quit dodging the question. Do you know of a way I can upgrade my Restriction?” she finally cut to the chase. “ ‘Cuz there’s no way I’d put a dent on a Special Grade Curse in the level I’m in. And most of all, I’m sure you know something”.

Mai froze, her eyes looking everywhere but Maki. They were like this for minutes, but the younger twin still had it in her to open her mouth to answer.

“Why’re you asking me this? Do I look to you like a Jujutsu connoisseur? Isn’t this something you should raise to the actual adults with us?”

“I was going to do exactly that, but I thought it wouldn’t have went well if I went along. Not to mention, the way you were looking at Toji Zenin betrayed a weird feeling. We never even met him, Naoya and Megumi aside, but I can’t help but work out that you didn’t really get cold feet upon seeing him for the first time because of his status. I dunno why, but I can feel it.” She narrowed her eyes at Mai.

The pressure in the air between them was so thick a slash from a Cursed Tool could slice clean through it. Maki was fully willing to wait for an hour standing if it means getting the answer, so there was no escaping it. Mai just wanted nothing more than to just make a clean breast and be done with it. Perhaps if that happened, she’d be forever free from the Zenin clan, but in a different way than anyone thinks.

However, she was saved just in time... by both of the twins’ phones vibrating, a loud notification interrupting them.

Mai took out her cell phone, finding it a good opportunity to delay the talk, but Maki was very slow to do so. Checking it, Mai’s eyes widened in surprise “Oh, um, it’s from the entity that brought us”.

Maki was still standing motionless, her arms crossed, unwilling to fall for that, to Mai’s frustration. “I’m not kidding! Just look at your phone! It also vibrated!”

Growling to herself before giving in, Maki took out her mobile, but not before warning "I'm taking you to task later, just so you remember", gesturing with her two fingers, causing Mai to roll her eyes, a bit more nervously, as the two turned to observe the notification.

"... Achievement: Reflection??"

Half an hour ago

In the dorm, the Tokyo and Kyoto students got finished as they settled in their quarters, their stomachs full as some, like Yuji, Nobara, Inumaki, Miwa and Momo, just plain bounced on their beds, still as comfy as always.

But mostly, they wanted to clear their heads of the travesty that was the last few viewings.

“Ugh, I feel like I gotta sleep for a whole day” Miwa huffed while her face was buried in the huge pillow.

“I know, right? None of the other screenings before this were such a mental drag” Agreed the nearby Nobara.

“But it was so cool to see Sensei when he was once a student like us” Yuta brought up, propping himself to sit on the bed, much less exhausted than the rest.

“Salmon” next to Yuta, Inumaki pulled a thumbs up.

“Yeah, but it’s so surreal to even imagine it. I mean, even though Gojo is totally the kind of guy to have been a little shit as a high schooler, it’s also difficult to picture him as someone who actually went to school like us” Panda acknowledged.

“That’s the kind of pull his aura has on most Jujutsu sorcerers today.” Kamo stated. “Which comes a long way to explain his... attempts at acting like a normal guy” he furrowed his brows to punctuate the last point.

“That’s his definition of normal?” Everyone was a bit flabbergasted. Even if Kamo was correct, Gojo ought to choose a different model other than ‘pain in the ass’.

“It’s also quite interesting to see what Suguru Geto was like before his turn for worse” Miwa added as well “It now makes a lot of sense, even if I’m hardly on board with him”.

“And it contextualizes a lot of things he said and did in the viewing before this one” Mechamaru, who just arrived and joined everyone, remarks.

“Though, if all this never happened Geto would’ve been a cool adult to be with” Nobara admitted, “kinda like Nanami and Shoko-sensei. Well, Gojo-sensei’s terrible influence aside.”

“But the Sorcerer Killer was the highlight of the piece” Momo commented. “I’ve never seen someone without any Cursed Energy with such level of power and presence, enough to humble the Strongest Sorcerer of Today. It helps he’s a total dreamboat”.

“Right?!” Yuji bounced excitely “He had me in the edge of my seat the entire time he was onscreen! I’ve never felt so intimidated ever since I started this career and I literally met Gojo-sensei! Can you believe it?”

“Too bad he was a demented deadbeat” Nobara said as she gagged, “Fushiguro and his sister deserved better than that”.

“Not gonna argue with that” Miwa admitted with a defeated sweatdrop, the others similarly having the same reaction.

“And a cold-blooded child killer” Yuta darkly stated, merely recalling it putting even more of a damper on the present mood. Yuji scowled trying to think about it. Sure, people had different facets to them, but some facets are more unpleasant than others.

“And the reason all this travesty with Suguru Geto and even his imposter is happening” Mechamaru put forth. This truth was even worse, since no matter how the Star Plasma Vessel debacle ended, it would have always gone to the shitter one way or another. Knowing there was no hope for Riko Amanai to see tomorrow like a normal human, some even wondered if Toji just gave her a mercy kill.

“It’s true, but if I were being honest, it’s a real shame someone like that went out before he truly peaked” Todo, who approached Yuji, chimed in “he could easliy stand alongside Gojo Satoru. One the pinnacle of energy, and the other the apex of human physical might. The light and the dark. I can’t imagine a more devastating union than what could’ve been”.

This possibility sent a paralyzing shiver down the other students’ spines.

“If he was still alive and on our side, the Curses would’ve probably been wiped out to near-extinction” Kamo surmised.

“Right...” Yuji realized it as he faced away from others, while the rest exchanged worried looks amongst each other. A brief silence from the uncomfortable topic later, Momo spoke up “Where’s Mai?”

“She’s probably with Maki” Mechamaru answered.

Remembering the bespectacled girl who ALSO possesses Heavenly Restriction, some students blinked, before remembering it's actually the one thing she has in common with Toji. They did know of this, which made them feel... odd, for some reason. However, Todo and Mechamaru knew what was going on, the former sighed as he clicked his tongue. That girl is going to find out the hard way.

"It seems Fushiguro is also not yet done with Gojo-sensei..." Yuji also brought up.

“Me?” the pink-haired boy was blindsided by Megumi poking his head in his field of vision, startling him into crawling away next to Yuta with a high-pitched shriek.

“Whoah, hey dude” Nobara casually greeted, “done squeezing extra info out of Sensei?”

“Stop making it sound like that” he huffed, “while he did owe a surprising amount of knowledge about myself, I only wanted to clear up some stuff that he might’ve concealed from me as a result of it”.

“Oh, good” Yuji returned to his place, eager to hear more “I’m so glad you two managed to patch it up, and to think I was so worried.”

“Not that there was much to patch up anyway” Megumi plopped himself on his own bedside, yawning as he did.

“You mean you don’t care at all? About your dad, I meant” Yuji wondered.

“What good would that do, anyway? I don’t think someone like that should reproduce at all” Megumi countered, making his feelings about his late father’s crimes very evident. The insult garnered a few snickers out of the students present, memory of his... outburst fresh in their minds.

“Uh, ouch” Yuji almost flinched from the insult.

“Also, why are YOU so concerned about Fushiguro and his old geezer?” Nobara interrogated Yuji. “Could it be you’re displacing some of your own issues unto him?”

Yuji didn’t know how to respond to that, but did anyway “Ummm... perhaps?”

“Oh yeah, what about your parents?” Panda butted in, curious.

“This is indeed an interesting topic. Because if I remember correctly, ever since I met my brother, he never once mentioned him, or his mother for that matter. All he talked about was his grandather” Todo stroked his chin with his fingers, speculating.

"Is he FOR REAL?!" Yuji, his classmates and even Todo's own classmates were befuddled at him fabricating something so specific.

Yuji stared at him, and everyone else, in skepticism, before replying slowly “Honestly, I dunno... I never once met him since I was a kid. It’s all been just gramps. There was mom too, but she also went off the face of the earth before I got into grade school. Gramps wanted to let me in on this, almost seemed as if he was gonna tell me that they bit the dust, but after a while I just... lost interest in it. I mean, like Fushiguro, I also had too little investment in the matter.”

Hearing his story, his classmates couldn’t help but find this tremendously suspicious, chief of all Todo, Megumi and Yuta. How come he shares the exact same cicumstances as Megumi, whose father for the record was involved with the Jujutsu world, for better and worse? Plus, there’s the fact that his grandpa might’ve known the truth, but chose to withhold it from what it seems. But if it took him so long to tell it, could it be there’s more to this story than meets the eye?

“... but, seeing Fushiguro’s reactions to his own dad on-screen made me... well, stirred something within me, for some reason. I guess... it made me realize how little I thought of or cared about them. And for the first time since long ago, I felt so... nostalgic” Yuji confessed, trying to put his thoughts to words.

“You mean when he threw a perfectly full shake cup, cussed up a storm and threatened to Mahoraga the hell outta him?” Nobara brought up. Remembering this, everyone turned to stare in a deadpan manner at the scandalized Megumi, though Panda and Inumaki coudn’t help but chuckle mockingly.

“Wait, hold on– I DIDN’T TRY TO SUMMON MAHORAGA!!” he loudly protested.

“Really now?” Mechamaru and Momo were none too convinced, still low-key annoyed at having to clean up his rage-induced mess.

“Wasabi?” Inumaki even imitiated Mahoraga’s summoning hand signs while taunting Megumi. Forgot already?

Now the Ten Shadows user wished the ground could swallow him, since he’ll never admit to himself, much less to anyone, that he’s developed a trigger finger for it over time from too many lethal situations he got stuck in.

“Chill out, everyone” Yuji defended while consoling the red-faced Megumi, “I’d definitely break the screen into tiny specks too if I learnt my own dad or mom forgot I existed!”

“Fair enough” Nobara conceded, “but that brings us to a different matter...” she stood up and went over to Megumi, looming over him. Soon, Yuta, Panda, and surprisingly enough, Kamo and Todo followed suit. This put the dark-haired boy on the defensive.

“What is up with you and that technique anyway?” Nobara questioned him.

“Seriously, man, you tried to bust it up twice, thrice if we add the last one” clarified Panda.

“And one of them was in a normal baseball match, to boot” continued Kamo.

“Yeah. At this point, I’m starting to believe you’re having some life troubles, Fushiguro” surmised Todo. This one conclusion surprised some who are present, like Yuji.

“What do you mean by that?” Yuji asked the group, frowning as he huddled closer to the tense Megumi “What’s this technique about?”

“Well, it’s actually–“ before Yuta could explain, however, a loud notification from their mobiles cut them off.

The teens took hold of them to verify, discovering that it’s the summoner, and the one behind this session. However, what’s written in said notification was... strange.

“Huh? What the hell is an “Achievement: Reflection”?!” Nobara loudly questioned.

Before they even knew it, there was a sudden chill in the air. A very familiar chill.

Recognizing it, Yuta slowly took steps forwards, his expression morphing into shocked dread.

"... The hell?"Yuji's eyes narrowed, the rest following suit as they took in that strange energy.

Without further ado, Yuta dashed out of the room, to his classmates' surprise.

"WHOAH, HEY!!" Nobara shouted as she scrambled to pursue him alongside the others, hoping to find root cause.

Minutes ago

Gojo rested his back on the wall, with Megumi standing right in front of him, almost seeming as if he’s cornering him.

The brief, awkward silence was aggravating enough for both of them, forcing Gojo to open the conversation. Sighing, he begins “Well, as you can tell, Megumi, I don’t want this issue to fester much further, so maybe I should–“

“–Did you bring me here to apologize for killing my dad?” Megumi bluntly questioned, cutting him off. He just wanted to get this over.

Gojo lightly winced. Wasn’t he supposed to have prepared for this moment for more than a decade? Why does he feel so trapped?

“If that’s the case, please don’t sweat it” the ravenette simply shrugged. “Contrary to what you think, I still don’t feel that much emotional investment despite all that’s shown.”

“Should’ve seen that coming. Your old man would’ve been so proud of you” His teacher snarked. But deep down, he was kind of relieved. Any apology he could have delivered to Megumi would’ve been hollow on his part due to still being unrepentant about his revenge, deep down.

Megumi almost shivered in revulsion from the mere idea, but carried on “while yes, actually seeing all what you experienced firsthand has a much more different ring to it than you confessing it to me out of the blue one day, which for the record I know is something you’d totally do, I’m not planning on bothering you with the topic much further, as much as a different part of me wants to”.

Gojo, even with the blindfold, raised an eyebrow, “Well... that’s a response I didn’t anticipate. I mean, it’s quite a lot calmer than I envisioned even when taking your apathy to Toji into mind. Though, the viewing might have helped in this regard.”

“I said this because, somehow, as much as I’d loathe to admit, maybe you had a point just now” he continued, “I have a feeling even the old man himself was aware that I’ll never let him live down his memory problems” he grimaced to himself, the feeling extending to Gojo as well.

“Damn, you got one look at him and somehow read him like a book? I’d expect nothing less” Gojo remarked, chuckling to himself.

“Though, there’s one thing I feel like adding” Added Megumi.

“Hm? What else?” Wondered Gojo.

Megumi suddenly got cold feet as he bit his lip, the issue hitting him harder in the feels than he’d like. It was nearly a solid minute before he finally asked, “... I’m... curious about her”.

“Her?” Gojo repeated as he titled his head in puzzlement, but he quickly realized what the boy alluded to and straightened up, “Oh, you mean her.”

If there’s one thing he truly was hung up on, it’s learning about his own mother. From what little seconds he saw, it’s clear there was nothing like her, because the sensation she instilled in him from her mere appearance was the warmest he’s ever been since so long, even Tsumiki feels like second only to her. Besides, his intuition hints at the possibility of Toji being the most affected by her, and in fact, might have been the reason for the man losing himself, aside of the Zenin. Yes, Megumi knew someone like that wouldn’t just abandon him. He keenly felt it.

“I know what you’re thinking. Do you wanna learn more about her?” Queried Gojo, who could sense the bubbling inquisitiveness within Megumi just beneath the surface.

The boy lightly shook his head “I know she’s not in this world anymore. But that’s not stopping me from looking into her background. I’m not gonna get too deep into it, of course, but... it’s just...” he started fidgeting slightly, nervous at how to verbalize it “... there’s this nagging feeling, and I just want to get rid of it.”

“By sating it so that it doesn’t impede you any longer?” Gojo tried to help elucidate, before a slight smile found its way to his face “Where’s the harm?”. He lightly patted his ward on his shoulder, which the latter was surprisingly receptive to “Tell you what. When we’re finished with this, this is gonna be our next stop. With the help of... certain people and a few pokes here and there, consider it done! How ‘bout it? I'm sure Tsumiki would love to do the same.”

Megumi’s uncertainty slowly dissipated to cautious acceptance, as a hint of a smile and a blush appeared on his face, “I don’t know what to do with you...”

“Great! Now...” Gojo then pushed Megumi by tapping him on the back, “... go join your buddies. You’re the one who needs the most respite, after all”.

Megumi just continued on walking as he scoffed “Whatever”.

And afterwards Gojo went back to his co-workers.

A little while later, the white-haired man had his refill of nourishment (mostly ice cream, cookies and tiramisu; Yaga, Ieri, Nanami and Utahime all facepalmed at his choice of dinner, cursing that he couldn't get fat), and left the room immediately. He figured out that he bothered them enough with his moping throughout the viewing, so he wanted to give them some space.

Strolling through the hall with his blindfold turned up to reveal his eye, Gojo was recollecting everything he experienced hours ago. It's crazy to think that despite not even lasting two hours, the stress those pictures from his past brought to him were ten times the amount he suffered when he (re-) watched Geto's death, and only with a lower intensity than actually going through that day. Realizing it, he couldn't help but snicker at himself.

Suddenly, he heard a notification from his phone. Now interested, since it's from the entity that brought them here, he immediately pulls it out to read, only to find a single sentence.

Achievement: Reflection

"What the..." Puzzled out of his mind, he tried to scroll down, but it was just these two words joined by a colon. The wording also reminds him of a video game achievement, confounding him even further, since that entity always sent him ordinary, if usually vague instructions.

Suddenly, the atmosphere around him shifted dramatically, and Gojo's body parts were frozen in place. His eyes widened as the gleam in them intensified, the hairs on his skin standing up.

That... aura.

There was no mistaking it!

Before he could start to run to locate its source, the answer already came to him in the form of frantic footsteps, and even more frantic words.

"Huh?! W-What is this place?"

Gojo felt the sound getting so much closer, and much clearer. The whole world stopped moving all of a sudden in his mind. He didn't even dare to as much make a single eye movement.

"Where am I?!"

No way. How could that possibly happen?!

Did watching him for so long wreck him mentally enough to start hearing things that aren't here?

But that doesn't explain this energy, this... familiar, comforting, yet troubled energy  signature.

"Hey, is someone in..?." The voice is now only a few meters behind Gojo. And now, it lost its haunting, creepy feel, becoming much more lucid and warm, akin to the feeling of entering a new unfamiliar house with one's voice echoing, before more objects and furnitures are stacked up, costing that echo.

That voice stopped dead in its tracks, almost as if it's... in loss for words, like Gojo currently is.

The man finally mustered up some semblance of courage to turn his head behind to look. Inching closer, turning more degrees behind, the cerulean Six Eyes should've sworn he waved goodbye to reality seconds ago, but now, that reality smacked him with the force of a Black Flash.

"... S-Suguru?!"