A short chapter, but if we reach a good number of power stones, I'll release three chapters this week (counting this one).
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Two days before.
"Mimicry... You and Yuta seem to have a similar technique..."
In a training space hidden below Jujutsu High, Gojo and Itadori stood facing each other. Gojo appeared thoughtful, rubbing his chin with a curious expression.
"But they're different... You told me your Shikigami devoured that weed's arm. Do you think you can use its innate technique?" He stared at Itadori, who seemed to ponder his words for a moment before shrugging.
"To be honest, sensei, I haven't really thought much about it." Itadori rubbed the back of his neck, a bit embarrassed. Since discovering his own innate domain, he had focused entirely on improving his cursed energy control, aiming to use the least amount of energy possible when expanding his domain.
Besides, he had been busy training with his classmates, so he ended up neglecting his ability to copy techniques.
"I've been busy trying to figure out my own technique, so I kind of put that copying thing aside."
The boy sighed. He felt a bit foolish in hindsight, but in the end, there wasn't much he could do. Sukuna's technique was simply unfeasible at the moment, and blood manipulation, while versatile, didn't seem easy to master.
"When it comes to that curse's technique..." Itadori rubbed his chin thoughtfully, his expression doubtful for a moment before he closed his eyes and clasped his hands, remaining silent.
Gojo observed the flow of cursed energy change, expanding outward from Itadori's body and spreading in all directions.
"Yes, I can feel nature around me, but..." Itadori paused, and Gojo raised an eyebrow in question. "I feel my connection is very weak. I don't think I can do much more than this."
"I understand." Gojo pondered this information for a few seconds. In a way, Itadori's and Yuta's techniques were very similar, but Gojo could say that, in the short term, Yuta's technique was superior. "Maybe just the arm isn't enough."
But if Gojo's theory was correct, Itadori's copying ability should be on a higher level, thanks to a few factors...
"So, Yuji, how many techniques can you use? Including the weed's."
Itadori thought for a moment. "Mine, Sukuna's, the weed's, and that weird guy from the last mission."
Gojo nodded in understanding. "And do you feel overwhelmed in any way?"
Itadori blinked at this, looking at his hands as he tried to notice any strange signs. "Not at all."
'Just as I thought.' Gojo smiled, immediately understanding how Itadori's technique should work. 'His short-term copying ability is inferior to Yuta's since it seems he needs to interpret the technique in his own way and master it.'
'But in return, the technique becomes an extension of his own, basically an assimilation. This explains why he doesn't feel mentally overwhelmed so far.' Gojo hid his excited smile, which Itadori noticed with some confusion. 'Damn, this generation is very interesting.'
Gojo felt excited about the future. He fully trusted his students, to the point of believing that some of them might surpass him in the future. This was no different with Yuji, especially now that he could see his technique could definitely put him at the top.
"Alright, I can understand your technique a bit now." Gojo declared, stepping back and raising his hand, adopting a presumptuous posture as he pointed at Itadori. "So listen well, my dear student!"
Itadori looked at him with a disinterested expression, blinking slowly like a fish.
"A cursed technique, passed down through generations, can change according to the user's interpretation! That's how Jujutsu works, and it's why people today are born with modern techniques."
Jujutsu itself understands that, over time, adaptability is necessary, and it does this by molding itself to the standards of an era. That's exactly why you can't use the techniques you've assimilated to their full capacity!"
Realization hit Itadori, his eyes shining with recognition as he seemed to notice his mistake. 'That makes sense.'
"Sukuna's technique was used by him 1000 years ago, but we're far from that time, so you need to interpret how it works in your own way. If you keep copying what he does, you'll never reach your maximum potential, and the same goes for the other techniques at your disposal."
Itadori nodded vigorously, his face thoughtful for a moment before changing to complete confusion within seconds.
"I understand, sensei, but..." Rubbing his chin, he turned to Gojo. "How do I do that?"
"I don't know." As quick as a bullet, Gojo replied with a silly smile.
"What?" Itadori seemed incredulous for a moment.
"I've never used other people's techniques, so I really don't know how to do it. It's entirely up to you to figure it out."
Itadori nodded at this, looking a bit disheartened. "No shortcuts, then."
"That's the spirit!" Gojo gave a thumbs up, encouraging him.
But it didn't do much for Itadori, who just stared at the wall in complete silence.
'Damn... I can feel my time running out.'
"..."
Deep in the boy's soul, an unwanted man observed the scene with a gleam of interest in his eyes, a toothy, malicious smile spreading across his lips, as a cold laugh echoed through the bloody environment around him.