Kakine had no idea how he got here.
The last thing he could remember was fighting against the number one Esper of Academy City: Accelerator. And then... nothing!
After his humiliating defeat, he expected to awaken in a hospital, guarded by Academy City's policing force, Anti-Skill, or perhaps even some hidden underground organization trying to attack him in his moment of weakness.
Instead, he woke up in the middle of a bloody forest.
Academy City had no forests, as far as he knew. At first, he thought it was "another one of those damned bastards' experiments," but something didn't feel quite right to the level 5. Summoning his wings and taking to the skies, his eyes widened at what he saw. It was a suburban area, filled with fields, greenery, and a few houses. Not the giant buildings and skyscrapers of Academy City, but the ordinary homes of simple villagers—a scene he'd never seen in the bustling city he called home.
Just where the hell was he?
After almost an hour of flying, he landed near a small community of houses, which were much closer together compared to the homes nearer the forest where he had awoken. The houses were quaint and rustic, their roofs covered in moss and their walls made of weathered wood. Narrow cobblestone paths wound between them, lined with flowerbeds and lanterns that were just beginning to flicker to life in the dimming light of evening.
Hiding his wings, he walked around, trying to identify his location. Despite being one of the seven level 5s in Academy City, and the second strongest Esper, Kakine was quite used to the occasional stares and comments, mostly out of awe or fear, or both. But there would always be a certain level of respect given.
In this situation, it was completely different. The villagers who spotted him stared and openly whispered, their expressions showing either curiosity or hostility. He was used to this level of attention, but the blatant pointing and rude gestures were new and deeply unwelcome. If he wasn't so befuddled by his situation, he probably would have snapped at them, giving them an actual reason to stare.
"Who's that?"
"A student? I don't recognize the uniform."
"I don't think I heard about any newcomers."
"Like we need any more outsiders around."
He rolled his eyes. Typical behavior for small, tightly knit communities to act hostile to anyone or anything perceived as unusual. With a groan, he forced himself to approach a couple of middle-aged women, and with a heavily forced smile, he asked as politely as he could, "Hello there, ladies," greeting them with his most heart-winning smile.
"Oh! Hello," one of them replied, a light blush dusting her cheeks.
'This'll be easy,' he smirked inwardly. "I'm sorry to disturb you, but ah! This is embarrassing," he chuckled lightly, rubbing the back of his head as though he was actually embarrassed, "but I'm afraid I'm a bit lost. Could you maybe tell me where exactly I am?"
The women glanced at each other in surprise before relaxing and smiling at him in return. "Of course," the second one answered. "You're in Osako Village."
"Osako Village!" Kakine's brows raised before he smiled even brighter at the women. "And where exactly is that, miss?" The two blushed even harder.
"Oh, it's... it's a little further away from Tokyo," the first one answered.
"Are you a new resident or something?" the second one asked with an eager, shy smile. Kakine smiled at her politely while inwardly cringing, 'You look like you're in your forties and I clearly look like I'm in my teens, you damn cougar.' "Not really. I'm just on my way to a friend's house," he answered, hiding his real thoughts. "I've never been here before, so I got a little lost."
"Do you mind pointing me to the direction of an inn or something of the sort, please?" he asked. "I'm afraid I might have to intrude on your lovely village for longer than I thought."
"Oh! Of course!" the first woman exclaimed with a smile. "Think nothing of it, please."
"Just take this road here and go down to that house over there!" the second woman added, pointing to a larger and somewhat more luxurious house at the end of the road. It was a grand structure compared to the other homes, with a broad porch and lanterns casting a warm, inviting glow. "Our elder lives there. If you tell him about your situation, I'm sure he'd be more than willing to lend a hand."
Kakine glanced at the house with a subtle smirk before returning to his kind demeanor. "Thank you so much, ladies!" he said as he continued on his path, leaving the two women giggling and blushing.
As he walked down the cobblestone path, the evening air grew cooler, carrying the faint scent of wood smoke and blooming flowers. The village seemed almost picturesque, with its neatly tended gardens and quaint houses, but Kakine couldn't shake the feeling of being out of place, like a wild animal in a dollhouse.
The elder's house loomed ahead, its windows glowing warmly in the encroaching twilight. Kakine took a deep breath, steeling himself for whatever lay ahead. He had no idea what this place was or why he had been brought here, but he was determined to find out. For now, he would play the part of the polite visitor, but if his suspicions were correct, he might need to unleash his true power sooner than anyone here could imagine.
Lightly rapping his knuckles against the weathered oak door, Kakine didn't have to wait long before it was flung open with a surprising vigor. Standing before him was an elderly man with short, greying hair and a light muzzle of a beard that framed his face. The man came face to face with Kakine, or rather, face to chest with him. Though not hunched, his stature was modest, reaching only up to Kakine's chin. His features were striking: a long, aristocratic nose, and eyes that squinted and narrowed as if perpetually scrutinizing the world around him.
The man cleared his throat with a brief cough before a welcoming smile spread across his lips. "Welcome, I am Kai Kurosaki, the village head," he greeted warmly, his voice carrying a hint of weariness. "It's been a while since we've had visitors." Kakine returned the smile, though his eyes betrayed a flicker of insincerity. "Can't imagine why," he replied, glancing around at the lush greenery that surrounded the quaint village. The scene was picturesque, a testament to nature's undeniable beauty. "You have such a lovely little town."
A soft chuckle escaped the older man's lips. "We live not too far from the city, but our village isn't well known, so not many even know we exist," he explained, stepping aside and gesturing for Kakine to enter. "Please, come in. I'm sure you aren't here just to admire our lovely little village." There was something about the man that set Kakine's instincts on edge, a subtle yet unmistakable sense of danger. The man's genial facade didn't fool him; he had a snake's smile.
"Thank you," Kakine replied, his grin widening to reveal a set of teeth that were too sharp for comfort. 'So what! I've been dealing with snakes for as long as I can remember,' he thought as he crossed the threshold into the cozy-looking house. 'Dealing with snakes is my specialty.'
The door closed behind him with a low, ominous creak, sealing him inside. "Come in!" the elderly man called out from ahead, already making his way towards a living area that was anything but modest. Kakine's eyes widened slightly as he took in the opulence around him. The sofas were plush and luxurious, upholstered in rich, dark leather. An oak table stood in the center of the room, its surface adorned with intricate gold and silver inlays. Beautiful paintings adorned the walls, and cabinets crafted from the finest woods gleamed in the soft light filtering through the windows.
'This is a bit much,' Kakine mused, suspicion gnawing at him. 'I don't know how rich a village head can get, but this is over the top.' His gaze swept the room once more, noting the conspicuous absence of modern amenities. 'No television or any sort of phone,' he observed, his eyes narrowing as they settled on the older man, now comfortably seated on one of the plush sofas.
The man's smile hadn't faltered, but Kakine could see the serpent lurking beneath. He smirked. This wasn't his first encounter with a seemingly benevolent yet sinister host, and he doubted it would be his last. 'Whatever you're hiding,' he thought, 'I'll uncover it soon enough.'
"Please, make yourself at home," the man urged, gesturing at the seat in front of him. Kakine without hesitation, obliged, surprising the older man at his confidence as he lowered himself onto the sofa. The leather creaked under his weight, and for a brief second, the room was filled with an almost tangible tension before being covered with the older man's chuckle.
"So, where are you from, stranger?" Kurosaki asked, his smile warm and inviting.
"Pretty far from here," Kakine responded smoothly, his tone casual. "I was on my way to a friend's place but ended up getting lost." He offered a light chuckle to ease the tension. "It's my first time leaving my hometown."
"And where is your hometown?" Kurosaki inquired; his curiosity piqued.
Kakine hesitated for a fraction of a second, his eyes subtly scrutinizing the man before him. He had no idea where he was, but from what the women had told him earlier, he was somewhere near Tokyo. This meant he was outside Academy City, a place shrouded in secrecy but well known to many. Telling anyone where he was from was dangerous… but it could also work in his favor. "You wouldn't have heard of it," Kakine replied evenly, choosing his words with care. "It's called Academy City."
He watched Kurosaki's reaction closely. Academy City was infamous across the globe, renowned for its advanced technologies and, most importantly, its Esper population. Kakine expected at least a flicker of recognition or surprise.
But Kurosaki's expression remained unreadable. If anything, he seemed genuinely puzzled. "Odd name for a city. I don't think I've ever heard of it."
Kakine forced a smile, masking his growing unease. "It's not well known," he said nonchalantly, though his mind raced. Internally, he grappled with confusion. 'Either this old geezer is really good at playing poker, or he actually doesn't know anything about Academy City... which is impossible!'
The atmosphere seemed to grow thicker as Kakine tried to read Kurosaki's expression. The man's face was a mask of calm curiosity, betraying nothing.
Kakine's mind whirled with possibilities. He had always known Academy City to be a secretive place, its true nature concealed from the general public. But for someone to be completely ignorant of its existence? It seemed unlikely. He decided to probe further, hoping to glean more information.
"It's a small place, really," Kakine continued, his voice steady. "Not many people know about it unless they've had a reason to visit or hear about its... unique characteristics."
Kurosaki nodded slowly, as if digesting this information. "I see. Well, it's a big world out there. Plenty of places I've never heard of."
Kakine's smile remained fixed, but his mind continued to churn. 'This man is either an exceptionally skilled actor or genuinely ignorant.' He watched the older man wave at a maid who had just entered the room, ordering her to bring some tea. 'I don't know which bothers me more.'
Kurosaki turned back to Kakine with a reassuring smile. "I can lend you a map to help you, but I'm afraid there's not much else I can do." The maid returned with a tray, placing it on the small table between them. She moved with practiced efficiency, her eyes never meeting theirs as she scurried away.
"Hopefully, you can make your way home then, yes?" Kurosaki continued, his tone light.
Kakine returned the smile, though his mind was elsewhere. "That would be really helpful, thank you."
Kurosaki let out a chuckle, the sound warm and genuine. "Just wait here a moment then, I'll go get it." With that, he stood up, his movements fluid despite his age, and began to leave the room.
As the old man exited, another maid entered, her presence markedly different from the last. She stood silently in a corner, her posture rigid, her eyes keenly locked onto Kakine's form yet never meeting his gaze directly. It was clear she was there to keep an eye on him.
Kakine said nothing, his expression unchanging, but his mind noted the subtle shift in the atmosphere. It was blatantly obvious that she was meant to monitor him. Not that it was much of an issue. Considering these villagers were about as much a threat to him as an ant would be to a dragon, the thought brought a small smirk to his face. It was almost adorable.
Kakine's thoughts wandered back to his hometown. Academy City was a place of relentless progress, where science and technology reigned supreme. It was a city of the future, filled with towering skyscrapers and advanced infrastructure. Yet, despite its many wonders, it was also a city with a darker side, where secrets were tightly guarded, and the line between right and wrong often blurred.
His reverie was interrupted by the subtle rustle of fabric as the maid shifted her weight. Kakine glanced at her, noting the way she tried to appear unobtrusive yet remained intensely aware of his every move. Her presence was a reminder that, despite the outward hospitality, he was still very much a stranger here, and trust was a commodity in short supply.
Kurosaki returned, holding a folded map. "Here you go," he said, handing it to Kakine. "This should help you find your way. If you have any questions, feel free to ask."
Kakine took the map with a grateful nod. "Thank you, this is very kind of you."
"It's nothing," Kurosaki replied with a dismissive wave of his hand. "Just be careful out there. The world can be an unpredictable place."
Kakine briefly glanced at the older man and smiled before looking down at the map. "I will, thank you for your consideration," he replied, his voice steady and polite. "I hope you don't mind, but could you perhaps guide me to a place where I can spend the night?"
Through the window, Kakine could see the evening sky beginning to darken as night approached swiftly. The warm hues of the setting sun were giving way to the cooler tones of twilight, casting long shadows across the room. Kurosaki was silent for a moment, a strange expression crossing his face as he looked at Kakine with clear distaste. It was evident that he didn't want Kakine lingering any longer than necessary.
The older man gritted his teeth for a second before unclenching them and smiling a serpentine smile. "Yes, of course," he agreed, though his tone was laced with reluctance. "If you take this street down to the forest, you will come across a small house. It's our only inn in this village. As I said, we don't often get many visitors."
Kakine nodded, his expression remaining neutral despite the clear hostility in Kurosaki's eyes. He glanced down at the map again, tracing the route with his finger. "Thank you," he said, folding the map carefully and tucking it into his pocket. "I appreciate your help."
Kurosaki's smile tightened, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Think nothing of it. Safe travels, and I hope you find what you're looking for."
Kakine inclined his head in a gesture of thanks before turning to leave. The maid in the corner followed his movements with her eyes, her presence a silent reminder that he was still being watched. He walked through the house, his steps echoing softly against the polished wooden floors. The interior was dimly lit, the fading daylight casting long shadows that danced across the walls.
Kakine briefly glanced at the older man and smiled before looking down at the map. "I will, thank you for your consideration," he replied, his voice steady and polite. "I hope you don't mind, but could you perhaps guide me to a place where I can spend the night?"
Through the window, Kakine could see the evening sky beginning to darken as night approached swiftly. The warm hues of the setting sun were giving way to the cooler tones of twilight, casting long shadows across the room. Kurosaki was silent for a moment, a strange expression crossing his face as he looked at Kakine with clear distaste. It was evident that he didn't want Kakine lingering any longer than necessary.
The older man gritted his teeth for a second before unclenching them and smiling a serpentine smile. "Yes, of course," he agreed, though his tone was laced with reluctance. "If you take this street down to the forest, you will come across a small house. It's our only inn in this village. As I said, we don't often get many visitors."
Kakine nodded, his expression remaining neutral despite the clear hostility in Kurosaki's eyes. He glanced down at the map again, tracing the route with his finger. "Thank you," he said, folding the map carefully and tucking it into his pocket. "I appreciate your help."
Kurosaki's smile tightened, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Think nothing of it. Safe travels, and I hope you find what you're looking for."
Kakine inclined his head in a gesture of thanks before turning to leave. The maid in the corner followed his movements with her eyes, her presence a silent reminder that he was still being watched. He walked through the house, his steps echoing softly against the polished wooden floors. The interior was dimly lit, the fading daylight casting long shadows that danced across the walls.
As he stepped outside, the cool evening air greeted him, carrying with it the scents of the forest and the distant sound of chirping crickets.
Kakine followed the path Kurosaki had indicated, his footsteps muffled by the soft ground. The village seemed almost deserted, the only sounds the occasional rustle of leaves and the distant murmur of voices. As he approached the edge of the forest, the trees loomed tall and shadowy, their branches intertwining to form a natural canopy.
The small house Kurosaki had mentioned soon came into view, nestled among the trees like a hidden gem. Its lights were dim, but inviting, casting a gentle glow on the surrounding foliage. Kakine approached the door and knocked lightly, the sound echoing in the quiet night.
After a moment, the door creaked open, revealing a middle-aged woman with kind eyes and a warm smile. "Good evening," she greeted. "You must be the traveler Mr. Kurosaki mentioned. Please, come in."
Kakine stepped inside, the warmth of the inn enveloping him. The interior was cozy, with a small hearth crackling in the corner and the faint aroma of food wafting through the air. "Thank you," he said, his voice sincere yet still guarded. "I appreciate your hospitality."
The woman nodded, her smile never wavering. "It's no trouble at all. We don't get many visitors, so it's always nice to welcome someone new. Let me show you to your room."
She led him down a narrow hallway to a small but comfortable room. The furnishings were simple yet inviting, with a neatly made bed, a small table, and a chair. Kakine set his belongings down and sighed softly, the weight of the day's events beginning to settle.
"Please make yourself at home," the woman said kindly. "If you need anything, just let me know. Dinner will be ready shortly."
Kakine nodded, offering her a grateful smile. "Thank you. I'll be sure to come down for dinner."
As she left the room, closing the door softly behind her, Kakine sat on the edge of the bed, his thoughts racing. The day had been long and filled with unexpected encounters, and he couldn't shake the feeling that he was being drawn into something much larger than himself.
When the morning sun's rays hit his face, Kakine winced slightly before fully opening his eyes. With a groan, he pushed himself off the bed, the stiffness in his muscles a reminder of the restless night he had endured.
Last night, sleep had been elusive. The mystery of where he was and how he had arrived here had consumed his thoughts, leaving him staring at the map for hours. According to the map, he was indeed outside of Academy City, near the borders of Tokyo City. However, certain landscapes that were well known even within the isolation of Academy City were either missing or drastically different from what Kakine knew them to be.
"Just what the hell is going on?" he muttered to himself, thoroughly confused.
His thoughts were interrupted by a light knock on his door. "Dear, sorry to interrupt, but breakfast is ready." It was the inn owner. She had assured him the previous evening that the village head, Kurosaki, was covering all his expenses until that evening, a subtle hint that he shouldn't linger for more than a day.
He had barely woken up, and already it seemed they were eager to see him off. Their behavior was far from normal. Whether it was connected to his strange appearance in this village or not was a mystery he intended to solve.
"I'll be right out," he responded. "Just putting on my shirt."
Having only the clothes on his back, he had slept in his boxers. It was an odd experience for someone used to the finest luxuries. The room around him was small and modest, a far cry from the opulence he was accustomed to in Academy City.
He dressed quickly and made his way to the dining area. The meal was simple—just buttered toast with some sausages. It wasn't a traditional Japanese breakfast, but it was filling enough.
As he ate, his mind continued to wander. The inn was old and clearly not well maintained. Kurosaki's words echoed in his mind: "We don't often get many visitors." The village's proximity to Tokyo's borders made this statement peculiar. It was strange that such a close-knit village would have so few outsiders.
Leylea, the inn owner, approached him with an eager grin. "All done with your meal?" she asked. "Kurosaki-san wanted me to tell you that a few people would be willing to give you a ride to the closest station. You can head on your way from there."
Kakine smiled back, masking his suspicion. "That's very generous of him. I really can't thank any of you enough." He thought, 'They're really eager to get rid of me. It's so obvious it's almost funny.'
Leylea laughed, her sincerity shining through. "Well, we're a small village, so pretty much everyone knows everyone and is more than willing to lend a hand."
Kakine's smile was genuine this time. Leylea seemed much more sincere than the village head. She genuinely believed Kakine wanted to leave of his own accord. While he wasn't particularly interested in staying, the circumstances of his arrival in this suspicious village were too coincidental to ignore.
After finishing his breakfast, Kakine thanked Leylea and made his way outside. The morning air was crisp and fresh, a stark contrast to the oppressive atmosphere that seemed to cling to the village.
His ticket out of this strange village would be provided to him in the coming evening, and until then, he was told not to wander off.
He smirked at those words. 'I do what I want, when I want, and listening to old geezers never got me anywhere.' Using his ability to make himself invisible, he decided to do a little exploring.
At first glance, it looked like a normal Japanese village on the outskirts of Tokyo. Narrow cobblestone streets wound between ancient, yet well-maintained buildings, and traditional wooden houses standing nestled amidst lush green gardens. The air was thick with the scent of moss and damp earth, and the distant murmur of voices seemed to echo from nowhere and everywhere at once.
He moved silently, like a shadow, slipping past curious eyes and drifting through the quiet neighborhood. There was an otherworldly quality to the place, a feeling that something unnatural lurked just beneath the surface.
"Kurosaki-San!" A frantic cry pierced the air as a man burst into the room, panting heavily. He had run a long way. "We did as you asked! But the boy... he disappeared!"
Kurosaki looked at the man with raised brows. He had ordered a few villagers to keep an eye on their unexpected visitor, in case he turned out to be one of them. "Disappeared?" he asked, his voice calm but with a dangerous edge.
"Yes! He just vanished, right in front of our eyes, I swear!" The man's eyes were wide with fear and disbelief, sweat glistening on his brow.
With gritted teeth, Kurosaki snarled, "Then he really was a jujutsu sorcerer!"
The man flinched at his leader's harsh tone. "Summon the village shinobi! Let them know we have an intruder in the village. Do not kill him, though," Kurosaki roared, waving his hands in firm gestures before looking at a maid standing next to him. "And go check on the girl... no matter what, we must keep her out of sorcerer hands."
The maid, who had bangs so long they completely covered her eyes, nodded respectfully before leaving the room at the same time the villager left. Kurosaki was left standing alone, his teeth clenched and nervous sweat pooling down his brow. He had worked so hard to create this utopia, free of cursed spirits, free from the control of sorcerers and their corrupt governing force.
His beloved utopia was now at risk because of one sorcerer. He closed his eyes and forced himself to take a deep breath. The sorcerer seemed genuine about being lost. If the sorcerer had been sent here deliberately, he would never have approached him so casually. Not to mention he could barely sense any cursed energy from him. It was almost as if the boy was untrained or unaware of his own powers.
Kurosaki let out a brief chuckle. If those corrupt old fools had truly found out anything about his village, they would have sent Satoru Gojo himself, the strongest sorcerer alive.
That's right, all hope is not lost yet. As soon as the sorcerer was captured, Kurosaki would set loose one of his captured cursed spirits on him. A sorcerer dying at the hands of cursed spirits was far too common. No one would suspect a thing.
Kakine clicked his tongue in frustration. "What the hell? I've been wandering around for quite a while but I couldn't find anything suspicious." In Kakine's opinion, this tiny village was almost too perfect. That's what made it so suspicious. The pristine, quaint cottages, the cheerful, bustling market, and the smiling villagers—it all felt like a facade. Not to mention the constant eyes that had been following him until he used his power to make himself invisible. There was a noticeable panic among certain villagers, and Kakine saw men in strange black and silver uniforms appear in the corners of the village, no doubt searching for him.
It was all so suspicious.
Kakine let out a sigh as he watched quietly from the dense foliage of the forest overlooking the little village. The forest was a tangle of ancient trees, their thick canopies casting dappled shadows on the ground below. The air was heavy with the scent of pine and earth, a sharp contrast to the unsettlingly pristine village. Kakine tensed as the shrubbery right next to him began to shuffle. Someone was there.
His hazel-brown eyes seemed to glow with an eerie light as he stared down the bush in a threatening manner. Not many were capable of sneaking up on him, and the fact that someone had been watching him for who knows how long made him more than a bit annoyed. Perhaps his pride was a bit wounded, though he'd never admit to it.
Just before entering the forest, he had made himself visible again. Maybe he had been spotted and then followed. That was the likeliest answer… but then again, maybe that shady village chief had a monster of his own he was hiding. Much like the serpentine chairman of Academy City.
Without hesitation, he prepared to summon his wings and cut the bush in half, along with whoever it was spying on him. But then, a tiny hand slowly reached out from within the bush, parting the leaves and revealing a young girl, no older than six or seven.
She was thin and paper white, her small frame almost blending into the surroundings. But what stood out were the multiple bandages wrapped around her head, covering her right eye, leaving only one, golden eye uncovered. Her remaining eye was wide with a mix of fear and curiosity. There were dark bags under her eyes, and her cheeks were sunken. It didn't take a genius to understand that she clearly lived in less-than-ideal circumstances for a child, especially with the multiple bruises on her arms and legs.
All she wore was a thin white dress that looked as though it had seen better days. The fabric was frayed at the edges, and there were patches crudely sewn into it, evidence of repeated wear and tear.
Kakine's eyes narrowed at the girl. He wasn't above killing her; he'd had children his age and younger make plenty of attempts at killing him. He had learned a long time ago that looks are more often deceiving than not. Yet, there was something about the frail figure before him that gave him pause.
The girl's golden eye met his, and for a moment, there was a silent exchange. Her gaze was unwavering, despite the evident fear in her eyes. She didn't plead or cry; she simply stared at him, as if trying to gauge his intentions.
"Now who the hell might you be?"