Yo! If you're wondering why I had Yuta copy 'Projection Sorcery' from Naobito and not Naoya, remember that when Yuta copies a 'Cursed Technique', all of the knowledge the user has about their technique is sent into his brain. Thus, if he copied it from Naobito, he'd learn everything the man has figured out about 'Projection Sorcery' throughout his entire life.
Anyway, this chapter ended up a bit longer than I thought it was going to, but who gives a shit. I don't think anyone will complain about having more stuff to read.
GIMMIE POWER STONES TO SUPPORT MY CRIPPLING ADDICTION!! WHEN YOU CRUSH UP A POWER STONE AND SNORT IT, YOU GET SUPER STRENGTH FOR LIKE 5 MINUTES IN EXCHANGE FOR BROKEN BONES!!! SOUNDS LIKE A GREAT DEAL TO ME!!!!
Enjoy the chapter!
...
"I'm gonna fight those four, Gojo-sensei. I gotta copy more 'Cursed Techniques' somehow, right?" Yuta said simply, making both Gojo and Jinichi grin.
Yuta's words make those unaware widen their eyes in surprise, and those aware either grimace or grin upon having their thoughts confirmed.
Naobito gave Jinichi a look when he saw the man was about to attack, stopping the man.
"Hey, sensei..." Yuta started, making Gojo look at him and tilt his head questioningly, prompting him to continue.
"Why didn't you tell me about this 'Falling Blossom Emotion' thing before? This guy got me pretty good with it at the start of our fight." Yuta said as he healed Ogi with his 'Reverse Cursed Technique'. Gojo just grinned at him in response.
"What? You already had 'Simple Domain'. 'Falling Blossom Emotion' is just an off-brand 'Simple Domain', so why would I show it to you? Also, I kinda forgot about it since I learned it as a kid and never used it." Gojo asked back, making Yuta nod in understanding.
"I guess you're right; there was no real need to learn it, but it's still nice to know," Yuta said before looking at the man he was pulling, who was now starting to wake up after being healed.
Yuta looked at Naobito and back at the now-awake Ogi before tossing the man at the clan head.
"Wait-" *BOOM* "Uhh..."
The 'Special Grade 1 Jujutsu Sorcerer' groaned in pain as he was tossed a few meters and landed harshly on the ground.
Ogi looked up and saw Naobito looking down at him in amusement, making him scowl. Before either could say anything, Yuta spoke up again.
"Your name is Ogi, right? Actually, don't answer that; I couldn't care less what your name is. Just because your friends show up doesn't mean our fight is over. After all, I need a test dummy for the new 'Cursed Techniques' I just copied, and you're perfect." Yuta said before he channeled as much 'Cursed Energy' as he could at once into his katana while using 'Blazing Courage'.
"Technique Release: Blazing Courage"
*FWOOOM*
Yuta's katana, which was already covered in flames, burst out in a massive torrent of flames that made Ogi flinch, as it was much more flames than he could ever hope to produce at one time.
Yuta surprised everyone when he brought his free hand up to the blade of his katana and slowly ran it up it. As he did so, the massive torrent of flames kept shrinking. Ogi was looking at the blade in horror.
'He isn't shrinking or dispelling the flames!! He's compressing them !!' Ogi thought to himself as he gripped the hilt of his katana hard enough to turn his knuckles white.
"Blazing Courage: Hazy Moon"
"I was right. This 'Cursed Technique' is pretty strong. You just aren't very good at using it." Yuta said as he inspected his katana, which was glowing bright red before he pouted.
"It's too bad. I wanted to copy that asshole's 'Cursed Technique' too. It seemed pretty strong, even if the guy using it was irritating." Yuta said, lamenting on missing out on such a strong ability while complaining about Naoya's horrible personality, making Gojo laugh.
"Hahaha, Yuta, you better focus on your fight!!" He advised his student as he saw Ogi start shaking with rage. Yuta raised an eyebrow when he heard this.
When Ogi, someone who has constantly compared himself to Naobito throughout his life and always found himself coming up short, heard Yuta's lamenting, he thought Yuta was insinuating that 'Projection Sorcery' was stronger than his 'Blazing Courage'.
Which it was, at least when comparing Ogi and Naobito.
Because of this irrational anger combined with the inferiority complex Ogi Zenin had unintentionally developed, he did exactly what Yuta wanted him to do.
"Technique Release: Blazing Courage!!!"
He showed Yuta exactly how he used his 'Cursed Technique' to the best of his ability.
Yuta smiled lightly at the scowling man who was surrounded by a ring of fire that wasn't even a third as big as the torrent of flames that came off of Yuta's katana before he compressed them.
Ogi's 'Technique Release: Blazing Courage' involved using as much 'Cursed Energy' as he could at one time to create flames, channel them into his blade, and surround himself in a ring of fire. He was also granted greater control over his flames than when he used his 'Cursed Technique' normally.
This is the same information Yuta got sent into his brain when he saw Ogi use 'Blazing Courage' for the first time.
Yuta's smile widened when he saw the man try and copy him by compressing his flames into his blade but didn't even do it for half a second before he stopped, knowing if he continued, he would most likely destroy his katana.
"Let's try something…" Yuta muttered to himself as he fully manifested Rika-chan behind him, startling those who hadn't seen her before.
"Rika-chan, I'm gonna fight this guy a bit more. Can you make sure those other guys don't interfere?" Yuta asked in a kind tone as he motioned to Ogi, who was now rushing at him.
"YESSS, YUTAAAA!!!" The 'Shikigami' chirped in response.
*SCOFF*
A scoff could be heard coming from the large man who Naobito stopped from attacking earlier. Now, however, the clan head wasn't stopping him at all.
"You arrogant brat. Do you think some 'Shikigami' can do anything to us? Let alone hold us back?" The man snarled out before he looked at the old man who came with him and nodded, prompting him to drop to the ground and put his hands on the ground.
Two giant stone hands suddenly emerged from the ground and clapped around Yuta and Rika.
*CLAP*
*BOOM*
"DONNTT HURRTT YUTAAAAAA!!!!!!"
The members of the elite squad of 'Jujutsu Sorcerers' who were 'Semi-Grade 1' or above, the 'Hie', watched in varying confusion and alarm as Rika held the two massive stone hands apart, seemingly without much effort.
Naobito glanced at the older man who created the stone hands and furrowed his eyebrows in annoyance when he saw him seemingly struggling a lot. His arms were shaking, and he had sweat coming down his face.
*BOOOOM* *BOOOOM*
Before any of the 'Hie' members could take advantage of Rika's arms being occupied, she brought her arm back half a foot away from the stone hands. As they snapped in toward the two from the unexpected loss of resistance, Rika used 'Collapse' on both earth hands, turning them to rubble.
Yuta used the time Rika bought him to concentrate his 'Cursed Energy' into his foot and into the ground to try out one of the other new 'Cursed Techniques' he had just copied.
*RUMBLE* *RUMBLE*
When Ogi finally made it within a couple of feet away from Yuta and Rika, which took way too long in Yuta's opinion, a stone pillar 2 meters in diameter formed under his feet and shot up, sending Ogi up with it.
After reaching about 50 feet in the air, the stone pillar shot back into the ground much faster than it was raised, leaving Ogi five stories in the air with nothing but a flaming katana in his hand and the clothes on his back.
With the time second or two he bought himself, Yuta figured it was time to try out his other idea, especially since the larger man didn't seem to be joining the fight quite yet.
'If 'Hazy Moon' works well with it, let's try the new one.' Yuta thought to himself before he broke out in a smile.
Everyone saw how, from the hilt, the bright red glow on Yuta's katana seemed to disappear, but nobody even considered the idea of the flames disappearing.
'If I combine the idea of 'Heaven Piercing Sword' with the flames of 'Blazing Courage'...'
Their speculations proved true when Yuta suddenly brought his katana to his left side and swung it at the old man who created the giant earth hands, who was trying to recover from the huge output of 'Cursed Energy'.
All of the condensed flames and 'Cursed Energy' were further compressed into the tip of Yuta's katana before it was all released at once.
"Flaming Heaven Piercer!!!"
*FWOOOOM*
A giant flying slash of concentrated flames made of 'Cursed Energy' in the shape of a crescent moon was released from the tip of Yuta's katana and right at Ogi, who was only 10 feet in the air at this point.
The older man tried to bring his flaming katana up to block or counter the attack, but even he knew he couldn't. It would be hard normally, almost impossible without a proper foothold.
"Missle Fists!!!"
*BOOM* *BOOM* *BOOM* *BOOM* *BOOM* *BOOM*
The large man next to Naobito jumped in front of Ogi and hit Yuta's 'Flaming Heaven Piercer' with multiple large fists made of 'Cursed Energy' and his fists reinforced with 'Cursed Energy'.
Sadly for him, his attack couldn't fully dissipate Yuta's attack, forcing the two to jump away.
*BOOOOM*
The giant flying slash of concentrated flames made of 'Cursed Energy', which was weakened by an attack from a 'Special Grade 1 Jujutsu Sorcerer', crashed into the already-broken ground of the training ground, kicking up flames everywhere and causing most of those watching to retreat a bit.
*CRACKLE* *CRACKLE*
After the dust from the impact dispersed and the flames died down, leaving only a couple of embers crackling around the training ground, the training ground was revealed to show Yuta and Rika on one side, completely unscathed, and the members of the 'Hie' on the other, watching the duo warily.
"Jinichi-sama, what should we do?" The younger man with a ponytail glanced at the larger man as he reinforced his body with 'Cursed Energy'.
*SCOFF*
The now-named Jinichi scoffed in response but still nodded before looking at the older man with the 'Earth Manipulation Cursed Technique'.
"Chojuro, you know the plan?" Jinichi asked the now-named Chojuro, getting a nod from the older man with a grin that Yuta thought was really creepy.
Jinichi clenched his fists before jumping toward Yuta at high speed. As he did so, Chojuro slammed his hands down on the ground and focused his 'Cursed Energy' into the ground once more, but the output was noticeably lower than before.
*RUMBLE* *RUMBLE*
A moment later, a massive hand made out of rock sprouted out of the ground and reached toward Yuta, who just raised an eyebrow at the attack, wondering why he thought one hand would work if two hands didn't.
"Rika-chan," Yuta said calmly after glancing at the two, shaking his head, and focusing on Ogi.
"YESSS YUTAAAA"
*BOOOOM*
Just before the huge earth hand caught Yuta in a fist, Rika punched it using 'Collapse', reducing it to dust and debris once again.
Using the debris as cover, one strong and fast fist made of 'Cursed Energy' came hurtling toward Yuta.
"GRRRR"
*SMACK*
Rika backhanded it away with a single swing of her massive arm before shooting off in the direction it came from.
While Rika treated the two like novices, Yuta redirected his attention to Ogi. But before he could attack, his expression turned to surprise when he realized he couldn't move at all.
*COUGH*
Yuta looked over at the young man, who coughed up blood in his left hand. He had his right hand facing Yuta in a grabbing motion and seemed to be struggling.
Yuta smiled as he copied another 'Cursed Technique' before taking advantage of the weakness he just learned about.
*FWOOOOM*
*COUGH* *COUGH*
The young man seemed to suddenly have massive internal injuries after Yuta flared his 'Cursed Energy', coughing up tons of blood. Even the man's eyes were about to burst out of his head.
After another second or two of struggling, the young man seemed to realize this wasn't a life-or-death battle, so there was no reason to injure yourself other than pride that he didn't care about.
With that, Ranta Zenin stopped using his 'Cursed Technique Paralyzing Gaze' and let himself fall unconscious.
Yuta smiled when he realized he could walk again and did so toward Ogi, ignoring the younger man who was near death's door and being taken away by medics as soon as he looked away.
Ogi, now desperate, realized his allies who were fighting were occupied by the 'Shikigami' and that Yuta was walking toward him, so he sheathed his katana on his hip but kept the circle of flames as he got into a crouching position with both hands on the hilt of his katana.
Yuta smiled as he recognized the stance from earlier in their fight. It's the offensive stance of 'Falling Blossom Emotion' used in swordplay.
'Falling Blossom Emotion' shrouds the user in 'Cursed Energy' that counter-attacks the moment a 'Domain Expansion's' guaranteed hit makes contact. The 'Cursed Energy' defends the user automatically, countering any attack with equal force to nullify it. This is why I called it an off-brand 'Simple Domain'.' Yuta thought to himself as the flames surrounding Ogi surged.
'It changes when its power is applied to swordplay. Not only is the user shrouded in 'Cursed Energy', but their sword is also. This allows the blade to automatically strike anything the 'Cursed Energy' comes into contact with, similar to my 'Evening Moon Sword Drawing'. The problem with it, though...' Yuta trailed off in his thoughts before Ogi suddenly drew his katana and swung up at him.
*WOOSH*
'Is that it's too slow!!' Yuta thought with a grin as he ducked to his right, dodging the attack and counterattacking simultaneously.
*SHNK*
"AHHH!!!"
All those watching widened their eyes in surprise as Ogi's right hand, which was holding his katana, was cut off, sending both it and his blade to the ground.
"YUTAAAA"
Yuta smiled as Rika appeared next to him again, but before he could say anything...
*RUMBLE* *RUMBLE*
The ground beneath Yuta and Rika disappeared in a circle about 5 meters in diameter and 20 meters deep, leaving them suspended in mid-air. Yuta's smile got wider as he felt Rika grab him before letting him stand on her large hand.
*BOOM* "Oww..."
"Thank you, Rika-chan." He said, getting a happy chirp in response, both ignoring Ogi falling down the hole and landing harshly.
The duo suddenly both looked up to see Jinichi launching countless massive fists made of 'Cursed Energy' at the duo, but unlike when he first entered the fight, this time, he had many more fists raining down on them. Yuta looked at him and Chojuro, who was right on the edge of the hole in the ground, in surprise.
'Wow. Even if they are both covered in wounds, these two still managed to last for a minute or two against Rika-chan.' Yuta thought to himself as he reevaluated the two.
"GRRRR RIKA TOLDD YOUU TO STOPPP!!!"
*SMACK*
Yuta ignored Rika slapping away the countless 'Missle Fists' and Jinichi himself with ease as he looked over to where the two fought Rika-chan, sweat-dropping when he saw the bottoms of what looked like stone walls that had gotten destroyed.
'Never mind, I take it back. They just made a bunch of walls and tried to run away, but Rika-chan just punched through the walls.' Yuta thought to himself before he shook his head and looked down.
Yuta saw the still-groaning-in-pain Ogi at the bottom of the hole in the ground. After staring for a few seconds, he nodded to himself as he came to a decision.
'Well, I might as well cut the second hand off too. It's not like he'll be able to swing his katana all that well anymore, anyway.' He reasoned as he used 'Blazing Courage: Hazy Moon' once again and launched his attack.
"Flaming Heaven Piercer!!!"
*FWOOOOM*
The crescent moon-shaped compressed flame attack shot toward the frozen Ogi, who had no method of defending against it without his katana.
*BOOOOM*
As the smoke cleared, Naobito could be seen standing in front of Ogi while holding the man by his collar with his left hand, showing that he had moved him out of the way.
His right hand was open and facing Yuta, or more specifically, the 'Flaming Heaven Piercer' Yuta has launched at Ogi, with the flaming attack being frozen in time within a very familiar frame.
Yuta looked at the frozen 'Flaming Heaven Piercer' in fascination. He smiled as he finally figured out how Naoya was so fast.
There were no words that needed to be said as the bloodied Chojuro filled the hole in the ground back up, allowing Yuta to step back onto the ground. The teen turned around and looked at Rika with a smile.
"Thank you, Rika-chan. I'll call you again when I need you." With another happy chirp, Rika went back into the ring like she was never even there.
Yuta walked over and grabbed the sheath of his katana he had discarded at some point and put the blade back inside before looking back at the clan head and his brother.
When Yuta started walking toward Naobito and Ogi, the ladder of the two still on the ground, most of the members of the 'Zenin Clan' tensed but relaxed when their clan head put his hand up to stop them.
Naobito could tell that while this kid was definitely considering killing Ogi, he wasn't going to do so. But he also wasn't going to heal his hand.
'If the kid wants to talk some shit, after the ass-kicking he just gave us, he can talk some shit.' Naobito thought to himself as he brought Ogi in front of him, making the man look at him in betrayal.
A look Naobito expertly ignored as he walked away.
Ogi flinched violently when Yuta walked right next to him and leaned down next to his ear but didn't have the energy to move, giving Yuta a chance to say what he wanted to say.
"You saying that children shouldn't hold back their parents—that's just your excuse for blaming your failures on your daughters."
Before Ogi could respond, Yuta leaned back and started walking toward Gojo and Megumi, the former now talking with Naobito.
"I'm gonna tell all those old farts about him, you know that right?" Naobito said as he raised an eyebrow at Gojo, and he took out his trust gourd again, making the white-haired man laugh confidently in response.
"Hahaha!! So what? I hope they send someone strong after him so he can get another cool 'Cursed Technique'." Gojo said without a care in the world as Yuta got to them.
Gojo raised an eyebrow at Yuta as the teenager stared at the two twins Rika had healed with her 'Reverse Cursed Technique' with furrowed eyebrows, getting him to look back at the white-haired man.
"Sensei, can we take the two girls with us? They won't be safe here." Yuta asked as he motioned to the two girls, who were now standing with the one in glasses standing in front of her sister, who was trying to look tough.
*SNORT*
Gojo snorted in amusement and nodded without hesitation before he started walking away, with Megumi following him wordlessly.
"Sure. Let's get going."
As they walked away, Yuta turned and smiled gently at the two girls, who were staring at him warily.
"You don't have to stay with us, but I want to make sure you don't stay here," Yuta said, making the two relax a little bit but still didn't come with him, which made Yuta sigh.
*SIGH*
"Would you rather stay here?" Yuta asked as he motioned back to the members of the 'Zenin Clan' who were still watching them.
Yuta saw the girl with glasses look over at Naobito, who was still standing in the front of the group behind them.
Yuta didn't see what the clan head did, but he could see the hurt that flashed in both of the girl's eyes before they covered it with determination. But Yuta could still see uncertainty in there, too.
"Why are you helping us?" The girl in glasses asked in a wary tone, with her sister nodding along behind her. Yuta just tilted his head in confusion.
"Uhh, why wouldn't I help you? Well, I guess I did just kinda traumatize your dad, so I'm helping to make up for that?" He asked more, then said with a nervous smile.
The two just stared for a couple of seconds before making eye-contact.
After a few seconds of silent conversation, they both nodded at Yuta, making him smile and nod back.
He started walking after the two he arrived with, prompting the two to follow him.
After a couple of steps, they both stopped and looked back. Yuta stopped and looked back at the two and saw countless different emotions flickering across their faces.
'I suppose even if there are so many horrible people there, it's still where they were born and raised. Even if it's misguided, there's bound to be some attachment.' Yuta thought to himself as he gave them whatever time they needed.
After a couple of minutes, the two walked up to him again, silently telling him they were ready to leave. Yuta smiled at the two of them when he saw that before he suddenly looked apologetic, confusing the twins.
"Sorry, but I never asked what your names are…" Yuta trailed off as he avoided eye-contact.
After a couple of seconds of the two letting Yuta sit in awkward silence, both of the twins looked at him in amusement, with the girl in glasses answering.
"I'm Maki, and this is my twin sister, Mai."
.
.
Naobito let out a long sigh as he watched the group of five leave without a care in the world after leaving his clan in chaos.
After a few seconds of silently complaining about not having enough alcohol for this mess, Naobito turned to Jinichi, who had regrouped with him after ensuring all of those injured by Yuta would receive treatment.
"Where the hell was the Kukaku during all of this?" Naobito asked, clearly frustrated. "They should've noticed the fighting."
Jinichi gave him a dry look. "I told them to stay back when I felt that kid's 'Cursed Energy'. Even if Nobuaki was pissed, sending them in would've been like throwing lambs to the slaughter." Naobito nodded in understanding.
"Good call."
Neither of them noticed Naobito's youngest son, watching from the infirmary window, his eyes burning with hatred as he glared at Yuta's retreating figure.
'I'll kill that damn brat...'
.
.
As they walked farther from the Zenin compound, Gojo smirked at Yuta, clearly amused. All four of the kids glanced at him, confused by the look on his face.
"So tell me, Yuta, why'd you keep fighting after you already copied their 'Cursed Techniques'? Why was it so important to beat up that Ogi guy?" Gojo said, causing Yuta to avoid his gaze.
"He was annoying…" He muttered, getting Gojo to chuckle before the white-haired man turned to Megumi.
"He just wanted to beat that guy up, didn't he?" Gojo said in a stage whisper, making Yuta pout at him and Megumi roll his eyes at him.
"He did what everyone else wanted to," Megumi said, making the two twins nod in agreement with the one wearing glasses speaking up.
"You're damn right about that. I wish I had some popcorn for that amazing show." The girl said, with her sister nodding along next to her as they walked.
After a few minutes of comfortable silence, Megumi shot Gojo a curious glance that was met with a raised eyebrow.
"You said we came here because the Zenin Clan was trying to recruit me... Is that really true?"
Yuta and the girls turned to look at Gojo in confusion, causing Gojo's laughter to grow even louder and Megumi to sigh in exasperation.
"Hahaha!! You're sharper than I give you credit for, Megumi."
*SIGH*
"You brought us here so Yuta could copy all the Zenin Clan's cursed techniques, didn't you?" He said, causing understanding to dawn on Yuta and the twins, as well as causing Gojo's laughter to return.
"Ohhh…"
"Hahaha, Exactly!! And, Megumi, you should show Yuta your 'Ten Shadows Technique' sometime soon. I don't see a reason why he wouldn't be able to copy it. I knew you'd never return to the 'Zenin Clan' because of how bad Tsumiki would be treated, so I figured we could add a bit to Yuta's arsenal." Gojo said, causing Megumi to nod and Yuta to smile, his mind already racing with possibilities.
'I guess I won't have to come back here after all.' he thought, his smile widening. 'Projection Sorcery' and 'Ten Shadows Technique', huh? How interesting.'