"You got one more lap to go!" Panda shouted from the side as Maki, Yuta, Inumaki, and Yuko ran laps. Yuji sat beside Panda, having finished his 20 laps early.
"Yeah, you guys got this!" Yuji yelled as he sat on the ground, trying to perfectly flow his cursed energy throughout his body.
Gojo came up to the training ground as he brought Yuta with him to go to the weapons storage area. As everyone was sitting down and cooling off, Panda decided to speak.
"What do you think Gojo is giving Yuta?" The question caused everyone besides Yuji to ponder.
"Most likely a weapon to flow Rika's cursed energy through," Yuji said as he stood up. "I need to grab something from my room, and I'll be back."
Yuji walked away, his pace slow, purposefully taking his time so the spar between Maki and Yuta would still happen normally. As he walked the halls of the first-year dorms, he went over what was to come soon.
"The Night Parade of a Hundred Demons... if I'm correct, Geto should be at his religious group headquarters right now collecting curses. I'm sure he'll have a plan for me since I'm now the fifth special-grade sorcerer—and the third one in Japan who's against him."
Yuji entered his room and picked up a bag that held various cursed tools.
"Geto stole a bunch of mine previously. Thank goodness they were my bad ones," he said as he pulled out a recreation of the Playful Cloud, but even more enhanced with strength and added Blood Manipulation.
"I need to be the one to kill Geto so I can destroy his body for good—so Kenjaku can't get his hands on it."
He put the cursed tool back in the bag as he sat down on his bed.
"After the war, I need to make moves on Kenjaku and Urame. I'm sure the girl—or boy, I don't know—is with him to help resurrect Sukuna. Well, I'll be ready for whatever they throw at me," Yuji said as he looked across his room at a metal training dummy.
He held out his palm and sent a surge of cursed energy toward it. Nothing happened at first, but soon a tiny cut, not even a centimeter deep, formed on the dummy's head.
Yuji smirked. "Looks like bathing in Sukuna's cursed energy really is doing something."
He stood up from his bed and threw the bag full of cursed tools over his shoulder before heading back to the training grounds.
"Okay, gather round!" Gojo called out to the first years as Yuta, Inumaki, Panda, Maki, and Yuko surrounded him.
"Toge, you've been requested. It's a curse you're perfect for. Go exorcise it quickly," Gojo stated as he looked at the first years.
"Salmon," Inumaki responded, taking out his throat medication to check how much he had left.
"Requested?" Yuta questioned.
"Toge's the only grade-two sorcerer among us first-years—if we don't count Yuko and Yuji," Maki said from beside her.
"He's allowed to take missions on his own? Wow, that's impressive," Yuta said as she looked down and played with her hair.
"You're a special grade," Maki deadpanned.
"You go with him, Yuta. You'll be Toge's support," Gojo said as he quickly looked around, noticing Yuji's absence.
"Huh? Support?" Yuta asked, shocked.
"Well, more like an observer, really. There's a wide variety of jujutsu, so you can assume there are as many ways to exorcise a curse as there are sorcerers. Toge's cursed speech is one good example. Make sure to learn from him."
"Cursed speech?" Yuta still had no clue about sorcery.
"As the term suggests, it's imbuing speech with curses. Well, it'll make sense once you see it. To break a curse, you must first understand curses."
Gojo once again looked around.
"Where's Yuji at?"
"Oh, he went to get something from his room," Panda said as he picked at his ear.
"Do you know what?" Yuta asked as she picked up her katana, which had been thrown to the side after Maki kicked her ass in a spar.
"He didn't say ex—"
"Hey, guys!" Panda was cut off as Yuji arrived with a bag on his back that everyone could sense held cursed tools.
"Oh, there you are, Yuji. There's been a sighting of a cursed womb—definitely grade one, but it has the chance to be a special grade. You've been requested to go eliminate it."
'Oh, that didn't happen originally,' Yuji thought before he spoke.
"Great. I can go out in town and kill a curse," Yuji said sarcastically.
Normally, special grades had free rein with what they did, but since he was a 'student,' he had to follow some rules. He shrugged as he got the full mission report on his phone from Gojo.
"Well, I'll see you guys later. Good work on your mission, Inumaki."
He then hugged Yuta and whispered in her ear, "Don't die on me, okay~"
Yeah, Yuji knew what he was doing—if the gods wanted to make a harem route available, he was going to take it. Yuta shivered, blushed, and gave a quick nod. Yuji could only silently chuckle as he saw the faces of Yuko and Maki as he walked away toward Shinjuku.
"Well, the higher-ups definitely sent me here to die. I can sense three special-grade cursed spirits."
'And no sign of Geto... yeah, they planned this.'
"Emerge from the darkness, blacker than darkness. Purify that which is impure."
Yuji grabbed a dagger from his cursed tool bag.
"I hope these special grades are ready to be prayed upon."
CRASH
"Hahaha!" Yuji could only laugh hysterically as he dragged one of the special grades around. After entering the abandoned apartment complex, he found himself in a domain of the cursed spirits.
'Seems like they are all linked,' Yuji thought as he quickly turned around, throwing the special grade onto the ground and clashing his dagger with another special grade's arm, which was a blade.
"If the higher-ups thought I'd die to you three, they should be ashamed of themselves," Yuji growled as he activated Blood Edge within his dagger. It sharpened to an unbelievable degree as he speed-blitzed the cursed spirit and slashed it repeatedly.
The cursed spirit howled in pain, slamming onto its knees as Yuji prepared to finish it.
A pure wave of cursed energy came flying at him. Yuji quickly spun, the blast only burning a bit of his clothes.
"Blood Manipulation: Flowing Red Scale Stacked!" Yuji said as he shot off at speeds none of the three cursed spirits could react to.
He grabbed the cursed spirit's head—the one that had fired the wave of cursed energy—and slammed it into the ground, causing the entire apartment complex to shake.
The other two cursed spirits could only stare at the sorcerer in front of them as their brother lay dead at his feet.
Yuji coldly turned his head to the side, staring at them.
"Who's next?"
Nearby, across from the apartment complex, Kyoto school was conducting an on-field exercise with the first years. Their teacher, Utahime, walked around, carefully observing as they exorcised curses.
"Alright, class. That's enough for today. The area is clear. We'll return and go over our performance in class."
Her students, Aoi Todo, Mai Zenin, Kokichi Muta, Kasumi Miwa, Momo Nishimiya, and Noritoshi Kamo, all voiced their agreement.
Suddenly, they heard a loud crash, and the building shook.
"What the hell is that?!" Mechamaru shouted as the other students started to panic, except for Todo.
"Sensei, you can sense it too, right? The presence of two special-grade cursed spirits and one special-grade sorcerer. I've never felt that much cursed energy before," Todo said beside Utahime.
"Neither have I—not even from that moron Gojo. Students, we're leaving now!" Utahime shouted.
As she turned around, the wall in front of the hallway suddenly collapsed. Both special-grade cursed spirits were sent flying through it.
"You two are really disappointing. I thought you'd be stronger," a voice said.
The Kyoto school students saw a young pink-haired boy dressed in all black jump down from the hole.
"There's no way that's a special-grade sorcerer," Mai Zenin said, jaw dropping.
"Who cares?! We need to get out of here!" Miwa said distraught, with large comical tears in her eyes.
"Miwa's right. We need to go," Utahime said, but before she could continue, a clap echoed.
Todo, ignoring Utahime, joined the fight. He threw a rock and switched places with it, landing a punch against one of the special grades and throwing it to the side.
"Oh no," Utahime muttered. She was not prepared for this right now.
Yuji saw the rock fly in and suddenly recognized Todo.
'Todo?!'
He hadn't expected to run into Kyoto school here.
"Yo, who are you? Also, watch out," Yuji said, pointing to the curse about to slap Todo.
In response, Todo clapped, switching places with the other cursed spirit, making it hit its partner full force.
"My name? You'll only learn that when you answer my question... What kind of woman is your type?"
Yuji could only laugh. "I'll answer that once we beat these two. They're kinda weak. I didn't need your help, but I appreciate it. I assume your cursed technique lets you swap with a target that has cursed energy with a clap, right?"
'This guy assessed my cursed technique with one glance. He's smart—not to mention strong,' Todo thought.
"Yeah, it is. Now that you know, do you think you can keep up?"
Yuji grinned, giving a thumbs-up.
He suddenly rushed past Todo and clashed with both cursed spirits. Todo threw a rock, swapped places with it, then swapped again with Yuji, placing them both behind the curses.
Yuji quickly wrapped one of the curses with Blood Manipulation: Crimson Binding and formed a finger gun with his right hand.
"Piercing Blood!"
The blood stream went straight through the other curse's head, killing it instantly.
"He has blood manipulation?" Noritoshi Kamo asked as he and the rest of Kyoto school observed the fight.
"They're both impressive," Utahime commented.
'Maybe Todo deserves grade one,' she thought.
Todo, seeing the opportunity, launched a flurry of blows against the curse wrapped in the blood binding.
The curse, tired of losing its brothers and being beaten down, began to scream as its cursed energy shot up.
"Whoa, I think it's evolving—maybe killing its brothers made it awaken," Yuji shouted.
Todo quickly swapped with a rock next to him.
The curse screamed louder, increasing in size and becoming more muscular.
"Hey, big guy, you need to play support here. Swap me with anything so I can land hits—only butt in if you can do damage," Yuji said seriously.
"Got it!" Todo said firmly, swapping Yuji with a rock near the curse.
Yuji used the quick movement and the fact the curse was mid-transformation to put all his focus into the attack.
"BLACK FLASH!"
The force of the blow sent the curse flying.
"Hehehehe..."
The curse suddenly blitzed toward Yuji.
He quickly bent backward, narrowly avoiding the blow, and threw a rock at the curse.
Todo swapped himself with the rock and landed a solid blow on the curse's head. He then swapped Yuji with himself.
"BLACK FLASH!" Yuji screamed as he landed an axe kick on the curse's head, slamming it into the ground.
Behind him, Todo watched in awe.
'I can feel it—this moment! The moment I found one of my brothers!'
Todo then saw Takada-Chan beside him.
"This is one of them, isn't it?" she asked with genuine curiosity.
Tears streaming down his face, Todo responded, "Yes... yes, he is."
Todo rushed toward the curse, swapping with it to confuse it, then swapped back with a rock he had planted earlier.
"I won't be left behind, BROTHER!"
Todo shouted as he jumped up and pointed to Yuji.
"WATCH THIS!"
Yuji smiled as he looked on.
In mid-air, forming a punch, Todo saw Takada-Chan beside Yuji, holding a thumbs-up.
"BLACK FLASH!"
Todo yelled as he hit the curse straight on the head. With the injuries it had already sustained from Yuji, the curse couldn't handle the punch—it was obliterated.
Todo landed on the ground, the after-effects of the Black Flash coursing through his veins.
"Brother!" Todo shouted as he ran toward Yuji, clapping him on the back.
"Will you answer my question now?"
Yuji chuckled. "Well, since you're now my second brother, I'll answer you. My type is a tough girl that can kick my ass—also tall with a big ass."
Todo could only cry tears of joy yet again.
Yuji walked with the rest of the first years and Yuko as they discussed Yuta and Inumaki's mission.
"Whoa, you two beat a grade-1 curse. I'm impressed," Yuji said with a smile directed toward the two.
"Salmon!" Inumaki enthusiastically replied. Yuta could only bashfully nod as she suddenly looked up at the sky.
"What's up, Yuta?" Panda asked, as Yuji suddenly widened his eyes. 'GETO!'
"Oh, it's nothing, just a bad feeling," Yuta responded.
"Oh, she's already going crazy," Panda, Maki, and Yuko all said at the same time as they continued walking.
"Wait, guys, wait up!" Yuta yelled as she chased after them. 'Geto's coming here! Shit!' Yuji's head raced as he walked at a faster pace than the others. They all looked at him curiously.
"Guys, back up. Now!" Yuji's tone was firm.
"What's wrong?" Maki questioned.
"I. Said. Now!" Yuji said as he pushed everyone out of the way just as a giant bird curse flew into the ground.
"Maybe Yuta wasn't crazy," Panda said as he got ready to fight.
Yuko's eyes widened. "Geto!?" she said unconsciously.
"Wait, that Geto?" the first years asked. They knew this guy—he's the one who killed Yuji's grandfather.
"This place never changes," Geto said as he landed off the bird and looked around.
"Yuck! Geto-sama, is this really Tokyo?" a blonde girl asked as she stuck her head out of the bird's mouth. "Feels like the sticks."
"Nanako, that's rude," a brown-haired girl said.
"What? But don't you think so, too, Mimiko?"
"Come on! Get off already!" a shirtless man said.
"Aren't you cold?" Nanako asked.
"Who are they?" Yuta questioned.
"It's Geto's group," Yuji growled. His anger toward Geto was still fresh.
"Whoa, it's a panda!" "How cute!" both Nanako and Mimiko said.
"Nice to meet you, Okkotsu-kun. I'm Geto Suguru," Geto said as he suddenly clasped Yuta's hands in his own.
'He's fast,' everyone noted.
"Huh? Oh... Nice to meet you..." Yuta replied nervously. She could tell Yuji held hatred for this man.
"You possess a truly wonderful power, I see. I believe that great power ought to be used toward great ends. Have you ever questioned the current state of the world? This world where jujutsu sorcerers act in secret to protect the order of commonplace society? You see, there's this established paradox saying the strong must accommodate the weak. It's so deplorable!" Geto explained as he hung onto Yuta's shoulder with a comically sad expression.
"Uh-huh..." Yuta had no idea where this was going.
"The apex of all creation has halted its own path of evolution! It's nonsense! It's high time mankind reconsidered its strategy for survival!" Geto suddenly grinned wickedly. "Which is why we'd like you to help us."
"Help with what?" Yuta didn't like the feeling growing inside her.
"We're going to kill all non-sorcerers and create a world with only jujutsu sorcerers," Geto said with glee.
"What... is he saying?" Yuko and the first years all exclaimed aloud.
Yuji's thoughts ran wild, and he clenched his fists. "Get away from her, Geto," he spat his name out with hatred.
Suddenly, a voice called out from behind.
"Could you stop preaching your crazy beliefs to my students?"
Gojo asked as every available grade-1 sorcerer appeared behind him.
"Satoru! Long time no see!" Geto said with a smile.
"First of all, get away from those kids, Suguru," Gojo said as he stepped between Geto and the kids.
"I had heard this year's first years were all outstanding students. Now I understand. It was all your doing," Geto grinned. "A special-grade cursed human, a cursed corpse mutation, the descendant of the cursed speech users, and... the Zen'in clan's biggest failure."
"You piece of shit!" Maki said as she spun her weapon and pointed it at Geto.
Geto's whole expression turned disgusted. "Watch what you say. Because I don't need any monkeys like you in the world I'm creating."
"I'm sorry," Yuta spoke up as she shoved Geto's hand away. "I don't really understand what you're talking about, but... I can't help anyone who insults my friends!" she said as she glared angrily at Geto.
"My apologies. It wasn't my intention to upset you," Geto said sincerely as he backed up.
"Then what exactly did you come for?" Gojo asked as he stepped closer to Geto.
"To declare war! Everyone gathered here, open your ears and listen closely! On the coming December 24th, when the sun sets, we shall conduct the Night Parade of a Hundred Demons. It will take place in the crucible of curses, Shinjuku, Tokyo... Kabuki Town, First Street, and the holy land of jujutsu, Kyoto. We will unleash a thousand curses upon each place. And of course, their command will be 'massacre.' If you wish to avoid a scene straight out of hell, come and stop it with all your might. Let us freely curse each other to the death!" He finished with a sickly grin.
Yuji suddenly sped past everyone and slammed his fist into Geto's gut, sending him back. The man barely had time to catch Yuji's punch.
"Heh, what's wrong, Yuji? Hate seeing me~" Geto teased.
"I'll keep my promise and kill you," Yuji said as he stood straight, his glare focused on Geto.
Suddenly, Nanako spoke up.
"Geto-sama! The store's gonna close!"
"It's already that late?" Geto sighed. "I'm sorry, Satoru. These girls just insist on getting crêpes from Takeshita Street."
"Hurry!" Mimiko shouted.
"So I'll be taking my leave. Good grief. I don't see what's so good about a place with so many monkeys," Geto said casually as he walked back to his curse transport.
"Did you think we'd just let you leave?" Gojo said as he took a step forward.
"You don't want to do that." Geto looked back and grinned. "Your precious students are within my range. Well, everyone, see you on the battlefield." Geto said as suddenly dozens of cursed spirits surrounded the first years.
Gojo could only stare as his only friend flew off into the distance.