"Can you bring him out?"
Gojō's voice was calm but serious. He needed to personally confirm whether Yuji could truly control his body.
"…I think so?" Yuji hesitated, then nodded.
"Good. Then co with us."
The three of them stepped into the hallway—just as gumi ca out of the next room. He froze at the sight of his uncle and Gojō walking Yuji along like so kind of escort squad.
"…Uncle? Gojō-sensei?"
"Perfect timing," Shinsuke said, clamping a hand down on his nephew's shoulder before he could retreat. "You're coming too. Let's go take a good look at the King of Curses."
gumi stared blankly. Great. Should've stayed in bed.
"…Wait, when did you even get back, Gojō-sensei?" he asked cautiously.
"Just now! Pretty fast, huh?" Gojō bead. "I even brought souvenirs. Don't forget to pick them up later."
"…." gumi had no words.
---
Not long after, Yuji followed the group out to the training field.
Gojō stretched lazily, loosening his shoulders. "Alright, let him out. And rember—when I say stop, you stop."
"Got it."
Yuji closed his eyes, sinking into that strange emptiness. When they snapped open again—
Boom.
A surge of cursed energy roared out. Black tattoos crawled across his skin. His mouth curled into an arrogant grin.
"You brat… this will be the last decision you'll ever regret!"
Sukuna was back. This ti, he was ready—no way he'd let that punk snatch his body back again.
"So, you're Sukuna?" Gojō tilted his head, still warming up.
"A sorcerer? Don't think freeing earns you gratitude."
Sukuna's gaze swept the area—and stopped when he spotted Shinsuke.
His eyes narrowed. Again?
This man… utterly ordinary. Not a shred of cursed energy. Yet he stood there, watching calmly.
"…Fine. I'll crush the white-haired sorcerer first. Then, I'll kill you."
The threat was naked. Human, curse—it made no difference. If Sukuna wanted to kill, he killed. If he wanted to play, he played. No rules.
"Oh, impressive," Shinsuke muttered, scratching his ear. "Then go ahead and deal with the kid first. He annoys too."
Sukuna's expression hardened, eyes sharpening.
"…What an infuriating bastard."
"Oh-ho! You think he's annoying too?" Gojō's grin widened. "How about we beat him up together first?"
"…Are you two making fun of ?" Sukuna's tone dropped, low and cold. He decided not to waste more words. His hand slashed the air.
"Shhhhk!"
The field split open. Deep gouges tore through the ground, smoke and dust erupting as his slicing technique engulfed Gojō.
"…Next, it's your turn." Sukuna turned, eyes locking on Shinsuke with confidence.
"Cough, cough…"
The smoke cleared. Gojō erged, fanning the air with a look of distaste. "Hey, don't wreck the property. If Principal Yaga makes pay again, I'll be pissed."
"…What?"
Sukuna's eyes narrowed in disbelief. His slash hadn't even scratched him.
He lunged, fist cocked, aiming to crush him—
Seeing through Sukuna's movents, Gojō clapped his hands and instantly shifted behind him.
His face showed nothing but boredom.
Like Zen'in Shinsuke, he couldn't muster a shred of interest in a Sukuna with only one finger's worth of power.
After toying with him for a few casual exchanges, Gojō waved dismissively.
"Yuji, that's enough."
Sukuna still wanted to fight, but a sudden tremor in his chest froze him. In the next mont, Itadori Yuji easily wrested back control of his own body.
"…What is this kid?" Sukuna muttered in disbelief. Soone… actually suppressing his soul?
Just before being forced back down, his eyes locked on Gojō.
"I'll rember you…"
No matter the era, there were always one or two sorcerers who stood above the rest.
Perhaps, he thought, this one could make things interesting.
---
"It's over?" Yuji blinked as his senses returned. The strange dual-consciousness left a lingering unease.
"Having soone else in my body… feels really weird."
"It's done," Gojō replied. "I've confird you can stay in control. Now it's ti to get to work."
He turned toward gumi. "You too. Let's go et your new classmate."
"…Got it." gumi sighed. Another errand. Figures.
"I'll be heading out," he said, nodding toward his uncle.
Shinsuke gave a brief nod back. "Mm." He had his own matters to handle—he wasn't about to waste ti playing chaperone.
---
As soon as Gojō left with Yuji and gumi, Shinsuke's phone rang.
Ring ring ring—
He picked up lazily. "Yeah?"
"Miss ?" ca a bright, familiar voice.
"…No."
"…Heh?!" The caller's tone shot up with mock outrage. "Just you wait! Where are you right now?"
"Jujutsu High."
"Perfect. I need to see that old hag anyway. Stay put—I'll be there in half an hour! Didn't miss , huh? Let's see how you like it when I show up!"
The line went dead. Shinsuke sighed.
Of course, he already knew Yuki Tsukumo was due back today. He hadn't bothered to greet her at the gates—independent won didn't need chauffeuring, after all.
---
Thirty minutes later, the roar of a motorbike echoed through the campus.
Yuki swung off her little motorcycle, killed the engine, pulled off her helt, and flicked her hair back in one smooth motion.
She might be broke, but damn if she didn't look cool.
"Now," she said with a teasing grin, spreading her arms toward him, "do you miss ?"
Shinsuke rolled his eyes. "It's only been a few months. What's there to miss?"
He had long since grown used to her antics—every New Year she showed up to cling for weeks, sotis even cutting overseas trips short just to drop in again. He seriously wondered: Is this really how soone planning to "save the world" spends her ti?
"A few months is plenty," Yuki pouted, stepping forward to wrap her arms around him, pressing her face against his chest. "Even a day apart feels like three years. You don't miss ? Fine—I'll miss you enough for both of us!"
"…So? What could possibly bring the great Special Grade Sorcerer back in person this ti?"
Shinsuke's hand absentmindedly pinched her cheek—soft, pliant, almost fun to knead.
"You being here is reason enough," Yuki said, tilting her head up, eyes sparkling playfully. "Do I need any other excuse?"
"…Tch. Enough nonsense." Shinsuke smacked her lightly on the hip, forcing a straight face.
Back in the day, he'd always been the one doing the teasing. Now the tables had turned—even Yuki dared to provoke him.
"Heh, fine. I'll let you off for now," she teased, voice dropping with a dangerous lilt. "But tonight? I'll teach you a proper lesson."
Her expression sobered just slightly. "Truthfully, I ca back because I uncovered so disturbing intel. I need to confirm it with the old granny. You coming?"
"The old granny? You an Tengen?"
"Mm. That's right."
"Then I'll tag along. Her tea leaves are good—I might as well grab a couple packs while we're there." Shinsuke agreed without hesitation.
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