25 Encounter
In the tense meeting room, Suguru Geto stood firmly against the harsh criticism from Takayama Jiro, a representative of the Jujutsu Higher-ups. Takayama's voice filled the room with a tone of command that was poorly suited for addressing one of the most powerful sorcerers in their ranks.
"The special-grade cursed vengeful spirit, Orimoto Rika, was fully manifested for 422 seconds. We entrusted you three with Okkotsu precisely to prevent this sort of thing. There's no room for excuses, Suguru Geto," Takayama declared.
"Rika was well within the range of our control, so I beg to differ," Suguru responded calmly, his voice steady but firm.
"Listen, there's only one thing we can say about that curse: 'I don't understand.' Why did a little girl who wasn't from any line of jujutsu sorcerers become such an immense curse? We can't control something we don't understand. So, it'll take trial and error. Just leave it alone for a while, whilst we investigate it," Suguru explained, trying to bring reason to the situation.
"Quit your nonsense and use your Cursed Technique to control that disaster," Takayama shot back aggressively, clearly not satisfied with the approach Suguru advocated.
Inside, Suguru felt a flash of insight, "No wonder these old men only want to talk to me; they think just because I'm more open to dialogue, I'm easier to push around."
As Takayama continued his berating, the atmosphere in the room shifted dramatically. With a mere blink, the room was filled with cursed spirits, ghostly blue fires floating about, and the sound of drums ominously resonating in the air.
The sudden appearance of supernatural phenomena startled the other Higher-ups, who immediately turned their attention towards Takayama Jiro, whose approach was evidently inappropriate when dealing with the likes of the Big Three—Suguru, Hiroshi Senju, and Gojo Satoru.
"You know, I am well aware that I am the most open to dialogue among us three, but that does not mean I am one to be pushed around. I'll take Hiroshi's words from earlier; you do well to fix your tone, otherwise, it may not be Hiroshi nor Satoru who might bathe this room in blood," Suguru warned. As he spoke, a massive skeleton with horns materialized behind him, its red eyes glowing ominously as the room began to darken further.
It was at this moment, as the presence of powerful cursed energy permeated the room, that the Jujutsu Higher-ups realized why Suguru Geto was known as the Lord of Pandemonium. They were reminded starkly that his placid demeanor was not a weakness but a controlled calm before the storm, a storm they would do well to avoid invoking.
Suguru Geto's statement carried a weight that reverberated throughout the room, the cursed energy around him intensifying as he spoke. His eyes, calm yet piercing, fixed on the Jujutsu Higher-ups who had quickly realized the gravity of the situation they had provoked.
"Monkeys should do well to respect the strong," Suguru said with a maniacal smile. He had grown increasingly contemptuous of the Jujutsu Higher-ups, whose penchant for issuing orders without taking action themselves led him to label them as such. Suguru, through his close relationships with Hiroshi and Satoru, understood all too well the delusions of the five old men before him. The real power in the sorcerer world did not lie with them but with Gojo Takumi, the Jujutsu Commander, and the Senju Clan, who, through Hiroshi Senju, controlled not only the economy of the sorcerer world but that of the mundane world as well.
The only reason these five had not been stripped of their positions was that the time was not yet ripe for such action. Suguru, Hiroshi, and Satoru were biding their time, waiting for the right moment to reshape the power dynamics fundamentally.
Now, we will take care of Yuta Okkotsu. It is such a waste to simply execute a sorcerer with so much potential," Suguru Geto said.
As Suguru Geto spoke, the room was filled with thick fog. The Jujutsu Higher-ups looked around and saw glimpses of curses of varying degrees. Although the curses did not attack them, just from counting, they arrived at the conclusion that Suguru Geto had ten or more Special Grade Curses, which briefly made them realize the height they could never reach.
"Any more requests, elders?" Suguru chuckled, as the room regained its calmness.
"Nothing else, Geto Suguru. Then we will leave this to your discretion. We still believe that you will put down Yuta Okkotsu if he deems to be uncontrollable," Morikawa Kenji said.
At this point, the Jujutsu Higher-ups designated Morikawa Kenji as the sole spokesperson when conversing with the Big 3. After all, he was the diplomat.
"Alright, I'll submit my report by the end of the day," Suguru said as he left.
As Suguru walked out, Satoru was waiting outside.
"A burst of cursed energy? I believe they were able to get under your skin?" Satoru asked.
Suguru smirked, "Just a little warning, lest they get any more ideas thinking they can push the strongest around."
Satoru nodded. "Old geezers. We've got to be careful we don't become like them," he continued. "Besides, no one's allowed to take youth away from young people," Satoru added as he gazed at their students training.
Suguru nodded. "Hiroshi was right. As Special Grade Sorcerers, it is our duty to hold up the sky, be it against enemies or internal politics like this," Suguru said as he gazed toward the blue sky.
Suguru and Satoru approached. "Hey everyone, how's it going?" Satoru asked. "Oh, um..." Yuta was about to reply, only to get hit on the face due to not paying attention to Maki, who he was sparring with.
Satoru continued to supervise the students while Suguru took Yuta to the armory.
As Suguru and Yuta walked, Suguru ran an analysis. "It's nearly impossible to exorcise a curse as big as Orimoto Rika. However, breaking it is a different story. You have to read the thousands, maybe tens of thousands, of knots of cursed energy, and unravel them one by one. It's a method that can only be pursued by you, the one she's cursed."
"How?" Yuta asked, as Suguru handed him a katana. "A katana?"
"By using this," Suguru said, and continued, "Curses are most stable when they're possessing an object. Back then, you used that ring to connect to Orimoto Rika. The pipeline's already there. So now you need to borrow part of Rika's curse, imbue it into the katana, and control it. Increase the amount as you repeat it, and eventually you'll have all of it under your control. Then you're free. Both you and her. Imbue the curse into the katana... And at the same time... You need to learn how to wield a blade! You're still an amateur, after all. First, we'll have to train you thoroughly," Suguru said.
Three months later, Satoru was observing Yuta and Maki spar, while Suguru Geto instructed Mimiko and Nanako. It was also the year Mimiko and Nanako joined Tokyo Jujutsu High.
Satoru watched as Suguru instructed his daughters and patted their heads for a job well done. Meanwhile, he sat back and watched Yuta struggling against Maki.
As Yuta swung his kendo sword, Maki leapt into the air. Seeing his chance, Yuta thought, "She dodged that?! But she's off-balance! I'll get her on the landing!" He aimed a horizontal slash at Maki.
But as she landed, Maki executed the splits, dodging Yuta's slash. "No way!" Yuta exclaimed in surprise.
After a brief exchange, Maki grabbed Yuta and grappled him to the ground, hitting him with her stick. "Gah!" Yuta exclaimed.
"There, you're dead. I win again," Maki declared.
"Was that last part necessary?" Yuta asked.
"Don't be soft. You should always treat it like it's a real battle. Pain, or the lack thereof, makes a huge difference in how fast you grow," Maki explained, planning to sit down.
"That's right. I'm... I'm going to break Rika-chan's curse!" Yuta thought, saying simultaneously to Maki, "One more, please!"
"Master Geto, is that the new Special Grade Sorcerer, Yuta Okkotsu?" Mimiko asked. Suguru nodded. "He is the new one. He has a lot of potential," Suguru said.
"But Master Geto is still the strongest," Nanako added, which made Suguru chuckle. "Come, let's begin with hand-to-hand combat. Do you want me, Satoru, or Hiroshi to teach you? It's fine whichever way you girls want," Suguru said.
Mimiko and Nanako shuddered at the thought of Hiroshi's Spartan-like training, and having seen firsthand how Hiroshi regularly beat up Megumi Fushiguro, they decided against the nearly impossible scenarios of Satoru Gojo's training. They already had made up their minds—they would go with their adoptive father, as he was the gentlest of the group.
"Master Geto, we would like you to teach us," Mimiko said.
"It's been three months since Yuta came to Jujutsu High. His movements have gotten a lot better," Panda observed.
"Salmon," Inumaki agreed, employing his unique method of communicating through onigiri ingredients.
"His personality is more positive now, too," Satoru noted.
"Maki looks like she's having fun, too. Before now, she didn't get to spar much with a fellow weapon—" Panda said, but was interrupted.
"Well, she was able to spar and keep up with Hiroshi for a bit," Satoru interjected.
"The God of Sorcerers?" Panda exclaimed. "Sensei, you know him?"
"We are classmates, after all," Satoru explained.
"Salmon," Inumaki affirmed.
Then, Panda had a sudden realization, a sort of eureka moment, as he thought about Maki and Yuta.
"Yuta! Hey, come here! Come on!" Panda shouted.
"Huh? What's up, Panda-kun?" Yuta asked as he approached.
"A super important discussion! Listen closely! Do you prefer big boobs or small boobs?" Panda blurted out.
"Right now?!" Yuta thought, taken aback.
"I've never really given it much thought... But I suppose I prefer them somewhat big?" Yuta replied hesitantly.
"Oh-ho?" Panda exclaimed, then shouted. "Maki!"
"Huh?" Maki was briefly confused as she looked over to see Panda striking a pose.
"Things are looking good!" Panda announced mischievously.
"What crazy ideas are you getting? I'll kill you!" Maki shouted.
"Don't be so shy! Are you an elementary schooler?" Panda teased.
"All right, I'll kill you! The Wildlife Fund won't save you!" Maki declared.
Panda and Maki began Brawling.
"Okay, gather round! You two, continue your training," Satoru instructed Panda and Maki, who were playfully brawling in the background.
"Toge, you've been requested. It's a curse you're perfect for. Go exorcise it quickly," Satoru said.
"Salmon," Inumaki responded affirmatively.
"Requested?" Yuta inquired, curious about the assignment.
"Toge's the only Grade 2 sorcerer among us first-years. He's allowed to take missions on his own," Panda explained.
"Wow, that's impressive," Yuta exclaimed, impressed by Inumaki's capabilities.
"You're special grade..." Maki mused, considering Yuta's surprise despite his own high ranking.
"You go with him, Yuta. You'll be Toge's support," Satoru directed.
"Huh? Support?" Yuta asked, confused.
"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," Satoru explained.
"And if you want more information regarding the usage of cursed techniques and how to use them in battle, you can refer to my 'Battle of the Strongest' tape," Satoru suggested to Yuta.
"The one where you lost, Satoru," Suguru chimed in as he left Mimiko and Nanako to spar on their own.
"I did lose to Hiroshi in that one, but you, we have yet to know," Satoru said, acknowledging his defeat but hinting at an unresolved rivalry with Suguru.
"Any time, my friend," Suguru replied, open to the challenge.
"Um...who is Hiroshi?" Yuta asked, confused about the mention of a name unfamiliar to him.
"Senju Hiroshi, The God of Sorcerers," Panda stated.
"GOD!?" Yuta exclaimed in surprise. "Even Gojo and Geto Sensei did not claim that," he noted, reflecting on the grandeur of the title.
"Gojo Sensei and Geto Sensei both have their own titles, known by the sorcerer world. For Gojo-Sensei, he is 'The Honored One'," Panda explained as he observed Satoru chatting with Suguru.
"And for Geto Sensei, he is 'The Lord of Pandemonium'," Panda added, looking at Suguru.
"Cool," Yuta said, impressed by the legendary titles and the history they carried.
After a quick chat, Yuta and Inumaki left with Ijichi, accompanied by a warning from Satoru and Suguru not to let Rika out unless it was the last resort.
In the original timeline, this would have been Yuta's second mission and the first of many attempts by Suguru Geto to test Yuta. However, in this timeline, since Suguru Geto had not fallen, Inumaki and Yuta completed the assignment with ease.
---------------
A few days later,
Suguru Geto and Gojo Satoru were assigned two different tasks. Two special-grade curses appeared on opposite sides of Japan. At this point, the special-grade cursed spirits were still scarce like in the original timeline; however, their strengths had been enhanced.
"Special grades. I'll take Yuta with me for his third fieldwork," Suguru said.
"I'll go north," Satoru said. Suguru nodded.
----------------
On the way to Murotomisakicho, Suguru and Yuta chatted as they boarded a plane.
"Geto-Sensei, what type of spirit are we exorcising today?" Yuta asked.
"A special grade," Suguru said, "but you just have to observe," Suguru continued.
Yuta nodded as he psyched himself up.
"Also, since this is a special-grade cursed spirit, we can't be so sure of what will happen, so prepare to summon Rika if the situation becomes dire. As sorcerers, we must be ready for whatever happens. I'll take responsibility," Suguru smiled.
"Yes, Geto-Sensei," Yuta said.
A Few Days Ago...
Kenjaku stood in front of a barren beach, devoid of any plant life in the vicinity, or even underground. It was the most desolate place on earth, located in the easternmost part of Murotomisakicho.
The ground was smothered with black patches, indicating that a massive fire had cleansed this area.
"Kenjaku, why do we waste time scorching this entire area? We should focus on the revival of Sukuna-sama," Uraume said.
"Patience, Uraume. This is just to ensure that Senju Hiroshi does not realize what will happen next," Kenjaku replied.
Kenjaku was still inhabiting Kaori Itadori's body.
Uraume looked at Kenjaku coldly, indicating that she wanted an explanation.
Kenjaku noticed this and began monologuing, "Have you ever realized that during his fight with Gojo Satoru, Senju Hiroshi's overall combat capabilities were enhanced when he was surrounded by vegetation? I have a theory that the Senju Clan's Spell of the Divine Tree enables the practitioner to use any sort of vegetation as eyes and ears. That is one of the factors I'm trying to mitigate. The second is that Senju Hiroshi and Gojo Satoru are always with Geto Suguru, as if they are guarding him. I have reason to believe that this dates back to the Heian Era, where I tried to steal Senju Hashirama's corpse," Kenjaku explained.
"And?" Uraume asked coldly.
"Senju Hiroshi is aware of our motives or has picked up on our movements. When I initiated the binding vows I had with the sorcerers in previous eras, their hosts suddenly fell into a coma. However, within that same day, numerous Senju sorcerers began investigations, to the point where my plan for Sukuna's vessel was almost discovered," Kenjaku continued.
"Then we wipe out the Senju Clan. Sukuna-sama's revival is hindered by them," Uraume proposed bluntly, earning a chuckle from Kenjaku.
"Uraume, you should stick to being a cook for Sukuna. You have to realize that if we attack the Senju Clan, there is a moderate risk of capture and a huge risk of failure. Their reputation says it all— the Senju have no weaknesses in combat," Kenjaku said seriously. "We can easily deal with standard Senju sorcerers, grades 2 and below, but the Grade 1 Senju sorcerers are challenging even for me. If I were to open my domain directly, there is a significant chance that one of the Grade 1 sorcerers knows the Adamantine Sealing Chains, and another has an incomplete domain that will enable them to use Domain Amplification."
"As far as I know, a Domain has a sure-hit effect," Uraume remarked.
Kenjaku looked at Uraume as if she were a fool. "You're underestimating our enemies, Uraume. Although a Domain Expansion is the supreme technique, there are still ways to counter it," Kenjaku concluded, deciding to leave Uraume be as he realized that the cook of the King of Curses seemed to be lacking in common sense.
Back to the present, Suguru and Yuta arrived in the area, devoid of any vegetation. Seeing the burn marks, Suguru Geto concluded, "It's a Special Grade Fire Cursed Spirit or something similar, and it has a particular hate for vegetation, seeing as it got rid of any vegetation in the immediate vicinity."
However, Suguru couldn't shake the bad feeling he had, like something was about to happen. Hiroshi's words echoed in his ears: "Avoid isolated areas without trees." As Suguru looked around and realized there were no trees, panic set in. "Satoru is on another mission, Hiroshi is in Kyoto... Fuck!" Suguru cursed as he noticed the sky darken. He turned to Yuta and shouted, "Run!"
"What!?" Yuta was confused but followed Suguru Geto towards the edge of the curtain, witnessing Suguru losing his cool for the first time.
"Geto Sensei, what's happening?" Yuta asked, concerned.
"We are being ambushed, that's what. Yuta, pull out Rika immediately. We are about to fight a millennia-old sorcerer," Suguru said to Yuta seriously.
"Millennia-old!? But what if Rika rampages?" Yuta asked unsurely as he hovered the ring above his finger.
"Even better," Suguru said as he banged on the curtain. "We're locked in," Suguru said, checking his phone and finding no signal due to the specialized curtain blocking it.
Yuta wore the ring as Rika was immediately summoned, "Yuuuutaaa," she said adoringly, caressing Yuta's face while floating around him.
Suguru, on the other hand, summoned his legions of cursed spirits and defensively positioned them around him. Some of the cursed spirits that got near Yuta were torn to shreds by Rika, so Suguru kept his summons away from her.
The sounds of drums, floating ghostly fires, and Suguru Geto inside the rib cage of a massive skeleton, with bones rattling ominously, filled the air. As the rattling stopped, the skeleton, along with Suguru Geto, disappeared.
Kenjaku and Uraume stood flying on top of them, due to anti-gravity. Kenjaku had been using it to keep them afloat.
"Okkotsu Yuta, a new Special Grade?" Kenjaku read Yuta's file, which he got from Uraume.
"I see it's because of his cursed spirit, Rika, which he isn't able to control yet. Uraume, I believe you can handle him," Kenjaku said to Uraume beside him.
Uraume simply nodded coldly.
Kenjaku looked at where Suguru had disappeared. "Well then, if he is hiding... then we force him out," Kenjaku said ominously, looking at Yuta.
A/N: I'll be Honest I thought I would be seeing Insults and stuff like that when I first started writing this fic😅 webnovel is a tough crowd ngl.
A/N: But Besides One Review, the rest were positive and generally have good points on improvements thanks for pointing it out.
A/N: For my readers, Thanks For Giving the Time on reading the Fic that I impulsively brought to life, I'm the Impulsive Writer After all, you can see how I started this fic😆.
A/N: Gratitude Aside, Is Yuji Special Grade Even without his domain yet? Tell me your thoughts.
