9 Mission

3 Months Later, September 5, 2004

Hiroshi, Satoru, Suguru, and Shoko were assigned to exorcise a building due to the buildup of cursed energy resulting from multiple deaths and incidents that had occurred there.

As the others ventured inside the ominous building, Shoko opted to remain outside, stationed at the entrance.

Hiroshi, Satoru, and Suguru stood in front of an abandoned house, the air thick with cursed energy signaling the presence of cursed spirits within.

"Ready to catch more Pokémon, Suguru?" Hiroshi teased with a playful grin.

"Pokémon... but you don't swallow Pokéballs, do you?" Suguru retorted, raising an eyebrow in amusement.

"Same concept, basically. It's about collecting them. Gotta catch 'em all, hehe," Hiroshi continued the banter.

"I prefer Digimon. Fight me!" Satoru challenged with a smirk.

""Ain't no way the power of friendship could defeat evil," Hiroshi countered, playfully jesting at Satoru as he shook his head in mock disbelief. locking eyes with Satoru, a hint of competitiveness sparking between them.

"So, you're saying that capturing wild animals and forcing them into gladiator fights is any better?" Satoru fired back, his point hitting home.

Before Hiroshi could formulate a response, he realized the truth in Satoru's words. "Wait, he's got a point," he conceded with a click of his tongue.

"Hehe," Satoru chuckled, reveling in his small victory over Hiroshi.

As they ventured inside, they were confronted by a woman blocking their path, her disheveled black hair cascading past her shoulders. Suddenly, space seemed to freeze as the woman muttered, "Am I pretty?" Eyes began to manifest around her head, signaling her true nature as a Grade 1 cursed spirit.

"It's a Grade 1 cursed spirit," Hiroshi remarked, recognizing the threat before them. "This should be Suguru's Kuchisake-Onna—the one with a simple domain," he thought, recalling the battle between Toji and Geto.

"Can I say no?" Satoru quipped, his wit cutting through the tension.

In response, the Kuchisake-onna launched an attack, conjuring numerous shears around them, ready to strike.

"Cero," Hiroshi muttered, unleashing his cursed energy to strike the woman. "Is it dead?" Satoru inquired, noting the disappearance of the simple domain.

"No, it's not. I controlled my cursed energy output. Suguru, you can throw your 'Pokéball' or something," Hiroshi teased, egging Suguru on.

"It's not like that," Suguru retorted, extending his hand as the woman was absorbed into a ball of cursed energy.

Observing Suguru's action, Hiroshi couldn't resist teasing further. "Swallow, swallow, swallow," he chanted playfully, with Satoru joining in, adding to the lighthearted atmosphere amidst the battle.

Suguru's grimace was a vivid picture of disgust as he swallowed the small black sphere, the taste evidently appalling. Hiroshi couldn't resist inquiring, "Seeing that your face is like that, how does it taste?" Despite already knowing the answer from his past memories, he asked to tease Suguru further.

"Tastes like shit, like a rag wiped with vomit and shit," Suguru grimaced, his description vividly unpleasant.

"Well, you've got a lot more incoming," Satoru chimed in, lightening the mood as he opened the door to the house. Instantly, they were attacked by multiple red centipedes, which were promptly halted by Satoru's infinity.

Hiroshi eyed the giant centipedes, a shudder running through him not from fear of their power but at the thought of their many legs. "Would've been terrible if cursed spirits spawned in Australia," he mused, his automatic mechanism to obliterate bugs with more than four legs—except spiders—kicking in at the thought.

Suguru quickly exorcised these cursed spirits, gathering them into the black sphere and swallowing it directly. The look of disgust never left his face, prompting Hiroshi to comment as they concluded their task.

"No more cursed spirits; we're done here," Satoru announced, sealing the endeavor.

"Let's brighten that face with some Boba, Suguru," Hiroshi suggested, trying to lift the spirits of his friend.

"You paying for it?" Suguru asked cheekily, seizing the opportunity.

"Dude...you know what, whatever, I'm rich anyway," Hiroshi resignedly declared, accepting the role of benefactor.

"I'd like some Kikufuku," Satoru interjected with his preference.

"We can pick up Boba for me and Suguru and buy some Kikufuku for you, Satoru," Hiroshi decided, orchestrating their next move.

Stepping outside, they found Shoko waiting, her demeanor nonchalant as she smoked casually. "Oi, cleared already?" she inquired, unfazed by their earlier engagement with the cursed spirits.

"Easy, we're going to have some Boba. Let's go, Shoko," Hiroshi invited, ready to shift from the day's events to a more relaxed setting.

Glancing back, Hiroshi noticed Suguru and Satoru engaged in an argument, a testament to their unique chemistry. "They indeed have that chemistry," he observed, a smile playing on his lips at their camaraderie.

"Hiroshi, I reckon you're paying for the food?" Shoko asked, catching on to the group's dynamics.

"Yeah," Hiroshi confirmed, unfazed by the accumulating requests.

"I'd like some Sapporo," Shoko stated her preference, adding to the list.

"We can buy that as we go," Hiroshi agreed, ready to cater to his friends' desires as they all moved forward.

In the boba shop, Hiroshi and Suguru sat at a small table, savoring their drinks in the comforting ambiance of the shop.

"A boba washes the nasty taste away from swallowing curses. Thanks, Hiroshi," Suguru said gratefully, offering a small smile.

"No problem," Hiroshi replied with a nod, returning the smile. "Now, let's go. Satoru is looking at us menacingly," he remarked, gesturing subtly towards the glass windows where Satoru Gojo's intense gaze could be felt.

Suguru chuckled softly, glancing over at Satoru. "Ah, that's just his way of showing affection," he joked, though there was a hint of truth in his words.

As the trio got up to leave, they made their way to the counter to purchase Satoru's beloved Kikufuku and Shoko's preferred six-pack of beer. Hiroshi took care of the bill, his wealth affording them this small luxury.

With their purchases in hand, they exited the boba shop and began their journey back to Jujutsu High. The evening air was crisp, and the sounds of the city surrounded them as they walked, their camaraderie evident in the easy banter and shared laughter that filled the air.

As they walked, Satoru instantly spotted their senior, Utahime Iori.

"Utahime-senpai, good evening," Shoko greeted respectfully.

"Yo, Utahime, still weak as usual," Gojo Satoru remarked nonchalantly, his tone teasing as always.

"Gojo, always with the same old jokes," Utahime replied, her forced smile betraying a hint of irritation at Satoru's remark.

"It's not a joke, you're weak," Satoru bluntly stated, causing visible irritation to appear on Utahime's forehead.

"Now, now, Satoru, it's rude to say that to our senior, although it's true," Suguru intervened, attempting to diffuse the tension.

"That's rude! Be more polite; I am your senior," Utahime snapped, her annoyance palpable.

"Gonna cry?" Satoru taunted, his provocation further aggravating the situation.

"I am not!" Utahime retorted, her frustration evident.

"Alright, break it up. Hello there, Utahime-senpai," Hiroshi interjected, stepping in to ease the tension.

"Satoru, let's respect our seniors. Even if Utahime-senpai may have weaknesses, it's important to show respect," Hiroshi advised, adding a chuckle to his words.

Utahime, who had been listening attentively, approved of Hiroshi's sentiment at first. However, she couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss, especially when Hiroshi chuckled.

"Listen, Satoru, you should be more polite. It will help you fit in better with the seniors and the other freshmen," Suguru chimed in, reinforcing Hiroshi's advice.

"Hah?! It'll be fine, I got you three," Satoru stubbornly insisted, unwilling to back down from his stance.

Hearing Satoru's nonchalant reply, Hiroshi interjected, "Let him be, Suguru. We're here for him anyway. But, Satoru, try to be friendlier to your seniors and juniors in the future, no matter how weak they may seem," Hiroshi advised, attempting to strike a balance between admonishment and understanding.

Utahime, who had been observing the exchange, nodded in agreement with Hiroshi's words, though she couldn't help but feel slightly annoyed by the implication of weakness.

"Ah, right," she said, regaining her focus. "I have a mission from the Jujutsu Higher Ups specifically for you three," she announced, almost forgetting the purpose of her encounter amidst the provocation from Satoru.

"What mission?" Suguru inquired, his curiosity piqued.

"We've located one of Sukuna's fingers, and you three are tasked with escorting it," Utahime explained.

"Why are you the one passing this information to us?" Hiroshi questioned, his brow furrowing slightly.

"I was instructed to intercept you and deliver this information personally," Utahime clarified.

"Alright, just give us the location, and we'll head there," Hiroshi replied, his tone decisive.

"It's located at a shrine in Mt. Mito," Utahime informed them, providing the crucial details of their next assignment.

As the group bid farewell to Utahime, the night air enveloped them in its cool embrace, a stark contrast to the intensity of their recent encounter.

Hiroshi swiftly dialed his phone, arranging for a vehicle from the prestigious Senju clan to transport them to Mt. Mito. 

As the sleek car pulled up, Hiroshi motioned for his companions to climb inside, the dim glow of the city lights casting shadows across their faces.

"It must be quite the luxury, being the head of a clan," Suguru remarked, his tone tinged with a hint of admiration.

Hiroshi nodded thoughtfully. "Satoru could excel in that role as well," he mused, acknowledging his friend's potential.

"My clan doesn't concern itself with the affairs of the mundane world like yours does. However, once I assume leadership, I intend to change that," Satoru declared confidently, his gaze fixed on the horizon ahead.

Hiroshi's lips curled into a wry smile. "Indeed," he agreed, "unlike the conservative views of the Jujutsu higher-ups and other sorcerer families, the Senju clan recognizes the importance of collaboration with ordinary people. That's why we've established the Auxiliary House centuries ago"

Pausing for a moment, Hiroshi turned to his friends, his gaze lingering momentarily on Suguru Geto, recognizing the weight of his next words.

"Allow me to impart a piece of wisdom," he began, his voice carrying the weight of experience. "Money makes the world go round, and when you possess wealth beyond measure, you hold the power to acquire anything—even the services of sorcerers," Hiroshi concluded, his words resonating in the stillness of the night.

---------------

Half an hour later, the car stopped due to the road being impassable by cars.

Seeing the creepiness of the mountain at night, Hiroshi playfully asked Suguru, "Hey Suguru, if something were to come out of the darkness, would you throw hands at it or run?"

"What is there to fear? All supernatural cases are cursed spirits, and as sorcerers, we exorcise them. What is there to fear?" Suguru shook his head confidently, expressing his lack of fear.

As they ascended to the shrine, a multitude of cursed spirits was attracted by Sukuna's Finger. However, these were all Grades 4 and 3, which Suguru swiftly dispatched with a wave of his hand, turning them into black spheres absorbed into his cursed technique.

"Now we can confirm that Sukuna's finger is nearby. Perhaps due to the ancestor's seal, they can't find it, but the seal has deteriorated after a thousand years," Hiroshi shared his insight.

As they neared the temple, they were ambushed by a cursed spirit in the shape of a dragon. It lunged directly at Satoru, ignoring everyone else. Just as Satoru was attacked, Suguru summoned a multitude of cursed spirits, including small squids fired from portals.

"I can't fly, Satoru. You deal with that. Don't kill it; Suguru can use it," Hiroshi directed.

Suddenly, the thudding of the earth was sensed by Hiroshi, and through the trees, he saw a giant cursed spirit with one eye. The massive cursed spirit was also sensed by Suguru and Satoru.

"I'll take care of it," Hiroshi said confidently. "Shinboku no Jumon: Wood Dragon Technique!" he invoked, and a massive Eastern wood dragon emerged from the ground with Hiroshi on its head.

"Why does he always feel the need to be in charge?" Satoru grumbled, though he complied and took to the skies regardless.

"Well, he's undoubtedly the most powerful among us," Suguru reasoned as he rode a pink manta ray into the air alongside Satoru.

Tracking the Dragon Cursed Spirit, Satoru wasted no time in unleashing his Cursed Technique Blue, ensnaring the creature and bringing it to a sudden halt.

"Get ready to bring it down!" Satoru commanded, delivering a powerful blow that sent the dragon crashing to the ground. Seizing the opportunity, Suguru summoned a horde of Cursed Spirits to ensnare and immobilize the beast, preventing it from taking flight again.

"It's time to exorcise it," Suguru declared, swiftly absorbing the Cursed Spirit into a black sphere, his technique consuming its essence.

"Great job, Satoru," Suguru praised, dismissing his summoned creatures with a wave of his hand.

As they watched in awe, the ground trembled beneath them, giving rise to multiple Wood Dragons that converged upon the cyclopean Cursed Spirit, coiling around it and restraining its movements.

"He can do that?" Suguru exclaimed, his disbelief evident.

"Don't look at me, this is the first time I've seen him pull off something like that," Satoru admitted, equally astonished by Hiroshi's display of power.

As they observed Hiroshi's capabilities, Satoru couldn't help but feel a surge of determination. "Hiroshi, you're always pushing the boundaries of what's possible. It just gives me more reason to challenge you," he thought to himself, a smirk playing on his lips. But for now, Satoru knew he had to focus on mastering the Reverse Cursed Technique before he could even consider such a challenge.

Suguru gazed at Hiroshi atop the Wood Dragon, even in the darkness, he could discern the figure of the man who wielded nature itself as a weapon. Turning his attention to his friend Satoru Gojo, Suguru marveled at the sorcerer whose Cursed Technique, Infinity, and Six Eyes, commanded the very fabric of reality. Lost in introspection, Suguru questioned his own identity. "What am I?" he pondered, feeling the weight of his companions' extraordinary abilities.

Inwardly, Suguru wrestled with his thoughts. "We're all Special Grade Sorcerers, but right now, I'm on par with Satoru. With Hiroshi leading the way, how do I catch up? I want to catch up," he resolved, determination burning within him.

Suguru couldn't help but admire Hiroshi's adept manipulation of Cursed Spirits, as evidenced by the giant cursed spirit, now bound by the Wood Dragons, gradually weakening under Hiroshi's control. Despite its potential for devastation, the cursed spirit was now mere plaything for Hiroshi.

Meanwhile, Hiroshi, unaware of his friends' musings, contemplated the familiarity of the Dragon Cursed Spirit and the Cyclops before him. "That Dragon Cursed Spirit... it must be Suguru's Rainbow Dragon, the one Toji sliced in half. And that Cyclops... it's the one that briefly appeared," Hiroshi realized.

Observing the subdued cursed spirit, Hiroshi teased Suguru, "It's going to perish if you don't tame it. Throw your 'PokeBall' or whatever you do."

"Fine, fine, Pokemon it is," Suguru replied, resigning himself to the simplicity of the analogy.

With Suguru swallowing the black sphere containing the Cyclops Cursed Spirit, Hiroshi and the gang finally arrived at the temple and safely retrieved Sukuna's finger.

Glancing at the time, Satoru remarked, "2:34 am. Let's report to Jujutsu High and get some rest."

"Agreed," Suguru replied in confirmation.

The group made their way back to Jujutsu High, where they securely placed the cursed finger in the warehouse and called it a day.