74 Meeting

[Author Note]

Disc: HrPrTeam

Long chapter (2.5k).

I just kept going after typing for a bit.

__________

Naohiro

How did it end up like this?

Looking down, I see a sleeping Shoko with her head lying on my lap.

I mumble with a smile. "Isn't this supposed to be reversed?"

Who knew that I could become someone that people could lean on?

I've been a panicked freak focused on getting stronger throughout my entire life and hadn't noticed the important things.

After she sat down, we talked and talked. She ended up letting out all of her frustrations and insecurities to me while I sat and listened.

Sometimes, you must say things out loud to release the pent-up emotions that have been hidden deep within.

Shoko has never been one to voice or show emotion, so she needed some way to express it.

She didn't cry, but she didn't need to.

Everything was let out.

Being gone for years took a toll on the people around me, and I've been so focused on preventing Gege from destroying the world.

Sadly, I'm not done.

I still need to prepare for events that will most likely happen. Running around blindly isn't an effective strategy for solving the world's problems.

Everything can't be done alone, so I focus on others. Fostering the next generation and teaming with the previous future strongest will help me prepare against anything Kenjaku has planned for me.

I have my own frustrations that I want to let out, but I can't whine and complain if I want to get things done.

However, for now.

...

This is nice.

...

*Slide*

Shit, I dropped my guard.

The door opens to a black, spiky-haired seven-year-old. "Hey, Nao-"

He pauses.

His eyes widen, and he slowly backs up. "Uh, did I come at a bad time?"

A tick mark and a murderous look on my face appear. "Knock. Get out before I make you fight Mahoraga."

Instead of responding, he starts to sweat and backs up before closing the door.

Just a little while longer.

...

After another thirty minutes or so, Shoko starts moving.

I smirk. "Rest well?"

Her eyes snap open, and her head flies up before her eyes widen as she realizes that she is sleeping on my lap.

I add fuel to the fire. "You were out for a good hour and a half. I wasn't sure you would wake up because of how relaxed you were."

Shoko.exe has stopped working. "I-I u-uh, huh!?"

She stands up and waves her hands. "I'm sorry. I was tired, and I was on a couch and..."

I give her a smile. "Don't worry about it. I don't mind. It wasn't bad at all."

She facepalms. "*Ugh* I'm just going to go to my new room."

I tilt my head to the side, keeping my smile. "Potential Man finished his work, so it's training time!"

She flops back on the couch and curls up in a ball. "Give me a bit."

I smirk, stand up, and turn toward Shoko. "Well, if you take too long, Potential Man is going to die from his injuries."

Shoko gives me a deadpan stare, but I shrug. "Just letting you know."

Instead of waiting for a reply, I walk towards the training field to torture (train) Potential Man.

Tengen

What have I done?

I've turned one of the potential greatest allies into an enemy, and for what?

Balance.

Everything I've done throughout my life has been related to balance.

As soon as an anomaly appears, I keep it contained rather than develop different strategies to influence and keep him on my side.

Foolish, so foolish.

My face burns as I touch my cheek.

That punch he hit me with.

...

Hit my soul.

...

Immortality can let me live forever, but soul damage is something that is problematic.

How could he learn such arts?

Even some of the strongest sorcerers can't see, let alone damage the soul.

Since when could he see the shape of his soul?

It isn't fatal, and I can still hold barriers together, so the damage won't be a large issue with keeping society safe, but it worries me.

I've run into another problem.

While I was able to keep Kenjaku occupied by sealing him, one thing bothered me.

Why doesn't he kill himself?

If his consciousness is in another body, he should be able to kill himself to transfer back to his main body.

What is the point of staying here with me?

I'd assumed that this sealing would halt his plans, but it seemed like he expected it.

He shouldn't have many more allies strong enough to oppose jujutsu society, so it's unsettling that he willingly stays here.

Turning off the adaptation function of the barrier allowed me more freedom to remove the possibility of ending his life.

Even though I did that, he stared at me with a smile.

I thought about killing him, but that would force his consciousness back into his main body, which could cause many more problems.

The strongest person in the world is against me, so what can I do?

In an attempt to remove the unpredictable variable, I've only created more unpredictable events.

Naohiro

Stretching my arms, I speak to Megumi. "Now that we're done, I need to talk to Choso about seeing Yuji because Kenjaku is out of the picture."

I look over to see a passed-out Megumi.

He probably didn't hear anything I said, but I don't care.

Leaving him to Shoko, I make my way towards the half-curse area of the compound.

Color me surprised when I learned that Naoya was the new clan head. I was able to make him stronger than Naobito at eighteen.

Given Naobito's contribution, I didn't care much for it since Naoya practically ran the clan before he beat up the old man.

Arriving at the half-curses quarters, I knock on the main door.

*Knock*

I hear shuffling before the door slides open.

*Slide*

An eager Choso speaks up. "Is it time?"

I smile. "Yep, it's time to see your brother."

He pumped his fists. "YEAH! *Ahem* I mean, let's go."

Since it would be strange for everyone to come at once right off the bat, Choso was the only one who went with me.

...

Finding the Itadori residence was easy since I found it years ago to be able to monitor it when I needed to make my way toward Sukuna's future vessel.

I see Choso fidget as I knock on the door.

*Knock*

After waiting for thirty seconds, there is no sound, and I catch a faint smell of blood.

Both of our eyes narrowed as I reached for the door handle.

Twisting it, I found that the door was unlocked. Pushing it open, I was shocked to see what was inside.

...

Wasuke Itadiori, dead.

...

Choso's eyes widen as he bursts through the door and sprints throughout the house.

He yells. "YUJI!?"

Shit!

It looks like Kenjaku had him moved.

Choso rushed down the stairs and grabbed my shoulders. "Do you know where he could be!?"

I grit my teeth. "Looks like Noritoshi Kamo had him moved somewhere while he is sealed."

Blood-red lines appeared on his face. "Do you know where Noritoshi Kamo is sealed?"

I crossed my arms. "Tombs of the Star. Tengen has him sealed in a barrier."

Normally, I wouldn't work with him on this, but I have a binding vow to fulfill.

He shook in rage as he attempted to calm himself down. "Can you take me there?"

I sighed. "*Sigh* Tengen tried to seal me last time, and I doubt she would allow people in there ever since I punched her. What are you going to do?"

Choso yelled. "I'm going to beat the location out of him! Even if I die, I'll ensure my younger brother is safe! Please, take me there."

I ponder for a moment. "I can get you close, but I'm not going anywhere near Tengen because of the shit she pulled. The problem is the changing doors if you don't know how to navigate it."

His shoulders dropped. "Is there no way to see my brother?"

My eyes widened as I pulled out my phone. "I've got someone who can help."

He grabbed my shoulders again and started to shake me. "Who?"

Backing away from him so he stops, I call Gojo.

*Ring*

He instantly picks up. "Hey, you haven't called me since you returned from the mission!"

I sweatdropped. "Were you waiting for the call?"

Backing the phone away from my ear, Gojo yells. "Who knows if you'll be gone for another three years!?"

I rub my forehead. "In any case, I need your help with something."

Gojo loudly speaks up. "HUH!?"

I give Choso a smirk as he looks at me like I'm stupid. "A friend of mine needs to see Tengen, and we aren't the best buds now."

He seemed shocked. "You have friends besides me and Shoko?"

I sigh. "*Sigh* Can you help?"

Gojo gives his own sigh. "*Sigh* Man, you'll owe me one. I've done a ton of favors for you."

My head flops back. "Yeah, yeah, sorry about that. This is important since it involves Kenjaku. I'm heading to Jujutsu High, and Tengen has Kenjaku sealed."

He loudly replies again. "HUH!? That bum again? When does a favor you ask NOT involve Kenjaku?"

I smile. "Very rarely, but it is important."

He pauses for a moment. "Fine, I need to see that Kenjaku guy myself, so I'll take your friend to see the old lady."

I smile at Choso. "Thanks."

*Clap*

Then, a clap can be heard. "Alright, I'm at Jujutsu High. Tell your friend to meet me here, and then we'll see Tengen."

I rub the back of my head. "Sounds good. His name is Choso, and he's a half-curse, so he's a little strange but a good guy."

Gojo sighs again. "*Sigh* You find the weirdest people. See you both soon, then."

I hang up.

Choso raised an eyebrow, but I kept my smile. "He'll help out, trust me."

All he does is shake his head.

With that, Choso and I head towards Jujutsu High.

...

Gojo greets us. "Yo!"

I smile as I wave and push Choso's back. "Have fun at school."

He gives me a deadpan stare but walks up the stairs. "This is going to take a while."

I wave at Gojo and his retreating form, deciding to head back to the Zenin compound.

Gojo there will ensure that nothing serious happens to Tengen. I hadn't told Gojo about my sealing yet just because it would be a problem for Tengen to gain more enemies that might kill her.

Why does everything have to be so complicated?

Choso

The man named Gojo spoke up. "So, what's your deal? Why do you want to see Tengen?"

I spoke with a monotone voice. "Tengen has Noritoshi Kamo, or Kenjaku as you know him, sealed. He kidnapped my brother."

He nods. "Oh. I hadn't interacted with the guy, so I wanted to see what he was all about."

We were silent for the rest of the walk.

I couldn't care less if this was an awkward conversation.

Please be alright, Yuji.

...

We arrived at an elevator a while later because Tengen allowed us to pass through the constantly shifting doors.

After arriving at the bottom, I see a sight of a small girl with white hair.

Gojo speaks up. "Hey, Tengen! Been a while."

Rather than participating in small talk, Tengen spoke. "Are you here because of Naohiro?"

He tilted his head to the size. "Yes and no. We are here since we both want to talk to Kenjaku."

Tengen widened her eyes. "You wish to speak to Kenjaku?"

Gojo scratches his hair. "Uh, that's what I just said."

Her eyes narrowed. "What do you need from him?"

I spoke up. "He knows where my brother is, so I need to get his location."

Gojo spoke up after me. "I want to see the guy since he has been a pain in the ass."

Tengen closes her eyes. "Well, he technically isn't here. His consciousness is."

I drop my head. "How am I supposed to get my brother's location if Kenjaku isn't even here!?"

She shook her head before standing up. "Follow me."

My head tilted back up as Gojo and I followed her toward a large barrier.

Both Gojo and I looked confused.

Gojo was the one who spoke up. "Uh, that's a woman."

Tengen glanced at Gojo. "He can swap bodies using his technique and currently inhabits a female named Kaori Itadori."

My eyes widened. "Itadori!?"

Gojo raised an eyebrow. "Itadori?"

I walked closer to the barrier. "That means Kenjaku is my brother's mother."

Tengen didn't look surprised, but that got a reaction out of Gojo. "What!? You're related to Kenjaku!?"

I glanced back at him. "He's my...father."

Gojo recoiled. "What the hell is this family tree?"

Instead of responding, Tengen raised her hand. "You may now speak to him."

I spoke up first. "Noritoshi Kamo."

Kenjaku looked up towards the wall with a smile. "Is that who I think it is?"

A frown appeared on my face. "Where is he?"

Kenjaku tilted his head to the side. "Who?"

I yelled in anger. "My younger brother Yuji Itadori!"

He had a look of realization and smiled. "Ah, that's who you're looking for. It's strange that you know about him. Did Naohiro tell you?"

I narrowed my eyes. "Where. Is. He."

He shrugged. "Hmm, I don't know. I'm sealed in here. How would I know where he's at?"

I punched the wall. "Bastard!"

Gojo spoke up. "So you're Kenjaku. You know, you've been a huge pain in the ass recently."

Kenjaku rested his head on his fist. "I could say you and Naohiro have been the same."

Gojo shrugged. "It's a shame your real body isn't here. I was hoping to end you here and now."

He raised an eyebrow. "Naohiro would've done it if he could've when we were in here for a few months."

Gojo's eyes widened. "What?"

Kenjaku huffed a laugh. "Did he not tell you? The shut-in sealed him in here with me. She tried keeping him here for the rest of his life."

He turned to Tengen. "Is that true?"

Tengen sighed. "*Sigh* Yes, however, I've realized my mistake."

Gojo's eyes narrowed. "Realized it after he got out? Pretty convenient."

Before things escalated further, I turned around and walked back towards the elevator.

Tengen decided to walk back to the main chamber, and Gojo stood there, lost in his thoughts, staring at Kenjaku.

I'm not going to get anything here.

I will find you, Yuji, and be the best older brother he can ask for.

Next chapter