Chapter Text
For almost ten minutes, Yuji could safely say he relished in the quiet that took over. Sukuna’s voice couldn’t reach him, as he made sure to stomp out all traces of his existence for the last few moments. He started acting out way more often compared to when they began seeing the past, and it actually started to hurt his head after some time. He refused to tell anyone this, despite plenty of signs otherwise. But now it’s painfully obvious they know. If they didn’t see him as a ticking time bomb before, they absolutely do now.
He needs to hurry up and do something about it, but the paranoia from Sukuna’s watchful eyes is too great. He now feels unsafe even in his own thoughts. Inside his entire body, in general. He fears losing control at any moment now and being one careless blink away from facing some bloody consequences.
Of course, he couldn’t even savor that silence (if he could call it that) for much longer, when the sound of footsteps drew near him. They didn’t seem urgent, and in fact, their owner seemed like they took their time trying to find him. If they even wanted to seek him out at all.
This was soon proven wrong when Nanami’s head pokes out slowly from the other side. It takes him a bit to realize it, and when he does, he sees a second shadow joins him in his moping.
This actually gets a response out of the boy, who tentatively turns up to look at his new companion. As he does, and the full form of the salaryman overtakes his vision, memories of his appearance in the future swimmed by, and a twinge of relief consumes him, but it’s offset by a sense of dread built up from the amount of disappointments on-screen.
Despite this, not a single one of them had it in them to speak first, creating a rather awkward mood. Suddenly even using up his vocal cords seemed like a lot of effort.
...
“Do you think we can even do this?”
The blonde man shifted in response to the sudden question posed. Yuji gradually lifts his head up to meet him face to face, and Nanami was struck by the scared expression that was ironically more befitting of a boy his age.
“Like, this entire...” he couldn’t get the words out, but damn if he didn’t try. He wanted to dump out so much on his plate just to feel better, but he feared adding more on his friends than they already have. He knows he’s not the only one wallowing in trouble. “... future thing. Can we even succeed at everything? What if the flow of time we try to change just... fixes itself, and shit goes back to square one somehow? Even if Gojo-sensei is with us this time, it feels real shitty to rely on him to fix every single mess. Heck, what if... he...”
The “he” in question was hardly contested, judging by the boy’s look darting towards his extra eye. He remains the one equation they can’t control, and despite the advanced mechanisms of this Domain, he was still essential enough to be allowed with Yuji to watch. Perhaps he held something vital to the problems sustained in the future.
He sighs as the attention is drawn to him. Usually, intuition and sentimental possibilities are not Nanami’s forte, but the fact that future Yuji was still standing at the end of it all, still willing to face the night despite what’s left at his wake. It was honestly inspirational, even to him.
“Normally, we have to. We do have a massive advantage on our side, even with Sukuna around. If we play our cards right, he will be... dealt with in a day. We already thought through that, if it helps.” Nanami ultimately tells him, to the latter’s anxious uncertainty, if understanding. The man wasn’t someone who dealt in ‘ifs’ too much, or so it looked like, and that was too loaded of a question.
Reflexively checking on his watch, Nanami then says “However, ask yourself this... Do you even have much of a choice?”
Interestingly, after a few minutes, that seemed to be enough to make the boy reach some kind of... way out. Enough to get him to pick up something resembling resolve.
The darkness he was perceiving in the corner of his eyes was starting to dissipate, and the doubt that lied in it dispelled. His lips gradually curled into a neutral smile. Just from a few words, it was like the nails holding him down were being removed off his limbs.
This was really it. This is what his psyche truly required at the moment.
It was so simple. But he figured that’s how he always rolled.
How else could he bounce back from what happened to Junpei, after all? Or from what happened to Yasuke, or just moving away
“Nanamin.” he tenderly, got up from the ground, and walked up to him without ever raising his head to look up, but the feeling of release on his features was undeniable.
“Thank you.”
The salaryman was surprised, but pleasantly so, at how quickly he managed to pick off the dust.
“I didn’t even do say anything constructive”. Still, Yuji’s change in mood was rather suspicious to Nanami, to say the least. What if he just put on a mask again?
“Yeah but... I just needed this. That’s all.”
Suddenly, they took notice of another presence right behind the corridor and darted their eyes to their right. It didn’t take much time before they identified it.
“Oh, Choso!” Yuji called out without warning, clearly startling the shadow that fell on the other wall. “C’mere!”
After a moment, the older Death Painting emerged from the other side, looking rather ruffled, but never taking his eyes off Yuji. He made a beeline straight for the boy ever since he unexpectedly ran off, only focusing on catching his scent to the point of neglecting his surroundings. But Nanami managed to get to him first, and in a more poised fashion.
Upon seeing his caring expression, he built up enough nerve to approach the two, until he was right in front of the teen.
“Um...”
“Don’t worry, I’m fine.” he grunted, rubbing his head “I just had to catch my breath. All that info overload for two hours was too much, haha!”
Choso and Nanami found that description too underwhelming but still, “... I see.” Choso’s features softened a little, but something about Yuji’s attitude still threw him off. Especially just how familiar he’s acting with him, despite knowing him for a few hours. Almost as if he’s trying to divert himself...
“And I bet everyone else feels the same! I guess I should go check on the gang.”
Yuji dusted off the rest of his sleeves before deciding to head away... only to halt at the first intersection, catching the two men’s concern.
“Er... where are they exactly?” he turns around and addresses them with a hilariously befuddled face. Nanami and Choso had to resist banging their heads on the wall nearby. Then again, he wasn’t wrong, as he ended up here in a moment of distress. Not even Choso had an idea, given his complete lack of acquaintance with the place.
Nanami took out his glasses to pinch the bridge of his nose, “Just... follow me.”
Meanwhile, the rest of the sorcerers gathered around in one of the rooms they used to occupy for recreation.
Gojo was stuck sitting on the sofa, curling his fingers together while staring off into the distance.
Without even moving his orbs, he could sense the state of his allies. Megumi was similarly sitting down, his face deeply downcast, obviously still lost on how to feel about himself. Nobara was standing on the wall besides him, seeming to watch him but actually paying attention to nothing in particular. Maki and Yuta were on the sofa right behind the one he sat on, with Yuta tapping his feet restlessly, and Maki’s own anxiety only slightly tampered by the stoic facade she forced on. Inumaki and Panda were on the ground, helping themselves to some snacks, with Momo and Mai besides them, looking as if they never ate their whole lives. On the other sofa sat Miwa, who tried to ditract herself alongside her classmates but kept worriedly looking at Muta in the corner, sitting atop the wheeler and not moving an inch, and Todo, who was repeatedly glancing at the door, waiting for a certain someone.
Utahime was parsed on the sofa beside that one, clasping her hands together in deep thought, with Shoko alongside her having finished downing a third can of sake. Yaga was standing near the door, expression grim as he kept watch over Muta, as well as Geto and Toji. Speaking of which, Geto was eerily calm compared to earlier, his eyes downcast as he raked over the place. But to anyone with eyes, it’s obvious what’s really going on. Not even the lack of an exit would stop him from trying again anyway, and he was making calculations. Toji was knocking back sake just like Shoko, even giving her some at her behest (he’d rather ignore the sight the best he can), but the whole time, his eyes were cast on Megumi, almost looking actually concerned for him. Meanwhile, Yuki was skipping around the room, checking the amenities with wonder in her eyes.
Really, the only thing he needed now was to sit back and revise just what the hell happened the past few hours.
Kokichi Muta betrayed them and got killed for it. He got sealed. Ijichi nearly died. Toji was revived. Choso was... whatever. Nanami’s barely recognizable.. He doesn’t know what came of Maki.. Half of Shibuya was burnt down... The other half was totaled by Mahoraga and Sukuna... and Yuji...
He got about the right gist of it. And the more he went back the more pain he felt in his temples. This wasn’t even over by a long shot, and he knew it. And they have to take more until they break at this rate.
He wasn’t sure if that was going to successfully embolden them into taking this matter seriously or not. If Yuji was any indication, it’d take a while before that natural fear eventually gets to them.
Needless to say, he badly interpreted the message. In more ways than one, judging by the revenants in here.
Suddenly, Yuta rose up. However, all energy is knocked out of him, causing him to fall back in the sofa. Truth to be told, he didn’t know what to say or do for Yuji right now even if he did find him.
Panda caught on to that. When he put down and looked around, he randomly wondered “Kinda weird how nobody’s really raring to take a break.”
Maki fell backwards, her back on the chair, “Even if we wanna, this... isn’t the kinda shit you can just wait for.”
Upon hearing the voices, more people found themselves comfortable talking again.
“Tuna mayo.” Inumaki affirmed. The endgame is near.
“... Still, do y’all think he can even carry on?” Nishimiya flatly, but sincerely, asked. “I actually glimpsed his face just as he turned around minutes ago. Nothing about it promised hope.”
Todo merely snickered worry, “Come on now. This is Itadori we’re talking about.”
“Amirite!?”
Heads whipped behind to where the door swung open.
“Itadori!” Nobara, Panda and Inumaki stood up and rushed towards him.
“Heey guys, you doing good?” he giggled, but it was less than well-received, as he realized too late.
“... just what the hell do you think?” Nobara reproached.
“Oh! Sorry...” he lowered his head, his facade cracking a little at that.
Other students and adults sighed in relief at first, but upon a closer look, there was clearly something off with the atmosphere around him. Nanami and Choso, who flanked him, even wordlessly agree with their assessment upon seeing their faces.
“Hey, dude...” he walked up to the eager Todo and welcomed him with a strong handshake.
“Never missing on anything come rain or shine, eh?” Todo matched his energy, but with a hint of caution.
“Never.” then, Yuji’s eyes raked over his friends. They all seemed to manage rather fine, thankfully, but then he landed on Megumi, and his frown deepened. He didn’t even seem to spare him a thought. No, he actively worked to avoid looking him in the eye. Or any part of him for that matter. Out of all of them, he took it the hardest, even harder than Yuji himself had.
A brief, but much-needed quiet followed. Choso clung closely to Yuji, still wary of the crowd, and especially a certain blonde lady zeroing in on him for some reason.
“Are you all planning to continue?” Nanami asked.
“As much as I’d give a rain check to everyone, it’s just that some things just need resolutions, fast.” Gojo soberly answered.
“I’m not much of a seer, but I bet my apartment this final frontier will truly make this viewing.” Yuki chimed in, “or break it, that’s fine too.”
“Fish roe.” whined Inumaki as well. Just kill us.
“I don’t think anybody can take more of that.” Miwa jadedly drawled as she passed by her, heading towards Muta to push him.
“Well, we have to regardless, unless you truly get to the bottom of this.” Yuta tried to encourage them with a yawn.
“That’ll be okay. When it comes to that point, just have more snacks. You were all barely eating lately.” Utahime advises.
“Yes we wer–“ Nobara tried to deny, but on cue, a rumbling sound was heard. Several of them at the same time, in fact. Many of the offending Sorcerers blushed heavily in response, the worst being Nobara herself. A cackle escaped Yuji’s throat at this, enhancing their embarrassment, but it proved contagious, and soon chuckles filled the bobbed girl’s ears.
“Yeah, that’s on me.”
Geto, Toji and Megumi were the last ones to move. The former only finally leaving just for to get this over with and plan for his next move. As for the last two, they truly wanted to move something, but realizing they’re the only two left did not comfort them very much. The previously laid-back Toji suddenly felt paralyzed in place
Gojo took note of the air around them, unable to decide whether to cut the father-son reunion short right then and there, especially due to their clear agitation at the prospect.
Only for Yuji to woosh past him, and slowly approach the shrinking Megumi. He still stood besides him imposingly, as if to force him to ackowledge.
He tried to open the talk, but just like before, words got stuck in his throat, letting out only a few quiet murmurs and glances
However, Megumi soon lifted his face towards him, recognizing that this state of affairs is not the way to go. His sulking is doing nothing but burdening everyone around him and drawing unpleasant attention to himself. Heck, had it been someone else, he’d drill that lesson into them. That Yuji somehow picked himself up way better than he did, in spite of everything going wrong with him, made him crumple in mortification.
“Just let ‘im have his beauty sleep.” Toji leaves a certain choice of words as he rises from the floor and leaves with a bottle.
That actually earns a reaction. A strong one at that. To the point Yuji and Gojo cringed (the latter more annoyedly).
“The hell you just said?!” he snapped up.
Now he did (not) expect an actual response, but hearing it made him almost freeze in place. Swallowing, he took seconds before he huffed.
“I said... yer eyes look like ya haven’t winked in a week.”
Yuji witnessed the exchange in curiosity. Now that he thought of it, this is probably the first time these two ever interacted. And yes, it’s just as awkward as he predicted. He can’t imagine Toji ever learning about his son’s reaction to his disregard of him.
“For him to suddenly give a damn...!” The idea actually angered the boy enough for him to muster the will to leave for the viewing. Sure, he was privy to a lot of things, but he’s not about to give him any grace at all. Not when his idea of an encouragement is childishly provoking him like he’s not in his mid-thirties. He’s really making it harder on himself.
“Whatever.” he heaved a sigh, and simply pushed past him and walked out, with the bewildered Yuji now having to chase after him instead.
“The hell’s his deal?” Toji had the gall to complain.
Gojo facepalmed, “It was really a relief you weren’t cut out for parenting.”
As the pink-haired teenager exited to the hall, he got reunited with Nanami on the way, and they walked together.
They eventually reached the auditorium after what felt like a strangely long walk, got settled in their usual spots, and used the new DVD to turn everything on.
[Yuji is walking aimlessly across the only street left unturned by the massacre, dark thoughts plaguing him]
“And we’re back to this again...” Miwa fearfully whispers.
“... Itadori.” Todo grits his teeth in anger at his brother’s shabby state.
Yuji just steels himself for what’s about to follow, having taken a long, deep breath.
Why shouldn’t I be sentenced to death?
IT’S YOUR FAULT!
Many were disturbed at the voices overlaying the screen, quite obviously Yuji’s fragmented thoughts, but the last one really made them burst a vein.
“Sukuna?! He’s still at it??” Yuta snarled.
“What I wouldn’t give to just mute his voice forever...” Nobara bit on her thumb.
I don’t want to regret the way I live!
But what if the person you save ends up taking someone’s life?
You’re going to die amidst a crowd...
You’ve already been sentenced to a secret execution
Anyway, I’ve already decided how I’m going to die...
If the last event didn’t already convince everyone of how in over his head Yuji was, these recollections cemented it once and for all. As if all of those moments were a lead-up to this. More exactly, a test for him to see if he was going to bear the end of it.
Are my mother and I both cursed by people?!
Junpei’s voice especially made Yuji jump out of his skin, while rattling the rest of the audience, like Nanami.
Was his future self feeling what Junpei felt that day? What he saw? Probably. Nanami wondered the same, which at the same time made him realize that Mahito is the only Disaster Curse left to deal with before the impostor.
And he, Yuji and Nobara are the only field Sorcerers still active...
What is the correct way to die?
The value of life becomes vague, even the worth of important people can become unclear
That part couldn’t have been more true now, as it struck the pink-haired teenager through the gut. All those people, whose only sin was just being at the wrong place at the wrong time, but a destructive Disaster Curse like Jogo being ackowledged by Sukuna...
I’m scared...
IT’S ALL YOUR FAULT! You’re going to die amidst a crowd!
Cold glares cut through the screen. Viewers couldn’t bear hearing Sukuna anymore in general. By this point, his mere existence became an eyesore. And the bastard somehow has the nerve to make it Yuji’s problem.
Go help others
Wasuke’s voice did manage to jangle Yuji somewhat out of the bleak funk he nearly succumbed into from those thoughts.
I can’t die
So I never regretted saving you
Then we are accomplices
Nobara recalls she’s probably still there when the massacre unfolded, hopefully not caught in the crossfire due to escorting Nitta away. But that wasn’t comforting in the slightest, bearing witness to that shit and being unable to do nothing or even move from position.
[He walks into a station, B5F, the same one where Nanami, Maki and Naobito were attacked, not particularly focused on anything but the shadow of his doubts]
I will never lose again
I will win
Go to the underworld and apologize to my brothers!
Choso froze, guilt slowly overtaking. Of course his actions had taken their toll on Yuji. He was the entire reason this went down in the first place! It was nothing short of amazing the boy never once brought this up or held it against them the moment before. He blamed himself harder than anyone else.
You’re strong, go help others
Are you ready, Itadori?
People will die, it’s inevitable
Then I hope at least they can die properly
When you get killed by a Curse, will you also blame your grandfather for it?
“Lord, this is just too much.” Todo finally said, closing his eyes in shared pain. He lamented being so far away from him while this was happening. There’s no way Mechamaru’s death didn’t get them to act instantly, but he still held on to hope. The Shibuya entrapment didn’t get that awry until right now, so it may have attracted attention.
Meanwhile, the Tokyo students, and teachers, have begun to see just how heavily Yuji’s own convinctions weighed on him. He might’ve been in over his head, being a recent student and all, but he treated the situation a lot more solemnly than anyone believed, with the way he can. Seeing his ideals fall apart like this so quickly in real time was heartbreaking, especially to Megumi and Nobara, who were the subjects of those recollections.
His thoughts struck a very dark chord with Geto, who has been mentally there during his last year as a Jujutsu student. Having everything explode in his face in the matter of a single day, unable to save the one person who truly needed it. From the looks of it, it will probably trigger a slow spiral to the abyss later on, especially with Sukuna’s influence. He hates to admit it, but he’s now a bit curious where it will go. Will Yuji embrace the blame? Or throw it all away just to feel less pain?
I hope when I die, there will be many people sending me off. I noticed that among the lives I took, some of them could also cry
Choso knew who this referred to, and his chest ached. He felt horrible for dismissing who was responsible for his brothers’ fate this quickly, regardless of the circumstances. He shouldn’t discard that fact so lightly, but it was still a cold comfort their deaths actually haunted Yuji regardless, even when he knew nothing about them. He hopes Yuji, Eso and Kechizu will meet in better circumstances this time around.
THOSE PEOPLE DIED BECAUSE OF YOU!
Each sentence in his voice threatened the pink-haired Sorcerer’s currently fragile peace of mind, and aggravated his friends, but he understood the intention behind it, and is now familiar enough Sukuna’s games to try to ignore it, but guilt just ate into him.
[The view suddenly cuts to a tropical beach in broad daylight. And Nanami in facing the waves, basking in the winds. He walks through the coast in quiet peace.
Then it cuts to the actual, half-burnt Nanami walking absentmindedly through the station
Deep breaths were taken, and Sorcerers shifted their attention, and by extension emotional investment, on the other matter on that future’s hand. Yuji immediately tightened his posture and regained focus, wondering what will come of Nanami like this.
He passes by a broken vending machine, where Mahito is sitting.
A second didn’t even pass by before a painful chill overhauled the entire audience.
The adults’ eyes were blown wide, with Gojo, Geto and Shoko looking the worst, whereas the teens were overcome by a wave of terror so intense it was paralyzing.
And then there was Yuji, whose empty stare practically stabbed through Mahito’s future form, so full of fright that he could hear his own heart pump blood into his veins.
Nanami, who was overwhelmed by his future appearance, could no longer find it in himself to pretend anymore. Even if there was a chance he could make it, it wouldn’t do good in the long run. He could probably die from just a small infection like that. However, while he could theoretically process such fate, he actually still had a long way, especially when he tried to imagine what it would mean for everyone else.
Stepping down some stairs, his view shifts to the tropical beach, before he opens his eyes and finds dozens of mutated humans awaiting him]
Malaysia
Nanami: That’s right. Malaysia. I should go to Kuantan. I’ll build a house on an empty beach. The books that I bought but never read have piled up like a mountain. I want to read them slowly, as if I’m retrieving the time lost...
Many blinked at the change in scenery, with some, like Maki and Megumi, not exactly letting the how the beach looks like Dagon’s Domain Expansion elude them. But Nanami knew better. He instantly recognized where his mind drifted.
“Malaysia?” Shoko repeated, as if she’s heard him mention that before.
“So that beach is in Malaysia?” Yuta asked.
“But, why would he think of... that..?” Yuji stuttered, filled with worry, but with a bit of curiosity. His taste in locale wasn’t bad.
“Hmm” Gojo quietly hummed, Six Eyes never leaving Nanami once “Now that you mentioned it, I did hear rumors about Nanami planning to relocate somewhere outside Japan.”
“Rumors?” Nanami glanced at him.
“... Ijichi-san.” Shoko spells out, making the salaryman slightly groan.
“I can’t say I blame you. I’d choose a place bereft of Cursed spirits in a heartbeat were I to retire.” Utahime stated.
“Without Cursed spirits, huh?” Geto leaned in on his hand.
“Wouldn’t say other countries are entirely free of ‘em, though.” Gojo said. “I’ve been noticing the frequency changing elsewhere.”
“Probably because to the outpouring of Curse activity from Japan over the years.” Yuki adds.
“Salmon roe.” Inumaki remarks. At least he doesn’t have to fight for his life there.
“But still, I kinda wanna go there too!” Yuji eagerly confessed. “I wanna experience the weather in there!
“And the Twin Towers!” Miwa interjected.
“But nothing compared to the cuisine.” Todo mused.
“Not to mention the fauna. After I’m done touring East Africa I really wanna see what it’s like.” Yuta declares.
“Technically you should be done right now, no?” Maki inquired.
“Er... yeah.” he hesitantly
“What about you, Fushiguro? Any place you feel like seeing in the fu–“ Yuji eagerly tells the other boy, only to deflate by the end of the sentence, and so did Nobara.
Megumi seemed rather... inattentive, still preoccupied with the screen, which unsettled his classmates and reminded them of Nanami’s future circumstances.
When Nobara pokes him, Megumi jerks up and turns to them in surprise, “Euh? Oh, sorry. What were you all saying?”
Everyone nearby stopped dead on their tracks. They weren’t about to hound on him or anything, but seeing how he was still rattled by the last viewing dampened down the atmosphere.
“... nothing.” Yuji whipped his head back to the screen with an impassive expression.
No... I should go to save Fushiguro-kun now... where are Maki and Naobito-san?
I’m tired. I’m so tired. Yes, I’m tired. I’ve done enough
The viewers’ hearts twisted in pain, with Gojo, Shoko and Geto repeatedly glimpsing Nanami with torn expressions as reassurance, and Yuji gripping the sides of his blazer tightly while fighting back tears. Megumi and Maki’s eyes drooped in shame. Because of their failure, they’re unable to even pay back their teacher for his help. And at the rate this is going, might never have the chance to.
They quickly dispelled the thought the moment it popped in panic, but it persisted within Megumi. Despite dreading to see Nanami like that, he burned that view into his mind, even when he wasn’t responsible for it. Every single minute detail in that future has been relentlessly memorized, just to drive home what resulted from his actions.
[Nanami has begun engaging with the transformed people, managing to clean through several of them despite his state. The screen alternates between his struggle against them and his fantasy of wading through the beach in Malaysia and enjoying the weather.
As if it couldn’t get any worse, sorrow spread amongst everyone. There was something about the difference between his ideals and the brutal reality, almost too much like what happened to Yuji, that knotted the viewers’ guts. But it boded even worse compared to the former scenario.
That was the hardest implication to swallow for many, except ironically Nanami himself, who took to his sorry state with melancholic detachment. But deep down, something was stirring for a while.
“So, uh, why did you choose Kuantan specifically?” Yuki pipes up, “Contrary to what you think, a lot of people have since filled out Palm Beach. Not to mention last time I went there, I got greeted by a tornado.” she scowled at the memory.
Certain viewers snickered despite themselves, “I wouldn’t trust weather forecast so easily had I been you, especially not in such a tropical area.” Todo reminded her.
“I guess, there’s something... nostalgic... about it for some reason.” Nanami trails off.
“Nostalgic?” Gojo murmured, and then a metaphorical light bulb went off in his head. Ah yeah. Nanami did grow up in an almost empty beach town. Geto and Shoko similarly remembered that fact.
“You must really love your quietude.” Panda remarks.
Nanami didn’t argue against that, just nodding to himself idly while watching his future self frolick near the waves. Would that dream come true if they did things differently this time? Or would he still be stuck on duty indefinitely? Still, it was certainly nice to somewhat experience that fantasy.
Despite being overwhelmed by them, he still stands his ground and fight back ferociously, slicing through them, all while seeming to imagine himself taking a stroll around the water, breathing in the fresh air.
Adults were shaking in distress in their places, students found themselves fighting back tears, and Yuji’s could sense his resolve being slowly taken to bits. He won’t do this again. Not when Nanami’s there. He assured he will take care of this. He made sure to everyone he will. If he has to bite his tongue for it, he has to.
Yuji was slowly walking inside the station until he heard Nanami’s voice.
At first, a brief wave of respite spread amongst the others.
After finishing off the last transformed human, Nanami feels someone else]
Nanami: Here you are.
[It was Mahito touching his back]
Mahito: I’m here, as always.
... all for a few seconds.
One could genuinely feel the room’s temperature dropping to sub-zero levels from the deadly silence that fell unto them.
The viewers’ early bouts of emotion was replaced with a vapid inertia, giving the impression of machines that were shut down overnight.
Naturally, Nanami is the one who, in contrast, was roused by the sight, in more ways than one. His pupils briefly contracted when he saw the Human Curse facing him again.
This forced him to confront the painful realization he was beginning to have ever since he realized his hours, natch, minutes, were numbered in this viewing.
From where he sat, it was alarmingly obvious that some of his co-workers were desperately holding onto anything to not break apart in fear or snap at the screen. The glow radiating from the blindfoldless Gojo’s Six Eyes, Shoko’s laser-focused shruken pupils, Yaga’s bagged, red eyes visible from his shades, Utahime’s quivering brown irises, even Geto’s own wide, furious gape...
All like a signal for a shot waiting to be fired.
It was strange to look at.
He doesn’t even want to imagine what the children are feeling. Their frozen postures from behind told him all he needed. And the trembling Yuji basically spelled it out for him. Even odder is that he knows that they know he’s alright and well with them, but by this point, he can’t blame them for the knee-jerk reaction after that fiasco, and Mahito’s hand placement.
All he could say about this is that he feared to see it come to pass just because of their reactions.
[Yuji fervently runs down the stairs, and when he lands in the last floor, he’s met with the carnage Nanami left behind.
And sees the Human Curse behind him]
Yuji inhaled so sharply that everyone could hear him, palpitations so fast
“... He’s right there... He’s right in front of you, moron! He’s right in front of Nanami!” his mind desperately screamed. “You said you don’t wanna be a murderer anymore, right?! Well, HERE’S YOUR FUCKING CHANCE!”
Nanami’s grim acceptance rapidly morphed to horror, His breath strangling at the sight. “Itadori-kun!”
No... Not him of all people! Not after all that!
Why!?
Why did someone have to be in his place too?! Why Yuji?
What did he do wrong to have him there too!?
Just... where did it all go wrong? Why did it all go wrong?
Nobody dared to move a muscle, despite the building panic and fury. They’ve already been through so much breaking points, for the worst. But this is shaping up to be a new rock bottom, especially since the witness is the last one who should ever have to experience that. For others, especially the adults, they couldn’t register much of anything but bleak despair.
Mahito: Would you like to say a few words? After all, you’ve played with me so many times.
[Yuji’s face falls at the sight. While Nanami looks down thinking]
Yuji’s rage at himself was directed towards the Disaster Curse on-screen in next to no time, brows harshly knitting and veins in his hands threatening to open. His reaction alarmed even the Nobara and Choso near him.
He already swore it after their battle together, but this time, his desire to bring him to justice got intermixed with an odd, foreign feeling he couldn’t really put his finger upon. He would swear it was some kind of... bloodlust? But the possibility made him balk.
That... that’s not why he vowed to take Mahito down.
But why wouldn’t he feel so? He’s literally close to KILLING NANAMI!
God, nothing upstairs makes sense anymore. He realizes as he shakes his head in frustration.
At the same time, the Death Painting beside him began monitoring Yuji’s state closely. It hasn’t been a few hours since they reunited, but he was already not looking forward the prospect of seeing him break down again.
Haibara... in the end, what do I want to do? I once ran away, but I came back for a vague reason like sense of achievement.
Nanami’s breath hitched. And oddly, it felt as if the screen got clearer upon hearing it.
Was this the reason they were shown their past?
It was quite unexpected, as he thought he buried everything about Haibara for a long time. Or just distanced himself from it, but he focused very hard on what he had to say about him.
The Tokyo faculty’s faces shifted, especially Geto’s. He hasn’t thought of that name in a long time. Already a decade passed since that day. But for Nanami to still hold on to his memory after so long, and at such level... a lot of emotions passed by the cult leader, and it was hard to identify which one is.
Gojo, Geto, Shoko and Yaga remember when the news were broken to them as if it were yesterday. Yaga, when he received that one of many dreaded mission reports; Geto when his darker thoughts were brought to life that day; Shoko, when she was faced with Haibara’s own corpse, and had to dissect it. And Gojo, when he returned from a Special Grade mission and realized the difference in the air. Haibara was one of many Sorcerers they had to bury, but having been their underclassman, and the one who influenced Geto and Nanami’s lives in different ways, he maintained a strange place in their life. And this was no more apparent than in this scene.
[The phantom of a very familiar person manifests in front of Nanami, and looks forward resolutely]
“... I-is that...” Shoko murmured. She, Gojo, Geto and Yaga, tilted forward in shock to confirm what they were seeing.
“Haibara-san?” Yuji blurted out.
“Is that his ghost?!” Panda shrieked.
“Why is he seeing him...?” Maki whispers.
“Is he even real? Or is Nanami-sensei’s just...?” Yuta somberly wondered, as the other students’ faces fell.
“That’s one weird death throe” Toji remarked. Suddenly, his mind flashed by a
“Well, that presents some interesting implications otherwise.” Yuki deliberates.
“Does this happen to us Sorcerers when we reach the end of the line?” Megumi genuinely wondered.
“I mean, I did kinda maybe see Suguru and Amanai back when he stabbed my head. What if...?” Gojo clasped his fingers together.
“Huh... be surrounded by loved ones as I die...” Yuji’s mind drifted to Wasuke’s own advice, and his eyes shot out. “Could it be, that’s what he meant?!”. Despite Nanami’s dire situation, he found himself dragged into looking deeply into his own point of view as a result.
No. This isn’t right. No, Haibara. I can’t say anything. This could become a Curse on him
Nanami suppressed a melacholic chuckle at this. He can’t believe it, but he actually let his guard down a little in the middle of a viewing session.
But it was hardly unwelcome, and he was filled with an unusual warmth. For the first time since he thought up about Kuantan, he would have genuinely wanted it to last. If not for what will definitely come next.
[Mahito turns around and finds Yuji, who whispers out Nanami’s name in disbelief.
The viewers’ faces went pale. Ultimately, Yuji and Nanami seemed like they were watching, but weren’t truly seeing much of anything.
The ghost of Haibara wordlessly points at Nanami, or rather behind him. The blonde doesn’t like what it implies at first, but soon, he realizes there’s no other choice, and surrenders to his fate.
Even in such harsh mood, Yuji is suddenly reminded of he was told he reminded Nanami like Haibara. He dismissed it out of hand, but the way the blonde man views him, and how that scene relates to him, he was rather grateful that boy’s memory
Nanami, on the other hand, understood there was no escaping what’s going to follow. As he bent down, he could only pray he doesn’t ruin that moment.
Nanami: Itadori-kun.
[Yuji manages to see Nanami eye-to-eye]
... Please take it from here.
[And then, Mahito explodes out his upper body in one shot, while the teen watches. Nanami’s lower half falls to the ground, leaving a full minute for Yuji to process what he just saw]
...
...
...
Of course, this was just a hypothetical future. Again, for the thousandth time, it won’t come to pass.
But alas...
First was Nanami, who drew in a sharp breath as his eyes bored into the screen, taking in the full view of himself get burst from the inside out. He saw it coming ages ago, but afterwards, he was overflowing with so many contradicting feelings. He cursed just how things degenerated in one evening. A dark part of him wanted to curse Gojo and even Yuji for it, but he knows he would’ve made the same choices. It was totally on him for not throwing in the towel and continuing to pursue the enemies. He depised Mahito so much for this, but only because he made Yuji watch. Otherwise he hardly took the loss personally. He was so bitter about seeing his end, yet strangely relieved. He tried to not pay it enough mind, but ever since losing Haibara, he thought a lot about his own end, how it’d look like, and those thoughts contributed to him steering clear of being a Sorcerer. But when he saw himself like that, he... it was so unsettling, but it’s like a puzzle piece came together. He now has his answer. And it’s equal parts horrific and unreal. When his sight drifted to his associates, nothing could have prepared him for that.
Miwa already collapsed in horrified tears ahead of everyone, having to be held by the silent, wide-eyed Nishimiya. Mai stared off at the screen as well, but soon a feeling of sickness tore at her guts, and not just from the grisly end. Kamo and Todo squeezed their eyes tight just as Nanami’s torso disintegrated, unable to stomach such a horrifying, undeserving end. In Todo’s case, he opted to check on the actual Nanami and Yuji at the moment. He sort of wished he didn’t, but they needed it. Muta looked genuinely distressed, the first time ever since his own death, especially because it’s Mahito dealing the blow. Somehow, he felt responsible, and it did not help the amount of guilt piling up on him.
Gojo was completely motionless and slack-jawed, almost as if he’s the one that died, save for his eyeballs, which, due to his technique, unwittingly replayed that scene in his mind more than he could count in a single minute. Just like when he would sometimes blink and the image of Amanai in his arms flashed, or Haibara’s body in the casket, or Geto smiling at him in the alley. For a while, he took longer than others to digest what even transpired. But upon facing the facts, and why it had to end this way, he was acquainted with an emotion he didn’t feel since a decade ago. He promised himself that Amanai, Kuroi, and Geto will be the last time. That he will soldier on, no matter how many more bodies pile up. But not only did he just delay the inevitable, he contributed to it. His chest was heaving when he, once again, had to face that fact. And again, those words by Geto haunted him.
There will be meaning in that too.
When he touched his uncovered eyes, he could feel the moist on his lids. What the hell? Was it really that bad to him?! Did it truly feel that bad? Or was it because it was basically a repeat of that day, with him not being around to prevent bad things from happening? Was Geto actually right in his indictment of him a while ago? He couldn’t bear any more ineffectual rumination, so he looked at Nanami... who was also looking at him.
Shoko, despite holding it together, was clearly losing her footing, as evidenced by her twitching lips and hands. This was so stupid. She knew it. She saw it coming a million miles away. This wasn’t a game or a fakeout anymore. It was gone. He was gone. The day she knew was about to come. Ironically, due to her anticipating this outcome, she handled it far better than she should have. Maybe it was her rational self, but probably. Next to her, Yaga heaved a depressed sigh as he dragged his palm up his face. Part of both their desolation was due to the awareness that Nanami could easily just leave the area to get medical help, but fought on just for the sake of the young Sorcerers whose fates were unknown to him. They didn’t know what to say about that other than to curse him for it. Utahime bit her lips while averting her eyes from the display, shocked at her desire to cry from what she’s seen. Death was already a weekly ritual for Sorcerers, but for someone she always respected and knew for years, it was mindboggling.
Geto’s teeth were bared, and eyes red in anguish, with veins nearly bursting from his neck, but he still managed to look eerily calm despite all of this. After all those years, his most recurring nightmare ended up unfolding, and in the most ghastly way he could imagine. It was all he worked against, all he shed blood to not have to see ever again, but only to be undone in one single night. He was already on thin ice after Nanako and Mimiko’s murders, and it will take gargantuan amounts of self-control and desensitization to not crack again. At this point, blaming outside influences was just a pathetic game. He had to take solace in the fact that at least Nanami’s end was relatively dignified as his killer can manage, and he refused to pass on the curse like he and Gojo did.
Yuki and Toji barely had any expressions at all, just staring blankly at the TV, impervious to any of the sorros around them. It was only natural this is how they responded, but there was still some poignancy to be had due to their own indirect roles in causing all that. It was the natural cycle in the Jujutsu world doing its work, and one reason Yuki is seeking to do something about it.
Maki’s throat was stuck, registering it much later just like Gojo despite her senses. When the reality set in, her body began trembling and her eyes watered. Yuta, by contrast, had his vision clogged by his tears, already choking on his sobs while struggling to hold back from making a scene. Panda just flat-out broke down crying, sniffling as he had his arms around his two classmates. They both turned to glance at Nanami, in an effort to bring their feet to the ground and remind themselves that they’re freaking out over nothing.
Nobara’s stomach caved in, and she covered her mouth to stifle any sound. She knew it was useless to beat a dead horse, but after everything, on top of staying in here for so long she feared to admit could no longer distinguish what was real or not anymore, she desperately wanted to let it out from her system. But given the actual man was with them, hale and hearty, she didn’t want to look ridiculous. Still, the fact that even Maki, Yuta and freaking Suguru Geto were in tears made her feel better.
Megumi was briefly shaken from his quiet... and not in a good way. What he had to witness just threw his already compromised state of mind into a point of no return. He wanted to take it all inside, to not humiliate himself in front of everyone any further, but he found breathing to be so hard, and everything around him was blurry. He never imagined he’d unravel like this. Death always at the back of his mind, and he did a good job sublimating his grief ever since he began fighting Curses. Did it have to do with him witnessing the thought process that led to this payoff? The only people he could bare this side of him to were Nobara and Yuji on the right, and it was now becoming oddly comforting compared to before, because his mind now truly needed it.
Yuji... actually had to blink just to check if he did see right. Not that it mattered, because that fucking laughter returned in vengeance. And those words rang in his head again, blocking out the sound of crying from everyone else, only to fill it with the words he said Nanami earlier.
Sukuna is deriding him for this big time.
... and honestly, he’s so right.
Seriously, just... how much of a failure he had to be to contradict himself soon after?!? That’s got to be an achievement at this moment! Not to be a murderer again?! What a joke! That had to be the funniest shit he’s ever heard. Why wouldn’t it, when he’s literally laughing alongside that guy right now from it??
He’s so far gone. He wants to laugh, but all he can feel is bile forming in his mouth. He must been in such a shit state because he doesn’t notice it about to reach his throat, and now he has to avoid throwing up. God, now he looks even more wretched. It’s literally just the fucking future... it’s not like...
What is going on with him?! Why’s he acting like the world’s ending for him when it’s Nanami literally had to watch himself get blown to pieces!? When Nanami’s friends had to watch yet another of their own die so horribly? When students who studied longer than he did grieved for him?
While desperately trying to look anywhere else,to find any reprieve, his eyes accidentally landed on Choso, whose face was locked in on him, just like before.
This made Yuji halt any movement at once. It seemed that unlike before, the Death Painting was a bit more composed and calm in his approach to handling him. His eyes, always so fierce and intimidating, actually softened at him, and it made him jump in surprise a little at their appearance.
Choso, for his own part, was about as nervous as the other teenager, but he knows where he is at this moment. And this time, wants to take an active part helping him. If nothing, then at least do something to soothe him. He extends a hand, and places it above Yuji’s, which was shaking like a leaf.
“Do you even have much of a choice?”
It took those words for him to halt everything at once. The shaking in his body began to subside, and afterwards he threw his head backwards to face the ceiling with a hand covering it for nearly a minute, before breathing in and out slowly.
...
...
...
The only thing that works for him right now is a full-blown reset.
And with that he opened his eyes, a completely new visage taking place of his old one.
This is fine. Every last one of them could deal with this, not just him.
This was an additional thing he has to take care of. With the added wrinkle of it being his own mentor. Sure, he now knows Mahito will go after everyone he loves next time, but now he’s well aware of this. And can prepare for it. And they all can prepare too. Nanami is a smart man, so he knows what to expect.
Speaking about others, when he leaned to check on them, it appears they grasped the same thing. No longer was the initial grief, they tried to adopt some resolve too and take it as an example, starting with the Kyoto students, the teachers, his upperclassmen, his classmates, ultimately ending with Megumi, who also took a long sigh into the palms of his hands.
To see Nanami of all people handling his own death so well was a huge shock to them, but also a wake up call. He may not have deserved it, but he walked into it like a true Jujutsu Sorcerer. This ironically renewed their confidence regarding the future, and even Sukuna.
It was... meaningful, in a way. Or at least not meaningless. In any case, future Yuji will definitely get to snap out of his shock and take revenge for him.
So much emotion brimmed in here that Nanami was completely dumbfounded. Sure, maybe it was the length of time they stayed here, so they got to know him more, but this was a bit too much for someone who, in his mind, willingly walked into his fate. And for some time, he experienced a sense of... belonging? He didn’t know how to explain it, but grounding himself in the senses of people around him made his efforts actually matter. Made him feel.. less like a gear. Just like a rich spring of positive energy, interestingly enough. Perhaps they
His face met that of Yuji’s while they were looking around, the direct eye contact almost holding them in place, and he noted the latent fear still in him. In an effort at reassurance, he nodded quietly at him. The boy’s brows pulled together, a pleased smile almost reaching his eyes as he took in that signal, before looking back.
Nanami then turned to his old friends, all looking relieved, but exhausted all the same, even Gojo. And so they decided to resume.
Yuji [with a broken voice]:... What is this? WHAT IS THIS, MAHITO?!?!
It wasn’t long before rage consumed everyone as they remembered what they were watching. Yuji’s strained, loud voice triggered something deep inside the Sorcerers they never realized was there even when Sukuna trashed half of Tokyo. Even Yuji was stunned he was capable of reaching the depths of his throat like that.
Mahito [who turns back with a crazed expression, matching his timbre]: YOU DON’T HAVE TO SHOUT SO I CAN HEAR YOU! YUJI ITADOR!!!
Many were too damn worn out to even say it again. Everything about this last session was gruelling, and right now, they doubted if they could handle more. But Mahito’s mocking declaration was enough to light a fire in some Sorcerers. A fire of pure hatred and fatigue from his mere existence.
“Can’t wait to see ya choke on a dick and roll over and fucking die already!” Nobara anticipated with a downright callous smirk.
[Yuji dashes towards him in fury, just as Mahito uses a transfigured human to erect a barrier. The boy hesitated to punch through it due to the being’s pleading to die, before it forms out spikes that he breaks through easily.
Mahito then invokes Soul Multiplicity: Body Repel, conjuring a giant-mouthed monster to devour him. When Yuji holds its maws, Mahito emerges from inside and punches him out, sending him tumbling away until he lands on a pillar, and barely dodges the creature’s attack.
Yuji’s unstoppable charge gave some reprieve in the likes of Nobara, Yuta and Choso. From the looks of it, nothing is going to get in his way of annihilating the Curse.
The teachers look worried watching. Even putting Nanami aside, they still hope the preceding events and especially injuries wouldn’t get in the way.
The Human Curse breaks out out of its belly just with an improvised blade to try and behead Yuji just as it ran into a wall and its movement slowed down, but only sliced part of his face.
“Careful!” Maki hissed.
Yuji managed to pick himself up enough to see his own rampage to the end. Shamefully, despite what happened to Nanami, he still found himself absorbed in the fight. His fists tighten. He’s aware he wished well far too many times that the idea is too intimidating now, but he just CANNOT screw this up. Mahito is the only barrier between him and Fake Geto, and between him and Gojo.
Mahito [standing horizontally]: If you stood firmer, I might be able to punch through your face.
“Like he’d do that now.” Mai rolled her eyes.
“He’s trying to get a rise out of him.” Todo immediately said.
Yuji [getting up despite the bleeding]: Why did you kill... so many people?!
Mahito [chuckling]: If I count and kill while looking troubled, will you be satisfied? I’ll do that next time. Regarding your endless prattle, I’ll respond in the same way. Yuji Itadori...
Yuji rolled his eyes and almost threw his hands in the air. That was a completely different sentence! But then again, when was Mahito ever not being obtuse?
[And creates a Junpei-shaped puppet from his arm, mockingly miming the late teen’s cry for help but hitting its head]
From the way everyone’s eyes twitched at that, It was amazing no one smashed the screen ever since Megumi’s outburst. There was only so much ire that had to be contained before the entire place went up in flames.
“Again, he’s just trying to pull my leg!” Yuji firmly reminded himself while grounding his jaw.
“Though, the fact that he still even remembers Yoshino-kun is remarkable in itself.” Nanami couldn’t help but observe.
Mahito: You are me. [Yuji’s gaze hardens] Don’t get mad over everything, this is just the Curse talking nonsense. [steps down on the ground] But still, as long as you don’t ackowledge this, you are destined to lose to me.
“You... are me?”. His brow puckered as the words reverberated. He’s never been mystified like this since Wasuke’s demise. Now he wouldn’t expect the Disaster Curse to even make sense as he already said so himself, the way he worded it made him narrow his eyes in thought. And it’s not just him, something about them make audience’s mind gears to work overtime.
“... You are me? What does that mean?” Utahime spoke up.
“Yeah, there’s barely anything in common between Itadori-kun and Mahito.” Yuta slowly said.
Surprisingly, Geto of all people chimed in, genuinely invested in those words as he wore a thoughtful frown “Maybe, he’s referring to his role as a Sorcerer. Namely, having to exorcize Curses. Itadori can kill them without a guilty conscience, because they’re harmful entities, and Mahito also kills humans remorselessly, because in his and the Special Grade Curses’ eyes, humans are an infestation as they are the real inheritors of the earth.”
Even discouting the surprise of Geto giving a reasonable take, there was even more confusion at the implication.
“That’s... one way to look at it.” Yaga grunted. Deep down, he’d admit he gets where he comes from. That formed the machine the Jujutsu world operated on, after all.
Meanwhile, Gojo kept absentmindedly poring over Geto even after he was finished speaking. The cult leader caught on that without even needing to look, and he did everything to not get caught seeing any of his old friends, because he knows why they’re watching him when he said that.
“That ‘killing’ part is doing a lot of heavy lifting, though.” Todo countered, “Itadori only does so out of obligation. Even when faced with a weaker opponent, he never lets it get into his head.”
“Not to mention, not once did I see Itadori derive pleasure from killing Curses, or playing mind games with them, unlike a certain someone.” Panda added.
A small smile creeped into Yuji’s face at seeing his upperclassmen defend him.
“So, is Patchface projecting onto you or something?” Nobara scratches her head as she turns to him, but then sees his content expression. “Whassup with you?”
“N-nothin’!” he whipped his head around.
Yuji: You talk too much... is this your last words? [Nanami’s last words drift by] If it were Nanami, he wouldn’t lose his cool out of anger. I want to prove... I am a Sorcerer!
[He takes a battle stance with Cursed energy flowing through his hands. Mahito transfigues the wall, sprouting several huge hands that push the wall on the other side. Then, he and Yuji walk towards each other, the Curse similarly conjuring energy in his palms. The lights steadily go out, and the worm grows bigger until it blocks their path.
“How can they possibly square up in such a tight place? There won’t be any openings!” Miwa exclaimed.
“He did manage to fight off Choso in a cramped restroom a while before, but the advantage given by Mahito’s shapeshifting is a different story.” Kamo answers.
“And like I’d let that stop me.” Yuji scowled.
“Either way, only solution is to get rid of that giant caterpillar thing anyhow.” Maki pointed out.
Mahito attacks first, but is surprised by a kick from underneath where Yuji blindsided him. He throws in even more kicks, including against the monster who’s blocking the space and in response, the Curse creates buzzsaws from the worm. When Yuji defends himself, they morph into spiked vines, which rolls along the wall towards the teen, who barely avoids them as he runs at Mahito, who leaps to the air and slams down with his spiked right arm. Yuji dodges him by jumping up and tries to hit Mahito’s face.
The seasoned Sorcerers (and one Sorcerer Killer) were surprised and amazed by how well he handled himself in such precarious spot, and with such an opponent. He’s really giving it his all this time around.
But not everyone thought the same
“He’s not even close to letting loose” Gojo muses. This was all him barely warming up, as the real show will start after destroying that structure.
One of the hands created from the monster emerges out to grab his foot, before punching him. He kicks Mahito’s head into the ground with his remaining foot before using his Cursed energy to sever the hand holding his own foot. When released, Yuji is almost crushed by the enlargening wall.
Eventually, however, they both tear through it to the other side, almost casually]
“Wahaha- Holy shit!” Maki laughed out in vindication.
“Made it look like it didn’t even exist!” Panda smirked.
“Then why’d he act so cornered in there?” Nobara questioned.
“Nozawana.” Inumaki said. They’re not even close to going all out.
“He’s clearly trying to spare his energy for what’s gonna be a long, brutal battle.” Yuta guessed.
“But of course, knowing your limits is half the battle.” Todo complimented Yuji.
“It’s best he stops holding back this much, because Mahito looks nowhere near slowed down.” Yaga warned.
“When I’m through him, it’ll be a different tale.” the young Sorcerer promised.
Mahito: Not bad, keep it up. The second round begins!
[It’s 11:19PM at the Dogenza Ticket Gate in Shibuya Station.
A lot of the audience refused to believe all that pandemonium and it’s not even close to midnight.
“Damn, half of Tokyo got ravaged in one evening?” Yuki flatly commented.
“Well to be fair it was kinda all his–“ Mai was about to say only to instantly clamp her mouth shut upon sensing the furious glowers Jujutsu students and even some teachers aimed at her.
Ironically, Yuji himself wasn’t bothered in the slightest. It’s not like she was wrong.
Yuji and Mahito are still fighting, the latter turning his left arm into a gun barrel to shoot at the former while laughing, with transfigured people as bullets. They miss Yuji and bounce off the walls behind him, only one hitting the button to call the elevator. Mahito then enlarges his foot to stomp the Sorcerer, which he repeatedly evades. When the elevator arrives, the Curse finishes off by throwing a ticket gate in front of Yuji, which he catches and throws back, only for Mahito to cut it apart along with the hallway with serrated blades.
“What the heck?!” Miwa could only spew at the transfigured human bullets.
“So shameless.” Todo spat. Mahito’s really throwing everything he has into this, even his opponents’ hangups.
“How’s hiding in an elevator gonna help you evade him?” Nobara deadpanned.
“You know no tight space will stop me, and you saw that.” he shrugged.
Yuji runs to the elevator as Mahito watches him, eventually landing at BF3. An intrusion comes from above, in the form of Mahito’s fist, but Yuji predicts it and punches it back. The shockwave snaps the elevator’s cables, making it fall down. As it plummets, Mahito leaps down and slices through it to get inside the compartment. He deftly dodges Yuji’s punch before countering with his own, and then stretches out his lips into a blade that nearly stabs his head in the motion of a kiss.
Many were kind of spooked by the turn the fight took.
And then came the near kiss.
“EWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!” most of the teens (and Utahime) shrieked.
“EUGH!” Yuji squawked as well.
Todo cocked an unimpressed eyebrow. “Really throwing anything he has, huh?
“Confusing your foes is a viable, and often effective strategy too.” Gojo scratched his chin. “Y’all should learn to use it more often.”
“Is sexual harassment also part of it?” Maki bluntly asked.
“... not what I was tryna say, but whatever.” he mumbles.
“Wait this reminds me!”, Nobara turned to Geto, who was startled “Did you still have that Kissing Curse?”
Geto looked anywhere but at the girl, not knowing how to address a younger, “Uh, yeah? I... Actually, I don’t remember the last time I used it. I gathered so much Curses I lost count.”
“Thought you’d abuse it more freely, to be honest.” Shoko admitted.
“Why are you trying to paint me as a creep?” he grimaced.
“By that logic, you already were in school.” Gojo snarked at him.
The Sorcerer quickly hits Mahito’s stomach, pushing him back, and when he throws another punch, the Curse morphs his body to avoid it before transforming his arms into blades to attack him again. Yuji eludes the attack and leaps out of the elevator to grab the cables. Using Body Repel again, Mahito launches a massive transfigured monster that fills up the entire elevator shaft back up at Yuji. The latter avoids the attack by leaving the elevator shaft through the opened door above, finding himself back in the original floor they started their fight in.
The elevator moves again, and once it arrives where Yuji was, Mahito appears out of a mouth and fires a transfigured human at Yuji, who slaps it back, but the delayed transfiguration causes it to transform into four purple tendrils that shoot at the boy, forcing him to jump downstairs. As he lands below, a massive hand bursts through the ceiling and seemingly crushes him, ony for him to destroy it with one punch.
Over time, Sorcerers began to recognize the depths of Yuji’s capabilties, which were only halfway showcased at when he fought Choso. Even Geto, Toji and Yuki were following the action with immersive focus. Every look back, every reaction, every place where he aimed his next blow. It was way better calculated, rather astoundingly given he just witnessed Nanami’s death. Then again, he did promise to take after the man’s cool head.
Speaking of which, Choso marveled at the display. Not to say he wasn’t doing well or didn’t take matters seriously when he fought against him, but in this case, the mental scars he’s accumulated the entire night him must’ve allowed him to draw more power from deeper within and throw it all out at once. It was only now that he begun to fathom his true potential, and he can tell there are still a lot more ways to go. The only way this battle could be won is by unleashing it all.
Mahito [While the remaining parts of the hand retreat upstairs and merge back with him]: Oh no. If I take a risk and mess up I’m as good as dead. For now, I’ll mainly attack the transfigured humans. How terrifying. He has more moves than before.
Yuji scowled deeply. Must that always be his main plan?
[He disappears, making Yuji chase after him, only to find two civilians after turning the corner, who admonish him to stay away from the station, confounding him. He warns the men that Shibuya is no longer safe, but Mahito’s arm shoots out from inside one of their mouths and punches Yuji. The Special Grade Curse climbs out of the man and transforms the other into a sword, enraging the Sorcerer]
“No way, why would there be people even–?!” Miwa tried to protest in suspicion.
“–they’re transfigured humans.” but most Sorcerers quickly responded in tandem.
“Like, Mahito literally said so just now.” Panda reminded.
“Son of a fucking–!“ the pink-haired teen balled his fasts when it turned out to be precisely the case, followed by the rest of the audience. That’s the one thing that would make their future second round so hard. Way too many victims and human shields to account for.
“Itadori-kun needs to leave that tendency behind, as much as I hate to admit.” Nanami thought in concern, “Or better yet, formulate a new game plan that minimizes any possible victims in the crossfire”.
Mahito: Hey now! Don’t you think you lack some imagination? Are you an idiot? It’s up to you. The trick is more effective against Itadori’s soul. Also, we’ll have one trump card. That’s enough to crush you.
[In a flashback, it turns out most civilians from the BF5 were devoured by Dagon through a current of water]
Mahito [clapping]: Alright, swallow! Swallow! Swallow! [When the Ocean Curse finishes, he congratulates him] Good job! Now I have enough in storage. As for humans except ones below, deal with them as you please. Then let’s continue with the killing Itadori show.
Jaws fell again in horror, with Yuji, Yuta, Megumi and Gojo looking the most visibly distressed by far.
“... Well, now we know where all those people went.” Shoko emotionessly declared, in a tone that distances itself from the reality of what went down.
Gojo crashed his head on his palm, his heart sinking deeper and deeper from shame and guilt. It was a miracle his system didn’t shut down from the calvacade of fuckups he achieved in one night. This one was just another, more biting nail in the coffin.
“I already knew they’re dead meat, to be honest.” Geto wrinkled his nose.
“Okay, but why does it look like Blastoise here?” Yuki mentions.
“... Really?” Yaga stared at her in frustration. Not everyone else had that energy to deal with that kind of comment.
“And what the fuck is he chanting!? Is he teaching it how to eat?” Nobara sneered.
“Everything about Patchface is designed specifically to make you go for the kill already, just don’t bother.” Maki shook her head.
Jogo: NO!
Mahito: Jogo... [he stretches out his face grotesquely towards him] Then come get me. [He splits into two halves of himself as he runs off before any headstart] I’ll go underground, and you stay up there. Wait for me to call you back.
Seeing Jogo again after his death was rather bizarre for the audience. Even moreso was the easygoing vibe between him and the Disaster Curses, because they wouldn’t be seeing that anytime later.
Mahito’s clone: I know that already.
Mahito: That’s true.
[As they run off in different directions, Mahito playfully bids the Earth Curse farewell... before transfiguring a wall that blocks out Jogo. Steam pours out of him in fury]
“It was all just a game to him, huh? Even his own friends’ lives?” Yuji morosely thought. That wasn’t the depressing part, though. Rather, it’s that he never once saw Mahito being affected by his fellow Curses’ deaths, especially compared to how those Curses reacted. Does Mahito have such little regard to even his own kind?
Choso: He escaped.
Jogo [A volcano erupts from his head]: MAHITO!!!
“Wow, Mt. Fuji’s eruptin’.” Yuki stated. Yuji suppressed a chortle in response despite himself.
“But honestly, I kinda feel a little bad for him.” Utahime sighed, and the teachers had to agree. Jogo seemed to be the only one in the group who took the risks seriously.
[11:16PM at Dogenzaka alley]
Mahito 2: Did you see that? Ridiculous right? I was wandering there not long ago.
Nobara: Patchface, is that you? The Special Grade Curse that messed with our guy?
“Kugisaki?!” Yuji gasped in shock.
“Whoa! I’m back in action?” Nobara’s eyes shone in exhilaration, but also surprise, “Maybe it still ain’t over for me.”
“I wouldn’t be that excited!” the pinkhead griped, “Does your other self even know what he’s done!?”
“Then I’ll be taking one for the team!” she insisted.
“By disobeying my instructions?” Nanami’s voice questioned from behind.
“Uh... I’m sure I had my reasons.” She nervously glanced left and right, “Like, y’know, the entirety of Shibuya becoming a crater overnight?!?”
“That should’ve told you to abandon the mission altogether and return back with the Principal, if anything.” he asserted.
“Hell no!” she fervently declined. “I can’t possibly leave this guy out there to take all the credit!”
“Thank you, uh, too, Kugisaki.” Yuji grumbled, but lightheartedly.
“No problemo.”
Mahito 2: How annoying. Am I a celebrity?
Nobara [smirking]: Yeah, you’re the famous one who ran away like a bitch.
Everyone laughed, with Nobara looking awfully smug at the reaction.
“Pffffft wow, already starting on strong?” Maki snickered.
“What? I was just stating a fact.” she nonchalantly said.
“And that’s putting it mildly.” Nishimiya added.
“Why are you puffing yourself up though?” Panda point at her.
Mahito 2:... not bad. You are worth my time to kill.
It wasn’t long before Yuji felt goosebumps all over his skin again, and with that the crowd’s blood similarly went cold. The weight of Nanami’s future demise was being felt once again, nearly intoxicating the air. They were not ready for another body to drop.
The blonde man himself was agitated at the words. Him dying was bad enough, but for another of the students to be in his sights... he pressed his lips firmly at the possibility, the understated fury he had for Mahito blazing to the surface.
Nobara: I haven’t shown anything good today anyway [takes out her hammer] As I remember, his technique is related to souls. And I can’t touch his hands. At least, I have to exorcise a worm that ran away. [Reminisces about her fight against the Death Paintings while channeling energy into her nails] I have to recall the core of Cursed energy that I grasped back then.
“Now the question is, did the other me fully grasp it? Or am I just going in blind?” the brunette postulated. As the flashback of her confrontation appeared, something immediately clicked in her head, and her eyes widened as she realized she was basically facing a variant of Mahito.
“Wait, maybe that will work too!” her smile widened when the prospect presented itself. This wasn’t just a trump card. It could be the very thing that will destroy him!
[She fires out three nails on a shop sign above Mahito, who mocks her timing before he dodges the falling board. Despite that, Nobara kicks the board into his face using the nails]
“That’s how you enter a fray!” Panda cheered.
“Such overkill.” Maki approved, “much needed.”
“Hopefully some improvement might be had this time.” Mai snidely remarked.
Nobara wasn’t fazed by it. Because of course that improvement has to be had, especially with what she has in mind.
Nobara: Hairpin.
[With a finger snap, they detonate at contact with his forehead, splitting his head open.
“I take it you know beforehand that won’t damage him much.” Yuji worriedly told her.
“Hell yeah I do!” she exclaims.
“It’s just, ya know...” he ran a hand over his hair, hoping for her understand what she’s really walking into.
“Hey Fushiguro, mind giving me a morale boo–?” she turned to address Megumi, but her face soon shifted to disappointment, and Yuji’s to apprehension. They couldn’t decide if he was truly immersing, or just not in the mood for any kind of talk. He still looked a bit better than before, but they understood well would be a long way.
As she stands back, the signboard falls over to reveal Mahito still standing]
Mahito 2 [taking out the nails from his bleeding forehead]: Very impressive. But this is basically ineffective against me. She’s probably close with that guy... Might as well show her corpse to Yuji Itadori to severely damage his soul!
“Hah! I’d wait to see ya try, bitch.” Nobara grinned, her knuckles cracking
“Not before I rip your spine off!” The glare that blazed from Yuji’s eyes has to be seen to be believed.
“Damage his soul? That’s one atypical workaround.” Gojo skeptically mulled over. It reminded him of how little they knew about the nature of souls from what little the Disaster Curse revealed.
“Kugisaki-san... please...” Nanami wasn’t the least bit okay with this change in plans. Even when things seemed to go well, no, especially when things seem to go well, he has earned the right to be paranoid.
Make it out alive.