The Weight of Our World

Alpine : Slope

Their prediction had been mostly correct. They were sent on separate missions occasionally. As first years, they were still untrustworthy and mostly unproven. The higher ups huffed and maintained Tsukumo Yuki. They were given small, tedious tasks. Maki and Yuji often got the worst of it, however, the higher ups always trying to get them killed for their own reasons, citing tradition and honor.

The jujutsu world was not soft nor friendly. It was full of sharp edges and horrible people who didn't care for anything but their own short futures. The elderly higher ups were cowards who'd burn the world for a couple more seconds to live. When they sent Yuji to clear out an unknown, unscouted curse, Gojo considered killing them. Shoko tried to calm him down but all he could compromise with is a promise,"If Yuji doesn't come back, I'm going to wipe out them out. They can call me a tyrant."

Yuji approached the site. It was a bridge in a small town. There wasn't anything special about it. Sukuna, ever insightful due to his desire not to have his plans thwarted, spoke up,"Be careful. Bridges and crossroads are places where worlds meet, brat."

"That's fine,"Yuji said, walking under the bridge and flinching as it shifted into a domain,"The same can be sa-"

Yuji was knocked clean on his ass.

"You here to play, too?"it said.

Yuji looked up at his attacker, more annoyed than hurt. It was clearly a curse, having a face on its face coupled with a grotesque imitation of a body,"Another one?" It came at him again and so he rolled out of the way, avoiding the main impact but getting pelted by rocks. He kicked, knocking them across the barrier. The cursed spirit that hid in the barrier wasn't attacking, just watching from afar.

Someone pushed through the barrier, causing both sides to snap their heads towards the intruder,"Itadori!" It was Fushiguro, out of breath and just in time,"Are you alright?"

"Yeah,"he said,"Just a bit wet. Now that you're here, you think you can help me out? There's kinda two of these guys. It's unfair."

His friend laughed in disbelief,"Do you even know what grade these two are about at?"

"Nope,"Yuji said,"Does it matter?"

"Not anymore,"Fushiguro said, summoning his demon dog Totality,"But for the record, they're both at least first grades."

He choked on air,"Really? Even the whack-a-mole looking one?"

The turquoise cursed spirit came at him, running on all fours like some animal. Fushiguro and Totality were destroying the holes under the bridge,"Grade isn't based on raw combat power."

Another presence entered the barrier, but they made themselves known before they could even look,"No fair, you cheated! Using Nue is against the rules!"

"Nobara, go help Fushiguro!"Yuji yelled, hands full with his opponent.

She grimaced,"Nice to see you too, Yu-"she was pulled back through to the other side.

"He's here! He's here!"the duel faced curse said, ignoring Yuji as it sprinted out of the barrier.

Yuji looked back at Fushiguro. He didn't have to ask,"Go, now."

He chased and, upon reaching the outside, ran into a curse donning fetish gear. This was, he decided, the most disturbing mission he's been on. The face on his back sputtered blood and gasped for air, eyes sunken and lips pulled so tight it couldn't fully close its mouth,"That's so gross."

"You saw my back!"his voice was like thunder, striking without warning and shaking the surrounding area.

"I'm sorry, bro!"the curse screeched, backing away.