𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐡𝐢𝐜

08

THE FOREST RUNG alive in the presence of your return, still the same as how you left it. The few days away made it feel like a lifetime ago when you were here. But perhaps this was just how you felt every time you went away on a mission. This place was a trademark, standing against the wits of time and waiting for you to come home. Possibly, this was part of Tengen's power.

The group had been climbing the long steps up to the school, to which Amanai Riko was struggling with. You supposed it wasn't everyday any normal person would want to climb so many steps. Her breath was ragged and her forehead gleamed of sweat. It was clear in her eyes by the time you reached the top, there was major relief. She wasn't the only one who was relieved, though for entirely different reasons. You, Gojo, and Geto were satisfied by how the mission went, knowing it was going to be successful. After all, you had already crossed the barriers into Tengen's power. There wasn't as much to worry about from here on out.

"Good work, everyone," Geto said. Amanai crouched down to her knees and let out a breath. "We're inside Jujutsu High's barrier now."

You glanced over at Gojo, who appeared to be in deep thought.

"Satoru, [Name]," Geto called. The two of you looked back at him. A warm smile adorned his face, crinkling his eyes. "You two worked really hard this time."

Gojo only sighed at the comment, still acting high and mighty. "I never want to get stuck babysitting a brat again."

"Huh," Amanai responded, annoyed.

In that moment, it was as if time actually did freeze up in hell. A beast of metal burst from the core of Gojo's body, ripping straight through ruthlessly. Coated in thick crimson, it gutted out, the sword greedy in bloodlust. Everyone froze, all eyes stuck to the weapon. Shit, shit, shit. Fight or flight activated in your system, with fear and confusion wavering in the air. Automatically, your feet got into stance, the muscles of your limbs tensing in preparation.

However, your mind could not keep up to the scene. It should not have been possible for Gojo to have been attacked like this. He was nearly untouchable. Especially since you all crossed into Jujutsu High's barriers, there couldn't have been any way an enemy went unnoticed. Who the hell was this man?!

Standing behind Gojo was a man in his late twenties, his hand holding the sword that just injured the strongest person you knew. The culprit had straight, black hair and his outfit consisted of a dark t-shirt and loose baggy training pants. You didn't recognize him anywhere, and though he was quite attractive, he could pass as any regular person.

Gojo glanced behind him. "Have we met before?"

There was a smile on the man's face. "Don't worry about it. I'm terrible at remembering people's names too."

This triggered a response from Gojo immediately, releasing his technique. This signaled to both you and Geto, who followed. Your power surged from your fingers as you flipped your sword charm. The weapon lengthened and your halo appeared, so you grabbed it and hurled it towards the enemy. Eriku flew and bind the man's wrist as he was dragged up into the air. Paired with Geto's cursed spirit manipulation, the curse ate the man whole and crashed to the ground.

Gojo stumbled, having lost some blood already.

You and Geto started running to him, concerned. "Satoru!"

He held a hand up, with an assuring smile. The two of you stopped. "I'm fine," he said, pulling himself up. "I didn't make it in time with my technique, but it missed my vitals. I then strengthened myself with cursed energy so the blade couldn't be drawn out at all. It was like passing a safety pin through a knit sweater."