Jujutsu Kaisen : Into The Underground

Return to the Underground

The stench of curses and sorrow clung to the damp walls, seeping into his skin like the guilt he couldn't shake.

Kinshi leaned against the graffiti-stained alley, his green eyes heavy with exhaustion, his cursed energy a faint flicker of what it once was, the man who once sent even the Jujutsu Sorcerers scrambling in fear. And yet, maybe that was for the best. His hands were stained with more than just blood—his sins ran deeper than curses ever could.

A flicker of movement in the shadows made his fingers twitch. The cursed technique he hadn't used in months stirred in his throat, but he swallowed it. It wasn't worth it anymore—or was it?

The underground was calling him back.

The underground, where curse users dwell and power shifts is certainly no place for the weak, Kinshi, who knew this all too well was drawn back to its insatiable hunger. Was it foolish of him to go back? Probably. Was it a good idea? It would depend on how you see it. Was he risking his life doing so? Most definitely.

Filled with the corrupt and unfortunate, the underground was a breeding ground for cursed technique assisted crime, fight clubs, and dangerous mercenaries, and was ruled by powerful hazardous figures—a system of crime networks where many modern-day curse users would provide for themselves and fund their living.

Nonetheless, Kinshi was aware of his stalker’s presence; friend or foe was the real question. The man would continue his trek through the chill dim lit alley; rewarded with worried glances from mysterious figures. Suddenly, a mass flashed from the pitch black darkness and ferociously impacted Kinshi who had protected himself by parrying the stranger's attack with his right hand.

A glimpse of our mysterious opposition had been received—a feminine frame paired with silky red hair which had been brought back into a tight round bun. At the sight, Kinshi smiled, an old friend had finally decided to show her face. “Are you ready to face the consequences of your actions, Kinshi?” The woman’s voice lowered, the challenge clear in her eyes.

Coughing out his technique out of his throat Kinshi commanded the woman, his cursed energy ferociously flooding out of his throat at an unintended rate. “Freeze.”

Almost instantly, the woman's legs had developed a thick layer of ice that had been cemented into the ground, which was… less than intentional to say the least. It seemed like Kinshi had lost his touch with his innate technique.

“So, how much are they paying you now? Aiko.” Kinshi smirked, smugly trodding towards the trapped individual in front of him, resting his arm on her shoulder. Only met with a shove and an annoyed look.

“Not as much as they were willing before. You suck for having fallen down this far.” Her face filled with annoyance for the man in front of her. “I can't even pay my rent if I were to kill you.”

In a moment of silence, Kinshi recalled the last job they’d worked together—a mission that had spiraled out of control. Aiko’s voice rang in his ears, sharp and accusatory. “You don’t care about anyone but yourself!” Those words had cut deeper than any blade, leaving scars that had yet to heal.

“You know that really hurts, right?” He joked sarcastically while offering a hand to Aiko; which she grabbed regardless of how much it pained her ego to be helped by a man.

“Screw you.” She proclaimed, spitting onto Kinshi's shirt in the process to show her spite. It was clear she didn't hate him, perhaps didn't truly want to kill him. She had attempted several assassinations on him in the past, all to no avail. At this point, it's almost as if it were a game. Had Aiko been given a chance to kill him, he was convinced she wouldn't be able to take it.

"Come on, you fucking cry baby.” He'd suddenly tugged her arms, nearly dislocating them in the process while she was off-guard but nonetheless teared her free from the ice captivity. She would avoid eye contact and cross her arms, making a big childish fuss in the center of a large crime center.

Hmph!

Kinshi rolled his eyes and walked off towards a nearby pub, Aiko following with a “walk of shame”. The endless avenues were cold and wet, the ground illuminated by the seemingly limitless neon signs, billboards, and advertisements Tokyo had to offer. The two walked in silence, exchanging periodic glares that felt as if they lasted a century. Her eyes pierced into the back of Kinshi's skull with every glance, sending countless shivers down his spine.

The two figures, shadows of their dubious pasts, rounded a dimly lit corner together. A neon sign flickered overhead, casting a vibrant glow in the darkness—a two-dimensional beer mug that seemed to beckon them from the dilapidated buildings lining the street. Kaito reached for the door handle, his fingers curling around it with a sense of urgency, and stepped inside without a backward glance, leaving the door to swing shut behind him. The woman hesitated for a moment, the slight gesture a sharp reminder of his indifference, a subtle act of defiance in the chilly night air.

"Oh FUCK! Well, thank you very much, you're such a GODDAMN GENTLEMAN!” She screamed, yelling at Kinshi in the middle of the restaurant; yet again making another scene. Though it wasn't uncommon for angry wives and girlfriends to intrude the bar to yell at a man it was quite ignored. The pub itself was quite small, with only about 5 tables and room for 6 individuals at the bar, of which the two Kinshi had picked the table.

“Fill me in, what's been going on down there?” Kinshi pitched the question towards his 'friend', who glared furiously at the man, her nose and eyebrows scrunching in pure disgust.

“Wouldn't YOU like to know, after you fucked everything up you still have the AUDACITY to ask how it is!?” He would simply scoff, then sigh. Resting his hands on his face to collect himself, he knew she was right but hated to admit it. He had no right to be a part of the business anymore, despite his attempt to come back.

“I..” He paused, deciding to choose his words carefully, not to stop his technique from accidentally triggering but to choose a milder approach. “I'm just curious,” he stated quietly.

“Is that it?” She raised an eyebrow, questioning the legitimacy of his question; she knew he wasn't that simple, besides after all that they had gone through.

“And that.. I want to get back into the business." Aiko, hearing this would immediately slam her fist on the table, her frustration with Kinsho's decisions and naive ambitiousness was made very clear; even to those nearby. She didn't even have to speak a word and the message was very clear, there was disapproval. Kinsho sat in silence, twiddling his pale thumbs in anticipation for her to calm down.

“Just because.” She would momentarily pause, taking the time to exhale a deep breath whilst taking in the impact the conversation could have on her life.. “Just because you were one of the best.. doesn't mean you just get a pass to come back.”

“Besides, there's a proper replacement for you already in the works.”