บท 49: The beginning of the battle
In the comfortable and relaxed atmosphere of the common room, Yazu lay sprawled on the sofa, emitting long, exaggerated sighs. His expression was one of someone lost in thought, or perhaps in longing. Nearby, Hiro sat with a book in hand, trying to focus on his reading. However, Yazu's continual sighing gradually became a distraction.
Finally, Hiro's patience wore thin. He closed his book with a soft thud and turned to Yazu. "Okay, what's up with you?" Hiro asked, his tone a mix of concern and mild irritation. "You've been sighing like a lovelorn poet for the last ten minutes."
Yazu sat up, a wistful look on his face. "I want a girlfriend," he confessed, his voice tinged with a mix of longing and frustration.
Hiro raised an eyebrow, slightly amused by the candid admission. "And that's got you sighing like it's the end of the world?" he asked, trying to keep the conversation light.
Yazu shrugged, his gaze drifting off. "It's not just about having a girlfriend," he explained. "It's about wanting that connection, you know? Someone to share things with, to laugh with, to be there for each other."
Hiro nodded, understanding the deeper sentiment behind Yazu's words. "I get that," Hiro said. "But you know, these things have a way of happening when you least expect it. Trying too hard might just push it further away."
Yazu considered Hiro's words, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. "Maybe you're right," he conceded. "But it's not easy, especially with the life we lead as jujutsu sorcerers. It's not exactly conducive to romance."
Hiro chuckled, closing his book and setting it aside. "True, our lives are anything but normal. But that doesn't mean we can't find happiness or love. It just means our path to it might be a bit more... unconventional."
As Hiro reopened his book, he glanced at Yazu and casually asked, "What about Momo? I've seen you two spending a lot of time together. What's going on there?"
Yazu let out another sigh, heavier this time. "I confessed to her last week," he admitted, "but she told me I'm not her type."
Hiro nodded, a hint of sympathy in his voice. "I see. That's tough," he said, his attention drifting back to his book.
"PLEASE PAY ATTENTION TO ME," Yazu suddenly blurted out, his voice a mix of frustration and desperation.
Hiro sighed, closing his book again, and turned to face Yazu fully. "Okay, what is it? But why are you in such a rush to get a girlfriend?" he asked, genuinely curious about Yazu's urgency.
Yazu frowned, his expression turning serious. "It's just... there's only a week left until Christmas. Obviously, I don't want to spend it alone," he explained, his voice tinged with loneliness.
Hiro raised an eyebrow, slightly puzzled by Yazu's reasoning. "You do remember that on December 24th we're scheduled to fight Sukuna, right?" he pointed out, emphasizing the seriousness of their upcoming battle.
Yazu's face fell as the reality of their situation settled in. The fight against Sukuna was not just any battle; it was a significant, potentially life-altering event for every jujutsu sorcerer involved.
"Yeah, I know," Yazu replied, his voice losing some of its earlier urgency. "It's just... I guess I was trying to find something normal in all this chaos. Something to look forward to, you know?"
Hiro understood Yazu's sentiment. Amidst the danger and unpredictability of their lives, the desire for something as simple and human as companionship was both relatable and poignant.
"Look, Yazu," Hiro said, placing a hand on his shoulder, "it's important to have something to fight for, something that keeps you grounded. But don't let that make you rush into things. The right person will come along when the time is right."
Yazu's smile broadened, a hint of warmth lighting up his eyes. "You know, Hiro, you sound just like the Hiro everyone remembers. The Hiro of always."
Hiro, however, shook his head slightly, his expression resolute. "I am me, Yazu. I don't care about the other Hiro," he declared firmly. "Right now, I'm just focusing on my own path, carving out who I am and who I want to be."
Yazu regarded Hiro with a newfound respect. The journey Hiro was on – rediscovering himself while forging a new identity – was not an easy one. It required strength, courage, and an unwavering sense of self.
Hiro's commitment to his personal journey, to not being defined by his past, resonated with Yazu. It was a powerful reminder that everyone, no matter their circumstances, had the capacity to redefine themselves and their destinies.
As they sat there, Hiro lost in his book and Yazu in his thoughts, there was a silent acknowledgment of the challenges and uncertainties that lay ahead. But there was also an unspoken understanding that they, along with their friends and fellow sorcerers, had the strength and determination to face whatever came their way.
As Maki entered the room, she greeted Hiro with a kiss, a gesture of their deepening bond. Yazu, witnessing the affectionate exchange, couldn't help but express his feelings, albeit humorously. "STOP SHOWING OFF!!!" he exclaimed, a mix of jest and genuine frustration in his voice.
At that moment, Naoya happened to be passing by the hallway outside the common room. Catching a glimpse of Yazu's outburst, he scoffed, "What a loser," his voice dripping with disdain, before continuing on his way.
Yazu slumped back on the sofa, his brief moment of humor fading into a sense of dejection. Maki, sensing the shift in mood, looked at Yazu with concern. "What's going on?" she asked.
Hiro, closing his book, explained, "Yazu's in the market for a girlfriend." He then added, "He tried with Momo, but she turned him down."
Maki's eyes widened in surprise. "Really? I thought for sure they'd end up together," she said, genuinely taken aback by the news.
Hiro shrugged. "I can ask Mai what happened, if you want," he offered, trying to be helpful.
Maki raised an eyebrow, a playful smirk forming on her lips. "Oh, you'd like that, wouldn't you? Getting a chance to talk to Mai."
Hiro, caught off guard by Maki's teasing, let out a small laugh. "It's not like that," he said, trying to sound casual. "Just thought it might help Yazu to know what went wrong."
Yazu, meanwhile, seemed to perk up a bit at the prospect. "Yeah, maybe knowing what I did wrong will help me do better next time," he said, a hint of optimism returning to his voice.
Hiro knocked on the door of Mai's room, his curiosity about Yazu's situation leading him there. The door opened to reveal both Mai and Momo inside. Mai greeted Hiro with a flirtatious look. "Are you here to keep me company?" she teased. "If you want, I can send Momo away for some privacy."
Hiro, slightly taken aback by Mai's forwardness, cleared his throat and replied, "Actually, I came to ask you something, but now that Momo's here, I'll ask her directly." He turned to Momo, who was looking at him with a mix of curiosity and caution.
"Why did you turn down Yazu?" Hiro asked bluntly. "Sorry for being so direct, but I can't stand to see him like this anymore."
Mai laughed at Hiro's straightforwardness, while Momo looked slightly embarrassed. "You're not very subtle, you know," she chided Hiro gently.
Hiro just shrugged, a small smile on his face. Momo took a deep breath before responding. "It's not that I don't like Yazu. I actually do like him, but..." She paused, her expression turning serious. "I'm scared of losing him in the battle against Sukuna."
Her words hung in the air, a stark reminder of the dangerous reality they all faced. The upcoming battle with Sukuna was more than just a fight; it was a life-changing event that could result in loss and heartbreak.
Momo's fear was a sentiment shared by many in their community. The possibility of losing someone they cared about was a constant, looming threat. Her decision to keep a distance from Yazu was her way of protecting herself from potential heartache.
Hiro nodded, understanding Momo's perspective. "That makes sense," he said softly. "It's hard to open your heart when you're not sure what the future holds."
Mai and Momo both looked at Hiro, appreciating his empathy and understanding. In a world where each day could bring unforeseen dangers, the choices they made about their personal lives were deeply influenced by the realities of their duties as jujutsu sorcerers.
As Hiro left Mai's room, he thought about what Momo had said. It was a reminder of the delicate balance between their personal desires and the responsibilities they bore. In their line of work, every decision, every relationship, carried weight and significance. It was a reality they all had to navigate, each in their own way.
Walking away from Mai's room, Hiro's thoughts naturally drifted towards the looming battle against Sukuna. Until now, he hadn't dwelled much on it, trusting in Gojo's strength to handle the formidable foe. But what if Gojo couldn't defeat Sukuna? The reality that he, too, might have to face Sukuna in combat began to weigh heavily on his mind.
Hiro's power, while considerable, had its limits, and the thought of going up against an entity as powerful as Sukuna was daunting. As he entered the common room, lost in these thoughts, his gaze found Maki sitting by the window, her eyes fixed on the view outside.
A soft whisper escaped Hiro's lips, a confession to himself more than anyone else. "I don't want to die..." The vulnerability of the moment was stark and real, a rare admission of his deepest fears.
Moving almost instinctively, Hiro walked over to Maki and gently lay down, resting his head in her lap. Maki, surprised at first, smiled warmly and began to stroke his hair, a soothing, rhythmic motion that brought comfort.
"What's wrong?" she asked softly, her voice filled with concern.
Hiro shifted slightly, settling more comfortably as he closed his eyes. "It's nothing," he murmured, the tiredness in his voice more than just physical. "I'm just tired."
Maki didn't press further, sensing that Hiro needed this moment of quiet and tenderness more than words. She continued to run her fingers through his hair, her touch gentle and reassuring.
In the safety of Maki's lap, with the warmth of her presence enveloping him, Hiro allowed himself a moment of vulnerability. The fear, the uncertainty, the weight of the upcoming battle – he let it all fade into the background, if only for a little while.
As they sat there in silence, a sense of peace settled over Hiro. It was a reminder that, despite the dangers and challenges they faced, they were not alone. They had each other, a source of strength and solace in a world that demanded so much from them.
In the quiet of the common room, as Maki continued to stroke Hiro's hair, she leaned down, her voice taking on a playful, high-pitched tone. "Who's a good boy?" she cooed, a teasing smile on her lips.
Hiro, taken aback by the sudden change in Maki's demeanor, lifted his head slightly to look at her. "What are you doing?" he asked, a mix of amusement and confusion in his voice.
Maki chuckled, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "I always used to do this, and you loved it," she explained, her voice returning to normal. "It was our little thing."
Hiro's expression shifted as he processed this new piece of information about his past with Maki. "That was before I lost my memory," he pointed out, a hint of nostalgia and regret in his voice.
Maki's smile faded slightly, replaced by a look of concern. "Do you not want me to do it anymore?" she asked, her voice softening.
Hiro, feeling a surge of embarrassment mixed with a longing for the connection they once shared, hesitated for a moment. Finally, he admitted, almost shyly, "No, I... I do want it. It's nice."
Maki's smile returned, warmer this time. She resumed stroking his hair, once again adopting the playful, high-pitched tone. "Who's a good boy? Hiro's a good boy," she said, her words gentle and affectionate.
Hiro leaned into the affection, responding in kind to Maki's playful tone. "I am a good boy," he said with a hint of a smile.
Maki's eyes sparkled with amusement. "Oh, really? And since you're such a good boy, do you want some kisses?" she teased, her voice still playful.
Hiro, momentarily letting go of his usual reserve, nodded eagerly. "Yes, I do want," he admitted, a blush creeping onto his cheeks.
Just then, Naoya happened to pass by the open door of the common room. Catching sight of their intimate moment, he made a face of distaste. "Gross," he muttered audibly, continuing on his way without a second glance.
Hiro sprang to his feet, suddenly self-conscious and embarrassed by Naoya's comment. He ran his hands through his hair in frustration. "Ahhh, that Naoya, I swear I'm going to kill him one of these days," he exclaimed, half-joking and half-serious.
Maki, unable to contain her laughter, chuckled at Hiro's reaction. "Don't let him get to you," she said, still giggling. "He's just being Naoya."
Hiro, though still a bit embarrassed, couldn't help but smile at Maki's laughter. "It's just... there's so little privacy in this school," he complained, his tone light but carrying a hint of genuine annoyance.
Maki stood up and walked over to Hiro, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Well, that's just part of life here," she said, her voice calming. "But it doesn't change how we feel, right?"
Hiro looked into Maki's eyes, the frustration from Naoya's interruption fading away. "Right," he agreed, his smile returning. "It doesn't change a thing."
Their moment of embarrassment quickly turned into a shared joke, a small but significant reminder of their strong bond. In the ever-changing and challenging world of jujutsu sorcerers, moments like these were precious – a reminder of the lighter, more human side of their lives.
_______
In one of the school's meeting rooms, a group of the most skilled and powerful sorcerers – Kusakabe, Kamo, Choso, Itadori, Higuruma, Kashimo, Hiro, Yuta, Maki, Takaba, Hakari, and Naoya – gathered to discuss their strategy for the impending battle with Sukuna. The mood was somber, each person keenly aware of the gravity of the situation.
Kusakabe, taking the lead in the discussion, voiced a concern that had been on everyone's mind. "I don't want to sound pessimistic, but we need to consider what we'll do in case Gojo loses to Sukuna."
Kashimo, ever confident in his abilities, quickly interjected. "Isn't it obvious? I will defeat Sukuna."
Kusakabe sighed, his expression serious. "I hate to be blunt, but if Gojo can't defeat him, I doubt you can."
Kashimo bristled at the comment. "That's not fair. I agreed to work with you all on the condition that I get to face Sukuna."
Hakari, trying to ease the tension, spoke up. "Give the kid what he wants, Kusakabe."
Kusakabe sighed again, a mix of resignation and pragmatism in his voice. "Fine. Kashimo will be the second to go against Sukuna. But after Kashimo dies, what will we do?"
Kashimo, indignant, shot back, "I AM NOT GOING TO DIE!"
Higuruma's suggestion brought a new wave of cautious optimism to the room. "I believe we can defeat Sukuna," he stated confidently.
Kusakabe, intrigued, raised an eyebrow. "How so?" he asked.
Higuruma explained his plan. "If my Cursed Technique can declare him guilty, it will grant me a sword. Anyone wounded by this sword will die instantly... In fact, there's a chance we could even rescue Fushiguro, since the sword targets the soul. So, it could defeat Sukuna's soul, freeing Fushiguro's body."
Itadori's eyes lit up with hope at this revelation. "Really?" he asked eagerly.
Higuruma tempered his response with caution. "I'm not certain, but it's a possibility."
Kusakabe, now with a clearer strategy in mind, began to outline the plan. "Okay, I think I've got something. Takaba, with your wild Cursed Technique, you'll distract Kenjaku. Then Yuta will catch him off guard and take him out in one hit." Yuta nodded in agreement.
Kusakabe then turned to the rest of the group. "Higuruma and Itadori will confront Sukuna on the battlefield. Choso, Ino, and I will provide support."
He then looked at Hakari. "Hakari, Uraume isn't going to just stand by, so be ready." Hakari nodded, a determined look on his face.
The room was filled with a renewed sense of purpose. Each person now had a clear role to play, a part in the intricate dance of strategy and combat that awaited them.
Hiro's frustration was palpable as he listened to Kusakabe's plan. The idea of staying behind, away from the frontline, didn't sit well with him. "What will I do?" Hiro asked, his voice tinged with unease.
Kusakabe's response was straightforward. "You'll stay at the headquarters with Naoya and Maki. Someone needs to look after Shoko and the other sorcerers. Ui Ui will be moving back and forth."
Hiro interrupted, his voice rising with emotion. "But I can be more useful out there. I can't just sit back and do nothing!"
Kusakabe sighed, rubbing his forehead in frustration. "Hiro, you're not as strong as you used to be before. To be honest, you'll be our last resort."
Hiro's confusion was evident. "What do you mean by that?"
Kusakabe laid out the plan. "If Gojo loses, Kashimo goes in. If he loses, which is likely, we follow Higuruma's plan. If Higuruma fails, then Yuta steps in. And if he fails too... then you, Hiro, are our last card. You'll have to learn your techniques from scratch or regain your memories and face Sukuna on another day."
Hiro's frustration boiled over. "So what am I supposed to do? Just sit still and watch everyone die?"
Kusakabe replied firmly, "Don't complain. I'm not sending Maki into battle, so I'm giving you a chance to save your life with her."
Before Hiro could respond, Naoya stepped in, delivering a sharp, reprimanding flick to Hiro's head. "Calm down, don't you get it? You're useless right now."
Hiro's frustration was a mix of his desire to contribute and his current limitations. While he understood the logic behind Kusakabe's decision, the helplessness he felt was overwhelming. The realization that he couldn't be on the frontline, fighting alongside his peers, was a bitter pill to swallow.
__________
The day had arrived, the one they had all been preparing for. December 24th – the day of the battle against Sukuna. Tension filled the air as the sorcerers gathered in a large room, each person dealing with their own mix of anticipation and anxiety. They were waiting for Gojo, the one they all looked up to and depended upon in this critical moment.
Panda broke the uneasy silence. "How are we supposed to cheer him up?" he wondered aloud.
Maki shrugged. "I don't know. He's so powerful that we just assume he'll win."
Hakari chimed in, "Does he even need cheers?"
Hiro remained silent, lost in his own thoughts.
Suddenly, Gojo descended the stairs, accompanied by Gakuganji and Utahime. His face was set with determination and a seriousness that was uncharacteristic of his usual demeanor. The room fell silent, everyone unsure of how to address him.
Itadori, breaking the tension, raised his hand and called out, "Sensei, your technique is in the way."
Gojo looked surprised for a moment, but then his expression softened into a smile. He turned his back to Itadori, inviting him to hit it as hard as he could. "Go on, give it your best shot," he said.
Itadori slapped Gojo's back, and the room's atmosphere lightened. One by one, the others approached Gojo, each giving him a pat on the back and offering words of encouragement. "Good luck," "Show them you're not just a pretty face," "Turn him into dust." The support from his students was heartwarming, and even sorcerers like Choso and Kashimo couldn't help but smile at the confidence everyone had in Gojo.
Finally, Gojo stood in front of Hiro. "Don't use that technique I told you about, unless it's an emergency," he cautioned.
Hiro smiled confidently. "I won't need it because you're going to mop the floor with Sukuna," he assured Gojo.
Gojo grinned and they exchanged a high-five. "Give him what he deserves," Hiro shouted after him.
As Gojo walked away, he called back, "I will!"
The room was filled with a renewed sense of hope and determination. Despite the daunting challenge ahead, Gojo's presence and the solidarity among the sorcerers bolstered everyone's spirits. They knew the battle would be tough, but with Gojo leading the charge, they believed they had a fighting chance.
____________
The stage was set for a confrontation of historic proportions in the jujutsu world. Gojo, the strongest sorcerer of the current era, faced off against Sukuna, the most formidable sorcerer in history. The air was thick with tension and anticipation, as those witnessing the battle knew they were about to see a clash that would be remembered for ages.
Gojo, exuding his characteristic confidence, unleashed a powerful Purple Void technique, a display of his immense strength and control over cursed energy. Sukuna, for all his own formidable power, barely managed to withstand the attack. His hand was scorched severely by the technique, but with his regenerative abilities, he quickly healed the damage.
As they prepared to engage in battle, Gojo approached Sukuna with a calm yet assertive stride. A confident smile played on his lips as he addressed his adversary. "Just so you know, you're the challenger here," he said, his voice steady and composed.
Sukuna, unfazed by Gojo's words, returned the smile with one of his own, a mixture of excitement and respect for his worthy opponent. "So, I'm the challenger, huh?" he replied, his tone laced with amusement. "Well then, GOJO SATORU, let's see what you've got."
The air crackled with the intensity of their energies, as the two titans of the jujutsu world prepared to engage in a battle that would undoubtedly shape the course of history. This wasn't just a fight between two powerful sorcerers; it was a clash of ideologies, of eras, a battle that would test the limits of their abilities and strategies.
As the battle commenced, those watching held their breath, knowing that the outcome of this epic confrontation would have far-reaching implications for the entire jujutsu world. It was more than a fight for supremacy; it was a battle that would determine the future of all sorcerers and the balance of power in the world of cursed energy.
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