Chương 11: [11] No Sorcerer is an Island
With Nobara:
I stared down the curse spirit, my brain scrambling for a way out of this mess. Shit. This Grade 3 weakling knew exactly what it was doing, using the kid as a shield.
"Get it together, Nobara," I muttered, forcing myself to breathe. The cold logic was clear - if I died, the kid died too. But if the kid died... No. That wasn't an option. Not for me.
My heart sank as I dropped my weapons. They clattered to the floor, leaving me defenseless.
"There. I'm unarmed. Now let the kid go," I said, hating how my voice shook.
The curse's twisted grin widened. It wasn't buying it.
Saori's face flashed through my mind. My best friend, left behind in that suffocating countryside. I'd give anything to see her again, to tell her I made it in Tokyo after all.
"Guess this is it," I thought, squeezing my eyes shut.
Then - BOOM. The wall exploded inward, chunks of plaster flying everywhere. My eyes snapped open to see Itadori burst through, fist raised. Before the curse could blink, Itadori's hand sliced clean through its arm.
The severed limb sailed across the room as Itadori scooped up the kid. He flashed that dumb heroic grin of his. "You okay, little buddy?"
The child nodded frantically, clinging to Itadori like a lifeline.
"Ah crap, it's getting away!" Itadori yelled, pointing at the curse slinking towards the exit.
I yanked open my jacket, revealing the straw doll tucked inside. "Like hell you are!" I shouted. "Itadori, kick me that arm!"
The severed limb skidded to a stop at my feet. Perfect. I slapped the doll on top and raised my hammer.
"Straw Doll Technique," I growled, driving the nail home. "Resonance!"
The curse's agonized screams cut off abruptly as it burst into flames.
I sagged against the wall, exhausted. That was too close.
Itadori couldn't resist getting a dig in. "See? This is why you don't go solo on dangerous missions."
I rolled my eyes. "You never said that, idiot."
"I... didn't?" He scrunched up his face, genuinely confused.
"More importantly," I said, changing the subject, "What the hell are you made of? Normal people can't just punch through walls!"
"It wasn't reinforced or anything!" he protested.
"That's not the point!" I shot back.
Itadori's expression turned serious. "Hey Kugisaki, why'd you become a sorcerer anyway?"
I fidgeted, suddenly self-conscious. "It's stupid," I mumbled.
"Come on, spill it," he pressed.
"Fine!" I snapped. "I hated my backwater town and wanted to live in Tokyo, okay? But the city's expensive as hell. Being a sorcerer was my ticket out."
Itadori's jaw dropped. "You'd risk your life just for that?"
I lifted my chin defiantly. "Damn right I would. That's who I am."
His brow furrowed, clearly not getting it. I sighed, trying to find the words.
"Look, I know it sounds dumb to you. But that place... it was suffocating me. Everyone's lives mapped out from birth, no room to breathe or grow. I needed to get out, to see what else was out there." I ran a hand through my hair, frustrated. "Tokyo represents freedom to me. A chance to figure out who I really am, you know?"
Itadori's expression softened. "I think I get it. Sort of."
I snorted. "Yeah, well, don't hurt yourself trying too hard."
We lapsed into silence for a moment. I glanced at the kid, still clinging to Itadori's leg.
"Hey," I said, softer this time. "Thanks for the save back there. I mean it."
Itadori grinned, all cockiness gone. "That's what teammates are for, right?"
I felt a smile tugging at my own lips. Maybe this whole sorcerer gig wouldn't be so bad after all.
"Alright, enough mushy crap," I declared, pushing myself to my feet. "Let's get this kid out of here and report back to Gojo-sensei."
As we headed for the exit, I couldn't shake the feeling that something had shifted. For the first time since coming to Tokyo, I felt like I might actually belong somewhere.
Not that I'd ever admit that out loud, of course. I had a reputation to maintain, after all.
With Akuma:
I watched as Itadori and Nobara emerged from the building, a small child clinging to Itadori's leg. Gojo's eyes crinkled with amusement behind his dark glasses.
"Well, well. Looks like our dynamic duo managed to save the day," he said, ruffling Itadori's hair. "And picked up a stray in the process."
Fushiguro frowned. "We should return the child to their family."
Gojo nodded. "Excellent idea, Fushiguro-kun. Akuma, why don't you and I handle that? You two," he pointed at Itadori and Nobara, "go ahead and rest up. Decide on what we'll eat for dinner."
Gojo led us through the winding streets, the kid finally detaching from Itadori to walk between us. I kept my senses alert, scanning for any lingering curse energy.
"So, Akuma-kun," Gojo said, breaking the silence. "What do you think of your new teammates?"
I considered the question. "They're... interesting," I said finally. "Itadori's got raw power, but he's reckless. Nobara's technique is impressive, but she froze up in there. And Fushiguro..." I trailed off, unsure how to describe the quiet, intense boy.
Gojo chuckled. "Astute observations. And what about you? How are you finding life as a jujutsu sorcerer?"
I shrugged. "It's different. The underground fights were simpler. Just me against whatever came at me." I glanced at the kid, who was kicking a pebble along the sidewalk. "This... it complicates things."
"Ah, but that's what makes it worthwhile, don't you think?" Gojo's tone was light, but I sensed a deeper meaning behind his words.
Before I could respond, the kid tugged on my sleeve. "Mister, are you really strong like the pink-haired guy?"
I smirked. "Much stronger."
The kid's eyes widened. "Wow! Can you punch through walls too?"
I snorted. "Kid, I can do a lot more than punch through walls."
Gojo raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Care to elaborate, Akuma-kun?"
"Not happening."
Gojo's grin widened. "Now, now. No need to be shy. We're all friends here."
I scowled. "We're not friends, Gojo-sensei. You're my teacher, and they're my classmates. That's it."
"Ouch," Gojo clutched his chest in mock pain. "And here I thought we were bonding."
I rolled my eyes, focusing on the street ahead. We'd entered a residential area, rows of modest houses lining the sidewalk.
The kid perked up. "That's my house!" They pointed to a blue two-story with a small garden out front.
As we approached, the front door flew open. A woman rushed out, tears streaming down her face. "Haru! Oh, thank god!"
The kid - Haru - broke into a run, colliding with their mother in a tangle of limbs and sobs. Gojo stepped forward, smoothly explaining the situation to the frantic mother. I tuned out his words, watching the reunion with a mix of emotions I couldn't quite name.
"Thank you," the mother said, bowing deeply. "How can we ever repay you?"
Gojo waved her off. "No need for that. Just doing our job as jujutsu sorcerers."
I frowned at his casual reveal of our identities, but the mother didn't seem fazed. She just nodded, gratitude shining in her eyes.
As we walked away, leaving the reunited family behind, Gojo turned to me. "So, Akuma-kun. Still think protecting people complicates things?"
I shoved my hands in my pockets, not meeting his gaze. "It's not that simple."
"Oh?" Gojo's tone was light, but I sensed the challenge beneath. "Do tell."
I sighed, frustrated. How could I explain the tangle of thoughts in my head? The years of looking out for only myself.
"Look," I said finally. "I get why we do this. Curses are dangerous, and someone has to deal with them. But getting attached to every person we save? That's a recipe for disaster."
Gojo was quiet for a moment. When he spoke, his voice had lost its usual playful edge. "You're not wrong, Akuma-kun. This job... it comes with a cost. We can't save everyone, and getting too invested can lead to mistakes."
I nodded, relieved he understood.
"But," Gojo continued, "if we don't care at all, we're no better than the curses we fight. It's a balance, Akuma-kun. One I hope you'll learn to strike."
I didn't respond, mulling over his words.
We trudged back to where Fushiguro, Kugisaki, and Itadori were waiting. The setting sun cast long shadows across the street, painting everything in shades of orange and red.
"Good work, guys!" he announced, clapping his hands together. "Just finished escorting the kid home, and it's time to eat."
Itadori's eyes lit up like fireworks. "Meat!" he bellowed, pumping his fist in the air.
Kugisaki rolled her eyes, but I caught the hint of a smile tugging at her lips. "Sushi!" she countered, crossing her arms defiantly.
Gojo flashed a thumbs-up, his grin widening impossibly further. "Leave it to me!"
As we set off towards whatever restaurant Gojo had in mind, I hung back, observing the others. Itadori and Kugisaki were still bickering about food, their voices rising and falling like waves. Fushiguro trailed behind, his face set in its usual scowl.
I frowned, studying him. Something was off. His shoulders were tenser than usual, his hands shoved deep in his pockets.
Kugisaki noticed too. She nudged me with her elbow, jerking her head towards Fushiguro. "What's with all the doom and gloom, Fushiguro?" she called out.
"Nothing," he grumbled, hunching his shoulders even more.
I snorted. "Aw, is it because you didn't get to fight?"
A low growl escaped Fushiguro. For a second, I thought he might actually snap at me. But then something strange happened. His lips twitched, just slightly. And suddenly, we were all laughing.
The sound echoed off the buildings around us, filling the quiet street. It was weird, hearing my own voice mixed in with theirs. I couldn't remember the last time I'd laughed like this, open and unguarded.
The restaurant he'd chosen was a hole-in-the-wall place, barely bigger than my apartment. The smell of grilled meat and spices hit me like a punch to the gut, reminding me how long it had been since I'd eaten.
"Alright, kiddos," Gojo said, ushering us inside. "Order whatever you want. It's on me tonight."
Itadori's eyes went wide. "Really? Anything?"
Gojo nodded, a mischievous glint in his eye. "Consider it a reward for your first successful mission."
I raised an eyebrow. "Even the booze?"
"Nice try, Akuma-kun," Gojo chuckled. "Let's stick to the non-alcoholic options for now, shall we?"
We squeezed into a booth, Itadori and Kugisaki on one side, Fushiguro and me on the other. Gojo pulled up a chair at the end, somehow managing to look completely at ease despite the cramped space.
As we pored over the menus, I found myself stealing glances at the others. Itadori was practically drooling, pointing out every meat dish to Kugisaki. She pretended to be annoyed, but I caught her sneaking looks at the seafood section.
Fushiguro, to my surprise, was the first to decide. He set his menu down with a quiet "hmph," his usual scowl back in place.
"What's the verdict, Fushiguro-kun?" Gojo asked, leaning forward.
"Tonkatsu," Fushiguro muttered.
Itadori's head snapped up. "Ooh, that sounds good! Maybe I'll get that too!"
Kugisaki rolled her eyes. "You were just going on about yakiniku a second ago."
"Yeah, but tonkatsu is good too!" Itadori protested. "What about you, Kugisaki? Still set on sushi?"
She shrugged. "Maybe. Or I might try the tempura."
I smirked. "What happened to 'Sushi!' with an exclamation point?"
Kugisaki's cheeks flushed pink. "Shut up, Kantaro. I'm allowed to change my mind."
"What about you, Akuma-kun?" Gojo asked, tilting his head. "What's your poison?"
"Gyudon," I said finally, setting the menu down. "And maybe some edamame to start."
Gojo nodded approvingly. "Excellent choice. Now, who wants to be our brave volunteer to flag down a waiter?"
Itadori's hand shot up before Gojo had even finished speaking. "I'll do it!" He waved enthusiastically at a passing server, nearly knocking over the water glasses in his excitement.
The food arrived in a whirlwind of steaming plates and tantalizing aromas. Itadori dug in immediately, shoveling rice and pork into his mouth at an alarming rate. Kugisaki pretended to be disgusted, but I noticed her own pace wasn't much slower.
Fushiguro ate methodically, cutting his tonkatsu into precise bites. I caught him sneaking glances at the others, his expression a mix of confusion and something else I couldn't quite place.
As for me, I took my time, savoring each bite. It had been a long time since I'd had a meal this good. The beef was tender, the sauce rich and flavorful. The edamame provided a satisfying saltiness between bites.
"So," Gojo said, setting down his chopsticks. "How does it feel to be official jujutsu sorcerers?"
Itadori swallowed a massive bite, grinning from ear to ear. "It's awesome! I mean, the curses are scary, but knowing we can actually do something about them? It's like being a superhero!"
"It's not bad," Kugisaki admitted. "Though I could do without the property damage. My clothes are never going to recover."
Fushiguro just grunted, focusing intently on his plate.
"What about you, Akuma-kun?" Gojo asked, turning those hidden eyes on me. "How does it compare to your underground fights?"
I paused, chopsticks halfway to my mouth. The others fell silent, waiting for my answer.
"It's... different," I said slowly, choosing my words carefully. "The fights themselves aren't that dissimilar. A curse or a human, they both bleed in the end. But the stakes..." I trailed off, thinking of the kid we'd rescued. The way their mother had looked at us, gratitude shining in her eyes.
"The stakes are higher," I finished. "It's not just about winning anymore. It's about protecting people who can't protect themselves."
Gojo nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "Well said, Akuma-kun. That's exactly what being a jujutsu sorcerer is all about."
The conversation drifted to lighter topics after that. Itadori regaled us with stories from his high school, each one more outlandish than the last. Kugisaki chimed in with her own tales, her countryside upbringing a stark contrast to Itadori's city life.
As the meal wound down, Gojo leaned back in his chair, a satisfied smile on his face. "Alright, team. I'd say this calls for a toast."
He raised his glass of water, and we followed suit, even Fushiguro.
"To your first successful mission," Gojo said. "May it be the first of many. And to new beginnings, new friendships, and the start of your journey as jujutsu sorcerers."
We clinked glasses, the sound ringing out in the small restaurant. As I took a sip, I caught Gojo's eye. He nodded once, a silent acknowledgment passing between us.
Maybe this whole jujutsu sorcerer thing wouldn't be so bad after all.
As we left the restaurant, stomachs full and spirits high, I found myself hanging back again. The others walked ahead, Itadori and Kugisaki still bickering good-naturedly, Fushiguro trailing behind with his hands in his pockets.
Gojo fell into step beside me, his usual grin replaced by a more thoughtful expression.
"Something on your mind, Akuma?" he asked, his voice low enough that the others couldn't hear.
I shrugged, not meeting his gaze. "Just thinking about what comes next."
Gojo hummed thoughtfully. "Worried about future missions?"
"Not exactly," I said, struggling to put my thoughts into words. "It's more... this." I gestured vaguely at the group ahead of us. "I'm not used to working with others. Being part of a team."
"Ah," Gojo nodded. "I thought that might be the case. You've been on your own for a long time, haven't you?"
I didn't answer, but my silence was confirmation enough.
"It's not easy," Gojo continued, his voice uncharacteristically serious. "Opening up to others, learning to trust them. But it's necessary, Akuma. No jujutsu sorcerer can survive long on their own."
I frowned, thinking of all the fights I'd won single-handedly in the underground circuit. "I've managed just fine so far."
Gojo chuckled, but there was no humor in it. "Against human opponents, sure. But curses? They're a different beast entirely. The stronger ones... they require teamwork to take down. And more than that, they require someone to watch your back."
I glanced at the others, walking ahead of us. Itadori, with his boundless enthusiasm and raw power. Kugisaki, sharp-tongued but fiercely determined. And Fushiguro, quiet and intense, but undeniably skilled.
"I don't know if I can do that," I admitted quietly. "Trust them to watch my back."
Gojo clapped a hand on my shoulder, the sudden contact making me flinch. "You don't have to figure it out all at once," he said. "Trust is built over time, through shared experiences and challenges. Just... give them a chance, okay? You might be surprised at what you find."
I nodded slowly.
Ahead of us, Itadori's voice rang out. "Hey, Gojo-sensei! Kantaro! You guys coming or what?"
Gojo's grin returned full force. "Coming, coming!" he called back. He gave my shoulder a final squeeze before jogging to catch up with the others.
I hung back for a moment longer, watching them. Itadori had thrown an arm around Fushiguro's shoulders, ignoring the other boy's halfhearted attempts to shrug him off. Kugisaki was laughing at something Gojo had said, her earlier irritation forgotten.
They looked... happy. Comfortable with each other in a way I couldn't quite understand.
As I watched, Kugisaki glanced back, catching my eye. She raised an eyebrow, a silent question in her gaze.
I took a deep breath, squaring my shoulders. Then I stepped forward, closing the distance between us.
Maybe Gojo was right. Maybe it was worth giving this whole team thing a shot.
After all, what did I have to lose?
Tình trạng nguồn điện hàng tuần
-- Xếp hạng
Quyền lực 
-- Đá
Quyền lực