"So, what do we do now?"
Sukuna asked, arms folded across his chest.
With Yuji's problem solved, it was his turn.
He tilted his chin slightly, a proud, almost smug glint in his eyes.
He'd already recovered his Cursed Technique—no more special training needed!
Wahahaha—!
Gojo pondered for a moment. "Well… next up, you need to get your Domain back~"
Gah—?
Sukuna's smug grin froze… Right… still the Domain.
The King of Curses from a thousand years ago… how could he not have a Domain? Of course he had one.
But he himself didn't know how to use it.
And so—
his to-do list became:
– Learn Reverse Cursed Technique (completed)
– Acquire Innate Technique (completed)
– Use Domain (pending)
…Sukuna felt a bit melancholy.
Had he rushed the progress a little too much?
This was only day one, right? Was Day-One training supposed to be this packed? What would be left for him to learn later?
Gojo cut short Sukuna's brooding.
"But Domains aren't something you just 'find' overnight, so let's get your battle groove back first."
He rolled an arm to loosen up.
Then crooked a finger at Sukuna.
"Next, I'll be your sparring partner~"
Sukuna: …???
You… you serious?
He was dumbstruck.
Wasn't this difficulty setting a bit too high…?
He remembered Megumi saying during class that the only reason this idiotic white-haired menace hadn't been beaten to death yet was because he ranked as the undisputed number-one sorcerer in the entire Jujutsu World—known simply as "The Strongest."
If this were his thousand-year-ago self it'd be fine, but right now he didn't even have a Domain… besides… his fingertips twitched.
He didn't actually enjoy rushing in and hacking people up… it felt kind of off.
He was a neat freak; he didn't want to punch anyone directly.
Couldn't everyone just stand far apart and spam spells at each other?
He figured he should be a ranged class—pop out a surprise slice now and then, toss an occasional heal… In short, no melee—that's what savages do!
The savage Gojo Satoru paid no heed to Sukuna's thoughts; seeing Sukuna frozen, he gave up waiting and stepped in, hurling a fist.
Sukuna's pupils shrank; he swiftly raised an arm to block head-on.
Boom—!!
Fierce gales erupted around them, flattening grass and trees in a perfect circle.
He… blocked it?!
Sukuna was mildly shocked; immediately he felt Cursed Energy raging inside like a giant python that had broken its shackles, rearing and hissing at the foe.
A massive barrier of Cursed Energy wrapped him completely.
Gojo's fist landed on that barrier, never even touching his body.
The two parted after the first brief clash… What an enormous Cursed Energy pool… A flicker of surprise flashed through Gojo's eyes.
And this is with only two fingers?
The corner of Gojo's mouth curled.
Getting more interesting by the second.
Sukuna stepped back and steadied himself, outwardly calm.
Inside he was utterly panicking—
That scared the hell out of me! That punch really meant to kill, didn't it?
Good thing his combat instincts were intact—looked like he could still fight on reflex.
Sukuna glared at Gojo Satoru, teeth grinding.
Time to teach you some manners—
His fingers sliced the air; several intersecting Cleaves slashed toward the other.
Gojo pushed off the ground, lightning-quick, slipping through the gaps in the Cleaves and charging Sukuna.
Sukuna leapt back, hands moving non-stop to weave a dense web of Cleaves in mid-air.
Two silhouettes flickered one behind the other through the forest faster than eyes could follow.
Sukuna's focus sharpened; his rising battle-lust blended with smooth Cursed Energy flow, and his strikes grew quicker.
He felt inexhaustible—no need to worry about Cursed Energy depletion; all he cared about was unleashing attacks on Gojo.
His senses expanded unhindered, covering hundreds of meters—every blade of grass felt etched into his mind; every foothold and cover was crystal-clear.
The feeling of total control thrilled him; his dark-red pupils gleamed.
He clasped his hands, fingers interlaced—
Above Gojo Satoru's head, dozens of criss-crossing Cleaves formed a net and crashed down—
Boom—!
The Cleaves struck the earth, raising clouds of dust.
Sensing Gojo's Cursed Energy had stopped under the net, the hyped Sukuna froze a breath later—his heart lurched… Wait, did I just kill Gojo?
…No way, no way. The Strongest wouldn't go down that fast—trust the white-haired menace to live a thousand years.
He muttered, hesitated, then slowly walked over.
"…Gojo?"
He muttered softly, "You're not actually dead, right?"
A ripple of Cursed Energy suddenly pulsed ahead; Sukuna's step halted.
Next instant, a domineering blast of Cursed Energy shot from the dust, skimming past his ear and streaking into the sky.
The extreme danger made his pupils shrink; his body tingled under an irresistible force, a chill racing up his spine.
This guy… Sukuna ground his teeth—clearly a deliberate miss meant to rattle him.
The dust cleared; Gojo, who'd just fired a "Red," stood unharmed, not a speck of dust on his clothes.
He casually blew across his fingertip and waved at Sukuna with a grin.
"Feels good, huh? Nothing like a fight to remember how to battle."
"Pity you keep backing off—won't you face me head-on so I can see your hand-to-hand skills?"
He even looked regretful, shaking his head.
Sukuna: …Who says I'll brawl with you?!
He was a civilized being—he refused senseless violence.
Things were fine as they stood; at least he could handle any Special Grade Cursed Spirit that showed up.
Yet… he couldn't quite read Gojo Satoru. Why help him regain strength? He was, after all, a Cursed Spirit—humanity's enemy.
Humans loved the whole "if you're not my kin, you must be alien" mindset, didn't they?
Still, he didn't ask; for now, this arrangement suited him—complicated questions could wait.
He… actually liked his current life: limited time out each day, but happy with Yuji and the others. If possible, he didn't want that to change.
"This is enough. Next comes the Domain, right?"
He looked away, dodging Gojo's request for close combat.
"I was about to try the Domain earlier, but even saying 'Domain Expansion' seems to need hand signs to go with it…"
And for the moment he couldn't recall the exact finger positions.
It gave him a headache.
Once gestures got complicated, trial-and-error just didn't cut it.
He turned and tried asking Gojo Satoru.
"What's your Domain? Mind showing it for reference?"
Gojo blinked, then a mischievous grin tugged at his lips.
"You sure you want to see my Domain?"
Sukuna's hair bristled; nothing good ever came from that white-haired menace's smile.
"…Don't tell me it's a sure-kill Domain?"
Megumi had mentioned some Domains meant certain victory once the enemy was pulled inside.
If that was the case, he really couldn't risk seeing it.
"Nope~," Gojo chirped, forming the hand signs while eyeing Sukuna with relish. "Here I go~"
Sukuna: "…"
?
Why did he feel something was off?