Hi guys, author here!Please share your thoughts in the comments and reviews. And if you like it, don't forget to drop some stones — they're a great motivator!
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One year had passed since the banquet, when many from the Jujutsu world had gathered at the Zenin estate.
Since then, Naoya's father had only gotten stricter with him — and with his training.
The clan hadn't liked the fact that Naoya had gotten friendly with Satoru Gojo, the heir of their rival clan. That alone was enough for Naobito to double down on discipline. His term as the probationary clan head had ended long ago, and his brother Ogi now handled clan affairs, making it even harder for Naobito to grant Naoya any leniency.A single mistake could cost him his seat as the next head, so Naobito — now relatively free — made sure Naoya improved.
And boy, he did.
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Name: Naoya Zenin
Title: Body Stealer, Possible Zenin Heir
Cursed Technique: Ten Shadows Technique (Active) / Projection Sorcery (Inactive)
Cursed Energy: 1800/1800
STR: 52
DEX: 38
VIT: 66
INT: 70
LUK: 25
Extra Points: 3
Achievements:
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Currently resting in his room after dinner, Naoya looked at his status screen as he did every night.
Looking at his stats he smiled.
His training with both Naoya and Toji increased both his physical and jujutsu prowess by a lot.
His Projection sorcery, thanks to his father's expertise improved a lot. Now, he could move at 20 frames per second, faster than most seasoned sorcerers. Even Naobito had been shocked at his son's natural affinity with the technique. At Naoya's age, he couldn't have achieved half as much — though, to be fair, he hadn't had anyone to guide him either. Still, Naoya had proven he was more than a genius. He was a genius who worked hard. Something rare in the Jujutsu world.
His other technique had also seen progress — albeit modest. After completing his exorcism ritual, Naoya had successfully gained his second shikigami: Rabbit Escape.
It hadn't been too difficult; the moment the rabbits were summoned, Naoya had immediately jumped at the marked one — the leader — before the horde could scatter. Subduing it secured his victory.
Naoya liked this shikigami a lot. Why?Because right now, he was lying on his futon buried under a horde of tiny rabbits snuggling up to him.
"You understand it now?" he asked the empty room, grinning.
Jokes aside, the shikigami was immensely useful. As the name suggested, Rabbit Escape could summon a horde of rabbits — weak individually but perfect for distractions and cover during retreat. As long as the main rabbit survived, the horde could respawn infinitely.
That main rabbit was also adorable — a small, white fluffball. Though naming it had been… an ordeal. The rabbit had refused every cute name Naoya came up with until, finally, it accepted one.
"Maou(meaning Demon Lord)" Naoya called, still half-buried in fur.
The rabbit leader hopped onto his futon and tilted its head innocently.
"Go back in. I need to go train."
The rabbit nodded, and one by one, the smaller ones leapt into Naoya's shadow. Maou gave a tiny salute before jumping in as well.
"Such a cute demon lord," Naoya chuckled.
Cupcake and Frosting — his ever-loyal divine dogs — came forward and affectionately nuzzled him before retreating into his shadow too.
Naoya sighed. Another night of torture.He sat up and picked up the short sword lying beside him within arm's reach.
It was a cursed tool, a gift from Naobito on his birthday. Its name: Shisui.
A grade 3 cursed tool, plain in appearance but well-balanced — perfect for Naoya's hand. Shisui was light, easily concealable, and, it helped him enhance his dexterity slightly.
The first time Toji had seen the sword, he made it his life mission to beat-*cough**cough* to educate Naoya in every form of weapon combat imaginable. Swords, nunchucks, staffs, spears — even guns once.
Naoya still had nightmares about that day.
Though he constantly complained that Toji only enjoyed tormenting him (which Toji happily confirmed), the results were undeniable. His stats had skyrocketed, and the achievement points kept piling up.
It was as if Toji were a walking torture-achievement generator.
Naoya stored Shisui in his shadow — a trick he'd discovered by accident. Once, during training, he'd barely dodged a staff Toji threw at him, and it had landed near his shadow. When Naoya summoned his rabbits to block Toji's next strike, the staff simply vanished — pulled into the shadow space.
Toji had immediately suggested they could use that to smuggle drugs and make a fortune. Too bad Naoya wasn't allowed outside the estate. Not that he even knew what "drugs" were — but if he did, he'd definitely decline the offer.
Stepping outside his room, Naoya scanned the area before heading to the secluded training grounds at the edge of the estate.
Toji was already there, casually twirling a wooden spear at blinding speed. Watching him, Naoya couldn't help but wonder why such a man was looked down upon. Give him a cursed tool, and Toji could annihilate Grade 1 curses with ease.
Sadly, the clan's standards were… different. A mystery Naoya didn't care to solve.
"Yo, brat! Ready for another dose of tough love? Tonight's special — Spear of Affection," Toji greeted with a predatory grin.
"If you dropped that smile, you'd be well-liked, nii-san," Naoya muttered.
"Ask that girl I met last week. She liked it a lot," Toji smirked.
Naoya shook his head. How many girls does this man meet?
Toji suddenly grew serious and gestured for Naoya to attack.
Naoya didn't hesitate. He drew Shisui from his shadow and activated Projection Sorcery.
Cursed energy wrapped around him as he dashed forward.Toji's spear lashed out instantly, but Naoya had expected it. The world slowed as his technique engaged, after deciding what movements will be optimal for him, Naoya followed the movements perfectly and immediately appeared above Toji for a downward strike.
Though Toji was not faster than Naoya's cursed technique, his raw reaction speed and strength was enough for him to easily dodge the attack and respond even faster.
The wooded spear's handle came towards Naoya, seeing which he raised Shisui to block it and prevent a direct hit.
Though Toji smirked maliciously at the attempt and used the spear as a bat to send the kid flying towards a tree.
Naoya barely had time to react. Midair, he switched techniques and summoned the Rabbit Escape horde, cushioning his fall before the rabbits formed a barrier wall to obscure Toji's vision.
Toji, of course, wasn't fooled. His senses were far too sharp. Still, being the generous teacher he was, he decided to play along.
Naoya circled silently through the shadows, commanding the rabbits to swarm while Maou stayed hidden in his shadow.
Toji waited for a few more seconds for Naoya before deciding to finish this game.
However the moment he was about to rush towards the kid, his senses picked up something behind him and saw two wolves launching at him with their claws and fangs out.
He turned around and swung his spear at them deciding to send the two mutts flying.
He turned sharply, swinging his spear to knock them aside — but the moment he made contact, both wolves and the rabbits around them dissolved into shadows.
Naoya seized the opening, reactivating Projection Sorcery and appearing behind Toji with a triumphant grin, slashing down—
Too bad for him Toji was faster than him without his cursed technique.
Toji stepped forward, pivoted, and delivered a roundhouse kick that sent Naoya flying again.
"I should play football," Toji muttered, admiring his form. "I'd make tons of money."
Naoya crashed into the ground, groaning in pain. "Thank you… demon army…" he mumbled weakly as his rabbits dissolved back into his shadow.
The rabbits that were not crushed by him gave him a salute before they too jumped back in his shadow.
"Nice effort," Toji said, strolling over. "Though almost is not good in real fights. I waited long enough for you to make a move. A real fight won't wait for your perfect timing. You either move faster… or die faster." said Toji.
Naoya rubbed his forehead. "You could just say 'good job,' you know."
"Brat, if I ever say that, it means that you are dreaming. Wake up to reality. Now get up. This time, use the spear." ordered Toji.
Naoya sighed and dragged himself upright, muttering curses under his breath. Another hour of brutal sparring followed before he finally collapsed, drenched in sweat and pain but still breathing — barely.
Toji dropped beside him, stretching lazily. "Not bad. You didn't bleed this time."
"Gee, thanks for the glowing review," Naoya wheezed.
They sat in silence for a while — cicadas buzzing softly in the background.
Then Toji said, almost offhandedly, "Ogi's term ends soon."
Naoya glanced sideways. "Yeah. Heard the servants talking. They're saying Uncle Chojuro might be the next probationary head."
"Mm. That guy? The laughing bastard?"
Naoya chuckled. "That's the one."
"Figures," Toji said.
"Father doesn't seem too bothered either since Chojuro-san is on his side," Naoya admitted. "But he said something about letting the elders 'play house' for a while."
Toji snorted. "Sounds like your old man. Let 'em dance till they choke on their own power games. Because of you, him becoming the next head is almost certain. It's just the elders who are supporting other candidates, that are stirring the pot."
Naoya's expression darkened. "You think they'll… try something against me?"
Toji snorted. "You're a prodigy with two techniques, one of them being the one the entire clan lusts after. Of course they'll try something."
"That's… not very comforting."
"Didn't say it was," Toji said, standing up and dusting off his pants. "But here's the thing — you're getting strong enough that killing you won't be easy anymore. That's progress."
Naoya gave a tired smile. "Not that assuring."
"Exactly. That's the spirit," Toji grinned, patting his shoulder hard enough to almost dislocate it. "Don't get full of yourself and expect the worst. Prepare for it you will be the one laughing while standing on their dead bodies."
"Such motivation. You should apply for the post of clan head." said Naoya in a deadpan tone.
"Heh, this shithole is not worthy of hearing my teachings. Now go rest. Shoo~" said Toji as he walked back to his quaters.
Naoya stood, looking up at the night sky before turning back toward his quarters.Another day survived.