After switching from the bullet train to a local line, then taking a bus, the Itadori brothers finally arrived at their destination: "Tokyo Metropolitan Jujutsu High School," the operational base for Gojo and his colleagues.
This place was a cornerstone of the jujutsu world, where many sorcerers continued to operate after graduation, handling not only education but also mission coordination and support. It was here that the cheerful older brother and the sharp-tongued younger brother were about to make their entrance.
"First things first, Yuji and Yuka, you've got a meeting with the Principal now."
"The Principal?"
"If you screw this up, you could get your admission rejected, so do your best!"
"Huh!?"
Yuji turned a stunned face toward Gojo, who had dropped this casually.
Yuka was also surprised, his eyes wide open.
"Wait, what? I thought it was all about ability here..."
"Ah, absolutely. Hierarchies based on anything but strength are boring as hell."
In that instant, a mouth appeared on Yuji's left cheek. Sukuna.
Yuji slapped his own cheek, but a mouth appeared on the back of the hand he used to slap.
"Sorry, sensei, he pops out sometimes."
"Seems you've got an interesting body now~."
"Hey, bro!"
THWACK!! A fist came down.
It was a fairly serious blow, and Yuji groaned in agony, clutching the new lump on his head.
While Gojo was startled by the sudden violence, Yuka addressed the mouth that had appeared on his brother's hand.
"You are Ryomen Sukuna, correct?"
"The little brat's brother."
"Yes. My name is Itadori Yuka. ...Sukuna-sama, I offer my most sincere apologies for my brother's rudeness. His head is a bit dull, so I beg for your understanding."
"!?"
Yuka's apology to Sukuna was delivered in a polite tone.
Knowing just how rough his speech could be when pissed off, both Yuji and Gojo were left gaping.
Sukuna, for his part, asked with clear displeasure. "You think to beg for your life?"
To which Yuka replied instantly. "Whether you forgive him or not is a separate matter. But if one commits rudeness, one should apologize properly... I merely thought that was the right thing to do."
"Hey, Yuka, don't apologize to this bastard!"
"No, if someone suddenly slapped a mouth that just appeared on you mid-conversation, you'd be pissed too, normally. ...My apologies, Sukuna-sama. My idiot brother here."
"Huh? This is my fault now?"
Amidst the Itadori brothers' comedy duo-like exchange, Sukuna began to laugh, sounding amused.
Being literally just a mouth, his gaze or expression couldn't be read. But from his tone, it was clear this wasn't a scornful laugh.
"You seem to know your place, unlike this brat and that sorcerer over there."
"You honor me."
"Keh-hee-hee! A cheeky brat... Indeed. I owe that sorcerer over there. Once I take full possession of this brat's body, I'll kill him first. But you... I'll kill you last."
"Well then, I look forward to our association until that time. I'm not sure if it will be short or long, but please treat me well."
Yuka handled Sukuna's threatening words with masterful grace. Though sharp-tongued, his communication skills seemed just as high as his brother's.
"—By the way, Rotten Orange Gojo-sensei. One thing I'm curious about."
"Can we do something about that nickname? I said I'm sorry."
"Regarding Ryomen Sukuna, it's the name of a fierce deity said to have appeared in Hida during Emperor Nintoku's era. While a rebellious villain against the imperial command, in local legends, he was also a powerful clan leader who subjugated a poisonous dragon and founded a temple. What's his position in the jujutsu world?"
To Yuka's question, Gojo answered.
The Ryomen Sukuna residing within Yuji was indeed a virtual fierce deity with four arms and two faces, but he was originally a human who actually existed over a thousand years ago.
During the Heian period, considered the golden age of jujutsu, the sorcerers of that time challenged him with their full might, but ultimately, no one ever defeated him. Even his remains, enshrined as a cursed object bearing Sukuna's name and surviving through the ages as a 'Death Wax,' could not be eradicated by Gojo and the others.
A literal disaster with a will of its own—that was the "King of Curses," Ryomen Sukuna.
"...I see. So he was the strongest sorcerer."
"Hey now, hey now, I'm the strongest."
"That's only in the context of excluding Sukuna-sama, isn't it, Rotten Orange?"
Yuka's retorts were sharp, cutting like a katana. With 'Rotten Orange' now firmly established as his nickname, Gojo felt a part of his spirit beginning to crack.
Then Yuji asked, "Who's stronger, you or him?" Having glimpsed Gojo's power during the incident right after his incarnation.
"Hmm... Well~ if Sukuna got all his power back, it might be a bit of a pain."
"You'd lose?"
"I'd win."
As Gojo smiled fearlessly, Yuka narrowed his eyes slightly and called out to Sukuna.
"Sukuna-sama."
"What is it, brat?"
"Having two people called 'brat' might get confusing later. If it's not too much trouble, I'd appreciate it if you could call us by our names."
—Yuka just asked Sukuna to use his name!!
Gojo mentally tipped his hat to Yuka's audacity in making such a request to Sukuna.
As for the King of Curses, perhaps finding Yuka interesting, he actually agreed. "Fine. I'm in a good mood now."
"Then, I'm Yuka, and my brother is 'brat.'"
"Why!?"
"From Sukuna-sama's perspective, my brother is the one more fun to tease, right?"
"Keh-hee-hee-hee! Good, good. I shall allow it."
Sukuna laughed in high spirits, amused by Yuji being led around by his younger brother.
Watching this exchange, Gojo saw a glimmer of hope.
'This makes them even harder to let go of now.'
If Yuji Itadori was "Sukuna's Vessel," then Yuka Itadori was "The Mediator between Sukuna and Yuji."
Likely, the more Yuji became involved with the jujutsu world, the worse his relationship with Sukuna would become. But Sukuna's treatment of Yuka seemed slightly more favorable than his treatment of the brother who was his vessel. And Yuka himself had an abnormally high adaptability.
To Sukuna, who considered strength the absolute benchmark, Yuka was an unknown variable, as he hadn't yet glimpsed his fighting style.
If Yuka turned out to be a boring existence to Sukuna, that would be that. But if he piqued Sukuna's interest, or better yet, if Sukuna took a liking to him, he might become a possible means of restraining Sukuna.
'Thanks to the little brother, this hell is looking to become even more interesting.'
The Itadori brothers were going to be the catalysts for change in the future jujutsu world.
Holding expectations for these two youths, Gojo led them to the Principal.
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The MC is Itadori Yuka. His previous life was Fujieda Haruto, a complete novice to the world of Jujutsu Kaisen.
His name: Since Yuji's 'ji' comes from their father, Itadori Jin, he took the 'ka' from their mother, and melon bread enthusiast, Itadori Kaori, to become Itadori Yuka.
It's pronounced "Yu-ga," not "Yu-ka," so he was often mistaken for a girl as a child.
His motto is "Savor the happiness and misfortune that fits your station," unchanged from his previous life.