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CHAPTER START---
---Marunouchi Tokyo…
Sitting at the far end of a large room, Kusakabe watches Taiyo pose for the cameras, holding an ornate gold and red bow and arrow, standing in front of a white backdrop.
His outfit was adorned with logos, a modified version of his Olympic jacket, and the photographer ensured they were visible at all times.
"How long until you get there?" Kusakabe asks as he stirs his coffee, speaking quietly into his phone to avoid disturbing those around him.
"*****"
"I see," Kusakabe mutters, seeing a few other archers joining Taiyo, wearing more traditional outfits and using more traditional bows and arrows. "Are you sure you can't get anyone else? Maybe call Gojo."
"*****"
"Damn it," Kusakabe sighs as the photo shoot continues. "Fine, I can be there, but my student is with me."
"*****"
"I know what I said," Kusakabe grumbles. "Yaga called me up last minute. Besides, you're not in any position to talk. One minute you're retired, the next minute you're calling Gojo to get back in."
"*****"
"Yeah, it's the Special Grade," Kusakabe says as he sees them bring out some targets and have the archers shoot, capturing slow-motion shots. "He should be able to handle himself for this. It'll be fine."
"*****"
"Yeah, just send me the location. I'll see you there," Kusakabe says as he hangs up.
Sitting back, he enjoys his drink and counts the minutes until this photo shoot is over.
'When I agreed to teach this kid, I didn't expect to be babysitting some celebrity…such a headache,' Kusakabe thinks as he sees them bringing out more props and heading into the changing rooms to get redressed.
"Ah shit," Kusakabe mutters, not seeing an end to this circus.
---Two Hours Later…
Taiyo walks over to Kusakabe, who was asleep on a couch at the far end of the room.
But before he can call out to the man or wake him up, Kusakabe jolts awake and looks directly at him.
"You could sense me?" Taiyo asks.
Kusakabe stretches as he gets up, cracking his neck and seeing the large box in Taiyo's hands.
Noticing his curiosity, Taiyo shrugs, "Some gear they want me to wear and upload some pictures in."
"Right, you can leave it in the car, we need to get moving," Kusakabe says as they begin leaving the building.
"Did you sense me while you were sleeping?" Taiyo asks again.
"Yeah, it's fairly easy when you've got that much Cursed Energy," Kusakabe says as they get into the elevator. "You've been focused exclusively on your internal Cursed Energy, so sensing it to that level isn't something you need to worry about yet."
"Yeah, but I should start training that soon, right?"
"We've still got another week before the school year starts. We'll get you some training in that before you start," Kusakabe says. "Luckily, the assignment we're heading to isn't about solving a mystery, it's just combat."
"My first assignment, I thought I had to officially join the school first."
"Technically, it's only my assignment. You just happen to be there, so don't get hurt."
"Got it," Taiyo says as they get out of the elevator and walk to the car. He places his items in the trunk while Kusakabe puts his Katana in the back seat and gets in the driver's seat.
"How much does that bow cost, anyway?" Kusakabe asks.
"Half a million Yen, give or take a hundred thousand or so, they're not as expensive as people think," Taiyo says. "And you know you didn't have to come with me today. I told you it would be boring."
"Yeah, well, until you're a student, leaving campus is dangerous, the Conservatives could be scheming, and you're a bad combination of being unable to sense things until they get really close, and having a very destructive and flashy Innate Technique."
"So you're worried they'll send someone after me to make me panic and set a building on fire or something, then use that as justification to execute me."
"Yup, one of the rules of Jujutsu Society is that we don't use Jujutsu against regular people, and even Gojo would struggle to protect you from the consequences of breaking one of the top laws."
"Classic superhero nonsense," Taiyo says as he leans back in his seat. He takes out his phone and scrolls through social media as Kusakabe drives. "I'm surprised you people don't wear capes and masks…well, Gojo kind of wears a mask."
"You have a problem with protecting people?"
"Not really, I'm just not the type to go out of my way to play her," Taiyo says. "I don't plan to die protecting anyone."
"Likewise," Kusakabe says. "Which is why when we're on missions, you do what I say when I say it, otherwise I'll just leave you to die."
"Got it…"
---Later That Day…
Just after sunset, Kusakabe and Taiyo arrive at a blockaded section of the city, seeing police barriers and tape strung across the street.
In the distance, they can see a large building half collapsed.
"Shit, even I can sense the Cursed Energy from that place," Taiyo says as they approach.
"No wonder he called for backup, something like this, tch, I can't believe I agreed to be here," Kusakabe says as they park a block away and get out of the car.
"So what's the story?" Taiyo asks as they easily hop over the police barrier and stroll toward the building.
"Nanami will explain. He has the full details."
"Nanami?"
"A friend, and one of my juniors from when I was still in 4th year," Kusakabe says.
After another minute of walking, they see a blonde man with strange glasses, standing at 6ft -180cm- tall and wearing a beige suit with a blue dress shirt and yellow tie with black spots on it.
Beside him is a boy similar in age to Taiyo wearing a dark blue outfit and a black beanie covering most of his brown hair.
"I was hoping we'd get here and the job would already be done," Kusakabe says as he casually greets them. "This is—"
"Taiyo Daburu!" the young man says. "Wow! I didn't know you were a Jujutsu Sorcerer! Wait, does that mean you were cheating to get your medals?"
Taiyo narrowed his eyes at the other boy. "No, I only unlocked Cursed Energy weeks ago, and there aren't any rules against using it in the Olympics. Your governing body just has a stick up their ass about it."
Nanami then nudges the boy with his elbow, glancing at him, slightly annoyed.
"Oh, sorry sensei!" he bows apologetically, then turns back to Taiyo. "My name is Ino. I'm a first year at Jujutsu Tech Tokyo, which means when the school year starts I'll be like your big brother looking out for you, since I'll be in the Second Year."
"I am Kento Nanami," the other man says. "Kusakabe says you should be able to handle yourself for this mission, but please stay behind us."
"Got it."
"Alright, introductions are over now," Kusakabe says as he stretches his arms, getting ready for a fight. "What's the mission that has our resident salary man working overtime, and calling for backup too?"
"Ichiji is compiling more reports on the incident, so we'll have to erect the Curtain ourselves, then just exorcise the Cursed Spirits inside," Nanami says, gesturing to the half-collapsed building. "This was a children's hospital before the earthquake a few days ago."
Kusakabe immediately feels sick to his stomach, but stifles the memories of his nephew and keeps his focus.
"The Cursed Spirit keeps getting stronger," Ino says, directly to Taiyo. "Something like this already stirs up a lot of negative energy, so there was bound to be Cursed Spirits within. But this time, the incident caused the basement floors to collapse and sink in a lot of the building, so half the people didn't even get to evacuate.
Now, every time a body is found or someone dies of their injuries in another hospital, the Cursed Spirits here just get stronger and stronger. That's why it's important for us to act quickly and contain these situations before they start affecting the public."
Ino looks up at Nanami, and the man nods in approval.
"I already read the books about this kind of thing, but thanks for the lesson on the basics," Taiyo says, giving Ino a bored look. "So, what rank are we dealing with?"
"Grade 1," Nanami says, and Kusakabe immediately frowns. "But it gets stronger as this continues, so consider our intel outdated and useless."
"Shit, well between the three of us, everything should be fine," Kusakabe says.
"Yeah, we'll make a great team," Ino says, causing Kusakabe to give him an apologetic look.
"Actually, I wasn't counting you," Kusakabe says.
Ino deflates slightly, "Right, I'm only Grade 3 right now."
"Ino is reliable," Nanami says. "But, are you saying Taiyo is stronger?"
"Strong enough to be a pain in my ass," Kusakabe says. "He doesn't have a student ID yet, but he's Special Grade…"
Beneath his glasses, Nanami's eyes widen, and Ino looks at the boy in shock.
"Like Gojo!" Ino yells.
"Nah, he's not that much of a freak, and he's not that obnoxious…yet," Kusakabe says. "But keeping up with him is already a bit tough, and he's only been training for two weeks. He'll be fine to handle this."
"Good, then we can clock out soon," Nanami says as he walks through part of the broken wall and strolls toward the hospital.
"Time to put my training to use," Taiyo smiles as he marches behind Nanami, followed by Ino and Kusakabe. "So, is it rude to ask about your Innate Techniques?"
"A little bit," Ino says. "I'd rather not reveal too much about mine, but just know I can handle myself up close."
"Mine is called 7:3 Ratio Technique," Nanami says, drawing a sword from beneath his jacket. A square, blunt blade wrapped in cloth. "My opponent, knowing the details, doesn't do anything for them, so I don't really care who knows. When I mentally draw a line on my target and strike at the point where I divide it in a ratio of 7:3, my hits do considerably more damage than usual."
"So if we need a big hit, I just have to pin it down for you to break its skull, got it," Taiyo says.
"Don't take any unnecessary risks," Nanami says as they arrive at the entrance.
He then stops and raises his free hand, leaving two fingers unfolded as he focuses his Cursed Energy.
"Emerge from the darkness, blacker than darkness. Purify that which is impure," Nanami says, and a large sphere of darkness manifests in the air above the hospital, spreading around the vicinity.
Taiyo looks around, seeing that it's sealed them inside, then feels the presence of the Cursed Spirits rising, being lured out of hiding by the Curtain.
"Do all Barrier Techniques look like Unlimited Void?" Taiyo asks. "This is like inside Gojo's Domain Expansion."
"Most of them look similar to this since Cursed Energy is inherently negative energy. Only Master Tengen can create neutral Barriers," Kusakabe says.
"Did you actually survive Gojo's Domain Expansion?" Nanami asks, staring at Taiyo as if the boy was either a liar, or an idiot.
"Yeah, it made my head hurt, then I punched him in the face and my arm broke…he's so freakishly strong."
Nanami doesn't speak, only turns to Kusakabe.
"Yaga sent me the video, it's hilarious," Kusakabe says.
Nanami nods and continues leading them into the building, toward the basement levels. "Send me that video after this."
"I'm surprised Shoko hasn't shown it to you already," Kusakabe says as he draws his Katana.
"I can't believe it's been a decade since someone hurt him," Taiyo says as they descend some collapsed stairs and simply leap down a few floors, deeper into the basement.
"I'm more surprised someone ever landed a hit on him," Ino says. "It's Satoru Gojo after all."
Taiyo shrugs, "Yeah, but Jujutsu is fair, so nobody is invincible, and I've already got some plans cooking for my next fight with him," he says with a mischievous smile.
"What is he talking about?" Nanami asks.
"Special Grades being Special Grades, nothing more," Kusakabe shrugs. "They made some kind of deal where, until he graduates, at the end of each exchange event, he and Gojo would have a duel."
"Your student is a glutton for punishment," Nanami says as they arrive at a door that's surprisingly untouched, but emanating a large amount of Cursed Energy.
Kusakabe readies his sword, as does Nanami, while Ino pulls down the beanie to reveal that it is a black mask.
Nanami then looks at Taiyo and sees that the boy isn't taking out any weapon or preparing any Jujutsu.
"What's your Innate Technique?" he asks.
"Immolation," Taiyo says. "I can heat things or fire heat beams, like a Gundam, kind of…"
"Understood," Nanami says.
He and Ino hear this and immediately prepare to fall into a 3-1 formation, protecting their long-ranged Special Grade and distracting the Cursed Spirit so he can end the fight.
"Alright, everyone get ready," Nanami says as he kicks in the door, and a wave of Cursed Energy washes over them all.
Pulling them into a Domain Expansion…
END CHAPTER---
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