Tokyo Jujutsu High – Training Field, Day
Crack. Wood everywhere.
Akashi hit dirt like someone owed him money. Blood in his mouth, his own heartbeat thundering in his ears—and Todo's dumb laugh wasn't helping.
"Again," Aoi Todo barked, shaking dust off his knuckles like this was just Tuesday for him.
"You're seriously pausing to ask questions mid-fight? Man, that's weak."
Akashi spat red, dragged himself up. Breathing like he was sucking air through a straw. Yuji, Nobara, and the second-years—Maki, Panda, Inumaki—kinda hanging around, pretending not to be super invested but, c'mon, who wasn't watching?
Gojo's "test" was apparently "get ragdolled by Kyoto's number-one meathead." Love that for him.
Todo grunted, maybe almost impressed. "Not bad, but you're no Itadori."
Akashi just wiped sweat out of his eyes—stung like hell, by the way—and shot back, "Good. Don't wanna be him."
He moved. Feet planted, breath clipped short. Cursed energy winding up, coiled tight like a spring ready to snap.
Dragon Tongue: Phase III – Severing Pulse
"貫け (Tsunzake)Pierce…"
Boom. Not a punch, not really—a word, sharp as a blade.
Todo's cursed armor cracked, and the dude skidded back, boots digging furrows in the dirt.
Panda did a double-take. "Did he just… throat-punch the air?"
Yuji cracked up. "Nah, man. He just weaponized grammar."
Later – Campus Courtyard
Nobara lobbed a water bottle at Akashi's head.
"You looked like absolute trash out there."
He caught it, kinda. "Wow, thanks. Always a pleasure."
She eyed him. "You talk a lot, but it feels like you're running from something."
He shot back, eyes cold, "I'm not running. I'm hunting."
They locked eyes. It was a whole vibe.
Then Maki barged in, as usual. "Wrap it up. Gojo's got a mission. Akashi, you're solo this time. Off-campus."
Nobara bristled. "Wait, why's he going alone?"
Akashi just stood. Shook off the dust.
"Because someone out there's looking for me."
Somewhere Shady – Unknown Hideout
A shadowy dude stood in front of a glitchy monitor. Behind him? Cages. And inside? Cursed things—barely human, all nightmare.
"Akashi Ryuunosuke. The kid who spits out forbidden words," he muttered.
Deep in the gloom, Kenjaku's voice rumbled—low, dangerous.
"You know what he is, right?"
"Yeah," Shadow Guy replied. "He's the key."
Monitor flickered. Akashi, haloed in moonlight, on screen.
"And soon…"
"He'll unlock everything."
Yeah. No pressure.