"Welcome, Satoru Gojo."
"Huh?" Neil blurted, eyes widening in surprise.
'Who is this? And what's he talking about?' he thought.
'If I remember clearly, Satoru Gojo is this popular character from the famous Jujutsu Kaisen anime. So, why's he calling me that?' Neil asked himself.
"Hahaha," the man chuckled aloud, sending shivers down Neil's spine.
"I know everything seems too much to understand," the man said, gaze softening.
"Y-yeah," Neil nodded. "I don't even know where I am," he added.
"Hmm," the man nodded. "Why don't we start with my name. I'm Vin Primal," Vin said, bowing courteously.
"That's a weird name," Neil almost blurted out.
"And this world where you are, is called the Jujutsu Verse," Vin continued.
"Jujutsu Verse?" Neil repeated.
"That's right," Vin nodded.
"Then does that mean I got isekaid into this world?" Neil thought, grabbing his chin thoughtfully. "So isekais were always true. Woah, thank God I watched a lot of them."
"So, um, I still don't understand what's happening. I mean, why did I get summoned into this world?" Neil raised his head to Vin.
"Well, it is a long story," Vin replied, tone lowering. "You see, Satoru Gojo used to be the strongest sorcerer in our world. He was a hero. He was an helper, and everyone loved him."
"Yeah, I know that," Neil nodded.
"However, a century ago, Gojo was killed, by none other than humanity's greatest enemy - Ryoumen Sukuna," Vin's voice turned grim.
"During the culling game," Neil added.
"Ever since then, Sukuna ravaged the world, until another hero arose - Itadori Yuji."
"Yuji, alongside some other jujutsu sorcerers finally put an end to Sukuna's tyranny."
"Yeah, all of that aren't new," Neil thought to himself. "Jujutsu Kaisen has already been aired in my world."
"However..." Vin's tone darkened.
"Huh?" Neil's head jerked up, noticing the change in Vin's tone.
"Even after they defeated Sukuna, curses didn't subside, instead, they abounded more."
"What? That wasn't part of the story!" Neil said, eyes narrowing.
"Unknown to the Itadori Yuji and the other sorcerers, Ryoumen Sukuna was actually the key to opening the gates of hell," Vin said.
"What gate?" Neil repeated, brows furrowing.
"The gates of hell is where curses return to after their deaths, and worst of all, it is where Magatsunami resides," Vin dropped the bombshell.
"Magatsunami? Who's that?" Neil drew closer.
"Magatsunami. The first curse, and the true creator of curses. Sukuna's being and energy was fragmented in life - his 20 fingers.
When Sukuna died, his existence was too massive to just vanish. Instead, his death ruptured the boundary and opened a gate into the "true source of curses". A primordial underworld where the first curse dwells.
That realm is Hell. A cursed abyss that feeds on humanity's eternal negativity. And the king of that realm is Magatsunami!" Vin explained.
"Woah, that's massive," Neil thought, blinking wildly.
"So, how does that concern me?" Neil asked. ",I mean, I should be in heaven by now, with flying babies welcoming me," he added.
"Hahaha," Vin chuckled, though it felt non-genuine. "Satoru Gojo was the only one who rivalled the king of curses; Ryoumen Sukuna during his lifetime, and the only one that can fight Magatsunami."
"Well, duhh, I'm not Gojo, so send me back to heaven!" Neil scoffed.
A slight smile tugged on Vin's lips. "Satoru Gojo is dead. Gone forever. We tried reincarnating him, but it was all to no avail. However, when we tried summoning a soul from another world into his body, it worked!" Vin said.
"Good grief, and that soul had to be mine?" Neil replied bluntly. "Look, I'm not Gojo. I'm not your hero!" Neil yelled.
"I didn't choose you. Life chose you!" Vin said.
"Pfft, what a joke," Neil almost burst into laughter. "Why would life choose a failure like me?" He yelled.
"I wasn't any better in my last life. My life was full of mistakes and pain. So what do you think someone like me can do? Save your world?" Neil scoffed.
"You don't realize something," Vin said, eyes softening. "Whatever might've happened before. Whatever your failures. Whatever your sorrows, they're in the past. What matters now..."
He locked his gaze into Neil's.
"...is your present and your future."
"Huh?" Neil staggered backwards.
"This is a new world. Life has decided to offer you another chance, as the hero the world is praying for."
"What's he saying?" Neil muttered, gritting his teeth.
"But if you think you can't do it..." Vin's gaze dropped, as he turned. "I guess we'll find someone else," he added, walking away.
"Tch." Neil bit his lip. "I'm done being a loser and a failure!" He whispered, clenching his fist.
"Hey!!" Neil shouted, halting Vin.
"I-I'll do it!" He stammered. "I'll be your hero, I'll fight Magatsunami," he said, brows furrowing in determination.
"Hmm," Vin turned back, smiling.
"Then welcome to the Jujutsu World, Satoru Gojo!" He said, stretching his hand to Neil.
"Thanks," Neil replied, stepping forward.
Plop!
Neil's leg suddenly fell into a puddle of water.
"Oh," he turned, jumping over the puddle, but that's when he saw it.
He suddenly froze.
"Is...is this me?" Neil muttered in disbelief.
His hair, which was a dark brown before was white. His eyes were a bright blue, and God! He was handsome.
"Ohmigosh, I'm really Satoru Gojo!" He muttered, eyes widening.
"Hahaha," Vin chuckled lightly. "You'll get used to it," he said.
"For now, let's get out of here," Vin said, tone lowering. "The summoning must've alerted the curses. They'll be here any minute," he warned.
"So, where are we going?" Gojo asked, squinting.
"To the Jujutsu High," Vin said with a smile, as he turned.
"Let's go!"
***
To Be Continued...