Things were far more complicated than I had imagined. Japan had plunged into absolute chaos. The government, unable to provide a clear explanation for the origin of the curses, was isolated by the rest of the world, triggering the inevitable collapse of the economy.
The great sorcerer families tore each other apart, fighting over who would inherit their assets after their leaders fell. The Zenin and Gojo families were hit hardest, destabilizing the situation further. My father tried to rise in the chaos, but it became clear that the Mizuki family was in decline without me.
Reluctantly, almost against his will, he named me head of the family, realizing my brothers lacked the ability to summon the Blood Moon Domain.
Soon after taking my place, I learned of those sentenced for what had happened in Shibuya. Yuji, Geto, and Satoru were hunted relentlessly, while many others were executed without direct proof of involvement. The higher-ups demanded heads to roll… and they got them.
I never thought it would come to this. Perhaps, if I hadn't fallen into a coma, I would have finished the anime… at least then I'd know what was coming.
Since the order to hunt Yuji, I had grown accustomed to wandering aimlessly, cutting down curses that roamed freely through Tokyo's streets. Once bustling with life, they now lay empty, stripped of their usual noise and light. It was a post-apocalyptic nightmare, a city swallowed by shadows.
The curses had grown more vicious. With too few sorcerers left to fight them, they attacked in packs. Some even mimicked human voices and forms, luring victims into traps. That was why we were ordered to eradicate them as quickly as possible, before the chaos spread across Japan.
As I walked, I spotted someone being chased by several powerful curses. Their speed and resilience told me they weren't ordinary. Then I noticed the distinctive pink hair.
Without hesitation, I rushed toward him. When he saw me, fear flickered across his face and he quickened his pace.
—Hey! Wait, don't…! —I shouted between gasps, slashing curses that blocked my path. —Yuji!
—Kuroha? —He froze, and I nearly collided with him. —What are you doing here?
—I could ask you the same… Thanks for not running. —I tried to catch my breath as I approached. Yuji shook his head and stepped back.
—I'm sorry, Kuroha. I can't talk to anyone from the school. —He gave me a sad smile, shame clouding his eyes.
Before I could answer, a curse shaped like an eagle swooped down, seizing him by the shoulders and lifting him into the air. Yuji didn't even try to break free.
—Yuji! —I screamed as he was carried away. —Crescent Moon!
Yamikiri sliced through the air, unleashing two massive white blades that tore the curse apart. Yuji plummeted, and my heart nearly stopped. I sprinted toward him, terrified. Luckily, he landed on a pile of garbage bags.
—Are you okay?! —I asked, breathless.
—Ugh… yeah, I'm fine. —He shifted away, uneasy with my closeness.
Relief washed over me, but his wounds were severe. A thick scar ran across his face, and the corner of his lips was torn open.
My nurse's instinct took over. I pulled supplies from my small backpack.
—This might hurt, but stay still. —I leaned closer. He looked at me with a mix of fear and vulnerability, moved by my concern.
—You shouldn't get so close. —he muttered, avoiding my gaze.
—Why? Because you're covered in blood? Hah… I've seen worse.
He stayed silent as I cleaned his wounds.
—Your regeneration is impressive. —I smiled, applying ointment to his scar.
—Thanks… but I insist, you shouldn't be near me.
—Uhm? Why not? —Just then, the mark on his cheek split open, revealing an eye and a grinning mouth.
—Hey, girl. —Sukuna's mocking voice made me jump back.
—S-sorry. —Yuji slapped his cheek, trying to suppress him.
—Don't worry, it just caught me off guard. —I gave him a half-smile to ease the tension, and he returned it timidly.
—I don't know what plans he has for you and Megumi. —Yuji whispered, visibly troubled. —That's why I can't stay near you.
—You don't need to worry. I bet Fushiguro is just as worried about you. You're everyone's target… it's a miracle you're still alive. —I leaned in again to finish the treatment. Sukuna had vanished, but I could still feel him lurking beneath Yuji's skin, waiting to resurface.
—Really?
—Yes. You're a top priority again. —I smiled tiredly, cleaning his cheek with antiseptics. —There, that should do it. Tell me, have you been eating properly? These supplements will help, and I've got painkillers too…
—You seem way too familiar with this. Even the way you treated my scar… it doesn't look like beginner work.
—Ah… well… after Shibuya, I studied tutorials on first aid. I didn't want to depend on anyone if it happened again. —I smiled as I finished.
—Thanks… but you shouldn't treat me so… so closely. You and Megumi should—
I cut him off with a playful tap on the nose and a grin.
—Believe me, Megumi has been searching for you like crazy. He'd be thrilled to see you. —I stood and offered Yuji my hand to help him up. —Come on, you can come to my place, eat something. My mother would be happy to meet you.
—Go to your house!? Wait… won't that get you in trouble?
—Uhm… —I smiled faintly. —Probably. But no one will know. It'll be our secret.
I helped him to his feet.
—We can also get you clean clothes and a bath… —Before I could finish, someone crashed down between us, raising a massive column of dust.
From within the haze, a blade of blood shot forward. If I hadn't reacted in time, it would have pierced my forehead. Instead, it sank into my arm, forcing me back with a cry.
—Agh! —I clutched my arm, blood dripping. I recognized the technique instantly: Blood Manipulation. I lifted my gaze to face the intruder.
—Choso! —Yuji shouted, trying to stand between us.
—Choso? —I muttered, staring at the newcomer. His eyes locked onto mine, cold and calculating.
—Yuji, this girl is from Jujutsu High. She's here for you. As your older brother, it's my duty to protect you.
Older brother? Yuji had a brother? My mind reeled, searching for fragments of memory about Choso's connection to him. I was so distracted that I barely noticed the blood spear digging deeper into my arm.
Yuji realized what Choso intended and grabbed the spear with both hands, stopping its advance.
—Leave her alone, Choso! Kuroha isn't here to hurt us!
—Maybe she wants us to let our guard down. —Choso growled, suspicion dripping from his voice.
—Agh! —Pain shot through me as the spear pressed deeper. —That's not true! I'd never hurt Itadori! —I raised my free hand in surrender.
—She's not my enemy. In fact… she's my friend. —Yuji's voice softened, earnest.
Choso's gaze flicked between us. The silence stretched, heavy and suffocating. Finally, he withdrew the spear from my arm and stepped closer to Yuji, protective.
—Tell me… those wounds on your face. Did she treat them?
—Yes. She's the one who healed me.
Choso turned to me, then nodded. A faint smile crossed his pale face, shadows deep under his eyes.
—Thank you for taking care of my brother. I've told him to tend to his injuries, but he never listens. —His tone was calm now, a stark contrast to the menace of his arrival.
—Kuroha… we need to heal your arm. —Yuji's voice was full of concern. Choso, realizing his mistake, also stepped closer, worried.
—I'm fine. Don't worry. —I used a reverse technique to mend the wound, though the ache lingered.
We began walking together. I scanned every shadow, every corner, expecting an ambush. Yuji and Choso were just as tense; their rigid shoulders betrayed days without rest.
We reached the apartment I had moved into after becoming head of the Mizuki family. The old house was suffocating, my younger siblings cruel and ignorant of my existence. I had taken my mother away from that madness, bringing her somewhere more peaceful.
The apartment was spacious, a suite with a stocked fridge and comforts I'd never had in my real life. It was untraceable, no name attached.
—Come in, this is your home now. —I smiled. They looked around, surprised.
—I'll make something hot for you. —I headed to the kitchen.
Their voices carried laughter, relief. For the first time, they seemed at ease. But then, a thunderous crash shook the building.
—Kuroha! —Yuji burst into the kitchen. Before I could react, he scooped me into his arms and sprinted.
—They found us. They followed. —He leapt from the building with me in his grasp.
—Idiot, it's several floors!
—Relax, we'll be fine. —He twisted midair, maneuvering to soften the fall. —Run, now!
We bolted through the streets. I glanced back and saw a young man with deep, hollow eyes. His smile looked gentle, but the aura radiating from him was suffocating, terrifying.
—Yuji… that guy is terrifying.
—It's not just him. —Yuji's voice was flat, focused. —Choso is holding off someone else… someone from the Zenin clan.
—I figured the families would come for you. My father thought about it too, but when he saw the cost, he gave up.
The figure behind us attacked mercilessly, each strike shaking the ground.
—If you don't want trouble, stay away from him. —His voice was soft, almost like a teacher correcting a child. But every word carried lethal intent.
I remembered clearly who he was: Yuta Okkotsu. In later chapters, he would become one of the most powerful sorcerers. With that knowledge—and the aura radiating from him—the best idea was to run as fast as possible.
—Yamikiri. —I raised the blade high, its edge catching the moonlight. —Moonlight's Gleam.
From the weapon burst a blinding white light, streaking toward the young man with merciless speed. It collided with him in a thunderous crash that shook the empty streets. A strike like that was nothing less than a declaration of war against the higher-ups—if they discovered the head of the Mizuki clan was aiding a fugitive.
—Go, quickly! —I shouted to Yuji, who was still stunned by the explosion of light.
—Y-yeah…
We sprinted through the silent, ruined streets. Shadows twisted into curses that lunged at us, their claws scraping against the pavement. Together, Yuji and I carved a path through them, our breaths ragged, our steps frantic.
Then, a guttural roar echoed behind us, vibrating through the air like the growl of the earth itself. I spun, but before I could react, something seized my waist and lifted me off the ground, tearing me away from Yuji.
It was a pale specter, eyeless, with jagged teeth gleaming in the dark.
—Yuji! —I screamed. He tried to reach me, but Yuta was already upon him, moving with terrifying speed, his sword flashing. Yuji barely managed to block with his arm, the clash ringing out like broken steel.
I turned to the creature clutching me. Recognition struck: Rika, the cursed spirit bound to Yuta's first love.
I raised Yamikiri to sever her grip, but she tightened her hold and slammed me against a building. My weapon slipped from my hands. I reinforced my body with cursed energy, but blood blurred my vision and the air fled my lungs.
In my ears, alarms began to sound—medical monitors, but distorted, faint, like whispers from another world. Their ghostly murmurs disoriented me further.
Rika dragged me with brutal speed, spinning me until nausea clawed at my throat. I clenched my teeth, fighting the urge to vomit.
Summoning every ounce of strength, I called Yamikiri back. This time, I did not hesitate—I slashed, severing her arm. The spirit shrieked, a sound that rattled the bones, and released me.
I used the blade to slow my fall, though the impact made my bones crack under the strain. Rika lunged again, but I met her with Yamikiri.
—Dance of the Dead! —I roared, spinning the weapon. But Rika's scream pierced the air, forcing me to cover my ears. She struck relentlessly, her attacks designed to distract, to stall, to draw more curses to the battlefield.
Soon, I was surrounded. I realized her true goal: to isolate me from Yuji.
Snarling, I raised Yamikiri and unleashed a wave of cursed energy, cutting down the swarm.
—Lullaby… —I whispered, closing my eyes.
The air thickened with the stench of rotting blood. Drops splattered across my hair and clothes. I glanced at my body—new cuts, bruises, and a bleeding wound on my head.
—Ah… this will be impossible to explain…
I could almost picture the chaos in the hospital, doctors baffled by a patient who manifested wounds out of nowhere. Hopefully not during shift change… I know the frustration of handing over a patient like that.
I forced my legs to move, leaping across rooftops, searching for Yuji. Then, a deafening crash split the night, a column of dust rising into the sky.
I ran toward it, dread gnawing at me. Curses swarmed, drawn by the scent of blood. Some were special grade. I fought through them, slower, weaker, until I arrived too late: Yuta was driving his sword into Yuji.
—No! —I screamed, charging with Yamikiri.
Yuta's eyes widened at my arrival, but he blocked. His broken sword clashed against my scythe, shards flying as steel met steel.
—Wait! Calm down! —he urged, stepping back.
—Yuta… —Rika whispered. I split Yamikiri in two—one half to restrain her, the other to face him.
—Easy, Rika. We're just playing. —Yuta smiled innocently.
My anxiety spiked. Could I trust him? He noticed the tension in my shoulders, lowered his broken blade, and pointed to Yuji lying on the ground. His chest rose and fell faintly, like someone in a fragile sleep.
—He… —I whispered, holding my breath.
—Yes, he's alive. I had to fake killing him so the higher-ups would leave him alone. Otherwise, he'd never find peace. —Yuta's smile was calm, almost gentle.
Rika vanished from behind me, reappearing at his side.
—I'm sorry for the wounds she gave you. But it was necessary to keep you hidden. Someone from the Zenin clan was hunting Yuji… but I think they were trying to lure someone else.
—Lure someone else?
—Yes. I believe they wanted Megumi.
—He's Yuji's best friend… —I knelt beside Yuji, checking his pulse. Weak, but steady.
—You must be Kuroha Mizuki, right? The current head of your clan.
—Unfortunately, yes. —I tried to lift Yuji from the cold ground. Yuta hurried to help.
—Don't worry. I won't report you to the higher-ups. But you must be more careful. Your entire family could… —he left the words unfinished.
—Be branded as traitors. I know. I'll be more careful.
—I'll take Yuji for now. They need to believe he's "dead." Only then will they be satisfied.
I eyed him with suspicion. He smiled softly.
—Relax. I'll contact Megumi when it's safe. He'll update you on Yuji's condition. —He gestured to Yuji. —Now go, before anyone sees us.
—Alright. —I nodded and ran.
Over my shoulder, I saw Yuta incline his head, then turn away. Their silhouettes dissolved into the cold darkness.