5

When the high council heard of my successful mission, I was immediately called by those old coots to report my encounter. This honestly pisses me off, since I know they're trying to find a way to officially brand me as a rogue sorcerer. I'm honestly surprised that no one tried to kill them off before, but then again, no one wants to be hunted down like a dog. But at the rate it was going, I'm pretty much with the council's shenanigans in trying to get me killed.

I might as well kill them myself and just take the risk of summoning a character that can travel dimensions. The only problem with this is that I never explored my curse technique much aside from creating shikigamis.

Would my knowledge of the character affect their ability? For example, I heard Rimuru transcend into a literal, eldritch-dimensional god by the end of the story. But I've only seen Rimuru in the anime adaptation right at the end, where he joins Octogram and defeats Clayman.

So if I summon Rimuru, which one am I going to get? The latter or the former? If read all of their information on Wikipedia, would that give me a pass?

I have to take into account the personality of a character as well. If I summon a villain, I have to keep a close eye on them. If I summon a hero, I have to make sure not to step on their moral high ground.

I also don't want to waste any of my remaining slots just because my summon and I are incompatible regarding morality and objectivity. That's a huge problem I need to deal with before I even start summoning.

The only way I can fix this is if I add a binding vow to my curse technique. Something that sets up a time limit on my summoning aspect. This is going to take a while, since binding vows are very literal. Maybe I should also make one so I get an extra slot while I'm at it.

I also need to set up an army before I get to the Shibuya arc. That means I have to go hunting as well and see if I can convert cursed spirits into transfigured spirits.

As I passed through the door where the council meeting was taking place, I found myself standing in the dimly lit room, surrounded by the imposing silhouettes of the Jujutsu Council. Tension hung heavy in the air, thick enough to slice with a knife. I knew I was in for a rough ride when one of the shadows started talking with an authoritative tone.

"Kazuya," one shadow intoned, its voice slicing through the silence like a blade. "Explain yourself. Your report on the mission—"

*SNORE!*

As soon as they started asking, I immediately tuned out and slept, snoring loudly like a pig. It's not even me trying to play badass or act arrogant; I've done this to Gojo, Nanami, Utahime, and Principal Yaga too. I have the habit of immediately falling asleep whenever I get a hint of a meeting or lecture being longer than necessary. Not my finest traits, but hey, anyone who listens to these old coots would have fallen asleep just like me, right? I mean, every time I give them a report, they keep asking for more details. Details that I already placed in the first place.

Suddenly, a sharp voice pierced through the silence, snapping me awake. "Wake the hell up, Akiyama Kazuya!"

I cracked an eye open and offered a yawn in place of an apology. "Sorry," I drawled, the word lazy and unrepentant. "Sorry about that. I got bored waiting for the meeting to be over. Is it over yet?"

"NO! Explain yourself, Kazuya," demanded one of the council members, their voice sharp and authoritative. "What the hell happened back there?"

I stifled a yawn, feeling the weight of exhaustion bearing down on me. "Well, you see," I began, my words slurring slightly as fatigue threatened to overtake me. "It all started when I encountered this cursed spirit."

Before I could continue, a loud snore echoed through the room, drawing startled gasps from the council members. I blinked groggily, realizing that I had dozed off while standing

"Kazuya, for the love of all that is sacred, wake up!" snapped another council member, their voice tinged with annoyance.

I straightened up, rubbing my eyes in a feeble attempt to shake off the remnants of sleep. "Sorry about that," I mumbled sheepishly, offering a half-hearted apology for my embarrassing lapse in consciousness.

Another silhouette chimed in, dripping with disdain. "Such disrespect to your superiors, Kazuya. Remember who you serve!"

I couldn't resist a retort. "Respect is earned, not demanded. I don't recall serving old geezers."

"Watch your tongue, boy; we will not tolerate your behavior if you continue. We can have you executed on the spot."

I couldn't resist a snort. "If you're so strong, why the need for all these cloak-and-dagger games? Trying to assassinate me every single day is starting to get old."

"Such baseless accusations!"

Denials flew fast and furious, their confusion almost comical. I stifled another yawn and waved a hand dismissively. "Let's not waste time, shall we?"

With a flick of my wrist, I summoned my third shikigami, Magito, who materialized from my back. The murmurs and gasps from the council indicated they were surprised. They knew what it meant—another powerful ally in my corner.

"I see you're impressed," I said, a smirk playing on my lips. "But let's get down to business, shall we?" "Release them," I commanded, and Magito obeyed, spewing forth pellets that morphed back into human form under its idle transfiguration. The murmurs grew louder, a cacophony of shock and awe.

"You and I both know that," I began, my voice steady and sure, "these assassins are bound by a binding vow. They can't spill the beans on their employer without kicking the bucket. But with Magito here," I gestured to the shikigami, "we can bypass that little snag."

I explained my plan to force the truth out of the assassins, utilizing Magito's powers. I'm going to alter their brains slightly so they can't tell a lie. That way, it is impossible for the assassins to refuse or commit suicide without spilling the truth.

I leaned back, a cocky smirk playing on my lips. "This is how they're going to play the game. They talk, and if they die, they were telling the truth. If they live, well, they've been lied to. Place your bets, old geezers. I'll wait."

The council exchanged uneasy glances, clearly unsure of how to proceed. They knew that I got them; they can refuse all they want but the fact remains the same. The moment an assassin dies, they have no alibi to dispute my claims. But I wasn't about to let them off the hook that easily. "Come on, don't be shy. Let's make this interesting."

I suddenly heard someone smacking the table and turned behind me.

"This is a waste of time!" A councilman said. "You're here to give us a report on what happened on your mission."

"And these assassins are part of the report. I wouldn't have done this if you old coots had just read it. Besides, I don't see the problem here; they're all wanted with orders for immediate execution. Whether I kill them here or somewhere else, it still doesn't change anything about what happened. We met, we fought, I won, and they lost. Unless you're hiding something, old man."

Hearing the sounds they were making was satisfying. I get why Gojo always does this now; riling up these old bastards was fun as hell.

There was a tense pause as the council deliberated. Finally, one of them spoke up, his voice hesitant. "Very well, Kazuya. But remember, if this goes wrong, it's on your head."

I waved off his concerns with a casual flick of my hand. "Relax, I've got this under control. Now, let's see what these assassins have to say for themselves."

As the council members watched intently, Magito sprang into action, slightly changing the prisoners with a single touch. I could see the fear in their eyes as they realized they were now under my control.

"Now then," I said, turning to face them, "who hired you to take me out?"

The assassins exchanged nervous glances, clearly fighting the urge to talk with self-preservation going full power. But with Magito's powers bearing down on them, it was only a matter of time before they cracked.

One by one, they began to speak, their voices trembling with fear. And as their names tumbled from their lips, I couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction.

They spilled every secret and every dirty detail about the bounty the council had placed on my head. I waited, a predator biding his time, as the binding vow claimed their lives one by one. They died violently, but my heart was stone; they had tried to kill me, after all. I'd say I feel bad, but let's face it, I'd be a terrible liar if I did that.

I only felt bad about the one chick since I could have kept her as a maid. That sounded wrong now that I thought about it. I should work on my phrasing a bit more.

With the assassins dispatched, I turned my attention to the council. "Well?" I prodded, my voice laced with mockery. "Do you have anything to say for yourselves, old-timers?" I summoned Asta and Hakumen out of the open.

Panic erupted as the council realized what I was about to do. For all the talk they kept on yapping about, the moment they felt death was going to reap them, these people showed their true colors. I sighed, knowing full well that these kinds of people are the reason why Jujutsu society is a damn mess. I'm not one to talk but Jujutsu society would collapse if I took out these bastards but if I didn't, I would have to deal with them again and again. At this point, I'd rather have our society collapse and have it built from the ground.

One of the council members stuttered, trying to muster up some semblance of authority. "You'll be branded as a rogue! Exiled and executed on sight if you dare to harm any of us!"

I couldn't help but laugh at the absurdity of it all. "Exile? Execution? Please," I scoffed. "You do realize you've already branded me a rogue by putting that bounty on my head, right? You're a bit late with that threat, buddy. A little bounty isn't going to scare me now." As soon as I said that, I could feel their composure slipping.

Another council member piped up, offering to remove the bounty in exchange for me entering a binding vow with the council. I scoffed at the offer, glaring at them with a stoic face. "Yeah, pass. Do you really think I'm going to trust you after this little stunt? Dream on, grandpa."

With Magito entering back into his 'Asura' mode, Hakumen slightly unsheathed his blade and Asta slowly covered the entire area with anti-curse to prevent any SOS. "Either you become my next transfigured puppet, or I just end this farce now."

The tension in the room was thick, but I couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction as the council racked their brains with anything to convince me to change my mind about attacking them. If they thought they could control me, they had another thing coming.

I could see the panic starting to set in among the council members as they realized just how deep they had dug themselves into this mess. I could see the panic starting to set in among the council members as they realized just how deep they had dug themselves into this mess. But before they could beg for mercy, I turned serious, taking a deep breath to prepare myself mentally.

"Time's up." I was stopped by the sudden cold I felt, followed by the sound of a splash. I turned to see the person who had the balls to prank me and I saw Gojo standing there, a jug in hand and a mischievous grin on his face. "Yo, Kazu-chan!" he chirped, ignoring the tension in the room. "How's my adorable apprentice doing?"

I gestured to the council and the corpses at my feet. "What do you think? I'm taking out the trash."

Gojo's laughter filled the room, a sound that was both childish and knowing. "I knew this would happen," he said, grinning. "That's why I'm here."

"Kill the brat now, Satoru!"

"Hurry, before he starts going on a rampage."

"The brat has gone mad."

But the amusement quickly faded as each one of the council members demanded that Gojo execute me for rebelling. Gojo's laughter turned into a menacing chuckle as he turned serious, reminding the council of who they were dealing with.

"You provoked my apprentice first, remember?" he reminded them, his voice low and dangerous. If I'm going to lay a finger on Kazuya," he declared, his voice dripping with authority, "it'll be me who decides when. And if anyone touches a hair on him, they'll answer to me. Got it?"

Damn, my plot armor is going strong... better not use it all up.

The council fell silent, clearly shaken by Gojo's sudden change in demeanor. But just as quickly as the tension had risen, Gojo's demeanor shifted again. With a cheerful grin, he offered a compromise that stunned everyone into silence.

"Anyways, how about we make a deal? The council will remove the bounty and cease all hostile actions against Kazuya. In return, he won't kill you," he declared. "As a bonus, Kazuya's pay will be raised, and I'll keep an eye on him to make sure he doesn't go off rebelling. Sounds good?"

I couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at the offer. It wasn't exactly what I had in mind, but it wasn't a bad deal either. And besides, having Gojo on my side was definitely a plus.

I turned to the council, a smirk playing on my lips. "Well, what do you say, old timers? Ready to play nice?" I couldn't help but grin at the absurdity of it all.

The council members exchanged uneasy glances, clearly torn between their pride and the prospect of peace. Finally, one of them nodded reluctantly, signaling their agreement.

"Fine," he grumbled.

"Well, I guess that's settled then. Looks like I'll have to put up with you geezers a little while longer."

"Don't think this means it's over, brat."

I chuckled, unfazed by their skepticism. Turning to the one who said it, I gave a cocky grin. "If it was, you'd be in a box, old man." With that, Gojo and I went to leave the room, but not before I ordered Magito to swallow the corpses of the curse users. Maybe I can use their carcass for something later.

With the tension diffused and a tentative agreement in place, I couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction. It wasn't the cleanest resolution, but it was enough for now.

Minutes passed, and Gojo and I found ourselves walking down the road in silence. Despite not exchanging a word, the tension between us was palpable. It felt like the kind of tension you get when you know you've messed up and your teacher's about to give you a lecture.

After a while, Gojo couldn't contain himself any longer. "That was a dumb move back there, Kazuya," he said, his voice tinged with exasperation. Uh-oh, whenever Gojo says my name without any honorifics, it's a disappointed Gojo.

I shot him a sideways glance, raising an eyebrow. "Coming from the guy who's always stirring up trouble with the council? Seems a bit hypocritical, don't you think?"

Gojo chuckled, running a hand through his hair. "Fair point, but you've got to learn to pick your battles."

I sighed, conceding his point. I want to enjoy my life but I can't do that if I just kill because it's convenient for me. If Gojo hadn't stopped me, I'd be on the run. Provided my summon doesn't listen to me, "Yeah, I guess you're right. It's just hard to bite my tongue when they start spouting off orders like they own the place." Gojo being born in the Jujutsu Society gave him a certain leeway and allowed him to see the inner workings of how this society functioned. It was a perspective that I didn't have.

Gojo nodded, understanding shining in his eyes. "I get it, I really do. But sometimes, it's better to play along, at least until you've got enough power to call the shots."

However, his expression suddenly shifted into a grin as he patted me on the back. "But I have to admit, it was pretty hilarious watching you put the council in their place."

I decided to let him have his fun, knowing that he meant well. "Yeah, well, someone's got to when you're not around," I replied with a smirk. "I'm starting to see why you keep doing that to them. It's cathartic."

As we continued our stroll, I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease gnawing at the back of my mind. The council might have backed down for now, but I knew they wouldn't give up so easily. They'd find a way to come after me again, and next time, they might not be so forgiving.

Gojo's grin faltered when I said, "They'll find a loopholele." My voice tinged with frustration and annoyance. "Sooner or later, they're going to try something."

He spoke up, his voice filled with reassurance. "Don't worry, Kazuya. I'll handle the council. You just focus on your training."

Changing the subject, I asked about Sukuna's vessel. Gojo explained that he was planning on picking up the vessel from a kid named Yuji Itadori. I pretended to be curious, asking about Itadori.

"He's slightly naive but well-intentioned, outgoing kid with an optimistic outlook on life. He wanted to fulfill his promise to his deceased grandfather." Gojo explained.

I nodded, taking in the beautiful sight of the school. "Sounds like a decent guy. But how did Sukuna's finger end up in a civilian?"

Gojo's expression darkened slightly, a shadow passing over his features. "It's a long story, but suffice it to say, Itadori stumbled upon the finger by accident. Now he's going to be executed when he absorbs all 20 of Sukuna's fingers."

I furrowed my brow, I already knew but I still slightly felt a pang of sympathy for the kid who had unwittingly become the vessel for one of the most dangerous curses in existence. "Poor guy. Must be tough."

Gojo nodded, his gaze distant. "Yeah, it is. But he's got potential. You should get to know him; you might learn a thing or two from him when it comes to expressing your feelings."

"So your saying he's basically you; he's you, just less crazy and cocky," I quipped, teasingly.

"Huh!?" Gojo mockingly feigned hurt, his expression exaggerated. "Hey, that's rude, Kazuya!"

I offered a faux-apology, grinning mischievously. "Sorry, Gojo-sensei. I meant no offense.

You're just... bat-shit insane."

His eyes widened in surprise at my blunt assessment before bursting into laughter. He paused as he started to mull over what I just said. "Well, I can't argue with that," he replied, his laughter contagious.

"So, what's the plan now, sensei?" I asked.

Gojo flashed him a grin, his eyes sparkling with mischief as he whispered into my ear. "How about we..."

I could only shake my head, knowing full well that Principal Yaga is going to kill us when we're done.

As we approached the school gates, I spotted Yuji waiting for us. Yuji was happy to greet us. This guy wears his emotions on his sleeves. "Gojo-sensei, who's that?" Yuji asked. Gojo turned towards me, before making a scene. "The meanest, grumpiest apprentice I will ever have, Akiyama Kazuya," he said.

"Sup," I greeted.

"Yo, Itadori Yuji." Yuji responded with a happy wave.

We then continued heading our way to Principal Yaga's office. Grabbing a pair of headphones, I drowned out the world with some music. There was nothing particularly interesting about the scene unfolding before me. As we made our way to Principal Yaga's office, I remained observant, my mind already racing ahead.

I knew what they were going to discuss—thanks to my pre-existing knowledge from the manga. But when Sukuna suddenly manifested through Yuji, appearing as a menacing mouth on his cheek, my attention was immediately piqued.

Absorbing Sukuna's techniques and knowledge would be incredibly beneficial. With his abilities, I could upgrade Hakumen and make it even more powerful. Plus, Hakumen could use a long-range attack, and Sukuna's abilities fit the bill perfectly.

I also started to think on who I should summon first, it should be someone reasonable but also overpowered. I should make a list first.

Lost in thought, I was snapped back to reality when Gojo remarked about it being an honor to be targeted by Sukuna. Unable to resist, I interjected with a cheeky comment about Sukuna not looking all that impressive despite the legends surrounding him.

This seemed to catch Sukuna's attention, as he shot me a deadly glare. "You have quite the mouth on you, kid."

I couldn't help but cackle at the response, taunting Sukuna for being nothing more than a mouth and an eye on someone else's body.

This seemed to strike a nerve with Sukuna, who turned to Gojo with a murderous gleam in his eye. "I've changed my mind. When I'm out and in control of Yuji's body, I'm going to kill this brat first."

Gojo laughed, seemingly unfazed by Sukuna's threat. "A bit sad, don't you think? The king of curses gets riled up by a teenager."

I couldn't help but feel a rush of exhilaration. Sure, I may have crossed a line, but there was no denying the thrill of acquiring the power and knowledge of the king of curses himself. But for crying out loud, this guy was still holding back in the latest manga I read.

THIRD PERSON POV

Sukuna seethed with a wrath that simmered within him, fueling the flames of his indignation. How dare these insignificant mortals, these mere children, dare to mock him. The audacity of their insolence gnawed at his very core, threatening to unleash the full force of his fury upon them.

But amidst his burning rage, Sukuna couldn't help but be drawn to the display of power exhibited by this Kazuya. His curse energy, though reminiscent of Ten Shadows, bore a distinct flavor that intrigued him.

As much as he yearned to crush the insolent brat beneath his heel, Sukuna found himself hesitating. There was something about Kazuya, something that stirred a curious fascination within him. The brat bore the mark of immense strength, a testament to his prowess as a sorcerer. And yet, there was more to it than mere brute force.

Sukuna could sense a cunning intelligence lurking behind Kazuya's mocking facade, a cunning that intrigued him more than he cared to admit. It was a dangerous game the brat was playing, taunting Sukuna with his brazen disrespect. But Sukuna couldn't deny the thrill of the challenge—the tantalizing prospect of facing an adversary worthy of his attention.

Akiyama Kazuya had piqued the interest of the king of curses, and Sukuna was eager to see what the brat was truly capable of. Perhaps there was more to Kazuya than met the eye, a hidden power waiting to be unleashed. And Sukuna, ever hungry for a worthy opponent, was more than willing to indulge his curiosity.

But as Sukuna's thoughts drifted back to the present, he couldn't shake the feeling of unease that lingered in the back of his mind. There was a hint of darkness lurking within Kazuya, and as much as Sukuna relished the prospect of facing a worthy adversary, he couldn't shake the feeling that there was something sinister lurking beneath Kazuya's nature.

But for now, Sukuna would bide his time, watching and waiting as events unfolded. The game had only just begun, and Sukuna was eager to see how it would play out.