A Friendly Chat

"You're not going to invite me in?" Sukuna gestured at the space past the gate.

"Here is fine," I replied. "I don't need Pride and Envy going head to head with you. And I definitely don't need Lust hitting on you again."

"You're just as boring as that brat," Sukuna grumbled. "I've been cooped up in here with nothing to do."

"Isn't that because the moment you got your freedom you decide to kill your host?" I countered. "I remember specifically telling you to keep Yuuji alive, didn't I, Sukuna?" My voice darkened. "Mind to explain what happened?"

Sukuna's eyes narrowed as he registered the threatening implications laced into my question. "Don't overstep your boundaries, Rey. This is the second time you've intruded into my soul, and even if it is you, I won't tolerate a third time."

"I'm quite clear where my boundaries are, Sukuna," I articulated calmly. "With your current state, you don't have the power to even touch me. So you may want to save the threats when you have the power to back it up."

"Even if I only have two fingers of my full strength, I can sti-" Sukuna broke off as he sensed the abnormality in my Domain.

"You bastard," Sukuna grinned. "You finally managed to collect all of them huh?"

I held up three fingers. "My Domain was missing a few of the seven sins when you were sealed away. A couple centuries after you left, I added them into the family."

"So Sukuna, still want to fight?" I offered, both of us already knowing the answer.

"Tch, there's no point fighting in soul form," Sukuna declined. "Besides, who can beat you in terms of the soul anyways, you freak?"

I laughed as I watched the King of Curses make himself comfortable on the ground. Walking over, I sat cross-legged across from him, both of us careful not to intrude onto each other's Domain. Reminds me of old times...

"Any news about the little bird?" I asked. "She won't lie low now that you're awake."

"I can't wait to rip those pretty feathers off her back the next time I see her," Sukuna growled.

"I'm sure you will. She's-"

I grabbed the fist aimed at my face, and the impact caused a wave of water to crash down behind me. I moved the hand away and peered at Sukuna. "Seriously?"

"That smile on your face was fucking irritating me," Sukuna said nonchalantly.

"You're still the same as ever." I released my hand, and Sukuna let his fist fall back in his lap. "Really, why are you so hard to deal with?"

"What do you think about Fushiguro Megumi?" Sukuna asked suddenly.

"Fushiguro Megumi?" I rolled the name around in my mouth. "He's an fascinating one. His Ten Shadows Technique has a lot of potential, I'll give him that. And especially with that particular shikigami, he's quite the handful. But that mindset of his..."

"Once he's put into a life-and-death situation, I'm sure he'll learn to change it," Sukuna asserted.

"Getting quite defensive, are we, Sukuna?" I propped up my chin with my hand. "Interested in him?"

"The game has changed, Rey," Sukuna confirmed. "We'll get to see something very interesting in the near future."

"Is that so?" I replied. "I'm glad to hear that you have something to look forward to other than your usual killing. It's a change in pace for once."

"And you haven't changed a bit," Sukuna countered. "I would rather be stuck in here than take orders from a human."

"There's nothing wrong with taking orders." I sighed. "That's why I am the Warden and you are the Butcherer. It's a fundamental difference in our nature."

"The Warden and the Butcherer," Sukuna reminisced. "I haven't heard someone use our proper titles in so long. It gives me an itch in my hands to bring some carnage to the world."

"And this is why I had to wake up." I placed a hand on my forehead. "To prevent some idiot from going on a rampage so that world still exists when you're through with it."

Sukuna let out a haughty laugh. "Ready for another war, Warden?"

"Same war, Butcherer," I answered. "Only the enemy's different. The outcome will be the same."

A long silence fell between us. A shadow fell over my face as the silvery moonlight dimmed. Sukuna looked up at the moon, and a small grin creeped up his face.

"Gojo Satoru," Sukuna stated. "He's your new Master?"

"Mm," I confirmed. "Your thoughts?"

"I simply don't understand why you would put yourself under the mercy of another," Sukuna answered.

"You have your methods, and I have mine," I said. "In order to descend upon this world, I must have an anchor. And my Contract with Gojo achieves this. Not only that, maintaining this body against the ravages of time is not easy."

"Then, I'd say you're lucky to find the last member from the Gojo clan. He'll probably last the longest," Sukuna mused. "Considering that some of your Masters didn't have any happy endings."

"There are consequences when one seeks power greater than one they should have," I admonished. "Though I do vaguely recall someone finding the one of them to be an eyesore and got rid of him without my consent."

"Hahaha!" Sukuna let out a hearty laugh. "Don't blame it on me, Rey. If you wanted to, you could have saved him."

"A pact is founded in mutual interest." I shrugged. "It's one of the key factors in the world of jujutsu. The moment he broke his contract, I have no obligation to protect him. He was to be disposed of."

"So what about Gojo Satoru?" Sukuna asked. "Will you do the same?"

"Gojo Satoru..." I trailed off. Is he disposable? I don't know...

"I have my agenda," I said. "We'll see how far our partnership goes."

"If you ever find him boring, tell me. I've been waiting for a chance to kill him." Sukuna let out a merciless smile.

"Don't even think about it, Sukuna," I growled.

"Fine, fine!" Sukuna stood up and strolled back to his throne. "Time's almost up for that brat. Hurry up and leave. The stench of your soul is going to be here for days."

I picked myself up from the ground and smiled at Sukuna's insult. "Make sure you wipe his memories, Sukuna. I don't want additional trouble for myself."

"I was going to do that even if you didn't tell me to," Sukuna responded. "And stop ordering me around!"

"Oh, and one more thing."

Sukuna stopped and tilted his head a little.

"What now?" he growled.

"Revive the boy once he gets back. I don't care how you do it." I walked through the arch and halted for a brief moment. I looked back at the King of Curses. "If you don't... I don't mind doing it myself. Is that understood, Butcherer?"

Sukuna watched silently as the black gates closed behind the boy, and the Warden's Domain disappeared.

——

"Hey, you two," Shoko called. "I'm about to get started. Are you just gonna sit there and watch?"

I blinked twice as my consciousness returned to my body. Not a lot of time had passed during my conversation with Sukuna. I pulled myself away from Gojo's arm and covered a yawn with my hand. Should be anytime now...

"Wait," I called as I saw Shoko preparing her scalpel.

The doctor turned to me impatiently. "What now?"

"Just give it a moment," I said, keeping my eyes on Yuuji. Behind her, I saw Yuuji's finger twitch. Then, the boy sat up from the metal table and examined himself.

"Woah, I'm completely naked!"

"G-G-G-Gojo!" Ichiji cried in complete horror. "H-H-H-H-H-H-He's alive!"

"Shut up, Ijichi." Gojo had a wide smile on his face as he ran his hand through his hair. Relief and delight radiated off the man as he walked up to Yuuji.

"I'm a little disappointed," Shoko pouted as she saw that her experiment had returned to life.

"Um, this is kinda embarrassing." Yuuji looked at the female doctor. "Who are you?"

"Yuuji!" Gojo exclaimed. He raised his hand. "Welcome back."

"Sup. Good to be back!" Yuuji and Gojo exchanged a high-five.

I ambled over and offered Yuuji his shirt. "Here, Yuuji-san."

"Thanks, Rey-kun." Yuuji took the shirt and put it on. "So what is everyone doing here for?"