4 Chapter 04

Cursed energy was a strange concept.

Unlike other types of fictitious energy such as Ki or Chakra, cursed energy had a higher level of complexity.

Yuji vaguely remembered Gojo Satoru's explanation in the original storyline, where he compared the cursed energy to electricity.

Itadori couldn't say if that was the best comparison to use regarding this energy, since even though he followed the anime and manga, he was never one to pay much attention to detail.

Simply put, he understood how energy behaved theoretically, but he didn't feel he would be able to manipulate it any time soon.

In his old life, he was an intelligent man, quite talented for someone of his age, but that was far from meaning that he would be able to perform a miracle and learn how to use this kind of energy in a single day.

It was too new a concept for him, requiring not only meticulous control of this new energy in his body, but also control of his own emotions, all at the same time. 

Cursed energy, reverse cursed energy, cursed techniques.

There were several concepts, which although they originated from the same energy, worked in different ways.

Understanding all this in less than a day was far from his current capabilities.

"..."

Sitting on the bed in his new dormitory, Itadori had his eyes closed while his expression looked rather annoyed.

But that didn't mean he couldn't try.

Because even if he was unable to use it now, he could at least learn to discern the energy flowing through his body.

As a strange new sensation coursed through his body, he could deduce that it was the cursed energy.

From the moment he swallowed Sukuna's second finger, he was able to feel this strange sensation, as if something was being pumped from his stomach to the rest of his body.

He had tried to manipulate her a few times since then, but it was like trying to tear his own skin off with his fingers.

Perhaps during the fight he could gain a greater compression of her, but until then, feeling her was the most he could do.

With a sigh escaping his lips, Itadori lay down.

"There's no point in trying too hard. I'd better rest up for tomorrow."

He feared that he would be as incapable as the original Itadori was when he faced the special class curse at the beginning of the storyline.

The last thing he wanted was to be forced to trade with Sukuna because of this. There was no chance of him accepting Sukuna's offer to revive him.

Preventing it from happening was something important that would avoid many problems in the future.

"Maybe I should just tell Gojo what's going to happen."

This was also a possibility that came to Itadori's mind, but he would be lying if he said he wasn't afraid of what might happen when he did it.

Telling Gojo Satoru that he somehow had knowledge of future events, while possibly solving some problems, could lead to even bigger ones.

After all, there was no telling how Gojo would react, especially when he discovered that Kenjaku now possessed the body of his dead friend. 

In the worst-case scenario, their sealing could occur even earlier, which would clearly be a complete defeat for the sorcerers.

"Damn... I'll think about it tomorrow."

But Itadori preferred to put this matter aside for the time being. He wanted to know how far he could go without needing Gojo's help. At the very least, he needed to learn how to use the cursed energy in his body before facing the special grade curse.

If he didn't succeed, he would only be signing his death warrant by entering that reformatory.

.

"You're really hungry."

In a restaurant in the Harajuku district, Itadori and Megumi were busy with their own meals.

"I haven't eaten anything since yesterday." 

Itadori, who had only used the excuse to try traditional Japanese food for himself, was completely focused on devouring the dish in front of him.

"I distinctly remember smelling instant noodles in the dormitories." Megumi frowned as she easily spotted the lie in his words.

"You must have been dreaming." Finishing his meal, Itadori wiped his mouth and stood up, Megumi following him out of the establishment. 

"Hey! I asked you to wait!"

In the distance, Gojo emerged from the crowd of people, Itadori and Megumi turning to look at him.

"Sorry, Gojo Sensei. Itadori wanted something to eat before we meet the transfer student." Megumi explained, causing the teacher to nod in agreement.

"Oh, yeah!" Itadori, who seemed to remember something, suddenly pulled something out of a bag in his hand, turning to hand it to Gojo. "I bought you some sweets, sensei."

Gojo, picking up the wrapped sweets, gave a small smile.

"Thank you very much for your consideration." Opening one of the sweets, he was quick to pop it in his mouth, his head turning towards Itadori. "Looks like your uniform is ready."

Wearing a uniform that didn't differ in any way from the original, Itadori looked at his clothes. He liked the look, so he was quite pleased with the outfit.

"Yes, it's very nice."

"Well, if you want to change anything, just ask."

Itadori nodded in agreement.

"Oh, it looks like she's here."

Listening to their teacher's words, Itadori and Megumi turned to see a girl with short brown hair who seemed to be arguing with a man.

"So that's the transfer student?" Itadori, even though he knew the answer, asked more as a way of not seeming so indifferent. "She seems pretty excited."

"I feel like that's going to be a problem." Megumi commented with a sigh.

"Hey, over here!" Gojo, ignoring his students' comments, called out to the girl, who immediately noticed him.

Approaching the group, the girl stopped in front of them, her hand resting on her waist as her face filled with pride.

"My name is Nobara Kugisaki. I'm the beautiful flower in a group of cheerful boys."

"Ugh..." Megumi muttered, while Itadori seemed rather indifferent to the girl's presence.

Itadori didn't have much to say about Nobara. He thought she was a good person, but he didn't pay much attention to her when he watched the anime. He was a little shocked by her death, but that was all.

"My name is Itadori Yuji." Itadori introduced himself with a friendly smile.

A stark contrast to Megumi, who seemed completely uninterested in the situation. "I'm Fushiguro Megumi."

"..."

"I see I haven't had much luck." With a sigh, Nobara became despondent.

Itadori blinked at this attitude. 'What was she expecting?'

.

Looking at that building exploding cursed energy from within, Itadori swallowed.

"Looks like I'll be put to the test."