NO. 20 - Unwanted Attention

The morning sun hung low in the sky, casting a warm golden hue over my home's courtyard. I stood at the center, my bare feet planted firmly on the cool dirt floor, the earthy scent of the surrounding trees filling the air. A heavy, scuffed punching bag hung on a steel pole in front of me.

With each steady breath I took, I felt my curse energy course through my body. I began with a series of slow, deliberate movements, focusing on my several stances.

Each pose was a dance of strength and balance, cultivating a connection between my body and the ground. The rhythm of my breath matched the flow of my motions, creating a zone-like state that brought me into the moment. As I transitioned from one stance to another, I visualized an ever-changing opponent before me.

All For One, Shigiraki, Overhaul, Nine, Wolfram, The Nomus, Muscular, and many more.

With a sudden burst of energy, I launched into a series of punches and kicks, my limbs slicing through the air with precision. The sound of skin meeting the heavy bag echoed around me. Each satisfying thud motivated me to push harder and harder. Sweat began to bead on my forehead, but I welcomed the discomfort, knowing that each drop represented progress.

After several hours of relentless practice, I finally paused, my shirtless body coated in a sheen of sweat. I closed my eyes and focused on my breathing. Feeling my heart rate slow, I sat cross-legged on the ground and continued to focus on my breathing, grounding myself in the stillness of meditation.

Nitta Arata's Pain Killer, Nanami Kento's Ratio, Nishimiya Momo's Tool Manipulation, and Dagon's Disaster Tides were the four curse techniques I had managed to pull in the past two years, much to my dissatisfaction.

Nitta Arata's Pain Killer allows its user to stop existing injuries from getting any worse. Arata can't heal wounds, but he can stop bleeding and reduce the pain for anyone he applies it to. However, any injuries sustained after the technique's application are unaffected.

A rather useful technique for a supportive role. It'll help me continue a fight without having to worry about any life-threatening injuries.

Nanami Kento's Ratio allows its user to use this technique to mark their target's body with lines divided into tenths. If the user is able to strike one of these lines on exactly the seven-to-three ratio point, they deliver a critical hit to the subject. This allows them to deal significant damage on tougher adversaries and cleave weak opponents in two in a single hit.

If used properly, Ratio could be used to land critical hit after critical hit on an opponent. Not to mention the potential it had if combined with a Black Flash. It was exciting to think about.

Nishimiya Momo's Tool Manipulation allows its user to freely manipulate a sorcerer's broomstick or tool by levitating it telepathically. Among other magic broom-related skills, this technique grants the user the ability to levitate on the tool or create gusts of powerful wind imbued with CE.

What can I say about this technique? I didn't plan on moving around with a broomstick, so this technique was useless unless I could figure something else out for it.

Finally, Dagon's Disaster Tides allows its user to manifest high volumes of water and control it using their CE. It is incredibly versatile, allowing for use in all ranges. It can be used as a water shield for close and mid-range and as a large, sweeping wave for long-range.

Having another curse technique from one of the disaster curses was a great addition. While Dagon didn't have the opportunity to show off all he could do like Jogo, I knew that with enough training, I could push this technique to greater heights.

Just imagine a gigantic roaring tsunami coming your way.

Definitely a promising technique.

Even with all these new additions to my evergrowing list of curse techniques, I was still unsatisfied.

Having the Ten Shadows was not enough. I still needed the Limitless, Shrine, Star Rage, Sukuna's CE reserves, and the Six-Eyes. Not to mention, I haven't even gotten a single Domain Expansion as well.

Hell, I'll even accept Takaba Fumihiko's Comedian or Mahito's Idle Transfiguration at this point.

Actually, I wouldn't mind Mahito's technique. I forgot how crazy strong it was. One touch, and I win. Talk about overpowered.

Why was I so unlucky that I hadn't gotten any of the techniques or passives I actually wanted? Damn you, gacha gods!

For skills and passives, I was able to pull Kenjaku's Martial Arts skills, Ijichi Kiyotaka's Barrier skills, and Fushiguro Toji's Advanced Perception.

Kenjaku's Martial Arts skills were a wonderful addition to my already impressive martial arts repertoire. It has greatly increased my hand-to-hand proficiency to even greater peaks. After all, a sorcerer who had lived a thousand-plus years has had a lot of time to learn almost every martial art ever created in his world.

Ijichi Kiyotaka's Barrier skills were something I didn't know I needed until I had it. Barriers in the JJK world were used to conceal, contain, or deny entry to others within that space. Ijichi, in particular, was a rather skilled barrier user who was trusted highly by Gojo Satoru himself. The man proved himself an asset when he used a barrier to conceal Gojo's Hollow Technique: Purple during his opening attack on Sukuna.

Fushiguro Toji's Advanced Perception had heightened my five senses to their absolute peak. It's what allowed Toji to see cursed spirits even without CE. Like Maki, there were only things he and she could see in the world. Changes in temperature and the shifts in density were things I could now see around me as well.

It was a seriously broken passive. I was thankful to have won it with that Diamond tier pull.

All my other rewards were just more useless junk. I could essentially cosplay almost every character from JJK at this point.

Still, I couldn't wait to wear the homeless, child-support dodging fit.

"Gueh."

I opened my eyes to see that it was now pitch black. I turned to Zaiko and then to the star-filled sky with a nervous expression.

"Did I just meditate through the day again?" I sighed and rubbed my face. "Shit."

"Gueh," Zaiko uttered and looked over at the two descending crows who quickly landed in front of me.

(Boss! Boss!) Crow Yuji squeaked as he hopped onto my knee with Crow Nobara behind him. (We found that human!)

Crow Nobara hobbed beside Crow Yuji and pecked him on his wing, causing him to squeak. (Gojo found the human, you dolt!)

(Alright, alright. So mean...)

"Good work, you two." I stood up and lifted my arms to unwind my stiff joints. I then began to go through some stretches. "Now then, let's go pick up a stray."

x x x

[General POV]

The laboratory was dimly lit, with flickering fluorescent lights casting eerie shadows across the cold, sterile walls. The air was thick with an unsettling mix of chemical odors, a pungent reminder of the experiments conducted within. Rows of glass beakers and vials lined the cluttered countertops, some bubbling ominously with iridescent liquids while others were stained with dark, incomprehensible substances.

In one corner, a large metal table stood, grimy and stained, adorned with surgical tools that glinted menacingly under the weak light. Charts and diagrams, filled with incomprehensible symbols, were pinned haphazardly to the walls, giving a sense of frantic research and obsession. A heavy metal door, slightly ajar, groaned occasionally as if it harbored secrets that it desperately tried to keep hidden.

The faint sound of dripping water echoed in the background, punctuated by the unsettling hum of machinery that seemed to breathe with a life of its own. Shadows danced along the walls, sometimes resembling figures peering out from the corners, evoking a sense of dread and anticipation.

In this place, the line between genius and madness was blurred, and one could almost feel the presence of unrestrained ambition and evil lingering in the air, whispering of dark experiments waiting to be unleashed.

"Hmm... Sukuna. What an interesting fellow."

Sitting behind a computer within the lab was a man dressed in a suit whose face was entirely made up of scar tissue, extending from above his upper lip and covering his entire head and the back of his neck. As such, he had no visible nose, ears, hair, or eyes, though the outlines of his eye sockets were visible. Attached to his face and neck were several life-sustaining tubes and wires that stabbed themselves into his skin.

Some would feel sorry for the sad state this man was in, but those who knew who he truly was would sooner run in terror.

For this man was none other than All For One.

Once Japan's most powerful villain. Unmatched by all.

All, except for the Symbol of Peace himself, All Might. Who reduced him to the sad state he currently found himself in.

A slow, intrigued smile grew on the disfigured man's face as he looked at the blurry image on his computer of a hooded figure with a long black and golden staff sitting over their shoulders as he seemingly flew through the air in a standing position as the moon hung in the starry sky.

"A quirk that allows you to control your own blood, swap places with small objects, great strength, high speeds, flight, a form of telekinesis, the ability to conjure both fire and water, masterful martial arts, and high-level weapons knowledge, and who knows what more." All For One said with an evergrowing sinister smile. "You're like me."

"How very interesting indeed."

x x x

[General POV]

The paved streets glistened under the pale glow of the streetlamps, casting long shadows that flickered in the night breeze.

Toga Himiko kept her distance, just enough to remain unseen but close enough to keep the drunk salaryman in her sights. The man moved back and forth, swaying around due to his inebriation; his coat flared slightly as he trekked.

Himiko was a fair-skinned girl with an attractive face. She had inward-tilting yellow eyes with thin, slit-like irises that resembled those of a cat. Her wide mouth had a somewhat feline appearance, as her canines were pointed and longer than her other teeth, giving her a vampiric look. Her loose, shoulder-length hair was a pale ash-blonde, and two chin-length side bangs framed her face.

With each step, her heart raced. The streets were nearly empty except for the occasional rustle of leaves and the hum of late-night traffic. Himiko followed the man into a dimly lit, narrow alley, its walls adorned with peeling posters and fading graffiti. The scent of damp earth mingled with something spicy, perhaps leftover food from a nearby restaurant.

He paused at a corner, glancing over his shoulder. For a fleeting moment, she held her breath, pressing herself against the cool brick wall to blend into the shadows. The man seemed to scan the area, and she wondered if he could feel her presence. Shrugging, the man unbuckled his pants and pulled out his member to release himself on the wall before him with a long, satisfied sigh.

Himiko's face grew into a wide, hungry smile as she gripped her dirty boxcutter tightly.

The man's back was turned to her.

This was her chance.

She walked around the corner where she hid behind, her dirty school uniform matted with dirt and dried blood. Her loose, crusty hair swayed as she approached the man with a blaring hunger in her stomach. As she took one step, she felt her legs shake from exhaustion, causing her to briefly pause. The several sleepless nights Himiko had gone through were beginning to affect her.

But that would change soon. Himiko would finally have a taste of the glorious, delicious, beautiful, life-sustaining blood again!

She couldn't wait!

Her dear Saito's blood was so delicious; she couldn't wait for another taste! Blood was all she could think about! Not even her painful hunger or thirsty throat could distract her right now.

"Blood... j-just a little. Just a t-taste." Himiko muttered as she and the man were only three meters apart. "I'll just stab you a little bit. It'll only hurt for a second."

"Are you sure you want to do that? Once you start down that path, you won't be able to stop."

Himiko and the pissing man spun to look at a hooded figure leaning against one of the walls in the alleyway with their hands in their jacket pockets. Seemingly appearing out of thin air. The drunk man quickly buckled up his pants and turned back and forth to the hooded figure and Himiko.

"W-what the hell?! Who the hell are you two?!"

"Get lost, you bozo." The hooded figure shooed the man away. "And stop pissing in the streets. That's disgusting."

"Huh?! Who the hell-"

Shunk!

Both Himiko and the man blinked in confusion as a thick knife stabbed itself beside the drunk man's head, silencing him.

Seeing the weapon, the man screamed in fright and ran out of the alleyway. Leaving the hooded individual and Himiko alone.

Sukuna pushed himself off the wall and approached Toga.

"Now then, Toga. Let's talk."

-

AN:

I'm both amazed and horrified at how fast we reached our next PS goal!

I hope you all enjoyed this chapter and Toga's first appearance into the story.