8: Closure

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(Credit to Splingo_Splongo for the Beta Reading Labor!)

-Story Start-

January 6th, 2234.

Midday.

Straddling the border between the Yamagata Prefecture and Southern Akita Prefecture was a mountain that loomed over the terrain:

Mount Chokai - A dormant volcano that has been inactive for millennia.

Over 2000 meters in height, especially given the time of year, it was a snow-covered mountain.

Even with a clear climate, it is not recommended to ascend the mountain without any fitting Quirk or equipment at this time of year.

Nevertheless, such recommendations fell on deaf ears for a certain trio of brothers...

-------------------------------

A loud boom echoed in the mountain, sending the native Snow Monkeys into a panicked retreat.

The source of the commotion, smiled in satisfaction as he raised a large rock with ease.

"This should do," A warmly attired Aoi mumbled as he lowered his head to stare at the stone he had broken out of the hills with his fists.

"HUP!" He huffed at the effort, as the rock was gigantic, larger, and denser than himself.

The weight of the large stone didn't seem to be too much of a bother, as he strengthened his limbs with Cursed Energy, he made his way uphill at a leisure place.

After a brief yet strenuous trek uphill, he finally arrived at his destination:

Near the summit of Mount Chokai, outside the usual hike route was a snowy spacious hill.

Formerly snowy, given it was cleared of all snow.

There, the other two brothers worked:

Choso's eyes narrowed in concentration, as he carved a similarly large rock with Blood Manipulation.

Yuji's claws were put to work, as he was digging multiple holes, discarding the dirt down the mountain.

Inside one of the holes, Yuji's head peaked out to take a look, "Dude, you could have searched for a rock instead of hitting the mountain! What if it activated the volcano or something!"

"I appreciate the praise, my friend. But I am not that powerful. It only sounded that impactful due to the echo. Nonetheless, Mount Chokai has been inactive for millennia." Aoi affirmed with a shake of his head.

"Hmm, Mkay." Yuji accepted it at face value, as he casually hopped out of the hole he dug.

Revealing his warm attire as well, a thick fur coat to keep him warm, only leaving out his clawed arms.

Noting that Choso was busy with his own carving, Yuji nodded and turned to Aoi.

"Leave that here."

Doing as prompted, Aoi gently lowered the gigantic rock.

Approaching the rock, Yuji's clawed palm grabbed onto it.

His expression tightened in concentration as he exerted his Cursed Energy.

Dashed lines with scissors quickly enveloped the rock, as Yuji carefully attempted to control how to cut it and how many tombstones he desired.

An instant later, the dense rock was smoothly cut into the requisite shape he had intended.

Aoi nodded proudly, "Most impressive, my friend."

Clenching his fist, Yuji lowered his gaze to his hand, tensing up, "If it was this strong back then..."

Choso chastised while multitasking, "Stop wi-"

Yuji interrupted, "Yeah, yeah, I know. It's just hard not to be bitter bout it."

 He released the tension with a sigh, as he lowered himself to carry one of the rocks resulting from his usage of Shrine, lifting it with ease.

Aoi mirrored said gesture, lifting one himself, as the two of them headed towards the holes, gently placing the rocks in front of each dug hole respectively.

Choso threw a worried look at Aoi, who smiled reassuredly.

His gaze conveyed a simple message - "Do not underestimate Itadori Yuji's Resolve."

Choso snorted in the unspoken conversation going on, "A big brother must worry about his siblings." He stated matter of factly.

Yuji, thinking the comment was directed at him, nodded appreciatively, "Yeah. Thanks, I know." And managed a small smile.

-------------------------------

As evening approached, the temperature dropped significantly.

This was even more so noticeable for the three brothers near the summit of the tall Mount Chokai.

The season being Winter hadn't done them any favors.

Regardless, the dim light of the sun colored the sky a bleeding orange.

Granting a beautiful view for them over the horizon.

The brothers stood side by side, Yuji's eyes scanned each of the graves one by one.

Profound emotion lay in those eyes, as he sniffed, tears bubbling below his eyes.

"Gojo Satoru."

"Kugisaki Nobara."

"Hiromi Higuruma."

"Tsukumo Yuki."

These four graves were filled, and the deaths of these four individuals whom Yuji cared about were guaranteed.

Having mostly witnessed their deaths firsthand.

As for the rest of the graves...

There were gravestones with names, however, they were open.

"Okkotsu Yuta."

"Zenin Maki."

"Fushiguro Megumi."

"Panda."

"Inumaki Toge."

"Kinji Hakari."

"Atsuya Kusakabe."

And many more...

For the rest of Itadori Yuji's and the brothers stay here - Unless they find a way back...

These graves will remain open, unfilled.

Without a body.

For it is a faint hope and closure that he will cling to for the rest of his life.

"Ya know... It's a shame we can't personalize the graves for them." He wiped the tears from his eyes.

Aoi reassured, "We will return here and do so once we can. That I promise."

Choso nodded, "For you little brother, everything."

A reassuring hand on both his left and right shoulder from his brothers respectively showed Yuji that he was...

Not truly alone.

His body shook and shivered as he cried.

The cold had started freezing the tears themselves.

Nevertheless.

He cried.

As jaded as he was.

Itadori Yuji was still a fifteen-year-old boy.

After several minutes of silent mourning, Yuji exhaled deeply, feeling a profound sense of relief.

He felt as if a tremendous weight had been lifted from his shoulders.

Lowering his head, his eyes narrowed at his clawed hands.

As he released the Blood Manipulation, his clawed hands retracted to reveal his normal hands beneath.

Turning to his left hand, the two missing fingers were still there.

However...

Using the Reverse Cursed Technique, he healed only the small finger back.

Leaving a single missing finger contently.

"I see..." Yuji frowned.

Aoi reminded, "That does not guarantee Ryomen Sukuna's defeat."

Yuji nodded with a bitter smile, "I know."

Gradually, his expression softened into a genuine smile as he turned toward the setting sun, peeking through the clouds on the horizon.

A beautiful view of the cities and towns from this height, as well as the Quirked individuals that roamed this strange new Japan and world.

"Well then... Shall we get going? My Brothers?"

Choso and Aoi simply smiled in content silence, nodding their agreement.

...

Itadori Yuji would never fully recover, nor would he forget.

However.

What Itadori Yuji never failed to do...

Was to keep moving forward.

And he intends to do just that.

Most importantly, though...

He's happy he's not doing it alone.

To Be Continued!

[ARC 1 - The Three MuskeBRUZZAs And The Arrival - COMPLETE!]

-Author Note Start-

Yes yes.

Short chapter, I know.

But I've got a lotta on my plate.

And this is a good place to end the 1st arc.

We'll be getting small snippets, but there'll be a big time skip pretty soon. Either next chappie or the following one. (By big I mean decently large).

Yuji's claws of calamity thing here are a clever use of Blood Manipulation (Fight me.)

Anywho hope the chapter's been to your enjoyment!

Love you and cya! Bu bye!

I'll also appreciate any and all constructive criticism and feedback regarding the characters that appear in this fic (Especially my representation of the Bruzzahs.)

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patre0n.com/BurgerNoTomatoes