Welcome To The Modern Era

When Yuji heard what Megumi said, he was intimidated by Chimera and Qirin poised to attack him, and hurriedly said, "Wwwwwait... It's not a problem," raising both his hands in surrender.

Megumi then said, "You got five seconds to prove that it's not Ryomen Sukuna talking."

"It's me, Itadori Yuji. We met in the hospital. My grandfather just died?" he said quickly.

Megumi thought, "This is new to me... What the hell should I do?" He then considered what his mentors would do. "Hiroshi-sensei would beat him until he's unconscious... Satoru-sensei would be nonchalant about it... Suguru-sensei would bring him back to Jujutsu High."

At that moment, a pelican cursed spirit landed beside Megumi. Suguru stepped down and asked, "What's the situation?"

Satoru then appeared suddenly, teleporting in and looking at Suguru.

"Gojo-sensei, Geto-sensei," Megumi exclaimed.

"Yo," Satoru said.

"You seem to be having trouble, Megumi," Suguru observed.

"So, where's the finger?" Satoru asked.

Yuji replied, "Sorry... I ate it."

Silence pervaded the scene.

"What...?" was the collective thought of Satoru and Suguru.

Suguru looked at Megumi, who was readying to attack Sukuna with Qirin and Chimera, with Mahoraga's Dharma wheel floating behind him. "Put those toys away. You pulled out full power over a one-finger Sukuna. Hiroshi will laugh at you," Suguru said to Megumi.

Megumi looked at Suguru and Satoru, assessing Yuji. "Well, since both of them are here..." Megumi unsummoned his shadows and stood beside his mentors.

"Are you for real?" Satoru asked.

"For real," Yuji replied.

Satoru approached Yuji and scrutinized him. As Yuji was scrutinized, he thought, "Can he even see?" looking at Gojo Satoru who was wearing a blindfold. "Haha! Would you look at that, they are combined. Suguru, use that cursed spirit of yours to see," Satoru said, finding it entertaining.

Suguru then summoned a cursed spirit with a thousand eyes from a portal. The spirit latched onto his head as he closed his eyes. "That's an interesting sight. How does that even happen?" Suguru said, unsummoning the cursed spirit.

Out of nowhere, Satoru had an idea. "You know, Hiroshi did say we should jump the King of Curses... how about an appetizer, hmm?" Satoru asked, looking at Suguru.

Suguru turned to Megumi and handed him his phone, setting it to record. "Megumi, be a good boy and film us. We'll send it to Hiroshi later," Satoru said as he approached Yuji.

"How does your body feel?" Satoru asked Yuji.

"Okay..." Yuji said, checking himself.

"Can you switch to Sukuna?" Satoru asked.

"Why?" Yuji asked.

"We're gonna give a big welcome to the King of Curses to the modern era," Suguru chuckled.

"Come back after 20 seconds," Satoru said, beginning to stretch.

"I don't know about this," Yuji said.

"Don't worry. We're crazy strong," Satoru said confidently.

Suguru's smirk mirrored Satoru's confidence.

"Hold this for us too, Megumi," Satoru said, giving Megumi a few bags.

"What's this?" Megumi asked as he looked inside.

"Sweets," Megumi thought, unsurprised.

As Megumi looked at his mentors, Sukuna, who had taken control over Yuji's body, attacked directly.

"BEHIND YOU!" Megumi exclaimed.

Satoru disappeared and reappeared behind Sukuna, while Suguru stood his ground, protected by a rib cage from his Gashadokuro "We've got a student watching, you know. I hope you don't mind if we show off a little," Satoru said, grabbing Sukuna's palm and hitting him with a left hook, front palm, and backhand in quick succession, knocking Sukuna backward.

Leaving him baffled, Sukuna looked around to find Suguru behind him. "Where are you looking, King?" Suguru delivered an uppercut, right hook, and backhand in quick succession. "Welcome to the modern era, King of Curses."

Sukuna, reeling from the rapid attacks, exclaimed, "They're unbelievably fast... and... no matter the era, you guys are always a pain." He sent a few flying slashes towards Suguru and Satoru, filling the air with a cloud of dust. "Stupid Jujutsu Sorcerers," Sukuna said confidently. "But that shouldn't be a problem for me."

Satoru was counting under his breath, whilst using infinity to protect both of them "Eighteen, nineteen, twenty." As he said twenty, Yuji began to take back control. The sound of a heartbeat signified Yuji's return. "Damnit, this Itadori kid... I can't take control!... What is he?" were Sukuna's last thoughts before Yuji fully regained control.

"Woah! Was everything okay?" Yuji asked.

"What a nice surprise—you can really control it," Satoru said nonchalantly.

"But he's really annoying," Yuji replied.

"It's a miracle that's the only side effect," Satoru said, tapping Yuji's forehead and making him unconscious. He caught Yuji as he fell.

"Got that on camera, Megumi?" Suguru asked.

"You guys were moving at high speeds. It's a miracle this phone could capture your movements," Megumi said, handing the phone back to Suguru.

"It's a Senju experimental phone, meant for sorcerers. Of course, it could capture high-speed combat," Suguru said, taking the phone.

"Hiroshi is gonna be jealous," Suguru chuckled.

Satoru nodded. "Yeah, he's going to want to be here for the next round. But for now, let's get Yuji back to Jujutsu High. We've got a lot to discuss about this development."

Due to the fact that the Big Three—Senju Hiroshi, Suguru Geto, and Gojo Satoru—began to directly bypass the authority of the Jujutsu Higher-ups, Yuji Itadori wasn't subject to an execution trial. This strategic move had two significant factors. First, the Big Three were goading the Higher-ups to attack first. Second, they used the authority of the Gojo and Senju clans to undermine the Higher-ups. The Jujutsu Commander, Gojo Takumi, Satoru's father, further enabled their unhindered movements.

The relationship between the Jujutsu Higher-ups and the Jujutsu Commander was akin to that of the Emperor and the Shogun. The Commander, holding majority control over the military forces, namely the sorcerers of Jujutsu High, left the Higher-ups with only their clan sorcerers, amounting to little more than 200. In contrast, the Big Four Sorcerer Families commanded around 500 sorcerers, while the minor clans and civilian sorcerers accounted for an additional 300, making a total of 1,000 sorcerers in Japan.

As Yuji regained consciousness, he found himself sitting on the stairs at the foothills of Mount Mushiro.

"Hey, you. You're finally awake," Satoru smirked.

Megumi facepalmed. "Sensei, you've been playing a lot of games lately."

"You got that reference?" Satoru asked.

"Seems like you play too," Satoru said.

"No... but Hiroshi-sensei keeps repeating those words whenever I wake up from being knocked out by him," Megumi said, annoyed.

Satoru laughed. "Classic Hiroshi."

"Come on, let's get a move on," Suguru said, turning to Yuji. "Welcome to Jujutsu High, one of the two Jujutsu education facilities. There might be more in the future."

The group climbed up the foothills, Yuji marveling at the bustling activity around him. Sorcerers moved like ants, followed by their managers, heading to various locations around Japan. Some were going on missions, while others were coming back, bloodied and picked up by the nurses on standby. It was a busy society, and Yuji was in awe.

"Woah, a secret society," Yuji said.

"Well, for the most part, it's a secret," Satoru replied.

"For the most part?" Megumi thought.

"Itadori Yuji, here's your part in the plan," Suguru began to explain. "You will ingest every finger of Sukuna. That will be your mission as a Jujutsu sorcerer. This mission will diverge into two paths. In a perfect world, if you can ingest all 20 fingers and control the powers and Ryomen Sukuna as a whole, everything will end happily ever after. But if you ingest all 20 and cannot control it, then it is our job as the strongest Jujutsu sorcerers to exorcise you and Ryomen Sukuna," Suguru said seriously.

Yuji gulped, feeling the weight of Suguru's words. His grandfather's words echoed in his mind: "Help people" and "Die surrounded by those you love." Resolving himself, Yuji said, "If by helping contain Ryomen Sukuna and controlling his powers I can save people from curses, then I will do it."

"Good," Suguru said as they arrived in front of a building where Masamichi Yaga was waiting.

As they went inside, Satoru nonchalantly approached his sensei. "Yo, sensei," he said, only to be caught in a throat hold by Yaga.

"I still remember you took one of my puppets! Gojo!" Yaga began to apply pressure.

Satoru tapped out in surrender, resulting in a goofy interaction between student and teacher. Suguru facepalmed; this wasn't the image he had planned to introduce Yuji to, but his best friend and his sensei always seemed to be like this due to Satoru's mischievous nature.

Megumi, used to this, was fiddling with a miniature Dharma Wheel.

"Um... is Gojo-sensei gonna be okay?" Yuji asked, gesturing to the struggling Satoru in Yaga's hold.

"This happens often, don't worry," Suguru said, then clapped his hands to garner attention. "Sensei, this is Sukuna's vessel we informed you about earlier," he said to Masamichi Yaga, attracting the principal's attention.

"My name's Itadori Yuji! I like girls like Jennifer Lawrence!" Yuji said as he bowed.

Masamichi Yaga stood up, his gaze stern as he began to question Yuji's intentions. "Why are you here?" he asked.

"For an interview?" Yuji replied, slightly baffled.

"I meant in terms of Jujutsu specialty," Yaga clarified.

"To learn Jujutsu?" Yuji said hesitantly.

"Beyond that," Yaga pressed further.

"What about after you learn the ways of exorcism and curses? What then?" Yaga's eyes bore into Yuji, searching for a deeper answer.

"Well, I'm going to collect the remaining pieces of Sukuna. It's dangerous to leave them as they are," Yuji replied.

"Why?" Yaga asked, his tone growing more intense. Yuji was now completely confused.

"People die from accidents and curses every day. That's just how it is. So you're telling me that if it's curse-related, it's inexcusable all of a sudden?" Yaga asked sternly.

"That's the last request I was left with. I'm just trying to help people," Yuji replied earnestly.

"Last request?" Yaga asked with a growl. "So you're going to fight curses based on someone else's will? DISQUALIFIED!" he declared.

Suddenly, a cursed corpse began moving.

"It wasn't just a doll?" Yuji asked, taken aback.

"It's a cursed corpse. Her name's Cathy," Yaga said as the cursed corpse, Cathy, smacked Yuji, only for him to block with his bag.

"What a heavy hit... is that even a doll?" Yuji thought as the fight began.

"People are more honest when they are in a pinch. Cathy will keep attacking until I hear a worthy answer," Yaga stated.

Yuji dodged, saying, "It's not just someone else's request; it was my GRANDPA'S," as he hit Cathy across the room.

Cathy came back, hitting harder.

Krrak

The sound of Cathy headbutting Yuji sent him sprawling across the floor.

"It's a doll. It's not going to get dazed or hurt," Yuji thought.

"Jujutsu sorcerers always face death, not just their own. They tear the flesh of curses with the dead right at the corner of their eye. It's an unpleasant job. You have to be motivated and a bit insane to be one," Yaga explained.

"You want to do it because someone else asked you to!? DON'T MAKE ME LAUGH!" Yaga bellowed.

Yuji opened his mouth to rebuke, but Yaga cut him off. "IS IT GONNA BE YOUR GRANDFATHER'S FAULT IF YOU DIE TO A CURSE?"

"...You say terrible things, you know," Yuji muttered.

"Education includes helping students make realizations," Masamichi Yaga retorted, caressing his beard thoughtfully.

Before Yuji could respond, Cathy hit him in the face, sending him sprawling to the ground once again.

"It's not difficult to say what your heart feels when you're about to die, but I can say this for sure: no Jujutsu sorcerer dies without regret. At this rate, you might curse your grandfather... I'll ask one last time: WHY are you here?" Yaga demanded.

Yuji opened his arms, welcoming the doll's attack. As Cathy lunged, Yuji caught her and declared, "Consuming Sukuna... I know that's the only thing I can do. If I run away, it will not sit well with me, knowing that people die while Sukuna is out there. Thinking it doesn't involve me? No thanks. There's no way I can convince myself that it's not my fault, because I'M NOT GONNA REGRET THE WAY I LIVE!"

Hearing Yuji's determination, Yaga smirked. "Suguru, show him to his dorm and explain the rules and regulations to him," Yaga said to Suguru Geto, who had been watching from the sidelines.

Then he turned to Yuji and said, "Welcome to Jujutsu High. You pass."

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

As the group escorted Yuji to the dorms, Yuji marveled at the size and luxury of the accommodations.

"Woah, that's even better than my house," Yuji said, eyes wide with amazement.

"Well, Hiroshi did say that sorcerers should be given the treatment they deserve and made improvements," Satoru remarked nonchalantly.

"Once again, welcome to Jujutsu High, Yuji," Suguru said with a smile.

Suddenly, Sukuna's mouth appeared on Yuji's cheek, speaking with a sinister tone. Yuji quickly covered it with his hand, only for another mouth to appear on the back of his hand.

"I thought you were the leaders, but I was wrong. A hierarchy not based on strength is boring, if you ask me," Sukuna sneered.

Yuji struggled to suppress the voice. "I'm sorry, Sensei, he comes out sometimes," he apologized, looking embarrassed.

"What an interesting bodily function," Satoru mused, his tone amused and curious.

"I owe both of you a debt. Once I make this kid's body mine, I will kill both of you first," Sukuna threatened, his voice dripping with malice.

"My, what an honor to be targeted by the King of Curses," Satoru replied, completely unfazed.

"Ooh, scary. How'd you like our welcoming, King?" Suguru asked provocatively, a smirk playing on his lips.

Sukuna's mouth twisted into a sinister grin. "It was pathetic" Sukuna said before disappearing.

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

At Kyoto Jujutsu High, Hiroshi sat relaxed by a serene lake, leisurely skipping stones across the water's surface. Each stone bounced several times before sinking into the depths. His peaceful moment was interrupted by the ringing of his phone.

"This is Hiroshi," he answered, his tone calm.

"Patriarch, Sukuna's vessel has been discovered and is now being escorted to Tokyo Jujutsu High," the voice on the other end reported.

"How was he discovered? Is the person named Itadori Yuji, and has he ingested one of Sukuna's fingers?" Hiroshi inquired, though he already suspected the answer. He knew it would be Itadori Yuji, but he wanted to confirm the details.

"Yes, Patriarch. It was discovered by Megumi when he was sent to retrieve one of Sukuna's fingers. There were a few bumps in that mission, and Itadori Yuji ingested Sukuna's finger. Although Sukuna manifested, Gojo Satoru and Suguru Geto were on the scene," the Senju sorcerer explained.

"Thank you," Hiroshi said before ending the call.

"The plot begins... I'm excited and nervous at the same time," Hiroshi murmured, gazing at his palm before clenching it into a fist.

"Will the Shibuya incident still happen with me around?" he pondered aloud, his mind racing with the implications of his presence and influence.

Hiroshi felt confident in his strength. Together with Suguru Geto and Gojo Satoru, he believed that no event was beyond their ability to subjugate. Their combined power and strategic prowess made them a formidable force in the world of Jujutsu.

However, Hiroshi remained unaware of the full extent of his influence. The butterfly's wings had already set a typhoon in motion, gathering strength and ready to unleash its chaos.

As he pondered the unfolding events, Hiroshi couldn't help but think about the ripple effects of his actions and decisions. He had altered the course of many lives and events, but the true consequences of these changes were yet to be fully realized.

While he trusted in his and his allies' capabilities, the unknown variables introduced by his presence and actions kept him wary. The intricate web of fate had been disturbed, and the new patterns were still emerging, hidden in the shadows of the future.

Determined to face whatever lay ahead, Hiroshi stood up from the lakeside, his mind sharpening with resolve. The challenges to come would test their limits, but he was ready to face them head-on. The typhoon was gathering strength, and Hiroshi knew it was only a matter of time before it struck.

A/N: Is Gojo Back or is this because Sukuna is close to death that he is seeing The Ghost of the Strongest?