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Chapter Text

A blinding flash of light was all Yuji saw before suddenly, he was deposited on top of the cold, hardwood floor of his classroom.

'Huh?? That can't be right'. He was outside, training with Fushiguro, Kugisaki and his upperclassmen just a second ago. How was he inside? What was that bright light?

Suddenly he found himself crushed under the weight of said people who looked like they too had the floor yanked from underneath them.

"Owww.. Panda senpai, Get off!!", Kugisaki's voice could be heard.

"Why the hell are we in a classroom?", Maki exclaimed.

"What happened?", amidst the chaos, a calm but gruff voice asked. The students looked up from where they were sprawled on the floor to see their Principal, Yaga Masamichi standing a few feet in front of them, accompanied by their utterly terrifying but puppy-personified teacher Gojo Satoru and their resident healer Ieiri Shoko. "Did everyone else see the white light and was somehow transported here?", Principal Yaga asked.

"We're in some kind of domain that resembles our first year classroom. This is fascinating", Gojo exclaimed in a very chipper mood that really didn't make sense when they were seemingly transported into an unknown domain. "It seems very familiar but i can't quite put my finger on it. Huh", he muses while walking towards the sliding doors of the classroom, The door did not budge an inch when he tried to open it.

"Try to open the windows", he instructs the students. That also failed. Yuji tried to break the glass of the windows to no avail.

They heard a slight cough from the corner of the room. Turning to look, Inumaki's eyes widened as Okkotsu Yuta, his classmate who was currently supposed to be in Africa, stepped out from the shadows. "I tried to pry open the doors with cursed energy too, but it won't let me use my technique. I think we're trapped here for good, sensei", he addresses his teacher.

"Yuta? You're here too?", Gojo exclaimed while going to pat his student on the back.

"Yeah, just got here a minute before you guys. What do you think is happening, Sensei?".

Meanwhile the first years who hadn't met their super-powerful senpai exchanged glances and turned to Megumi who at first glance, looked disinterested in everything happening, but was very alert and scanning his surroundings.

"Who's that?", asked Nobara. 

"That's Okkotsu senpai. He's the other upperclassmen I told you about", he replied.

"Oh.. So you're the guy who's responsible for the exchange event not happening in Kyoto. Let me have a talk with you!! ", she screamed as the innocent teen looked at her with wide eyes. "I..  What?". he asked, confused.

The rest of the second years were also looking at him strangely. "You've changed a lot, huh, Yuta?", Maki remarked at seeing his appearance change from the previous year and sensing a shift in his confidence and demeanor too. He no longer looked like the frail youngling haunted by the curse of his childhood beloved they'd seen the year prior but appeared to have grown into himself.

"Yuta, this is your underclassmen. Itadori Yuji and Kugisaki Nobara", Gojo introduces them omitting to mention Megumi since they already knew each other.

"Its great to finally meet you", Yuta exclaimed cheerfully while his eyes lingered on the pink-haired teen knowingly. 'So this is Sukuna's vessel. No wonder sensei asked me to keep an eye on him', he thought.

Their introductions were interrupted when an envelope seemingly materialized out of thin air with a light *woosh* and landed in Gojo's hand.

Tearing it open and scanning through the content, the white-haired male released a sigh and turned to the curious onlookers. "This explains how we're here. I'll read it out loud"

********

Dear Sorcerers,

Fear not for you will not be harmed inside this domain.

I've gathered you here today to let you witness some incidents from your future that will prove detrimental to the human society as a whole. 

Please gather information from this viewing and try to change the outcome for I can tell you, the future is not bright.

You will not be allowed to leave the domain before you finish the viewing.

********

"Showing the future?? Is it part of someone's cursed technique or something?", exclaimed Yuji, confused about the whole thing.

"Let's assume it is. Now considering what this person has said, we can conclude that something really bad probably happens in the future. I say we take this opportunity to gather intel and proceed. We can't get out of this domain anyway. Then let us make the most out of this predicament", Principal Yaga says. 

"This is fascinating. The power to know about the future. But no one's come forward with this cursed technique yet. It's not in the registry", remarks Ieiri.

"Whatever it is, let's give it a go. Where do we watch this?", Yuta says from behind. 

Suddenly. the wall of windows turns solid and it starts to show colors as in some kind projection.

"I guess that answers the question", says Gojo while taking a seat on a chair in one corner of the classroom while throwing his legs up on the desk getting comfortable.

The others also follow his lead to sit on the other unoccupied chairs, and the first years sit on the floor leaning on the walls to start the viewing.

The screen turns black for a few seconds while they get settled, and then start showing a huge room with floor to ceiling windows and three people in front of it.

Chapter Text

“Among the ranks of Jujutsu sorcerers, Special Grade holds a unique position”- the low voice of Principal Gakuganji, the elderly man who administrates the Kyoto Jujutsu Tech campus is heard reverberating through the room, presumably his office, as Todo Aoi and Mei Mei, stand before his desk.

“Oh, it’s the old geezer who’s starting us off” Gojo says with disgust as he makes a gagging motion.

The others are all watching eagerly to know what will be shown.

“I believe that Grade 1 sorcerers are the ones, leading other sorcerers, and thus the realm of sorcery. Danger, Secrecy, Salary. None of these can be compared with that of ones below Semi-Grade 1. Given this premise, what did you say?”- he asks to the Grade 1 sorcerers standing before him.

“So they’re discussing the Grade promotions coming up” Notes Principal Yaga.

“Maybe this time they’ll finally promote me instead of holding back, those damn higher-ups” Maki rolls her eyes and remarks from where the second years are sat.

Gojo hides a small grin behind his palms as Shoko side-eyes him suspiciously.

“Zenin Maki, Panda,”- Mei starts replying.

“Fushiguro Megumi, Kugisaki Nobara, and my brother, Itadori Yuji”- Todo finishes dramatically.

“In the name of Todo Aoi and Mei Mei, we recommend the five of them for promotion to Grade 1 sorcerers.”- they both say as the screen shows cut shots of said sorcerers.

“Whoa!!! We’re all getting recommendations? That’s insane” Yuji exclaims happily as the students start murmuring excitedly to each other.

“They usually don’t recommend first years straight to Grade 1 though” Megumi remarks.

“But you guys are no ordinary first years, Megumi” Gojo cheers out happily. “You’ve successfully opened a partial domain in your last battle. Nobara has mastered resonance. And Yuji is more or less a Special Grade himself. The second years have also proved themselves in many ways. It’s a no-brainer to not recommend you straight away”

“All right. How much did you pay?” A bored Shoko asks from beside him.

“Hmm?” Gojo hums, feinting obliviousness.

“C’mon. We all know Mei-san's deeds always come at a price. So how much did you pay her?”

“I’m not at liberty to disclose”

“Wait. So you paid for us to get recommended”  The students' faces fell. Did their hard work count for nothing?

“Now now. You’re making me look bad in front of the kids, Shoko” Exclaims Gojo while waving his arms around like a headless chicken, eager to clarify. “Mei-san wouldn’t help a dying grandma without any collateral. I just nudged her in the right direction. That’s all.”

“Besides, it’s no child's play to a get a Grade 1 ranking. They’ll have to prove themselves” he says with a glint in his eye.

The students eye him suspiciously while Yaga shakes his head and laments about how he has to babysit a grown man.

The screen shows Todo and Mei gearing up for a game of Table Tennis as they discuss the requirements of getting Grade 1 level.

Oh.. So that’s what Gojo meant by proving themselves for the promotion. The students think collectively.

“I did not know a grade promotion came with this many red ties” muses Yuta from where he’s sitting with the second years.

“Why? Didn’t you have to go through the same while getting your Special Grade license?” Asks Panda.

“SPECIAL GRADE!!!”  The two first years who weren’t familiar with the boy exclaims from the floor, looking wide eyed. “You’re a special Grade?”

“Umm. Yeah” Yuta answers nervously.

“And to answer your question Panda, I was reinstated after a special evaluation, because of Rika-chan.”

Now, who the hell is this Rika. The oblivious duo of first years glance at each other while Megumi releases a sigh.

“Wait, so how many Special Grade sorcerers are there in total?” Asks Yuji.

“Three right now. Including your very own spectacular sensei and Yuta.” Gojo says brightly.

”Then there’s Tsukumo Yuki, who if you ever have the opportunity of meeting, just run the other way as fast as you can” He continues not clarifying why that is.

“Right now? So there was more?” asks Yuji, oblivious to the sudden tenseness of his upperclassmen and teachers, especially Gojo and the second years.

“You think there haven’t been any other Special Grades?” Asks Megumi, trying to diffuse the situation, lest it get out of hand. The past year was not kind to his senpais and teacher.

“Huh, yeah makes sense” Yuji lets go of the thought while the others puff a subtle exhale.

Todo states that Yuji will definitely get the recommendation leading to a bright future where both of them will end up working together. Mei refutes this but he heeds no attention. He says that just like an apple falling from a tree, Yuji and him are attracted to each other and that it was destiny.

“I don’t know what this guy’s deal is, honestly” Yuji scratches his head, getting increasingly confused, while the others snicker at the boy's predicament.

Mei simply crashes down his dreams by stating that the one who accompanies Yuji cannot be the sorcerer making a recommendation causing Todo to freeze comically. Mei wins the match by a substantial margin and exits the room, leaving Todo alone to wallow in his despair.

*****

Utahime is seen remembering a conversation with Gojo that happened during the exchange event.

“Oh. Its Utahime sensei” Yuji shouts loudly, causing the people sitting near him to flinch.

“Is there an option to turn his volume down?” Maki murmurs to Inumaki.

“-Shake-” he replies.

“Very helpful”

Gojo is explaining about how a traitor exists in their midst working with Curses. Utahime refutes by saying that it’s hard to believe someone among them might be willing to work with Curses, of all thing, but Gojo states that whoever they may be, would probably be under the impression that they were working with a Curse User instead of a Cursed Spirit.

A hush descends upon the students as the news unfolds. The weight of the revelation hangs heavy in the air.

“Gojo sensei, you don’t suspect any of us. Do you?” Yuji asks nervously.

“No. I’ve already ruled out the possibility of the traitor being from the Tokyo school, so you can rest assured.” He replies causing the students to loosen up. “Now its Utahime’s job to sniff out the rat from her side”

The fact that it might be someone they know and interacted with crosses the other’s minds causing them to stiffen up again.

The three first years arrive at the scene, inquiring about who the mole is. Utahime states that there might be two moles, one higher up and one at a lower level passing information. Kugisaki deducts that one of the moles is from Kyoto, since it was them who were at the scene and not Utahime's own pupil, and inquires who it is.

Gojo, Ieiri and Yaga lean forward in their seats, eager to find out the traitor’s true identity.

Utahime starts to reply, while Mechamaru or Kokichi Muta from Kyoto Jujutsu High is shown on screen talking with Miwa.

“That guy? But he felt so trustworthy when I met him during last year’s exchange event” Yuta exclaims, surprised by the reveal.

“Nahh, he looks flat out suspicious” states Maki, narrowing her eyes. Mechamaru was a friend of Mai. So the fact that the traitor has close access to her sister concerned her more than a little.

“The second we manage to get out of this domain, we need to confront him” Yaga states, looking at Gojo who looked like a cat who caught the canary.

“I knew it wouldn’t be any of my kids" he shouts brazenly. "But Utahime disagreed, saying it wouldn’t be any of her kids either. Look who wins now!”

“This is not a laughing matter, Gojo. Who knows what kind of information he could’ve passed to our enemies” Yaga felt the well of patience run dry with his former student.

The first years and Utahime walk down the old, leaky basement of the building where Mechamaru’s real body resides. Utahime explains about Mechmaru’s Cursed Technique called Puppet Manipulation and his Heavenly Pact, which would be ideal if he were to pass information to a third party through unregistered puppets.

“It is a very good technique. He could theoretically control an army of puppets if he stored up enough cursed energy” Muses Yuta, while the others anxiously wait for the upcoming confrontation.

They reach the room where Mechamaru’s real body should be in, but finds it empty, confirming that he is indeed the traitor.

“Well if anyone had any doubts..” Preens Gojo.

Mechamaru’s real body, covered in bandages and half-submerged in a bathtub, is seen talking to two shadowed figures in a wide room.

The viewers strain their eyes in concentration, trying to decipher the identity of the unknown entries.

“Is that… Patchface??” Yuji speaks up, eyeing the figure on the left.

But then who’s the other guy?

Suddenly, the screen cuts to black and a now fully healed Kokichi Muta is shown fighting against Mahito from a giant high-tech puppet in an open space. He remarks about needing to get out of this situation, so he could get in contact with Gojo about something the curses were planning, and that he didn’t think his friends would get this involved with the curses.

“So he’s working as a triple agent?” a bewildered Nobara asks.

“I don’t think so. You see how he’s fully healed now. Yuji and Nanami said that Patchface could alter souls of people, right? My theory is that Mechamaru probably planned to double cross the Curses after he got his decrepit body restored. But it seems to have backfired spectacularly” says Gojo.

Could it be real? Or is this just another facet of his distorted sense of duty, a twisted way of protecting his classmates?

Glimpses of the fight between Mechamaru and Mahito is shown interspersed with Miwa talking to a sleeping Mechamaru puppet.

The viewers hold their breath, eyes glued to the fight. The kid's betrayal still cuts deep, but a sliver of remorse shines through.

The screen fades to Mahito and the other person walking away from the battleground, leaving behind smoking remains of the giant Mechamaru puppet, the master presumably dead.

A collective hush ripples through the room as the screen flickers to a stark "Next >>" sign.

Finally, Yuta breaks it, his voice barely a whisper, "So, he's dead?"

“Maybe not” Shrugs Nobara, trying to be positive. “I mean we didn’t see his body, so the jury might still be out on that.”

“I don’t think Patchface would leave someone behind alive out of the goodness of his heart, especially someone who could warn us about whatever they’re planning” Megumi points out, his face shadowed.

‘The other guy is clearly suspicious. Why is the screen not showing him outright? Why the dramatics?’ Gojo thinks to himself, having a bad feeling about the whole thing. Whatever the Curses were scheming, it couldn’t be good.

“I guess this viewing is in episode format. We probably need to pay attention for the next episode to play. Because the viewing seems to stop instinctively when some of us are discussing about the proceedings” Shoko speaks up, clearly wanting to keep watching.

“Anyone have anything else to add? Good let’s keep watching” Yaga states eager to find out about this masterplan the cursed spirits were cooking up. If the letter was any indication, this could prove disastrous to the Jujutsu society as a whole.

The others turn to face the screen so they could continue the viewing.