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Smiling Tiger

Chapter 4: Lighting the fire

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

Yuuji meet up with Gojo and his friend on the next day at some desserts café. When he saw the friend Gojo wants him to be recommended to jujutsu high he almost go into a fighting stance from being caught so surprised. It's Geto Suguru. Same name but different kanji is used to write his name. Physically the same but with way shorter hair and a more youthful look, even his curse technique is the same as well, the soul is however very different as there's no Kenjaku inside using his corpse to do his evil plan. Just to make sure, Yuuji excused himself as he rubs his thumb on the new Geto Suguru forehead which earns a maniacal laugh from Gojo and a look from the other patron in the desserts café.

"I know I should be thankful that you agree to recommend and enroll me to Jujutsu high but... Is this necessary?" The raven haired young man keep holding his smile and patient but it twitches in annoyance as Yuuji continue to rub his thumb up and down Geto's forehead. 

Yuuji gave him an apologetic smile as he pull his hand away, "Sorry. I just want to make sure of something."

"His forehead is unbelievably big isn't it?" Gojo sneers from the side as he took a bite of the parfait he ordered and even pokes at Geto's forehead.

Without missing a beat Geto hits him back with a remark, "At least I'm not born old with my hair all white from birth. Want me to check your head to see a bald spot, Satoru?" he grabbed Gojo's head with one hand and shook it roughly.

The two began to bicker and playfully mocks each other with no ill intention. Just light playful jabs that friends would do to each other. Just like how Fushiguro and Kugisaki used to do with him as they hang out together after a mission accomplished.

Yuuji once ask Ieiri Shoko about the past. He was told that Gojo and Geto are best friends until disaster and piled up stress breaks Geto. The two fought and never reconciled until death separates them apart. But Shoko said that Gojo probably would help Geto if the man have asked, not help as in erasing non-sorcerer, but help in other ways. They are each other halves if one to be even more poetic then they are the yin and yang. To see them now alive again and still as close friends made Yuuji really warm inside. Guess Gojo shared his good karma to Geto so they could get reincarnated together.

With his own cup of coffee done Yuuji decide it's time to leave and let the two of them enjoy their time together as it is still their holidays. "I'm going to go and submit your form to the principal now. You two have fun."

"Huh? You are leaving already?" Gojo raised his eyebrow in confusion.

"Yeah. I think Geto fits to be a jujutsu sorcerer. But the real test whether you got in or not isn't by me. It's by the principal." He picks up his sling bag and put put it over himself, "I'll contact you when the principal want to test you through the number you write in the form. If you are worried about anything you can talk to me about it! Gojo have my number."

Geto gave Gojo a look, Yuuji can't see it from where he's standing, "I need to tell him where you want to meet up." He answers without being asked as if the white haired young man know what his best friend is asking telepathically. 

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The procedure goes on perfectly. Geto passed the test easily and he's able to become a student in jujutsu high. Making the first year students this time as three. With the third student being someone who excel in reverse curse techniques, it reminds him a little with Ieiri Shoko but only the given name is the same plus he doesn't know what Shoko look like when she was young. So he can't tell for sure of this is the same person or not. 

As a jujutsu high teacher helping the students out during mission, teaching things about the jujutsu world, and guiding them during practice is easy. What's difficult is teaching them general education like math, biology, and the rest. He ask Choso to teach the harder general studies as the older brother seems to be way better at it than him. But there's something even more difficult. Something that Choso can't help. 

That is dealing with the young and new Gojo Satoru or he could even say the bratty version of Gojo-sensei. Sure, he have always been friendly with everyone and be a stern teacher when he needs to but Gojo doesn't listen to him. Being a brat and even sometimes try to challenge him in a fight, not a spar or training, a fight. Yuuji is the strongest, but he is not really fully human anymore, so the tittle for the strongest jujutsu sorcerer, that's fully human, goes to Gojo Satoru, again. He seems to really want to win a fight against Yuuji, constantly bothering him when they meet in school grounds outside of lessons and threaten or even broken some of the school property. But he never threaten the safety of the tiger sculpture that he hold hostage which is good but he worries about the principal blood pressure ever since Gojo started become a student there.

"Itadori-sensei? Did the principal scolds you again because of Satoru?" It's Geto. The raven haired young man is still in the school grounds when Yuuji finally done being lectured about having to have Gojo under a leash as he break another lamp when trying to make Yuuji fight him. 

Seeing Geto alone is a surprise. Usually he would have Gojo right by his side.

"Getoo!!" Yuuji had a smile as he see his student, "You are alone?" Yuuji look around to try to find Gojo. Maybe he's trying to prank him by using Geto as bait?

"The Gojo clan is celebrating the current head birthday so Satoru had to be there since he's the favorite grandchild and next head. Shoko is out with the senpais." Geto then walk towards Yuuji. "Are you free after this sensei?"

Oh? "I am. This is rare coming from you. Is there anything you need?" 

"Can we have a hand to hand combat practice?" This is even more rare. Geto rarely ask for a one-on-one combat practice with Yuuji. Mostly he does it with Gojo so his best friend would stop bothering his teacher.

A wide smile grew on Yuuji face. "Of course!" He love helping his student in anyway possible. Especially when it comes to combat practice or jujutsu. Helping his student became stronger means they will survive in a lot more situation and less likely to be killed during missions. He can't always be there with them as he can't teleport like Gojo-sensei does due to most of his skill is a mix of his own and Sukuna's.

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If he's going to see more and more familiar faces around then it's best to have a very careful eyes on Geto. The things that he once did and plan to do is wrong and can be even said something akin to genocide. However the reasons behind why he does so is something that's very understandable and can even be seen as the correct move if one to see it in a different angle. Yuuji need to make sure that history doesn't repeat itself.

"Another win for me!" Yuuji exclaim as he pins Geto down to the training room floor. "You need to watch your opponent feet more Geto."

Geto chuckles tiredly as he lay on the floor, "Got it..." he sigh as he sat up.

"Let's take a break now," Yuuji then pass a bottle of water to Geto and took a seat beside him on the floor, "Did something happen? Wanna talk about it?"

There's a lot of things that lead to the fall of Geto Suguru. Yuuji can't control most of the reason as that is inflicted by other people so he does what he can do best by taking note of Geto stress level and mental state. He want to make Geto to see him as someone he can trust and can always go to when he have trouble. He wants to be a good mentor and teacher for Geto.

Geto chuckles as he finish taking a gulp of the drink, "You are always so kind Itadori-sensei. I wonder why is the upperclassmen always have some kind of distance to you."

"Well, they are mostly kids from jujutsu clans that exist for a long time. Their parents probably uses Sukuna as something like a boogie man now that they actually have 'Sukuna' as a teacher I can see why." Yuuji just laugh a little. It's sad that 'his' existence is used to scare children but if it make the kids brush their teeth and eat their veggies then it's okay... Probably. 

"Sukuna... I heard a little about it from Satoru when we were kids. It's the past king of curses right?"

"From Gojo?"

"Indeed. He used to say that he will defeat Sukuna when we were kids." Geto smiles as he recalls his old memories, "It then stopped so I didn't expect him to go back to his past obsession in defeating 'Sukuna' again."

Yuuji just let out a tired laugh. Maybe he should just accept his challenge one day... Maybe it will stop the property damage that have been going on an almost weekly basis.

"If it's just fighting with me not using curse techniques then I might accept it. But I'm sure he doesn't want that."

"He will definitely get pissed. Probably even exorcise any curses he sees and doesn't left any for me to consume"

Consume... Geto ability to control cursed spirit is amazing. To be able to use it efficiently he need to stock up outside of missions. Making him a diligent jujutsu sorcerer who exorcise cursed spirit during their break time. Though he do say they taste like vomit... 

Oh! 

"Geto! Are you free after this?"

"Yeah...?"

"Consuming cursed spirit must take a toll on you. So why not eat something right after to cleanse your pallet? Let's go get some snack or candy for you to carry around. My treat!"

The two then went to a nearby supermarket to get snacks that Geto can carry around easily. They talk a lot, most about Gojo Satoru and about Yuuji past. To someone who is not exposed to the jujutsu world from birth, Yuuji past seems like a tale from a story book. Yuuji even treats Geto for a meal after getting some snacks and candy for Geto to eat now for after every time he consume a spirit. They took a picture together. It is something that Yuuji always does when he's out with anyone that's not mission related so he could later print the photo for him to remember them by in the future.

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The next time Yuuji meets his first year student, he saw a pouty Gojo Satoru. The white haired young man is a bit grumpy as he follows Yuuji since there's a mission for Gojo to do.

"Gojo, are you okay? I can do the mission for you if you are not feeling well." Yuuji asked with a concern look. While this Gojo Satoru is already a special grade sorcerer he is still not as strong as Gojo-sensei. He still can't have limitless active at all times yet like how Gojo-sensei can, his mastery of Cursed Technique Reversal: Red and domain expansion is still an ongoing progress. Yuuji can't really help mastering it as it's something that only the Gojo clan can do. 

Judging from the mission brief the cursed spirit is a first grade curse and seems like there's multiple of them. Odd. Thus why Gojo is assigned to the mission.

"I'm fine!" He answer in a grumpy way as he enters the car backseat. 

Yuuji sigh and get into the driver seat. Since the mission might be dangerous he requested there to be no assistant coming with them as he doesn't want their life to be in danger.

"Eh? You're driving? Where's the assistant?"

"It might be dangerous. So it's just you and me today." Yuuji buckles up the safety belt and start the car engine.

Somehow the grumpy Gojo is gone. The heir of Gojo clan got out of the car and took a seat in the passenger seat with all smiles.

Yuuji can't help but chuckles, "Seriously, what's wrong? You were grumpy a second ago now you are all smiles."

"It's because sensei is playing favorite!" Gojo then cross his hand on his chest and humph loudly. He's keeping the act of being upset.

"Playing favorite? What do you mean by that?" Yuuji about to drive but he noticed Gojo haven't put his seatbelt on so he buckle him up himself. He gave a quick 'excuse me' as he leans in and put the seatbelt on him. He then continue the conversation as he drive the car as if that didn't happen. "I like all of my students equally."

"Suguru... You two spar together! You never say yes when I asked!" Gojo complaint. There's a little bit of pink on his face. Seems like he's that upset.

So this is what it's all about. Geto did took some picture of him after the training, during shopping, and when eating. He said it was to tell his parents he's out with his teacher and won't be eating dinner.

"If you want a hand to hand or close combat spar then I'll say yes. But you keep asking me for a fight using curse techniques which I won't do. It's dangerous."

"Huh!?" Gojo raised his voice, "I'm the strongest! It won't be dangerous! I can handle you!"

The self confidence is the same as the past, making Yuuji chuckles. "I know but I'm worried about hurting you."

Gojo then grumble in anger and even kicks the foot of the car in retaliation. "Then buy me sweets and treat me to a dinner after this mission. If you don't I won't return the tiger sculpture."

"You don't need to threaten me like that. I'm going to do it anyway after this mission." Yuuji keep his eyes on the road as he continue to drive them to the location, "When are you going to give it back the tiger sculpture to me? It's from my deceased friend to remember her by."

"Until I says so." He said smugly. 

Yuuji sigh, "fine... Just don't break it okay. It's important to me. If you don't give it back by the time you graduated I will take it from you by force."

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The mission goes on smoothly. It did give Gojo some hard time a little as there's multiple first grade curse and he isn't as strong as Gojo-sensei but he managed to do it on his own. This could be counted as a practice for him so Yuuji doesn't help him out even if he is attacked but he keeps an watchful eye and is ready to use his curse technique if the time need to.

However when all the curse spirit is gone the curtain doesn't disappear. This mean there's must be one or more left. This one is a smart one... It must be trying to ambush them when they are weak and isn't focused.

The cursed spirit in question then appear before them. The moment Yuuji look at the cursed spirit his the blood in his body boils in anger. That appearance. That cocky smile. He know who it is.

"Mahito!!" Yuuji yelled in anger at the cursed spirit who only smirks. 

"I told you I will get reborn. Human never stopped fearing other humans after all."

Yuuji noticed Gojo who is caught surprised by the sudden turn of events. "Have your limitless active at all times." Yuuji warns Gojo as having limitless active at all times is the safest way for him.

Gojo question is left unheard as Yuji focused in dealing with Mahito. The marks on his body appears as he uses the curse technique that was originally Sukuna's.

Dismantle. Cleave. Divergent fist. Black flash. Hit after hit. He's relentless when it come to Mahito. Even to the point of clashing domain with each other.

Much to Mahito dismay Itadori Yuuji have grown far stronger than he was before. He is not just Itadori Yuuji anymore, he is the new king of curses. The moment their domain clashes it's over for him. As Yuuji is able to do domain expansion multiple times and even manifest his domain expansion without the need of the shell.

In a last ditch effort Mahito creates a double of himself, focusing his attack on Gojo. If he can't win then he wants to at least leave a damage that will  hurt Yuuji in the inside. Just like old times.

But it doesn't work. One, the young Gojo have his limitless active, two, his choice of action only anger Yuuji even more. 

Yuuji gave Mahito a cold and hateful glare as he watch the cut up Mahito slowly became dust. "Never came back again."

The curtain began to disappear around them. The sunlight and fresh air made the damp and tense atmosphere gone and blown away. Like a rainbow after the storm.

With Mahito being exorcised and gone Yuuji priority now shift to Gojo who is still standing and looking at him with a mixed expression. Was he surprised or maybe nervous? This is the first time in a long time that someone else other than Choso saw him in this kind of state. The marking that Sukuna used to have on his skin is now on Yuuji along with the second pair of eye below his original one. He dislike how he look when he used Sukuna curse technique as it really make him look very similar to Sukuna except for the hair style.

"Who was that...? That's an unregistered special grade curse right?" He asked with a slight bewildered expression.

"Just some bastard from the past." Yuuji is really glad that he come along with him. Sure Gojo is strong but he is not as strong as Gojo-sensei yet. Will he win if he fight Mahito? Perhaps but the thought of him being hurt or even die because of Mahito is a thought that he don't want to ever think about. He can't lose him again... Not when he can protect him. "Everything is okay now."

"Are you okay Gojo?" Yuuji approach him with a worried tone. Yuuji then reach out to touch Gojo shoulder. To make sure if he's really okay or not as he is still wounded from fighting the other first grade cursed spirits. But his hand touched the barrier made with limitless. 

Yuuji chuckles and let out a small laugh, "Satoru-kun, everything is all right now. Sensei have taken care of the mean cursed spirit. Everything is all okay now." He jokes around to lighten up the mood and ease the tension that still exist. Gojo-sensei used to joke around after a tense situation and it works for him, so he hoped by the doing the same would work for the young Gojo. Yuuji then started to walk to the where the car is while still keeping his gaze on Gojo, "Come on, let's go. I still need to treat you dinner right? Or my precious memento is going to be broken by you." he gave him a friendly smile. The marks on his skin slowly began to disappear as the approach the car.

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The car ride after that is silent. Gojo grown up in a jujutsu clan, one that is exposed to what Sukuna have done the most. So there's a chance of them using Sukuna as a boogieman when he was a child. Maybe he's shocked to see the boogie man up close and focus in fighting? He keep stealing glances at him but he can't see his expression as Gojo is looking outside and his black glasses covers his face.

"So, what do you want to eat?" Yuuji try to strike up a conversation to break the silent atmosphere.

"anything is fine." The reply is quick and doesn't have much tough in it.

Yet another silence. It feels so suffocating. Gojo is never this silent... Will he start to be distant with him now? Sukuna did kills Gojo-sensei... So maybe he got scared and do not want to repeat the same incident... Well... He can't do anything about it.

"Sensei," Gojo calls out to him which surprised him a little from his train of thought. He took a glance at him while still focus on the road as he's still driving the car. "You were cool back there..."

He can see the tips of Gojo ear slightly red. Is he embarrassed in praising him or saying thank you? But whatever it is it's not fear. The suffocating feelings instantly disappear from him. Yuuji laughed loudly with a smile as he reach out to ruffles Gojo head. He's even more happy to see that the limitless is off.

"I'll treat you to some of the best food I know! Don't worry about the bills! Your sensei is loaded from being alive too long." 

Notes:

Writing directly on AO3 on mobile is a dangerous game... Lost some progress thrice because my phone wants to be funny...
Don't do that fellas...

Feedback is appreciated! I was wondering if the chapter is too long