Becoming Sukuna

Alot of cats 

Surrounded by a chorus of soft meows, Yukinoshita Yukino felt like she was in heaven. She couldn't help but squat down and start whispering to a white cat.

"Meow~"

"Meow."

Despite the language barrier, the girl and the cat enjoyed a heartwarming moment. Just looking at the cat's large, blue eyes, so similar to her own, made Yukino melt.

Unfortunately, although she loved cats, her apartment building didn't allow pets. She could only enjoy their company at cat cafes or through online videos.

After petting several different cats, Yukino finally tore herself away from the feline paradise, still remembering her mission to find a gift for Yui Yuigahama. Although reluctant to leave, time was running out.

Leaving the cat haven behind, Yukino fell back into a state of slight confusion.

Didn't Yuigahama want to learn how to cook? Get her an apron or something, Sukuna's voice suddenly echoed in her mind.

Sukuna? Yukino was surprised, her voice laced with a hint of delight. Ahem... that's a good idea. I'll give you credit for that.

She entered a kitchenware store and, after browsing around, picked up a blue apron with a cat paw print and held it up against herself. How does this look?

Are you getting it for yourself?

Of course, it's for Yuigahama.

Then I suggest you get a different color.

Yukino picked up a pink, checkered apron with a bone pattern. After holding it up, she nodded in agreement. "This one does seem more suitable for Yuigahama-san."

After purchasing both aprons, Yukino asked the staff to wrap the one for Yui, along with the dog plushie, in a gift box.

The gifts are bought. Time to go home... Do you want anything?

Oh? I get a gift too? Sukuna raised an eyebrow in surprise, his gaze falling on a nearby Sony store. Then let's check out that Sony store.

...

Yukino returned home, laden with bags. After putting everything down, she started preparing dinner.

"Oi, give me my..."

"It's almost six o'clock now. Even if you're impatient, you'll have to wait until after dinner, right?" Yukino sighed.

She didn't understand. Sukuna was usually calm and collected. Why was he so eager now that she had bought him a game console?

"I'm in a hurry. I'm the king of impatience."

"That doesn't change anything."

Despite her words, Yukino quickly prepared a simple dinner. After they ate, she handed control of her body over to Sukuna.

She would watch him play his new console from a first-person perspective.

An hour later.

Sukuna put down the controller with a bored expression. "Too easy."

The games that had tortured him in his past life were now child's play.

The character on the screen moved fluidly under his control, attacking, dodging, and rolling effortlessly. No-hit runs, once a boastful challenge, were now a basic maneuver.

So this is what it feels like to play games with cheat codes? How boring.

"Hmm? Not playing anymore?" Yukino asked. "We still have an hour before our appointment."

After buying the console for Sukuna, Yukino had checked the time and realized it was almost time to meet Hachiman and Yui.

"I'll play later." Sukuna turned off the console, a playful smirk appearing on his lips. "Speaking of which, I also prepared a gift for you."

"Eh? What gift?" Yukino's eyes widened with surprise and anticipation.

Sukuna formed a hand seal and uttered, "Jade Hound."

Ten Shadows Technique. Price: 60,000 points (discounted). Redeemed.

Using shadows as a medium to summon pre-contracted shikigami with various abilities, this was the inherited technique of the Zenin clan.

The shadow beneath Yukino suddenly stretched outwards, covering the entire living room.

The sudden anomaly made Yukino think another cursed spirit was attacking. She tensed up instinctively, but remembering that Sukuna was in control, she quickly relaxed.

"Too much cursed energy output. Lower it a bit," Sukuna muttered, reducing the flow of cursed energy into the technique.

The vast shadow quickly shrunk to the size of a dining table.

"What are you doing?" Yukino, realizing that Sukuna was responsible for the shadow, asked curiously.

"Your gift."

As soon as Sukuna finished speaking, the shadow transformed, shifting like a chameleon into the shape of a wolf. The shadow receded like a tide, revealing a majestic white wolf, its four legs tall enough to reach Yukino's chest.

Shikigami possessed a certain level of intelligence and were fearless, perfectly executing their summoner's commands. Using shikigami in battle was a common tactic for jujutsu sorcerers.

And Sukuna only gave this white wolf shikigami one command:

"Lick!"

"A wolf!?" Just as Yukino was surprised, she suddenly regained control of her body.

That wasn't the problem. The problem was that the white wolf was staring intently at her, its tail wagging excitedly, its previous majesty replaced with an almost goofy eagerness.

"W-wait!" Yukino let out a terrified squeak.

Two minutes later.

The white wolf, eyes closed and tongue lolling out, lay in Yukino's lap like a giant husky, enjoying its master's petting.

Yukino, on the other hand, was filled with resentment.

"Is this the gift you prepared for me?" Yukino asked through gritted teeth.

Sukuna pretended not to hear and formed another hand seal. "So, what are you going to do with the second one? Yukinoshita."

The shadow appeared once more, and to Yukino's dismay, a second black wolf emerged.

"Hello? Yuigahama? Will you be home tomorrow? Or do you have other plans?"

Sitting on the sofa, Yukino Yukinoshita called Yui Yuigahama to ask if she was free tomorrow. A black wolf and a white wolf lay at her feet.

"Yukino? Ah, um, I should be home," Yui hesitated for a moment before answering the phone, her heart pounding with apprehension.

"That's good. Tomorrow's your birthday, right? Hachiman and I are planning to celebrate with you at your place. Is that okay?"

"Eh!?" Yui was stunned for a moment, then she exclaimed, "Yukino and... Hikki are coming to my house!?"

"Yes, is that inconvenient?" Yukino asked.

"Well..." After a moment of hesitation, Yui finally replied, "Okay, I'll be waiting for you at home."

"Good. We'll be there before five tomorrow afternoon."

After hanging up, Yukino breathed a sigh of relief as she looked at Yui's home address sent via email.

She had considered the possibility of being rejected. If that happened, she would have to wait until Monday to give Yui her gift at school, but then she would miss her birthday, and the meaning of the gift would be different.

Fortunately, Yui didn't refuse.

Yukino had already bought the ingredients to bake a birthday cake for Yui.

...

The next afternoon, Yukino, carrying the gifts and cake for Yui, met Hachiman at the station, and together they headed to Yui's house.

Half an hour later, they stood at Yui's doorstep.

"Are you nervous?" Yukino glanced at Hachiman.

"Of course, I am! This is my first time visiting a girl's house," Hachiman grumbled, holding a gift bag with the present he had chosen for Yui. "At least let me prepare myself mentally..."

However, Yukino ignored him completely and rang the doorbell.

"Coming, coming!" Soon, accompanied by the sound of rushing footsteps, Yui, dressed in casual clothes, opened the door, peeking out from behind it. "Yukino, and Hikki, y-you're here..."

Noticing Hachiman averting his gaze, pretending to look at the street view, while secretly observing the situation from the corner of his eye, Yui also froze for a moment.

See, I knew it would be like this!

Hachiman wailed inwardly.

"A-anyway, come in!" Yui Yuigahama quickly recovered and smiled, opening the door wide to invite them in. "The slippers are over here."

She took out two pairs of guest slippers from the shoe cabinet by the entrance.

As they entered, Yukino and Hachiman saw a woman who looked very much like Yui waiting in the entryway. Yui's mother greeted them with a warm smile. "Welcome to our home. Yui often talks about the two friends she made at the club."

"Mom!" Yui blushed.

"Hello, ma'am."

"Good afternoon. Thank you for having us today," Yukino said politely, bowing slightly, unlike Hachiman who simply offered a casual greeting.

"Oh my, you're so polite. Come in, come in," Yui's mother chuckled, her hand on her cheek.

Just then, a dachshund came bounding out from the living room, its tongue lolling out happily, and jumped into Hachiman's arms.

Yukino's expression remained unchanged. After last night's desensitization training, she was no longer as afraid of dogs as before, and she could appreciate the cuteness of this energetic pet.

"It seems Sabre really likes you," Yui's mother giggled.

Hachiman's smile became more natural as he petted the dog. "I guess I'm popular with animals."

Of course, that was a lie.

The fat cat at his house wasn't very fond of him.

They entered the living room, but before Yui's mother could ask about her daughter's school life, Yui dragged them to her room, even shutting Sabre out, leaving the dog to whine sadly at the door.

"Sorry about my mom," Yui said apologetically after bringing them chairs. She sat on her bed.

Hachiman, in a girl's room for the first time, tried his best to control his gaze and not appear rude.

However, within his limited field of vision, he could still tell that the room was tidy. Cute stickers decorated the desk, which was neatly organized. The bed was made, and a few teddy bears lined up against the wall.

It was a very girly room.

"Your mother is very kind," Yukino said with a smile, then handed Yui a gift bag. "Here, this is your birthday present."

"Wow! A present! Can I open it?" Yui's eyes lit up as she took the bag. After receiving Yukino's permission, she opened it and took out the apron and the dog plushie.

"Thank you, Yukino!" She threw her arms around Yukino and held her hands.

"It's a thank-you gift," Yukino said with a gentle smile, reaching out to pat Yui's head.

Then, she suddenly realized what she was doing and froze.

She had gotten used to petting the two Jade Hounds last night, so when Yui lunged at her, she instinctively patted her head.

Fortunately, Yui didn't seem to mind.

"I'm not the only one with a present."

"Eh? Hikki too...?"

Yui looked at Hachiman in surprise.

He took out a gift box from his bag and placed it on the table.

After clearing his throat, Hachiman said awkwardly, "Well, happy birthday. I was wrong about what happened before. I hope you don't take those words to heart."

Yui's eyes widened, then she puffed out her cheeks. "Y-yes! It was Hikki's fault! Suddenly saying things about pity and favors, I didn't understand at all! It was so weird!"

"Yes, yes, you're right," Hachiman could only nod and apologize.

"Alright, I brought a cake I baked. Let's go eat it with your mom," Yukino said, taking out the cake.

"But it's almost dinner time. Mom said she wants you to stay for dinner," Yui said.

"Okay, then we'll have it after dinner." Yukino got up to leave the room. "I'll help prepare dinner."

"Me too!" Yui said enthusiastically.

"No, Yuigahama-san, you just sit here. Don't come into the kitchen."

Yukino said seriously.

...

Monday, Service Club room.

"Yahallo! Yukino, I'm here!"

The familiar greeting echoed in the room, and the Service Club returned to its usual routine.

The career exploration event, postponed for a week due to school repairs, would finally take place this week. Hachiman, who ultimately didn't get to host the event at his house, was now worrying about the group assignments.

Meanwhile, above a juvenile detention center called "Eishu" in western Tokyo, an embryo floated in mid-air.

Summer rain always arrived unexpectedly.

Dark clouds gathered over Tokyo, unleashing a downpour. Raindrops connected in mid-air, forming white streaks. From afar, the entire city seemed shrouded in a fine mist.

The sudden rain during the career exploration trip caused a chorus of complaints from the Sobu High students.

"What the heck? It's raining out of nowhere."

"Wasn't it sunny just now?"

"What do we do? I didn't bring an umbrella."

Despite their grumbling, the students had already entered the companies they were visiting, safe from the downpour for now.

Yukino Yukinoshita wasn't in the same class as Yui Yuigahama, so their destinations for the career exploration event were different. The two girls she was grouped with had already ditched her after getting off the bus.

The black-haired girl gazed out the window at the gloomy sky, lost in thought.

This career exploration trip had stirred something within her. According to Yukino's definition of a normal life trajectory, she would enter the same university as her sister after graduating high school, then find a way into politics, steadily working towards her ideal of changing the world.

Now, her life had taken a sharp turn because of a certain parasite. Her ideals had also undergone a subtle shift.

"To create a world where even the weak can find happiness..." Yukino murmured.

Her thoughts soared past the city's skyscrapers, through the thick clouds, towards that ideal paradise.

Ring, ring!

The sudden ringing of her phone pulled her back to reality.

Yukino took out her phone, a serious expression crossing her face when she saw the caller ID. "Ijichi-san?"

Did they find a lead on Ooka's killer?

Without hesitation, she answered the call.

"Yukinoshita-san, we have an urgent mission that might require your assistance," Kiyotaka Ijichi's grave voice came through the phone. "Three hours ago, our contact confirmed the presence of a curse womb."

"A curse womb?" Yukino frowned at the unfamiliar term.

"Simply put, it's like a cocoon or chrysalis for insects. When negative energy accumulates and manifests as a cursed spirit, it occasionally takes the form of a curse womb. If the curse womb fully metamorphoses, it will give birth to a special grade cursed spirit."

"Special grade!?" Yukino gasped. "Wouldn't that be..."

Like parasite-kun!

Her body stiffened as her consciousness faded, control over her body slipping away. This was a temporary phenomenon that occurred during the transfer of control.

"There are differences even among special grades," Sukuna said, taking over. "Where is it? I'll head over now."

"Eishu Juvenile Detention Center in western Tokyo. There are still five inmates inside with the curse womb. This situation is urgent and unusual. We have three jujutsu sorcerers preparing to enter and search for survivors."

"Please come as quickly as possible, Sukuna-san."

"Yes, I understand."

After hanging up, Sukuna immediately called Haruno Yukinoshita.

The phone rang a few times before being answered. Haruno's voice came through the speaker. "What's wrong, Yukino? I'm in class right now."

"Hey, Haruno, ask Hiratsuka for a leave of absence for me. I have something to take care of," Sukuna said bluntly.

"Haruno... It's Sukuna, right?" Although speechless at the name Sukuna had given her, Haruno didn't dare disrespect the being possessing her sister. "Alright, where are you now?"

"On a career exploration trip, in Tokyo. Hiratsuka is here too." Sukuna gave her the company's address, then hung up.

"Sigh, what a bossy one." Haruno listened to the dial tone, then helplessly made up an excuse to leave class. She then drove towards the address Sukuna had given her.

Meanwhile, Sukuna glanced down at the plaid skirt he was wearing and clicked his tongue.

In the next second, he vanished from the hallway. A Sobu High student happened to turn the corner. She rubbed her eyes, muttering in confusion, "Wasn't there someone here just now?"

"Thank you for your patronage, please come again~"

With a cheerful farewell from the staff, a girl wearing a gray hoodie and black sweatpants exited a clothing store, a Sobu High uniform in her shopping bag.

Sukuna took out his phone, checked the location of Eishu Juvenile Detention Center, and then blended into the crowd, vanishing once more.

...

"Did you all hear that?"

Kiyotaka Ijichi put down the phone, his expression serious as he addressed the three young jujutsu sorcerers in front of him. "Your mission is simply to confirm the status of those five civilians. Do not engage in combat. Even if you encounter a situation where combat is unavoidable, prioritize your own safety and stall for time until reinforcements arrive."

"Reinforcements? Are they special grade like Gojo-sensei?" Yuji Itadori, the pink-haired boy, raised his hand and asked curiously.

"That's right, but they're not from Jujutsu High. They're a collaborator," Ijichi said, pushing his glasses up his nose. "And their identity is... somewhat special."

"Special?"

"Just like you."

Megumi Fushiguro explained with a serious expression.

"Oh, oh! The senior Gojo-sensei mentioned!?" Yuji's eyes lit up. "Are they a Sukuna vessel too?"

"Not 'they,' it's 'she,'" Megumi corrected him.

"A girl!?" Yuji was even more surprised.

"Seriously? A girl can stomach that disgusting special grade cursed object!?" Nobara Kugisaki, the girl with short brown hair, looked disgusted.

"And whether the being inside her is actually Sukuna is still debatable... Although that person doesn't deny being called Sukuna, they haven't confirmed it either."

Megumi couldn't help but feel a headache remembering Sukuna's vague words and that playful smile.

That person's personality was just as bad as Gojo-sensei's, and their strength was on par as well. It was a recipe for disaster.

"Oh, oh, what kind of person is this senior?" Yuji asked.

"...Were you even listening to me!?" Megumi's eye twitched, but seeing the innocent look on Yuji's face, he sighed and said, "She's a beauty."

"Huh?"

"Hah?"

Both Yuji and Nobara looked at him as if he was joking.

Megumi said awkwardly, "I've only met that person once! How could I possibly know much about them?"

Moreover, that one encounter had left him terrified of Sukuna's aura and cursed energy.

"Enough, let's go."

Megumi composed himself and led the way towards the detention center.