Chapter 22: Change
[Author Note]
Question for you guys.
Do you think anyone is above 15-finger Sukuna aside from Gojo?
I've seen people say Yuta and Kenjaku are running his fade, but I'm curious.
I still think he outscales everyone.
He was playing around with Mahoraga in Shibuya, lol.
__________
Naohiro
After running for only God knows how long, I fall over and put my back on a tree.
*Huff Huff*
I-I'm alive?
Looking around, I see no sign of Kenjaku anywhere.
...
I should be dead. There is no reason for me to escape Kenjaku alive, especially since he used a domain expansion on me.
However, I could see the inspiration in the face of death. Who knew that Kenjaku, of all people, would show me how to open a domain?
I give myself a nervous smirk.
I'm glad, but I can't help but wonder how I was able to escape alive.
The last thing I remember happening before sprinting away was an explosion that I had no involvement in.
Jinichi!?
No, there is no way that he managed to hold back Kenjaku.
Even a special-grade sorcerer would have a hard time keeping him from pursuing me.
Whatever the case, I need to get moving. I can't be comfortable until I'm fully sure that I am able to stay away from him and beat him.
Getting on my feet, I keep running.
It sounds comical coming from a child, but I can't stay in the clan anymore. He would have direct access to me, and now I know he wants me dead.
If he didn't before, he sure as hell does now. The fact that I can eat Sukuna's fingers without the drawback and have him incarnate is something that he will not let go of easily.
Hell, since I've adapted to his techniques, he'll probably send Uraume at me. Even a Jackpot Hakari was struggling against them.
The same Hakari that beat the farming king in base. I'm still not at that level.
I noticed that my cursed energy increased, so I have 0.1% more cursed energy than Sukuna does. After adapting to the finger, I heard numerous 'clinks,' so I'm not 100% sure what they mean for me other than adapting to the poisonous cursed energy.
Unfortunately, I didn't get his cursed technique.
Eating Sukuna's fingers doesn't give as much of an amplification as if Sukuna were eating them himself, but I have a feeling I got something more than Yuji did.
I mean, if Yuji had the power of a 15-finger Sukuna, Mahito wouldn't be able to blink without being exorcised.
If I ever meet him, I'll have to thank the patch-faced curse. He told me what I needed to complete a DOMAIN.
A domain expansion, every single JJK fan's wet dream.
Looks like it's like awakening a cursed technique in that the hand signs and effects are imprinted into one's mind when achieving it.
While I can form a barrier, I need to refine it to where I am not helpless against a domain as complex as Kenjaku's.
In the future, I'll need to be able to clash with monsters like Gojo and Sukuna.
Gojo's was enough to completely turn off Jogo's while Megumi could hold back Dagon's.
Thinking about it now as someone who can perform a domain expansion, I find it horrifying how strong they are. It is now that everything is put into perspective.
I now understand what level I need to be at by the time I turn twenty-eight.
Things NEED to change. One step at a time won't work anymore.
I'm definitely stronger than Naobito, which would make me one of the top five strongest people in the world right now, which is just hilarious.
There are three things I could be working on now.
1. Refining my Domain Expansion
2. Reverse Cursed Technique
3. Gaining more Adaptation
All three seem viable, but I need to get the reverse cursed technique as soon as possible.
My thoughts get broken when I make it to a small town. Walking around for a while, I see a payphone.
Right, 2002...
I can't believe I'm saying this, but even a clan head of Jujutsu Society has a phone number. It makes sense, but I was baffled when I learned Naobito had a cell phone.
Obviously, it's not widely known, but I'm one of the few that have access to direct contact with him.
Walking up to the payphone, I see a 100 yen coin between the cracks of the pavement.
Thanks to whoever had the misfortune of dropping this here. My plot armor seems to have no end.
Picking it up, I dial Naobito's number after pushing the coin in.
*Ring*
*Ring*
An old voice picks up. "HUH? Who's this? I'm busy!"
I reply with a small smile. "It's me, you old geezer."
He replies. "Naohiro! How's the mission!?"
As he says that, I let out a small laugh but let out a sad smile.
Talking in a serious tone, I tell him. "I'm in some deep shit. Listen to me, and listen to me seriously. I'm not going to be able to come back for a little while. Jinichi is dead, and I've got a really bad someone trying to kill me right now."
His semi-joking tone ends. "Naohiro...I hope you know what you are doing, but I can't just let you disappear with a central figure of the Hei dead."
I then think of something that can cover Kenjaku. "Noritoshi Kamo is alive and is hunting me. He released a special grade curse and got Jinichi killed."
The line goes silent for a solid thirty seconds.
I then hear a somber voice on the line that I haven't heard from him in twelve years. "I'll take care of it."
I pause for a few seconds before replying. "Thanks, old man. I will be back when I'm strong enough, but I'm not at that level yet. I'll be back by the time of Jujutsu Tech enrollment, but for now, I'll become the strongest sorcerer alive."
He only replies with a sound of affirmation. Then, the line becomes disconnected.
Kenjaku, you're now on my #1 hit list.
I'll make you wish you had Yuta hunting you.