The Hat.

{Authors Note. Not a whole paragraph, But this is probably the best chapter I've written.}

Despite being a relatively simple power system, Jujutsu Kaizen was famous for it. It wasn't conventionally known that it was based on real Buddhist ideologies that interplay with the series's concepts. In the form of domain expansions, They believed that within each person is a whole world that they have the power to control. Each hand sign performed by the characters in the series is loosely based on real "mudras" or hand gestures used in Buddhist and Hindu ceremonies and dances.

For example, for Satoru Gojo's "Unlimited Void," he uses the Taishakuten-in mudra which is linked with the Buddhist deity Taishakuten.

Also known as the god Indra, one of the mightiest of gods. The god of the sky, thunder, rain, wealth, storms, and war.

The same connections are made with other characters and their domain expansion mudras, making it obvious that there are no coincidences with the connections of each character to certain deities.

As soon as the hat purged deeper into my mind,

We were now in MY inner world.

'The pinnacle of Jujutsu'

'Domain Expansion'

I mentally began. Instinct guiding me with every word.

'Malevolent Shrine: Dawn Of Creation.'

I was in my Sukuna Form on this plane. My four arms and eyes now gracing my features, my Tattoos glowing ominously, and my shirt and robes were completely gone, as my trousers were replaced with a pitch-black Hakama.

In this alternate dimension, an eerie and surreal landscape unfolded before my senses. The entire realm is a stark contrast between light and darkness, with the central focal point being a pristine white shrine standing in the middle of an otherwise desolate black and white void, as ethereal ink splotches plagued it. It is a realm caught in a perpetual state of duality, where contrasts between light and dark, life and death, are starkly visceral.

The white shrine stands in the center, as the appearance is immaculate, untouched by the relentless dichotomy of its surroundings. An architectural masterpiece, adorned with intricate carvings, ornate spires, and delicate filigree work. Its pure white surface emits an immaterial and haunting glow that casts long, ghostly shadows across the surrounding void. A palpable air of solemnity and reverence permeates the shrine's presence.

The ground beneath my feet was a lifeless ashen white, marked by an eerie and disorienting absence of texture. Bones and skulls, both human and animal, litter the surface like macabre sentinels, a stark reminder of mortality and the passage of time. They serve as silent witnesses to the ever-shifting boundary between existence and non-existence. Red spider lilies intricately weaved through the textureless ground of skulls, blooming with beauty, jostling slowly in the wind, as the atmosphere was heavy with an unsettling stillness. The air was thick with an uncanny gentleness. The faintest of whispers of tormented souls convey fear, carrying a mournful quality, as if the void aspect of the dimension itself grieves the lives and moments that were going to end in it.

I was alone, as the sorting had floated aimlessly with me, taking note of my form.

"Well, I should say curiosity killed the cat in this situation, but I should assume that everything is true, no?" The hat stated, clearly amused at the turn of events.

Speaking telepathically is one of the worst experiences ever. In the brief time before we entered my inner world, stray thoughts sometimes crossed my mind, as I had to think differently if I wanted to communicate that way.

Let me break it down how the brain typically works.

Neurons are little nerve cells in the brain that resemble tiny little octopus things. They move impulses and signals throughout the brain. I'm not going to even touch on what dendrites and axons are, but just imagine them as the 2nd phase of what those building blocks are, which help with the emission of signals from one end to the other. These neurons release brain chemicals, which are called neurotransmitters, which then generate electrical signals to neighboring neurons. All of these electrical signals collectively move throughout the brain like a wave, which results in,

You guessed it.

Thought.

An EXTREMELY watered-down version of how the brain works, as I remember not so fondly how people used to participate in violent philosophical debates about consciousnesses. Good times. Good times indeed. The inner world circumvents this issue while also serving unprecedented protection against Legilimency. Although they could read surface thoughts, to get any deeper would be a death sentence. I could sense that if I wanted to, this hat would mind as well be wool shavings, turning into just a regular old hat in the outside world. But I truly didn't want to harm it, and my domain configured itself to that desire. I truly don't know what the effect would be if I wished to harm, but it wasn't the time to find out.

I really don't want to get too deep into it, but this is exactly what leads me to ponder how mortals like me would typically go mad at the notion of the existence of the outer gods. It's simply too much for anyone to handle. Which begs the question.

What makes me so special?

And another question.

"Why are you unaffected sorting hat?"

The voice grumbled, speaking a flat tone.

"I'm a hat boy. An Inanimate object. I don't die, I don't age, I don't grow old and shrivel away like you lot. My existence is even less of that of a regular human. All I exist for is this purpose here, sorting brats into houses that contradict each other in logic. I have no afterlife, no free will. I was born out of magic itself. Rowena Ravenclaw, Helga Hufflepuff, Godric Gryffindor, Salazar Slytherin." He spat the last name with the utmost of malice.

"These four fools put me here. The mere purpose of doing as I'm told, never being able to run, never being able to walk free. I am just that. A hat. Technically speaking, anything that could make an object like me insane has already crossed me. I'm not amused at the plight of humanity, and the fact that these gods exist is nothing more than a small revelation at best."

I looked down in contemplation at the hat's words, feeling pity.

"You didn't answer my question. Reincarnation, Outer Gods, and alternate worlds? In all my years scanning the minds of whoever I was told to, beings like Azathoth were considered myths. A tinfoil hat story if you will. Now I'm witnessing the impossible." I wasn't surprised at the hat's reaction at all. It seems a pretty reasonable one for a being that couldn't give less of a damn about humanity.

I decided to tell the truth.

but first.

"Are you going to share any of this with other people? Are you going to reveal my real purpose in this world?" I asked, the hat laughing for what seemed like a very long time.

"And what purpose would that serve? I hate humans to tell you the truth. From your form right now I can make a guess that you aren't. I could care less about someone aiming to be the strongest in existence, as I would've wanted to do the same. And If I were to confess my findings? My existence would end at your hands. I'm not stupid." The hat spat aggressively.

When did I say I would kill it? I just wanted to know to be honest... I guess it's the form. In my inner world, I'm not really affected by the mental effects of the transformation I noticed. I can think clearly.

I waved the hat off with my lower left arm. "I probably wouldn't have killed you anyway man. They would probably just chalk it up to illusions of grandeur or the fantasies of a teenage boy if anything. As you said, you're a hat. Aren't you?" I asked rhetorically.

The hat seemed to be deep in thought, once again laughing in agreement. "I guess so. You're absurdly strong Child, Why bother with all this Hogwarts nonsense?" it asked, as it peered at me in interest.

No reason not to tell him, So I decided to tell the truth.

"Azathoth exists. And so does reincarnation, you're not witnessing hallucinations or notions of grandeur. I was sent here by the god to grow in power, soon to be able to traverse different realities and grow in power again. I have to repeat this cycle, until I reach the pinnacle of strength, soon to join in rank with the same monstrosity that placed me here. Don't think for a second that I'm the strongest in this world yet, as I have more strengths and abilities I need to learn before I can even grasp the concept of being the most powerful in this world." I declared, my eyes full of ambition.

"I will stand at the top of all races, all mortal and immortals. One world at a time." I announced, stretching my arms as I looked outward to the void of my creation.

The dimension quaked in response, the spider lilies glowing bright red with brilliance.

The hat appeared to smile. A one of mirth and glee at my declaration. "I envy you, Mr.Concordia. A little request." The hat asked, its tone uplifted and unusually cheerful.

"Now that you're done gloating, can you open your mind so that I can sort you?" It asked, causing me to scratch my head in nervousness. A smile appeared on my lips. "Oh sorry haha my bad. I forgot you were just a ha-"

"LET ME SORT YOU DAMMIT!" The hat cut me off rudely, making me frown and causing me to slouch, depressed.

"Okay. Fine." I deadpanned, causing the domain to accept its presence more, following in accordance with my will. I made sure to not show him my existence in my original world. Only covering my talks with Azathoth and my essence as a person.

"Hmm, obviously you're quite ambitious, but also for a noble cause? A family you desire? Then here comes you're intelligence... hmm peculiar. Very intelligent, but sometimes shortsighted. Very brave, but also grounded in reality. Absolutely cunning and willing to manipulate to get your way, and also... willing to kill but not die for your cause. Extremely diligent in studying..."

He cut himself off, clearly exhausted. "I'm sick of this shit. What house would you want to be in lad?" The hat drawled, causing me to burst into laughter. I whispered my answer, as the hat made an interesting look.

And now we were back in reality, my form gone, and the dimension leaving me.

Time flowed in less than a minute.

"GRYFFINDOR!" The hat shouted, pushing the students into an uproar.

Time to get this show on the road. Godric Style!