Chapter 37: Pink Gorilla, Clown Face

June, 2018.

The bullet that had been fired six months ago finally hit its mark.

At this moment, Zetsu felt a strange sense of déjà vu.

"Zetsu, stop daydreaming. This guy's the new first-year transfer student at Jujutsu High."

Standing next to him, Fushiguro Megumi introduced the new student with his usual expressionless face, his spiky black hair adding to his cool demeanor.

"Hello."

Zetsu halfheartedly shook hands with the pink-haired boy, Yuji Itadori. He wasn't exactly thrilled.

The mere thought of the smug faces Maki and the others would have when they returned from their mission made Zetsu want to drop out of school.

At the other end of the hallway, Gojo Satoru clapped his hands together and grinned, "Alright, now that you've met your classmates, it's time to show Yuji around the school."

"Fushiguro, Zetsu, you two take him for a tour. Tomorrow, we'll be welcoming another new first-year student."

"Hey!"

Zetsu frowned and looked at the white-haired troublemaker, "Gojo, do I really have to go? Why should someone like me have to personally welcome some rookie?"

"Besides, Mirai is supposed to be the second-year teacher. Why do you keep giving me these tasks?"

Fushiguro gave a small smile and whispered to Yuji, "I wouldn't be surprised if this guy has some kind of illness."

"He's so pale he's practically glowing. Shouldn't we send him to a hospital for a check-up?"

"Hey, pink-haired gorilla."

Zetsu turned his head toward the two, glaring. "Talking trash about me behind my back? You looking for death?"

Yuji blinked, then hesitated, pointing at himself.

"Pink-haired... gorilla?"

Zetsu nodded firmly, "Who else here has pink hair? Obviously, it's you."

"Gorilla…"

Gojo rubbed his chin thoughtfully, "Actually, with Yuji's physical strength, calling him a gorilla kind of fits."

Then, turning to Zetsu with a grin, he added, "Why don't you just transfer to our class, Zetsu? After all, that guy dumped you in our group months ago. He probably forgot all about you."

Zetsu waved dismissively. "That kid might be even more irresponsible than you…"

"But when you're out in the world, loyalty is everything."

"He might lack compassion, but I can't be disloyal."

Gojo shrugged, giving a slightly regretful sigh, "I like your attitude. It's a shame you're still sticking with that fake-smiling guy."

Zetsu declared, "When you're out there—"

"Yeah, yeah," Gojo waved him off, turning away. "Just remember to show up tomorrow."

"Or you'll learn the hard way how rough things can get out in the world."

"That white-haired freak." Zetsu growled through gritted teeth, "Always threatening me. He's got some nerve."

Fushiguro glanced at Zetsu's enraged expression and shook his head in exasperation. Even if someone exorcised him, his mouth would probably still be moving as a pile of ashes.

———

They passed through the expansive, green training field as Zetsu led Yuji and Fushiguro toward a small house. Fushiguro explained the layout of the school to Yuji while giving a rundown on Zetsu's unique nature.

"No way!" Yuji pointed incredulously at Zetsu, "You're telling me that clown-faced guy is actually a cursed spirit?"

"This is nothing like the curses we saw at the school last night."

"You guys talk to him so casually, I thought he was just a human with an unusual hobby."

Zetsu's appearance wasn't doing him any favors—after all, his body hadn't fully healed from a previous battle, leaving his face scarred, which was why Yuji had dubbed him the "clown face."

Fushiguro quickly pulled Yuji aside, lowering his voice, "Could you at least try to keep your voice down?"

"Pink-haired gorilla, take this punch."

True to form, Zetsu had overheard the exchange and immediately lashed out.

—Bang.

The punch landed with the force of a fully grown man, but barely more than a dull throb spread through Yuji's chest, causing only a slight tingle of pain.

Yuji stared dumbfounded at the fist pressed against his chest, blinking in confusion.

Zetsu remained frozen in his punching stance, head bowed, silent.

One second. Two seconds…

Fushiguro made a hand gesture from the opposite side, mouthing instructions. Slowly, Yuji seemed to understand.

"Ow!!"

"Ah, it hurts! So much pain!"

Clutching his chest, Yuji dramatically collapsed onto the grass, writhing in exaggerated agony.

"Hmph! Let this be a lesson."

"Next time you talk behind my back, I'll make sure that punch finishes you."

Zetsu turned away, leaving behind a lonesome, powerful silhouette.

———

Outside the small house, Zetsu gestured for the two to wait while he went inside alone.

"Zetsu may be a cursed spirit, but he's never harmed a human. He actually gets along pretty well with the sorcerers at Jujutsu High," Fushiguro explained.

"His personality, though… well, it's got a few, uh… quirks."

"Mouthy? A show-off? Likes to exaggerate?" Yuji quickly chimed in.

Seeing Fushiguro nod, Yuji whispered, "No wonder Gojo-sensei likes him so much. They're practically the same."

"Last night, Gojo-sensei told me he was the strongest person on Earth."

"I guess that was just another joke, huh?"

Fushiguro's lips twitched in annoyance. He didn't even bother to correct Yuji this time. In terms of terrible personalities, Gojo and Zetsu were almost identical.

As for the house they were standing in front of…

Fushiguro had heard Gojo mention it a few times. The resident was a dangerous figure with a habit of fake smiling— the head of the Zen'in family, Maki's older brother, and Zetsu's actual teacher.

Like Fushiguro, he also mastered the Ten Shadows Technique, but in the six months since Fushiguro had enrolled, he had yet to meet him.

———

Inside the house, Zetsu looked at Mirai, who was lounging on the sofa reading a book, and sighed.

"Don't you ever get bored, Mirai? You've been holed up in here reading for half a year and haven't finished yet?"

"This is the culmination of nearly a thousand years of knowledge. Even finishing it in half a year is impressive," Mirai replied calmly, setting his book aside. His crimson eyes glanced towards the front door, as though he could see straight through it, focusing on the two boys whispering outside.

After a moment, he turned back to Zetsu. "So, what is it this time?"

"Hehe."

Zetsu grinned, and a worm-like creature crawled out from his collar, spitting out two cursed tools. One was a robe identical to the one Zetsu was currently wearing, and the other was a pink revolver.

"I need a recharge. That white-haired freak Gojo is sending me out on another mission."

Zetsu tossed the gun to Mirai as he began changing into his uniform on the spot.

Over the past six months, Zetsu hadn't just been lounging around at Jujutsu High. He'd been out on missions with Maki and the others, relying on his cursed robe to protect himself from second-grade curses. As for the pink revolver, it belonged to Maki's sister, Mai. Zetsu often used it to show off in front of the group—until Gojo banned it.

Since then, Zetsu had stuck to protecting the support staff, staying behind to keep watch in the car.

A few moments later, Mirai tossed the recharged revolver back to Zetsu and said, "When you return from this mission, I should be done with my research."

"What do you mean?" Zetsu's eyes lit up with excitement. "Are we finally starting the plan?"

Seeing Zetsu's enthusiasm, Mirai smiled faintly.

"Enjoy your last few months at Jujutsu High."

"Have fun while you can."

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