Ambitions

Suguru Geto sat cross-legged in the quiet solitude of his room, his long black hair partially tied into a loose bun while the rest cascaded down his back in dark, silky strands. The dim light of the setting sun spilled through the window, casting shadows on the walls of the house he was using to maintain his current persona. In his hand, he held his phone, his sharp black eyes fixated on the screen. Three images stared back at him.

The first was of a boy, Yuta Okkotsu, a promising young sorcerer with an extraordinary curse attached to him. Rika. Her name alone sent a shiver of anticipation through Suguru. The Queen of Curses, a boundless reservoir of cursed energy with the potential to rival, if not surpass, Satoru Gojo. His lips curled into a faint smirk at the thought. "If nurtured properly, Yuta could become the key," he muttered to himself. Rika was not just a tool—she was a weapon of unparalleled potential, one that could even topple his former best friend. But for that to happen, Yuta needed to grow within the confines of Jujutsu High, groomed naturally until the perfect moment came for Suguru to claim Rika for himself through Cursed Spirit Manipulation.

The other two images on his phone screen were more recent additions to his ever-growing list of potential allies—Yuji Itadori and Yuko Ozawa. These two intrigued him in a way few others had since the days when he and Satoru stood side by side as the strongest. Yuji, a boy with immense physical strength and cursed energy that seemed to defy all logic. The rumors of him being part cursed spirit made Suguru's mind race with possibilities. If he was indeed a potential vessel of Sukuna, then the King of Curses alone made the boy a prize worth securing. As for Yuko, her cursed technique, "Build Up," was raw and unpolished, yet undeniably formidable. The more she fought, the stronger she became, storing energy to release in devastating bursts. Combined with her budding potential as a jujutsu sorcerer, she was a diamond in the rough, waiting to be shaped into a powerful ally.

Suguru leaned back against the wall, a sly grin creeping across his face as he mulled over his plans. He had spies within jujutsu society keeping tabs on the two young sorcerers, and so far, he was impressed with their progress. Yuji's rapid growth in combat and Yuko's developing control over her cursed energy were remarkable. These two were raw talent personified—untouched by the disillusionment and corruption that plagued so many in the jujutsu world.

But it wasn't just their abilities that caught Suguru's attention. It was their naivety, their youth, and their malleable minds. They hadn't yet been fully indoctrinated into the flawed system of jujutsu sorcery. They hadn't yet been blinded by the belief that they needed to protect the weak—those "monkeys" who couldn't even use jujutsu.

Suguru's smile faded, replaced by a pensive frown as his thoughts wandered to Satoru Gojo. "Satoru," he whispered, almost bitterly. The name lingered in the air like a specter. How many times had he thought about his old friend today? A hundred? Maybe more. If only Satoru could see the truth—that the weak didn't deserve their protection, that the jujutsu world would be better off purged of its parasites. But Satoru, in all his arrogance, would never understand. He was too blinded by his own strength and his self-imposed role as the protector of everyone.

Shaking off the thought, Suguru refocused on the images on his phone. He traced his finger over the faces of Yuji and Yuko. "You two... you'll understand. You'll see what I see. You'll see that these filthy monkeys who can't even use jujutsu don't deserve to exist." His voice was low, almost a growl, as a manic grin spread across his face.

Suguru stood, brushing the dust from his loose black robes, and slid his phone into his pocket. The time had come to act. He had been observing long enough. If he wanted to secure Yuji and Yuko for his cause, he needed to approach them directly. The seeds of doubt and ambition had to be planted early, nurtured carefully until they blossomed into unwavering loyalty. And what better time than now?

He glanced at the cursed tools neatly arranged on a shelf in the corner of the room. There was no need to bring them; this wasn't a fight. Not yet, at least. This was a conversation, a negotiation. Suguru was confident in his ability to sway the two 13-year-olds to his side. After all, who could resist the allure of power, the promise of freedom from the shackles of a broken world?

As he prepared to leave, Suguru paused at the doorway, taking one last look at the quiet room. This was the beginning of something monumental, he could feel it. Yuta, Yuji, Yuko—each one a piece of the puzzle, each one a step closer to realizing his dream of a world free from the weak and unworthy.

With a deep breath, Suguru stepped into the night, his mind racing with anticipation. "Soon," he whispered to himself. "Soon, they'll understand. And when they do, nothing will stand in our way."

Two years had passed since Yuji Itadori first approached Yuko Ozawa at school with the simple intention of helping her lose weight and build confidence. What had started as casual runs around the park and small, shared victories during training had grown into something much deeper. Ozawa was no longer the timid girl she used to be. With hard work, determination, and Yuji's encouragement, she had completely transformed. Her body was now lean and fit, her once hesitant movements replaced with the confidence of someone who knew her own strength. Sparring with Yuji, an undeniable powerhouse, had pushed her beyond her limits time and time again, forcing her to develop a sharpness and resilience she never thought she had.

But it wasn't just Ozawa who had grown during their training. Yuji himself had changed. Training Ozawa had taught him patience, responsibility, and how to adapt his own techniques to guide someone else. Sparring with her had even forced him to rethink some of his own fighting strategies. Her cursed technique, Build Up, allowed her to store energy and unleash it in explosive attacks. In one particularly memorable sparring session, she'd surprised him with a strike so powerful it had knocked him off his feet. The memory still made him chuckle whenever he thought about it. She wasn't just a training partner anymore—she was his equal in ways he hadn't expected.

And then there was the friendship. Somewhere along the line, their shared goals and long hours together had evolved into something more meaningful. They had each other's backs, both in training and in life. They laughed together, teased each other, and leaned on one another when things got tough. Lately, though, Yuji couldn't shake the feeling that what he felt for Ozawa went beyond friendship. It wasn't just her strength or her dedication that caught his attention—it was the way her smile lit up her entire face, the way she encouraged him with such unshakable belief, and the way she had become such an important part of his life.

Today, though, she'd thrown him a curveball. "Yuji," she had said after their morning sparring session, her breath still coming in quick bursts, "I think I'm ready. Take me on a mission with you." Her voice was steady, but there was an underlying determination in her eyes that made it clear she wasn't asking as much as she was telling.

Yuji had blinked, unsure how to respond. Missions weren't games. She'd sparred with him plenty of times, sure, but cursed spirits were an entirely different beast. Still, he couldn't deny how far she'd come. And truthfully, part of him wanted to see how she would handle herself.

In the dream world, Choso had been both amused and slightly exasperated by the whole thing. "You're turning into a soft-hearted fool, little brother," he'd said with a smirk when Yuji mentioned taking Ozawa on a mission. "Don't get distracted. If you're going to bring her into this world, you better make sure she's ready. No half-measures, Yuji."

Choso's words weighed on him now as he considered Ozawa's request. She was strong, and her cursed technique gave her a unique advantage. But was she ready for the reality of cursed spirits—the danger, the fear, the unpredictability? He glanced at her as she packed up her gear, excitement radiating from her.

Yuji sighed, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Alright, Ozawa. Let's see what you've got."

Yuji Itadori had learned more about blood manipulation over the past two years than he thought possible. Under Choso's guidance in their shared dream space, his growth had skyrocketed. He could now use every extension technique in the arsenal of blood manipulation, from Flowing Red Scale Stack to Piercing Blood. Choso, ever the diligent and proud older brother, had made sure Yuji understood not just how to wield the techniques but how to master them.

And yet, Reverse Cursed Technique still eluded him.

It frustrated Yuji to no end. He could still hear Gojo's voice from the anime in his past life—calm, almost teasing, during his fight with Toji: "It's simple, really." Except it wasn't. No matter how hard he tried, Reverse Cursed Technique was like a puzzle missing its final piece. Yuji couldn't afford to focus on it too much today, though.

He and Yuko Ozawa were sprinting across rooftops, heading toward the old hospital that had been reported as a Grade 2 hotspot. The mission wasn't just about clearing out cursed spirits; it was to see how Ozawa fared against stronger opponents. Yuji wanted to see if her training over the last two years had truly prepared her for this. He also needed the distraction. His grandfather was in the hospital, his condition worsening by the day. Yuji couldn't shake the heavy weight on his chest.

'It's almost time for the events of canon to begin, huh?' Yuji thought as they ran, his eyes fixed on the horizon. 'Shouldn't Yuta be enrolling at Jujutsu High soon? Maybe in a few months or a year.' The thought of meeting Yuta excited him, but Yuji had no idea how to integrate himself into the larger world of jujutsu sorcerers without first encountering another sorcerer.

When they finally arrived at the hospital, the air was thick with malevolent energy. Cursed spirits swarmed the decaying building, their grotesque forms skulking through the shattered windows and broken walls. Yuji glanced at Yuko. "Remember, Yuko, I won't step in unless you really need me. Even then, being a jujutsu sorcerer means risking your life. Are you sure you're ready for this?"

Yuko looked back at him, her eyes burning with determination. "Yes, Yuji. I'm ready."

He couldn't help but chuckle at her resolve. "Alright then. Let's see what you've got."

They stepped into the hospital together, their footsteps echoing off the cracked linoleum. The oppressive atmosphere would have made any normal person crumble, but Yuko stood tall. As they moved through the building, Yuji watched her take down Grade 3 and 4 curses with ease. She moved fluidly, her cursed energy sharpening her strikes and allowing her to conserve energy for the more challenging fights.

When they encountered their first low-grade 2, Yuko faltered briefly. It was stronger, faster, and smarter than anything she had faced before. Yuji stayed back, observing as she gritted her teeth and pushed through, landing decisive blows that eventually exorcised the curse. He couldn't help but feel a swelling sense of pride. She'd come so far from the timid girl who used to avoid eye contact and doubt her every move.

But just as Yuko caught her breath, the temperature in the room plummeted. A heavy, suffocating aura filled the space as a hulking Grade 1 curse emerged from the shadows. Its form was grotesque, a sick amalgamation of limbs and jagged teeth, with dark cursed energy radiating off it in waves. Yuji's entire body tensed.

"Yuko, I'm stepping in," he said firmly, his eyes narrowing as he prepared to engage.

But Yuko held up a hand, her gaze locked on the curse. "No, Yuji. Let me handle this."

"What? Yuko, this isn't like the others! This is a Grade 1!"

"I know," she said, her voice steady despite the fear flickering in her eyes. "But I've been training for this. If I don't push myself now, I'll never grow. Please, let me overcome my limits."

Yuji hesitated, his instincts screaming at him to protect her. But something in her voice—something in her unwavering determination—made him take a step back. "Alright," he said quietly. "But don't get reckless."

The fight began immediately. The curse was relentless, its attacks brutal and precise. Yuko struggled to keep up, dodging and countering where she could, but she was outmatched. The curse landed a swipe across her side, sending her crashing into a wall. Blood trickled down her arm as she winced in pain.

Yuji's fists clenched. "Yuko..."

"I'm fine!" she shouted, pushing herself to her feet. Her cursed energy began to ripple around her as her cursed technique, Build Up, activated. Each punch she landed, each strike she absorbed, made her stronger. She dodged another attack, countering with a sharp kick that sent the curse stumbling backward.

The fight dragged on, the curse battering her repeatedly, but Yuko kept getting back up, her energy building with every passing moment. Finally, she began to glow faintly, her cursed energy reaching a crescendo.

"This is it," she muttered to herself.

Yuji's eyes widened as he realized what she was about to do.

"Build Up: Release!"

Yuko's energy exploded outward as she launched herself at the curse, her fist glowing with an intensity that made the entire room tremble. She struck the curse square in the chest, and in that moment, something incredible happened—"BLACK FLASH!".

The sound of the impact echoed like thunder, and the curse was obliterated, its form disintegrating into nothingness. Yuko collapsed to her knees, breathing heavily as the glow around her faded.

Yuji rushed to her side, helping her to her feet. "You... you just landed a Black Flash," he said, his voice filled with equal parts shock and awe.

Yuko managed a weak smile. "Guess... I still have some surprises left."

As they exited the hospital, Yuji couldn't help but look at her with pride. "You're incredible, you know that?"

"Don't flatter me too much," she replied, though her grin betrayed how much the words meant to her.

Yuji chuckled, already thinking of how Choso was going to react when he told him about this.

"Oh, isn't it just wonderful seeing how jujutsu sorcerers care for each other?"

The sudden voice from behind froze both Yuji and Yuko in place.

Yuji's blood ran cold—he recognized that voice. Slowly, he turned to face the speaker, already knowing who it was. Standing there, leaning casually against the wall as if he owned the place, was Suguru Geto.

Geto wore his trademark serene smile, but Yuji knew better than to trust it. That smile hid something far more dangerous. His long black hair was tied back neatly, and his dark eyes gleamed with amusement as he studied the two young sorcerers.

Yuko shifted closer to Yuji, sensing the overwhelming pressure that radiated from this man. "Yuji... who is he?" she whispered, her voice trembling.

Yuji's jaw tightened as he stepped in front of her protectively. he muttered. "He's... dangerous."

"Now, now," Geto said, waving a hand dismissively. "No need to be so tense, Yuji. I'm not here to fight... not yet, anyway." His gaze shifted to Yuko, his smile widening. "And who might this promising young sorcerer be? You've been hiding quite the gem, haven't you?"

Yuji's fists clenched, cursed energy surging instinctively through his body. He didn't know why Geto was here, but the timing couldn't have been worse. "What do you want?"

Geto chuckled softly, his voice calm and disarming. "Oh, I think you already know, Yuji. I've been keeping an eye on you for quite some time now. And her," he added, gesturing to Yuko. "You two have such... potential. It would be such a shame to see it wasted."

"Stay away from her," Yuji snapped, his voice firm.

Geto tilted his head, unfazed by Yuji's hostility. "Relax, I'm not here to harm either of you. Quite the opposite, actually. I came to offer you a choice. A way to truly change this world."

Yuko's hand gripped Yuji's sleeve tightly, her breathing uneven. "Yuji... what's he talking about?"

Yuji didn't answer her, his eyes locked on Geto. "You're wasting your time. Whatever you're trying to sell, we're not buying."

Geto sighed dramatically, as if Yuji's defiance was a personal disappointment. "Always so stubborn. Well, no matter. I'm a patient man." He straightened up, his smile fading ever so slightly. "But I'll leave you with this—think carefully about the path you're walking. You've seen the way this world works. The way sorcerers are treated. The way the weak suffer."

He turned to leave, his presence still looming like a shadow. Just before stepping out of sight, he paused and glanced over his shoulder. "Oh, and Yuji... you might want to check on your grandfather. Time is such a fragile thing, wouldn't you agree?"

Yuji's breath hitched, his heart pounding in his chest as Geto disappeared into the darkness.

"Yuji... what did he mean by that?" Yuko asked, her voice trembling with concern.

But Yuji didn't answer. His mind raced, his heart heavy with dread. What did Geto know about his grandfather? And why was he here now?

All he could do was clench his fists and realize his own mistake of taking things to lightly.