Jujutsu High's upper council chambers are a real vibe—deep underground, all shadowy with those creepy black candles and cursed scrolls throbbing on the walls. The elders? Yeah, they're draped head-to-toe in cursed cloth, faces hidden, looking like something out of a fever dream. Principal Gakuganji's just standing there, silent as the grave, staring at the floor. He's already handed over the bad news.
Some first-year punk—Akashi Ryuunosuke—knows stuff he's not supposed to. Stuff that even most Special Grades are kept in the dark about. And the kicker? The kid's waking up a name. Not just any name, either. The kind of name that once almost wiped out the balance between Curses and humans. Real apocalypse-core.
"Akashi Ryuunosuke," wheezes the big boss elder, voice sounding like two centuries of cigarettes. "Spiral Heir. Born cursed. Just like his mother. Just like the last poor bastard who hosted it."
"He's breaking the Tomb's glyphs already," another pipes up. "The Name's bubbling up."
All eyes snap to Gakuganji.
"You'll approve it. Quiet kill. Get it done before the Shibuya gate opens."
Gakuganji's jaw could crack diamonds. But he just gives 'em a single, stony nod.
Tokyo Dorms, Midnight Snack Edition
Akashi's out on the balcony, eyes glued to the horizon, moonlight catching on that weird jade medallion around his neck. He hasn't breathed a word about the kill order, but he knows it's hanging over his head. How could he not? Ever since the Spiral whispered her name, he's felt it gnawing at him.
"Mothers don't die for nothing," he mutters, voice almost lost to the wind. "I'm not letting her memory rot."
Nobara shows up, holding a canned coffee like it's a peace offering. "Heavy stuff to be muttering at midnight," she says, studying him.
He cracks a lopsided grin and grabs the can. "Suppose I told you the elders want me dead?"
She sips, not missing a beat. "Congrats. Now you're one of us."
They just stand there, letting the silence stretch until it gets a little awkward.
And then Akashi drops his voice, suddenly all too human. "Nobara—if I lose it… if the Spiral takes over—"
She doesn't let him finish. Flicks him on the forehead, hard. "Then I'll clock you myself. Deal?"
He laughs, softer this time. "Deal."
But deep down, something ugly's crawling to the surface.
Next Day — Abandoned Shrine, aka Deathtrap Central
Akashi, Yuji, and Megumi roll up, expecting to smack around some Grade 2 curse leeching off people's memories. Easy money, right? Except Akashi steps into the shrine and just freezes. His curse-sense is screaming. This isn't some haunted nursery—it's a straight-up execution ground.
Six assassins pop out, all packing serious heat—Grade 1 and up, faces hidden, cursed energy masked. Trap's already sprung.
Yuji doesn't hesitate; he turns one assassin into wall art. Megumi's got Divine Dogs flying before you can blink.
Akashi? He's stuck, and then—out of nowhere—drops one word: "KAI." (Release.)
Everything warps. Spiral energy floods the room, and suddenly two assassins are caught in a cursed feedback loop, reliving their own regrets on infinite repeat. It's wild.
But a third assassin gets a clean shot in. Akashi hits the ground, head spinning, vision going all static.
Fourth assassin's coming at him, blade fizzing with anti-curse energy. "You were never supposed to make it this far," she spits.
Akashi just grins through bloody teeth. "Yeah? That's what makes it interesting."
He opens his hand.
"Tongue of Ruin: RANMARU."
The air rips open. The ground shreds. Assassin goes flying, slams into the ceiling like a ragdoll.
Yuji catches Akashi as he slumps, half-dead.
"WHAT was that?!"
Akashi just coughs, blood everywhere, still grinning. "Something my mom showed me. In a dream, no less."
Later — Jujutsu HQ, Council's About to Get Wrecked
Now it's Gojo's turn in front of the crusty old council. He's got his arms folded, the classic don't-mess-with-me look drilled into his face.
"You tried to kill my student."
The elders don't even flinch.
"He's a threat to humanity," rasps one. "The Sealed Name—"
Gojo just cuts him off, sharp as a blade. "Only threat here is the fossil who thinks he gets to play god."
His cursed energy flares—just enough to split the stone floor.
"Try it again," he says, voice like cold steel. "Next time? I won't send someone to stop you."
He cracks a smile that's all teeth.
"I'll do it myself."