Chapter 4: The First Encounter Between the White Wolf Cursed Corpse and Fushiguro Megumi
Gojo Satoru smiled lightly as he greeted the small boy beside him.
"Welcome to Tokyo Metropolitan Jujutsu High School, Souta Enjou. You'll be studying here when you're older."
Souta Enjou silently observed his surroundings. Towering trees stood in neat rows, lining a stone paved path illuminated by ancient lanterns. In the distance, nestled within the woods, stood several old fashioned buildings with elegantly curved roofs.
"This place is surrounded by a barrier," Gojo explained as he walked ahead. "Ordinary people and cursed users can't enter easily. Stay here for a bit I'll handle things later."
After passing through several buildings, they arrived at a tall, broad shouldered man with short black hair, a neatly trimmed beard, and a firm, commanding presence the very image of masculinity.
"Satoru, what's this? Why'd you bring a kid?"
Gojo grinned. "Long story. Anyway, this is my old teacher the next principal of Jujutsu High, Yaga Masamichi. I'll leave the boy to you for now. Be right back!"
The moment Gojo disappeared, silence filled the room.
Yaga crossed his arms, staring down at the small figure barely reaching his waist.
"Ahem…"
He finally broke the awkward silence, realizing they couldn't just stare at each other forever. Trying to sound friendly, he said, "Hey kid, you like toys? I've got a bunch of moving ones want to take a look?"
Souta Enjou's eyes flickered with curiosity. He'd heard about Yaga's skill the ability to create cursed corpses: inanimate dolls infused with cursed energy, capable of moving on their own. That piqued his interest, so he nodded quietly.
Yaga led him into a room filled with stuffed animals, dolls, and all kinds of mechanical parts. Picking up a round, furry white ball with cartoonish eyes and no limbs, Yaga handed it over.
"Satoru said you've got cursed energy too. Hold it, focus on moving it, then throw it at the ground."
Souta Enjou grasped the soft ball smaller than a basketball and channeled cursed energy into it. The toy's eyes flickered to life, trembling in his hands until it was almost impossible to hold.
He slammed it onto the ground and it shot off at terrifying speed, bouncing off the floor, ceiling, and walls like lightning.
Yaga's jaw dropped. That silly toy he'd made for fun suddenly became ridiculously strong. It wasn't meant for combat, but now it moved faster than a bullet and the walls and ceiling were cracking.
Just as he prepared to stop it, Souta Enjou suddenly reached out and caught it barehanded.
Yaga froze.
Gojo had said the boy was "special," but hadn't elaborated. Still, that speed… even caught off guard, Yaga was impressed.
Souta Enjou's eyes sparkled. Despite his mature mind, he was still a child at heart.
Throwing the ball, watching it rebound wildly, then catching it again it thrilled him.
Yaga sighed, watching the boy's sheer joy. He silently picked out a few harmless cursed corpses and let him play.
When Gojo returned, he found Yaga sitting cross legged with a rare smile. Nearby, Souta Enjou was playing with a husky shaped cursed corpse throwing the furry white ball at insane speed while the husky darted after it, tripping and tumbling, yet proudly bringing it back each time.
"Yo, Satoru, you're back," Yaga said, standing up.
Gojo blinked. "Uh… what's going on?"
"I thought he might get bored, so I let him play with some cursed corpses," Yaga explained. "That dog there… I've been experimenting with giving corpses basic awareness. He's not exactly a success, though."
Yaga paused, then asked, "This kid's got serious talent. Where did you find him, and what are you planning to do with him?"
Gojo stroked his chin with a mischievous grin. "Didn't I tell you already?"
After Gojo filled him in properly, Yaga muttered, "Unbelievable…"
Gojo smirked. "Anyway, I've arranged his residence. If needed, I'll get him a caretaker. He's almost old enough to live alone."
Yaga frowned. "He's barely seven or eight. Don't be so careless. Didn't you raise a kid before? Learn something from that!"
Gojo clapped his hands suddenly, eyes lighting up. "Ah! Then he can live with Megumi and the others! They're around the same age he'll have friends!"
Yaga sighed, shaking his head at Gojo's reckless enthusiasm, then called Souta Enjou over.
The boy came carrying the white ball and the husky in his arms.
Gojo smiled. "I've handled the orphanage paperwork. Got you a new home too."
"Thank you," Souta Enjou said politely, returning the toy to Yaga.
Yaga waved it off. "Keep them. Consider it a gift. The ball's mostly useless, but that dog I'll call him White Wolf. He's capable, and might help you someday."
Souta Enjou looked at the wagging husky and bowed gratefully. Beneath that gruff exterior, Yaga was a kind man.
Gojo clapped his hands. "Alright, let's go."
Ignoring Souta Enjou's protest, he picked him up still clutching the ball and the White Wolf and vanished in an instant.
They reappeared on a quiet street. Gojo pointed to a nearby house and handed him a key.
"This will be your home. I'll find you a caretaker later. For now, let's visit your neighbors your future friends."
They walked next door. Gojo knocked loudly and shouted, "Hey! Tsumiki, Emi! It's me Gojo Satoru!"
A polite girl opened the door.
"Oh, Megumi's inside," she said.
"Perfect!" Gojo grinned, marching up the stairs. He was about to push open a door but it swung open first, revealing a boy with black, spiky hair.
"Gojo sensei, you could at least knock," he sighed.
"I did knock!" Gojo said with mock indignation.
"Not this door…" Megumi muttered under his breath.
Gojo ruffled his hair, the spikes springing back up immediately.
Then, with dramatic flair, he gestured to Souta Enjou. "Tada! Meet your new friend Souta Enjou. Like you, he's a born sorcerer. You might even be classmates someday."
Souta Enjou studied the younger Megumi. The kid looked just like he remembered calm, stoic, a little too serious. It was… oddly cute.
But in Souta Enjou's eyes, he was the type who looked like he needed a good smack not that he'd actually hit anyone. Even at the orphanage, people followed him because they respected him, not because he fought them.
Megumi frowned. "I don't want to be a sorcerer."
Gojo pretended not to hear. "Anyway, you two know each other now. School starts soon you'll probably be classmates!"
He gave them a lazy wave. "I've got things to do. See ya!"
And just like that, Gojo disappeared again leaving three kids behind.
(End of Chapter 4)