Let me tell you what happened after that.
Following my "frame rate" talk with Naobito, I started hanging out in his room quite often. Specifically, I spent my days watching anime, playing video games—mostly Momotetsu—and occasionally kicking a certain blonde kid across the room whenever he tried to attack me with his technique.
Naturally, I never neglected my training, nor did I cut back on my time with Big Brother Toji. In fact, I often dragged Naobito—actually, he's a pain to address formally, so let's just call him Grandpa—I dragged Grandpa and Big Brother into playing Momotetsu with me. Every time the blonde brat tried to suck up to Big Brother, I'd hammer a fist or a kick into him. (Keep it a secret, but a few of those hits actually landed as Black Flashes.)
Years passed like that. Then, one day, Big Brother suddenly announced he was leaving the clan.
Man, I can't remember the last time I cried that hard. Since I rarely ever cried during my first childhood, letting it all out felt strangely refreshing. Besides, I knew what "leaving the house" meant. It meant he'd found a wife. It meant Big Brother Toji was transitioning from "Big Brother Guro" to "Papa-Guro."
When I teased him about it, I got to see him with his eyes wide and cold sweat pouring down his face. Wow, Big Brother, you really suck at hiding things.
As we said our goodbyes at the estate, I waved my hand lazily and told him to let me meet the kid once they were born. The gentle smile he gave me as he turned back one last time really stuck with me. I've got to save that image in my brain forever.
Oh, right. Immediately after he left, the blonde brat—shrouded in a dark, murderous aura—came screaming at me with a punch. I blocked it like usual, but apparently, it was a Black Flash on his end because it actually stung a bit. Since it hurt, I kicked him in the crotch three times as payback. When he keeled over with his eyes rolling back, I threw in a roundhouse kick for good measure. Boy, that looked like it really hurt. (Not that I care.)
So, Big Brother left the nest… but I wasn't lonely. I still had Grandpa.
Which brings us to the present: I am currently at the Gojo estate.
...Why? ...Why?!
I know why. I just don't want to admit it. I really, really don't want to admit it.
To explain how I ended up here:
Grandpa: "I'm going to the Gojo estate."
Me: "Have a safe trip. Take care."
Grandpa: "You're coming too."
Me: "Wha—!?"
That was pretty much it. I resisted at first, but my parents told me to go, and Grandpa looked genuinely serious when he said it would be "rough" without me there. So, I gave in.
And now, I'm moping on a porch at the Gojo estate. I left the old men behind. I couldn't help it; their conversations are incredibly long and filled with nothing but petty insults.
They were going on and on: "Our son is incredible! On top of the inherited technique, he's a genius just like the current head! He's the undisputed heir!" versus "Oh please, we have the first Six Eyes user in centuries along with the inherited technique! Unlike your 'candidate,' ours is already the next head!" It was a never-ending cycle of boasting about heirs and techniques, mixed with soggy, passive-aggressive jabs. It got so annoying I just slipped away.
I remember now. Back in my day, the families were somewhat unified, but in this era, the Gojo and Zenin families hate each other's guts. How did I forget that? Oh, right, probably because my best friend from the Heian era was a Six Eyes user.
I let out a heavy sigh. Seeing the massive rift between the Three Great Families—especially Gojo and Zenin—inevitably makes me nostalgic. I think about my best friend, my incredibly kind younger brother, the tough but good-natured Zenin elders from back then, and even my friend's doting parents. How did it all turn into this?
The unity, the power, the shared purpose… it's nothing like it used to be. Back then, they were still bastards, but when faced with the goal of protecting the world, they didn't hesitate to put aside their grudges and envy to stand as one. They never would have manipulated information to send someone on a suicide mission. If a report was wrong, it was only because the cursed spirit had grown faster than anyone could have predicted.
…It's sad. I knew it would be like this, but seeing it is different.
I lay down on the porch and looked at the sky. The clouds were drifting lazily, looking comfortable as they swayed in the wind.
"…I wish everyone could be like that."
Humans like drifting clouds, gathered under one sky. Usually apart, doing their own thing, but uniting when it matters. I moped by myself, wishing things were that simple. I couldn't help but feel that even if they hated each other, they should at least be able to fight for the same cause. That was the "good old days" I missed.
"Ugh, this is such a drag."
I stretched my arms and legs out while lying on my back and let out a massive yawn. Giving in to the inevitable drowsiness, I decided to take a nap in the sun on someone else's porch.
"Hey."
…Nap canceled. As thick-skinned as I am, I'm not bold enough to ignore someone speaking to me in their own home.
I forced my heavy eyelids open and shifted my body. I didn't even bother sitting up; I just turned my head toward the voice. Standing there was a young boy in expensive-looking clothes. He had snow-white hair and striking blue eyes. He looked like the kind of kid who was destined to be a top-tier heartbreaker in the future.
Wait. A white-haired, blue-eyed kid who's going to be a total hunk?
I sat up abruptly to get a better look at the kid. Oh. Oh no. This is bad.
The white hair. The blue eyes. An aura that felt completely detached from the world. Those eyes looked at me, yet they didn't—it was the same way a human looks at a plant or an insect.
The other "Honored One." The only sorcerer recognized as an absolute peer by the King of Curses. The current holder of the Six Eyes and the man who would become the strongest sorcerer of the modern age.
"Satoru Gojo…"
The future strongest Grade 1—no, Special Grade—sorcerer was standing right in front of me.
Tension shot through my body. Cold sweat trickled down my neck, and my legs were screaming at me to run. He wasn't the "Strongest" yet; that wouldn't happen until after his near-death experience with Big Brother. Since I have no intention of letting them fight, I don't even know if that trigger will ever happen.
But even so… he was terrifying. It was a different kind of pressure than what my Heian-era friend gave off. Those eyes that viewed people as "things" suited him far too well. The fear that those eyes might one day kill me sent shivers down my spine. I hadn't felt this scared since my fight with Sukuna.
"Hey. You. What's your name?"
…My name? He's asking for my name? The Satoru Gojo?
Something was wrong. Based on the "lore"—well, the stories—young Satoru Gojo was supposed to be way more arrogant and cold than he was during his high school days. He shouldn't be interested in the name of a Zenin "failure" with no technique.
"Uh… Meguru. Meguru Zenin."
"…Hmph."
I answered, stuttering slightly. Satoru gave a simple, one-syllable response. Then, without looking away from me as I sat on the porch, he opened his mouth again.
"You're strong, aren't you?"
"...Excuse me?"
I gave a confused reply to his sudden, nonsensical claim. Satoru looked slightly annoyed and started rattling off observations.
"Don't play dumb. You're completely different from the others. The flow and quality of your cursed energy is on a whole other level."
"And it's not just that. Your footwork is way better than those old fossils in my house. When it comes to cursed energy manipulation, you're probably better than your own clan head."
"I'll ask again. You're strong, right? You are, aren't you?"
—Come play with me for a bit.
The questions hit me like a barrage. As I was fumbling for an answer, a sudden, innocent wave of bloodlust crashed into me.
The moment I sensed it, the fear I felt for Satoru Gojo vanished. My body moved on pure instinct. I launched myself into the air like a grasshopper. Immediately after, an invisible force of Blue—the convergence of the Limitless that swallows and crushes everything—slammed into the spot where I had just been sitting.
The porch was ruthlessly pulverized, crushed into nothingness like a piece of trash.
…Wait a minute. Hold on. Did he just try to kill me? He definitely just tried to kill me! What is wrong with you, Gojo?!
"Haha! You dodged it! You really are strong!"
I twisted in mid-air and landed. Looking back at the culprit, I saw him laughing, looking like he was having the time of his life. Why the hell are you laughing?!
I've seen it enough times to know—that was Blue, wasn't it? It was definitely Blue! The spot where I was sitting looked like a black hole had just gone off!
"You—! Are you crazy?! You trying to kill me, you moron?!"
"I was trying to kill you, stupid!!"
He didn't look sorry at all. In fact, he sat there with a grin, admitting in broad daylight that he had every intention of murdering me. This wasn't a brat. This was a demon.
"Fine. You asked for it. I'm gonna kick your ass!!"
That was it. I snapped. I didn't care if he was the only hope against Sukuna. I didn't care if my past self had died just to leave him info. My heart was screaming that this kid needed a good old-fashioned beatdown right now.
I dug my feet into the ground and clenched my fists. Without hiding my rage, I charged straight at Satoru Gojo.
Satoru just stood there without a care in the world, not even taking a stance. He had a smug, nasty smile on his face. Ah, I get it. I know exactly what you're thinking. My best friend used the Limitless, so I know it better than anyone.
The technique that brings "infinity" into reality, preventing anything from touching the user. The untouchable void. I know it. I know it all too well.
And I also know how to break it!!
I flooded my fist with cursed energy… no, I expanded it.
I let it flow like water, coating my body, turning myself into a "vessel" of energy.
Satoru's expression shifted. The smug grin vanished, replaced by a look of wary alertness… but it was too late. That's right—you don't know this yet. You haven't reached the level of Domains or Reverse Cursed Technique yet. You have no idea what this technique is, or that it's the ultimate counter to you.
So, learn it now. Experience this "Domain" that you'll eventually encounter. Let it become part of your strength one day… but for now, this is going to hurt.
I thrust my fist at Satoru. Naturally, my hand was stopped by the "infinity" of the Limitless. It didn't reach him. Not yet.
So… I'll make it reach.
"Domain—"
"—Amplification."
CRACK.
The space between us buckled. The stalemate lasted only a fraction of a second. My fist punched right through the wall of infinity and slammed directly into Satoru's handsome, high-class face.
He didn't even have time to groan. Before he could process what was happening, the sheer force of the blow sent him flying. He tumbled across the ground and crashed into a pond with a massive splash and a thunderous boom.
"…Phew. That felt great."
I let out a long, satisfied breath, venting all my frustration. I dusted off my clothes and dropped my stance.
.......
............
...…Oh, crap. What did I do?
Dammit. Between him firing a Blue at me and me losing my temper, I wasn't really thinking. I was so mad I didn't consider the consequences… oh, man…
...…Okay, in times like this, the best move is to run—
"Heh… hehehe… That's a first. No one's ever actually hit me before."
My legs froze. Fear locked my body in place. I slowly, creakily turned my head back like a rusted tin doll… and there stood a demon.
His blue eyes were glowing with a feral light. His snow-white hair swayed like a ghost's shroud. His mouth was twisted into a massive, jagged grin.
"Hey now… don't run away. The fight's just getting started, right?"
"Don't run." "I won't let you." The demon looked at me and laughed. His eyes were shining with the predatory hunger of a beast that had finally found its prey. He was laughing with a mixture of ferocity, innocence, and pure joy.
…Crap. I flipped a switch I should have left alone.
"…Actually, I'm pretty sure that wasn't a 'fight' or anything like that, so if you'll excuse me—"
It was a pathetic attempt at resistance. I knew it was useless, but I had to say something. The kid was terrifying. But the demon didn't listen. He just started walking toward me, step by step.
…Wait. Is he even listening to me?
"IS THAT SO? YOU'RE RIGHT…! YOU'RE SO RIGHT!!!!"
That's Big Brother Toji's line from the future, you thief!!
I was chased by the demon known as Satoru Gojo until Grandpa finally arrived to pick me up. I never want to see that kid again.