Did you find it?
Gojo Satoru shook his head. "There is plenty of information on Human Sorcerers, but there isn't a single one who is both a demon and a Sorcerer."
Tu Bai looked down at his hands. "Sukuna said he has a way."
Gojo Satoru's hand paused for a moment.
He said he can teach me a way to temporarily balance it," Tu Bai continued. "But to cure it completely, I need to find someone. A Rabbit Demon who has lived for thousands of years; by seniority, he is my Ancestor.
Gojo Satoru raised an eyebrow. "Why is he looking for that Rabbit Demon?"
I didn't ask," Tu Bai said, "but I feel.. they must be old flames.
Gojo Satoru was stunned for a moment, then he laughed. "The King of Curses' old flame? A Rabbit?"
Tu Bai glared at him. "What's wrong with a Rabbit."
Nothing much," Gojo Satoru said, holding back a laugh, "I just think.. you two are quite a match.
Tu Bai kicked him. "Let's get down to business."
Gojo Satoru stopped laughing and looked at him seriously. "You want to make a deal with him?"
Tu Bai nodded. "I think it's worth a try. Once the contract is set, there's no need to fear him going back on his word."
Gojo Satoru fell silent for a while. "That person Sukuna—no, this Cursed Spirit, is very dangerous. You cannot fully believe what he says."
I know," Tu Bai said. "That's why I'm discussing it with you.
Gojo Satoru looked at him for a few seconds, then reached out and pulled him into his arms. "Since when did you learn how to negotiate? Weren't you just running away before?"
Tu Bai blushed. "That was so long ago."
Not long ago." Gojo Satoru rested his chin on the top of his head. "Just a few months ago, you were still running away from home.
Can you please not bring that up?
No," Gojo Satoru said, his Arm tightening slightly, "You have to remember, from now on, whatever happens, you must tell me.
Tu Bai buried his face in his chest. "I know."
The two of them just held each other like that. The Takoyaki slowly grew cold, neither of them ate.
After a long while, Tu Bai said gloomily, "So, do you think it's possible? Regarding the deal."
Gojo Satoru thought about it. "It's worth a try. But a contract must be established, the conditions must be clearly stated. He must not harm you, must not control you, must not use you to do anything bad."
Yeah.
And," Gojo Satoru said, looking down at him, "whenever you feel something is incorrect, stop immediately. Do not force yourself.
Tu Bai nodded.
And," Gojo Satoru added, "regarding the matter of finding that Rabbit Demon, I will help you look for him.
Tu Bai raised his head. "Aren't you supposed to be busy with Jujutsu High matters?"
Those things can be set aside for a while," Gojo Satoru said. "Your matters are more important.
Tu Bai looked at him for a while, then buried his face again.
---
Early on Day 2, Tu Bai called home.
The Phone rang a few times before Tu Ma answered. "Xiao Bai? Why are you calling so early?"
Mom, I want to ask you something.
What is it?
Does our family have an Ancestor who has lived for a very long time? One that is thousands of years old.
There was a two-second silence on the other end of the Phone. Then Tu Ma laughed. "Why are you asking that?"
I just want to know.
Our family genealogy only goes back as far as two hundred years ago," Tu Ma said. "Anything before that is gone. Your Dad's side might be even shorter; his grandfather was an orphan and didn't even have a genealogy.
Tu Bai's heart sank. "So, you don't know?"
I don't know," Tu Ma said. "Why are you suddenly interested in this?
Nothing," Tu Bai said. "I just suddenly wanted to find out.
Tu Ma was silent on the other end of the Phone for a moment. "Xiao Bai, has something happened to you?"
No.
Really?
“Really,” Tu Bai said, “I'm just curious.”
Tu Ma was skeptical, but he didn't press further. "Alright. If you really want to investigate, you can ask some relatives on your Dad's side. Your Second Granduncle might know something; he's the oldest and has a good memory."
Okay," Tu Bai said, "Mom, I'm hanging up now.
Wait a moment," Tu Ma called out to him, "How has your Body been lately?
Tu Bai was stunned. "I'm doing quite well."
That's good," Tu Ma said. "Don't get too tired. Studying is important, but your Body is important too.
I know.
After hanging up the phone, Tu Bai leaned against the Sofa. Second Granduncle. He had seen him a few times; he was a very old Rabbit, his ears were drooping. But he had never asked about the clan's history. It seemed he would have to find some time to go back.
He was about to send a message to Gojo Satoru when his Mobile Phone rang again. It was Itadori.
Tu Bai hesitated for a moment, then answered.
Tu Bai-ge!" Itadori's voice was full of spirit. "About last night.. I'm sorry! I didn't know Sukuna had come out. Did he do anything to you?
No," Tu Bai said. "He just had a few words with me.
A few words?" Itadori's voice rose, "He actually chats with people?
Tu Bai smiled. "Yeah. The conversation went okay."
Itadori fell silent for a moment. "Tu Bai-ge, he didn't bully you, did he?"
No.
That's a relief." Itadori let out a sigh of relief. "When I woke up yesterday, I found myself standing on the street. It scared the life out of me. Gojo-sensei asked me too, but I told him I didn't know, so he didn't ask anything else.
It's nothing," Tu Bai said, "He didn't do anything.
That's good," Itadori repeated. "Tu Bai-ge, if he comes looking for you again, let me know. I.. I don't know if I can stop him, but I'll try my best.
Tu Bai smiled. "Okay. Thank you."
After hanging up the phone, he sat on the Sofa, looking at the Sunlight outside the window. The Spring sun was very bright, casting a warm glow on the Floor.
---
Meanwhile, inside Itadori's body.
In the dark space, Sukuna sat atop a pile of bones, his eyes closed.
He was thinking about things from long ago.
Heian Era. Back then, he was still human. Not a Cursed Spirit, not the King of Curses, just a person. A very strong person, so strong that everyone feared him.
But there were also those who did not fear him, or perhaps, demons.
That day, he was fighting someone in the mountains. The opponent was a Sorcerer with decent strength, it took quite a while before a winner was decided.
He won, the opponent ran away.
He stood on the hillside, looking at the estate at the foot of the mountain—during the fight just now, a slash had gone astray, shearing off half of the perimeter wall of that estate.
He heard a scream.
It was sharp and thin, like something had its Tail stepped on.
Then a person rushed out from the Courtyard.
Golden hair, wet, clinging to his cheeks. Red Eyes, round, staring wide. He was wrapped in a white bathrobe, barefoot, stepping on the gravel path. His face was flushed, whether from anger or from being soaked in hot water, it was hard to tell.
Very Young, looking like a teenager. Very thin, with his collarbones visible at the neckline of his bathrobe. Very handsome, with Peach Blossom Eyes, long eyelashes, slightly upturned Lips.
Sukuna was looking at him.
He also looked at Sukuna.
Then he spoke. "Who the hell are you!"
The Voice was pleasant, but the tone was fierce. Sukuna said nothing. That person walked over in a huff, stepping on the broken stones with bare feet, feeling no pain at all. Walking up to him, he looked up at him.
You're the one who tore down my wall?
Sukuna looked down at him. "Yeah."
Do you have any idea I'm soaking in a hot spring!" That man's voice grew even louder. "The essential oil was just poured in! I've only been soaking for half a minute! And the wall collapsed! All the water leaked out! Essential oil is so expensive!
Sukuna still said nothing. That man glared at him, glaring for a long while, before suddenly stopping. His gaze shifted away from Sukuna's face, looking down. Neck, shoulders, chest, arms. He looked for a long time.
Then he said, "You have a pretty good physique."
Sukuna raised an eyebrow.
That person's face turned red, but he did not look away. "I just don't know if he would look even better without his Clothes."
Sukuna looked at him. Red Eyes, blonde hair, white Skin, thin arms and legs. He looked like he would be easy to bully. But his Gaze did not look like that of an easy person to bully.
"What is your name?" Sukuna asked.
“Shigure,” that person said. “And you?”
Sukuna.
Never heard of him," Shigure said. "Are you that powerful?
Not bad.
Shigure looked at his physique again. "Then fight me. The loser becomes the winner's follower for one month."
"No," Sukuna said.