Why does everyone hit me on the head?

The afternoon sun spilled over the gates of Tokyo Jujutsu High, warming the bluestone paving until it was slightly hot.

Satoru Gojo leaned against a gatepost with his hands in his pockets, his white hair gleaming in the sunlight. His excitement was impossible to hide, and his mouth curled into a huge grin. He looked like a big dog about to be let out to run wild.

"Why isn't it here yet? Where's the car?" He kept looking around, muttering, "Our first mission. Our thrilling first mission-"

Wana stood beside him, refraining from sniping at him for once because she was just as excited. She kept bouncing in place, her ponytail swinging behind her.

"Me too, me too! We finally get to fight cursed spirits!"

Suguru Geto watched the two of them and shook his head helplessly. He turned toward Xian Di beside him.

"Kamo, do you think they'll behave?"

Xian Di gave the pair a sidelong glance. After seven years together, he knew them both inside out.

"No."

Suguru Geto spoke with a smile.

"That's what I thought."

Zhiyan quietly watched the depths of the woods as he waited for their car. Suddenly, he felt some "thing" tugging at his sleeve. He looked down and found Shoko's hand.

Zhiyan looked at her. "Shoko, what's wrong?"

"Zhiyan, can I have a little 'drink' after the mission?" Shoko's eyes sparkled with unspoken meaning.

He understood her code. "Shoko, you can't drink too much."

"But it's been so long... I finally have a chance. Please, pretty please." Shoko pouted, loosely clasping her hands and bobbing them up and down.

Looking at her slightly goofy, endearing expression, Zhiyan relented. "Just one bottle. No more."

A sly gleam flashed in Shoko's eyes, and she quickly nodded. Heh, all that matters is that you agreed. As for how many bottles, that's not up to you.

At last, a black car appeared at the end of the mountain road and came to a smooth stop outside the school gates.

The instant the door opened, Satoru Gojo started to rush forward.

"Wait."

A deep voice came from behind him, freezing Satoru Gojo in his tracks.

At some point, Masamichi Yaga had come up behind them. He wore his sunglasses as usual, his tall figure casting a long shadow in the sunlight.

He stepped in front of the group, sweeping his gaze over each of them.

"Before you leave, there are a few things I need to remind you of."

Satoru Gojo immediately pulled back his outstretched foot and stood obediently in place.

Masamichi Yaga looked at him in silence for a second.

Then he spoke.

"Follow the rules and procedures on this mission. Put up a curtain when required, investigate when required, and cooperate when required. No acting on your own, no reckless behavior, and no-"

His gaze settled on Satoru Gojo.

"-getting too carried away."

Satoru Gojo blinked, looking utterly innocent.

"Sir, do I look like someone who'd act recklessly?"

A quiet chuckle came from beside him.

Masamichi Yaga ignored it and simply kept staring at Satoru Gojo.

His stare made Satoru Gojo squirm, and he hurriedly nodded.

"I know, I know. I promise I won't do anything reckless!"

Masamichi Yaga turned to Wana.

"You too."

Wana immediately puffed out her little chest.

"I won't do anything reckless either!"

Masamichi Yaga looked at her and fell silent for another moment.

His eyes plainly said, "I don't believe you."

But he said nothing more, turning to the others instead.

"The rest of you, keep an eye on them."

Suguru Geto nodded with a smile.

"We will, sir."

Xian Di rubbed the back of his head.

"I'll do my best, sir."

"We'll keep an eye on them," Zhiyan said earnestly.

Shoko nodded too.

Masamichi Yaga nodded in satisfaction and continued with the remaining precautions. A few sentences in, he suddenly noticed Satoru Gojo's gaze drifting toward the distant wooded mountains. He wasn't listening at all.

A vein bulged on his forehead.

"Satoru Gojo."

Satoru Gojo hurriedly brought his gaze back to him.

"Here!"

Masamichi Yaga said nothing.

He merely raised his hand.

Then-

His fist came down on top of Satoru Gojo's head.

With a dull thunk, Satoru Gojo sank several inches.

"Ow-!" He clutched his head, almost in tears. "Sir! What was that for?"

Masamichi Yaga withdrew his hand, his expression calm.

"To make you pay attention."

Satoru Gojo rubbed the top of his head, looking miserable.

"I was listening! I really was!"

Masamichi Yaga looked at him.

"What did you hear?"

Satoru Gojo froze.

He opened his mouth, desperately trying to remember what Masamichi Yaga had just said, only to discover his mind was completely blank.

I was too busy looking at the mountains...

Masamichi Yaga said nothing. He simply raised his hand again.

Satoru Gojo immediately covered his head with both hands and jumped back a step.

"I get it, I get it! I promise not to act recklessly! I promise to follow the rules! I promise not to act on my own!"

He rattled it all off in one breath without even pausing for air.

Masamichi Yaga's hand hovered in midair for a moment.

Then he lowered it.

"Remember what you just said."

Satoru Gojo nodded frantically.

"I will, I will!"

Stifled laughter sounded beside him.

Wana's shoulders shook with laughter, but she didn't dare make a sound. Her face turned red from holding it in.

Suguru Geto lowered his head and coughed softly, using it to hide his smile.

Xian Di looked off into the distance, pretending he hadn't seen a thing.

"All right, get in," Masamichi Yaga said.

As though granted a reprieve, Satoru Gojo immediately scrambled into the car.

The others climbed in one after another.

The car slowly pulled away, heading down the mountain road toward central Tokyo.

The cabin was quiet except for the low hum of the engine.

Satoru Gojo rubbed the top of his head, muttering under his breath.

"He hit way too hard... There's a bump now..."

Beside him, Wana reveled in his misfortune.

"Serves you right! That's what you get for not listening to our teacher!"

Satoru Gojo glared at her.

"I was listening!"

Wana rolled her eyes.

"To what? Your eyes were wandering all the way over to the mountains!"

Satoru Gojo opened his mouth to argue, only to realize he had no comeback.

He could only huff and turn his head away, refusing to acknowledge her.

Wana smiled triumphantly.

In the back seat, Zhiyan, Kamo Xian Di, and Suguru Geto sat together.

Suguru Geto looked at the other two, his expression growing more serious.

"Let's briefly go over this mission."

Zhiyan nodded.

Xian Di set down his insulated flask as well, his expression becoming focused.

Suguru Geto spoke.

"According to the intelligence, our targets are several Grade 2 Cursed Spirits. But Mr. Yaga also warned us that the information might be wrong. We need to be ready to face something higher-grade."

He paused.

"If we encounter a Grade 1, or even a Special Grade, we'll need a contingency plan."

Zhiyan considered it for a moment.

"We can handle a Grade 1. If it's a Special Grade-"

He looked at Satoru Gojo.

Satoru Gojo might usually fool around, but his strength was undeniable.

"-we'll need to work together."

Xian Di nodded.

"My Cursed Technique is suited to restraining and sealing off targets. If we really encounter a Special Grade, I can restrict its movements."

Suguru Geto smiled.

"My cursed spirits can help probe its abilities and wear it down too."

He looked at Zhiyan.

"We'll leave the main offensive to you and Gojo, Zenin. Your Cursed Techniques pack more destructive power."

Zhiyan nodded.

They discussed it a little longer, going over the various possibilities.

Up front, Satoru Gojo had turned around at some point and was draped over the seatback, listening.

When he heard them discussing Special Grades, he couldn't resist chiming in.

"Come on, with our strength, we can handle a Special Grade, never mind a Grade 1, right?"

He looked as though it were the most obvious thing in the world.

"We're the strongest!"

Suguru Geto looked at him and smiled gently.

"Gojo, there's no harm in being more prepared."

Satoru Gojo blinked.

"Of course we should prepare, but do we have to be so serious about it? With all of us together, what couldn't we beat?"

Wana chimed in from beside him.

"What if something unexpected happens?"

Satoru Gojo looked at her.

"Unexpected? Like what?"

Wana thought for a moment.

"For example... what if the cursed spirits aren't just Special Grades, but there's more than one? What if there's a trap? What if..."

She paused.

"What if you act recklessly and botch the mission?"

Satoru Gojo was rather speechless.

"First of all, if there really is more than one Special Grade, then Special Grades must be a dime a dozen. And Jujutsu Headquarters might as well shut down and send everyone home. Wouldn't that be blatantly sending people to their deaths? Second, I wouldn't botch the mission."

Wana looked at him without saying a word.

Her eyes clearly targeted the latter half of his statement, asking, "Are you sure?"

Under her gaze, Satoru Gojo lost his nerve and turned his head away.

"Anyway, I won't do anything reckless."

Wana huffed and said nothing more.

The cabin fell quiet.

The car continued forward, passing through the wooded mountains and entering the city before finally stopping in front of an abandoned industrial district.

They got out, frowning slightly at the sight before them.

It was an abandoned chemical plant, its buildings dilapidated and streaked with rust. Towering smokestacks stood beneath the gray sky like silent gravestones. Weeds choked the grounds, and an occasional crow flew past with a piercing cry.

An indefinable sense of oppression hung over the entire area.

"This is the place," Suguru Geto said.

Satoru Gojo looked around, his eyes growing brighter.

"Not bad! I can sense cursed spirits!"

As he spoke, he raised his hand.

"Let me blast it out with a Blue-"

Thump!

A sharp rap landed on his head.

Satoru Gojo clutched his head and turned around, looking aggrieved.

"What did you hit me for? And why does everyone hit me on the head?"

Wana withdrew her hand, planted both hands on her hips, and glared at him.

"Did you forget what Mr. Yaga said?"

Satoru Gojo blinked.

"What did he say?"

Wana closed her eyes and pressed a hand to her forehead. He really was a pig who thought of nothing but food. Then she enunciated each word.

"Follow the rules and procedures. No reckless behavior."

She pointed at the chemical plant in front of them.

"Are you trying to level the whole plant with that Blue? What if there are civilians inside? What if you set off some chemicals? What if-"

She paused to picture the scene, then continued.

"-what if Mr. Yaga finds out and punches you again?"

Satoru Gojo held his head and instinctively drew his neck back.

He remembered the force of that earlier punch. It still faintly ached.

"Fine... I won't use it..."

He muttered under his breath.

Beside them, Xian Di and Zhiyan watched the exchange and sighed in unison.

Their sighs carried a profound sense of helplessness.

Seven years, and they still had no way to deal with him.

Suguru Geto looked at Satoru Gojo, feeling a little embarrassed himself. That surge of cursed energy just now had not seemed like a joke.

He cleared his throat and stepped forward.

"All right. Following procedure, we'll put up a curtain first."

He raised his hand, cursed energy surging.

"Emerge from darkness, blacker than darkness; purify every trace of tainted cursed residue."

A black barrier descended from the sky, enclosing the entire chemical plant. Its surface reflected a faint sheen of light, blocking outside eyes and preventing cursed spirits from escaping.

"The curtain is up." Suguru Geto lowered his hand and looked at the others.

His expression turned serious as his gaze passed over each face.

"Next, let's assign our roles."

Everyone fell silent and looked at him.

Suguru Geto's style of command was just like him-gentle and clear, unhurried, yet convincing.

"Kamo, you'll guard and secure the perimeter. If a cursed spirit tries to escape, intercept it immediately."

Xian Di nodded.

"Understood."

Suguru Geto turned to Satoru Gojo and Wana.

"Gojo and Wana, you'll be a team. Enter the building from the east and handle the main reconnaissance and attacks."

Satoru Gojo's eyes lit up.

"Finally, it's my turn!"

Wana nodded excitedly too.

"Okay!"

Suguru Geto watched them with a small smile.

"Remember, don't rush in recklessly. Keep us informed if anything happens."

He turned to Zhiyan.

"Zenin, you're with me. We'll enter from the west and provide support and backup. If either side needs help, we can adjust as necessary."

Zhiyan nodded.

"All right."

Finally, Suguru Geto looked at Shoko.

"Shoko, stay on the perimeter and provide backup with Kamo. If anyone gets hurt, treat them right away."

Shoko nodded, wearing her usual indifferent expression.

"Got it."

Suguru Geto looked around at everyone.

"Any questions?"

Zhiyan spoke up. "On this mission, as long as things are under control, let's avoid rushing to exorcise the cursed spirits." He turned to Suguru Geto. "Geto, there's no upper limit to your Cursed Spirit Manipulation, right?"

Suguru Geto froze for a moment at his words. Was Zhiyan looking out for me? Then a smile spread across his face, its warmth reaching deep into his heart, and he nodded. "That's right."

After receiving confirmation, Zhiyan continued, "Then let's try to leave the cursed spirits for Geto to absorb. That's all I have to say."

Everyone nodded to show they understood.

Geto asked once more if anyone had any questions.

Satoru Gojo raised his hand.

"I do!"

Suguru Geto looked at him.

"Go ahead, Gojo."

Satoru Gojo wore a solemn expression.

"Do we get a reward after the fight?"

Everyone immediately fell silent.

Wana rolled her eyes. She had known it-what important question could this guy possibly have?

Suguru Geto chuckled.

"A reward... probably some praise from Mr. Yaga."

Satoru Gojo blinked.

"That's it?"

Suguru Geto thought for a moment.

"Maybe a chance to take on another mission, too."

Satoru Gojo's eyes lit up again.

"Another mission? Then..."

Before he could finish, Wana grabbed his clothes and dragged him toward the chemical plant. "Stop embarrassing yourself and get in there. The sooner we finish, the sooner we can clock out and get something good to eat."

The others exchanged helpless smiles.

Suguru Geto looked at the building ahead, his gaze becoming focused once more.

"Let's go, Zenin."

He took the lead.

Zhiyan followed him toward the silent building.

Sunlight filtered through the clouds and fell across them, casting long shadows.

Their first mission had officially begun.

Inside the dilapidated building, darkness awaited them.

And they were ready.