[Day before the curse womb mission]

After escorting Hanako safely back to his home, Gojo turned his attention to the group with a suggestion in mind. "How about we grab a bite to eat?" he proposed, offering a casual yet enticing idea, even though he did promise to take them out earlier.

Itadori's eyes lit up with enthusiasm as he chimed in, his arm shooting into the air. "Sushi!" he exclaimed, a bright smile gracing his face.

Kugisaki, on the other hand, wasn't so easily swayed. She shook her head resolutely, crossing her arms in determination. "No way! I'm in the mood for something different. Sushi is too common; we can get it anywhere," she countered, her preference clear.

"But I heard they have the bullet trains!" Itadori's eyes sparkled with excitement as he turned to Kugisaki, his expression filled with earnest pleading. The prospect of experiencing something as iconic as a bullet train caused Kugisaki to waver in her resolve.

Curiosity piqued, [Name] redirected their attention to Fushiguro who stood quiet. They awaited his response, sensing that he might have a unique preference.

"Bet he wants meat!" Gojo interjected with an irreverent grin, playfully predicting Fushiguro's culinary inclination. Fushiguro responded with an exasperated eye-roll, choosing to ignore Gojo's teasing.

Kugisaki, swayed by the collective enthusiasm and the promise of sushi, finally relented. Her grin widened as she shifted her stance. "Who cares? Sushi it is!" she declared, her desire to ride a bullet train momentarily overridden her thought of getting something else than sushi.

With the decision settled, [Name] voiced their agreement. "Looks like we're having sushi, sensei," they remarked, setting the course for the group's dining choice.

"Sushi! Sushi! Sushi!" Kugisaki and Itadori enthusiastically chanted, leading the way with their infectious energy, while Fushiguro, Gojo, and [Name] followed closely behind, and prepared to enjoy the meal together.

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[Name] nervously bit their lip as they glanced up at the sky, which was now covered in dark clouds instead of the usual blue. Raindrops began to fall, making them shiver as they felt the cold seeping into their skin. They couldn't shake the feeling that something bad was about to happen.

Each raindrop reminded [Name] of the danger ahead. Their uniform started to stick to their body as it got wet, a stark contrast to the warmth of being indoors. In front of them loomed a large, ominous building, which they recognized from their mission briefing. But something felt off about being sent to face a Special Grade curse without Gojo-sensei, their usual experience but goofy mentor.

Amidst their thoughts, [Name] couldn't help but wonder if the higher-ups really expected a group of first-year students to defeat such a powerful threat.

Led by Ijichi Kiyotaka, the group moved forward with a mix of determination and fear. As they neared the imposing building, its dark silhouette cast long shadows, emphasizing the seriousness of their mission. The building, a symbol of fear, seemed to hold unknown horrors within its walls. They couldn't bear the thought that maybe one of them or themselves could end up seriously hurt.

Adjusting his glasses with a nervous gesture, he embarked on relaying vital information. "Our surveillance window confirmed the presence of the cursed womb three hours ago," his voice carried a hint of tension, underscoring the magnitude of the revelation. The building's imposing form seemed to mirror the weight of his words.

"As part of the protocol, once 90 percent of the occupants were successfully evacuated, the decision was made to seal off the center," Ijichi continued, his tone laden with the gravity of the situation. The building, a confluence of tragedy and malevolence, cast an eerie atmosphere over their surroundings. "Furthermore, citizens within a 500-meter radius have been successfully evacuated to ensure their safety."

Amid the collective silence, [Name] dared to voice the question that hung heavy in the air, their concern cutting through the tension. "What about the remaining 10 percent? Those who weren't able to evacuate?" The question lingered like a specter, a stark reminder of the human lives that were at stake. Their inquiry, though met with silence, spoke volumes; the somber expressions around them painted a grim picture that needed no verbal confirmation.

Sensing the weight of the moment, [Name] noted the collective avoidance of their gaze, an unspoken acknowledgment of the harsh reality. The tragic fates of the individuals left behind hung in the air like an unspoken truth.

Attempting to steer the conversation away from the overwhelming despair, Itadori interjected with a touch of bitterness, addressing Ijichi directly. "Ijichi-san, if I may ask, what exactly do you mean by 'window'?" The inquiry, while seeking clarification, served as a brief distraction from the emotional burden that weighed heavily on them all.

"Windows are civilians who, for various reasons, possess the ability to perceive curses to varying degrees. While they are not technically considered a part of the Jujutsu world, they often have contact with sorcerers," Ijichi explained, his voice tinged with a sense of seriousness.

[Name] and Itadori looked at each other, understanding the new information. This was something they hadn't known before, and it made them think about their training at Jujutsu High. Would they learn more about these things there? Or would be on field missions? [Name] didn't want to think what would happen if they were given misinformation for a mission.

Ijichi continued with his briefing, his voice carrying a tone of somber urgency. "Detainee block 2 currently holds five detainees alongside the cursed womb. If, as we suspect, this curse undergoes metamorphosis, we anticipate it will ascend to the ranks of a special-grade cursed spirit."

Itadori seized the opportunity to seek clarification. "Special-grade? What does that mean?" His question resonated with [Name], who, like Itadori, lacked prior knowledge of this classification. In the backdrop, Fushiguro and Kugisaki wore expressions tinged with impatience, clearly well-versed in this information.

Ijichi explained special-grade curses, talking about their different types and the risks they brought. His explanations helped clear up some of the confusion about curses, giving valuable information to the newcomers.

Itadori, caught in the gravity of the revelation, couldn't contain his astonishment. "That's...bad!" He exclaimed, his voice tinged with shock and a newfound understanding of the danger the group was about to face.

[Name] furrowed their brows as they voiced their concerns, skepticism etching their features. "Isn't this a bit beyond our league? I mean, we're just first years. Itadori and I have barely even been formally initiated as Jujutsu sorcerers," they remarked, their apprehension evident.

Fushiguro interrupted, speaking with a serious and practical tone. "Our numbers are limited," he stated matter-of-factly, his gaze unwavering. "So we must manage with the resources at hand until higher-grade sorcerers can be dispatched. As Jujutsu sorcerers, we've accepted the possibility of death as an inherent risk. It's part of the pact we made."

[Name] couldn't help but flinch slightly at the stark reminder, their hand instinctively finding solace in the touch of their celestial keys.

Kugisaki's skepticism was apparent as she crossed her arms, her voice tinged with suspicion. "Isn't that a bit suspicious?" Her pointed gaze scanned their surroundings. "I mean, it's quite the coincidence that they're sending us on this mission right after Gojo's been sent away."

[Name] chimed in, echoing the doubts that lingered in the air. "And wouldn't it make more sense to assign this to upperclassmen who are more experienced and equipped for it?"

Fushiguro provided some context to the situation. "It's possible that the upperclassmen are currently engaged in their own missions," he explained. "And as for the third-years, they're currently suspended."

Kugisaki couldn't hide her dissatisfaction, her expression marked by a frown. Fushiguro, on the other hand, maintained his usual stoicism.

Ijichi stepped in to offer a sobering perspective, his demeanor serious. "Unfortunately, this is the nature of our work," he explained, adjusting his glasses with a thoughtful gesture. "We're constantly short-handed in this business, as Fushiguro mentioned. You'll find that often, you'll be required to undertake missions that may seem beyond your current capabilities." His words carried a weight of reality, underscoring the uncompromising demands of their chosen path as Jujutsu sorcerers.

Ijichi's words carried a grave sense of caution as he continued on. "Nevertheless, you must remember this above all else," he emphasized, his tone unwavering. "Under no circumstances should you engage in combat. If you happen upon a special-grade curse, your only viable options are to flee or face almost certain death."

The revelation sent shockwaves through [Name], Itadori, and Kugisaki, their expressions a blend of fear and disbelief. Fushiguro remained silent, fully aware of this dangerous reality from his own experiences on various missions. He has seen a lot of his co-workers die due to curses.

Ijichi continued with solemnity, driving home the importance of this order. "If your instincts compel you to retreat, heed them without hesitation. There is no shame, no punishment for choosing to withdraw. Never forget that your primary mission here revolves solely around verifying the situation and rescuing any living survivors." His words served as a stark reminder of their ultimate objective in the face of unimaginable danger.

As the group approached the building, their focus was abruptly diverted by the escalating commotion at the entrance. A woman's frantic voice pierced the air, and [Name]'s brow furrowed in response, anticipating that this must be a family member desperately seeking a loved one trapped within the cursed site.

"Where is my son, Tadashi?!" The woman's hysterical cries echoed, her desperation evident as she attempted to push past the four guards forming a human barricade at the entrance. Her plea was laced with anguish and fear, tugging at the heartstrings of those who bore witness to her anguish.

"Please stay back! It's unsafe right now!" The guard tries to comfort the woman. Nevertheless, the woman kept pleading with the staff for any information about what had happened to her son.

[Name] looked away from the emotional scene, biting their lip in concern. They felt empathy for the mother's situation but remembered their duty as a Jujutsu sorcerer. They knew they had to protect everyone, regardless of the circumstances or past actions.

"Please, ma'am stay back." The officer softly pleaded with the woman even though he didn't have the heart to promise her that her son was alright.

She trembled at the thought of her son gone from the mortal realm, clinging onto the guard, her tears soaking his uniform. "Please....he is all I have left.....tell me is he alright?" The guard didn't say anything and only hugged her, trying to comfort her.

[Name] frowned deeply, their gaze shifting to their teammates, finding identical expressions of concern etched across their faces. The summoner couldn't help but share the same disconcerting feeling that seemed to envelop the group.

Iijichi promptly stepped forward, positioning himself in front of the team, effectively obstructing their view of the distressing scene unfolding. "She's a guardian and was here for a visit," he explained, his voice carrying a somber weight. He then turned his attention to the distraught mother and implored her gently, "Please step away. There's a possibility of someone spreading poisonous gas throughout the center. Sorry, but we cannot share any more details at this time."

The woman's anguish surged, her sobs growing more uncontrollably as she crumpled to her knees. Her hands covered her face as she cried out, "Why? Why must this be happening to my son?!" The raw pain in her voice hung heavy in the air, a stark reminder of the gravity of the situation.

"[Name], Kugisaki, Fushiguro," Itadori's voice cut through the tension, commanding their attention. His knuckles cracked audibly, and his gaze hardened with unwavering determination. "We're gonna save them. Every single one of them."

Kugisaki responded with a fierce grin, sharing the same unwavering resolve that coursed through her. "Damn right, we are," she declared, her determination echoing Itadori's.

Fushiguro remained silent, but the resolute gleam in his eyes spoke volumes.

[Name] felt a mixture of emotions swelling inside them, but above all, there was a quiet determination. "Let's do our best," they murmured softly, sending a silent prayer for the safety of themselves and their friends as they prepared to face the ominous challenge ahead.

As the group stepped through the imposing doors, Ijichi's voice rang out in a solemn warning, his tone laced with concern. "Be careful," he cautioned his words carrying an air of gravity. With a practiced gesture, he invoked an incantation, his voice resonating with seriousness. "I will put up my veil. Emerge from darkness, blacker than darkness. Purify that which is impure." As he spoke, a black dome materialized above the detention area and its immediate surroundings, casting the group into an eerie darkness.

"It's getting dark!" Itadori marveled in slight awe, his voice tinged with fascination. [Name] nodded in agreement, sharing a sense of wonder at the mystical barrier surrounding them.

"It's a veil," Fushiguro explained, his tone measured and knowledgeable. "There's a residential area nearby, so this barrier conceals us from the outside world," he elaborated, shedding light on the barrier's purpose.

"Wow! That is incredible!" Itadori exclaimed, his admiration evident.

"Remember," Ijichi interjected, reasserting his concern, "Be careful and come back safely."

With those parting words of caution, the door slammed shut behind them, leaving the first-years standing in the dimly lit hallway, poised to confront the cursed womb that lay further into the building. "Kami, please keep us safe."

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We are one step closer and I have a somewhat battle scene envisioned ehe. Hopefully, I can write it all down. I ain't good with fighting scenes. Thanks for the 442 reads and 29 votes. Until next time.