Satoshi lay beneath the swaying branches, a yawn escaping as sunlight dappled through the leaves. The tree's shade wrapped around him like a soft blanket, the gentle rustle of wind and distant chirping of birds creating a serene atmosphere.
Satoshi was lost in thought.
"I'm in the same timeline as Satoru Gojo. I wonder if he'll be able to put up a decent fight..." He wondered. "Although I've reincarnated and became a human, I've retained most, if not, all of my powers."
Curses had no body. They were purely created from negative energy. However, Satoshi was an anomaly as he was previously a human before he became a curse, then once again became a human after reincarnating.
It was likely all his abilities were retained in his very soul.
The moment he was reborn, if he hadn't suppressed himself instantly, he would have flooded the entire hospital with his cursed energy — which would have been really bad, likely attracting countless curses to that place like annoying rats.
Curses like him would be classed as special grade at a point — despite the vast differences in power among some — having abilities usually relating to the negative thoughts and feelings humans hold towards a concept.
That being human hatred, nature, and volcanoes for example. They were essentially natural calamities, sharing similarities to how devils in Chainsaw Man are created.
Of course, him being labelled merely special grade was more of an insult to him, but he wasn't that bothered.
Though, now that he was human, he had been wondering if he could develop his very own cursed technique, something that branches off from his powers as a curse, as he was technically now a sorcerer.
It was different from Sukuna who was initially a sorcerer, then became a curse after sealing himself, already have developed his own techniques, or already possessing his very own innate techniques.
However, this idea of his was more of a side project — something he didn't put much thought into, considering his power was already more than enough to conquer the world of Jujutsu.
After all, he also took into consideration that his abilities as a curse had formed through his own soul as a human, essentially creating his very own innate techniques.
But these thoughts of his were fleeting.
Why?
He had a system now.
The cheat all transmigrators should be blessed with, and something he didn't have for a hundred years...
Satoshi shook his head, burying his annoyed thoughts into the back of his mind.
At least he could brag that he didn't need a system to become the strongest if he ever meets another transmigrator, right?
That was something at least.
Just as he closed his eyes, a flicker of cursed energy brushed his senses — sharp, vile and unstable.
Satoshi frowned.
A curse... nearby?
His silver eyes opened lazily, narrowing as he honed in on the presence. His expression darkened slightly as he realised it was dangerously close to where Mei Mei was playing at.
"How bothersome..."
With a faint sigh, he got up. With a step that didn't disturb a single blade of grass, Satoshi vanished.
—
—
—
The cursed energy here was thick and vile, coating the air like a fog. A monstrous creature loomed ahead — a massive, black-furred fox with five tails.
It was first-grade, maybe on the cusp of special.
Then, in a blink, Satoshi appeared in front of it.
He wore a smile — a slow, ominous one.
The moment the fox met Satoshi's gaze, it froze.
The pure, malevolent aura emanating from him was simply on another level — it was instinctive, like how prey would view their natural predators.
Despite being so small, Satoshi was simply a monster in the form of a little child.
And the fox knew that.
Without a shred of hesitation, it promptly decided to run. The curse somehow split itself into five clones, each leaping towards different directions.
Satoshi had an amused expression.
However, with a wave of his hand, he collapsed the illusion in front of him.
And the fox was still there.
It had somehow made itself invisible, whilst creating illusions to trick Satoshi.
"Did you think I wouldn't notice?"
Satoshi couldn't help but chuckle.
"You have some bothersome tricks... I wonder how I should kill you?"
He took a step forward, and any ounce of resistance this grade one curse had vanished into thin air.
However, before he could take another step, that was then—
Poof!
It had transformed into a little, cute adorable fox.
"Hm?"
Satoshi blinked, slightly amused as the once-monstrous beast now resembled a fluffy fox with big scarlet eyes and twitching ears. It let out a soft yip, then rubbed its head affectionately against his leg.
He tilted his head with an unreadable expression.
"Well, aren't you an adorable curse," he murmured, a shift in demeanour as he crouched down to gently pat its head.
The little fox let out a pleased sound, its tails flicking as if begging for affection.
But then—
Satoshi's fingers curled around its neck.
He slowly lifted it into the air, his hand tightening slightly, clamping the small neck of the little fox.
His soft smile remained — but his eyes were narrowed, gleaming with an ominous glint.
"I don't like you," he said calmly, the words light but filled with a chilling threat. "You're quite unlucky, loitering around this place while I was nearby..."
The fox whimpered, squirming in his grasp, but Satoshi didn't budge.
It was scared for its life.
Then, as if a switch flipped, Satoshi's expression grew thoughtful — his grip relaxing just a little.
"Though, I suppose it wasn't entirely your fault," he mused aloud. "You didn't attack her... and you seem to clearly understand what I'm saying."
He tilted his head, his tone almost gentle now.
"So... why don't you become my servant? It seems your abilities are related to perception. It's quite useful and convenient for my needs. It's probably how you've been undiscovered till now despite being near a household of sorcerers."
His smile returned. Outwardly, it seemed quite amiable and warm.
But the fox felt nothing but dread.
It understood.
That was no offer.
That was a sentence.
If it refused, it would die.
Trembling, the fox nodded its tiny head vigorously, whimpering in submission.
Satoshi's eyes lit up, his cold expression revealing a hint of satisfaction.
"Good choice."
He lowered it gently to the ground, giving it another pat, this time more genuine.
"I'll give you a name later," he said casually, turning away. "Try not to disappoint me."
And just like that, he vanished again — leaving only the wind and a terrified, loyal little curse behind.