(I couldn't find a better gif, fml)

Naobito Zenin, along with a few other Zenin clan members, stood at the gates of Jujutsu Tech. (M/N) could feel his anger bubbling within his chest and throat, ready to start a debate, but Yaga stepped in front of his employees and the children before he could. The principal crossed his arms and stared Naobito down. "Zenin. To what do we owe this late visit?" He asked in a calm, yet seemingly irritated tone.

The old man waved his hand off with a roll of his eyes. "You already know what we want, Yaga. Hand the brats over so we can get out of here and I can go get a drink back home," he demanded without a care in the world.
(M/N) grit his teeth and stepped toward to say something, but Satoru quickly stopped him. The (H/C)-haired man turned to glare at his friend, but Satoru glanced at Megumi and Tsumiki as an indicator. 'Don't,' his eyes read.

One of Megumi's hand gripped the white wolf's fur tightly, the other hand holding onto Nanami's pants. He glared at the elderly man; he had no clue who he was, but he looked like someone Gojou and (M/N) didn't like. "Nanami, what do I do?" He quietly asked, glancing at the man in his wolf's jaws.

"Just stay calm, Megumi," Nanami replied. In truth, he wasn't sure what to do. They had intercepted Megumi from being taken by the Zenin clan, and that was good in theory - but was it fair or even legal? 'Transactions like this aren't easy to deal with,' he thought as he nudged Tsumiki and Megumi. "Just come along. Everything will be alright."

The children nodded and walked along with him, all eyes on the three. Naobito Zenin eyed the wolves that padded alongside Megumi, a malicious grin spreading across his face. "The Ten Shadows Technique. Our clan's most powerful cursed technique," he said with pride. He looked at Gojou and only grinned wider. "The same thing that wiped out your great ancestor, hm?"

Gojou laughed and leaned against (M/N), fixing his glasses. "Right, right.. in the same fight that killed your great ancestor!" He said, his tone condescending and annoyed.

(M/N) shared the same agitation. His hand tightly held on to Satoru's wrist, trying to restrain himself. "Again, why are you here, Zenin?" He repeated, glaring daggers at the old man.

"I already told you, mutt, we're here for the kid. I don't really care about the other one but I suppose we have to take her," Naobito plainly stated, rolling his eyes at (M/N). "Really, sorcerers these days.. tch. Anyways, it's even more important now with this technique of his."

(M/N)'s eye twitched as he said, "We're not handing him over. We had direct orders to intercept him."

Naobito crossed his arms and scoffed. "From who? His scumbag father?" He asked with a teasing tone. (M/N) frowned but said nothing, leading the man to frown as well. "What? Don't know how to speak, you little-?"

Satoru quickly intervened and said, "You see, Zenin, my friend here has an incredible cursed technique! Let's just say he did speak to Fushiguro, and yes, that is who asked us to get Megumi and Tsumiki."

Naobito cocked an eyebrow at (M/N). "As far as I'm aware, that worthless man died a while ago. So, if I'm understanding this properly, you.. what, you resurrected him?" He stated. (M/N) said nothing, eyebrows furrowed deeply. Naobito laughed. "That's what I thought. Now, give me-"
Within milliseconds, a blast of electricity was shot into Naobito's chest. He grunted as he slid back a few feet, dust blowing up behind him. He shook off the feeling of shock and looked up at (M/N) angrily. The young man was quickly circled by Zenin clan members, all in defensive positions. "What the hell?!"

(M/N) held his kunai up and twirled them with a cold stare in his eyes. "I said, leave. I don't quite honestly give a crap who you are - you're interrupting the children's sleep and my personal time," he said flatly. Satoru sighed heavily - he sometimes forgot how short of a temper (M/N) could have. "I did indeed resurrect Toji Fushiguro, who was not a worthless man like you say he was. He was doing what was best for his child, and I will carry that on in his name, whether it means I have to kill you, right here and right now, or not."

Meanwhile, Megumi watched this exchange with fearful eyes. He didn't want (M/N) to get hurt, or have to hurt anyone - he just wanted to go back to bed and cuddle his stuffed animal. He looked up at Nanami. "Should I just.. go with them?" He asked in what he thought was a quiet tone, but everyone heard it. All heads whipped towards the little boy, and he gulped and put on a brave face. "Is it just better for everybody?"

"See, the boy gets it-!"

"No."

Heads turned to Yaga this time. He had his arms crossed over his chest and shook his head. "Zenin, the boy is a child with no clue of what's wrong and right here. And, as you can see, my staff here isn't exactly letting this go down without a fight," he said as he gestured to (M/N) and Nanami, whose eyes were narrowed like angry guard dogs. Naobito rolled his eyes, and Yaga then continued with, "And if I'm correct, we agreed that you'd be coming by later in the week to discuss this matter. It is now.." he paused to check his watch. "2:36 in the morning. Why are we here?"

"We figured you'd give us hell in getting the kid," Naobito snorted. "I figured that if I just, y'know, took him during the night, that it go over a lot smoother. Plus, I sent this team and that curse to completely ensure his retrieval, so it should've been easy."

Nanami cocked an eyebrow and shook his head. "So, kidnapping was a 'smoother' option than properly settling this?" He asked. What this old man was suggesting was incredulous - surely he couldn't be serious? "I agree that the custody we have of Megumi at the moment is.. questionable. But we did not kidnap him, nor his step-sister. For people that want this child so badly, you left these two to fend for themselves."

Satoru nodded and fixed his glasses. "He's right. When (M/N) and I found the kids, they were in a busted up house - I mean like, cached in food and dirt kinda busted up," he added, to which (M/N) silently nodded with agreement. "So, with all that in mind, why now?"

Naobito frowned and shook his head. "That is none of your business," he scoffed. "But by blood and by a legitimate deal with the father, he belongs to us. Hand him over, now."

"We already said no, you old man," (M/N) replied dryly, pushing Satoru's hand off his shoulder. He stepped forward and tapped the old man's chest with the blade in his hand. "You want him? Go through me."

Naobito raised an eyebrow, then looked (M/N) up and down. 'He's radiating cursed energy,' he thought. 'He's what, a Grade 3? Grade 2? How lowly.. though, he's providing more trouble than anything. Let's just dispose of him.'
He turned to one of his clan members; his nephew, Jinichi. A big burly man, with stiff black hair and dead set eyes. "Jinichi, deal with this impudent boy. I've wasted too much time here," he ordered before stepping back.

(M/N)'s (E/C) eyes traced the man's frame and let out a small huff. "Impudent my ass, raisin-looking ass old man," he cursed beneath his breath as he looked at Nanami. The blonde had an annoyed and yet concerned expression gracing his features. "Kento, get the kids back a bit, please."

Nanami nodded and, along with the rest of the Jujutsu Tech staff and the kids, stepped back to give (M/N) and Jinichi enough fighting space. Gojou glanced between the two with narrowed eyes and whispered, "Kento, hm? Didn't know you two had gotten so close."

"We haven't," Nanami dryly responded. Then, he let out what sounded like the smallest breath of laughter. "Not yet, at least."

Gojou smiled and hummed, refocusing his gaze on (M/N). "I see. Well, best of luck with it," he returned, a slightly arrogant tone to his voice. Nanami said nothing and instead, the two watched their companion in the space ahead.

(M/N) stretched his arms and yawned, kunai' twirling absentmindedly between his fingers. Jinichi stood ahead of him with his arms crossed, eyes narrowed at the nimble young man in front of him. (M/N) lowered his arms and smirked, then pointed one of his weapons at the man. "Let's get this over with, hm?" He asked, to which Jinichi nodded and lowered his arms.

Yaga and Naobito looked at each other and nodded - it was time to begin. "Fight!"

Within what seemed like half a second, five massive fists appeared around Jinichi and they, along with the man himself, flew towards (M/N). "That's your technique? So barbaric," the electric cursed user chuckled. He jumped up and coolly landed on one of Jinichi's flying fists, sparks flowing from the soles of his shoes and into the fist. It quickly seized and fell to the ground, then evaporated. Jinichi's eyes widened and he let out a small growl as (M/N) fell through the air with his kunai poised to stab the man through the shoulder. He backed up, grabbed (M/N)'s leg, and swung his arm to punch him upon the perfect second of (M/N)'s body falling. (M/N) saw the fist coming towards his body, as well as the other four that were still flying around. "Well, shit, that's not bad," he murmured as he covered his face with his arms to brace for impact.

Megumi and Tsumiki gasped and covered their mouths. "What is he doing?! He's gonna get squished to death!" Tsumiki worried, looking up at Gojou and Nanami.

Gojou shook his head and squinted at his best friend. Beneath (M/N)'s arms, the man had the smallest hint of a smirk on his lips. "Meh. He'll be fine, kid, just watch," he reassured the little girl, patting her head. Megumi's mouth gaped at Gojou's bluntness, to which he said, "Oh, drop that look, Megs! All's good for our buddy over there!"

"Don't call me that-" Megumi began to argue, but the faint shriek of.. something made him quit his words short. He looked back at the fight and saw a faint yellow glow surrounding (M/N)'s arms, the shrieking growing louder by the millisecond. Once Jinichi's fists all collided with the (M/N)'s body, the glow turned into electric sparks; what had to be hundreds of volts of electricity shot from within (M/N)'s body through Jinichi's body, as well as all of the flying fists. "Woah.." Megumi whispered as the flying fists fell to the ground and disintegrated.

Jinichi shouted with pain as he dropped (M/N) to the ground, his arms trembling from the numbing electricity flowing through him. (M/N) groaned once he hit the ground. He stood up and sighed, rubbing his hip. "Now I'm tired and sore. How annoying," He complained, picking his kunai' up from the ground. Jinichi grunted and charged at (M/N) with raised fists again, and he rolled his (E/C) eyes. "The same tactic? So-"
Suddenly, Jinichi jumped behind (M/N) and went to punch his back. (M/N) gasped and, since he didn't have enough time to charge up his cursed technique, turned around and lifted his kunai' above his head. Without missing a beat, he slashed them down in opposite directions of each other right in Jinichi's face.

"Oop-!" Gojou whistled as he and Nanami quickly covered Megumi and Tsumiki's eyes. The white-haired man watched as blood gushed from Jinichi's forehead while the man screamed in agony. (M/N) leapt back with a shocked expression, as if he hadn't realized what his movements would do. Gojou, on the other hand, grinned. "Way to go, Sunshine!"

(M/N) blinked a few times before nodding and smiling a little. He looked at Naobito, who wore a mixed expression of disgust, annoyance, and disappointment. "Is that satisfactory for you, o wise Zenin leader?" He asked with a mocking tone, sarcastically bowing to Naobito. Naobito scoffed and looked away. (M/N) grinned and stood back up straight, then looked back at the bleeding Jinichi. "I apologize for that- I didn't really think it through. Please, allow my friend to get that checked out for you," he said honestly, pointing to Shoko.

"Eh? Me?" She hissed, uneasily glancing the wounded man up and down. (M/N) shot her a look and nodded, so she sighed. "Fine," she muttered. Jinichi growled and looked up at (M/N), but made no move to hurt him. Instead, he squinted at him for a moment before giving a curt nod and standing up. Despite feeling dizzy, he looked at (M/N) and gave him a bow of his head.

"Good fight."

Without another word, Shoko led him away to stop the bleeding of his forehead. (M/N) was a bit surprised to receive such words from the man, but smiled and shrugged. 'Cool points for me,' he thought. He shook the dripping blood off his kunai blades while turning to Naobito. "So, what are our new terms?" He asked.

Naobito looked at the Jujutsu Tech staff, as well as Megumi. The little boy stood strong and with a calm face under the elderly man's gaze, which Naobito couldn't help but snicker at. He looked at Yaga with a frown and asked, "Who is the boy's main guardian?" Yaga hummed and gestured for (M/N) to step up. "Of course it would be," the old man muttered as he beckoned one of his servants to join his side. "I will suggest this once and only once. If you do not take this deal, we will take the boy by force, regardless if that means killing you all."
(M/N) crossed his arms as Naobito continued with, "We offer a tournament of sorts between Jujutsu Tech and the Zenin clan. Each group will send their three strongest sorcerers to compete. Whoever has the most victories will keep the Fushiguro child. This will be a test of who's more capable to raise and train the boy's cursed technique."

(M/N) looked at everyone else and held back a deep breath. He looked at Satoru and Kento, both of them giving a nod of affirmation. He then looked at Megumi and Tsumiki, who smiled and gave him two thumbs up. When he turned back to Yaga and Naobito, Yaga's lips had the faintest smile on them and nodded. (M/N) smiled and looked at Naobito's unimpressed face.

"We accept the challenge, Zenin."

Naobito sighed and nodded. "Very well then, imp. We will hold the tournament in a month's time," he replied. With a single wave of his hand, the Zenin clan and their hired assassin team began to leave through the Jujutsu Tech gates. But as they all left, Naobito turned and looked at (M/N). "Oh, and (L/N)." (M/N) raised and eyebrow, and Naobito grinned maliciously and declared, "The boy will be tested as well, just so you know. So, train him well enough so he doesn't get killed."

With that, the Zenin clan was finally gone.

(M/N) let out his much held back breath and nearly collapsed to his knees, running a hand through his (H/C) hair. "That son of a bitch," he quietly cursed as Megumi and Tsumiki raced to his side.

"(M/N), that was so cool!" Tsumiki beamed as she tackled the man in a hug. Megumi quickly joined the hug, though he said nothing. "How did you do that cool arm thing in the fight?! And you were diplomatic and everything- so cool!"

(M/N) laughed and hugged both of the children tightly, doing his best to ignore the exhaustion in his brain and body. "Years of training, my dear," he replied. He looked up and saw Satoru and Kento standing over him with smiles on their faces. "You guys heard all that, right?"

"We did," Kento responded before they helped (M/N) and the kids to their feet. "And we'll be ready to deal with it when the time comes."

Satoru nodded and threw his arms around (M/N) and Kento's shoulders. "Nanamin's right! We'll kick their lame asses into the next universe!" He playfully sang, but (M/N) shot him a dirty look for his 'potty mouth.' "Oh, right, right- kick their lame butts, I mean!"

(M/N) looked at Megumi, who was frowning a bit as he hugged the adult's leg. (M/N) ruffled his hair and caused the boy to look up at him. "Satoru's right. We've got this, alright Megumi?"

Megumi nodded and looked down at his hands - these small, inch-long hands that now had the ability to create shadow monsters- no, shadow demons. He smiled. "Yeah. We've got this."

~ ♡︎ ~
persona non grata: unwelcomed person

hope you guys enjoyed this chapter, im so surprised to see how many reads and traction this book has picked up T v T

until next time! arrivederci ♡︎
(i started taking an italian class a month ago, help me)