CHAPTER FIVE

【the price of power】

Death was never a new experience to Rina. It wasn't a stranger to anyone in this line of work or even normal people. But some deaths had a certain sting to them, especially when you feel you could've done something.

Satoru had just returned from his mission and was inside the school's mortuary with Ijichi, who was explaining the current dilemma. Rina lingered by the doorway, listening in on their conversation.

"I specifically told them that fighting was absolutely not an option," Ijichi said firmly.

There was a pause before the blindfolded sorcerer spoke. "It was intentional."

"Huh? What do you mean by that?" Ijichi's voice grew tense.

"The special grade. Sending first years to rescue five people who were already dead should've been out of the question," Satoru continued calmly, rubbing the back of his head. "With Yuji, Rina and I were the ones who forced the issue to get his sentence suspended. Some higher-ups didn't like that. They took advantage of my absence, it was decided last minute Rina wouldn't go but no one knew except me so it was assumed she had been absent as well..... so they used the special grade to dispose of him."

Ijichi shivered at his words, "B-but wait, when the initial dispatch went out, no one knew it'd become a special grade—"

Rina's focus was broken when she felt a hand rest on her shoulder.

"You're eavesdropping," Shoko's voice cut through her thoughts.

"No, I'm—"

"Eavesdropping."

Rina sighed, rubbing her thumb over her index finger—a nervous habit Shoko quickly noticed. Without a word, Shoko took her hand and pulled her into a hug. Rina stiffened but hesitantly returned the embrace.

"You're spiraling," Shoko whispered.

Rina stayed quiet in Shoko's embrace, her mind replaying Gojo's words. Intentional. The weight of that one word bore down on her, pulling her further into a dark spiral. For someone like Rina, who had spent years clawing her way up to prove herself, the idea that lives were used as pawns—that her students, her own comrades—could be collateral damage to a larger scheme sickened her.

Shoko's voice was gentle but firm, breaking through Rina's thoughts. "Hey, come back to the present. You can't be lost in your head right now."

Rina pulled away, fixing her expression to one of indifference, but the tension in her body betrayed her. She finally managed to mutter, "It's just so sickening..."

Shoko sighed, a mixture of empathy and knowing resignation. "You've been at this long enough to know who the higher-ups are, Rina. They care about control, not fairness or honor."

"I know. But it doesn't make it any less... infuriating." Rina's eyes darkened. I should've been there. She had said to herself repeatedly.

Ieiri gave her a supportive nod, "Come on." She said, as the doors automatically opened as they both walked in.

"——and go kill all those higher-ups," Satoru's voice carried over, sharp and unrestrained.

Rina's head snapped to the right, catching sight of Satoru sitting on a metal bed, his usual laid-back demeanor replaced by frustration.

"You're not usually this emotional," Ieiri commented, her eyes shifting between Rina and Satoru.

Ijichi stiffened, bowing to the brunette. "Good to see you Ms Ieiri."

 "At this rate, the two of you could bulldoze through anything in your way." She continued.

Rina didn't respond, her gaze fixated on Satoru. His shoulders were tense, hands wrapped in tight fists. He was trying to mask it, but the rage was visible in the way his jaw tightened and the way he kept avoiding her eyes. She knew he was angry too—angry at what had happened, and angry at himself as well.

Ieiri's gaze flickered briefly to the body lying motionless on the metal bed, then back to Satoru. She twirled a strand of her hair absently, her voice casual despite the grim scene. "Sounds to me like you took quite a liking to this one," she remarked.

Satoru raised a hand, pointing a finger in her direction. "I've always been the kind to care about my students," he replied, his voice cool.

Ieiri tilted her head, studying him. "Regardless, you shouldn't torment Ijichi so much. It's hard for him to be stuck between us and the higher-ups."

Satoru's expression remained hard as stone. "I don't care about another man's hardships," he said bluntly.

Rina's voice cut through the tension, sharper than she intended. "You should."

Satoru finally met her eyes, his expression unchanging. The air seemed to thicken between them, the weight of awkwardness hung around them until the doctor cleared her throat.

She turned back to the body again, removing the tarp from the deceased teenager. "So this is Sukuna's vessel." she said, scanning his body. "I can cut him up yes?"

"Just make good use of him." He replied.

"Oh I will. Who do you think I am?" Ieiri replied.

Rina walked towards the body, placing a hand on the corpses' forehead. The familiar cold feeling sent a shiver down her spine. I'm sorry. She wanted to say. But would that change anything? 

"After all, you were once ordered to be executed as well."

The room was cold and dimly lit, shadows looming as if they were the silent judges themselves. Rina sat in a solitary chair in the center, her wrists bound tightly with ropes, talismans woven into each knot to suppress her cursed energy. Around her were the senior members of the Jujutsu Society, their faces masked by authority, eyes gleaming with judgment.

She kept her head high, her defiance clear, but the fear in her eyes betrayed her. She could feel their scrutiny—every gaze as piercing as a blade, as if she were a creature they didn't quite understand, yet feared too much to ignore.

"Rina Akumu," one of the elders finally announced, his voice echoing across the cold chamber. "You lied to the school about your identity and endangered civilians."

Rina's jaw tightened as she strained against the restraints, which held her fast. She met their stares head-on, her teeth bared slightly in a silent challenge.

"Your very existence," another elder chimed in, "has disrupted the balance of cursed energy. It's unnatural—an affront to all we uphold."

Rina's mind raced with fear and anger. This was more than just a trial about her abilities. It felt personal, as if her very being, everything she'd worked for, was being questioned.

"Therefore," the elder said with a chilling finality, "we sentence Rina Akumu to death by execution."

A stunned silence filled the room, broken only by the rustling of papers as the order was recorded. Rina's heart pounded, her breath quickening in panic. She looked down for a moment, then let out a quiet, almost amused chuckle. It was a sound so unexpected that the council members shifted uncomfortably in their seats.

"So that's it?" she asked, her voice laced with a mocking edge. "You're all just... scared of me?"

She raised her head, a smirk tugging at the corner of her mouth. "I'm just some possessed creature in your eyes, aren't I? Some weapon you can't control. It's almost... amusing, really, to see the great Jujutsu Society cowering in fear."

Her laughter grew louder, her voice echoing off the walls, each chuckle laced with bitter defiance. She tugged against the ropes, her muscles straining, as if she could break free through sheer force of will.

"Let me go!" she demanded, her voice rising. "You're all cowards, hiding behind your laws and your judgments. Afraid of what you can't understand—"

Her words cut short as a sharp blow landed at the back of her head. She gasped, eyes rolling before she slumped forward, unconscious. Standing behind her, a teenage boy adjusted his tinted glasses with a casual flick, the hint of a smirk playing at his lips.

How bold, he thought, looking down at her. She really called the entire council a bunch of cowards. 

Clearing his throat, he stepped forward, facing the startled elders. "Great elders," he began, his tone bright, almost cheerful, dispelling the tension in the room. "I have a proposition."

The elders exchanged glances, momentarily taken aback by the interruption. One of them scowled. "Young man, it is rude to interrupt."

The boy bowed politely, though there was an unmistakable glint of mischief in his eyes. "My apologies, sir," he said, still smiling, "but I'm afraid if I hadn't stepped in, you'd all be dead."

The elders bristled at his words, some shifting uncomfortably in their seats. Rina's presence had already unsettled them, but this newcomer's insolence was almost too much to bear.

One of the elders narrowed his eyes. "Yaga, you'd better have a good explanation for this."

Principal Yaga pushed past the young sorcerer, giving a respectful nod before addressing the council. "Apologies," he began, clearing his throat. "As much as Rina's power is a source of concern, it is also one of the most formidable assets we possess. Executing her would be wasteful." He let the gravity of his words sink in, scanning their faces for any sign of agreement. "We are dealing with an anomaly, yes, but an anomaly that could shift the balance of cursed energy in our favor."

Another elder leaned forward, eyes sharp with suspicion. "And what would you suggest we do with a creature so... uncontrollable?"

"Containment, guidance, and a purpose," Yaga replied firmly. "Instead of treating her as an abomination, grant her the title of a sanctioned sorcerer under direct supervision. Set strict terms—any violation would result in her immediate execution. This way, we retain control while preserving an irreplaceable force. When she proves her loyalty, her execution sentence can be officially... revoked."

The council murmured, the sound a mix of reluctance and intrigue. Yaga watched as fear and ambition played across their faces.

"And if she goes wayward?" another elder asked. "Who will bear the burden of doing what needs to be done?"

The room fell silent until Satoru stepped forward, his usually casual demeanor replaced with a grave intensity. "I will," he answered, his gaze falling on Rina's unconscious form. "She knows well enough to understand that her life rests in my hands."

The elders exchanged looks, visibly weighing Satoru's words. His reputation preceded him, and the confidence in his tone held a certain finality. Even those who disagreed with his unconventional methods knew better than to question his resolve.

After a tense pause, one of the senior council members finally nodded, breaking the silence. "If you're willing to take full responsibility, Satoru, then perhaps Principal Yaga's proposal has merit. But know this: should she show even the slightest sign of defiance, we will not hesitate to act."

Satoru smirked, his usual air of arrogance slipping back into place. "Trust me, you'll have no need to intervene."

The council remained uneasy, their gazes shifting back to Rina, who lay slumped in her chair, still unconscious. Yaga gestured toward her as he continued, "She's young, and her abilities are still raw, unrefined. With proper training and purpose, Rina could become a powerful ally rather than a danger. Give her a chance to prove that she can be more than what you fear."

With a reluctant nod from the lead council member, the elders reached their decision. "Very well. We will defer her sentence—for now. But remember, Satoru and Yaga, the burden of her actions lies with you both."

Yaga and Satoru exchanged a nod, the weight of the decision settling over them. As the council members slowly filed out, leaving the room draped in silence, Satoru crouched beside Rina, studying her unconscious form with a thoughtful expression.

"I've got you," he murmured, his voice low and filled with a mix of resolve and something unspoken.

Yaga sighed, stepping forward with a knowing glance. "Oi, c'mon, let's go. We've got work to do."

Satoru gave a faint smile, a rare softness in his usually impassive demeanor. With a swift motion, he gently lifted her, careful to avoid causing any discomfort, though his actions remained deliberate and firm.

The room fell into stillness as they left, the weight of the council's decision lingering in the air. Whether Rina would live up to their expectations or defy them entirely, only time would tell. For now, though, the burden was on Satoru and Yaga to guide her down a path that could either save or destroy her.

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

Ring...ring!

Hello?

✵ Hey! You've reached rieberly!  I have been STUCK  on this chapter for so long, forgive me guys, writer's block can be a hassle. I'm sorry I made you guys wait. 

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