#long distance isopods...........................

The day started unassumedly. A Giant Isopod crawling across the ocean floor, searching for food. After having little luck in the deeper parts of the ocean, she made her way up to a reef. She gradually made her way through the reef, snatching sponges, the occasional oblivious crab, clams and oysters, prying them apart to get at the meat within.

Suddenly, as she followed an outcrop around, she came face to face with a creature she has never seen before. It was an odd thing, in her opinion, it was small, had only four limbs, and swam in the oddest of ways. It too, was scrounging around for food, but it only seemed to be grabbing the oysters and placing them in... something, ignoring everything else. When it turned it's head towards her, it froze, slowly drifting away, before turning and swimming away quickly.

Intrigued, she followed it, trudging up the seafloor, until it seemed to break through something. She stopped, staring at this strange surface, where the light seemed to come down from. She felt uneasy, this was something she knew nothing about, but gathering up her courage, continued up towards it. As she reached it, she hesitated for a moment, before reaching up and breaking through.

It took a moment for her eyes to adjust to the light, but when they did, she was stunned. The first thing she noticed were giant rocks, tinged with green and brown and gray, in the distance, reaching up high and through odd white smudges. Then, she turned her attention to what was in front of her. At the edge of the coarse sand underneath, she saw that same unknown creature *pulling its feet off* to reveal... other feet. It had been joined by another of the creatures and was emitting odd sounds before both noticed her and fell silent, watching intently with almost perfect stillness. The deafening silence continued for a few long moments before she noticed the object the first creature had been putting the oysters in. One of the creatures followed her gaze, and reaching down it pulled an oyster out and tossed it her way. She caught it and, keeping her eyes on the pair, pried it open and scooping the meat inside into her mouth. The creature then threw another, and it was at this point the Isopod decided that the strangers could be trusted.

That was 2 years ago. The Isopod had been given the name Helen by Chitisia's Integration and Assimilation Program where she learned to read, write and speak the human language. Nowadays, she runs a seafood joint in the coastal port city named Malacostrica, where the first human settlers successfully landed and created the first Chitisian settlement. Because of her ability to breath indefinitely underwater, and her knowledge of the murky depths, she is able to find plants and animals no human would be able to get reliably or safely, and it's because of this that her restaurant has become popular amongst the city's inhabitants, who come there both for the food and for Helen's friendly demeanor and attitude, which has led to many people to give her the nickname "Nelly." The restaurant has become a "must visit" location for many travelers and traders who stop by the city for commerce, and her reputation has reached not only Arthroposi, but even the continent where humans first walked the earth.

He's fast, disappearing mid-air, only to be stood right beside Maki, tugging at Cloud Jumper. He wins, tugging the weapon from Maki's hands. He walks past casually, like he's simply here to finish some simple job. From the corner of your eye, you notice Zen'In's old man tense, recognition flashing through his eyes.

You're left confused. You knew that the Geto Suguru of this universe went down the same road as your universe's Geto Suguru. You had read it right off Gojo's face back when he asked who you were. Geto had ended up that way thanks to his battle with Toji, among other reasons. 

Had that not happened here? Wasn't Toji supposed to be dead? You did notice something odd though. Black eyes. You have no idea why or where or how.

Nonetheless, you watch in amazement with the rest as Toji approaches the curse casually, no sign of fear.

The curse has no idea who he is, writing him off as unimportant and sending a really long ugly eel from his stomach.

The display is a little disgusting, but whatever.

Toji was not scared, or impressed. You don't catch his smirk as he beats through the curse's attack. It creates an opening for him, and he's quick to close in on the distance between them, whacking Cloud Jumper across its face. He's watching the curse fly from his attack with a crazed smile. He follows soon after, running over the water as he mercilessly attacks the curse again and again, sending him flying in every direction. The curse doesn't stand a chance.

If your universe's Toji was anything like this one, then you understand how Gojo lost from him. The man is visibly crazy, his attacks merciless, skilled, and fast.

Eventually, the curse finally regains his footing, and he sends a hoard of piranha curses at Toji, aimed in a straight line. Of course, Toji doesn't falter, whacking through every last one of them with ease, closing in on him once again. The curse is smart, and pulls him under as he aims at his stumic once more. The two disappear from sight, only to reappear later. First, the curse. Then, Toji, who's wrapped up like a cocoon in eels, it seems. It only takes Toji a moment to break free from the eels. Two giant isopods break the surface a moment after he breaks free, but he beats one down with a single blow, the other one falling soon after. 

Their fall creates a big wave on both sides. One heading straight towards your group, the other sending Toji and the curse back to the island. 

You react quickly, taking control of the wave and allowing it to flow back gently. When the wave dissipates, all of you are able to see the curse receiving a life threatening beating once again.

And now, he's drawing blood, seriously injuring the curse.

" Old man. Who is that?" 

It's Maki who's asking the question.

" A ghost." 

" Fushiguro, can you hold out a little longer?" 

You glance back at Megumi, noting his state. Fuck, you forgot that he's still deploying his domain. It must be taking a shit amount of effort to keep that going.

You take a few steps to stand beside him, gathering the water of the curse's domain to form a stream, pressing your hand to the skin on the back of his neck. You can't fully heal him while he's using his cursed technique, especially while he's using his domain, but at least this way his physical state won't get worse. Megumi takes a deep breath before answering.

" Yes." 

A horrific sound brings your attention back to Toji. Metal scraping against metal. He's sharpening Cloud Jumper. Soon enough, both ends of the once dull weapon are sharp enough to pierce skin with minimal effort.

The curse seems to realize it too, and jumps up. You're not the only one who notices. Naobito  is up in the air soon enough, pushing it back to Toji. Toji is soon to stab it with Playful Cloud. And then he's ripping the three parts loose, back to mercilessly beating the curse.

Then you're all back in the metro station. Your eyes widen. 

He really just beat the special grade curse by himself.

" Megumi!" 

He's dropped to his knees, choking up a bit of blood.

" I'm fine. Heal me later-" 

he's breathing heavily. You're worried, but you nod.

Everyone's focus shifts to Toji.

Who's side is he on?

Toji is walking slowly, however, before anyone of you can speak, a window breaks.

He's forced Megumi outside.

Your eyes are wide, and Maki and you both call out for him at the same time.

" Megumi!" 

You've jumped out of the window before you've finished saying his name. Toji is a few steps in front of you. You can see his eyes wide from the few meters you're stood away from him.

A moment later, a fire breaks out behind you. 

Your eyes widen, glancing between Megumi and your other allies.

" Go!  I- I'll handle this!" 

Megumi looks uncertain. You're uncertain too. Another eruption of flames.

" Just- stay safe! If you die- Nobara, Yuuji and I will kill you!" 

You send him a worried glance, and then you're uncapping your water bottles, sending yourself back up, just as a third eruption of flames happens.

And then you feel something. Or hear something. You're not sure. It's like a heartbeat. But it's ominous, like a warning.

You arrive back in the metro station just to see a flash of the cursed spirit as it leaves, dashing away.

You wonder if it heard the heartbeat too.

However, you have no time to think about it. The scene in front of you ir horrific. Zen'In's old man is completely burned. Nanami seems to be half burned, probably having managed to protect himself at the very last second, half of his body gruesomely burned while the other half seems fine.

Your eyes widen as he gets up, eyes dully scanning the scene, lingering on Maki, who seems in an even worse state, as she didn't have the cursed energy to protect herself.

" Nanami!" 

" Heal Maki first." 

You stop, pausing as you look at him. 

" Nanami-" 

" She needs your help more than I do. You're strong, Y/N. I don't know what your universe is like, but I hope things are not going along the same lines as here. heal Maki, Y/N. And when this is over, we will speak again." 

He gives you a short, small smile, and then he's walking away. Blade in hand, half of his body in completely burned. You stare after him for a moment, before turning to Maki. She stirs. at least she's alive.

You rush over to her, uncapping one of your water skins. You immediately manipulate the water onto your hands, deciding to try something new as you manipulate the water to cover every inch of her body in a thin sheen, hoping it will help heal her sooner. Soon enough, your own hands press down on her gently, your reverse cursed technique doing it's job.

" Y/N..." 

"Maki! I'm so glad you're alive." 

You release a tense sigh.

Slowly but surely, Maki's body heals, though scars do remain.

" I'm sorry, I can't avoid the scars."

" It's okay. Thank you for healing me." 

You nod at her, getting up. Admittedly, it took a lot of water and effort to heal her. You're more skilled in reverse cursed energy than regular cursed energy, but even you can't deny that healing a whole body is demanding of you.

She joins you, her eyes studying her new scars.

And then you feel it again. That ominous presence. It's heavy, demanding, and unmistakingly evil. It's faint, so thankfully it's far away. But it's still there.

" Y/N?, What is it?" 

" A cursed presence, I think." 

Maki's eyes widen, following your line of sight. What could that be? 

" Do you think it could be Sukuna's?" 

You send her a questioning look.

" Sukuna doesn't have any cursed energ- Oh, this universe's Sukuna." 

It takes you a moment to realize.

Maki nods.

" Do you know what our universe Sukuna's like?"

" yeah, he's the king of curses right?  His technique was slicing I've been told. And for some reason he's in Yuuji's body?- That part always got me a bit confused." 

You move towards Naobito, intending to heal him, but Maki puts a hand on your shoulder.

" Don't heal him. He's not worth the effort, and you'll need the remaining resources of water you have." 

You give her an uncertain glance, glancing down at the man who's laid out on the floor like a fry. Usually, you'd heal as many people as you could, but you happen to have heard already how horrible he is.

" He's treated you like shit your whole life, right?" 

You don't turn to her as you ask the question. Maki raises a brow in surprise.

" Yes, why? " 

You sigh, nodding as you turn to face her.

" In my universe, we're friends. I consider you my friend here too. I don't heal people who harm my friends." 

You're smiling at her, and Maki smiles back at you.

" That's sweet. I think it's best if you go and find Yuuji. If Sukuna has truly manifested for whatever reason, we're in trouble. I'll go help out Megumi." 

You nod at her.

" Okay. Stay safe." 

The both of you turn the opposite direction after that. Maki jumps out of the broken window, while you walk deeper into the metro station. The first scene that greets you makes you gasp. 

Two unfamiliar girls. One completely headless, her head body in a bowing position, and the other girl's body splayed across the ground, part of her head severed. You have no idea who these two are, but you still feel sorry for them. You have no idea who or what killed them. Glancing around, you notice a huge poster. Whatever fought here must have shattered the glass that held it, the material now loose.

Originally, you'd like for them both to lay side by side, under the poster you just found as a sign of respect. However, you're too afraid to touch them. A stupid unsettling feeling you have around dead bodies. Instead, you rip the poster in two, laying one part on each of them, wishing them to rest in peace.

You continue on your way, searching the halls for Yuuji.

Most of the metro station is empty, save for the rubble that's laying around.

Eventually, finally, you come across someone.

He reeks of cursed energy, making you wonder if he's really old or just special.

You cock your head, uncapping your leftover water skin.

" Hi." 

He stills, now turning to look at you. His hands are holding his head, sweat covering his features. He's definitely distressed. Silently, you wonder about what. 

His features are unique. He has dark eyes, surrounded by deep purple circles, like he's never slept before. His hair is tied up in two small ponytails, and on his face is a mark you could've sworn you've seen somewhere before.

" Are you okay?" 

-

" Come any closer and I'll kill you!"

Sukuna grumbles in annoyance, turning around.

The sight is ominous, horrific. He's covered in blood. However, he has 2 eyes, is seemingly a bit taller and buffer than the Yuuji she knows.

" I'm done with useless fights. Two other sorcerers have already tried to kill me, and surprise, surprise, they failed." 

Nobara's eyes narrow.

" Did you kill them?" 

His voice is the same. It's slightly creepy. He sounds bothered, or perhaps annoyed. 

" No. I'm not a murderer." 

Nobara lowers her weapon, fixing him with a look.

" You're from Y/N's universe." 

Sukuna's eyes widen. Finally, he calms down.

" Universe? You mean that this is a different one? "

Was that what Inumaki senpai was trying to tell him?

Nobara nods.

" Boy, do you have a lot to catch up on. But first, how did you come here?" 

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