Eclipsed Radiance

srry again....this wont happen again.

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Log: July 2018

West Tokyo city

Eishuu Juvenile Detention Centre

In the sky above the exercise yard

Unnamed apparition of potential special grade. Its curse womb was witnessed by several non-jujutsu sorcerers. 

Due to the emergency nature, three Jujutsu High first years were dispatched to the scene, and one died.....

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The rain fell in heavy sheets, drenching everything in its relentless downpour. The world seemed muted by the storm, its rhythm steady and unyielding. Standing amidst the rain's fury, Megumi struggled to steady his breath, his body battered but unyielding. Before him stood Sukuna, wearing Yuji's face twisted into a devilish grin, reveling in the chaos.

Yuji's heart lay discarded on the wet ground, a stark and gruesome centerpiece to the scene. The blood mingled with the rain, spreading across the cracked pavement in diluted streaks.

Sukuna chuckled darkly. "You're still standing? Admirable, I suppose. But this farce ends now."

He raised a foot, poised to deliver a kick that would surely incapacitate Megumi, if not worse. But as Sukuna moved, something shifted.

A strange stillness rippled through the storm, subtle at first. The rain, which had poured without hesitation, now seemed to hesitate mid-fall. The droplets nearest to Sukuna and Megumi continued their descent, but beyond them, the rain slowed unnaturally, halting in midair as though frozen in time.

From the curtain of suspended rain, Renji emerged, stepping into the scene with deliberate calm. The droplets that approached him stopped just short of his figure, creating a perfect sphere of dry space around him. His hoodie and hair remained untouched by the storm, as though the rain itself refused to sully him.

Each step he took left a trail of resumed rain behind him—the droplets that had paused fell once more, their rhythm resuming as if no time had passed. The sight was surreal, like a fragment of time moving against the storm's chaos.

Sukuna's grin faltered, his gaze sharpening. He tilted his head, watching Renji's approach with intrigue. "Well, now. What do we have here?"

Renji stopped a few paces away. His violet eyes glowed faintly, unyielding and sharp behind his glasses. He looked at Megumi briefly, giving him a nod of reassurance before fixing his attention squarely on Sukuna.

"That's enough," Renji said, his voice calm yet commanding.

Sukuna's lips curled into a smirk. "Enough? Do you have any idea who you're speaking to, boy?"

Renji took another step forward, his dry figure standing in stark contrast to the drenched surroundings. The raindrops hovering near him shimmered faintly before resuming their fall, creating an almost hypnotic effect as he moved closer.

"I know exactly who you are," Renji said evenly. He noticed the hole in Yuji's chest, blood still leaking out of the hole. If Sukuna switches back, Yuji will die. Renji sighed before concluding that there isn't anything he can do about it. He speaks up. "And I'm telling you, this ends now. Leave him be."

Sukuna barked a laugh, the sound cutting through the rain. "You're bold. I'll give you that. But you're mistaken if you think you have the power to stop me."

Renji's gaze didn't waver, his hands slipping casually into his hoodie pockets. "You talk too much."

The air around Sukuna shifted. Subtle at first, then unmistakable—a crushing pressure that warped the space around him. He staggered slightly, his grin faltering.

"What is this?" Sukuna snarled, his tone laced with irritation and intrigue.

Renji's violet eyes glinted behind his glasses. "You're not going to get another warning. Switch back, or I'll make you."

Sukuna stared at Renji, his mind racing. This wasn't raw power—it was something else, something far more precise and dangerous. He looked again at the halted raindrops surrounding Renji, their defiance of natural order mirroring the boy's unwavering presence.

"You think you can dictate terms to me? Besides, if I switch back, your friend here is done for." Sukuna growled, stepping forward to test the invisible boundaries Renji had created.

Renji didn't flinch. He raised a hand slightly, his fingers barely moving. Instantly, the space around Sukuna folded and shifted, and Sukuna was flung backward as though struck by an unseen force. The impact cracked the pavement beneath him, sending shards of concrete skittering across the ground.

Sukuna rose to his feet slowly, his grin replaced by a scowl. His sharp gaze flicked between Renji and the halted raindrops that seemed to ripple and fall only when Renji moved.

"Well," Sukuna said, brushing off the dust and debris, "this might actually be entertaining."

Renji's voice remained steady, unyielding. "Yuji," he said softly, as though addressing the boy beneath Sukuna's control, "if you can hear me, hang on. I'll get you out of this. You may die when he switches back, but at least you won't be watching him kill everyone."

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The rain continued to fall, a relentless backdrop to the confrontation. But within the storm's chaos, Renji stood untouched—a quiet reminder of the order that could emerge from the darkest turmoil.

As the storm raged on, Sukuna dusted himself off after being hurled into the ground once more. He chuckled lowly, the sound dark and resonant, before spitting onto the ruined pavement. His crimson eyes glinted with a mix of curiosity and amusement as he studied Renji, who stood calmly amidst the falling rain.

The droplets still refused to touch Renji, halting just before his body like obedient servants held in eternal stasis. His violet eyes glowed brighter without the glasses, as if daring Sukuna to make another move.

"Those eyes..." Sukuna muttered, his grin fading into something more serious. He tilted his head, as if trying to reconcile a forgotten memory. "The Inverted Six Eyes. I've seen them before... a long, long time ago."

Renji remained silent, though his fingers twitched slightly, betraying his readiness to react at any moment.

Sukuna continued, pacing slowly, his gaze never leaving Renji's. "Back when I ruled, there was a sorcerer—an anomaly, much like you. Their eyes glowed like yours, reversing the flow of cursed energy in ways even I found... annoying. But after them? Nothing. Centuries passed, and the inverted eyes disappeared. I assumed they were lost to time, like so many other relics."

He stopped pacing, his lips curling back into a wicked grin. "And now here you are, standing before me. A living legend revived."

Renji's voice was calm but cold, cutting through the tension like a blade as he took of his glasses. "I'm not your legend. And I'm certainly not a relic."

Sukuna barked out a laugh, his excitement palpable. "Oh, don't be so modest! I've waited ages to see these eyes again. Tell me—how does it feel to bear such a burden? To be the universe's answer to that arrogant fool, Satoru Gojo?"

Renji's expression darkened, his fists clenching at his sides. Sukuna noticed the subtle shift and grinned wider.

"Ah," Sukuna taunted, leaning forward slightly. "Hit a nerve, did I? What's wrong? Don't like being called a counterweight? A tool of balance? Face it, boy—you're not here because of destiny or choice. You're here because the universe decided it needed you to stop him."

Renji's voice dropped, low and steady. "You talk too much."

Without warning, Renji surged forward, the ground cracking beneath his feet as he closed the distance between them in an instant. Sukuna barely had time to block before a repulsive force exploded from Renji's palm, sending the King of Curses skidding back, his heels digging trenches into the earth.

Sukuna steadied himself, licking the blood from his lip with a crazed grin. "Oh, I've missed this!" he roared, charging forward again.

The two clashed, the sound of their blows echoing across the rain-soaked landscape. With every strike, Sukuna couldn't help but steal glances at Renji's glowing eyes, fascinated and infuriated by the young sorcerer's power.

Between the exchanges, Sukuna smirked and said, "Tell me something, kid. Do you ever wonder why you? Why now? Why those eyes?"

Renji didn't answer. He focused on his movements, his attacks precise and deliberate, each one designed to disrupt Sukuna's rhythm.

But Sukuna wasn't deterred. He laughed, the sound manic and unhinged. "You're just like that other sorcerer. Always silent, always calculating. But let me tell you something, boy—you can't run from what you are. Those eyes make you a beacon, whether you want it or not. And I'm going to enjoy breaking you, just like I did them."

Renji's expression didn't waver, but his aura flared, the rain around him trembling as though responding to his growing resolve. He stepped forward, his voice steady but filled with a quiet intensity.

"You don't know anything about me," Renji said. "And you never will."

He raised his hand, and the air around Sukuna twisted violently, the gravitational forces bending to Renji's will. Sukuna's smirk faltered as he was slammed into the ground with a force that left the earth groaning in protest.

The storm seemed to hold its breath, the silence only broken by Sukuna's laughter as he rose again, blood dripping from the corner of his mouth. "Good," he said, his voice low and dangerous. "Very good. Keep fighting, kid. Let's see how far those eyes can take you."

Renji didn't reply. He simply adjusted his stance, his glowing eyes fixed on the curse, ready for whatever came next. The rain, once halted around him, began to fall in sync with his movements, as if the storm itself had chosen its champion.

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Renji's cursed energy pulsed around him, intensifying with each step forward. The storm seemed to mirror his resolve, the winds howling and the rain striking harder. Sukuna's mocking grin began to fade, replaced by something sharper, darker—a flicker of unease.

"You're actually trying now," Sukuna muttered, flexing his claws. "Good."

Renji didn't reply. He thrust his hand forward, unleashing a massive wave of Repulsion that hurled Sukuna into the side of a crumbled structure. Before Sukuna could recover, Renji followed up with Attraction, pulling the cursed spirit toward him with incredible speed.

Sukuna barely had time to block as Renji's knee drove into his chest, the impact causing a visible shockwave. Sukuna coughed, blood splattering the ground beneath them. He staggered, his grin wavering but not disappearing entirely.

"You're persistent," Sukuna said, his voice laced with something akin to amusement. "But persistence isn't enough."

Renji's violet eyes glowed brighter, and the air around him warped dangerously. "And arrogance won't save you," he replied, his tone cold.

Renji moved faster than Sukuna could react, his strikes precise and relentless. Sukuna deflected some, but others landed, each hit sending shockwaves through the air. A particularly powerful punch sent Sukuna crashing into the muddy ground, creating a crater beneath him.

For the first time in a long while, Sukuna didn't immediately get up. He remained on one knee, his breath uneven, his blood staining the ground.

"Backed into a corner by a kid," Sukuna said, his grin slowly returning. "I haven't felt this alive in ages."

Renji advanced, the storm swirling around him like a second skin. "This ends now," he declared, his voice steady and filled with finality.

But as Renji prepared his final strike, Sukuna's expression shifted. His grin widened, twisted and malevolent. "You're good, kid," he said, his tone almost admiring. "But playtime's over."

Before Renji could process it, Sukuna's cursed energy shifted—familiar, yet drastically different. The malevolent aura dissipated, replaced by something far weaker but still alive. Sukuna's mark faded from Yuji's face, and his body collapsed forward.

Renji froze, his hand inches away from striking. "What—?"

Yuji groaned weakly, his eyes fluttering open. He looked up at Renji, confused, before his gaze shifted and locked onto Megumi in the distance.

"Megumi..." Yuji muttered, his voice trembling. Then, before Renji or Megumi could react, Yuji's body convulsed and went limp.

"Yuji!" Megumi shouted, rushing forward.

Renji took a step back, his glowing eyes dimming as the rain began to fall normally again. He stared at Yuji's lifeless form, his mind racing. The overwhelming presence of Sukuna was gone, but what remained was just as heavy—the death of the boy who had been caught in the middle of it all.

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The storm faded into silence. All that remained was the sound of the rain and the weight of what had just happened.

Renji stepped back, his glowing eyes fading completely as he turned to Megumi. His voice was steady but heavy with the weight of the moment. "We need to get his body to Jujutsu High."

Megumi glanced at Yuji's lifeless form. There was no need to check—he already knew. Yuji's heart was gone, torn from his body by Sukuna's hand. Megumi clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms as he pulled out his phone.

He dialed quickly, and the line clicked. "Fushiguro," came Ijichi's voice, sharp and alert.

"We have a situation," Megumi said, his tone calm but urgent. "Yuji is... down. Sukuna destroyed his heart before retreating. We need immediate transportation to Jujutsu High. We're still at the juvenile detention center."

Ijichi was silent for a moment, processing the grim report. "Understood. I'll be there in ten minutes. Don't move from your location."

"Got it," Megumi replied, ending the call.

Renji knelt next to Yuji's body, his expression unreadable. The storm had quieted, its earlier rage reduced to a steady drizzle. "Sukuna really didn't hold back," Renji murmured, mostly to himself. "He knew exactly what he was doing."

Megumi remained silent, his gaze fixed on the ground. The weight of Sukuna's actions hung heavy in the air.

Soon, the distant glow of headlights cut through the rain, and a car pulled up outside the detention center. The vehicle came to a stop, and Ijichi stepped out, his face grim but composed.

"We need to move quickly," he said, motioning to the car.

Renji and Megumi worked together to lift Yuji's body, careful despite the urgency. They placed him in the back seat, Megumi taking a moment to glance at Yuji's face before stepping back.

The car sped off into the night, the juvenile center disappearing behind them as they raced toward Jujutsu High. Each of them sat in heavy silence, the gravity of what had transpired weighing down every moment of the journey.

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Inside Sukuna's innate domain, a chilling silence hung in the air. The curse stood atop a mountain of bones, his crimson eyes glowing with cruel amusement as he stared down at Yuji. The oppressive landscape was desolate, with endless darkness stretching beyond the macabre peak. Yuji, fists clenched at his sides, glared up at Sukuna, his expression twisted in anger.

"You took my heart out!" Yuji shouted, his voice echoing across the void. "What the hell is wrong with you?"

Sukuna smirked, his tone dismissive as he replied, "Do I look like I care? Don't waste your breath on self-righteous drivel, boy. You're alive—barely—because of me."

Yuji gritted his teeth, his fury unabated. "You could've killed me permanently, but you didn't. What's your game?"

The King of Curses chuckled, his laugh reverberating ominously. "Simple. I'll make you an offer, brat. A binding vow. If you agree, I'll heal you. If not..." Sukuna gestured grandly to the expanse of bones. "This will be your eternity."

Yuji narrowed his eyes, his suspicion evident. "I'm listening," he muttered reluctantly.

Sukuna grinned wider, stepping down from his throne of bones to tower over Yuji. "Here's the deal: I'll restore your body, good as new. In exchange, if I utter the word enchain, you'll give me control immediately. No arguments, no resistance."

Yuji's eyes widened in alarm. "Absolutely not! You could just kill whoever you wanted! Forget it!"

Sukuna sighed theatrically, shaking his head. "You're so short-sighted, brat. Fine. Let me sweeten the pot. I'll resurrect you under two conditions. First, you'll still switch when I say enchain, but I won't kill or injure anyone during my time in control."

Yuji blinked, surprised at the concession. "And the second condition?"

Sukuna's grin turned predatory. "You'll forget we even made this agreement."

Yuji froze, his mind racing as he weighed the offer. He glanced at the bones beneath his feet, realizing the gravity of his situation. "You're really trying to trick me with that second condition," he said after a moment. "Do you think I'm stupid?"

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Yuji's glare hardened as Sukuna's conditions hung in the air. "No deal," he said firmly, his voice echoing in the void.

Sukuna's grin faltered for a moment before twisting into something more sinister. "Oh? Still clinging to that pathetic self-righteousness?"

"You could still kill someone," Yuji interrupted, his tone unyielding. "That second condition makes this entire thing a setup. I'm not that stupid."

The King of Curses chuckled darkly, clapping slowly. "Well, well, the brat has a brain after all. Fine, no second condition. But without it, there's no guarantee for your survival. You'd better come up with something worthwhile, or this is the end."

Yuji's mind raced. He couldn't deny that Sukuna held all the cards. If he didn't figure out a compromise, he'd never leave this cursed domain alive—or at all. Then, he had an idea.

"Here's my counteroffer," Yuji said, his voice steady despite the storm of emotions churning within him. "You get control of my body for ten minutes."

Sukuna's grin widened, his sharp teeth gleaming. "Now that's more like it. Go on."

"But," Yuji continued, holding up a hand, "you're not allowed to kill anyone. Injuries, sure, but the most you can do is leave them alive. No exceptions."

The cursed spirit's grin faltered for the briefest moment, his crimson eyes narrowing as he assessed Yuji. "And why, pray tell, would I agree to those terms? What if I simply refuse and leave your pathetic soul to rot here?"

"Because you want out," Yuji said, his voice firm. "You've been stuck in my body this whole time. Ten minutes of freedom, even with restrictions, is better than nothing, right? And I'm betting you're curious what you could still accomplish even with that limit."

Sukuna's laughter echoed across the bone-strewn landscape, harsh and grating. "You think you're clever, don't you, brat? Fine. I accept your terms. Ten minutes, and I'll play by your silly little rules. No killing, just a bit of fun."

Yuji nodded, his fists clenched tightly. He knew he was taking a massive risk, but it was the only way to ensure his survival—and hopefully keep the people he cared about safe.

Sukuna extended a clawed hand, his grin as predatory as ever. "Shake on it, brat. Let's seal the deal."

Yuji hesitated for only a moment before gripping Sukuna's hand. The second their hands connected, an ominous energy surged between them, and the world around Yuji seemed to twist and distort.

Sukuna's voice echoed in his mind, low and mocking. "Enjoy the show, kid. I'll make sure it's unforgettable."

Yuji felt himself being pulled out of the cursed domain, a mixture of dread and determination settling in his chest. The deal was made, and now he had to live with the consequences.

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The hum of the car engine filled the air as Renji stared out the window, lost in thought. Beside him, Megumi sat with his arms crossed, his gaze fixed on Yuji's lifeless body sprawled across the seat. Ichiji drove in silence, the weight of the situation pressing heavily on all of them.

Megumi's attention sharpened when something caught his eye—a faint movement. His heart skipped a beat as he leaned closer. "Renji," he said urgently, "look!"

Renji turned, his violet eyes narrowing as he focused on Yuji. The hole in Yuji's chest, the very wound that signaled his death, was closing before their eyes. Tendrils of flesh and muscle knitted themselves back together with an eerie efficiency.

"What the—" Megumi began, but Renji cut him off.

"He's back," Renji said, his voice calm but tinged with intrigue. "His cursed energy is returning."

Yuji stirred, his fingers twitching as he drew in a sharp breath. His eyelids fluttered open, revealing wide, disoriented eyes.

Ichiji glanced at the rearview mirror, nearly swerving the car in surprise. "He's awake?!"

Yuji sat up slowly, groaning as he rubbed his chest. "Yeah... I'm alive," he muttered, his voice hoarse. He looked around at the stunned faces surrounding him before adding, "I made a binding vow with Sukuna."

Renji's eyebrows arched slightly, a flicker of interest passing over his usually stoic face. "You agreed to it?"

Yuji nodded, his expression serious. "I didn't just agree to anything. I made sure to listen to the terms carefully, like you guys said. Sukuna gets control for ten minutes, but he's not allowed to kill anyone. The most he can do is injure them."

Megumi exhaled sharply, relief mingling with frustration. "You're insane for even agreeing to that."

Renji, however, smirked faintly, crossing his arms. "Not bad, Yuji. You actually listened. Smart move not letting him manipulate you further."

Yuji smiled weakly, scratching the back of his head. "Thanks, I guess. But I'm not sure how smart it was... I'm stuck with it now."

Renji leaned back in his seat, his gaze shifting to the window again. "A vow is a vow. As long as Sukuna follows the terms, it's a win for us."

Megumi shook his head, clearly not as optimistic. "Still, we need to let Gojo know as soon as possible. This changes everything."

Ichiji nodded from the driver's seat. "We'll be at Jujutsu High soon. Let's hope this doesn't turn into an even bigger mess."

The car fell into silence once more, but this time it was less oppressive. Yuji stared out the window, his hand over his chest, while Renji's mind raced with thoughts of what this deal with Sukuna could mean for the battles ahead.

As the car continued its journey toward Jujutsu High, Megumi broke the silence, his voice curious yet cautious. "Yuji... what was Sukuna's end of the deal?"

Yuji glanced at Megumi, hesitating for a moment before answering. "I'm inheriting Sukuna's techniques," he said quietly. "Cleave, Dismantle, and his Domain. In exchange, he gets freedom for ten minutes—within the limits we set."

Megumi exhaled sharply, processing the information. After a beat, he chuckled, shaking his head. "Honestly... that's a pretty good trade-off. You gain power without giving him unchecked control. Just don't mess up and forget the terms."

Renji, who had been silently observing, turned his attention back to Yuji, his sharp violet eyes narrowing slightly. "That explains it," he said thoughtfully. "No wonder your cursed energy levels are far above what they were before your death. It's almost like Sukuna left you a gift to go with the deal."

Yuji frowned, looking down at his hands. "I didn't really think about that... but it does feel different. Stronger."

Renji crossed his arms, his tone growing serious. "We'll need to test your limits later, but right now, there's a bigger issue. It's best if the higher-ups stay clueless about your resurrection."

Megumi looked up sharply. "Why?"

Renji's gaze was steady as he explained. "Think about it. They likely sent you, Nobara, and Yuji to the detention center knowing it was a death trap. That mission wasn't one for Grade 3 sorcerers—it was something I or Gojo should've handled. A task fit for a Special Grade sorcerer."

Megumi's grip on his phone tightened, and his gaze shifted to Yuji, who looked equally unsettled. Renji's tone remained even but carried an unmistakable edge. "The higher-ups knew exactly what kind of threat was in that detention center. Sending a team of 3rd Grade sorcerers? Alone? And me and Gojo just 'happened' to be busy when they sent you there? It wasn't an oversight—it was calculated. It's easier for them to eliminate potential threats under the guise of a failed mission than deal with them directly."

Megumi's jaw tightened, and he glanced away, a grim understanding dawning on him. "You're saying they sent Yuji to his death."

Renji nodded. "Exactly. And if they find out Yuji came back, especially stronger than before, they'll start scheming again. The higher-ups aren't exactly known for their moral integrity."

Yuji clenched his fists, his expression hardening. "So... what do we do?"

Renji smirked faintly, his confidence unwavering. "We keep them in the dark for now. As far as they're concerned, you're dead. We'll let Gojo handle the politics. All you need to focus on is getting stronger—and making sure Sukuna doesn't screw us over."

Yuji nodded, his resolve firm. "Got it."

Megumi sighed, leaning back in his seat. "This just keeps getting more complicated..."

Ichiji, listening quietly from the driver's seat, chimed in with a small laugh. "Welcome to Jujutsu sorcery. It's never simple."

Despite the heavy conversation, a sense of unity settled over the group. They might be walking a tightrope, but they were in it together.

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A/N: Hi.....Renji vs. Sukuna here! I wanted to show you guys how Renji has grown since he started training with Satoru. He's already had his awakening, so he's really literally the only other strongest sorcerer. As for his awakening arc, I'll think up something. I should really explain his abilities soon. Domain expansion comes in a few chapters. So be ready! BYE!