My Hero Academia: Limitless

Hey there, lovely readers! fumbles with a stack of papers, causing several to flutter to the floor

Oh gosh, just give me a second... scrambles to collect them

There we go! So, I've been absolutely consumed by this new project lately - a Jujutsu Kaisen fanfic that's been keeping me up at ungodly hours. You know how it goes, right? One minute you're thinking "I'll just write one scene," and next thing you know, the sun's rising and you've got ink smudges everywhere.

Before I share this first chapter though, I'd love to hear your thoughts on potential first-year students! I'm thinking of bringing in Okarun and Ayase - you know, from Dandadan? I think their supernatural experiences would make them perfect fits for Jujutsu High. But I want to keep our first-year class intimate - no more than eight students total. It helps keep the character dynamics rich and meaningful, you know?

Anyway, enough of my rambling! Let's dive into Chapter One, shall we?

===========

Equality. What a fascinating concept.

I watched the group of cursed spirits from my perch on the warehouse roof, their twisted forms writhing in the afternoon sun. Grade 2s mostly, with a few Grade 3s mixed in. To them, the abandoned industrial district was just another hunting ground. To me, it was a front-row seat to nature's cruel comedy.

My phone buzzed. Another message from the class group chat - something about tomorrow's history test. I ignored it. Hard to care about memorizing dates when you're watching monsters that most of your classmates can't even see.

The curses below moved like a pack of wolves, coordinated but savage. The stronger ones led while the weaker followed. Even monsters had their hierarchies.

Just like high school, I mused, thinking of the careful social stratification at Kami High. The popular kids at the top, the outcasts at the bottom, and everyone else desperately clawing their way up or down.

One of the Grade 2s below suddenly turned, fixing its malformed eyes on my position. I didn't bother hiding.

"Well then," I murmured, standing up and brushing off my school uniform. "Shall we test the limits of equality?"

The cursed spirits surged forward as one, scaling the warehouse walls with unnatural speed. I counted eight total - three Grade 2s and five Grade 3s.

I smiled.

"Umbra."

The air around me darkened as my Aurora Field shifted states, ethereal lights condensing into writhing shadows. Temperature dropped several degrees. The first curse reached the roof's edge, its grotesque mouth opening in a silent roar.

I didn't give it the chance to attack.

Shadow spears erupted from beneath its feet, impaling it through multiple points. The curse dissolved into nothing before it could even register pain. Its partners hesitated for a split second - just long enough for me to close the distance.

"You know," I said conversationally, as shadow blades extended from my arms, "I've always found it interesting how cursed spirits form hierarchies." Two quick slashes bisected a Grade 3. "You'd think beings born from humanity's negative emotions would reject such systems."

A Grade 2 tried to flank me. I phased through its attack using Shadow Step, reforming behind it. "But here you are, the strong leading the weak." My hand plunged into its back, shadows condensing into lethal spikes. "Just like us."

The remaining curses spread out, trying to surround me. Smart, but futile. I sank into my shadow, emerging in the center of their formation. Void chains shot out in every direction, ensnaring them all.

"Though I suppose that's the great equalizer, isn't it?" The chains constricted. "In the end, everything dies the same."

Five simultaneous pops as the chains finished their work. I let the technique fade, shadows retreating back to their usual aurora state. Eight curses eliminated in under thirty seconds. Not my best time, but respectable enough.

That's when I felt it - a presence watching me. Powerful. Completely hidden until it chose to reveal itself.

Interesting.

I kept my body language casual as I probed the area with my cursed energy. The presence was coming from... there. The adjacent building's roof. I could just make out a tall figure standing in the shadows.

Three shadow spears materialized behind me, shooting towards the unseen observer with lethal intent. In the same instant, I activated my shadow merger technique, my form dissolving into inky blackness.

I rematerialized where my spears should have struck, fist already swinging—

Only to find empty air.

"Not bad, kid," a lazy voice drawled from behind me. "But you'll have to do better than that."

I spun, shadows coalescing around my fists to see a white haired man on the warehouse roof instead.

The white-haired man tilted his head, studying me with an intensity I felt even through his dark glasses. A lazy smile played across his face as he raised one hand in a casual wave.

"Yo."

I kept my expression neutral, though my mind raced through possible escape routes. This man's energy... it was unlike anything I'd encountered before. Not just powerful - it felt wrong somehow, like staring into an endless void.

"Beautiful evening for curse hunting," he called out, voice carrying easily across the gap between buildings. "Though your technique's a bit flashy for stealth work, don't you think?"

"I wasn't aware I needed to be stealthy."

"Oh, you don't. Not with that level of power." He gestured vaguely at the dissipating remnants of the cursed spirits. "Nice work, by the way. Very clean. Though I might dock points for showmanship - all that talk about equality was a bit on the nose."

"You were watching the whole time?"

"Mm-hmm. Had to make sure you weren't some random psycho picking fights with curses." He stretched lazily. "Though the jury's still out on the psycho part."

I considered my options. Running wasn't ideal - this man had completely masked his presence until choosing to reveal himself. That level of control meant he could probably catch me easily. Fighting... well, the less said about that option, the better.

"You're not with this school," I said. It wasn't a question.

"Nope. Though I am a teacher. Just not yours." His smile widened. "Yet."

That got my attention. "What do you mean, 'yet'?"

"Tell you what," he said, suddenly appearing on my rooftop. I hadn't even seen him move. "Let's discuss it over dinner. My treat."

I took an instinctive step back, shadows writhing at my feet. "That's an... interesting recruitment strategy."

"Is it? I just thought you might be hungry after all that curse-slaying." He peered at me over his sunglasses, and I caught a glimpse of startling blue eyes. "Unless you've got somewhere else to be? Hot date maybe? Emergency student council meeting?"

"Why are you really here?" I asked, ignoring his questions.

"Straight to the point, huh? Fine." His playful demeanor dropped for a moment. "I'm here because someone with your level of power running around unsupervised is a problem waiting to happen. You're good - I'll give you that. But you're also untrained, unaffiliated, and clearly hiding what you can do from everyone around you."

I kept my face carefully blank. "I handle my powers just fine."

"Sure, sure. Right up until you don't." He shrugged. "Look, kid, I'm not here to strong-arm you into anything. But I think we both know you're playing a dangerous game. Sooner or later, someone less friendly than me is going to notice what you can do."

"You're not the first person to try recruiting me."

That seemed to genuinely surprise him. "Oh? Do tell."

"I'd rather not."

"Fair enough." He pulled out a phone, checking the time. "Well, my offer stands. Dinner, conversation, no strings attached. Though I should warn you - I know this amazing bbq place, and I tend to order everything on the menu."

I studied him carefully. Everything about this screamed 'trap', but... something in his casual confidence made me curious. Plus, he was right about one thing - I was starving.

"You'll answer my questions too?" I asked.

"As many as I can, yeah." He grinned. "Though I might have to charge extra for the really juicy stuff."

I sighed. "Fine. But I choose the place."

"Deal!" He clapped his hands together. "I'm Gojo, by the way. Satoru Gojo."

"Akira Amano," I replied automatically, then immediately regretted it.

"I know," he said with a wink. "Now come on, I'm starving. You can tell me all about how you ended up moonlighting as a teenage curse hunter while we stuff our faces."

The restaurant I chose was a small yakiniku place tucked away in a back alley - the kind of establishment that didn't ask questions when two people showed up in the middle of the afternoon, one still in his school uniform and the other wearing sunglasses indoors.

"Interesting choice," Gojo commented as we were led to a private booth. "Good meat, decent prices, private enough for conversation..." He smiled. "And three different exits, including the kitchen. You're a cautious one."

I slid into my seat. "Just practical."

"Oh, there's nothing wrong with being careful. Though I notice you picked a booth where you can see all the exits and my hands at all times."

"Are you analyzing everything I do?"

"Yep!" He picked up the menu. "It's kind of my job. Speaking of which, how's that history test prep going?"

I stiffened slightly. "You heard that message?"

"Nah, just saw you ignore your phone earlier. Figured it was probably school-related." He waved down a waitress. "We'll take two of everything, plus extra kalbi. And whatever he wants."

The waitress blinked but wrote it down without comment.

"So," Gojo continued once she'd left, "want to tell me how long you've been hunting curses?"

I considered lying, then decided against it. This man had been watching me fight - he'd probably already formed his own conclusions.

"About three years," I said. "Since I was twelve."

"Mm. Right around when your cursed energy would have started manifesting properly." He nodded. "Self-taught?"

"Mostly."

"Impressive. Most kids who manifest powers without training either get themselves killed or end up causing massive property damage." He leaned forward slightly. "But you've managed to not only survive but develop a pretty sophisticated technique."

I didn't bother asking how he knew its name. "You seem to know a lot about me."

"I make it my business to know things." He smiled. "Especially when those things involve teenagers with Special Grade potential running around my city."

"Your city?"

"Figure of speech." The first plates of meat arrived, and he began laying strips on the grill. "Though I do take a professional interest in any unusual jujutsu activity in Tokyo. Part of my responsibilities as a teacher at Jujutsu High."

There it was - the real reason for this meeting.

"I'm not interested in attending your school," I said firmly.

"No? Why not? The facilities are great, the training's top-notch, and I'm told I'm an excellent teacher." He flipped a piece of meat. "Plus, you'd get to meet other people like yourself. Must get lonely, keeping everything bottled up all the time."

I watched the meat sizzle. "I have my reasons."

"I'm sure you do." His tone was lighter now, almost gentle. "Just like you have your reasons for hunting curses alone, for hiding your true strength at school, for maintaining that carefully crafted persona of yours."

My eyes snapped up to meet his sunglasses. "What do you mean?"

"Come on, Akira-kun. You think I haven't done my homework? Star student, popular with classmates, active in clubs but not too active, good grades but not outstanding enough to draw attention..." He started placing cooked pieces on my plate. "It's a masterful performance. Almost perfect, really. Except..."

"Except?"

"Except perfect is suspicious." He removed his sunglasses, fixing me with those intense blue eyes. "Perfect means you're trying too hard. And people only try that hard to hide something when they're afraid of being found out."

I kept my face neutral, but my heart was pounding. This man saw too much.

"What do you want from me?" I asked quietly.

"Right now? I want you to eat before your food gets cold." He pointed at my untouched plate with his chopsticks. "After that, I want you to consider something: What if you didn't have to hide anymore?"

I picked up my chopsticks but didn't eat. "Hiding has kept me alive."

"Maybe. Or maybe it's just kept you stuck." He took a bite of his own food, chewing thoughtfully. "You know, most people with your level of power end up going one of two ways. Either they try to suppress it until it explodes out of them, usually with catastrophic results, or they embrace it and learn to control it properly."

"And you think your school can help with that?"

"I know it can." His voice carried absolute certainty. "But more importantly, I think you want help. Otherwise, you wouldn't be sitting here talking to me."

I finally took a bite of meat, using the moment to gather my thoughts. He wasn't entirely wrong - part of me was tired of hiding, of carefully maintaining my facade day after day. But...

"What if I told you there were complications?" I asked carefully.

"There always are." He grinned. "But I'm pretty good at handling complications. For instance, I could help you figure out why your technique is so unique, or maybe..." His voice dropped slightly. "We could look into what really happened to your family nine years ago."

The meat turned to ash in my mouth. "How do you know about that?"

"Like I said, I do my homework." His expression turned serious. "The official report says it was a home invasion gone wrong. But we both know that's not true, don't we?"

I set down my chopsticks. "This conversation is over."

"Is it?" He didn't move as I started to stand. "You know, running away from answers won't bring them back. But finding the truth might help you understand why you survived when they didn't."

I froze, halfway out of my seat.

"Sit down, Akira-kun," he said softly. "Please. Let me help you."

Slowly, I sank back into my seat. "What do you know?"

"Not as much as I'd like. The case file was surprisingly well buried - someone went to a lot of trouble to make it look like a simple criminal matter." He started grilling more meat. "But there were inconsistencies. Signs of cursed energy use. And some very interesting connections to certain... organizations."

"What organizations?"

"Ah ah, that's premium information." He waggled his chopsticks at me. "The kind that comes with conditions attached."

I clenched my fists under the table. "So that's your game. Dangle information about my family's murder to force me into your school."

"Force? No. Motivate? Maybe." He shrugged. "Look at it this way - you want answers, I want to make sure you don't accidentally level a city block when your powers finally overflow. Seems like we could help each other out."

"And if I refuse?"

"Then you refuse. Like I said, no force involved." He started placing more meat on my plate. "Though I should mention that the school has resources you couldn't access on your own. Training facilities, research materials, connections... Plus, you'd have access to me, and I'm kind of a big deal in the jujutsu world."

Despite myself, I felt a smile tugging at my lips. "You're not very modest, are you?"

"Nope! False modesty is boring." He beamed. "So, what do you say? Want to at least check the place out? No commitment required - just a tour and maybe a chat with some other students."

I picked up my chopsticks again, considering. He was manipulating me, that much was obvious. But he was also offering something I desperately wanted - answers about my family, training for my powers, and maybe... maybe a chance to stop hiding who I really was.

"One condition," I said finally.

"Name it."

"I want everything you have on my family's case. All of it, not just the parts you think will keep me interested."

Gojo tapped his chopsticks against the edge of his plate. "Information's not free, kid. But I'll make you a deal - beat me in a fight or graduate from Jujutsu High. Either one happens, you get everything. Every scrap of intel, every lead, every connection I've uncovered."

I stabbed a piece of meat. "That's your counter-offer? Become stronger than you or waste three years at your school?"

"Waste?" He pressed a hand to his chest in mock offense. "I'll have you know we provide an excellent education. And hey, you've done pretty well teaching yourself so far. How hard could it be to surpass little old me?"

"You're not as subtle as you think."

"Never tried to be." He popped another piece of meat in his mouth. "Look, you've got talent. Raw power too. But there's a ceiling to what you can learn alone. Trust me, I've been there."

I leaned back, studying him. The lazy smile, the casual posture - all calculated to put me at ease. But there was steel beneath it.

"Three years is a long time."

"Is it? Longer than you've already spent hunting answers on your own?"

That hit closer to home than I liked.

"Think about it," he said, softer now. "What's three years if it gets you what you want? Plus, you might actually enjoy yourself. We've got a pretty interesting bunch this year."

"I'll consider it."

"That's all I ask." His grin returned full force. "Now, how about dessert? The mochi here is killer."

I shook my head. "I should go. It's late."

"Suit yourself." He pulled out his wallet, waving off my attempt to split the bill. "Here, take this."

A black business card landed in front of me. The text shifted and changed as I picked it up.

"In case you need backup," he said. "Or just want to talk. No pressure."

Outside, the night air carried a hint of summer. I turned to leave, then stopped.

"Gojo-san."

"Mm?"

"Why pick me? Really?"

He stood silent for a moment, streetlight catching his white hair.

"Because power like yours needs direction," he said finally. "And because sometimes the kids who think they don't need help are the ones who need it most."

When I looked back, he was gone. Just empty street and flickering neon signs.

I pulled out the card again. The text danced across its surface, never quite settling.

Mom's pendant sat cold against my chest. The last piece of her I had left.

I pocketed the card and started walking. The night wasn't over, and curses didn't hunt themselves.

Tomorrow could wait.