"Mahoraga really couldn't move while adapting to my Cursed Energy… but to cope with the situation, it split itself into three…
Hang in there, big sister who's been fighting for a thousand years~~
Thanks to you, I'm finally going to get a good night's sleep~~"
Akira Zenin lay alone in a pitch-black "pond," the water just brushing the edges of his ears.
There was no one else, no walls, no streets, no mountains, only darkness as deep as a starless night.
No noise, no clamor, only a faint murmur, like chanting scripture in a cathedral, brushing gently against the ears if one listened closely…
Counting this time, Akira Zenin had truly slept only three times since turning eighteen, but this was the first time he had slept so deeply…
"That heavy fatigue, the kind that piles up like excess weight, it's gone."
He reached out, cupped a handful of "water," and let it slowly slip through his fingers. The drops hit the pond with crisp, clear plinks.
"Every time I come here, it feels so soothing, clear-headed and free, I really don't want to leave…"
Akira Zenin had once believed this place was the origin of his Innate Domain, the deepest recesses of his heart, but the dim, shadowy space made him wonder if this was the "inner side" of the Ten Shadows Technique.
After all, he didn't consider himself such a dark person…
"Everyone, sorry… I'm going to sleep for a bit.
The orders for the Mahoraga were just to guard my body. With Kenjaku as the first barrier against the outside Cursed Energy, and with Gojo around, nothing major should happen…"
That was why Akira Zenin had entered without hesitation the moment he saw the tent for him, he saw a chance to rest his body and mind completely…
…
Time passed, though he couldn't tell how much, or perhaps time didn't exist clearly here. Akira Zenin slowly opened his eyes. For the first time in his life, his mind felt crisp, and his soul felt lucid.
The sensation was like taking a deep breath after holding it for three minutes, the first bite of braised pork after three days of hunger, or the first icy sip of Coke on a summer day…
"My body hasn't fully woken, the Cursed Energy must not be fully released yet."
He stood, sending droplets scattering from the pond. He planned to use this time to explore the area thoroughly. Maybe he could store Cursed Energy here later, perhaps even solve his problems.
With only endless darkness around him, he chose a direction and walked without purpose.
At first, fearing his body waking might interfere with his exploration, he ran. Once he realized nothing unusual was happening, he gradually slowed to a stroll.
Time passed, though he had no sense of it, and soon he was moving like someone enjoying a leisurely walk, humming softly to himself.
Then a speck of light appeared ahead. Small, but enough to reveal the surroundings.
Just as he imagined, an endless pond, shadows forming words floating in the air. Looking closer, they were diary entries.
[Akira's Diary: Fourth Entry, 1996. I never expected Mahoraga could analyze the basic principles of talismans. Maybe this is a rudimentary form of the human Cursed Techniques system? I'll try it out when I'm older…]
"Huh?"
Akira Zenin stared, confused. When did I research this? And in 1996, I hadn't even subdued Mahoraga yet…
[Akira's Diary: Second Entry, 1998. So it was around this time, still a little time left, The Blood Manipulation Technique and talisman system are highly compatible, but I still can't use the Reverse Cursed Technique. This stuff is really difficult…]
"???"
He shook his head, confirming he had no memory of this, then moved to the next entry.
[Akira's Diary: Fifth Entry, 1005. Seimei is dead. Another old friend has passed, Maybe I've become numb? I'm not sad, instead, I'm happy to have obtained his life's work? I really am not human… Heh heh heh…]
"???????"
Akira Zenin didn't even read further. Just the year alone sent chills down his spine. The Heian period, the legendary peak of the Jujutsu World…
"But what does this have to do with me?"
Akira Zenin crouched down, desperately trying to sift through his memories.
That's right, in his previous life, he had been a fragile college student who died after being hit by a truck, and then he had transmigrated into the Zenin Clan. Those were truly the only two lives he had ever lived.
So, what exactly are these things? Why is it called "Akira's Diary"?
Akira Zenin stood up and walked forward, uncertain of his own mood. As he drew closer to the light, the diary entries grew increasingly bizarre…
[Akira Zenin's Diary: Sixth Time, 1001. The "Shadow Guard's" triple Barrier and fusion Domain were both shattered by Sukuna's Binding Vow? I have to say, he's quite the character…]
[Akira Zenin's Diary: Eighth Time, 2018. I died again. Someone else died. What else can I do, can someone tell me?]
[Akira Zenin's Diary: Ninth Time, 2030. Maybe I should let them grow on their own, that's the only way they can find their own "Steins;Gate"?]
[Diary: Tenth Time. I used [Fate Perception] a little too late, this body has already nurtured a soul… At the critical moment, I just couldn't bring myself to act…]
[Diary: Tenth Time. I messed up, I've been targeted by "The World." The Cursed Energy generated by The World's malice, we're all going to die…]
[Tenth Time, should I still use [Clairvoyance]?
Never mind, I've lived too long, I'm getting too old to keep going…
Sorry, I was hoping to play the legendary "Cheat grandpa" just one more time. I'll seal the "spring" of the World's evil, though I don't know how long it will hold.
Go on living with a part of my memories…
Hehe, maybe there'll even be a surprise?]
"That's all…"
Akira Zenin tugged at his hair, sorting through all this information…
By now, he had reached the space beneath the point of light. It was a sphere the size of a human head, and beneath it stood a black-haired youth, motionless.
Behind him was a silver-haired youth with the same features, extending two arms and three hands forward.
One pair covered the black-haired youth's eyes, one pair covered his ears, and one pressed against his temples…
Akira Zenin instinctively felt that something was off, but in the next moment, the scene seemed completely natural, with no hint of incongruity…
"Their appearance… is… me?"
...
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