From a Distance
On the steps overlooking the grounds—
A tall figure leans casually.
Watching.
Satoru Gojo (soft, amused):"Look at you…"
But behind the smile—
Relief.
Interest.
Concern.
And beneath your collar—
Tenchu pulses again
Not violently.
Not unstable.
…Responsive.
Learning.
Sweat.
Bruises.
Repeated strikes.
Corrections.
Failures.
Adjustments.
For the first time—
Your cursed energy isn't just power.
It's becoming technique.
The rhythm of wood striking wood echoes across the field.
Sharp.
Steady.
Relentless.
You move again.
Swing.
Corrected angle.
Controlled follow-through.
Maki Zenin:"Stop overextending."
Y/N:"…Right."
Adjust.
Breathe.
Swing again.
From afar—
Two very familiar energy signatures approach.
Loud.
Chaotic.
Yuji Itadori:"…Whoa."
Nobara Kugisaki:"…Wait."
They stop mid-step.
Staring.
Because you—
Are not your usual self.
No flailing.
No panic energy.
No accidental explosions.
Just—
Focus.
Yuji Itadori:"Why does Y/N look like a whole different character??"
Nobara Kugisaki:"She looks…"
Squints.
Nobara Kugisaki:"…Illegal."
Yuji Itadori:"Illegal?!"
Nobara Kugisaki:"Like she unlocked some secret."
You swing again.
Cleaner.
Sharper.
Yuji's jaw drops.
Yuji Itadori:"THAT'S NOT THE SAME PERSON WHO COLLAPSED LAST WEEK."
Y/N (breathing hard):"I can still hear you, you know."
Yuji Itadori:"GOOD. BE PROUD."
Nobara Kugisaki:"…Tch."
But there's a grin hiding there.
Maki watches your stance.
Your grip.
Your footwork.
Then—
She turns toward the peanut gallery.[1]
Maki Zenin:"She's still a beginner."
Instant silence.
Yuji Itadori:"…Eh?"
Nobara Kugisaki:"Seriously?"
Maki nods toward you.
Maki Zenin:"Which is why…"
She points the bokken at your chest.
Maki Zenin:"Sparring test."
Your eyes widen.
Y/N:"Wait— what?!"
Yuji Itadori (excited):"OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH."
Nobara Kugisaki:"This I want to see."
You stand opposite Maki.
Wooden bokken in hand.
Heart pounding.
Y/N:"I'm going to die, aren't I?"
Maki Zenin:"If I wanted you dead, you'd already be on the floor."
Comforting.
…In a terrifying way.
Yuji Itadori (whispering):"She's DEFINITELY going to die."
Nobara Kugisaki:"Five seconds."
Yuji Itadori:"Three."
Y/N:"I hate both of you."
Maki Zenin:"Ready."
You raise your weapon.
Nervous but determined.
Maki Zenin:"Begin."
You strike first.
Instinct.
Maki blocks effortlessly.
Counters.
THWACK.
Your side.
Y/N:"OW—!"
Yuji Itadori:"TWO SECONDS."
Nobara Kugisaki:"I win."
You recover quickly.
Swing again.
Better angle.
Maki deflects.
Sweeps your leg.
You barely keep balance.
Maki Zenin:"Good recovery."
Before—
Tap to your shoulder.
Y/N:"NOT GOOD ENOUGH."
You breathe.
Remember the corrections.
Alignment.
Structure.
Economy.
This time—
You don't rush.
You wait.
Maki steps in—
You pivot.
Block.
A clean one.
Everyone freezes.
Yuji Itadori:"…WAIT."
Nobara Kugisaki:"…Oh?"
Maki's eyes flash with approval.
You counter—
A small strike.
Not strong.
But precise.
It lands.
Lightly.
Dead silence.
Yuji Itadori:"SHE HIT MAKI."
Nobara Kugisaki:"…Hah."
Grinning now.
Maki Zenin (smirking):"Not bad."
Then—
BONK.
Direct hit to your forehead.
Y/N:"AGH—!"
Maki Zenin:"Don't celebrate mid-fight."
Yuji bursts out laughing.
Yuji Itadori:"YOU GOT BONKED FOR YOUR PRIDE 😂"
Nobara Kugisaki:"Rookie mistake."
You stand there.
Panting.
Bruised.
Forehead throbbing.
But smiling.
Because—
You didn't collapse.
You didn't lose control.
And…
You actually landed a hit.
Maki Zenin:"We'll make a swordsman out of you yet."
Y/N (breathless):"…Please don't kill me before that."
Yuji Itadori:"Y/N with a katana is kinda scary now."
Nobara Kugisaki:"Still needs work."
A beat.
Nobara Kugisaki (smirking):"…But yeah. Not bad."
Your chest warms slightly.
From the steps above—
A certain white-haired teacher watches.
Very pleased.
Satoru Gojo (soft grin):"Good…"
And beneath your collar—
Tenchu hums faintly
Calm.
Responsive.
Solo Practice—
A quiet corner of the field.
Wind brushing softly through the trees.
Everyone else on break.
But you—
Still training.
Wooden sword in hand.
Standing before a rotating wooden training pillar.
Thick.
Sturdy.
Lined with multiple protruding arms.
Another narrow stalk mechanism attached beside it.
Silent.
Waiting.
You exhale slowly.
Eyes focused.
Y/N (muttering):"…Okay… let's try this again."
You step forward.
Controlled.
Measured.
Strike.
THUD
Your wooden blade connects with the pillar.
And instantly—
WHRRRR
The pillar spins violently from the impact.
Wooden arms rotating in a blur.
Y/N:"—?!"
Before you can fully react—
The secondary stalk SNAPS forward
Like a counterattack.
Fast.
Direct.
Pure instinct—
You raise your sword.
CLACK
Barely blocking the strike.
The vibration shoots through your arms.
Y/N:"Okay— okay… I see…"
Reset.
Breathing steadier now.
This time—
You don't rush.
You circle slightly.
Watching.
Studying.
Strike again—
THUD
WHRRRR
Spin.
Rotation.
Movement.
Your eyes sharpen.
Tracking the blur.
Secondary stalk launches—
You pivot.
Block.
CLACK
Cleaner.
More stable.
Again.
Strike.
Spin.
Block.
Adjust.
Strike—
Duck—
Block—
Step back—
Counter—
Your movements still rough…
But improving.
Sweat forming near your temple.
Grip tightening.
Mind syncing with motion.
You hit harder this time.
THUD
WHRRRRRRRR
The pillar spins faster.
Too fast.
Multiple wooden arms now threatening collision.
Y/N:"Ah—!"
One arm grazes your side—
You stumble—
Secondary stalk SHOOTS forward—
You barely manage—
CLACK
Block.
But messy.
Unbalanced.
You slide back across the dirt.
Panting slightly.
Y/N (breathing hard):"…Not there yet…"
From the shade—
Still watching.
Still silent.
A hidden observer.
Satoru Gojo (to himself):"…Good reflexes."
A tiny smile.
Barely visible.
Satoru Gojo:"But you're relying too much on instinct…"
You straighten again.
Determined.
Y/N:"…Again."
You raise your wooden sword.
Step forward—
Tenchu hums faintly
Soft.
Responsive.
Almost curious.
Wind shifts.
Energy subtle…
But changing.
The rotating wooden pillar slows to a stop.
Your breathing doesn't.
Chest rising and falling.
Arms aching.
But your grip—
Still firm.
Still stubborn.
You lift the wooden sword again.
Satoru Gojo (behind you):"Planning to declare war on that poor pillar?"
You nearly jump out of your skin.
Y/N:"SENSEI?!"
Gojo stands there casually.
Hands in pockets.
Like he didn't just appear out of nowhere.
Satoru Gojo:"Relax 😊"
You pout slightly.
Y/N:"You're going to give me a heart attack one day…"
Satoru Gojo:"Highly unlikely. I'm a gift to humanity."
He steps closer.
Eyes scanning you.
Posture.
Foot placement.
Grip tension.
Everything.
Without warning—
He taps your ankle lightly with his foot.
Satoru Gojo:"Too stiff."
Then nudges your shoulder.
Satoru Gojo:"Too tense."
He gently adjusts your wrist.
Tilts the wooden sword.
Satoru Gojo:"And you're strangling the weapon."
Y/N:"I am NOT—"
He raises an eyebrow.
You stop.
Because…
Okay.
Maybe you are.
Satoru Gojo:"A weapon isn't something you overpower."
His voice lowers slightly.
Playfulness dimmed.
Teacher tone.
Satoru Gojo:"You guide it."
He repositions your stance.
Feet grounded.
Weight balanced.
Blade aligned.
Satoru Gojo:"Your cursed energy is volatile."
A beat.
Satoru Gojo:"So your body must not be."
Your eyes soften slightly.
Listening carefully.
Gojo steps back.
Examines.
Nods once.
Satisfied.
Then—
Satoru Gojo:"That's enough for today."
You blink.
Y/N:"…Huh?"
Satoru Gojo:"Rest."
Y/N:"But I'm finally getting the rhythm—"
Satoru Gojo (firm, but gentle):"Rest."
No teasing smile.
No joking tone.
Just quiet authority.
Satoru Gojo:"Recovery is training too."
You hesitate.
Sword lowering slowly.
Because…
He's right.
And you know it.
Y/N (soft sigh):"…Okay."
Gojo's usual grin returns instantly.
Satoru Gojo:"Good."
He turns dramatically.
Satoru Gojo:"Break your body tomorrow instead 😊"
Y/N:"SENSEI 😭"
Next Day — Early Morning
The grounds are quiet again.
Cool air.
Soft golden light.
You stand before the pillar.
Wooden sword ready.
Expression focused.
Calmer.
More composed.
Y/N (murmuring):"…Balanced… not forced…"
You activate the mechanism.
Strike—
Spin—
Block—
Step—
Cleaner.
Sharper.
And then—
Footsteps behind you.
Unhurried.
You turn.
Megumi.
Hands in pockets.
Expression unreadable.
As always.
Y/N:"…Megumi?"
Megumi Fushiguro:"You're here early."
Y/N:"So are you."
A tiny pause.
Megumi Fushiguro:"…Couldn't sleep."
You raise an eyebrow.
Smirk slightly.
Y/N:"Overthinking again?"
Megumi clicks his tongue softly.
Doesn't deny it.
Megumi steps closer.
Eyes shifting to the pillar.
Then your sword.
Then you.
Megumi Fushiguro:"Show me."
Y/N:"…Show you?"
Megumi Fushiguro:"How you fight with it."
You blink.
Then smile faintly.
Y/N:"Oh?"
You reset your stance.
Grip steady.
Strike—
Spin—
Block—
Flow—
Megumi watches carefully.
Analytical.
Silent.
Then—
Megumi Fushiguro:"…Your timing improved."
You freeze mid-reset.
Y/N:"Was that…"
You squint at him.
Y/N:"…A compliment?"
Megumi looks away slightly.
Megumi Fushiguro:"Don't make it weird."
You grin.
Y/N:"Too late "
Megumi sighs.
But steps forward.
Megumi Fushiguro:"Move."
You blink.
Megumi Fushiguro:"I'll attack."
Y/N:"WAIT WHAT—"
And just like that—
[1] The "peanut gallery" is a slang term for a group of people who offer unsolicited, unwanted, or trivial criticism, often from a place of ignorance.