The third time the lightning struck, it didn't fade immediately.
It stayed.
Kenji stood in the center of the abandoned lot, arm slightly raised, as thin arcs of electricity danced between his fingers. They flickered violently, unstable, threatening to collapse at any moment—but they held.
For two seconds.
Then three.
Then—
"Hey."
The voice came from behind him.
Casual.
Almost bored.
Kenji didn't flinch.
The lightning snapped out instantly as his cursed energy suppressed itself out of instinct. His body stilled for half a second before he slowly turned around.
White hair.
Blindfold.
Hands in pockets.
Exactly as expected.
"…Took you long enough," Kenji said.
A small smile formed on Satoru Gojo's face.
"Well, that's new."
He tilted his head slightly, studying Kenji like he was something mildly interesting rather than potentially dangerous.
"You're not even surprised."
Kenji shrugged. "I'd be more surprised if you didn't show up. That," he gestured lazily at the scorched ground, "isn't exactly subtle."
Gojo glanced at the damage, then back at him.
"…You've been doing that often?"
"Recently," Kenji replied. "Still working out the bugs."
Gojo let out a quiet hum.
"Yeah, I can tell."
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
But the air changed.
Subtle.
Invisible.
Pressure.
Gojo wasn't doing anything obvious—but his presence alone felt like the world had shifted slightly off balance.
Kenji noticed.
Of course he did.
"…So," Gojo said, stepping a little closer, "want to explain why there's a kid in the middle of Tokyo casually throwing around cursed energy at this level?"
Kenji scratched his cheek.
"Define 'this level.'"
Gojo smiled wider.
"The kind that makes me walk over here instead of sending someone else."
A pause.
Kenji exhaled softly.
"Fair enough."
He didn't lie.
Not directly.
"Born with it. Figured it out. Been practicing."
"Uh-huh."
Gojo stopped a few steps away now, looking down at him slightly.
"And the lightning?"
Kenji shrugged again. "Extension."
"That's not how that works."
"Works for me."
Gojo chuckled.
"Yeah… you're definitely weird."
Another pause.
This one longer.
More deliberate.
Gojo's expression didn't change—but his attention sharpened.
"You're hiding something," he said casually.
Not a question.
A statement.
Kenji met his gaze—well, where his gaze should be.
"Everyone is."
"True," Gojo admitted easily. "But most people don't feel like…" he paused slightly, searching for the right word.
"…that."
Kenji didn't respond immediately.
Inside him, Chōmei was very quiet.
Unusually quiet.
"…He's strong," Chōmei whispered.
"No kidding," Kenji replied internally.
Outwardly, he just sighed.
"You gonna fight me?"
Gojo blinked.
Then laughed.
"Fight you?"
He crouched slightly, resting one hand on his knee.
"No."
His smile sharpened just a little.
"I'm deciding what to do with you."
Kenji snorted softly.
"Yeah, that sounds about right."
"And?" Gojo tilted his head. "Anything you want to say before I decide?"
Kenji thought about it for a second.
Then shrugged.
"Yeah."
He pointed at himself.
"I'm useful."
Gojo raised an eyebrow.
"Oh?"
"I learn fast. I don't panic. And I'm not stupid enough to think I can take you."
A beat.
"And," Kenji added casually, "if you leave me alone, I'm still gonna get stronger."
Silence.
Then—
Gojo laughed again.
Louder this time.
"Wow. You're honest. That's rare."
Kenji smirked faintly. "No point lying to the strongest guy in the room."
"That's true."
Gojo stood up straight, stretching slightly.
"Well, that makes this easy."
Kenji raised an eyebrow.
"Oh?"
"Yeah," Gojo said, turning around like the conversation was already over.
"You're coming with me."
"…That wasn't a question, was it?"
"Nope."
Kenji stared at his back for a moment.
Then sighed.
"…Do I at least get food?"
Gojo waved a hand lazily.
"I'll even pay."
"…Alright," Kenji said, already walking after him.
"Deal."
Inside him, Chōmei perked up.
"…I like him."
Kenji smirked slightly.
"Yeah," he muttered under his breath.
"…this might actually be fun."