I Died in a Knife Fight and Reincarnated into Jujutsu Kaisen

What had once been a vibrant battlefield filled with curses, clashing techniques, and the fervour of youthful bravado was now transformed into an ashen wasteland. The remnants of shattered trees lay scattered across the arena like the remnants of a shattered dream, and the ground was littered with crumbling stone and splintered wood, each piece telling a story of the chaos that had just unfolded in a fierce clash. Tendrils of thick smoke twisted and spiralled lazily into the sky, intertwining with the swirling dust that settled slowly, creating a hauntingly beautiful tableau that bore testament to the turmoil that had erupted mere moments before. 

Amid this desolation stood Alex, his body coiled with tension, every muscle taut as if he were still ready to spring into action. His fists hummed faintly with the remnants of cursed energy, a ghostly echo of the titanic battle he had just navigated. The curse that had threatened everything he held dear was now vanquished, obliterated into nothingness, leaving only a hushed silence that began to engulf the landscape.

Surrounding him was a sea of stunned faces, students from both Jujutsu High and their rivals at Kyoto, as well as faculty members who held the weight of authority with pride, now rendered speechless and frozen in disbelief. The higher-ups from Kyoto, who had previously brandished their scorn with sharp-eyed judgment, now stood slack-jawed, their eyes wide with shock, mouths twitching as they struggled to process this unexpected turn of events. 

Amidst the wreckage, Nobara burst through the debris of splintered trees, her arms marked by streaks of dirt and blood, the aftermath of the ordeal visible on her face as anxiety etched its way into her features. "Alex!" she called out, her voice ringing with urgency that cut through the thick air. 

He pivoted at the sound of her voice, his stern expression softening as he caught sight of her frantic approach. Despite the absence of visible wounds on his body, an aura of bone-deep fatigue hung over him, a testament to the reserves of strength he had drawn upon during the harrowing confrontation. Nobara closed the distance between them and enveloped him in a tight embrace that conveyed both relief and worry.

"You alright?" she whispered against his chest, her breath warm and concerned, as if she were seeking reassurance from the beating heart beneath her ear.

"Yeah," he murmured, a hint of reassurance lacing his voice. "I'm fine now."

Descending from the edges of the arena with a casual grace that seemed at odds with the devastation around him, Gojo appeared, hands casually tucked into his pockets, his piercing gaze fixed unwaveringly on Alex. He let out a slow, low whistle, the sound cutting through the lingering silence like a knife sharpening against the stone. "You really did it, huh?" he remarked, the lightness of his tone belied by the seriousness of the moment.

Meeting Gojo's gaze without flinching, a flicker of defiance glimmered in Alex's own eyes. "It tried to kill my team," he replied, his voice steady and unwavering.

"Right," Gojo replied, then cast a challenging look at the gathered officials. "You all still think he's a liability?" he bellowed, a cocky grin stretching across his face that hinted at his pleasure in unsettling their stoic demeanour. "Because I'm thinking he's the only reason any of your students are still breathing."

Silence blanketed the crowd, and the Kyoto staff turned their gazes away from Gojo, unable to withstand the intensity of his challenging stare. 

Leaning against a nearby tree, Todo erupted into a deep chuckle, a grin breaking through the bruises that marred his face, a testament to his own battles. "What a man," he declared, admiration shining in his tone like a beacon. "He fought like a demon."

With that, the entirety of the tournament felt as though it had effectively come to a standstill. Cursed spirits had crashed the celebration, unleashing chaos where once there had been spirited competition. And it was Alex who had brought it all to an explosive conclusion, guided by fire and a determination sparked by the desire to protect those he cherished.

Later that evening, as students gathered in the Jujutsu High dorms seeking solace and camaraderie, an unexpected calm settled over them like a fleeting balm. It was a transient peace, yes, but for now, it wrapped around them like a comforting shroud, drawing their fractured spirits back into a semblance of normality.

Alex was the first to wander into the medical wing, the familiar, sterile scent of antiseptic hanging in the air like a curtain of reassurance. His gaze landed on Maki, who was sitting on a cot, fresh bandages wrapped tightly around her arms and legs, the white fabric stark against her skin. She winced, adjusting her posture slightly, an involuntary reaction born of both pain and resilience.

"You alright?" he asked, stepping closer, concern etching deeper lines into his features as he took in her injuries.

"Fine," Maki retorted, though the hint of irritation in her voice betrayed her confidence. "Takes more than a few bruises to put me down."

As he knelt beside her, admiration for her tenacity glimmered in his eyes, his gaze roaming over the meticulously wrapped bandages that held the marks of their battle. "Still. You held your own against your sister. I respect that."

Her eyes widened slightly, surprise flickering across her face in reaction to his words. "I didn't need your respect," she shot back, though there was a softness in her tone that suggested she appreciated the sentiment.

Alex chuckled softly, the sound resonating in the quiet room, a comforting melody amidst the chaos. "Didn't say you did. Doesn't mean I'm not impressed." 

Just as he reached out to examine the frayed edge of one of her bandages, the door creaked open, revealing Mai Zenin standing at the threshold. Her arms were crossed defensively, and annoyance radiated from her like a palpable force.

"So," she said coolly, her sharp tone slicing through the warm ambience, "you're the one who crippled Naoya."

Slowly, Alex rose to his feet, an air of defiance coiling around him as he met her gaze with unwavering resolve. "Yeah. That was me," he replied, a wry twist to his lips.

Mai's eyes narrowed into thin slits, but before more words could escape the confines of her mouth, Alex turned back to Maki, a mischievous smirk lighting up his features as he added, "Good Maki's cuter."

A tense beat of stunned silence enveloped the room. Then, to his amusement, Maki's cheeks flared into a deep crimson, colour washing over her face as she shot him a disapproving glare.

"Idiot," she muttered, though her tone lacked any real bite, the warmth of the moment lingering between them like an unspoken bond.

Mai opened her mouth to retort, but no words came forth. Frustration etched deeper into her features as she turned and stalked away, her exit leaving behind a charged air that hung thick and heavy. 

Resuming his seat beside Maki, a familiar camaraderie began to restore a sense of normalcy that had been so abruptly shattered.

"You didn't have to say that," she chided gently, her gaze diverting to the floor, a faint smile tugging at the corners of her lips as she wrestled with her own embarrassment.

"Didn't have to," he admitted, his eyes dancing with playful mischief. "Wanted to."