《Excellent Mortality》


 Welcome To The School of Death

    "So! You''re fully aware of the task at hand, riiiiight, Itadori?" Gojo questions a tad teasingly, presenting his usual laid-back smile as he ''looks'' toward one of his most promising students. The teen in question, Itadori, takes a moment to slip the sling of his duffle bag over his head and shoulder before giving a calm grin of his own.


    "Yeah, no worries. I got this." He assures while flexing his left arm and placing his right hand over his bicep.


    "I won''t let you down, Gojo. I promise." The adolescent adds - a show of confidence that warms his teacher''s heart and boosts the older male''s faith in him.


    "I know you won''t! After all, you have the best teacher a sorcerer could ever need, and I''ve taught you well. You picked up on all of it so fast, too!" Gojo beams enthusiastically, praising his disciple with pride radiating from his very presence. Like energy ping ponging between the two, Itadori couldn''t help but to crack a toothy grin.


    "You betcha''! With all you''ve taught me, I''ll be sure to crack the mystery in no time! Well¡­ Maki and I¨C"


    "Hey. A feminine voice calls out from outside of the open doorway of Itadori''s bedroom, drawing the attention of the two inside.


    "I don''t mean to butt-in, but our ride is here." Maki herself informs.


    "Huh. Already, eh? A bit early, but no matter. Let''s go see you two off, shall we?" Gojo says as he proceeds out of the room and building. The two students behind him follow along.


    "Yeah! I''m pumped to see what''s in store for us there!" Itadori exclaims while holding up a fist parallel to his chin.


    "Calm down, will ya. It''s probably something easily dispatchable. We''ll be in and out within a few days, I bet." Maki comments dismissively, currently wearing a backpack and dragging along a four-wheeled suitcase.


    "That''s the spirit! You two are more than capable of handling this case. Keep any doubt out of your mind, alright? We''ll be here waiting for you guys to come back to us." Gojo assures the two.


    Soon, the trio venture out into the open sunlight and descend down the flight of stone steps leading toward the exit gate of the school''s grounds. Near the bottom, they spot a peculiar black bus awaiting and a just as peculiar man standing near the entrance door of the vehicle.


    "H-hey, Maki¡­ Doesn''t that guy kind of look like¡­ You know who?" Itadori whispers to his classmate, leaning toward her with a hand cupping half of his nose and mouth.


    "Yeah¡­ I thought I was imagining it, but he definitely does." She concurs, slightly frowning as she studies the man down below further.


    "Yo. Good morning there." The man in question - the individual wearing a mask that conceals his nose and every other feature down to his neck, a headband worn within a tilting fashion so that it covers his right eye entirely, and head of spiky silver hair - greets the three while raising a hand to give a subtle wave.


    "Yo!" Gojo replies.


    "G-good morning, sir!" Itadori responds.


    "Morning." Maki dryly utters.


    "I''m Kakashi Hatake. Nice to meet you three. I''m acting as the Dean for the school year. Figured I''d give some warm welcomes and encourage students to make sure they have everything they need. This being a boarding school and all." He tells them.


    It was going to be a new ordeal for him, as well. His attire consists of a black dress shirt with the school''s emblem on the left breast, his usual dark turtleneck shirt underneath, black sweatpants, a glimpse of white socks, and a pair of black open-toe shoes that resemble sandals.


    "I''m all set!" Itadori confirms without hesitation.


    "Me, too. I''m good to go." Maki answers right after him.


    The two are donning an entirely new uniform of their own. Itadori wears a black wool sweater with the school''s emblem on the left breast region, as well. A red, thin long- sleeve shirt with a hoodie sticking out from the overshirt of his uniform, both sleeves rolled up to his elbows with the red under sleeves forming cuffs that overlap the black sleeves. Red sweatbands on both of his wrists, black slacks, and his usual pair of Red Octobers? sneakers.


    Maki wears his uniform in traditional fashion. A sweater similar to Itadori''s, a white blouse underneath, a black plaid skirt with red lines running throughout it reaching down JUST above her knees, black stockings, and loafers on her feet.


    "Well alright, then. Go ahead and climb aboard. We''ve got a few more stops to make along the way before we head back to the school." Kakashi tells them, pointing a thumb at the bus behind him. The Itadori and Maki oblige and enter, leaving the two older men alone.


    "By the way, there''s something interesting about you, good sir. You from around here?" Gojo asks, still wearing a grin.


    "No. I''m actually from a village located in the countryside. My home is more¡­ old school compared to the big cities. Funny enough, I was considering asking you the same question. Ever heard of Konaha?" Kakashi tosses a question of his own this time.


    "Konaha? Hmm¡­ sounds kind of familiar. I may have heard about it through a report, but never had a reason to visit. Lots of ninjas there, I hear! You wouldn''t happen to be one of them, would you?" Gojo prods.


    "Heh. Well, I guess there''s no real point in deflecting or leading you astray. Not only am I a ninja, but I''m also a mentor in the arts. Had to give it up for a little while, though. The pay was a little too tempting to pass up."


    "Ah! I get cha''. Well, don''t let me hold you guys up any longer. Take care of those two, okay? They''re a pair of our finest."


    "I''ll do my very best and see to it that they make it home safely by next year." Kakashi assures after giving a single nod of his head. Meanwhile, Itadori and Maki go about finding their seats after passing by the black curtains that obscure the sight of the bus driver. Within a moment, Maki finds a potential spot. A seat beside a female with an air of mystery practically radiating off of her like gas fumes.


    "Pardon. Would you mind if I sat next to you?" Maki asks. Upon doing so, the girl tears her eyes away from the book in her hand and sets her honey-hazel colored eyes upon the sorceress. In that moment, a metaphorical clash of uncompromising souls tests the mental fortitude of one another. Both eventually find the other to be worth entertaining. So much so, the fellow raven-haired girl shuts her book as the corners of her rosy pink lips curve just a touch.


    "You may sit with me, yes. Go right ahead." Her tone was even posh. Maki proceeds to sit and the two begin to chat. Nearby, Itadori takes a seat within a single row back and on the opposite side.


    "I''m Maki Zenin, by the way." The sorceress introduces herself while removing her backpack to get more comfortable.


    "Maki Zenin. . . A fascinating name you have there. You wouldn''t happen to be of the renowned Zenin clan, would you?" The other responds, arching a curious brow while asking. A question that surfaces resentment in the depths of Maki''s arguable cold heart and an eerie grin to her face that spells nothing pleasant for her opinion of her own family.


    "I am, actually. Unfortunately." She answers, serving only to stir the other girl'' s curiosity even more.


    "Is that resentment I hear? I take it this isn''t merely about not getting a fancy car on your birthday, no? Most would think it''s a blessing to be born within a family with a strong noble lineage." The girl with honey-colored eyes comments.


    "If ONLY it were just that. But no. They value certain members and look upon another certain kind with disdain. It doesn''t matter, though. I''m going to excel above even their favorites and return home to rub it in their faces." Maki elaborates.


    "Oh-ha-ha-haa. There''s far more pettiness within your clan than I thought! Oh, but whom am I to cast judgment on such a matter? Hnnn. Your predicament reminds me a lot of my older brother. He''s an embarrassment to our family¡­ Indecisive, easily provoked, and starves for validation. He was LUCKY to have been born, but I on the other hand; I was BORN lucky. That''s what our father told him one day." The girl shares, pausing for a moment as she stares right into Maki''s eyes like a serpent trying to discern if the specimen nearby was foe, food, or a nuisance. Maki''s grin flatlines as she stares back, unsure if their chat was supposed to be friendly or antagonizing.


    "Whichever you may be, Zenin-chan¡­ I look forward to hearing about your rise to the top. Surely you''ll prove to be an outlier unlike my hopeless brother. Weakness is certainly unsightly after all." The girl adds oh-so-casually. Then, she takes a moment to place her book into her hefty duffle bag beside her feet.


    "I''m Azula, by the by." The girl also finally introduces herself. The name draws a small frown shape upon Maki''s face.


    "Azula, huh? That''s not a common name at all. Judging about how you spoke about your family affairs, I''m almost certain you''re THAT Azula. The heiress to the family from the Land of Fire who''s dynasty has remained power for 400 hundred years." The young sorceress deduces.


    "That I am. Nice to meet you, Maki Zenin. As you should be aware, I''m ideal company to have. Let''s be good friends for the sake of our elite heritage, shall we?" Azula proposes with a calm smile. It''s then that Kakashi enters the bus.


    "Alright, let''s go." And with those words from him, the bus begins moving. As the vehicle departs, Gojo watches.You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.


    "Excellent Mortality, huh? What an ominous name for a school. Almost gives me chills." He comments, referencing the name painted on the side of the bus. The school transportation continues down the road until it makes a left turn at the next corner, passing a lamp post, but not even one inch of it makes it to the other side - as being consumed. The bus vanishes from one area and casually appears into another. Soon, they reach their next stop. A simple house in a middle-class neighborhood. Kakashi exits the bus to standby and the driver honks the horn twice. Barely half a minute passes before the front door of the house opens and out comes a young man with spiky platinum blond hair and a permanent scowl, carrying a bookbag partially on his shoulder with one hand and dragging along a suitcase with his other.


    "Morning there. Got everything you need?" Kakashi greets and asks.


    "Yeah, yeah. I made sure I packed everything that I needed." The teen replies with a bit of annoyance behind his tone as he boards the bus.


    "Well, alright then." With that quick conclusion, the dean boards the vehicle again and gives the ''o-kay'' to head to their next stop. Inside, the newcomer takes a seat across from Itadori. The latter takes the opportunity to greet the blonde.


    "Hey!" He begins, raising his hand and presenting a smile toward the other.


    "The name''s Yuji Itadori. What''s yours?" He asks while swapping places with his bag to scoot closer to the edge.


    "What''s it to ya, pink hair?" The blonde, side eyeing him with a scowl, asks with evident hostility.


    "Hey, don''t be like that. We''re going to be classmates for a whole year, after all. Couldn''t hurt to try and make friends, right? I''m a new student, too." Yuji reasons.


    "Tch. Whatever. I''m Katsuki Bakugo. But you better not go thinking we''re friends just because I''m telling you my name, pink hair. I''ve got no patience for anchors, you got that?" Katsuki responds, humoring the other to some degree.


    "Clear as day, man. So, do you know anything about this school?" Yuji asks.


    "Not much. Prestigious, high graduation rates, and it''s for the gifted. I''m only attending this dumb school because some higher ups at my previous school think it''ll be worthwhile for me to give a shot and see what it has to offer." Katsuki responds, though it was only a partial truth. He''s attending undercover for Hero business to investigate questionable activities at this particular boarding school. Similar to Yuji and Maki who are attending to infiltrate and exercise potential curses.


    "Oh, really? Guess we''re in the same boat, then. Pretty much why I''m attending, too."


    "It''s whatever. The sooner this is all over, the better." Katsuki remarks aggressively. It''s then the school bus arrives at its next stop. Another house where another young man is standing outside waiting. Same identical uniform to the other boys, though he has his sleeves rolled up to the widest region of his forearms and is wearing green sweatbands on his wrists and karate shoes on his feet. A simple backpack hangs from his shoulder by a single strap. The moment the bus door opens, the teen with black slicked back hair boards the vehicle while being greeted by Kakashi.


    "Morning there. Got everything you need? You still have time to grab anything else you might want."


    "Nah, it''s fine, old timer. I got everything I need." The youth responds, waving the other off as he heads toward the back of the bus.


    "Well, guess that''s it, then. We can finally head back to the school." With those words, the door shuts and the bus drives onward.


    Just before it does however, the new arrival claims a seat beside Yuji, who scoots over to give him room after asking. Little time is wasted before he starts making conversation.


    "The name''s Yusuke Urameshi, good to meet ya guys." The spirit detective introduces himself with confidence adorning his tone.


    "I''m Yuji Itadori! Nice to meet you, too." The one beside Yusuke responds.


    "Maki Zenin." Itadori''s classmate glances back to briefly give her name, as well.


    "The guy over there is Katsuki Bakugo. I don''t think he''s too big on making small talk with strangers." Yuji informs Yusuke while pointing over at the blonde across from them.


    "Ah, I''m sure he''ll grow out of that shell eventually." Yusuke comments with a grin.


    "Anyway, have you guys heard any suspicious stories about this mysterious school?"


    "Huh? Define suspicious." Yuji requests, genuinely curious.


    "You know, stuff like ghost spirits haunting the joint, people going missing, random attacks, the graveyard of students who''ve died there. Demons, too. That sort of stuff." Yusuke explains. Maki raises a brow and Itadori blinks.


    "I had no idea there were stories like that going around. Are people really saying all of those things are true?" Yuji asks.


    "Bah, get real! Demons? Spirits? Ghosts? I''m sure that garbage sounds believable if you''re still mentally stuck in the third grade." Katsuki chimes in to ridicule and dismiss what he believes to be ridiculous superstitious rumors with no merit at all to them. Yusuke in particular takes enough offense to Katsuki''s words to speak up.


    "Is that a fact? Well you know, some of us aren''t so uptight as to lack a little imagination. I''m sure you''re just a blast at parties and to hang around with, huh?"


    "You don''t know anything about me, mini pompadour. Besides, we''re in high school, not babies at a playground. Grow up! Or are you still building castle forts with your pillows like a little kid?" Katsuki retorts.


    "What? You lookin'' to start something, guy? ''Cause I can already tell you''re the type to run his mouth like a barking mutt, and funny enough, they''re usually the ones with glass jaws." Yusuke responds, his grin long gone.


    "What did you just say? You want a piece of me or something, dumbass!?" Katsuki raises his voice as he shifts in his seat to face the other.


    "What, you deaf and stupid? Yeah! I''m askin'' if you want me to lay you out like a rug!" Yusuke shouts back.


    "Can you two neanderthals please pick your knuckles off the floor and at least pretend your family genes have evolved past the primitive stage from thousands of years ago!?" Azula chimes in aggressively as she turns and kneels onto her seat, shifting her glaring eyes between the two boys.


    "I don''t remember asking for your input, big lips!" Katsuki snaps at her.


    "Don''t think I won''t backhand both you and him at the same damn time, girly. Go back to minding your own business!" Yusuke responds with just as much hostility. The trio''s shouting stirs awake a student who''s been napping for the majority of the ride.


    "Jeeze, what''s with all the ruckus¡­ Don''t you guys have any sense or understanding of common courtesy? Yelling on a bus full of people. What a drag." The teen mutters that last bit under his breath as he raises to sit up, taking some time to rotate his shoulders before stretching his hands above his head. His uniform is identical to the others, save the long sleeve fishnet shirt he''s wearing under his school sweater, the ankles of his pants rolled up to the middle of his shins, and a pair of shoe sandals that look just like Kakashi''s on his feet. The youth also wears his jet black hair in a tight ponytail that allows no excess hair to cover even a fraction of his tired and solemn face.


    Before any more bickering could go on, Kakashi makes his way toward the back to put an end to it.


    "Alright, that''s enough. You guys haven''t even made it to the school grounds yet and you''re already losing your temper. At least settle in first BEFORE you start getting yourselves into trouble." The acting dean requests. Shortly after, all three sit properly and bitterly turn their heads away. Sighing and rubbing at the back of his head, Kakashi dreads the idea of dealing with situations like this one on a frequent basis. Just as he''s about to turn around, something outside the window behind the teen''s seat in the very back catches his attention. The sight of an identical bus following behind them.


    "Hm? Oh¡­ Guess we''ve made it here already." He comments after looking through the window to his left to spot the familiar sight of a dead plantation at either side of the road. Nothing but barren trees with not even a single leaf on them and soil as far as the eye can see.


    "Woah. I didn''t¡­ I didn''t even realize we were driving through a place like this" Yuji comments as he stares out his own window.


    As of now, their bus is traveling in a perfect line of 8 buses in total. Theirs in particular being third in line from the front. It''s also not too long before the massive castle-like structure that is their new school comes into sight ahead, as well as its stainless black gates that stand 20-feet tall. The building itself is at least 185 feet in height.


    As they approach, those gates begin to open on their own and give way to the vehicles, allowing them inside to park and let the students out on the enormous stone campus. Moments later, the staff members, including Kakashi, guide the new horde of enrollments inside and to the dorm areas inside.


    "Man, this place is huge! I almost feel like I shouldn''t be here." Yuji comments as flops down onto one of two king size beds within the dorm room he picked out. On the opposite side of the room, his roommate tosses his belongings onto his own bed and takes a moment to take in the large space. It was like having half a trailer home to themselves.


    "Yeah, I''m kinda'' getting that feeling, too. Hard to believe they allow just anybody to enroll here. This room is bigger than my living room and kitchen combined¡­ Figured you''d need to be from a wealthy family to attend a school like this." The other male comments.


    "Yeah. Oh! You''re that guy from the back of the bus. I''m Yuji Itadori, by the way!"


    "Shikamaru Nara. Good to meet you too, I guess."


    "Yeah. I almost can''t wait to see what the school is going to be like for the next few days. I bet they have everything a student could ever need here. Special classes, fun after school clubs, crazy good food."


    "Yeah, well, we''ll find out in due time." Shikamaru responds and begins unpacking his bags. For the entirety of the morning and afternoon, all of daylight was spent by students getting situated, socializing, and doing a little exploring. Yusuke Urameshi partakes in stretching his legs and exploring the interior a bit. It''s a little past 6pm when he comes down to the main floor where there is a large circular bench at the center, the school''s front on the opposite side of where he is, bathrooms to his left, and a large recreational room to his left. He soon realizes that a familiar face is sitting by her lonesome on the bench and decides to approach.


    "Yo, little miss princess." He calls out teasingly, drawing her reluctant attention. The female teen who''s wearing a crimson red sleeveless turtleneck under her school sweater, two accessory black sleeves that hug her skin snugly underneath the neatly rolled up sleeves of her sweater that rests at her biceps. Biker shorts underneath her skirt, plaid stockings on her legs that match the dark design of her uniform, and a pair of very high-top black converse boots that reach just below her knees. Her hair fashioned in a bun while two tufts of bangs hang down the outer perimeters of her facial features and reach down to her lower cheeks.


    "The not-so-subtle delinquent¡­ Are you in need of something?" Azula asks, stoically lifting a brow as she looks up from her book.


    "Nah, just stopping by to say ''Hi'', is all. I mean, now that I do have your attention anyways¡­ Do you feel like there''s anything off about this school? Something you can''t quite put your finger on." He asks.


    "Oh, wholeheartedly, Urameshi. I thought this would be a normal prestigious school, but I was brought to the unfortunate realization that it may not be as grand in standards as I originally thought. I found that out the moment a thug like you stepped onto our bus. So, yes. There certainly IS something off about this school." She responds dryly, casually insulting him as she returns her eyes back to the book in her hands and turns the page.


    "Oh, what-ever, lady. Forget I said anything."


    "I shall. In fact, I think I''ve already forgotten your name." After concluding his short chit chat with the dismissive female, he storms off with a look of annoyance on his face and his hands slipping into the depths of his pocket. Just as he approaches the double doors to get inside the recreational room, they open when two male students exit from within.


    "Dude, you got a lighter?" One of them asks the other.


    "Nah, left it back in my room." The other answers.


    "Ehh, it''s cool. I just remembered I''ve got matches in my pocket." The two talk between themselves while heading into the bathroom across the hall, eventually entering while ignoring the ''NO SMOKING'' sign on the door. Meanwhile, Yusuke finds himself in a bit of awe at seeing the room packed with all sorts of games and plenty of space to navigate. The running a/c is also a nice cherry on top.


    "Man, this is a pretty sweet setup." He muses to himself before making his way to a nearby pinball machine. He inserts a quarter and begins playing, oblivious to what was about to unfold. Nearly two minutes pass and a sudden heart-stopping intrusion cuts into the air like an arrow piercing someone''s spine: Blood Curdling Screaming. Screaming and violent thrashing, and¡­ What sounds like some sort of pouncing beast.


    "What the¨C!?" Quickly abandoning his good pinball run, Yusuke barges out of the room and stops near Azula, who''s also looking toward the direction the noise came from with a horrified frown on her face.


    "You heard that, right!?" He shouts.


    "Of course, Urameshi. You''d have to be six-feet under not to have heard THAT." She responds. Seconds later, the door is drawn open from the inside and shuts right after. Azula merely squints in confusion, while Yusuke grits his teeth and readies his hands as if he''s wielding a loaded pistol.


    "What the hell is that?" He asks.


    "I.. Don''t know. The door opened and just closed?"


    "What are you talking about? That thing obviously just came out of there. We''re looking right at it!"


    "What thing!? I didn''t see anything come!"


    "You''ve got to be kidding me!" Yusuke sees the beast - what looks to be a werewolf-like creature with blood on its hands and mouth - head down the hall beside the stairs, and decides to chase it down. Ready to unload his spirit gun and give it hole-riddled justice. However, when he slides in place and raises his hands to take the shot, he sees nothing but an empty pocket of space and a water fountain on the wall. No traces of the beast at all.


    "Tch!" Frustrated, he checks the bathroom to see what damage it had done. Peering inside, it was exactly what he feared. Two mauled corpses on the floor and blood messily slathered around. Disgusted, he steps out and clenches his hands into tight fists at his side.


    "WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON AT THIS SCHOOL!!!!???"

 #2

    "So you''re saying it was some sort of werewolf looking creature? And it just casually walked out of the bathroom?" Yuji questions, a hand at his hip and the other holding his chin in a contemplative fashion as he looks up at Yusuke Urameshi who''s standing upon the elevated circular surface the main floor bench surrounds in a complete ring.


    "That''s exactly what I''m saying. Look, I know no one else but me saw the furry bastard, but I know what I saw." Yusuke affirms, pointing a thumb toward himself as emphasizing that he''s THE key witness. He then scans his eyes over the murmuring mass crowd of students taking up the entire stairs leading up to the next floor and ?  of the spacious area the murder took place last night.


    "Some of you were there, too! Everyone who was down here last night heard the screaming and struggling coming from the boy''s bathroom. I damn sure know some of you even peeked inside before it was mysteriously cleaned up!" Yusuke asserts, pointing accusingly at the sea of adolescents in uniform. There has to be around 150 or so of them there, more or less about 40% of the total number of enrolled students.


    "Are you serious? This isn''t some kind of prank, is it? Because it''s definitely not cool to be pulling these kinds of jokes on our 2nd day here!" A girl shouts from the incoherent voices speaking amongst themselves anxiously.


    "NO! This isn''t some stupid prank! We could all be in grave danger just like those two guys!" Yusuke shouts back in turn. It''s then Yuji and Maki shoot one another a knowing stare. The female half gestures toward the stairs and Yuji nods in acknowledgement, fully aware it was time to discuss and get down to business. However, the arrival of a peculiar individual on the scene cuts into the atmosphere.


    "OOOOOOOYYYYY!" A booming voice amplified by a megaphone plays hell on everyone''s eardrums and draws their undivided attention. All eyes fall upon a boy with a peach fuzz haircut, dark bags under a pair of steel blue eyes, a black school blazer hanging around his shoulders, a white dress shirt with its sleeves rolled up to his elbows on his upper body, three black fanciful rings on his right hand, standard slacks on his legs, and green track running shoes on his feet. In his left hand is the megaphone he''s holding up to his mouth.


    "Hey, what the hell¡­?" Yusuke grimaces as he uses a pink to sooth his eardrum.


    "Who the heck are YOU!?" He asks with a scowl. The male he''s addressing takes a moment to lower the volume of the device in his possession a couple of notches before he proceeds to give an answer.


    "Haizukal Itchibana. Second year student. However, this will be my 4th year attending this school." A response that reduces the entire body of students to silence for severals seconds, then mass confusion begins to spread among them.


    "He''s a sophomore, but he''s been here for four years?" One girl comments from the crowd before light chatter starts building, no doubt ridiculing the youth.


    "Jeeze, man¡­ I''ve heard of guys being complacent and living simple lives, but aren''t you even a little embarrassed to admit something like that?" Yusuke remarks, being no exception from the rest. The boy in question, Haizukal, shakes his head in disappointment at the assessment.


    "You''re focused on the wrong thing, but if you must know; I was actually three grades above the average kid my age when I first came here at the age of 12. It''s obvious I''ve been flunking for several years, but that''s been intentional. I stay to help newbies who arrive at this extravagant hellhole. It''s a burden I took up personally of my own volition." The boy goes on to explain, now shifting the perspective of those around him as he looks down from atop of the stairs with a calm demeanor.


    "Holy crap, you''ve got a bit of heart for a short guy. So, what''s the deal? Do monsters usually show up randomly and attack students?" Yusuke questions.


    "It''s not random¡­ They appear when you break a rule, small or big." Haizukal begins. His words pique enough interest to bring his peers to silence again.


    "Male or female, mistake or intentional, it doesn''t matter to this school. What makes matters worse is that the typical person cannot see them. You need certain abilities - being in touch with the spiritual side of yourself on a, at least, decent level - or special items that can help you see them." The boy further elaborates.


    "Huh. So this school has its own curse users, too?" Yuji questions, though more so to himself than anyone else.


    "Sounds like it, but it seems to be nothing beyond being coincidental. I think the bigger question here to ask is: What kind of bizarre person runs a school like this?" Maki proposes her own question as she wears a solemn scowl.


    "Yeah, maybe this all has to do with the principal. Maybe he has some sort of ancient cursed artifact or family heirloom." Yuji concurs as he folds his arms and looks on with an observant blank stare. Meanwhile, the myriad of adolescents begin worrying.


    "Oh man¡­! I don''t wanna die inside a school! That''s so lame!" A guy from the bunch blurts out as he grasps around the scalp of his head in panic.


    "Th-that whore sent me here to die! I knew my own mother resented me! She''s just jealous that she keeps getting older and older! She hates that I''m prettier!" A girl tries to rationalize her predicament while holding desperately at the bag in her lap. Several steps down from her is Azula who''s snarling and clenching her left hand into a quivering fist while her left handles her cellphone, adept thumb tapping away at the screen swiftly as she tries various ways to make a call. Unfortunately, every attempt, be it messaging, direct calling, or even using a social media app, all result in her screen telling her it''s unable to connect to anyone''s line in one way or another.


    "WHAT IS THIS!!!?!?" The princess yells out while shooting up to stand once her temper finally blows the lid off her patience. She turns toward the male at the top of the steps and points her phone-screen at him.


    "Why can I connect to the internet here, but can''t make a single call out to anyone!? My phone service is premium and the bill was paid two days ago!" She barks at him, anger plain as day on her face. Haizukal meets her irrational and hostile gaze with his lingering calm one.


    "Because that''s how it''s always been. If you want a specific reason, the actual source of the problem, then I don''t know what to tell you besides that I think it''s supernatural related. You aren''t the first to have that issue and you won''t be the last. I guess they really hate any potential of an outside force meddling here." He answers.


    "No¡­ We''re all gonna die here!" Another girl from the crowd exclaims before she begins sobbing loudly. A bunch of others also begin trying to use their cellphones to make calls, testing the claim. They too are met with the same results as Azula, regardless of what kind any of them have.


    "She''s right! I can''t get a signal at all!"


    Dude, this is so freaky¡­ Please, tell me this is some sort of bad dream. I have enough to worry about as it is."


    "Screw this! I''m not waiting here to die!" Several more voices can be heard from the crowd with the last being a boy who begins rushing to make his way toward the exit far behind Yusuke.


    "Move it! Let me through, damn it! Sorry, but get out of my damn way!" The boy shouts, stepping over and thrashing past as many people as he needs to until he departs from the crowd and has a clear run for the double doors ahead.


    "Hey, wait a minute, doofus! Don''t go running off on your own!" Yusuke shouts at him as he passes by.


    "Whatever, I''m getting out of here!" The student yells back in turn.


    "Let him go¡­" Haizukal insists, pausing as one of the doors open and shut at the boy''s exit.


    "It''s not against the rules to shout and scream at the gates. And classes don''t start until tomorrow, anyway. Let him face despair and overcome it in his own way. No escape from this place, so it''s best to just get the tears out now." He explains, still using the megaphone in his possession.


    "No one has ever tried? I''m pretty sure I could hop over the gate." Yusuke claims, testing to see what sort of answer he''ll get next.


    "Of course people have tried. It doesn''t matter how high you can jump. An invisible barrier surrounds the entire school grounds. You''ll just bounce right off of it and wind up eating dirt." Haizukal explains.


    "Damn it¡­ I knew you''d have an answer even for that."


    "Look, I''m not going to try and fool you guys into thinking it isn''t so bad here, but you can navigate the system here. The day after the arrival of new students is when they usually hand out more rule books, so expect one today. Study it like an extra credit subject and treat it like a lifeline. For those of you who want to at least go out swinging even if you aren''t too good at fighting, the school actually allows you to carry and buy weapons. I guess you can steal or find them laying around, too. There''s some special vending machines here throughout the place, and even spell books in the libraries. All else I can say is¡­ Stay in groups and watch others'' backs. Try not to die before the end of the school year." He concludes and heads off down a hallway, leaving the bunch to soak in all of the information given.


    Time passes and the afternoon nears. By then, Kakashi is one of three male members who takes up the task of handing out rule books from the boxes they carry around. The leaf ninja makes sure to finish up with Shikamaru being the last of the boys he hands a book to. The teen accepts it as they conversate out in the hallway.


    "A murder, huh? Well, I guess the school''s name was more literal than I thought. Any leads?" Kakashi asks while standing with his hands in his pockets, staring outside the window and watching as some approaches the gates down at ground level.Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    "They say it was a werewolf that did it before disappearing soon after. Might be a jutsu of some kind or a summoning." Shikamaru theorizes as he takes a moment to open and read the school''s regulations, leaning against the wall beside Kakashi.


    "Out of the blue? No rhyme or reasoning?" The elder asks.


    "Probably not. Though, according to some guy who''s been attending this school for several years now, the creatures appear when you break a rule Regardless of how small it is."


    "So they just know? No inquiries? No exceptions?"


    "Seems like they would just know, yeah. Going by what that Yusuke guy was telling us, the two students were talking about going for a smoke before heading into the bathroom together. And there is a very noticeable No Smoking sign on the door. Might be surveillance cameras or a tattle tale. Not sure." Shikamaru responds as he skims over the pages, a frown of concern soon taking form onto his face at what he reads. Just as he''s about to speak up again, a sudden '' B O O O M ! '' From outside snags his attention. Instinctively, he shifts where he stands and positions himself parallel to Kakashi to spot the source of the noise. There he sees Yusuke Urameshi, pointing his finger like a gun at the gate. The shinobi raises a brow curiously, but it soon becomes clear WHY Yusuke is posturing as he is. At the male''s finger tip, a light begins glowing. Glinting brightly before growing into a sphere-like ball of energy the size of a fist. It grows in size again, becoming as big as a basketball and even brighter. That accumulating energy-ball grows yet again and now looks to be the size of a beach ball.


    "What is he doing¡­?" Shikamaru utters in the moment.


    "Looks to me he''s testing the durability of the gate." Kakashi shares. Then, the spirit-gun slinging punk finally lets it fly.


    "FULL BURST SPIRIT GUN ! ! !" That large mass of energy goes soaring like a cannonball and smacks right into the gate of a roaring explosion that causes smoke to discharge from the direct hit and strains the transparent force field around the school just enough to reveal a fraction of a crystal blue wall before it returns to being unseeable again.


    "...Looks like that sophomore wasn''t lying about there being a barrier around the school. It''ll be hard to report back to Lady Tsunade like this." Shikamaru comments.


    "No kidding. I''ll see about finding a way around it. Though, completing the mission should take priority. There''s no rush to send back word just yet." Kakashi responds.


    "I''ve got some things to take care of, so we''ll have to talk more later. Be careful. I''ll definitely do my best to help out as much as I can for you all, but I''m not sure what we''re up against here."


    "What a drag, but I guess it can''t be helped. I''ll be fine. I''ll see what else I can dig up, too." The teen responds. And with that, the two leaf ninjas go their separate ways.


    Shikamaru specifically makes his way down to catch Yusuke for a discussion, unaware that two others also have that same idea.


    "Man, are you freakin'' kidding me? I poured over half of my spirit energy into that shot and it didn''t really do anything." Yusuke sighs in annoyance as he places his hands at his hips, glaring up at the black sturdy gate in front of him.


    "Well, at least I know this damn force field is crazy tough and big now. Is the whole thing shaped like a dome?" He murmurs to himself, oblivious to the pair approaching from behind.


    "Yo!" A voice calls out, grabbing the spirit detective''s attention. Turning he sees none other than Yuji Itadori and Maki Zennin.


    "Mind if we have a word? I think it''d be advantageous for the three of us to work together since we have the same goal." Maki proposes.


    "Alright, I''m listening." Yusuke tells her, putting on a serious face as he folds his arms across his chest.


    "We''re sorcerers from a school that helps hone talents like ours for the purpose of finding, fighting, and exercising curses. Things that you might call demons." She begins.


    "Huh? Never heard of¨C Well, no. That''s not totally true. I just honestly thought sorcerers were just hacks meant to keep morale up. You guys actually fight demons, too?" Yusuke asks rhetorically while arching a brow.


    "Oh man¡­ I probably look like a weirdo when I''m fighting supernatural scum bags, too! Man, that''s embarrassing to think about." He goes on, a bit distraught at his realization.


    "Does it truly matter to you what normal people think when you''re protecting them from unseeable danger? We do this so that they may go on living their day-to-day lives in peace." Maki reminds him.


    "Yeah. It''s a thankless job most of the time, but helping those who could be in danger is all that really matters in the end." Yuji chimes in with an upbeat smile.


    "Yeah¡­ I guess you guys are right. So anyway, got a method of finding the source of the problem? Because my usual way is just straightforward. Search for clues and beat up whatever I find." Yusuke asks.


    "Well, it''s a lot harder this time around to detect it. There''s obviously something at play here, but it''s like it''s hidden. I can''t sense at all and Maki here has ways of taking out curses, but she can''t detect them at all. We may actually have to go along with your way of doing things. Searching and stuff. Something is bound to pop up." Yuji speaks up this time.


    "Yeah, I''m in the same boat with ya there. Can''t feel a damn thing, either. Only during that moment from last night when that monster showed up. It was faint, so I didn''t notice it right away until the screaming."


    "Well, I guess I don''t have to worry about numbers now. Seems like all three of you are ahead of the curve." A fourth voice cuts in. The three turn and spot the leaf ninja.


    "Oh, hey, Shikamaru. What are you doing here?" Yuji asks.


    "Same as you. Here to talk with Yusuke. But since you''re also looking to solve this weird mystery, it includes you, too." The nonchalant shinobi answers. Soon, he stops nearby and holds up the thin rule book that''s just barely larger than a notepad,  given to him by Kakashi.


    "By the way, you missed it, but they were giving these out to us. A book with the school''s regulations. Under normal circumstances, I wouldn''t bother talking about common sense, but something in this caught my eye. Seems there''s tiers to the amount of trouble you can land yourself in. Meaning that thing you saw last night might be the least of our worries."


    "No fooling? What''s the highest tier?" Yuji asks.


    "Five, and you achieve that by killing any person on school grounds or escaping the campus."


    "Well, that one won''t be a big worry. It''s practically impossible to escape and I don''t think anyone here is going to lose their mind enough to take a life. Maybe." Yusuke comments.


    "Even so. How confident are you guys in your combat skills?" Shikamaru asks.


    "Pretty sure I can take on whatever showed up last night." Yuji answers.


    "I''ll slay it, and anything else, in an instant with my specialized weapons." Maki assures.


    "I''ve got a lethal shot and the ability to tussle with demons." Yusuke confidently states.


    "Good. Because I think we should test these rules. See the extent of what we''re up against here." Shikamaru proposes. It''s then that the school''s PA/Intercom speaks begin giving reach to a mature, yet rather timid voice.


    "E-e-excuse me, everyone. Ahem! I-I''m sorry to intrude on your afternoon, but t-this is prin¡­ principal Stelwart. I¡­ I''d like to inform you all that classes shall be starting t-t-t¡­ gulp! T-tomorrow! Your schedules shall be handed to you all before dinner this upcoming e-even-in-ing¡­ U-uuhh.. Please, take care and try t-to enjoy the rest of your free day! That is all!"


    "What the!? The principal is actually here? I''m about to march right up to his office and kick that geezer''s ass !" Yusuke barks as he clenches a fist tightly.


    "Didn''t expect that either¡­ We definitely should confront him. There''s nothing to lose." Shikamaru concurs.


    "Ya got that right! C''mon!" And at Yusuke''s leading charge and command, the four-member group runs back inside the building. It''s then and there all of them show their astounding mobility and limberness to some degree. Running faster than 40mph and easily leaping up the 55 feet flight of stairs with casual bounds before making hard right, startling the other students along the way. Straight ahead and down a corridor that neither of have been through before, but assume it has to be the general direction of the principals office. The group travels quite a ways in a short amount of time. Plenty of decisive turns and open doors way to go through on their aimless venture, but they eventually do come across the location of interest. Even if by pure happenstance.


    While running past a doorway leading down another corridor to their left, the spirit detective just barely catches a glimpse of a man standing in front of a door.


    "Crud, Wait! I think that''s him." Yusuke informs the other as he brings himself to a skidding halt along smooth royal blue carpet flooring. The group rush back to stand before the pathway, and there they see a man in a blue suit, bearing a pitiful look on his face as he locks a door with the keys within his hand.


    "Hey, YOU!" Yusuke shouts to draw his attention. He succeeds easily and even scares the older male with his sudden and aggressive outburst.


    "H-h-huh!?!?!?"


    "You''re the principal, aren''t you!? You miserable piece of trash! You think you can toy with the lives of kids like this!?" Yusuke scolds while pointing accusingly. He''s about to march right over to the man in the blue suit, but the double doors suddenly slam shut on his face.


    "A-u-u-uuhhh! I''m sorry! I s-s-swear, it''s not m-m-my fault!" The man shouts from the other side before the sound of running footsteps could be heard.


    "Hey, get back here!" The urban delinquent demands as he grabs and pulls at the door handles in front of him. The doors don''t budge an inch no matter how hard he pulls. Giving up on the civil approach, Yusuke backs up several steps and rushes forward to slam his shoulder against them. Maki and Yuji both join in afterwards. Yet still, no progress is made.


    "Okay, that''s it! I''ll blow these damn doors down!" He exclaims as he leaps back to make some space. Maki and Yuji back away to give him a clear shot. It''s not like earlier, but the spirit detective charges up his ray gun double its usual potential and promptly fires that light-speed energy bullet. It erupts on impact, but it doesn''t faze the doors at all.


    "Ugh¡­ you serious!?"


    "Man¡­ Those doors are pretty tough. Yeah, there''s definitely something off about this school." Yuji comments.


    "H-hey¡­ hey. Hey, look out!" Shikamaru shouts in panic, managing to get the others to turn their heads just in time to see and leap out of the way of the incoming danger of a large downward fist that would''ve smashed Yuji into the floor. Instead, the attack makes contact with the ground and smashes a sizable hole through it.


    "What the hell is THAT?" Yusuke questions.


    "Man, it''s kind of huge¡­ that curse energy is nothing to shake a stick at, either." Yuji comments.


    "I think this is the tier 4 disciplinary. Threatening and harassing staff members were on that list of rules, and I think we all just broke it." Shikamaru informs the others.


    "We should take care of it FAST. Judging by that 3-meter hole it just left on the floor, this could get out of hand in a blink of an eye. Tch. And to think I left my weapons back in my room¡­" Maki warns.


    What the band of four are looking at is a 14-feet bulky creature with a human-like-ish body from the neck down, its head appears to be a massive wild mullet with only a wide mouth with sharp being only the noticeable facial feature it has. The creature also has short, but pointy black nails. Its entirety - every inch of its body - is monochrome white.


    "It''s comin''..." Yuji comments calmly as the beast begins approaching with heavy steps that make the floor quiver within the area, hunching over as it snarls and bears its shark teeth. Its hand postures with bent and spread out fingers as if it means to claw right through them like paper. Then? It pounces with half the speed of a handgun bullet.


    KROOM!


    THAM!


    DNMP-DNMP-... DHOOOOM!!!


    The creature starts by taking a big open-handed swipe at Yuji, who manages to react just in time to duck and allows it to puncture a hole through the wall beside him. As Yuji leaps back for make some distance, the creature seamlessly uses that very same arm to then throw a backhand fist that would''ve not only slam the side of Mali''s head against the opposite wall, but also flung her into a different room, had she not leapt back with ease to avoid the blow. What follows next is the beast attempting to pummel Yusuke''s head into the ground with overhead punches that rain down with formidable force. The youth weaves his body to the right, then the left, and then propels himself into a backflipping retreat when it tries to hit him with a double-hand hammer blow that smashes another hole into the floor.


    "TCH! It''s too cramped for ALL of us to fight that thing in the hallway. We''ve got to draw him to an open space. Somewhere with more room." Shikamaru advises, presently standing the furthest in the back.


    "Yeah, maybe. That thing does have some reach. Guess we can book it to the lunchroom." Yusuke proposes.


    "It''ll HAVE to do. Let''s go!" And with that, the team turns and makes a mad dash toward the direction they came from. Right behind them the sound of that massive beast charging at them like an elephant galloping through the hallway to give chase.


    [ To be continued¨C ]