The Cursed Student

​"Rest assured."
​White Zetsu plopped down on Maki's desk, looking incredibly smug.
​"I don't need to do anything. Mirai-boy will take care of everything."
​"Heh."
​The students looked at him, speechless. If they hadn't seen him screaming for his life earlier, they might have believed his tough act.
​"The so-called 'Higher-ups' are just old fossils sent by the Three Families to annoy us," White Zetsu waved a dismissive hand. "If they disagree, we'll just slaughter them."
​"White Zetsu!"
​Maki slammed her hand on the desk. "Forget about the Zenin scumbags. But listen to me carefully: Do not lay a hand on ordinary humans."
​"Even if Brother Mirai protects you... if you kill an innocent human, Satoru Gojo won't let you off the hook."
​Maki's expression was grave. She knew Mirai was strong. But Gojo Satoru was invincible. She didn't want a war between her brother and her teacher over an idiot Cursed Spirit.
​"Alright, alright, Maki-chan!" White Zetsu rolled his eyes. "You worry too much. Mirai-boy already briefed me."
​"Besides," White Zetsu grinned. "Since he's a teacher now, I can't stay in that boring mansion alone, right?"
​Maki frowned. "What do you mean?"
​White Zetsu spread his hands. "A teacher needs students. And since I'm his 'Assistant'..."
​"Wait..." Panda stood up, looking horrified. "You aren't planning to..."
​"Yep!" White Zetsu cheered. "I'm enrolling! We're classmates now, Panda!"
​"NOOOO!" Panda buried his face in his paws.
​...
​Night. The Faculty Dormitory.
​Mirai sat on the sofa of his new apartment, typing on his phone. White Zetsu lay on the floor, watching a food channel.
​"It doesn't matter about the others," Mirai said softly, not looking up. "But be careful with Gojo Satoru."
​"Don't provoke him too much. I don't want to expose your true nature yet."
​"Don't you trust my acting skills?"
​White Zetsu grinned, revealing his sharp teeth. "Hiding in the shadows... that's a Cursed Spirit's specialty."
​"Besides, I'm looking forward to school life! A Cursed Spirit exorcising Cursed Spirits alongside Sorcerers... it's ironic, isn't it?"
​Mirai hit send on his message. "Whatever makes you happy."
​"Just remember: The real work doesn't begin until their suspicion of you fades."
​"Aye aye!" White Zetsu waved at the TV.
​He paused the show and rolled over to look at Mirai.
​"Hey. I'm curious."
​"Back at the Zenin Estate, you were a tyrant. You barely smiled. You treated everyone like dirt."
​"But since we got here," White Zetsu pointed a pale finger. "You've been smiling non-stop. Your face must be hurting."
​Mirai finally looked up from his phone. His expression was cold, devoid of the warmth he showed his "colleagues."
​"To me, the Zenin Clan aren't even pets," Mirai said flatly. "At best, they are tools."
​"Have you ever seen anyone smile at a hammer?"
​"I see," White Zetsu chuckled. "Equivalent exchange, huh? You give them power, they give you obedience."
​"So..." White Zetsu's grin widened. "What about Gojo Satoru?"
​"Between you and him... who is stronger now?"
​Mirai stood up and walked to the window, looking out at the moonlit campus.
​"Who knows?"
​He smiled. A real, dangerous smile.
​...
​The Third Floor Hallway.
​Masamichi Yaga walked beside Gojo Satoru.
​"Satoru. Rein in your temper."
​"You aren't a student anymore. You're a teacher." Yaga sighed. "I know you're interested in the Zenin Head, but consider the consequences."
​"He represents the Zenin Clan. You represent the Gojo Clan. If you fight... it's civil war."
​Gojo leaned against the railing, looking at the faculty dorms.
​"I'm not that impulsive," Gojo muttered. "I haven't beaten up a Clan Head on their doorstep in years."
​"I promise," Gojo raised a hand.
​Yaga relaxed slightly. "Good. Let's put Zenin-sensei aside for now."
​"What about the Cursed Spirit? White Zetsu?"
​Yaga frowned. "I couldn't sense anything special about him. He seems like a standard low-grade curse. But he's too intelligent."
​"Did your Six Eyes see anything?"
​Gojo rubbed his chin.
​"His strength isn't hidden. He really is weak. Grade 4 at best."
​"But..."
​Gojo's face turned serious.
​"The feedback from the Six Eyes was strange."
​"He doesn't feel like a Cursed Spirit. He feels more like... a walking corpse."
​"A corpse?" Yaga blinked.
​"Like organic matter that's been animated," Gojo explained. "Not pure negative energy. It's weird."
​"If even your Six Eyes can't figure it out..." Yaga looked worried. "We need to keep a close watch on him."
​"Agreed," Gojo nodded.
​Yaga looked up at the full moon. His expression turned grim.
​"Now... I should tell you the other news."
​"The Higher-ups have formulated a plan."
​"The execution of Suguru Geto."