Reborn in Jujutsu Kaisen as a Zenin

The Kyoto Jujutsu High School had been notified only that they would receive visitors requiring access to their archives.

As their car pulled up to the traditional gates, they were met by an eleven-year-old girl whose formal posture suggested someone trying very hard to live up to important responsibilities.

"Utahime Iori," she introduced herself with careful precision, clearly having practiced this moment. "Mother- I mean, Sensei asked me to welcome you and escort you to her office."

"Eh?" Satoru tilted his head, floating lazily. "They're letting such small children handle guest reception now? Though I suppose living here means you have to earn your keep somehow."

Her careful composure cracked instantly. "I'm not small! You're small! And this is my home, I'm not just-"

"Now, now," a warm voice intervened as an elegant woman approached. "I see you've already met my daughter." She turned to address the group properly.

"I'm Minako Iori. We received word you'd be requiring access to our archives, though not the nature of your research."

Utahime's irritation at Satoru's dismissal was still evident, but she maintained her position beside her adoptive mother with stubborn dignity.

"We need to examine records regarding certain cursed tools," Indra stated directly. No point in elaborate explanations.

"Cursed tools?" Minako's expression showed polite interest, though her eyes carried a sharper assessment. Two of Japan's most powerful young sorcerers didn't travel to Kyoto just for basic research. "That's quite a broad category. Any specific focus?"

"Historical records mainly," Kisara offered smoothly. "Tracking the movement of significant artifacts through Kyoto over the past decades."

"I see." Minako considered this for a moment. "Utahime, please show them to the archives. Section Three should have what they need."

"Yes, Mother," Utahime replied, though she cast a wary glance at the still-floating Satoru. "This way, please."

"Such a serious little guide," Satoru commented as they followed her through the school's corridors. "Do you practice that stern expression in the mirror every morning?"

"Satoru," Indra's voice carried a warning tone. They needed cooperation, not antagonism.

Though despite the annoyance, he wonders, is there some kind of fate that makes it so no matter the world, or age, that Satoru must be the bane of Utahime's existence?

He supposes, if every Satoru is the same Satoru in essence and if every Utahime is as well then yes.

The archives proved to be extensive – rows upon rows of carefully maintained scrolls and documents, each section marked with precise cataloging.

Section Three, dedicated to cursed tools and their histories, took up nearly a quarter of the vast room.

"Everything's organized by date and significance," Utahime explained, her professional tone returning now that she had a task to focus on. "The more dangerous the tool, the further back it's stored."

"Then we'll start from the back," Indra decided. No point wasting time – the Inverted Spear would certainly be classified among the most dangerous.

"I'll help you search!" Utahime offered eagerly, clearly hoping to prove herself useful.

"No need," Satoru interrupted, floating past her. "This is beyond a child's-"

"What my... colleague means," Kisara cut in smoothly, "is that these records might be restricted. We wouldn't want to put you in an awkward position with your mother."

Utahime convinced reluctantly left them alone.

The archives fell into focused silence as they began their search.

Each of them methodically working through different sections, though Kisara noted how their usual dynamics had shifted since the morning's encounter.

No one had mentioned the curses' revelations since leaving that commercial district. It was as if they'd all silently agreed to process it individually first.

Even Satoru's usual chatter had taken on a more purposeful quality as he scanned documents with his Six Eyes.

Toji moved through the shelves with practiced efficiency, his experience with cursed tools evident in how quickly he discarded irrelevant texts.

Indra maintained his usual composed focus, though Kisara had served him long enough to notice subtle signs of deeper contemplation.

An hour passed this way, the only sounds being rustling papers and occasional footsteps. The weight of unspoken thoughts grew heavier with each passing minute.

Finally, Kisara decided to break their unspoken pact of silence. The implications of what they'd learned were too significant to ignore any longer.

"About this morning," Kisara began carefully, "The titles they gave you both... The Observer and The Sovereign..."

She noticed how each of them reacted differently to her words. Satoru's floating paused momentarily, though he pretended to keep reading. Toji's hands stilled on a scroll, and Indra...

Indra simply continued his methodical search, though his attention had clearly shifted.

"Boring titles," Satoru commented, though his usual dismissive tone lacked its edge. "Though I suppose 'The Observer' is slightly less dull than 'Six Eyes user.'"

Toji remained silent, but his posture suggested someone piecing together a larger puzzle. A hunter who'd spent years tracking the supernatural, suddenly gaining new context for what he'd witnessed.

"The Cleaver stirring in his sleep," Kisara pressed on. "Sukuna's return... they spoke of it with such certainty."

"Let them speak," Indra finally responded, "Titles, prophecies, divine authority – none of it changes our immediate objectives." his words meant the end of the discussion.

Like always he decided when something began or when it ended, as was his right as the Strongest.

But they all knew it did. Everything had changed with those revelations, even if none of them were ready to fully acknowledge how.

Especially for Indra, who till now believed he had a more measured sense of control. But with this Heaven who has authority over all... 

"With respect, Indra-sama," Kisara spoke up, surprising even herself with her directness, "I disagree. This changes everything."

The archives fell silent at her unexpected challenge. Even Satoru stopped floating, turning to watch with genuine interest.

"Three Grade 1 curses gained not just intelligence, but knowledge beyond human sourcing. They recognized divine authority." She met Indra's gaze steadily. "They called me your General, Toji your Blade – roles apparently ordained by Heaven itself."

She continued, her voice gaining strength. "If Heaven truly has such authority, if it's already designated roles and titles, then perhaps our objectives aren't as... immediate as we thought. Perhaps they're part of something larger that we need to understand."

The silence that followed felt heavy. For the first time since their binding vow, Kisara had directly challenged Indra's attempt to end a discussion.

Not out of defiance, but out of loyal concern for what these revelations might mean for his path forward.

Indra turned to face her fully, his expression unreadable. For a moment, the archives seemed to hold its breath. Even Satoru's usual restlessness stilled, sensing the weight of this moment.

"You're right," Indra stated simply, surprising everyone. "But understanding Heaven's existing interference changes nothing about how we proceed. Whether ordained or chosen, our path remains the same."

"Though perhaps," Satoru interjected, showing unusual seriousness, "we should consider what it means that curses now recognize authority beyond their nature.

My Six Eyes showed me their certainty – they weren't just speaking words, they were stating absolute truth as they understood it."

Toji shifted from his position against the shelves. "The Sovereign's Blade," he tested the words carefully. "They didn't just name us – they defined our purposes. And if Heaven itself designated these roles..."

"Then everything we do might be part of some greater design," Kisara finished. "The Inverted Spear, the evolving curses, Sukuna's prophesied return – it's all connected."

"You misunderstand," Indra spoke, his voice carrying quiet conviction. "Heaven didn't designate our roles – it recognized who we are. Who we chose to be."

He turned to face them fully. "I don't believe in predetermined paths or controlled destinies. These titles reflect our nature, our choices.

If you could return to the moment you offered your loyalty, Kisara, would you choose differently? If Toji could return to yesterday's challenge, would he prefer his previous path?"

The question hung heavy in the air, almost like it was waiting to be considered and answered.

"The curses spoke of what is, not what must be," Indra continued. "I am the Sovereign because that's who I chose to become. It is who I am. 

Satoru observes because that's his nature, not because Heaven demanded it. You are my General, Kisara, because you chose to bind yourself to my service.

Toji is my Blade because that role suits who he is, not because Heaven ordained it.

We are who we are based on our life. Our existence and experience makes us who we are. That means if the past was different, If an attribute of ours was different then it would no longer be us.

It would be an entirely seperate existence.

We are simply who we are, based on our own characteristics.

Heaven may have authority, but it can not change that. Nothing can change that. It therefore doesn't control our will, for who we are is what made us make those choices. 

It merely sees and names what we ourselves choose to be.

That is why we are free, and have a will of our own."

"You know," Satoru mused, floating upside down again but with unusual thoughtfulness, "for once you're making sense, little brother.

The Six Eyes show me everything that exists, but even they can't predict what choices someone will ultimately make - you yourself taught me that.

That's what makes some people actually interesting."

Toji nodded slowly, a man who'd spent his life being told what he couldn't be finding validation in this perspective. "The Blade," he said quietly. "Not because Heaven decided, but because it's who I proved myself to be."

"Then these titles," Kisara considered, "aren't prophecies or commands. They're recognition of what we've already chosen to become." She straightened slightly.

"I am your General because that's the role I chose to fulfill, not because Heaven ordained it."

The atmosphere in the archives shifted as this understanding settled. Their titles weren't chains binding them to predetermined paths, but acknowledgments of the choices they'd already made, the people they'd already chosen to be.

"Now that the philosophical discussion is settled," Satoru grinned, returning to his usual demeanor, "can we get back to finding this boring spear? Unless you'd all prefer another deep conversation about fate and free will?"

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(Author note: Hello everyone! I hope you all enjoyed the chapter!

I got a bit too self-insert there, since that is literally my own view on free will and predestination.

We are who we are, because who we are is based on our characteristics. Change one of them from the past, it creates a completely seperate entity, that is simply not us.

So our choices will always be our own.

We have free will.

Well, sorry for that, I got a bit too philosphical there, hope that didn't bother anybody.

Well, I hope to see you all later, do please tell me how you found it.

Bye!)