Jujutsu Kaisen: Cursed Times

Training was constant.While the others focused on martial technique and cursed tools, Shingen spent equal effort on mastering his inherited ability — the Time Wheel. Over the years, under Gojo Satoru's uniquely chaotic guidance, he'd learned to manipulate time's acceleration almost instinctively. But lately, his focus had shifted toward something rarer, more volatile: Technique Reversal.

If Time Wheel's normal state accelerated time, then its reverse — aptly dubbed Time Wheel - Reverse — allowed him to reverse it.

This was far beyond the reach of most Jujutsu Sorcerers. Creating Reverse Cursed Energy — the "positive" counterpart of normal Cursed Energy — required merging two negative flows into a stable form. Most sorcerers never even attempted it. But Shingen had managed to generate that rare positive current, even if only in brief pulses.

He couldn't yet reattach limbs like Ieiri Shoko, but it allowed him to heal superficial injuries and — more critically — apply positive energy into his own Technique. That's how Time Reversal worked: a flash of positivity overriding acceleration, momentarily stabilizing his body in combat.

The fusion of both Time Wheel modes gave birth to a dangerous new state: Time Null. A frame of time so distorted that even perception became meaningless. Gojo had named it, of course — because Shingen's original name, "Temporal Convergence Rapid Shift Overdrive Mode," had been vetoed unanimously.

In this state, Shingen could strike faster than any reflex, any defense. He had tested it with Gojo himself — the resulting barrage had cracked boulders, shredded test dummies, and left Gojo clapping gleefully.

But in practice?

He hadn't used it. Not yet. There hadn't been a foe strong enough

His go-to remained Extermination — his cursed tool bow — paired with Cursed Energy-accelerated arrows. Thanks to Maki's recent training, he'd also begun considering a cursed sword for mid-to-close-range combat. If enemies managed to break through his barrage, they'd meet a lightning-speed blade—or worse, a Black Flash punch to the gut.

"Why are you grinning like that?" Maki's voice pulled him back to reality.

Before he could answer, Panda leaned in, voice low. "Hey, I heard a new first-year is transferring in."

That got Shingen's attention.

A new classmate? That would make five. Panda, being Principal Yaga's "son," was rarely wrong about this sort of thing. Their suspicions were confirmed that same afternoon, when Gojo Satoru burst into the classroom with his usual flamboyant flair.

"The new student arrives tomorrow~ Everyone, behave yourselves!"

Maki raised an eyebrow. "Why do you look more excited than we do?"

"Huh? Haven't you gotten used to him yet?" Shingen teased, resting lazily in his chair. His new silver-gray hair glinted in the sunlight — a fresh dye job for his latest anime cosplay.

He hadn't gotten much sleep, either. Games, anime, and a deep dive into the Cursed Techniques compendium had left him half-snoozing through the day.

The next morning came fast.

The four of them — Shingen, Maki, Inumaki, and Panda — were already whispering on their way to class. According to Panda's mysterious sources, the new kid once stuffed four classmates into lockers. Alive, but not unscathed.

"If he's a jerk," Maki said flatly, "we'll just beat it out of him."

"Salmon," Inumaki agreed with a nod.

The classroom door slid open with a dramatic whshh. Gojo entered first, beaming, hands in his pockets.

"Time for introductions! Hype yourselves up!"

Silence.

Not a single clap.

Maki leaned back against her seat, legs crossed. "You didn't tell us anything useful about him. Why should we celebrate?"

"Mustard leaf," muttered Inumaki.

Even Shingen was too tired to feign enthusiasm. He yawned and sat straighter. "Get to the point, sensei…"

So Gojo turned to the hallway. "Yuta! Come in!"

The air changed.

The moment the black-haired boy entered, Shingen's Cursed Energy perception went on high alert. Behind this new student — Yuta Okkotsu — loomed a massive and menacing spiritual presence. A crushing pressure filled the room, choking the air.

Even Maki's expression faltered.

She immediately grabbed her naginata and, in a blur, launched it across the room. The blade grazed Yuta's cheek and lodged deep into the blackboard behind him.

"My name… is Yuta Okkotsu…"

He stammered the words, looking stunned by the sudden hostility.

"Oi," Maki said coldly. "You reek of curses. What the hell are you?"

Panda clenched his fists, stepping beside her. Inumaki raised his collar, preparing a Cursed Speech defense.

And Shingen?

He was already by the classroom door, ten meters away, smiling innocently.

"Sorry, team," he called out cheerfully. "Survival instincts kicked in."

It wasn't cowardice. It was self-awareness.

That thing — that presence behind Yuta — wasn't just dangerous. It was lethal. If it acted with hostility, it would be a massacre. And for once, Gojo didn't look like he was going to step in.

Then it happened.

A ripple passed through the classroom air. The blackboard behind Yuta warped and darkened. Two grotesquely large hands reached out from the shadows, pale and veiny. One of them caught Maki's naginata mid-air.

"Don't…" came a childish but distorted voice.

Yuta's eyes widened in panic. "Rika, no!"

"…hurt Yuta."

The second hand swept across the room like a tidal wave. The sheer spiritual pressure brought everyone to their knees. Even Maki faltered.

"Genichi…" she managed, glancing beside her.

He wasn't there.

Far at the door, Shingen gave her a thumbs-up. "You got this, senpai."

The Curse stopped.

It retracted, hands vanishing into the darkness as quickly as they had appeared. The tension snapped, and Yuta fell to his knees, clearly shaken.

"Whoops," Gojo said casually, stepping in at last. "Did I forget to mention that Yuta here is cursed by a Special Grade Vengeful Spirit?"

Everyone turned on him with identical expressions of betrayal.

"YOU THINK THAT WASN'T IMPORTANT?!"

Gojo, as usual, waved them off with a grin. "Anyway, meet Yuta Okkotsu. His childhood friend Rika died in front of him. And then… became a curse. A very powerful one."

As the others digested this, Yuta bowed deeply. "I'm sorry… I didn't mean to hurt anyone. She's just… trying to protect me."

"It's fine," Panda reassured him. "We're used to weirdos."

"Kelp," added Inumaki with a friendly wave.

Gojo then pointed to each student. "That's Maki, cursed tool user. That's Inumaki, Cursed Speech. Panda is, well… a talking panda."

"And this," Gojo said with a smirk, motioning to Shingen, "is Shingen Genichi."

He didn't elaborate.

"Hey!" Shingen pouted. "Why don't I get a cool title too?"

"You talk enough for yourself," Gojo said, already done.

Yuta looked around at the chaos and sighed internally. Was this what Jujutsu High was like?

Apparently… yes.

•••••

Later That Day

With their new fifth member officially welcomed, sort of — Gojo clapped his hands once again.

"Perfect! With five first-years now, it's time to group up for afternoon training!"

He raised his hand and gestured.

"Team one: Panda and Inumaki. Team two: Maki and Yuta."

"What about me?" Shingen asked, raising an eyebrow.

Gojo smiled brightly. "Solo mission for you, Genichi. Good luck~"

"…I hate you sometimes," Shingen muttered, dragging his cursed tool behind him.

But as he glanced back, he couldn't help smiling. A team of five. It had taken time, but Tokyo Jujutsu High's first-year class was now complete.

And something told him…

Things were just getting started.

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Word Count:1,205