Jujutsu Kaisen: Cursed Times

Yuta Okkotsu walked into the arena with a determined expression.

The center of the dojo was already scarred from earlier battles, and Kamo Noritoshi entered from the other side, coming to a stop not far from Yuta.

From the side, Shingen Genichi tilted his head toward Gojo Satoru. Though he said nothing, the meaning in his eyes was clear: Is Yuta going to be alright?

Gojo gave him a confident thumbs-up, grinning as always. Although Shingen didn't quite understand how Gojo could be so sure that Rika wouldn't go out of control again, since Gojo was so relaxed, there didn't seem to be a need to worry.

After bowing to each other, both fighters entered their stances. The match began.

The initial exchanges were tentative—probing.

Kamo's close-quarters combat was formidable, and he skillfully wielded his blood manipulation, transforming it into weapons mid-fight. The sharpness and speed of the congealed blood were no joke. His move Slicing Exorcism, forming a spinning blood blade, was especially dangerous—enough to cleave through an ordinary cursed weapon with ease.

However, Yuta's sword was a proper cursed tool, and with Cursed Energy wrapped around it, there was no concern about it being destroyed.

Yuta's talent was undeniable. Everyone had seen it in the days leading up to this event. His ability to pick things up quickly was astonishing—especially considering that just a short time ago, he had no knowledge of Jujutsu. His growth, from clueless novice to full-fledged combatant, had been nothing short of explosive.

Everyone else had a background in Jujutsu. Maki came from the Zen'in clan—even if she was rejected by them, she was born in the world of sorcery. Panda was a cursed corpse personally raised by Principal Yaga. Inumaki came from a line of Cursed Speech users, and even if his family cut ties with the Jujutsu world, his Technique had been passed down.

Shingen Genichi and Fushiguro Megumi had been trained by Gojo Satoru himself. Despite Gojo being unreliable at times, having access to Gojo's resources and teachings gave them a tremendous edge.

But Yuta… Yuta was different.

He had come in with no background, no training—yet here he was, already standing toe-to-toe with the heir of the Kamo clan. That alone said everything.

As the probing ended, their fight escalated.

Yuta's blade, wrapped in surging Cursed Energy, smashed through two of Kamo's Slicing Exorcism blood discs. Kamo abandoned the long-range tactic, switching to direct confrontation.

His swordsmanship was sharp, but Yuta's was sharper. Enhanced by Cursed Energy, Yuta's speed exceeded Kamo's ability to keep up. Gritting his teeth, Kamo decided to activate Crimson Binding.

Once again, his body surged with Cursed Energy. His movement sharpened, his senses heightened. The difference was clear: now he could match Yuta's pace.

After dodging one of Yuta's thrusts, Kamo swept his hand out. Blood threads surged from his torn shirt and wove into a net that suddenly collapsed around Yuta.

Shingen Genichi, watching intently, recognized it immediately.

'That's Crimson Bindings.Not bad...'

It was a solid binding move. Physical slashes wouldn't be enough to cut through it completely—especially since Kamo could reinforce and repair the net in real time. It was the kind of move you dealt with either by breaking it with overwhelming Cursed Energy or by forcing the caster to stop controlling it.

Yuta's proximity meant dodging was impossible. He slashed several times, tearing openings in the net—but the blood quickly reknit itself.

Within moments, Yuta was trapped.

Acting fast, he surged with Cursed Energy in an effort to break the net.

But that was exactly what Kamo had been waiting for.

Clapping his hands together, Kamo gathered blood between his palms, compressing it so tightly that it shimmered with danger. His eyes narrowed as he whispered:

"I didn't have a change to use this on Shingen Genichi. You'll be the first.

Blood Manipulation: Piercing Blood!"

A high-pressure stream of blood launched forward—faster than the eye could track. Even the blurry afterimage came after the projectile had already been fired. It was lethal, fast, and impossible to block without foresight.

Yuta's instincts screamed.

Rika stirred restlessly inside him, begging to come out—but Yuta refused.

He centered his mind. No thoughts. No hesitation. Just breath and instinct.

Everything slowed down.

In that instant, he saw the attack. Not just the direction—it was as if time itself paused for him. The blood arrow twisted in slow motion toward him. He had no technique, no time to analyze, but he had one thought:

Cut it down.

What is a cut?

Even before the thought completed, his body moved.

The blade in his hand flashed downward.

A thunderous clang exploded as Yuta's blade met the blood arrow. The floor cracked beneath him. A deep gouge appeared in the ground from the force.

Shingen Genichi's eyes widened.

"... Flying Slash!!?,What the hell?"

It had all happened in a split second.

From the audience's perspective, it looked like this:

Yuta broke free from Crimson Restraint. The moment Kamo's Piercing Blood was fired, Yuta unleashed a vertical slash—a slash so fast and so precise, it shattered the blood arrow mid-air.

Then, Yuta closed the gap and pressed the back of his blade to Kamo Noritoshi's throat.

Victory decided.

Yuta walked back to his team quietly. Everyone offered praise, but he looked troubled.

Shingen Genichi quickly realized why.

The sword's damaged.

Although Yuta had infused it with Cursed Energy, the impact of that high-speed collision had cracked it. It wasn't a high-grade cursed tool, but it was one Gojo had given him to learn with. Yuta was probably wondering how to explain breaking it.

Shingen held out a hand. Yuta paused but handed over the sword.

Shingen placed his palm over the fracture and activated his Technique.

Technique Reversal.

A soft glow. When he pulled his hand away, the cracks were gone.

Yuta looked amazed.

"Genichi…"

Shingen just made a quiet shhh gesture.

Yuta smiled and mouthed: Thank you.

Shingen smirked.

Compared to healing people, reversing damage to an object was child's play. Even cursed weapons like this were easy for him—especially since he could restore them to a previously recorded state.

Final Match: Shingen Genichi vs. Aoi Todo

The final battle.

Shingen entered the arena to loud cheers from his team. Aoi Todo arrived from the other side— flexing, grinning wildly.

Even before Yaga could finish announcing the start, Aoi was already speaking.

"I couldn't fight Yuta, but that's fine. You took down a Special Grade Cursed Spirit. That's enough! Even if I lose—this will be glorious!"

He threw off his top, revealing sculpted muscle that looked carved from stone. His energy surged with anticipation.

"No need for formality. Let's enjoy a fight to the fullest!"

Shingen rolled up his sleeves, eyes shining. He didn't share Todo's obsession with fighting, but he could understand the thrill of unleashing real strength.

He had rarely had the opportunity to fight seriously in hand-to-hand combat. Most of his real battles ended too quickly. But Todo… Todo was different. He was strong enough to take it.

No cursed tools. No Techniques. Just raw strength and Cursed Energy.

This... is going to be fun.

They charged simultaneously.

Two figures—two fists—colliding in the center with a shockwave.

Veins bulged in their arms as each caught the other's punch.

A moment later—Shingen's knee rose sharply, aimed at Todo's gut.

But Todo just laughed—and took it.

In return, he lifted Shingen by the waist, swung him around, and slammed him into the ground.

Shingen rolled on impact and launched himself back to his feet—only to see Todo's kick coming at his face.

Crossing his arms, he absorbed the blow and was flung backward.

'He's strong. Really strong.

I had to reinforce my arms just to take that hit.'

Across from him, Aoi Todo flexed his shoulders, voice booming:

"Cursed Energy can enhance your body—but even that has limits! You can't just pump infinite Cursed Energy into flesh and expect it to hold!"

"That's why what matters most... is understanding it!"

He smiled wide.

"You've felt it too, haven't you? The moment everything clicks.

When body and mind align. When you unleash a Black Flash.

The moment Cursed Energy becomes something different."

He stared intensely.

"Shingen Genichi, what is Cursed Energy... to you?"

Shingen paused, brows knitting in thought. Then he shrugged slightly.

"Limbs, maybe?"

Todo looked stunned.

"Tch... what a pity.

We were this close to becoming best friends."

As Todo became lost in his own disappointment, Shingen, ever the opportunist, launched a sneak attack—two rapid kicks.

Todo blocked instinctively, sliding back with a grin.

"Now that's more like it!"

Their eyes met.

They grinned at each other.

And then, fists flying, the battle resumed.

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