Jujutsu Kaisen: Cursed Times

Totsuka-no-Tsurugi—an ancient blade said to be the pinnacle of Yasutsuna's forging in the Heian era—once served as the demon-slaying weapon of Minamoto no Yorimitsu. It was with this very sword that the infamous Shuten-dōji of Ōeyama was beheaded, granting the sword its legendary name: the Totsuka-no-Tsurugi.

Now, centuries later, the fabled blade rested in Shingen Genichi's hands.

It was longer than average—easily over a meter. Its hilt was wrapped in coarse black cord, with a tsuba of circular design, delicately open-worked and etched with ancient motifs. The scabbard, made of aged rosewood, gleamed with a subtle varnish, concealing the weight of what lay within.

And yet... the moment Shingen gripped the sword, he felt it.

A pulse.

A distinct, chilling surge of Cursed Energy.

This wasn't folklore. This was real—a bonafide cursed tool.

With deliberate care, Shingen drew the sword.

The hiss of metal meeting air echoed in the quiet room.

And immediately, an invisible force radiated outward—Cursed Energy, now fully unsealed, erupted in waves. The scabbard hadn't merely protected the blade; it had been suppressing it. The aura was overwhelming, yet not chaotic—it had presence, like a dormant predator now aware of its surroundings.

Shingen's eyes narrowed. The blade shimmered under the ceiling light, clean and deadly. But as he observed closer, faint black-brown vein-like markings writhed subtly across the steel. Ancient. Discordant. Unnatural.

A cursed blade—dangerous by nature, terrifying in essence.

"It's a fine cursed tool," Shingen murmured. "No doubt, it was the target."

Beside him, Yuihara Nao nodded as the memory returned.

"That day, Grandpa took me here to find a book to read. I thought it was just old records... Some stories, really. But then I saw it—that thing."

She paused. "A monster. Like a merman, but horrible-looking. Crawling toward the sword."

Shingen didn't interrupt.

"It probably didn't expect me to be there. I tried using my Technique, but it didn't work well. So I panicked and... grabbed this sword. The moment I slashed, I cut deep into it. It ran off right after."

Shingen frowned inwardly.

That didn't make sense.

The sword had been sealed in a suppressive scabbard. Its aura shouldn't have been detectable unless the intruder was mere feet away. That meant the attacker knew the sword was here. It wasn't a coincidence.

Someone had planned this.

Shingen quietly exhaled. "That Curse User came prepared. I wouldn't keep this sword here anymore. It's not safe."

He turned to Haraki.

"I suggest Nao carry it from now on—or better, let Jujutsu High store it. As far as you're concerned, it's an heirloom right?. But to Curse Users? It's a treasure worth killing for."

Haraki was silent for a moment. Then he gave a faint, reluctant nod. "To be honest, it's not easy giving up something passed down for generations. But if it puts my granddaughter or my family at risk... it's just don't worth it."

"The room has other relics," Shingen added, gesturing at the suits of armor and ceremonial blades. "But this one is different."

Haraki looked at him intently. "Genichi-kun, if that Curse User shows up again… can you deal with him?"

"If he's stupid enough to face me directly," Shingen replied flatly, "then yes. Curse User like that usually don't get to walk away."

Nao, standing nearby, sucked in a breath. "Jujutsu Sorcerers… actually kill people?"

Shingen turned to her, then gave a small sigh. "Not 'people,' Nao. We deal with Cursed Spirits most of the time. But some Curse Users? They've long stopped being human."

He stared off, voice tinged with memory.

"There was one I fought… strong, arrogant. Used his Technique to murder women for sport. He wasn't some misunderstood soul—just a monster with a human face."

"What we do isn't just Exorcism. We also act as law enforcement... Jujutsu-style of course." Genichi explained with gentle smile.

"Remember this Nao, Sorcerer is exist to protect Non-Sorcerer." Genichi wore serious expression after saying this, after all he don't want this innocent girl getting astray by her own power.

Nao's eyes lit up with something like resolve. "So... we're fighting for justice."

Haraki looked at his granddaughter with a complicated expression—equal parts affection and concern.

Shingen didn't comment. He knew the truth: being a Jujutsu Sorcerer was anything but easy. He was strong enough to handle most Curses, or at least escape if needed.

But weaker Sorcerers?

One wrong assignment could be their last.

Awakening a Technique meant stepping off the road of normalcy. Even if you tried to return to a mundane life, you would never truly be normal again. Nanami-san is the best example for this.

Not with that power inside you.

Even civilians weren't safe. Nao's parents had some knowledge of this world, yet they never expected their daughter to be part of it.

Still, it wasn't all hopeless. Some Jujutsu jobs were relatively safe—like teaching, or administrative roles at Headquarters.

Of course, the latter came with its own type of horror.

Haraki cleared his throat. "Would you mind holding onto the Totsuka-no-Tsurugi for now, Genichi-kun?"

Shingen nodded. "Yeah. But I won't be using the scabbard. If that intruder wants the sword, I'll make sure he senses it. Might lure him out."

"But if I stay here," he added, "he may get cold feet. I'd rather be somewhere he thinks I'm alone."

"I'll arrange another residence for you," Haraki said. "Outside the estate. Something private. And if you need anything, just speak to Riko-san."

Afterward, Shingen swapped the scabbard with a plain leather sheath. As expected, the cursed aura intensified. Even Nao felt discomfort standing too close.

"I'm going to walk the area. Maybe I'll stir something."

"I'm coming too!" Nao blurted immediately.

Haraki hesitated but relented under her pleading gaze. "Very well. Riko will go with you."

And so, the party of three—Shingen, Nao, and Sugihara Riko—plus Shirone, set out on foot. No car. Just an afternoon stroll that was anything but casual.

Riko followed quietly. Her presence was so faint it was easy to forget she was there.

As they passed through winding lanes and open parks, Nao broke the silence.

"Genichi-kun... aren't you even curious about my Technique?"

Shingen didn't stop walking. "Curiosity is one thing. But some Techniques gain power when revealed. Others become weaker. I don't ask unless someone offers."

Nao smiled. "Well then, mine's the first type! I call it Spirit Body Manifestation. I can leave my body—just like ghosts in horror stories!"

Shingen blinked.

Soul based technique?

That was very rare.

"How much do you understand about it?" he asked cautiously.

Nao scratched her cheek. "Not much. I always thought it was some weird ability. I never told anyone until recently."

"It's fine," Shingen said. "Once you enroll, you'll get training."

Nao then barraged him with questions about Tokyo Jujutsu High.

"Panda! Is he really a panda?"

"Not quite. He's bigger than me. Talks a lot and Punches like a truck. But yes—he looks like one."

Nao gasped. "That's amazing! I want to meet him!"

They continued along a quiet riverside path. The wind was gentle. Trees rustled overhead.

"Genichi-kun," Nao said quietly, "what if someone's experiencing something... weird. Like haunted house weird. Is it always a Curse?"

Shingen paused mid-text, messaging Gojo. "Why?"

"It's not me," Nao quickly said. "It's a friend. Her name's Ayako. Lately, she's been... off. She's scared of something. I can feel it."

"It's possible," Shingen said. "Some urban legends turn into Curses. Has she been hurt?"

"No, but... I don't think she'll tell me even if she had."

"Are there any strange rumors at your school? Sudden deaths? Weird events?"

Nao tapped her chin. "There are ghost stories, of course. Doesn't every school have them? But if you want details, I know someone in the Occult Club. He's obsessed with that stuff."

Shingen looked at her, voice soft. "You're worried about her?"

Nao looked out at the river. "She doesn't have many friends. If I don't care... who else will?"

Shingen finished typing and sent his message. "Alright. Let's visit your school. If there's a Curse, we'll handle it."

Nao's smile lit up. "Thank you, Genichi-kun! You're like... a real hero!"

Shingen glanced sideways. "She's definitely a chuunibyou. I can feel it. Next, she'll be transforming into a magical girl..."

Of course, going to the school had other purposes too. If the Curse User was still nearby, showing up might draw them out.

Worst case, it was nothing.

Best case? He got to test the Totsuka-no-Tsurugi.

"Don't you have school today?"

"Eh? I took leave! Principal knows Dad. My grades are great anyway."

As their voices drifted away, the riverside quieted. The current rippled gently. Birds flew past.

And then—without warning—a figure surfaced from the water.

A man, half-submerged, eyes narrowed in the direction they had gone.

"Damn it… a Sorcerer's involved. And the sword's still with that brat."

He clenched his jaw. "Ugh, this is getting troublesome. Also that uniform, he definitely from Jujutsu High, should I go back?" He seriously began considering to retreat. Because every student from Jujutsu Hight is no ordinary sorcerers.

"No,no,no...Geto-sama need that sword, I can't retreat and disappoint him." His expression became resolute and determinated. (TL:bro is dead💀)

He sank silently beneath the water, vanishing as if he'd never existed.

---

Nao's school was as pristine as expected of a private academy. Fancy gates. Clean paths. Neatly dressed students.

Shingen, carrying the cursed blade in a violin case, was ready for resistance. But thanks to Riko's quiet influence, the guards waved them through.

Shirone remained at the gatehouse.

Inside, boys and girls passed them in clusters. Almost everyone greeted Nao—smiles, waves, even a few enthusiastic hugs.

"You're popular," Shingen remarked.

Nao flushed and glared at some girls whispering too close.

"Genichi-kun must've been popular in school too!"

He shrugged. "Half and half."

"Let's go see that friend I mentioned," Nao said. "He's probably in the Occult Club. Talks about ghost stuff all the time."

They walked down a quiet hallway to a modest clubroom. Muffled voices could be heard from inside.

Knock, knock.

Nao opened the door.

"Keisuke?"

The buzz-cut boy inside looked up. "Nao?! You're back?"

Inside, three other students sat cross-legged, eagerly listening to his story.

Introductions followed. Shingen stood by the door, letting Nao explain their visit.

Keisuke leaned forward. "You're asking about strange events or deaths?"

He lowered his voice.

"There is one."

"You've all heard school legends, right? The piano, the mannequin, the haunted bathroom…"

"But ours? We have something special,hehehe…" He began laughing strangely with weirdo expression.

He paused.

"Is the Thirteenth Step...."

[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]

Word Count:1,769