Jujutsu Kaisen: I Can Manipulate Time.

Totsuka-no-Tsurugi—rumored to be the masterpiece of the Heian-era master swordsmith Yasutsuna—was the blade that had once beheaded and annihilated Shuten-dōji, the Demon King of Mt. Ōe, in the hands of Minamoto no Yorimitsu. Because of that legacy, it earned its legendary name.

The blade before Kamihara Hajime was slightly over a meter long. Its hilt was wrapped in black, with a circular, intricately designed tsuba, engraved with delicate patterns. The scabbard was made of rosewood, giving it a distinguished, almost sacred feel. But when Hajime touched it, he immediately sensed Cursed Energy radiating from within.

So, it was indeed a cursed tool.

Gripping the hilt, Hajime slowly drew the sword. A chilling gleam flashed across the room, accompanied by a surge of oppressive Cursed Energy.

Clearly, the scabbard had been used to suppress its aura. Judging by its relatively new appearance, the scabbard wasn't ancient—it had likely been added by the Minamoto family in recent generations to hide the cursed blade's true nature.

The blade shimmered coldly, emitting a menacing presence. Jagged, faint blackish-brown curse marks spread across its surface, looking ominous and unnatural.

"A solid cursed tool," Hajime muttered. "Are we certain this is what they're after?"

Naine recalled the events: "That day, Grandpa brought me here to find some books. I just wanted something fun to read. Then I saw this… fish-like monster crawling toward the blade."

"I don't think it expected me to be here. My own attacks weren't very effective, so I panicked and drew this sword… and it actually cut the thing. It ran off after that."

Hajime frowned slightly. That didn't add up.

If the sword had been kept in its scabbard, its aura would have been mostly concealed—especially in a room so well-protected and off-limits to outsiders. That meant whoever broke in had prior knowledge. This wasn't a random Curse stumbling in. Someone came here specifically to take it.

"The enemy was prepared," Hajime said. "My advice? Don't leave this sword lying around here. Either let Naine carry it or let us take it to Jujutsu High for safekeeping."

"To you, it's an ancestral heirloom. To Curse users, it's a treasure they'll do anything to get."

Haruki nodded. Although reluctant to part with the family relic, he understood the risk. The room was filled with heirlooms, but nothing else like Totsuka-no-Tsurugi.

"Kamihara-kun, you can handle the Curse user who's hiding, can't you?" Haruki asked.

Hajime's voice was calm. "If he shows himself, I can end it on the spot. Curse Users like him usually don't get second chances."

Naine's eyes widened. "Jujutsu Sorcerers kill people?"

Hajime glanced at her and explained, "We're meant to exorcise Cursed Spirits. But most Curse Users eventually lose their humanity. Some start off as sorcerers or even regular people, but their obsession with power corrupts them."

"One I encountered before used his strength to torture and murder innocent women. For people like that, death is mercy. What we do… it's closer to being the police of the Jujutsu World."

Naine nodded with a new sense of conviction. "Then we're on the side of justice!"

Haruki looked at his granddaughter with warmth, though a trace of worry lingered in his eyes.

Hajime said nothing. The life of a Jujutsu Sorcerer wasn't something to romanticize. He was strong—strong enough to survive nearly any curse—but most weren't as lucky. Low-ranked sorcerers died often, usually horribly.

Even still, awakening a Technique meant you could no longer live like a normal person. Even if you tried, the world would pull you back. Curses didn't discriminate—sorcerer or civilian, you were still a target if you had Cursed Energy.

On the brighter side, some sorcerers did live relatively safer lives—teaching at Jujutsu High, working in support roles, or even climbing the ranks of the higher-ups. That last one was half a joke.

Haruki then turned to Hajime. "Could you keep the sword temporarily until we deal with the Curse User?"

"I can," Hajime said. "And I won't use the scabbard. If he's still after it, this sword's aura might lure him out."

"But I won't stay here. If he senses tight security, he won't show."

Haruki nodded. "Understood. I'll arrange another residence for you. If you have any requests, just let me know. Naine's parents are busy, but Sugihara Riko will be available if needed."

Hajime placed the sword into an ordinary scabbard. The cursed aura intensified. Even Naine, standing nearby, looked uncomfortable after a while.

"I'll scout the nearby area—see if anything's out of place."

Naine immediately said, "I want to come too."

Haruki sighed but relented. He instructed Sugihara Riko to accompany them.

The three of them, plus White Wolf, left the estate on foot. They didn't take a car—Hajime had insisted on walking, to see what he could sense. Riko followed quietly at a distance, her presence so faint she was easy to forget.

After a few minutes, Naine piped up, "Aren't you curious about my Technique?"

Hajime, keeping an eye out for traces of Cursed Energy, responded, "Some Techniques get stronger when their mechanics are revealed—it's called a Binding Vow. Others rely on secrecy. That's why I usually don't ask unless necessary."

Naine thought for a moment. "Then mine must be the first kind! I call it Spirit Body. I can leave my body—like ghosts in horror movies!"

Hajime paused. A Technique related to the soul? Extremely rare. He'd only ever heard of one Curse that used something similar.

"How well do you understand it?"

"Barely at all," Naine admitted. "I always thought it was a weird superpower. I never told anyone."

"That's fine. If you enroll, someone will teach you properly," Hajime said.

Naine brightened and asked him questions about Tokyo Jujutsu High.

"Is Panda real?"

"He just looks like a panda. He's taller than me, walks on two legs, and talks. Definitely not your typical zoo animal."

Naine looked stunned. "That's… kind of amazing."

They continued walking. White Wolf hadn't picked up anything strange. Eventually, they reached a small river. The breeze was cool and refreshing.

Naine asked suddenly, "If something weird is happening, like supernatural stuff… is it always caused by Curses?"

Hajime, mid-text to Gojo Satoru on LINE, glanced over. "Why do you ask? Have you seen anything?"

"Not me. A friend of mine at school—Ayako. She's been acting weird lately. Really anxious and kind of paranoid."

"That could be it," Hajime said. "Urban legends and school rumors sometimes give birth to Curses. Has there been a strange death at your school?"

Naine thought for a moment. "Not that I know of. But there's a guy in my school who keeps track of all that stuff."

"You care a lot about this friend."

"Yeah," Naine said, looking at the flowing water. "She doesn't have many friends. Maybe I'm the only one. If I don't care, who will?"

Hajime finished his message to Gojo and said, "Then let's check out your school. If there's a Curse, we'll exorcise it."

Naine's face lit up. "Thanks, Kamihara-kun! We're both companions of justice now!"

Hajime gave her a sidelong glance. Oh great, he thought, she's a chuunibyou. Please don't start talking about magical girl transformations…

Still, he had another motive for going. If a Curse had manifested at the school, it might help flush out the Curse User. And if not, he could at least test Totsuka-no-Tsurugi in the field.

"You do realize you still have school, right?"

"Huh? Of course I took leave! The principal and my dad are close. Plus, I'm a top student. A few days off won't matter."

Their voices faded into the breeze. But long after they left, the river remained quiet—until ripples suddenly disturbed the surface.

A shadow rose from the water.

The figure watched the direction Hajime had gone, face tense.

"Damn it… a Jujutsu Sorcerer's involved now? And the girl still has the blade…"

His eyes narrowed.

"I'll test that brat. If it comes to it, I'll kill them both. Lord Geto's mission can't be left incomplete."

The figure vanished beneath the water. The river, once again, was still.

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