Jujutsu Kaisen: I Can Manipulate Time.

"Max Elephant!"

Megumi Fushiguro curved his fingers to form an elephant's head shadow. The silhouette surged like a fountain, rising high before a colossal creature burst forth, breaking through the barrier.

With a clear, resonant trumpet, an elephant marked with Cursed Energy symbols appeared. Its forehead bore the design of one of the Ten Divine Treasures, like the other Shikigami Megumi had summoned.

Max Elephant, clearly irritable, raised its massive forelegs and stomped toward Megumi. Prepared, Megumi had already summoned Nue. With a backflip, he dodged flying rocks as Nue carried him into the air, evading a torrent of water blasted from Max Elephant's trunk.

"Nue!"

Two Jade Hounds appeared, diverting Max Elephant's attention, allowing Megumi to land safely on dry ground. At his command, Nue spread its wings, casting a large shadow below. Its sharp cry was swallowed by thunder as electric snakes writhed wildly, piercing the water surrounding Max Elephant. The Jade Hounds leapt away with perfect timing, leaving Max Elephant ensnared in coiling electric light.

The Jade Hounds dissipated into shadows before settling on the ground. Megumi immediately pinched his fingers and summoned the Great Serpent. The enormous body of Max Elephant was quickly coiled by the Great Serpent. After a powerful charge, the still-paralyzed Max Elephant was flung into the air.

Nue pounced midair, lightning flashing as the Great Serpent tightened its grip. Together, they suppressed Max Elephant, denying it the chance to use its strength or unleash water attacks condensed with Cursed Energy.

After a few exchanges, Max Elephant collapsed, defeated. Megumi, breathing heavily, sighed in relief and activated his technique, recalling the tamed Max Elephant into his shadow. Nue and the Great Serpent vanished alongside it.

"Well done, Megumi."

Turning, Megumi saw Panda and the others watching from the edge of the training ground. Their role in the Shikigami taming ritual was finished, so they had merely observed Megumi's solo effort. Fortunately, Megumi's control and coordination between his Shikigami were excellent. Even in a two-on-one, Max Elephant never stood a chance.

Since the New Year began, mission frequency had dropped, leaving everyone with more free time. The few missions that came through involved low-level Curses, making them easy to handle. Yuta Okkotsu had already departed overseas.

Kamihara Hajime also received mostly Grade 2 and Grade 1 missions — frankly quite dull. After missions, he retreated to his dorm to play games or study Jujutsu, Domain, and Barrier Techniques from books Gojo Satoru lent him.

The books contained verified information mixed with speculative theories. For instance, details on Domain Expansion were scarce since few had mastered it, and those who had often couldn't translate their knowledge into teachable concepts.

Learning was tough for Hajime, but Barrier Techniques were more straightforward — straightforward and logical, like simple arithmetic. Only a little talent was needed to improve.

Today, free from missions, Hajime came to watch Megumi tame his Shikigami. Megumi raised a hand to shield his face when Panda shouted at him, then gave up, maintaining a calm expression.

"Beep-beep."

Walking along the stone path, Hajime's phone vibrated. Pulling it out, he saw a message from Gojo Satoru. After a quick read, Hajime stopped and called to Megumi, "Megumi, Gojo Sensei assigned us a mission. We're going together."

"Then you two go ahead and take care of it. Goodbye," Panda waved them off.

After meeting Gojo, he immediately explained the mission details.

"The mission is straightforward. A sealed Sukuna finger has been confirmed, and you need to retrieve it. The only caution is the Cursed Spirits it might attract. Though it's unlikely to be dangerous, it's still a Special Grade Cursed Object — Sukuna's finger at that — so it's best you two go together."

Gojo spread his hands, signaling that was the situation. Hajime felt confident after hearing it. Even if a Cursed Spirit had fused with the finger, like in a previous mission, it hadn't been a big problem — actually, it made things more interesting.

But the mission felt familiar… Hajime asked, "Where is the location?"

Gojo checked his phone and said, "Sugisawa Third High School, Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture."

Suddenly, Hajime knew why it felt familiar — a high school, Megumi, and Sukuna's finger…

Could he soon meet Sukuna's vessel, Megumi's future classmate, Yuji Itadori? The boy special enough to become Sukuna's vessel, the King of Curses. No Cursed Spirit, no matter the grade, could absorb Sukuna's fingers; they simply couldn't withstand it.

The previous Cursed Spirit had swallowed the finger, at best using some of its aura, but after exorcism, they retrieved the intact finger.

Yet, this Yuji Itadori — whom Hajime had yet to meet — maintained consciousness and control despite hosting Sukuna. Incredible. Perhaps this was the mark of a protagonist's destiny.

Yuji also possessed remarkable talent. Though lacking an Inherited Technique, his physical combat skills were extraordinary.

Shortly after enrolling, he quickly mastered Black Flash under Aoi Todo's guidance and became his best friend, sharing the same passion for combat.

As for Ryomen Sukuna, the malevolent Curse King, it was a pity Hajime's encounter was at less than a tenth of Sukuna's full power — so the legend's true glory was yet unseen.

…

Sugisawa Third High School, Sendai City.

"Spirit of the Coin, Spirit of the Coin, please tell us what animal the student council president fears."

Yuji Itadori, with light pink hair, sat at a table with Sasaki and Iguchi from the Occult Research Club. The three pressed their index fingers together on a coin atop a paper covered in writing. This was an old occult game similar to a Ouija board.

The coin, pressed by the questioner's finger, would seemingly move on its own to spell out answers. Of course, this was just a game — without supernatural interference, no Curse would bother to play along.

The coin's movement was usually caused by unconscious pressure or deliberate subtle pushing. At that moment, the coin stopped on "Clione," a planktonic mollusk nicknamed the sea angel.

Laughing heartily, the trio was interrupted when the door burst open with a bang.

The student council president appeared at the doorway, dark-faced.

"Oh, the planktonic creature president. What brings you here?"

Adjusting his glasses, the president said sternly, "I've already told you, the school isn't big enough to allow research clubs without activity reports to occupy rooms. Starting today, this room will be the girls' track and field club's changing area. Please leave quickly."

Sasaki slammed a thick notebook onto the table.

Yuji raised a finger seriously, "Don't underestimate my seniors, President."

The president looked uneasy but asked, "What is this?"

Sasaki smiled darkly, "This is valuable information about the school we've researched."

Lowering her voice for effect, she explained, "You know the rugby field was closed, right?"

The president nodded. "Yes, many players were hospitalized due to physical discomfort."

Sasaki smirked, "But did you wonder why? They were all strong athletes who suddenly fell ill."

"Before their symptoms, they heard strange sounds."

She opened the notebook to reveal a newspaper clipping.

"Thirty years ago, a construction worker named Yoshida disappeared right here, at Sugisawa Third High School, which was still under construction."

Her gaze was distant as if seeing the truth beyond.

"Yoshida had debts and was targeted by the Yakuza. He was likely buried under the rugby field."

"All of this is the work of Yoshida's vengeful spirit!" Sasaki clenched her fist, convinced.

"No."

The president pushed up his glasses; their lenses flashed white like his next words.

"It's ticks. They were hospitalized because of ticks on the rugby field."

Sasaki's confidence deflated. The group was speechless at the mundane truth.

Itadori perked up, "So what? My seniors have been working hard investigating the supernatural. Isn't this the best activity report?"

The president remained imposing. "This isn't a game. You spread baseless rumors, and the biggest issue is—"

"You're Yuji Itadori, right? On the track and field team? Your club doesn't even meet minimum membership requirements!"

Itadori looked bewildered as Sasaki and Iguchi glared.

"Huh? Didn't I sign up for Occult Research?" Itadori didn't care which club he joined, just wanted to leave school at 5 p.m. Most clubs were busy and overcrowded.

"When did I join the track team?"

"It was me!"

The door slammed open again. Takagi, the track and field advisor, stared seriously at Itadori.

"I changed it for you, Itadori. To dominate the nation, we need you."

Itadori recognized him and yelled, "You again! Stop pestering me! I've refused already. I don't want to join!"

"No."

Takagi proposed a bet, "Let's settle this on the track. If I win, you join. If you win, we never bother you."

"No problem!"

Itadori smiled confidently. "Then let's go now. I have plans later."

---

Track and field ground.

In front of the sand pit, Takagi and Itadori's competition gathered a crowd. Takagi was a retired pro athlete recently hired as advisor.

Itadori was famous as the "Tiger of West Middle" and had appeared on a TV obstacle course show. His athletic ability was impressive, so everyone was curious.

"Takagi's serious. Itadori's in trouble."

Takagi, shirtless and muscular, explained, "Shot put. One throw. Furthest wins."

Itadori nodded. "Who goes first?"

"I will."

Takagi wound up and threw the shot put in a perfect arc.

"Fourteen meters!" The judge announced.

Takagi smiled faintly, watching Itadori's unfamiliar baseball-style throw.

Suddenly, Itadori's shot put thudded—embedding in the iron post about thirty meters away.

"That's ridiculous. Without Cursed Energy?"

Hajime and Megumi stood on the sidelines. Unable to find Sukuna's finger at the original location, they followed a faint Cursed Energy trail here and witnessed this.

Megumi was surprised. "He's strong, like Maki-san."

Hajime laughed. "Are you saying Maki is strong? I'll tell her."

Megumi rolled his eyes and gestured to the Jade Hounds. "Let's find the Cursed Object. It's getting dark."

---

Yuji ran toward the school gate like the wind after the competition. As he brushed past Megumi, a sudden Cursed Energy made Megumi's hair stand on end.

"Wait—"

Megumi turned but Yuji was already gone.

"That fast? He must be a car in disguise."

Looking at Hajime, who shrugged, Megumi sighed and prepared to catch up.

No wonder the Jade Hounds brought them here; they must have sensed something.

---