Jujutsu Kaisen: I Can Manipulate Time.

"I already know," Gojo Satoru said calmly to Hajime, leaning back in his chair as he looked up at the bright ceiling light. "A mission classified at least Grade 1, possibly involving a Special Grade Curse, and they send first-years to 'rescue survivors'? Tch. Those old geezers aren't even pretending anymore."

Kamihara Hajime idly toyed with an ornament on the table, his face unreadable. "They're clearly upset about you protecting Itadori, Gojo-sensei. If I hadn't shown up quickly, they might've suffered casualties—or worse."

"I'd love to get rid of every last one of those dried-up fossils."

Hajime smirked. "Alright then, sensei. I'll hand you the knife. Who's going to stop us?"

Gojo sighed. "You punk. If killing them would fix it, I'd have done it myself. The problem isn't just those parasites—it's the whole rotten system."

He leaned forward slightly, arms crossed. "Until the roots are ripped out, more vermin will keep crawling in. And I can't do it alone. That's why I need all of you—Yuta Okkotsu, Kinji Hakari, Megumi Fushiguro, Yuji Itadori... and especially you, Hajime."

"Is Hakari still suspended?" Hajime asked. "His attitude didn't help. And Yuta... hasn't returned yet?"

Gojo shrugged. "He's still looking for the Black Rope. No leads so far, so I'll check it out myself soon. That's actually why I called you here. I won't have time to mess with those old men for now, but before I go, I'll give them a warning. While I'm away, I need you to handle things."

Hajime nodded. "If anyone pulls the same stunt again, I'll make sure the Curses deal with them."

—

The following days were unusually calm. Fushiguro and the others received standard missions, while Yuji Itadori began his formal training under Gojo Satoru. He occasionally sparred with Megumi or second-years to sharpen his skills.

Yuji's physical ability was absurd—even without a Cursed Technique, his talent was undeniable. Unlike Maki, whose strength came from a Heavenly Restriction, Yuji had no such limitation. He was simply born this way.

Maki said it best: "He's got stamina, fast recovery, and heals almost instantly from minor injuries—even without Reverse Cursed Technique. He's the perfect training dummy."

Yuji also learned quickly, turning hits taken in battle into learning experiences, improving with every encounter. Maki had to stay on guard during every match.

—

A few days later, while Gojo Satoru was riding with Ijichi on a quiet road, he sensed something.

"Stop the car. You can head back."

Ijichi glanced at him with concern but followed the order. As her car faded into the distance, a shadow dropped from the sky, shattering the road behind him.

Chunks of asphalt floated mid-air before Gojo. He turned to face the attacker—a volcano-headed Cursed Spirit stood at the impact site.

Gojo frowned. "Who are you?"

Jogo didn't answer. He simply raised a finger. A nearby mountainside erupted, sending a searing column of flame roaring toward Gojo.

The inferno scorched the area, melting stone and earth. When the flames faded, lava flowed across the ruined ground.

But from the smoke, Gojo's voice echoed: "That's it? Pretty weak."

Unscathed, Gojo stepped from the smoke. Jogo's grin faltered.

"What's wrong?" Gojo taunted. "Did I hurt your pride? The 'strongest,' huh? You're not even close."

"I'm just a bit stronger than you," Gojo added, pinching his fingers together to show a sliver of space.

Annoyed, Jogo released a swarm of insects, but none could reach Gojo—stopped midair by Limitless.

"A talking Special Grade Curse, huh?" Gojo muttered, observing the Curse. "Stronger than Sukuna's current state… similar to the one Hajime mentioned before. Are they related?"

The insects shrieked, unleashing a sonic attack. Jogo followed up with another fire column, but Gojo dodged and appeared behind him.

"A two-stage combo? Not bad…"

Flames burst again as Jogo struck Gojo's head, igniting him like dry tinder. But it was useless. The smoke cleared—Gojo still stood.

He smiled and raised his hand. "Because between you and me, there is Infinity."

—

Back at Jujutsu High, Hajime was teaching Yuji Itadori basic Cursed Energy control when Gojo appeared.

"Perfect timing," Gojo said with a grin. "I've got a real fight to show you. You're coming too, Hajime-san."

'Jogo, you're going to die today.'

Jogo, knocked into the water, struggled to stand—then saw Gojo reappear, flanked by two others.

"That's Sukuna's vessel and... Kamihara Hajime?! Are they seriously ganging up on me?"

Gojo just smiled. "This is Yuji Itadori, the star pupil. And this is Hajime-san, today's observer. Feel free to continue."

"He's using me as a demonstration?!"

Furious, Jogo erupted with flame. "You dare mock me?! I'll turn you all to ash!"

Pride overriding reason, Jogo screamed, "Domain Expansion! Coffin of the Iron Mountain!"

The lush forest was replaced by jagged, scorched rock and flowing lava. The temperature surged.

Yuji panicked as molten boulders flew. "It's so hot—!"

"You brought us into your Domain too?" Hajime said with a sigh. "This is your field lesson, huh, Gojo-sensei?"

Gojo shattered a massive boulder with a flick of his wrist and began calmly explaining Domains to Yuji. Meanwhile, Hajime analyzed the field.

"A textbook Domain... in here, Jogo's attacks are guaranteed hits. Unless…"

"You counter with your own Domain," Hajime concluded, placing a hand on Gojo's shoulder.

Gojo, removing his blindfold, revealed his glowing Six Eyes. "Domain Expansion: Unlimited Void."

A sea of pure information and light swallowed Jogo's Domain. The Curse froze, overloaded by sensory data.

Gojo walked over and seized Jogo's head. "I've got questions, so I'll let you live—for now."

With a pull, he detached Jogo's head, stomping it as he questioned him. "Who sent you? Is that stitched-face one of your allies?"

From the forest, Suguru Geto watched silently. "They really don't believe me... oh well."

As he disappeared into the trees, Hanami, the plant-based Cursed Spirit, moved silently toward the battlefield.

—

Back at the crater, Gojo casually toyed with Jogo's severed head. Hajime, meanwhile, explained Infinity to Yuji.

But then—something changed.

A strange wooden stake landed nearby, instantly spreading flowers across the battlefield.

"It's here."

Though he looked relaxed, Hajime had been ready the entire time. The Cursed Spirit manipulating flora—Hanami—had arrived.

Time froze.

Gojo, Yuji, even the flowers paused midair. And in that moment, Hajime acted. With a swift movement, he shattered the wooden stake and unsheathed Totsuka-no-Tsurugi, flashing toward the incoming Curse.

Time resumed.

Yuji turned to see Hajime striking down Hanami with brutal precision. The Curse had lost an arm and been nearly cleaved in two.

Gojo whistled. "Nicely done."

Before he could finish the fight, Hajime's vision darkened. He stood alone in a void—familiar.

"That sneaky Curse again," he thought. "A Domain... one that traps the mind."

Fighting off unconsciousness, Hajime gritted his teeth. "They're working together. Should've guessed."

Just as sleep threatened to overtake him, he reversed the rotation of his Technique. The Domain shattered. He reappeared beside Gojo and Yuji, breathing hard.

"They escaped," Gojo said flatly. "I didn't expand my Domain immediately because I was worried about you two. But I'm pretty sure my Purple landed."

Yuji gaped at the damage—a massive scar torn through the pond and into the forest.

Gojo adjusted his blindfold. "I couldn't trace them. That plant Curse is more spirit than solid. Slippery."

"But we learned something," Hajime added. "We'll meet them again."

---

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