Jujutsu Kaisen: I Can Manipulate Time.

Inside the dim cinema where the incident occurred, Kamihara Hajime stood beside Yuji Itadori, pointing toward the faint traces left behind.

"Using a Technique leaves residual Cursed Energy. It's weaker than what Cursed Spirits leave, so you have to focus. Try it, Itadori."

Yuji obediently nodded and squinted, scanning the dark space carefully. Meanwhile, Hajime checked his phone, reviewing the tracking data from the 'Window.'

"In battle, relying on instinct and talent helps, but you can't ignore technique," Hajime said without looking up. "A Jujutsu Sorcerer uses both Cursed Energy and Technique. You don't have an Inherited Technique, so focus on reinforcing your body and exorcising Curses through raw control."

"Mei Mei and Kusakabe are excellent examples. There's also a second-year from Kyoto Jujutsu High. You'll meet them during the exchange event."

Yuji nodded again, absorbing the information. "Senpai, can we track the Curse from these traces?"

Hajime pocketed his phone and motioned for Yuji to follow. "No. There hasn't been much movement since the incident. He's hiding."

As they exited the cinema, police at the scene whispered about the two teenagers.

"Chief, why are a couple of kids handling this case? What department are they even from?"

The middle-aged officer sighed. "You saw those bodies. That kind of thing... it's beyond human. If you want to retire in one piece, don't ask too many questions. Let it go."

---

"Yoshino Junpei."

Junpei, speaking with a sweaty, overweight man—likely his teacher—turned at the sound of his name. Two boys in matching uniforms approached. One had pink hair and a cheerful expression. The other, wearing sunglasses and a calm smile, exuded pressure that made Junpei freeze. The subtle intimidation he felt was worse than what Mahito gave off.

"Which school are you from?" the teacher grumbled, clearly suspicious.

Hajime answered plainly. "We need to speak with Yoshino Junpei. In private."

His voice was calm, but his eyes—visible now that the sunglasses were off—made the teacher step back without a word.

Junpei, somewhat entranced, agreed. "Alright."

They walked along a quiet stretch near the river. Hajime took the lead.

"Kamihara Hajime," he introduced. "You were at the cinema two days ago at 2:30 PM. Three students from your school died."

He continued casually, not pushing. "I'm not accusing you. I'm just here to ask—did you see someone with a stitched face that day?"

Junpei lowered his head, letting his long bangs shadow his face. "No. I left early. Didn't finish the movie."

Hajime glanced at him but didn't call out the lie.

"That man is Mahito, a Special Grade Cursed Spirit. Human life means nothing to him. If he's in the mood, he might observe people like ants. Or he might just crush them. Sometimes he pours boiling water into the nest just to see what happens."

He stopped walking. "He doesn't operate by human values. But one thing is certain. He needs to be eliminated."

Yuji, hearing all this for the first time, stayed quiet. He remembered the grotesque corpses from the cinema. Hajime had told him they were once human, twisted by Mahito's Technique—and it couldn't be undone.

Hajime's phone buzzed. He frowned.

"Itadori, you talk with Junpei. 'Window' picked up a large group of Transfigured Humans nearby. I'll take care of it. Call me if anything happens. Be alert."

---

In the underground drainage system, Hajime wrinkled his nose. The place wasn't disgusting, but it reeked faintly.

"Mahito really is like a sewer rat."

A corner ahead echoed with inhuman sounds. Turning it, Hajime spotted Transfigured Humans wandering aimlessly. With a sigh, he drew Onikiri and entered Time Null State. In a few brief slashes, he granted them peace.

Even his Reverse Cursed Technique couldn't restore what Mahito had ruined.

Once done, Hajime surfaced, contacted Yuji, and raised a brow at the response.

"Dinner? At Junpei's house?"

He shrugged. It was unexpected, but perhaps helpful. Mahito originally intended to strike there. Maybe the change in events meant he'd already fled.

---

"You must be Itadori's Senpai. I'm Junpei's mother, Nagi Yoshino. Come in."

Hajime smiled and bowed politely, stepping inside. The atmosphere was cozy. At the table, Yuji waved. "Senpai, welcome back."

Junpei said nothing, just watched. Compared to Yuji's openness and Hajime's calm brilliance, he felt like he belonged to a different world.

After dinner, they said their goodbyes.

"Thank you for the meal, Auntie."

"You're welcome anytime," Nagi replied warmly.

Outside, Yuji turned to Hajime. "Senpai, won't Junpei be targeted?"

"He already has been," Hajime answered flatly. "He's definitely had contact with Mahito. Whether Mahito returns is uncertain. But surveillance is in place. We'll stay close in case he shows up."

---

Elsewhere, Mahito dangled over a rooftop railing, grinning.

"Suguru, I was just starting to have fun. That guy ruined it. Got any plans for him?"

Geto stared at the city lights. "Not yet. His Technique is unprecedented. If you face him now, he'll kill you. Instantly."

Mahito frowned. "Humans really are annoying. Some of them are scarier than us."

"Prepare for the next phase," Geto said. "Tomorrow, release 'That' and gather Grudge Blood. It's time to test him again."

Mahito smirked. "I'll pick a good spot. Might as well have a little more fun."

---

The night passed without incident. But early the next morning, Hajime received an alert: a Veil had been detected at Satozakura High School in Kanagawa. Dozens of Transfigured Humans were reported, and casualties were in the hundreds.

He called Yuji. "Go with Ieiri to Satozakura High. I'm heading there now."

Activating his Technique, Hajime froze time around him and rushed toward the school. He ran until he reached his limit, then used Technique Reversal to restore his energy and kept going.

When he arrived at the auditorium, the sight was gruesome. What was supposed to be an awards ceremony had become a massacre.

Bodies were scattered across the floor, their faces twisted in terror. Yet little blood stained the room, making the scene even more chilling.

At the center stood a figure—skeletal, grotesque, threading a spinal cord into its own arm.

"Special Grades really are getting more common," Hajime muttered.

The creature turned and grinned, jaws snapping. Then bone spikes erupted from its back, and the air filled with tension.

Hajime drew Onikiri again.

"Let's end this quickly."

***************

A new week has begun

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