Jujutsu Kaisen: I Can Manipulate Time.

With twenty-three days remaining before the Kyoto School Exchange Event, the aftermath of the Satozakura High School incident was still reverberating. Since then, the Window had only detected minor Curse activity—nothing involving Mahito or the other Special Grade Cursed Spirits.

Missions became fewer and far less dangerous. Most assignments now served to assess how far students like Yuji Itadori, Megumi Fushiguro, and Nobara Kugisaki had come with their training.

The results were promising. Second-Grade Curses no longer posed a threat to them. Even First-Grade Curses were manageable, as long as the enemy's Technique was understood. Individually, they could already exorcise some of the weaker ones.

Megumi stood out for his quick battle resolutions. His growing mastery of the Ten Shadows Technique and the fusion of his Shikigami increased his combat efficiency. The results of combining Nue with Toad or Great Serpent were impressive—but as always, the true power depended on Megumi's own Cursed Energy and Technique control.

For example, his fusion called Teng Snake inherited the strength of the Great Serpent and the flight and lightning of Nue. In practical terms, it equaled a First-Grade Curse in power, and its versatility made it a reliable force in group battles.

When Gojo Satoru returned to Jujutsu High, he brought important news: they were getting a new classmate—Yoshino Junpei, one of the survivors of the Satozakura High School tragedy. After confirming Junpei's awakening of a Technique, Principal Yaga gave Gojo the green light to extend an invitation.

The experience at Satozakura had changed Junpei deeply. Initially cold and emotionally numb, he was forced to confront the reality that even people he barely knew—or hated—were still human. Mahito's manipulations and cruelty left him disillusioned. The laughter of a Curse echoed against the backdrop of corpses.

Accepting Gojo's offer, Junpei discussed it with his mother, Nagi Yoshino. When he told her he wanted to move, she agreed almost immediately. She'd seen the news and had already begun planning their relocation. Though unaware of the supernatural elements involved, she was relieved Junpei hadn't been at school during the attack.

Junpei didn't share the full truth about his new school. After all, Tokyo Jujutsu High operated under the guise of a religious institution, and official documentation wasn't a problem. Gojo gave him the address and told him someone would pick him up once he'd settled his affairs.

When Junpei finally arrived under the midsummer sun, he was greeted by the ever-cheerful Yuji Itadori.

Yuji ran up to him and effortlessly hoisted his luggage. "You're here! We're classmates now! Come on—I'll take you to the dorms. Gojo-sensei said any empty room is fine. After that, I'll introduce you to the others."

"Thank you," Junpei said quietly.

Yuji scratched the back of his head. "Honestly, most of the credit goes to Hajime-senpai."

As they walked, Yuji explained the basics of Jujutsu Sorcery and the school's environment. After dropping Junpei's bags in a room near his own, he led him to the training grounds.

In the rocky, barren landscape behind the school, a massive winged serpent rampaged across the cliffs. Junpei stood frozen, watching in disbelief as a lone figure darted in and out of the Shikigami's strikes.

Each of the serpent's attacks missed. The small figure struck back with precise, devastating force. A single punch made the beast recoil and hiss.

Then, the battle ended. The massive Shikigami dissolved into black mist and vanished. Everything returned to stillness.

Gojo Satoru appeared beside Junpei, grinning beneath his blindfold. "You'll get used to it."

The fighter landed nearby—it was Kamihara Hajime.

"Teng Snake and Max Elephant are too taxing when combined. I can't sustain the form for long, but the power increase is impressive," Megumi Fushiguro observed aloud.

Hajime nodded. He had been helping Megumi test Shikigami fusions. While the new fusion was strong, the strain on Cursed Energy was considerable.

Yuji and Junpei approached, and Hajime gestured for the others to gather. Though they'd heard of Junpei before, this was their first time meeting him in person.

Junpei recognized the summoned creature earlier as a Shikigami, far larger and stronger than his own. Nobara's stern aura made her intimidating, while Megumi's calm indifference made him difficult to read. Maki looked fierce but confident. Inumaki only spoke in rice ball ingredients. And then there was... Panda.

Despite everything he'd seen, Junpei still found himself stunned by the sight of a talking panda. His sense of normal had officially shattered.

Gojo began assessing Megumi's earlier performance. "You're getting there. Some of the strain comes from your overall Cursed Energy reserves—those will grow. But part of it is control. My Six Eyes let me fine-tune my output to avoid waste."

He formed a small orb of Cursed Energy on his finger and blasted a crater into a rock.

"Same power, but more efficient…"

This time, he condensed a smaller orb and fired again. It drilled a perfect, finger-sized hole clean through the rock and continued through the ground behind it.

"See the difference? Practice your manipulation. Every drop counts."

He turned to Yuji, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Since you and Junpei know each other, I'm assigning you to guide him. Don't mess this up."

Yuji saluted. "Leave it to me, Gojo-sensei!"

As Maki and Nobara continued their sparring, Hajime turned toward the others. "Will Junpei be part of the exchange event?"

Panda shrugged. "Most likely. It's a sparring match, after all—good experience."

"Then he should join special training too, once Yuji's done teaching him the basics."

Yuji didn't slack. With everything Gojo had just demonstrated fresh in his mind, he explained everything he knew about refining and manipulating Cursed Energy. Junpei was a quick learner, and with his newly awakened Technique, he caught on fast.

"What's your Technique?" Panda asked after seeing Junpei condense Cursed Energy.

Junpei summoned his Shikigami—a translucent, pale-blue jellyfish with golden veins.

"I can convert my Cursed Energy into poison through it. So far, I can choose between paralysis and lethal poison."

Panda nodded. "Did Yuji tell you about Technique Disclosure?"

Yuji looked sheepish. "I forgot…"

Panda explained: "Most of us don't have Techniques. I, Yuji, and Maki are special cases. Megumi uses Ten Shadows, summoning multiple shadow-based Shikigami. Nobara's is… well, you'll see it in action. It involves nails and dolls."

He dodged a glare from Nobara and continued, "As for Hajime-senpai, his Technique involves time manipulation. It's absurdly strong."

He eyed Junpei critically. "You'll need to start special training. Jujutsu Sorcerers can't afford weak bodies. You've got about three weeks to shape up."

Junpei didn't hesitate to agree. After everything he'd witnessed, he knew he was still far too weak. To protect what mattered, he had to become stronger.

"Yoshino, what's that mark on your forehead?" Panda asked during warmups.

Junpei hesitated.

Noticing his discomfort, Hajime stepped forward. "Let me see if I can treat it."

Junpei hesitated again before brushing back his hair, revealing a small cigarette burn scar. It wasn't caused by a Curse, so Hajime used Reverse Cursed Technique to begin healing it. Within moments, the scar had nearly vanished.

Junpei touched his forehead, stunned. Then, he looked at Hajime and gave a quiet, grateful smile. "Thank you, Hajime-senpai."

Twenty days passed quickly. Training had paid off. Junpei now had real combat capability—though he still needed more experience.

"Has Kyoto Jujutsu High arrived already?" Panda asked, carrying a bag of cold drinks beside Hajime.

"They weren't this early last time," Hajime replied, scanning the distance. "Strange. I don't see them."

As they turned back toward the training grounds, several familiar figures appeared on the path ahead. At the front was Aoi Todo, leading the Kyoto team.

"Hajime! Long time no see!"

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