Jujutsu Kaisen: I Can Manipulate Time.

"Hahahaha!"

Aoi Todo let out a hearty laugh, trading powerful blows with a nimble opponent. Each punch and kick sliced through the air with whistling force. He looked absolutely thrilled—if you could ignore the swelling bruises and his bloodied face.

Of course, Kamihara Hajime didn't look much better. His ribs still throbbed, and there was dried blood at the corner of his mouth. Realizing that tricks and feints didn't work on Hajime, Aoi had opted for pure, head-on brawling.

In a blur of motion, Hajime landed a clean uppercut to Todo's chin, snapping his head back. Todo recovered quickly, blocking an elbow strike and retaliating with a punch to the chest that pushed them apart.

Gasping for breath, Todo's eyes burned with joy. "Kamihara Hajime, to show my respect—I'm going all out! No Technique, just fists! This is what it means to fight with passion!"

Hajime briefly considered just activating his Technique to end it. But hearing Todo's declaration, he raised an eyebrow and replied, "There's one thing you're forgetting. Everyone's limits with Cursed Energy are different. Let's finish this."

A wild grin spread across Todo's face as Cursed Energy surged around him. Hajime's figure blurred and reappeared in front of him, right leg raised high.

With a thunderous crash, Hajime's downward kick shattered the ground, sending a wave of dust into the air. Todo dodged, eyes locked on the swirling dust.

"If he moves, the dust will shift… I'll see where he is."

And then he did—the flow changed, rushing toward his position.

Clash.

Todo clenched his fist and launched himself into the dust cloud. His punch tore through the haze—only to be intercepted. Hajime grabbed his arm, clamped down on the joint, then spun his torso, drawing strength from the ground and twisting Todo's massive frame through the air.

Todo hit the ground hard, cracks spidering outward from the impact. Hajime followed up, foot aimed straight down in a crushing stomp. Todo rolled out of the way, recovered mid-spin, and swept himself back onto his feet.

Without hesitation, Todo kicked a cluster of rocks toward Hajime and charged like a cannonball. Hajime raised an arm to shield his face, letting the stones bounce off harmlessly.

Todo exhaled, and his fist surged with Cursed Energy—black lightning flared.

"This just got interesting," Hajime murmured, matching him with a punch of his own. Cursed Energy flowed instinctively through his body.

A black spark ignited on Hajime's fist.

Two Black Flashes collided.

The entire arena trembled. Dust exploded outward. Everyone watching froze.

The result was immediate.

Todo flew backward, landing in a heap. Hajime stood steady, panting, but victorious.

Despite his condition, Todo smiled. "No regrets... No regrets."

The match was over.

Hajime casually walked over, grabbed Todo by the pant leg, and dragged him toward the rest area to get healed.

Principal Yaga's voice rang out: "Kamihara Hajime wins. Final score—six to zero. Tokyo Jujutsu High takes the victory!"

"Nice!"

Back in the rest area, Hajime's injuries were swiftly healed by Ieiri Shoko. Greeted by his classmates, he smirked, brushing his forehead and saying, "It's nothing. I wasn't even going all out."

Panda squatted beside him making exaggerated poses. Inumaki Toge gave him two thumbs up. "Salmon!"

Yuta Okkotsu nodded quietly in congratulations. Maki, who had been smiling, immediately frowned at the goofy scene.

"Ugh. I hope you two didn't catch that idiot Gojo's personality disorder."

---

The Kyoto Sister School Exchange Event came to a close with Tokyo Jujutsu High securing another win. That meant the next event would also be hosted in Tokyo.

To celebrate, Gojo Satoru took his five first-years out for a break in Shinjuku. Naturally, the expenses were covered by the ever-generous Gojo Sensei.

They hit a high-end restaurant and enjoyed premium Wagyu beef and other gourmet dishes. The place was privately booked—partly because Panda would've drawn too much attention. He had no disguise, just a zipper stitched onto his front to make it look like a mascot costume. Weird? Sure. But convincing enough to pass.

Afterward, Gojo treated them to his favorite dessert shop, bought an absurd amount of sweets, and then casually handed Hajime a credit card before disappearing on "important business."

"Use it freely," Gojo had said with a wink.

Being the head of the Gojo Clan and a Special Grade Jujutsu Sorcerer, money clearly wasn't a problem. Hajime didn't hesitate.

The group roamed Shinjuku's vibrant streets. Compared to some of the more eccentric fashion trends in the area, Panda actually blended in pretty well. Some girls even asked for photos.

Panda posed happily at first… but after the fifth request, he flat-out refused.

None of them were really into shopping. Maki didn't care for fashion. So Hajime decided to take them clothes shopping anyway—just in case they ever needed casual wear.

He picked up a few game cartridges too, even though he probably wouldn't have time to play them.

As night fell, they stopped for snacks along the way. Despite the earlier feast, nothing beat hot street food on a cool evening.

At a massive electronics store, Yuta and Maki tried out some VR gear while Hajime played an old arcade machine for nostalgia.

Then, familiar footsteps.

Looking up, Hajime saw the Kyoto Jujutsu High students walking in.

"Oh? What a coincidence."

They were in casual clothes, clearly out to have fun. Kamo Noritoshi approached first. "We saw you and came to say hi. Looks like everyone's here."

Mai gave Maki a smug look—though she secretly wanted to try the VR setup herself.

Bored of solo arcade play, Hajime invited them over. As expected, Aoi Todo was first to jump in.

"Takada-chan's handshake event isn't for a while. Let's play!"

He was swiftly crushed. Despite Todo's strength, Hajime's gamer reflexes and coordination were on a whole different level.

Next were Miwa and Kamo—both lost just as quickly.

"Invincible~ how lonely~" Hajime teased.

Yuta and Maki, having finished with VR, challenged him next—and were also beaten. Again and again.

Eventually, everyone gave up, leaving Hajime basking in victory. "Weak! Weak!" he laughed, though it was all in good fun.

After bidding farewell to the Kyoto students, the Tokyo group strolled a little more, grabbed a few last-minute snacks, and wrapped up their day trip.

---

In the days following the event, life returned to normal.

Missions became more frequent. Hajime started getting solo assignments.

After completing several back-to-back, he deliberately slowed his pace. He wasn't a machine. Even a Jujutsu Sorcerer needed time to breathe.

So he made a habit of relaxing after each mission—eating, gaming, sleeping.

Then one day, during a rare break, Gojo Satoru reappeared.

"Hajime, I've got a mission for you."

Kamihara Hajime raised an eyebrow. Gojo rarely delivered orders personally.

"Also... you might be getting a new classmate."

---

More chapters? You know the drill! (＾▽＾)

Powerstones = fuel for extra heat!