Jujutsu Kaisen: I Can Manipulate Time.

"A humanoid Cursed Spirit that can talk?"

Kamihara Hajime shifted his gaze from the bubbling sukiyaki on the table to Gojo Satoru, then nodded.

"I spoke with him for several minutes. He talks like someone with a few screws loose. Calls himself Mahito. His Technique involves manipulating the soul. Most of my attacks didn't affect him much. That's why he got away."

Gojo Satoru rubbed his chin. An unregistered Special Grade, and an unusually odd one at that. Was it newly born, or something else? No reports had come from the Window agents either.

"Do you know of any cursed tools or methods that can directly affect the soul?"

Gojo snapped back to attention, considered the question, then replied, "Tools like that are incredibly rare. I've seen some before, but I have no clue where they ended up."

Hajime gave a thoughtful nod. "What about Naine? She's still at Ieiri Shoko's care, right?"

Gojo leaned back and sighed. "That's what I wanted to talk to you about. Soul-related matters are complicated, way beyond what we usually deal with. And the Gojo Family hasn't done much research in that area."

He paused, then added, "The Kamo clan and some higher-ups proposed a deal. They'll provide us with limited research materials on soul manipulation, but in exchange—Naine has to transfer to Kyoto Jujutsu High."

Hajime raised an eyebrow. "They don't just give things away. What do they really want?"

Gojo gave a dry chuckle. "They want Naine—and by extension, the Minamoto Family—to align with their faction."

"So the Minamoto Family agreed to it?"

"Yeah. They didn't have much of a choice. She's valuable, both in Jujutsu potential and as a political piece."

Gojo sighed again. "I was hoping the next batch of first-years would be a bit more lively."

Hajime shrugged. "Who knows what the future holds? Anyway, let's eat before the beef gets tough."

The two shared casual conversation while enjoying the hot meal.

"Are you going to reveal your Technique to the higher-ups and apply for Special Grade status?"

Hajime chewed a piece of beef before answering. "Yeah. I can maintain Technique Reversal continuously now without active effort. Once I'm recognized, I'll have more resources available, right?"

"The higher-ups aren't the only ones in the Jujutsu world. Becoming a Special Grade will get your name out there a bit more, Hajime-san."

Gojo grinned, teasing. "You little punk. What are you plotting all day? I'll arrange it for you. They'll probably send someone to document your Technique. Just know, your missions will get tougher… unless you're okay with no authority."

Hajime ignored his smirk and kept eating. Gojo soon joined in.

---

Upon returning to Jujutsu High, Hajime found a weary Fushiguro Megumi sitting on the steps, catching his breath and sipping a warm drink.

"How was training?"

Megumi glanced at him. "Maki-senpai's amazing with weapons. I learned a lot. I think I'll be able to contract another Shikigami soon."

"Where are Yuta and Inumaki?"

Only Panda and Maki were still sparring in the training area. Megumi nodded toward them. "Yuta-senpai's preparing for a trip overseas. Inumaki-senpai's out on a mission."

Maki paused her sparring with Panda, raised her wooden spear, and pointed it at them. "You two just gonna sit there? Get over here!"

Hajime patted Megumi's shoulder. "Shall we spar?"

Megumi didn't flinch. "Sure."

The two walked onto the field. Maki smirked in anticipation, while Panda hopped up with excitement.

"No Techniques, no Cursed Energy. Just pure hand-to-hand skill," Maki declared, taking her place as referee. "Stop before anyone gets seriously hurt."

Both picked up wooden swords and took their stances.

Panda cupped his hands and yelled, "Loser buys dinner!"

Hajime waved without turning around. "No problem. Megumi will treat everyone."

Megumi remained calm despite the taunt. Hajime twirled his sword, pacing in a slow circle. His magatama earrings caught the sun, swaying lightly.

"You're guarding pretty tight," Hajime observed. "Alright then, I'll start!"

Megumi's vision blurred. He instinctively raised his sword to block a swift gust targeting his chest. A heavy force struck; his hand went numb. He quickly blocked a follow-up kick—training with Maki had paid off.

He's this fast without his Technique?

Megumi countered with a smooth sword arc, but Hajime dodged and parried everything, barely blinking.

When a wooden blade came at his side, Megumi reacted instantly—dropping his own sword and lunging in close. He wrapped around Hajime's weapon arm like a snake and twisted—disarming him.

"Oh?"

Hajime raised an eyebrow as Megumi skillfully flipped the sword out of his grip and caught it.

"Now this is getting fun."

Even unarmed, Hajime attacked, weaving between Megumi's strikes and landing clean counters with fists, elbows, and knees. His movements were seamless.

"I can brawl too, you know."

Finding a gap, Hajime reversed Megumi's grip and disarmed him in return. But instead of using the weapon, he tossed it aside with a grin.

"Megumi, surrender now and I'll only charge you half for dinner. And you've never beaten me since we were kids, have you?"

Megumi's expression darkened. Childish, as always.

Back in school, Hajime had always dominated the delinquents. His physique and experience outclassed everyone. Whenever he clashed with Megumi, it always ended with the two rolling around on the ground exchanging blows until Tsumiki stepped in, scolded them gently, and forced them to make up.

Thinking of Tsumiki, Megumi faltered—just for a moment.

In that moment, Hajime locked his arm, his grinning face filling Megumi's vision upside-down.

"Oh no…"

Wham.

Megumi hit the ground, pinned. Hajime raised a fist in victory.

"Woohoo, I win!"

Megumi stared at the clouds above. Not the worst loss. He pushed himself up, only to find Hajime's hand reaching down.

After a moment, he took it and stood.

"Let's go for sushi. That Fujiwara place—"

Megumi's face twitched. That place? He remembered the prices. Expensive. Ridiculously so.

Still, as Panda cheered and Maki glared, ready to chase Hajime with her spear, Megumi felt a warm sense of familiarity.

Tsumiki… I'll keep getting stronger. I'll wake you up. I promise.

---

They didn't end up going for sushi. Instead, they bought ingredients and cooked in the dorm. Hajime took the role of chef.

"What is this? Hotpot? Looks like sukiyaki," Panda said.

Hajime explained the differences between the Chinese and Japanese styles while prepping.

"Are you trying to kill us with this much spice?" Maki asked, eyeing the bubbling red broth suspiciously.

Hajime waved her off. "It's not that spicy."

At first bite, he was right. The layered flavor was intense, but manageable. Everyone quickly dug in.

Until it hit.

Maki flushed and ripped off her glasses from the steam. She grabbed a carton of milk and glared at Hajime. "Not spicy, huh?"

Megumi silently drank milk too. Panda, of course, kept eating happily and even teased Maki about her "delicate palate."

"Maybe you're just eating too fast?" Hajime offered with a smirk. "Want to take a break?"

Maki ignored him, grabbed more milk, and muttered, "This is nothing…"

Suppressing a laugh, Hajime pulled cold sodas from the fridge. Even in winter, he liked iced drinks—especially after spicy food.

Just then, the door opened.

"Hmm? What's going on in here? I smelled something good," said Principal Yaga as he stepped inside.

"We made too much food," Hajime called cheerfully. "Come join us, Yaga-sensei!"

Yaga looked torn. "I really shouldn't… I have paperwork…"

"Come on, Masamichi! Hajime's cooking is insane!"

---

I won't even request for stones today, as usual just do your thing.

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