Jujutsu Kaisen: Cursed Times

Another month passed in a flash. The air had grown cold, and around the Tokyo Jujutsu High campus, even the more stoic students had begun donning scarves. It was the kind of chill that crept into your bones—not from snow, but from the weight of something drawing near.

Shingen Genichi continued with his training and occasional missions, and although he remained prepared for attacks from Curse Users trying to reclaim Totsuka-no-Tsurugi, none ever came.

During this time, the blade proved itself invaluable—cutting through every kind of Cursed Spirit or enchanted defense with the ease of water splitting before a paddle. Honestly, Genichi was curious: could it even pierce a Special Grade Cursed Spirit's innate domain or body? But those weren't exactly lining up for test cuts these days.

Meanwhile, Yoshino Nao Technique had begun to take form—refined through constant sparring and deepening her control of Cursed Energy.

Her Technique had now been given a tentative name: Soul Sorcery

At its core, it allowed her to externalize and interact with her own soul—and with others'. What began as a mere "out-of-body experience" had grown into something more refined, more dangerous. With focus, she could strike at a Cursed Spirit's very soul, bypassing most physical defenses.

For most Jujutsu Sorcerers, the soul remained an abstract idea. While they could wrap their body in Cursed Energy to guard against attacks, they rarely even considered whether they were protecting their soul as well.

But Yoshino? She could see it.

More impressively, she could manifest it.

She'd demonstrated it to the others in training one afternoon. At first, no one knew what they were looking at. Panda's shocked reaction—"There's a ghost!"—earned him a swift fist to the head from Maki. But his reaction wasn't unfounded. A faint, smoke-like human silhouette hovered beside Yoshino like a mirage.

Later, over drinks at the school's cafeteria, she tried explaining it.

"Gojo-sensei's soul," she mused, "looks like… a tall mountain with snow at the peak, and sunlight draping over it."

"Eh? What about me?" Panda asked.

"Hm… a three-scoop ice cream," she said, as Panda blinked and then nodded in approval.

"Maki-san?" Nao hesitated. "A tree. Strong and rooted."

As for Inumaki and Yuta Okkotsu, she only managed vague metaphors. But when it came to Shingen Genichi, she grew contemplative.

"Genichi-kun... is like a still lake," she said softly. "Completely calm… not a single ripple. But for some reason, it's a little scary."

That unnerving stillness was echoed during battle. On a joint mission with Nanami Kento, Yoshit had landed a direct soul-based hit on a Grade 2 Cursed Spirit—and the results were terrifyingly efficient. The Cursed Spirit had barely made a sound before collapsing into ash.

Nanami had praised her potential afterward with his usual stoicism: "A Technique worth investing in."

Genichi was reminded of Mahito—the cursed spirit whose Technique manipulated souls. He wasn't sure why, but some foggy memory in his mind recalled that stitched-up face.

That one would be troublesome.

He made a mental note: If I ever meet Mahito, I'll need more than clean cuts. I'll need strategy. Even Totsuka-no-Tsurugi might not be enough.

"Even in this weather, you want ice cream?" Gojo Satoru's voice cut in behind him.

Shingen Genichi had just pulled a cold treat from the vending machine.

He turned and held out another: "Isn't there a strange pleasure in eating ice cream when it's freezing?"

Gojo grinned and took it.

But behind him stood a serious-looking man in a suit.

"Sensei, who's this?" Genichi asked, licking his ice cream.

"He's no one. Just someone from Headquarters," Gojo replied airily.

The man bowed slightly. "I am Iwai Sabu. I've come to retrieve Totsuka-no-Tsurugi on behalf of the Jujutsu Headquarters."

He produced papers and continued with practiced formality. "To prevent the reappearance of the Imaginary vengeful spirit Shuten-dōji, the sword must be transferred to our secure facilities for study and purification. The Minamoto Family has already been consulted and has agreed."

Genichi exchanged a glance with Gojo, who just shrugged.

Reluctantly, Genichi handed over the blade.

Iwai Sabu bowed again, quickly sealing the sword in talismans and leaving just as quickly as he came.

"I'll miss it," Genichi sighed. "It was pretty convenient…"

"Don't worry," Gojo said. "Once it's purified, you can apply to use it again. Strictly speaking, the sword itself isn't the Cursed Object. The Curse attached to it is."

"Still feels like I just lost my strongest weapon."

"Speaking of weapons," Gojo continued, tossing his empty ice cream box into a nearby bin, "I've got a special mission for you. You'll be working with Nanami."

That got Genichi's attention.

Gojo explained: "There's a criminal group—several actually. Somehow they've attracted Cursed Spirits, even formed a sort of symbiotic relationship. But we can't just go in and exterminate them. The Police are involved."

"Ah… So we play the exorcists in front of an audience," Genichi guessed. "Keep the body count low right?.That why you called me?"

Gojo grinned. "Exactly."

"But why add Nanami-senpai?" Genichi asked.

Gojo's eyes narrowed. "Because intelligence suggests a Special Grade Cursed Object is at play. One capable of catalyzing other spirits. That means variables. Nanami's there to ensure you don't end up as bait."

"And the Grade 1 evaluation you promised me?"

"This is it," Gojo said. "Do well, and it's yours."

---

That afternoon, Shingen Genichi bowed respectfully before Nanami Kento, who gave a small nod of approval. The stoic Grade 1 Sorcerer was a man of rules and business, which made him the complete opposite of Gojo.

"You can call me Genichi," he offered.

Nanami's gaze flicked to his dark red hair.

"Cosplay," Genichi said quickly. "Himura Kenshin. A convention."

Nanami nodded. "Of course."

As they climbed into the car driven by one an only Ijichi Kiyokata, Nanami folded his hands and asked plainly, "Do you understand the details of this mission?"

Genichi summarized the report. Nanami listened, then said:

"This is your evaluation mission. Given the complexity, it may suffice for promotion. I will observe but try not to intervene."

The compound was located in the suburbs, surrounded by a high concrete wall topped with barbed wire.

They met the Police task force at a nearby grove. Heavily armed officers crouched behind trees and vehicles. One older officer stepped forward.

"I'm Kobashi Nobuhide," he said. "You two handle the supernatural threat. Once the area is clear, give us a signal. Try to leave the criminals alive for questioning."

He handed them a walkie-talkie.

"Do all of them know about Jujutsu?" Genichi asked quietly.

"Just him," Nanami replied. "He's one of the few non-Sorcerers who can see Curses. But he lacks the ability to deal with them."

They approached the gate.

Cameras turned their way immediately.

"Guess we're made already," Genichi muttered.

Nanami summoned a short-bladed machete wrapped in seals and nodded. "It's seem that Infiltration is impossible. Let's rush in directly"

Without another word, Genichi infused his blade with Cursed Energy.

Rapid Slash—

The massive iron gate clanged to the ground.

Moments later, a dozen men with pistols burst from the building.

"Oh, guns. How convenient."

Genichi dashed forward, shifting into his time-phantom state. The men crumpled to the ground before a single bullet was fired.

Nanami stepped calmly over them. "kids these day."

They moved deeper inside.

The building's lower levels resembled a slum: cluttered, dirty, chaotic. But as Genichi climbed, the atmosphere changed.

In a darkened underground room, he found rows of desks filled with monitors—cults and scam messages flooding the screens.

Further in, he passed cages—real ones—housing women and girls in tattered clothes. Some were as young as thirteen, eyes hollow. He clenched his fists.

N'ot yet. First the Cursed Spirit. Then we'll save them.'

Suddenly, he hear a screams.

Several shrill cries rang out above, sharp and terrified.

Genichi's eyes narrowed.

He took off running, heart cold, hand on his sword.

The real threat had just awakened.

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Word Count:1,322