In addition to physical training, Hajime also had to train his Cursed Technique daily. Over the years, he had gained considerable insight into the standard applications of his technique, and under Gojo Satoru's tutelage, he had also begun to understand the principles behind Technique Reversal.
If Time Wheel Spin accelerates the flow of time in an object, then its inverse—Time Wheel: Reverse—is its logical opposite: time reversal.
A Jujutsu Sorcerer's Cursed Energy is born from negative emotions, and it's generally only suitable for combat. However, when that energy is multiplied by itself—like two negatives making a positive—it produces positive energy. This refined energy can be used to heal the human body, but very few can generate it consistently. Among current Sorcerers, the most proficient in Reverse Cursed Technique is Dr. Ieiri Shoko, Tokyo Jujutsu High's resident physician.
By infusing this positive energy into their Inherited Techniques, Sorcerers can achieve Technique Reversal—an evolved application of their original ability.
Gojo Satoru naturally possesses this skill, though he mainly uses it for self-healing. Hajime, on the other hand, was intrigued by it for a different reason. As a lifelong gamer, he understood the value of healing skills all too well.
After intense effort, Hajime successfully extracted positive energy, though his control was still unstable and short-lived. He couldn't yet regenerate lost limbs or organs, but it was enough to begin applying Time Wheel: Reverse. Though only for short bursts, this allowed him to temporarily reverse time's effects within his technique.
While he hadn't mastered it entirely, Hajime had reached a level where he could moderately balance acceleration and reversal. This meant when he used Time Wheel Spin to push his body to its limits, he could now avoid severe side effects by applying Time Wheel: Reverse in tandem.
That state—where time moved so unnaturally fast it became meaningless—was what Gojo jokingly dubbed the "Time Null" state. Hajime had originally proposed a ridiculously long name, only for Gojo to shoot it down immediately.
In that state, Hajime—through practice sessions with Gojo—found he could land an overwhelming barrage of strikes in a blink, or condense it into one decisive blow. A divine-speed technique, virtually impossible to react to.
As for why he didn't use it during the hospital mission? Simple. That Curse was too weak. It didn't even survive two punches. Not worth burning a trump card.
Currently, Hajime's combat style still relied on ranged attacks—using his technique to accelerate Cursed Energy projectiles. But thanks to Maki's training, he was considering adopting a sword-type cursed tool for close combat.
Imagine this: an enemy breaks through his barrage—only to be met with a lightning-quick slash. And if the blade breaks? Well, there's always a good old Black Flash to finish the job.
---
Hajime was cackling to himself at the thought when Maki walked up and gave him a thwack. "What are you laughing at?"
Behind them, Panda leaned in with a grin. "Hey, I heard a new first-year's transferring in."
Hajime's eyes lit up. Since Panda was technically Principal Yaga's 'son,' his intel was usually solid. If it was true, that meant their class would finally reach five students.
This was confirmed the next day when Gojo Satoru popped in, practically skipping with excitement. "Everyone! Get ready to welcome your new classmate!"
Maki pointed at Gojo, deadpan. "Why is he more excited than we are?"
Hajime, leaning back in his chair, hair bouncing slightly with the motion, waved her off. A few days ago, he'd dyed his slightly curly hair a silvery grey. Maki had mocked it instantly, which led to a short chase around the school.
"Huh? Haven't you gotten used to him by now? He's always like this~" Hajime said lazily.
---
The next morning, the four of them walked toward their classroom.
"I heard the new guy stuffed four kids into lockers before transferring," Panda whispered like it was top-secret.
Maki raised an eyebrow. "Did he kill them?"
"Tuna mayonnaise?" Inumaki added curiously.
Panda shook his head. "Nah, just hospitalized them."
Maki shrugged. "If he acts cocky, we'll put him in his place."
"Maki is scary," Panda mimicked Hajime in a fake high-pitched voice. "Yeah yeah, super scary~"
Maki twitched, veins popping, but said nothing as they arrived.
They were barely seated when Gojo burst in dramatically. "Time for the big reveal! Here comes your new classmate—get hyped!"
Crickets.
Gojo froze in place, mumbling, "Tough crowd…"
Maki was sitting sideways at her desk, leaning on her naginata. "I heard he's hard to get along with. Why should we cheer?"
"Salmon," Inumaki agreed.
Panda just looked bored.
Hajime, meanwhile, was barely keeping his eyes open. He'd stayed up watching anime and playing games again. But something nagged at him. Had there been someone else originally in their batch? A name… It sounded familiar…
---
Then the door opened.
A black-haired boy in white stepped in, visibly nervous. But the moment Hajime laid eyes on him, the sleep vanished from his face.
What a suffocating Curse aura.
Even Maki's indifferent face shifted. Inumaki and Panda tensed. It was as if each step the new student took weighed on their chests.
Behind him, the darkness seemed to shimmer with an unnatural pressure. A presence. Something… horrifying.
Maki reached for her weapon. Inumaki pulled down his collar. Panda clenched his fists.
Then the boy stepped up to the lectern and began, "My name is Yuta Okkotsu—"
CLANG
A blade flew past his face and embedded itself into the blackboard behind him.
Maki stood with narrowed eyes. "You're cursed. Why are you here? What is this...?"
Before Yuta could respond, a ripple spread across the blackboard behind him—inky black and fluid-like. Then, two grotesque, oversized arms emerged from the distortion.
"Don't…"
Yuta's face showed panic—not fear of the entity, but worry for everyone else.
"Rika, don't!"
But the voice that answered was distorted and childlike, filled with rage:
"…hurt Yuta."
One of the arms immediately lashed out.
The pressure was unbearable. Maki could barely move. "Hajime, go—!"
But when she turned—he was gone.
Kamihara Hajime was already by the door, smiling with obvious glee. He had bolted the second those arms appeared.
That thing… wasn't just powerful. It was on another level entirely. Even Gojo wouldn't let them get killed, but still—Hajime wasn't about to risk it.
In the end, Rika didn't go full force. She knocked them all around a bit, but stopped short of doing real harm—likely because Yuta had managed to reign her in.
Gojo finally stepped in and explained everything. Yuta's childhood friend, Rika, had died in a car accident, and transformed into an Over-Cursed Vengeful Spirit that clung to him.
"That's right!" Gojo declared dramatically. "Yuta Okkotsu: cursed by the girl who loved him!"
Everyone groaned.
"You could've told us this before the beatdown," Maki complained.
Gojo ignored her and started introductions.
"Zen'in Maki, cursed tool user. Inumaki Toge, Cursed Speech user. Kamihara Hajime…" Gojo paused, glanced at Hajime, then moved on. "And this is Panda."
"Yo," Panda said casually. "I'm a Panda."
Yuta blinked. "Wait, no one's going to explain that?!"
Gojo clapped once. "Perfect! Five first-years now! For today's Jujutsu practice, we'll pair off. Toge with Panda, Maki with Yuta…"
Hajime raised a hand. "Sensei? What about me?"
Gojo smiled with pure mischief. "You get a solo mission~"
---
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