"Black Flash" is a phenomenon triggered when a Jujutsu Sorcerer lands a physical hit within 0.000001 seconds of their Cursed Energy impact.
Normally, there's a slight lag between a sorcerer's body movement and the Cursed Energy flow—because it has to be consciously directed. For most sorcerers, that delay is imperceptible. But for top-tier fighters, the Cursed Energy and the physical blow can sync up so closely that they essentially become one seamless strike.
And that's when it happens—Black Flash.
Externally, the phenomenon distorts space. The Cursed Energy turns jet black, and the resulting strike hits with a force 2.5 times greater than a normal one. The sensation it gives the user is said to be like entering a "zone" or "no-self" state—where everything flows effortlessly, and their control over Cursed Energy becomes instinctual.
But even elite sorcerers can't land Black Flash on command. It's often more luck than skill.
That's true… for most people.
Kamihara Hajime was an exception.
His Technique—Time Wheel—allowed him to finely manipulate and perceive time. That elusive 0.000001-second window? He could find it. Adjust for it. Exploit it.
As long as Hajime activated his Technique just before impact, his mind would enter a state where the world seemed almost frozen. His body, honed to perfection, would release the strike, and his Cursed Energy would align like clockwork.
It sounded easy—but in truth, it required incredible precision. Hajime's hypersensitive perception of time was the only reason it was even possible.
That's why, this time, when he landed a Black Flash on his first punch against the Cursed Spirit, Hajime was… elated.
After experiencing it once, he'd started practicing intentionally. It wasn't't perfect yet, but one thing was certain:
And that was only going to improve.
---
After obliterating the Second Grade Curse with two well-placed punches, Hajime stood there, breathing calmly. He could still feel the rhythm in his fists, like momentum he hadn't yet released.
His instincts told him the next punch could've been another Black Flash—but the target was already gone. Maybe he should've held back a bit...
Nearby, Maki watched Hajime with a twitch of her lips. That had been a Black Flash, right? No wonder the Curse didn't stand a chance.
It had high durability against standard attacks, but once Hajime unleashed Cursed Energy across its whole body, it couldn't regenerate in time.
Even a First Grade Curse wouldn't walk away from two Black Flashes.
"If you're done showing off," Maki said, resting her naginata on her shoulder, "let's finish off the remaining small fry."
They split up to sweep the building. Some of the lingering Cursed Spirits were so weak, their presence barely registered. Ironically, it took longer to find and clean them up than it had to kill the Second Grade.
Eventually, they emerged from the hospital, their mission complete.
A dark-colored car idled by the roadside. A man in a formal suit stood beside it—his outfit and plain glasses making him look older than he was.
"Mr. Ijichi!" Hajime waved.
Ijichi Kiyotaka—assistant supervisor at Tokyo Jujutsu High and Gojo Satoru's junior by two years—was known more for his reliability than raw power.
He gave them a small bow. "Good work, both of you."
Hajime scratched his head and grinned. "Aw, Uncle Ijichi, you're too formal. So, are we done for the day? Or did Gojo leave us more surprises?"
Ijichi pushed up his glasses. "That was the only assignment. No further missions for now."
Hajime's face lit up. "Then let's grab dinner before heading back! I'm craving sukiyaki."
Maki gave a small shrug—she had no objections. With Hajime offering to pay, why not?
The three loaded their weapons into the car and headed to a nearby restaurant with great reviews. The meal was satisfying, and by the time they returned to campus, Panda and Inumaki Toge were already back.
"Hajime! Took you long enough!" Panda called out, flexing dramatically. "Panda and Toge already exorcised our target!"
"Salmon," Toge added.
Before Hajime could respond, Maki cut in, voice calm: "He finished the Curse in two hits. We just stopped to eat sukiyaki."
Panda's jaw dropped. "Wait—TWO hits?! And you went for sukiyaki without inviting Panda?!"
"Mustard!" Toge looked equally betrayed.
Panda launched himself at Hajime in mock outrage. "Traitor! You call this teamwork?!"
"I didn't know you were done already!" Hajime cried, dodging Panda's tackle. "Besides—can you even eat in public without causing a scene?!"
Despite the scuffle, he gave in quickly. "Fine, fine! I'll treat you both next time!"
Maki watched their antics with an amused smile behind her glasses as she walked off.
---
The days that followed passed in relative peace—training, studying, and the occasional mission.
Their preliminary sorcerer ranks were posted: Kamihara Hajime and Inumaki Toge were Second Grade, Panda was Semi-Second Grade, and Maki… was Fourth Grade.
No one was happy about it.
Least of all Maki—but she didn't show it. She looked like she'd expected it.
Later, Gojo explained that the Zen'in Clan had interfered with her evaluation. After that, Hajime and Panda's already low opinion of the Zen'in family plummeted.
They complained loudly—Hajime's sarcasm sharp as ever, though never crass. Maki eventually had to calm them down.
"It's fine," she said simply. "I'll take back everything they denied me. On my own terms."
"You're the best, Maki!"
"Tuna mayo!"
Panda and Hajime gave her a thumbs-up on either side, Toge echoing the sentiment with a rice ball phrase.
Maki nearly facepalmed. "You idiots…"
But then, a glint appeared behind her glasses.
"This afternoon," she said sweetly. "Cursed tool sparring. And physical training."
The boys froze.
No Cursed Energy. No Techniques. Just raw combat.
And in that domain, Maki reigned supreme.
"Mustard…" Toge patted Panda as if in mourning. Panda gave him a hug.
"Toge, you're too kind~"
Hajime, watching this, smirked. "You guys realize Maki barely hits Toge. It's always us who get wrecked."
Toge gave a thumbs-up. "Salmon roe."
"What're you laughing at, Hajime?" Panda growled. "You're going down too."
With mock threats and banter, the group headed to the training ground.
---
"The path to becoming stronger starts now!" Panda declared.
WHACK!
A wooden stick slammed into his face and sent him tumbling.
Hajime sighed. "That idiot never learns."
He raised his wooden sword and faced Maki, who was already in a stance. She made full use of her weapon's range, deflecting and countering with ease. Hajime, though strong, struggled to keep up without relying on Cursed Energy or his Technique.
"Your weapon is an extension of your body," Maki said, her strikes blurring. "Your fists, palms, blades—they all follow the same principles. Understand the flow, the rhythm."
Hajime was listening—and that cost him. She disarmed him in a flash and drove her staff into his shoulder, numbing the entire limb.
"You're already dead," she declared, resting the staff on the ground with a smirk. "If I'd aimed a bit higher, that would've hit your heart."
"Can you go easy once in a while?" Hajime winced, rubbing his shoulder.
"Nope. Pain helps you learn faster."
Still, Maki was secretly impressed. Hajime was improving quickly. Once he mastered the basics, only real combat would sharpen him further.
"I can't afford to fall behind," he muttered, gripping the training sword again.
"Oh?" Maki twirled her staff with a smile. "Good. Come, then."
The next round began.
---
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