Two months remained before the start of the martial arts tournament, but Hasegumo's progress had hit a bottleneck.
To him, martial arts had seemed so simple. In just two and a half years, he had not only mastered all the techniques of Shingen-ryu but had integrated them into his instincts through countless battles with Curses.
However, Uncle Gen insisted he hadn't yet reached the "pinnacle of technique." When Hasegumo asked to learn more, Gen told him there was nothing left to teach; the road to the summit was one he had to walk alone.
Hasegumo was at a loss. With no new techniques to learn and his physical strength and Cursed Energy no longer growing, it felt as though his martial journey had stalled.
Cr-crack. Hasegumo leaned against the wall and popped open a can of ice-cold cola. He took a long, deep gulp and thought: If I can't think of a way, I'll stop overthinking it. I'll just keep doing the work.
Returning to the dojo, he saw little Kiyotaka giving Uncle Gen a massage. The boy's movements looked remarkably practiced.
"What are you two up to? Kiyotaka, do you even have enough strength for that?"
"You brat, you could learn a thing or two about honoring your elders," Gen grumbled.
"It's a massage technique passed down in our family," Kiyotaka answered. "Back when the shrine was still thriving, those in the clan who couldn't form a contract with Hirayama-sama would help the worshippers. Massages helped the elderly relieve their pain."
"Oh? Well, when I'm old, I'll have to try it out. Right now, you're so small you couldn't hurt a fly, let alone give a massage."
"I'll grow up fast! I'm going to become a reliable adult, just like Big Brother," Kiyotaka said, pressing his weight into Gen's lower back.
"Is that so? Then it's a promise?"
"It's a promise!"
Jujutsu File: Special Grade Cursed SpiritDaitengu – Hirayama Jirobou
Originally an Imaginary Vengeful Spirit (Shikigami) passed down through the Kansuuryuu family. It possesses the potential for infinite resurrection and growth. The cost of this growth is a Binding Vow sealed by a high-level sorcerer, who must offer their own Innate Technique as a sacrifice.
June 1944: The Kansuuryuu head and the Daitengu perished in the mountains of Nara Prefecture while taking down two Special Grade Bat Curses.
May 2004: Shougo Kansuuryuu, a retired Grade 2 sorcerer, revived the Daitengu. It was subsequently killed by a Grade 1 Bat Curse seeking revenge.
April 2005: A large number of Curses manifested near Gozen Shrine. The Association dispatched seven sorcerers to handle the situation. Local villagers, having suffered family losses despite frequent prayers, formed a mob to destroy the Daitengu statue. During a confrontation with the villagers, Shougo Kansuuryuu accidentally fell, struck his head on a brick, and passed away (Under Investigation).
According to witnesses, Kiyotaka Kansuuryuu returned to the scene to find his grandfather dead. His eyes went hollow. He left a letter on the sword rack before the statue. In an instant, he aged into a man of approximately forty years. After establishing a Binding Vow with the Daitengu, Kiyotaka Kansuuryuu passed away.
Kiyotaka's remains are currently stored in the Cursed Warehouse. Objects near the body undergo continuous time acceleration until they decay. During experimentation, two Grade 1 Cursed Objects were lost, leading to the body's classification as a Special Grade Cursed Object. Due to the uncontrollable nature of the effect, it has been sealed within the Special Grade Cursed Tool: The Black Coffin.
Hasegumo reported that Kiyotaka's technique was time-related. Researchers speculate that under extreme emotional duress, Kiyotaka released a massive burst of Cursed Energy, using his technique to "overdraft" his future potential, temporarily becoming a high-level sorcerer to revive the Daitengu.
Contrary to previous records, the revived Daitengu began an indiscriminate slaughter of all nearby life. Sorcerers handling other Curses in the area were killed upon arrival at the shrine. By the time Grade 1 Sorcerer Tetsuya Yamagami joined the fray, only one civilian remained alive. The Curse was eventually exorcised through the joint efforts of Grade 2 Sorcerer Hasegumo and Grade 1 Sorcerer Tetsuya Yamagami.
Casualties: 73 civilians, 3 Grade 2 Sorcerers, 1 Grade 1 Sorcerer. Based on residue and the deaths of ranked sorcerers, the Daitengu's revival was classified as Special Grade. Given that Hasegumo has not yet enrolled in school, a decision on his promotion to Grade 1 will be deferred until six months after his enrollment based on performance.
When the incident began, Hasegumo was at the dojo practicing his striking on a wooden post. Suddenly, he felt a pillar of Cursed Energy skyrocket into the atmosphere. The sheer volume of it—heavy with despair—made his heart tremble.
Then, that energy vanished, replaced by a much more powerful, revitalized presence.
Hasegumo frowned. "That direction... this isn't good."
He grabbed his jacket and sprinted toward Gozen Shrine.
By the time he arrived, the shrine was in ruins. Debris littered the ground, and the air was thick with the metallic, rusted scent of human and animal blood.
"Only two people left?"
Hasegumo didn't jump into the fight immediately. He sensed a familiar energy fluctuation—Tetsuya Yamagami.
If Uncle Yamagami is here, he should be able to hold out for a bit.
Hasegumo ran toward the surviving civilian in the distance, determined to find out what had happened.
I'm so sorry, Big Brother. I'm sorry, Master Gen.
They wanted to smash Hirayama-sama's statue. That was his home. After seeing this, I don't know if I can still believe in becoming a sorcerer to protect "normal" people.
Grandpa was a sorcerer. Even without a technique, he shouldn't have died in such a ridiculous way. I don't know exactly what happened, but when I got back, he was gone.
I'm afraid that even if I become a sorcerer, no one will understand me. I'm afraid that if I leave, they will smash the statue to pieces.
I'm sorry, Big Brother. I can't keep my promise to give you a massage when I grow up.
I'm sorry, Master Gen. I can't keep my promise to return to the dojo after reviving Hirayama-sama.
When I came back, I found I had so much Cursed Energy. More than I ever imagined.
I don't want to wait anymore. I'm sorry. I will revive Hirayama-sama, and then I'm going to find Grandpa.
Just like you and Master Gen said, I really did become strong. I have nothing to compare it to, but I think this is what "Special Grade" feels like. Grandpa's wish and mine... they're finally coming true.
— Kiyotaka Kansuuryuu
The man handed the letter to Hasegumo, explaining that the child had left it for him.
"I see. You stay here," Hasegumo said coldly.
"W-what? Aren't you supposed to protect me? That monster will kill me in a second! Please, let me leave! I don't want to die!"
"You did this, and now you expect to escape? You're a murderer."
"I—I didn't kill anyone! The old man just fell!"
Hasegumo shoved the letter into his pocket. He found some rope nearby and lashed the man to a pillar.
"Save your explanations for the police. If you survive this, spend the rest of your life thinking about how to atone."
Before the words had even finished echoing, Hasegumo was charging toward the battlefield.
The summer wind was scorching. Normally, the desolate mountain would be ringing with the shrill cry of cicadas. Now, there was only silence.
Tetsuya Yamagami was maintaining his distance, staying on the move. The Daitengu followed at a leisurely pace, arms crossed over its chest in a display of utter arrogance and disdain.
The creature was dressed in blue-and-white Yamabushi robes and high-heeled Geta clogs. It had a massive pair of wings, stood two meters tall, and possessed a crimson face with a long nose—it was as fierce as a demon out of legend.
Boom. Boom.
Yamagami fired a warning shot to the sky, followed immediately by a round toward the Daitengu. Hasegumo noticed a patch of discordant Cursed Energy on the creature's chest—the target of Yamagami's second shot.
Gun-Spirit Jujutsu: Double Tap
The First Shot (The Arrival): A warning shot is fired into the sky. Any target identified as an enemy by the user will experience a brief Cursed Energy fluctuation. Once they recover, a patch of Cursed Energy identical to the user's will manifest on their body.
The Second Shot (The Departure): Since identical Cursed Energy does not collide, the second bullet will phase through the target area, ignoring all Cursed Energy defenses and techniques to deal direct damage.
Clang!
With a sound like hammered steel, the Daitengu drew its blade and sliced through the bullet of Cursed Energy. In a blur of wings, it closed the gap and appeared in front of Yamagami, blade raised for a lethal strike.
A thunderous impact announced Hasegumo's entry into the fight. He delivered a high-powered roundhouse kick, knocking the Daitengu several meters sideways.
Yamagami and Hasegumo locked eyes and gave a brief nod. They understood the plan. Hasegumo led with his left fist, his right held tight at his waist as he sank into a low horse stance—the classic Shingen-ryu brawling posture. Yamagami turned and vanished into the treeline to reposition.
To Hasegumo's surprise, the Daitengu didn't use its sword. Instead, it clenched its fists and charged for a melee.
"What? The Tengu knows Shingen-ryu too?"
The Tengu ducked low. Its right fist collided with Hasegumo's left. The impact sent Hasegumo flying ten meters back.
Is that Hard Fist? Don't tell me Kiyotaka sacrificed his martial arts memories too?
It wasn't that. The Daitengu was a traditional master of Japanese martial arts in its own right. While perhaps not as specialized, it was well-versed in various styles. Combined with a Cursed Energy output that dwarfed Hasegumo's, it was a terrifying combatant.
"But I'm the one who's going to win!"
Hasegumo stood up and gave a thumbs-up. The Daitengu had been standing proudly with its arms crossed; seeing the gesture, it flared in rage and lunged again.
Fists and legs collided in a frantic blur. Fists clashed once more, but this time, it was Hasegumo who held his ground while the Daitengu was forced back a few steps.
Hasegumo had contracted his Cursed Energy in an instant. Aside from the necessary output for the strike, he had flowed everything into his lower limbs, grounding the force of the impact into the earth to minimize the damage to himself.
He looked at the Daitengu's right hand. No damage? Truly a monster.
A gust of wind heralded Hasegumo's next move. He was in the Tengu's face in a heartbeat, throwing another heavy punch.
The Daitengu didn't dodge. A sneer crossed its hideous face. It tanked the hit and remained completely unscathed.
This is bad. Its passive reinforcement is already higher than my maximum output.
Wait... I feel like I'm forgetting something.
Hasegumo tried to maintain his usual positive outlook, but Kiyotaka's letter had left a mark. He was currently in a state of suppressed fury—not because of Kiyotaka's death, but because of the persecution and lack of understanding that drove him to it.
Hasegumo hadn't realized he was drifting, but from the treeline, Yamagami saw it. Hasegumo's Cursed Energy was leaking, fluctuating with his emotions, rather than being perfectly contained.
"Kid! Get it together! Don't let your emotions drive you! Where's your Revealing One's Hand?!"
The shout snapped Hasegumo out of it. Right. I haven't declared my technique. No wonder it feels like something is missing.
A gunshot rang out. A flash of steel. In the moment of Hasegumo's distraction, the Tengu had drawn its blade and severed his left arm.
Yamagami had tried to draw the enemy's fire by attacking from behind, but the Tengu had reached back and caught the bullet without even looking.
Another shot. The Tengu parried it with its blade and followed through with a backhand swing at Hasegumo.
The white-hot agony of his missing arm brought Hasegumo into a state of total focus. As the blade approached, he rolled to the right, narrowly evading the follow-up.
As he rolled, the Tengu, seeing the blade wouldn't connect again, sheathed the sword to continue the brawl.
Hasegumo finished his Revealing One's Hand declaration through the next three exchanges of blows. With the Binding Vow active, his Reverse Cursed Technique flared to life, slowly knitting his left arm back together.
He could feel his body trembling. His Cursed Energy was more active than it had ever been—the thrill of facing a truly superior opponent.
"Let's go."
Hasegumo contracted his energy, preparing to dive back in. Yamagami, seeing the change in Hasegumo's aura, felt a weight lift from his shoulders.
The kid has the balls to daydream mid-fight. If we get out of this alive, I'm telling Gen to beat some sense into him.
Hasegumo stepped forward, a straight punch aimed at the Tengu's chest. The Tengu raised its right arm to parry, but it didn't condense any extra energy for the defense. It planned to tank the hit with its superior reserves while its left hand, heavily reinforced, rested on its sword hilt for a finishing draw.
"Now!"
Yamagami fired a warning shot to the sky. The Daitengu's Cursed Energy briefly faltered into chaos.
A punch like a siege engine. The sound of a sonic boom. The collision of raw power and divine flesh.
A streak of Black Lightning tore through the air. The force bypassed the Tengu's defense, punching a hole clean through its chest and launching it backward.
In that fraction of a second, Yamagami fired again.
Zero-point-three seconds. That was the time it took him to find the anomaly, aim, and pull the trigger once the Tengu's energy fluctuation began.
The Tengu was flying backward, out of control, but the bullet was faster. It was an arrow of mist, trailing a white streak through the air, aimed directly for the Tengu's left eye.
A strike from the ground, the youth's Black Flash works its miracle. The underling strikes the master, a divine shot shatters the heavens.
But a Special Grade is not so easily broken. With a massive beat of its wings, the Daitengu halted its momentum in mid-air. Then, incredibly, it reached out and caught the bullet with its bare hand.
It looked down at Yamagami.
The sky darkened. The wind began to howl. Hirayama Jirobou was finally revealing his true power.