"So far, there's nothing else… but Shingen, you should try not to rely too much on your technique to enhance yourself. Accelerating your own time seems to have an effect on your body."
Tokiya Shingen paused, thinking for a moment. Then his expression darkened.
"…Don't tell me I'll suddenly age faster or something?"
Gojo Satoru imagined a teenage Shingen turning into a middle-aged man in an instant—and burst out laughing.
After a moment, he waved his hand.
"Well, that's why you need to be careful. But hey, maybe it's not a bad thing, haha! Once you learn Reverse Cursed Technique and technique reversal, things might change."
Beside them, Masamichi Yaga spoke up when he saw Shingen deep in thought:
"These are all extremely advanced techniques. Take things one step at a time. Don't rush ahead blindly."
"Exactly, exactly!" Gojo added, patting Shingen's head.
Then he turned to Yaga.
"For now, let's register Shingen's technique externally as 'acceleration.' That's what we'll tell others."
Yaga nodded immediately, understanding his intent.
"I see. When he enrolls, we'll record it that way. His large cursed energy reserves can help conceal the truth as well."
Gojo stroked his chin, briefly thinking of Megumi Fushiguro.
Megumi's technique—the inherited Ten Shadows Technique from the Zenin clan—wasn't easily recognized by those without knowledge. Most would simply assume it was a standard shikigami technique.
And even if Megumi's ability were exposed, he still had Gojo and the Zenin clan backing him.
But Shingen—
He had no background.
And he was still weak.
Gojo couldn't be by his side all the time.
So the longer they could hide his true ability, the better.
Back at home, Gojo somehow brought over a collection of books—some old, some new.
According to him, many were from the Gojo family archives, covering knowledge about the jujutsu world and sorcerers.
"Well, I know everything—but teaching is such a hassle. You're smart, Shingen, so I'm sure you can figure it out yourself! Haha!"
Shingen stared at him silently.
Does he even realize I'm only seven or eight? I can barely read at this level yet…
Just as Gojo disappeared—
He suddenly popped his head back through the door.
"Oh, right! Your school transfer with Megumi and the others should be done by tomorrow. Get along with them, okay?"
And just like that—
He was gone again.
"…Wait—what school? What's the name? The address? How am I supposed to get there?!"
Of course, Gojo was already gone.
Shingen sighed.
I'll just ask Megumi and Tsumiki later…
He flipped through the books Gojo had left.
Most of the terminology was far beyond his current reading ability.
In the end, he placed them neatly on his bedroom shelf for future study.
The following school days were… uneventful.
Especially in elementary school.
The material was far too easy for Shingen.
And most kids his age were childish.
He didn't really make friends.
Instead, he focused on studying hard—determined to one day understand those advanced books.
His effort and outstanding grades earned him praise from his teachers.
Over time, he grew closer to the Fushiguro siblings.
Well—
Mostly to Tsumiki.
As for Megumi…
Whether his attitude had improved was debatable.
Oddly enough, the turning point in their relationship came from a fight.
Calling it a fight might be an exaggeration—after all, they were just kids.
Shingen didn't even take it seriously.
With his mastery of cursed energy basics, it would have been outright bullying otherwise.
Still—
Whenever he looked at Megumi's perpetually cold expression, he couldn't help but want to mess with him.
My life hasn't exactly been easy either, you know…
At least you have a sister.
Why do you always look so gloomy?
And despite having awakened his technique—
Megumi kept insisting he didn't want to become a sorcerer.
Which didn't make sense.
Shingen clearly remembered—
Megumi was a sorcerer in the original story.
So what had changed?
In the end, Shingen decisively defeated Megumi.
The two were separated by Tsumiki.
Though not much older, she showed remarkable maturity and kindness.
Instead of scolding them, she calmly treated their minor injuries.
Her gentle words gradually dissolved the tension between them.
Later—
When a group of older delinquents insulted Tsumiki—
Shingen walked straight into their classroom.
In front of everyone—
He beat them all down.
Even the bigger, older students were no match for him.
Afterward, he threatened each of them individually.
The message was clear.
The effect—
Immediate.
The aftermath left a classroom in ruins and a group of terrified delinquents.
Thanks—perhaps—to Gojo's influence, and Shingen's perfect academic record—
The school only gave him a light reprimand.
He wrote a reflection letter.
And that was it.
After that incident, Megumi's defensive attitude softened.
Though they still occasionally clashed—
Their relationship had fundamentally changed.
Oh—and that reflection letter?
Megumi wrote it.
Reluctantly.
By middle school, the three of them were still classmates.
More mature now.
Megumi still looked cold—but fought less with Shingen.
Instead—
He started gaining a reputation.
After beating down troublemakers who targeted him—
And later, others nearby—
He became somewhat infamous.
There was even a nickname for him…
Though Shingen couldn't quite remember it.
As for Shingen—
He avoided similar trouble entirely.
At the start of school, he deliberately acted flashy, confident, and… annoyingly impressive.
Which drew the attention of more serious delinquents—
Almost bordering on yakuza.
After beating them half to death in one go—
Shingen became someone no one dared to mess with.
Over the years, under Gojo's "training"—
(Though it often felt more like being beaten up)
Shingen gained a deeper understanding of his technique.
Especially his control over cursed energy.
According to Gojo:
"Anything below Special Grade shouldn't be a problem for you anymore. But don't let your guard down."
And just like that—
Time passed.
By the time he reached his second year of middle school—
He was informed:
It was time to enroll at Tokyo Jujutsu High.
"…Huh? I thought I'd go after finishing middle school. This feels sudden. What about Tsumiki and Megumi?"
Shingen lay on the couch, casually drinking a cold soda.
His now longer hair was tied back—and dyed white.
A result of a recent cosplay event.
Gojo waved it off.
"You're too smart for regular school anyway. As for Megumi—he'll figure it out eventually. Entering the jujutsu world requires resolve."
Shingen narrowed his eyes.
He just wants to stop me from asking questions all the time…
And even though Gojo was technically his teacher—
Shingen was certain he'd just dump everything on Yaga.
Or disappear entirely.
"…Whatever. At least I'll get to see Panda again."
Gojo nodded.
"Panda"—
A mutated cursed corpse created by Masamichi Yaga.
Capable of independent thought and communication.
And yes—
Literally a panda.
Shingen had met him before.
They got along instantly.
Lost in thought—
Shingen suddenly noticed Gojo reappear, holding a long wooden box.
"Surprise!"
Inside—
A bow.
Deep red, with subtle patterns.
No string.
No arrows.
But it radiated cursed energy.
"This is a Grade 1 cursed tool—Exterminator. You form the string and arrows using your cursed energy. Perfect for you."
Shingen's eyes lit up.
He wanted to try it immediately—
But held back.
There would be time later.
With his enrollment confirmed—
There was one last thing to do.
Say goodbye.
Standing at the Fushiguro house—
Shingen knocked.
Megumi opened the door.
"What is it?"
"I'm leaving for Jujutsu High tomorrow. Thought I'd say goodbye."
"Then just go. No need to make a big deal out of it."
"Wrong. I'm here to say goodbye to your sister. Don't get the wrong idea."
"…Tch."
After hearing the news, Tsumiki congratulated him warmly.
She even prepared a full meal for him.
As he left, Shingen waved.
"I'll come visit!"
And with that—
He stepped forward.
Toward the world he had been waiting for.