Ten years had passed. In that time, countless things had changed—people, circumstances, and even the world itself.
Gojo Satoru was no longer as reckless or carefree as he once was. Geto Suguru had grown gentler, shaped by time and experience. Even James himself—once as sharp and aloof as an unsheathed blade—had undergone quiet changes few ever noticed.
He stood atop a rocky cliff, wind tousling his coat as he opened his status panel.
Name: James
Strength: Level 2
Spiritual Power: 500/500 (Maximum possible for a human in this world)
Basic Skills:
Swordsmanship — Grandmaster (44/1,000,000)
Medicine & Poison — Proficient
Combat Mastery — Grandmaster (10,000/1,000,000)
Supernatural Powers:
Extreme Yang Breathing Technique — Full Concentration: Extreme (Limit Broken)
Sun Breathing — Full Concentration: Extreme (Limit Broken)
Red Blade — Limit Broken
Transparent World — Limit Broken
Breathing Technique Fusion — Limit Broken (10,000/1,000,000)
Black Flash — Limit Broken
Cursed Technique Mastery — Limit Broken
Kidō — ???
Shunpo — Limit Broken (400,000/500,000)
Instantaneous Step — Limit Broken (90,000/500,000)
Reversal Technique — Grandmaster (30,000/50,000)
Domain Expansion — Spiritual Trillion Soul Avenue Realm (Non-Upgradable)
Temporary Talent: None
Item in Possession: Yamamoto Genryūsai's Lifetime Combat Experience
Evaluation: Second-Level Elite Sorcerer
Once a person reached James's level, progress became painstakingly slow. It could take decades just to move forward one small step. His recent growth was largely thanks to the combat experience inherited from Captain Yamamoto. There was a stark difference between learning alone and being guided by the footsteps of a true master.
Still, even with such a foundation, once one reached the Grandmaster realm, improvement became like chiseling through mountains with a spoon.
James estimated that reaching even halfway through the Grandmaster level in Jujutsu Kaisen's world was likely his limit. Going beyond would require either entry into higher-dimensional worlds or extended lifespans.
But there was no need for that—at least, not yet.
Ten years in this world was more than enough. The accumulated knowledge and training were sufficient for nearly any situation. He was prepared.
Still, there was one more task to complete before the end.
James turned his eyes to the young man training nearby—Itadori Yuji, standing on the edge of a cliff, muscles tense, expression focused.
In his hands were two raw eggs, and cursed energy flowed carefully through them.
The wind from the canyon roared upward, tugging at his clothes, threatening to knock him off balance.
But Itadori didn't even flinch.
His physical fitness really is outstanding, James thought. As expected of a top-level athlete.
"Don't crush the eggs," James shouted suddenly. "Or you won't get lunch!"
Startled, Itadori nearly slipped. The dirt beneath his feet crumbled, and a few pebbles tumbled into the canyon.
This canyon wasn't natural. It had been sliced into the earth by James himself during his battle against Tenshaku. Far from the city and hidden from tourists, the remote terrain was ideal for specialized training.
James had devised this little exercise on the spot—he handed Itadori two pheasant eggs and told him to stand at the cliff's edge, buffeted by the wind. The goal? Train his cursed energy control and physical balance.
Itadori was a Black Flash user, yet still unable to reliably trigger it. How shameful, James thought. He needs to do better.
He slurped loudly from a cup of instant noodles as he watched. The aroma drifted across the canyon.
Itadori gulped. His Adam's apple bobbed with hunger.
"Focus. And listen up."
James pointed his fork at him like a sword. His piercing eyes, shimmering with blue light, seemed to see through flesh and into the soul. The shadows twisted around them, as though another world were watching.
"That's not how you punch. And that's not how you use Black Flash. If you want to surpass me, the bare minimum is being able to use it with 100% consistency."
"100%...?" Itadori muttered in disbelief.
"Don't act like it's impossible. I can do it."
James didn't even blink. He wasn't bragging—it was just fact.
"And another thing. Stop thinking of Black Flash as something that can only be triggered by a punch. That's too narrow. Think bigger."
Black Flash was triggered when the impact of cursed energy aligned with a physical blow within 0.000001 seconds. The resulting spatial distortion caused a power output based on the 2.5th power of average cursed energy and physical strength.
If that was the case—why not with a kick? A headbutt? A throw?
"Use your imagination. You've got the instincts. Now expand your limits."
Itadori fell into deep thought, his grip loosening...
Crack!
The eggs shattered in his hands. Sticky yellow goo oozed between his fingers.
"Ah—! Nooooo! My lunch...!"
James sighed and tossed him two more eggs. Itadori caught them reflexively.
The pheasant nearby blinked, utterly confused.
"Finally," James said seriously, "You need to discover your innate technique."
Itadori's eyes widened.
"But... they already said I don't have one."
James smiled faintly.
"No. You do. You just haven't awakened it yet. I'll help you."
Inside his soul, Sukuna stirred.
The King of Curses narrowed his eyes and observed James in silence, intrigued.
---
Time passed quickly. A month later, Itadori's training had ended.
The incident involving Jujutsu High School was slowly settling down. A new tournament was held—this time as a ring battle, far less chaotic than the last event.
Tokyo Jujutsu High came out on top effortlessly.
More accurately—Okkotsu Yūta did. His power continued to skyrocket. Even Gojo Satoru, with his Six Eyes, was surprised.
This boy… he might really reach our level someday...
---
Far away, on Kyushu Island, deep within a ruined village...
A giant toad-like cursed spirit was snoring in its den. Its bulging body was covered in wart-like lumps, each of which opened into small, blinking eyes.
This creature held an enormous reserve of cursed energy—clearly a special-grade cursed spirit.
Suddenly, a red-and-black blur crept toward it with quiet steps. The cursed spirit's many eyes twitched.
A figure emerged from the shadows.
It was Itadori Yuji.
Under the moonlight, his dark pink hair glinted subtly. His expression was calm, but fire burned behind his eyes.
He raised his right fist. Cursed energy rippled violently across it, crackling with black lightning.
He stepped forward—and stomped his left foot with explosive force.
BOOM!
The impact shook the ground and startled the cursed spirit awake. But by the time it opened its grotesque eyes, it was already too late.
BAM!
Itadori's right hook crashed into its face like a meteor, a Black Flash detonating at the moment of impact.
The toad soared into the sky, squealing in shock and pain.
Itadori didn't stop.
He dashed after it, breath steady, cursed energy surging.
He reached its descent point and pivoted. His right leg arced in a wide sweep—
CRACK!
A devastating kick to the belly sent another Black Flash rippling through the monster's body. Lightning exploded from the point of contact, snaking through its flesh.
The cursed spirit coughed up a thick spray of blood.
It tried to activate Domain Expansion in desperation.
But another stomp landed directly on its head.
SLAM!
The earth shattered. Its face smashed into the ground, the technique disrupted before it could be formed.
Itadori didn't let up.
One, two, three, four...
Every strike carried a precise Black Flash. The earth quaked with each blow.
At last, the cursed spirit let out a dying gurgle and dissolved into ash.
From behind a tree, James finally stepped forward.
He crossed his arms and gave a rare smile.
"Well done," he said. "You can now be called a proper first-grade sorcerer."
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