JJK: Hourglass - CH11

[Nanashi POV]

Everything hurts.

Apparently, being tossed in an abandoned school like a rag doll, flying through several concrete walls, one after the other, curse energy or not, has some repercussions.

But hey, every cloud has its silver lining, right? In my case, that lining is that I can now use curse energy.

Talking about curse energy, it felt weird.

Like, how you would expect Ki, Chakra or Spiritual Energy to feel, you know… from Naruto and Dragon Ball, it felt like what you would imagine the characters in those worlds felt using their respective powers.

It was hard to explain in words.

Just as I was trying to wrap my head around the newfound abilities and comparing them to every anime reference I could muster or remember, the door to my room burst open with such force that it wasn't just off its hinges, it was on a one-way flight through the open window, achieving more airtime than should be possible.

I sighed, rubbing my temples.

There, framed in the now doorless entryway, stood Gojo Satoru, his usual too-cool-for-school grin plastered across his face. "Time for class," he announced, as if making dramatic entrances was a prerequisite for teaching at Jujutsu High.

I blinked, processing the scene. "You know, most people use a bell or, I don't know, a gentle knock? Ever heard of those?"

Gojo, unfazed as ever, simply stepped over the threshold of my now less private room. "Bells and knocks are for the mundane and weak. Plus, this way is much more fun. Now, get up; Nanashi-kun, we've got a lot to cover today."

I glanced at the remnants of my door outside the window, then back at him. "So…. Should I repair the door? Or the school will?"

He just shrugged "No idea, and don’t care, now move it.”

—————————————-

The walk to the training field was a short one, but it gave me enough time to mentally prepare for what was coming next.

This would be the first time since I came here, and by came here I mean since I was kidnapped, that I would spar with the others while actually using curse energy.

As we approached the training grounds, I could see Maki, Panda, and Yuta waiting, it seemed like Sushi boy was missing. Maki was sharpening her weapon, Panda was sitting cross-legged in what appeared to be a meditative stance, that or sleeping, and Yuta was flipping through what looked like notes or perhaps a manual of some kind.

"Wait no more!" Gojo exclaimed, as if our arrival was the most anticipated event of the day. "We have arrived! So rejoice!"

Maki looked up, her expression one of annoyance. “You’re late, again…”

“I got lost in the way of life,” Gojo replied, nodding to himself. “Anywho my dear grumpy frumpy student, today you will spar with Nanashi-kun.”

Maki stood, her weapon now at her side, a slight smile playing on her lips. "You said he improved a lot, so I hope this time he gives me a challenge."

“I will try my best,” I replied with a soft chuckle, wondering if I would be able to avoid the ass kicking I normally get.

———————————————————-

[Satoru Gojo - POV]

Nanashi was a strange kind of prodigy.

Unlike Yuta who absorbed anything he was taught, Nanashi learned at an average pace, however… There was something special about that kid.

Right now, like always Maki was kicking his ass, her attacks a relentless chain of steel and agility.

However, unlike the prior spars, this time; there was something fascinating happening with Nanashi's curse energy.

Each of Maki's well-placed hits that should be landing with significant impact, were being absorbed, dampened by a shimmering layer of curse energy that flares up around Nanashi with every strike. The beautiful part is, that it’s not just defensive; it's reactive, acting on an instinctual level that's rare even among seasoned sorcerers.

Most interestingly, the pace at which Nanashi's curse energy reacts is astonishing, mirroring the speed of only a few sorcerers can ever hope to reach. This isn't the clumsy, erratic flaring of curse energy you'd expect from a novice. No, this is something else entirely, something... innate.

A slow grin spreads across my face as I observe, arms crossed. While Maki is clearly the dominant force in this fight, her skills honed through years of training and battle. Nanashi's raw, untapped potential was stealing the show, speaking volumes about the kind of sorcerer Nanashi will become.

What's most compelling is the sheer instinctual nature of Nanashi's power. There's no conscious effort, no deliberate manipulation of curse energy; it's all happening reflexively, protecting, defending, learning. It's a rare gift, the ability to synchronize so deeply with one's own curse energy that it acts of its own accord, anticipating and reacting to threats with the kind of speed and efficiency that I've only seen a few times.

Yuta and him were monsters in the making. And it would only be a matter of time before they reached me.

I would never tell them that though. I had a sexy reputation to maintain, but I had to admit I was happy with the idea.

Being the strongest was great, but it was a lonely place at the top. And what I wanted the most, was a world where others could stand as my equals.

And through them, I could see it happening.

“Uncle! I said uncle woman!” Nanashi yelled out, half-joking, half-seriously pleading as Maki's relentless assault finally pushed him to the ground, albeit cushioned by a last-minute flare of curse energy that softened the landing.

“Ha! I win again! Maki 123, Nanashi 0,” Maki stated proudly.

I chuckled.

Oh Maki, enjoy the win streak while it lasts, from now on… his growth will be exponential.