Episode 20: Nonstandard
Back in third grade,
I beat up a cocky high schooler.
Even if he was older, cocky is still cocky.
He mocked me.
And when I feel like I'm being mocked,
that's when the gong rings on the fight.
It wasn't that fun.
Trouncing a boring guy was naturally boring too.
Nice fight, boy!
What kind of woman is your type?
Who are you?
I had a feeling that I wouldn't be bored for long.
It's time to unleash my technique!
Huh? Didn't you use it before?
However! I have no time to explain my technique!
So I've got only one thing to say.
Don't stop!
Believe in me!
Okay! That's two, though!
Let's analyze our opponent's cards.
There are roots that emerge from the ground.
That one probably gains power and speed the more it limits quantity and range.
Wooden Ball.
Each ball can attack once or twice, and then it's spent.
They can remain airborne, and I have to watch for delayed activation.
Cursed Bud.
That's probably what Fushiguro got hit with.
Is it game over with just one hit?
Hopefully it can't fire too many of them.
Flower Field.
It's supposed to get your guard down,
but its injuries are affecting this ability.
Nothing to be afraid of.
Then there's that unleashed left arm.
There's also the possibility that all of these are just bluffs!
But it doesn't matter how powerful a technique is if you never let them activate it!
Even accounting for any unexpected situations thanks to my 530,000 IQ,
Self-Proclaimed IQ: 530,000
my galaxy-brain CPU produces only one conclusion:
Victory!
Because I'm not alone.
Brother!
It's because I have you!
Todo!
That's one down.
Oh, Todo!
I see.
It's a simple...
and therefore a troublesome technique.
Exactly.
My technique swaps my position with my opponent's.
Boogie Woogie!
Todo!
Shh! We'll end this before it gets used to it.
By the way,
clapping my hands...
is the trigger to activate it!
Their builds are too different!
There's a big difference after they swap!
Is he swapping with me?
Or is he swapping with Sukuna's vessel?
Every time he claps, that split-second decision makes my thoughts falter!
This isn't good! I can't...
...break out of this!
They're using that again!
Using Black Flash consecutively isn't anything amazing.
Kento Nanami, record holder for consecutive Black Flash uses, speaks
Using it more than twice in a row, or on the same day might be difficult.
It doesn't matter if the first time was pure luck or skill.
Once they land a Black Flash,
sorcerers temporarily enter a state athletes call "the zone".
The otherwise conscious manipulation of cursed energy
becomes as natural as breathing.
There's a sense of omnipotence, as if everything else revolves around them.
That might be a good way to put it.
My record?
Four times.
I just got lucky.
Black Flash!
Brother,
I always get that feeling from you!
Black Flash!
Three in a row!
Don't get cocky!
Swapping positions?!
What I have to be wary of right now
is Sukuna's...
They didn't swap?!
A clap doesn't necessarily mean I'm activating my technique!
It's a simple but effective trick, wouldn't you say?
I'm getting that same feeling that I wouldn't be bored for long!
Black Flash!
JUJUTSU KAISEN
It's attacking before each swap!
It's getting used to Todo's technique!
But that Black Flash barrage definitely did some damage.
We can exorcise it!
Together!
This is the first time I've taken so much damage,
and despite that...
the thrill of the battle remains strong!
His technique reveal was full of lies!
He can make others swap places as well!
Todo!
He's protecting me!
Not to worry, Brother!
By using everything I've got to harden my body with cursed energy,
I'll easily repel these buds!
Are you sure about that?
T-Takada?!
You remember Fushiguro's injuries?
Of course I do!
Those are the same cursed buds that are coming for me as we speak!
That's why I'm—
But remember,
Fushiguro's buds grew a bit.
You think it grew by sucking his blood?
Sure, that's one possibility.
But the opponent is a cursed spirit.
What do you think is more likely?
Cursed energy!
Happened in 0.01 seconds
He dispelled his cursed energy at the last moment!
He figured it out?!
The harder they defend with cursed energy,
the stronger those buds become!
Her next one's the national?
National Handshake Event
I'll have to thank her then,
won't I?
Hey, special grade,
I know you've realized I didn't tell you the whole truth.
But there's one more thing you need to think about:
What counts as a target for Boogie Woogie!
What can I swap within the range of my technique?
Only living things?
Non!
My technique works on cursed corpses and inanimate objects as well.
So, the answer is:
anything that possesses cursed energy above a certain level!
Tell me, special grade, have you noticed?
We're back at that spot again.
This is where it lies waiting!
Maki's special grade cursed tool is in the riverbed.
The branches on its face are especially fragile.
The river?!
What did I even swap places with?
Special grade cursed tool,
Playful Cloud!
Even a blow from a special grade cursed tool imbued with my cursed energy
wasn't enough?
Plants do not embrace cursed energy.
My left arm takes the life energy of plants and converts it to cursed energy.
But that energy doesn't come to me.
It all goes to this flower offering.
I would've liked to avoid using this.
Todo!
Stay away, brother!
It's gonna be an incredible blast of cursed energy!
However, you can easily avoid it with your technique.
So what shall I do?
Domain Ex—
The curtain?!
I see.
I thought he sounded pretty good without an amp,
but this geezer is the amp himself.
His technique amplifies the tune he plays and launches it as cursed energy.
He's a predictable mid-range fighter.
He obviously doesn't want people closing in on him.
I'll make a wallet out of you!
One infused with the essence of old man stink!
Roger that.
Nishimiya, you keep going too, and head to Shoko.
It's all right.
Mei has eyes on Miwa.
Thank goodness we still have reception.
Guess that makes sense, given the effect of the curtain.
Someone at Jujutsu High is working with a curse user or maybe a cursed spirit.
Looks like he wasn't mistaken.
Huh?
I thought I cut you for sure.
A human?
The curse user?!
There I go again...
It's nice, isn't it?
Juzo made it for me.
Didn't you run into him earlier?
You're weak, so even your sword will hold your hand.
...he said.
So, what are you gonna give me?
I bet you're not popular with the ladies!
You meet someone new, and all you do is talk about yourself.
I'd charge you for this.
What makes you think you're a good enough listener to charge for it?
You guys!
Shut up! This isn't the time to be picking fights!
Wow! So many girls!
I'm so popular!
Are you even listening?
I'll back you up. Just make sure you don't get caught in some friendly fire.
You better watch out!
The curtain is gone?!
For real?
Has it even been thirty minutes?
Time to run!
What was his deal?
Hey, hey, hey, hey!
I can see that slick hanger rack!
Well, then.
Where should I start?
Huh?
Looks like our time is up.
Huh? Gojo-sensei?!
Yuji is on a much higher level than before.
I see, Aoi!
Of course he'd work well with Yuji.
Looks like they're fighting the special grade,
but I shouldn't have to worry about them.
In that case, let's start with...
You.
Rack! Rack! Rack!
Don't kill him!
We have a lot to ask this guy.
Don't let him die on us.
Go on, treat him.
The guy near Utahime disappeared.
Seems that running away was an option from the start.
All that's left is that one?
One adept at running too.
Yuji and the others are a little far away.
Oh, well.
Guess I'll be a little rough.
Cursed Technique Lapse: Blue.
Cursed Technique Reversal: Red.
I'm withdrawing.
I'm not arrogant enough to face Satoru Gojo.
Don't you dare!
What were you all trying to do here?!
Hold it, Brother!
Why are you stopping me, Todo?!
Don't take another step forward.
Or you'll get caught in it.
Hollow...
Purple!
He's just as nonstandard as ever.
I can't even tell if it was exorcised or not.
Ow! It hurts!
Quiet!
Yay!
That settles everything!
Or, I guess it doesn't.
I wonder if Hanami is okay.
Mission accomplished.
Juju Stroll
Juju Stroll.
Salmon!
Question: Dogs or cats?
Question: Are you a dog person or a cat person?
Dog?
No, maybe cat?
Wait, maybe dog if it's a big dog!
Dog.
Dog, I think?
What? I'd definitely go for cats.
Salmon.
The answer is obviously pandas!
You got a death wish?! Huh?!
Everyone hates me...
don't they?
Well, there were only two choices.
Just leave him be.
Third Base
Nobara Kugisaki
Awaiting credit card approval. Too hard for a high schooler, maybe?
Episode 21: Jujutsu Koshien