Chapter Summaries

Qingxiao rushed to reunite with Nagayumi Jin, unaware that Kenjaku had taken over his body. When Kenjaku's question revealed she did not know a private phrase, Qingxiao recognized the deception and attacked her.

• Qingxiao hurried to the alley after receiving an assignment and finding Nagayumi Jin's name on the file.
• Kenjaku finished taking over Nagayumi Jin's body and began studying his memories.
• Qingxiao arrived, grabbed Kenjaku's wrist, and greeted her as his long-missed friend.
• Qingxiao noticed that Kenjaku's manner and presence differed from Nagayumi Jin's and questioned her about her forehead stitches.
• Kenjaku asked what “Hajimi, north, south, mung beans” meant, and Qingxiao demanded to know who she was.
• Qingxiao struck Kenjaku in the face with a powerful blow of cursed energy.

Qingxiao struck Kenjaku with a Black Flash, then interrupted his attempt to expand his domain by hurling a utility pole at him. Kenjaku struggled to keep pace as Qingxiao pressed him with relentless close-range attacks.

• Qingxiao's Black Flash smashed Kenjaku through a wall and severely injured him.
• Kenjaku healed his wounds with reversed Cursed Energy and realized that residual memories and the feeling of reuniting with an old acquaintance had clouded his judgment.
• Kenjaku began to expand his domain, but Qingxiao tore a concrete utility pole from the ground and hurled it at him, interrupting the domain.
• Qingxiao closed in and launched a relentless assault, leaving Kenjaku unable to keep up with his immature body's reactions and sluggish Cursed Energy pathways.

Qingxiao overwhelmed Kenjaku in close combat until Kenjaku broke a fire hydrant and used the water to strengthen his Water Flow Cursed Technique, combining it with gravity to force a stalemate. As both continued fighting, an urgent presence approached through the sky.

• Qingxiao repeatedly struck Kenjaku, who blocked and retreated while relying on Reverse Cursed Technique to recover.
• Kenjaku spotted an intact fire hydrant, then used the force of Qingxiao's punch to create space and burst its valve with Cursed Energy.
• Kenjaku controlled the rushing water with his Water Flow Cursed Technique, sending whips and blades at Qingxiao and limiting his movement.
• Kenjaku spread his Gravity Cursed Technique around himself, slowing Qingxiao and coordinating it with the water to halt his charge.
• Qingxiao and Kenjaku fought through dozens of exchanges as Kenjaku's techniques kept them in a stalemate, and Qingxiao wrongly assumed Kenjaku was nearly out of Cursed Energy.
• An urgent sound of Cursed Energy cutting through the air came from the distant sky.

Qingxiao’s new ally, a second-year senior, trapped Kenjaku under a metal assault, but Kenjaku unleashed his Open Domain and killed him instantly. Kenjaku devoured the senior’s heart to gain metal manipulation, then dispelled his domain and suffered cursed technique burnout as Qingxiao waited outside.

• A second-year senior recognized Qingxiao and attacked Kenjaku with his metal manipulation technique, trapping him beneath a pile of cars and debris.
• Qingxiao warned the senior not to lower his guard, but Kenjaku unleashed Womb Burial Across the Wilds from inside the metal cage and killed him with its sure-hit effect.
• Qingxiao used Simple Domain to resist the attack and escaped before it was eroded, while the senior’s death strengthened his resolve to kill Kenjaku.
• Kenjaku devoured the senior’s heart and gained metal manipulation as Qingxiao watched from outside the domain.
• Kenjaku dispelled Womb Burial Across the Wilds, triggering cursed technique burnout and leaving him unable to use jujutsu.

Qingxiao nearly killed Kenjaku with a Black Flash, but Kenjaku recovered through Reverse Cursed Technique and feigned exhaustion after his burned-out Cursed Technique returned. He caught Qingxiao off guard with Gravity Technique and Metal Manipulation Technique, leaving him gravely injured as Kenjaku believed victory was his.

• Qingxiao struck Kenjaku with a Black Flash that shattered his arms and tore a hole through his abdomen.
• Kenjaku praised Qingxiao's hand-to-hand combat before healing his wounds with Reverse Cursed Technique.
• Qingxiao attacked Kenjaku relentlessly, but Kenjaku repeatedly healed and endured the assault.
• Kenjaku's Cursed Technique burnout ended, and he pretended to be near death to lure Qingxiao into close range.
• Kenjaku ambushed Qingxiao with Gravity Technique and Metal Manipulation Technique, breaking through his defenses and gravely injuring him.
• Kenjaku watched the wounded Qingxiao and believed he had secured victory.

Qingxiao awakened and mastered his unique Reverse Cursed Technique, healing his wounds and turning the battle against Kenjaku. Kenjaku kept him at a distance with a combination of Cursed Techniques, but his dwindling cursed energy left him near defeat.

• As Kenjaku prepared to deliver the final blow, Qingxiao recovered from his injuries and revealed that he had mastered Reverse Cursed Technique through Heavenly Motion.
• Qingxiao declared that he had grasped the core of cursed energy and blamed Kenjaku’s defeat on angering him.
• Kenjaku realized Qingxiao had regained his strength while his own cursed energy was nearly exhausted, so he avoided close combat.
• Kenjaku alternated water blades, gravity, and metal attacks to keep Qingxiao at bay as the two fought across the devastated street.
• Qingxiao steadily dodged and deflected Kenjaku’s attacks while closing the distance, and Kenjaku grew pale, ragged, and increasingly vulnerable.

Kenjaku escaped Qingxiao through a sewer after their battle, leaving a Jujutsu High upperclassman dead. After giving his account and returning to school, Qingxiao was summoned by Lord Tengen to the Tombs of the Star Corridor.

• Kenjaku hurled metal debris at Qingxiao, but Qingxiao struck him hard enough to send him tumbling beside an open sewer, which Kenjaku used to escape.
• Qingxiao mourned the dead upperclassman, vowed to kill Kenjaku, and reflected that mastering Reverse Cursed Technique had turned the battle around.
• Jujutsu High reinforcements arrived, and Qingxiao gave a detailed account of the fight, including that the enemy's body had not originally belonged to him.
• Jujutsu High reported the critical intelligence to its higher-ups, arranged the upperclassman's funeral, secured the street, and brought Qingxiao back to campus to recover.
• A teacher told Qingxiao that Lord Tengen had summoned him to the Tombs of the Star Corridor, and Qingxiao went with the teacher.

Qingxiao met Tengen in the Tombs of the Star Corridor and learned that Kenjaku had possessed Nagayumi Jin, whose soul was gone. After Tengen warned him to keep the secret, Qingxiao obtained permission to study Open Domain techniques and left determined to pursue his training and avenge Jin.

• A teacher escorted Qingxiao to Tengen’s residence and warned him to show proper respect.
• Tengen identified the ancient Sorcerer who fought Qingxiao as Kenjaku and explained her Brain Transplant Technique and how she inherited Nagayumi Jin’s Copy technique.
• Tengen told Qingxiao that Jin’s soul was gone and that his body was only an empty shell, destroying Qingxiao’s hope that his friend could return.
• Qingxiao vowed to keep Kenjaku’s return secret and asked Tengen for Open Domain training materials.
• Tengen agreed to send Qingxiao the materials and warned that his conflict with Kenjaku would continue.

Utahime and Shoko relaxed together, shared their private worries, and discussed Shoko’s crush on a Jujutsu High student who was away on a solo mission. Their conversation ended when Gojo and Geto called them out to hunt the Slit-Mouthed Woman.

• Shoko offered Utahime water, and the two grew comfortable chatting about Jujutsu training and the pressures they faced at Jujutsu High.
• Utahime asked Shoko whether she liked anyone, and Shoko blushed and admitted she did.
• Utahime guessed that Shoko liked Gojo or Geto, but Shoko said her crush was someone else who was away on a solo mission.
• Shoko told Utahime the man should return the next day, leaving her curious to meet him.
• Gojo and Geto knocked on the door and urged Utahime and Shoko to leave for the nighttime hunt for the Slit-Mouthed Woman.

Satoru Gojo, Suguru Geto, Utahime Iori, and Shoko defeated the Slit-Mouthed Woman in a deserted alley through coordinated teamwork. After returning to their hotel to rest, Suguru Geto messaged Qingxiao to come meet them.

• Satoru Gojo volunteered as bait while Suguru Geto, Utahime Iori, and Shoko waited in ambush around the alley.
• The Slit-Mouthed Woman appeared, trapped the alley in a Simple Domain, and asked Satoru Gojo if she was pretty.
• Satoru Gojo answered, dodged her scissors attack, and Utahime Iori sang to amplify his cursed energy as Suguru Geto's cursed spirits restrained her.
• Satoru Gojo struck the Slit-Mouthed Woman with Blue, and Suguru Geto captured her as a Cursed Spirit Orb and swallowed it.
• The four returned to their hotel to rest, and Suguru Geto messaged Qingxiao to come meet them.

After returning to the hotel, Qingxiao told Shoko, Satoru Gojo, and Suguru Geto that Nagayumi Jin had died after Kenjaku possessed him. Shoko comforted Qingxiao through the night, and the group prepared to return to Jujutsu High at dawn, where Utahime Iori learned of the death.

• Qingxiao arrived at the hotel late at night, exhausted and grieving, and told Shoko, Satoru Gojo, and Suguru Geto that Nagayumi Jin was dead.
• Qingxiao recounted how he had encountered Kenjaku, fought him, and discovered that Nagayumi Jin had been possessed.
• Shoko and Suguru Geto comforted Qingxiao, while Satoru Gojo brought beer and grilled meat to help him through the night.
• Satoru Gojo and Suguru Geto fell asleep after drinking, while Shoko held Qingxiao as he grieved and said that they were all he had left.
• At dawn, Shoko suggested that they return to Jujutsu High, and Qingxiao agreed.
• Shoko woke Satoru Gojo, Suguru Geto, and Utahime Iori; Qingxiao told Utahime that Nagayumi Jin had died, leaving her shocked.

After Nagayumi Jin’s death, Qingxiao carved an empty memorial and vowed to kill Kenjaku and reclaim his friend’s body. A year later, the second-years welcomed new students after a disastrous CSGO match left Gojo furious and Qingxiao still annoyed about losing.

• Qingxiao carved a gravestone bearing Nagayumi Jin’s name in Jujutsu High’s back mountain and resolved to kill Kenjaku and bury Jin’s body there.
• Time passed, and Qingxiao, Gojo, Geto, and Shoko advanced to their second year at Jujutsu High.
• During a CSGO match, their random teammate accidentally killed Gojo and himself with a Molotov, costing the group the game.
• Qingxiao covered Shoko’s ears as Gojo cursed at their teammate, while Geto reported the teammate for griefing.
• The four second-years went to the gate to welcome the incoming first-years, with Gojo and Qingxiao still grumbling about the loss.

Qingxiao rescued Nagayumi Jin from a Grade 2 Cursed Spirit and agreed to train him after Jin offered to pay for lessons. Jin explained that he wanted to protect ordinary people, and the two headed back to the villa after training.

• Qingxiao intercepted a Grade 2 Cursed Spirit that was about to kill Nagayumi Jin and defeated it with a punch.
• Nagayumi Jin thanked Qingxiao, introduced himself as a jujutsu sorcerer, and treated him to a buffet meal.
• Nagayumi Jin asked Qingxiao to teach him combat skills, offered two hundred thousand yen per day, and explained that his cursed technique was Copy, though he had not copied a technique yet.
• Qingxiao trained Nagayumi Jin in the mountains, and Jin said he wanted to exorcise cursed spirits and protect innocent people.
• As they walked toward the villa, Qingxiao hummed a tune, and Nagayumi Jin asked what it meant.

Yu Haibara and Kento Nanami arrived at Tokyo Jujutsu High and were welcomed by the second-years, who quickly turned the introductions into a Counter-Strike gaming session. After two weeks of training and settling in, Suguru Geto announced that the two first-years were ready for their first mission.

• Yu Haibara and Kento Nanami introduced themselves to the second-years at the school gates.
• Satoru Gojo proposed a five-person Counter-Strike game, and Suguru Geto welcomed the newcomers and explained the school rules.
• Qingxiao led the group to the cafeteria and then to the dorm, where the students started gaming together.
• Yu Haibara and Kento Nanami admitted they were inexperienced at the game, and Qingxiao later noted that Haibara had made little progress after two weeks.
• Suguru Geto told the group that Yu Haibara and Kento Nanami would take their first mission.

Qingxiao took Yu Haibara and Kento Nanami on their first Jujutsu mission after Shoko declined to join that afternoon but hinted she was free the next day. At an abandoned residential building, Nanami exorcised a Grade 4 Cursed Spirit, while another attacked Qingxiao from behind.

• Qingxiao asked Satoru Gojo and Suguru Geto to lead the mission, but both declined because they were resting and handling Cursed Tool work, respectively.
• Qingxiao invited Shoko, who declined because she had plans with Utahime Iori but quietly said she was free tomorrow.
• Qingxiao set out with Yu Haibara and Kento Nanami for their first live Jujutsu combat mission.
• At the abandoned building, the Assistant Supervisor cast a Curtain, and Qingxiao led the two newcomers inside.
• A Grade 4 Cursed Spirit swooped at Haibara and Nanami; Nanami used the Ratio Technique to exorcise it in one blow.
• Another Cursed Spirit lunged at Qingxiao from behind.

Qingxiao helped Yu Haibara and Kento Nanami complete their first mission, then encountered Shoko and Utahime Iori outside a milk tea shop. After paying for their drinks and saying goodbye, he walked away while Utahime teased Shoko about liking him.

• Qingxiao effortlessly exorcised a Grade 3 cursed spirit and left the remaining two spirits for Yu Haibara and Kento Nanami to handle.
• Yu Haibara and Kento Nanami exorcised the last two cursed spirits, and Qingxiao told them to coordinate the mission follow-up with the assistant supervisor.
• Qingxiao left the abandoned apartment building and encountered Shoko and Utahime Iori outside a milk tea shop.
• Qingxiao told Shoko that he had taken Yu Haibara and Kento Nanami through their first real battle, then paid for Shoko and Utahime Iori's drinks.
• After Qingxiao left, Utahime Iori teased Shoko about liking him, and Shoko quietly agreed.

While browsing the Jujutsu Market, Qingxiao met Tao Gang, the craftsman who had forged his Weighted Ring. After learning Qingxiao used it for training and valued it, Tao Gang invited him into his smithy.

• Qingxiao decided to visit the Jujutsu Market while wandering through the city.
• Tao Gang stopped Qingxiao and claimed he had forged the ring on his hand.
• Qingxiao recognized Tao Gang and explained that he had obtained the ring from Jujutsu High's Cursed Tool Repository, where Yuki Tsukumo had sold it.
• Tao Gang assumed Qingxiao wore the ring as an ornament, but Qingxiao praised its usefulness for training.
• Tao Gang, stunned by Qingxiao's appreciation, told him to come inside and headed into the smithy.

Tao Gang gave Qingxiao the cursed knuckle dusters Xiqu, which he had forged to reproduce Qingxiao’s imaginary mass technique. After Qingxiao demonstrated their power, Tao Gang declared him Xiqu’s destined owner and gave them to him, and Qingxiao promised to make Xiqu famous throughout Jujutsu Society.

• Tao Gang showed Qingxiao the knuckle dusters Xiqu and explained how his unique forging technique replicated Qingxiao’s cursed technique.
• Qingxiao put on Xiqu, infused them with cursed energy, and learned that only two of Tao Gang’s replicated cursed tools had been completed successfully.
• Qingxiao punched a specialized steel pillar and broke it in half with Xiqu.
• Tao Gang refused payment and gave Xiqu to Qingxiao, saying they were a match made in heaven.
• Qingxiao promised Tao Gang that he would make Xiqu’s name known throughout Jujutsu Society.

Qingxiao joined Satoru Gojo, Shoko, and Suguru Geto on an impromptu trip to Hokkaido, where their seaside fishing turned into a playful contest. After two rods snapped on large fish, the group bought sturdier gear, but only caught small fish afterward.

• Satoru Gojo persuaded Qingxiao, Shoko, and Suguru Geto to fly to Hokkaido for a seaside getaway.
• Satoru Gojo bought a haul of local desserts, then convinced the group to go fishing after breakfast.
• Satoru Gojo's rented rod snapped when a fish bit, and Qingxiao caught a large fish before his own rod broke and the fish escaped.
• Qingxiao and Satoru Gojo jokingly competed over the size of their escaped fish, then bought four professional fishing rods.
• The group caught only small fish with their new rods and released them back into the sea.

After the others returned to the hotel, Qingxiao and Shoko Ieiri walked together along the beach, sharing a quiet evening. Shoko hinted at her feelings, but Qingxiao missed the confession, and they ended the night enjoying each other’s company.

• Suguru Geto suggested returning to the hotel, and Satoru Gojo teased Qingxiao and Shoko Ieiri before leaving them alone on the beach.
• Qingxiao asked Shoko to walk with him, and they strolled hand in hand beside the water.
• Shoko recalled Utahime Iori encouraging her to be bolder, then told Qingxiao, “The moon is beautiful tonight.”
• Qingxiao took Shoko’s words literally, and she laughed before changing the subject to their peaceful evening without missions or injuries.
• Shoko pinched Qingxiao’s arm, and he nervously claimed he had tensed his muscles so they would feel nicer to touch.
• Shoko told Qingxiao she had fun that night, and he awkwardly agreed as they continued walking together.