Reincarnated in Jujutsu Kaisen as Hashirama Senju

Leaving the classroom and heading into the hallway after their teacher's extravagant speech and the introduction of their future comrade, a Special Grade, the atmosphere seemed a bit tense between the two of them.

And by the two of them, I mean Yuta and Maki. For some reason, Maki seemed bothered by our new companion's apparent weakness. I dared to assume she simply disliked him because of the kind of curse he carried, although I wouldn't say it's exactly that...

Both Maki and Yuta were reluctant to make contact or even speak to each other. Maki walked down the hallway in her typical tsundere way, unwilling to show weakness to absolutely anyone.

To break the ice between them, I decided to speak up, trying to use the charisma inherited by this body.

"So, Toge, Panda, and my brother will go one way, while I, Okkotsu-san, and Maki will go the other, right?" Hashirama asked as casually as possible, drawing everyone's attention.

With a slight nod from Tobirama, Panda, and Toge, and a nervous look from Yuta, who still didn't know what Gojo-sensei's mission was about, we continued on our way until we reached the school entrance, where our teacher awaited us with two black cars, doors wide open.

To my not-so-amazing surprise, our shameless teacher had been abusing the Shadow Clone Jutsu excessively—buying sweets, wandering around, even traveling, or creating a system of clones to handle daily chores were all things our wonderful sensei would do in his free time.

As you might imagine, the one who brought Yuta to the classroom was a clone of Gojo-sensei. That's how lazy this guy was. But no, there's more—a certain person was affected by this technique, a technique she described as an "albino hell on earth." Utahime-sensei was deeply affected the last time she encountered Satoru-sensei; she almost lost it after seeing so many Satorus in one place.

With a sigh, everyone got into their respective cars. However, Itama stayed outside, holding his right arm, which was fully bandaged. Dressed in his high-neck Jujutsu uniform and loose pants (in the purest Geto style), he entered the car, being one of the tallest, only surpassed by Satoru Gojo. Yuta, on the other hand, ended up sitting in the middle with Maki beside him, her arms crossed, showing an attractive pair of crossed legs.

*Timeskip.*

Standing in front of a school that looked somewhat gloomy but in good physical condition, Gojo led the way with his typical smile.

"Where are we?"

"In an abandoned elementary school with missing children," said Satoru calmly, looking at Yuta, who was visibly nervous.

With a bored look and his hands in his pockets, Hashirama decided to think introspectively.

'I still have a lot to master in Mokuton. I can use all the jutsus demonstrated by Hashirama, but I doubt there would have been more. Other than that, I don't have many jutsus. There were more jutsus of all the elements, but none for the Kekkei Genkai Mokuton…

It's really disappointing, but it's to be expected. I'm probably the first Mokuton user in some time, or maybe even in the clan's history. If there were still members of the Senju clan out there besides us or people familiar with the Senju clan and its history, I'm sure I could verify if there was anyone like me...

If it weren't for the Zen'in and the Gojo eliminating every trace of the Senju clan possible, I might have a more reliable source of information. The things Butsuma told me were only the general history of the clan, nothing more...

Now, back to the main topic—I think I'll have to create my own techniques and modify to my liking the little I remember from the anime.' As much as he tried to remember some Wood Jutsus from the anime, he couldn't. But it was understandable. They never showed many jutsus that could be executed on a decent scale; Yamato was the one who could represent these ideas, but since he wasn't Yamato, his growth rate should be greater than the one mentioned…

However, his control over the other elements was more than decent. Born with a natural affinity for them, thanks to his prodigy brother Tobirama, who also had an affinity for various elements, he managed to master the basics—Wind, Water, and Earth. Lightning and Fire were too advanced for him...

Once sensei unleashed his Barrier, he immediately moved away from where Yuta and Maki were previously standing, walking cheerfully. However, he stopped right next to them before leaving, not even turning to look, snapping him out of his thoughts.

"Watch him. If Rika breaks loose, you can intervene only when absolutely necessary. If things go wrong and you think you can't control the danger, raise your cursed energy as a signal, and I'll step in."

Gojo commented in a tone oscillating between serious and neutral before continuing to walk outside the veil. Gojo feared no death; he was the strongest. However, Hashirama was a future promise in the world of Jujutsu, the only one who could counteract his infinity and potentially surpass him one day. Inside, Gojo relished the opportunity to face someone of his level, someone who could help him bear the burden of being the strongest…

For this, he needed those he had the most hope in to experience the danger of a Real Special Grade.

If Hashirama could face a Second Grade before even meeting him and survive, barely knowing anything about Sorcery, he was sure this boy could fill his place if he wasn't around…

Once Gojo left the barrier, Hashirama stayed behind, obeying his teacher's instructions to stay back and only intervene when necessary.

Looking ahead, Maki took up her guard, warning Yuta about the enemies in front of her, moving gracefully and precisely like a deadly dance. Maki would let out her iconic phrase, "Weak curses attack in groups," as she swiftly destroyed the weak curses, probably Grade 4, around her.

With an annoyed smile, Maki and Yuta ventured into the abandoned school while Hashirama followed them with a lazy look. At one point, Maki became so irritated that she asked to see Yuta's ID card to check his grade, and... surprise! Yuta was Special Grade, which left Hashirama astonished; he was First Grade. Was his sensei crazy?

There was no way he could face someone cursed by a Special Grade curse, much less.

His eyes began to narrow at the words that the bandaged idiot had said to him just a few moments ago.

'Sensei... how do you expect me to act in the face of what's probably my death? I can activate the wood golem, but I don't know if, at my current level, it'll have any effect on Rika.'

"I suppose I'll have to improvise."

With a low murmur, his words were quickly drowned out as Yuta's trembling voice called out both his and Zen'in's names.

"Ze-Zen'in-san, Sen-Senju-san."

Nervously, Yuta pointed his arm at a grotesque blue curse, a large and morbid creature resembling an insect with bulging eyes.

Hashirama's eyes widened, surprised at the sight of another curse, likely at least Special Grade, in the area.

"WHAT THE HELL-" At a speed that he barely managed to react to, he was hurled out of the building with his arms raised in a high guard, bracing for the impact caused by the large blue curse's hand, which tore part of the school apart, revealing itself in all its gruesome splendor.

Crashing onto the ground in the school's entryway, he quickly stood up with only a few wounds, which his Senju genes promptly healed.

He saw his comrades being swallowed into the curse's mouth, devoured whole.

'How did I not notice?' Hashirama thought, his gaze hardening on the curse, which spoke and seemed self-aware.

"Thanks for the meal." With those words, the curse rubbed its stomach, looking up at the sky as if it didn't consider him a threat.

"Damn…" Grinding his teeth, Hashirama didn't waste a second. Crouching down, he made a big leap without using cursed energy, leaving a crater in the ground.

Landing silently on the roof, he focused his gaze directly on the curse, which lazily rubbed its belly. However, as it noticed him, an oppressive aura fell over Hashirama.

Feeling like he couldn't breathe, he concentrated on the enemy before him. "I know sensei said not to get involved, but…" With a determined look, Hashirama used the snake seal, placing his palms on the ground and releasing his overwhelming cursed energy. He summoned to the battlefield a figure that might be the only one able to face this towering being, silently proclaiming in his mind, "Mokuton: Mokujin no Jutsu—Wood Style: Wood Golem Jutsu."

With a thunderous crash, an immense wooden ogre, a hulking figure with massive teeth, rose to the same height as the curse in front of him, barely clearing the rooftop.

Feeling a sharp decline in his cursed energy, Hashirama started to frown as he noticed his energy being drained little by little by this technique.

The wooden ogre launched itself at the massive curse with impressive speed, causing the creature to barely have time to react.

The force of both beasts caused the school roof to collapse, creating a giant dust cloud. With the ogre dominating the strength battle, it was forced to jump back as another arm grew from the curse.

Taking some distance, Hashirama managed to leap over the creature's head…

"I only have 3 minutes left before my cursed energy runs out…"

However, as his tension grew, another cursed energy would emerge on the battlefield, belonging to none of those present—it was coming from within the Special Grade curse before him.

From its stomach, something even more grotesque started to pound.

As if straight out of a horror movie, a grotesque curse burst from its stomach, its lower jaw extending outward, with sharp, long lower teeth. Its upper body was white and muscular, with sharp claws on its hands, while the lower half consisted only of a black tail, with what seemed like an eye closed tight and several tails or tentacles connected to the back of its neck.

Hashirama's eyes widened in shock. "So this is Orimoto Rika…"

The energy emanating from this creature surpassed his own, which was already quite prominent; this curse outclassed him in every way.

With great violence, Rika began to pummel the curse, now split in half, disfiguring it completely.

Hashirama's expression changed as his senses screamed for him to look down. He saw Yuta carrying Maki and two other children, performing a feat of strength that went beyond his usual limits. At great speed, the ogre grabbed Yuta and brought him closer to Hashirama.

Or at least, that would have happened if Rika hadn't noticed the wooden ogre holding Yuta and charged straight at them.

In a desperate attempt to prevent Rika Orimoto's curse—a completely out-of-control Special Grade entity—from hurting any of his allies, Hashirama mentally commanded his summoned creature. The ogre needed to throw itself at Rika, and it obeyed immediately, intercepting her just in time.

With superhuman agility, Hashirama jumped from the ogre's head and, without wasting a second, summoned several wood clones that emerged from his body. These clones moved with precision, catching Yuta, Maki, and the other children before they could get caught in the chaos.

The clones quickly withdrew, taking them to a safe place, while Rika's fury continued to grow, feeding her cursed energy into a torrent of wild and murderous rage.

Hashirama frowned. He knew he couldn't harm Rika in his current state, but he needed to buy some time, even if only a little. His thoughts raced, searching for strategies that could stop her or, at the very least, slow her down enough to prevent a greater catastrophe.

His sensei said he wouldn't intervene unless necessary… that means he still believes I can handle this, even with my cursed energy reserves so low. He must have a lot of faith in me and my abilities...

Cold sweat ran down his forehead as he felt his energy leaving his body rapidly, weakening him. He knew that without a concrete plan, he didn't stand a chance.

If I don't activate Sage Mode, I won't be able to do anything… I won't even be able to hold my ground against Rika. Yet, he hadn't fully mastered that state and the only way he'd found to absorb natural energy without succumbing to negative emotions was too risky…

Hashirama gritted his teeth as he watched his wood summon fight tirelessly against Rika's colossal strength. Although she surpassed the golem in cursed energy and physical capacity, the wooden creature resisted, putting up a relentless battle.

The golem he had created was smaller than the more advanced versions of the jutsu he dreamed of achieving, standing only about 20 meters tall, with a wooden dragon coiled around its neck. In comparison, the colossal creation he hoped to emulate, the Hashirama from Naruto, measured between 50 and 70 meters—a massive difference.

Suddenly, Rika's offensive intensified. With a fierce roar, she buried her claws into the golem's face, tearing through the wood with brutal force. The impact sent it crashing into the remaining structure of the school, where it hit with a dull thud.

!!Booooom!!!

The golem collapsed, crashing through the walls as if they were made of paper. Among clouds of dust and debris, its figure lay inert, half-buried under the rubble. It seemed that this might be its final battle.

However, despite the golem's latent energy, Rika ignored it. Something else had captured her full attention: Yuta. The young man's presence was fading into the distance, and her twisted mind couldn't bear the thought of losing him.

Rika turned violently toward the entryway, where Yuta, exhausted, was trying to stay on his feet next to an unconscious Maki, both of them protected by a relaxed Satoru Gojo.

Satoru Gojo watched with a faint smile as Hashirama's wood clones emerged from the veil, carrying the children to safety. His gaze, though relaxed, shone with intense curiosity, and his mind wandered in an almost playful reflection.

'Hmm'… he thought, crossing his arms as he contemplated the scene. 'He's a bit like me… The destructive power of his techniques is immense, and his mastery over them is still unstable. That meant that no civilian or inexperienced sorcerer could be near him without risking their lives. If Hashirama really wanted to fight to his full potential, he could only do so in an inhospitable, desolate area, where no lives were in danger.'

The thought brought a wider smile to his face, the corners of his mouth lifting in satisfaction. He'd found something fascinating in him.

'Interesting'… he murmured to himself, his eyes sparkling with a mix of intrigue and excitement. 'Show me more, Hashirama. I want to see if you live up to my expectations...'

With that last thought, Satoru Gojo remained in place, calm but expectant.

Yuta, with a panicked and fearful expression, looked desperately at Satoru. His heart was pounding, and his voice trembled as he broke the uncomfortable silence between them.

"Sensei, shouldn't you help Senju-san? H-he's fighting Rika alone… i-if…" The words tumbled out anxiously, full of anguish.

The weight of the possibility of losing a comrade crushed him. Guilt and fear consumed him, tormenting him with the idea that someone might die because of his weakness. The images of Rika unleashed in her unstoppable rage, fueled his desperation.

Satoru just smiled, as if the whole situation was nothing more than a game.

"He'll be fine, Yuta… relax."

Gojo's calmness contrasted brutally with Yuta's anxiety. Without losing his carefree air, he brought a hand to his eyes, and with a slight motion, lowered the bandage that always covered his gaze. That gesture revealed a sky-blue eye, as deep as the infinite, an abyss filled with unquestionable certainties.

"I trust in his abilities. And if something goes wrong…" a spark of power flashed in his gaze, bright and deadly "…I'll step in. Under my watch, no one will die."

The tone of his voice was reassuring but also definitive. Gojo didn't allow doubts; to him, victory was the only option.

There was something unbreakable in Gojo's presence, a reminder that, whatever happened, as long as he was there, there would be no tragedy.

For now, the battle continued. But Yuta couldn't help but wonder: what if even someone like Gojo underestimated the true power of a curse?

In the face of his sensei's unwavering calm, Yuta had no choice but to cling to his words. He clenched his fists tightly, trying to contain the torrent of emotions that overwhelmed him. The idea of losing someone else because of his weakness was unbearable, a weight he had already felt before, too familiar.

Yuta closed his eyes for a moment, trying to calm his mind. Deep in his heart, he wished—desperately—that he wouldn't bear the loss of anyone else. The invisible scars of his past haunted him, like lurking ghosts, reminding him that no matter how hard you try, someone always ends up lost along the way.

He took a deep breath, forcing himself to believe in Gojo's words. If his sensei, the most powerful sorcerer of this era by his own admission, believed that everything would be fine, then he had to try to believe too…

Back at the veil.

"YUTAAAAA." Rika's ghostly scream echoed, tearing through the air with desperation.

Crack, boom. Without wasting time, Rika charged toward the entrance like lightning, her unleashed fury unstoppable.

Roots of wood emerged from the ground, breaking through and shattering it with relentless force. This time, stronger and more vigorous, they wrapped around Rika Orimoto's body, restraining her movements more effectively and violently pulling her to the ground.

Despite seemingly being out of commission, the wood golem rejoined the battle with unyielding determination. It launched itself back into the fray, its footsteps resounding with the weight of the earth itself. With lethal precision, it aimed a palm strike at Rika's chest, its brutal speed showcasing the ferocity of its assault.

But Rika was faster. Even with her mobility limited by the roots, she managed to slice off the golem's right arm in a single move. The wood creaked under the pressure of her claws, but her victory was brief. With its remaining arm, the golem managed to place its hand over Rika's head and slammed her into the ground with a thunderous crash.

Boom! The ground shook from the impact, lifting a cloud of dust. Furious, Rika tried to swat the golem away with a savage swipe, but the creature dodged nimbly and positioned itself at a safe distance, leaving its opponent immobilized by the roots.

Then, a figure descended from above. Hashirama landed on the golem's head, and his appearance changed dramatically. His eyes held a yellow, pupil-less iris, with dark pigmentation lines extending from the outer corners of his eyes to his ears. On his forehead, an additional circle with a dot at the center glowed in the same intense color.

He had activated his imperfect Cursed Sage Mode.

It was his only option, as in his base state, he couldn't stand up to Rika in direct combat. Natural energy had become his greatest ally in enhancing his techniques to unimaginable levels. However, this power came at a cost, and the key to maintaining control lay in a unique trick he alone had discovered.

He absorbed natural energy without depending on the surrounding environment.

Thanks to his mastery of Mokuton, Hashirama used a wood root that extended from the back of his neck. This root connected to others hidden underground, drawing natural energy directly from nearby trees. These ancient beings, full of life, held vast amounts of pure energy accumulated over centuries. Hashirama's special body, capable of channeling this energy effortlessly, acted as the perfect conduit.

Still, the method was imperfect. The risk of losing control remained present.

While he could maintain this state for two hours before the cursed energy became unmanageable, handling such a flow of compressed energy fused with negative emotions required titanic effort. Furthermore, if there were no trees within a 100-meter radius, or if the enemy destroyed the connected roots, the technique would become useless.

However, against irrational beings like Rika, this strategy gave him an advantage.

'Sage Art, Wood Style: Wood-Dragon Jutsu!.' he roared in his mind.

An oriental wood dragon emerged from his summoning, launching itself at Rika with a vibrant roar. The roots that already held her tightened their grip as the dragon wrapped firmly around her body. With lethal precision, the dragon bit her neck, blocking the cursed energy flow that fueled Rika's murderous fury.