Chapter 38

Kyoto Sister School Goodwill Event - Team Battle, Part 5 (-⑤-) is the thirty-seventh chapter of Gege Akutami's Jujutsu Kaisen.

Summary
The battle between Panda and Mechamaru begins! Panda believes they're both cursed corpses but Mechamaru is being controlled remotely by a sorcerer who cannot use their own body. In a clash of ideals, Panda pulls out all the stops in order to ensure victory. But is Panda... truly a Panda?

Plot Details
Inside a remote location, a heavily bandaged Kokichi recalls Panda saying they're both cursed corpses. Kokichi resents this and claims Panda is nothing but a doll. Mechamaru, who is being controlled remotely switches to Sword Option with Boost On and attacks Panda using Ultra Spin. Panda avoids it but the attack has enough raw power to completely collapse a nearby tree.

Panda is impressed with Mechamaru's power as he doesn't know much about him, Kasumi, or Momo. Panda asks what rank Mechamaru is, and to his surprise, Mechamaru is Semi-Grade 1. Panda is able to withstand Mechamaru's next attack, a beam of concentrated cursed energy called Ultra Cannon. Mechamaru immediately recognizes that his firepower is useless unless he can hit Panda's core.

Panda is an Abrupt-Mutation cursed corpse that was born sentient and developed emotions. He is the greatest creation of the foremost practitioner of puppet jujutsu, Principal Yaga. A man-made cursed corpse like Panda has a core of cursed energy in place of a heart. In close combat, Panda holds a clear advantage against Mechamaru. He realizes Mechamaru is being controlled by Kokichi's main body somewhere outside the arena, meaning his only choice is crush Mechamaru here and now.

Kokichi reveals that he has a Heavenly Restriction that grants him great levels of cursed energy in place of his useless body. His skin can't handle sunlight, he's missing both legs and an arm as well. The fact that Panda can live carefree as a doll triggers great anger from within Koichi, which manifests in Mechamaru's Albatross Mode.

Mechamaru grabs Panda, who decides to take the attack in order to protect Nobara, who is in the line of fire. Panda gets blasted by Mechamaru's full-power Ultimate Cannon, leaving the latter to believe he won. Mechamaru comments that a doll isn't worth death, but Panda's voice appears from the dust, shocking Mechamaru. As the smoke clears, Panda expresses his anger and reveals his new form: Gorilla Mode!

Locations

 * Tokyo Metropolitan Curse Technical College

Battles & Events

 * Kyoto Sister-School Goodwill Event
 * Spirit Bash Race
 * Panda vs. Ultimate Mechamaru

Jujutsu
Ultimate Mechamaru's Techniques
 * Ultra Spin
 * Ultra Cannon
 * Ultimate Cannon

Panda's Techniques
 * Gorilla Mode