"Let's go. Time to discuss our strategy."
Maki shot a glance at Mai across the field, then led Tokyo Jujutsu High's team away.
Inside the break room, everyone finally relaxed a little.
"If we want to win this exchange event, our top priority is avoiding Kyoto's Aoi Todo."
"Speaking of which," Nobara said, looking at Maki, Panda, and the others, "I meant to ask this earlier—what the hell is that monster?"
A month ago, the participants from both schools had already had a preliminary meetup. That was when she witnessed Aoi Todo's strength firsthand.
"That guy has the ability to exorcise special-grade curses. He's a bona-fide monster. He's too strong, so we avoid him whenever possible."
"Originally, I planned for Panda or Fushiguro to take him on alone, but…"
Maki looked at the once-dead-but-now-alive Yuji.
"…since you're still breathing, the job of stalling him falls to you, Yuji."
"You don't need to beat him—just buy time."
"You're an unexpected bonus fighter anyway. Dropping out halfway is fine."
Yuji tightened his fist, a confident grin spreading across his face.
"You guys are kinda rude, but… since you're giving me the job, I'll win."
"That would be ideal," Maki said.
While Tokyo High discussed tactics, Kyoto's team received their own orders.
"Your top priority is killing Yuji Itadori." Yoshinobu addressed the Kyoto students with a stern expression.
"But isn't killing against the rules?" Kasumi asked.
"Yuji Itadori is Sukuna's vessel. He was supposed to have already died by suicide. But circumstances changed. Killing him now is fine — we can simply blame Sukuna."
"Understood, Principal," Noritoshi replied with his eyes closed.
After leaving Yoshinobu, the Kyoto students gathered in the preparation room to discuss their own plan.
"Todo won't follow any strategy anyway. He'll just charge in and act however he wants," someone sighed.
"Don't worry about him. We plan around him," Noritoshi said calmly."Just follow the principal's orders—winning comes second. First, eliminate Yuji Itadori. The match can be dealt with afterward."
"Can't we just have a peaceful competition?" Kasumi asked anxiously.
"What's the point of thinking like that? Anyway, my plan has only one target—Maki." Mai gave a sweet smile. "Maki is mine. You guys can handle whoever else you want."
"Hey hey, how is that any different from Todo?" someone muttered.
"Mai, is your sister really that strong?" Kasumi asked.
She couldn't understand why the sisters were on such bad terms. She herself got along well with her siblings.
"She? She's weak. Pathetic. A useless failure who can't even see curses. Sure, under my cousin's training she's gotten a little brute strength, but she's nothing special."
Mai puffed her cheeks in annoyance. Just because she never beat Maki as a child didn't mean Maki was strong. She had only been too weak herself. But now she was no longer the little sister who couldn't even defeat Maki.
"I see…" Kasumi murmured. It seemed that unless something unexpected happened, they should win.
"All right, let's go. The match is about to start."
Time passed quickly, and noon arrived.
The students of both schools stood in the same forest where Jinsuke and Gojo had once fought.
Ahem.
"The event will now begin. First, let's have a statement from Utahime!" Gojo's voice echoed through the speakers.
"Huh? Ah—well… the competition is important, but everyone should… um… get along, and—"
"Okay! Time's up! Match start!" Utahime's speech was cut off mercilessly by Gojo.
"You brat! Do you have any respect for your seniors?!" In the observation room, Utahime shouted angrily while the other teachers sat and watched quietly.
"Relax, relax. Anger makes you age faster," Gojo waved her off.
Then he ignored Utahime and turned to Jinsuke with a taunting smile.
"Hmm? Such a rare guest. I call you for years and you never come—now that I didn't call, suddenly you show up?"
"No choice," Jinsuke replied calmly. "This time I smelled prey. Wouldn't want you snatching it from me."
"What do you mean? You think something's going to happen?"
Gojo connected his recent encounters with Jinsuke's words and sensed something was off.
"What do you know?" Gojo turned fully toward him, eyes beneath the blindfold sharpening.
"Relax. I'm not a spy." Jinsuke lowered his voice.
Gojo froze for a moment, brows furrowing. How does he know?!
This matter was extremely secretive. And Jinsuke — famous as a lazy wandering type — shouldn't care about such things at all.
"Seems you know quite a lot…" Gojo said meaningfully.
"Of course. Anything involving strong curses interests me." Jinsuke smirked. "So? Want to beg me for some juicy intel?"
"No thanks. Beg you? Not in this lifetime." Gojo turned away proudly.
"Ahem—Zenin-sensei, what's the juicy intel? Can you tell me?"
"Yeah, old man, tell me too!"
Utahime and Riko leaned in eagerly, eyes sparkling.
"Come closer…" Jinsuke whispered into their ears while Gojo subtly leaned closer to eavesdrop.
"What?! That shocking?!" Both women gasped, then looked deeply at Gojo, clicking their tongues and shaking their heads with disbelief.
"…?" Gojo stiffened.
"Utahime, Riko… what did he tell you? Can't you tell me quietly?"
"No way," Utahime said flatly.
"Pleaseee, Utahime-senpai! I'll respect you from now on! Look how sincere I am~"
If only his face weren't wearing that annoying grin, she might have believed him.
"Ask Zenin-sensei yourself."
"Rikooo~ I know you're the nicest—tell meee~" Rejected by Utahime, Gojo instantly targeted Riko.
Riko folded her arms and turned away.
"Ask the old man."
"You traitors! I'm being isolated! I protest!" Gojo pouted.
There was no way he would lower himself and ask Jinsuke directly. That would mean admitting defeat.
Jinsuke ignored Gojo's frustration and focused on the event. A big "nutritious meal" was about to arrive, and he definitely wouldn't let it escape.
He intended to gather all hatred onto himself so that the powerful, organized curse users would seek him out.
Thinking about the oncoming series of strong curses, Jinsuke couldn't help grinning. His aura unconsciously shifted — bloodthirsty and eager.
"Hey, what's wrong with you?" Gojo asked, sounding genuinely concerned.
Jinsuke snapped back. "Just thinking about something exciting."
Gojo: "..."
Right. He forgot this guy was also a lunatic.