Finally, the day of the Sister School Exchange Event arrived.
A black bus emblazoned with the Kyoto Jujutsu High emblem drove silently along the winding mountain road like a moving coffin. The air inside the vehicle was stagnant and heavy, severed from the brilliant autumn sunlight outside the windows.
Principal Gakuganji Yoshinobu sat at the very front like a piece of withered wood. His wrinkled eyelids were lowered, and the peculiar cane in his hand rested on the floor, emitting an invisible pressure that made every breath feel exceptionally distinct. He was the embodiment of the conservatism and authority of the Kyoto Jujutsu world.
The students in the back rows were clearly divided. Zenin Ryuichi, wearing a perfectly ironed custom kimono, held his chin high. He slowly wiped every finger with a white handkerchief, as if he were about to step into filth.
"Tokyo School... The Gojo family's Six Eyes monster, plus a Geto who plays with low-level Cursed Spirits, are actually worthy of being called 'The Strongest'? The world is truly going downhill."
His voice wasn't loud, but it carried an arrogance etched into his bones. "I heard there's also a new commoner? Got lucky and awakened a Cursed Technique, and now he doesn't know the height of the heavens or the depth of the earth."
"Ryuichi-kun, caution is always good."
Beside him, Kamo Kenji spoke up. He had handsome features and wore a formulaic, gentle smile, the family crest prominent on his well-fitted haori.
"That Mukyoku Nagi participated in a Grade 1 mission immediately upon enrollment and encountered a Special Grade, yet retreated unscathed. That level of strength cannot be summarized by the word 'luck' alone."
In his mind, the vague yet unquestionable command of the "Head of the Clan" echoed: *Approach him, observe the mystery of those eyes.*
"The Head of the Clan is also quite interested in this."
"Tch, Kamo, when did you become so cowardly?"
Zenin Ryuichi sneered. "A combination of women and bottom-feeding rats, what kind of waves can they make?"
In the back row, a black-haired boy named Nishimura Kenta stared silently out the window, turning a deaf ear to the arguments in the front.
He was a rare commoner genius at the Kyoto school who had secured his seat through absolute strength, yet the oppression of the Zenin clan still followed him like a shadow.
The other commoner students held their breath, trying to lower their presence.
The supervising teacher, Kurosaki Hiroki, pushed up his glasses, attempting to ease the atmosphere: "Everyone, the focus this time is on exchange. Please remember Principal Gakuganji's teachings and display the style of our Kyoto School..."
Just then, Gakuganji's aged and hoarse voice rang out, like a dull knife scraping against rotten wood: "Shut up."
The vehicle fell into instant deathly silence. He slowly opened his eyes, a sharp glint appearing in their murky depths.
"Gojo Satoru is the 'Six Eyes,' Geto Suguru is 'Cursed Spirit Manipulation,' Ieiri Shoko is the 'Reverse Cursed Technique'... every one of them is trouble. That newcomer, Mukyoku Nagi..."
He paused, his cane tapping lightly. "To be viewed differently by Gojo Satoru, he must have superior qualities. Put away your laughable arrogance, otherwise, you will die very ugly deaths."
***
At the school gate, the Tokyo School group was already waiting.
Yaga Masamichi stood at the very front, his expression serious. Behind him, however, was a... completely different scene.
"Ahhh~ So sloooow~ Did the grandpas from Kyoto come by ox cart?"
Gojo Satoru leaned against Geto Suguru without any regard for his image, complaining loudly, his eyes darting around behind his sunglasses.
"Satoru, be a little quieter." Geto Suguru said this, but his face wore its usual smiling expression. He had no intention of pushing Gojo away, clearly enjoying the annoyance (other people's annoyance).
"Exactly, exactly! Gojo, you're too loud!" Utahime stood with her hands on her hips. Although she was also waiting for the Kyoto school, her main firepower was still directed at Gojo Satoru.
"Utahime-senpai is very energetic today too~ Did you dress up specifically to meet the students from Kyoto?" Gojo Satoru immediately shifted his target.
"Who dressed up specifically?! You bastard!" Utahime, as expected, bristled with rage.
Ieiri Shoko watched this farce and couldn't help rolling her eyes, though a smile played at the corner of her mouth.
She nudged Mukyoku Nagi, who was standing beside her as quietly as a statue, and fished a small packet of instant coffee powder from her pocket, handing it over: "Here, wake up. You look like you're about to fall asleep standing up."
Nagi snapped back to reality, looking at the coffee powder in front of him and the lazy, amused smile on her face. He paused for a moment before accepting it.
"Thank you."
His voice remained steady, but his gaze lingered on her smiling eyes for a split second before naturally lowering as he put the coffee powder into his pocket.
Mei Mei stood a bit further away, smiling as she pondered whether this exchange event could yield any "potential profits."
At that moment, the Kyoto School bus slowly stopped at the school gate.
Principal Gakuganji was the first to step off. His cold gaze swept over the Tokyo group like a falcon before finally locking eyes with the approaching Yaga Masamichi.
"Director Yaga."
His voice was dry and cold, devoid of pleasantries.
"Principal Gakuganji, welcome."
Yaga Masamichi's expression was serious, his tone steady.
The two principals conducted a formulaic, warmth-free handover ceremony. After announcing that the exchange event would officially begin tomorrow, they dismissed the teams.
"So—Bor—ing!"
Gojo Satoru's complaint immediately broke the brief silence.
His eyes darted around, locking onto a target. He crept toward Utahime, who was talking to Shoko, and suddenly reached out to ambush her bun hairstyle!
"Gojo Satoru! Stop it!"
Utahime dodged agilely, her face flushed with anger.
"Oh my, Utahime's hairstyle is just too attractive~" Gojo grinned and continued his harassment.
Geto Suguru stood to the side, wearing a gentle "I really can't do anything about you" smile, and advised, "Satoru, don't always bully Utahime-senpai."
However, his feet moved subtly, perfectly blocking Utahime's retreat path.
"Geto! Whose side are you on?!"
Trapped, Utahime shouted in anger.
"I am, of course, on the side of 'Justice', Senpai." Geto Suguru smiled brightly, flawlessly.
Shoko couldn't help but laugh out loud at the scene, saying to Nagi beside her, "Those two are truly a perfect match. One makes trouble, the other fakes seriousness."
Nagi looked at the familiar chaos before him, then at Shoko whose eyes curved with laughter, and gave an extremely faint response: "Mn."
Some extremely faint, almost illusory soft emotion flashed past the depths of his eyes.
Utahime finally broke free from Gojo's clutches. Looking at Gojo's behavior, veins throbbed on her forehead.
She strode over to Shoko and Nagi, pointing at the two clowns behind her, and said with heartache:
"Shoko! Nagi! Look at you two! Look at them! In the future, never, ever become scum like those two! You must maintain your normalcy! The future of Tokyo High depends on you!"
Shoko chuckled, patting Utahime on the shoulder: "Don't worry, Utahime-senpai, my taste isn't that bad yet."
As she spoke, she glanced out of the corner of her eye at the quiet Nagi beside her.
Nagi, with a calm face, promised Utahime: "I won't."
His tone was so serious it sounded like he was taking an oath.
Gojo Satoru had sharp ears. He immediately stopped his "tangle" with Geto Suguru and swooped over, draping his arm naturally over Geto's shoulder and leaning his entire weight on him:
"Utahime~ What you said hurts my feelings~ How are we scum? We are clearly reliable and powerful good classmates, good seniors, right Suguru?"
Geto Suguru swayed slightly under the weight but steadied himself. His smile remained unchanged, his tone even carrying a hint of innocence:
"Yes, Utahime-senpai, we just have a harmonious classmate relationship. Right, Satoru?"
While speaking, he secretly commanded another Cursed Spirit to tug on Utahime's ponytail.
Utahime: "???"
Feeling her hair being pulled, she spun around violently but saw nothing. She nearly jumped in rage. "Gojo Satoru! Geto Suguru! It's definitely you guys playing tricks!"
Shoko watched the farce and sighed, whispering to Nagi beside her, "Hopeless. These two are hopeless."
Nagi nodded in agreement. His gaze fell on Shoko's cheeks, slightly puffed out from sighing, paused for a second, and then naturally moved away again.
Just then, the group from Kyoto walked over. Kamo Kenji stepped forward with an impeccable smile:
"Hello, students of Tokyo School. I am Kamo Kenji. These are my classmates. On the eve of the exchange event, we wanted to get to know everyone in advance. Please treat us well." His gaze fell repeatedly on Mukyoku Nagi.
However, Zenin Ryuichi beside him had long grown impatient. He took a step forward, rudely interrupting Kamo. His arrogant gaze swept over the Tokyo crowd before finally fixing on Shoko and Nagi.
"Heh, Tokyo School really is a disorderly mob lacking discipline."
His gaze lingered on Shoko, filled with uncomfortable scrutiny and contempt.
"Women should act like women. Fighting isn't something you should be involved in."
Immediately after, he looked at Nagi, the corners of his mouth hooking into a malicious arc, his tone frivolous and insulting: "Hey, that commoner over there. Heard you're a bit special? Where are those red eyes? Let this young master take a good look."
As he spoke, he actually reached out, intending to lift Nagi's chin.
This extremely rude action caused the air to freeze instantly. Shoko immediately stepped forward, blocking Nagi, and scolded coldly: "Hey! What are you doing? Show some respect!"
Zenin Ryuichi seemed to notice Shoko only then. He scoffed, his tone utterly disdainful: "Reverse Cursed Technique? A decent healing tool. Pity, tools should stay in the toolbox. There's no place for you to speak here."
His gaze bypassed Shoko again, locking onto Nagi, filled with malice and scorn. "Heard your mom was also a monkey who knew nothing? No wonder she gave birth to such a..."
His filth was abruptly cut short.
A streak of black-red lightning exploded violently without warning! The speed exceeded the limit of visual capture!
There was almost no omen!
Pitch-black, ominous Cursed Energy erupted from Nagi's body like an explosion! His figure vanished from his spot instantly!
The next moment!
*Bang!! Crack—Boom!*
Like a human cannonball, Ryuichi was smashed ruthlessly into a massive tree trunk in the distance that required two people to wrap their arms around! It wasn't just an impact; he was embedded into it!
The immense force caused the entire great tree to tremble violently. The trunk exploded with terrifying, web-like cracks centered on the impact point, then let out a groan of being overburdened and snapped in the middle! Woodchips mixed with dust filled the air!
Zenin Ryuichi was like a pile of mud slapped against a wall, embedded in the remains of the broken trunk. A deep fist print, looking as if it had been punched by a Special Grade Cursed Tool, was shocking to behold on his chest. The surrounding clothes and flesh presented an unnatural charred appearance. Blood didn't flow; it surged like a broken dam from his nose, mouth, and even his ears, instantly dyeing him into a bloodman. He passed out completely, his breathing weak as a candle in the wind.
Mukyoku Nagi's figure appeared where Ryuichi had just been standing, maintaining his punching posture.
He slowly raised his head. His Vermilion Eyes were already open.
In those vermilion pupils, there was no longer the usual calm or focus, but a bone-chilling killing intent that had almost condensed into substance!
The surrounding air became viscous and cold due to this terrifying killing intent!
He took a step, walking toward Zenin Ryuichi embedded in the tree stump. Every step was abnormally clear, heavy like a death knell tolling in everyone's heart. Clearly, he did not intend to stop there.
"Enough!"
Principal Gakuganji's deep voice, filled with pressure, rang out, carrying an unquestionable tone of command.
Nagi's footsteps paused.
But the killing intent around him and that terrifying aura, almost solid enough to touch, did not diminish. Instead, because of the interruption, it became sharper and more dangerous. He turned his head slowly, extremely slowly. As his neck turned, it made extremely faint, tooth-aching sounds of bone friction. Those Vermilion Eyes, burning with bloodthirsty killing intent, like two stars from hell locking onto prey, fixed dead onto Gakuganji Yoshinobu without a shred of fear!
The air seemed to solidify, tense enough to drip water.
And almost at the same time—Gojo Satoru and Geto Suguru, one on the left and one on the right, silently took their places beside Mukyoku Nagi.
The playful smile on Gojo Satoru's face had long vanished. His sunglasses had been pushed up to his forehead at some point, his azure Six Eyes staring coldly at Gakuganji, yet the corners of his mouth hooked up in an eager arc.
Although Geto Suguru still wore a smile, powerful Cursed Energy was already flowing faintly around him, and several Cursed Spirits loomed in the shadows behind him.
The three strongest of Tokyo School stood side by side in an incomparably domineering stance, silently confronting the Principal of the Kyoto School. The atmosphere was drawn tight, swords drawn and bows bent to the breaking point.