Chapter 59: The Match Begins

[Tokyo Jujutsu High, Kyoto Prefectural School.]

The two schools, separated by hundreds of kilometers, gathered in two wooden cabins, each team representing their respective institution.

Before the competition officially began, both sides had half an hour to finalize their battle plans.

———

[Tokyo Jujutsu High, Command Center]

Panda explained the competition rules to the freshmen, including White Zetsu and Itadori.

"The highest level of cursed spirits you'll encounter is Grade 2. Occasionally, Grade 3 spirits will be roaming around as well."

"By sunset, the team that exorcises the most cursed spirits within the designated area wins."

"Other than that, there are no additional rules."

"Panda-senpai!" Itadori raised his hand and asked, "No rules? So it's fine to interfere with the other team?"

Panda nodded. "That's right, as long as you don't kill or severely injure them. You can obstruct or attack the other team as you see fit."

"Megumi, Nobara?" Maki glanced at the two with suspicion. "What's up with you two?"

"Since we gathered earlier, you've both been sulking like someone stole your lunch."

After spending more than half a month together, Maki was already somewhat familiar with Kugisaki's temper. She could let Fushiguro's gloomy expression slide, but Nobara wasn't usually one to hold back against a provocation.

Yet earlier, when the Kyoto students mocked them, she hadn't retorted at all. And now, she looked distracted even with her comrades by her side.

"Maki...sister," Kugisaki said, looking up with a forced expression. "Didn't sleep well last night, that's all."

Feigning attentiveness, she straightened up, as if deeply focused on the briefing.

Seeing Maki's skeptical gaze, Fushiguro quickly corrected his posture and listened to Panda's explanation.

———

[Kyoto Prefectural School, Command Center]

Since Kyoto had no first-year students, everyone there was familiar with the competition.

Kamo Noritoshi skipped the rule explanation and jumped straight into assigning roles.

"Todo."

"Since you prefer working solo, go ahead and hit their base the moment the competition starts," he said, glancing at Todo Aoi, who stood half-naked by the wooden door. "You'll be our distraction while the rest of us exorcise as many cursed spirits as quickly as possible."

Todo shoved his hands in his pockets and scowled. "Don't tell me what to do. I was going to do that anyway."

"Exorcising cursed spirits is boring. I'm here for real, blood-pumping combat."

Kamo nodded, unbothered. "Fine. Go ahead and cause a ruckus however you like."

With that, he looked up at the white-browed old man sitting above them. "Principal, is there anything else?"

Principal Gakuganji's stern gaze scanned the room, finally stopping on Mai.

In a calm voice, he said, "No further instructions. I'll be waiting at the main control room for your good news."

After the principal left the room, Mai crossed her arms and spoke up, "Everyone, I don't care about that brat who swallowed the cursed object. But as for that White Zetsu on the Tokyo side, be cautious when you engage."

Momo Nishimiya, sitting by the door, nodded alongside Miwa Kasumi. Both had heard about White Zetsu and Zen'in Mirai from Mai.

Todo grunted, "I don't care about his identity. But I'm not a fan of his style. I'll avoid him out of respect for you. But if he picks a fight, I won't hold back."

With that, Todo kicked open the door and stormed off toward Tokyo's base, timing his departure to perfection.

Mai wasn't surprised by Todo's refusal to follow her advice; she'd known from the beginning that this lunatic wouldn't listen.

" Muta, Kamo. I'm not asking you to go easy on White Zetsu because of any bond with him." Mai looked sternly at the two remaining members. "But if you kill him, you'll regret it."

Kamo turned, his gaze meeting hers. "Is that a threat, Mai-san?"

"No," she replied, her tone severe. "It's a warning."

She knew Todo wouldn't listen, but she understood her Nii-san well enough. Even though she'd recently seen a gentler side to Mirai, Mai was well aware of the disastrous consequences of provoking her brother.

Seeing her somber expression, Kamo recalled Zen'in Mirai's dignified demeanor from his recent family training sessions. He stayed silent, seemingly heeding her warning.

Muta, on the other hand, remained unusually quiet, as though deep in thought.

———

Five minutes before the official start.

The control room looked like a cozy, private theater, with three rows of leather seats and warm tea on the tables. The large screen displayed live feeds from the arena, tracking every participant.

Sitting quietly in the back row were the two principals, Yaga Masamichi and Gakuganji Yoshinobu.

Meanwhile, Kyoto teacher Utahime and Gojo Satoru sat at the front, with Gojo casually sipping his tea.

Mirai narrowed his eyes as he surveyed the room, noting that Mei Mei, true to the original, was using her technique to monitor the arena and provide them with live feeds.

He glanced to his left, where Nanami Kento sat upright and somber, exuding an air of intensity.

'Something feels off.'

With his hand propped against his forehead, Mirai sensed that something unusual was in store for this exchange event.

"Gojo," he muttered, "that special-grade cursed spirit you encountered recently—was it really not one of your own creations?"

Gojo tilted his head back, smiling as he looked over at Mirai. "A high-intelligence curse spirit with the same level of sentience as Zetsu and mastery over Domain Expansion—are you cooking up some dark experiment on the side?"

Mirau's gaze turned cold. "If it really were under my control, why would I let it appear in front of the students at Tokyo High? Letting it grow in the shadows, away from you, would be far more beneficial."

"True," Gojo chuckled, grinning. "A few ants I could crush with my hand aren't worth creating, after all."

Viewing a special-grade spirit capable of Domain Expansion as nothing more than a bug, Gojo's arrogant remark didn't faze anyone. They all knew he had the strength to back it up.

"Gojo, the time has come," Utahime murmured beside him.

Gojo wasted no time. Grabbing the microphone connected to the arena's speakers, he announced, "The Joint Sister School Exchange Event is now officially underway."

Setting the microphone down, Gojo looked to the back. "Mei Mei, can you adjust the feed? I'm curious to see what Zetsu has up his sleeve for this event."

Mei Mei turned, casting a sly glance at Mirai. Her red lips curved slightly. "Of course~"

———

"Pink-haired brat, looks like you've grown quite a bit lately." Hakujou clapped Itadori on the shoulder with an approving look, playing the part of an affectionate boss to his subordinate.

Itadori scratched his head. "But I haven't even fought yet. How could you tell?"

His training alongside Nanami to face Mahito had certainly improved his cursed energy control.

"It's not your strength," Zetsu smirked. "It's your mindset."

He pointed to Itadori's eyes. "They're not as naive as before."

"As that Mirai kid would say, 'a bit of naivety has vanished, replaced by something sharper.'"

"Really..." Itadori murmured, his gaze downcast, his mood sinking a little.

During the fight against Mahito, he'd been forced to kill three transfigured humans.

Not curses...

But real people.

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