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CHAPTER START---
Sitting on a rooftop within the Kyoto Campus, Principal Masamichi Yaga is accompanied by a young woman with long white hair, pale blue eyes, and a frail body.
They both sit with their legs crossed, looking out over a massive field with a forest on the far side, enjoying the scenery.
As the sun rises to its peak and everyone enters the main hall after having lunch, Principal Yaga crosses his arms and glances at the woman beside him.
"Do you not approve of this duel?" he asks.
"If I did not approve, my Barriers would have put a stop to it," she says. "I'm simply curious about this point in history."
"What do you mean?"
"Even in my millennia of life and wisdom, there have only been a few moments that, during their happening, I could tell that the world would never be the same.
The birth of Satoru Gojo was the most blatant of all those moments. The shift of Cursed Energy in the world, Cursed Spirits becoming stronger to maintain the balance, Curse Users going into hiding, halting the progress of our world. And now…"
"Taiyo Daburu," Principal Yaga mutters. "That boy doesn't have the same presence or effect on the world itself as Gojo. In fact, I'd say in comparison, he's entirely ordinary."
"True. But he's also extraordinary at the same time. This duel will simply showcase whether it's extraordinary belief in his potential, or stupidity, after all, you would need one or the other to agree to duel against Satoru Gojo."
"And what if it's one or the other?"
The woman shrugs. "I collect and contain wisdom, but I cannot see the future. Satoru Gojo is my destined champion. But, the age is conspiring against us, and this boy is the coming of the age. I can feel it, and so can many others. It makes them nervous and excited."
"Are you saying he's a threat?"
"Change is always a threat to the stagnant," she says. "But it's not him per se. The Six Eyes is only reborn when I need a new vessel, to ensure my safety and persistence. Yet Satoru Gojo, the most powerful and skilled user of the Six Eyes and Limitless, was born in this time to do exactly that, and stumbled.
Now I am becoming something else. Why would Jujutsu have to invoke the birth of one such as himself, of the single most powerful and skilled Jujutsu Sorcerer of all time, in this era?"
Principal Yaga frowns. "Because something big is coming, and you need your strongest champion yet."
"Yes, but Jujutsu is fair. So if the barrier that is Satoru Gojo came into existence to protect me…"
"They pose a threat of equal measure. But, there can't be a being that matches him."
"Throughout history, there has never been a single being that matches Satoru Gojo. I've existed since the first era of Jujutsu to this day, and I can say with absolute certainty, he is the strongest. But a thousand years of planning, of scheming, can make the impossible possible."
"Satoru Gojo, Yuki Tsukumo…if she's willing to cooperate, and Taiyo Daburu. Three Special Grades, what kind of monsters are we set to fight that Jujutsus think's even Satoru Gojo will need help?"
The woman shrugs. "If this boy is half as talented as I believe, the deck must be quite stacked against us. But, I do hope it will at least be entertaining."
Principal Yaga looks slightly annoyed at that. "We're talking about the fate of the world, and your life, so please take this more seriously."
"The world will continue regardless, and I have had over 1200 years of life, more than enough. For today, I simply wish to marvel at the Jujutsu talent of your era. I have a feeling something profound will be revealed in this battle."
As they continue a more casual conversation, a flock of crows disperse about campus, one of which lands on their rooftop and looks directly at Principal Yaga and the woman.
In response, she merely looks at the bird and smiles before waving her hand, and it vanishes to another rooftop, giving them privacy to continue chatting.
Moments earlier, within the massive main hall of Kyoto Jujutsu Tech, a wall of monitors was set up. All connected to a large custom machine via thick cables, draped in wooden and paper talismans, with Mei Mei sitting at the controls.
Behind her were dozens of people, the main faculty of both schools, along with most of the students and some special guests.
Mei Mei activates her Innate Technique, connecting her senses with the dozens of crows spread across the designated battlefield.
The special talismans and seals allow these machines to tap into her connection, projecting what the birds see and hear onto the screens, giving everyone a full view of the upcoming battle.
And nearby is Atsuya Kusakabe, who, as Taiyo's teacher, was 'recommended' to commentate and explain the intricacies of this battle. And joining him as a commentator is Special Grade Yuki Tsukumo, who, although she won't admit it, hasn't been this excited for anything since finding her apprentice.
They've been instructed to explain the complex Jujutsu everyone is hoping to witness, using it as a learning experience for the students and faculty.
Or more accurately, using it to project any potential weaknesses of Satoru Gojo and Taiyo Daburu to the Jujutsu higher-ups at headquarters and the three major clans.
All of whom were watching.
To witness a Special Grade in combat is a rarity, especially the likes of Satoru Gojo. So they silently thanked Taiyo Daburu for his sacrifice.
But neither Taiyo nor Gojo cared either way. They both knew of this arrangement beforehand, but as Special Grade combatants, learning their tricks won't help all but a few people.
Only a fellow Special Grade, even with full knowledge of their abilities, would dare challenge them.
And thanks to the Pact of Revealing Your Hand, their abilities will be even more effective against those who know the details of it, making everyone even less inclined to challenge them.
So, for Gojo, he gains only benefits, including a controlled opposition. If Taiyo presents a challenge, his political enemies will try to turn Taiyo against him, and he has his final order to make their efforts useless.
Making this a play at having his enemies reveal themselves.
And for Taiyo, he enjoys competing on stage, and hopes to attract challengers and expand the competition itself.
"Would anyone like to submit their betting cards before we begin?" Mei Mei asks one final time, and a few people hastily fill in their cards and pass them forward, spurred on by the fear of missing out. "Thank you…"
Mei Mei glances at the cards, seeing that most people expect Gojo to win without using his Domain Expansion.
Even though most of them don't know what his Domain is, they assume it's supremely powerful, befitting Satoru Gojo.
Many bet on the time odds, wagering their money that Taiyo won't last a minute or two against Gojo, a wise bet.
But Mei Mei only sees profit, expecting to collect all their money when this is over.
After all, the bets are enforced by a Binding Vow, and they will simply lose part of their salary if they resist paying.
Mei Mei then raises a hand and snaps her fingers, activating all the monitors.
And all eyes are drawn to the screen with Principal Yaga and the petite white-haired woman sitting beside him.
Before they could make sense of this, mentally questioning who this unauthorized guest on Kyoto Campus, where Principal Yaga has limited authority, was.
She waves her hand, and the crow's location shifts.
"Limitless?" Mei Mei asks, feeling the location of the bird suddenly move to the other side of the battlefield.
"No," Yuki says. "She simply moves the location by forming an Empty Barrier on top of it and extending it elsewhere. After all, Tengen controls the Barriers of both schools…"
"Master Tengen?" Principal Gakuganji's mouth falls open at this revelation, never having so much as received a direct order from Master Tengen, now seeing her on screen casually chatting with Principal Yaga.
Everyone watching this is just as amazed, and now more curious than ever about Principal Yaga's relationship with Master Tengen.
"Just a projection," Yuki says. "Tengen is still in her bunker in Tokyo…and probably doesn't look that cute."
Everyone watching from various locations across Japan was amazed, but their excitement quickly grew into wonder and worry.
A looming question forming, threatening to crush them.
'Was this so important that Master Tengen would make such a blatant appearance?' they wondered, cautiously considering the wrench this throws into their plan of using these Special Grades.
Suguru Geto had this very thought, sitting in a mountain mansion with the members of his inner circle, watching a wall of monitors.
Using his people within Jujutsu headquarters, he was able to piggyback off the signal to observe his friend's fight.
Sitting on a large couch, he has Manami Suda, a gorgeous young woman with long pink hair, sitting to his right, one arm draped around her shoulder as she leans against his chest.
His other commanders are spread out around the room, some watching from the bar, others sitting nearby playing cards while waiting for the battle to start.
With Mimiko and Nanako on the carpet painting their nails.
"Girls, pay attention," Geto says to the twins. "Uncle Satoru is about to teach your new friend that there are levels within our Grade, don't miss anything."
Mimiko listens, setting aside the polish and focusing on the screens.
But Nanako completely ignores him, deciding her nails were more important.
Geto rolls his eyes. "Teenagers," he mutters.
Manami kisses him on the cheek as they refocus on the screens.
Elsewhere in Japan, sitting in a seemingly abandoned factory, a middle-aged woman with a scar across her forehead watches a similar monitor setting, also spying through Jujutsu headquarters.
Only her fist is buried ankle deep into the concrete wall beside her, grinding her teeth hard enough to shatter steel between them as she glares hatefully at Master Tengen's illusion.
"Tengen, still pretending like you have that pretty face, like I didn't make you into a damn monster a few years ago. Damn it!" She takes a moment to calm herself, steadying her breathing and moving to stand in front of the screens, arms folded under her large chest.
"If you're showing your stagnant face, that means you can feel it too. I'm coming for you, and this time, I have a thousand years of planning on my side…"
Everyone's screen flickers to the sight of Satoru Gojo, wearing his usual Jujutsu Tech uniform, strolling out with both hands in his pockets.
His blindfold is on as he's seemingly enjoying the warm afternoon weather, waving to a few of the birds, effectively smiling for the cameras.
Some of the students and viewers swoon at this, while most who personally know him are annoyed at the sight.
Walking beside him as they enter the massive clearing, three football fields wide and just as long, with a flat circular stone in the middle that's the size of one such field.
Giving them a stone stage to fight on before they reach the grassy field around it.
The forest surrounded this circular clearing at the very edges, with thick vegetation that would be daunting for a regular person to enter. But there were structures or tall poles about, currently acting as perches for the birds to get a steady footing.
Walking side by side through the clear pathway between the trees, everyone observes the difference in attitude.
Gojo was relaxed, almost jovial, while looking around, amused by all the theatrics put into this event. Knowing it was all for him, between people wanting to please him and give him a proper stage because they admire him.
And people who wanted a longer version of the video they bought, in which Taiyo managed to hit him.
But the campus at this scale is controlled by Master Tengen, so Gojo can't help but wonder why she cares about a game between Special Grades.
Beside him, Taiyo was entirely serious, wearing comfortable sports clothes, but not dissimilar to what he'd wear during competitions.
Aside from his Olympic jacket missing, instead only sporting a red t-shirt.
"This is such a nice stage, can't wait to ruin it," Gojo says. "Makes me so glad Kyoto usually wins the exchange event."
"Why is that?"
Gojo shrugs. "Old man Gakuganji is in charge of this campus, so whatever mess we make is his to deal with."
They share a knowing look for a moment, then laugh, and Principal Gakuganji feels his blood pressure spike.
"You remember the rules, right?" Gojo asks as they stop in the middle of the field.
"Yeah, but I don't plan to surrender."
"Me neither, but remember what I said. When Jujutsu users collide, death is almost a possibility, so when Special Grades collide—"
"Losing is the inherent risk of competing," Taiyo says. "I take the good with the bad."
"Easy to say now. But don't worry, I'll try not to accidentally let my hand flip and knock your head off."
They retreat a few dozen meters from each other, then turn to face each other.
And yet, moments before a potentially lethal battle, they smile.
Gojo keeps his relaxed stance, hands in his pockets, and blindfold on.
And Taiyo falls into a simple close-combat stance.
"Hey, Gojo," Taiyo says.
"Chickening out?"
"No, I just wanted to ask you, before we begin and I learn for myself. What does it take to be 'The Strongest'? Does it mean simply being Satoru Gojo?"
Gojo frowns at that. "Satoru Gojo wasn't always 'The Strongest'. To get here…it took everything from me. And now, I can handle any and everything."
Taiyo's expression becomes contemplative, and then he nods. "I don't really understand, so show me what that means…"
Gojo smiles, enjoying having someone who aims to cure his isolation and understand him. "It's a bit too much for the current you, so consider this the first lesson…"
The air between them becomes increasingly tense as each moment passes, and neither Special Grade moves.
Then, the sound of a crow's caw rings through the clearing, and Cursed Energy surges forth…
END CHAPTER---
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