With a sharp whistle—
The Jujutsu College Exchange Event officially began!
Over thirty participants were randomly dropped into a vast forest. What followed was a full-blown Jujutsu-style battle royale! Dozens of Yaga Masamichi's cursed birds hovered high above, capturing footage from every angle. Surveillance cameras embedded across the terrain streamed a crystal-clear broadcast directly back to the main hall.
In that viewing hall, James sat in the front row, flanked by the other pillars and school faculty. Their eyes were fixed on the screens, silently analyzing.
Meanwhile, in the forest, Itadori Yuji moved cautiously. His sharpened senses picked up distant movements. Just a twitch of his ears, and he melted into the shadows.
His top priority? Find allies from Tokyo Jujutsu High.
"Itadori has improved dramatically," James observed, impressed by the boy's steady growth. "His control over cursed energy and physical coordination has come a long way."
Leaning beside him, Fushiguro Shigeki rested his chin on his hand, watching intently. His dull eyes, half-covered by a curtain of hair, lingered on Fushiguro Megumi and Zenin Maki in particular.
"He's talented," Gojo Satoru said nonchalantly, but his words hit like a hammer. "He could become a sorcerer rivaling even me."
Gasps rippled through the room. Even Gakuganji, gripping his cane, furrowed his brow. That statement was both praise—and a bold warning.
Back in the woods, Itadori's instincts screamed. He lunged to the side, narrowly dodging a devastating blow.
Boom!
A crater erupted behind him. Emerging from the smoke stood a towering, shirtless figure in dark training pants. Hair spiked, jaw square, and a jagged red scar across his cheek—
Tōdō Aoi, First-Class Jujutsu Sorcerer.
"Hey, Itadori Yuji! What kind of women do you like?!"
A sudden question. The air itself seemed to shudder from Tōdō's intensity.
"Huh?!" Itadori blinked. He hadn't expected that. Thinking for a second, he rubbed his chin.
"Well... probably girls with a big heart and a big butt."
Everyone in the viewing hall blinked.
Seriously? During a live broadcast?!
James chuckled. The surreal scene reminded him of chasing anime in simpler days.
Tōdō's reaction was instant.
"Best... BEST FRIEND!!"
Tears streamed down his cheeks as he collapsed in overjoyed disbelief.
Even Yuki Kujuku slammed the desk. "That's my disciple alright!"
But sentiment only went so far.
"Still, I won't go easy on you, best friend!"
Wiping his eyes, Tōdō struck a pose. Itadori grinned and mirrored him.
Bang! Fists clashed with thunderous impact. The real battle began.
Itadori launched a flurry of blows. Wind from his punches screamed through the forest. Tōdō braced, arms blocking expertly, though his feet began to sink into the dirt.
Tōdō answered with a haymaker. The blow slammed into Itadori's face with bone-rattling force. But the younger sorcerer gritted his teeth, caught the next punch, and retaliated with one of his own.
Wham! His fist landed squarely in Tōdō's gut. The older boy exhaled sharply, but laughed.
"Wanna wrestle?!"
They locked arms, muscles straining, earth cracking beneath their feet.
"Itadori has insane natural strength," one observer muttered.
"But Tōdō Aoi isn't done yet," said Iori Utahime, calm in her shrine maiden robes. "His technique hasn't even been used."
Many teachers nodded. They had seen Tōdō in action before—he was no joke.
Gojo, as always, smirked silently. You think Itadori is already giving it his all?
Elsewhere in the woods, battle erupted across every corner.
Inumaki Toge clashed evenly with Kamo Noritoshi, while Zenin Maki and Zenin Mai fought out years of sibling tension. Shigeki's eyes narrowed, focusing entirely on the Zenin sisters.
Fushiguro Megumi and Kugisaki Nobara battled a team of regional students. Panda and Mechamaru engaged in a more respectful sparring session.
And then there was Okkotsu Yūta.
He was terrifying.
Yūta moved through the forest like a storm. Expression unreadable, his cursed energy flared with every step. Any opponent he encountered was swiftly eliminated.
Back at the Tōdō vs. Itadori showdown, hundreds of exchanges had already passed. Tōdō refused to use his cursed technique. Itadori seemed to be holding something back too.
Two warriors, bonding through their fists.
Energy rippled outward. Both men breathed heavily, covered in sweat and bruises.
Suddenly, Itadori paused.
"Wait... something's happening."
He pointed to the sky. Tōdō followed his gaze.
A massive black curtain of cursed energy was descending, spreading like sludge over the forest.
"Tōdō, what is that?"
His face hardened.
"...Someone is invading. And they have the guts to do it while all the Pillars are watching."
Panic hit the viewing hall.
"This isn't part of the event! Someone's setting up a barrier!"
"Sound the alarm! All Jujutsu sorcerers, move to intercept!"
Yaga sprang into action, organizing defense and calling in reinforcements from neighboring schools.
Suta Daisuke and several experts in barrier techniques rushed forward. Meanwhile, James stood at the edge of the black curtain.
He pressed a palm against it—and felt nothing.
He could pass through.
"That's strange," he murmured. "Why can I go in when others can't?"
Gojo Satoru tried next. His hand hit resistance. So did the others.
"James, don't go in," said Geto Suguru. "It's a trap. Wait for Suta and the others to break the barrier."
From a strategic view, James was the linchpin—a national treasure. Sacrificing everyone else would still be better than losing him.
But James smiled.
"It's alright. I'll go first. You follow once it's open."
Amid the crowd's protests, James stepped through the barrier.
---
Elsewhere, hidden beneath the forest's roots, Noose sat cross-legged atop a formation, blood spilling from his lips. He looked at the last remaining clepsydra.
"Louhu, go kill James."
The one-eyed Cursed Spirit blinked.
"...Me?"
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