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Once the higher-ups finally got back to their senses, they declared Kyoto the winner.
The barrier began to dissolve, and Satoru and Naoya returned to their respective sides.
When Naoya reached his group, he noticed that Kuroko was awake, though he was resting against a tree, clearly exhausted.
"You okay, Tetsuya?" asked Naoya.
"I am fine. Just out of almost out of cursed energy and tired from all the running around," replied Kuroko and yawned.
"Hmm....Satoru and I were planning an afterparty. Are you all up for it?" asked Naoya, looking at the three of them.
No response came.
Utahime and Yuki were eyeing him without saying anything. They were still not out of the shock of the battle.
"Is something wrong with them?" asked Naoya.
Kuroko shrugged his shoulders. He was asleep and only woke up after the announcement of Kyoto's victory came. He didn't see the fight between the two Special Grades.
"...Forget Gojo, I first need to defeat you, it seems," said Yuki.
Utahime opened her mouth, then closed it again. No words came to her. The sheer scale of power she'd just seen was overwhelming.
"What were you asking?" asked Utahime, shaking her head to snap back to reality.
"Satoru and I are planning an after-party. You all interested?"
"Huh? Is that even a question that needs to be asked? Of course I am in," replied Yuki.
"Count me in, too," said Kuroko and got back on his feet. He was tired, but there were just a few days when he could play around with so many people.
"Me too," said Utahime.
Naoya nodded and called Satoru.
"Yeah, all are in from my side."
"Mine too. So where are we going?"
"Food first. I am hungry."
"Sure, sure. Let's meet in 30 minutes at the school entrance, and then we go."
Naoya ended the call and then called the Zenin Kyoto branch to make a reservation for them.
"We will meet in 30 minutes in front of the school entrance, and then we depart," explained Naoya.
The three of them nodded and made their way back to the dorms to change their clothes and freshen up a bit.
Once all of them were prepared, they started to arrive one by one at the entrance.
Naoya was the first to arrive, since he had to inform Kagenori and the twins that he would be out.
The twins protested and wanted to join in as well, but Kagenori persuaded them to leave this one out. He probably wanted Naoya to enjoy the outing after the fight without the pressure of looking after the kids.
Naoya himself didn't have any issues with Maki and Mai, but without something to distract them continuously, the two would get rather bored among some high schoolers. He also didn't think it was a good idea to expect others to help him entertain the kids after such a long day, and when they were out relaxing.
After making a promise to take the girls out at a later date, he arrived at the entrance and waited for the others.
He expected that it would take some time and sat on the stairs.
"Satoru just got hella strong," muttered Naoya and stared at the sky.
He painstakingly developed a method to counter one of his techniques, and the bastard came up with two new ones, which were seriously not right to be that strong. He had the idea that [Red] was a thing, but [Hollow Purple] was something he never expected to see.
And if that wasn't enough, he could use cursed and positive energy at the same time.
All attacks, defence, and healing at the same time. What kind of sorcerer can do that all alone?
'Six Eyes + Limitless is just unfair...' thought Naoya and sighed.
'....Well, who am I complaining to? Satoru was already meant to be the menace for the Jujutsu world. The world changed because of him. I just need to find a way to deal with that cheater's new cheat codes.' thought Naoya.
'...Maybe it is time to exorcise the general.'
"Hm. You already arrived?"
Hearing the familiar voice made Naoya snap out of his thoughts.
"Hmm? You arrived quite early, senpai," replied Naoya, seeing Utahime coming towards him.
She had changed into casual clothes, which were a stark contrast to her usual priestess outfit.
She too took a seat on the staircase once Naoya gestured for her to join him.
"We won this time thanks to you," said Utahime.
"Well, thanks for the praise. You did well, too, senpai. That Home Run at the end was amazing too. See, I recorded it too," said Naoya and showed the recording of the scene to her.
"Wha? What is with you and recording these moments?!" complained Utahime and tried to smack Naoya.
Naoya simply caught her fists and laughed, making Utahime growl at him. She had seen how strong this junior of hers was, but for some reason, he liked to do some idiotic things to mess with her.
"*Sigh* whatever. It's not like I did something great in the fight anyway. You three were the star performers of the event anyway," muttered Utahime and sat back calmly.
Naoya could sense the sadness in her tone and knew what she was getting at.
Though there was nothing wrong with what she said, the other side was just too strong for her. Frankly, even many seasoned sorcerers won't be able to deal with the Tokyo line-up. The Kyoto line-up was quite strong as well, but if Utahime were to compare their fighting prowess with all the students, then she would rank second from the bottom.
"Senpai, I know that you might not like hearing my opinion on this matter, considering that the roles we played in a battle are completely different, but still hear me out," said Naoya.
Utahime glanced at him and gave him the go-ahead.
"Being a sorcerer is probably one of the most frustrating careers out there. Most of the things in sorcery are decided by talent and luck alone. You might be a hard-working individual, but in the world where superpowers and special abilities are involved, frankly speaking, hard work can only take you upto a certain level. It is kind of frustrating, and it might sound narcissistic coming from me, who is a Special Grade. But it is what it is. Satoru, too, is a Special Grade, but his talent is leagues above mine. I am keeping up with working harder than him, but I know the reality. If I stop working hard, he would be ahead of me in no time and even by working hard, I am just barely around his level. In this field hardwork won't be able to bridge the gap between an entire Grade difference. You can just be better than someone within your Grade, and if we stretch it a bit, maybe a lower-ranked person from a Grade above, but that's it," said Naoya.
Utahime stared at him with a blank expression. Was the brat trying to demotivate her?
"So, instead of moping over the fact that you cannot be someone OP and beat the shit out of people left and right, focus on what you can do better. Perfect what you can and try things to find anything new that could be added to your arsenal. It is better for the brain in the long run. Talent and luck may have set the ceiling for someone, but reaching that ceiling and making sure that you are better than anyone on or below, and even someone who is barely above you, is what you should be focusing on. Your speciality is support, and even then, you didn't falter from jumping into a fight and making sure that you come back alive. That is a nice going. You just need to make sure that you keep that up. You can only complain about hardships if you are alive, so be thankful for that," said Naoya and gave her a reassuring pat on her shoulder.
"It might sound like I am demotivating, but that is just how reality is. Just promise yourself this, and I am sure being a sorcerer would feel much better."
Utahime blinked.
Yes, the talk was demotivating. Maybe too demotivating. But she was not naive enough to deny what Naoya said. She has seen stronger sorcerers never return from a mission, and yet here she was sitting and complaining about not being strong. She was able to do this because she was alive despite being 'weak'.
'Maybe, I do have better luck than some...' thought Utahime.
Luck and Talent the two factors that drive most things in life. She might not have that much talent as a sorcerer, but her luck as a sorcerer was better than that of many who had better talent than she.
She smiled faintly, seeing that Naoya smiled as well.
"So? Still moping around?" asked Naoya.
"Hmm...maybe, though not much. Moping, afterall, is the gift to those who are alive," replied Utahime.
The two chuckled at her answer and then started to pass the time.
The others started to arrive soon after, and once everyone was gathered, they descended the stairs.
There, cars waited for them, thanks to the Zenin hospitality.
The boys got in one and the girls in the other.
"Hey, the treat is on us since we technically lost. Okay?" said Satoru. They had made a bet last night when they were playing around in Naoya's room, and since they lost, they would be going through with this.
Mei Mei was not that fond of the idea, but still agreed and bet on Gojo getting the victory for them, but alas. Well, what's done was done. No use complaining now.
"Really? You sure? I am hungry, you know?" asked Naoya and looked directly at Satoru.
Satoru was about to ignore the comment, but then got a flashback of Naoya's 'light eating habit' and blinked.
'Why am I having a bad premonition?' thought Mei Mei.
It was only once they reached the restaurant that she realised why she had that feeling.
Naoya felt bad about having all of them pay for his share.....just not bad enough.
"Don't worry. Satoru will foot my bill. You three take care of the others."
"Huh? Why me alone?!"
"Aren't you a good boy?" asked Naoya.
"I am."
"Then pay this time. I will pay for the next one."
"Sigh, alright. But I will take my treat at a fancier place!!!"
"Sure Sure."
Hearing their discussion, Mei Mei unknowingly sighed in relief.