Life at Jujutsu High seemed to always oscillate between earth-shattering missions and a chaotic daily routine.
After undergoing the "baptism" of Special Grade missions and intense taijutsu training, the campus's focus gradually shifted to the upcoming grand event—the Sister School Exchange Event between Tokyo Jujutsu High and Kyoto Jujutsu High.
Eye-catching notices were posted on the bulletin boards, and the number of people voluntarily adding extra practice sessions at the training grounds increased. The atmosphere became heated and tense, with a sense of proactive competition permeating the air.
"So, the exchange event is basically a gang fight between students from both schools, allowing the old geezers up top to judge and critique us, right?"
Gojo Satoru summarized it in his usual incisive (and punchable) manner. He was sitting crookedly on the classroom windowsill, eating a new limited-edition flavor of Kikufuku, dropping crumbs all over the floor.
"Satoru, put it more euphemistically. It's 'sparring exchange' and 'demonstrating teaching results'."
Geto Suguru sighed as he organized data on potential opponents, though most of the intelligence was vague. "Also, please pay attention to hygiene."
Mukyoku Nagi sat quietly to the side, listening to his two classmates discuss.
He wasn't particularly enthusiastic about these kinds of group activities, but since it was part of the mission, he would give it his all.
He watched the Kikufuku crumbs falling from Gojo Satoru, contemplating whether to use "Xu" to precisely send them back onto Satoru's head.
Yaga Masamichi gathered the first-year students for a brief mobilization and tactical arrangement.
"The exchange event is divided into two parts: the group battle and the individual battle. The group battle is a race to exorcise Cursed Spirits within a designated area, and a certain degree of 'interference' with the opponent is permitted."
Yaga's gaze swept over the four of them, lingering on Gojo Satoru for two extra seconds.
"The individual battle is a pure contest of strength. The students from the Kyoto school are not to be underestimated. They have received at least one more year of systematic training than you and possess richer experience."
He emphasized specifically, "What you need to be particularly careful about is that Principal Gakuganji of the Kyoto school has a conservative and... severe style. He will very likely formulate special strategies targeting our Tokyo school, specifically Satoru."
"Meaning they'll play dirty?"
Gojo Satoru waved his hand dismissively. "Don't worry, Teacher Yaga. In the face of absolute strength, all schemes and plots are paper tigers! Right, Suguru, Nagi?"
Yaga's fist hardened. A piece of chalk was thrown precisely toward Gojo Satoru's forehead, only to be easily caught between two of his fingers.
"Oh my, how dangerous~"
Preparations proceeded in an orderly fashion.
That afternoon, two unexpected visitors arrived at the Tokyo High training grounds. Although calling them visitors wasn't quite right, as one of them could be considered "one of us."
"Hmph! First years! The exchange event is about to start, and is this undisciplined appearance acceptable?! Especially you, Gojo Satoru!!"
A female voice filled with obvious anger and annoyance rang out; the owner of the voice seemed to have held a grudge for a long time. Everyone turned to see two girls standing at the entrance of the training grounds. One was slightly shorter, wearing her hair in two braids with cheeks puffed out in anger. It was the second-year senior from Tokyo High, Iori Utahime.
The other was tall, with a sharp silver high ponytail, wearing a lazy yet shrewd smile on her lips. Her eyes were sharp, as if assessing assets. She was Utahime's classmate, Mei Mei.
Mei Mei had come to help coordinate the process, while Utahime... had purely come to express "concern."
"Oh? Isn't this Utahime?"
Gojo Satoru immediately perked up, bounding over like a cat seeing a cat teaser. He deliberately bent down, bringing his face close to Utahime's. His sunglasses slid to the tip of his nose, revealing those annoying blue eyes.
"What's wrong? Is Utahime worried that us first years are too amazing and will steal the spotlight from you second years? Don't worry~ We'll win your share too!"
"Go! Jo! Sa! Toru!"
Cross-shaped veins instantly popped on Utahime's forehead, and her fists clenched with a cracking sound.
"Who's worried about that?! I came to urge you to train seriously! To stop you from losing too miserably and embarrassing the entire Tokyo High! Especially you! Your slouching attitude is the most irritating thing!"
"Eh—how could that be?"
Gojo Satoru made an exaggerated sad face.
"Utahime is so mean! Even though I'm so strong! Is Senpai expressing her care for me in such a clumsy way? What a tsundere~"
"Who cares about you! Narcissist! This is my sense of responsibility as a senior! Also! Add 'Senpai' to my name!"
Utahime stomped her feet in anger, wishing she could immediately blast this white-haired bastard away with a Cursed Technique. "Mei Mei, look at him!"
Mei Mei smiled, shrugging as if it didn't concern her. "It's quite interesting, isn't it? The vitality of youth."
However, her gaze swept over the Tokyo High group with great interest, lingering on Gojo Satoru, Geto Suguru, and... Mukyoku Nagi for a moment, as if evaluating their "value."
"Hello, Senpais."
Geto Suguru stepped forward gently, skillfully inserting himself into the conflict that was about to erupt, acting as the peacemaker. "We are conducting preparation training before the exchange event. Thank you for your concern, Senpai."
Shoko also waved lazily. "Yo, Utahime, still so energetic."
Seeing the slightly more normal Geto Suguru and Shoko, Utahime's anger subsided a little, but she still glared at Gojo Satoru.
"Hmph! At least Nagi and Shoko look decent! You guys better watch this troublemaker and don't let him get eliminated in the first round; that would be truly shameful!"
Gojo Satoru wanted to say something else, but Mukyoku Nagi gently tugged at the corner of his clothes.
Nagi looked at Geto Suguru, then, in a calm and ripple-less tone, said something that stunned everyone present.
"Suguru, the group battle is a race to exorcise Cursed Spirits, right?"
Geto Suguru: "...Yes."
Nagi continued in a tone as if discussing today's weather, "That means a large number of Cursed Spirits will be released in a concentrated area."
Geto Suguru seemed to realize something, his eyes widening slightly.
Nagi gave his final suggestion, his tone carrying a natural, unpretentious straightforwardness: "Free lunch is coming."
He paused, seeming to consider the accuracy of his words, then added, "Maybe... a banquet?"
Geto Suguru's expression became extremely complex. There was the sudden realization of "Right, that works!" mixed with the painful struggle of "But they really taste like rags...", eventually turning into a heavy sigh as if he could already taste that terrible flavor.
"Nagi... your suggestion is good, but next time... maybe don't suggest it. Just thinking about that quantity and the 'mouthfeel'..." He subconsciously made a swallowing motion, his face seemingly turning a bit paler.
Just then, a slender hand calmly extended in front of him. In the open palm lay a few fruit candies wrapped in colorful paper.
It was the same lemon candy Shoko had given out before.
Geto Suguru was stunned for a moment, looking up at the owner of the hand—Mukyoku Nagi.
Nagi's expression remained unchanged as he simply said, "Buffer."
Concise, but the meaning was clear: use this to alleviate the taste of the Cursed Spirit orbs.
Silence fell over the scene for a second.
*Pfft—*
This time, even Shoko couldn't help but laugh out loud. Looking at Nagi handing over the candy with such a serious face, she teased:
"Yo, learning fast, aren't you, Nagi? Looks like my candy is quite effective?"
The interest in Mei Mei's eyes deepened, seemingly assessing the value of this "camaraderie."
"Truly touching care, Geto-student."
Utahime still looked confused.
"...So why eat candy? And what are rags?"
She couldn't keep up with this jumping conversation at all.
Geto Suguru looked at the candies, the bitter smile on his face finally melting away into a trace of genuine warmth.
He took the candy and carefully put it in his pocket.
"Thanks, Nagi. Although the effect might be limited... I received your feelings."
At least, after swallowing those "rags," having something sweet to dilute that nightmarish taste would indeed be a comfort.
Gojo Satoru burst into even louder laughter, slapping Geto Suguru's back forcefully (almost winding him).
"Hahahaha! Suguru! Look how much Nagi cares about you! He even prepared dessert for you! Don't worry! Nagi and I will help you hunt the most 'delicious' Cursed Spirits!"
Geto Suguru: "..." He suddenly felt the candy in his pocket was burning hot.
After a brief period of chaos, Mei Mei finished her business and dragged the still-sulking Utahime away.
Before leaving, Utahime gave the first years a complicated look, finally squeezing out a sentence:
"Any... Anyway! You all do your best! Absolutely do not let those guys from Kyoto High look down on our Tokyo High! Do you hear me?!"
"Hai~ Hai~ Don't worry, Utahime~"
Gojo Satoru waved grinningly. "We'll win super—easily!"
Utahime: "...That's not the point! And add 'Senpai' to my name, hey!"
Then she was dragged away by Mei Mei, fuming.
Watching their retreating figures, Geto Suguru rubbed the center of his brows, already beginning to feel a stomachache over the upcoming "Cursed Spirit Feast."
Shoko yawned. "Looks like in this exchange event, win or lose, Suguru's sacrifice is the biggest."
Gojo Satoru, however, confidently wrapped his arms around Geto Suguru and Nagi's shoulders. His sunglasses slid down his nose, revealing the Six Eyes shining with the light of invincible confidence.
"What are you worried about?"
"It doesn't matter—"
"Because we are the strongest."
The sunlight fell on his brilliant smile, carrying a certainty that bordered on arrogance.
Geto Suguru thought of the pile of "rags," his smile a bit bitter, but seeing Satoru and Nagi beside him, his gaze finally steadied.
Nagi looked at his two classmates, feeling their unreserved trust and powerful confidence (and the sacrifice Geto Suguru was about to make). The gloom in his heart, born from the conspiracies of the higher-ups, seemed to be somewhat dispersed by this dazzling (and noisy) light.
Yes, regardless of whether what lay ahead were powerful opponents or disgusting Cursed Spirits, at least in this moment, they stood side by side.
The strongest...? Perhaps. At least, in terms of causing trouble and pissing people off, Gojo Satoru was indeed the strongest.