Tokyo Jujutsu high.
Bang!
Masamichi slammed the table as he stood up, his eyes staring at Yamamoto in shock.
"Y-You aren't serious, right?!" Masamichi asked.
But Yamamoto didn't answer; instead, he asked a question of his own:
"Masamichi, you must know how hard it is for us clan-less sorcerers, right?"
"Hard or not, that doesn't mean you should join the higher-ups!" Masamichi said in rage. "You should know how corrupt they are, and you still wish to join?!"
Though Masamichi could understand Yamamoto's point, he didn't agree with him—so what if the clan-less sorcerers didn't possess tools and resources like the sorcerers who came from clans? It was better to remain clan-less than to join those hypocrites, the higher-ups!
Yamamoto didn't get angry nor flustered by Masamichi's glare; instead, he still maintained that serene smile as he tapped the table repeatedly.
"Masamichi, have you ever thought about it—what would your loved ones do if you suddenly die on a mission?"
"Of course, you might not have any loved ones now, but what about later?... I have loved ones, so I understand that feeling better," Yamamoto said as he stared at Masamichi. "Forget how your loved ones would feel after your death, but... don't you want to have more power to ensure that you wouldn't perish during a mission?"
"The care given to your loved ones after your death, techniques and tools that can strengthen you—joining the higher-ups would ensure all this!" Yamamoto said, his eyes blazing with conviction.
Masamichi frowned. "They won't accept you!"
"Initially..." Yamamoto said as he sipped his tea, "...but after I've joined and contributed to the development of the higher-ups, becoming part of them wouldn't be hard!"
"You're blinded by greed, Yamamoto," Masamichi said, discarding all respect he had once had for Yamamoto.
"I'm not blinded, Masamichi... I can see... see the bigger picture," Yamamoto said with a smile. "Besides, you should be happy—after my retirement, you can become the principal."
Masamichi didn't talk anymore; instead, he took one deep glance at Yamamoto before stepping out of the principal's office.
Watching the closed door, Yamamoto shook his head.
"Masamichi... he's too stubborn..."
...
Stepping out of the principal's office, Masamichi stared at the starry night sky in silence before he sighed in exasperation.
"Yamamoto... he's too greedy..."
.....
The next day.
Satoru woke up with a yawn, only to notice that Suguru was already dressing up.
"Eh? Are you going for a mission today?" Satoru asked.
Suguru stared at him with a blank stare. "Is it only missions that we are meant to do?"
"..."
"If it isn't a mission, then what?" Satoru asked again.
Suguru's lips twitched. "This is a school!"
"Eh? But they haven't taught us anything since I came here—apart from mission rules, and that too is during missions!" Satoru said.
Suguru, who had been massaging his temples, froze. 'It's true... they really haven't taught us anything for a while now.'
And Suguru knew why—they had become too powerful lately. Satoru, a special-grade sorcerer stronger than their teacher; even Suguru had become a first-grade sorcerer equal to their teacher. The only weak one among them was Shoko, and she was a medical sorcerer, meaning not only she but Satoru and Suguru didn't require any teachings from Masamichi.
"Haa... forget it. I got a message from Shoko..." Suguru said as he brought his phone from his pocket and waved it. "...She and Masamichi-sensei are waiting for us in the training ground."
Satoru, who had been inside the bathroom, stuck his head out, confusion etched on his face. "Eh? Why didn't she send one for me too?"
"Have you turned on your phone today?" Suguru asked with a deadpan expression.
"Oh... makes sense," Satoru nodded and withdrew his head.
Suguru stared at the bathroom with a relieved smile. Though to some, Satoru hadn't changed since his battle with Sukuna, Suguru noticed that Satoru now seemed free—unlike before, where he tried to act free, like a newly recruited soldier trying to act brave: stiff and unnatural.
....
After Satoru freshened up, both he and Suguru headed toward the training ground, which wasn't far from their dormitory.
As they reached the training ground, the duo noticed Masamichi, who stood with his arms crossed and his expression stern; Shoko, who stood beside him with the signature dark circles under her eyes; and an unfamiliar athletic woman standing on the raised platform in the training ground.
She was a very tall young woman with a slender yet athletic build, light skin, long blonde hair that extended well down her back (with two tufts framing her face), and brown eyes.
To Suguru, she was unfamiliar, but Satoru recognized her immediately.
"You're late," Masamichi said.
"The mission was stressful; we overslept," Satoru said as he scratched his head sheepishly.
Masamichi stared at Satoru with a blank face before turning to Shoko beside him.
"I didn't sleep at all," Shoko said with a sigh.
"Late or not, it doesn't matter—they're here, aren't they?" Yuki said with a wide smile. "My name is Yuki Tsukumo, a third-year, special-grade sorcerer, and your martial arts teacher!"
"Our martial arts teacher?" Suguru raised an eyebrow as he turned to Masamichi in confusion.
"I've noticed that you guys rely too much on your cursed techniques and haven't considered the fact that your cursed energy might run out during battle," Masamichi said as he stared at Suguru. "Satoru and Shoko are alright since Satoru knows a little martial arts, and Shoko isn't fighting on the front lines, but you're different. What if your opponent bypasses all your cursed spirits and reaches you? How would you react?"
Suguru's face became serious as he listened to Masamichi. "I guess you're right."
Turning to Yuki, Suguru bowed slightly. "I'll be in your care, then, Yuki-sensei."
Yuki smiled broadly. "Come up!"
Suguru nodded as he leaped lightly, landing on the platform.
Boom!
"Let's fight!" Yuki said, appearing beside Suguru.
!!
Suguru hastily placed his hands over his chest to defend, but it was futile—Yuki's punch struck him, sending him flying through the air.
"Your stance is full of flaws, your reaction time is too slow, and your strength is nearly nonexistent!" Yuki said to the fallen Suguru. "It's true—you really are too dependent on your cursed technique. You've neglected your body and technique!"
"Ugh...!" Suguru, lying on the floor blankly staring at the sky, let out a groan.
After lecturing Suguru, Yuki stared at Satoru with a smile.
"Come on—you must be the special-grade sorcerer, Satoru Gojo, right?"
Satoru smiled as he leaped, landing on the training ground. "Hmm, that's me."
"Good!" Yuki smiled widely, revealing her white teeth. "I'm pumped up now!"
...
Next chapter: Satoru vs. Yuki 2.