The sound of a bamboo stick hitting the ground due to being filled with water rang out, a sound that penetrated the wooden walls. Water fell once again, filling the hollow bamboo stick, and Satoru knew it was only a matter of time till it rang out again. But despite his lackadaisical attitude, the ancient contraption was not the thing that held his true attention. That was reserved for the man steadily making his way to the building. His shoes hit the ground without care, and he carried a pace that was unhurried.
"Oh, is that how she plans on doing it now?" Satoru chuckled to himself from his seat. He lay in a relaxed lounge that forced the upper part of the chair to bend back and accommodate him, his hands locked behind his head while his feet were raised and placed upon the table before him, one leg over the other.
The footsteps continued, heavy and rough as they found their way to the wooden porch. Then their owner dusted his feet and swung the wooden door open, revealing Satoru Gojo, alone in the observation/meeting room the teachers were supposed to use to watch the students. It was a spartan room, with three long rows of tables and chairs that went higher the further you walked in, like a refurbished university classroom. The only things that made it different were the vast number of wide TV screens fitted along the walls, everyone of Mei Mei's crow located at different angles to give viewers a clear view of the whole forest where the interschool competition was supposed to take place.
Satoru turned to look at the man who had opened the door, an unneeded motion considering he could see him just as clearly with his head facing up. "How have you been, Kusakube?"
Kusakube stood frozen the moment he heard that all too playful voice. His reflexive urge to slam the wooden door shut had been too slow. At least, he couldn't do it anymore without being rude. "Ah, Gojo-san. Am I the first to arrive?" he questioned as he took a seemingly confident step forward, crossing the doorway and closing the sliding door behind him.
Satoru smiled in response. He could see the worry on the other man's face—his brown hair cut short, and his ever-present brown coat ruffling as he moved. Kusakube, for all his strength, seemed to be wary of powerful sorcerers that he deemed above him, and while Satoru had expected Utahime to come along with Principal Gakuganji, he remembered what Jiki had told him about her new and elevated status. He doubted that being the next head miko would give her enough time to leave the shrine and come for something as pedestrian as this, which meant he would have to make do with annoying Kusakube instead of the scarred miko.
"Yes, yes, now come and sit with me." He waved to the empty seat close to him, the place Utahime would've taken if she had been present. Kusakube froze once more, and Satoru almost burst out laughing at the expression on his face. The other man had been positioned to go higher up and pick a farther seat, giving them as much distance as possible while staying in the same room, but Satoru had nipped that plan in the bud with his offer. An offer Kusakube couldn't reject without insulting the strongest sorcerer of the modern era.
"Haha, why not?" Kusakube gave off a strangled laugh as he smoothly pivoted and moved to sit beside him. The duo sat in silence for long seconds, a silence that Satoru luxuriated in while he watched the other man get closer to a breakdown every second. With a chuckle, he decided to break the ice and spare the man whatever thoughts were forming in his head.
"How are your kids? I've not seen much of them since you called me over for that favor."
Kusakube finally eased into his seat at the comfortable topic of conversation. "They've been training," the older man began with a shrug of his shoulders. "Harder than I would've expected, but this is not just a competition for them anymore, especially for Todo."
Satoru hummed along to the man's words. Todo—an interesting child. A combat prodigy who rose so fast and so high based on his own talent. But his teacher's early presence in his training could not be discounted. Todo was what happened when a combat prodigy was trained by a special-grade sorcerer. His only true weakness was his cursed technique.
While it was a versatile thing and something the pineapple-headed boy had trained hard enough to make a force of its own, Satoru could not help but wonder what would have happened if the boy's innate technique was something more... offensive.
"What about the girl?"
Kusakube blinked at him first, then a soft smile spread on his lips. Pride. "She's been doing better," Kusakube replied vaguely, a self-satisfied grin on his face. A grin that made Satoru's brows raise in interest.
When Kusakube and Utahime had called him and asked for a favor a few days after the Night Parade of a Thousand Demons, despite how busy he had been, he honored the invitation. Partially out of interest, for the recipient was not the other man's favored apprentice but another girl. Yet not even curiosity was enough to halt his search for both Geto and the mysterious people who interfered in that fight.
The tipping point and deciding factor had been one of his. One of his treasured students had been close enough to hear the request and had promised to unleash bodily harm on him if he didn't go.
"If it all goes well, I can definitely see Kyoto Technical taking the competition this time arou—" Kusakube continued, a boast on his lips that was violently cut short as his eyes widened in realization. He turned woodenly to face Satoru, his body tense as a bowstring. "I don't suppose Jiki has changed his stance and has plans to join the competition this time, has he?"
Satoru held back the shit-eating grin from his face and tried his best to project an air of responsibility and seriousness. "No, he hasn't. In fact, he is not even around today either." A grin finally escaped and found its way to his face as he watched the other man turn from being as tense as a pulled bowstring to hot noodles as he sank into his chair once again.
If Kusakube was cautious and wary of Satoru, the older man was downright terrified of Jiki for some reason that Satoru could not confirm. A stance held by quite a lot of people. A stance that Satoru could not comprehend or wrap his head around. His little Jiki-kun was a lovable boy who couldn't hurt a fly.
Kusakube leaned forward as more footsteps rang out from the corridor, signifying that the rest of the teachers and principals were coming. "Then I think we have at least a 70% chance of winning this time."
"Hooo?" Satoru started, amusement written on his features, but before he could speak further or disabuse the other man of that notion, the sliding door slammed open and more figures walked in. That same moment, on the screen, at the two edges that indicated the students' starting points, Satoru watched the students assemble, including a curious presence he had not expected. Toge. His smile widened.
He could see Kusakube's odds go down immediately.
,,,,
The room had filled up, with a mixture of staffs, teachers and the two principals as well as Mei Mei. Satoru kept quiet, body relaxed and in the same nonchalant posture as ever, in a thinly disguised attempt to avoid the conversation happening in the background, namely, Itadori Yuji's continued survival. A conversation spearheaded by Principal Gakuganji of Kyoto Technical. It was a topic the rest of the teachers and staffs tiptoed around, considering Satoru's very obvious stance. Then, the discussion took a sharp twist, a dark turn that drew Satoru's interest.
"Any news on what happened to Elder Hinamaki?" Kusakabe asked from his seat beside Satoru. Satoru saw the way Principal Ganduje's already sour features twisted further into something darker, his single eye hidden beneath his heavy brow and furrowed forehead.
"There has been confirmation that he was tortured," the old man began, his voice raspy. "Analysts and investigators were sent to the scene and confirmed it. There was a trace of another cursed energy present, separate from the dead elder's residual's and that of his guards, which affects our initial assumption that this was a hit by the Sorcerer Killer."
Satoru felt and saw the eyes sent his way, but he continued his oblivious act. Yagi was the next to speak, his voice clipped and curt. "Why would the Sorcerer Killer be considered in the first place?"
The rest of the teachers shifted their attention to the glasses-wearing man—all except one. Principal Gakuganji's sole eye remained fixed on Satoru and refused to leave. "Because there were traces of mundane explosives at the site of the battle. So either the Sorcerer Killer has started leaving cursed energy residuals, or this was done by someone else. Someone with a bone to pick against one of the most conservative elders on the council."
It was a thinly veiled accusation, one plainly pointed at him. He let out a smile. Yet, no matter how convenient it would be to blame him, nobody in the room truly believed Satoru was the one. Like his little cousin said, he was many things, but subtle was not one of them. If Gojo Satoru wanted anyone dead or information taken from them, then he was going to walk up to the person and get it.
Yet, Gakuganji's suspicion ironically held some ground. While Satoru was not the one who committed the act, he had facilitated it by sending Toge to Toji Fushiguro.
"They're starting," Ijichi spoke up, his voice a squeak that disrupted the heavy atmosphere. But it worked all the same, as everyone's attention fully shifted to the screens, where two groups of students had begun running toward each other from opposing ends of the forest.
Satoru's smile remained as he wondered just how much Toji had taught Toge. A motivated Inumaki was an interesting anomaly, and Satoru found himself curious on just how far would the child go? Would he finally qualify to be among those he hoped would help change their accursed society?
While everyone focused on the screens, Satoru twisted his neck to look at Ganduje, whose single eye had remained on him throughout. He gave the man a knowing smile, one that forced the principal's narrowed eye to widen in surprise.
That smile had all but confirmed he knew something about the attack. But the look on the weathered and annoying old man's face was definitely worth it, especially as he watched that surprise turn into teeth-gnashing anger.
The higher-ups won't know what hit them, Satoru thought with a smile as he turned away from the boiling man, satisfied with the fact that his eyes allowed him to continue observing him regardless of their positions. His smile widened as he sank deeper into his chair. This should be fun.
X
They stood at the gates leading into the forest. The announcement had been made minutes ago. Their objective was clear, find, and exorcise the grade two curse hidden in the forest. The first team to accomplish the objective automatically passed. If neither team succeeded, then things changed. They would be graded by their exorcism of the grade three curses littered throughout the forest.
Yuji stretched, two arms behind his back in a posture that nearly broke his spine, a grin on his face as he looked into the forest. He could feel his muscles loosening the longer he held the position until a refreshing crack sounded. Then, he shifted to stretching his legs.
"So, uh, what's the plan?" Yuji asked as he turned slightly to look at his classmates and upperclassmen. Megumi leaned against the signpost, body utterly relaxed, yet there was a tightness to his figure that spoke of a spring ready to be released.
"Still a few minutes to noon," Megumi replied.
Then Yuji felt a sudden kick to his butt and landed in a graceless sprawl, his hard head cushioning the fall. "We're still waiting for Maki. She said she's bringing someone, another upperclassman," Nobara said from behind him.
Yuji stood up, dusting himself off as he allowed his thoughts to wander. So far, the only upperclassmen he was familiar with were Jiki—who Yuji had yet to see at school—Maki, and another girl who had shown up a few days ago, Emi, Master Tengen's personal student. "Do you know anything about the new student?"
Nobara shrugged in response, her belt of nails and hammer tinkling with the movement. Megumi was the one with answers. "Toge Inumaki. He was one of the two survivors of the attack on Jujutsu High during the Night Parade."
Yuji's eyes widened at the information, and he was about to ask another question when multiple footsteps rang out, slow and unhurried, until their owners turned a corner and revealed themselves. Maki-senpai, alongside a platinum-haired boy with a high-collared shirt that covered his lips and dark purple eyes that scrutinized them with a familiar intensity.
Then, in the blink of an eye, the look was gone, leaving Yuji wondering if he had imagined it. Trailing behind the duo was Emi.
"We're complete now," Maki said, her amber eyes trailing over them, her short hair ruffling in the wind. Those same eyes drifted briefly to the side, where two more people could have stood, before refocusing on the group. "Or as complete as we're going to be. With that said, introductions first. Toge, you're familiar with Megumi, but the brown-haired hussy and the pink-haired brat are also our underclassmen, Kugisaki Nobara and Itadori Yuji."
They exchanged greetings, though Toge only responded by moving his fingers in a complex pattern that left Yuji blinking in confusion. Maki didn't miss it and quickly clarified.
"Toge here is an Inumaki, and his cursed technique is Cursed Speech. His words are imbued with cursed energy, which makes communication difficult. So, we—" She hesitated for a moment before continuing. "Jiki created an alternative, a hand sign language we've had to learn. Megumi knows it, and in time, we'll put you up to speed as well. Any questions?"
Megumi raised a hand. "Yes, what's the plan considering the Kyoto students outnumber us? I heard they also got a couple of freshies, although I'm not sure if they'll be participating."
Maki frowned, but before she could answer, Toge's hand moved in a rapid, dizzying motion that must have communicated something. Maki responded, "Hikari got into some trouble with the higher-ups. There were plans to expel him, but Gojo Satoru put a stop to it, so they had to settle for suspension, Kira did as they usually do, and followed him."
Her black brows furrowed as realization struck, but Megumi beat her to it. "Loosing two of our classmates just in time for the Goodwill Event. What're the odds?" he said with a sharp bark of laughter that didn't reach his eyes.
"Wait, so we are being set up?" Nobara asked the only person who seemed as confused as he was. Emi quickly soothed their fears with a warm smile and a wave of her hand.
"Maybe. They've been worried about the growth of the Gojos and their allies." She looked each of the people present in the eyes. "Us by association. If the Kyoto branch wins the competition, then it gives the conservative elders more leverage to gainsay Gojo-sama about his way of teaching, as well as ostracize Jiki-kun for not joining the competition."
Then the serene vibe the older girl gave off changed as her hand went to caress her sheathed sword. "What they still don't realize is that neither Gojo particularly cares. The elders are playing shogi against people who will flip the board whenever they get bored of playing."
"Still, it would leave a sour taste in my mouth to lose just because of a little handicap," Maki interjected.
"Well, the answer is simple then."
They all turned as one to him, and he realized he was the one who had spoken. He stood up from his crouch and faced them with a grin.
"We simply don't lose and pummel the Kyoto students to the death, one after the other." He finished by slamming his fist into his open palm.
There was silence for a second, and he wondered if he had been too serious, then a rambunctious laugh rang out as a hand slapped his back. He looked to the side at where Nobara had crept up on him.
"A simple plan from a simple boy, but I can definitely work with that."
Then scattered chuckles rang out from the rest in agreement.
"Yuji is right. It doesn't have to be complicated. Outnumbered or not, we will beat them either way."
"Now it comes down to our tactics," Megumi poured ice over the humor, forcing the rest of them to get serious once more. "Considering we now know that Kyoto High is being used by the higher-ups in some way, I'm worried about Yuji."
The rest of them glanced at him, and it took everything he had not to fidget at the attention. It was no secret what he had in him, and despite Maki's efforts, there were rumors about what had happened at the correctional facility. Unsubstantiated and lacking proof or witnesses, which meant officially, the elders had no cause to come after him… but that was officially.
"So you think they'll come for him, even with Gojo watching?" Nobara asked with a frown.
"There is the possibility, but considering how durable Yuji is, there is only one person who would be able to kill him fast, and before Gojo Satoru could intervene, and that is even if he wants to." Maki said.
The upperclassmen exchanged a look that the others couldn't interpret before Emi spoke up.
"Todo. But we all know how he is. He's a wild card, more likely to act on his whims than take any direct orders, and he would most likely be looking to fight the strongest person here."
This time they all turned to Maki, but she replied with a shrug.
"I'll face him, but only after I'm done with some unfinished business. I need to see to Mai first."
There was a hardness in her voice alongside an anticipation that stopped the rest from refuting her. Instead, they nodded along as Maki continued. "There's also the fact that he seemed to kick off well with Yuji a few days back. I don't think we have much to fear on that front."
She shifted into a crouch, and they all crouched alongside her in a circle to hide their plan from the crows that littered the area and another person who might be watching.
"Now for our actual plans, we will be splitting into groups. One upperclassman with one lowerclassman. Two combat-ready teams focused on exorcising any stray curses they come across but primarily aiming to take down any Kyoto student we manage to catch off guard and whittle down their numbers, while the last team will focus on hunting down curses, primarily using the chance to find the grade 2 curse that is the main goal of the test."
"One minute left, kiddos!"
Satoru's voice called out from the speakers that surrounded them. Maki looked between the six of them intently, heedless of Satoru's voice, and the rest of them stayed silent, letting their pseudo-leader come up with the plan. It didn't take long before she arrived at one.
"Okay, the first combat team will be Megumi and me. His ability to scout with the aid of his shinigami will help us find them while I focus on taking them down." Megumi sent Yuji a glance, but he grinned at the black-haired boy alongside flashing him a thumbs up, causing him to shrug before facing Maki and nodding in agreement.
"The next team consists of Toge and Yuji. Communication between the two of you will be slower, but Toge is experienced enough to get past that." She turned to give the taciturn Toge a look as she continued, "This also serves as a contingency in case the full Kyoto High team comes after you. Toge's cursed technique should help slow them down enough for us to get to you, or for you to run."
Yuji turned and nodded at the other teen.
Then she turned to the last two people. "Emi, Jiki personally taught you his weird sensing technique. How far along are you?"
The brown-haired girl gave a soft, serene smile before replying. "It's enough to find the Grade 2, even if it's hidden."
Maki nodded. "Good. Nobara, your technique is very good at exorcising curses, and you're not a slouch in a fight either. So, Emi, you find the curse and put up a barrier to trap and hide the three of you inside, giving the both of you enough time to exorcise the curse without distractions."
They all nodded while Yuji stared at the amber-eyed not-Zenin in surprise. He knew that Maki-senpai was strong, that was never in doubt considering how much damage she had put Sukuna through, yet it was surprising to learn that she was just as smart and tactical.
"Ten seconds left!"
"Are we clear?" Maki asked.
She received a chorus of replies, ranging from Megumi's calm "Yes" to Yuji's more hyped, "You got it!"
"Go! Good luck, my little gremlins!"
Satoru's voice rang out from the speaker one final time, and as one, they all spun and began to head out, past the gates and into the forest where the competition would be held.
A competition that would not be forgotten for decades to come.