Inside the Tokyo School's meeting room, the atmosphere was a world apart from the Kyoto side.
There were no schemes or suffocating bloodlust; instead, it felt more like a tea party for a bunch of problem children.
"Alright, everyone, listen up."
Maki Zenin adjusted her glasses, her pointer snapping against the blackboard with a sharp crack.
"The rules for tomorrow's group battle are simple."
"The first team to exorcise the Grade 2 Cursed Spirit in the designated area wins."
"If time runs out without a clear winner, the victory goes to whichever side exorcised more low-level curses."
"Rules aside, those Kyoto geezers aren't going to play fair and just hunt curses."
Maki's gaze swept across the room, finally resting on Nobara Kugisaki, who was busy grooming Panda's fur.
"Nobara! Quit playing around and pay attention!"
"Ugh, I know, I know."
Nobara reluctantly pulled her hand away, muttering under her breath.
"We just have to beat them all into the dirt anyway, right?"
"Brutally simple, but definitely the most efficient way."
Megumi Fushiguro crossed his arms, analyzing the situation with his usual calm.
"Aoi Todo will likely charge straight for Yoru first. As for the others, there's a high probability they'll target Itadori."
"After all, the fact that Yuji is Sukuna's Vessel makes him a thorn in the side of the Jujutsu higher-ups."
Hearing this, Yuji Itadori scratched his head, looking completely innocent.
"Wait, I'm a target too? But I haven't even done anything wrong."
"That's because those Rotten Oranges have nothing but mush for brains,"
Maki snorted, then turned her attention to Yoru, who had remained silent.
"Yoru, what's your take?"
Yoru was sitting off to the side, carefully wiping the pitch-black Special Grade Cursed Tool, Shiranui, with a white cloth.
At Maki's question, he slowly looked up, his expression serene.
"They want to kill me."
His tone was as flat as if he were remarking that the weather was pleasant.
"What?!"
Everyone froze for a heartbeat.
"It's not just Yuji; I am also their target."
Yoru briefly relayed the intelligence Mechamaru had sent him the previous night.
A heavy silence fell over the meeting room, followed immediately by a sudden explosion of fury.
"Those absolute bastards!"
Nobara kicked her chair over, her eyes burning with murderous intent.
"They actually dared to pull a stunt like this! Tomorrow, I'm going to grind their faces into the mud!"
Even the usually easy-going Panda clenched his fists tightly.
"It seems we can't afford to be too honorable ourselves."
"If they want to play a hunting game, we'll give them exactly what they're looking for."
Maki's lips curled into a cold smirk as she wrote several large words on the blackboard.
[STRATEGY: RELEASE THE YORU]
"What kind of ridiculous name is that?" Megumi couldn't help but deadpan.
"It's simple and to the point," Panda explained, gesturing toward the board.
"The core of the tactic is easy. Since their targets are Yoru and Yuji, we'll do the opposite of what they expect."
"Yuji will stay with us to draw fire and focus on exorcising curses."
"As for Yoru..." Panda looked at the quiet boy and gave a sly grin.
"You'll be our free-roamer. Go intercept the main Kyoto force by yourself."
"As long as you can stall them—or better yet, just take them all out—we've got this match in the bag."
"So, you're making me the bait?" Yoru raised an eyebrow, though he didn't seem to mind.
"No, not bait," Maki corrected. "The Joker."
"You're the strongest card in our hand. As long as you're on the field, Kyoto won't dare move recklessly."
"Besides, with your strength, taking on their whole team alone shouldn't be a problem, right?"
Facing their expectant gazes, Yoru offered a slight smile.
He sheathed the cleaned Shiranui, the blade clicking into place with a crisp sound.
"Since everyone trusts me this much, I naturally can't let you down."
"However, since this is a goodwill event, and to avoid any fatalities..."
Yoru paused, a meaningful glint flashing in his eyes.
"I'll try my best not to use the edge of the blade."
Not use the edge?
Everyone recalled the scene where Yoru had bent Mai's revolver using only his scabbard. They silently offered a three-second prayer for the Kyoto students.
This guy was a monster who could shatter bones even without drawing his blade!
BAM!
At that moment, the meeting room door was kicked open.
"Yo! Everyone's looking fired up!"
Satoru Gojo strolled in wearing his signature blindfold, casually swinging a large bag of Kikufuku.
"Gojo-sensei!" Yuji waved excitedly.
Gojo walked to the podium and tossed the Kikufuku onto the table. His smile gradually receded, replaced by a rare display of arrogance and dominance.
"I heard the strategy just now."
"'Release the Yoru'? Pfft... the name is a bit tacky, but it's right up my alley."
He leaned forward on the table, peering at the young students through his blindfold.
"Listen, I only have one requirement for you."
"Don't just win."
"Crush them! Secure a perfect victory! Show those old fossils what the power of the new era looks like!"
Gojo's voice wasn't loud, but it held a magnetic quality that set everyone's blood on fire.
"If that old man Gakuganji is desperate enough to issue an assassination order, it means they're already terrified."
"Since they've thrown the rules out the window, there's no need for us to be polite."
Gojo turned to Yoru, his grin widening into an exaggerated, predatory arc.
"Yoru, especially you."
"Since they see you as a thorn in their side, why not just drive them to utter despair?"
"On this field, you can run wild to your heart's content."
"No matter what happens, your teacher has your back!"
These words were the ultimate morale boost for the group.
Looking at Gojo's confident smile, Yoru felt his blood begin to simmer.
Yoriichi Tsugikuni's memories were always filled with sorrow and regret.
But in this world, surrounded by these comrades and this eccentric teacher, he felt a long-lost sense of freedom.
"Since Sensei put it that way..."
Yoru stood up, his long fingers lightly tracing the hilt of his sword.
In his golden-red eyes, battle intent burned like a raging inferno.
"Then in tomorrow's event, I'll make them realize one thing."
"Targeting me was the most foolish decision they've ever made."