Junpei walked out of the hall saying, "Gojo-Sensei was so tough on me today."
Kiyotaka looked to him and asked, "You did want to become stronger, didn't you?"
Junpei deadpanned and said, "Yes, but I didn't think I'd be beaten up over it."
"He's only that harsh because people target Shikigami users directly. If you rely on your Shikigami too much, you'll get killed."
Junpei sighed, thinking, 'I'm getting stronger, Mom.'
Junpei turned to Kiyotaka, with an awkward look, and said, "What I said back then. When you found me in the audience hall. I'm sorry. I... shouldn't have brought up your mom like that."
Kiyotaka shook his head, saying, "I don't know her, and a part of me thinks that was likely for the best."
Junpei bowed his head, saying, "Even still. I'm sorry."
"It's alright."
Megumi and Nobara walked over as Megumi asked, "You brought in another first year?"
Junpei looked awkward, saying, "Um... I'm Yoshino Junpei. Ayanokoji helped me out during an incident involving a Special-Grade Curse."
Megumi and Nobara deadpanned at this as Nobara sighed, saying, "You're like some kind of magnet for them."
Kiyotaka then also deadpanned, saying, "I hope not."
Nobara then looked to Junpei, saying, "You're kinda gloomy like Ayanokoji. Is that why you two get along? Aw so sweet."
Nobara said this mockingly as she snickered, and Kiyotaka sighed, saying, "Knock it off", before asking, "Didn't you read the report I gave you?"
Nobara deadpanned, asking, "You really expect me to read more paperwork?"
Megumi sighed before whispering in Nobara's ear, "His mom died in that incident", as Nobara twitched in shock, turning to Megumi and shouting, "Why didn't you tell me sooner?!! Now I sound like some heartless jerk!"
"You definitely sounded like that."
Both Kiyotaka and Megumi said this simultaneously as Nobara turned to Junpei and said, "Sorry about that."
Junpei sighed and said, "It's... alright."
Nobara took a stance and shouted, "Alright! Forget all about this! New first impressions!"
Junpei shook his hand in front of his face, saying, "Nope, that's impossible."
Nobara deadpanned at this as Megumi sighed, thinking, 'Idiot.'
Kiyotaka patted Junpei's shoulder, saying, "It's alright. Kugisaki is just the abrasive type. She didn't mean anything by it."
Junpei nodded and said, "It's fine."
Megumi and Nobara looked to each other, thinking, 'That's coming up so...'
Junpei looked to the three and asked, "What are you guys going to do next?"
Megumi sighed and said, "We're going to be participating in the Tokyo-Kyoto Sister School Exchange Event."
Junpei looked confused, asking, "Tokyo-Kyoto Sister School Exchange Event?"
Kiyotaka replied, "It's a competition between two Jujutsu Schools. Usually it's reserved for Second and Third Years, but this year our school is short-handed, so Fushiguro and Kugisaki are participating. As for me. Gojo is forcing me."
Junpei deadpanned at that last part before asking, "What about me?"
Kiyotaka shook his head, saying, "I don't recommend it. You're not ready for battles at that scale. At this stage, you'd probably die by accident."
Megumi looked to Junpei and said, "Gojo said that you're progressing fast. If you had another month's worth of training, you'd probably be able to handle it."
Kiyotaka patted his shoulder, saying, "Both Tokyo and Kyoto already have 6 students ready to participate. It wouldn't be fair for it to be 7 Vs 6."
Junpei nodded, saying, "Alright. I guess that I'll join you guys next year."
—————————————————————————————————————
Nobara showed up with a bag and suitcase as she dropped her magazine, asking, "Why are you all empty-handed?!"
Panda pointed to the luggage, asking, "What are you doing with all that luggage?"
Kiyotaka looked to her, asking, "You really don't like to read, do you?" and saying, "We all received notes that it would be held here."
Nobara deadpanned at this, asking, "Wait, no... We're going to Kyoto, aren't we?"
Megumi sighed, saying, "He just said we aren't. Check the note!"
"I don't have it with me!"
Panda held up a sign saying, "Sister Exchange Event with Kyoto held in Tokyo."
Nobara grabbed her hair, shouting, "No way! What did I make all those preparations for then?!"
Maki sighed, saying, "No wonder our conversations have been a bit off lately."
Nobara whined, shouting, "I was totally ready to go sightseeing! This sucks! What a scam!"
Panda sighed, saying, "It's held at the school that won in the previous year."
Nobara grabbed Panda's fur, shouting, "Then don't go winning, you idiots!"
"We weren't in it last year! Only Yuta participated to make the numbers match up!"
Maki sighed, saying, "That was prior to freeing Rika. Apparently, it was an overwhelming win. I didn't see it, though, since it was held in Kyoto."
Nobara folded her magazine into a cylinder, shouting, "I won't forgive you, Okkotsu Yuuta!"
Kiyotaka picked up Nobara by the collar like a cat, saying, "Don't curse people whom we've never met who could probably kill us with ease."
Nobara flailed her arms and legs, shouting, "Let me down, Ayanokoji!"
Maki held in a laugh as she said, "Don't worry. Yuta's a softy. He won't get mad over something like that."
Nobara looked to Maki and said, "He sounds like a wuss."
Maki deadpanned and said, "He's a Special-Grade Sorcerer."
Many looked shocked, including Kiyotaka, who thought, 'Why is it allowed for Special-Grade Sorcerers to participate in that. It seems unfair to the other side.'
Panda sighed, saying, "That's misdirected anger."
Inumaki nodded, saying, "Shake."
Kiyotaka processed his tone and the context, thinking, 'He's just agreeing with Panda.'
Maki then turned her head, saying, "Hey. They're here."
Kiyotaka looked to Maki, thinking, 'Her sense of hearing is good.'
The Kyoto Students walked up the stairs as Mai looked to Kiyotaka, thinking, 'That guy...'
Todo scratches the back of his head, saying, "Okkotsu's not here but..."
He looked to see Kiyotaka as he smirked, saying, "Ayanokoji is here, though."
The robot-looking one then said, "Never mind Okkotsu being absent, isn't having three first years a major handicap?"
Nobara looked shocked, shouting, "It's a robot!"
The one whose eyes for some reason were closed then said, "Age is irrelevant to Jujutsu Sorcerers. Especially with Fushiguro-kun. He's from the Zenin bloodline, but he's more talented than the head of the clan."
Mai looked annoyed before saying, "It's that other guy, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, that you'll all have to worry about."
They looked at Mai in expectation as she then said, "He's dangerous. He has a Cursed technique similar to mine, but he's got the Cursed Energy to use it properly. Todo already likes him, too."
Most looked at Kiyotaka, thinking, 'I don't like him already.'
Todo waved his hand happily, shouting, 'Hey! Ayanokoji! It's good to see you! Let's bash each other's skull in, okay?" to Kiyotaka from behind the crowd of people who were all glaring at Kiyotaka.
Kiyotaka deadpanned, thinking, 'Being liked by him really isn't a good thing. In more ways than one.'
A girl with long blue hair walked to them, saying, "Please calm down, everyone."
That's when a woman walked up the steps, clapping her hands and saying, "Okay, now. Let's not fight amongst ourselves. My goodness, these children."
She looked a bit irritated as she asked, "So? Where's that idiot?"
All of the Tokyo students, except Kiyotaka and Megumi, then thought, 'Gojo.'
Panda scratched his chin, saying, "Satoru's late."
"As if that idiot would ever show up on time."
Maki said this as Kiyotaka thought, 'I don't feel an ounce of respect for him coming from anyone here...'
"No one said [Idiot] was referring to Gojo-Sensei."
Megumi said this as Gojo began running excitedly towards them and pushing a trolley with pink dolls on top of it, saying, "Sorry for the wait."
Megumi deadpanned, thinking, 'I take back my words.'
Utahime clicked her tongue, saying, "Gojo Satoru!"
Miwa, on the other hand, seemed excited, thinking, 'Gojo Satoru!'
Gojo smiled, saying, "Hey, I see everyone's together. I was on a business trip overseas. So now I will hand out souvenirs!"
Everyone deadpanned as Panda then said, "This is sudden."
Nobara looked annoyed, asking, "Sure it's not jetlag?"
Gojo began handing out the pink dolls, saying, "Okay, everyone gets this protective charm from a particular tribe."
Gojo finished handing them out, saying, "None for you, Utahime."
As if she had an anger button that was just pushed, she shouted, "I don't need one!"
Gakuganji looked to Kiyotaka, thinking, 'We have to kill Sukuna's vessel soon.'
Kiyotaka looked to the students and said, "My name is Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, and I am the vessel of Sukuna. I'm in control of him, but... if you attempt to kill me, I might let him have some fun."
Sukuna appeared on Kiyotaka's hand, saying, "It sounds like fun. We can even make a binding vow. Heh heh."
"Here's the binding vow. I'll let you kill anyone here who attempts to kill me in the most gruesome way you please. You can do whatever you want with their body as long as you give me back control after you're done with them and you don't hurt or kill anyone else."
Sukuna smirked, saying, "Tormenting one or more of these weaklings sounds fun to me. We have a deal."
Many paled at this as they looked to Gakuganji, thinking, 'You're on your own, old man. I don't want to deal with any of this.'
Gakuganji looked to Kiyotaka, shouting, "You dare threaten your fellow Jujutsu Sorcerers?!"
Kiyotaka looked to him and said, "It'll only activate if you or any of them try to kill me. Are you saying you plan to? If so, I can let him out right now if you want."
Gojo stared for a second before laughing out loud, saying, "This is hilarious!"
Utahime looked at the two, thinking, 'Definitely Gojo's influence.'
Megumi and Nobara deadpanned, thinking, 'You're insane, Ayanokoji.'
Yaga then announced, "The Tokyo-Kyoto Sister School Exchange Event will be held over two days. The first day is a group battle... Wacky Cursed Spirit Exorcism Race! The rules are simple. The first team to exorcise the Second-Grade Cursed Spirit released in the designated area wins. Several Third-Grade and lower Cursed Spirits will be released into the designated area, as well. If a winner is not decided by sundown, the team that exorcises the most wins. There are absolutely no other rules. Of course, you're allowed to sabotage others, but remember, you're all on the same side in the fight against the curses. This exchange event will allow you to learn about yourselves and your comrades through competition. Be certain not to kill other competitors or injure them beyond recovery. Especially Ayanokoji, as we don't want Sukuna roaming around the area."
Yaga sent an unhappy look to Gojo and then said, "That's all. You're all dismissed until the event commences at noon!"
—————————————————————————————————————
The Tokyo students gathered in a building as Maki turned to Kiyotaka, saying, "Explain your technique already."
Kiyotaka sighed, saying, "I don't like divulging it, but fine. First off, my Cursed Energy is invisible."
Panda looked surprised, saying, "So your Cursed Energy has a trait just like Hakari?"
"Hakari?"
Panda smiled, saying, "He's one of the third years who was suspended."
Kiyotaka seemed to understand before continuing, "My Cursed technique is called Mass Sorcery. It allows me to convert my Cursed Energy into Physical Mass and manipulate it."
Kiyotaka held out his hand, saying, "Manifest", as a Katana appeared in his hand and he offered it to Maki, saying, "I made it dense so it'll have some weight to it, but you probably won't find anything sharper or more durable."
Maki looked at it with a smile, but Megumi grabbed it first, feeling the blade and saying, "It's got no Cursed Energy. It's just a regular sword. You can't exorcise Curses with it. Not unless you funnel your Cursed Energy into it."
Maki looked disappointed as Kiyotaka then asked, "How do you make Cursed Tools?"
"You can repeatedly imbue a tool with Cursed Energy. That'll create a basic Cursed Tool. If you repeatedly use your Cursed Technique through your Tool, your Cursed Tool will eventually be imbued with your Cursed Technique. You have to slowly funnel the object with Cursed Energy. If you put too much into it or too quickly, it'll break."
Megumi said this as Kiyotaka realised what had happened to his cloak in the fight against Mahito, thinking, 'So making that cloak into a Cursed Tool isn't possible.'
Kiyotaka nodded, saying, "I think I understand then."
Kiyotaka chanted, "Manifest," as a staff appeared in his hand. He then chanted, "Shift", as the staff shrank and turned into a ring.
He sat down, saying, "It doesn't cost any Cursed Energy to keep my tools out, so it's probably fine to turn this one into a Cursed Tool. How about I call it Fluid Staff?"
Many deadpanned at this boring name.
Kiyotaka put on the ring, saying, "I should be able to bring it forth with just a single command."
Maki deadpanned, thinking, 'That's another person I know now that wears a ring.'
Kiyotaka then said, "I'll handle Todo. He's too much of a threat to leave to anyone else."
Maki sighed, saying, "Alright, we'll leave Todo to you."
—————————————————————————————————————
Everyone was ready as they stood at the starting area.
Gojo spoke from the control room, saying, "We're starting in one minute. Now let's hear a few words of well-appreciated encouragement from Iori Utahime-Sensei."
Kiyotaka deadpanned, thinking, 'You're a cruel man, Gojo Satoru. Treating her with respect for a moment only to push her into something she's not prepared for.'
Utahime shouted, "Huh?!" in shock as she readied herself, saying, "U-Uh... Um, some degree of injury will be unavoidable, but, um... now and then, help each other out... or something..."
Kiyotaka looked to the speaker, thinking, 'That poor woman.'
"Times up," says Gojo nonchalantly.
Utahime sounded annoyed, shouting, "Hey! Gojo, you little...!"
Kiyotaka looked to Nobara, asking, "What would you compare them to?"
Nobara deadpanned, saying, "A married couple arguing between themselves?"
Kiyotaka nodded, saying, "I see. I see."
Nobara shivered, saying, "I feel bad for Utahime-Sensei."
Gojo continued the announcement, saying, "Now, let the sister school exchange event... begin!"
Everyone began running as Megumi chanted, "Demon Dogs", summoning his dog shikigami.
Utahime then shouted, "Respect your elders!" at Gojo.
They ran off deadpanning as Maki then turned to Kiyotaka and said, "Once we close in on the Grade 2, we'll have you split off and face Todo. We'll be counting on you, Kiyotaka. Got it?"
Kiyotaka nodded, saying, "I'll hold Todo off for as long as I can."
They spotted a small Spider-Curse in front, as Panda shouted, "It's a small fry."
Maki was prepared to attack when Megumi shouted, "Wait! Senpai!"
Maki stopped herself as Todo rushed in, exorcising the Curse in a single attack and turning to the Tokyo students and shouting, "I finally found you, Ayanokoji!"
Kiyotaka took a stance, chanting, "Shift", as the ring in his hand turned into a staff held firmly in his hand. He looked at Todo and said, "Let's have a fair fight."
Todo smirked, letting the others get past him as he faced Kiyotaka.
Kiyotaka spun the weapon, swinging it at Todo, who chopped at the weapon from two directions, trying to snap it, only for it to bend into a tri-section staff and for Kiyotaka to use the other end to slam into Toddo's gut, pushing him back as Todo thought, 'He tricked me into thinking it was a regular staff.'
Todo smirked as he clapped his hands and swapped with Kiyotaka's staff, grabbing his hands.
Kiyotaka's eyes widened in shock, thinking, 'What the?'!' as he quickly funnelled Cursed Energy to his gut.
Todo proceeded to kick Kiyotaka in the gut, sending him flying into a tree as Kiyotaka spat out blood, thinking, 'If I hadn't reinforced myself, I'd be unconscious.'
Kiyotaka slowly got up, thinking, 'This guy. He's swapping with things that possess Cursed Energy. Either that or, in the worst case, he can swap with absolutely anything. Which means that this guy...'
Kiyotaka sweated thinking, '... is my worst possible match up.'
Kiyotaka put up his hands, thinking, 'No more using my Cursed Technique. I'll use just my Cursed Energy for now' as Kiyotaka funnelled his Cursed Energy into his hands, getting into a stance.
Todo smiled, nodding and saying, "Now this is the kind of fight I want with you, Ayanokoji!"
Todo rushed in, throwing a left punch as Kiyotaka took a stance, pushing off from Todo's fist using his right hand and then grabbing Todo's wrist with his left. In this position, the entirety of Todo's right side was useless, cutting his options in half. Kiyotaka elbows Todo in the centre of mass of his abdomen before lifting his hand up, striking his face as Todo thinks, 'A fast and precise combo.'
Kiyotaka then kicks the back of Todo's knee as Todo falls to one knee, thinking, 'What a surgical takedown,' followed by Kiyotaka grabbing the back of Todo's neck and thrusting a knee to Todo's face.
Kiyotaka then jumps back, thinking, 'I struck a few of his pain points. Let's see how it affected him.'
Todo stands up, groaning for a second and spitting some blood off to the side and saying, "That was excellent! I could feel your style in it! The precision! The calculation! At this rate, we might become best friends!"
Kiyotaka deadpanned, thinking, 'Best Friends?'
Todo sighed and said, "Your Cursed Energy is invisible, but I can feel the timing of impact. It's well controlled. Ayanokoji Kiyotaka! Do you know how Cursed Energy is channelled? You've unconsciously adjusted to do it properly, but do you know what you're actually doing?"
Kiyotaka looked to Todo and asked, "Why don't you explain it to me then?"
Todo smiled and said, "The theory is that Cursed Energy comes from negative emotions that start in the navel. Then it flows up into the chest, then to the shoulders, arms and finally the fists, but this perception of the body as individual parts is what delays Cursed Energy. The idea of channelling Cursed Energy isn't wrong in itself. But that's only the first step. Do we think with our guts? Do we express anger with our heads? Listen Ayanokoji. We exist in this world with our entire mind, body, and soul as one. It's such a given that everyone forgets about it."
Kiyotaka's eyes widened, thinking, 'It's not a tool. It's a part of me.'
Kiyotaka thought this as his Cursed Energy balanced around his own body. Todo could not see Kiyotaka's Cursed Energy, but he could see in his eyes a man who understood his own Cursed Energy as Todo smiled, saying, "That's it, my besto friendo!"
Kiyotaka and Todo readied themselves to continue their fight as Kiyotaka thought, 'I'll take in everything this man can teach me through his fists.'
Todo readied his Cursed Energy, thinking, 'I'll guide you with my full strength!'
—————————————————————————————————————
To Be Continued
—————————————————————————————————————
Rating Out Of 10 For This Chapter?
—————————————————————————————————————