“Satoru Gojo, look at what you have done,” Yoshinobu Gakuganji finally snapped. “You promised that Rika Orimoto would not cause trouble.” “Relax, Rika Orimoto is a good kid and very obedient,” Satoru Gojo replied cheerfully. “Of course, if she scares some elderly people with weak hearts and high blood pressure, that is another matter.”

  Yoshinobu Gakuganji glared but could do nothing else. If fighting broke out, whether it was Satoru Gojo or the Cursed Spirit queen Rika Orimoto, either could crush all of Kyoto Jujutsu High. “Do not glare at me like that,” Satoru Gojo said lazily. “Yuta, take care of your little girlfriend.”

  “Rika Orimoto, Senior Todo was just asking casually. It is fine.” With just one sentence from Yuta Okkotsu, Rika Orimoto calmed down and returned to a partial manifestation that was far less frightening.

  “I am sorry, Senior Todo,” Yuta Okkotsu said awkwardly. “She is not usually like this. It is only when it involves me. Um, Senior Todo…” At this moment, Aoi Todo was staring blankly with unfocused eyes.

  Just when everyone thought he had been scared stiff, Aoi Todo suddenly spoke. “Woman, you are very strong.” He then rushed up to Akira and Yuta Okkotsu, grabbing each of their hands in turn. “First years, what are your names?”

  “Akira.” “Yuta Okkotsu.”

  “So Akira and Yuta Okkotsu, huh. I will remember you. I like tall women with big hips. I thought I was already impressive, but you are even stronger than me. Let us work hard together for XP.” Akira and Yuta Okkotsu looked at each other, speechless.

  Who would work hard for XP like that. Even if you were going to, saying it out loud in public was just asking for trouble. Gardevoir and Rika Orimoto were in good spirits instead, since they could sense Aoi Todo’s sincerity and his blessing toward them.

  Surprisingly, he was a decent person, just a bit ugly. This farce ended with Aoi Todo reaching a one sided agreement, which should have been the end of it. Unfortunately, right before both sides dispersed, Yoshinobu Gakuganji spoke again.

  “Yaga, Tokyo and Kyoto Jujutsu High are comrades who fight curses together, correct?” “That is right,” Masamichi Yaga replied, confused by the sudden question. “The purpose of the exchange event is to understand comrades and ourselves through competition, not to curse one another.”

  “Stop beating around the bush,” Satoru Gojo interrupted impatiently. “This is obviously about Yuta and Rika Orimoto.” “As you said, the existence of a Special Grade Vengeful Cursed Spirit is too dangerous,” Yoshinobu Gakuganji continued calmly. “Even if Yuta Okkotsu can restrain her to some extent, that does not mean complete control.”

  “What do you mean by complete control,” Satoru Gojo shot back. “Turning her into a puppet with no will of her own? If that is the case, the anti Cursed Spirit mech student over there would not be happy.” “Safety guarantees are necessary,” Yoshinobu Gakuganji said. “If Rika Orimoto causes irreversible harm to our students, that is not something you want to see either.”

  Satoru Gojo dug at his ear. “That will not happen. But you would not believe me anyway, so say it. What do you want.” “Ban Yuta Okkotsu from participating.”

  “Impossible.”

  Satoru Gojo had brought Yuta Okkotsu to Kyoto precisely to slap those old men in the face. He wanted to prove that under Yuta’s restraint, Akira was safe, that their methods were wrong, and that Yuta Okkotsu truly deserved his Special Grade title.

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  Even if Akira were swapped out, Yuta Okkotsu still had to compete and show himself. “Then place restrictions on Yuta Okkotsu. At most, only allow this level of manifestation.”

  “No need,” Aoi Todo said before Satoru Gojo could respond. “You are too timid, old man. What is the point of winning by restricting your opponent.” “I am thinking of your safety,” Yoshinobu Gakuganji said earnestly.

  “Since when was exorcising Cursed Spirit ever safe,” Aoi Todo mocked. “Or are all of Kyoto Jujutsu High a bunch of cowards.” He swept his gaze across the field, but no one dared answer.

  Instead, Yuta Okkotsu spoke up. “It is fine, Todo. I am also worried that Rika Orimoto might use too much strength. I am willing to accept restrictions. If I cross the line, I will withdraw.” “You do not have to,” Aoi Todo began, but swallowed the rest when he saw the determination in Yuta Okkotsu’s eyes.

  He looked at Yuta Okkotsu, then at Satoru Gojo. “Is that acceptable?” Satoru Gojo glanced at Yuta Okkotsu, then at Akira. “What do you think?”

  “It is fine,” Akira replied with a small smile. “I never planned for Yuta to rely too much on Rika Orimoto’s power anyway. No matter what, victory is already ours.” As he spoke, the first year students naturally gathered around him, and the momentum they released in that instant was comparable to a full descent of Rika Orimoto.

  A match? No. We are just here to beat our opponents in style. That is all.

  The radio that had been set up in advance echoed with Satoru Gojo’s countdown Hint. Even at a moment like this, he was still committed to jokes and entertaining himself. The phrase about sea salt meant there were three minutes left before the show began.

  “At last, the exciting team battle is about to start. Before the opening, let us invite the honorary graduate of Kyoto Jujutsu High, special guest of the Goodwill Event, designated photographer, and Grade One Jujutsu Sorcerer, Miss Mei Mei, to say a few words.”

  “Hehehe, you are as humorous as ever.”

  Beside Satoru Gojo, a woman about his age laughed softly. Just from that low and attractive voice, it was obvious she could raise the average looks of Kyoto Jujutsu High. In fact, she was no less striking than Utahime Iori and Shoko Ieiri, only with a completely different style.

  In short, she was exactly in Aoi Todo’s strike zone. Everything that should be big was big, everything that should be round was round, and her height was considered tall in Japan, just not as tall as Aoi Todo’s idol “Takada”. She gave off a strong, mature presence.

  There were two more points worth mentioning. First, this mature woman named Mei Mei had a rare fitness-focused build, with visible muscle lines in her arms, thighs, and abdomen even through black clothing. Second, she followed the rule that among adult Jujutsu Sorcerer, the stronger they were, the less they seemed to need their eyes.

  Although she was not wearing Sunglasses or a blindfold, she covered one eye with a special hairstyle. One side was tied back, while the other fell forward to cover part of her face. The first time Akira saw her, he felt an odd urge to cut her hair.

  “My Jujutsu is called ‘Crow Manipulation’. As the name suggests, I can control crows,” Mei Mei said calmly. “I will observe your performance through them, so show me what you can do. Those who perform well will get my recommendation and make more money.”

  “Still the same money-grubber as always,” Satoru Gojo said with a laugh.

  On the other side, Utahime Iori listened with a helpless expression. Mei Mei was her classmate back when she studied at Tokyo Jujutsu High, and just like Satoru Gojo, she was an odd one. She could not help wondering why there were never any normal people around her.

  Unfortunately, that wish was nothing more than a luxury in the Jujutsu World. The money-loving woman added, “In this cold world, only money can truly warm the heart.”

  The strange man continued, “Alright, it is about time. Let Satoru Gojo do the countdown.”

  “Five.”

  “Jo.”

  “Sa.”

  “Tor.”

  “U.”

  “Time is up. The team battle begins.”

  It should have been a heated start, but instead the scene fell oddly quiet. At this very moment, they felt like turning into some internationally famous actress and shouting at the top of their lungs that the countdown made no sense at all.

  Seeing that no one moved, Satoru Gojo shouted through the loudspeaker again, “The match has already started. Are you competing in endurance?”

  “Whose fault do you think that is, you idiot teacher!” Kinji Hakari finally snapped. “According to the plan, I move first?”

  “Mm.” Akira nodded and tapped his earpiece. “Stay in contact. Call me right away if you need support.”