The Match Begins

New chapter is live.

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The Tokyo and Kyoto teams began one thousand meters apart.

They were given half an hour to plan before entering the forest.

Panda drew a rough map in the dirt with one claw.

"The strongest cursed spirit inside the area should be Grade 2. Grade 3 cursed spirits will be roaming around too. Whichever team exorcises more before sunset wins."

Yuji leaned over the map. "So we just beat curses?"

"Mostly," Panda said. "There are no rules against interfering with the other team. Fighting is allowed. Killing or causing severe injuries is not."

Nobara clicked her tongue.

"So we beat curses and beat people."

"That is one way to summarize it."

Maki glanced at Nobara, then at Megumi.

"You two look gloomy."

Nobara immediately straightened.

"Insomnia."

Megumi said nothing.

Maki's eyes narrowed.

"Both of you?"

"Group insomnia," Nobara said.

Panda nodded solemnly. "A tragic condition."

Maki did not look convinced.

At Kyoto's base, Noritoshi Kamo adjusted the cord of his uniform.

"Todo, you will rush the Tokyo base and disrupt their formation."

Todo looked at him from the side.

"Do not order me around."

"Will you do it?"

"I was going to anyway."

Noritoshi closed his eyes for a moment.

Good enough.

Mai leaned against a tree, arms crossed.

"Before this starts, one warning. Do not kill White Zetsu."

Miwa blinked.

"I wasn't planning to kill anyone."

"That is not the point," Mai said. "If any of you kill him, you will die."

Momo Nishimiya's expression grew serious.

She knew enough about Mai's past to understand who the warning was really about.

Miwa nodded quickly.

Ultimate Mechamaru remained quiet.

Too quiet.

Noritoshi noticed, but did not press.

Todo cracked his knuckles.

"I have no interest in that curse unless he provokes me. His taste is unforgivable."

Mai looked at him.

"That counts as provocation only in your head."

Noritoshi's gaze shifted toward the main building in the distance.

He remembered the way the Kamo Clan's steward had spoken of Itsuki Zenin.

Not as an outsider.

Not even as a guest.

With respect.

Mai's warning was not a threat.

It was practical advice.

In the observation room, the adults sat before a large screen connected to Mei Mei's crows.

Yaga and Gakuganji occupied the center.

Utahime stood near Gojo, already irritated by his presence.

Itsuki sat with Nanami at the side.

The moment he entered, Itsuki sensed something was off.

Too many people had interfered with this event.

Gojo leaned toward him.

"So, Itsuki. Did you make those special grade cursed spirits? Like White Zetsu?"

Utahime stiffened. "Gojo."

Itsuki did not look offended.

"If I controlled them, why would I expose them to Jujutsu High?"

"To test something?"

"Against a plague like you? Hiding them would be more efficient."

Gojo smiled. "A plague?"

"A natural disaster with a salary."

Nanami adjusted his glasses slightly.

He did not disagree.

Gojo laughed.

"But ants don't have much value as creations."

"Then you understand why your theory lacks elegance."

Utahime rubbed her forehead.

"The event is starting."

Gojo waved toward Mei Mei.

"Mei Mei, give us a good view. I'm curious how White Zetsu plans to show off."

Mei Mei glanced at Itsuki, then smiled.

"Of course. Proper observation has its price, but today I will be generous."

On the screen, the Tokyo team began to move.

White Zetsu drifted closer to Yuji.

"Pink gorilla."

Yuji looked over. "Yeah?"

"You have grown."

Yuji brightened. "Really? You mean I'm stronger?"

"No. Your eyes."

Yuji's smile faded.

White Zetsu's tone lost some of its usual mockery.

"They are less stupid now."

Yuji stopped walking for half a step.

Images flashed through his mind.

Junpei.

Mahito.

The three transfigured humans he had killed with his own hands.

They had not been curses.

They had been people.

His fists tightened.

"Yeah," Yuji said quietly. "Maybe."

White Zetsu looked away.

"Do not look so heavy. It ruins your gorilla charm."

Yuji forced a small laugh.

"That's not a real charm."

"It is now."

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