"Didn't you say we were going back to Tokyo?"
After a few days of being "trained," Megumi Fushiguro looked at Akira Zenin with a drained expression. Unlike usual, he seemed completely worn out, with dark circles under his eyes—just like someone else's, only smaller…
"Oh, I just didn't feel like moving, so I put in a request. The Tokyo campus and those higher-ups approved it pretty easily…"
"…That answer is just you brushing me off.
Fine. Then I won't bother running around either. I'll take this time to rest and recover, get myself into top condition before the exchange meeting."
"OK, then hurry up and get some rest."
As Megumi Fushiguro walked toward the temporary dorms, he suddenly turned back, his expression serious.
"Akira-sensei."
"What is it?"
"Do you want me to hold back?"
That question made Akira Zenin glance up at him. It sounded oddly familiar…
"You brat, are you looking down on me?"
"No. While a lot of your training methods are effective, some of your students aren't naturally competitive…
At the very least, you should try to enjoy yourself a bit before your birthday…"
"Unlike a fight to the death, the exchange meeting is an opportunity to turn results into experience. Winners gain a step toward Grade advancement, while losers grow through the pressure…"
After saying that, Akira Zenin didn't have his usual patience. He leaned against the wall, frowning.
"Alright, just perform well when the time comes. Now get lost…"
Megumi Fushiguro wasn't surprised by the sudden shift in Akira Zenin's tone. If anything, his mood had been getting more unstable lately…
He looked at Akira Zenin, who was taking slow, deep breaths, gave a deep bow, then turned and headed toward the temporary dormitory assigned to the Tokyo Jujutsu High students…
...
"Sister School Exchange.
It's an exchange event between Jujutsu High schools across Japan, held once a year over two days.
Unlike typical social events, since most of what Jujutsu Sorcerers learn revolves around combat, the exchange is naturally centered on fighting.
Based on past experience, the first day is a team battle. Participants group up by school to exorcise Cursed Spirits, competing to see who can locate them faster and who can eliminate them more efficiently.
The second day is an individual battle—a standard tournament format."
Inside the conference room next to the temporary dorms, the Tokyo School students who had already arrived were explaining the exchange to the newcomers, Itadori and Junpei.
"I've got a question~"
The newcomer, Itadori, sat cross-legged on the floor, stretching hard as he raised his hand.
"Go ahead, Itadori."
Panda was also sitting on the floor, but maybe because of the way his legs were built, and how short they were, he couldn't quite sit cross-legged properly…
"We already have so many missions. Is it really okay to pull this many Jujutsu Sorcerers away at once for the exchange event?"
"Well… according to the data:
Human emotions fluctuate with the seasons. And since the birth, formation, and activity of curses are strongly tied to human emotions, their activity also has peak and off seasons."
Kugisaki, sitting nearby, nodded in agreement.
"Like back in May, there really were a lot more Cursed Spirits than usual…"
Fushiguro, now well-rested, continued:
"That's because in April, a lot of new students start school in Japan, and many new employees enter the workforce…
After the initial excitement lasts about a month, they hit a nearly week-long holiday. By the time they go back to school or work, their motivation is completely gone, so of course they feel tired, even burned out…
You could call it a large-scale 'post-holiday syndrome.'"
Panda nodded.
"So there's nothing to worry about. If there's a peak season, there's also an off-season. Right now, Cursed Spirit activity is relatively stable, which makes it a good time to rest.
At the same time, to keep Jujutsu Sorcerers from getting too used to these periodic 'breaks' and becoming complacent, that's why this 'exchange event' is held."
Seeing that everyone had finished, Maki immediately spoke up.
"Alright, alright. The matches start tomorrow, so let's go over the plan again.
First, Junpei isn't very skilled at using Cursed Energy yet, so he'll stay with the teachers, observe the matches, and learn as much as he can.
As for Itadori, his physical abilities are already strong, so he can participate directly…"
"Got it."
"Understood!"
Panda scratched the fur on his head.
"Once we're done reviewing the plan, maybe Megumi should brief us on the other team?"
...
Unlike Tokyo's overall plan, Kyoto had prepared a more targeted strategy.
Right now, Kasumi Miwa was leaning over the table, flipping through a thick book.
"According to Chapter 3, Article 2 of Akira-sensei's notes:
'Cursed Speech' refers to words infused with Cursed Energy. The Inumaki family's technique involves directly speaking words that impose a curse on the target.
Principle: It mainly uses sound to 'pry' into the target's Cursed Energy, coordinating with spoken words to activate the curse.
Under normal circumstances, it cannot break through the body's innate Domain, so it's usually used to attack the exterior of the body.
Note: Cursed Speech can also directly use the caster's own Cursed Energy to apply curses, allowing it to affect non-living objects.
And if the gap in strength between the two sides is too large, it can directly influence the target's physical condition.'"
As Kasumi Miwa read, she hesitated at parts, clearly not fully understanding. Mechamaru explained it in the simplest terms he could think of.
"Basically, it's kind of like a transistor."
"Huh?"
"Never mind, don't worry about it…"
Noritoshi Kamo began summarizing:
"So, the countermeasures are:
One, protect the brain with Cursed Energy so it can't 'pry into' your own Cursed Energy.
Two, stop him from speaking.
Three, block out his voice entirely.
This time, we'll use the simplest method: the communicator designed by Mechamaru to filter out Toge Inumaki's voice…"
After finishing, Noritoshi Kamo paused.
"As for Megumi Fushiguro, since he's been studying here recently, everyone is familiar with him. I'll take him on.
That leaves the main concern, second-year Yuta Okkotsu…"
"Hold it!"
Aoi Todo immediately cut in.
"I'll handle Yuta Okkotsu. Plans like this won't mean much against him."
Noritoshi Kamo narrowed his eyes at him. Thanks to Akira Zenin, the two of them were on fairly good terms.
"If you just want to charge in headfirst, then say so. If you don't feel like listening, you can step outside. The rest of us will keep discussing."