HRU: Chapter 322/323

Chapter 322: Differential Treatment

A first-grade sorcerer from Kyoto Jujutsu High couldn't even escape the flames of Jōkaku Enjō.

The moment Kamo Kenshin was engulfed, the audience who had previously dismissed Satoshi's flames as superficial were all stunned into silence. The shock struck like a slap across the face.

Gakuganji's expression was especially grim.

Kamo Kenshin was the pride of Kyoto's sister school goodwill event. Their strongest representative. Yet he was burned down by Gojo Satoshi in a single move?

Was Jōkaku Enjō really that terrifying?

Watching Kamo Kenshin be swallowed by the flames, Suguru—who had initially thought to "test the technique personally"—froze.

So that's it. Satoshi hadn't left a weakness at all.

The open space at the top of the flame ring was a lure. If anyone tried to escape from above, they'd be met with the true danger hidden behind the trap.

If you wanted to break through the flames, the only real path was from the front—through the wall itself. Breaking out upward would trigger fire from all directions.

Now armed with Kenshin's example, Suguru adjusted his own thoughts on escaping Jōkaku Enjō. His approach became much more cautious.

"Satoshi, Ryūjin Jakka didn't actually burn Kamo Kenshin to death, right? If so, the relationship between the Gojo and Kamo families might really hit another freezing point."

Satoru shrugged. Though his words carried a note of concern, his expression made it clear he didn't care.

Over the last nine years, the Gojo family had been in constant conflict with both the Kamo and Zenin families. Satoru had never harbored warm feelings toward either.

Even if Satoshi had accidentally killed Kamo Kenshin, it would only be chalked up to the risks of battle. Everyone had signed agreements stating they were responsible for their own lives during the goodwill event.

Of course, if a death occurred, it would stir plenty of trouble. But the Gojo clan wasn't afraid of that. Even now, in the middle of the event, Satoru was already thinking through the potential fallout.

"Oh, don't worry. I didn't use Ryūjin Jakka's full power," Satoshi replied calmly. "I lowered the flame temperature. It won't burn Kamo Kenshin to ash... but it'll still hurt like hell."

He added with a smirk, "And besides, don't forget—Shoko is inside the flame ring too. With her around, how could anyone die so easily?"

Satoshi then looked back at Satoru, his gaze steady.

"So, what about you? Are you ready? I've given you plenty of time. You should have fully adjusted to the power of Senbonzakura Kageyoshi by now, right? Just how many of its techniques have you mastered since activating Bankai?"

...

While Satoshi and Satoru were speaking, Kamo Kenshin, now burned and battered, had crashed back to the ground.

"Kamo-senpai!" Mei Mei and Utahime rushed over, their expressions tight with concern.

Though Kenshin could be gloomy and arrogant at times, they were still a team. They represented Kyoto Jujutsu High together at this goodwill event.

The stench of scorched flesh hit them as they approached. Utahime's face twisted with unease. Kamo Kenshin was unconscious, with severe burns all over his body. He was in no state to fight.

A flicker of shock passed through Mei Mei's eyes. She now had a far deeper appreciation for the might of Ryūjin Jakka's Jōkaku Enjō.

If I'd tried using Black Bird Manipulation just now, the birds would've been burned to ash before they even touched the flames.

"Move aside!"

Shoko's nose caught the scent of scorched flesh immediately. She didn't need to look to know how bad Kenshin's condition was.

As the designated medic, she rushed forward, immediately preparing to use the Reverse Cursed Technique to treat him.

To Shoko, Kamo Kenshin was first and foremost a severely injured person. And secondly, she didn't want Satoshi to carry the label of murderer just because of this.

"It's pretty serious. My Reverse Cursed Technique won't be able to fully heal him."

Shoko frowned.

The fire-based toxicity of Ryūjin Jakka was resisting her healing energy, preventing her from purging the flames completely.

"What... what do we do? Is Kamo-senpai going to die?" Utahime's voice trembled.

She was a sorcerer too, but as someone focused on support and logistics, she had never seen someone die before her eyes.

Let alone a teammate.

There was a trace of pity in Mei Mei's expression.

Kamo Kenshin might have brought it on himself, but to suffer this kind of critical damage in a single moment was still chilling.

Wasn't Satoshi worried that Jōkaku Enjō would go too far and take someone's life?

...

Meanwhile, in the Kyoto spectator area.

Gakuganji's face darkened after hearing Shoko's words. He suddenly stood up.

"We must treat Kamo Kenshin. Get someone else in there immediately to help with his recovery!"

As a key figure of the conservative faction in the General Directorate, Gakuganji had close ties with the Kamo clan. Kamo Kenshin had originally intended to attend Tokyo Jujutsu High, but it was at Gakuganji's invitation that he joined Kyoto instead.

If Kenshin died here, how would he explain that to Kamo Shinji, the clan head?

Gakuganji was even prepared to suspend the event, no matter the consequences.

Sure, most viewers were eagerly awaiting the showdown between Satoru and Satoshi. But if it was to prevent a student's death, surely people would understand?

"Principal, are you seriously thinking of interrupting this event? That's never happened before."

Yuki crossed her arms and leaned back, golden hair cascading behind her. Her gaze was sharp, tone indifferent.

"Plenty of students have died during past goodwill events. And back then, you just stood there and let them die. But now, because it's Kamo Kenshin, you're ready to break tradition?"

(To be continued.)

Chapter 323: Stage

Yuki's words made Gakuganji's face darken. He hadn't expected that the top-grade sorcerer from his own school would choose to openly sabotage him at a moment like this.

That incident wasn't something he ever wanted to recall. It was an accident. No one could've predicted that the swarm of cursed spirits released during that previous event would spiral out of control.

And more importantly, that wasn't a battle between sorcerers. It had been entirely beyond their control.

Still, it left a deep scar in Gakuganji's heart.

At this moment, Sekiguchi Seiji, the principal of Tokyo Jujutsu High, spoke from the opposite side.

"Yuki, that incident truly was an accident. The Gakuganji principal already gained the understanding of the deceased student's family."

As someone who had personally witnessed the event, Seiji understood the situation well. Seeing Yuki dredge up the past, he stepped in to speak on behalf of his old friend.

Though they stood on opposing ends of Japan's two Jujutsu schools, they were still long-time colleagues and, in some ways, friends.

Seeing his old friend fall into a difficult position, he offered his support.

"Gakuganji, don't panic. Even if you interrupt the goodwill event now, who else could you possibly call in to treat Kamo Kenshin?"

Seiji pointed at Ieiri Shoko, who appeared on the live broadcast.

"Right now, Shoko is the most skilled Reverse Cursed Technique user we have. Unless you can summon Ieiri Inamichi, the head of the Ieiri clan, on the spot, you'll have no choice but to rely on her."

"Besides, old man, you're overreacting. Shoko hasn't even confirmed whether Kamo Kenshin's life is truly in danger."

As the principal of Tokyo Jujutsu High, Sekiguchi Seiji knew his students well. He understood that Shoko didn't rely solely on her own Reverse Cursed Technique. The Zanpakutō Minazuki, forged for her by Satoshi, had become a core part of her healing style.

No one really thought Minazuki was just some giant manta ray mount, did they?

As Seiji finished speaking, Mei Mei and Utahime—who had been guarding Kenshin—quickly stepped aside.

A green fluorescent glow began to radiate from Shoko, as her Zanpakutō Minazuki activated and appeared in its released state.

A massive green manta ray materialized out of thin air and promptly swallowed Kamo Kenshin whole.

"Don't worry, Gakuganji. If even Shoko and Minazuki can't save Kamo Kenshin, then I'm afraid no one in the current Jujutsu world can."

Seiji nodded slightly, recalling how he and Yaga Masamichi had witnessed Minazuki treating Yagyū Saemon nine years ago. That scene had left a deep impression. Now, with Minazuki reappearing and treating someone so seriously injured, it was clear how much effort Shoko was putting into saving Kenshin.

For most of the audience, however, it was their first time witnessing this bizarre method of healing. They were shocked.

"Did that cursed spirit shikigami just eat Kamo Kenshin? That's insane. Could it be that Tokyo High is taking advantage of the situation and used that shikigami to sneak attack him while he was down?"

"That's not an attack. That's how Minazuki heals. Haven't you heard about Ieiri Shoko's Reverse Cursed Technique? That Zanpakutō, Minazuki, was custom-forged by Gojo Satoshi. It boosts her healing even further."

"If you don't believe it, just watch. You'll see soon enough."

The act of Minazuki devouring Kamo Kenshin looked dramatic, even grotesque. So much so that many still doubted it was actually a healing method.

...

"You don't need to worry about Shoko's healing abilities, Principal Gakuganji."

A deep, hoarse voice rang out from the sidelines.

Yagyū Saemon stepped forward, his voice steady. He had been healed by Minazuki nine years ago and knew its true capabilities better than most.

Yuki added coolly, "Satoshi left enough space within Jōkaku Enjō for Minazuki to move freely. He probably anticipated that someone would try to break through the flames, so he left room for Shoko to intervene."

"Otherwise, there would've been no need to make Jōkaku Enjō so large."

Her tone was ice cold, and she clearly didn't take Gakuganji seriously. His behavior a moment ago had only further damaged his image in Yuki's eyes.

That kind of differential treatment disgusted her. Even she, someone normally indifferent to politics and emotions, couldn't ignore it.

Now, seeing himself being contradicted by everyone, Gakuganji let out a heavy sigh and sat back down in silence.

I was just concerned about my student's life. Why did Yuki have to react so strongly?

Ever since Satoshi returned, it felt like Yuki's mind was no longer aligned with Kyoto Jujutsu High.

Gakuganji glanced sideways at Yuki, unsure of the school's future anymore.

Originally, he had intended for Yuki to become the next principal of Kyoto Jujutsu High. After all, she was the only top-grade sorcerer in the entire Jujutsu world. Her name alone could draw elite students.

But now… those plans were starting to feel uncertain.

...

Perhaps because Minazuki and Ryūjin Jakka both originated from Zanpakutō forged by Satoshi, Minazuki displayed remarkable compatibility in treating the burn injuries caused by Jōkaku Enjō.

While Gakuganji and the others continued their conversation, Minazuki had already completed the healing process.

The giant manta ray flapped its body and opened its mouth. Kamo Kenshin, glowing with a faint green light, was gently expelled.

Aside from his burned clothes, the skin that had been charred black was now smooth and healthy. It was hard to believe he had been on the brink of death just moments ago.

Seeing this, Mei Mei and Utahime both exhaled in relief. Kamo Kenshin was still unconscious, but at least his life was no longer in danger.

Suguru, who had been planning to test his strength by breaking through Jōkaku Enjō, quietly gave up the idea.

Even though he had confidence in his abilities, seeing Kenshin's miserable state had shaken him.

If anything went wrong—if even his clothes or hair were singed—it would be humiliating.

He and Satoru were the top idols of the Jujutsu world. If they threw away their public image, they'd never get it back.

Forget it. I'll just stand here with Shoko and the others and let the stage belong to the Gojo brothers, Satoru and Satoshi.

(To be continued.)