HRU: Chapter 279/280

Chapter 279: Excited Satoru

After a long training session, the three sweat-drenched students finally retracted their Cursed Energy and put away their various props.

Suguru and Shoko leaned back on the bench by the training field, sipping on the drinks Gojo Satoru had bought them, casually chatting as they caught their breath.

At that moment, Yaga Masamichi stepped onto the field.

With his Six Eyes, Satoru instantly spotted the tall figure.

Yaga's expression was serious, as if he had something important to say.

"Hey, Suguru, Shoko, look. Teacher Yaga's here," Satoru called out to his companions.

Hearing that, Geto turned toward where Satoru was looking. Sure enough, Yaga Masamichi was walking straight toward them.

Suguru stroked his chin thoughtfully. "It must be about the Sister School Goodwill Event. I bet the three of us are on the roster."

Shoko tossed her empty can into the trash with a displeased look. "If it weren't for me and you two idiots teaming up, Kyoto wouldn't even stand a chance. How could the Jujutsu Directorate allow that kind of matchup?"

The other two nodded.

As long as Satoshi was on the field, it didn't matter who his teammates were—Kyoto High wouldn't stand a chance.

Suguru sighed. "Honestly, even if Satoshi wanted to join in, I doubt Kyoto would want to go through with it."

His eyes narrowed slightly as a helpless smile tugged at his lips.

Yaga finally reached them and spoke with a touch of relief. "Still keeping up with your training, huh?"

Looks like that monster Satoshi is putting some serious pressure on these three.

He couldn't help but think that to himself.

"Yeah. The goodwill event is around the corner. We can't afford to slack off," Suguru replied seriously. "We can't underestimate anyone, after all."

Every goodwill event was documented. As prideful as they were, none of them wanted to leave behind a stain on their records.

Yaga looked at the trio, then straightened his posture.

"Alright. I came to deliver an official update regarding the Sister School Goodwill Event."

The three nodded, unsurprised.

This was exactly what they'd been expecting.

"First off, the three of you will be representing our campus this year."

Still no surprise.

Satoru looked a little disappointed, muttering, "So Satoshi isn't joining, after all..."

Though he often saw Satoshi as a rival, the truth was, he genuinely liked fighting alongside his brother.

He'd even been hoping for it, just a little.

But of course, it wasn't going to happen.

Suguru nodded. "There's no way around it. Satoshi's combat strength throws the balance off too much."

Shoko agreed.

Seeing their expressions, Yaga raised his hand and said solemnly, "Actually, Gojo Satoshi will be participating in the Sister School Goodwill Event."

His voice wasn't loud, but it hit the trio like a thunderclap.

Satoru stood up at once, his blue eyes wide. "Wait, Teacher Yaga, didn't you just say we were representing Tokyo High?"

"Then what's this about Satoshi being in the lineup?"

Suguru and Shoko also looked confused.

If Tokyo's lineup was already set, why would Satoshi still be involved?

"Could he be a substitute?" Suguru guessed.

The others nodded in agreement.

That seemed logical enough...

After all, there was no way he'd be playing for Kyoto High, right?

But if he was only a sub, he probably wouldn't even get a chance to play.

With that thought, all three stared intently at Yaga.

"Not as a substitute." Yaga sighed. "Unless something unexpected happens... Gojo Satoshi will be your opponent. He'll be representing Kyoto Jujutsu High."

The words had barely left his mouth when all three students froze.

Their expressions went blank.

"Kyoto Jujutsu High?" Satoru stared, his voice rising with disbelief.

Suguru was also caught off guard. He took a breath and glanced at Yaga's utterly serious expression and steady tone.

This wasn't a joke.

This was real.

"Why... Why would he do that?" Suguru asked quietly.

A Tokyo student representing Kyoto in the goodwill event?

Was the world crazy, or was it just Satoshi?

Suguru felt a headache coming on.

Shoko tilted her head and asked sharply, "Teacher Yaga, was Satoshi forced into it?"

Is this Yuki's doing?

Yaga looked at the indignant Shoko, hesitating. "Shoko... with Satoshi's strength, do you really think anyone could force him to do anything?"

His meaning was clear.

Gojo Satoshi had made the decision himself.

As his homeroom teacher, even Yaga found it hard to accept.

Satoshi's strength far exceeded that of Satoru and Suguru.

This would be a brutal match.

Yaga was even worried that Satoru and Suguru would lose their confidence after facing him.

He was about to offer some words of encouragement when—

Satoru suddenly burst out laughing.

His laughter cut through the heavy atmosphere.

"...Satoru?" Suguru blinked.

"...What are you laughing at?" Shoko narrowed her eyes.

Feeling their stares, Satoru cleared his throat. "It's nothing. It's just... This is exactly the kind of move Satoshi would make."

"Yeah, it's crazy. But honestly... facing someone like him head-on?"

"That sounds like fun, doesn't it?"

His energy returned all at once. That wild, reckless spark ignited again.

Suguru watched him, expression stiff, mind spinning.

"Are we really going to go head-to-head with Satoshi... in public?"

(To be continued.)

Chapter 280: The Strongest vs. The Strongest Duo

Whenever Suguru thought of the terrifying power Satoshi displayed when he destroyed Sukuna's finger, a chill ran down his spine.

Can we really win against someone as powerful as Satoshi?

Satoru looked at Suguru, shook his head, and chuckled.

There was no trace of guilt in his expression, even as his strength was being questioned.

Satoru patted his chest and declared confidently, "That's exactly why we don't have to be afraid. This is the Sister School Goodwill Event."

"Suguru, we're the strongest duo. Maybe we can't take Satoshi down one-on-one, but in a team match like this, things are different!"

Suguru's eyes lit up. His brows rose as he clapped his hands, suddenly excited.

"Right! Satoshi and the Kyoto team definitely won't have the kind of teamwork we do. If we exploit that, we might really stand a chance."

"Plus, Shoko's support in team fights is a huge advantage. If we use her right, maybe we can actually bring Satoshi down!"

Satoru looked up at the sky, his gaze landing on a bird soaring overhead.

"It won't be easy. But if Satoshi underestimates us, he'll pay the price."

...

After a while, Yaga Masamichi scratched his head and left the training ground.

He had come intending to offer encouragement, hoping to prevent Satoru and the others from getting discouraged by Satoshi's overwhelming strength.

But now it seemed he'd been worrying too much.

Seeing Satoru burning with fighting spirit, he was starting to think maybe Satoshi joining Kyoto wasn't a bad thing after all.

"Could it be that Satoshi saw this coming, and that's why he chose to represent Kyoto?"

Yaga rubbed his chin and muttered, "But the answer… probably only Satoshi himself knows."

Shaking his head, he gave up trying to guess what was going on in that freak's head.

...

After leaving the staff office at Jujutsu High, Yuki returned directly to her guest room at Kyoto Jujutsu High.

Iori Utahime and Mei Mei looked at Yuki with hesitant expressions.

Once she left, the two had discussed it between themselves…

Mei Mei was the first to admit their idea had been unrealistic.

There was no way Satoshi would agree to something like that.

He was Tokyo's trump card. Asking him to abandon his school to fight alongside strangers?

No matter how you looked at it, Gojo Satoshi would never agree. It might even insult Kyoto Jujutsu High's dignity.

Utahime and Mei Mei were both filled with regret.

"I'm sorry, Sensei… It was wrong of us to push something so unreasonable onto you," Utahime said with guilt written all over her face.

Mei Mei added, "Yeah, it was kind of ridiculous. There's no way Gojo Satoshi would agree to something like that. Please don't let it get to you, Sensei."

"Even without Satoshi, Utahime and I will do our best in the match."

Neither of them truly believed Satoshi would agree to join their team.

Yuki blinked, then gave them a bright smile. "Yeah, it was difficult…"

Utahime quickly added, "We still have that Grade 1 sorcerer Principal Gakuganji arranged to return from overseas, right? Even if Gojo Satoshi's not joining, we still have a shot."

Mei Mei nodded. "He can rival a Special Grade under certain conditions. And with my support abilities, we're not out of the game."

Yuki said calmly, "Well… he's strong, I won't deny that. But Satoshi agreed."

The two girls had been about to say more.

But Yuki's last sentence froze them in place.

"Sensei… what did you say?" Utahime stammered.

Mei Mei stared at her, eyes wide. "You're joking, right?"

Yuki shook her head, smiling. "I'm completely serious."

Then she explained everything that had happened.

The two girls were completely stunned.

"You're saying… Gojo Satoshi actually agreed to join us?" Utahime's voice shook. Her whole body trembled with joy, and her face flushed red with excitement.

A huge smile blossomed across her face.

Beside her, Mei Mei looked utterly shocked. "Sensei, how did you even pull that off? You didn't… pay him, did you?"

"..."

Yuki gave a wry smile. "Mei Mei, do you really think offering money works on someone like Satoshi?"

Mei Mei stuck out her tongue playfully. "Sure it does! You probably just didn't offer enough."

Utahime rolled her eyes. "Your values are seriously dangerous. You're going to go astray one day."

"...I know what I'm doing," Mei Mei retorted proudly, hands on her hips.

Yuki covered her mouth and laughed.

She knew Mei Mei loved money, but at least she earned it honestly.

Utahime turned back to Yuki with a puzzled look. "But if Gojo Satoshi is joining, what about the person Principal Gakuganji arranged?"

They were originally just the vanguard representing Kyoto.

The team slots were already decided.

If Satoshi was taking someone's place, wouldn't that person—and the principal—be upset?

Not to mention, that guy was pretty arrogant. If he found out Satoshi replaced him, he might cause trouble on purpose.

Yuki waved it off. "He can be the substitute. I'll report it to Principal Gakuganji myself. Don't worry about it."

"And don't stress either. I brought Satoshi into the team for my own selfish reasons."

Yuki crossed her arms and narrowed her gem-like eyes.

"Your selfish reasons, huh?" Mei Mei and Utahime glanced at each other, both surprised.

But Utahime quickly smiled again. "Either way, Sensei, let's give it our all in the goodwill event."

"Yeah, we'll keep pushing forward."

(To be continued.)