HRU: Chapter 276/277

Chapter 276: Our Side!

Jujutsu High School – Kyoto Branch Lounge.

Sunlight squeezed through the window, casting its glow on the girl's slightly haggard face.

With the sister school exchange event approaching, Mei Mei and Utahime Iori both had splitting headaches and barely slept a wink. Naturally, they wanted to win this year's exchange.

This year, Tokyo Jujutsu High's participants were all newcomers.

If this had been the case in previous years, Kyoto would have breathed a sigh of relief. But this year's newcomers from Tokyo... were just too strong!

Even Mei Mei and Utahime felt it might've been better to face the battle-hardened seniors from Tokyo Jujutsu High instead.

"Ugh!"

Mei Mei stretched and sighed. "Utahime, I don't think I'll be getting that bonus from Principal Gakuganji..."

Utahime, clearly disappointed, smiled helplessly after hearing that.

"I wanted to use this opportunity to apply for a teaching position after graduation, but with someone like Gojo Satoshi at Tokyo High, I've got no shot..."

"Damn it, the bonus! My victory bonus, wooo..."

Hearing Satoshi's name, Mei Mei rolled around on the bed in anguish.

The image of Gojo Satoshi unleashing a thunderous Hadō, then wielding twin Zanpakutō to obliterate Sukuna's fingers, was still burned into their memories.

They didn't think they could stand a chance against him. It was better to leave it to someone like Yuki-sensei.

After all, Gojo Satoshi had clearly reached the realm of a true Special Grade sorcerer. And Special Grade threats should be handled by fellow Special Grade sorcerers.

A match between Yuki and Satoshi — two true Special Grades — would be the perfect showdown to determine who was the strongest in the modern Jujutsu world.

But unfortunately, as a faculty member, Yuki couldn't participate in the exchange event…

Which meant the possibility of a Yuki vs. Satoshi battle was completely off the table.

With that, no one in Kyoto High stood a chance against that terrifying monster — Gojo Satoshi.

Thinking of this, Utahime sighed again.

What are we supposed to do...?

...

Suddenly, there was a creak.

The door to the lounge slowly opened, and a blonde girl peeked her head in from outside.

It was none other than Yuki.

She smiled brightly. "Yo, Mei Mei, Utahime, you're up early today?"

Utahime, eyes shadowed by dark circles, rolled her eyes at Yuki.

"No, Yuki-sensei, Mei Mei and I didn't sleep at all..."

Mei Mei also spoke wearily. "Yeah. The moment I close my eyes, I see the terrifying image of Gojo Satoshi's Zanpakutō again. Are we really expected to go up against him?"

If it were Satoru or Suguru, they felt like they could still compete under the event's rules.

After all, while Satoru and Suguru were undeniably powerful, they weren't on Satoshi's level, a level that induced sheer despair.

But if Satoshi was participating too... then they really had no chance at all.

Seeing the pitiful expressions on Mei Mei and Utahime's faces, Yuki couldn't help but feel helpless.

As their instructor, she understood exactly what they were thinking.

"...I can try speaking with the Tokyo High representative. I can't promise anything though."

"Yeah!"

"Yuki-sensei, you're the best!"

Hearing this bit of hopeful news, both Mei Mei and Utahime jumped out of bed, their haggard appearance instantly disappearing.

Yuki, a little exasperated, didn't blame them though.

Because she knew — if this exchange event were like a school exam, then Satoshi's involvement was like tossing in a college-level problem on a high school test. It totally broke the balance of the entire event.

Like if a high school math exam suddenly required the Lagrange Mean Value Theorem for the final question. Most high schoolers would just skip it entirely, wouldn't they?

...

In a quiet café, Yuki sat alone at a corner table.

Soon, a young man entered slowly.

Satoshi wearing a technical high school uniform, stepped into view. Though he wore sunglasses, his rare silver hair and tall figure drew glances from every passerby especially the girls.

"Satoshi, over here!"

Yuki smiled and waved.

Satoshi nodded back and smiled slightly, then walked over and sat beside her.

"What's up, Yuki? Something you need?"

"Why, can't I ask you out if it's not urgent?"

Seeing Satoshi remain silent, Yuki smiled, then handed him the conversation opener.

"Okay, fine. I do have something to talk to you about. It's about the sister school goodwill event."

Satoshi nodded thoughtfully.

It is almost time for the goodwill event.

This year's Kyoto participants should be Mei Mei and Utahime.

Mei Mei, that money-obsessed woman, was strong — a solid Grade 1 sorcerer. But Utahime, as a support-type, was only Grade 2.

Even working together, they might be able to release power close to Special Grade temporarily, but still, going against me… sounds boring.

"I see. But Yuki, even if you brought me out here, what do you expect me to do?"

Satoshi looked at Yuki, puzzled.

Was she really asking me for help with something like this? Did she think I could help with this kind of problem?

(To be continued.)

Chapter 277: Threat of Level

The girl was silent for a moment, then raised her head and looked earnestly at Gojo Satoshi.

"Satoshi, you should join Kyoto Jujutsu High's team!"

Satoshi was slightly taken aback.

He hadn't expected her suggestion to be that bold.

Seeing that he hadn't responded, Yuki continued to persuade him.

"To be honest, your group of four is far too powerful... even most technical college graduates can't compare. This imbalance doesn't just affect the fairness of the exchange event—it makes it downright boring."

Satoshi nodded. He didn't refute her.

While he wasn't arrogant, neither was he someone who'd downplay himself out of false modesty.

Leaving Shoko aside, the other three of their group had power that rivaled a Special Grade.

Satoru and Suguru weren't officially labeled Special Grade, but in terms of power, they clearly were.

Kyoto Jujutsu High only had one sorcerer at that level—and even then, that sorcerer was Yuki herself, who couldn't participate as a faculty member.

So if the event were carried out as planned, it would be meaningless.

How about letting Yuki join the exchange event as a teacher? That sounds more fun.

Satoshi chuckled.

That handsome face, paired with his smile, made Yuki lose focus for a brief second.

Seeing his interest, Yuki beamed and continued, "But if you join Kyoto High, the Special Grade firepower would be two against two!"

"And for someone like you, facing top fighters like Satoru and Suguru would be way more interesting, wouldn't it?"

Satoshi stroked his chin, thinking. "That's true. I've heard Satoru and Suguru were hailed as the strongest duo of the last decade. It's definitely intriguing."

Since waking up, I haven't faced anyone truly worthy of being called a challenge. If it's Satoru or Suguru, they'd do nicely.

Satoshi was genuinely tempted. It wasn't a bad idea.

"So you agree?" Yuki asked excitedly.

Satoshi shook his head.

"As far as camps go, I don't particularly care. I'm still a student. Ultimately, it's up to Mr. Yaga and Principal Sekiguchi to decide."

Hearing this, Yuki clapped her hands and smiled. "Satoshi, as long as you have no objections, leave the rest to me!"

With that, she stood up, waved goodbye to Satoshi, and left.

Satoshi slowly picked up his coffee.

He was a little lost in thought.

Would Yaga Masamichi really hand over his strongest student to Kyoto High?

But then again, with Yuki being a Special Grade sorcerer, if she was personally requesting it and Satoshi didn't object, Yaga might not be able to say no.

"Joining Kyoto's camp, huh? That's pretty interesting." Satoshi gently touched his chin. "But maybe... we should play an even bigger game?"

...

Jujutsu High – Tokyo Campus, Faculty Office.

The Sister School Goodwill Event was an annual major affair.

Yaga Masamichi reviewed the participation list for Tokyo Technical College, his brows furrowed in thought.

There was no question. With a monster like Gojo Satoshi on the roster, it was difficult to make a fair arrangement.

And beyond Satoshi, the other three first-years were all absurdly talented.

Yaga sighed and rubbed his temples.

"I've never led such an overpowered team before..."

Just then—

There was a knock on the office door.

He set down the documents and looked up. A rare visitor had appeared: Tsukumo Yuki, the lead instructor from Kyoto Jujutsu High.

Seeing her, and recalling rumors about her and Gojo Satoshi, Yaga's expression turned strange.

"Yuki-sensei. What brings you here?"

Despite her age, she was no ordinary sorcerer.

Due to her overwhelming strength, she'd been appointed as a teacher at Kyoto High—and was the only active Special Grade sorcerer in the current jujutsu world.

Yuki didn't waste time.

"Mr. Yaga, you've seen the participant lists. There's quite a gap between our two schools. For the sake of fairness, we'd like to borrow one student from your side. How about that?"

Yaga's brows furrowed slightly. After a brief pause, he said, "If the student agrees, I won't object. May I ask who you intend to borrow?"

Technically, Yuki's request wasn't exactly proper.

But with this year's freakishly strong Tokyo first-years, it wasn't entirely unjustified either.

As long as she didn't ask for Gojo Satoshi, he was fine with it...

If it was anyone but Satoshi, he'd consider it.

But then—

Yuki's voice rang out. "The one we want to borrow from Tokyo is Gojo Satoshi."

Yaga's head snapped up. He immediately felt unwell.

Even if you're his rumored girlfriend, isn't this a bit much? You're trying to poach our biggest ace?

"Sorry, we can't make that decision for the student. We'd need to speak to Gojo Satoshi directly before giving you an answer..."

He kept a polite smile.

If it were Suguru, he could live with it. Even Satoru would be negotiable.

But Satoshi? Absolutely not!

Just as he thought that, he opened his mouth to officially reject her.

But Yuki spoke first.

"It's fine. Satoshi already agreed. We just need your formal approval."

Yaga's expression froze.

"What?"

Then his face grew serious.

"Are you joking? I'll need to confirm with Gojo Satoshi myself."

What are you even thinking? Swapping teams in a school exchange? What's Satoshi planning?

Just as he rose from his seat, a slender hand blocked him.

"I already told you. Just decide whether or not you approve. There's no need for you to trouble Satoshi. With Ryūjin Jakka and Sode no Shirayuki at his side, no one can force him into anything, right?"

Yuki smiled calmly.

Yaga narrowed his eyes at her.

"Yuki-sensei, what's the meaning of this?"

Yuki's expression shifted.

"I just need an answer."

At that moment, the pressure of a Special Grade sorcerer's cursed energy erupted from her body.

(To be continued.)