"Relying on Cursed Tools..."
Natsu Hiraku recalled what Teacher Gojo had said when he had taken him to collect a Cursed Tool. His weakness had always been his low cursed energy, making him unsuited for prolonged battles. That was why he had trained his body and close-quarters combat, though later he had simply found blades more useful.
"Right. In terms of fighting alone, best friend, your combat skills are already close to perfect. But you can still rise to another level—that is, learn Black Flash!"
As Todo Aoi spoke, he assumed a defensive stance. "When the discrepancy between a physical strike and the impact of cursed energy is within 0.000001 seconds, it creates a spatial distortion. Its power is the average raised to the 2.5th power."
"Although few sorcerers have learned it, no sorcerer can deliberately use Black Flash. However, those who have experienced Black Flash and those who have not are worlds apart in their understanding of the core of cursed energy. So come at me! Let me witness your growth, best friend!"
Natsu Hiraku fell silent and lowered his head to look at his right hand. Crimson cursed energy covered his fist.
The cursed energy used by jujutsu sorcerers was extracted from negative emotions. It flowed through the body from the navel, passing through the shoulders and arms before finally ending at the fist.
But in battle, cursed energy could not possibly flow to the fist that quickly when faced with sudden situations. That was what was known as "cursed energy delay." Therefore, whenever Natsu Hiraku went out, he constantly stored cursed energy in every part of his body to prepare for emergencies.
"0.000001 seconds, huh? That's really strict."
Natsu Hiraku looked at Todo Aoi, who had already taken up a defensive position. He adopted an attacking stance, took a deep breath, and warned him, "If it's to the 2.5th power, then you'd better defend yourself properly, best friend! After all, I'm in unbelievably good condition today!"
"Of course, best friend!"
Todo Aoi grinned, and blue cursed energy instantly wrapped around his entire body like blazing flames.
Seeing that, Natsu Hiraku had nothing more to say. After all, he had just learned the Reverse Cursed Technique under Suguru Geto's guidance. Right now, he could only be described as feeling utterly refreshed.
Although 0.000001 seconds sounded demanding, he had never thought about reaching the pinnacle of close combat. After all, as System Quests piled up, one day his cursed energy would surpass Yuta's.
Still, there was no harm in learning it. It was not like he would lose a piece of flesh.
Natsu Hiraku slowly closed his eyes and exhaled the turbid air from his chest. He calmed his heart, emptied his mind, and focused all his attention on his fist.
His mind was clear, his ears heard the wind pass, energy coursed through his body, and everything gathered for a single burst!
When he opened his eyes again, scarlet pupils appeared, two tomoe spinning rapidly within them. As if he had suddenly attained enlightenment, he sensed that now was the moment to throw his punch.
He unleashed a fierce punch. The crimson cursed energy turned black the instant it touched Todo's arm...
"Black Flash!"
"Hold on to the feeling of that attack and keep going!" Todo Aoi was forcibly knocked back a meter, but he quickly regained his footing. Bending his legs and planting his feet, cursed energy erupted from within him as he shouted.
"Got it, best friend!"
Natsu Hiraku stomped the ground and shot forward like an arrow, his right fist roaring out!
At that moment, he was as clear as a mirror. Faced with the brutal requirement of 0.000001 seconds, he threw that punch based purely on instinct.
After all, the moment of contact was fleeting. Even with the Sharingan, he could only make a rough prediction. At the scale of microseconds, it was no wonder Todo Aoi said no sorcerer could deliberately use it.
Only because he had learned the Reverse Cursed Technique today and felt so refreshed could he find the feeling so quickly. A good mood always brought unexpected results.
In that microsecond of contact, cursed energy once again flashed black.
"Black Flash!"
"Thud!"
Todo Aoi was knocked back once more, a blissful smile spreading across his face. Looking at Natsu Hiraku before him, he knew it—another monster had been born. He had already landed Black Flash twice in a row!
After steadying himself, he resumed his defensive stance and shouted, "Steady your mind, hold onto the feeling, and keep going!"
"Yeah!!"
Natsu Hiraku gathered his strength and struck again. He could feel that the flow of cursed energy within his body no longer needed deliberate control. It had become as natural as breathing, carrying an inexplicable sense of support, as though he could do anything at that moment...
At the instant his fist touched Todo's arm, only the black radiance of warped space shone across everything.
"Black Flash!"
"Smack!"
Todo was knocked back several meters. This time, he did not tell him to continue. Instead, he rubbed his reddened arm and called for a stop.
"Alright, that's enough, best friend. I'd like to keep being your punching bag, but if the same spot takes four hits, I think it'll fracture."
"Alright. Thank you so much, best friend. Truly, thank you. You've helped me twice."
Natsu Hiraku loosened his clenched fist, a smile on his face. He had made a killing today—he had learned both the Reverse Cursed Technique and Black Flash. Once he got back, he needed to ask Teacher Gojo for the other extension techniques tomorrow. Combined with the ninjutsu he had drawn, anyone who came for him would die.
It felt like the peak of the world was already close.
"Twice? Didn't I just teach you Black Flash, best friend?"
Todo Aoi was somewhat baffled, but he did not dwell on it. "How about we watch the replay of Takada's concert livestream together, best friend?"
"..."
After thinking for a moment, Natsu Hiraku declined. "I... I think Takada should always shine on stage. Watching her on a phone just wouldn't feel perfect."
"Hiss... You're right. As expected of my best friend—you really do love Takada deeply." Todo Aoi gave him a thumbs-up, admitting defeat.
"..."
Natsu Hiraku no longer knew what to say. Todo Aoi's imagination was truly wild, as though another world was independently operating inside his head.
At some point, the sun had already begun to set. The clouds in the sky were bathed in the lingering glow of dusk. Seeing this, Natsu Hiraku said, "Let's go out and eat together. My treat."
"Mm."
At some concert venue.
Yuta Okkotsu stood on the stage, his lips slightly parted as though he wanted to say something, yet no words came out. A group of cheering spectators stood below, with Gojo Satoru mixed among them.
Gojo Satoru shouted, "Come on, Yuta! Overcome your fear and bravely sing out all your cowardice! This is special training!"
There are... so many people... If it were Hiraku, what would he do? He'd probably sing bravely...
Yuta Okkotsu swallowed, feeling nervous inside and worrying that he would not sing well enough.
But everyone was looking forward to hearing him sing. No matter what, he could not let down their expectations.
Gojo Satoru watched Yuta Okkotsu begin to sing onstage and nodded in satisfaction. Renting out a concert venue on short notice was expensive, and he had even needed to pay people to fill the audience. But if his student could overcome his fear, then the money meant nothing. After all, he was a very responsible teacher!
Kento Nanami sat in a bar with Kirara Hoshi, chatting about their future lives.
The next day.
7:30
Kyoto School Principal's Office.
Yoshinobu Gakuganji sat on the sofa with his cane, glanced at the three people before him, and asked, "Where has Todo gone this time?"
Noritoshi Kamo answered, "He went out to attend Takada's handshake event. He'll be back at noon."
"..."
After hesitating for a moment, Yoshinobu Gakuganji said, "Forget it. I called you here today because there's a mission. Surround Natsu Hiraku and test his abilities."
"That might not work. With Todo around, he probably won't let us gang up on Natsu Hiraku. Last time, he crushed one of my cursed corpses without warning," Mech-Maru said, now controlling a replacement cursed corpse.
"Yeah. Todo hates it when people interfere with his fights. He'll kill us," Nishinomiya Momo said, gripping her broom tightly.
"Mm. You don't need to worry about that. Just make Tokyo School's Natsu Hiraku reveal his full strength. You may leave for now."
"Yes!"
The group exchanged glances before leaving at once.
Once they had left, Yoshinobu Gakuganji muttered to himself, "Besides Yuta Okkotsu, the one Gojo Satoru values most must be Natsu Hiraku. Anyone valued by him will not be weak in the future. A second Gojo Satoru must not appear in this world. We must guard against it, or the higher-ups of the jujutsu world will sooner or later be overturned by that fearless brat."
"Next... are the rules for this team battle."
Yoshinobu Gakuganji lowered his head to look at the sheet of white paper on the table, then took out his phone and made a call.
At the Kyoto School training grounds.
Natsu Hiraku, Yuta Okkotsu, and Kento Nanami were out on their morning run. They had gotten up at five-thirty and trained continuously until now.
Kirara Hoshi stood off to the side, shouting, "Keep it up!"
Noritoshi Kamo and the others emerged from the principal's office and looked at the Tokyo School students still training. Nishinomiya Momo asked, "Are we really doing this? If Todo catches us, it feels like we'll get beaten up."
Mech-Maru, who understood that feeling well, said, "Yeah. He didn't hesitate at all when he crushed my cursed corpse. It's hard to imagine how someone with such an unassuming build could fight Todo-senpai evenly."
Ever since Todo Aoi had effortlessly crushed Mech-Maru's cursed corpse yesterday, Mech-Maru had developed a deep respect for that senior. He was simply too strong!
Noritoshi Kamo looked at Natsu Hiraku running on the training grounds and said, "We'll see when the time comes. If Todo meets Natsu Hiraku first, we'll withdraw. If we meet him first, then we'll follow the principal's orders and test his abilities. It won't be too late to retreat once Todo arrives."
The other two agreed with their captain. After all, they had no other choice. Todo Aoi would not actually kill anyone, but a brutal beating was unavoidable.
After finishing a lap, Natsu Hiraku spotted the Kyoto School group watching from afar. He waved and shouted, "Want to join us for morning training? The morning sets the tone for the day, and training fills the whole day with energy!"
"Old man, what kind of team battle rules did you come up with this time?"
Wearing Old Man's Sunglasses, Gojo Satoru pushed open the principal's office door and looked at Yoshinobu Gakuganji inside.
"They're here. Take a look, Gojo Satoru."
Yoshinobu Gakuganji did not get angry. Instead, he pointed his cane-holding hand at the sheet of white paper on the desk. He knew there was no point getting angry in front of this guy. It would only earn him the label of being useless.
"Alright!"
Gojo Satoru skipped over to the sofa, picked up the sheet of paper, and began reading it. The more he read, the more interested he became. "Is your school serious? A maze this large can't be constructed in such a short time."
"Isn't that what you're for, Gojo Satoru? Don't tell me even you can't construct this thing?" Yoshinobu Gakuganji raised his white brows slightly, his gaze fixed on the carefree Gojo Satoru.
"Interesting."
Gojo Satoru stood and rubbed his shoulders. "Alright, let's get to work. Let's try to finish constructing this thing before lunch at eleven."
"Fine. I'll take you there."
Yoshinobu Gakuganji rose and led Gojo Satoru out of the principal's office. As they passed the training grounds, they saw the Tokyo School and Kyoto School students doing their morning run.
Gojo Satoru said approvingly, "Not bad. You're strengthening the friendship between the two schools."
"Yes. The future of the jujutsu world depends on these children, after all. Of course, it would be even better without someone as dangerously minded as you." Yoshinobu Gakuganji shot Gojo Satoru a sidelong glance.
"Hmph. Think whatever you old men with one foot in the grave want. What I know is that I'll cultivate more geniuses to change this rotten jujutsu world."
Gojo Satoru smiled as he looked at the people on the field, his eyes filled with anticipation.
"That's exactly why I say your thinking is dangerous."
Yoshinobu Gakuganji continued toward their destination, and Gojo Satoru followed after glancing at him.
At the training grounds.
The two schools began a relay race. As if neither side was willing to lose to the other, they sprinted wildly around the track. Since Nishinomiya Momo was not good at running, she was placed in the same group as Natsu Hiraku and could ride her broom using the Tsukumogami Technique.
"Tsukumogami Technique: According to the author's information, it controls objects."
Nishinomiya Momo glanced at Natsu Hiraku and said, "Don't think that just because you can temporarily fight Todo evenly, you can catch up to my speed. With physical strength alone, you definitely can't outrun me."
"It's fine, it's fine. I'm pretty amateur when it comes to running. After all, dragging things out during battle is my specialty."
As Natsu Hiraku spoke, Yuta Okkotsu shot past him, while Mech-Maru ran wildly ahead with clattering sounds.
The rules were simple. One lap around the training ground was five hundred meters. Each person ran two laps before handing off to the next person. The runner receiving the baton could only start after getting it, so it also tested explosive acceleration at the start. In the end, the losing team had to fulfill one request from the winning team, as long as it was not excessive.
Natsu Hiraku had been assigned the third and fourth laps, while Kento Nanami faced off against Noritoshi Kamo, another second-year.
Although the team battle would begin at noon, there was nothing wrong with competing a little now. Everyone thought so.
Yuta Okkotsu held a slight lead. Running against cursed corpses without using cursed energy was difficult with pure physical strength alone, but that did not mean he would give up.
Seeing Natsu Hiraku still a hundred meters away, Yuta Okkotsu took a deep breath, gritted his teeth, and tensed the muscles in his legs once more before accelerating again.
Before you continue