The afternoon sun blazed more fiercely than it had that morning, spilling through the high windows around the Training Ground and casting dappled light and shadow across the wooden floor.
The Training Ground occupied a separate building behind the classroom block. It was spacious enough for dozens of people to practice combat at once. The walls had been specially treated to absorb impacts from cursed energy and prevent accidental injuries. Training equipment stood neatly arranged in the corners, with wooden swords, protective gear, and everything else they needed.
The six of them had changed into training clothes and stood waiting at the edge of the floor.
Shoko wore a dark training outfit that allowed her to move freely, her long hair loosely tied into a low ponytail. She looked a little sharper than usual. Without prompting, she walked over to a bench at the side and sat down, perfectly relaxed and showing no intention of joining in.
A Reverse Cursed Technique Sorcerer was there to heal people, after all.
Yaga stood in the center, his tall frame casting a long shadow in the sunlight. He still wore sunglasses, hiding his expression, but his sheer presence was enough to sober the atmosphere.
"The purpose of today's combat training is to assess your current abilities." His deep, resonant voice echoed through the open space. "Don't be nervous. Just do your best."
Before he had finished speaking, an arrogant voice rang out.
"No need to make it so complicated!"
Gojo strode into the center, planted his hands on his hips, and tipped up his chin. His handsome face radiated smug superiority. His white hair gleamed in the sunlight, making him look like a peacock spreading its tail.
He raised a hand and pointed at the four standing to the side-Zhiyan, Xian Di, Geto, and Wana.
"Come on! Let me show you what it means to be the strongest!"
That pose, that tone, that eminently punchable expression.
The same thought flashed through all four of their minds-
He's begging for a beating!
Geto turned his head slightly toward Xian Di beside him. His expression remained as mild as ever, but the corner of his eye twitched.
"Kamo, is Gojo... always like this?"
Xian Di covered his face.
The gesture conveyed profound resignation and exhaustion.
"He's beyond saving."
Wana watched the smug figure in the center, fury practically blazing in her eyes. She grabbed the others by their sleeves and pulled Zhiyan, Geto, and Xian Di together.
"Hey." She lowered her voice, her small face utterly serious. "How about we all beat him up?"
Geto blinked.
"All of us?"
Wana nodded, gritting her teeth.
"I can't take it anymore! Just look at him. Isn't he begging for it?"
Geto glanced at Gojo, who was still posing in the center, then at Wana's indignant expression. His lips curved slightly.
"He does... seem to be asking for it."
Xian Di lowered his hand from his face and spoke calmly.
"No objections here."
Zhiyan said nothing, but nodded quickly.
Watching them, Geto's smile deepened.
"Then... I have no objections either."
The four exchanged a glance, reaching an unspoken understanding.
In the center, Gojo suddenly felt a chill down his back.
He turned and saw the four of them huddled together, whispering. Wana even glanced his way, and that look... how should he put it?
It was a little unsettling.
A sudden sense of foreboding rose in Gojo's chest.
"Hey-what are you talking about?" he called.
Wana didn't answer. She simply gave him a dazzling smile.
Then she turned and pattered over to Yaga.
"Mr. Yaga!" She tilted her small face up, her smile sweet and well-behaved. "We have a request!"
Yaga looked down at her and raised an eyebrow slightly.
"What request?"
Wana leaned a little closer and whispered something.
After hearing her out, Yaga fell silent for a moment.
Then the corners of his mouth curved slightly-not much, but that curve was unmistakably a smile.
He nodded.
"All right."
Wana's eyes lit up. She glanced at Satoru Gojo again, her gaze carrying a hint of triumph and a hint of... sympathy?
The chill down Gojo's back grew stronger.
Yaga walked into the center and cleared his throat.
"At the request of Wana, Zhiyan, and the others, this match will be a free-for-all."
Gojo froze.
"A f-free-for-all?"
Yaga nodded and continued announcing the rules.
"Everyone will take the floor at once. The last person standing wins. The rules are: no innate cursed techniques. Only basic cursed energy reinforcement and martial arts are allowed."
Gojo's expression stiffened.
No innate cursed techniques?
His innate cursed technique was Limitless! If he couldn't use it, that meant...
He looked at the four standing to the side.
All four were looking back at him.
Wana's smile was as radiant as a flower.
Zhiyan looked as calm and unruffled as ever.
A faint, almost imperceptible smile played on Xian Di's lips.
Geto's gaze was gentle and... meaningful.
Gojo's heart sank completely.
No innate cursed techniques, plus a free-for-all, plus those four's strange expressions...
He didn't even have to guess to know what was about to happen.
"Wait, wait, wait-" he said hurriedly. "Mr. Yaga, can I-"
"The rules are settled," Yaga interrupted, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Take your places."
The four were already filing onto the floor.
Gojo stood where he was, watching them approach step by step, and suddenly felt his legs go a little weak.
But he was Satoru Gojo! How could he show fear?
He puffed out his chest, struggling to maintain his air of invincibility.
"Um... you guys..." he began, trying to appeal to their better nature. "We're friends, right? We grew up together, right? It's been seven years, right?"
Wana nodded with a cheerful smile.
"Right. So we'll be very gentle."
Looking at her smile, Gojo only felt the chill down his back deepen.
What was gentle about that smile? That was a cat toying with a mouse before pouncing!
He turned to Zhiyan.
"Zhiyan! You're the most reasonable one! Say something!"
Zhiyan looked at him and fell silent for a moment.
Then he spoke.
"I'll be gentle too."
Satoru Gojo stared.
"Who do you think you're fooling?"
Zhiyan didn't answer. He merely rolled his wrists a little.
No matter how Gojo looked at it, that was clearly a warm-up.
Gojo turned to Xian Di.
"Kamo! Don't tell me you're-"
Xian Di smiled faintly.
"Gojo, it's been seven years."
Gojo: "..."
What was that supposed to mean? What did he mean, seven years? What was wrong with seven years?
Finally, he turned to Geto, a trace of pleading in his eyes.
Geto met his gaze and smiled gently.
"Don't worry, Gojo. It's only sparring."
His tone and smile couldn't have been gentler.
Yet Gojo was certain there were knives hidden behind that smile.
"All right, is everyone ready?" Yaga's voice rang out.
The four nodded in unison.
Yaga raised his hand.
"Begin!"
The instant the word left his mouth, Gojo made a decision.
He wasn't fighting.
He crouched down, covered his head, and curled into a ball.
"Go easy! Not the face!"
The move was so swift, so decisive, so practiced that he seemed to have rehearsed it countless times.
The four gathered around him and stared at the white-haired ball curled up on the floor, momentarily stunned.
Wana was the first to lose it, bursting into laughter.
"Satoru Gojo, could you show a little backbone?"
Gojo's muffled voice came from between his arms.
"What's backbone? Can you eat it? It's four against one! I'd have to be crazy to put up a brave front!"
Geto chuckled despite himself.
"Gojo, you really are..."
"Really are what?"
Geto thought for a moment.
"You really... know when to fold."
Gojo exposed one eye between his arms and glared at him.
"Are you complimenting me or insulting me?"
Geto smiled without answering.
Zhiyan stepped forward and looked down at the tuft of white hair on the floor.
"Get up."
Gojo shook his head.
"No! You guys fight each other. I'm staying right here!"
Wana crouched down and poked his shoulder.
"What's the point of this?"
Gojo answered with complete conviction.
"What do you mean? At least I won't get beaten up!"
Wana blinked.
"You think this will stop you from getting beaten up?"
She stood and took a step back.
Then she looked at the other three.
"Get him!"
All four struck at once.
Gojo's screams echoed throughout the Training Ground.
"Aah-! You said not the face-!"
"Wana, you're pulling my hair again-!"
"Kamo, you're hitting too hard-!"
"Geto, aren't you supposed to be the gentle one-!"
"Zhiyan-! Seven years of friendship-!"
His screams were as piercing as those of a pig being slaughtered.
At the edge of the floor, Shoko sat on the bench with her chin in her hand, watching with smiling eyes.
Yaga stood nearby, arms folded across his chest, his smile growing wider and wider.
A few minutes later.
Gojo crawled out from among them.
His hair was even messier, like a ball of yarn a cat had clawed apart. His face was covered in bruises, his eyes were a little red, and a trace of blood lingered beneath his nose. His training clothes were rumpled and marked with several footprints.
He was an utter wreck.
He slumped on the floor and looked up at the four of them, his eyes brimming with accusation.
"You guys... you guys really play dirty..."
Wana crouched in front of him, looking at him with a smile.
"Does it hurt?"
Gojo glared at her.
"What do you think?!"
Wana reached out and poked the bruise on his face.
Gojo hissed and pulled back.
"Don't touch!"
Wana's smile grew wider.
"Serves you right! That's what you get for being such a pain!"
Gojo practically hopped with anger, but he was too embarrassed to talk back and could only swallow it.
In the center of the training area, the fighting continued.
Wana stood, clapped her hands, and looked at the remaining three.
"All right, our turn next."
She loosened her wrists, her gaze settling on Geto.
"Geto, let's go!"
Geto looked at her and smiled slightly.
"All right."
They faced each other and took their stances.
Though Geto usually appeared gentle and composed, he didn't hold back once the fight began. His Martial Arts were fairly solid, his movements fluid, every punch and kick delivered with just the right amount of force.
But he soon discovered that Wana was far trickier to handle than he had imagined.
She moved nimbly, like an agile cat, always finding an opening between his attacks. Her strikes were clean and crisp, without a single wasted movement. She had clearly undergone rigorous training.
"You're quite skilled, Miss Wana," Geto said as they fought, genuine admiration in his voice.
Wana flashed a broad smile.
"Of course! Eating isn't my only talent!"
They exchanged a few more moves, and Geto gradually began struggling to keep up.
It wasn't that he was weak. Wana was simply too agile.
She always appeared where he least expected her, attacking in ways he never anticipated. Her moves weren't vicious, but they were so tricky that defending against them was nearly impossible.
Finally, during a close-range exchange, Wana knocked Geto down with a beautiful leg sweep.
Lying on the floor, Geto looked up at the girl beaming above him and suddenly smiled.
"I lost."
Wana offered her hand and pulled him up.
"You're really good too, Geto!"
Geto stood and brushed the dust off himself, his gaze gentle.
"Your Martial Arts really are excellent, Miss Wana."
Wana blinked and smiled a little sheepishly.
"Thanks for the compliment."
They exchanged smiles, the atmosphere as friendly as a tea party.
At the sidelines, Gojo watched them, a strange feeling suddenly welling up inside him.
He couldn't quite say what it was.
It was just... a little uncomfortable.
Wana always scowled at him. She was either pulling his hair or pinching his face, never once giving him a kind look.
Yet now she was smiling so brightly at Geto, praising his skills, even calling him "Geto"...
Gojo pursed his lips and muttered under his breath.
"Tch. What's so great about him..."
A calm voice came from beside him.
"What did you say?"
Gojo turned to find Shoko watching him, her eyes slightly curved.
Her gaze held a hint of amusement and understanding.
Gojo quickly turned away.
"Nothing."
Shoko didn't press him. The curve of her lips simply grew wider.
In the center of the training area, Wana stepped back as well.
She walked to the sidelines and sat beside Shoko, breathing hard.
"I'm exhausted, absolutely exhausted..."
Shoko handed her a handkerchief.
Wana took it, wiped the sweat from her forehead, and gave Shoko a sweet smile.
"Thanks, Shoko!"
Watching beside them, Gojo felt that strange sensation grow stronger.
Damn it.
Why did she never look at him like that?
Only two people remained in the center.
Zhiyan and Xian Di.
They stood facing each other, a few steps apart.
Sunlight streamed through the high windows, falling over them and casting two long shadows across the floor.
Seven years.
They had known each other for seven years and sparred countless times. Their understanding of each other had long since sunk into their bones.
Xian Di was a year older than Zhiyan and had excelled at Martial Arts since childhood. Blood Manipulation placed extremely high demands on the body, and he had put more effort into that than anyone else. Every punch, every kick, every dodge had been honed through endless practice.
Xian Di watched him quietly.
He knew Zhiyan was strong.
He had known that seven years ago.
But he, too, had grown over those seven years.
They moved at the same time.
Punches and kicks flew, offense shifting into defense at a dizzying speed. Every collision landed with a dull thud, every dodge timed perfectly.
Geto stood at the sidelines, unable to look away.
"Have they... always been like this?"
Wana nodded.
"Yeah. My brother and Kamo have been like this since they were kids. Once they start fighting, they never stop."
Gojo chimed in from beside her.
"Actually, Kamo's always been a little better at Martial Arts. Better than both me and Zhiyan, really. His Cursed Technique demands a lot of physical fitness, so he's trained really hard since he was little."
Geto nodded thoughtfully.
In the center, the battle had reached a fever pitch.
Xian Di's attacks grew increasingly fierce, every punch whistling through the air. His movements were fluid and powerful, like a dragon in motion, forcing Zhiyan back step by step.
But there wasn't a trace of panic on Zhiyan's face.
He was merely waiting.
Waiting for an opportunity.
At last, an opening appeared in Xian Di's offensive-tiny and fleeting.
But Zhiyan seized it.
He punched straight into the hollow of Xian Di's shoulder.
Xian Di staggered but didn't fall. He swung a fist back, striking Zhiyan beneath the ribs.
Both retreated a few steps and steadied themselves.
They exchanged a look.
Then they smiled at the same time.
"You're still strong," Xian Di said.
Zhiyan nodded.
"So are you."
Xian Di rolled his shoulder, a dull ache lingering where the punch had landed.
"Again."
They charged at each other once more.
This time, Xian Di gave Zhiyan no openings.
His attacks surged like the tide, wave after wave, each higher than the last. His stamina seemed inexhaustible, every punch heavier than the one before, every kick faster than the last.
Zhiyan gradually began struggling to hold him off.
His Martial Arts weren't weak, but compared to Xian Di's, they still fell just a little short.
Just that tiny bit.
Finally, as their fists clashed, Xian Di's strength prevailed. Zhiyan staggered, driven back a step.
Xian Di seized the opportunity and knocked him down with a leg sweep.
Lying on the floor, Zhiyan looked up at the man breathing slightly hard above him and suddenly smiled.
"I lost."
Xian Di held out a hand and pulled him up.
"Come on."
Zhiyan stood and brushed the dust off himself, genuine admiration in his eyes.
"Your Martial Arts are better than mine."
Xian Di shook his head.
"I've just practiced more than you."
Zhiyan looked at him and said earnestly,
"You're strong. Really strong."
Xian Di froze for a moment, then smiled.
His smile held a little more warmth than usual.
"Thank you."
They walked off the training area side by side, the atmosphere as friendly as if they had just returned from having tea.
"All right, all right, we're done fighting! Time for Shoko to heal everyone!"
Everyone looked at Shoko.
Shoko stood and was about to walk over, but Zhiyan raised a hand to stop her.
"No need."
Everyone paused in surprise.
Zhiyan raised his hand, Cursed Energy surging.
An enormous deer Shikigami appeared out of thin air-Round Deer.
A soft golden glow shone all over its body. Its antlers spread like lush branches, each radiating warm light. It stood there quietly, its gaze gentle, like a creature that had stepped out of an ancient myth.
Round Deer lowered its head and gently sniffed at everyone.
Then it raised its head, and a soft light spread from its body, enveloping them all.
The light was warm and gentle, like a mother's caress, like spring sunshine. It brushed over every person's body, every wound, every bruise.
Moments later, all their injuries had vanished.
Gojo touched his face. The bruises were gone. He touched his hair too, and the strands that had been pulled into disarray had returned to their original state.
"Hey! That really is handy!"
Zhiyan didn't answer. He simply dismissed Round Deer.
Standing nearby, Geto felt the fatigue and pain disappear from his body, a touch of wonder in his eyes.
"Your Cursed Technique really is versatile, Zenin."
He looked at Zhiyan and thanked him sincerely.
"Thank you."
Zhiyan nodded in acknowledgment.
Gojo chimed in casually from beside them.
"What are you thanking him for? He just couldn't bear to tire Shoko out!"
Geto paused.
He looked at Zhiyan, then at Shoko, before his gaze returned to Zhiyan.
"So that's how it is."
He smiled, understanding and teasing mingling in his expression.
Zhiyan's movements paused.
He turned his head and glanced at Gojo.
His gaze was cold, as though he were looking at something utterly unnecessary.
Gojo shrank back a little, but he still couldn't resist talking tough.
"What? Was I wrong?"
Zhiyan said nothing.
But he raised his hand, a faint trace of Cursed Energy gathering at his fingertips.
Gojo immediately ducked behind Geto.
"Geto, save me!"
Geto chuckled.
"Gojo, that mouth of yours..."
Gojo poked his head out from behind Geto.
"What about it? I only told the truth!"
The Cursed Energy at Zhiyan's fingertips grew a little denser.
Gojo immediately ducked back out of sight.
Laughter filled the Training Ground.
Sunlight streamed through the high windows, falling on everyone.
Shoko walked over to Zhiyan and gently squeezed his hand.
Zhiyan looked down at her.
Shoko smiled. "Thanks a lot!"
The corners of Zhiyan's lips curved slightly.
He tightened his grip on her hand.
"Come on, let's head back."
Everyone headed out of the Training Ground together.
Gojo emerged from behind Geto and hurried to catch up with Wana.
"Hey, Wana."
Wana didn't turn around.
"What?"
Gojo scratched his head and spoke a little awkwardly.
"Um... weren't you hitting a little hard back there?"
Wana finally turned to look at him.
"What? Did it hurt?"
Gojo nodded.
"It hurt."
Wana blinked.
Then she carefully examined the spot on Gojo's face where he'd been hurt earlier.
There was none of her usual disdain or mockery in the gesture, only genuine, heartfelt concern.
"Serves you right."
After making sure he was fine, she turned and kept walking.
Satoru Gojo stood where he was, staring after her in a daze for several seconds.
Then he smiled.
It was a goofy smile, yet it held a hint of something hard to describe... happiness.
"Hey, wait for me!"
He hurried after her.
Ahead, the six figures gradually receded into the distance.
The setting sun bathed the entire Training Ground in a warm red glow.
Before you continue