"And then?" "That's it."

That afternoon, Jujutsu High had no classes or training scheduled. The sunlight was gentle and warm, and the breeze was just right.

Avoiding the sunbaked training grounds, the four sat on the green lawn behind the school buildings, chatting in the shade of a tree. Having known one another for only a day, they felt each other out through conversation, gradually moving on to their Innate Cursed Techniques and fighting styles. In the relaxed atmosphere, their unfamiliarity and awkwardness slowly faded.

Suguru Geto spoke first, his tone plain and steady. "My technique is Cursed Spirit Manipulation. I can subdue and store Cursed Spirits, then command them to attack, defend, or scout during combat. It's a fairly versatile technique. I just have to keep subduing stronger Cursed Spirits. Its upper limit depends on the spirits I've subdued."

The moment he finished, Satoru Gojo eagerly jumped in, brash and flamboyant as he launched into his introduction.

Satoru Gojo lay back, sprawling on the lawn with his limbs stretched out, his tone exaggerated and narcissistic. "Then it's time for the strongest to take the stage! My technique is Limitless-an absolute top-tier talent!"

He bragged endlessly about his technique. "First, there are my Six Eyes: three-hundred-and-sixty-degree vision with no blind spots, see-through vision, long-distance vision, precise perception of Cursed Energy and Cursed Techniques, and precise Cursed Energy control with zero expenditure."

Then he mysteriously lowered his voice and beckoned them closer. "But none of that is the point. The most important thing is..."

All three grew interested, unconsciously leaning in a little, their curiosity thoroughly piqued.

Curiosity showed on Suguru Geto's face, and Shoko raised her eyelids a fraction. Even Qingxiao glanced over, waiting for him to reveal his supposed "trump card."

Seeing that he had everyone's undivided attention, Satoru Gojo kept them in suspense for two seconds, then flashed a confident smile and declared, emphasizing every word, "The most important thing, of course, is-I'm super handsome!"

Silence fell instantly.

"Wow, that's really amazing," Shoko read out flatly, playing along with his performance.

"Has this guy finally gone insane?" Qingxiao attacked Satoru Gojo without mercy.

Suguru Geto helplessly pressed a hand to his forehead, giving him a look of tender concern for an idiot.

Satoru Gojo didn't care at all. If anything, he looked even more pleased with himself. "It's just a fact! A once-in-a-century talent, after all. What can I do?"

"Oh, and my Limitless! Want to experience it...?"

After the commotion, everyone naturally turned their attention to Shoko, who had been listening all this time, waiting for her to introduce her technique.

Shoko leaned against the tree trunk and began slowly, her tone relaxed. "My technique is Reverse Cursed Technique. It's a fairly unusual type that can be projected outward."

She explained the core principle of her technique. "Ordinary Cursed Energy is negative energy, used to attack and destroy. My technique does the opposite. It combines negative Cursed Energy and converts it into positive healing energy, specifically for treatment. And its output is stable, so its main purpose is to repair other people's injuries."

Suguru Geto listened attentively and responded warmly. "Reverse Cursed Technique is quite rare, and you can even project it outward to heal others. That's incredibly useful. With you around, we basically won't have to worry about getting hurt."

"Physical injuries only." Shoko shrugged lightly and added, "I can repair fractures, external wounds, and internal organ damage, but I can't save someone who's completely lost their vital signs. It's not as miraculous as people make it sound."

Satoru Gojo toned down his narcissism a little and joined in with rare seriousness. "Being able to consistently heal other people is already impressive enough. You're the only person at Jujutsu High who can project Reverse Cursed Technique outward. We'll be counting on you to back us up in actual combat."

"Not that I'll get hurt," Satoru Gojo added under his breath.

Qingxiao chimed in candidly. "It's an irreplaceable ability for a team."

Praised by them one after another, Shoko gave a small smile, her eyes curving slightly. Paired with the girl's highly distinctive beauty mark beneath her eye, it left Qingxiao momentarily dazed.

Everyone's eyes turned to Qingxiao at once.

"Genius who landed a Black Flash, the stage is yours!"

Qingxiao sat casually with both hands braced against the lawn. Looking perfectly at ease and a little proud, he offered two words. "I'm strong."

Silence settled over the lawn as his words fell. Suguru Geto and Shoko both watched him quietly, waiting for him to elaborate on his abilities and the details of his technique.

A few seconds later, Satoru Gojo broke the silence first, raising an eyebrow as he pressed, "And then?"

Qingxiao replied evenly, "That's it."

The next second, Satoru Gojo burst out laughing, slapping the lawn and shaking with laughter. "Hahahaha! That's way too half-assed! We've got see-through vision, Cursed Spirit Manipulation, and Reverse Cursed Technique, and all you've got is 'I'm strong'? At least dress it up a little! Something like extraordinary physical explosiveness or brute-force-dominant martial arts. That sounds ten times more impressive!"

Qingxiao raised an eyebrow and cupped his hands in salute. "Your servant is a military man, unskilled with words."

Amused, Shoko spoke in a languid voice tinged with a faint smile. "That really was simple and easy to understand."

She was the only person present who had seen the aftermath of Qingxiao's Black Flash. It was no exaggeration to say that its power rivaled a heavy truck.

Hearing her, Qingxiao looked over with a faint smile in his eyes. "You understand me best, Ieiri."

Suguru Geto smiled and smoothed things over. Their afternoon chat slowly drew to a close amid this relaxed exchange of teasing, the distance between them quietly narrowing as the unfamiliarity of their first meeting disappeared completely.