Kamo Estate, private study.
The current head of the family, sat behind his desk. As the true leader of the Kamo clan, this was where he spent nearly every day.
Ever since joining forces with the Zenin family this past year, the Kamo clan's strength had surged. Their influence within the world of jujutsu had grown significantly.
The stain left behind by Kamo Noritoshi's actions a hundred years ago was slowly fading from public memory.
But that alone wasn't enough.
The humiliation the Kamo family once suffered could only be cleansed with blood.
Kamo calmly flipped through the stack of reports and photos handed to him.
Suddenly, his expression shifted.
"That kid from the Gojo clan actually woke up, and both brothers picked the S-level entrance mission. Now that's interesting."
"If they all pass... the Gojo clan will truly have birthed a dragon."
"If this were a few years ago…"
"Maybe even I would've felt some pressure."
But a smile quickly returned to his face. Unlike the Zenin family, Kamo felt no fear or pressure from Gojo Satoshi.
"After all, the Kamo clan already has a child who has mastered the Blood Manipulation Technique. Sooner or later, we will rival the Gojo family."
As one of the Big Three Sorcerer Families, the Kamo clan no longer needed to bow to the Gojos or the Zenins.
After some time, Kamo Satoshi raised a finger and instructed calmly:
"Don't worry about the Gojo family. Focus on accelerating our plans within the Jujutsu General Directorate."
---
Ieiri Estate, courtyard corridor.
A breeze blew gently between the wooden buildings. Ripples danced across the surface of the water by the pavilion. Ieiri Inamichi stood quietly under the corridor, listening to his subordinate report the latest news from the Polytechnic.
His daughter, Ieiri Shoko, was on this year's admission list. Naturally, he was far more attentive to these matters than usual.
When he heard the details about the exam list and the assigned exam team, Inamichi was startled. Then a wave of complex emotions followed—relief mixed with concern.
He was relieved because it had been nine years.
His daughter had finally waited for that boy to wake up.
He recalled how those nine years had worn on her—how her appetite vanished, her spirit dulled. It pained him to see it.
That was why he had insisted she enroll at Jujutsu High, hoping a change of environment might lift her mood. He hadn't expected her to cross paths with Gojo Satoshi again there. Maybe… it wasn't such a bad thing after all.
The worry, though, was that tomorrow, Shoko would be participating in the S-level entrance exam alongside Gojo Satoshi.
"A Special Grade Cursed Object: Sukuna's Finger..."
Even though the General Directorate had tightly sealed all information, the Ieiri clan, being a prestigious family in the jujutsu world, still caught wind of it.
The two Special Grade cursed spirits who had consumed Sukuna's fingers were likely stronger than average Special Grades.
And far stranger.
Even though his daughter could use the Reverse Cursed Technique, she lacked the strength to defeat such a spirit alone.
If something happened to Gojo Satoshi, there was no way Shoko could escape from such a creature.
Ieiri Inamichi rubbed his forehead, already feeling the onset of a headache.
He had no idea how much of Satoshi's strength had recovered. The boy had only just awakened, yet he was about to face such a formidable opponent.
Would he be able to handle it?
But even if he suggested Shoko withdraw from the test now, she would definitely refuse.
"I just hope Shoko and Satoshi can have a happy ending." Inamichi let out a long sigh.
...
Tokyo, Jujutsu High School.
After leaving the General Directorate, Yaga Masamichi immediately returned to Jujutsu High without a moment's delay.
He didn't dare linger for even a second longer.
There was no other reason. The documents in his possession were simply too important.
He glanced over at the four students laughing and training in the yard. Without a word, he made his way directly toward the principal's office.
He knocked lightly.
"Come in."
The response came in a strong but slightly aged voice. It was the current principal of Tokyo Jujutsu High, Sekiguchi Seiji.
"Principal!" Yaga greeted respectfully.
"Principal Sekiguchi, the General Directorate has approved our request."
Yaga stepped forward and presented two secret scrolls.
Sekiguchi Seiji smiled as he took the scrolls.
"Well done. You've done an excellent job."
But the smile soon faded. His expression turned serious.
"However, Mr. Yaga…"
"This year's entrance mission is unlike any we've had before. It may be the most dangerous in the school's history."
"You must be fully prepared. We can't afford to lose any of them."
"They carry tremendous potential."
Sekiguchi let out a long sigh.
Yaga was briefly startled, then nodded with solemnity.
"Rest assured, Principal Sekiguchi."
"Even if they can't complete the S-level mission, I'll make sure they're protected."
"Good. Then go ahead and prepare." Sekiguchi waved his hand to dismiss him.
Just as Yaga turned to leave, Sekiguchi suddenly called out again.
"Wait, Mr. Yaga."
Yaga paused, confused.
"Principal, is there something else?"
Sekiguchi shook his head with a faint smile.
"When you get old, you start forgetting things."
"Not long after the entrance exam, the Sister School Exchange Event with Kyoto Jujutsu High will begin."
Yaga was taken aback.
"So soon?"
Sekiguchi nodded.
"Their school year starts earlier in Kyoto. They wanted the exchange to last longer, so they arrived ahead of schedule."
"I'll leave the arrangements to you."
Yaga thought for a moment, then asked,
"Principal, I heard one of Kyoto's instructors is an incredible talent this year?"
Sekiguchi's expression shifted slightly.
"Yes. Kujuku Yuki became a Special Grade sorcerer not long after entering the school. She broke the record for the fastest ascension to that rank."
"If she had chosen the S-level entrance mission back then, she might've cleared it."
Yaga nodded slowly.
"Another genius… Seems like this year's exchange is going to be intense."
"Before Satoshi fell asleep, Yuki Kujuku was already rumored to be close to him. Nine years ago, when he was attacked by a Curse User, she stepped in to help."
"As a Star Plasma Vessel, Kujuku Yuki is linked to Lord Tengen. You could say she's the bridge between Gojo Satoshi and Lord Tengen."
"This time… I get the feeling Yuki is coming here more for Satoshi than anything else. We can't let Kyoto Jujutsu steal him away…"
Sekiguchi Seiji nodded solemnly.
"Exactly. We must protect those four children."
"Especially Gojo Satoshi."
His voice softened, heavy with the warmth of an elder's care.
Yaga understood at once.
"Don't worry, Principal. I won't let anything happen to those four."
He turned and left.
It wasn't just about winning the exchange.
It was because in those four, he saw a chance to change the entire jujutsu world.
(To be continued.)
***
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