Chapter 22: Mission
"Hahahaha!"
Aoi Todo let out a hearty laugh, his tall frame exchanging blows with a nimble figure opposite him. Each punch and kick generated a whistling sound as they cut through the air. Aoi Todo clearly looked excited and was enjoying himself. It would have been perfect if one could ignore his bruised face and various injuries.
Of course, Kamihara Hajime was not much better. His ribs still ached faintly, and there were traces of blood at the corner of his mouth. Aoi Todo had realized earlier that feints and similar techniques were ineffective against Kamihara Hajime, so he decisively chose to go head-to-head, trading blows.
Amidst the flurry of fists, Aoi Todo's chin was solidly struck by an elusive uppercut. His head snapped back, but in the next moment, he blocked Kamihara Hajime's ensuing elbow strike with his arm, then was pushed back by a direct punch to the chest, creating distance between them.
Aoi Todo took a deep, gasping breath, a look of intoxication on his face, then opened his burning eyes: "Kamihara Hajime, to show my respect, I will now use my full power! No Technique, just pure fisticuffs—this is the passion of battle!"
Slightly regretting his decision, Kamihara Hajime was already wondering if he should just activate his Technique and end it. Hearing Aoi Todo's words, he raised an eyebrow and said, "Aoi Todo, there's one mistake in what you just said. While there's an upper limit to how much Cursed Energy can enhance a person, everyone's upper limit and Cursed Energy are different. Let's decide the victor now!"
The smile on Aoi Todo's face grew wider, and the Cursed Energy surging around him began to boil. Opposite him, Kamihara Hajime's figure blurred and appeared in front of Aoi Todo, then his high-raised right leg "slashed" downwards from above.
With a loud bang, the solid ground was shattered by the impact. The stirred-up dust and dirt temporarily obscured their vision. Aoi Todo, having dodged the attack, stared wide-eyed at the rising dust.
"Moving will cause the dust to change direction. If I can see the direction of the flow, I'll know his position!" Aoi Todo, making a judgment in an extremely short time, took in everything before his eyes.
Suddenly, he saw the dust changing its flow towards one direction—it was his own position!
Attack against attack!
Aoi Todo clenched his right fist, pulling it back slightly like drawing a bowstring, accumulating power. Then he furiously lunged into the dust, the powerful punch dispersing the untouched dust to the side. Aoi Todo then saw a figure emerge from within.
At the same time, Kamihara Hajime's outstretched hands grazed his fist and clamped onto Aoi Todo's joint, while his other hand, like a shadow, climbed up and grasped his upper arm.
Kamihara Hajime's simultaneous full-body tackle also shattered Aoi Todo's unformed defense. After grabbing Aoi Todo, Kamihara Hajime immediately spun and twisted his waist, drawing power from the ground and momentum from his core, lifting Aoi Todo's large body off the ground and slamming him forward.
Aoi Todo, only managing to adopt a defensive posture in mid-air, was slammed heavily onto the ground. The ground itself seemed to tremble, and large cracks appeared in the surface beneath Aoi Todo.
Kamihara Hajime, flying closer to Aoi Todo, mercilessly lifted his foot to stomp down. Aoi Todo rolled twice under the powerful stomp, then, with extreme agility, used the ground to sweep himself away from Kamihara Hajime and stood up.
Without a word, Aoi Todo kicked the loose stones on the ground towards Kamihara Hajime, then charged forward like an arrow released from a bowstring.
Kamihara Hajime merely raised his hand to shield his face, allowing the stones to strike his body, appearing completely unfazed.
Aoi Todo exhaled hot air, unleashing a full-power punch. The Cursed Energy on his fist began to distort at that moment, and then a black light shone from it.
"Now this is interesting…"
Kamihara Hajime, also throwing a punch, couldn't help but feel excited. That feeling of being one with Cursed Energy, indistinguishable, also surged within him.
Then, a black light also shone from Kamihara Hajime's fist. The two surges of power distorted the area around both individuals on the field. The students and teachers watching with wide eyes, and this coincidentally matched Black Flash duel further invigorated Aoi Todo.
"Kamihara Hajime, although you and I haven't become best friends, the bond between us is real—this is destiny!"
Ieiri Shoko, sitting beside Gojo Satoru, smiled and exclaimed, "These young people nowadays are truly amazing. Gojo, your student hasn't used his Technique yet, has he?"
Gojo Satoru, lounging as if watching a movie, replied, "Of course, he's my student after all. But it's just an exchange event between students, so it's fine if he wants to enjoy the fight without using his Technique. Otherwise, it wouldn't be fun."
While the two were conversing, Kamihara Hajime and Aoi Todo's fists had already collided. Their full-power Black Flashes crashed into each other, generating a terrifying impact. A large area of the surrounding ground instantly crumbled and collapsed.
The result was immediate after the collision: Aoi Todo was sent flying backwards. Ultimately, Kamihara Hajime, whose Cursed Energy was superior, won the Black Flash duel. Although Aoi Todo lay on the ground looking somewhat battered and disheveled, he still wore a satisfied smile.
"No regrets… no regrets."
The match was decided, and it was the final one. Kamihara Hajime grabbed Aoi Todo's pant leg and dragged him towards the resting area, planning to have Ieiri Shoko heal them both.
Yaga Masamichi then announced the result: "Kamihara Hajime wins. The final score is six to zero. Tokyo Jujutsu High has won this exchange event."
"Nice!"
Kamihara Hajime, whose superficial injuries were quickly healed by Ieiri Shoko, was greeted by everyone upon his return. Kamihara Hajime wore a smug smile, lightly stroking his forehead as he chuckled, "It's nothing… nothing at all. I wasn't even using my full power."
Panda cooperatively squatted beside Kamihara Hajime, making various comical gestures. Inumaki Toge also gave two thumbs up: "Salmon!" Yuta Okkotsu simply sat quietly after congratulating him. Maki, who had been smiling, paused her smile when she saw the two acting silly, then showed a disgusted expression: "I hope these two haven't caught something from that blindfolded idiot."
This Kyoto Sister School Exchange Event thus concluded, with Tokyo Jujutsu High once again claiming victory, meaning the next exchange event would also be held at Tokyo Jujutsu High.
After several busy days, the five first-year students followed their teacher, Gojo Satoru, to Shinjuku for some relaxation and fun. The funds, of course, were entirely sponsored by their beloved Gojo Sensei.
The group went to a high-end restaurant to enjoy top-quality Wagyu beef and a variety of exquisite gourmet dishes. They had the place booked, of course, as Panda would attract too much attention. As for how Panda got in, it sounds ridiculous, but Panda didn't use any magical disguise; he just had a zipper decoration added to his front, making him appear as a large mascot costume to others.
Although in such not-so-cool weather, some people wearing clearly thick mascot costumes couldn't help but draw glances from passersby, but over such a short distance, who could tell he wasn't a mascot? Once inside the restaurant, Gojo Satoru had already booked the entire place, so there were no other people. According to Gojo Sensei's casual reveal, this place seemed to be one of the Gojo Family's properties, truly outrageously wealthy.
Afterward, Gojo Satoru also took his students to his favorite dessert shop, buying many different kinds of desserts for everyone to taste. Then he packed some, saying he had to leave for something, and then handed Kamihara Hajime a card, telling them to swipe it freely.
A powerful Jujutsu Sorcerer like Gojo Satoru naturally wouldn't lack money, especially since he was also the head of the Gojo Family. Kamihara Hajime certainly didn't stand on ceremony with him. The group began to stroll through the bustling Shinjuku. It was very modern and diverse here. Compared to those truly strangely dressed people, Panda's appearance wasn't that odd at all, and even attracted requests for photos from some cute girls due to his adorable appearance.
Panda willingly agreed the first two times, but as the requests grew, Panda, finding it troublesome, refused them all. It must be said that Panda acted quite convincingly, and with the others surrounding him, he truly didn't reveal any flaws.
However, to be honest, the few of them didn't have much they wanted to buy. Maki wasn't the type of woman who enjoyed shopping. In the end, Kamihara Hajime just took them to buy some seasonal clothes. Although they had school uniforms, they needed casual clothes occasionally, didn't they?
Kamihara Hajime then went to buy some popular video game discs and cartridges. He might not have time to play them, but he just wanted to buy them. On the bustling streets as night fell, Kamihara Hajime also bought some street food along the way.
The earlier big meal was good, but it always felt like something was missing. Finally, at a huge electronics store, Maki and Yuta Okkotsu took turns trying out VR equipment, while Kamihara Hajime found an old arcade machine to play for nostalgia.
Suddenly hearing footsteps, Kamihara Hajime looked up and was surprised to see all six students from Kyoto Jujutsu High there.
"Oh, what a coincidence!"
Kamihara Hajime greeted them. Dressed in casual clothes, they also seemed to be out for fun. Sure enough, Kamo Noritoshi spoke: "We were out playing, and we happened to pass by and saw you, so we came over to say hello. Sure enough, you're all here."
Mai looked at Maki, who was experiencing VR, and couldn't help but secretly mock her "ugly state," but… she also wanted to try it herself.
Kamihara Hajime was quite bored playing King of Fighters alone. Seeing so many people now, he enthusiastically invited them. The first to respond was, as expected, Aoi Todo.
"Takada-chan's handshake event is still a while away, so I'll play with you!"
Then, Aoi Todo was predictably utterly crushed. As an experienced gamer with his current physical coordination and reaction speed, beating Aoi Todo, this "noob," was simply too easy.
Then, Miwa Kasumi and Kamo Noritoshi, whose interest was piqued, both came to try, and the result was undoubtedly complete defeat.
"Invincible~ how… how lonely…" Kamihara Hajime, getting carried away, was challenged by Yuta Okkotsu and Maki, who had finished their VR session.
Then, these people who usually didn't play games were all systematically crushed by Kamihara Hajime. In fact, because they were quick learners and refused to give up, it even gave Kamihara Hajime a greater sense of accomplishment, as purely crushing noobs doesn't provide much satisfaction.
Even when they switched games, it was the same. Finally, with Kamihara Hajime's "Weak, weak!" laughter, no one dared to challenge him anymore.
Leaving the store that gathered various classic game devices from earlier years to the present, the Kyoto Jujutsu High students said their goodbyes. Aoi Todo was going to Takada-chan's handshake event, and the others were preparing to head back.
Kamihara Hajime didn't play for too long either. After browsing a few more shops and eating their fill, the group concluded their wonderful day trip.
...
The days after the exchange event were uneventful. The frequency of missions increased significantly, and Kamihara Hajime often received solo assignments.
After quickly completing many missions only to receive even more frequent ones, Kamihara Hajime intentionally slowed down. Money could always be earned later; constantly running around to exorcise Cursed Spirits would wear out even an iron man.
Adhering to the principle of relaxing and playing for a while after each mission, Kamihara Hajime lived a relatively relaxed life afterward. During a rare break, Kamihara Hajime was suddenly sought out by Gojo Satoru, whom he hadn't seen in days.
"Hajime, I have a mission for you."
Kamihara Hajime looked at Gojo Satoru, wondering what kind of mission required him to personally deliver the instructions.
"You might be getting a new classmate."
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