Tokyo Jujutsu High School.
This was the jujutsu school that Hayami had mentioned earlier, one of only two in all of Japan, located in the former capital Kyoto and the current de facto capital Tokyo.
"Even though you might already know some of this, let me give you a brief introduction. Jujutsu High is the most important institution under the Jujutsu Alliance, responsible for training jujutsu sorcerers and serving as the base for their operations. It's where teaching, mission assignments, and the unified management of techniques and cursed tools happen. You could think of it as Hidden Leaf Village."
"And you still say you're not Kakashi?"
Akira couldn't help but hold onto that thread. Gojo himself was the one bringing up Naruto, so Akira couldn't resist.
"I'm not. I didn't mean that. You want me to take off my blindfold right now? Also, I'm neither the principal nor the Hokage, just an ordinary school teacher."
That remark was dripping with an air of nonchalance.
"Alright, I'll stop. Go on."
To prevent the conversation from going in a bizarre direction, Akira quickly interrupted. After all, Gojo Satoru was the only person on Earth who could make removing a blindfold seem as provocative as taking off stockings.
"The benefits at Jujutsu High are excellent—no tuition, meals and accommodations provided, and you can choose whichever higher education degree you want across Japan. You also get a generous life insurance policy with a beneficiary of your choice. During your internship, your base salary will match that of an officer-in-training at the police department, and bonuses are awarded based on mission levels, paid out immediately. With your abilities, you'd definitely make more than you would writing light novels. Although, I still recommend you keep writing."
"Because rewards come with risks?"
After all, risking your life doesn't come cheap.
"No, because people's dreams never stop."
Gojo clasped his hands together, his voice deep and magnetic.
Then he caught a glimpse of Akira's disdainful look.
"So, it's not Hidden Leaf, it's One Piece."
"Alright, I admit it. I am the world's strongest man, Whiteb... hair."
"I have to admit, you are the stronger one," Akira surrendered with a raised hand. "How can you say something so cringeworthy with a straight face?"
"Because I really am the strongest."
"Yeah, yeah, I know. But just because you're the strongest doesn't mean I am. I still have to deal with the risks," Akira said, rubbing his fingers together in a way that made his meaning clear.
"Oh, negotiating terms, huh? I'm not great at that. Just tell me what you want, and I'll do my best to accommodate, whether it's in terms of jujutsu or anything else."
Gojo scratched his head. After hearing his students' reports a couple of days ago, he already knew this boy wasn't ordinary. Today's meeting only raised his assessment. He didn't mind going the extra mile—being wealthy and powerful certainly had its perks.
"I'm not even sure what you can offer," Akira volleyed back, kicking the ball into Gojo's court. Letting the seller name their price first could lead to issues.
Gojo, who clearly wasn't skilled in negotiation, stroked his chin and thought for a while before finally blurting out, "We have experience with panda care."
Akira knew he meant Panda. In terms of real pandas, Akira had more experience, having visited the Sichuan Giant Panda Base.
He reached out and poked the chubby cheek of Pancham. "How about we take you to meet other pandas?"
"Pan, Pan!" Pancham waved its little arms in excitement.
Pancham Language: Pan, meaning to have fun.
"Play? If you want to play, go ahead."
Pancham's playful nature was obvious, much more lively than the reserved Gardevoir. In a school full of jujutsu sorcerers, it could play freely and be itself.
"Akira, do you really want to go?"
Hayami, who had so far let her son take the lead, finally spoke up, her hands unconsciously gripping the edge of her clothes, clearly worried.
Akira nodded. Everything he'd done up to this point was to secure the best possible terms for himself.
From financial reasons to system needs, Jujutsu High was an unavoidable option. And there was one more critical consideration in Akira's mind.
"Not only am I going, but Mom, you're coming too. I want my mother to live at Jujutsu High with me. That's my condition."
"I've never heard of such a request before," Gojo was once again in shock.
"Whether you've heard of it or not doesn't matter. The only thing that matters is if you agree."
"Akira..." Hayami, now realizing her son's true intentions, looked at him with a heart full of emotion.
Gojo immediately recognized that there was more to the situation. "Can you tell me the reason?"
"No," Akira shook his head. "We've signed strict agreements and can't reveal the details. You'll have to investigate yourself. All I can tell you is that if you agree, you might face significant pressure in the future, to the point where it could even make you uncomfortable."
"This just gets more interesting."
Even though Akira hadn't given much away, a few key phrases gave Gojo all the clues he needed. A confident smile spread across his face again.
"Pressure? That's nothing. Every day, people try to pressure me, but it's useless. If they've got the guts, they can come fight me."
"True, no one would be foolish enough to challenge you," Akira smiled inwardly. This was exactly the response he'd been waiting for.
If Akira wanted to move forward in the world of jujutsu, it was only a matter of time before the Kamo family would take notice of him. While Akira didn't fear the Kamo family, dealing with an ancient clan could be a real hassle, especially when they might resort to shady tactics in the shadows. And on top of that, he had to consider Hayami's safety and emotional well-being.
The best solution was to find a powerful backer who could fully shield him from the Kamo family's pressure and make them think twice before making any moves.
Gojo Satoru was the perfect fit.
With his overwhelming strength, the influence of the Gojo family, and the fact that Gojo often protected people from traditional jujutsu factions, Akira knew four people under his protection personally, all students of his. Many more nameless individuals had likely benefited from his intervention.
Of course, the downside was clear: if Gojo were ever in trouble, those under his protection would be in serious danger.
But Akira was here now, and with his presence, that risk would never come to pass. It was his way of reciprocating the protection offered by this towering figure, Gojo Satoru.
"Then, welcome to Jujutsu High," Gojo said, extending his hand to Akira. "Before you officially enroll, there will be a small test. I'm sure you'll pass with flying colors."
"I think so too. I look forward to working with you, Instructor Gojo." Akira extended his hand to shake Gojo's.
"Call me Editor Gojo! Now, let's get the authorization contract signed. I've read your work, by the way. Sure, it follows a lot of tropes, but it's surprisingly fun. The world with a strong female and a weak male protagonist, throwing a guy into an all-girls school—how did you come up with that? It reminds me of the time I had to go undercover in a girls' school. Ah, memories."
Listening to Gojo go on and on, Akira realized that life at Jujutsu High was going to be anything but dull.