The moment Panda started speaking, Yukinoshita Yukino couldn't hold back her urge any longer. With light but swift steps, she quickly moved to its side.
She stretched out her hand, pinched the panda's paw, rubbed its ears, and finally scratched the fluffy fur under its chin.
"Ah? Hmm? Ehehe…"
In just a few moments, Panda went through three stages: surprise, confusion, and then complete surrender.
The others watched them silently with subtle expressions.
After a brief moment, Yukinoshita Yukino suddenly realized she had lost her composure. She quickly let go of the panda and retreated to Hayashizaki's side.
Her face slightly flushed, she gave a dry cough and tried to hide her embarrassment with a calm tone:
"That was unexpected. It's a real panda."
"So, what are you bringing these people here for?"
Returning to the main topic, Zenin Maki, with one hand on her hip, turned her head toward Gojo Satoru and asked in an annoyed tone.
"Of course, to let you all get to know each other. Even though these folks aren't students of either Tokyo Jujutsu High or Kyoto Jujutsu High, you'll probably cross paths in the future for various reasons. So, it's a good idea to take this chance to get acquainted."
Gojo Satoru said with a smile.
"No need for that. If they're not students from the schools, don't bring them here to interrupt our training."
Zenin Maki didn't bother hiding her displeasure. Her right hand held a wooden staff, and after spinning it skillfully, she pointed it at Hayashizaki.
"Especially that guy. For some reason, he gives me the same annoying vibe as Gojo. Makes me want to hit him."
"Actually, Maki-senpai just wants to hit Gojo-sensei. You don't need to use someone else as an excuse," Fushiguro Megumi commented from the side.
"Hah! Got me there."
Maki smirked confidently. She had been holding a grudge against Gojo ever since learning that he had borrowed her cursed tool, Playful Cloud, and lent it to Itadori Yuji, only for it to be destroyed by a special-grade curse spirit. Her resentment toward the blindfolded idiot had now reached its peak.
"Uh, Maki-senpai…"
Itadori Yuji raised his hands defensively in front of her, wearing an awkward and tense smile.
Just as he was about to say something, Hayashizaki suddenly spoke with a grin, cutting him off:
"Alright, I'll give you the chance."
"Huh?"
"Let's spar. You can even pretend I'm Gojo Satoru while you're at it."
Although Hayashizaki was smiling, Hikigaya Hachiman could tell—it was a sly smile, no matter how he looked at it.
Faced with Hayashizaki's provocation, Maki Zenin grinned and accepted without hesitation.
"Don't cry later."
Ah, this is bad…
Itadori Yuji's expression froze, and he immediately looked at Maki with pity. Even Fushiguro Megumi had the same look.
"Yuji, Megumi, what's with those expressions?"
Maki frowned in confusion.
"Don't tell me that guy's really strong?"
"He's a teacher," Fushiguro Megumi replied briefly.
"Not just strong. Hayashizaki-sensei even beat up Gojo-sensei once."
Itadori Yuji covered his face, unable to hide the hint of despair in his tone.
Beat up Gojo?
Someone actually managed to defeat that blindfolded idiot?
Maki Zenin froze for a moment, then asked instinctively:
"For real?"
Itadori Yuji nodded.
She turned to look at the victim and saw Gojo Satoru staring at Itadori Yuji with an annoyed expression, as if silently saying, "I'll deal with you later." He clearly looked like someone who'd just had their secret exposed.
Seeing his reaction, even if what Itadori said wasn't entirely true, it was probably close enough.
"Eh—!?"
Zenin's face fell completely. She gritted her teeth and glared at both Itadori Yuji and Fushiguro Megumi. "Why didn't you tell me earlier!?"
"I was just about to, but Hayashizaki-sensei interrupted me,"
the pink-haired boy said innocently.
"Good luck."
Fushiguro Megumi remained expressionless.
"Megumi, you—"
"No need to gloat."
Just as Zenin was about to give Fushiguro Megumi a little lesson, Hayashizaki spoke again. "I said all of you will be coming at me together."
"That includes you two."
Hayashizaki's smiling gaze made Hikigaya Hachiman freeze.
Huh? Me, fight Hayashizaki? Is this for real?
"Of course, I'll keep my cursed energy at your level—or better yet, I won't use any cursed energy or techniques at all. As for you guys, you don't have any restrictions. If you can injure me, you win. If not, I win."
"How's that sound?"
Hayashizaki smiled.
"Sensei! Can I join too?"
Gojo Satoru raised his hand, asking with enthusiasm.
"You want to fight? Then get in line at the back."
Hayashizaki's smile widened. It would be the perfect chance to test whether Mahoraga could adapt to Gojo Satoru's Limitless Technique. Plus, he had just come up with an interesting idea for countering Gojo's domain [Infinite Void].
"Haha, just kidding! I don't want to get scolded by Principal Yaga,"
Gojo Satoru said, waving his hand.
"Still, being underestimated like this feels really irritating!"
Zenin said, pretending to be tough.
"Maki's right! Don't look down on us!"
"Salmon!"
Panda and Inumaki Toge chimed in as well.
"I'll follow Maki!"
As Zenin's biggest fangirl, Kugisaki Nobara naturally backed her up.
"Can we actually win, though?"
Even though they clearly had the numbers and favorable conditions, Fushiguro Megumi still remained doubtful about their chances.
"Haha, fighting Hayashizaki-sensei sounds like fun!"
Itadori Yuji clenched his fist with determination, ready for a challenge.
If Hayashizaki-sensei wasn't going to use techniques or cursed energy, that meant he would have to rely solely on physical strength and close combat.
In that case, Itadori Yuji figured they might have a shot at injuring him with so many of them working together.
Their best hope lay in Yukinoshita-senpai's technique!
If Hayashizaki-sensei didn't use cursed energy to shield himself, Yukinoshita-senpai's slashes might be able to break through his defense.
Hayashizaki was already standing on the field, waiting, giving the students some time to discuss tactics and get ready.
"Good luck, big brother!"
Komachi cheered, clenching her fists in encouragement.
Hikigaya Hachiman forced a smile.
There's no way we can win… Whatever, I'll just hang back and pretend to help while staying out of trouble.
With that in mind, Hikigaya Hachiman glanced at Yukinoshita Yukino, who seemed full of motivation.
The black-haired girl pressed her lips together. She hadn't expected that the practical training Hayashizaki mentioned wasn't about fighting against the sorcery school students but instead fighting alongside them against Hayashizaki.
Still, this might be a good thing. If she could defeat Hayashizaki, even with the others' help, it would prove her strength to some degree.
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