Chapter 31 — Thirty-One Punch
"Recently, it seems that Jujutsu High has been targeted by unknown individuals," Satoru Gojo said as he stood at the podium. "For some reason, the forest near the school has been severely damaged. Judging from the traces left behind, the attacks were directed toward the campus. So everyone, please stay alert."
As soon as he finished speaking, a commotion broke out in the first-year classroom—almost everyone had already noticed the massive trail of destruction that cut straight through the forest outside.
Standing at the podium, Gojo glanced at the worried Yuji Itadori and Nobara Kugisaki, as well as the solemn-looking Megumi Fushiguro. His gaze then shifted to the other two.
Genos was still seated in place, meticulously recording Saitama's actions in a notebook. Clearly, even after passing the entrance exam, his focus wasn't on listening to class. But that was hardly surprising to Gojo.
With that thought, Gojo quietly glanced at Saitama.
Saitama had his hands clasped together, raised before his forehead, head slightly lowered as he stared at the desk. At some point, beads of sweat had appeared on his bald head.
"Saitama-kun?" Gojo paused for a moment before bending slightly forward. "You're sweating a lot. Not feeling well?"
"…No, I'm fine. Thanks."
Saitama's clasped hands rubbed together uneasily, his eyes darting to the side.
—Crap! They think it was an enemy attack. But those were just the marks left from sparring with Aoi Todo yesterday evening! No way… could it be that Jujutsu High assumed it was an invasion and already put a bunch of defenses in place?
If I confess now, is it already too late? How did things suddenly turn into a situation where I can't even bring myself to tell the truth?!
—And that Todo guy just left without explaining anything!
While Saitama sat there wide-eyed and sweating, Gojo stared at him for a few seconds before straightening up and tapping the blackboard.
"Though the chances of it being a cursed spirit are actually quite low," he said, suddenly shifting from his earlier serious expression to a relaxed smile. "The cursed energy residue found at the scene belongs to Todo, a third-year from Kyoto. So… the destruction in that forest was probably just the result of his training."
Saitama froze for a moment, and the sweat on his head instantly vanished. Yuji and the others first let out a sigh of relief, only to tense up again shortly after.
"So that tragic state of the forest was caused by that Todo?" Nobara said in shock. "What kind of monster is he? Are the Kyoto students really that strong?"
"Who knows?" Gojo replied casually. "And it's already been confirmed that Todo will be participating in the upcoming Sister School Exchange Event."
Silence lingered for a few seconds.
"Sister School Exchange Event? What's that?" Nobara asked, confused.
"Huh? I didn't tell you about it yet?" Gojo blinked, looking innocent.
The Sister School Exchange Event is an annual competition between the Tokyo and Kyoto campuses of Jujutsu High. All students from first to third year are eligible to participate. Fourth-years, however, are already in semi-internship status, actively carrying out missions and rarely on campus, so they do not take part.
"Of course, under normal circumstances, most participants are second- and third-years. But since our third-years have been suspended, the responsibility of filling the gap falls on you first-year fledglings—that's you!" Gojo declared enthusiastically. "Applause!"
The classroom remained silent. No one responded.
"Ahem." Gojo cleared his throat and continued. "The exchange event lasts two days, with one match each day. The format is decided by the principals of the two schools. Generally speaking, the first day is a team battle, and the second day is individual matches."
"In short, anyone who signs up can participate. I hope you'll all register enthusiastically," Gojo said in a temptingly persuasive tone. "After all, there are only two higher education institutions related to jujutsu—our two schools. Many jujutsu sorcerers pay attention to the exchange event every year. As you know, sorcerer grade promotions rely on recommendations. Those who perform well at the exchange event are far more likely to receive recommendations from senior sorcerers."
"Ohhh!" Nobara and Yuji's eyes lit up at once.
"So hurry up and sign up!" Gojo said. "This is also a great opportunity to cooperate—and compete—with upperclassmen. After all, there's a bottom line at the exchange event: killing or permanently crippling someone is not allowed. But as long as you're still alive, no matter how serious the injury, Shoko can treat it with Reverse Cursed Technique. Opportunities like this—experiencing jujutsu combat within safe limits—will happen at most three times during your student years. You've got to seize them."
Amid Yuji and Nobara's excited chatter, Saitama listened blankly to Gojo's explanation and muttered, "Experience jujutsu combat?"
At that moment, Genos stopped writing and asked, "Saitama-sensei, do you want to participate in the exchange event?"
"Hmm…"
Saitama recalled his fight with Todo the previous night. Not only had he failed to land a Black Flash, but as usual, the battle had ended the moment he threw a single punch.
After becoming invincible, what he gained wasn't fulfillment or joy—but an emptiness with nowhere to go.
However, fighting in a team battle against sorcerers from another school was something he had never tried before. Perhaps he could gain something from that kind of experience.
Moreover, performing well at the exchange event could earn him recommendations from jujutsu sorcerers. And being recommended would bring him one step closer to becoming a professional sorcerer—and one step closer to a life where he could defeat cursed spirits and receive payment for it.
Gojo once mentioned the average monthly salary of a graduated sorcerer—it seemed to be over 800,000 yen…
At that thought, Saitama's expression turned serious.
"I've decided!" he declared solemnly to Genos. "I'm signing up. I want to experience jujutsu combat."
"Then I'll be in charge of being the cheer squad and cheering loudly for you, Sensei!" Genos volunteered immediately.
…
"On the first day of the exchange event, it will definitely be a team battle format. For that reason, everyone must develop teamwork."
Before leaving, Gojo said cheerfully, "Anyone interested in participating, please gather at the sports field at 2 p.m. today for coordination training. The second-years will be waiting there as well."
2:00 p.m.
Aside from Saitama, Yuji Itadori, Nobara Kugisaki, and Megumi Fushiguro had also decided to participate in the Exchange Event. As for Genos, he planned to act as Saitama's cheer squad, so he followed him to the sports field as well.
"The second-years…" Yuji muttered while looking around. "Oh, they're over there!"
"Senpai—!" he shouted toward the figures at the edge of the field, waving his arms energetically.
At the boy's bright call, the second-years standing at the edge of the sports ground turned around one after another.
"Oh, isn't that Itadori and the others?"
Maki Zenin chuckled, her gaze sweeping over the three familiar first-years before finally landing on the dazed-looking bald man in a cape walking at the back, and the blond cyborg in a tank top with steel arms exposed.
"Maki, Toge," said Panda quietly from the side, noticing Saitama and Genos for the first time. "Could it be that the rumored trainee is one of those two?"
"Konbu, konbu?"
"Well, since we've finally met, we'll just ask and find out," Maki said, stepping forward.
The first- and second-years finally gathered together. Maki looked over the first-years, cleared her throat lightly, and signaled to Megumi with her eyes.
"Oh, right." Understanding immediately, Megumi stepped forward and stood between the two groups.
"I'll handle the introductions," he said, pointing to the blank-faced Saitama and the expressionless Genos.
"This is Saitama, a trainee personally admitted by Gojo-sensei as an exception. He has absolutely no cursed energy, but his physical abilities are even stronger than Itadori's."
"And this is Genos, a newly enrolled official first-year student. A cyborg."
Then Megumi turned to introduce the second-years to Saitama and Genos. "The senpai wearing glasses is Maki Zenin. She specializes in cursed tools."
"The one who keeps his collar pulled up over his face is Toge Inumaki, a Cursed Speech user. To avoid unintentionally cursing others, he usually only speaks in rice ball ingredients."
"And that one is Panda."
Silence stretched on for a long moment.
Saitama slowly raised his head and stared at the friendly giant panda standing across from him.
Was Panda's introduction really just… "Panda"?
At the same time, the three second-years couldn't help sneaking glances at Genos's steel arms, thinking something similar: Was "cyborg" really all there was to say about him?
"…" Maki looked speechless at Megumi's sparse introduction, but soon shifted her focus from Genos to Saitama.
"There's something I'm curious about," she said bluntly, getting straight to the point. "You're saying this Saitama has absolutely no cursed energy? Is he like me? A Heavenly Restriction?"
"No," Megumi shook his head. "Maki-senpai's cursed energy is so minuscule it's practically indistinguishable from that of a normal person—almost none. But Saitama truly has zero cursed energy. Gojo-sensei already confirmed that during the monthly assessment."
"…You're kidding, right?" Maki said in shock. "Not even something as low-grade as a frog? Even I can handle that."
"Yes. Not even a frog," Megumi confirmed.
"But Saitama can see cursed spirits," Yuji cut in. "And he can even hurt them with his fists."
"Huh… seriously?"
Maki grew even more astonished. She walked up to Saitama, hands on her hips, and studied his dazed face for a moment. "You're quite the reckless one, aren't you?"
"You don't have cursed energy either?" Saitama extended his hand toward Maki enthusiastically. "Nice to meet you. Then I guess we're pretty much the same type, right?"
Maki glanced at his outstretched hand through her glasses but didn't take it. Instead, she let out a short laugh.
"You and I are not the same." She turned and walked off, then stopped after a couple of steps and looked back at him, her fighting spirit obvious. "If you want to get along, earn my acknowledgment in terms of combat strength first."
Watching Maki head toward the center of the field, Genos clenched his fists, his tone turning sharp. "That glasses-wearing woman dares to be disrespectful to Sensei!"
"Ah, it's fine, Genos."
Saitama lowered his hand and scratched his head, thinking silently: So there's someone in the second year with barely any cursed energy too?
If she managed to enroll at Jujutsu High like that, she must've worked pretty hard.
"So, everyone here is participating in the Exchange Event, right?" Panda suddenly asked.
"Wah!" Saitama jumped in surprise, eyes wide as saucers. "The panda talked!"
"H-Hey now, I'm not a real panda," Panda said with a sheepish grin, scratching the short fur on his head. "I'm a cursed corpse with independent consciousness—not an actual living creature. Anyway, if you're all joining the Exchange Event, come with us."
"No, I'm not participating," Genos replied calmly.
"Huh?" Panda blinked. "Then what are you here for?"
Genos composedly took out two small cheering flags labeled "SENSEI." "I'm Saitama-sensei's disciple. I'm here to cheer him on."
Panda & Inumaki: "..."
…
"In any case, even though Tokyo's third-years are out of commission, Kyoto is a different story."
The group gathered in the middle of the sports field, with Maki once again taking charge of the explanation.
"Unless something unexpected happens, Kyoto's second- and third-years will definitely all participate," she said. "There are three third-years and three second-years."
"Among Kyoto's third-years are Aoi Todo, a Grade 1 sorcerer capable of defeating special grade cursed spirits; Noritoshi Kamo, a semi-Grade 1 sorcerer from one of the 'Big Three' families, the Kamo clan; and Momo Nishimiya, a semi-Grade 2 sorcerer and the only female third-year."
"As for the second-years, they include my twin sister Mai Zenin, the honest kid Kasumi Miwa, and a guy called Mechamaru…"
At that, Maki glanced at Genos, who was standing not far away holding his cheering flags. "That Mechamaru might be a cyborg like Genos. We don't know his exact grade yet—or Miwa's."
"I'm talking to you, Saitama! Were you even listening!?"
Standing behind Yuji and the others, Saitama wore his usual blank expression. "Ah… yeah, I was."
"Then tell me—what's my sister's name?" Maki Zenin demanded aggressively.
"Ah, uh…" Saitama tried hard to recall. "M… A…"
"M… uh… MO…"
"Go for it, Sensei!"
Genos began waving the small flags in his hands. At that moment, the three second-years stared at him with indescribable expressions.
Maki let out a breath, deciding to ignore Saitama, who was still racking his brain, and continued speaking.
"Anyway, that's all the information we currently have. Of course, we don't know whether Kyoto's first-years will participate. But regarding their second- and third-years, we need to come up with defensive strategies."
"Defensive strategies?" Yuji Itadori asked curiously. "Even if it's a team battle, we can't be sure it'll be a direct confrontation between both sides, right? Maybe it'll be something like a treasure hunt competition—my old school club used to do those."
Looking at Yuji's innocent expression, the three second-years all shook their heads.
"Bonito flakes," Toge Inumaki said, then pointed at Yuji. "Salmon, salmon."
"Huh?" Yuji blinked in confusion.
"Toge means it won't be like what you said. No matter what form the team battle takes, it'll inevitably turn into a fight," Panda explained kindly. "And the reason…"
The black-and-white fluffy creature suddenly raised a paw and pointed straight at Yuji, shouting with vigor, "Is you, Itadori!"
"Wha—!?" Yuji gasped, as if struck by lightning.
"Because you're Sukuna's vessel," Panda said, returning to his usual gentle tone. "Before coming to meet up with you, Gojo specifically reminded us that Kyoto's principal is the leader of the conservative faction in the jujutsu world. He's been clamoring for your immediate execution."
"Although Gojo stopped that from happening, there's no way the Kyoto principal would give up on the chance to assassinate you," Panda said solemnly to Yuji. "The Exchange Event is the perfect opportunity. That's why we're certain the team battle will turn into a full-blown clash between the two schools. And the individual matches afterward go without saying."
"Kyoto wants to assassinate you. Our goal is to protect you. Itadori, you're the true focal point of this Exchange Event. Compared to that, which side wins almost doesn't matter."
"..."
For a teenage boy who had only just stepped into the jujutsu world, those words were cruelly heavy. Megumi Fushiguro and Nobara Kugisaki instinctively looked at Yuji, worry flickering in their eyes. Yuji froze for a moment, then lowered his brows, a fierce determination rising in his expression.
"If they want to kill me, they can try!" he said in a low voice. "I'll die someday—but it won't be at that time, and it won't be in that place!"
"Oh?"
Maki raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised, then broke into a grin. "I like that attitude. You've got guts! In that case, Itadori, you're in charge of Todo!"
Yuji: "Huh?"
Todo…
Yuji's mind began to spin.
Could she mean… that Aoi Todo? The one who can defeat special grade cursed spirits? The guy who went berserk and blasted a massive corridor straight through the forest outside Tokyo?
That Todo?
"I'm taking on the strongest one?" Yuji pointed at himself in shock. "Is that really okay?"
"No problem," Maki replied. "Todo may be terrifying and overbearing, but he's extremely proud. He'd never stoop to underhanded tactics. He won't try to assassinate you—he'll attack head-on. According to Megumi, your physical strength is outstanding and you can output cursed energy. In that case, you're the best candidate to deal with him."
"Actually…" Yuji hesitated and pointed at the dazed Saitama nearby. "If we're just talking about physical strength, Saitama could do it too."
"No. Just because Todo doesn't normally rely on cursed energy doesn't mean we can ignore it. His cursed energy reserves are terrifying," Maki shook her head. "If you have absolutely no cursed energy—pass."
A sharp vein popped on Saitama's shiny bald head: "..."
"Before you arrived, we already discussed a preliminary battle plan. Now I'll tell you all the details. If you have any suggestions, we can revise it together."
Maki continued, "For now, the plan is: Itadori handles Todo. The rest of us make sure no one from Kyoto—aside from Todo—gets the chance to sneak attack Itadori."
"Mai will definitely come after me. I'll hold her off."
"Kamo's Blood Manipulation is perfect for sneak attacks. Megumi, keep watch with your shikigami."
"Nobara, your technique has a long effective range. If they have anyone skilled in mobility, leave them to you."
"Panda can act as the tank. Toge will move around on standby, picking off opponents whenever an opportunity appears…"
Maki methodically assigned everyone their roles in the team battle—but never mentioned Saitama.
"What about me?" Saitama asked, pointing at himself.
"Ah… as for Saitama…"
Maki hesitated.
For someone with no cursed energy at all, the Exchange Event seemed to leave him with no clear role.
"It's our first time meeting you, so we're not really sure about your level," she said thoughtfully. "How about this—why don't you show us your strength first? After that, we'll decide how to arrange things for you."
At those words, Saitama's expression instantly turned serious.
"Sure," he said. "Where should I demonstrate?"
***