The next morning—
The individual matches officially began.
The venue was the largest dojo within the school.
Teachers from both sides sat along the edges, leaving a wide open space in the center.
Once both teams had gathered—
Yoshinobu Gakuganji and Masamichi Yaga each gave brief remarks.
The rules were reiterated—
And just like that—
The individual matches began.
"First match: Tokiya Shingen vs Kasumi Miwa."
Despite staying up all night gaming—
Tokiya Shingen looked completely refreshed as he stepped into the arena.
Across from him—
Kasumi Miwa took a deep breath, steadying herself before stepping forward.
They bowed.
The match began.
Both wielded cursed blades.
Miwa looked visibly nervous.
Shingen didn't end the match immediately with his technique.
Instead—
He took a stance—
Inviting her to attack.
Summoning her courage—
Miwa rushed in.
As Shingen parried and countered—
He also observed.
His own swordsmanship was… mixed.
Much of it came from training with Maki Zenin—
The rest from real combat.
But Miwa—
Had a clear system behind her style.
New Shadow Style… right?
Shingen recalled—
Atsuya Kusakabe also used it.
A long-standing tradition—
Originating from a powerful sorcerer of the Heian era.
A style designed for survival—
Including techniques like Simple Domain.
After exchanging over a dozen blows—
Shingen reached a conclusion.
Miwa lacked—
Power.
Cursed energy.
And refinement.
Even if her technique was solid—
Against a truly strong opponent—
She wouldn't last more than a few moves.
Of course—
His standard wasn't normal.
Compared to average sorcerers—
Miwa was actually decent.
With someone like Kusakabe as an example—
She might grow into something more.
But right now—
She was still far from it.
Shingen slipped through an opening—
Forcing her to defend—
Then unleashed a rapid series of strikes—
Pushing her into danger.
A sweeping strike—
Knocked her to the ground.
As she stood again—
Shingen spoke calmly:
"Your sword is too slow."
"It lacks power."
"And… it lacks conviction."
Miwa blinked—
Confused.
Shingen smiled slightly.
"To put it simply—"
"You don't have the will to kill your enemy."
"Even if this is a wooden sword—"
"When you pick it up…"
"You need to understand what it represents."
"It's a weapon."
"One that can take a life."
"You need resolve."
He paused—
Then asked:
"Why did you become a sorcerer?"
Miwa hesitated—
Then answered honestly:
"…Because I'm poor."
"I have two younger brothers."
Shingen nodded.
That made sense.
Sorcerers were always in demand—
And the job paid well.
Even if it couldn't be public.
Higher grade—
Higher pay.
But—
That reason had a flaw.
Shingen raised his blade—
Pointing it at her.
"You don't have a reason to become strong."
"You're just using this job to earn money."
"What happens when you face something far stronger than you?"
"What happens when you die?"
Miwa froze.
Shingen continued:
"You do have a reason."
"Whether it's for money—"
"Or survival—"
"You need the resolve to kill your enemy."
Miwa looked at her reflection in the blade.
Lost in thought.
"One move."
Shingen lowered his stance.
"You get one move."
"Show me your resolve."
Miwa raised her head—
Seeing Shingen mirror her stance exactly.
What kind of monster is this…
But her hesitation faded.
She understood.
If she faced someone like him in real combat—
She would die instantly.
And then what happens to my family…?
She inhaled.
Then—
Drew her blade slightly into its sheath.
Taking a drawing stance.
Her cursed energy flowed—
Circulating within the scabbard.
Everything within her range—
Clear.
New Shadow Style: Simple Domain.New Shadow Style: Quick Draw.
Shingen watched—
Interested.
"So that's Simple Domain…"
"And that draw—"
"Circulating cursed energy to accelerate the strike…"
He mimicked her stance—
Though he couldn't replicate the domain.
Man… Gojo-sensei's Six Eyes would make this easy.
His cursed energy surged—
Like blue flames engulfing his blade.
"Let's see… how fast I can go without my technique."
He focused.
Clang!
Steel rang out.
Shingen vanished.
Appearing before her—
Blade already drawn.
Miwa's sword—
Moved automatically—
Triggered by her domain.
A lightning-fast strike—
Filled with killing intent.
Now—
It finally felt real.
Their blades—
Should have collided—
But—
At the last moment—
Shingen shifted slightly.
The blades missed each other—
Sliding past—
Then—
Twist.
His blade hooked hers—
Spinning it away.
Miwa's sword flew—
Out of her grasp.
But—
A hand caught it midair—
And returned it.
Miwa looked at her empty hands—
Then bowed deeply.
"…Thank you."
Yaga announced:
"Match one: Tokiya Shingen wins."
"Tokyo Jujutsu High earns one point."
Returning to his seat—
Everyone knelt formally—
Except Shingen—
Who sat cross-legged.
Maki glanced at Miwa's side.
"…So Kyoto does have normal people."
Match Two: Panda vs Mai Zenin
Mai's technique—
Was no secret.
Construction Technique.
Creating matter from nothing.
Though limited—
She could produce roughly one bullet per day.
Combined with her revolver—
It became a hidden weapon.
The match began.
Panda surprised her—
His cute appearance hiding real combat strength.
The dojo—
Was both advantage and disadvantage for Mai.
Panda's durability—
Let him tank multiple shots.
But in close combat—
Mai was overwhelmed.
Then—
The turning point.
She baited Panda—
And struck his core.
But—
Panda had three cores.
Switching to Gorilla Mode—
The outcome was decided.
"Match two: Panda wins."
"Tokyo: 2 points."
"PANDA LET'S GO!"
"Salmon tuna!"
Panda scratched his head—
Laughing.
Kyoto's side—
Fell silent.
Match Three: Toge Inumaki vs Mechamaru
Mechamaru stepped forward.
Toge Inumaki followed—
Greeting with:
"Seaweed."
The match began.
Mechamaru fired small spheres—
Which burst into smoke.
He vanished.
"Blow away!"
A gust—
Cleared the smoke—
But—
A beam of fire erupted.
Mechamaru used hit-and-run tactics—
Forcing Inumaki to conserve energy.
Eventually—
Inumaki located him—
Just as his voice began to strain.
With no tools left—
Mechamaru surrendered.
Score: 3–0 Tokyo
At worst—
A draw.
One more win—
And Tokyo takes it.
Match Four: Maki Zenin vs Momo Nishimiya
Momo Nishimiya stayed airborne—
Launching wind attacks.
Maki—
Blocked everything—
On instinct alone.
Then—
Used the environment—
Walls, beams—
Closed the distance—
And knocked her down.
What followed—
Was brutal.
"Match four: Maki Zenin wins."
"Tokyo gains another point."
"WOOHOO—"
Shingen and Panda started cheering—
Then stopped immediately—
Under Maki's murderous glare.
Next Match Announced
"Next: Yuta Okkotsu vs Noritoshi Kamo."