"WHERE THE HELL IS THIS REN SATO?!"
"Todo Aoi!" screamed—and Panda looked up in shock! Noritoshi was still on the ground, still yelling…
"AHHH—AHH? AH? Huh?"
Momo, who was flying above, halted mid-air the moment Todo made his entrance.
Todo shouted loudly, voice booming across the clearing, "Ah, where the hell is he, Panda! I was looking for this guy during the last Kyoto Goodwill Event too! He was nowhere to be found! I even tried stalking Tokyo High—and I still didn't find this Ren Sato!
Do you even know how annoying this is? I didn't even look for my idol, Nobuko Takada, as much as I've looked for this one dude! Where the hell is he? They said he was coming here, right? I have so many questions for him—I want to see if he's as strong as they say!"
Todo ranted for several seconds straight, and everyone just stood there, stunned…
Momo finally landed and spoke, "Uh… we don't know where Ren is. We were actually trying to avoid him, you know? The strategy?"
She added quickly, "Also, Panda, you're out. Give up."
Panda immediately threw his hands up.
"I give up! Actually, I'm knocked out from the fight!" He said quickly, then dropped flat on his back and let out an incredibly fake "Zzzz".
Todo screamed, "WHAT!! What do you mean you're knocked out?! You're his teammate, right?! You must know where he is!"
But Panda acted completely unconscious.
"Panda eliminated," Yaga announced over the speakers. Todo looked ready to argue, but—
A voice rose from behind him.
"Ugh… Shut up. My fever is running cold… And why the hell are you screaming that annoying name? Ren Sato…"
Someone stood there, head tilted upward so far it looked like he was staring into the sky.
Momo instantly grabbed Noritoshi, hopped onto her broom, and began flying away.
"Let's just get out of here while Todo's distracted by… whoever that is," she said.
Noritoshi grunted, "Ugh—yes, yes, I agree, but can't you hold me more comfortably?"
Momo frowned and flew even faster.
Todo turned around. For a second, he froze.
He thought, Who is that? His vibe is different…
Then Todo grinned, took a fighting stance, and declared,
"HA! It does not matter! My name is TODO AOI! I'm a second-year at Jujutsu High, Kyoto Campus! And I have one question for you, random guy. What kind of girl is your type?"
He smiled widely as he spoke.
On the other side of the lake near the woods, Kasumi Miwa stood in pure confusion.
Miwa muttered, "I am useless with my sword… and Maki ran away with my sword…"
A random crow flew overhead.
Then Miwa felt someone poke her from behind.
She turned—only hearing one word:
"Sleep."
Her eyes instantly shut. She collapsed, but Unmaki caught her effortlessly and lowered her gently to the ground.
"Kasumi Miwa eliminated!" Yaga's voice rang out once again, echoing all the way to the viewing building where Naobito looked bored.
And Naomichi Gojo thought, "Ha, the heir of the Komo clan almost lost to a doll. How pathetic… Why the hell is he even in the jujutsu higher-ups?"
On the other side the girl who was standing behind Shino spoke quickly, "Ohh! They're dropping like flies—so fast!"
Shino replied calmly, "This is what happens when a group of jujutsu sorcerers fights another group of jujutsu sorcerers. It's wild… But, dear, can you tell me the strategies these different groups used?"
The girl standing behind him answered fast, "Well—um—it's simple. Kyoto's strategy is split into two groups, probably to defend against Ren Sato. If Ren finds one group, the other can flank or take out the rest of the Tokyo students. It's basic: don't put all your eggs in one basket. Except Todo—he's definitely not following that plan. But the funny thing is, Ren Sato is nowhere to be seen."
She continued, "Tokyo's strategy is completely different. They've all split up—they're probably following a wolf-pack strategy. Since they're alone, they don't have to fight. They can give up like Panda did or run away. They don't have much to lose. Plus, if one person like Panda goes all out—look at the damage he did to Noritoshi—he's basically done. If Momo and Noritoshi meet someone else from Tokyo High, they're pretty much finished now. This wolf strategy works… but it won't work against someone like Todo…"
Shino nodded. So did Gakuganji.
Gakuganji said, "Your granddaughter has great insight, Shino. Send her to Kyoto High. I will make sure she reaches high places…"
Gojo rolled his eyes and thought,
It's nothing insane. Anyone paying attention could figure that out…
But she's right about one thing—this strategy won't work against Todo. Still, I know their game plan. Maki's plan was to take out everyone else before going after Todo—and using a strategy like this drains you…
She's tired from fighting Mai and Miwa. Panda gave up immediately… But you old fools still don't know about my trump card… Normally I'd never show it to you, but Ren is more important. His potential is terrifying. I can't let anyone get a glimpse of him—especially with others watching…
Gojo looked up, disgust filling his eyes.
High above the lake, drones hovered.
Gojo thought, 'Even if I destroy them, I wouldn't be shocked if they have more tricks… There's no point. So, when someone tries to peek through the gate—what do you do? You let them see a bloody mess to scare them. Simple as that. I'll let you all look… at a world far above your pay grade…'
Gojo smiled calmly.