Jujutsu Kaisen: Wheel Of Time

Chapter 19: Individual Battles (Part 1)

The team battle concluded hastily. The Second Grade Curse hadn't even been exorcised yet. The final score was 10-4, with Tokyo Jujutsu High winning. Some of those ten points were even from when Rika went berserk and tore Cursed Spirits apart.

From Kyoto, Momo Nishimiya, Kamo Noritoshi, and Aoi Todo were eliminated midway, while from Tokyo, Panda and Yuta Okkotsu were eliminated. Gojo Satoru must have handled the situation, as Rika's temporary rampage seemed to have no lasting impact.

Panda's body was nearly repaired after he returned from Principal Yaga Masamichi. With Ieiri Shoko present, everyone else quickly recovered and became lively again.

Aoi Todo didn't seem deterred by Rika; he still showed strong fighting spirit and told Yuta Okkotsu that their previous battle was unexpectedly interrupted. He eagerly looked forward to another match with him and acknowledged Yuta Okkotsu's strength.

Yuta Okkotsu thought to himself, "It's better not to have such acknowledgment..."

However, Aoi Todo then turned and looked at Kamihara Hajime. Although he wasn't present for the final battle, he knew the general situation.

"I thought this exchange event would be boring, but I met Yuta and you. I'm already looking forward to tomorrow's individual battles!"

Aoi Todo looked up, seemingly lost in thought, then asked Kamihara Hajime the same question: "Kamihara Hajime... what kind of women do you like?"

Kamihara Hajime had originally come to see Yuta Okkotsu, bringing two ice cream bars. But then Aoi Todo, who appeared out of nowhere, asked him this question. He thought about Yuta and the future Itadori...

So Kamihara Hajime, holding the remaining wooden stick, earnestly told Aoi Todo, "The type I like... is a white-haired beast-eared girl! At least for now."

Aoi Todo was stunned for a moment, then his expression became somewhat inexplicable: "Ah... what a pity. But I respect your preferences. I hope to witness your strength tomorrow, Kamihara Hajime!"

Just then, Maki entered through the door. She had clearly heard the conversation inside, as her gaze was like looking at trash.

"Principal Yaga Masamichi is calling everyone over to decide the individual battles for tomorrow. You... never mind." Maki said, then turned and left.

Kamihara Hajime scratched his head: "What's wrong with Maki? Never mind, Yuta, let's go."

Kamihara Hajime, feeling nothing amiss, went to the meeting point with Yuta Okkotsu. Aoi Todo returned to Kyoto Jujutsu High.

Students and teachers from both sides were present. Kamihara Hajime and his group were the last to arrive. Yaga Masamichi, seeing everyone gathered, began: "Regarding tomorrow's individual battles, two methods have been tentatively decided. Now we want to hear your opinions."

"The first method is a direct elimination battle, where each side sends out contestants, and the winner continues to fight until the final victor."

"The second method is one-on-one battles where you take turns deciding opponents. The winner gets one point, and the result is determined by the score."

"Principal Yaga Masamichi."

Maki raised her hand and asked: "But we only have five people. How will it be calculated if the numbers are uneven?"

Yaga Masamichi seemed to have anticipated this: "If you choose the second method, Tokyo Jujutsu High can have one student fight twice. Correspondingly, Kyoto will choose first. If the score is a 3-3 tie, then the individual battle is a draw, and Tokyo Jujutsu High, as the winner of the team battle, will be declared the overall victor."

"What if we win the individual battles? How will the overall victory be determined if both sides have one win and one loss?"

Kamo Noritoshi asked this, and then Gojo Satoru jumped out excitedly and said: "In that case, we will enter the final decisive battle!"

Everyone instinctively felt that this so-called "final decisive battle" might have some issues, so they tacitly ignored Gojo Satoru, who was talking to himself and smiling.

Instead, both sides gathered in a circle to discuss. Panda stroked his chin, adopting an expression of profound insight: "I say... the first method is actually more advantageous for us! Hajime alone might be able to defeat the entire opposing team."

Maki pushed up her glasses: "The second method is like 'Tian Ji's Horse Racing.' If Hajime fights twice, we are guaranteed to win at least once, or even twice. So our chances of winning are very high!"

In contrast, the atmosphere on Kyoto's side was slightly more somber. Both sides had already fought each other; some had clear winners and losers, like Kamihara Hajime and Kamo Noritoshi, while others, like Maki's group, had not yet been decided.

But at least they had some understanding of each other's abilities. Miwa Kasumi rested her chin on her hand, looking a bit dejected: "According to everyone, if we choose the second method, they will definitely send that Kamihara Hajime to fight twice... How should we deal with that?"

Kamo Noritoshi spoke: "Their strongest is probably that Kamihara Hajime. My battle with him ended very quickly; his speed is abnormally fast, which is probably the effect of his Technique."

"We have two ways to deal with him: either let our weakest two consume his battle turns, but I doubt the other side will let us succeed."

"The second way is for us to choose one person to fight him first. The opponent will probably use their 'top horse' against our 'middle horse.' Besides that, we must win all our other battles. It's really difficult..."

Aoi Todo continued: "Those first-years are 'monsters,' but don't worry too much, the other side will absolutely not choose this tactic. They will only have king against king, general against general, engaging in the most intense and committed battles!"

Mai, beside him, naturally looked puzzled. Had Aoi Todo overheard their tactical discussion? But all she heard was indistinct murmuring!

"Aoi Todo, why do you say that?"

Hearing Mai's confusion, Aoi Todo showed his pearly white teeth: "It's a spiritual connection!"

"..."

Everyone was speechless, then they tacitly skipped over Aoi Todo and began discussing the specifics. Aoi Todo also seemed unconcerned, which is why these people were not qualified to be his true friends! How lonely...

"I don't care. Whether it's Yuta Okkotsu or Kamihara Hajime, as long as they are my opponents, it's enough to be exciting!"

On the Tokyo Jujutsu High side, everyone unanimously chose the second option. The swift conclusion of the team battle meant that most of them hadn't had a decisive match with their opponents, except for Kamihara Hajime, who quickly eliminated two people.

"What about first-years? What about low-grade Jujutsu Sorcerers? I'll beat the snot out of the other side!" Maki's eyes were full of martial spirit.

Panda was also motivated, and Inumaki Toge and Yuta Okkotsu nodded in agreement. Seeing everyone looking at him, Kamihara Hajime scratched his head and yawned. He had stayed up all night playing games, and although his energy held up, some natural reactions were unavoidable.

"Wouldn't choosing the first method guarantee a win? But if you all agree, I don't mind. I guess I'll be fighting twice."

Maki said indifferently: "Our advantage is already huge. The other side will definitely send their weakest to use up one of your battle opportunities first. We just need to roughly determine the order."

Finally, with the joint decision of both sides, the method for the individual battles was determined. Tomorrow morning at ten o'clock, the curtain will rise on the individual battles in the school's dojo.

Yaga Masamichi announced: "Then let's begin determining the order of battles, with Kyoto choosing first."

Kamo Noritoshi, as their representative, stepped forward and said: "Miwa Kasumi from our side challenges Kamihara Hajime."

Neither side showed much surprise, though Miwa Kasumi looked a bit nervous. Then it was Tokyo's turn.

Yuta Okkotsu stepped forward and said: "I choose to fight against Kamo Noritoshi-senpai."

When it was Kyoto's turn again, Aoi Todo stepped forward and said: "I want to fight Kamihara Hajime."

Kamo Noritoshi's face showed no expression, but others were somewhat disappointed. In their opinion, it would be better for another person to challenge Kamihara Hajime, and then for Aoi Todo to fight Yuta Okkotsu, or if there was no opportunity, to choose the Zouge user Inumaki Toge. That way, there might be a greater chance of winning.

Kamihara Hajime was even more indifferent; this way was better for him, at least it wouldn't be so boring. Although he hadn't seen Kamo Noritoshi's ultimate move, the result wouldn't change. If he remembered correctly, Aoi Todo's physical combat seemed quite strong, so they could start with a physical combat showdown tomorrow.

As for Kyoto, Aoi Todo had always been a law unto himself, and his wishes could not be stopped. Next, it was Tokyo's turn. Panda, on behalf of the less talkative Inumaki Toge, said: "Inumaki Toge chooses to fight Mechamaru."

"Tuna mayonnaise!"

Then Kyoto made their next choice, with Momo Nishimiya choosing Maki. Finally, of course, Panda fought Mai.

With these decisions made, there was nothing else for the day. Yaga Masamichi also gave the order to dismiss. Kamihara Hajime put his arm around Panda: "Panda, let's play games at my place today! I need a teammate for PUBG; we'll definitely dominate!"

Maki, who was about to leave, heard this and spoke up: "I'm telling you... don't you two stay up all night playing games again. You have individual battles tomorrow!"

Kamihara Hajime laughed and said: "Maki, you know staying up late is nothing to me. We definitely won't stay up all night."

Panda, in his usual straightforward manner, said: "I'm just a panda; I don't need that much sleep."

"Tch..."

Maki, too lazy to bother with the two of them, turned and left. On her way, she also tilted her head and said to Yuta Okkotsu: "Don't be like those two; you'll become unlucky."

"Uh..." Yuta Okkotsu, not knowing what to say, saw Maki had already left. Inumaki Toge also said "Tuna mayonnaise" to him. Was that encouragement or...

As for Kamihara Hajime, he and Panda were already arm in arm. Seeing Maki had also left, they dragged Inumaki Toge along too.

Kamihara Hajime's voice could still be heard down the hallway: "I haven't really played 'Breath of the Wild' that I bought on release yet, but I still have to say: Zelda is heaven!"

Just as the voice disappeared around the corner, Panda's head poked out from that same corner: "Yuta, you come too."

"But... that..."

Panda nimbly slid over and put his arm around Yuta's shoulder: "Hard training is for daily accumulation. When it's close to an exam like this, you naturally pass the time by playing. Mindset and emotions can also influence victory."

Yuta, confused, was pulled into the trio's midst, and they marched off towards the battlefield.

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