Chapter 176 Exchange Meeting (Part 1)

The Kyoto Sister School Goodwill Event commenced as scheduled.

Yoshino Junpei, who had only recently transferred in, was also among the exchange students. However, standing behind Itadori Yuji, his expression was slightly constrained, looking like a timid pushover who was easy to bully.

After learning about what had happened to Yoshino Junpei, Gojo Satoru had, as expected, extended an invitation to enroll.

This guy really had a bit of a collector's habit.

“Where's Nuo? Why don't I see him?”

Zenin Maki looked around, and failing to find Chen Nuo, she asked Kugisaki Nobara with her hands on her hips.

Speaking of which, the two hadn't seen each other for several days.

“Who knows where that guy is hiding again. He said he's researching something called 'Spirit Infusion.' I don't get what he's doing.”

Kugisaki Nobara shook her head.

She had grown accustomed to being trained by Chen Nuo during this time, so after not seeing him for a while, she actually missed him a bit—even though she was the one who screamed the loudest back then.

“Spirit Infusion?”

Zenin Maki remembered Chen Nuo mentioning this.

It was a technique for creating artificial cursed tools by injecting Cursed Spirits into objects.

It sounded very unreliable at the time. The Jujutsu world had no such precedent; it was equivalent to pioneering a new technology, and the difficulty was imaginable.

She had thought Chen Nuo was just joking then, but now it seemed he was serious.

Thinking about it gave Zenin Maki a bit of a headache.

This kind of research topic didn't seem to match the style Chen Nuo had always displayed in the past.

What happened to being a 'Tyrant'?

The contrast was a bit sudden.

More than that, Zenin Maki was currently focused on the many bags Kugisaki Nobara was carrying on her shoulders. At first glance, one would think she was planning to go on a trip. She asked in confusion,

“What are you bringing all that for?”

“Aren't we going to Kyoto? I've already prepared a sightseeing guide.”

Kugisaki Nobara had misunderstood the Goodwill Event, thinking they were going to Kyoto. She had been looking forward to it all night.

“Uh, the last Goodwill Event was indeed in Kyoto, but because Yuta won overwhelmingly, this year's event has to be held here.”

Zenin Maki explained.

This was the established rule of the event: whoever wins earns the right to host the next one.

“Huh?!”

Kugisaki Nobara stomped her feet in anger.

The feeling of disappointment was as frustrating as could be.

Just then, the students from Kyoto participating in the event arrived. Unlike the Tokyo school, the participants were all veteran second and third-year students.

“Yo, brother~.”

Todo Aoi greeted Itadori enthusiastically. The two acted like friends who had known each other for years, even though they had only met once before.

They hugged, high-fived, and bumped hips.

“Where's your big brother? I'm going to find a chance to pay him back properly for that punch he gave me last time.”

Todo Aoi grinned, draping an arm over Itadori's shoulder and shouting excitedly.

“I don't know either. I haven't seen him since early this morning, but don't worry, Big Brother will definitely make it.”

The slightly shorter Itadori Yuji could only wrap his arm around Todo Aoi's waist. The scene looked quite harmonious and affectionate, leaving the students from both sides a bit bewildered.

Is there even a need for these two to 'exchange' anything?

The original purpose of the Goodwill Event was to let students from both schools get to know each other. After all, they would be fighting Cursed Spirits together in the future; building rapport early was better than trying to do it at the last minute.

However, with the interference of the Higher-ups, it had become somewhat distorted.

The Kyoto Jujutsu High team was led by a Semi-First Grade teacher.

Iori Utahime.

Dressed in miko robes, she was a sorcerer from the same generation as Gojo Satoru. Her delicate and pretty face bore a prominent scar, and she spoke with an impatient tone.

“Where is that idiot?”

“There's no way an idiot would arrive on time.”

Zenin Maki replied as if it were obvious.

Although no name was mentioned, everyone present knew the 'idiot' referred to Gojo Satoru.

As a teacher, Gojo Satoru didn't enjoy much respect, at least verbally, from the students.

Well, it was pretty much the same in their hearts, too.

This was mainly due to personal reasons.

“Sorry to keep you waiting, everyone~.”

As soon as the words fell, Gojo Satoru teleported in, appearing alongside Chen Nuo.

“Now everyone is here.”

“Eh, Teacher Gojo, what's wrong with your eye?”

Itadori Yuji noticed the blind spot and voiced his confusion.

Although Gojo Satoru was wearing his blindfold, a faint dark bruise could still be seen, as if someone had punched him. The shape looked somewhat familiar.

Itadori Yuji subconsciously looked at Chen Nuo.

“Don't worry about such insignificant details, okay? I brought souvenirs for everyone—charms from a certain tribe overseas.”

Gojo Satoru stiffly changed the subject, handing out the gifts he had prepared. Except for one fangirl student, most were uninterested in these mysterious charms.

Could he really say he was beaten by his own student?

Chen Nuo's punch had directly bypassed his defensive Cursed Technique, and even the Reverse Cursed Technique was having trouble healing it quickly.

A lingering power was severely obstructing the flow of Cursed Energy.

As for that punch, Gojo Satoru had brought it upon himself.

Chen Nuo had been flirting nicely with Shoko when this guy suddenly appeared and pushed the progress back a long way. The fact that Chen Nuo hadn't beaten Gojo Satoru's brains out was already a sign of respect for the teacher-student relationship.

At the same time, the principals of both schools arrived together.

The Kyoto principal, Rakuo Gakushin, was an old man with one foot in the grave. He was also one of the representative figures of the Jujutsu World Higher-ups and was very much at odds with Gojo Satoru.

They both basically wished the other would die sooner.

“First Grade Jujutsu Sorcerer Nuo, why haven't you handed over the Special Grade Cursed Spirit, Mahito, whom you captured earlier, to the Higher-ups?”

Rakuo Gakushin immediately questioned Chen Nuo.

Previously, Chen Nuo had been staying at the school, and with Yaga Masamichi and Gojo Satoru blocking the way, he hadn't had a chance to even see Chen Nuo. Now, he finally found his opportunity.

Chen Nuo didn't say a word, merely casting a glance over.

That contemptuous attitude instantly provoked Rakuo Gakushin's sense of superiority.

However, he couldn't say a single word. The Cursed Energy in his body was being suppressed so tightly that it couldn't respond to his consciousness at all.

That feeling of powerlessness made Rakuo Gakushin forget he was a powerful Jujutsu Sorcerer, making him feel like a dying old man again.

What kind of Cursed Technique is this?

How can it affect my Cursed Energy?

Isn't he supposed to be a Heavenly Restriction?

Even Toji Fushiguro never showed such an ability!

“Principal Rakuo, I recall Ijichi already wrote a report and submitted it to the Higher-ups. Bringing up old news isn't a good habit.”

Gojo Satoru walked in front of Chen Nuo, leaning down with his hands on his knees to stare at the man.

“...Hmph.”

Rakuo Gakushin quickly took the out. He was worried that if Chen Nuo looked at him any longer, he might have a heart attack.

“So, do you have any results from your days of secluded research?”

Zenin Maki asked with feigned indifference, awkwardly showing her concern.

“Of course. I've named it the Non-Action Hand.”

Chen Nuo showed off the 'leather glove' he was wearing on his hand.

The most difficult part of the craft of injecting a Cursed Spirit's energy and technique into an object lay in the compatibility between the spirit and the object.

Even Chen Nuo found this hard to solve.

However, Mahito was different because he came with his own physical shell; he wasn't a purely spiritual construct. This allowed Chen Nuo to skip the most difficult step of 'Spirit Infusion.'

What Chen Nuo had to do was figure out how to erase Mahito's self-awareness and forge his flesh into the shape he desired.

There were far too many ways to enslave Cursed Spirits in the Jujutsu world.

Yaga Masamichi had opened up all relevant materials to Chen Nuo, and with Shoko's help, Chen Nuo successfully created his first Special Grade cursed tool.

Unlike ordinary cursed tools, a tool made through 'Spirit Infusion' retained a certain degree of growth potential.

In a strict sense, it was like another type of Shikigami that was completely driven by the sorcerer and possessed no self-awareness.

It combined modern cursed tool making, Cursed Corpse construction techniques, and the enchanting crafts of Nidavellir.

The 'Infusion' in 'Spirit Infusion' could also be translated as 'hammering.'

To bind a spiritual body and matter together, how could it be done without sufficient external force?

The birth of the Non-Action Hand relied on Chen Nuo's punch after punch to perfectly fuse them.

“What is this cursed tool used for?”

Zenin Maki never expected Chen Nuo to actually succeed. Amidst her shock and joy, she couldn't help but be curious.

After all, this 'Non-Action Hand' looked a bit too crude and ordinary, like a motorcycle glove with high wear and poor stitching.

If it were dropped on the ground, probably only Itadori Yuji would be bored enough to pick it up.

“Breast enhancement, hip lifting, skin resurfacing, and beautifying.”

Chen Nuo summarized it simply.

“Isn't that just a Plastic Surgery Hand?”

Zenin Maki was speechless. Such an indecent cursed tool was indeed something Chen Nuo would create.

“Alright, alright, everyone. The two-day Goodwill Event is about to begin. Please get ready.”

Gojo Satoru clapped his hands and shouted.

“Can it really lift hips?”

Kugisaki Nobara had just overheard the conversation between Chen Nuo and Zenin Maki and came over to ask secretly.

“Of course. When have I ever lied? However, the condition for releasing the technique is that I have to touch the area being modified with my own hand.”

Chen Nuo replied in a low voice.

While speaking, he glanced at Kugisaki Nobara's backside from the corner of his eye.

While the curves weren't exaggeratedly prominent, they were decent enough.

“Pervert! I'm going to tell Maki-san!”

Kugisaki Nobara glared at Chen Nuo upon hearing this. She strongly suspected Chen Nuo was eyeing her buttocks.

Hmph, this beautiful girl is indeed very alluring after all.

“I don't even want to touch it.”

Chen Nuo said with disdain.

Compared to the various girls in his memory, Kugisaki Nobara really didn't have any outstanding advantages. She was barely average; he wasn't some 'titan Old Nuo' to be that thirsty.

“Explain yourself!!”

Kugisaki Nobara's self-confidence took a heavy hit, and she chased after him screaming.

...

...

The Kyoto Goodwill Event was divided into two stages.

The first day was a team battle.

The rules were simple: the first to exorcise the Grade 2 Cursed Spirit in the designated area would be the winner. Besides the Grade 2 Cursed Spirit, there were many Grade 3 Cursed Spirits in the campus that could also serve as competition points.

Other than that, there were no other rules.

“...The match starts at noon. Dismissed.”

After Principal Yaga Masamichi finished reading the rules, he left the remaining free time to the students.

The students from both sides began to arrange and discuss their final tactical plans.

“Speaking of which, is there any clear reward for winning? A simple exchange is too boring...”

Chen Nuo leaned against Panda's soft belly, unable to muster any enthusiasm.

“Like what?”

Zenin Maki glanced at Chen Nuo.

“Like being able to kill the other school's principal or something. That guy's malice is a bit too blatant. I really want to wait for a dark and windy night to kill him with one punch.”

Chen Nuo's flat words truly gave Panda and the others a major scare.

They didn't doubt for a second that Chen Nuo had the strength to do it.

Is Jujutsu High always this dangerous?

Yoshino Junpei couldn't help but gulp. Having just officially stepped into the Jujutsu world, he wasn't quite used to the atmosphere here.

“Murder is a bit too much, Big Brother.”

Itadori Yuji said with a wry smile.

“Don't you know? That guy only has malice toward me, but he has full-on killing intent toward you. I bet he's discussing with his students right now how to kill you.”

Chen Nuo turned his head and spoke to Itadori Yuji.

“Huh?!”

Itadori Yuji's body shuddered.

“Big Brother, I checked the weather forecast. Tomorrow is cloudy, and not a single star will be seen at night!”

Yoshino Junpei said with a serious face, already considering how to dispose of the body.

When it came to Itadori Yuji's safety, he didn't mind getting human blood on his hands at all.

Good bros for life.

Although Itadori Yuji couldn't compare to Chen Nuo in terms of popularity with women, he similarly left Chen Nuo miles behind in terms of popularity with men.

“Very good. Megumi, you're in charge of tracking.”

Chen Nuo looked at Fushiguro Megumi. The latter was stunned for a moment, then nodded slightly.

“Wait, aren't we preparing for the Goodwill Event? How did we start discussing assassinating the other principal? This isn't right.”

Itadori Yuji tried to pull the topic back on track. Was he really the only one present who cared about the Goodwill Event?

“Stop messing around, Nuo. The Goodwill Event is the priority right now.”

Zenin Maki spoke up, finally ending the topic.

On the other side, Rakuo Gakushin's task assignment wasn't going smoothly either.

Setting aside the rebellious Todo Aoi, most of the Kyoto students were reluctant to kill a first-year freshman from their sister school.

Only Kamo Noritoshi was proactive toward the principal's task.

However, they were unable to come up with a plan on how to deal with the biggest obstacle standing in their way.

Todo Aoi's previous attempt had already given them a certain understanding of Chen Nuo's strength.

“We can only pray that Itadori Yuji isn't by that person's side.”

Kamo Noritoshi's tone was somewhat helpless.