9 Chapter 9- Meeting

[Kyoto side, team discussion]

"Where is Todo?" It was Noritoshi Kamo, who asked about his team member, who was not present in the room along with others.

"He said he had some show to watch live," Mai spoke nonchalantly as she painted her nails with a pretty shade.

The others in the room had a tense aura around them, not only because the Principal was inside the room but the arrival of the second-year student, named Shirakawa Ryuuji, had lasting effects on others.

However, none of them voiced it out, and heard the oldest one in the room speaking,

"I want you all, to target Itadori Yuji with the intention of severing his existence. We will handle the cleanup and make it seem that it was an accident, so go all out."

The Principal had a clear stance on the matter of letting a human harbor the evil fragments of the King of Curses—Ryomen Sukuna.

Even though there was uncertainty on the faces of the students, Gakuganji didn't waste time asking about their personal opinions rather he looked at the person who would be leading this team,

"Kamo?"

"As sorcerers, our primary job should be to exorcise the being possessing cursed spirits or the fragments of them. As such, killing Itaori becomes a part of our job."

Gakuganji huffed in approval as he faced forward—satisfied with the result of this conversation with the students. However, there was still something troubling him; which soon Mechamaru voiced.

"But what about Ryuuji? He would surely won't let Itadori die in the field, right?" While it was true that Ryuuji had a quirky personality, it was highly likely that he would save Yuji from getting assassinated as a fellow schoolmate.

However, Mai had a different opinion about it, "I think we shouldn't bother about him. Not only does Ryuuji-kun not care about anyone else but himself, but he would also be enmeshed in the battle against Todo to mind anyone else."

As she spoke, Ryuuji was here to fight against the strongest and Todo was easily under that category. Knowing Todo's personality, it was given that he would target Ryuuji as well.

No one voiced anything regarding that, as they wordlessly agreed to the plan of letting Aoi handle Shirakawa while they would go after Itadori.

********

[Tokyo side]

Inside the room, the team of Tokyo High has united to re-discuss the strategy for the first round.

With the inclusion of Itadori and Ryuuji plans were bound to change. The strategies which comprise Megumi as the main attack force with the support of Maki and Toge would no longer need to be taking the battle with other participants, head-on.

However, the green-haired girl who should have volunteered to form the strategy was currently standing alone in a corner, quietly.

"Hey, Megumi...why does Maki-senpai seem to be so grumpy about Ryuuji-senpai's presence?" Bundled in a corner were the three-first years, as Yuji asked in a whispering tone.

Megumi seemed a bit hesitant but he answered them soon after, "Actually...Zen'in-senpai challenged Ryuuji-senpai a year ago in hand-to-hand combat...and he pretty much humiliated her by defeating Zen'in-senpai using just his single hand."

Hearing those words Nobara seemed to be in pure astonishment. For someone who has seen Maki's physical prowess closely in these few weeks, Nobara had a very high evaluation of the person. However, to think that Maki was defeated by someone of her age, in such a one-sided manner?

Indeed something to be irritated about.

Suddenly everyone's attention shifted toward the door from where Ryuuji along with Toge and Panda walked in.

"Ryuuji is also now a part of the team. Let's settle down and strategize." Panda informed the official inclusion of the second-year student, who wore a nonchalant look on his face as he glanced around.

His brows raised when his eyes met with Megumi's.

"Long time Fushiguro. How have you been?" Ryuuji's heavy voice resonated in the room, as he greeted his junior.

"Been doing great, Senpai. Thanks for asking." Megumi had a neutral relationship with his senior, which didn't create any awkwardness when he greeted him

Ryuuji didn't say anything more before he sat at a side and allowed the people to converse.

The way Maki was glaring at Ryuuji and barely holding herself from asking for another battle, made Panda panic.

"Uhhh...let's see. Itadori-kun."

"Hai!" Maybe Itadori also sensed the need to change the mood, as he responded in a diligent tone.

"What can you do for the team?" As Panda asked, Yuji took some seconds before responding.

"I can punch and kick."

"There are many with that talent." Panda didn't take much long before responding. And it had a valid reason to put an objection.

"Panda-senpai, I am not sure what Itadori was up to in these past weeks, but..." With Megumi's eyes turning serious he concluded, "If we all fight against Itadori without the use of Cursed Energy...Itadori will win."

Megumi knew why Panda and Toge had such surprised looks on their face. Not just because he declared Itadori to be the strongest combatant here, but he also included Ryuuji in the list who would lose against Yuji.

However, Megumi didn't move from his stance. He hadn't seen Ryuuji battle before much, however, he knew the raven-haired swordsman needed cursed energy to enhance his physicality; unlike Yuji.

"If it's like that, then how should we utilize Itadori?" Panda finally turned toward Maki for an answer.

It was given that Todo and Ryuuji would collide once the whistle blew, which left the other members of Kyoto High.

While Toge can put down most of the contestants all by himself, it is better if Toge doesn't strain himself too much and they lose the main motive of the competition—to hunt cursed spirits.

Maki finally turned toward the group before she asked, "Before anything, shouldn't you ask him whether that person would face Todo or not?"

This 'him' or 'that person' was none other than Ryuuji, to whom Maki doesn't talk with a straight face.

Hearing Maki's words, everyone turned toward Ryuuji, who was sitting in a corner with his left leg folded and right leg straightened on the ground. His demeanor showcased how much he cared about this meeting or this event altogether.

"Ryuuji-senpai, should we count on you for this?" It was Megumi who broke the silence and asked the swordsman in his neutral tone.

A soft smile extended Ryuuji's lips before he asked, "If only Maki asks me 'nicely'."

A thick vein bulged on the green-haired's head as she glared at Ryuuji with bare anger.

"Forget it, We are going with our original plan. Let's go." Without another word, Maki walked out of the room, leaving everyone in a panic.

Staring at her distancing back, Ryuuji couldn't help but chuckle inwardly.

'Seriously, I shouldn't have been so rude to her...'

*****

A/N:- There is a past between them that only those two know, that's why Maki was reacting in such a manner.

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