Elsewhere, back at Jujutsu High—
Principal Yaga stood firmly in the middle of the courtyard, arms crossed like a steel gate, his stern face shadowed beneath his cap. His patience was thread-thin—ready to snap.
In front of him stood Gojo Satoru and Suguru Geto, their usual smirks doing little to lighten the tension in the air. Gojo had his hands in his pockets, his blindfold askew just enough to show one visible blue eye, while Geto leaned casually against the wall with arms folded and that unreadable calm etched into his features.
"You forgot to put up the curtain," Yaga said slowly, voice cold.
"Now now, sensei," Gojo chimed, holding up his hand like a peace offering, "Let's not play the blame game here."
"You forgot the curtain," Yaga repeated, this time pointing.
Geto tilted his head thoughtfully. "Technically, both of us forgot."
"And you're proud of that?" Yaga barked.
Gojo snorted and turned slightly to whisper behind his hand toward Geto, "He's so scary when he gets mad, huh?"
"Like a panda with a mortgage," Geto responded in the same hushed tone.
"I heard that," Yaga said.
They both froze.
From the side of the yard, Shoko Ieiri walked past, looking like she'd rather be anywhere else. She had already left the scene earlier but had returned midway through the lecture. Utahime had clearly been venting to her.
"Don't end up like these two idiots, Shoko," Utahime muttered, arms crossed, pouting just behind her.
"I'm trying," Shoko replied in a tired tone, lighting a cigarette.
Gojo leaned toward Geto again. "Ten yen says Utahime's still upset about earlier."
Geto's eyes flicked to Utahime, then back to Gojo. "Ten yen? You value your life that cheaply?"
"Fair."
Yaga sighed heavily. "Enough fooling around."
His tone sharpened, signaling that the joking would be tolerated no longer.
"There's a mission for you two," he said, pulling out a sealed envelope from inside his coat and handing it to Geto. "The higher-ups have selected you both to guard the Star Plasma Vessel."
Gojo blinked. "The what?"
Yaga looked at him, unimpressed. "You'd know if you read the mission reports."
"…I skimmed them."
"Satoru."
"I looked at the cover," Gojo added, shrugging.
Geto rolled his eyes and opened the envelope, scanning the details quickly.
"Riko Amanai," he said aloud. "That's her name."
"She's the girl selected as the Star Plasma Vessel," Yaga explained. "Your job is to escort her to Master Tengen so she can merge with him before cursed spirits or assassins get to her."
Gojo leaned over Geto's shoulder, eyes narrowing. "Assassins, huh? Sounds like fun."
"It's not," Yaga snapped. "This is a delicate, high-risk mission. You mess up, and the balance of the entire jujutsu world could collapse."
Utahime, still glaring, chimed in, "So of course you gave it to these two."
Yaga gave her a sharp look but didn't deny it.
"It's not just you two," he added. "We'll have Mei Mei as backup and a few more eyes on the field. But you're the primary guard unit."
"Where is she now?" Geto asked.
"Being hidden," Yaga said. "We'll retrieve her tomorrow morning. The Star Religious Group might make a move soon. Be ready."
He turned to leave, but before he did, he glanced back over his shoulder.
"Satoru," he said sharply, "Don't underestimate this. You can't just brute-force your way through everything."
Gojo saluted sarcastically. "Roger, Boss Panda."
Yaga gave him one final glare before disappearing into the hallway.
Geto sighed, folding the mission envelope back into his sleeve. "Well, it begins."
Gojo stretched his arms high into the air. "Star Plasma Vessel. Assassins. Mergers with ancient immortals. This is gonna be annoying."
"Don't say that in front of her."
"Oh, come on, I'll be charming."
"You'll be insufferable."
Gojo grinned. "Same thing."
From the side, Utahime whispered to Shoko, "They're gonna screw this up."
Shoko took another drag from her cigarette and exhaled slowly. "Yup."