The next morning, Tokyo Jujutsu High.
Satoru Gojo strolled to the meeting room and pushed open the door.
"Yo, long time no see, Principal Gakuganji."
He greeted the elderly man seated on the sofa, hands resting on a cane.
"Why's it you? Where's Yaga?" Gakuganji squinted, asking.
"Yaga couldn't make it. I gave him a fake schedule."
Gojo plopped onto the sofa, his gaze shifting to the two cloaked figures behind Gakuganji.
"Got some serious bodyguards there. Not gonna introduce them?"
"That's not your business."
"What about Yuji Itadori?"
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Still playing dumb at this point?"
Gojo sneered, cutting to the chase.
"Yesterday's incident has your conservative faction's fingerprints all over it."
Gakuganji sighed. "Young people these days, no manners at all."
"No need for manners with rule-breakers. It's like playing music to a cow."
Gojo lifted his blindfold, revealing piercing blue eyes. "I'm not wasting time on you, so let's get to it."
"What's your real goal in inviting Roy for these 'negotiations'?"
"…That's not your business."
Gakuganji repeated himself.
"Leave, Satoru Gojo."
"This has nothing to do with you. Meddling will only complicate things."
"Spoken like a true old fox. Master of blatant lies."
Gojo clapped mockingly.
Though he seemed carefree to most, Gojo cared deeply for his students.
Yuji Itadori, whom he'd personally invited to the school, was under his close watch.
Gakuganji's scheme to kill Yuji crossed a line.
If Gojo had solid evidence, he'd be tempted to crush the old man's skull.
Creak!
As the tension thickened, the meeting room door swung open.
A handsome teen strolled in, hands in pockets, looking relaxed.
"Morning, everyone."
Fresh from his morning workout, Roy beamed, greeting the room.
Gojo raised an eyebrow. "Something happen? You look way too happy."
"I am happy."
Roy sat down, grinning. "My girlfriend moved in with me last night. We're living together now."
"Ugh, you damn life-winner!"
"Jealous? Find one yourself. With your charm, it shouldn't be hard."
"It's not about difficulty."
Gojo shrugged helplessly. "I'm just too busy. No time for that."
"Really? Doesn't seem like it."
Roy was skeptical.
As the modern era's strongest sorcerer, Gojo had plenty on his plate.
But from what Roy knew, he wasn't that swamped.
Thud!
Gakuganji slammed his cane on the floor, cutting through the chatter.
"Enough small talk. Let's get to business."
Roy tilted his head. "Who're you?"
Gojo chimed in, "This old geezer with one foot in the grave is Yoshinobu Gakuganji, principal of Kyoto Jujutsu High and head of the conservative sorcerer faction."
Roy thought for a moment. "So he's tied to yesterday?"
Gojo: "You could say that."
"Also, he's the one who called this meeting."
"Huh? I thought you summoned me," Roy said, feigning surprise before turning to Gakuganji.
"So, Principal Gakuganji, you called me here to apologize?"
"…I don't like rude youngsters."
Gakuganji's squinted eyes opened, revealing a fierce glare.
"If you're not sincere, this negotiation ends now."
"No sincerity? That's rich."
Roy shook his head. "You brought two bodyguards radiating killing intent toward me. Who's the insincere one?"
"…They're just insurance."
Gakuganji paused for two seconds. "Agree to one condition, and they won't touch you."
Roy flipped him the bird. "Idiot, get lost."
Gakuganji: "?"
Stunned by Roy's defiance, a flicker of confusion crossed Gakuganji's eyes.
Are kids these days this wild?
"Skip the negotiation crap. One last question."
Roy stood, summoning a demon sword and aiming it at Gakuganji.
"If I don't play along, are you sending these two to kill me?"
"…You're a Gremory devil. I only meant for them to teach you a lesson."
"What about you two?"
Roy turned to the cloaked figures.
"Just a guess, but you're not with this guy, are you?"
"Of course not. Me, with this weak old man? No way."
Hercules, on the right, pulled off his hood, revealing a savage grin.
"He's just a tool to get to you. Our target's always been you, Red Dragon Emperor Roy!"
"Hm?"
Gakuganji frowned, sensing the situation slipping from his control.
But before he could speak, Roy's voice cut through.
"So you're here to kill me?"
"Not primarily. First, we want to recruit you."
Siegfried, beside Hercules, removed his hood.
"Red Dragon Emperor Roy, Hercules and I are here to invite you to join the Khaos Brigade."
"No thanks."
"Pity. Then we'll have to fight."
Siegfried's killing intent surged.
Roy finally flashed a satisfied smile.
Without another word, he raised his weapon.
A destruction-charged sword aura shot toward Siegfried and Hercules.
"Not bad."
Facing a slash that could cripple High-class devils, Hercules didn't flinch. Grinning, he charged forward.
Boom! His fist shattered the sword aura, sending shockwaves rippling.
"Red Dragon Emperor, I know that wasn't your best. Show your real power!"
"No wonder you dared crash this place. That strength's impressive."
Gojo stepped forward. "Roy, let me handle this guy. You take the other."
"No need. I've got this."
"Even so, as the host, I can't just stand by."
Gojo chuckled, blurring to Hercules's side.
"Haha! You're not bad either!"
Hercules reacted instantly, laughing as he swung his fist.
Boom! The punch landed on Gojo, triggering an explosion.
"Sadly, attacks like that don't work on me."
Unscathed, Gojo raised his right hand, pressing it to Hercules's chest.
Technique Reversal: Red!
Boom!
Like a truck had hit him, Hercules flew backward, vanishing from sight.
"So that's the famous Limitless technique. Impressive."
Siegfried clapped. "Satoru Gojo, you're a target too. Join the Khaos Brigade?"
"Not into terrorist groups."
Gojo glanced at him, then blurred away, chasing Hercules.
"Shame. I had high hopes for you both."
Siegfried shook his head, drawing two demon swords and facing Roy.
"Last chance. The Khaos Brigade isn't your average terrorist group. If you—"
"Stop wasting time."
Roy cut him off.
Summoning the Boosted Gear, he poured mana into it.
In an instant, Balance Breaker activated. Red armor encased Roy, his aura skyrocketing.
"Let's fight. Enough talk."
"Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost!"
A mechanical voice rang from the gem on his arm. Roy raised his left hand toward Siegfried.
Hundreds of magic circles materialized around Siegfried, unleashing a torrent of mana.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
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