Ch.145 Playing Dirty? Let’s See Who’s Better

Although Panda has a round, chubby figure reminiscent of Detective Di Renjie, its role is actually closer to Li Yuanfang. 

When Akira starts the conversation, Panda naturally picks up the thread, analyzing it point by point:

"First, the timing is too convenient. Gojo is away on a top-secret mission, and the principal is maintaining Tengen-sama's barrier. In other words, the two people who frequently interact with the higher-ups and are familiar with their methods are both absent." 

"Second, they only mentioned that it's important and concerns the future of the jujutsu world, but they didn't reveal any specific details." 

"Third, as Akira pointed out, why only invite him? Forget about the others, but when it comes to Gojo, no matter how much the higher-ups might not want to admit it, major jujutsu world affairs can't bypass him." 

"This invitation feels like… they're simply trying to lure Akira to Kyoto." 

"And once he's in Kyoto, what then?" Hayami asked with some unease. 

"I don't know," Panda shook its head. "They might try to win him over, or they might do something like what happened when I was first born." 

"What happened when you were first born?" Yuuta pressed. 

Panda furrowed its black eye circles, taking a moment before revealing the secret events of that time. 

It was about Yaga Masamichi's Special Grade status and the life sentence verdict, as well as Gojo Satoru's true famous battle. 

That day, upon hearing the news, Gojo Satoru, carrying the still-swaddled Panda, stormed into the Jujutsu Alliance headquarters alone, suppressed everyone, and forced them to release Yaga Masamichi. 

That was the first time Gojo openly clashed with the higher-ups of the Jujutsu Alliance, shouting, "Don't make me kill all of you!" 

From then on, the Jujutsu Alliance began to weaken Tokyo both openly and covertly, pushing Gojo to the brink of overwork. 

It was also around that time that Gojo conceived the idea: if you won't give me people, I'll train my own. 

He switched to being a teacher, bringing along the rescued Yaga Masamichi and his old classmate Shoko Ieiri to start a path of reform. 

"Sounds like something he'd do." 

Akira said with some emotion. The latter half of the story was a secret even he hadn't known, but he wasn't surprised. Those in power, holding onto their vested interests, only learn to compromise after being hurt. 

"I think I've figured out what the higher-ups are planning." 

"Like Panda said, a repeat of what happened to the principal?" Maki said bluntly. 

Akira raised a finger: "That's one contingency plan, the worst-case scenario. The two possibilities Panda mentioned aren't mutually exclusive—they're a combined set. For the higher-ups, the process doesn't matter; what matters is the result—like getting me to swear allegiance or obtaining the secrets and usage rights of Pokémon." 

"So that's why you had us cause so much trouble earlier—" Yuuta suddenly understood. 

Before meeting the envoy, Akira had already equipped Sabrina's template to sense the envoy's emotional changes and sync with Gardevoir to respond promptly. 

That's why Larvitar just happened to eat the car, and Growlithe perfectly caused a "wisp of smoke on the mountain" without actually starting a fire. 

Panda's timely arrival was also part of Akira's plan. Without this chubby Li Yuanfang, how could the skinny Di Renjie act so convincingly? 

"But this only works once. What if they come prepared next time?" 

Hayami, though kind-hearted and homebound for many years, had some knowledge of the higher-ups' methods from her past and couldn't help but feel anxious. 

"If they dare to come, we'll beat them back. Do they really think we're easy to bully?" Maki flexed her fingers. This was her specialty. 

Akira waved his hand: "NONONO, that would make us the unreasonable ones. They're 'kindly' inviting me to a meeting, and if I beat them up, it's hard to justify—don't say it's a conspiracy; that's just speculation. What if they just want to treat the new Special Grade to a meal and introduce me to people?" 

"Do you even believe that yourself?" Maki said irritably. 

"Whether I believe it or not doesn't matter. What matters are facts and evidence. Do you think I don't want to beat someone up? They just didn't give me the chance." 

If possible, Akira wished the envoy had been arrogant and dismissive, but unfortunately, the other party wasn't that foolish, and neither were the higher-ups. With Zenin Naoya as a precedent, who besides a Special Grade would dare act high and mighty in front of Akira? 

For young, spirited students, sometimes lowering one's stance and satisfying their vanity and desire to show off can be more effective than putting on an adult air. 

The envoy sent by the Jujutsu High also had a bit of this intention, but unfortunately, Akira's mental age was more than double his physical age. 

"Being unreasonable and using force to suppress others might feel good in the moment, but in the long run, it's not beneficial and can even plant the seeds of future trouble—this is something you understand, right, Maki?" 

Maki snorted. 

Of course, she understood. It was precisely because of her experiences of being beaten and bullied in the Zenin family that she was driven to become self-reliant. 

"Remember, having power isn't about being unreasonable; it's about making unreasonable people listen to reason. Gojo-sensei's biggest weakness is that he doesn't know how, or at least isn't very good at, reasoning with others." 

"Yes, yes, you're the best at reasoning, Assistant Professor." 

Despite the teasing, both Maki and the other students took Akira's words to heart. 

Akira seamlessly acted cute, teaching through entertainment to lighten the mood: "Because I'm Akira (meaning 'reasoning'). It proves my mom had foresight when naming me." 

"You silly child." Hayami couldn't help but knock her son's head lightly. 

"So… what should we do?" 

After everyone had laughed enough, Panda brought the conversation back on track. 

"We'll deal with things as they come, but a second trip to Kyoto is probably unavoidable." 

"Are you worried that if they can't deal with you, they'll shift their focus to us?" 

"That's one consideration." 

"Have you thought about the possibility of being lured away?" 

"That's also—" 

Having more Pokémon significantly boosts combat power, but it also disperses the targets. Akira can't store Pokémon inside his body like Geto Suguru, so protecting each Pokémon and trainer becomes the biggest challenge. 

Fortunately, Akira had prepared for this back in Sendai. 

"—So, Yuuta, you'll have to work a bit harder. Until Gojo-sensei and I return, you'll be in charge of protecting this place. Always stay vigilant, and if you're unsure about something, consult Panda." 

"Understood." 

Yuuta nodded firmly. Through continuous training, he had gradually shed his naivety and grown into a competent jujutsu sorcerer. 

"Although it's unlikely, if they become desperate or if you encounter a situation you can't handle, then it'll be up to you, Panda." 

"I understand." 

Panda was fully aware. He—or rather, Yaga Masamichi—still had one last retreat: the hidden realm where Panda's true siblings lived. 

"More than that, I'm actually more worried about you. Last time, you stayed behind secretly, but this time, you're being invited. They'll definitely be prepared." 

"Right, Akira, maybe I should contact the Kamo family—" 

Hayami bit her lip, making a decision. 

When the Kamo family visited last time, they left contact information. Hayami hadn't planned to use it, but if it was for her child… 

"No need," Akira shook his head. "I don't want to alert the enemy. It's hard to say what role they're playing in this." 

"I'll go with you," Maki stepped forward. "Methods targeting jujutsu sorcerers might not work on me. Maybe I can use this chance to settle some scores with certain people in the Zenin family." 

"Don't rush to settle scores," Akira still shook his head. "Setting aside whether you're ready to face multiple Grade 1 sorcerers, just the act of accompanying me could spark rumors. I don't mind, but you—" 

Maki fell silent. 

What rumors? 

Of course, rumors about the Zenin family's good-for-nothing climbing the high branch of a Special Grade sorcerer to return and show off. 

Some might see this as a good strategy, but Maki is different. Her dream is to overthrow the Zenin family on her own strength. 

"Don't worry. Since I've thought of this, I've naturally made preparations—haven't you noticed someone's missing from the school?" 

Akira ended with a cold smile. 

I didn't have Larvitar eat the car just to annoy people or give the glutton a change of taste. 

Playing dirty? Let's see who's better at it.