Futago POV:
I stood among the other Kamo clan members aged eight to fifteen, the morning sun filtering through the high windows of the training hall. Rows of children and teens sat cross-legged, uniforms pressed, eyes forward. From the podium, an elder cleared his throat, commanding attention.
"Today, I have an announcement to make about the three great clans. There is going to be a tournament amongst our younger generation" the elder said, voice carrying clearly across the hall.
I scanned the crowd. There were around 60 kids to teenagers, hearing words about a tournament they all seemed rather excited. Even though half of them probably lacked the strength to do anything special.
"The representatives of the Kamo clan for this tournament," the elder continued, "will be determined by an internal tournament here, within our clan. The top six will qualify. The format will consist of a winner and loser bracket. A competitor who falls to the loser bracket will have one final chance: to challenge one of the top six from the winner bracket for their spot. No weapons will be allowed. The internal tournament will commence in exactly two months. The main tournament, where the Three Great Clans compete, will follow in nine months."
I processed the information almost automatically. In two months there would be a tournament within the clan's younger generation. No weapons were allowed, thankfully Tomogui had been training in unarmed combat since his black flash, moreover the combat experience we got in stage 2, should somewhat translate to unarmed fighting.
Next to me, Tomogui shifted slightly, brow furrowed. His gaze swept the hall, then back to me.
*Did this happen in the cannon? At this point gojo should be 15 and joining Jujutsu High, I don't remember any mentions of a tournament* he asked me mentally.
I responded in my head. *I don't think anything like this was ever stated to have happened. The only thing I remember is that Gojo had to attend an of age ceremony before going to Jujutsu High*
He rubbed his eyes, a faint exasperation crossing his features. *Well Gojo is obviously going to be the winner, still I doubt that anyone else even stands a chance against us, other than naoya maybe*
The elder's voice rose again. "For those who succeed in the internal tournament, and manage to make it into the top 5 in the main tournament, benefits await. You will be allowed unrestricted access to the Fallen Blossom Emotion book, allowed to take out a grade 1 cursed tool from our storage, and limited access to the Kamo clan's restricted archives"
*The first benefit is useless to us, but a grade 1 cursed tool, and the Kamo clan archives! Even if it is limited access it's more than enough. I wonder if Kenjaku's death painting research would be their*
"Moreover those within the top six of the clan tournament will be taught by an elder, for the 7 months preceding the main tournament. Now then prepare yourselves, the honor of the Kamo's is in your hands" The elder proclaimed before announcing for everyone to dismiss
*Hey isn't that Kenta? You have been training your unarmed combat against him after passing right* I asked after noticing Kenta,
*Yeah, given the tournament upcoming he probably will want to practice in unarmed combat a bit* Tomogui responded *I'm going to go meet up with him, we'll train in unarmed combat. You should find something to do before the tournament starts*
Elder POV
The training hall emptied slowly, the echoes of footsteps fading until only silence remained. Heavy doors slid shut, sealing the space from prying eyes.
Behind them, in a chamber reserved for the upper ranks of the clan, six elders sat in a semicircle.
One of the elders spoke first, voice dry.
"Our younger generation is… lacking."
No one argued.
"Average cursed energy reserves are lower than projected. Technique manifestation is delayed" another added, fingers tapping lightly against his cane. "They are safe, comfortable, and most importantly weak."
A third elder scoffed. "Hmph this tournament is not about winning, it only exists for the Gojo clan to display their Six Eyes + Limitless user. Also Ascertain their "
"And yet," the first elder murmured, eyes narrowing, "fear alone will not produce excellence."
Silence stretched again before a different voice cut in.
"The twins."
Several heads turned.
"They are anomalies," the elder continued. "Even completely disregarding their cursed technique, the raw cursed energy reserves and output they have make them special grade potential. When they become 13 and are finally assigned a grade it will definitely be special grade "
"Still too young," someone countered. "Even with their vast cursed energy to reinforce themselves, their physical bodies lack, they can at most reinforce themselves to first grade lvl, but let alone Satoru Gojo it might not even be enough to deal with Naoya Zenin"
"Tomogui landed a black flash in stage 2, the benefits from that should have helped him immensely" the elder replied calmly. "Other than the twins, the only member who can reach grade 1 would be Kamo Noritoshi, however he is only 4 years old and recently awakened his blood manipulation"
A pause.
"Satoru Gojo."
Even among the elders, it landed heavily.
"He is fifteen," one elder said. "And already beyond evaluation. Whoever faces him will lose."
"Lose, yes," another replied. "But as long as their display is alright it will be fine, "
"If either of the twins manages to push him," the elder continued, "even slightly… it will be enough."
A faint smile crept onto one weathered face.
"And if they don't?" someone asked.
"Then there is nothing to do," the elder answered. "It was a shame for our clan to birth 2 special grade prospects in an era destined to be ruled by a Six Eyes + Limitless User"
The meeting ended.