A Few Weeks Later,
Jujutsu High, Basketball Court.
Hiroshi dribbled the ball across half court, with Satoru instantly guarding him, while Suguru faced off against Hiroshi's clone. It was a showdown between Hiroshi and Satoru, with Suguru in the mix.
"Keep up, Satoru! Use those pretty eyes of yours," Hiroshi taunted as he executed dribble moves, attempting to confuse Satoru.
With a quick hesitation move, Hiroshi bypassed Satoru and sped toward the basket, with Satoru in close pursuit.
Suddenly, Hiroshi halted, and Satoru zoomed past him. In a split second, their eyes locked as Hiroshi waved at Satoru while he went by.
As Hiroshi prepared to shoot, Suguru attempted to intercept the ball. However, Hiroshi swiftly passed it to his open clone.
The clone took the shot, and Hiroshi confidently gestured three fingers, indicating it would be a three-pointer.
Satoru leaped up, snatching the ball before it reached the hoop, his jump surpassing even the height of the basketball ring.
"Boo! Goaltending," Hiroshi teased.
"Heh! You only said no cursed techniques, not no cursed energy reinforcement," Satoru retorted, wearing a smirk that challenged Hiroshi.
"It was good, for sorcerer standards!" Suguru joined in the teasing, aligning with Satoru.
"Sorcerer standards, my ass. You guys are retards," Hiroshi chuckled, his cursed energy beginning to emanate.
"Are we taking this outside?" Hiroshi suggested, a mischievous smile on his face as he prepared for a showdown.
"We're fighting now?" Satoru's eyes glowed with power as he braced himself for action.
"Going the old-fashioned route, huh?" Suguru remarked, as small portals opened, releasing cursed spirits.
Tension filled the air, prompting Shoko to swiftly duck for cover.
"Time to hide!" she exclaimed casually.
Just then, their mentor Masamichi Yaga entered the court, his stern voice cutting through the tension.
"What are you three doing?" he demanded, his tone leaving no room for defiance.
The trio quickly transitioned into stretching, whistling innocently as Masamichi Yaga surveyed the scene.
"Where is Shoko?" Masamichi Yaga inquired, his gaze scanning the court.
"Smoking?" Hiroshi suggested.
"Bathroom, maybe?" Satoru added.
"Taking a stroll outside?" Suguru chimed in.
In a typical display of camaraderie, the best friends diverted attention away from their antics, trying to placate their formidable mentor.
As Masamichi Yaga approached Hiroshi, his demeanor shifted slightly, signaling to the trio behind Hiroshi that something serious was afoot.
"Master Tengen is looking for you," he informed Hiroshi with a firm tone.
The trio's curiosity was piqued, and they leaned in to catch the conversation.
"What does Master Tengen want with Hiroshi?" Satoru pondered aloud.
"Perhaps it's a new mission?" Shoko suggested, her voice calm and composed.
"I have a feeling it might be related to nature," Suguru added, his analytical mind at work.
Hiroshi considered the possibilities before nodding in agreement. "I'll go check it out," he replied, acknowledging Masamichi Yaga's message.
"Later, fools," Hiroshi teased, his trademark smirk in place.
"Later, loser," Satoru shot back with a grin.
"Make sure you don't come back," Suguru added playfully.
"See you later, Hiroshi," Shoko said calmly, her demeanor unchanged amidst the banter.
With a final nod, Hiroshi departed, leaving his friends to mull over the mystery of Master Tengen's summons.
As Hiroshi made his way towards the Tomb of the Star, he noticed the increasing strength of the natural energy around him. Recollections from his past flooded his mind, reminding him of the massive tree that once stood at the heart of the tomb. Upon opening the door, he was greeted by a sight that saddened him—dead trees surrounded him, their lifeless state bothering him deeply.
"Dead trees... this sight is saddening. But I can fix it," Hiroshi declared, his voice carrying determination. With a sweeping gesture, he commanded, "Spring to life once more, show me your beauty." Like magic, the dead trees bloomed anew, their branches adorned with green leaves and vibrant flowers.
"A much more beautiful sight to behold. Now take care of yourselves. I should hire sorcerers to give you water," Hiroshi remarked, before departing deeper into the tomb and entering the elevator.
Exiting the elevator, Hiroshi found himself marveling at the main shrine, his gaze drawn to the massive tree at its center. While other sorcerers might not feel a thing, Hiroshi, attuned to nature like no other, sensed the vast ocean of natural energy flowing around him.
In contrast to the Narutoverse, where natural energy was absorbed by God Trees and essentially the Otsutsuki, in the Jujutsu world, it remained complete and was focused within Japan, thanks to Tengen's barriers, much like cursed energy.
One might wonder why natural energy exists in the Jujutsu verse. Simply put, natural energy is the energy of the planet and is present in any universe.
Now, with natural energy flooding into him, Hiroshi closed his eyes, pigmentation immediately appearing on his face as he entered sage mode.
"Let me store this natural energy," Hiroshi thought, focusing his mind. Soon, he found himself in his innate domain—a massive god tree surrounded by lush greenery, while the rest of the land remained barren.
"The innate domain—a metaphysical space reflecting mind and soul," Hiroshi analyzed, as he directed the massive amounts of natural energy to the outer circle of the god tree, manifesting it into a deep blue ocean.
Hiroshi awoke from his meditation and continued towards the main shrine. As he entered, he was greeted by the sight of a woman with silvery-blue hair, dressed in a cherry yukata, standing before him.
Recognizing her immediately, Hiroshi inquired respectfully, "Master Tengen, good afternoon. You called for me?"
"Darling of Nature, Senju Hiroshi, thank you for coming on such short notice," Tengen replied.
"It's no trouble at all, Master Tengen. How may I assist you?" Hiroshi responded with politeness.
Hiroshi couldn't help but marvel at the sight of Tengen in her human form, her silvery blue hair cascading down her shoulders, and the graceful way she carried herself in the cherry yukata. It was a stark contrast to the image he had seen in manga, where she was depicted as a four-eyed thumb.
"Such beauty," Hiroshi thought to himself, feeling a surge of determination. "To think she would transition from this form to something so drastically different. Perhaps there's a way to prevent that."
As he observed Tengen, Hiroshi couldn't shake off the feeling of awe and admiration. Despite her ethereal appearance, there was a sense of power and wisdom emanating from her, making it clear why she was revered as a deity.
"I have observed the Senju Clan for over a millennium, discovering that it has consistently produced a Star Plasma Vessel, albeit one less talented than the others. However, there has always been a Senju Star Plasma Vessel available whenever I required a merger, though I have chosen the more talented ones," Tengen revealed.
"And where are you going with this, Master Tengen?" Hiroshi inquired, curiosity piqued.
Realizing the implication, Hiroshi thought to himself, "I can't be a Star Plasma Vessel; I'm male."
"I am saying, given your pure Senju bloodline, that I must request a piece of your flesh," Master Tengen stated.
This request made Hiroshi think of the Hashirama Cells from the Narutoverse.
"I'm willing to provide a piece of my flesh, Master Tengen, but may I inquire as to why you specifically need my flesh?" Hiroshi asked.
"I require it as a stabilizer, to create another body to inhabit," she replied directly.
"Couldn't you simply proceed with the merger as you have always done?" Hiroshi questioned.
"I could, but merging with a Star Plasma Vessel would only reset my immortal body and halt my evolution. So, I wish to take a gamble. With the pure blood of the Senju, I could communicate with the world, potentially altering my cursed technique through the new body I mold and inhabit. This would allow me to impose a specific Heavenly Restriction on this particular body," Tengen explained.
Hiroshi pondered Tengen's words, reflecting on the uniqueness of his role in her plan. "So she specifically needs my blood to create a new body, leveraging the purest blood of the Senju, which is mine. But the method of communication with the world—how will that work?" he questioned internally.
Seeking clarification, Hiroshi voiced his question, "And how exactly do you plan to communicate with the world, Master Tengen?"
"Given that you are the Darling of Nature, the world will heed my request once—and only once—through the use of your flesh," Tengen explained with a grave tone.
Hiroshi mulled over the term "Darling of Nature," attributing it to the unique manner in which his abilities had been integrated into the power dynamics of the Jujutsu verse by ROB.
Resigned to his decision, Hiroshi agreed, "Alright." He then produced a katana from his storage scroll and, without hesitation, severed his own arm, offering it to Tengen.
The pain was more intense than he anticipated, eliciting a grimace from him. However, his exceptional healing factor, combined with his Reverse Cursed Technique, promptly regenerated his arm, restoring it to its original state.
Tengen accepted the severed arm from Hiroshi and placed it into the massive tree at the center of the shrine.
"Hiroshi Senju, by donating this flesh, your clan's destiny is now entwined with mine, akin to the Gojo Clan. I anticipate that I will seek your assistance again in the future, Senju Hiroshi," Master Tengen declared, offering a respectful bow, which Hiroshi reciprocated.
"Master Tengen, since you've bound the fate of the Senju clan with yours, I request a binding vow. Whatever endeavors the Senju Clan undertakes in the world, you will stand by our side. In return, the Senju Clan pledges to protect you and the Jujutsu society, even if it necessitates a complete restructuring of said society," he declared firmly.
Tengen regarded Hiroshi with a discerning gaze. "I perceive great ambition within you, Senju Hiroshi. What is it that drives your desire to reshape Jujutsu society?" she inquired.
Hiroshi revealed his grand ambition: "The modernization of cursed energy, not only through the Senju Clan but throughout Japan and the entire world."
"Are you aware," Tengen countered, "that achieving such a feat entails confronting Ryomen Sukuna, the King of Curses, and challenging the very fabric of Jujutsu society?"
"The defeat of Sukuna is inevitable; I merely require your assurance of non-interference. Your endorsement alone would rally sorcerers worldwide," Hiroshi asserted confidently.
Tengen contemplated Hiroshi's words. "The ambition to conquer the world is a path tread by many. I wonder if you possess the capability to accomplish such a task," she mused.
"Those were mere mortals, Master Tengen. I am a sorcerer, arguably the strongest in history. My bloodline has already established this," Hiroshi stated proudly.
After a moment of consideration, Tengen agreed to the pact. "I shall observe, Senju Hiroshi. I pledge to refrain from interference, and in return, the Senju Clan shall strive to protect me and Jujutsu society," she affirmed.
With the pact sealed, Hiroshi's demeanor lightened. "Thank you, Master Tengen," he expressed with gratitude, reverting to his usual nonchalant self.
As Hiroshi exited the Tomb of the Star, Tengen observed his departure, her gaze lingering on his retreating form.
"Senju Hiroshi, the Darling of Nature, The Outsider," she murmured softly, her voice carrying a weight of ancient knowledge. "When you were born, I witnessed the world rejoice at your arrival. You were cradled in a crib woven from leaves and vines, and even in infancy, your presence compelled the curses to strengthen themselves. And with the birth of Satoru Gojo, their evolution was pushed even further, to the extent that Special Grade Curses are now becoming less than a rarity."
Tengen's eyes glinted with a mixture of anticipation and curiosity as she spoke. "Show me, Senju Hiroshi, how much of a splash you can make in this stagnating world," she concluded, her words laden with significance..
As Hiroshi walked out of the Tomb of the Star, he contemplated the implications of Master Tengen's vow.
"Now that I have Master Tengen's vow, I can start the slow modernization of Cursed Energy. First, I need to further strengthen the Senju Clan. Cursed Firearms have slowly become more frequent in the clan, and many reports have come in from the auxiliary house, indicating success in gathering resources across the world and investing more in Japan. It's safe to say that the Golden Rule has been working wonders. Lobbying politicians has never been easier, but there's the looming threat of Kenjaku, that King/Queen of Backshots, Whatever his gender is irrelevant at this point. I knew I should've read the manga; damn, I only know up until the Shibuya Incident."
Then there's the Jujutsu Higher-ups, old fogeys, five of them descendants of the five sorcerers who followed Master Tengen originally, much earlier than the four big sorcerer families. Tsk, I can easily eliminate them all, but that would directly implicate the Senju Clan and turn the entire Jujutsu Society against us. It's safe to say that Satoru and Suguru are by my side, but they will get exhausted.
The Senju Clan and the Gojo Clan will also be besieged by the Jujutsu World; essentially, a civil war will erupt. That's not what I plan. These reforms will be done gradually, with the majority being implemented once Sukuna and Kenjaku are gone.
"But regardless of what will happen, my personal strength is important. I have already maxed out on the refinement of the Domain Expansion. Now, I need to find a way to apply that barrierless domain. Then there's the rest of the world. How do I control the world without causing massive unrest? I'll think about that later on. Ugh, so much to do, so little time. I reckon next year Master Tengen will send us to retrieve Riko Amanai. And then there's Toji. I wonder if I can just pay that dude to eliminate the Time Vessel Association."
Hiroshi's thoughts were abundant as he contemplated his next steps.