[Yesterday]
Toji was sitting on the bench at the empty park while eating and drinking, gazing at the night sky. Bored and uninterested face he shown.
Just then Kong appear and casually sitting beside him, taking out his cigarette and light it up before inhale the smoke then puff to reduce his stress.
Kong: Are you sure you can handle?
Toji: *Scoff* Psst, yeah right. I'm not afraid those teenage, I can easily kill them if I want to. Are you losing faith on me?
Kong: I know that, but something keeps bothering me. About the new guy who helping them, he not showing his curse energy. Is he same as you?
Toji: *Narrowed* So, he does have Heavenly Restriction. That was neat but I bet he have large curse energy in exchange for his limitations.
Kong: But would you win against him?
Toji: *Smirk* Of course I'd win, because I've kill many sorcerers in my entire life...
[Present]
He was right about being able to defeat two Special Grade Sorcerers, Gojo and Geto. However, he was mistaken about one particular person, Y/N, who had just outmaneuvered him.
Seeing Y/N fully locked onto him with each fast strike aimed at his weak spots, Toji was able to dodge every attack from him. The problem was that Y/N's speed kept increasing with each strike.
Toji (Thoughts): *Grinning* You've got to be kidding me! How much curse energy is he pouring into his limitations!?
A sudden blade appeared in front of his face, attempting to thrust. Toji quickly parried with his katana and jumped backward, increasing the distance between them.
Toji observed his surroundings. He and Y/N were in the forest, far away from the chamber. He hadn't realized that Y/N had brought him to the dense forest with such speed. Putting his katana over his shoulder, a smile appeared on his face.
Toji: I admit, I wasn't ready for your attack, but just so you know, I'll find a way to kill you.
Looking at Y/N's chest where Toji had thrust with his katana, he was surprised and confused to see the wound fully healed.
Suddenly, Y/N appeared from behind, attempting to slash Toji. He was surprised by the sudden attack and dodged it by jumping through the tree branches, narrowly avoiding being hit.
Toji tried to figure out how to counter him, but Y/N kept him distracted, making it harder to fight. He dodged and parried attacks as best as he could, backing away to avoid incoming surprise attacks.
At a farther distance, Gojo, Geto, Kuroi, and Riko were shocked to see both of them fighting with blurred speed. Without wasting time, Geto shouted at them.
Geto: Move while Y/N distracts him!
Gojo: No, we need to help him!
Geto: There's no time. Y/N will keep him busy as best as he can!
Gojo gritted his teeth before finally deciding. He started to grab Riko, who yelped in surprise, and carried her all the way to the chamber where Tengen was. Geto and Kuroi followed behind him.
Riko: *Worried* We can't just leave Y/N behind!
Gojo: We know. Just don't worry about him. He knows what to do in this situation.
Riko was still worried about Y/N, so she nodded in understanding in this situation, praying that Y/N would be okay.
Back in the battle between Y/N and Toji, they jumped from tree to tree, attacking in mid-air. Toji focused on reducing his offense and concentrating on defense, while Y/N relied on surprise attacks without using any of his curse techniques.
As Toji landed behind a tree and then jumped with incredible speed to attack from behind, Y/N quickly turned with a spinning kick aimed at his face. However, Toji blocked the kick with his arm and countered by kicking Y/N in the stomach, knocking him back and Toji far away before repositioning.
Toji: Tell me, are you the same as me, with the Heavenly Restriction?
Y/N: It seems like you don't understand me. You are too focused on Gojo, waiting for his guard to be down until the very end. Trying to take the bounty head to the young girl felt wrong to me. As a senior myself, I will protect them at all costs. We are not the same.
Toji: *Smirking* Well, money is money. I don't care if they're babies, kids, or old people. I do what I must.
Y/N: Is that so? Well, I have plenty of reasons why I want you dead, and it's going to be worth it. Besides...
The surrounding area darkened as a cycle of light illuminated Toji. At the center stood Y/N, holding his katana with his eyes locked onto Toji.
Toji (Thoughts): *Wide-eyed* Don't tell me... No, it was out of range!
The light cycle expanded, reaching Toji and surprising him even more.
Y/N: Simple Domain: Void Slash.
He unsheathed his katana and quickly slashed right at Toji's torso, hoping to cut his body in half from a wide distance. Y/N slowly sheathed his katana before the slash exploded like shattered glass. Toji was sent farther back, coughing out blood from his mouth after the explosion of the slash.
Y/N took a deep breath, finally getting rid of Toji.
Y/N: I have to admit, he is really strong. He almost kept up with my speed even though I increased it. That is truly insane.
Just as he was about to turn around and leave the forest, suddenly a blade perfectly struck his temples. Y/N's eyes widened as he realized he had forgotten to check if Toji was dead or not, but it was too late.
Toji: *Grinning* Like you said earlier, but this time it's me. Think twice before leaving.
The blade Toji wielded was the Inverted Spear of Heaven, a special-grade cursed tool with the ability to completely nullify curse techniques on contact. Toji took out the blade and slashed at every part of Y/N's body, causing blood to splatter everywhere, covering the trees and leaves.
Y/N coughed out blood from his mouth, his eyes looking at Toji who grinned before thrusting the blade through Y/N's neck, ending him as his body fell lifelessly to the ground.
Toji: You almost had me there, but I think I'm getting my edge back now.
Back with the group, they were now inside the bottom floor of Tengen's chamber, standing by the old elevator that would take them to the final floor. Just as they were about to enter the elevator, Gojo stopped. He gently set Riko down on her feet on the ground from his arms. Riko was confused, but as she looked into Gojo's eyes, they were filled with terror.
Riko: *Worried* Gojo, what's wrong?
Gojo stood still before replying to her.
Gojo: Y/N is dead... There's no way, he's dead.
Riko, Geto, and Kuroi were shocked to hear what Gojo had just said.
Geto (Thoughts): Crap, at this rate, we're all going to die!
Gojo: You three must go! I'll keep the guy busy.
Geto: That guy is really dangerous! Did you not see how fast he is? You won't be able to keep up with him!
Gojo: *Grinning* Don't worry about me, prioritize Amanai first. I'll deal with this guy.
Gojo stretched his body, preparing to fight Toji when he arrived.
Gojo: Suguru, you two get her to Tengen-sama.
Geto: Satoru... *Sigh* Be careful! You two, let's go!
Riko hesitated before nodding.
Riko: On it!
The three of them entered the elevator and descended to the bottom floor.
Gojo: *Grinning* Alright, old man, let's see what you've got.
Finally, the elevator arrived at the lowest bottom floor where Tengen was located. Geto, Riko, and Kuroi got out and slowly walked towards Tengen's territory. The place was vast, with old-era Japanese aesthetics. In the middle stood a big tree surrounded by old Japanese houses.
Riko: So this is...
Geto: Yeah... We're in Tengen-sama's territory now. This is the foundation of the nation's key barrier. The Main Hall of the Tombs of the Star.
Riko looked at the tree with a blank expression, which worried Kuroi. Geto continued to explain.
Geto: Once you descend the stairs, pass through the gate, and continue to the base of the big tree, you'll be inside the special barrier that's separate from the barrier surrounding Jujutsu High. Only those invited are able to enter it. Tengen-sama will protect you until the assimilation.
After Geto explained everything, Riko continued to look at the scene, her thoughts processing. Her face remained expressionless, but Geto wasn't finished yet.
Geto: That... Or we can turn back around and go home with Kuroi-san.
Her expression finally showed as Riko was surprised to hear Geto's words. Her eyes widened slightly as she turned her head to look at him as he continued to speak.
Geto: When our sensei told us about this mission, he called the assimilation "erasing." He was trying to tell us to be aware of how heavy a sin that was. Our sensei may be a muscle-brain, but he often does things in a roundabout way.
Geto turned his head to meet Riko's eyes with a smile. She looked very shocked to hear this from him.
Geto: Satoru and I had already talked about it before we met you. And Y/N also agreed with this. He wanted to take you in as family. *Chuckles* My senior is very fond of you.
Riko was even more shocked to hear that Y/N didn't want her to merge with Tengen; instead, he wanted her to become a part of his family. Kuroi was also surprised to hear this.
[Flashback]
Geto and Y/N were having breakfast together at restaurant, just the two of them, while the others were still sleeping. They were discussing something important.
Y/N: You know, it's very dangerous for her to stay somewhere else. Some groups will keep chasing her until she dies.
Geto: So, what is your suggestion, Y/N?
Y/N thought hard about it, tapping his finger on the table as he searched for an answer. His eyes observed the street outside, where everyone was walking happily with their loved ones or family. Finally, he found the answer, and it seemed like the best idea.
Y/N: I might as well take them to my home, and *Smiling* I'm going to adopt her, and also take Kuroi with her so that Riko won't be separated.
Geto looked at him with raised eyebrows.
Geto: Are you sure about that?
Y/N: *Grinning* Yes... I'm sure of it. Besides, I already like that girl. She's like a sister to me.
[Present]
Geto: No matter what decision you make, we will guarantee your future.
After he said the last word, Riko looked down. Her mouth quivered, and her eyes shut before she raised her head and responded to him.
Riko: I have always been special since the day I was born. Everyone kept telling me that I was different. Being special was normal to me, and I've lived my life trying to avoid danger as much as possible for the sake of this day. I don't really remember the day my mother and father died. I no longer feel sad or lonely about that. I thought everything would be fine, even if I was taken away from everyone and assimilated. I believed that no matter how hard it was, the sadness and loneliness would eventually fade. But... But... Honestly... *Crying* I want to be with everyone longer! I want to go to all kinds of places with everyone! I want to see all kinds of things and do more!
Geto looked at her with a sad expression as he saw her crying. He smiled at her and extended his hand towards Riko, indicating for her to grab it. It was clear that Riko truly wanted to see the world as a beautiful place. There was so much more she wanted to see with her own eyes and she desired to spend her time with her friends and Y/N.
Kuroi was also saddened to hear Riko's words. She walked towards her and hugged her tightly to offer comfort before letting go.
Geto: Let's go home, Riko-chan.
Riko looked at Geto's hand, trying her best to hold back her tears and wipe them away. As she raised her head one last time, a bright smile appeared on her face.
Riko: Yeah!
She tried to reach for his hand, but then a gunshot was heard. The world became very dark after that.
=End of chapter=