Yuki Tsukumo glanced at the dejected Yuji Itadori and said nothing more.
She spoke briefly to Principal Yaga and then went ahead to Jujutsu High to wait.
Yuki was equally saddened and indignant over Todo's death. But she would not change her beliefs or act impulsively because of it. For those who embark on the path of Jujutsu, separation and violent death are the norm.
She could understand the thoughts of Yuji, a newcomer, but she wouldn't impulsively seek revenge against Zenin Mirai or the ancient Sorcerer possessing Suguru Geto.
The full picture of their plans was still unclear. She needed to discuss the matter with the other monster at the school who had lived for a thousand years before deciding on her next course of action. If there was a way to prevent the world from being destroyed and stop a war between nations, she had to find it.
...
Looking at Yuji, who seemed completely lost and on the verge of a mental breakdown, Nanami Kento stepped forward.
He didn't offer any gentle words of comfort. Instead, he spoke seriously.
"Itadori-kun, you need to understand."
"Everything that happened in Shibuya, and everything that will happen afterward... this is no longer just a simple battle. It is a war."
"A war that will determine whether the profession of Sorcerer can still exist, and whether Japan can survive."
Nanami stepped forward and patted Yuji's trembling shoulder. "Right and wrong are not important right now. Nor is hatred. Even if you stop and curl up in a ball, time won't wait for you. Even if you are defeated by your own weakness and helplessness, you must grit your teeth and move forward."
Nanami sighed, adjusting his tie. "Jujutsu Sorcerers often force their companions to sacrifice their lives for others. It is exactly why I think Sorcerers are a piece of shit!"
"But if you choose to embark on this path, Itadori-kun... then you must accept this life tainted by shit!"
It was precisely because Nanami acknowledged Yuji as a true companion that he said so much.
An ancient Sorcerer had resurrected the Golden Age, and Zenin Mirai possessed god-like power. The Jujutsu High camp had lost Gojo Satoru. They were like a lone boat adrift at sea in a raging storm, in danger of capsizing at any moment. Anger, impulsiveness, and resentment would not help them survive.
Principal Masamichi Yaga adjusted his sunglasses and looked at Yuji with a stern expression.
"If you can't even tell what you're fighting for, then you don't need to go to the battlefield anymore. I will have you locked up in the school until it's all over."
"For a Sorcerer, there is no such thing as a death without regret," Yaga said softly. "But at least... you should know why you are dying."
Yaga turned to the others. "Everyone, get out. Let him think it through on his own."
...
Because White Zetsu had slaughtered the conservative Higher-Ups of Jujutsu Headquarters, highly efficient changes to the plot had already occurred.
Principal Gakuganji had not received instructions to execute Principal Yaga.
Yuta Okkotsu had not received orders to execute Yuji Itadori.
Bathed in the first rays of morning sunlight, White Zetsu, puffing on a cloud of cigar smoke, returned to the Star Religious Group's underground base in Shinjuku with a refreshed expression.
"Hey, kid."
Stepping into the basement lobby, Zetsu greeted Mirai. Then, with a leap, he plunged into a massive bathwater pool filled with the dark, thick blood of Cursed Spirits. Zetsu quite liked the tingling, soul-cleansing sensation it provided his unique body.
"So, how about it? Tell me, isn't Master Zetsu efficient?" Zetsu bragged, scrubbing his pale skin. "Why did you give me two whole days for that group of old guys? It took me four hours to travel back and forth, but only two minutes to wipe out that bunch of trash!"
Mirai shook his head silently, offering no response.
This idiot really doesn't know why I gave him two days, Mirai thought. Setting up the ten massive Culling Game barriers across Japan required Kenjaku to adjust corresponding rituals. Mirai had let Zetsu move around freely purely because he didn't want to hear the Curse nagging incessantly in his ear while they waited.
"Now that you're back, get out of the tub," Mirai said coldly. "You're coming on a mission with Naobito."
Splash!
Zetsu's doggy-paddle splashed up handfuls of shredded Cursed Spirit flesh.
"No wonder I didn't see the old man or the Zenin Sorcerers when I came in," Zetsu muttered. "Alright, I'll soak for another ten minutes and then we'll set off."
Naobito Zenin, Ogi Zenin, and the few remaining official members of the elite Hei squad had already been sent out by Mirai a day before the Shibuya Incident.
Ten minutes later, Zetsu climbed out of the bathtub, still feeling unsatisfied.
"Let's go. I'll go with you on an inspection." Zetsu held his head high, put his hands behind his back, and struck a pose as if he were the leader.
Mirai, too lazy to waste words, waved his hand and summoned a Kamui void tunnel.
They stepped through.
The spatial transfer lasted for about a minute.
Stepping out of the void, Zetsu looked at the magnificent, sprawling white building he had never seen before. A glint of light flashed in his eyes.
"Where is this?" Zetsu asked, noticing the warm, orange-yellow afternoon sun beating down on them, despite it being morning in Japan. A thirteen-hour time difference.
Mirai responded calmly.
"The White House."
...
November 1st, 10:00 PM.
Principal Yaga led the group through the ruins of Jujutsu High.
Every time they passed a Shrine Torii gate, Yaga would release a specific pulse of his Cursed Energy to bypass the barriers. Until they reached the 108th door.
After sensing Yaga's presence, the seemingly ordinary wooden door began to blur, distorting the view inside. Without hesitation, Yaga stepped in.
Following closely behind were Yuki Tsukumo, Nanami, Maki, Panda, Inumaki, Nobara, Megumi, and finally, Yuji Itadori and Choso.
Most of the Tokyo Sorcerers were present, while Kasumi Miwa and the Kyoto students had been taken back by Utahime to reunite with Principal Gakuganji.
As the group entered the gate, they were greeted by an endless sea of trees and wooden vines that covered the outer walls of the underground palace.
Yaga did not stop and continued to lead the group forward.
Suddenly, Choso turned pale.
Previously, when he couldn't sense the location of his younger brothers' remains (the other six Death Paintings), Choso simply assumed it was because Master Tengen's barrier was too powerful.
But now that he was inside the barrier, he still couldn't sense them.
The remains are not in the Tomb of the Star? Choso realized with dread. Mirai and Kenjaku must have already stolen them.
Choso glanced at Yuji, whose face was grave, but ultimately said nothing.
After passing through a long corridor, Yaga led everyone onto an elevator that descended directly into the main hall of the Tomb of the Star.
Eleven years ago, the bloodstains left by Riko Amanai (the previous Star Plasma Vessel) had stained this floor. They had not yet disappeared.
Nobara and the others glanced at the dark stains out of curiosity but didn't ask any questions.
Standing in the center of the vast, empty hall was a bizarre entity.
It had four compound eyes, no eyebrows, and a cylindrical head that resembled an upright thumb. It wore a plain-colored, wide robe. Although it was technically a human Sorcerer, its appearance was more like that of a Cursed Spirit.
Master Tengen.
"A descendant of the Cursed Speech clan, an Abrupt Mutated Cursed Corpse, a daughter of the Zenin clan, a Death Painting Womb..." Tengen spoke, his voice echoing in the hall.
"And also, the Vessel for Sukuna."
"Nice to meet you all. Welcome."
For Nobara, Nanami, and Kusakabe, it was their first time meeting the immortal being.
"Why didn't you greet me, Tengen?"
Yuki Tsukumo stood with one hand on her hip, her expression one of utter disgust. She glared at Tengen, a fleeting flash of murderous intent in her eyes. She held a deep, bitter grudge against Tengen regarding the Star Plasma Vessel system.
Standing next to Tengen, acting as his personal bodyguard, Yuta Okkotsu frowned slightly, his hand resting on the hilt of his katana.
.....
[AUTHOR NOTE: New fanfic Bleach: Echoes of the Soul is released today. Can you guys add it to your library if you like it and support and help in getting it to top spot in weekly collection list. You can find this fic in my profile or through search.]