"Take this!"
Riko Amanai's shout snapped Suguru Geto out of his thoughts. In a sudden burst of energy, she leapt forward and kicked at Satoru Gojo, only to be pushed back by his Limitless Void technique.
Splash!
Riko plunged headfirst into the sea. Cold, salty water rushed into her nose, and the choking sensation felt like heavy hands tightening around her throat.
For a moment her mind went quiet.
Maybe dying here wouldn't be so bad, at a moment like this, right? she thought, her strength fading as her body began to sink into the water.
Below the surface, the sea reflected the endless sky above, and bubbles rose like tiny pearls. A colorful fish drifted past her vision, sunlight glinting off its scales in warm ripples.
For an instant, Riko felt a strange calm. Her heart, weighed down for so long, seemed to float free.
Before her eyes closed entirely, a shape entered her view with perfect clarity.
It was Satoru Gojo, breaking through the water. His blue gaze, bright and unwavering, was like the sea and sky combined.
Satoru grasped Riko by the waist and propelled them both toward the surface.
Gasping for air once they broke the water, Satoru looked exasperated. "Hey! Did your legs cramp, you brat?"
Riko spluttered indignantly, "It was you who sent me flying, wasn't it?!"
"Huh? Don't you know I did that to protect you?" Satoru replied, frustrated.
"I almost drowned! That was such bad protection!"
"You worthless brat, believe it or not, I could shove your head under again!"
"Don't call me a brat! You're barely older than me… glug glug …"
Kuroi Miri's voice rang out, panicked, "Please stop, Mr. Satoru Gojo!"
Watching the pair argue, Shion Gojo remarked simply, "Geto, don't you think those two are somewhat… a match?"
"Huh?" Geto blinked.
Suguru sighed, "It's obvious Satoru enjoys Riko's company, but that doesn't mean it's romantic."
Shion shrugged with a faint smirk, "Well, as the older brother, I suppose I have to think about my younger brother's future happiness!"
Geto was speechless. "They aren't even adults yet, okay?"
He then looked sideways at Shion. "By the way, how are things with you and Shoko?"
"Huh?" Shion sat up, startled. "Hey, hey! Stop right there, Geto! What nonsense are you talking about? Absolutely impossible! That kind of thing is pure fantasy!"
Geto just smiled and said nothing, his eyes amused.
"What's with that expression, you bastard?" Shion demanded.
Time passed in light-hearted chatter and playful teasing, until dusk fell and smiles faded from Riko's features.
That night passed quietly, with the air between everyone quieter than before.
---
The next morning everyone received urgent orders from the higher-ups and hurried to the airport.
Kuroi Miri tried to follow, but Shion pulled her aside.
Satoru gave a knowing smirk, "Still whispering behind our backs? Could it be…"
Suguru frowned, remembering the message Shion had sent to Principal Yaga.
After a moment, Kuroi nodded solemnly, bowed deeply to Shion, and then left — glancing toward Riko in the distance before she stepped away.
Shion didn't offer any explanation to the others.
Everyone boarded a plane bound for the outskirts of Tokyo Jujutsu High, and as they climbed the stone steps toward the school, tension settled into their hearts.
Riko tried to stay upbeat, though unease flickered in her eyes.
Turning to face Satoru confidently, she said loudly, "Hey! I'm about to merge with Lord Tengen soon. After the merger, you better treat me with some respect, got it?"
Satoru rolled his eyes and looked away. "Don't get ahead of yourself. After I escort you into Jujutsu High, this so-called Lord Tengen is out of here!"
At last, they reached the Barrier of Tokyo Jujutsu High.
"We're finally here!" Satoru exhaled.
Geto offered a tired but sincere smile. "You and Shion have maintained Limitless for so long, you can finally rest."
The Barrier was known to activate instantly if an unregistered sorcerer stepped inside. Created by Master Tengen himself, it was regarded as extremely reliable.
But Shion wasn't convinced.
He knew precisely what kind of unpredictable force Tengen was, and how dangerous harmony could be when appearances were deceiving.
The group stepped through.
Satoru stopped, stretching, and deactivated his Limitless Void technique with a relaxed expression.
Geto and Riko took deep breaths as well, confident that inside Jujutsu High there would be no more danger.
Only Shion remained tense, watching Satoru's back.
He knew sooner or later the heavenly restriction, which ignored the Barrier because of his constitution, would strike.
Without warning, a sharp pain shot through Shion's side.
Looking down, he saw a blade embedded deep into his waist.
At the same moment, Satoru's pupils shrank as another blade buried itself in his chest.
Toji Fushiguro stood before them, short swords in both hands and a cold, confident smile on his face.
Toji's body was shaped by heavenly restriction, a rare condition that erased his cursed energy entirely in exchange for physical prowess and heightened senses, allowing him to bypass barriers and detection.
Caught off guard, Satoru gasped in shock.
"Shion! Satoru!" Suguru shouted as he immediately attacked Toji, swinging his yūun with thunderous force.
But Toji's reaction was unbelievably swift. He stepped back and nimbly dodged across the Barrier that was supposed to keep them safe.
"What's going on? The Barrier didn't react?" Geto muttered, his breath quickening as he couldn't sense any cursed energy from Toji — yet an overwhelming danger pressed against him.
"Geto,I won't die!" Shion groaned.
Shion spat blood, his smirk barely forming. "Toji!"
Toji's cold lips curved into a satisfied grin. "I didn't expect the young master of the Gojo Family to still remember a wild monkey like me. Truly honored."
"Satoru," Toji continued, "it's been how long?"
"Eight years," Satoru said, glaring.
Toji swung the Inverted Spear of Heaven casually. "For old time's sake, how about you step aside and let me take that girl?"
Satoru's fury flared, but Shion stepped forward first.
"That's not happening," he said, stance firm. "From the first moment I saw you, I knew we would fight. If you want to pass, you have to kill me!"
"And me!" Shion added, stepping up beside him.
Toji scratched his head with a grin. "Then…"
"Please die!" Shion yelled, launching himself forward.
____
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