Gojo laughed freely, without restraint.
He had never liked those higher-ups to begin with. Seeing them reduced to this state felt better than anything.
"Don't get too familiar."
Rin stood up from his chair, his gaze sweeping over the kneeling figures once more.
"Since I've 'solved' your problem for you, show some sincerity in return."
The elder trembled as he cautiously looked up.
"W-What do you want? As long as Jujutsu Headquarters can provide it…"
"Prepare a top-tier private residence for me in central Tokyo. Fully furnished, with staff."
Rin's tone was calm, as if issuing an ordinary order.
"And get me a black card with no spending limit. I want the keys and the card in my hands before nightfall."
He was new here. Although the system had given him ten million yen as starting funds, that amount meant little in a place like Tokyo, where land was absurdly expensive.
Since these old men controlled vast resources and wealth, it would be a waste not to make use of them.
"Yes! Yes! We'll arrange it immediately!"
The higher-ups felt as if they had been pardoned. They nodded repeatedly, nearly prostrating themselves.
As long as this living executioner spared their lives, even ten mansions would not be a problem.
"Toji, handle the handover. If they try to cut corners, deal with them."
Rin gave the order and turned to leave.
"Don't worry, Boss. This is my specialty."
Toji Fushiguro grinned, cracking his knuckles as he walked toward the officials to "discuss" the details.
The first light of morning broke through the barrier surrounding Jujutsu Headquarters, falling across the shattered vermilion gates.
Rin stepped out and took in a breath of the cool morning air.
Gojo Satoru and Geto Suguru followed behind him, with Riko Amanai and Kuroi Misato.
"Old man, what's your next move?" Gojo asked, leaning in slightly. "Planning to stay in Tokyo?"
"Find a place to sleep."
Rin looked toward the pale horizon.
"Once the house is ready, I'll stay there for a while. I'll deal with any wandering curse users or Special Grade cursed spirits when I feel like it. Think of it as a walk after meals."
He turned his gaze toward the two of them.
"As for you two… you're still too weak."
Gojo and Geto paused at his words.
If it had been yesterday, they would have argued.
But after witnessing his overwhelming control of space and effortless killing methods, they understood the gap.
"Don't think mastering Reverse Cursed Technique means you can do whatever you want, ok?"
Rin looked at Gojo.
"Your Limitless still has a lot of room to grow. Only when you can maintain it automatically around the clock and freely control the compression and repulsion of space can you be considered barely competent."
Next, his gaze shifted to Geto Suguru.
"As for you, relying on devouring low-level cursed spirits to stack numbers has too low a ceiling. Go hunt down true Special Grade threats and extract their techniques for yourself. And work on your close combat. If you depend too much on summons, you'll die the moment someone with even 10% of Toji's strength gets in close."
The blunt advice struck deep.
"Thank you for the guidance." Geto nodded solemnly.
"Alright. Take the girl and leave. Set up a new identity for her and keep her away from the jujutsu world."
Rin waved a hand dismissively.
Gojo and Geto didn't linger. They summoned the Rainbow Dragon and took Riko Amanai and Kuroi Misato into the sky, quickly disappearing into the distance.
Rin watched until the dragon vanished into the clouds, then withdrew his gaze.
The Star Plasma Vessel incident had finally come to an end.
He had not only changed Riko Amanai's destined death, but also indirectly prevented Geto Suguru from falling into darkness because of it.
At the same time, he had taken Toji Fushiguro, the Heavenly Restriction monster, under his command.
Every regret and tragic turning point tied to this incident had been forcibly overturned by his own hands.
Now, all that remained was to wait.
Kenjaku, the thousand-year schemer lurking in the shadows, and those Special Grade cursed spirits scattered across the world would eventually make their move.
...
Half a day later.
Chiyoda, central Tokyo.
Inside a spacious, heavily secured luxury villa.
The property had once belonged to a high-ranking jujutsu official. Its interior was lavish, complete with a large indoor heated pool and an underground training facility.
Now, it had a new owner.
Toji Fushiguro set a set of keys and a black-and-gold bank card on the coffee table.
"Boss, the property's been transferred to your name. All the paperwork and funds were handled cleanly by Headquarters."
He sat across from Rin on the sofa, holding a can of beer. His posture was relaxed, but his tone carried respect.
After spending several hours together, he had come to understand his new boss's style. As long as results were delivered, formalities didn't matter.
"Well done."
Rin leaned back against the leather sofa and picked up the black card.
With this level of financial backing and a fixed base of operations, everything he did in this world would become far more convenient.
With a thought, Rin swept his right hand lightly through the air.
A ripple of space flickered as Kamui activated.
A starlit, diamond-shaped portal slowly opened in the center of the living room.
The passage to his pocket garden, a miniature divine realm, had been opened.
"Toji. Come in and familiarize yourself with the place."
Rin rose to his feet and stepped into the portal first.
Toji set down his beer and followed, curiosity clear in his eyes.
The moment he passed through and saw what lay beyond, the seasoned Sorcerer Killer froze on the spot.
Blue skies stretched overhead. White clouds drifted lazily. A clear lake reflected the light, distant mountains rolled across the horizon, and at the center stood a large, elegant Japanese-style courtyard, alongside a laboratory filled with advanced equipment.
The air itself carried a strange energy that relaxed every pore in his body.
"This… what is this place? A barrier technique? A Domain Expansion?" Toji's eyes widened.
"This is my private dimension."
Rin walked along the stone path toward the courtyard.
The lab's automatic doors slid open, and Shinobu Kochō stepped out, dressed in a white research coat.
Seeing Rin return unharmed, relief flickered in her eyes. Then she noticed Toji behind him.
"Rin-san, who is this?"
She looked at the scarred man with cautious curiosity.
"My new bodyguard and assistant. Toji Fushiguro."
Rin introduced him simply.
"If anything needs handling while I'm outside, just have him take care of it."
Toji glanced at Shinobu. Though her presence seemed gentle, he could sense a restrained sharpness beneath it.
He grinned and greeted her with surprising tact.
"Nice to meet you, mistress. Just let me know if you need anything."
The title made Shinobu's face flush instantly. Whatever teasing remark she had been preparing caught in her throat.
Rin gave Toji a brief, approving glance. Crude as he was, his instincts were sharp.
"That's enough. Head out for now. I'll contact you if there's work."
With a wave of his hand, Toji was sent back out of the space.
The starry portal closed, and calm returned.
Rin walked over and handed Shinobu the black card.
"This is currency for the outside world. Use it as you like. If you need equipment or materials, make a list. I'll have Toji procure them."
Shinobu accepted the card, the smile at the corners of her lips impossible to hide.
"You were gone for a single day, and you already picked up a helper and an unlimited card?"
She stepped closer and reached out to straighten his collar.
"It seems you've adapted quite well."
"It's manageable. The rules here are easier to break than in the last world."
Rin slipped an arm around her waist and looked down at her.
"Is lunch ready? I'm hungry."
"It's been ready for a while. I made your favorite tomato beef stew."
Shinobu gave a soft snort, letting him hold her as they walked toward the courtyard.
His foothold in this new world was now firmly established.
___
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