The moment Tengen's guidance aligned—
the space shifted.
A thin, hidden layer of reality peeled back like a curtain finally being pulled open.
Takeru moved first.
No warning.
No buildup.
Just a straight-line lunge toward the revealed "backside" of the Prison Realm's structure.
Hakari blinked.
"…He's really just going in—"
Kirara stepped forward slightly.
"…That's the correct path."
Megumi followed with his eyes.
"…So that's it…"
Choso tightened his stance.
"…If it's for the Prison Realm…"
Yuji was already moving behind Takeru.
"…I'm coming too!"
Takeru turned mid-motion, landing lightly near Hana.
"…Can you use Jacob's Ladder?"
Hana froze slightly.
Angel stirred within her.
Then—
she nodded.
"…Yeah."
The air shifted.
Light bent unnaturally around her presence.
A holy, overwhelming pressure expanded outward—targeting something unseen beyond the structure itself.
And then—
A voice.
Casual.
Confident.
"…Hey."
Everyone turned instantly.
Standing there—
like he had always been part of the scene—
was Satoru Gojo.
Hakari froze.
"…No way…"
Kirara's eyes widened slightly.
"…He's really here…"
Megumi's expression tightened.
"…Sensei…"
Yuji's face lit up.
"…Gojo-sensei!"
Choso blinked once.
"…This is…"
Ryu let out a low whistle.
"…So that's him…"
Uro narrowed her eyes.
"…That pressure…"
Kashimo smirked slightly.
"…So you're the strongest…"
Yorozu's gaze sharpened immediately, interest flaring.
Higuruma stayed still, processing.
"…So that's Satoru Gojo…"
Hana lowered her technique slightly, still holding Jacob's Ladder in reserve.
Gojo stretched slightly.
"…You all look busy."
A pause.
"…You look like you've seen a ghost."
He tilted his head.
"…But don't worry."
A grin.
"…I'm much better looking."
Silence—
followed by a sudden break in tension.
Takeru didn't hesitate.
He moved instantly.
And hugged him.
Hard.
Direct.
Like he had been holding it in for a long time.
Gojo blinked once.
"…Oh wow, okay, missed you too."
Yuji laughed slightly.
"…That's actually kind of real…"
Megumi looked away slightly.
"…Of course he'd do that…"
Hakari grinned.
"…Yeah, that tracks."
Kirara exhaled.
"…This is going to get chaotic again."
Gojo stepped back slightly, adjusting his posture.
Then looked around.
"…Alright."
A pause.
"…Who are all these guys?"
Takeru immediately began pointing.
"…Ryu. Uro. Hiromi Higuruma. Kashimo. Yorozu—Tsumiki. Choso. Hana."
Gojo blinked slowly.
"…You collected a lot of dangerous people."
Ryu raised a hand lazily.
"…Hi."
Uro didn't respond.
Just stared.
Higuruma gave a calm nod.
"…Gojo."
Kashimo's eyes sharpened slightly.
"…So this is the ceiling of modern sorcery…"
Yorozu smiled faintly, studying him.
Choso stayed close to Yuji and Takeru still.
"…Brothers are back together…"
Hana quietly lowered her hand.
Angel still present.
Still watching.
Then Takeru exhaled once.
Smiled.
"…Alright."
A pause.
"…Let's go get some pizza, people!"
Gojo blinked.
"…That's your plan after this?"
Hakari immediately raised a hand.
"…I vote yes."
Yuji nodded fast.
"…Pizza sounds amazing."
Ryu smirked.
"…Finally, something normal."
Uro sighed.
"…This group is unbelievable…"
Kashimo shrugged.
"…I'll see what it tastes like."
Higuruma adjusted his stance.
"…As long as it does not interfere with objectives."
Yorozu tilted her head slightly.
"…Pizza…"
Takeru turned forward again.
Calm.
Certain.
"…We finish this first."
Then—
he stepped forward into the next phase.
And for the first time in a long time—
it didn't feel like they were trapped in a game anymore.
It felt like they were leaving it.