Chapter 157: Flashback Kill
'Am I going in? Me against Gojo Satoru? For real?!'
Even though Hanami had long ago steeled her resolve to break into the [Coffin of the Iron Mountain] domain and rescue Jogo under the powerful gaze of Emiya Shirou and Gojo Satoru...
That resolve was based on the idea of catching them off guard. She planned to use her traits as a Cursed Spirit born from nature—hiding her presence within the environment and merging with the natural world—to quickly extract him and flee the battlefield. It was never about facing Gojo Satoru head-on for a full minute.
After all, she had been observing from the sidelines. She had seen the footage of how Emiya Shirou, without breaking a sweat, had nearly killed Jogo. Thus, hearing those words, Hanami looked at Kenjaku with a bizarre expression.
Kenjaku looked back at Hanami with an air of total composure. "Rest assured, Hanami, this isn't a suicide mission... well, okay, it is a suicide mission. But I guarantee your death will be absolutely meaningful.
Because of your unique traits, I can guarantee that as long as the [Prison Realm] is buried within your body, even if it activates right in front of Gojo Satoru, he won't be able to sense the cursed energy of the activation.
Without knowing the [Prison Realm] has been triggered, Gojo Satoru naturally won't be able to react to it. As long as your acting is good enough, Hanami, you'll be able to stay by Gojo Satoru's side for one minute in the guise of a hostage."
Kenjaku spoke of his plan with total indifference. This wasn't just because the plan required Hanami's cooperation, but because Hanami herself had already stated what kind of sacrifice she was willing to make. Someone who wasn't even afraid of death—how could she shrink back now?
Of course, it wouldn't have mattered even if Hanami did shrink back. Kenjaku possessed enough strength to use [Cursed Spirit Manipulation] to forcibly control her and complete the plan regardless.
"[...]"
"[...If I do as you say, can I truly save Jogo?]"
After a moment of silence, Hanami asked again in her unique language: "[Will my sacrifice truly eliminate Gojo Satoru, and that sorcerer beside him?]"
"Of course, I guarantee it!" Kenjaku smiled.
If possible, he didn't actually want to use [Cursed Spirit Manipulation] to forcibly control Hanami. After all, unlike what Jogo guessed, he didn't actually know the current status inside [Coffin of the Iron Mountain].
Jogo's action of opening the domain had been far too decisive. Not just Hanami, but even Kenjaku hadn't been able to react in time. If he controlled Hanami and she was discovered to be "off" while trying to rescue Jogo, it could cause issues. Even if they were allies in the same camp, Jogo would definitely expose his existence.
Since he wasn't sure if Gojo and the others truly knew his identity, Kenjaku remained extremely cautious, trying his best not to reveal his presence. Naturally, he would avoid doing such things if he didn't have to.
"However, the sealing distance of the [Prison Realm] is only four meters. Hanami, if you want to seal more people, you must restrict the targets within that four-meter range for at least one minute. I don't actually recommend this choice."
Seeing how cooperative Hanami was being, Kenjaku didn't mind giving her some pointers. "Although your state is very special, there are plenty of special things in this world—like the Gojo clan's [Six Eyes]. If you wait for an opportunity to catch them all at once and miss the chance to seal even one of them under the observation of the [Six Eyes], then nothing can be recovered.
If you choose only Gojo Satoru as your target, then even if Jogo fails to survive until our rescue arrives, you, Hanami, will have the chance to complete his revenge."
Indeed, although Kenjaku had seen the battle between Emiya Shirou and Jogo, and had previously been very interested in Emiya Shirou—who could pull out [Gáe Bolg]—thinking that Cursed Tool (Noble Phantasm) would bring him great surprises...
He still felt that the person who would ultimately kill Jogo would be Gojo Satoru. After all, comparing hearts, even he with the [Prison Realm] couldn't guarantee he could seal Gojo. Even if the [Gáe Bolg] tool (Noble Phantasm) was truly powerful, it surely had some kind of binding vow or restriction. Against truly powerful sorcerers and spirits, it likely wouldn't have a massive effect.
To this, the Type-Moon world would only like to say: after being oppressed by aliens for so long, it finally had a chance to act as the "alien" and oppress another world!
"[I see. I understand...]"
For this reason, Hanami was also led astray by Kenjaku.
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Recalling the strategy Kenjaku had discussed with her when Emiya Shirou and the others emerged from the [Coffin of the Iron Mountain] domain...
Hanami, seeing that Jogo was nowhere to be found among them, had long ago prepared for this self-sacrifice. Even her body was transforming to accommodate the release of the [Prison Realm], hiding its expansion before the final seal.
Supported by nature and her own technique, she entangled tree after tree and branch after branch around her, transforming into a wooden giant several meters tall to charge at Gojo Satoru!
Though she was quickly "one-shotted" by Gojo, and her attack didn't even break through his [Limitless], it was enough! She had successfully completed the task Kenjaku assigned her.
She had completed the one-minute charge-up for the [Prison Realm]!
"[This is for Jogo, and for Mahito and Dagon! Gojo Satoru, go to hell with me!!]"
The language, incomprehensible to the ears, spilled from Hanami's mouth, allowing Gojo and the others to understand her curse directly within their minds.
"Exactly, just as Hanami said."
Kenjaku, who also hadn't expected the plan to go so smoothly, spoke with a smile: "Goodnight, Gojo Satoru. Let us meet again in the new world. It's a shame, though. Although I was looking forward to it when I heard Hanami was going to try and catch you all at once, I guess it wasn't meant to be."
At this point, Kenjaku turned his gaze away from Gojo with a look of pity toward Itadori Yuji and the others. Originally, he had thought that if Emiya Shirou were a bit more impulsive, he might have run toward the [Prison Realm] and Gojo's side before the seal was complete, allowing him to seal Emiya along with Gojo.
But as expected, such good luck wasn't going to happen... eh?
The other person... Emiya Shirou, where is he...!?
"[Pseudo-The World]!!
[THE WORLD]!!!!"
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