Chapter 121: Tombs of the Star (BONUS)

One day ago, Tombs of the Star.

A woman with long, silky hair and a loose kimono leisurely sipped her tea.

Beside her stood a tall woman with short blond hair and a commanding presence.

"This generation's Six Eyes from the Gojo Clan has really exceeded my expectations."

The woman in the kimono set her teacup down, a flicker of curiosity flashing across her face.

"If possible, I'd really like to meet this Six Eyes, someone who shouldn't have even existed."

"Zanpakutō... it doesn't belong to this world, yet it's so novel."

"Yuki, how much do you know about Zanpakutō?"

Looking at the kimono-clad woman slumped lazily in her chair, the blonde woman could only sigh helplessly. No one would believe that this seemingly laid-back woman was the revered Tengen-sama of the entire Jujutsu world.

Tsukumo Yuki exhaled deeply.

"Tengen-sama, two Zanpakutō from the Gojo Clan have already leaked. One is in the hands of Yagyū Saemon, named Nejibana, and the other is with Zenin Toji—he's wielding Katen Kyōkotsu."

"I've been here with you lately and haven't gone out, so I only know what I've heard."

As a Star Plasma Vessel, Yuki and Tengen had a unique connection.

Ever since discovering she was a Star Plasma Vessel, her family periodically sent her to the Tombs of the Stars to spend time with Tengen.

Though nominally it was for her to receive Tengen-sama's teachings, the true purpose was to normalize her Star Plasma Vessel identity and prepare her for assimilation with Tengen when necessary.

Truthfully, Yuki didn't care much about being a Star Plasma Vessel, she just valued her freedom.

Of course, Tengen's lazy nature had been far beyond her expectations. She couldn't imagine what she'd become after merging with someone like this.

Tengen stretched her legs and looked at Yuki.

Though far older, Tengen's figure paled in comparison to Yuki's more mature curves.

A tinge of envy flickered across Tengen's face as she muttered softly:

"Yuki, go gather intel on the Zanpakutō, meet Gojo Satoshi, and report back to me."

"This Palace is so boring. It's rare to encounter someone this interesting."

Yuki looked surprised. She sat across from Tengen, staring at the woman who looked younger than her, and let out a deep sigh.

"Tengen-sama, are you really going through with this?"

"Mhm!"

Tengen nodded, folding her hands with a blissful, unconcerned expression.

Yuki nodded in resignation and coughed lightly.

"Alright, I understand. I'll try to contact Gojo Satoshi but whether or not he's willing to meet you is another matter."

"Someone capable of forging a Zanpakutō might not even care about your identity."

Tengen smiled brightly.

"Wouldn't that be great? Talking without titles or restraints sounds refreshing."

Yuki shrugged, choosing not to respond to the woman before her.

She was also curious about Gojo Satoshi. At her age, she was already considered a prodigy in the Jujutsu world. But Satoshi, a boy who created a Zanpakutō at the age of six was a genius among geniuses.

And Gojo Satoshi was said to possess a Heavenly Restriction, with zero Cursed Energy.

That, even more than the Zanpakutō, intrigued Yuki.

She had long grown weary of the endless Curses and the ceaseless exorcism cycle. If there were a way to truly eliminate Curses, it would be revolutionary.

And Gojo Satoshi, a being without any Cursed Energy, might offer her a completely new perspective.

…

One hour before Satoshi left for the Yorozuya.

Itadori Kaori observed from a newly constructed building as Toji headed toward the Gojo estate. She had already made her plans.

This Yorozuya seems to be quite important to both Zenin and Gojo Satoshi.

If Satoshi really leaves the Gojo estate because of it, this could be the perfect opportunity to snatch the Flame Zanpakutō.

A sly smile crept up on Kaori's lips. She was determined to obtain that Flame Zanpakutō, even if it meant using every ounce of her strength.

However, for now, the one she needed to be cautious of was Zenin Toji, who stayed at Satoshi's side.

He wasn't like those old, stubborn Zenin elders who looked down on someone with zero Cursed Energy.

If she wanted to obtain the Zanpakutō from Gojo Satoshi, the best chance would be when he and Toji were separated.

She wasn't in a rush, she had all the patience in the world for this mysterious Flame Zanpakutō.

As long as Satoshi and Toji chose to go to the Yorozuya, her plan could proceed smoothly.

…

"As expected, if you've got the money, you can build anything fast."

With Ryūjin Jakka and Sode no Shirayuki at his waist, Gojo Satoshi followed behind Toji, heading toward the newly completed Yorozuya.

Thanks to Satoru's financial backing, the construction had finished far ahead of schedule.

Satoshi was full of anticipation for this future base of operations.

Although it was just a normal building, for him, it represented something more, a deep-rooted Chinese obsession with having a home of one's own.

Even though the massive Gojo estate would be his for the taking if he wished, he still wanted a house that was truly his.

The Yorozuya was the first step in his path to independence.

Even if the funding had come entirely from Toji and Satoru, and Satoshi hadn't spent a single yen, it didn't change the fact that the Yorozuya belonged to him in spirit.

"Toji, how's your progress with Katen Kyōkotsu? Have you found the path to Bankai?"

Satoshi glanced at the two Zanpakutō at Toji's waist, his curiosity piqued.

From what he knew, Toji had the highest compatibility with Katen Kyōkotsu. Among all the Borrowed Sword users, he had the greatest chance of achieving Bankai.

"Bankai?"

Toji paused, then shook his head.

Even while overseeing the Yorozuya's construction, he'd been exploring ways to unlock Katen Kyōkotsu's Bankai, but the results had been unsatisfactory.

Though Katen Kyōkotsu hadn't rejected him outright, it also wasn't cooperating much in helping him complete the Bankai release.

After hearing Toji's update, Satoshi nodded with some regret.

Still, he hadn't held high expectations. He himself had yet to unlock Bankai, he wasn't in a position to demand it of others.

The two walked in silence for over ten minutes, until Toji suddenly came to a stop. Satoshi, trailing behind, narrowed his eyes playfully.

A flash of excitement stirred in his Six Eyes.

Seems like every time I go out with Toji, we end up getting attacked...

(To be continued.)

***

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