(Pov Satoshi)
The act had been violent but quick; in less than five minutes, I had managed to decapitate the heads of Jujutsu society completely. Even thinking about it made me feel like some villain, but it was the right choice.
The higher-ups had been corrupt for longer than I'd been alive in both of my lives combined. They cared only about their own position and saw anyone with strength as a threat. The only reason they hadn't made a move on any of us sooner was Satoru. With him gone, they got confident, and if I hadn't stopped them, we'd be dealing with their issues the whole time. We're also trying to save Japan from Kenjaku.
The whole thing was just one big mess, but it was over and done with; we could worry about how to improve Jujutsu society later. Explaining things to Yuta, on the other hand, had actually been easier than expected. He wasn't even eighteen yet, and despite that, he was as willing to kill as any sorcerer.
Once that was done, the walk back to the school was rather uneventful. With the destruction in Shibuya, much of the city had been evacuated, with the official reasoning being the potential for further terrorist activities. So the city was nearly empty save for those too stubborn or too old to be evacuated. This meant the streets were empty, something I had never seen before, at least not in such a large city.
It was eerie but also nice, getting to walk around with no one else on the street and no cars rushing past. It could almost be considered peaceful if not for the overwhelming feeling of dread permeating the city. Kenjaku's attack had accomplished more than just sealing Satoru, as it had also sent the entire country into a spiral of fear and panic, causing a surge of cursed energy.
Even I could feel it like a massive wet blanket covering everything in sight. It certainly put a dampener on the walk back, at least. As we made our way to the school, I saw the blond hair of Yuki and Nanami at the top of the stairs.
"Yo, Satoshi took you long enough, and this must be the new Special Grade from last year," Yuki said, her eyes landing on Yuta.
"Yeah, that's me. I'm Okkotsu Yuta, nice to meet you, Tsukumo-San," he said, and it seemed his previous nervousness hadn't fully left him.
"I never got to ask before, but now that you're here." She said before leaning in closer. "What kind of woman is your type?"
"Is this really the time?" Nanami asked, his expression darkening.
"Oh, come on, I've been dying to know since last year. Just let me have this." She whined
Yuta looked to me for backup, but I just shrugged. "She won't stop asking until you give an answer, trust me."
"Well, in that case, I guess I like tough women." He said, and even without being able to read his mind, I could see where his thoughts had gone.
"Can we go talk with Tengen now? I'm sure they've got something to say." I said, cutting through the awkwardness.
"You're just in time, then. That death painting you met with in Shibuya showed up not long ago with his two brothers." Nanami said, cutting off any more of Yuki's tirade. "According to him, he can help us find the tomb's entrance through his technique."
"Good, I don't want to waste any more time than necessary," I said before we all entered the school.
Once we made our way further in, I began to see some familiar places. The corridors all led to the room I nearly died in. Fun times. As we made our way deeper, I suddenly found myself somewhere else, with the others having disappeared.
"I've been expecting you, Gojo. We have much to discuss." A familiar voice called out.
As I turned, I saw Tengen, and she had certainly changed. The last time I had seen her, she had been relatively normal, though her head had been larger than normal. Now, though she had lost nearly all her human features, her skin was the color of paper, and her head was more brick than face.
"What did you want to say and why do it alone?" I asked.
"I told you before that those restricted by heaven exist outside of the course of fate. They can alter it more than any of us, even more than those blessed with the Six Eyes." She said, her hands behind her back.
"Yeah, I know you, the Six Eyes, and Star Plasma Vessel are connected by fate; it's why, despite Yuki and Riko refusing, there's still a chance for another to appear," I responded.
"Kenjaku has connected himself to this fate as well; he plans to become a reverse Star Plasma Vessel." She said.
"What! How is that even possible?!" I yelled out. Fate was a funny thing in this world; it wasn't so rigid usually, but for certain things it was near absolute, not accounting for anomalies like Toji or myself, but attaching yourself to a cycle shouldn't be possible.
"I myself don't know how, but I can feel it. Kenjaku has intruded on the cycle of fate, and he plans to use his new position to merge with myself into him." She said, her voice becoming much graver as she spoke. "That is why I needed to speak with you. I have a task you must complete no matter the cost."
"You want me to go find Kenjaku and kill him before he gets any further, and since I'm restricted, his death will stick, and his role will die with him. Did I get that right?" I said.
"Yes, that is correct. You must be the one to kill him, or his role will be reborn eventually. Though I would rather ask you to remain here than join your students, Kenjaku will inevitably make his way to me. That will be your moment."
That wasn't the worst idea. I knew Kenjaku would come for Tengen sooner rather than later, and while he wouldn't have Geto's arsenal, he could still do major damage with his gravity technique. Still, if I left them alone, especially Yuji, there was always the possibility of something going wrong. Sukuna hadn't made any deals, as far as I knew, but it was a matter of time before he pulled out some ancient Heian-era ability that let him take over Yuji's body.
"You need not worry; you've been a fine teacher. It is unlikely for Sukuna to gain control of his vessel, and once Kenjaku has been defeated, you will be free to go out and assist the others in ending the games." She said like she could read my mind.
"Fine, I'll stay here and kill Kenjaku once and for all." I declared.