Chapter 115: Departure and New Journeys
Some say that a person's death is like the setting sun, taking away the last trace of warmth.
And the rising sun should signify the birth of new life.
But right now, in Rin's eyes, no matter how dazzling the red sun on the horizon was, it could not illuminate the ruins that had just collapsed within his heart.
The fantasy he had indulged in for so long, the one called "Home," had finally shattered completely with Geto Suguru's departure and the dissolution of the Star Plasma Cult.
There was no earth-shattering sound; it was just like a thin layer of ice melting quietly under the sun. By the time he realized it, only cold water remained in his hands, along with fragments that could never be pieced back together.
He raised his hand to wipe away the last tear, the dampness on his fingertips quickly dried by the morning light.
The sorrow that had been surging just a moment ago seemed to have been pressed on pause, gradually settling down, replaced by a cold, almost detached clarity.
A long-forgotten phrase suddenly echoed in his mind.
It was the vow he had made to himself when he first arrived in this world.
To keep growing stronger, strong enough that no one could ever hurt him again, strong enough that no one could ever take anything away from him again.
Back then, all he had in his eyes was survival, a pure craving for power.
It wasn't until the warmth of the Star Plasma Cult surged in like a tide that he gradually let go of this obsession, even starting to hope that perhaps he didn't need extreme power to have the sense of belonging he desired.
But now, reality had dealt him the heaviest blow.
Something like "Home" was, in fact, so fragile.
As soon as the core person left, it would be like a house losing its pillar, collapsing in an instant. The warmth he had desperately tried to protect had ultimately slipped through his fingers, leaving not even a trace behind.
Rin slowly clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white from the force.
His palms seemed to still hold the scorching heat of burning the envelope, as well as the weight of the cursed spirit orb that Geto Suguru had entrusted to him at the very end.
"Not enough... still too weak."
He murmured, his voice devoid of the previous choking sobs, leaving only a cold, resolute hardness.
Miguel stood to the side, watching Rin's back, clearly sensing that the aura around him had changed.
Just a moment ago, he had carried a fragile sorrow, but now he seemed encased in a layer of cold armor. Even his gaze had become sharp, no longer holding a shred of confusion, leaving only a light that was terrifyingly firm.
Rin looked up, gazing at the red sun on the horizon once more.
This time, there was no longing for warmth in his eyes, only an extreme pursuit of power.
That rising sun was no longer a symbol of new life, but a witness to the transformation of his state of mind.
From this moment on, the Rin who had once hoped for a "Home" was dead.
What survived was the Rin who had picked up his vow again, determined to pursue power at all costs.
"From now on, I will become stronger at any cost."
His voice was clear and firm, as if speaking to Miguel, but more like a vow to himself:
"No matter the method, no matter the price, as long as I can gain power, I am willing to do anything."
No hesitation, no backing down, only the determination of burning the bridges behind him.
He no longer wanted to experience this taste of "loss," nor did he want to stand by and watch as the things he wanted to protect collapsed simply because he was weak.
Power was the only thing in this world that would not betray him, the foundation that would allow him to hold onto everything firmly.
Miguel looked at the almost insane light igniting in his eyes, opened his mouth, but ultimately said nothing.
He knew that Rin had made up his mind; no amount of comfort or persuasion could change his thoughts.
The boy who had occasionally shown gentleness in the Star Plasma Cult had, in the end, been pushed back onto the path of pursuing power by reality.
Rin turned, no longer looking at the Star Plasma Cult mansion below, nor the red sun on the horizon, and walked straight toward the rooftop entrance.
His footsteps were firm, without a hint of lingering attachment. This place had once been his "Home," but now it was the starting point of his mental transformation.
In the morning light, his shadow was stretched long, cast upon the rooftop like a path leading to the pinnacle of power.
From now on, there would be no more longing for a "Home," only an infinite pursuit of power—at all costs, until the peak.
After the morning light on the rooftop faded, the Star Plasma Cult mansion spent a few more quiet days.
During these days, Miguel did not leave but stayed by Rin's side, helping to organize the Cursed Tools left behind by Geto Suguru and taking stock of the remaining assets of the Star Plasma Cult.
Until the morning of the fifth day, Miguel had packed his luggage—a simple backpack containing only a few changes of clothes.
He stood at the door, watching Rin, who was applying seals to the Cursed Spirit containers, and finally spoke:
"I should go."
Rin's movements paused. He didn't turn his head, just gave a "Hmm," his voice devoid of emotion.
Miguel stepped forward, looking at the sealing talisman in his hand, and explained softly:
"On the day of the Shinjuku battle, when I was stalling Gojo Satoru, I was caught by him.
He didn't make things difficult for me; he just said that he would let me go, but I had to do one thing for him: go to Africa to find the black rope, and incidentally, help him train Okkotsu."
Rin had already guessed this.
"Be careful on the road."
Rin handed him a small cursed talisman. "This is a tracking cursed talisman. If you encounter danger, crush it, and I will be able to sense your location."
Miguel took the cursed talisman, put it in his pocket, and nodded firmly:
"You too. When you go to Jujutsu High, don't be too headstrong.
Although Gojo Satoru seems unreliable, he won't actually harm you."
He paused and added:
"As for Nanako and Mimiko, I will have Larue report to you periodically, so you don't need to worry too much."
Having said this, Miguel turned and walked out of the Star Plasma Cult's main gate without looking back.
He knew that Rin needed to face the path ahead alone; too much lingering would only make him hesitate.
Watching Miguel's back disappear at the end of the road, Rin withdrew his gaze and continued with his work.
By noon, his communicator suddenly rang.
It was a message from Gojo Satoru, with only a simple sentence: "In three days, come to Jujutsu High to report. I will have someone wait for you at the gate."
There was no extra pleasantry, nor any mention of Geto Suguru, only a straightforward notification, as if reminding Rin that the past was in the past and a new journey should begin.
Rin stared at the communicator for a few seconds, casually tucked it into his pocket, and continued to organize the last of his things.
In the afternoon, he finished the transfer procedures for the Star Plasma Cult's assets and wired the money to Larue, asking him to use it to take care of Nanako and Mimiko.
When he finished all this, the setting sun happened to fall on the roof of the Star Plasma Cult, looking exactly like the sunset in the alley on the day Geto Suguru left.
Rin stood in the center of the empty mansion, taking one last look at the place that had once given him a "Home."
The sofa in the living room was still there, the door to Geto Suguru's room was still closed, and the marks on the training ground had not yet disappeared.
He took a deep breath, turned around, and closed the main gate of the Star Plasma Cult.
The moment the door closed, it seemed to lock all his memories inside.
He did not look back, carrying his backpack, and walked toward Jujutsu High.
The light of the setting sun fell on him, stretching his shadow long; it no longer carried the previous loneliness, but only determination.
The past "Home" had shattered, and the warmth of the past had become a memory, but he was no longer confused.
He was going to Jujutsu High, not to rely on anyone, but to pursue power in a stronger environment, to complete the vow he had picked up again, to be strong enough that no one could ever take anything away from him again.
The road ahead was still long, perhaps full of danger, perhaps full of challenges, but Rin's steps were steady.
He knew that this time, he was not living for "Home," but for himself, for those entrustments that could not be failed, walking step by step toward the pinnacle of power.
A new journey began here.