The two-month vacation passed in the blink of an eye.
Satoru was the first to leave Iwate Prefecture. He said someone within the Gojo Clan was trying to obstruct him from becoming the clan head. Satoru found it amusing and specifically went back to see who was so fearless.
After staying for a while, Shoko and Renji also left Iwate Prefecture. After all, it wasn't great to live at someone else's place all the time, so the two returned to Jujutsu High together.
As for Suguru, since he hadn't been home in a long time and seeing his companions had left, he simply used the last bit of time to help his parents with work and such.
2006, January 7th.
Having finished a day of training, Renji sat on the edge of the dojo, wiping the sweat dripping from his forehead.
Since returning, aside from spending time with Shoko and sleeping, all his remaining time was spent training. After all, he still didn't know if there was any gap between Toji's physical prowess and his current self, though it was highly likely Toji couldn't even touch Renji's shadow.
In short, never underestimate your opponent.
Tap... Tap...
The sound of boots stepping on the floor echoed from the dim corridor.
"Sensei?"
As the sound drew closer, Renji could finally see who it was—none other than Masamichi, the one who handcrafts nuclear bomb Cursed Corpses.
Masamichi was seen frowning deeply. He looked up and, seeing only Renji alone in the empty dojo, sighed with a headache, "Oh. Shit."
"What's wrong, sensei?"
Renji felt something rather unpleasant was about to happen. But upon careful thought, the Sakurai Clan couldn't possibly come looking for trouble so quickly. After all, Naobito was still unconscious. Even if the Zenin clan's intelligence network was useless, they could still find some clues. Combined with the Gojo clan's pressure, it should be enough to make the Sakurai clan suffer.
Masamichi handed a ruling document issued by the Jujutsu World Higher-Ups to Renji.
Special Grade Sorcerer Okkotsu Renji – Carries immense Cursed Energy, causing Special Grade Cursed Spirits to massacre a large number of non-sorcerers.
Sentenced to death (Principal Yaga of Tokyo Jujutsu High proposed a stay of execution).
Executioner: Special Grade Sorcerer Tsukumo Yuki
Renji: ?
"Sensei, how many people attended the Jujutsu World Higher-Ups meeting? I'll go and wipe them all out."
Renji went towards the exit.
"Wait! You haven't finished reading, there's more writing on the back." Masamichi grabbed Renji's arm.
He had just become principal not long ago, at least let him enjoy it for a bit.
Renji flipped to the other side.
If Special Grade Sorcerer Okkotsu Renji can complete the mission of assimilating Star Plasma Vessel Amanai Riko with Tengen-sama, the death sentence will be revoked – Chief Jujutsu Sorcerer Chouren
Tengen...
Finally touching the main storyline.
A thousand years ago, during the peak of jujutsu, a female Jujutsu Sorcerer named Tengen, who possessed the Cursed Technique, Immortality, appeared.
To protect ordinary humans, Tengen created a massive barrier covering all of Japan. This barrier formed by Tengen would draw Cursed Energy from all over the globe to Japan, resulting in almost no Cursed Energy elsewhere, though Jujutsu Sorcerers still existed, such as Miguel. By concentrating Cursed Energy in Japan and maintaining its circulation, Tengen hoped to delay the end of the era.
The end of this era meant ordinary people would gradually be phased out, evolving towards becoming Jujutsu Sorcerers or higher-level beings. The barrier's continued existence was to prevent this from happening.
But Tengen's Cursed Technique did not prevent aging. When her body aged beyond human limits, she would gradually 'evolve,' potentially into unpredictable beings like Cursed Spirits, which would destroy the barrier.
To maintain her human form, she needed to periodically assimilate with humans possessing a special constitution—the Star Plasma Vessel—sacrificing the Star Plasma Vessel's life to maintain her own physical information.
Thus, the mission to assimilate with the Star Plasma Vessel emerged.
Every Star Plasma Vessel can hear Tengen's voice from birth. Therefore, the Star Plasma Vessels also know their destiny.
"They want to kill me, yet they also want me to complete such an extremely important mission. Aren't they afraid I'll betray them and kill Tengen? Are the Higher-Ups all a bunch of idiots?" Renji shrugged.
Bang!
Masamichi's iron fist struck Renji on the head.
Masamichi said while stroking his chin, "Your sensei here is also one of the Higher-Ups. They deserve to die, but that's their business, it has nothing to do with me. Ahem, for some reason within the Higher-Ups, you've been identified as one of the culprits behind the village massacre near Iwate Prefecture, so they decided to recall Tsukumo Yuki who's been abroad for years."
"Moreover, because those conservative old fogeys are afraid of death, they want to execute you as soon as possible. However, I was a bit surprised that Gakuganji also requested a stay of execution."
[Ding! The Main God Space has issued a mission in the Jujutsu Kaisen world that influences the outcome: Assimilate Star Plasma Vessel Amanai Riko with Tengen! (This mission must be participated in, regardless of success.)]
[Mission Objective: Protect Amanai Riko.]
[Reward: ???]
"I'll go then." Renji glanced out the window expressionlessly.
Moonlight spilled into the corridor, forming patches of mottled mirrors.
"Oh? I thought with your personality, you'd refuse." Masamichi was somewhat surprised.
In his impression, this kid he had picked up always had his own unique character.
Renji gave a light smile and suddenly asked, "If one day I kill all the Jujutsu World Higher-Ups, what would you think, sensei?"
"I... would I have to die too?" Masamichi's lips twitched.
"Who knows?" Renji did not answer.
"My students always have their reasons for whatever they do. Whether it's the path you see as right or wrong, in your lives, they are your own choices. My position might not allow me to stand idly by, but I won't oppose any student's choice... unless you truly walk a path of no return." Masamichi spoke seriously.
"That's enough, sensei. Tell me more about the mission requirements."
"Well, it's like this..."
...
January 15th.
In front of Renchoku Girls' Academy's gate, a man slowly stepped out of a black car.
"Where the hell did they send me? Wasn't I supposed to be on the mission with Gojo and Geto? Huh?" Renji frowned, feeling the warmth from the sunlight, yet his heart felt cold.
"Bastard sensei..."
Renji never expected his mission would start a whole month earlier than Satoru and the others.
According to Masamichi, he had already sent someone to contact the maid who had been taking care of the Star Plasma Vessel, saying that Renji would live with them, acting as both a bodyguard and a classmate.
Before Renji could enter the school, in the distance, a figure was quickly jogging over.
"You there! Are you the Special Grade Sorcerer from Tokyo?"
The person arriving was none other than Kuroi Misato, who had been taking care of Amanai Riko.