Yuki could still sense that within that aged soul, there were several other faint voices.
They were similar to her own soul—identical in constitution.
They were the Star Plasma Vessels who had been assimilated by Tengen… girls.
That was also why Yuki showed such a look of disgust toward Tengen.
"It's been a long time. You seem… different," Yaga said, his tone tinged with surprise.
More than ten years ago, Tengen's body had still resembled that of a human.
Now, it looked far more like a cursed spirit.
It seemed the consequences of a failed assimilation with the Star Plasma Vessel were even worse than Yaga had imagined.
Tengen looked at Yaga and the slightly stunned sorcerers from Jujutsu High and replied with a smile:
"Don't be surprised."
"I may be immortal, but I am not ageless."
"If you live for five hundred years, you'll end up looking like me too."
Five hundred years???
Was this guy joking?
Nobara, Ino, Kusakabe, and the others twitched at the corners of their mouths as they stared at Tengen, who spoke so casually.
"Wait."
Fushiguro didn't care about Tengen's appearance, nor whether it was human or cursed spirit.
Looking straight at Tengen, he asked in a low voice:
"The method to unseal Gojo-sensei… the mysterious sorcerer controlling Suguru Geto's body—and his objective. Do you know?"
Within Jujutsu High, aside from being known as immortal, Tengen was also called an omniscient sorcerer.
Though it never left the Tombs of the Star Corridor and usually stayed out of worldly affairs, it knew everything about the outside world.
This was evident from how Tengen had casually identified everyone earlier.
Including Okkotsu, who stood beside it.
Even upon their first meeting, Tengen had immediately recognized his Sugawara lineage.
"That child…"
"Once known as Noritoshi Kamo… the sorcerer now controlling Suguru Geto's body is called Kenjaku."
"Heh, Kenjaku?"
Yuki raised an eyebrow and let out a cold laugh.
"The 'compassionate binding rope' of Avalokiteśvara used to save and guide all beings… what an ironic name."
"And the way you refer to him—'that child'?"
Yuki looked at Tengen.
"So you're old acquaintances, then."
Tengen understood Yuki's hostility.
Back then, Yuki Tsukumo had also been designated by Jujutsu High as a candidate for assimilation.
If not for her overwhelming strength, she would have long since been captured and brought to the Tombs of the Star Corridor for the ritual.
Ignoring Yuki's sarcasm, Tengen directly presented a condition to the group.
"I can tell you Kenjaku's objective, as well as the method to unseal Satoru Gojo."
"But in return, you must assign people to remain here in the Tombs of the Star Corridor and protect me."
"At the very least, one Special Grade sorcerer, along with several Grade 1 sorcerers."
Okkotsu and Yuki—both Special Grade—furrowed their brows.
Okkotsu had arrived several hours earlier and had already asked Tengen about this.
Unfortunately, he had not received an answer at the time.
Tengen continued:
"That child's ultimate goal is to forcibly evolve all humans within the entire nation."
"With hundreds of millions of people, converting them one by one would be far too inefficient—and his cursed energy wouldn't suffice."
"That is why, in his plan, I am an existence he must obtain."
Yaga Masamichi stepped forward, confusion in his voice.
"A guard unit led by a Special Grade… does that mean even you aren't confident in dealing with him?"
Tengen spoke in a deep voice:
"That child is second only to me in barrier techniques."
"Even if he cannot locate the entrance to the Tombs of the Star Corridor, he can still break in by force."
"And having missed one assimilation, my current constitution is closer to that of a cursed spirit than a human."
Tengen's gaze swept heavily across the group.
"In other words…"
"My current existence can be controlled by Cursed Spirit Manipulation."
"What?!!"
Yaga, Okkotsu, Yuki, and the others widened their eyes in shock.
Tengen… being controlled?
Yuki and Yaga, in particular, understood the terrifying implications.
As a sorcerer who had lived for over a thousand years, Tengen was not limited to assimilating only Star Plasma Vessels.
If not for the constraints of barrier techniques—and if Tengen had possessed ambition—
It could have assimilated with ordinary humans as well, no longer limited by compatibility or numbers.
In that instant, both of them understood the horrifying idea behind Kenjaku's plan.
Reviving the golden age of a thousand years ago was merely a façade—a transitional phase.
Seizing control of Tengen and assimilating hundreds of millions of humans…
Creating the most terrifying entity in history—that was his true objective.
And if Tengen assimilated with the cursed energy of hundreds of millions of people, humanity would begin to evolve.
That would mean ordinary humans could perceive cursed spirits.
What would follow would be an overwhelming surge of negative emotions.
The hellish scene in Tokyo would spread across the entire world.
After a brief moment of shock, Maki—who had remained silent—stepped forward.
"And the future… Zenin Mirai. What is his objective?"
"Why is he helping Kenjaku? Why did he seal Gojo Satoru?"
Tengen was called omniscient because of the barrier network spread across all of Japan.
Through these barriers, Tengen could observe everything happening outside—but there were exceptions.
For example, the estates of the Three Great Families, and the Culling Game that Kenjaku was about to initiate.
In areas protected by other sorcerers' barriers, Tengen could not obtain information.
It wasn't entirely impossible—Tengen could penetrate the barriers of the Three Great Families.
But doing so would leave traces that could be detected.
Thus, Tengen would not recklessly interfere in others' territories.
In response to Maki's question, Tengen could only shake its head.
Half a day ago, the terrifying power that could have destroyed Jujutsu High entirely…
Tengen even suspected that the sorcerer known as Zenin Mirai… had deliberately spared the Tombs of the Star Corridor.
United States, the White House.
Even at night, the White House remained brightly lit.
Yet it felt empty—devoid of any sign of life.
Mirai looked at a certain foolish spirit and asked:
"How is Number One's side progressing, White Zetsu?"
"Don't call me White Zetsu!"
With a high-end Cuban cigar in his mouth, White Zetsu sat smugly in the President's chair, swaying back and forth.
"From now on, call me President White."
Sensing the spreading ripples of spatial distortion, White Zetsu immediately straightened up.
"W-wait a second!"
"Number One is already in position—don't worry!"
After receiving confirmation, Mirai turned to Zenin Hisashi, who stood ready nearby.
"Just having the President and a few officials might not be enough."
"Bring along the heirs of those powerful families as well."
In the United States, the status of government officials…
might not necessarily surpass that of influential elite families.
Better to take precautions.
The next day.
Mirai returned to Shinjuku with a group of Zenin clan sorcerers, each carrying sacks over their shoulders.
"The timing… seems just right."
Looking at the sky as it suddenly darkened, Mirai's lips curled into a cruel smile.
Ten massive barrier structures rose into the sky, nearly enveloping all of Japan.
"The Culling Game… begins."
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