The ruined Zenin estate had gone strangely quiet.
Takeru walked through the wreckage, searching.
"…Naoya…"
Nothing.
He turned another corner.
Then stopped.
Someone was standing ahead.
Blond hair.
Zenin uniform.
A familiar face.
Naoya.
But not the Naoya Takeru knew.
This timeline's Naoya.
Naoya looked over.
His expression immediately hardened.
"…Who are you?"
Takeru didn't answer immediately.
He simply looked at him.
Naoya tried to sense his cursed energy.
Nothing.
His eyes narrowed.
"…You don't have any cursed energy?"
Takeru shrugged.
"That's not exactly how it works."
Naoya stared at him.
Then his eyes shifted upward.
The Six Eyes.
His expression changed.
"…Wait."
He studied Takeru carefully.
The confidence.
The posture.
The eyes.
The complete lack of fear.
Naoya's lips curled into a grin.
"So you're strong."
Takeru raised an eyebrow.
"…Very."
Naoya stepped closer.
"The Six Eyes…"
He looked Takeru up and down.
"…And you don't even seem remotely worried about being here."
Takeru smiled.
"Should I be?"
Naoya laughed.
"No."
He was already beginning to like him.
Not because he was kind.
Not because he was friendly.
But because Naoya could recognize strength.
And whatever this strange man was—
he was clearly powerful.
Naoya's eyes narrowed.
"…Are you stronger than Toji?"
Takeru thought for a moment.
"…Yeah."
Naoya's grin widened.
"Interesting."
Takeru sighed.
"Look, I actually came here looking for someone."
Naoya crossed his arms.
"Who?"
Takeru smiled.
"…You."
Naoya blinked.
"…Me?"
"Yep."
Naoya looked genuinely confused.
"…Why?"
Takeru rubbed the back of his head.
"Long story."
Naoya's grin returned.
"Then you'd better start talking."
Takeru stared at him.
"…You really are Naoya."
Naoya frowned.
"What is that supposed to mean?"
Takeru laughed.
"Nothing."
He turned toward the path leading out of the estate.
"Come on."
Naoya followed.
He still didn't understand what was happening.
But one thing was already certain.
He liked this guy.
Because whatever else Takeru was…
He was strong.
And Naoya could tell.