Hearing the two playfully banter, Yuki chuckled and said, "Haha, I'm the exact opposite of you. Even if I put all emotions aside, I still think Satoshi will win."
"Because he's always been a miracle worker."
"It's a pity I can't teach at the same school as Gojo Satoshi. I wonder how he has been these past nine years..."
Utahime Iori smiled and said, "Teacher Yuki, don't be lonely. We'll reach Tokyo soon!"
Yuki: "...."
At the same time, deep within the Tombs of the Star.
A woman sat silently on the couch, sensing the Zanpakutō in her arms.
She slowly opened her eyes and looked at the still, silent blade. A flash of disappointment passed through her gaze.
"I still can't feel anything..."
"But, has Satoshi made his move yet?"
Tengen thought to herself,
Did someone interfere with those two cursed spirits?
But, let him handle it. Satoshi is here anyway.
I should keep focusing on building a bond with my Zanpakutō, and try to avoid reaching the point where I have to assimilate with the Star Plasma Vessel...
With that, Tengen slowly closed her eyes again and continued to try establishing resonance with her Zanpakutō.
…
After Satoshi stepped out of the plaza, the two screens on either side suddenly lit up.
Everyone in the square turned their attention toward the displays.
On the left screen, Satoru and Suguru were rapidly advancing. Behind them, a Grade 1 sorcerer from one of the Big Three Sorcerer Families followed closely in secret.
The mission location wasn't far, and the surrounding area had already been cleared of civilians.
Soon, the two of them entered a restricted zone.
Satoru and Suguru immediately grew alert, clearly sensing the impending battle.
After all, Special Grade cursed spirits already possess intelligence. Ambushes were not unusual.
Yet, despite the danger, the expressions on Satoru and Suguru's faces weren't ones of fear—they were full of excitement.
"Suguru, cover me. I'm going to track the exact location of the cursed spirit!"
Satoru removed his special sunglasses.
Cursed Energy surged through his brilliant blue eyes.
"Got it," Suguru said, spreading his stance and surveying the surroundings cautiously.
"Suguru, I found it. Over there!" Satoru pointed toward an abandoned building in the distance.
"Alright. I'm ready," Suguru replied.
If either of them had faced Sukuna's finger alone, they might have felt unease.
But together, as the strongest duo, they had nothing to fear.
Not to mention it was only a Special Grade cursed spirit that had consumed one of Sukuna's fingers.
A legendary cursed spirit, yes—but as long as they were together, they had the courage to fight it!
After all, they were the strongest.
…
Kamo Shinji's gaze shifted back to Kumaen. He smiled and said, "Kumaen, your Gojo clan really produced a dragon this generation. Satoru's combat instincts are remarkable. He truly deserves to be called the Six Eyes of the Gojo Clan..."
Kumaen smiled faintly, saying nothing.
Compared to Satoru, who had been in the limelight over the past nine years, the true focus of this mission was the newly awakened Satoshi.
Then, just as expected
The screen showing Satoshi also lit up.
Everyone turned their gaze, full of curiosity and anticipation.
They all wanted to see what kind of combat instinct Satoshi would display after his nine-year absence.
Would he surpass Satoru, or…
Countless thoughts flooded their minds as they stared.
But the content on the screen stunned everyone.
Everyone: "…."
They were completely speechless.
Unlike the other team who was rushing forward with tension,
Satoshi and Shoko were comfortably sitting atop a massive light green manta ray, Shizuku, chatting and laughing without the slightest urgency.
The entire scene shocked the audience!
"Is Satoshi going to exorcise the cursed spirit, or is he out on a date?"
Looking at Satoru on the left, cautious and vigilant, and then glancing at the relaxed, smiling Satoshi on the right—he looked more like an elementary schooler on a spring picnic!
Everyone felt their eyelids twitch.
Kumaen nearly spat out the tea he was drinking.
Fortunately, he managed to hold it in.
He immediately closed his eyes and rubbed his forehead.
Shunichi touched his chin and said,
"I think Young Master Satoshi probably has his own plans."
"Maybe he's already certain of victory…"
The Zenin clan members were visibly annoyed.
They already disliked Satoshi's arrogance. Did he really think a Special Grade cursed spirit that had consumed Sukuna's finger could be defeated so casually?
So little attention.
Maybe they wouldn't even have to act, and one powerful rival would be gone just like that.
The other spectators were also frowning.
They had come to see the power of Satoshi's Zanpakutō, and instead, he was livestreaming his romance in front of the entire jujutsu world?
Everyone's scalp tingled.
In comparison, Satoru looked far more dependable.
Seeing this, Yuto couldn't help but laugh.
"Satoshi's still the same as before!"
He smiled helplessly and added,
"Yeah… He must be confident if he's acting like that. His strength should be fine."
But they didn't have time to keep chatting.
Because the left screen drew everyone's attention again.
As expected, Satoru's team had encountered a Special Grade cursed spirit inside the abandoned building!
…
In the left screen.
The moment Satoru and Suguru entered the structure, a powerful cursed aura burst from deep within. A dense red mist quickly enveloped the view.
Suddenly, a cursed spirit with massive muscles and crimson eyes slowly emerged.
"A sorcerer, huh..."
There was no doubt—this cursed spirit that had swallowed Sukuna's finger was even stronger than anticipated.
"Is that the cursed spirit that devoured Sukuna's finger?"
"That aura... It's definitely stronger than the average Special Grade."
"Can Satoru and Suguru really exorcise this monster?"
"I don't know… But they can call for backup. With numbers on their side, they should at least be able to escape safely..."
…
Back on the screen.
Satoru and Suguru finally saw the cursed spirit's true form.
Their expressions turned grim.
Even though they'd been acknowledged as the strongest duo of their generation for the past nine years—before Satoshi awakened.
The pressure from this Special Grade cursed spirit was immense.
(To be continued.)