A person even Gojo Satoru can't match?
Suguru Geto's expression changed subtly.
He believed it.
Because with Gojo's personality, he wouldn't lie. If he said he couldn't beat someone, then that meant it had been personally tested.
So not only was this true, it was something Gojo had experienced himself.
And behind a pop idol of all people?
In a strange way, that was good news.
If Master Tengen couldn't get his hands on Hoshino Ai, then he couldn't evolve either.
But,
Suddenly, a thought struck Geto, and he lowered his voice:
"Don't tell me… you were the one who tried to go after Hoshino Ai."
As if summoned by his suspicion, a man emerged from the shadows.
Middle-aged. Utterly average-looking. The kind of face you'd forget in a crowd.
The only distinguishing feature? A stitched scar running across his forehead.
"It was me," the man said calmly. "Given Hoshino Ai's uniqueness, she's vital to my plans."
I knew it!
Geto's expression darkened. He'd felt uneasy about this man ever since he showed up years ago, proposing a "partnership."
The guy gave him the creeps, but Geto couldn't deny his usefulness.
He was deeply knowledgeable about the jujutsu world, even the entire supernatural realm. He knew people. He opened the doors.
Thanks to him, the Star Religious Group had flourished.
But this time… this time you've crossed the line.
"You heard what Gojo said, didn't you?" Geto looked at him coldly. "I don't want anyone from the Star Religious Group laying a finger on Hoshino Ai."
"Consider that your warning."
With that, Geto turned and left.
But the stitched man simply grinned.
"So… it's fine as long as it's not the Star Religious Group?"
Or maybe you mean it's okay if it's a curse that does it?"
Still, even he couldn't help growing serious.
"Gojo may not be the strongest in this world anymore, but unless you're specifically prepared, even top-tier combatants would struggle to beat him."
"So… is the one protecting Hoshino Ai not even human?"
"Could it be… she herself isn't human either? No wonder Tengen desires her so much."
He fell silent for a moment.
"Well, I'll test the waters again, but more cautiously this time."
"New identity it is."
Later that evening…
After dinner, Su Yang and Hoshino Ai dropped Miko off at her house.
The moment she stepped through the door,
"Miko, that was Hoshino Ai, wasn't it? It was her, right?!"
Her mother, Touko Yotsuya, grabbed her by the arm, practically shaking with excitement.
She'd noticed the moment Miko got out of that luxury car.
Because really, who wouldn't notice a supercar parked in front of their home?
She was stunned.
Then she saw her own daughter get out of the backseat.
Her mind raced through every soap opera trope imaginable.
In just a few seconds, she plastered every scandalous label she could think of onto her daughter.
But then,
The car door opened again… and out stepped Hoshino Ai.
And all those suspicions?
Gone.
Shattered. Obliterated.
Even her worldview was on the verge of collapse.
She may have been a mother, and her daughter was already in high school, but,
Touko Yotsuya, who looked barely 27 thanks to her meticulous self-care, was a diehard fan of Hoshino Ai.
Just like her daughter.
But as the saying goes: with age comes obsession.
Compared to Miko, Touko was even more of a superfan.
"Yeah," Miko nodded, knowing full well how her mom operated.
She reached into her bag and pulled out a notebook.
"Here's a signed autograph from Ai. She and I got it just for you."
"A SIGNATURE?!"
When Touko saw Hoshino Ai's name, along with a personalized message scrawled beneath it:
"To Miko's mom, may you stay forever young and beautiful."
Her knees nearly gave out.
She was so happy she almost fainted on the spot.
But then, something else occurred to her.
"Miko… that part-time job you mentioned, is it at Hoshino Ai's house?"
"Uh, I mean… technically yes," Miko replied. "But she only comes home like once or twice a month."
Miko didn't think there was anything wrong with her answer.
But she definitely didn't expect what came next,
Her mom suddenly looked dead serious and said:
"Miko, quit school."
"???"
Miko stared, stunned.
"Quit school and become Hoshino Ai's full-time maid!"
Touko's eyes sparkled with longing.
"If I were younger, I'd take that job myself. But lucky you, it's your chance!"
"Mom!!"
Miko nearly lost it.
Do you hear yourself right now?!
Quit school to be a maid?
What kind of parent says that?!
But before she could fully rage, an image surfaced in her mind, not of Ai, but of…
Su Yang.
Her heart skipped a beat, and a faint blush crept onto her cheeks.
Thankfully, her mother was too caught up in her daydreams to notice.
Wait, what am I thinking?!
This isn't right. There's something seriously wrong with me!
Miko shook her head furiously, trying to push the thought away.
But the more she denied it…
The clearer Su Yang's face became in her mind.
Meanwhile, in a spell-covered chamber,
"Gojo Satoru, do you even hear yourself?"
"How dare you block Master Tengen's evolution?!"
"This is outrageous. We finally found a proper Star Plasma Vessel and you want us to let her go?!"
"Absolutely not! Do you think we'd ever agree to something that foolish?"
Voices rose in fury from every direction.
Gojo Satoru sighed.
Ugh… I hate dealing with these old geezers.
He waved a hand lazily.
"Maybe I wasn't clear enough."
"The guy behind Hoshino Ai? He's not someone we can mess with."
"Not only am I no match for him… if he really wanted me dead, I don't think he'd even need to lift a finger."
He recalled the bizarre spatial ability Su Yang used to trap cursed spirits.
Gojo was convinced,
If that power were turned on him, there'd be no way out.
The elders fell silent.
"Gojo… are you being serious?"
One voice, ancient and calm, broke the stillness. It was different from the others, not loud or angry, but steady.
"Dead serious."
Gojo nodded.
"My Unlimited Void didn't work on him at all. Even when I pulled him into the core of my domain, he just… walked away."
"That's not someone I ever want to fight again."
With that, he turned to leave.
"That's all I came to say. Do what you want."
"It's not like I get a say around here anyway."
He chuckled darkly, and vanished.
The chamber was silent… for a moment.
Then chaos resumed.
"We can't let this go. That Star Plasma Vessel is critical to Master Tengen's evolution!"
"Exactly! With her, Tengen could reach the King's Domain. The entire jujutsu world would rise!"
"We can't waste this opportunity!"
"But if Gojo's not lying, there might really be someone powerful protecting her…"
"Hmph. Maybe that guy just counters Gojo. No one's invincible, he's strong, but with the right tactics, he's beatable."
"Enough!"
The same calm, elderly voice cut through the noise again.
Everyone quieted.
"If someone could render Gojo Satoru completely helpless… then they're no ordinary being."
"But you're all right, the Star Plasma Vessel's value cannot be overstated."
"So for now… until we confirm the strength of the one behind her, no rash actions."
With those final words, the voice vanished, like its owner had simply left the room.
One by one, the others followed suit.
Soon, only the spell-marked chamber remained, silent and still.
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