Although Gakuganji's question was phrased like a request, his tone left no room for doubt.
Kuroi Misato, her eyes blazing with anger, stepped forward. "You keep talking about the Star Plasma Vessel like she's some object," she snapped, "but she has a name. It's Amanai Riko!"
As if on cue, the zipper of the rabbit‑shaped Cursed Corpse slid down, and Riko Amanai crawled out. Her lungs gasped for air after being cramped inside, and she stood, hands on her hips.
"Yes, that's right," she declared, voice firm despite her fatigue, "it's me!"
"Of course," said a voice with a hint of recognition. "The Star Plasma Vessel herself."
An elder of the Zen'in Family stepped forward, one whose position ranked just below Zen'in Naobito and Zen'in Ogi: Zen'in Keisuke. His expression was grave as he turned toward Masamichi Yaga.
"Masamichi Yaga," he said, voice measured but stern, "hiding the Star Plasma Vessel and obstructing Lord Tengen's assimilation ritual is a serious offense."
He gestured toward Riko. "Hand over the Star Plasma Vessel now, and the Higher‑Ups might show leniency."
Yaga lowered his head, contemplating the weight of the moment. Then a rare, gentle smile touched his weathered features.
"As I thought," he said quietly, "I do not want to disappoint my students."
Zen'in Keisuke's brow tightened. "Do you even understand what you're doing?"
Instead of answering, Yaga assumed a defensive stance.
Keisuke sighed. "Colleagues, Masamichi Yaga's actions amount to betrayal. I recommend we execute him here and now."
No one spoke, but their silence spoke volumes — approval in its own way.
Keisuke drew his sword and took a formal Iaijutsu stance, eyes locked on Yaga.
"Once this starts," Yaga whispered to Misato, "take Riko and run as fast as you can."
"I understand," Misato said with resolve, though her voice trembled with fear of how slim their chances truly were.
Suddenly, Riko stepped forward.
"Wait," she called out, her voice strong but shaky. "Let them go. I'll go back with you."
"Miss!" Misato reached for her wrist, but Riko shook her head.
"I'm sorry. I can't stay with you anymore," she said, turning her attention to Yaga. "Your name is Masamichi Yaga, right?"
Riko bowed deeply, sincerity in her expression.
"Thank you for everything you've done," she said, voice strained with emotion. "But you've already sacrificed so much for me. And as for Shion and Satoru… I don't even know if they're okay."
She blinked back tears. "Everything that's happened is because of me. I can't be selfish. Please… don't stop me."
With that, she turned toward Zen'in Keisuke.
"I'll go with you," she said.
Keisuke offered a cold smile. "At least you understand reason. Otherwise, this would have meant death for all of you."
Just then, a chill slid down his spine, as if the Grim Reaper stood behind him. He tried to move, but his body felt as though it had turned to stone.
Behind him, three figures had appeared without sound.
Gojo Satoru's hand rested on Keisuke's shoulder, voice low and chilling.
"Hey, old man," he said, "who did you say was facing a dead end?"
Keisuke swallowed hard, fear tightening his throat.
Not far off, Riko looked toward the new arrivals and called out ecstatically, "Satoru! Great! You're okay!"
"No way," Satoru replied with a bright grin as he stepped forward, "we're the strongest trio, how could anything happen to us?"
Shion Gojo nudged Geto Suguru with his elbow and laughed. "Look, Riko only called out Satoru's name! It's obvious who she likes more."
Geto chuckled with interest. "At Satoru's age, that counts as puppy love, right?"
They walked forward together, chatting and laughing as if nothing terrible had happened — a familiar, careless energy that should have been infuriating but somehow felt natural coming from them.
Zen'in Keisuke, drenched in sweat, felt like a common man passing by three tigers. His sword hand shook.
Riko bounded up to Shion and Satoru, but Satoru suddenly flicked her forehead playfully. Riko dropped to her knees, clutching her head.
"Ow… ow… ow… What was that for?!" she demanded.
Satoru blinked, feigning indignation. "We risked our lives stopping that old hag Tengen from assimilating you, and you want to go back? You're wasting our efforts!"
Riko shot up and tugged at his white hair, huffy. "Like I want to, you jerk! Drop dead!"
They began teasing each other loudly, laughter echoing.
High‑ranking sorcerers standing nearby frowned.
"Satoru! Show some respect to Lord Tengen!" one elder barked.
"Speaking so recklessly — is this how the Gojo Family raises their children?" Yoshinobu Gakuganji demanded.
Satoru turned to them, expression cool.
"We're not going back to Tengen," he said simply. "Tell him Riko will not be assimilating."
"What?!" The elders reacted in outrage. The barriers set up by the Big Three Families were tied to Lord Tengen's system.
"Gojo Satoru," Gakuganji snapped, "Shion Gojo, and Suguru Geto! Do you know what you're doing?"
"Are you trying to betray the entire Jujutsu World?"
Satoru ruffled his hair dismissively. "You lot don't represent the entire Jujutsu World."
Keisuke, gathering his courage, spoke up.
"Even if you are called the strongest trio, you're still just teenage brats!" he scoffed. "There are dozens of elders and Grade‑1 sorcerers here. Hand over the Star Plasma Vessel!"
Satoru glanced at him and chuckled.
"Fine. You… no, all of you," he said, eyes gleaming, "if you can withstand a single strike from me, do as you please."
The assembled sorcerers were stunned. Zen'in Keisuke laughed derisively.
"Arrogant juniors! You've really let that title 'strongest' go to your head!"
"With this many of us, never mind one strike — what if it's ten or a hundred?"
Satoru smiled slowly, eyes calm, as the bright energies appeared in his hands.
"Hollow Technique: Purple!"
---
Inside the Tomb Chamber, Gojo Satoru stood before Tengen with an impassive expression.
"I know that within this Barrier, you can delay your evolution without merging with the Star Plasma Vessel," Satoru said.
"So if I ever find out again that you conduct experiments with other people's lives like this, I will kill you."
Even Tengen, who had lived nearly a thousand years, felt a crack of cold run down their spine at the raw killing intent in Satoru's words.
With that, Satoru turned and left without looking back.
For a long moment, Tengen stood motionless.
"Forget it," Tengen finally murmured, voice heavy. "I never expected such monsters in today's Jujutsu World — three of them at once. With them around, I do not need to fear evolution so much."
Sensing two more powerful auras lingering outside, Tengen exhaled and slowly sank into a deep slumber.
---