If the power disparity between two worlds was too vast, there wouldn't even be a need to wage war—the weaker would simply be devoured, just like what was happening now.
When a world was consumed, everything it possessed would naturally be inherited by the devourer.
Even the fundamental rules governing its existence would eventually merge and be assimilated into the victor's system.
This was precisely why Bocchi-chan had gained cursed energy and techniques.
Roy couldn't help but feel somber.
The relationship between worlds was far more brutal than he'd imagined.
He'd thought the Root's experiment of burning seven billion people alive was the epitome of cruelty, but now realized that was merely child's play. If the Root willed it, it could swallow weaker worlds whole.
Yet after being devoured, the world itself remained largely unchanged.
The population that was seven billion before remained seven billion now.
This raised a deeply unsettling question.
Combined—just counting Earth—the two worlds should have over ten billion people. Yet this newly merged world only had seven billion.
Where did the rest go?
Were they discarded during the merging process? Erased from existence?
Roy couldn't answer that.
Nor did he intend to share this concern with Tengen.
"I see... So perhaps it's not about the people, but the world itself..."
Recognizing Roy's unwillingness to elaborate, Tengen chose not to press further to avoid antagonizing him.
After speaking, she too fell silent.
An uneasy quiet settled between them.
"If there's nothing else, we'll take our leave."
After a moment, Roy rose from the zabuton cushion, preparing to leave with Bocchi-chan.
While the conflict between worlds was more savage than he'd expected, it wasn't without benefits.
At least Roy didn't need to worry about being exposed as a spy from another world. Given the current situation, the Jujutsu world likely didn't fully comprehend itself after devouring others—its self-awareness remained fragmented. To it, Roy probably appeared no different from Bocchi-chan: someone it had captured rather than an infiltrator sent from elsewhere.
"Wait, there's one more thing."
Tengen quickly stood to stop them.
"This young lady, Gotoh-san, isn't yet a proper jujutsu sorcerer, correct?"
"Huh?"
Bocchi-chan looked utterly bewildered.
Why was she suddenly involved?
And what did "not a proper sorcerer" even mean?
The nerve! She was plenty strong now!
Though she wanted to shout her objections, the words died in her throat as she shot Roy a pleading look.
What should she do?
"She's right. Bocchi hasn't signed a contract with the higher-ups yet."
Receiving her silent appeal, Roy confirmed Tengen's statement while wondering what the ancient sorcerer was getting at.
Only by signing a contract with the Jujutsu Headquarters can a sorcerer be considered as joining the Japanese jujutsu society, effectively becoming a civil servant entitled to salaries and various benefits provided by the Headquarters.
Most students sign contracts with the Headquarters during their studies at the Jujutsu High School, some even before enrollment.
However, there are also students who graduate without signing any contracts, leaving the school to become freelance sorcerers, opening their own shops and working independently.
Like Mei Mei.
Since they still exorcise curses and make tangible contributions, the authorities don't interfere with them, tacitly allowing their existence.
Bocchi-chan, of course, hasn't signed any contract yet.
Roy had promised her that if she didn't wish to join the jujutsu world in the future, she could choose to return to the life of an ordinary person. Hence, he didn't make her sign with the Headquarters at this stage.
"I hope she can sign a contract with the Headquarters and become a proper sorcerer."
Seeing this, Tengen stepped forward and made her request.
"Her strength is extraordinary. To have such power at her age, especially as someone who started late, her talent is no less than Gojo Satoru's. It's even possible she might surpass him in the future!"
"The jujutsu world now faces numerous threats. If things go wrong, the entire jujutsu society—no, the whole of Japan—could descend into chaos. With her strength, she could effectively prevent this from happening!"
Tengen pleaded earnestly, doing everything she could to persuade them.
She desperately wanted Bocchi-chan to join the Japanese jujutsu world, her urgency unmistakable.
Bocchi-chan was completely flustered.
Panic written all over her face, her small hands flailing, every movement exuding disarray. After a long moment of helplessness, she finally cast a pleading look at Roy.
"Normally, this shouldn't be my place to interfere."
Roy sighed as if resigned, then his gaze suddenly sharpened.
"But Tengen, don't you think your reasoning is utterly shameless?"
"After what happened today with Kenjaku breaking into the school, and Gojo Satoru's disappearance, have you been scared out of your wits? So much so that you're now pinning your hopes on a child?"
"Bocchi-chan is indeed strong, but she's also weak—especially in terms of her mentality. She's completely unfit to be a proper sorcerer. At best, she might become a fortune-teller in the future. And you want someone like her to carry the burden, to stand against Kenjaku? Don't you feel utterly incompetent, like a complete failure?"
This world has certain unique destinies.
For instance, there must always be a pair of Six Eyes—when one pair disappears, another will inevitably emerge.
Similarly, the wielder of the Six Eyes will always intervene in the conflict between Tengen and Kenjaku, thwarting Kenjaku's schemes.
But this time, things are particularly troublesome.
Because Gojo Satoru vanished suddenly a few months ago. Even if a new Six Eyes has been born, it must have happened after his disappearance. How old is the new wielder now? How strong? Have they mastered their power yet? All these are unknowns.
Whether the new Six Eyes can stand against Kenjaku is far from certain.
Gojo Satoru's sudden disappearance has already steered fate into unpredictable territory.
Not to mention, Kenjaku has long been wary of the Six Eyes and must have prepared countermeasures against them.
If the new Six Eyes isn't a powerhouse like Gojo Satoru, they likely won't be able to withstand Kenjaku!
Especially today.
After seeing Kenjaku personally infiltrate Jujutsu High, Tengen was startled by his audacity.
At this juncture where the old Six Eyes has disappeared and the new one hasn't appeared yet, Tengen's greatest fear is undoubtedly Kenjaku seeing through the actual state of affairs at Jujutsu High.
And now, her worst fear has come true.
Kenjaku has likely already seen through Jujutsu High's vulnerabilities.
At this critical moment, they must strengthen Jujutsu High's forces as much as possible!
With this in mind, Tengen set her sights on Bocchi-chan, who had overwhelmingly crushed and repelled Kenjaku in direct combat.
If it's her, she might just be able to stop Kenjaku's schemes!
"So you know about Kenjaku too... Perhaps you're right that I've been frightened out of my wits, but this is for the sake of all living beings!" Tengen said solemnly.
Her tone softened as she looked at Bocchi-chan.
"Miss Gotoh, if you become a true jujutsu sorcerer, you'll be able to stop evil schemes and protect those important to you. You must have people you want to protect too, like family or friends..."
Roy immediately showed a look of disgust.
His gaze at Tengen was filled with disdain, as if looking at a pyramid scheme leader.
He wanted to refuse on Bocchi-chan's behalf immediately.
But Bocchi-chan seemed to have something to say.
Bocchi-chan blinked nervously, her expression uneasy.
"Um... can I ask first... how do you know about my power..."
"My barrier covers all of Jujutsu High. I basically know everything that happens within it," Tengen answered gently. "But don't worry, I won't tell anyone about private matters."
The light immediately drained from Bocchi-chan's eyes.
She lowered her head, her body trembling slightly as if broken.
"...So you saw it?"
"Hmm? Private matters?" Tengen paused, realizing children this age were particular about privacy. "Don't worry, I have no interest in prying. I only check the barrier when necessary."
She tried to reassure Bocchi-chan verbally.
Then, as if remembering something, she showed a slightly puzzled expression.
"Though, when I was monitoring Kenjaku earlier, I did see you making some strange movements... Was that a prerequisite for your technique?"
"AAAAAAAAHHHH—SHUT UUUUP!!!"
Bocchi-chan suddenly stiffened, clutching her head, eyes wide with horror.
"I don't want to remember that! Don't make me recall that! This is exactly why I didn't want to come here!"
She screamed while rolling on the floor, banging her head violently against the coffee table as if wanting to die, creating loud banging noises.
"Ah, this... I feel... quite sorry..."
Tengen froze awkwardly, hesitating before offering a sincere apology.
"But my words aren't false—you truly have the power to protect all living beings. I hope you'll consider my proposal—"
"Tengen!"
Before she could finish, a sharp shout interrupted her.
"Just because I didn't speak, you took me for a mute?"
Roy's eyes locked onto Tengen, his expression growing increasingly cold.
"I already told you earlier—don't drag children into adult problems. If things have reached the point where we need to send kids onto the battlefield, it only proves how utterly incompetent we adults are!"
"You want Bocchi-chan to join the jujutsu world? As her teacher, I absolutely refuse to allow it. Unless she makes that decision of her own free will, stop your smooth-talking and just shut up and watch quietly!"
"Otherwise, I'll kill you before Kenjaku gets his hands on you!"
He was angry.
Even Bocchi-chan could tell—Roy was furious.
Words like "I'll kill you" were something Roy had never said in front of Bocchi-chan before.
"Roy, do you understand the current situation?!"
Tengen's voice also lowered, carrying a hint of urgency.
"If this continues, Kenjaku will definitely see through our weaknesses! If the new Six Eyes doesn't mature in time, we won't be able to stop him! The consequences will be irreversible!"
"The older people get, the more they believe in fate, huh."
Roy responded to her words with undisguised mockery.
"In your eyes, is the Six Eyes the only one who can stop Kenjaku? Have you really become this enslaved to destiny? And here you were just saying how Bocchi-chan and I seem to exist outside fate—turns out that was just empty talk?"
"I know Kenjaku's goal perfectly well—it's nothing more than assimilating all Japanese people along with you to create a cursed spirit with the collective cursed energy of 100 million people. But so what?"
"That bastard's plan still has a long way to go before reaching its final stage. I'll kill him before then. Or if I kill you instead, that would solve the problem just the same!"