New Year's Eve, 2016.
The world had never seen anything quite like it. Across every television, every phone, and every digital billboard, the same breaking news was being broadcast simultaneously.
"Breaking News: Kurotsuki Industries successfully launches the first AI-controlled orbital rocket under Project Starlink. Capable of fully autonomous flight, docking, and landing, the system aims to provide high-speed satellite internet across the entire globe — including the North and South Poles."
The anchor's voice was steady, but her tone carried awe.
"For the first time in history, even the most remote, uncharted corners of Earth will be connected. From the Himalayas to the Amazon, from frozen tundras to desert dunes — global coverage is now a reality."
Behind her, footage played of a sleek black-and-silver rocket ascending majestically into the stratosphere. Every movement — ignition, booster separation, orbital correction — was handled not by humans, but by a glowing AI core, a product of Kurotsuki Tenkai's vision.
"With today's launch, Kurotsuki Industries has redefined aerospace and AI integration. The 21-year-old CEO, Kurotsuki Tenkai, is now officially recognized as the wealthiest person on Earth."
The world reacted instantly.
In America, Elon Musk watched the broadcast with a grin that faltered. "Kid just outdid me… with my own idea," he muttered.In Europe, CEOs and political leaders whispered about treaties, alliances, and trade deals.In Asia, news anchors could barely contain their excitement.And in Japan, reporters gathered outside the Kurotsuki mansion, calling Tenkai a "living prodigy," "the new age of science," and even "the child who sees the future."
Social media exploded.World leaders praised him.Tech giants scrambled for partnerships.Philosophers debated whether Tenkai was humanity's greatest mind or its first step toward divine overreach.
But Tenkai wasn't watching the global chaos.
He sat comfortably in Gojo Satoru's living room, a ping-pong paddle in one hand, a calm smile on his face. The TV in the corner blared his own name while Gojo smashed the ball toward him with inhuman speed.
"Oi, richest man in the world!" Gojo shouted, laughing as Tenkai returned the ball effortlessly. "Should I start calling you Lord Moneybags now?"
"Only if you plan to pay rent," Tenkai replied dryly, spinning the ball back with precise energy control.
Gojo caught it with his reverse grip and grinned. "Rent? Nah. I'm more of a spiritual squatter. My presence alone blesses your house."
Tenkai smirked. "My AI disagrees. It just tried to eject you from my Wi-Fi network again."
"WHAT?!" Gojo clutched his chest dramatically. "Betrayed by technology? Aion-chan, how could you?!"
The AI's voice echoed from Tenkai's phone:
"Gojo Satoru detected. Reducing bandwidth priority by 99%."
"TRAITOR!" Gojo yelled, and Tenkai nearly dropped the paddle laughing.
They played for a while — two of the strongest beings on Earth acting like college roommates, letting the world spin around them.
But as the match slowed, Tenkai's tone shifted subtly. "Jokes aside… have you noticed it, Gojo?"
Gojo stopped mid-serve, eyebrow raised behind his blindfold. "Noticed what?"
"Cursed energy disturbances. Outside Japan."
Gojo frowned. "Yeah. I've been tracking that. More and more curses appearing — strong ones. China, India, Europe, even Africa. The density is increasing fast."
Tenkai leaned on the table. "It's like the balance of negative energy is breaking. Humanity's growing faster than the system can handle. Fear, envy, hatred — all multiplying."
Gojo twirled his paddle, his usual smile fading into something thoughtful. " Curses leaking past Japan's veil. The higher-ups are freaking out. They just won't act. They want me here — to keep Geto from collecting more curses."
"They want you to keep Geto in check."
"Hah! As if Geto would even let me catch him long enough to check anything. But you know what's funny?" Gojo tilted his head, half-laughing. "If more countries figure out how to harness cursed energy, the old farts lose their monopoly."
Tenkai's gaze darkened slightly. "If they don't act soon, Japan's monopoly on jujutsu won't last. Other nations will discover cursed energy… and when they do, this world will change forever. The world's catching up to our 'little secret.'"
Gojo gave a carefree laugh. "Heh. Let it change. It won't matter. You and I already stand at the top. Let the world play catch-up."
"Yup. Welcome to globalization, baby."
Tenkai smiled faintly. "You sound cocky as always."
"And you sound like you're fifty," Gojo teased.
"I was born in 1995, not ancient history."
Gojo gasped theatrically. "So young and already richer than nations. How will the children look up to us?"
"By logging into Starlink," Tenkai said flatly.
Gojo howled with laughter, clutching his sides.
The two exchanged grins, the world outside trembling with change, and yet… neither seemed remotely worried.
Their banter was interrupted when Tenkai suddenly said, "By the way, don't forget Erina's cousin Alice's birthday party on January 23rd."
Gojo blinked. "Wait, that Nakiri heiress? The one with the absurd food empire?"
"That's the one."
"Got it." He turned dramatically to his phone. "Little Gojo! Set a reminder for January 23 — Operation: Gourmet Gala!"
The AI's voice responded, "Reminder set, sensei."
"Adding note: 'try not to steal the spotlight from the birthday girl,'" the AI quipped.
"Rude," Gojo said. "Even my AI roasts me now."
January 23, 2016 – Nakiri Family Estate
The Nakiri residence glowed like a palace of glass and gold. The world's culinary elite gathered under one roof, along with politicians, CEOs, and social icons. Cameras flashed as luxury cars arrived one after another.
Then, a sleek silver supercar rolled up — the Kurotsuki Nova, the world's first AI-driven sports vehicle. When Tenkai stepped out, dressed in an obsidian suit with a subtle galaxy sheen, all eyes turned to him.
Moments later, another supercar drifted in — Gojo Satoru, wearing a snow-white designer tuxedo and his signature blindfold.
They looked at each other.
Gojo smirked. "You trying to outshine me, Mr. Billionaire?"
Tenkai adjusted his cufflinks. "Not my fault you look like a magician at a wedding."
Gasps and murmurs followed as they entered. Every guest recognized Tenkai instantly. The crowd parted in awe.
"That's really him… the Kurotsuki Tenkai!""The genius who launched Starlink!""He's only twenty-one?!"
Even Gan'an Shinomiya himself approached, bowing slightly. "Kurotsuki-san, it's an honor. Your work redefines modern technology."
Tenkai smiled politely. "Coming from the Shinomiya family, that means a lot. I've admired your discipline for years."
Nearby, Gojo was surrounded by a crowd of admiring women. "Ladies, please — one at a time! There's enough Gojo for everyone!"
Tenkai just sighed. "He's incorrigible."
"Always was," Erina Nakiri said, walking up beside him in a crimson dress. "Thank you for coming, Tenkai. Alice was really hoping you'd make it."
As if on cue, Alice Nakiri entered — radiant in a shimmering silver gown. The lights seemed to follow her as she greeted the guests. "Welcome, everyone! Thank you for celebrating my 18th birthday!"
The party that followed was nothing short of divine. The tables overflowed with dishes that defied logic — gourmet perfection born from Nakiri lineage. Gojo, of course, was in absolute paradise.
"My tongue is ascending to heaven!" he declared, mouth full.
Tenkai sipped his champagne, chuckling. "You act like you've never eaten before."
"This isn't food, Tenkai," Gojo said solemnly. "This is enlightenment."
"You're drooling on a twenty-million-yen tablecloth."
"Worth it."
The music soon shifted to a slow rhythm. The dance began. Couples took the floor, and Gojo immediately started showing off impossible spins and steps, leaving a trail of laughter.
When Alice approached, people stepped back instinctively. She smiled—confident, sharp, unafraid.
"Tenkai," she said softly, extending her hand. "Would you honor me with a dance?"
Gojo whistled obnoxiously from across the room. "Oooh, Tenkai's got game!"
Tenkai gave him a look before turning back to Alice. "Of course."
As they danced, eyes followed them — the prodigy scientist and the culinary heiress. Their movements flowed effortlessly, perfectly in sync with the rhythm and the soft lights above.
They moved in rhythm, light reflecting off her silver jewelry, her gaze locked on him."You've been avoiding me lately," she teased.
"Busy saving the planet," Tenkai replied smoothly.
"You could spare a minute for me."
He opened his mouth, but the warmth in her eyes stilled him.The world around them blurred into the music.
As the final note echoed, Alice didn't release his hand. She led him quietly to the balcony overlooking the city.
For a moment, the silence stretched—Tokyo glittered below like a galaxy of glass.
Then she spoke. "Tenkai… I've always admired you. Your brilliance. Your calm. But I'm tired of admiring from afar."
Her voice wavered slightly. "I like you. I really do."
He blinked. "Alice?"
She met his gaze with unwavering resolve. "I like you. No—" She corrected herself, taking a step closer. "I've fallen in love with you."
Tenkai froze, caught off guard. His mind instantly began overanalyzing — age difference, emotional responsibility, priorities. "Alice… I—this is—"
"Don't overthink it," she said gently, stepping closer. "You always calculate everything. But love isn't an equation."
He opened his mouth to respond, but Alice grabbed his collar and kissed him — firm, sincere, unhesitant.
For a moment, time itself stilled. Then, Tenkai's arms wrapped around her instinctively, returning the kiss with warmth he didn't know he still carried.
When they parted, Alice smiled faintly. "Still overthinking?"
"Always," he said softly, but his smile gave him away.
He lifted a hand, space rippling around them. With a flash of blue light, they vanished from the balcony.
From afar, Gojo noticed the empty spot, grinned knowingly, and whispered to himself, "Kid's finally growing up."
"Ah, young love," he said, sipping his champagne. "And here I thought I was the dramatic one."
He raised his glass toward the stars. "Cheers, prodigy."
The orchestra resumed, the lights dimmed, and somewhere above Tokyo Bay, the stars of Kurotsuki's network gleamed brighter than ever—watching silently as the richest, strongest, and most unpredictable man in the world took one step closer to being human.
The night glowed with laughter, music, and the quiet hum of possibility — the calm before the next storm.
[End of Chapter 19]