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"What the f*ck..."
CoughCough
Hearing the shocking news, Naoya's thoughts unconsciously slipped out.
The higher-ups' eyes widened in shock, and some of them coughed disapprovingly at the brazen language.
"Huh? Ah, sorry for the language. I was quite shocked by the news you just gave," said Naoya.
The entire room fell silent as both parties sank into deep thought.
After a while, Naoya finally spoke up.
"Are you sure Satoru and Suguru kidnapped the Star Plasma Vessel?" asked Naoya.
"It is certain. The two of them were assigned the mission to escort and protect the Star Plasma Vessel three days ago. Just this morning, they arrived at Tokyo Jujutsu High, but before they could enter the Tombs of the Star Corridor, the two of them ran away with the Star Plasma Vessel."
Naoya heard the explanation but still felt surprised. Satoru and Suguru kidnapping someone was not something he had ever expected.
He thought for a moment before speaking again.
"Correct me if I am wrong. Satoru and Suguru were assigned this mission a few days ago, and during that time, they kept the vessel safe and even escorted them back to Jujutsu High," said Naoya.
"Correct."
"...I just find it strange. If they wanted to kidnap the vessel, why would they even bother bringing them all the way to Jujutsu High?" asked Naoya.
"...What is it that you are getting at?"
"I don't like beating around the bush. Tell me the ground reality without any BS. Do you know the reason why the two took the vessel after coming all this way?"
The higher-ups looked at Naoya with displeasure.
"Are you trying to imply that we are falsely accusing Satoru Gojo and Suguru Geto?" one of them asked.
"I don't know, and I'm not pointing fingers at anyone. I don't have much information about the situation, but the Satoru and Suguru I know are not people who commit crimes. I would rather trust the people I know when I lack information. Give me clear answers first if you want my cooperation," said Naoya seriously.
Naoya's audacity clearly displeased the higher-ups. They were not used to being talked back to like this, but they also knew the person standing before them was not someone they could easily push around.
Not to mention, Naoya was the only possible person who could help them in this situation.
"...We truly do not know the reason why Satoru Gojo and Suguru Geto took the Star Plasma Vessel. What transpired between them and the vessel is unknown to us. But they indeed left with the vessel. They may have their reasons, but their actions could be disastrous for the future of the jujutsu world," said one of the higher-ups.
"The current jujutsu world is highly stabilised thanks to Master Tengen's barriers. However, if his body does not undergo resetting and he continues to age, Master Tengen will evolve into a higher existence and lose their sense of self. We do not know what consequences such a situation might bring. The lives of everyone in Japan... No, possibly the entire world could be affected."
After the man finished speaking, the room fell silent again.
Naoya didn't know what to think. The reason why Satoru and Suguru took the vessel was unknown to him, and HQ claimed they didn't know either. But if the situation was truly this dire, did the reason even matter? A world-scale disaster could occur if the vessel weren't brought back on time.
"...I will say this. If there is any deceit in your words and it causes discord between Satoru and me, you had better start praying to whatever god you believe in. You won't get another Special Grade who can save you," warned Naoya.
The people in the hall glared at him. The kid had the nerve to threaten them in their own headquarters.
"...I will assume that means you are willing to cooperate," one of them replied coldly.
Naoya snorted.
The situation left a bad taste in his mouth. Being forced to act based on incomplete information, especially when it was against Satoru, didn't sit well with him.
Just as he was about to nod, the door to the hall suddenly opened.
Naoya and the higher-ups turned toward the entrance and saw two figures dressed completely in white.
"Naoya Zenin-sama," one of them called respectfully while bowing.
Naoya nodded.
"You have been summoned."
"Summoned? Who is calling me now?" asked Naoya, glancing toward the higher-ups.
They remained silent.
"Master Tengen has summoned you."
Now that truly surprised Naoya.
The central pillar of the jujutsu world was calling for him, and at a time when the situation was already so chaotic.
'...How badly did you screw things up this time, Satoru?' Naoya thought as he followed the newcomers.
-----
Naoya followed the two guides as they led him to Master Tengen.
After arriving at an isolated building, the guides stopped and bowed to him.
"You will need to proceed on your own. The Tombs of the Star Corridor are just ahead. Once you arrive there, Master Tengen will guide you."
Naoya nodded and entered the building.
After walking for a while, he arrived at the labyrinth known as the Tombs of the Star Corridor.
From above, the entire place looked like a maze.
"All this space for one person... well, this place is meant to stall intruders, so it makes sense that it looks confusing," muttered Naoya as he descended the stairs.
As he walked deeper, the positioning of the buildings shifted and rearranged themselves to clear a path for him.
'Barrier techniques are quite convenient,' Naoya thought.
"Naoya Zenin."
A deep voice echoed throughout the space, making Naoya stop and look around.
"I am here."
Turning toward the voice, Naoya saw a bizarre white humanoid creature standing before him.
"Nice to meet you," said the creature with its arms crossed.
"...Nice to meet you as well. You must be Master Tengen," Naoya greeted with a short bow.
Tengen nodded before turning around.
"Follow me. We have matters to discuss."
-----
Later, in a café located in a relatively isolated part of the city, a group of four people were chatting while enjoying a meal.
The group consisted of Satoru Gojo, Suguru Geto, a girl in a sailor uniform, and a woman in a maid outfit.
The two girls looked somewhat suspicious, constantly glancing around cautiously, while the two boys sat relaxed, smiling as they enjoyed their food.
"...Can you relax for a bit? You're ruining the mood," said Gojo while looking at the younger girl with annoyance.
"Oh, sorry for that. I'm just WORRIED ABOUT MY F*CKING LIFE!!!" the girl shouted back.
Gojo and Geto stared at her for a moment before snorting.
"Such a spineless brat," both of them said at the same time.
"Huh?! What did you just call me?!"
"Just chillax~" said Satoru as he flicked an ice cube at her.
"Uwaa! What the hell?! Don't throw ice from your drink at me!"
"Here, Riko-sama, let me wipe that," said the maid beside her as she gently wiped the girl's face.
"Riko-sama, you should relax a bit. Acting suspicious will only draw attention," the maid added.
"Even you, Kuroi?! How can I relax? Right now the entire Jujutsu Division should be after us. Not to mention the Time Vessel Association, curse users, and who knows who else!" said Riko anxiously.
"You should've thought about that before running away," Gojo replied casually as he tossed another ice cube.
"Ah! You! I'm going to kill you!"
"You're a million years too young to do that," Gojo replied smugly.
Riko glared at him, teeth grinding in frustration.
"Enough, Satoru. There's no reason to rile her up like this. You too, Amanai. Don't worry about attackers. We're here to handle them," said Geto with a reassuring smile.
"As he said, you don't need to worry about such weaklings. After all, I, the strongest, am here to deal with any trouble," Gojo added confidently while sipping his juice.
Riko pouted but was about to sigh when she suddenly noticed a hand resting on Gojo's shoulder.
"Now now, isn't that a rather arrogant claim, son? Want me to whoop your ass?"
COUGH!COUGH!
Shocked by the familiar voice, Satoru choked on his drink and started coughing violently.
Riko, Kuroi, and Geto were equally stunned by the man's sudden appearance.
They were about to stand up when shadowy tendrils extended from Naoya and wrapped around them, gently forcing them back into their seats.
"Please remain seated," Naoya said with a smile while patting Satoru's back to help him stop coughing.
"For someone who calls himself the strongest, you sure got surprised easily, son," said Naoya.
"...Damn you. What the hell are you doing here?" Satoru asked, glaring at him.
His Infinity had activated instinctively, but Naoya used Frame Drop to bypass it. Once Satoru realised it was Naoya, he deactivated Infinity completely.
The others looked at Naoya warily, but Satoru oddly felt relieved seeing him.
"Heard you two are kidnapping people now. I just came to check on that. Ruriko-san would be very sad seeing you in prison. Don't worry, though, I'll be there to provide the comforting shoulder she can cry on," said Naoya.
"..."
Satoru immediately regretted feeling happy seeing this bastard.
"Just give up! She already rejected you!" Satoru snapped.
"...Just because I got rejected once doesn't mean I don't still have a chance."
"You don't have a chance! Mom's relationship with Father is better than ever! Just recently, the two of them went on a trip togeth—"
"La la la la! I can't hear you! I won't hear you!" Naoya interrupted.
"Face reality!"
"Face the law, you criminal!" Naoya replied while smacking Satoru.
The rest of them watched the two idiots arguing uselessly.
Finally, unable to stay silent any longer, Riko shouted:
"What the hell is going on?! And who the hell is this guy?!"
Naoya, who was currently twisting Satoru's arm after the latter tried to retaliate, turned toward her and smiled.
"I am Naoya Zenin, the guy who regularly whoops the ass of the 'strongest.' Nice to meet you."