Chapter 6: Breaking the Sound Barrier, Catching Bullets with Bare Hands
On the other side, Geto Suguru had already escorted Amanai Riko to the Tombs of the Star Corridor.
After a final farewell with Kuroi, he led Riko through the tunnels into the main hall—layer upon layer of structures, the very foundation of all barriers.
He halted at the stone archway. This was as far as he could take her.
"Once you go down the stairs, through the main gate, and walk straight to the base of the great tree… you'll find a barrier unlike the one protecting Jujutsu High. Only those invited can pass through.
There, Master Tengen will guard you—until the assimilation is complete."
His tone was heavy, solemn.
Riko listened in silence, her expression calm but dimmed. She had long accepted her fate, showing little emotion.
But then Geto said something that made her eyes flare with sudden light.
"Or… you could choose to turn back. Go home. With Miss Kuroi."
He looked at her evenly, face steady, voice resolute.
Long before meeting her, he and Gojo had decided—if Riko did not want to assimilate, they would protect her choice. No matter the cost.
Even if it meant fighting Tengen. Even if it meant defying the entire world.
When Yaga had given them this mission, he had made it clear: assimilation was just another word for erasure. And that meant guilt—for both of them.
Riko froze, staring in disbelief. "You… what did you just say?"
"It's alright. Whatever happens, Gojo and I will guarantee your future."
Geto repeated, earnest. No matter what, there would always be a way forward. After all, he and Gojo were the strongest.
Neither of them knew that at that very moment, Gojo Satoru lay bleeding on the ground—yet also standing on the brink of awakening into the true Strongest.
Riko's body trembled. This boy she had only known for two days—willing to oppose the world for her—left her speechless.
From birth, she had been called the Star Plasma Vessel. Survival itself had felt like a duty. She couldn't even remember her parents' deaths clearly anymore; loneliness and grief had numbed her long ago.
Sometimes, she had even thought assimilation wasn't so terrible. Separation was inevitable. Time dulled pain. Loneliness always faded.
But now…
"Tchh… huhhh…"
Tears and snot streamed down without restraint as Riko broke into sobs.
She was still just a teenage girl. How could she not cling to the world?
Through her tears, she cried out, remembering the last two days—
"I still want to stay! I still want to be with everyone longer!"
"Whew…"
Geto exhaled, relieved. A smile touched his lips. He stretched out his hand, answering her longing for life.
"Riko… let's go back."
Bang!
A single gunshot shattered the fragile hope.
From the high platform above, a bullet whistled through the air, aimed straight at Riko's head.
The round sliced past her hair, close enough to kill—
Then a shadow streaked out of the tunnel depths, the air cracking into thunderous sonic booms.
In that instant, he broke the sound barrier.
Snap!
Veins bulged across his arm, calloused fingers snapping shut around the bullet just inches from Riko's skull.
The force of his arrival whipped up a violent wind, knocking Riko back onto the ground with a startled cry.
"Ah—!"
Riko Amanai hadn't even figured out what had happened. All she heard was a sharp snap, and the next thing she knew, she had landed hard on the ground.
Beside her, Geto Suguru's expression froze. His eyes locked on the man who had suddenly appeared, a chill running down his spine. Every nerve in his body screamed danger as he slipped instantly into battle readiness.
In a flash, he moved to Riko's side, pulling her up and shielding her behind him.
"You alright?"
"I—I'm fine!" Riko shook her head quickly. Aside from her sore backside, she wasn't hurt.
"Whew… talk about timing. A split second later, and a young girl in her prime would've died before my eyes."
The newcomer opened his palm. Resting there was a deformed, flattened bullet.
He exhaled deeply, the faint flush on his skin gradually fading back to normal.
"..."
From the high platform above, Fushiguro Toji's figure appeared. His gaze narrowed, hardening as he stared at the man who had intruded so suddenly. For a moment, he was even stunned.
The newcomer—Zen'in Shinsuke—lifted his eyes toward him, smiling gently.
"Toji… long time no see. Missed your big brother?"
"Tch. Bastard. If you leave, then don't bother coming back."
Toji didn't show joy at the reunion. Instead, anger flared. His expression darkened as he turned away, abandoning the mission without hesitation.
Even now, resentment simmered in his chest toward this brother who had once left without a word. Why had he gone off alone? Why had he left him behind?
"Uh…"
Shinsuke scratched his head with a wry smile. Looks like his little brother had grown up—not as easy to coax as when he was a kid. Some mending would be needed.
Turning toward Geto, who was still visibly on guard, Shinsuke offered an apologetic smile.
"Sorry about that. My younger brother seems to have caused you trouble."
"As an apology, let me share a little secret."
His tone softened, almost conspiratorial, as he leaned closer.
"Truth is… even if Tengen doesn't merge with the Star Plasma Vessel, she'll be fine."
With that, he turned and strode off in the direction Toji had gone, calling back casually over his shoulder:
"Don't tell anyone I said that."
Geto watched the broad-shouldered figure vanish into the distance, feeling a crushing weight lift from the air.
"…What the hell was that guy?"
Forget everything else—just his speed had already exceeded Geto's imagination.
"Uh… so… what do we do now?"
Riko's voice trembled. Her heart was still pounding; just moments ago she had stood at death's door. If not for that stranger's sudden appearance, she would already be gone.
"First, we leave."
Geto's brows furrowed slightly, senses still razor-sharp, alert for any new threat.
Right now, all he wanted was to regroup with Gojo Satoru. Please, let nothing have happened to him…
As for Shinsuke's words about Master Tengen, he had no way of knowing whether they were truth or lies. That would have to be sorted out later.
---
Outside Jujutsu High's barrier.
Zen'in Shinsuke caught up with Toji. Seeing the irritation plastered on his little brother's face, he walked up and clamped a large hand firmly onto his shoulder.
"What's with that look? See your big brother and already itching to feel some brotherly love?"
Shinsuke narrowed his eyes, raising a fist in mock threat.
When little brothers misbehaved, wasn't it an older brother's right to straighten them out?
At nearly 190 centimeters, with a body built like a fortress, Shinsuke's sheer presence made even Toji seem small.
Smack!
Toji slapped his brother's hand away, his face blank, voice low and cold.
"You really think you can beat me as you are now?"
He was no longer the same Toji as back then. Just because Shinsuke was his brother didn't mean he had the strength to discipline him anymore.