### Chapter 11: The Time Vessel Association
"Tch, that bastard..."
In a small park, Fushiguro Toji sat on a bench.
His body leaned forward slightly, his arms resting on his knees.
Kong Siu walked over holding two cans of cola, tossing one to Fushiguro Toji.
The latter, as if he had eyes on the side of his head, didn't even look in that direction and snatched the drink directly.
After pulling the tab, he guzzled the entire can of cola in one go.
Because the Heavenly Restriction enhanced his physique, no amount of alcohol could get him drunk.
Therefore, he disliked drinking alcohol; cola and other beverages were not bad, though.
"How was it?"
Kong Siu sat down beside Fushiguro Toji and took a sip of cola.
"You mean?"
"It's the first time I've seen you lose to someone in that kind of contest, and a young man who probably hasn't even come of age."
"That guy, huh—"
Fushiguro Toji, who looked annoyed just moments ago, turned contemplative.
After a few seconds, he spoke.
"Perhaps he's the same type as me."
"The same... type?"
Kong Siu's pupils constricted slightly, his hand holding the cola pausing in mid-air.
"Completely [Zero Cursed Energy]."
Fushiguro Toji recalled the confrontation with Ryota in the restaurant earlier.
As an ordinary person, one cannot see Cursed Spirits.
Ordinary people all possess a very minute amount of Cursed Energy, while Fushiguro Toji, due to his Heavenly Restriction, has a completely [Zero Cursed Energy] physique.
It was even more impossible for him to see Cursed Spirits.
However, he could rely on his astonishing five senses to perceive the existence and actions of Cursed Spirits.
Those astonishing five senses were also at work during his clash with Ryota.
Thus, he clearly knew that there was not a single fluctuation of Cursed Energy on Ryota at that time.
That is to say, Ryota at that time was just like him, acting solely on the power of his physical body.
He definitely didn't use any technique or Cursed Energy.
Such movements and force were hard to imagine achieving without Cursed Energy enhancement or technique usage.
To be able to contend with him, the Heavenly Tyrant who had never met a match in physical prowess, solely with a physical body.
The only possibility was...
That kid, probably like him, had achieved an unprecedented level of physical strength through a complete [Zero Cursed Energy] Heavenly Restriction.
"No—"
Fushiguro Toji hesitated slightly again.
Just because of that intact chopstick in Ryota's hand.
In that last violent collision, he had used not only the formidable power of his body but also the techniques honed through years of combat.
He could see that Ryota's control over power had also reached a level unattainable by ordinary people.
But in his expectation, both chopsticks should have snapped; there was no possibility for Ryota to be spared.
Yet the result exceeded his expectations.
One chopstick remained intact.
At that moment, he felt a sense of dissonance from Ryota, but he couldn't quite explain it.
"If it were a real life-and-death fight, could you win?"
Kong Siu looked at the open space ahead and asked.
"Heh, who knows~"
Fushiguro Toji revealed a smile that made his true thoughts inscrutable.
"At least, the 'chopsticks' next time won't be that fragile."
Fushiguro Toji crushed the empty can in his hand into a ball and accurately threw it into a distant trash can.
Then he looked at Kong Siu:
"Let's drop the matter of that bastard for now."
"I don't recall you being so enthusiastic about me; you've never actively treated me to a meal before."
Hearing this, Kong Siu didn't hide it and said directly.
"I've recently heard some news. There are only a few days left until the assimilation with Tengen in the Jujutsu world."
"Several organizations are targeting the 'Star Plasma Vessel' required for Tengen's assimilation. It seems they will locate the Star Plasma Vessel soon."
"However, Jujutsu High will definitely send powerful Jujutsu Sorcerers to protect and escort the Star Plasma Vessel."
"The other organizations are small fry; they lack strength and financial power."
"What caught my attention is a religious group that worships Tengen, the Star Religious Group [Time Vessel Association]—"
"Their principle is to worship a pure Tengen without impurities. They don't allow the Star Plasma Vessel to pollute Tengen, so they want to find and kill the Star Plasma Vessel before the assimilation."
At this point, Fushiguro Toji asked the only question he cared about: "Do they have money?"
Kong Siu nodded.
"That's right. That religious organization is composed entirely of ordinary people, but there are some with deep pockets among them."
"Even if they know the location of the Star Plasma Vessel, they are powerless to intervene in a battle between Jujutsu Sorcerers."
"Therefore, they will inevitably offer extremely generous rewards to hire assassins for the job. The down payment will likely start in the tens of millions."
"Those people should find the specific location of the Star Plasma Vessel within the next two days. So, Fushiguro, how about getting involved this time?"
Although he phrased it as a question, in reality, Kong Siu already had the answer in his heart.
For such a large sum of money, as a bounty hunter, Fushiguro Toji had absolutely no reason to refuse.
And the result was indeed so.
"Sure, I'll take it."
"By the way, Fushiguro."
As the two prepared to leave, Kong Siu suddenly spoke.
"What is it?"
"Remember to reimburse me for the compensation fee I advanced at the restaurant, plus that young man's meal cost, from your payment after the job is done."
Fushiguro Toji: "..."