The aftermath of the Shinjuku Decisive Battle triggered unprecedented shockwaves in the Jujutsu World and the dark side of the entire world.
However, the few individuals at the center of the storm were currently immersed in a weary yet peaceful atmosphere.
Supported by Gojo Satoru, Yuta Okkotsu, and others, Toho Hiroshi, with his white hair and weak aura, and Geto Suguru, with his complex expression and slow steps, finally returned to the familiar Tokyo Jujutsu High School.
The school building had also suffered considerable damage in the previous turmoil, but its main structure remained. The air was filled with the scent of construction and renovation, mixed with a faint smell of disinfectant.
As soon as they stepped through the school gate, a tall, imposing figure stood like an iron tower on the path ahead, blocking their way.
It was Yaga Masamichi.
There was no expression on his face, but his tightly pursed lips and clenched fists betrayed his inner turmoil.
His sharp eyes first swept over the weakened but undeniably alive Toho Hiroshi, then landed on the silent Geto Suguru beside him, and finally settled on Gojo Satoru's arm supporting Toho Hiroshi.
The air seemed to solidify.
Gojo Satoru instinctively straightened his back, preparing for the expected storm.
Okkotsu and the others unconsciously tensed up.
However, the anticipated reprimand and iron fist did not fall.
Yaga Masamichi simply took a deep, deep breath, a breath so heavy it seemed to carry a thousand jin of weight. He walked step by step in front of Toho Hiroshi and Geto Suguru, his tall figure casting a shadow that enveloped the two.
He raised his hand.
Gojo Satoru's eyes narrowed, almost moving to intervene.
But those hands did not form fists; instead, they clapped heavily, one on each of Toho Hiroshi's and Geto Suguru's shoulders. The force was great, making the weakened Toho Hiroshi sway and Geto Suguru stiffen.
"Alive..."
Yaga's voice was deep and hoarse, carrying an indescribable weight and a barely perceptible catch in his throat, "It's good that you're back."
Thousands of words of blame, anger, and disappointment ultimately condensed into these simple four words.
As the Principal, as a mentor, he had witnessed too many sacrifices and partings.
At this moment, seeing these two students, who had strayed but then, in their own way, turned the tide, standing here alive was more important than any reasoning or punishment.
Toho Hiroshi looked up at Yaga's eyes, which held complex emotions, and nodded gently: "Teacher Yaga..."
Geto Suguru, however, slightly lowered his gaze and whispered: "We've caused you trouble."
After a brief period of solemnity, the practical problems followed one after another.
Toho Hiroshi and Geto Suguru: one was a mastermind behind the "Infinite Tsukuyomi" plan, one of the culprits who stirred up immense waves; the other was a "most evil Jujutsu Sorcerer" who had committed grave crimes resulting in hundreds of deaths and attempted to create a world solely for Jujutsu Sorcerers.
Although their final actions eliminated the huge destabilizing factor of Tengen, fundamentally changed the environment for curse generation, and saved the world, their process and methods were undoubtedly a massive challenge and disruption to the existing order of the Jujutsu World.
After intense debates filled with fear and lingering apprehension, The Higher-Ups of the Jujutsu World finally rendered their final judgment.
Given that the two "made irreplaceable and decisive contributions to saving the world at the final critical moment, and their actions objectively led to the alleviation of the fundamental problem of curses," it was decided to exempt them from the death penalty and all extreme punishments.
However, punishment was essential.
The final verdict was: Toho Hiroshi and Geto Suguru were to be deprived of their personal freedom and indefinitely confined in a special Barrier isolation room in the deepest part of Tokyo Jujutsu High's basement, with Gojo Satoru and Tokyo Jujutsu High jointly responsible for their supervision.
Their release would be re-evaluated by a Higher-Ups meeting based on their subsequent behavior and the stability of the Jujutsu World.
When Gojo Satoru heard this verdict, he actually laughed in anger on the spot.
"Huh? Indefinite confinement? Have the brains of those old geezers from The Big Three Families who just joined The Higher-Ups gone senile?"
He ripped off his blindfold, his azure Rikugan flashing with dangerous light, "I worked my ass off to pull them back from the gates of hell, just so they could rot in a basement? What kind of joke is this!"
Cursed Energy around him began to surge uncontrollably, as if he was ready to storm The Higher-Ups' office if they disagreed.
"Satoru."
Toho Hiroshi and Geto Suguru spoke almost simultaneously.
Gojo Satoru turned to them irritably: "What? Are you really going to listen to those bastards?"
Toho Hiroshi's face was still pale, but his eyes had regained their composure. Meeting Gojo Satoru's gaze, he slowly shook his head: "No, we accept this verdict."
Geto Suguru also nodded, his tone calm: "This is the most 'appropriate' way to handle things under the current circumstances."
Gojo Satoru was stunned, looking at them in disbelief: "Are you crazy? It's pitch dark down there, what's the difference from living in a coffin!"
Toho Hiroshi's lips twitched slightly, revealing a tired but understanding smile: "Satoru, what we did ultimately broke too many rules."
"Complete impunity would only provoke greater backlash and unrest. There needs to be an 'explanation,' both for order and for people's hearts."
Geto Suguru interjected, his gaze sweeping over the students and companions around them, all with various expressions: "Moreover, the isolation room beneath Jujutsu High is much better than The Higher-Ups' prison. Here, at least..."
He didn't finish, but the meaning was clear—here, there were people they could trust.
They were no longer the youths who acted solely on passion and absolute ideals.
Having experienced life and death, and witnessed reincarnation, they understood the complexity of reality and the necessity of compromise more clearly.
Voluntarily accepting imprisonment was both giving the Jujutsu World a way to save face and a strategy of retreating to advance.
To exchange temporary loss of freedom for a more long-term, true "freedom" and stability.
Gojo Satoru looked at their calm eyes, and the anger in his chest gradually subsided, replaced by a complex understanding and a touch of helplessness.
He clicked his tongue, put his blindfold back on, and his tone returned to its usual cadence, though with a barely perceptible dullness: "Do as you please! But don't expect me to visit you often, it's a pain in the ass!"
Despite his words, everyone understood that with him, "the strongest," as guarantor and actual supervisor, the severity of the so-called "indefinite confinement" would likely be greatly reduced.
Finally, before the sun completely set below the horizon, Toho Hiroshi and Geto Suguru, under Yaga Masamichi's complex gaze, Gojo Satoru's annoyed click of the tongue, and the worried and complicated stares of their many companions, walked themselves down the stairs leading underground.
The heavy, specially made stone door slowly closed behind them, cutting off the last sliver of light.
The isolation room was not absolutely dark; walls were embedded with Cursed Stone emitting a faint glow, providing basic illumination and suppressing internal Cursed Energy fluctuations.
The space was not cramped, with simple beds and tables and chairs, but the sense of isolation from the world and oppression was very real.
Geto Suguru walked to the wall, reaching out to touch the cold, rune-carved stone wall, and sighed softly.
Toho Hiroshi sat on the simple bed, closed his eyes, feeling the slow recovery of the faint Cursed Energy flow within him, and the deep fatigue emanating from the depths of his soul.
"Consider it a long vacation."
He said softly, as if speaking to Geto Suguru, and also to himself.
Outside the door, Gojo Satoru did not leave immediately.
He leaned against the cold stone wall, looking up at the dim lights of the corridor ceiling, his Rikugan beneath his sunglasses seemingly able to penetrate the stone door and see the two inside.
PS: The book is not finished yet, there are still tens of thousands of words left.
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