HRU: Chapter 139/140

Chapter 139: Taken for Granted?

Being chosen as Tengen's messenger, this Tsukumo Yuki was definitely stronger than him.

Shunichi's initial speculation about Yuki's strength had now been confirmed.

"Are you the Star Plasma Vessel beside Lord Tengen?"

As a Grade 1 sorcerer of the Gojo clan, Shunichi had access to a considerable amount of intelligence. The moment he heard the surname Tsukumo, he had already associated her with the Tsukumo family from Kyoto.

Now that she had openly identified herself as Tengen's messenger, he immediately matched her identity with the intelligence he had collected before.

A member of the Tsukumo family, and a messenger of Tengen. There was no doubt, this woman was the current generation's Star Plasma Vessel.

Star Plasma Vessel?

Hearing the term, Satoru and Toji instinctively turned toward Yuki.

Toji was clearly surprised, while Satoru looked more curious. He had only heard rumors of Tengen's significance in the jujutsu world, but knew little about the details of the Star Plasma Vessel.

Sensing Satoru's curiosity, Yuki didn't mind explaining and casually clarified the relationship between Tengen and the Star Plasma Vessel.

"The so-called Star Plasma Vessel is a human chosen to assimilate with Lord Tengen.

When Lord Tengen, possessing "Immortality," reaches a certain age, he begins evolving into a non-human form.

Therefore, once every 500 years, he must assimilate with a Star Plasma Vessel to reset his physical memory."

Yuki spoke of it with ease, but both Shunichi and Toji fell silent, while Satoru was left pondering.

"So, will you have to merge with Lord Tengen in the future?"

"From that point onward, won't you become Lord Tengen?"

Satoru's unique interpretation made Yuki laugh.

Although Satoshi and Satoru looked identical, Yuki found herself far less interested in Satoru compared to Satoshi.

"Lord Tengen will still be Lord Tengen. But I, too, will become one with him."

Satoru then realized, if the girl in front of him merged with Tengen, would she still retain her consciousness?

He wanted to ask, but Shunichi stopped him with a subtle shake of the head.

"I wonder, what exactly is Miss Tsukumo's relationship with Young Master Satoshi?"

Shunichi took the initiative to ask. Even though Yuki had played a crucial role in breaking the barrier earlier, he still needed to confirm her true intentions.

Even if she was Tengen's Star Plasma Vessel, he couldn't risk another assassination attempt on Satoshi.

"I'm Satoshi's girlfriend."

"Besides, I already have my own room in the Yorozuya."

Yuki spoke plainly. The shock on both Satoru and Shunichi's faces was immediate.

How was that even possible?

Satoshi had only emerged from seclusion two weeks ago, and before that, he had been solely focused on forging Zanpakutō. Where would he have found time to meet Yuki, much less start a relationship?

But then again, if there was nothing between them, why would Yuki go to such lengths for him?

"When did you and Young Master Satoshi meet?"

Shunichi voiced the question that had also crossed Satoru's mind. He knew today was Satoshi's first time stepping out in a long while. Could it be that they had only just met?

Yuki answered directly.

"We met today. Right here."

Satoru and Shunichi exchanged a helpless look, then turned their attention to Toji.

They both felt that this didn't match Satoshi's style. Although Yuki was undeniably beautiful, it was hard to imagine someone like Satoshi falling in love at first sight.

Noticing how familiar they seemed with Toji, Yuki shifted her attention to him.

"Which room should I stay in? Next to his?"

Realizing her intent, Toji narrowed his eyes slightly but made no move to expose her.

He could tell that Yuki genuinely liked Satoshi.

More importantly, Satoshi's situation still hadn't stabilized. If Yuki remained at the Yorozuya, it would at least provide an additional layer of protection.

Although both Shunichi and Satoru were here, Yuki's current strength surpassed theirs.

"Stay in the room next to Satoshi. That way, it'll be easier for you to look after him."

When Shunichi and Satoru saw Toji's response, their expressions froze slightly. For now, it seemed they had accepted Yuki's claim.

Even Yuki was surprised by how cooperative Toji was.

She had expected him to expose her or at least stay silent. What she didn't expect was for him to not only go along with her but even arrange her room next to Satoshi's.

She didn't know what Toji was thinking, but it was obvious he didn't object to her being close to Satoshi.

"Alright then. Since you're Satoshi's girlfriend, you might need to put in some extra effort for a while."

As Satoru finished speaking, the people who had just entered froze.

Girlfriend?

Ieiri Inamichi, Gojo Genichi, and Ieiri Shoko, who was holding her father's hand, all stared at Satoru and the girl he was speaking to—Yuki—in disbelief.

None of them recognized her.

What's going on? Satoshi already has a girlfriend? Isn't he only six? And the girl in front of us looks like she's at least in high school… That's got to be a six or seven-year age gap.

Genichi was filled with confusion.

Still, he said nothing. After all, he had witnessed Yuki's power firsthand.

Since Satoru had acknowledged her, he had no place to question it. Despite being the grandson of the current acting clan head, his status here was the lowest.

Unlike Genichi's calm, Inamichi's feelings were far more complicated.

Even though he had never formally agreed to the Gojo family's proposal, he had always considered Satoshi as his son-in-law. Otherwise, he wouldn't have encouraged Shoko to visit the Gojo clan so frequently.

(To be continued.)

Chapter 140: Star Plasma Girlfriend?

But now it just seems wrong. How could a teenage girl be the girlfriend of a six-year-old boy?

The girl in front of him definitely had some ulterior motive.

In an instant, Inamichi pictured countless beauty traps that other sorcerer families might have devised to get their hands on a Zanpakutō.

At the same time, he silently cursed these sorcerer families for being utterly shameless, actually sending a girl to seduce Satoshi.

Satoshi was still just a child!

Although, this girl was indeed breathtaking. Her looks were truly extraordinary...

Inamichi sighed inwardly, then looked down at his daughter holding his hand.

Well, Shoko was also very pretty.

But unfortunately, she was only six. Her appearance leaned more toward cute than beautiful.

Moreover, it didn't seem like Shoko had any awareness of danger at all.

Is six really the age when love starts? Probably not.

Love usually begins around thirteen or fourteen…

Shoko looked curiously at the girl whom Satoru had introduced as Satoshi's girlfriend.

Just as Inamichi expected, at her age, Shoko had no concept of romance.

After all, she was only six.

No matter how precocious a girl might be, she wouldn't be thinking about relationships at that age.

However, seeing Yuki's slightly more mature figure, Shoko did feel a little envious.

...

Seeing that Satoru seemed like he wanted to talk to Yuki, Inamichi quickly interrupted him.

"Where is Satoshi? Shoko and I will go check on him."

No matter what, he still had to fight for his daughter.

Shoko might not have fallen for anyone yet, but that didn't mean she wouldn't regret it later, right?

Once she's seen someone as outstanding as Satoru or Satoshi, it'd be hard for her to look up to any other boy.

As a father, he had to leave a shred of hope for his daughter...

Inamichi's sudden appearance successfully drew Satoru's attention away.

"Master Inamichi, here, please help check on Satoshi thoroughly."

"After using his Zanpakutō's Bankai, he fell into a deep sleep. We still don't know what's going on."

Led by Satoru, Inamichi and Shoko entered Satoshi's room.

Meanwhile, Genichi quietly made his way over to Shunichi. As the acting grandson, he naturally needed to learn as much as he could about anyone involved with Satoru and Satoshi. That way, he could report everything to his grandfather later.

"Uncle Shunichi, what's the story behind that girl? Just now, Young Master Satoru mentioned she's Young Master Satoshi's girlfriend?"

Genichi asked in a hushed voice.

Shunichi nodded calmly. Now that Kumaen had changed his stance, Shunichi no longer felt the same hostility toward him as before.

He also told Genichi everything he knew about Yuki's background without reservation.

"What? She's actually a Star Plasma Vessel? And she's Lord Tengen's envoy?"

As a traditional sorcerer, Genichi held deep respect for Tengen. Lord Tengen was the guardian deity of the sorcery world, the one who protected all sorcerers...

And yet, Yuki, Tengen's envoy, had actually become Satoshi's girlfriend?

This was something his grandfather absolutely had to know.

Seeing Genichi hastily take his leave, a faint smile appeared on Shunichi's face.

Back when Toji had spoken to Yuki, he already sensed something was unusual.

However, there was no doubting Yuki's identity as a Star Plasma Vessel. That made her a perfect tool to suppress the more restless elements within the Gojo clan.

Even though Kumaen had changed sides, there were still diehards in the Twin Curse Faction lingering within the clan.

To the traditionalists, Lord Tengen was the most revered figure.

Now, this very same traditional figure had openly expressed his regard for Satoshi. That alone would shake the confidence of the entire faction.

So regardless of whether Yuki and Satoshi really had that kind of relationship, Shunichi didn't care.

Since Yuki herself had admitted it and made her position clear, then he and Toji might as well go along with it and push things forward. That would only benefit Satoshi.

At that moment, Satoshi—still lying unconscious—had no idea that, thanks to Toji and Shunichi, his so-called girlfriend was already locked in place.

...

After Genichi relayed the details about the Star Plasma Vessel and her connection to Lord Tengen, Kumaen was visibly surprised.

He hadn't expected such a mysterious identity behind that strange girl.

Even though the Kujuku family wasn't as powerful as the Gojo clan in the sorcery world, they were still a well-known family in Kyoto. How had a girl like that ended up as Satoshi's girlfriend?

Satoshi really did keep surprising people…

Actually, the Tsukumo family wasn't the main point. What mattered was Yuki's relationship with Tengen.

If Satoshi could build a connection to Tengen through Yuki, it would be a massive boost to his future.

"Alright. Got it."

Kumaen nodded thoughtfully.

Next, it all depended on how he would use this information to make those diehards quietly back off.

The Gojo clan, the Tsukumo family, and Tengen…

If these three forces came together, then even if the entire sorcery world joined forces against them, they wouldn't be able to stand a chance, right?

That wild thought briefly crossed Kumaen's mind before he quickly shook it off.

Tengen was the most enigmatic sorcerer. Who knew what he was really thinking? As a mere sorcerer himself, Kumaen didn't dare to guess.

Still, based on Yuki's current attitude toward Satoshi, Tengen's impression of the boy was likely positive.

That thought brought a fresh wave of worry to Kumaen.

The importance of the Star Plasma Vessel to Tengen couldn't be overstated. If Yuki really was a Star Plasma Vessel, then she would eventually need to merge with Tengen...

In that case, what would Satoshi do?

Would he be willing to accept it when that day came?

In Kumaen's eyes, Satoshi wasn't someone who would bow to authority so easily.

From the moment he was born, this boy had been defying worldly rules.

Heavenly Restriction and Zanpakutō.

These were the weapons Satoshi wielded to challenge and shatter the system.

(To be continued.)