HRU: Chapter 128/129

Chapter 128: Attack by an Unexpected Person

"Miss Tsukumo, if I win this bet, then we shouldn't bring this topic up again!"

A confident smile appeared on Satoshi's face.

Yuki found it hard to believe—this was a weight of 180 kilograms.

Satoshi himself didn't even weigh a third of that, right?

"Five..."

Just as Yuki was about to question him, a powerful force surged through her fingertips, making her fingers tremble.

The sudden feedback stunned her.

How is this possible? How could a little boy like Gojo Satoshi, with those skinny arms and legs, exert that kind of strength?

Yuki thought she might have misjudged what she was feeling, but then Satoshi's palm applied force again.

Under her shocked gaze, Satoshi's right hand wrapped around her fingers and slowly lifted her arm.

Even with 180 kilograms of resistance, Satoshi's expression didn't change at all, he really lifted Yuki's arm.

"How is that possible? How did you do that?"

Yuki's eyes widened. She didn't come back to her senses until Satoshi let go of her hand.

Satoshi's lips curled slightly.

"Miss Tsukumo, you're underestimating what 'mass' really means. Don't you want to study my body? Seems you still don't understand enough about someone with a Heavenly Restriction."

Satoshi stood up and stretched.

"I've won the bet, Miss Tsukumo. So please, let's drop the earlier topic."

"I need to head back. I won't keep you company any longer. If you have any other requests, go find Toji. He'll decide whether or not to accept the commission based on the situation."

After speaking, Satoshi nodded to Yuki and turned to leave.

His steps were swift—he had no idea what other unpredictable ideas Yuki might come up with. He really didn't want to deal with a woman like her.

Meanwhile, Yuki continued staring blankly at her fingers, disbelief written all over her face.

Satoshi's strength was beyond normal human comprehension, especially for a child.

Is it a binding vow?

Yuki wondered if Satoshi had used some kind of binding vow to lift her hand.

But then she wanted to laugh at herself. How could that be possible? Satoshi was widely recognized across the jujutsu world as someone born without Cursed Energy. There was no way he could use any binding vow technique.

So there was only one conclusion:

His physical strength was real.

Just as he said—she wanted to study people with Heavenly Restrictions and curse bearers. But her understanding of those two paths was still far too shallow.

So this is the strength of someone with a Heavenly Restriction?

Yuki watched Gojo Satoshi's departing figure, and an inexplicable smile crept onto her face.

He's really a mysterious boy. I'm genuinely interested in him now.

And… you seem to know my technique very well. Are you saying my illusions aren't strong enough? You actually saw through Star Rage in one glance!

Gojo Satoshi, I won't give up that easily.

---

In the front courtyard, Satoshi, who was still discussing something with Toji, suddenly felt a chill run down his spine.

Toji asked, "You're heading back alone?"

"Yeah. Help me block Yuki. I'll go back myself!"

Toji smirked, "Now you realize women are hard to deal with, huh? You won't run into trouble heading back solo?"

"You're underestimating the power of Sode no Shirayuki and Ryūjin Jakka, aren't you?"

Satoshi patted the two Zanpakutō at his waist. With these two by his side, he didn't take any ordinary enemy seriously—unless it was a Special Grade cursed spirit.

Toji nodded.

In the end, Satoshi decided to slip away before Yuki could reappear. Better to return early than get dragged into another strange situation.

---

A few minutes after Satoshi left, Yuki walked out of the reception room and revealed her identity to Toji.

"A messenger from Master Tengen? You planning to stay in the Yorozuya for a while?"

Toji didn't expect her to hold such a position. Considering Master Tengen's status in the world of jujutsu, even the Three Great Sorcerer Clans would have to show proper respect.

"That's fine, but I can't guarantee when Satoshi will return."

Toji saw right through her real purpose, but he didn't care. It wasn't his business. Satoshi could handle the problem of the new resident himself.

And just like that, without Satoshi knowing, the Yorozuya gained a new member.

---

On the way back, the image of Yuki kept flashing through Satoshi's mind.

He found this future Special Grade sorcerer very interesting. Maybe when she grew up a bit more, she could even be a suitable partner.

But for now, it was still too early.

Besides, Yuki's thought process was just as eccentric as Satoru's. Satoshi had no interest in playing with another problem child.

Still, he knew it was necessary to build a better relationship with Yuki. She would become one of the top combat forces in the jujutsu world. When the time came to face Kenjaku and Ryomen Sukuna, Yuki would be a powerful ally.

Let's think about what kind of Zanpakutō to forge for Yuki and harvest this massive experience pack early. That way, I can grow faster.

As he hurried along, numerous Zanpakutō images flashed through Satoshi's mind as he began to consider which would best suit Kujuku Yuki.

But as he entered a narrow alley—his usual shortcut home—he suddenly sensed something off in the air.

For some reason, his body abruptly felt heavy.

Is it Yuki? Is she pissed off and coming for revenge?

The sensation was similar to Yuki's Star Rage, but Satoshi quickly dismissed that thought.

This isn't Star Rage. That technique only affects Yuki herself and her Shikigami, Garuda. There's no way I'd feel this kind of pressure because of her.

There's another enemy.

Satoshi's expression instantly turned cold as his Six Eyes activated, scanning the surroundings.

Within his field of vision, he noticed that a barrier had been deployed around him at some point. In one corner of that barrier, a figure was locked in his sights.

(To be continued.)

Chapter 129: Onee-san With Bad Intentions

"Come out."

Satoshi stared coldly at the location of the hidden figure, exposing the enemy's disguise.

Clap clap clap…

Crisp applause echoed, followed by a husky yet seductive voice that drifted into Gojo Satoshi's ears.

"As expected of the Six Eyes. You saw through my position in an instant. So perceptive. I was even planning to treat you gently at first! But now it seems we'll have to jump straight to the main course."

A tall woman with short hair appeared before Satoshi.

At first, he only found her face vaguely familiar. But the moment he saw the stitched scar across her forehead, he immediately recognized her identity.

Kenjaku.

Or more accurately—Itadori Yuji's mother.

Satoshi instinctively took a step back, surprise flashing in his eyes. He hadn't expected Kenjaku to appear before him.

Seeing Satoshi's reaction, Itadori Kaori's lips curled up slightly, and a flicker of interest passed through her gaze.

"Oh? Gojo Satoshi-kun, do you know me?"

Satoshi shook his head.

"I don't. I just didn't expect the one who trapped me would turn out to be a woman."

He wasn't arrogant enough to reveal Kenjaku's identity directly.

Right now, he didn't have the strength to go head-to-head with Kenjaku. If he exposed her identity, it would only draw more of her attention in the future.

Satoshi understood where his real advantage lay, he possessed knowledge of future developments and remained in the shadows.

So even when facing Kenjaku, he would never reveal more than necessary.

Itadori Kaori frowned slightly. "Oh? Is that so?"

She felt Satoshi was hiding something, but couldn't tell what. This was her first time meeting him—he shouldn't know who she really was.

"So, Onee-san, why did you stop me here? I need to hurry home."

Satoshi slowly began retreating.

The person before him was the true final boss of this world, and he didn't yet have the ability to fight her. If Ryūjin Jakka were fully obedient, he might still stand a chance.

But right now, Ryūjin Jakka was nothing more than a glorified fire poker, and his body hadn't fully matured. He was no match for Kenjaku in her current form. The best option now was to run—fast.

Noticing Satoshi's subtle movement, Itadori Kaori smiled with amusement.

"Gojo Satoshi-kun, I just want to borrow something from you, okay? I hold no ill will toward you."

Satoshi narrowed his eyes and looked at her warily. "Borrow something? I don't think I have anything valuable on me."

Kaori shook her head.

"Of course you do."

"You're so young, yet you carry two swords around. Isn't that a bit heavy? Why not lend me one?"

Her gaze lingered on Ryūjin Jakka. This Zanpakutō held immense power. Once activated, it would unleash world-shattering flames.

"Ryūjin Jakka…"

The moment she spoke the name, Satoshi's body tensed.

He had assumed Kenjaku was here to nip a potential threat in the bud but it turned out, her target was actually Ryūjin Jakka.

"Onee-san, this is just an ordinary katana. It's really not worth your time."

Satoshi tried to play it off. Even though Kaori had said she was targeting the Zanpakutō, Satoshi didn't dare to lower his guard.

Kaori's eyes sparkled. "I like fire a lot, you know. So how about lending me this sword? I'll give it back later."

"Besides, your Onee-san just likes ordinary katanas, so don't take it too seriously, Satoshi-kun."

Her attitude made it clear, she was determined to get her hands on Ryūjin Jakka. She could sense the threat it posed and had no intention of letting it slip away.

As for Satoshi himself, she didn't see him as a real threat.

Over the years, she had killed other Six Eyes users from the Gojo clan before. But even if the Six Eyes died, the eyes would eventually reappear.

So her killing intent wasn't particularly strong toward him.

If possible, she preferred that Satoshi cooperate and avoid complicating her future plans.

Realizing her determination, Satoshi started weighing his options. Thanks to the system, even if Kenjaku forcibly took Ryūjin Jakka, she wouldn't be able to strengthen herself with it.

After all, if he willed it, the Ryūjin Jakka in her hands would become nothing more than a real fire stick.

Even so, he absolutely didn't want to lose Ryūjin Jakka unless he had no choice. He knew just how powerful this Zanpakutō could become, it was one of his future trump cards against Kenjaku and Ryomen Sukuna.

Having Ryūjin Jakka and not having it were two completely different leagues.

"Well, if Onee-san likes it, I'd be happy to help."

"This one, right?"

Satoshi gripped the hilt and drew Ryūjin Jakka.

Kaori's eyes gleamed as she nodded. "That's the one."

She was surprised at how cooperative Satoshi was. But in the very next moment, he swung Ryūjin Jakka with a powerful Zanjutsu technique, aiming directly at her.

"There's no need to struggle," Kaori said calmly. "Satoshi-kun, I've been watching you for a while now. You still haven't unlocked Ryūjin Jakka's true power. Just its sharpness alone won't be enough to break through my barrier."

Watching Satoshi resist, Itadori Kaori realized that taking Ryūjin Jakka wouldn't be so easy after all.

"Satoshi-kun, this barrier is completely invisible to others. I personally designed it—it's an advanced version of the curtain. Not only is it undetectable to regular humans, but even jujutsu sorcerers won't be able to notice it."

"Unless someone pours a huge amount of Cursed Energy into a scan, no one will ever find this place."

"I know you're trying to stall for time, but are you sure it's worth wasting our energy like this?"

Upon hearing her explanation, Satoshi's heart skipped a beat. She was right, even something like Ryūjin Jakka might not be able to break through this barrier.

"Ten minutes is more than enough for me to kill you a hundred times. So let's save ourselves the trouble, okay?"

Kaori casually revealed the barrier's duration, its only weakness but she didn't care in the slightest.

(To be continued.)