That evening, an unexpected person appeared before Eichi.
"Haha, I heard you caused quite a stir, kid."
Naobito was still dressed in his yukata and haori.
"Old man, why are you here? And with so few people?"
Eichi looked at the dozen or so individuals behind Naobito.
"Kid, Jujutsu Sorcerers all have their designated areas. It's not easy to suddenly mobilize a large number of them."
Naobito clapped Eichi on the shoulder with a hearty laugh.
"You've grown so fast. The first time I saw you, we were about the same height."
Naobito was a bit over 1.7 meters tall.
Eichi's current height had already surpassed 1.8 meters.
He was taller than Naobito now.
Eichi rolled his eyes.
"So, what did Jujutsu Headquarters say? How many people are they sending?"
He asked what he cared about most.
"They're still mobilizing. The exact number hasn't been decided yet."
Naobito shook his head.
"The people I brought are all excellent at intelligence gathering. We'll head to the location you mentioned shortly to confirm the situation."
"They don't trust me?"
Eichi's eyes narrowed slightly as he began to consider whether a trip to Kyoto was necessary.
"It's not that. They do trust you. You provided detailed information, after all."
Naobito scratched his liquor gourd, unable to resist taking a small sip.
He'd enjoy a proper drink after this was all over.
After all, this reconnaissance mission was dangerous.
"It's just that they want firsthand confirmation for peace of mind. The lower-ranked sorcerers haven't been summoned yet, but the Special Grades, including Yuki Tsukumo, have already been notified."
Naobito explained.
"Isn't Yuki overseas?"
"She'll be here tomorrow if she takes a fast flight."
"Alright."
With that, Eichi stood up.
"Follow me. I'll take you there. But I'll say this now—if a fight breaks out, I can't guarantee their safety."
"Don't worry, this is only reconnaissance."
Naobito nodded.
Naraku had already arranged vehicles for the group. They didn't waste any time and headed straight for northern Sendai.
Upon arriving at the coast of northern Sendai, Eichi noticed that the previous Barrier Techniques entrance had vanished.
Even the surrounding environment had changed slightly.
"Looks like the other side was prepared too."
Eichi glanced at Naobito.
"It's fine, as long as we know the general location."
Naobito looked back at the people behind him.
"We came prepared."
As he finished speaking, the Jujutsu Sorcerers behind him began revealing their techniques.
Some summoned shikigami, others turned invisible, and one of them, as if undergoing Soul Emergence, released a spirit form from his body that quickly vanished.
The sand and gravel on the ground ahead began to ripple like water.
A large sandbox took shape.
Soon, someone marked several points on the sandbox.
"These locations are under Shikigami surveillance."
As he spoke, someone responded.
The marked sandy areas changed subtly. Several shikigami were swallowed by the sand before they could even react.
They weren't destroyed, but their communication was cut off.
In this manner, the dozen or so people split into smaller teams and carefully searched the area Eichi had indicated.
Before long, they located the sealed entrance to the Barrier Techniques.
An elder reached out his hand. A transparent crystal flower appeared in his palm, beautifully shaped like a sculpture.
It was the elder's creation, a result of merging his Technique with Barrier Techniques.
The crystal flower landed on the barrier and took root like it had been planted in soil.
A small hole silently opened.
Everyone immediately proceeded to the next phase.
Meanwhile, deep within Tokyo Jujutsu High.
Yaga stood before the gate of the Tombs of the Star, waiting for an audience with Tengen.
This was a request from both Jujutsu Headquarters and Eichi.
Yaga was a man of deep passion for education.
His life was like a moth flying in the darkness of the Jujutsu World, endlessly drawn to the candlelight.
His destiny was to eventually burn out on that path.
When the gate before him opened, Yaga stepped inside without hesitation.
This was the final passage. If Tengen was willing to meet, they would appear at the end of this corridor.
If not, the passage would lead to an empty Barrier Techniques and nothing more.
Yaga soon exited the passage.
A solemn thumb appeared before him.
"Lord Tengen."
Yaga bowed slightly.
He genuinely respected Tengen, as they had protected Japan and the Jujutsu World for a long time.
Although he didn't agree with everything Tengen had done, he was no longer the impulsive youth he once was.
He understood that perfection was often impossible.
Actions mattered more than ideals.
"What brings you here this time?"
Tengen looked at him calmly, their expression unreadable.
"It's about the threat in Sendai. We hope to receive your assistance."
"You may."
Tengen nodded.
"Why are so many Cursed Spirits gathered in northern Sendai? And where did those powerful individuals come from? Can you enlighten us?"
Yaga met Tengen's gaze with determination.
Eichi had expressed suspicions about Tengen over the phone.
Yaga hoped with all his heart that Eichi was wrong.
Tengen was a pillar of the Jujutsu World. If anything were wrong with them, the impact would be devastating.
"There's a very advanced Barrier Technique there. If not for the battle yesterday, I wouldn't have noticed the anomaly either."
Tengen's tone was flat. Yaga couldn't sense any emotion.
"Even you didn't detect it?"
Such a massive barrier and millions of imprisoned Cursed Spirits couldn't have appeared overnight.
"No."
"I see. Understood."
A flash of disappointment passed through Yaga's eyes.
This answer didn't ease Eichi's suspicion.
Nor did it ease his own doubts.
He quickly composed himself and moved on.
"With such a vast number of Cursed Spirits, once they emerge, it will be a catastrophe. Please, Lord Tengen, establish a barrier over Sendai to isolate the battlefield."
Tengen thought for a moment.
"No problem. I will gather the Barrier Techniques of the entire Tohoku Region to seal off the area completely. Until the battle ends, not a single Cursed Spirit will escape."
Tengen gave a slight nod.
"Thank you very much. I'll take my leave now."
Yaga bowed deeply and left the Tombs of the Star.
Although he had received Tengen's assurance, his heart remained heavy.
He had faith in his students.
But the enemy's strength was overwhelming, and their numbers vastly outmatched their own.
(To be continued.)