After a moment of silence, he turned back, meeting everyone's gaze, his deep Rinnegan unperturbed.
He did not directly answer the question about his physical state, only saying in a steady and firm tone:
"Tokyo, and indeed this world, truly cannot endure another battle like the one in Shinjuku."
His fingers tapped lightly on the table, his gaze returning to the holographic map displayed by Mei Mei, to that winding, pale gray energy flow pointing toward the Kyoto Imperial Palace and Mount Hiei.
"Therefore, if this Prince Sawara is truly attempting to become a 'Divine Cursed Spirit'..."
Toho Hiroshi's voice was not loud, yet it carried an unquestionable strength, as if stating an established fact.
"Then, we must act before it completely completes its 'ascension,' binds deeply with the nation's destiny and history, and becomes as unshakable as Tengen..."
A cold, sharp glint flashed in his eyes, like a drawn blade.
"Find it, and then—"
"At the moment of its manifestation, strike with thunderous force and exorcise it completely."
The heavy atmosphere in the conference room eased slightly as the initial course of action was determined.
The group discussed further details, mainly with Mei Mei sharing more specific data she had collected regarding the sacrificial sites and abnormal fluctuations in the ley lines, as well as Geto Suguru and Yuki Tsukumo adding folk legends they had heard during their travels concerning ancient imperial spirits.
Ultimately, it was decided that Mei Mei would continue to delve deeper into tracking that pale gray energy flow, attempting to pinpoint the specific location where the core of Prince Sawara's consciousness was most likely hiding.
Gojo Satoru would be responsible for using his influence to secretly mobilize the resources of the Jujutsu World to conduct stricter surveillance on the Kyoto Imperial Palace and Mount Hiei areas, without causing mass panic.
Okkotsu, Fushiguro, and other young Jujutsu Sorcerers would remain on standby, ready to respond to potential local Cursed Spirit disasters triggered by the infiltration of Prince Sawara's resentment.
The meeting concluded, and everyone dispersed, each carrying heavy thoughts.
Gojo Satoru dragged Geto Suguru and Yuki Tsukumo away, claiming he wanted to "interrogate" them about the interesting anecdotes from their travels, but in reality, he wanted to understand from more perspectives whether there were any cases of "conceptual parasitism" similar to Prince Sawara globally.
Okkotsu and the others were called away by Yaga Masamichi, who seemed to have new assignments to distribute.
Toho Hiroshi and Shoko walked out of the conference room side by side, strolling slowly along the corridor, which looked brand new after the reconstruction.
The sunset cast their shadows long.
"Are Yu and Yao behaving well today?"
Shoko glanced at him sideways, not pressing for more, and answered in line with his words: "Yu is very quiet and has been practicing the Cursed Energy control you taught him. Yao has been playing with that Special Grade Cursed Corpse you and Principal Yaga made together."
A faint smile tugged at the corners of Toho Hiroshi's mouth, but it vanished quickly.
Just then, an elegant and slightly lazy voice came from behind.
"Dongfang, please wait."
The two stopped and looked back.
It was Mei Mei.
She walked over gracefully, her high heels making crisp tapping sounds on the polished floor.
She first nodded politely to Shoko, then looked at Toho Hiroshi: "There are some matters regarding your previous private commission that I would like to discuss with you alone."
Toho Hiroshi's eyes narrowed slightly.
Shoko understood immediately; she gave a faint nod to Mei Mei, glanced at Toho Hiroshi once more, conveying a "come back soon" sentiment in her eyes, and then left first.
Only Toho Hiroshi and Mei Mei remained in the corridor.
"Let's talk at my temporary residence; it's quieter there."
Mei Mei made a gesture of invitation.
Inside a sophisticated and secluded top-floor hotel suite in Tokyo.
Outside the huge floor-to-ceiling windows were the brilliant lights of Tokyo, feeling like a different lifetime compared to the ruins of Shinjuku seven years ago.
Mei Mei sat elegantly on the sofa, skillfully opening an expensive bottle of red wine and pouring half a glass for both Toho Hiroshi and herself.
The dark red wine swayed in the crystal glass, reflecting the neon lights outside the window.
"Let's get to business first."
Mei Mei gently pushed a glass of wine toward Toho Hiroshi, picked up the other one herself, and swirled it gently, "Regarding the clues you privately commissioned me to investigate years ago about the essence and origin of 'Tengen'."
Toho Hiroshi picked up the wine glass, didn't drink, but just watched her quietly, waiting for what would follow.
Mei Mei took a sip of the wine, her gaze turning to the distant starry sky outside the window, her voice carrying a hint of excitement and gravity from exploring the unknown: "Based on the fact that I have used all my channels over these past few years, consulted countless ancient documents that were sealed, forgotten, or even considered taboo, and combined this with some fringe theories in modern astrophysics and extraterrestrial biology, I have come to a rather bold speculation."
She paused, turned her head, looked directly into Toho Hiroshi's deep Rinnegan, and said word by word: "I believe that Tengen may not be an existence born on Earth."
"It is highly likely an 'outsider' from the distant sea of stars, or in other words, an extraterrestrial visitor."
Although he had been mentally prepared, Toho Hiroshi's pupils still contracted slightly upon hearing this conclusion.
He did not interrupt, signaling for Mei Mei to continue.
"There are several clues supporting this speculation," Mei Mei analyzed clearly, "First, the absolute 'abnormality' of its form of existence. Star Plasma Vessel assimilation, Barrier maintenance, and a near-eternal life form."
"This is completely incompatible with any known Cursed Energy system or life evolution path on Earth; it is more like a survival mechanism that was 'designed' or 'inherent' to adapt to a certain environment."
"Second, the fragmented records scattered in the myths of ancient civilizations around the world. Whether it's the 'gods from the stars' on Sumerian clay tablets, the cryptic descriptions of 'non-human mentors' in the Mayan calendar, or even Kaguya-hime in the Japanese 'The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter' who ultimately returned to the Moon Palace."
"Their core elements all subtly align with certain characteristics of 'Tengen.' It may have appeared in different eras and regions, in different forms and under different names."
"Third, its fundamental purpose."
Mei Mei's voice lowered, "Is its construction of a Barrier covering all of Japan truly just to 'optimize Cursed Energy' and 'protect humanity'? Or is it more like a slow and persistent transformation."
"Transforming the environment of the entire planet into a form more suitable for it, or for some existence behind it, to survive?"
"Of course, these are still just speculations, lacking conclusive evidence."
Mei Mei downed the rest of the wine in her glass, "Tengen has already been completely annihilated by you, and many truths may have been buried forever along with it. But the existence of a visitor from beyond does not seem entirely impossible, does it?"
She looked at Toho Hiroshi meaningfully.
Toho Hiroshi remained silent, digesting this shocking information.
If Mei Mei's speculation was true, then there might be a much larger secret hidden behind Tengen, potentially even involving threats from beyond Earth
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