One year of time, both long and short.
The days in the underground confinement room were dull and peaceful. Except for the food delivered on schedule and necessary inspections, they were almost completely isolated from the outside world.
But for Toho Hiroshi and Geto Suguru, who had experienced the cycle of life and death and whose hearts had long been tempered, this loneliness was not unbearable. On the contrary, it provided a rare space for reflection and settling down.
Over this year, with the nourishment of the unique life force derived from the Divine Tree from White Zetsu, Toho Hiroshi's body had long since recovered as before, and his aura had even become more reserved and profound as he had shed a heavy burden.
Geto Suguru had further sorted out his complicated thoughts during this time, and the expression on his face became increasingly peaceful, though the complexity that occasionally flashed in the depths of his eyes proved that he had not truly forgotten the past.
On this day, the heavy stone door of the confinement room did not open at the usual meal delivery time, but rather, on an afternoon, an unusual unlocking sound was heard.
The stone door slid open slowly, and the long-lost natural light, not too harsh but warm enough, poured in, causing both of them, accustomed to the dim light inside, to squint instinctively.
Standing at the doorway was Yaga Masamichi, whose expression remained expressionless but whose eyes had softened a little. He held a formal document stamped with the bright red seal of The Higher-Ups.
"Toho, Geto." Yaga's voice was as steady as ever, but if one listened carefully, a trace of relief could be discerned. "After a re-deliberation by the senior meeting of The Higher-Ups, it is considered that you have performed well during your confinement, and the order of the Jujutsu World has basically stabilized. It is now officially decided to lift your indefinite confinement."
This notification came a bit suddenly.
Toho Hiroshi and Geto Suguru looked at each other, both seeing a trace of surprise in the other's eyes.
They had indeed expected that the so-called "indefinite" would not really be forever, but they hadn't expected it to be so soon, and in the form of this "formal ruling."
Seeming to see their doubts, Yaga Masamichi coughed, a strange expression flashing across his face, as if he wanted to laugh but forcibly held it back, eventually turning into a helpless sigh.
He added: "Satoru... in his personal capacity, has made a'strong recommendation' to the Gojo Family and The Higher-Ups. He stated that if his two 'important classmates' cannot regain their freedom, he will feel deeply 'lonely as snow' and have 'no interest' in maintaining the stability of the Jujutsu World."
"At the same time... well, he announced that he will never marry for life, to ensure that the'strongest' bloodline of the Gojo Family ends here, so that certain old guys holding unrealistic fantasies will give up completely."
Yaga almost repeated Gojo Satoru's outrageous and threatening words verbatim, his tone flat and waveless, but the content was enough to make anyone dumbfounded.
Toho Hiroshi: "..." Geto Suguru: "..." The two understood instantly.
What "performed well," "stable order," all of it was just for show.
The real driving force was Gojo Satoru once again using his "strongest" strength and his identity as the "divine child" of the Gojo Family to conduct an unreasonable "forcing of the palace."
Threatening to never marry and cut off the inheritance of the strongest bloodline was undoubtedly a bombshell for The Big Three Families, who valued family glory and bloodline continuation very heavily. Especially for the Gojo Family, Gojo Satoru was their guarantee for the future and the cornerstone of the family's unshakeable foundation. The divine child says he won't marry? That's a disaster!
The elders of the Gojo Family were probably panicked on the spot, where would they care about the opinions of the other two families or any procedural justice? They must have used all their energy and means to frantically pressure The Higher-Ups. As for the other Zen'in Family and Kamo Family, having lost the traditional power foundation brought by the Tengen Barrier, and facing such a desperate stance from the Gojo Family, they could only choose to compromise. There was no way around it, who told them Gojo Satoru was the treasure of the Gojo Family? Whatever the divine child says, even if the Gojo Family has to exhaust all their efforts, they must do it.
Having figured out the key points, Toho Hiroshi shook his head helplessly, but the corners of his mouth could not help but rise slightly.
This was indeed something Gojo Satoru could do, and only he could accomplish.
Geto Suguru also chuckled and whispered: "It really is... his style."
"Let's go," Yaga stepped aside, clearing the passage, "someone is waiting for you outside."
When Toho Hiroshi and Geto Suguru stepped out of the underground stairs and truly stood again in the courtyard of Tokyo Jujutsu High, which was familiar and carried the fragrance of grass and trees and the atmosphere of repairs, the afternoon sun fell on them, warm and cozy.
And not far ahead, a group of people had long been waiting there.
Standing at the very front was naturally that white-haired man in black, wearing retro round sunglasses, with an arrogant smile on the corners of his mouth—Gojo Satoru.
He had his hands in his pockets, his posture so relaxed as if he had just been waiting for a friend to have tea for a while.
"Yo! Two 'former' prisoners, has it been comfortable staying in this place? Did you miss me?"
He drew out his tone, still with that punch-able look.
Behind him, Yuta Okkotsu, Yuji Itadori, Toge Inumaki, Panda, Maki Zen'in, Nobara Kugisaki, Megumi Fushiguro, Rika... almost all the familiar faces were there.
A year had passed, and the temperament of the young boys and girls seemed more stable, but looking at them now, their eyes carried sincere welcome and smiles.
Even Shoko Ieiri, with her hands in her pockets, stood a little further away, raising the coffee can in her hand towards them, which counted as a greeting.
This scene was less like welcoming released "prisoners" and more like welcoming companions who had returned home after a long absence.
Toho Hiroshi looked at this scene, at Gojo Satoru's eyes hidden behind his sunglasses, which must have carried pride and concern, and at the smiles of those young juniors without any gloom, and the last trace of stagnation in his heart caused by the confinement dissipated like smoke. He took a deep breath of free air and walked forward.
Geto Suguru followed by his side, his gaze sweeping over the crowd, finally landing on Gojo Satoru, gently pushing back the bangs on his forehead, revealing a relieved, gentle, and long-lost true smile.
"Ah." Toho Hiroshi responded to Gojo Satoru's previous "greeting," his tone carrying a hint of teasing, "I really did miss it, especially your kind of noisy style."
One year of time is enough to change many things, and enough to let some obsessions settle or ferment.
That female Jujutsu Sorcerer from ancient times who was resurrected by Toho Hiroshi with the Samsara Heavenly Life Technique—Yorozu, after experiencing the initial confusion and adaptation, made a decision that surprised many people.
She did not choose to take the lead but reached a wonderful symbiosis with the girl who carried her soul, Tsumiki Fushiguro.
Most of the time, Tsumiki Fushiguro dominated the body, enjoying this hard-won ordinary life, while Yorozu appeared as a latent consciousness and power when needed.
However, that intense admiration for Toho Hiroshi that spanned time and space did not diminish due to the symbiosis, but instead, after learning the news that Toho Hiroshi was released from confinement, it burned fiercely like a ignited wildfire.
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