"Since you know an enemy like that exists, why haven't you defeated it over a thousand years?"
This was a question Eiji had always been curious about.
Master Tengen understood Kenjaku, and even knew Kenjaku's objective.
However, Master Tengen didn't fully understand Kenjaku, and was unaware of most of its abilities.
For example, Kenjaku could still use the Cursed Technique of its previous body after switching to a new one.
For example, the abilities of Kaori Itadori, Kenjaku's previous vessel.
And most importantly, Kenjaku's Domain Expansion was an open Domain Expansion.
Despite being called an omniscient and omnipotent sorcerer, and holding such a high position.
It turned out to be neither omniscient nor omnipotent.
It had even been a hindrance more than once.
Such a Master Tengen made one doubt whether it was evil or stupid.
"To use a saying from the great nation next door, you can be a thief for a thousand days, but you can't guard against a thief for a thousand days."
This reason...
"Then why did you refuse to assimilate with the Star Plasma Vessel? There's more than one Star Plasma Vessel, like Yuki Tsukumo who's been overseas."
"Yuki Tsukumo is displeased with me; she wouldn't assimilate with me."
Master Tengen shook its head.
"What about others? Like Riko Amanai, children raised as Star Plasma Vessels from a young age, prepared to offer everything to you, there must be others, right?"
In fact, to maintain the stability of the Jujutsu World, Jujutsu Headquarters sent other Star Plasma Vessels to Kurokoshi-gu the very next day.
Moreover, this time Jujutsu High's combat power was complete, and Jujutsu Headquarters had even forcefully mobilized a large number of Grade 1 Jujutsu Sorcerers.
The preparations were on the scale of going to war with Curse Users.
But this time, the escort mission for the Star Plasma Vessel was surprisingly smooth.
There were no attacks or unusual incidents.
If Kenjaku's goal was to prevent the Star Plasma Vessel from assimilating with Master Tengen, why didn't it intervene this time?
Even if it was inconvenient to act this time because it had been exposed.
Why didn't it act in the original timeline?
Eiji could only think of one answer.
Kenjaku knew that once the causality of fate was broken, Master Tengen would give up assimilation.
In other words, Kenjaku understood Master Tengen very well.
"There's no need anymore."
"What do you mean?"
"Evolution will eventually come, just like the changing seasons are inevitable. What difference does it make if it's a day earlier or a day later..."
Master Tengen's tone was calm, like an old monk who had seen through the world.
Over a thousand years, Master Tengen had assimilated with two Star Plasma Vessels. Riko Amanai was supposed to be the third.
But when Master Tengen felt fate being broken, it submitted to fate.
Eiji suddenly recalled the scene of Yuki Tsukumo's conversation with Master Tengen.
From Yuki Tsukumo's reaction, the souls of the Star Plasma Vessels assimilated by Master Tengen did not disappear.
Instead, they endured long periods of loneliness and pain within Master Tengen.
This was also one of the reasons for Yuki Tsukumo's negative attitude towards Master Tengen.
Because Yuki Tsukumo could hear the voices of those Star Plasma Vessels and knew what they endured.
Using children called Star Plasma Vessels without permission, making them bear sins that were not their own, and then lightly saying it was a necessary sacrifice?
Suddenly, Eiji had a new thought.
Was it for this reason that Master Tengen refused further assimilation after Toji Fushiguro broke fate?
"You really picked a good time."
Eiji sighed helplessly.
Master Tengen looked at Eiji calmly, waiting for Eiji to voice his thoughts.
"Are you a Cursed Spirit now?"
"Yes and no. I am evolving into a higher life form that transcends humans and Cursed Spirits, but before the evolution is complete, my existence is indeed closer to that of a Cursed Spirit."
"Are you a target of the Cursed Spirit Manipulation?"
"Yes."
Master Tengen answered instantly, as if unconcerned about it.
"Kenjaku can acquire other people's Cursed Techniques by possessing their bodies. Now, in this era, sorcerers like those with Cursed Spirit Manipulation have appeared. You should know what that means, right?"
Eiji propped his chin on his hands and looked at Master Tengen. From this perspective, did Master Tengen have some sort of unspoken understanding with Kenjaku?
"Are you saying Kenjaku will take over Suguru Geto's body and then come after me?"
"If Kenjaku's goal is the same as what you've said, then Kenjaku will definitely do that, won't they?"
"Indeed... I'll keep that in mind."
Master Tengen fell silent for a moment, quietly raising the attention level for Suguru Geto.
Eiji stared silently at Master Tengen.
In his conversation with Master Tengen, Eiji noticed that Master Tengen's words often carried a sense of age.
Many people become more youthful in spirit as they age—playful old folks, stubborn grandmas—many elderly people are like that.
But Master Tengen was not. To Eiji, Master Tengen felt more like a piece of decaying wood.
"Can you tell me your story? For example, why did you establish this Barrier that covers the Island Nation?"
"Oh? Don't you young people dislike rambling old people?"
I do dislike it, but for my future goals, I need to understand your experiences and attitude.
"Let's just say I'm fascinated by the legends of the Jujutsu World."
"That's a long story..."
A look of emotion appeared on Master Tengen's thumb-like face. Eiji was quite impressed that Master Tengen could express such a range of emotions with a Barrier.
This Barrier had truly come alive under Master Tengen's control.
"My Cursed Technique is one that many people dream of, but it's actually not that powerful."
Eiji knew this too.
Although Master Tengen's Immortality Technique sounded impressive, it didn't hold a high status in the Jujutsu World, where strength was paramount, especially in the early stages.
When people mentioned Master Tengen, they often first brought up its mastery of Barriers, like the one covering the entire Island Nation, rather than its Immortality Technique.
"However, I have a considerable talent for Barrier Techniques."
Older people seemed to enjoy reminiscing about the past.
Master Tengen's story became increasingly rich and vivid.
"The reason I initially established the Barrier was simple: people needed my help..."
"Over the long years, my Barrier unknowingly spread throughout the entire country."
"Later, to better utilize the Barrier's functions, I connected these Barriers together."
"It's just that people didn't seem to want that..."
Master Tengen's voice grew noticeably lower.
Eiji understood the thoughts of those people.
Why should a Barrier that originally belonged to our own home be used as a node to connect other Barriers and serve unrelated people?
Furthermore, once these Barriers were connected, who would protect my interests and privacy?
What if someone invaded our family through the connected Barriers?
Most people are selfish. Master Tengen's desire to sacrifice for others naturally met with opposition.
It was like an emperor seeing societal problems and wanting to enact reforms, only to find no support and even deliberate obstruction.
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Translation by: randomtranslator.com
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