Roswaal had achieved his long lifespan by continuously transferring his soul into his descendants through magic.
In a sense, the living fossil of the Jujutsu Society, Master Tengen, used a similar method.
The difference was that Tengen didn't rely on descendants, but on a special existence known as a Star Plasma Vessel.
Unlike Roswaal, Tengen's reincarnations weren't merely a way to extend life. Each assimilation also brought improvements.
For example, after merging with a Star Plasma Vessel, Tengen could inherit that person's memories and experiences, gaining new knowledge and abilities.
More importantly, the process reset Tengen's physical body, preserving both identity and rationality while preventing the forced evolution of Tengen's Cursed Technique once the body aged beyond its limits.
Information like this was completely unknown to most Jujutsu Sorcerers. Only ancient families with long histories, such as the Gojo Family, had even heard fragments of it.
"How long have I been gone?"
Gojo was curious. He had spent quite a while in another world. Had the flow of time been the same here?
"Thirty-six days."
The members of the Gojo Family answered with certainty.
"Just over a month, huh?"
Gojo rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
That was almost identical to the amount of time he'd spent in the other world.
Which meant time flowed at nearly a one-to-one ratio. There wasn't any significant difference between the two worlds.
"Where exactly did you go? Who attacked you? What was their objective?"
Seeing Gojo lost in thought, the Gojo Family members immediately began asking questions.
Within the Gojo Family, the bearer of the Six Eyes automatically inherited the position of Family Head upon reaching adulthood.
Gojo was already seventeen.
Next year, he would officially become the Gojo Family's Family Head.
Targeting him was equivalent to provoking the entire Gojo Family. It was something they couldn't forgive.
"Who attacked me?"
Gojo laughed.
"I don't think anyone can actually do that."
In Betty's world, there were absurdly powerful beings like Reinhard van Astrea and the Witch of Envy.
But in his own world?
Sorry.
Even before mastering Reverse Cursed Technique, he had already stood at the peak of the world.
There were almost no opponents who could challenge him.
The idea of someone attacking him and making him disappear for over a month was practically impossible.
"But your classmate, Suguru Geto, said it looked like someone had used some kind of Cursed Technique on you..."
Gojo slapped his forehead.
He had almost forgotten.
Back when he'd first seen the system notification, he'd assumed some idiot had used a strange Cursed Technique on him.
"No, no."
"I just said that casually."
"I had something I needed to take care of."
"It happened so suddenly that I didn't have time to notify anyone. Honestly, I do feel a little bad about that."
Gojo laughed and brushed the topic aside.
The members of the Gojo Family exchanged glances.
Clearly, there were things Gojo didn't want to talk about.
They didn't press further.
Although Gojo hadn't officially become Family Head yet, there was virtually no difference between him and one already. The formal transfer of authority was the only thing missing.
If he didn't want to explain something, nobody in the Gojo Family would dare force him.
"It's fine, it's fine. Just let us know if something like this ever happens again. Everyone's been worried sick about you."
As they spoke, more footsteps approached.
Recognizing the familiar sound, Gojo turned toward the doorway.
A boy wearing the same uniform as him entered the room. His black hair was tied into a bun, and he carried himself with the slight hunch that had become second nature.
"Yo."
"You're even later than I expected, my dear best friend~"
Gojo waved cheerfully.
"If you'd stop saying disgusting things like that, I might actually be moved by this reunion."
Suguru Geto walked into the room, his narrow eyes filled with amusement as he looked at Gojo.
It had been a long time.
Yet the friendship between them hadn't faded in the slightest.
One smile was all it took to confirm that.
"Yaga-sensei."
Geto sat down beside Gojo and greeted Masamichi Yaga before nodding politely to the members of the Gojo Family.
"Aren't you going to introduce us?"
He looked toward Betty.
"Honestly, I've already explained this several times."
Gojo sprawled lazily across his seat.
"Is anyone else coming? If so, let's just wait and do it all at once."
"Shoko will probably show up," Geto said. "Not sure about Utahime. Considering how much she hates you, she'd definitely be first in line if she got the chance to kill you."
"Seriously, you don't understand women at all."
Gojo shook his head dramatically.
"What if Utahime secretly has a crush on me?"
"If only Shoko's Reverse Cursed Technique could cure brain damage."
"Reverse Cursed Technique?"
Gojo grinned.
"No need to bother Shoko. I can use it too now."
"..."
Geto said nothing.
But Gojo could clearly see the enormous question mark in his eyes.
"It wasn't a big deal."
"I got bored, had a random idea, tried it out, and succeeded."
"You know how it is. I'm a genius."
"Isn't that only natural?"
His tone was casual, but the enormous grin on his face gave away exactly what he was thinking.
After all, what was more satisfying than showing off in front of your best friend?
"I finally understand why Utahime hates you."
Geto rubbed his forehead.
The two chatted as though nobody else existed.
A short while later, Shoko Ieiri arrived.
The moment she stepped inside, her attention was immediately captured by Betty, who looked almost like a living doll sitting beside Gojo.
"Is that your illegitimate child?"
Her first sentence left everyone speechless.
"What kind of person do you and Utahime think I am?"
Gojo looked genuinely offended.
"How can you even say something like that?"
"Now that everyone's here, explain."
Shoko dropped into a seat.
"How does someone just disappear out of nowhere?"
"Exactly."
She leaned closer to Gojo.
"You probably don't know this, but someone was drowning in regret after you vanished."
"He kept saying that if he'd been more cautious, maybe you wouldn't have met such a terrible fate..."
Shoko lowered her voice as if sharing a secret.
Unfortunately, she spoke loudly enough for everyone to hear.
"Oh?"
Gojo immediately leaned in.
"Who was it? Who?"
"Is it the person I'm thinking of?"
"Yep."
Shoko nodded seriously.
"Exactly the person you're thinking of."
"Did he lock himself away somewhere and cry in secret?"
"Very possible."
Watching the two of them exchange lines back and forth, Geto's face filled with helplessness.
"Seriously, you two."
"Could you at least pretend I exist?"
After a long period of noisy banter, evening had arrived.
Gojo stretched lazily.
"Alright, that's enough for today."
"I've been gone for over a month."
"I should head home and show my face."
He stood up.
"I'll come find you guys tomorrow."
"Then you can all help me take Betty around and show her the city."
As he spoke, Gojo suddenly scooped Betty into his arms.
Holding her like a toddler, he grabbed her hand and waved it toward Geto and the others.
"Come on."
"Say goodbye to everyone."
"Are you an idiot, or do you think I'm an idiot?"
Betty immediately yanked her hand back.
She refused to participate in something so embarrassing.
"Then see you tomorrow."
Knowing his best friend was safe was enough.
Nothing else mattered.
Gojo nodded and left together with Betty and the members of the Gojo Family.
"Those people are your friends?"
As they walked, Betty glanced back toward Geto and the others.
"Yep."
"Not just friends. They're my classmates."
"And that scary-looking old guy was our principal."
"This is where I go to school."
"School?"
Betty looked at him strangely.
"That's right."
"But I don't think that old man is stronger than you."
"That's normal."
Gojo shrugged.
"I doubt anyone in this world is stronger than me right now."
He delivered the absurdly arrogant statement with a completely calm expression.
"If you keep saying things like that, you're going to give me the wrong impression of your world's power level."
"Oh, then I must be too strong."
"No."
Betty folded her arms.
"The ceiling is too low."
As they continued bickering, they eventually left the grounds of Jujutsu High.
A long black luxury sedan was parked discreetly by the roadside.
Members of the Gojo Family hurried forward and opened the door.
Gojo climbed into the spacious back seat with Betty.
"This is a car."
"You can think of it as a Dragon Carriage that doesn't need an Earth Dragon."
"It's powered entirely by machines."
As he explained, he casually opened the built-in refrigerator and pulled out several drinks along with a pile of snacks and desserts.
Everyone in the Gojo Family knew his preferences.
The vehicle was permanently stocked with his favorite foods.
"Try some."
"When we get home, I'll introduce you to some real cuisine."
Life in the other world had been rough at first.
There had even been a time when he had to practically extort spending money from Reinhard just to eat.
Things were different now.
The Gojo Family had existed for generations.
Whether or not they were the strongest was debatable.
But their wealth certainly wasn't.
Betty didn't bother pretending to be polite.
Every snack Gojo handed her was met with immediate curiosity.
"Well?"
After watching her sample several treats, Gojo grinned.
"Your world's food is better."
Even Betty had to admit it.
The flavors were undeniably superior.
"Glad you like it."
"While you're here, we'll try everything."
Seeing her enjoy herself brought a smile to Gojo's face.
Compared to old friends like Geto and Shoko, whom he'd known for years, he'd only spent a little over a month with Betty.
Yet during that single month, their relationship had deepened at an astonishing speed.
After all, when someone completely entrusts their life to you, there aren't many barriers left between you.
That was exactly how Betty was.
Other people might betray him someday.
Betty never could.
Their lives were literally connected.
Bringing her back from another world left Gojo with a strong sense of responsibility.
Calling her a little sister, as he'd told Yaga, wasn't entirely accurate.
Honestly, she felt more like a daughter.
Which was a strange thought considering he was only seventeen.
Still, he didn't dislike the feeling.
The car carried Gojo and Betty through the night.
Gradually, they disappeared into the darkness.
Everything seemed peaceful again.
Yet news of Satoru Gojo's return spread through the entire Jujutsu Society that very night.
The reason was simple.
His identity was too special.
As the bearer of both the Six Eyes and the Limitless Cursed Technique, he had attracted attention since the day he was born.
Countless people watched his every move.
A month earlier, that same person had vanished from Jujutsu High without warning.
There were no signs of battle.
No traces of Cursed Energy.
Nothing.
He had disappeared so completely that it was as though he had evaporated from existence.
Jujutsu High was considered one of the safest places a Jujutsu Sorcerer could be.
Yet the future Family Head of the Gojo Family had vanished from that very location.
When the news first broke, it caused a massive uproar.
The Gojo Family's intense response only confirmed its authenticity.
Satoru Gojo had truly disappeared.
It wasn't a rumor.
The incident had dominated discussions then, and his sudden return was attracting just as much attention now.
Someone who had vanished for a month had suddenly reappeared.
The mystery was impossible to ignore.
Many people even wondered whether it was all part of some larger scheme.
Had the Gojo Family deliberately spread the story to draw attention elsewhere?
Was there some hidden agenda?
Gojo knew absolutely nothing about any of it.
And even if he did, he probably wouldn't care.
At that very moment, he was busy enjoying the luxurious lifestyle of one of the oldest families in Japan while introducing Betty to modern technology.
"This is a television. People record videos and play them back on it for entertainment. It's kind of like Felt's crystal ball."
"This is an air conditioner. It can blow cold air or warm air."
"And this is a smart toilet..."
Gojo led Betty all over the mansion, showing her one modern convenience after another.
As for the little girl he'd brought home, quite a few members of the Gojo Family couldn't help becoming curious about her.