Chapter 112: Frenzied Doubts and Fragments of Truth
"Enough, Negi."
Miguel's voice rang out in time, carrying an unquestionable authority.
He took a step forward, placing himself between Rin and Negi. Blood seeped anew from the bandage on his left arm, yet his back remained straight:
"You weren't aware of the situation then, so don't throw a tantrum here.
Rin nearly died rushing to Jujutsu High; what he endured is more than all of us combined. No one here has the right to blame him."
Negi's body stiffened. He looked at Miguel's pale but determined face, then at the blood on Rin's body.
His clenched fist slowly relaxed, and he could only grit his teeth, turn his head away unwillingly, unable to utter a single word.
The atmosphere on the training ground once again fell into silence, but this time, it was tinged with awkwardness and heaviness.
Larue hesitated for a moment, then finally broke the deadlock, his gaze falling on Rin:
"What should we do now? Geto-sama is gone. Should the Star Plasma Cult... continue?"
"Of course it must continue!" Manami immediately interjected, her eyes gleaming with fanaticism:
"We should carry on Geto-sama's will and elect Rin as the new leader!
He is young and incredibly talented; he can even replicate Geto-sama's Cursed Spirit Manipulation. One day, he will surpass Gojo Satoru!
By then, we can avenge Geto-sama and complete what he left unfinished!"
These words were like a shot in the arm, instantly invigorating Negi.
He abruptly turned to look at Rin, his expression agitated to the point of distortion:
"Yes! If Geto-sama is gone, there's still Rin! Geto-sama's remaining Cursed Spirits and Cursed Tools are in your hands. We will continue to use the Star Plasma Cult to gather power, and one day, we will achieve his ideal!"
As he spoke, he reached out to grab Rin's arm, wanting him to nod in agreement.
But before his hand could even touch Rin's clothes, Miguel stopped him.
Miguel's eyes grew cold:
"Don't be impulsive. Let's hear what Rin has to say first."
Negi, however, ignored him, only staring at Rin, his voice filled with an almost pleading fanaticism:
"Speak, Rin! Geto-sama must have entrusted you with something before his passing, right?
He definitely told you to take over the Star Plasma Cult and continue his will, didn't he?"
Everyone's gaze converged on Rin. Negi and Manami's eyes were full of expectation and fanaticism, as if Rin's nod would restore the Star Plasma Cult to its former glory.
Nanako and Mimiko, on the other hand, had tears in their eyes, their gazes filled with bewilderment. They didn't know where to go in the future and could only await Rin's decision.
Miguel and Larue's expressions were complex, containing both worry for the future and trust in Rin.
Among the cadres present, aside from Negi and Manami who still clung to the obsession of "fulfilling the ideal," the others had long lost the desire to fight after Suguru Geto's death.
For them, the Star Plasma Cult was never a tool to achieve ambition, but rather the "home" that Suguru Geto had built. Now that the core of the "home" was gone, only an empty shell remained.
Rin took a deep breath, slowly raised his head, his gaze sweeping over everyone present, his voice calm yet exceptionally firm:
"No, I will not become the new leader."
He paused, then continued amidst Negi and Manami's suddenly pale faces:
"On the contrary, I will personally disband the Star Plasma Cult."
"This is what Suguru Geto ultimately told me. He said that his ideal was wrong from the beginning and that he shouldn't have dragged everyone into it.
Once the Star Plasma Cult is disbanded, everyone can truly live a peaceful life."
These words were like a clap of thunder, instantly shattering all hope for Negi and Manami.
Negi stumbled back two steps, looking at Rin in disbelief:
"What did you say? Disband? How could Geto-sama say that? You're lying! You must be lying!"
"I'm not lying."
Rin took out the two cursed spirit orbs from his embrace; Choubou and Tamamo-no-Mae's Cursed Energy glowed faintly in the night:
"These are the last things he gave me, and his final instructions.
Nanako and Mimiko, he arranged for someone to send them abroad.
Miguel, Larue, you can leave and live the lives you want.
As for the Star Plasma Cult's assets and Cursed Tools, I will dispose of them so they don't cause any trouble for anyone."
His voice showed no wavering; every word was like a nail, driven into the hearts of the crowd.
Negi opened his mouth, wanting to argue, but found himself unable to say anything.
Rin's resolve, and the cursed spirit orbs left by Suguru Geto, all told him that this was the final outcome.
Manami's face instantly turned pale. She looked at Rin, the fanaticism in her eyes gradually fading, leaving only despair:
"But... but what about Geto-sama's ideal? Have all our efforts been in vain?"
Rin looked at her, a hint of complexity in his eyes:
"His ideal should never have been achieved through'sacrifice' from the start.
Disbanding the Star Plasma Cult isn't a waste of effort; it's allowing everyone to live, which is what he truly wanted in the end."
The night wind blew across the training ground once more, carrying a hint of coolness.
Negi and Manami stood rooted to the spot, lost in despair. Nanako and Mimiko leaned gently against each other. Miguel and Larue exchanged glances, the complexity in their eyes gradually turning into relief.
The story of the Star Plasma Cult, which began with Suguru Geto's ideal, ultimately came to an end with his "letting go."
Before the relief in the night wind could fully spread, a frenzied laugh suddenly pierced the silence of the training ground—it was Negi.
Just moments ago, he had been standing there, utterly dejected, but now he was like a madman, his shoulders shaking violently, his laughter filled with despair and anger, sending shivers down one's spine.
"Listen! All of you, listen!"
Negi suddenly looked up, his eyes bloodshot, staring intently at Rin, his voice sharp like tearing metal:
"Is he even speaking human words? 'Geto-sama gave up his ideal'? That's impossible! You liar! You're lying! You didn't hear Suguru Geto's last words at all!"
He staggered two steps forward, pointing at Rin's nose, spitting everywhere:
"You're just a coward! Scared by Gojo Satoru! Afraid of Jujutsu High's retaliation, that's why you fabricated all of this! This is all your conspiracy! You want us to disband so you can go join Jujutsu High, isn't that right?! Answer me!"
Accusations of "coward" and "traitor" were hurled at Rin, one after another.
The atmosphere on the training ground instantly became tense again. Manami subconsciously retreated a step, her eyes full of hesitation.
Nanako and Mimiko tightly clasped their hands, their bewilderment in their eyes deepening.
Miguel frowned, about to step forward to defend Rin. He knew Rin's character too well; he would never fabricate last words for self-preservation.
But Rin spoke first.
In front of everyone, he slowly nodded, his voice still calm, without the slightest ripple:
"Yes, I will join Jujutsu High.
This is also Suguru Geto's wish. All of you... must leave here and live stable lives."