Chapter 155: [Prison Realm], Open
No matter how hard Kenjaku thought, he could never imagine that such a thing as a "transmigrator" existed in this world.
If it weren't for the fact that Kenjaku—unable to defeat an adult [Six Eyes] user—had specifically gone out of his way to kill a newly born [Six Eyes] infant, he wouldn't have believed just what kind of bullshit thing the [Six Eyes] actually was!
As soon as the previous [Six Eyes] holder dies, the next one is born immediately.
You can't kill them all. You simply can't kill them all!
That was why, after suffering such a loss, Kenjaku planned to use the [Prison Realm] to seal Gojo Satoru, the current holder of the [Six Eyes]. He intended to exploit a "bug" in the cycle: by keeping Gojo in a state where he isn't dead, but effectively the same as dead, he could delay the birth of the next [Six Eyes].
He wasn't relying on his ability to live forever just to wait for Gojo Satoru to die of old age before coming out to cause trouble. Of course, this was also because this specific point in time was exceptionally special.
There was Itadori Yuji, whom he had personally birthed as a biological vessel, and Fushiguro Megumi, who held the [Ten Shadows Technique] that hadn't appeared in the Zen'in family for a long time. Add to that the fossil of the Jujutsu world—Tengen—who was currently on the verge of evolving into a Cursed Spirit.
If he missed this window, there was no telling how long he would have to wait for the next time so many excellent materials would be gathered together.
It was only natural for Kenjaku to be impatient.
But precisely because the timing was so unique, Kenjaku harbored a sense of wishful thinking. Upon hearing that Gojo Satoru seemed to have misunderstood his plan, he chose to feel relieved rather than using his brain to think it through carefully.
What if the "misunderstanding" Gojo Satoru voiced wasn't actually a misunderstanding? What if Gojo, knowing exactly what Kenjaku's plan was, had specifically stated this error—even going so far as to threaten Hanami to prove he truly believed it—as a feint?
'This way, you will inevitably appear before me, Suguru... No, I should say, the fellow occupying Suguru's body!'
Such a thought flashed through Gojo Satoru's mind.
Thanks to Emiya Shirou's spoilers, Gojo actually already knew what Kenjaku's plan was. At most, because the spoilers were too brief, Gojo couldn't figure out how Kenjaku intended to bypass him, the teacher, to scheme against his students, Megumi and Yuji.
That was the origin of his previous "misunderstanding." He truly had considered that possibility.
But as soon as Jogo mentioned the name of the [Prison Realm], Gojo understood. Thus, his previous doubt instantly transformed into bait to lure Kenjaku to the surface.
'Because a fellow like you, who only knows how to hide behind the scenes, must ensure we don't see any flaws first in order to keep the play going and avoid interfering with your true plan.
And once I took the lead in 'filling in' that flaw for you, regardless of what you were thinking, you could only follow the direction I provided and continue acting along with me.'
Gojo Satoru laughed inwardly with satisfaction.
He now somewhat understood why Emiya Shirou, who had caught Jogo earlier, had made those seemingly redundant moves—it was all to draw Kenjaku and the others out.
This feeling of having everything under control was indeed very gratifying.
As for Kenjaku's opinion... Kenjaku didn't have one.
Exactly as Gojo Satoru anticipated, even if Kenjaku knew Gojo was forcing him out, he had to appear to deepen Gojo's "misunderstanding." He couldn't let Gojo wonder: 'If he's collaborating with these Special Grade spirits for their sake, why does he do nothing when they are about to be slaughtered?
Is his goal something else?'
If Gojo discarded the "misunderstanding," he might investigate or stumble upon the real plan. Just to eliminate that possibility, Kenjaku had to appear before Gojo and the others at this moment, saying helplessly, "Good grief, I still can't hide it from you, Satoru."
Having said that, what needed to be done still had to be done—such as covering up his true identity as much as possible. Moreover...
"I originally wanted to give you a surprise, Satoru, but I didn't expect you to discover me so quickly.
Could you tell me how you noticed my existence? Was it when I sent the Cursed Spirits to track you?
...No, based on my understanding of you, Satoru, you shouldn't be the type to meddle in small things. You should know I tried my best to control that spirit's strength to a threshold that wouldn't interest you enough to act."
Kenjaku, acting as Suguru Geto, inquired with a face full of curiosity. He was confident his plan shouldn't have failed; the only unexplainable thing was why Gojo Satoru had discovered him in advance.
Had Gojo Satoru dug up Suguru Geto's grave on a whim only to find the body missing? Even if that guess was far-fetched, it was better than knowing nothing. Kenjaku desperately wanted an answer now. His plan could not allow for variables beyond his control.
"Who knows? Maybe you don't actually understand me at all, or maybe I'm just a very enthusiastic person—the kind of great guy who eliminates spirits the moment they appear!"
Facing Kenjaku's question, Gojo Satoru naturally wasn't going to give him the answer, instead shamelessly praising himself.
"Additionally, could you please not use that tone—like you're so familiar with me—to speak to me?
Or are you one of those stubborn kids who refuses to admit they did something bad even when they're caught red-handed?"
After his self-praise, Gojo Satoru looked at Kenjaku with those dangerous eyes: "You fake!"
He said the words, but even though Emiya Shirou had told him about this long ago and he was prepared, seeing Kenjaku appear still hit hard.
Under the insight of the [Six Eyes], both the body and the Cursed Energy of the person before him clearly told him that this was indeed Suguru Geto himself. It was absolutely not a lookalike or a fake using a transformation technique.
Gojo Satoru still found it hard to believe. Precisely because of this, he felt it was unforgivable. Both toward Kenjaku—the fellow desecrating his best friend's corpse—and toward himself, for leaving Suguru Geto's body unattended, leading to it being occupied by Kenjaku.
"Are those all your last words!?"
"How scary, how scary." Hearing Gojo's words, Kenjaku continued to mimic Suguru Geto's mannerisms, spreading his hands. "So much time has passed, and your temper is still the same, Satoru."
"..."
Beating Gojo Satoru to the punch before he could speak, Kenjaku said with a smile: "Your [Six Eyes] are still blinded by such a simple trap!"
"[Prison Realm], Open!!"
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