Chapter 69: The Mastermind Behind the Scenes
Throwing out that name now would be too abrupt and lack sufficient evidence, which might only alert the enemy.
He only provided descriptive clues.
"More importantly..."
Toho Hiroshi continued, dropping an even more chilling fact, "I wasn't here just for the slaughter. My eyes also saw that the brains of a few of these so-called Higher-Ups and Elders retained similar, extremely subtle traces of tampering. Although the degree is slight, more like a subconscious guidance and the implantation of cognitive bias, the core method is identical to that used on the villagers."
Gojo Satoru's Rikugan / Six Eyes narrowed sharply: "Are you saying that among The Higher-Ups, there are also manipulated puppets?"
"Not complete puppets, but rather people whose judgment has been influenced, amplifying certain inherent prejudices and conservatism, making them easier to guide toward specific decisions."
Toho Hiroshi analyzed calmly, "For example, extreme policies towards Non-Sorcerers, excessive vigilance and suppression against potential threats—like Geto, like you, and even me—and the extreme stubbornness in maintaining the existing rotten order—all of these could be exploited and amplified by the Hidden Manipulator."
He looked at Gojo Satoru: "Think about it, why have some of the decisions made by The Higher-Ups become increasingly extreme and conservative in recent years? Why are they becoming more deeply wary of 'the strongest' among you? Why is their attitude toward Non-Sorcerers so contradictory? Is all of this simply their own stupidity? Or is someone hoping they become more foolish and extreme, making it easier to sow discord and chaos?"
Gojo Satoru fell silent, the Rikugan / Six Eyes behind his sunglasses flickering with complex light.
He recalled some unreasonable mission assignments in the past, The Higher-Ups' neglect when Geto Suguru's condition was abnormal, and various baffling methods of control and balance.
If there truly was external will tampering and guidance involved, then many things would make sense.
Geto Suguru's defection was not just the collapse of his personal ideals, but a carefully planned conspiracy aimed at dividing and dismantling the group of 'the strongest'.
Its purpose was to make them fall apart and fight among themselves.
"That bastard..."
Gojo Satoru cursed under his breath, his knuckles turning white.
The tragedy of his sworn friend being manipulated like this angered him more than a simple defection.
"I will track this down."
Toho Hiroshi's voice was firm, cold, and resolute, "I will personally grab this thread and drag it completely out of the gutter."
"I will not spare anyone who participated in or plotted this tragedy against Geto."
His Killing Intent was chilling, making the temperature in the secret room feel as if it had dropped several degrees.
Then, he changed the subject, slightly retracting the sharp aura surrounding him, and looked at Gojo Satoru with an unprecedented mix of gravity and expectation.
"But Satoru, cleaning out the rotten flesh of the old era and the maggots in the shadows is only the first step. The future of the Jujutsu World cannot be built solely upon destruction."
"We need to establish a new order. A world that can minimize the appearance of the next 'Geto Suguru', protect more young Jujutsu Sorcerers who hold onto their beliefs, like Haibara and Nanami, and ensure that 'the strongest' no longer means 'the most solitary'."
"This path is difficult, destined to be full of thorns and controversy. It may even require us to personally break many established conventions."
He took a step forward, looking directly into Gojo Satoru's Rikugan / Six Eyes—the eyes that could see through everything yet were often careless—his tone unprecedentedly serious.
Gojo Satoru frowned, his pale blue Rikugan / Six Eyes staring sharply at him: "Be specific, what do you plan to do?"
"The Higher-Ups need a complete overhaul, but we cannot descend into total chaos."
Toho Hiroshi analyzed calmly, "Yaga-sensei is upright, resilient, principled, and adaptable. He is the best candidate to stabilize the situation and implement new rules within The Higher-Ups. He will become our fulcrum in the new era."
Gojo Satoru curled his lip: "You want that big guy who always frowns and plays with dolls to deal with those old foxes? That sounds like a headache... but he's certainly much better than those Rotten Oranges."
He essentially agreed to the proposal.
"And you, Satoru."
Toho Hiroshi turned his gaze to his sworn friend, "You need to go out, seek out, and cultivate newcomers who possess talent and potential."
"In your own way, show them what true'strength' is, and create a space for them to grow. This is something only you can do."
Gojo Satoru rubbed his chin, the look behind his sunglasses flickering: "Oh? Being a teacher? That sounds slightly more interesting than killing Cursed Spirits. But if you're dumping all the messy work on me, what about you?"
"Me?"
A faint purple ripple flashed in Toho Hiroshi's left eye. "I will become a 'Defector'. Only then can I completely infiltrate the shadows to investigate The Mastermind Behind the Scenes who plotted against Geto and infiltrated The Higher-Ups. That entity hides in the deepest, darkest places, forever unreachable by conventional means."
He paused, his voice dropping slightly: "Furthermore, I have placed a 'Wedge' on Geto that allows me to still sense him."
"He is using the Star Plasma Cult as his base, propagating his doctrine of 'eliminating Non-Sorcerers'. I will find a way to join them, watch him from the inside, and perhaps find a small chance to pull him back from that road of no return."
Gojo Satoru listened, silent for a few seconds, then suddenly burst out laughing, gesturing dramatically with his hands: "Whoa~ Hao. How come I never noticed you were such a scheming little bastard? One plan after another, even planning against your own people?"
"Your defection is fake, but your undercover work is real, and you're going to be Geto's 'babysitter' on the side? Your script is thicker than The Higher-Ups' rotten files!"
Toho Hiroshi showed no amusement at the teasing, only stating calmly, "Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures. This is the optimal choice we can make right now."
"Fine, fine, the optimal choice."
Gojo Satoru waved his hand, his smile fading, and his tone becoming serious. "But, we have to play the whole act, right? You caused such a huge commotion and killed so many 'Higher-Ups'; I can't just let you walk away easily, can I? We have to give those terrified people outside a 'justification'."
The two exchanged glances, instantly understanding each other's intent.
Toho Hiroshi nodded: "Exactly. We need a sufficiently shocking 'battle' to solidify my identity as a dangerous Defector, and at the same time, consolidate your authority as the 'Pacifier of Chaos'."
He took a deep breath, slowly raised his hands, and formed a strange Hand Sign. In his left eye, the purple and cold Rinnegan reappeared.
"Tengai Shinsei!"
As the massive Cursed Energy erupted from his body, an indescribable, terrifying pressure, as if from beyond the heavens, instantly enveloped the entire sky above Jujutsu High and even spread to the distant mountains and forests.
The sky seemed to darken.
A colossal Meteor, burning with pitch-black flames and wrapped in ominous Cursed Energy, tore through the clouds, plummeting fiercely toward the area with the imposing momentum of total destruction.
Its sheer size cast a shadow instantly covering vast stretches of mountains, and the resulting wind pressure kicked up dust and stones from the ground, making all surviving structures tremble and groan.
This was truly world-shattering power, enough to terrify any witness to their core.
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