Chapter Twenty: Whispers in the Corridor

On their way to the Star Corridor of Jujutsu High, Hakari, Yuta, and Yuji were deep in conversation about Satoru Gojo.

"He's always so annoying," Hakari remarked, a smirk playing on his lips. "Pulling pranks, acting like a big shot. But damn, he knew his stuff."

Yuta nodded in agreement. "Yeah, he pushed us hard, but we got better because of him. He's a great teacher, even if he has a strange way of showing it."

Yuji sighed. "He cared about us, though. Even when he was being insufferable, you knew he had your back."

Naruto walked beside them, silent and contemplative. His memories of his uncle Satoru were a mixture of admiration and frustration. Despite his antics, Satoru had undeniably been a pillar of strength and knowledge in their lives.

As their conversation drifted, the topic grew darker. "Shinko...," Yuji began, his voice heavy. "My baby sister. Kenjaku's brainwashed her. She thinks he's her uncle and wants to protect 'Geto' at any cost."

The group fell silent, the weight of Yuji's words pressing down on them. They reached the storage section, and the door creaked open. Choso emerged, his expression somber.

"I was talking with my brothers," Choso said quietly, his gaze distant. "They're in there, in tubes as Cursed Wombs. I want to free them and Shinko too."

They nodded, sharing in his sorrow and determination. As they approached Tengen's chamber, they saw bloodstains on the ground. Nanami, who had joined them, spoke softly. "That's Riko's blood. The Star Plasma Vessel, from eleven years ago."

A moment of silence passed before they entered Tengen's domain. The chamber was vast and ancient, with walls adorned with intricate carvings depicting the history of the jujutsu world. Soft, ethereal light filtered through cracks in the ceiling, casting an otherworldly glow across the room.

Tengen's presence was almost tangible, an ancient and powerful energy filling the space. Yuki hesitated at the threshold, a shadow of unease crossing her face.

"I don't think I should go in," she said, turning to leave. "I was a Star Plasma Vessel too."

Before she could step away, Tengen's voice echoed softly. "Yuki Tsukumo, please come in."

Yuki paused, surprise flickering across her features before she sighed and stepped inside with the rest of the group.

Yuji's question hung in the air, a curious yet bold inquiry that demanded an answer. Tengen, their form shimmering with ethereal energy, regarded him with a serene gaze. "I have been merging with the Star Plasma Vessels over the years," they began, their voice carrying a weight of ancient knowledge. "It's how I maintain my immortality and protect this place. But, a decade ago, the last Star plasma Vessell was murdered and my merging time expired. Thus, I am stuck like…this."

The group listened intently, absorbing Tengen's words with a mixture of awe and apprehension. The concept of merging with powerful entities such as the Star Plasma Vessels was beyond their comprehension, yet it explained the enigmatic appearance of the being before them.

As the revelation settled over them, Naruto, who had remained silent until now, stepped forward. His expression was calm yet determined, his eyes alight with a newfound purpose. "I can fix that," he declared, his voice resonating with quiet confidence.

With a gentle touch, Naruto reached out towards Tengen.

"Idle Transfiguration…"

His fingers brushed against their form, a faint ripple of energy emanating from his touch. Drawing upon his mastery of Idle Transfiguration, he channelled his cursed technique with precision and focus.

In an instant, Tengen's appearance shifted and transformed before their very eyes. The shimmering energy that had enveloped her coalesced and reshaped, molding into the likeness of a petite woman with long, flowing hair that gleamed like strands of moonlight.

The change was startling and profound, a testament to Naruto's innate ability to manipulate the fabric of reality itself. As the transformation took hold, a hushed gasp escaped the lips of those gathered, their eyes wide with disbelief.

For a moment, silence reigned supreme, broken only by the soft rustle of fabric and the faint hum of arcane energy. The group stood in stunned awe, their minds struggling to reconcile the sight before them with the reality they knew.

Then, as realization dawned, a ripple of murmurs and whispers spread through the chamber. Eyes darted back and forth, expressions ranging from wonder to disbelief as they processed the extraordinary feat they had just witnessed.

Tengen, now in her new form, regarded Naruto with a gentle smile, a sense of gratitude and appreciation shining in her eyes. "Thank you, Naruto," she said softly, her voice tinged with warmth. "You have bestowed upon me a gift beyond measure."

Naruto simply nodded, a humble yet satisfied expression gracing his features. His actions had not only altered Tengen's appearance but had also forged a bond of trust and understanding between them.

"This is Mahifo's cursed technique!" Yuji yelled. 'How did—"

Naruto smiled slightly. "I can potentially use any cursed technique if I see it once."

Yuta's eyes widened. "Is your innate cursed technique Mimicry too, like mine?"

Nanami shook his head. "No, Naruto does not possess an innate cursed technique. He is a void that cannot be understood. But his innate domain is illusion-based.

As they regrouped after Naruto's remarkable transformation of Tengen, the conversation quickly shifted to more pressing matters. The change in Tengen's appearance seemed to breathe new life into their mission, but the weight of their task loomed heavily over them.

Yuta broke the silence, his voice tinged with urgency. "So, what do you know from Sukuna?" He looked intently at Yuji, seeking any piece of information that could give them an edge.

Yuji nodded, gathering his thoughts. "Not much, honestly. Just the techniques: Cleave, Dismantle, and Malevolent Shrine. He's not exactly chatty when it comes to sharing secrets. But he is cruel, selfish and heartless."

"Figures," Hakari muttered, crossing his arms over his chest. "Sukuna's always been more about action than words. He's not the type to sit down for a heart-to-heart."

Naruto remained silent, his mind laser-focused on the task at hand. They needed to free Satoru Gojo from the Prison Realm. Naruto was enough, but there is no problem in taking extra measures. The Gojos their best shot at turning the tide in their favour and bringing some semblance of order back to the chaos that had engulfed them.

Yuji turned to Tengen, now appearing as a petite woman with long, light hair. "Tengen-sama, do you have any ideas on how we can free Gojo-sensei?"

Tengen's serene expression grew thoughtful, her eyes reflecting the weight of centuries of wisdom. "There is a way. I possess another Prison Realm, one that my fellow students, Sukuna and Kenjaku, obtained from our sensei, Kush Sarito."

The group exchanged surprised glances. Yuta's eyes widened. "You have another one?"

Tengen nodded, her demeanor calm. "Yes, but freeing him requires two items—one of which would be enough. However, both the Lasso of Miguel's tribe and the Inverted Spear of Heaven were destroyed by Gojo himself."

Everyone sweatdropped, processing the implications. Yuta couldn't help but mutter incredulously, "So essentially, he broke his way out of the prison all by himself?"

Yuji turned to Naruto, his eyes hopeful. "What about using Amaterasu to burn the cube open?"

Naruto shook his head, his expression serious. "It's too risky. We could end up burning the person trapped inside as well."

Hakari, who had been quietly contemplating, suddenly spoke up. "I know a girl who might be able to help. She's possessed by a sorcerer from the Heian Era who can probably release Gojo using her cursed technique."

"Who is she?" Yuta asked, his curiosity piqued.

"Hana Kurusu," Hakari replied. "I met her in Kyoto. She's friendly enough and might be willing to help."

"Why would a reincarnated sorcerer help us?" Maki frowned.

"She hates the Disgraced One— Sukuna and all the other sorcerers that came back in life that are causing chaos."

"You have her number?" Nanami, ever the pragmatist, suggested as Hakari nodded. "Call her."

Hakari pulled out his phone and dialed her number. The group watched anxiously as the phone rang. After a few rings, a cheerful voice answered.

"Hey, Hana! It's Hakari. Got a favor to ask."

"What's up?" she replied, her tone friendly and curious.

"We need your help to release Satoru Gojo. You in?" Hakari's voice was steady, but the stakes were high.

There was a pause before Hana asked, "What's in it for me?"

Hakari grinned, a knowing look in his eyes. "Gojo has the best chance against Sukuna."

Naruto, feeling momentarily sidelined, glared at Hakari, pouting. "Hey, I could take on the entire world's sorcerers now!"

They ignored him, their focus still on the call.

"Alright," Hana agreed after a moment. "But you owe me one. Meet me at Tokyo Square."

Nanami interjected, his voice cautious. "Too risky for so many sorcerers to gather there."

"How about the Gojo Clan compound? It's large enough." Naruto suggested. "It's near Mount Kumotori."

"Fine by me," Hana replied. "See you there."

As they prepared to leave with the Prison Realm, Tengen stopped them. Her voice carried a note of concern. "Wait." They looked at her. "Cursed Womb, Tsukumo Yuki, I shouldn't be left alone. Kenjaku will come for me."

Choso shook his head, his resolve firm. "I can't stay. I need to be with my brother to save my sister."

Yuki hesitated, her discomfort evident. "I'm not really comfortable staying here either," she admitted.

Yuji and Yuta stepped forward, their expressions determined. "We'll be fine," Yuji assured them. "But Tengen-sama needs protection."

After a brief, tense silence, Yuki nodded reluctantly. "Alright. I'll stay."

Choso finally agreed, his voice resigned. "I'll stay too, for now. But we need to move quickly."

With that they left and got inside their respective vehicles and headed towards Mount Kumotori.

Half an hour later they got down from the cars.

As they walked towards the Gojo Clan compound, the atmosphere was a mix of tension and determination. Kirara, curious about Naruto's latest display of power, sidled up to him with a playful smirk.

"Hey, Naruto," Kirara began, her tone light but probing. "How did you know how to change Tengen-sama so perfectly? I mean, you turned her into a petite woman with long, light hair without a second thought."

Naruto, ever straightforward, replied without hesitation. "My special eyes can see through everything. I know exactly how an female body looks like." Then he realise that he had made a mistake… but he could not understand what exactly it was…

There was a moment of stunned silence before Maki and Kirara's expressions darkened. They turned to Naruto with eyes that could kill.

Maki crossed her arms and fixed him with a glare. "Don't try anything funny."

Naruto, completely missing the underlying threat in her words, nodded dumbly. "Uh, okay."

Seeing Naruto's confusion, Hakari walked over, chuckling under his breath. He patted Naruto on the back. "Just ignore them, kid. They're just being protective."

Naruto looked at Hakari, still not entirely sure what he had done wrong. "Alright, if you say so."

Meanwhile, Maki and Kirara exchanged a look, clearly not convinced. Kirara leaned in closer to Maki. "We should keep an eye on him."

Maki nodded, her gaze never leaving Naruto. "Definitely."

Naruto, oblivious to the silent pact forming behind him, continued walking with a renewed focus on their mission. They had bigger things to worry about, and his mind was already on the next steps they needed to take to free Satoru.

As they approached the compound, the conversations turned back to their plan. The Gojo Clan's ancestral home loomed ahead, its grand architecture standing as a testament to generations of powerful sorcerers.

They reached the main gate, and Naruto led the way inside. The courtyard was expansive, with meticulously maintained gardens and ancient stone paths that spoke of the clan's long history.

Yuji broke the silence as they walked through the compound. "So, what's the next step once we meet Hana?"

Yuta, always the strategist, replied, "We need to figure out the exact method she'll use to break the Prison Realm. We can't afford any mistakes."

Hakari nodded in agreement. "And we need to be ready for anything. If Kenjaku finds out what we're up to, he'll definitely try to stop us."

Naruto listened quietly, his mind racing with possibilities. He was determined to prove himself, not just as a member of the Gojo family but as a crucial part of their team. He glanced at Tengen, who was now walking with a new grace, and felt a surge of resolve. They had to succeed. Too much was at stake.

As they reached the main hall, Naruto turned to face the group. "This is it. Let's make sure we're ready. We can't afford any mistakes."

The others nodded, their expressions steely with determination. They had a plan, they had a purpose, and now, they had a place to execute it. The Gojo Clan compound would be their fortress, their base of operations in the fight to free Satoru Gojo and turn the tide against their enemies.

With renewed resolve, they prepared for the meeting with Hana, each of them ready to play their part in the coming battle.

TBC

Next Chapter: They free Satoru Gojo who made a deal with the King of Curses. A deal that will be too…—!