Jōkaku Enjō, the technique following Ryūjin Jakka's Shikai, was overwhelmingly powerful—especially within the area engulfed by its flames.
Anyone trapped inside had to endure temperatures exceeding 6,000 degrees if they hoped to break through from within.
Ordinary people who touched it would be instantly reduced to ash.
Satoshi hadn't held back at all when he released the flame just moments ago. He never imagined someone would actually reach out and touch it after sensing that level of heat.
Could it be that this strange woman couldn't feel the heat at all?
...
Who was she, exactly? Why didn't he recognize her at all? Someone like her shouldn't be some background figure to appear here.
This was the Tombs of the Star.
Satoshi watched as the strange woman touched the flame, unable to react in time to stop her or withdraw the flames.
It looked like a tragedy was about to unfold.
...
"What's going on?"
The woman's hand touched the flames, but contrary to Satoshi's expectations, she wasn't burned.
As Yuki voiced her concern, Satoshi had already formed a rough guess.
So that's it. This strange woman… is actually Tengen?
Right now, Tengen appeared as a young girl, completely different from the multi-eyed image Satoshi had in his mind.
"Gojo Satoshi, are you satisfied with the gift I prepared for you?"
Tengen looked at him with a smile. Her tone was casual, as though she'd just done something trivial.
Satoshi felt a bit helpless.
This was a "gift"? He couldn't argue. It was true. But how much manpower and effort had been hidden behind that seemingly offhand comment?
This was the Cursed Womb of a Special Grade cursed spirit. From its discovery to its birth, the Tombs of the Star had clearly poured great resources into bringing Jogo into existence.
No doubt, Tengen had gone to great lengths to awaken Ryūjin Jakka for him.
And his so-called girlfriend, Yuki, had clearly played a major role in the whole affair.
His frustration with Ryūjin Jakka must have been passed along by her, which gave Tengen the idea.
No matter how you looked at it, he had benefited the most from all of this.
...
"Aren't you going to exorcise that cursed spirit?"
As Satoshi dispersed the flames, Geto asked subconsciously.
He was clearly a bit envious of the Special Grade cursed spirit. If Satoshi wasn't planning to exorcise it, he wouldn't mind stepping in himself.
"Geto Suguru, right?"
Satoshi glanced at the younger version of Geto and gave a small nod.
"With your current strength, can you control a Special Grade cursed spirit?"
The casual question made Geto's expression shift.
This was their first meeting. He was sure of that. But why could this stranger say his name and identify his Cursed Technique at a glance?
It felt like he'd been completely stripped bare, like there was nothing he could hide.
The azure glow of Satoshi's Six Eyes looked just like Satoru's, yet the pressure he gave off was far greater.
Geto fell silent, unsure how to respond.
Yuto and Yuki were also shocked. Neither expected Satoshi to know about the Cursed Spirit Manipulation technique.
But Yuki quickly recalled the day she first met him. Back then, Satoshi had guessed her Star Rage technique almost instantly.
Thinking of that, everything started to make sense.
"If you want, you can try to subdue him. If you succeed, he might become your strongest fighting asset."
As he spoke, Satoshi touched his chin, recalling how during Shunichi's evaluation, there had been another Special Grade cursed spirit resembling a snow monster in Hokkaido.
If Geto could subdue Jogo, it might be a good idea to let Shunichi take him to capture that one too.
Satoshi's suggestion made Geto feel tempted.
Even though he didn't know how Satoshi knew so much about his situation, he couldn't deny the appeal of having a Special Grade cursed spirit in front of him.
Swallowing cursed spirits was disgusting, but if it was one made from a Special Grade… he'd gladly endure it.
However, the way Satoshi talked like no one else was present irritated Jogo.
He didn't fully understand the nature of Geto's technique, but the name Cursed Spirit Manipulation already gave it away.
He had lost to Satoshi. That was a difference in strength.
But being taken by this boy with odd bangs?
Just through manipulation alone?
Jogo stared hard at Geto. As a Special Grade cursed spirit, he had his pride.
He could accept submission to Ryūjin Jakka, but not to some random boy.
Because of Jogo's resistance, Geto ultimately failed to subdue him.
All Geto could do was sigh.
"As expected, with my current strength, it's still too difficult to control a Special Grade cursed spirit."
He was disappointed, but not discouraged.
Jogo was capable of Domain Expansion. If such a powerful cursed spirit were that easy to tame, then he would have questioned his own abilities.
"I see."
Satoshi nodded, understanding Geto's situation.
"Jogo, what should we do with you?"
He looked at the one-eyed cursed spirit and called him by name.
The others had long grown numb to Satoshi casually knowing things he shouldn't. No one even reacted anymore.
Hearing his name called, Jogo felt a strange sense of acceptance.
The more powerful Satoshi's abilities seemed, the easier it became to accept his defeat.
By now, Satoshi had taken on an aura of unfathomable mystery in Jogo's eyes. He no longer dared to speculate on his intentions.
As for what to do with him?
As long as exorcism wasn't the outcome, Jogo was willing to follow this human.
And follow the Zanpakutō in his hand.
(To be continued.)