Chapter 30
Tu Bai was woken up by a headache.
His temples throbbed with a pulsing pain, as if something were knocking inside them. He frowned and tried to raise his hand to rub them, only to find that he could not move his hand.
Something was wrapped around his wrist, cold and very heavy.
He snapped his Eyes open.
The Ceiling was made of wood, dark brown, with several cracks. It wasn't the white ceiling of the Apartment; it was a completely unfamiliar place.
Tu Bai turned his head and looked around.
A Japanese-style Room. Tatami, Shoji, a Black Low Cabinet placed in the Corner. The Window was covered with paper, letting in a bit of Blurry Light, making it impossible to tell if it was Daytime or Evening.
He lay on the Floor, a thin Mattress spread beneath him. Both his Wrists and Ankles were bound by Black Shackles made of Metal, their surfaces densely engraved with Runes—Cursed Energy Restricting Devices.
Tu Bai tried to mobilize his Demon Power.
Nothing happened. That warm energy that usually flows through his body felt as if it were blocked by something, no matter how he tried, he couldn't mobilize it. Fortunately, Baby should be fine; there was no discomfort in his belly.
Recalling the scene he saw before losing consciousness, his heart sank.
Just then, the Shoji was pulled open.
A man wearing a Kasaya walked in, carrying a tray in his hands. He placed the tray on the floor beside Tu Bai, then sat down across from Tu Bai with his legs crossed.
"Awake?" he asked, his tone gentle, as if greeting an old friend.
Tu Bai stared at him.
The Man looked not very old, appearing to be in his twenties. His Black hair was tied into a Half-bun, with some loose strands falling down. His features were very well-proportioned, one could even say he was handsome; his Eyes were long and narrow, a faint, almost imperceptible smile played at the corners of his mouth.
But there was a scar on his forehead.
A Suture, as if his head had been opened up and then sewn back together.
Tu Bai had seen this scar before. In that Park, in the final moment before losing consciousness.
"Who are you?" Tu Bai asked, his Voice a bit hoarse.
My name isn't important," the Man said. "You only need to know that I won't hurt you.
Tu Bai said nothing. He looked down at the Black Shackles on his wrist, then looked at the Man.
The Man laughed. He pushed the tray toward Tu Bai—in the tray was a bowl of porridge and a glass of water.
Eat something first," he said. "You have already slept for six hours.
Six hours.
Tu Bai calculated the time in his head. It was Afternoon when he lost consciousness, so it should be Evening now. Gojo Satoru.. should have already gone back, should have already discovered that he was missing.
He stared at the bowl of porridge, unmoving.
Not hungry?" the Man asked. He picked up the bowl himself, took a spoonful with a Spoon, swallowed it. "Don't worry, it's not poisoned.
Tu Bai watched him eat the porridge. It was very natural and relaxed, as if he truly were just treating a guest to a meal.
"What do you want?" Tu Bai asked.
The man put down his bowl and wiped the corner of his mouth. He looked at Tu Bai, his eyes curving as if he were smiling, but that smile did not reach his eyes.
I need your ability," he said. "Construction Technique, a very rare ability. It can create anything you can imagine.
Tu Bai did not respond.
If my information is correct, you should be a Grade 1 Sorcerer," the Man continued. "Registered, but not heavily utilized. Those old men in the Jujutsu World have always been quite unfriendly toward non-human races, right?
He paused, observing Tu Bai's expression.
Tu Bai remained expressionless.
I can help you get rid of them," the Man said, his tone laced with temptation, "I can give you a new identity, a perfect one, that no one will ever trace. Money, housing, security—I can arrange everything for you.
"What are the conditions?" Tu Bai asked.
Do something for me," the Man said. "It's a very simple thing. I need you to perform a Construction to create something used to activate a certain.. device. Once it's done, you can take that little fellow in your belly and go wherever you want.
Tu Bai's hand moved instinctively, wanting to protect his abdomen, but the shackles restricted his movements.
Don't be nervous," the Man said. "I have no interest in you or your Child. I just happen to need your Ability, you need someone to help you escape those who want your Repatriation.
Repatriation.
Those two words pierced Tu Bai's heart like needles.
"I don't know what you're talking about," he said, his voice hardening.
The Man laughed again. This time, there was something else in his smile—pity, or perhaps amusement.
"You don't know?" He stood up, walked over to the Black Low Cabinet, took out a palm-sized black device that looked like an old-fashioned tape recorder. He pressed a button.
After a hissing static, an old Voice came out:
.. That Demon Race identity, has it been investigated clearly?
It's been cleared up. His original name is Tu Bai, he is actually a Rabbit Demon. He entered the country illegally with his parents over a decade ago, to this day, he has no legal identity.
A Smuggler? Humph, how can someone like that be allowed to stay in the Jujutsu World? What if they leak classified information?
The Director means..
Revoke their Sorcerer status and initiate the Repatriation process. Get it done as quickly as possible to avoid any complications.
The Recording ends here.
The Japanese-style Room was silent.
Tu Bai stared at the patterns on the Tatami, his fingers slowly tightening until they clenched into a fist.
Repatriation.
He had known this word since he was a child. His parents had told him that they were illegal immigrants without a legal identity and must not be discovered. If they were discovered, they would be subject to Repatriation.
Return to their country.
That place where they were born, that place where "no spirits are allowed after the founding of the nation."
What will happen after they go back? Will they be locked up? Will they be experimented on? Or will it be even worse?
He didn't know. He only knew that his Expectant Parents had risked their lives to escape back then, just so their three brothers could grow up safely in Japan.
And now, he must also face the same fate.
Did you hear that?" The Man's voice came from above his head. "You've been targeted. The Repatriation order will be issued soon. Without my help, you won't be able to escape.
Tu Bai looked up and stared at the Man.
The Man's face still wore that same gentle expression, but in those Eyes, there was something that made one feel uncomfortable.
"Well? Do you want to cooperate?" he asked.
Tu Bai stared at him for a few seconds, then spoke slowly, one word at a time:
“No.”
The Man raised an eyebrow.
You can send me back to the Jujutsu World," Tu Bai said, his Voice very calm, "or you can just kill me. But asking me to do things for you is impossible.
The Man looked at him, remaining silent for a few seconds. Then, he sighed and shook his head.
What a pity," he said. "I thought you would be more rational.
He put the tape recorder back on the low cabinet and turned to walk toward the doorway.
Opening the door, he turned back to glance at Tu Bai.
Then I'll have to ask you to endure staying here for a while," he said. "Once you change your mind, let me know at any time. After all.. you have nowhere else to go, right?
He smiled and closed the door.
Footsteps gradually faded away.
Tu Bai lay alone on the Tatami, staring at the Ceiling.
Repatriation.
He closed his eyes, many things surfaced in his mind—his parents, his Eldest Brother, his younger brother, and.. Gojo Satoru.
That person should be looking for him right now.
Now that he has disappeared and the Positioning Bracelet has no signal, leaving the Apartment empty, what kind of expression will That person have?
Tu Bai didn't dare to think about it.
He rolled over and curled up. The shackles on his wrists clinked together, making a faint metal sound.
He placed his hand on his abdomen.
The Baby inside was like a tiny, warm flame, burning in the deepest part of his body.
He thought back to his previous plans—running away, a False Identity, money. Those plans seemed so ridiculous now. Before he could even run away, he was caught by real danger.
But he also felt a sense of relief.
Fortunately.. fortunately Gojo Satoru doesn't know about those plans. Fortunately..
Thank goodness for what? He doesn't know.
Just by thinking of that person, his Heart throbbed with pain. It was a sharp pain, as if he had been pricked by something.
He buried his face in the Tatami and stopped thinking about it.
---
Meanwhile, in Tokyo.
Gojo Satoru parked the car at the base of the Apartment Building and practically ran into the Elevator.
The Elevator was too slow. He couldn't wait even a second and used his Cursed Technique to teleport directly to the Doorway of his home.
The door was locked. He entered the passcode and pushed the door open to step inside.
Xiao Bai?
No one responded.