The image is very blurry, as if taken surreptitiously, but it is still clear enough to see.
Garbage Mountain. Amidst the piles of trash, there was a cleared-out open space. In the middle of the clearing stood a.. house?
No, it couldn't be called a house. It was a Fortress. Constructed from Metal and unknown materials, it was irregularly shaped but looked very sturdy. A faint Silver Light flowed over the Walls, making it look completely different from the surrounding, dilapidated Tin Sheds.
A group of people stood in front of the Fortress. Among that group, there was one man sitting in a Chair.
The Chair was also very large and very high, like some kind of throne. Several layers of cushions were spread across the Chair, the person sitting on it leaned back into the Chair Back, one leg crossed over the other, in a posture that was both lazy and arrogant.
Black curly hair, red eyes, two long rabbit ears standing atop his head.
Tu Bai.
Gojo Satoru stared at that image, his Eyes without blinking.
The person in the Image was saying something, his chin held high. Someone leaned in beside him, seemingly reporting something; he listened, occasionally nodding or waving a hand. That aura was just like that of a true King.
The image finally froze at the moment he waved his hand—a slight smirk pulled at the corners of his mouth, his Red Eyes narrowed into an expression that said, "I am the greatest."
The current ruler of District 3 in Meteor City," Illumi's voice sounded from the side. "He calls himself the Rabbit King. He appeared a month ago, subdued the natives, claimed the territory for himself. He has over thirty followers, all of whom call him Rabbit King.
He paused, then added:
The abdomen is slightly distended, suggesting Pregnancy.
Gojo Satoru stared at the frozen Image and suddenly laughed.
"Still as imposing as ever," he said, his Voice carrying a hint of softness that even he himself hadn't noticed.
Illumi looked at him, a flicker of something passing through his hollow Eyes.
"Final Payment," he said.
Gojo Satoru pulled a card from his pocket and handed it to him.
There is twenty million inside. The rest is a thank you gift.
Illumi took the card and put it into his pocket. He turned to leave, but stopped at the doorway, glancing back at Gojo Satoru.
That person," he said, "his aura is very strange. It doesn't seem like a Nen user.
Gojo Satoru nodded: "I know."
Illumi said nothing more, opened the door, left.
The Room fell silent.
Gojo Satoru stood by the Desk, staring at that frozen Image for a long time.
Then he put the Crystal Ball into his Pocket and turned to walk out the Doorway.
---
Meteor City.
This place was even worse than Gojo Satoru had imagined.
The air was thick with the stench of rot, the ground was piled high with trash; every step resulted in stepping on something soft and squishy. In the distance, several piles of fire were burning, emitting thick black smoke that made one's eyes sting.
Gojo Satoru walked through the middle of Garbage Mountain, expressionless.
A few sightless ones approached, attempting to block his path. He didn't even look at them, simply releasing a small amount of his Aura. The faces of those people changed in a Moment, they turned and ran, running faster than a Rabbit.
He continued walking forward.
The Six Eyes are still restricted here, but the direction is clear—the intelligence Illumi provided was very detailed, including the location of District 3, the position of the Fortress, even the marked route.
After walking for about an hour, he saw the Fortress.
It looked even larger than in the Image. It had a silver-gray metallic texture, with a faint glow of Demon Power flowing across its surface, forming a sharp contrast with the surrounding dilapidated Tin Sheds. Several people stood in front of the Fortress, swords hanging from their waists, looking like Guards.
Gojo Satoru walked straight over.
Stop!" the Guard said, blocking him. "This is the Rabbit King's territory, outsiders are not allowed—
Gojo Satoru glanced at them.
The Guard's words got stuck in his throat, left unfinished. They looked at this Silver Hair, Blue Eyes man, looking at the "get out of my way" expression on his face, instinctively took a step back to both sides.
Gojo Satoru walked inside.
Inside the Fortress was even larger. It was a high-ceilinged space with corridors surrounding a central Open Space. An Old Carpet, obtained from somewhere, was spread across the Open Space; although it was dirty, it was at least better than the Garbage Heap outside.
At the very back, there is a Chair.
It was large, very tall, covered with thick Cushions. A person sat in the Chair.
Black curly hair, red eyes, two long rabbit ears standing atop his head. Wearing loose black clothes, he leaned back against the chair back, one hand resting on the armrest and the other placed on his abdomen.
Tu Bai.
Gojo Satoru stopped in his tracks and looked at him.
Tu Bai was also looking at him.
There was no familiar Emotion in those Red Eyes. Only vigilance, a hint of.. curiosity?
The people nearby rushed forward, trying to stop Gojo Satoru. Tu Bai lifted his chin, those people stopped.
Tu Bai looked Tu Bai up and down, scanning Gojo Satoru from head to toe. His gaze swept across Gojo Satoru's face, lingered on his silver hair, then settled back into his eyes.
Who are you?" he asked, his Voice lazy, "Why do you not kneel upon seeing the Rabbit King?
Gojo Satoru looked at him.
Looking at his hand protecting his abdomen, his unfamiliar gaze, his high-held chin.
He understood.
Xiao Bai does not remember him.
He has lost his memory.
Gojo Satoru stood in place, his brain racing.
What should I do? Tell him directly? Say, "I am your husband, the Child in your belly is mine"?
Would an amnesiac believe it?
Besides, looking at Xiao Bai's current state, he seems to be doing quite well in this place, living as the Rabbit King, majestic and imposing. If someone suddenly popped up claiming to be his husband, he would probably just have them killed immediately.
Gojo Satoru's gaze fell upon Tu Bai's abdomen.
It was slightly protruding there, covered by Clothes, making it not very obvious. But his hand remained there to protect it, his movements natural, as if by instinct.
He still remembered that he had to provide protection for the Child.
A part of Gojo Satoru's heart softened.
He raised his head, looked at Tu Bai, suddenly smiled.
Then he knelt on one knee.
His movements were standard, his posture elegant, his expression sincere—if one were to ignore that hint of cunning in his Eyes.
Noble Rabbit King," he said, his voice deep and pleasant, "My name is Gojo Satoru. I have traveled through mountains and rivers to find my destined Partner.
Tu Bai was stunned for a moment.
Gojo Satoru continued to look at him, his Eyes shining:
The first time I saw you, I knew it was you.
The entire Fortress fell silent for a few seconds.
The Guards nearby looked at each other, unsure of what to do. Tu Bai sat on the Throne, his Red Eyes staring at the man kneeling below, his expression somewhat dazed.
His Ears twitched. They flickered in confusion, then stood upright again.
This person.. what is going on?
He ran in for no reason, knelt down for no reason, said something inexplicable about a fated Partner..
Tu Bai stared at that face.
Silver hair, Blue Eyes, his features were excessively handsome. A smile played on his face, but it wasn't an annoying smile; instead, it was..
Instead, what?
Tu Bai couldn't quite put it into words. He just felt that this person possessed a strange Aura, making him want to get closer, yet also feel somewhat wary.
And that face..
It looks familiar.
He tried hard to think, but his brain was blank. He could remember nothing.
"Smooth talker," he snorted, lifting his chin even higher.
Gojo Satoru remained kneeling there, his smile unchanged.
Tu Bai glanced at him again. That smile.. why did it look a bit obnoxious?
But they were indeed beautiful.
And those Eyes, they were as blue as.. as what? He didn't know. He only felt that being watched by those Eyes, his Heartbeat couldn't help but quicken a few beats.
He cleared his throat, sat up straight, struggled to put on the airs of the Rabbit King.
"You say.. that I am your destined Partner?" he asked.
"Yes." Gojo Satoru nodded, his expression serious.
On what grounds?
“By feeling,” Gojo Satoru said. “Seeing you, my heart told me it was this person.”
Tu Bai's ears twitched again.
A nearby Guard whispered, "Rabbit King, this man's brain seems to have some issues.."
Tu Bai glared at him, the Guard immediately shut his mouth.
He looked toward Gojo Satoru again.
That man was still kneeling in a submissive posture, but the mirth in his Eyes could not be hidden. That kind of smile did not seem like fear or flattery; it was more like.. he was playing with people?
Tu Bai suddenly felt a bit displeased.