A Special Grade Sorcerer. A student of Gojo Satoru. Likely someone sent by the Higher-ups to kill him.
Tu Bai stood up, his Long Sword held horizontally in front of him.
"Coming to catch me?" he asked.
Okkotsu looked at him.
He looked at him for a few seconds.
Then he said, "You are Gojo-sensei's person."
Tu Bai said nothing.
"I won't lay a hand on you," Okkotsu said.
Tu Bai was stunned.
Okkotsu walked over and stopped two steps away from him.
I heard about what happened in Shibuya," he said. "Gojo-sensei was sealed, you.. you don't look very well.
Tu Bai looked down at himself.
His clothes were torn and stained with blood. His face likely wasn't in much better shape. His eyes were too dry to produce tears, showing nothing but exhaustion.
He lifted his head.
What do you want?
Okkotsu was silent for a while.
Then he said, "Come with me. I have a place, a very safe place. The Higher-ups won't find us."
Tu Bai stared at him.
Why help me?
Okkotsu looked at him, his peacock blue eyes filled with a hint of complexity.
Gojo-sensei helped me before," he said. "Without him, I would have died long ago. I will fulfill the task he entrusted to me.
He paused.
Aren't you his.. person? Then I will help too.
Tu Bai fell silent.
He looked down at the sword in his hand, then at that Small Cage, finally looked at the Prison Realm on the Floor.
Then he put his sword away.
"Lead the way," he said.
---
The Safe House Okkotsu mentioned was in the Suburbs, an ordinary-looking Residential House surrounded by a Barrier.
Tu Bai walked in, sat in the Corner, held Prison Realm while staring blankly.
Okkotsu stood at the Doorway for a while, then went to the Kitchen.
When he came out again, he was holding a tray with water and food on it.
He placed the tray beside Tu Bai.
I heard about Gojo-sensei," he said softly. "You want to save him, I will help you.
Tu Bai looked up at him.
Those Red Eyes were terrifyingly dry, the eye sockets sunken, the Lips cracked. He did not look like a living person, but like a Corpse with its eyes still open.
He looked at Okkotsu, looking for a long time.
Then he spoke, his Voice raspy: "Thank you."
Just two words.
But Okkotsu heard the meaning within those two words.
It wasn't gratitude, but the only words that could be uttered after reaching the absolute limit of exhaustion.
Okkotsu nodded and said nothing more.
He sat down beside him, looking at Tu Bai.
That man does not eat or drink, but simply holds the Prison Realm, staring at it. Occasionally, he uses his Finger to stroke the surface Patterns, as if he were touching something very precious.
Okkotsu thought of how Gojo Satoru used to be.
Arrogant, lazy, always smiling.
Now he is inside.
And that person..
Okkotsu sighed.
He stood up, walked to the door, turned back to take another look.
Tu Bai remained in that same posture, motionless.
He said softly, "I've left the Food here. You.. eat a little bit."
Tu Bai did not answer.
Okkotsu walked out and gently closed the door.
The Barrier closed once more.
Only Tu Bai remained in the room.
He sat in the Corner, holding the cube, looking at it.
His brain was filled with Gojo Satoru's final voice—
“Xiao Bai—"
And then it was gone.
He also remembered that night, when Gojo Satoru held him and said, "I love you."
He thought of him tickling him, forcing a laughter out of him.
He thought of the Dessert he brought back every time he returned, the Note he left every day, all those kisses and hugs.
His eyes grew sore again.
But no tears would come.
He lowered his head, resting his forehead against the Prison Realm.
"Senpai," he said softly.
No one answered.
Outside the window, the sky has turned dark again.
Chapter 61
By the time Day 4 arrived.
Tu Bai could no longer distinguish between daytime and nighttime.
The room was always dark because the Window was covered by a curtain. He sat in the Corner, holding the Prison Realm, using Construction Technique over and over again to analyze its structure. Since there was no Key, he would construct one himself; no matter what, he would get Senpai out.
Demon Power seeped in, constantly exploring those complex Cursed Wards, feeling out the direction of every single pattern. Then, he constructed the corresponding structures, attempting to find a gap.
It was always just a little bit off.
Just a little bit more.
But he just couldn't open it.
His Demon Power was nearly exhausted. His head was buzzing, his vision would go black from time to time. His hands were shaking, his legs were shaking, his entire body was trembling uncontrollably.
But he refused to stop.
Every day, Okkotsu would come in to leave food and water, every day he would take away the food and water that hadn't been touched. He had tried to persuade him several times, but to no avail. Later, he stopped trying to persuade him, instead simply set the things down, stood beside him for a while, then left.
Tu Bai knows he is there.
But he couldn't afford to care.
He could only stare at that thing, this cube that held Gojo Satoru.
Day 4 Evening.
The door was suddenly pushed open.
It wasn't a gentle opening like the way Okkotsu would do it; it was a heavy "bang," opened with great force.
Tu Bai did not look up.
Er Bao!!
A familiar Voice rang in his ear, filled with a sobbing tone.
Tu Bai froze for a second.
He lifted his head.
Two people were standing at the Doorway.
The one in front has pink curly hair and a baby face; his Red Eyes are swollen like walnuts, tears are pattering down. It is Tu Bao, his Eldest Brother.
The one behind him was taller, with black curly hair and iris-colored eyes, his body wrapped in bandages and wearing a beige trench coat. Dazai Osamu.
Tu Bao rushed over and grabbed him in a tight embrace.
Er Bao!!" He cried even louder, "What's wrong with you, why have you become so thin!! What's wrong with your eyes!! Why are your hands so cold!!
Tu Bai was held by him, motionless.
Brother," he spoke, his Voice sounding more hoarse than his own, "Why are you here?