Itadori was stunned. "I'm here. Are you going to speak with him?"
Yeah.
There was silence on the other end of the Phone for a few seconds. Then the Voice changed, becoming low and deep. "Found him?"
Tu Bai held his Mobile Phone. "Found him. But he is not in this world."
There was no response on the other end of the Phone.
His Ability is related to time and space," Tu Bai said. "He has been transmigrating through time and space, trying to save you. But later, he discovered that the one he saved was not you. The Sukuna he knew was already dead, so after that, he gave up and hid himself away.
He still said nothing.
Even though he didn't say it, I feel like he is waiting for you," Tu Bai continued, "waiting for you to go find him.
There was a long silence. It lasted so long that Tu Bai thought the Phone had disconnected.
“Where is he?” Ryomen Sukuna asked, his Voice different from usual. It wasn't lazy, nor was it mocking; it was something else.
“In the river of time and space,” Tu Bai said. “There is an entrance in a Shrine near Tokyo. But that Mirror is very dangerous; once you enter, you might not necessarily find him, instead, you might be swept into another Otherworld, perhaps even losing your way back.”
Sukuna said nothing.
And," Tu Bai said, "he said you forgot. Regarding things from a thousand years ago, you don't remember him anymore.
Silence once again.
"I remember," Sukuna said.
Tu Bai was stunned.
“I remember,” Sukuna repeated. “Blonde hair, Red Eyes, talks a lot. Likes to touch my abdomen. Swears at people when he's interrupted while soaking in a hot spring. Holds grudges, a germaphobe, has a bad temper.”
He paused.
After I died, my Memory was intermittent. But I've slowly started to remember everything.
Tu Bai did not know what to say.
"He is waiting for me?" Sukuna asked.
Yeah.
Alright.
The phone hung up. Tu Bai looked at the Mobile Phone Screen, stunned for a moment.
Day 2, Sukuna came again. This time it wasn't a phone call; he came in person. Itadori's body stood at the doorway of Tu Bai's home, but Tu Bai knew it was Sukuna.
"Do me a favor," Sukuna said.
What kind of favor?
Help me construct a body," Sukuna said. "I must go find him.
Tu Bai froze. "Constructing a body?"
Your Cursed Technique is Construction," Sukuna said. "It can manifest things from imagination. Then, can I imagine a body, so you can help me create it?
Tu Bai thought about it. "Theoretically, it is feasible. But I have never tried constructing a living thing."
Try it.
Tu Bai looked into Ryomen Sukuna's eyes. In those eyes, there was none of his usual arrogance or impatience, only something very heavy.
Fine," Tu Bai said, "I'll give it a try.
Gojo Satoru listened from the side without saying a word. Only after Sukuna had left did he speak. "Are you sure you want to help him?"
Tu Bai nodded. "Shigure helped me. Besides, he is my Ancestor."
Construction of the Body is no small matter.
I know," Tu Bai said. "But I want to try. My strength is greater than Before, so maybe I really can do it.
Gojo Satoru looked at him for a while. "Then I'll accompany you."
Tu Bai smiled. "Alright."
In the days that followed, Tu Bai began researching how to perform Construction on his body. He read many books, asked many people who understood Cursed Techniques, experimented every day. Demon Power and Cursed Energy flowed steadily inside his body, much stronger than before. The things he constructed became increasingly exquisite, progressing step by step from simple objects to complex structures.
Sukuna would occasionally come to ask about the progress. Every time, he would say, "No rush," but Tu Bai could tell that he was actually in quite a hurry.
A month later, Tu Bai finally achieved Success.
He constructed a body that was exactly the same as Sukuna's in his previous life. Four hands, two faces, a tall stature, a body covered in black tattoos. Sukuna stared at that body, remaining silent for a long time.
"Fine," he said.
Tu Bai gave his body to him. Sukuna emerged from Itadori's body and entered a new body. After a while, the new body opened its eyes.
Sukuna stood up and stretched his arms. All four hands moved at once, his knuckles making cracking sounds.
"Not bad," he said.
Tu Bai let out a sigh of relief. "I don't know how long it can be maintained, but at least it won't dissipate quickly."
Enough," Sukuna said. He looked at Tu Bai for a few seconds. "Thanks.
Tu Bai was stunned. This was the first time Sukuna had ever said thank you to him.
"You're welcome," Tu Bai said.
Sukuna turned and left. After taking two steps, he stopped again. "That entrance, which shrine is it at?"
Tu Bai told him the address. Sukuna nodded and left.
Gojo Satoru stood beside Tu Bai, watching Sukuna's back disappear into the night. "Do you think he can find it?"
Tu Bai thought about it. "I don't know. But he will likely keep searching."
Chapter 74
In Tokyo in April, the cherry blossoms had mostly fallen, but the sunlight was beautiful. Tu Bai only had one class in the afternoon; after finishing it, he curled up in the classroom scrolling through Tu Bai's Mobile Phone, waiting for Gojo Satoru to come pick him up.
The Mobile Phone vibrated.
[Arrived. Come out.]
Tu Bai stood up, greeted his classmates, walked out with his backpack on his back. As he reached the doorway of the Teaching Building, he saw a crowd gathered ahead.
No, it wasn't just a crowd. It was a circle of people, layered several deep. Most were girls, but there were boys too; they were all standing on tiptoe, looking inside. Some were holding up Mobile Phones to film, while others were screaming in low voices.
So handsome..
He's so tall!
Is he a model? Is that hair dyed?
The blindfold is so cool!
Tu Bai's heart skipped a beat.
He squeezed his way in.
In the middle of the crowd, Gojo Satoru was leaning against a Cherry Blossom Tree. Wearing a Black Jujutsu High Uniform, he had come without changing his clothes. His hair was slightly messy from the wind, with a few strands of White Hair resting on his Forehead. A Black Blindfold covered most of his face, but the exposed jawline and Lips were already enough to make people scream.
He had both hands in his pockets, his head tilted slightly, with a lazy smile at the corner of his mouth. When someone spoke to him, he would lower his head to listen, then nod and say something. The other person would then cover their face and back away.
Tu Bai stood in the Crowd, looking at this scene.
Is this person sick? Can he not be a bit more low-key when coming to pick him up? Dressing like this, standing in such a conspicuous place, smiling so beautifully—no, smiling so provocatively.
He wanted to squeeze through to pull the person away, but the crowd was too dense to push through. He pulled out his Mobile Phone and sent a Message.
[What are you doing?]
Gojo Satoru glanced down at his Mobile Phone, then raised his head and scanned the Crowd. Even through his Black Blindfold, his Six Eyes could achieve precise Positioning; he saw Tu Bai, the curve at the corner of his mouth grew even wider.
He lowered his head to type.
[I'll be waiting for you.]
Tu Bai looked at the words on the Screen, then looked at that man. He was still standing there, still being watched by the crowd, still exuding that damn charm.
Tu Bai was getting a bit angry.
How does this man have no sense of moral conduct? He's already a family man, yet he still attracts so much attention like this. Just as he was about to send another Message to curse him out, Gojo Satoru suddenly stood up straight.
He put his Mobile Phone into his pocket and smiled at the people around him. It wasn't the same lazy smile from before, but a different one, carrying a hint of apology.
Sorry," he said, his Voice not loud but very clear, "My Wife is coming out.
The Crowd fell silent for one second.
Then everyone followed his gaze, looking at Tu Bai in unison.
Tu Bai froze.
Dozens of eyes stared at him simultaneously—some curious, some surprised, some envious, a little bit—scrutinizing? He stood at the edge of the crowd, still clutching his Mobile Phone, with his Backpack strap slipping down to hang on his arm. His face flushed instantly, turning red from his cheeks to his ears, from his ears down to his neck.
He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but nothing came out.
Then he turned back and left.
He walked very fast, almost as if he were running away. From behind came the commotion of a crowd and the voice of Gojo Satoru: "Excuse me, thank you—Wife, wait for me—"
Tu Bai walked even faster. After exiting the school gate, he turned into the adjacent Path. Gojo Satoru chased from behind, catching up in just a few strides with his long legs, reached out to grab his Backpack strap.
Why run?
Tu Bai shook off his hand and continued walking.
“Are you angry?” Gojo Satoru caught up, tilting his head to look at his face. “Are you really angry?”
Tu Bai ignored him.
Xiao Bai—
Don't call me.
Gojo Satoru shut up. He followed behind, walked for a distance, then suddenly reached out, grabbing Tu Bai and pulling him into the nearby alley.
The alley was very narrow, with walls on both sides, only the two of them were there. Gojo Satoru pressed Tu Bai against the wall, bracing his hands on either side of him, looked down at him.