The Tombs of the Star Corridor, inside the barrier.
The pristine white space was as empty and quiet as ever.
Tengen stood at the very center, arms folded across their chest, watching Zhiyan.
"So you went ahead and did it after all."
"The Ten Shadows Technique."
It was unexpected, yet understandable. This Cursed Technique had brought chaos and upheaval ever since its inception-the user four hundred years ago had taken the head of the Gojo Clan down with him, and the one four hundred years later had torn a hole straight through the sky of Jujutsu Society.
Zhiyan looked at Tengen's calm, unreadable face, and the corners of his mouth lifted slightly.
"You'd already guessed, hadn't you?"
His tone was relaxed.
"And besides-"
He paused, his gaze lingering on Tengen's face for a moment.
"You supported us doing this yourself, didn't you?"
From the moment he had entered the barrier through the roots of that Divine Tree and asked Tengen those questions, he had known where Tengen stood.
Tengen, too, needed someone to change all this.
Looking at the certainty on Zhiyan's face, Tengen sighed.
"You young people really do have the nerve to act on your ideas."
There was neither reproach nor criticism in their tone.
"Now that it's done, you need to make proper arrangements for what follows."
Their gaze grew a little more serious.
"Jujutsu Society needs stability."
Zhiyan nodded.
"Of course."
"We'll take care of all that."
Tengen looked at his earnest face and changed the subject.
"That Star Plasma Vessel-"
"How is she?"
A flicker of surprise crossed Zhiyan's eyes-he had not expected Tengen to ask that question.
They actually care about how Riko is doing?
"She's already woken up."
"Right now-"
He paused.
"She's probably boarded a plane with that family member of hers."