Facing the doubts of the others, Rin calmly explained:
"Do you all remember the triplet Cursed Spirit that Miguel brought back before?
These three individuals share the same stomach and can achieve instantaneous teleportation through a connection of Cursed Energy.
We can place these three Cursed Spirits in hidden spots near Tokyo, Kyoto, and Jujutsu High respectively."
He paused, then clearly laid out his plan:
"I will go to Kyoto first to deal with the Jujutsu Sorcerers there as quickly as possible; I can end the battle in ten minutes at most.
Afterward, I will immediately return to Tokyo using the teleportation ability of the triplet Cursed Spirit.
In this way, the one thousand Cursed Spirits originally intended for Kyoto can be saved."
No one knew that Rin was harboring another thought in his mind: the extra one thousand Cursed Spirits could provide Geto Suguru with an extra layer of protection, at least ensuring he wouldn't suffer a crushing defeat like in his memories.
Furthermore,
Rin continued, his tone firm:
"After I finish the task of blocking Gojo Satoru in Tokyo, I can quickly teleport to the vicinity of Jujutsu High via the triplet Cursed Spirit to support Geto Suguru."
This way, there will be double the protection for both frontal containment and subsequent evacuation.
This plan was meticulous and comprehensive; it not only solved the problem of 'who will deal with Gojo Satoru' and saved Cursed Spirits to bolster combat power, but also accounted for subsequent support.
After listening, everyone nodded in agreement, and even Negi, who had previously been doubtful, showed an expression of approval.
Geto Suguru looked at Rin, was silent for a few seconds, and finally nodded slowly:
"Fine, let's proceed according to your plan."
The atmosphere in the meeting room relaxed, and the cadres began to prepare separately, setting up the teleportation points for the triplet Cursed Spirit, adjusting the deployment of Cursed Spirits in Tokyo, and confirming the infiltration routes near Jujutsu High.
Only Rin stood in place, his gaze resting on Geto Suguru's back, a hint of complex emotion flashing in his eyes.
He always felt that there must be a reason he didn't know behind Geto Suguru's insistence on killing Yuta Okkotsu personally.
But for now, all he could do was perfect the plan as much as possible, paving every step of the way for Geto Suguru to ensure he could return alive.
In the courtyard of the Star Plasma Cult stronghold, the wind blew by with the chill of late autumn, swirling up a few fallen leaves.
The cadres had already begun to set off one after another, some to set up the Cursed Spirit defense line in Tokyo, others to confirm the teleportation points for the triplet Cursed Spirit, each with a tense and serious look on their faces.
With only one day left until the Night Parade of One Hundred Demons, the preparations they had to make were no less than those of Jujutsu High; they had to be in place ahead of time, and there could be no margin for error.
Rin stood in the center of the courtyard, beside him was the massive Cursed Spirit Cursed Spirit, which was lying docilely on the ground, waiting for him to step onto its back.
He had to go to the farthest location, Kyoto, and had to deal with the Jujutsu Sorcerers there alone, so he had to set off earlier than everyone else.
"Take care on the road."
Geto Suguru's voice came from behind him, and he walked up quickly, holding a neatly folded black coat in his hand:
Kyoto is colder at night than it is here; don't catch a cold.
Rin took the coat, his fingertips touching the warmth of the fabric, his heart warming slightly.
Geto Suguru kept chattering on, from 'don't force yourself if you encounter a difficult Jujutsu Sorcerer' to 'remember to confirm the coordinates before using the triplet Cursed Spirit to teleport,' rambling on like he was instructing a relative about to go on a long journey.
Rin looked at him, the emotions in his eyes complex.
He wanted to persuade him one more time, to let Geto Suguru give up the plan to kill Yuta Okkotsu, to tell him, 'Even without Rika Orimoto, we can find other ways.'
But when the words reached his lips, seeing the self-reproach and exhaustion hidden deep in Geto Suguru's eyes, they finally turned into a heavy admonition:
"Teacher, you take care too. You must survive; even if you can't win, you must hold on until I arrive."
Hearing this, Geto Suguru was stunned for a moment, then gave a bitter smile, his fingertips gently rubbing the prayer beads on his wrist:
"Don't worry, I will."
Only in front of Rin would he shed the disguise of the 'leader of the Star Plasma Cult' and reveal his true vulnerability; he knew that his plan had dragged Rin into the abyss, forcing this boy, who could have lived a stable life, to face slaughter and to fight against the strongest, Gojo Satoru.
The gratification in his eyes was real; he was gratified that Rin had grown enough to stand on his own, but there was more self-reproach—reproach for his own obsession, which had implicated the person he cared about most.
Rin gazed at Geto Suguru's haggard face; the light from the streetlamp fell on his face, reflecting the bloodshot eyes, and surely, Geto Suguru hadn't slept well these past few days.
He didn't say anything more, just draped the coat over his arm and vaulted onto the back of the Cursed Spirit.
"I'm leaving."
Rin looked down at Geto Suguru, his voice soft but clear.
The Cursed Spirit slowly stood up and walked toward the outside of the courtyard.
Rin's figure gradually disappeared into the night, and until he could no longer be seen, Geto Suguru slowly raised his hand and, toward the empty direction, softly spoke the words hidden in the bottom of his heart:
"Thank you, Rin. I'm sorry."
The wind blew his voice very far, as if apologizing to the departing figure, and as if compromising with his own obsession.
And behind the cherry blossom tree in the corner of the courtyard, Nanako and Mimiko were standing there silently, their little faces full of worry.
"Geto-sama seems unhappy,"
Nanako whispered, her fingertips tightly gripping the corner of a greeting card.
They might not understand complex things like 'plans' or 'war,' but they could keenly perceive the adults' emotions.
The exhaustion in Geto Suguru's eyes and the concern in Rin's tone all fell into their hearts like small stones, heavy and weighing them down.
It seemed that Rin was not the only one in the Star Plasma Cult who could feel that something was wrong with Geto Suguru.
Geto Suguru still stood in place, looking in the direction where Rin had left, not moving for a long time.
The streetlamp in the courtyard flickered, casting his shadow long, like an unsolvable attachment, entwining the departing figure and also entwining the coming storm.
He knew that from the moment Rin set foot on the road to Kyoto, this war, which wagered the fate of everyone, could no longer be turned back.