On Sagittarius Island, Chozo and Toji, seated at a makeshift table, were engaged in a card game, their voices echoing through the warm air. A few meters away, Utahime was receiving reports from Nanami, a victorious smile illuminating her face, her eyes gleaming with cold satisfaction.
"They got nothing," Toji chuckled, drawing a card with a mocking grin. "They didn't even make it past the first island of the endless stream."
Chozo, unflinching, placed a card on the table, his sharp gaze betraying no emotion. "It was Shoko's invention. The endless gates beneath each island..."
Utahime nodded, her lips stretching into a knowing smile. "Exactly. As long as the gates remain open, the current connects the islands. Only our ships, with Shoko's material, can bypass it."
Under the ocean, titanic gates, colossal structures of steel and technology, controlled this relentless current. A feat reminiscent of the mythical Gates of Justice, but here, everything was under the absolute rule of Sagittarius Island. These mechanisms, both majestic and terrifying, embodied the undisputed power of this stronghold.
Meanwhile, at Germa, the air was heavy with despair and ruin. Judge, patriarch of the Vinsmoke family, suffocated under the crushing grip of Gojo D. Satoru, the emperor of the seas whose mere presence seemed to bend reality. His armor, a symbol of past glory, cracked under an unseen force. In a desperate attempt, Judge played his final card, his trembling voice barely piercing the oppressive silence.
"Wait! We can form an alliance! Our combined technologies... We could reconquer the North Blue together!"
Gojo stared at him, his piercing blue eyes devoid of any mercy. A mocking smile curved his lips. "Pathetic. I respect those who dare to enter here, even the weak. But you... you are nothing."
With a casual gesture, he flung Judge to the ground with devastating force. The patriarch's helmet shattered, and his body collapsed into a smoking crater, unconscious, broken. Gojo then turned to Reiju, who stood a few meters away, her body tense, ready for anything. Yet, a nervous smile played on her lips, a calculated gleam in her eyes. She knew she was playing with fire facing a Yonko, but her natural boldness urged her to take her chances, cautiously.
"Would you strike an innocent lady?" she challenged, her voice tinged with measured provocation. She tilted her head slightly, her pink hair framing her face, a subtle gesture to capture Gojo's attention without crossing the line. She was aware of the chasm that separated them, and every word was carefully chosen.
Gojo burst into hearty laughter, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "Are you flirting with me there?" he replied, crossing his arms with a confidence that seemed to warp the space around him. He took a step closer, his overwhelming aura contrasting with the playful tone of his voice. "It takes courage to speak like that to an emperor, you know."
Reiju felt her pulse quicken, but she held her ground, her smile remaining firm. She knew a misstep could cost her dearly, but she played the card of lightness, staying within the bounds of caution. "Courage? Perhaps. Or just the desire to see if the great Gojo D. Satoru is as intimidating as they say." She raised an eyebrow, her tone teasing yet respectful, keeping her distance while maintaining the exchange. "I suppose you must be used to being feared... or admired."
Gojo tilted his head, his smile widening as if relishing the challenge. "Oh, a clever one, huh? I like people who dare to stand up to me... even just a little bit." His voice lowered slightly, taking on a warmer, almost intimate tone, but his gaze remained sharp, reminding Reiju that he was far from an ordinary man. "Tell me, is it arrogance or silk confidence? You're not trembling, even after what I did to your father."
Reiju crossed her arms, a gesture that accentuated her confident stance while concealing the rising tension within her. "A secret? Let's just say I can recognize an opponent... or an interesting man." She paused, her smile softening just enough to add a touch of charm without going too far. "But I'm not foolish enough to challenge an emperor without reason. Let's just say I prefer... to converse."
Gojo laughed again, but this time there was a note of genuine appreciation in his tone. "You're quite something. Really something." He took another step, closing the gap, but stopping just short of it becoming too intimate. His gaze lingered on her, appreciative, but still with that air of superiority that reminded Reiju to stay on her guard. "A name, for the lady who dares to speak to me like this?"
"Reiju. Reiju Vinsmoke," she replied, her tone gentle but firm, accompanied by a slight nod. She avoided any overly provocative gestures, aware that her audacity had already pushed the boundaries.
"Reiju Vinsmoke," Gojo repeated, as if testing the sound of her name. "I'll remember that." He took a step back, his tone becoming playful again but with a hint of mystery. "I'll let you go... for now."
Reiju, ever cautious, furrowed her brow, her mind calculating the implications of this leniency. "And how do we get out of the current? This endless stream... it trapped us here."
Gojo gave her an enigmatic smile, his eyes shining with an almost supernatural light. "It's my territory, don't worry. Consider it a favor... from me."
Before she could respond, Gojo approached and fastened a delicate collar around her neck. His fingers briefly brushed her skin, a fleeting contact but enough to stir an unexpected warmth within her. Reiju brought a hand to the collar, her eyes seeking Gojo's, torn between wariness and curiosity.
"What's this?" she asked, her voice firmer than she had expected, masking her turmoil.
Gojo leaned in slightly, his voice carrying a teasing possessive note. "Just a little something to let you know that from now on, you belong to me." He straightened up, a mischievous smile on his lips. "Don't worry, it's just to make sure you don't slip away from me."
Reiju felt a surge of indignation mixed with a strange fascination, but she kept her composure, aware that it was futile to challenge a man like him. Before she could retort, Gojo vanished in a flash, leaving behind only a light laughter lingering in the air.
Reiju collapsed to the ground, a sigh of relief escaping her lips. The kingdom of Germa was nothing but a field of ruins, its inhabitants defeated, their ambitions reduced to ashes. She touched the collar. "That's the power of an emperor," she murmured, a bitter smile on her lips. "We were lucky to come out of this alive."
Yet, as she rose to her feet, a fleeting thought crossed her mind. The way Gojo had looked at her, that blend of power and casual charm... It was dangerous, but strangely captivating. She shook her head, dismissing those ideas. For now, she had to bring what remained of Germa back home.