Although Naobito and Ogi had been pierced through the abdomen by Kageoni, their injuries were not fatal.
Naobito's heart was filled with regret. As the head of the Zenin family, he had failed to recognize and nurture the rare gem that was Toji.
Had the Zenin clan, which had always revered jujutsu and Cursed Techniques, truly been on the right path? Were sorcerers really the future of humanity?
If Cursed Energy was the supreme power, then what did that make an anomaly like Toji?
Unlike Ogi, who was still ranting about how Toji's strength came solely from his Zanpakutō, Naobito was far more aware of the truth.
During their battle, he had already realized something terrifying.
Even if Toji hadn't used Katen Kyōkotsu, he still could have defeated them with sheer physical ability alone.
This genius of the Zenin family loathed them to his very core.
Naobito felt conflicted.
But if he put himself in Toji's shoes… if he had been treated the same way, perhaps he would have been even more ruthless.
Naobito glanced at Shinsuke, who was still frozen in shock, and sighed.
Today's battle must have been an even greater blow to him.
No one had ever imagined that a man with no cursed energy could possess such overwhelming strength.
For Shinsuke, who had always been held as the pride of the Zenin family, his entire past might now feel like a joke.
Beside him, Ogi's expression twisted with frustration.
"We must take back the Zanpakutō that belongs to the Zenin family! That pair of Katen Kyōkotsu was meant for us, it cannot be allowed to remain in Toji's hands!"
"The existence of Zanpakutō will overturn the entire foundation of jujutsu. If we can't win over Gojo Satoshi, then we must eliminate him, no matter what it takes, even if it means making enemies of the Gojo clan."
"If we allow Gojo Satoshi to continue developing his techniques, then in the future, he could become an even greater threat than Gojo Satoru! If we don't act now, the Zenin family may end up spending the next fifty years crushed beneath the weight of the Twin Six Eyes—Gojo Satoru and Gojo Satoshi!"
"If that happens, the Zenin clan will decline to the level of the Kamo family, and you, Naobito, will be remembered as the sinner who let it happen."
Ogi, his face contorted with fury, was now spewing blame onto Naobito.
Unlike Naobito, who could recognize Toji's true power, Ogi refused to accept his own defeat at the hands of a younger family member.
He refused to acknowledge Toji's strength.
To him, everything was because of the Zanpakutō.
But he failed to realize, he was the root cause of this entire situation.
Naobito narrowed his eyes and let out a bitter laugh.
It's a little late to be saying all this now.
You had the chance to work with Gojo Satoshi before, yet you were the one who ruined that opportunity. And now, suddenly, you're concerned about the threat of Zanpakutō? Funny. I seem to recall you saying something very different before.
Anyone with a brain could see the potential of the Twin Six Eyes. The moment two bearers of Six Eyes were born in the same era, their dominance was already inevitable.
Instead of standing here pointing fingers, you should focus on fixing the Zenin family. If we don't change the old ways, then even if another genius like Toji appears, the family will only end up driving them away.
For the first time, Naobito began to deeply reflect.
If he had been firmer in his stance when discussing matters with the clan leader…
Would he have been able to change Toji's status within the family?
Would Toji have chosen not to leave?
Toji's strength had not appeared overnight.
It was clear he had been this powerful for years.
So why had he hidden it?
Why had he chosen to leave now?
There was no doubt that Katen Kyōkotsu played a role in his power.
But the real reason behind his departure…
Was likely a person.
Perhaps the turning point was the arrival of his new friend—Gojo Satoshi.
Naobito sighed. The Zenin family was a complete mess.
Was there anyone in the younger generation capable of standing against the Gojo clan?
Zenin Shinsuke?
After today, his spirit had been completely broken.
What kind of Zenin family was this?
His gaze shifted to Jinichi, who was giving orders to the servants with high spirits.
Naobito shook his head.
He could see what Jinichi was plotting. But did someone like him truly have what it took to lead the Zenin family?
Jinichi, unaware of Naobito's disdain, was currently carrying out his duties with newfound energy.
With Naobito and Ogi injured, and Shinsuke unwilling to take control, he was now the highest-ranking member of the Zenin family.
And all of this…
Was thanks to his younger brother, Toji.
For the first time, he felt like he had the advantage over Shinsuke.
What did talent matter?
So what if he wasn't gifted in jujutsu?
As long as Toji was around, he would always have a hidden trump card within the Zenin family.
In fact, with Toji as an external ally, he could actually try to claim the position of the Zenin family's next head.
After all, wasn't the strongest person in the Zenin family no longer Naobito…
But his own younger brother, Toji?
At this moment, Jinichi was already thinking about how to position himself for the future.
For him, this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
---
That very night, after Toji left the Zenin family.
Rumors of Toji's true strength and the terrifying ability of his Zanpakutō, Katen Kyōkotsu, shook the entire jujutsu community.
And under Jinichi's deliberate manipulation, the Zenin family's disgrace was fully exposed to the world.
Meanwhile, the two people at the center of all the chaos.
Satoshi and Toji.
Were simply staring at each other inside a forge.
"...Is the Zenin family always this unrefined? They really went and aired all their dirty laundry in public?"
After hearing the latest rumors, Gojo Satoshi could easily guess what had happened when Toji returned to the Zenin estate.
But something felt off.
Because of his interference…
Had Toji ended up leaving the Zenin family earlier than he originally would have?
"I just went back to grab something," Toji replied indifferently.
He didn't care what the Zenin family was planning, nor did he want any further involvement with them.
"Alright, alright…"
Satoshi sighed.
His eyes drifted toward the heavy bag of money in front of him.
And all his complaints instantly vanished.
He hadn't expected that Toji, the so-called outcast of the Zenin family, would have this much saved up.
Wait…
Had this future gambling addict already gotten himself hooked on betting?
Well, whatever.
At least now, the Yorozuya had its start-up capital.
(To be continued.)
***
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