Chapter 5: The Magician

"Uncle Takaya, I'm Kensei! The one holding the cursed tool is Satoru!"

Gojo Satoru deliberately mimicked Gojo Kensei's tone, swapping their names.

He was clearly annoyed—why could Gojo Takaya always tell them apart so easily, despite how identical they were?

"Besides, it was just a regular assassin! Satoru can already use the Limitless Technique, so he can protect me!"

Gojo Satoru seemed to be enjoying the act, his voice full of certainty.

Gojo Takaya stroked his stubbled chin, his expression amused. Then, without hesitation, he extended his strong arms to either side and scooped up both Satoru and Kensei.

"And you still insist you're Kensei? Satoru, your muscles aren't as firm as Kensei's. Your talent in jujutsu is exceptional, but that doesn't mean you can neglect physical training."

With that, Gojo Takaya turned to Kensei, who was perched on his left arm.

"So, why did you sneak out with Satoru today?"

His voice held a hint of indulgence, a clear contrast to how he spoke to Satoru.

Gojo Takaya was the Gojo clan's cursed tool craftsman—the one behind many of the weapons used by the family. But in the jujutsu world, a craftsman's status was far lower than that of a sorcerer.

Typically, only those with weak cursed energy or those incapable of becoming sorcerers took up this profession.

As a result, Gojo Takaya had rarely met anyone who showed an active interest in cursed tool forging.

That's why he was surprised when Gojo Kensei, as soon as he could walk on his own, started following him around and expressed a strong desire to learn the craft.

Most assumed that Kensei's eyes were merely a defective version of the Six Eyes. But despite that, he was still a direct descendant of the Gojo clan, making his interest in forging all the more unusual.

What Takaya didn't know was that Kensei's real motive for learning the craft was to obtain a blacksmithing tool.

He needed one in order to unlock his system's Zanpakutō forging feature.

So, when he received his first hammer as a gift at the age of three, he was ecstatic.

However, what he hadn't anticipated was that the forging system required him to improve his skills gradually before unlocking the full functionality.

And so, after spending years under Gojo Takaya's guidance, Kensei had finally reached the critical threshold.

All he needed now was the right opportunity, and he would be able to activate the Zanpakutō forging system.

Seated on Takaya's arm, Kensei respectfully replied to his mentor:

"Master Takaya, I didn't want to sneak out. Satoru dragged me here! He has the Limitless Technique, so I had no way to resist him."

After speaking, Kensei jumped down from Takaya's arm and handed over the cursed tool he had been holding.

"Master, this tool seems unusual. Its quality is incredibly high!"

Takaya accepted the weapon, nodding as he examined it.

"This is 'Night Condensation'—a weapon crafted by a master blacksmith. I didn't expect it to end up in this person's hands."

He kicked the unconscious Washii Haruki lying on the ground before continuing.

"Kensei, I have no doubt that you'll become a master blacksmith yourself one day."

"In the future, you'll be able to forge weapons like 'Night Condensation' as well! But for now, this tool isn't yours to keep. Even if it's technically your spoils of battle, you're still too young."

With that, he tucked the weapon into his robes for safekeeping.

He then set Satoru down as well, just as another Gojo clan sorcerer, Gojo Shunichi, suddenly appeared before them.

"Young Master Satoru, are you unharmed?"

Gojo Shunichi's expression was tense.

As the captain of Satoru's personal guard, his duty was to ensure the young heir's safety at all times.

Earlier, he had briefly left to receive orders from the clan leader. That brief moment of absence had been enough for Satoru to escape.

Upon realizing that Satoru was missing, Shunichi had grown alarmed. Sensing fluctuations in cursed energy outside the estate, he had rushed over immediately.

Seeing Satoru with Kensei and Takaya only deepened his displeasure. He was particularly wary of Kensei.

Shunichi firmly believed in the "Twin Curses Theory"—the idea that Kensei's presence would negatively impact Satoru's growth.

"Young Master Satoru, what exactly happened here?"

His brows furrowed as he swiftly moved to Satoru's side, placing himself between him and both Kensei and Takaya, his expression wary.

"Just an assassination attempt—nothing major! Don't worry about it, Shunichi."

Satoru shrugged nonchalantly, pushing Shunichi aside before giving Kensei a pat on the shoulder.

"Looks like our escape plan failed today, Kensei. Not only did Uncle Takaya catch us, but now Shunichi's found us too."

His tone remained playful, but he knew they would have to return to the estate now.

"Yeah, seems like we failed. But it wasn't my plan—it was yours. I know my situation and wouldn't recklessly show off like you do."

"You should be more careful, Satoru. Even though you're extraordinarily talented, you're not invincible."

Kensei's expression darkened slightly as he recalled the scene of Satoru being cut down by Sukuna in the future.

He didn't want his older brother to meet that fate.

So, every time they met, he would subtly try to influence Satoru's personality, hoping to make him more cautious and level-headed.

However, Kensei didn't realize that his words only fueled Shunichi's disdain.

To Shunichi, a mere "false" Six Eyes user with no cursed energy had no right to lecture the true heir.

"Young Master Satoru, we should return. The clan leader is looking for you."

Shunichi relayed the order respectfully.

"Yeah, yeah, I get it. Kensei, I'll see you next time."

Satoru sighed, shaking his head before turning to leave with Shunichi.

The moment Satoru turned away, Shunichi's face twisted in contempt as he shot Kensei a condescending glare.

Even Takaya was completely ignored.

"I'll handle the assassin. The fact that someone attempted a hit so close to the Gojo estate means we haven't put enough pressure on the dark web yet."

With that, the assassination incident was fully taken over by Shunichi.

Kensei and Takaya had been completely sidelined.

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