Chapter 9: the enemy of the master

"This isn't that Grade 1 Cursed Tool—give it back to me!"

Gojo Takuya felt the emptiness in his right hand, his expression filled with anger.

He never expected Gojo Shunichi to disrespect him so blatantly, snatching Sode no Shirayuki from his hands without his permission.

"This isn't a cursed tool? Master Takuya, you must be joking. I can still tell whether something is a cursed tool or not."

Gojo Shunichi raised an eyebrow, his tone filled with disdain.

So even a Grade 1 Cursed Tool was something a master blacksmith would covet? Was it enough to make even him greedy?

"No, this isn't Yoru no Koori! This weapon was just forged by Kensei. It's not what you think."

Gojo Takuya's words made Gojo Shunichi pause for a moment.

"Kensei forged this cursed tool?"

Doubt flickered in Gojo Shunichi's eyes before he suddenly burst into laughter.

"Are you kidding me? Kensei is only six years old, and you expect me to believe he can forge a cursed tool? Are you playing a joke on me?"

"When did the entry requirements for cursed tool blacksmiths become so low? If that's the case, why not have all the other useless members of the Gojo clan learn from you?"

"If you can train a six-year-old to forge cursed tools, then maybe we should stop calling you Master Takuya and start calling you Grandmaster Takuya instead."

"Isn't that right, Master Takuya?"

Gojo Shunichi's mockery made Gojo Takuya's face darken with anger.

Although Gojo Takuya was a renowned cursed tool blacksmith, he was infamous for refusing to take on apprentices.

Many had tried to learn from him, but none stayed for long—most left, claiming they had learned nothing and choosing other teachers instead.

For Gojo Takuya, the word "master" was a sore spot.

…

Meanwhile, Kensei frowned and slowly opened his eyes.

The exhaustion in his mind had not faded, but Gojo Shunichi's grating voice was too annoying, too loud. He had no choice but to push aside his fatigue.

"If you can train a six-year-old to forge cursed tools, then maybe we should stop calling you Master Takuya and start calling you Grandmaster Takuya instead."

"Isn't that right, Master Takuya?"

Hearing the sarcasm in Gojo Shunichi's words, a cold look appeared on Kensei's face.

In this clan, he was closest to Gojo Takuya.

Without Gojo Takuya's careful guidance, he wouldn't have been able to refine his forging skills to the point of unlocking the ability to forge Zanpakuto.

So what gave Gojo Shunichi the right to mock his teacher?

Kensei silently sat up, watching the scene with a cold gaze, ready to put Gojo Shunichi in his place.

…

On the other side, Gojo Shunichi continued to mock Gojo Takuya.

"You're saying this cursed tool was forged by Kensei? Ridiculous. With his level of talent, how could he possibly become a cursed tool blacksmith, let alone forge one at six years old?"

"Absolutely impossible!"

Shaking his head, Gojo Shunichi channeled his cursed energy into the weapon in his hand.

His best weapon was only a Grade 2 Cursed Tool—he had never had the chance to wield a Grade 1 before.

This was the perfect opportunity to test the abilities of the so-called Yoru no Koori.

But as his cursed energy flowed into the weapon, his expression froze.

Something was wrong.

His instincts told him this should be a cursed tool, yet his cursed energy had no effect on it.

That didn't make sense.

Normally, cursed tools would respond when infused with cursed energy.

Could it be that this weapon's power was purely physical?

That didn't seem right either. Purely physical weapons weren't the style of Washii Haruki, the infamous assassin sorcerer.

No way… Gojo Shunichi's eyes widened in disbelief.

Was this really just a normal weapon? Just a toy Kensei had forged?

That had to be it. Gojo Takuya must be biased toward Kensei, which was why he mistakenly thought this was a cursed tool.

Damn it! He tricked me! Where did Gojo Takuya hide the real Grade 1 Cursed Tool?

"This really isn't a cursed tool. What a piece of junk!"

"As expected of a so-called 'master.' You actually tried to pass off a worthless toy as a cursed tool!"

"Master Takuya, I wonder how your fellow blacksmiths would feel if they saw how low you've fallen?"

"If you're not talented at teaching, then just focus on your own craft—forge cursed tools and contribute to the clan instead of wasting your efforts on a useless—"

Gojo Shunichi's words were cut short.

As he pointed at Kensei and was about to say "useless waste," he noticed that Kensei had already woken up and was staring at him with an icy expression.

Gojo Shunichi's face stiffened.

Even though he thought this way, saying it directly in front of Kensei was different.

After all, Kensei was still a direct descendant of the Gojo family.

As long as the clan head had not revoked Kensei's inheritance, this so-called "waste" could still one day lead the clan.

"Hmm? Why did you stop, Uncle Shunichi?"

"Can't remember what to call me? I am, after all, the Gojo clan's so-called waste."

Kensei forced himself to push past his fatigue and leaped off the bed, standing beside Gojo Takuya.

"Gojo Shunichi, have you forgotten that all the cursed tools you use were forged by Master Takuya?"

"Do you not realize how many casualties there would be during missions if not for his weapons?"

"What makes sorcerers like you think you're so superior? Were your parents born as sorcerers?"

"Can you guarantee that your children will be sorcerers in the future?"

A smirk appeared on Kensei's lips. He wasn't the type to suffer in silence—he fought back when provoked.

"Master Takuya has remained loyal to the clan despite everything. Otherwise, there are plenty of other sorcerers who would respect him far more than you do."

"What, do you really think the Gojo clan is untouchable? That just because you have Satoru with the Six Eyes, the future will be smooth sailing?"

"Gojo Shunichi, you're an adult—why are you still so naive?"

Kensei shrugged, his young face filled with mockery.

"If the Six Eyes were truly all-powerful, then why do curses still exist? Why are there so many powerful cursed spirits? Why is Ryomen Sukuna still out there?"

"If the Six Eyes were truly invincible, then why has no Gojo who possessed them ever met a good end?"

"I know you all place your hopes on Satoru. But let me tell you—he isn't invincible. Even with his unparalleled talent, even with the divine Six Eyes, even with the Limitless Cursed Technique…"

"Even Satoru Gojo is not invincible."

"Your expectations will only push him further down a dangerous path."

"Satoru will become the strongest sorcerer of his time, but don't underestimate the power of cursed spirits and sorcerers."

"In the future, Satoru and I still have a long road ahead of us."

Despite his young age, Kensei's voice was steady and unwavering.

....

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