Chapter 10: Let's Gamble

Outside the Forge

At the far end of the corridor outside the forge, two figures—one tall, one small—stood silently, their expressions complex and unmoving.

"Clan Head, is what Kensei said true? Are the Six Eyes truly invincible?"

Hearing the boy's question, the old man sighed, gently ruffling Gojo Satoru's pure white hair before shaking his head.

"I never expected Kensei to have such a thorough understanding of the Jujutsu world. It turns out there really are those born with innate wisdom."

"It's just a pity… Kensei doesn't have the same talent as you, Satoru. Otherwise, with his temperament, he might have been able to lead the Gojo Clan more effectively in the future."

Gojo Satoru looked up at the elderly man beside him, his deep blue eyes filled with curiosity.

"Clan Head, even if Kensei has no cursed energy, he is still destined to become a unique existence in the Jujutsu world!"

"If Kensei is willing to take over the Gojo Clan, I will help him manage it!"

Gojo Satoru's voice was firm.

He could feel his younger brother's care for him, and at the same time, his own guilt toward Kensei made him want to give him everything good in life.

The old man stared at Satoru in surprise, a kind expression appearing on his face.

"Satoru, being Clan Head is no easy task. If you truly care for Kensei, then you should bear this burden yourself. Perhaps only when you stand in this position will you truly have the power to change Kensei's fate."

He sighed, filled with regret over Kensei's existence.

This time, he had brought Gojo Satoru to the forge partly to see Kensei, as it had been too long since they last met.

On the other hand, he also wanted to test the compatibility of a Grade 1 Cursed Tool with Satoru. If possible, he hoped to equip him with the weapon known as Yoru no Koori.

However, he hadn't expected Gojo Shunichi to be here as well, nor had he anticipated Shunichi's open hostility toward Kensei.

"From now on, Shunichi will no longer serve as your bodyguard."

The old man made his decision.

"As you wish, Clan Head."

A cold expression, one that mirrored Kensei's, surfaced on Satoru's face.

If the Clan Head did not punish Gojo Shunichi, he might take matters into his own hands.

His brother—Gojo Satoru's own flesh and blood—could never be a failure.

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Inside the Forge

Gojo Shunichi's face twisted as he listened to Kensei's scolding.

He wanted to refute it, but he couldn't find a single argument, so he shifted his focus to Gojo Takuya instead.

"Satoru's future is his own to decide!"

"But tell me, am I wrong? Does Gojo Takuya really have any talent for teaching apprentices?"

"He just said that this weapon is a cursed tool forged by Kensei. Ha! He can't even tell the difference between a cursed tool and an ordinary weapon? I'd say Gojo Takuya must be going senile!"

Gojo Shunichi openly mocked Gojo Takuya, causing Kensei's expression to grow colder.

"Who told you this weapon isn't a cursed tool?"

Kensei let out a soft chuckle, his voice icy.

"I figured it out myself! This weapon doesn't absorb cursed energy at all—how could it possibly be a cursed tool? I can't sense any cursed energy or techniques within it."

Gojo Shunichi confidently refuted him.

But to his surprise, Kensei wasn't the least bit impressed. Instead, he let out a mocking laugh.

Then, with a look of utter disdain, he shook his head as if he were dealing with someone woefully ignorant.

"Come back and talk to me once you've seen Zenin Toji's Special Grade Cursed Tools. Until then, don't use your shallow common sense to challenge my expertise."

Kensei extended his right hand.

"Hand it over! Let's settle this with a test. If I remember correctly, your cursed tool is also a katana, right? Then let's compare them and see if this weapon of mine is a cursed tool or not."

Kensei's calm demeanor made Gojo Shunichi uneasy.

He couldn't understand where Kensei's confidence was coming from.

Could it be that this katana really was a cursed tool?

Even if that were true, so what?

Did Kensei even have cursed energy to wield it?

Gojo Shunichi wanted to take advantage of this opportunity to teach Kensei a lesson, but as a direct descendant of the Gojo Clan, Kensei couldn't be attacked recklessly.

"It's fine, Uncle Shunichi. Let's make a bet."

Kensei smirked playfully.

"Let Takuya-sensei be our witness. If the weapon I forged proves to be stronger than your cursed tool, you will have to bow in apology to Takuya-sensei and avoid him whenever you see him in the future."

"As for me… if I lose, I will never approach Satoru again."

"What do you think? Haven't you always been worried about the twin's curse?"

"If I stay away from Satoru, won't you all feel more at ease?"

Kensei's smile deepened, his gaze playful.

"Kensei, you—"

Gojo Takuya's face changed at the stakes of the bet.

He had always encouraged Kensei to avoid competing with Satoru, but he had never wanted their bond to weaken.

And more importantly, the terms of the bet were far from equal.

Takuya wanted to object, but Kensei's determined eyes silenced him.

"Takuya-sensei, just be our witness."

"So, Uncle Shunichi, are you afraid?"

Kensei looked up at Gojo Shunichi, who towered over him, his expression full of contempt.

"For the sake of the Gojo Clan, for the sake of Young Master Satoru's growth… Even if it means offending a direct descendant of the clan, I am willing to accept the consequences."

"Fine! I accept your bet, Kensei—Young—Master—"

Gojo Shunichi gritted his teeth as he spat out those words.

He was going to show Kensei the true power of a cursed tool.

His hand instinctively reached for the worn hilt of his trusted blade, Hibiki, his confidence unwavering.

Kensei—just a boy with no cursed energy—how could he possibly win in a battle of cursed tools?

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