Chapter 41: The Three Before Me Are the Future of This World (BONUS)

"Young Master Satoru, Young Master Satoshi! For the time being, I have to cooperate with a Grade 1 sorcerer from the association to carry out missions."

"I may not be able to protect you anymore."

After confirming the news from Kumaen, Shunichi had no choice but to comply with the association's orders.

After all, while the Gojo family was one of the Three Great Families, the authority of the Jujutsu Sorcerers' Association was absolute.

Since the Gojo family had submitted the application, Shunichi had no choice but to undergo the promotion assessment.

This was part of the contingency plan Kumaen had prepared as soon as he sensed Shunichi's potential defiance. The moment Shunichi showed any inclination to challenge him, Kumaen had been ready to remove him from the Gojo family temporarily, at least.

Initially, he hadn't intended to use this measure so soon.

But Shunichi's overwhelming victory over Yagyū Saemon using his Zanpakutō had changed everything.

As a rising master of kendo, Shunichi's status within the Twin Curse Faction was bound to skyrocket. And with Satoshi proving the power of his second Zanpakutō, his growing influence could destabilize the internal unity of the Twin Curse Faction.

Thus, when sending off Yagyū Yusuke, they coordinated with the Yagyū family, using their influence within the association to ensure that the sorcerer assigned to assess Shunichi's promotion would be from the Yagyū family.

This meant that, when the time came, the Grade 1 sorcerer overseeing the assessment would take Shunichi away from Tokyo, effectively removing an unpredictable element from the Twin Curse Faction's internal power balance.

When the news reached the forge, the people inside were visibly surprised.

Satoshi, who had been focused on his work and hadn't paid attention to the aftermath of Shunichi's match, hadn't realized what had transpired.

However, he genuinely felt it was a good thing that Gojo Shunichi was being promoted to Grade 1.

After all, in the current jujutsu world, a Grade 1 sorcerer was considered a top-tier combat force.

If Shunichi advanced, it would only strengthen Satoshi's position as well.

Satoru immediately clapped his hands, jumping up to congratulate Shunichi on his promotion in advance.

Toji gave a silent nod. Though he wasn't a sorcerer himself, he understood the weight of a Grade 1 sorcerer's status.

Shunichi's promotion would give him greater influence in the future.

At the same time, however, Toji's gaze lingered on Shunichi, his mind contemplating something entirely different.

Could I kill him in one strike if I attacked right now?

Toji touched the scar on his lip, coming to a firm conclusion.

It wouldn't be difficult.

A Grade 1 sorcerer might be strong, but they weren't inhuman. A well-placed stab to the heart or a clean decapitation would kill them just like anyone else.

Feeling the faint yet unmistakable malice in Toji's gaze, Shunichi instinctively tensed.

It was as if a predator was sizing him up, waiting for the perfect moment to tear him apart.

What kind of monster is this man? Did he not even use his full strength when fighting against Young Master Satoshi before? That's terrifying. Just how strong is Zenin Toji?

This person is too dangerous. Has he already figured out the real reason behind my sudden promotion? How could someone like him so easily accept Master Satoshi?

Young Master Satoshi's secrets are no less significant than Young Master Satoru's. And this heir of the Zenin family… he's no ordinary person either.

Shunichi took a deep breath, glancing at the three people before him.

As expected, he couldn't betray Satoru or Satoshi.

Kumaen's offer had been tempting, but if it meant standing against these three…

Haha, I'm not an idiot.

Before him stood a wielder of the Six Eyes, a Heavenly Restriction monster, and a sorcerer who possessed both the Six Eyes, and an unparalleled forging ability.

These kinds of prodigies were rare even once in a century, yet they had all appeared in the same era.

Shunichi had no doubt, the future would be defined by conflict.

If the Gojo family remained obsessed with internal struggles, it would only lead to its downfall.

Satoshi and Satoru were destined to be the true pillars of the Gojo family.

As for people like Kumaen, power-hungry relics clinging to authority, they would inevitably be swept away like debris.

With that realization, Shunichi took Toji's earlier glare as a warning.

His eyes hardened with resolve as he looked at Satoshi and spoke in a firm voice.

"Young Master Satoshi, my promotion to Grade 1 is part of a conspiracy!"

"The Twin Curse Faction is scheming to control the future of the Gojo family. In order to prevent the truth about Suzumushi from spreading, I was deliberately removed."

"Elder Kumaen doesn't want your reputation within the clan to grow any further."

"I'm sorry, I still can't activate Suzumushi's ability yet. That's why I couldn't prove in the dojo that it's a true Zanpakutō."

Regret filled Shunichi's face.

Perhaps I lack talent. Satoshi could use Sode no Shirayuki's ability immediately after forging it.

I've been trying for nearly an hour, and I haven't sensed any sign of Suzumushi's technique.

If I had been able to unleash its ability, Kumaen's plan wouldn't have succeeded.

Upon learning that Shunichi's promotion was part of a larger scheme that the entire situation revolved around suppressing Satoshi, Satoru's young face darkened.

Although Kumaen had always been his supporter, targeting Satoshi like this had crossed a line.

He wanted to go confront Kumaen himself, to expose his schemes and put an end to this nonsense.

But before he could act, Satoshi stopped him.

Seeing Satoru's expression, Satoshi, as his twin brother, immediately knew what he was thinking.

Yet, instead of anger, a small smile appeared on his face.

He didn't seem concerned at all.

Instead, he calmly pulled Satoru back down before he could get up.

"Oh? I see."

"But still, congratulations, Shunichi. Advancing to Grade 1 is an opportunity, it will be useful for both Satoru and me in the long run."

"As for Kumaen's plan… well, I don't particularly oppose it."

Satoshi's words made both Satoru and Toji frown.

It was obvious that Kumaen was targeting him.

So why was Satoshi so calm, so indifferent?

If this had happened to either of them, they definitely wouldn't have taken it so lightly.