Chapter 77: I Need Extra Compensation—Make It Two

In Ogi's mind, things should have played out differently.

The Zenin Clan should have been the one rejecting Gojo Satoshi.

After all, Satoshi had come to them seeking cooperation. He had no right to refuse their demands.

On the other side, Naobito watched as the situation spiraled out of his control.

Now that Satoshi had outright rejected them, he had no chance to steer the conversation in his favor.

He was also surprised by how Satoshi had shown zero regard for the Zenin Clan's prestige. Even among the three major families, there were still unspoken rules about saving face for each other.

But Satoshi…

Does he not care about those unspoken rules at all?

"Gojo Satoshi, do you really think that a mere Zanpakutō can change the fact that you have no Cursed Energy and that you'll never be accepted in the world of Jujutsu?"

Ogi's hooked nose twitched slightly as he forced himself to remain calm.

If Satoshi wanted to be arrogant, then he wouldn't hold back either.

"A Zanpakutō? No one has ever confirmed its legitimacy. It's nothing more than an overhyped gimmick being treated as some kind of miracle Cursed Tool."

"People are only interested in it because it's new. They're just curious."

"The fact that you won't even let me examine it proves that your so-called Zanpakutō is nothing but an ornamental blade that can't withstand real scrutiny."

"This whole 'revolutionary Cursed Tool forger' nonsense—what a joke."

"You want to use the Zenin Clan's Cursed Tool materials to maintain the illusion that you're actually forging Zanpakutō? Sorry, the Zenin Clan has no interest in playing along with your charade."

Ogi's expression was indifferent, but his words carried a decisive weight.

Technically, he was overstepping his authority, but given how Satoshi had just insulted him, he felt justified in making this decision on behalf of the Zenin Clan.

And just as he expected, Naobito did not refute him.

After all, in matters concerning outsiders, the Zenin Clan's leadership would always present a united front.

Satoshi chuckled as he scanned the room.

So, Toji was right. The Zenin Clan truly reeks of decay.

A bunch of clueless fools acting high and mighty, thinking they have the right to make demands of me.

If the Gojo Clan ever became like this, it would be utterly disgusting.

"Whether Sode no Shirayuki is real or fake, whether Suzumushi is real or fake… none of that matters."

"If you want to know the true power of a Zanpakutō, ask Yagyū Hidetsugu of the Yagyū clan… or better yet, ask Zenin Shinsuke of your own family.

"As expected, the Zenin Clan really does lack intelligence. Just like Zenin Shinsuke."

Satoshi stood up, gripping Sode no Shirayuki.

In that instant, a wave of cold air spread through the room not from Satoshi, but from Sode no Shirayuki herself.

Each Zanpakutō possesses its own will.

And right now, Satoshi could see the figure of a beautiful woman in a white kimono standing before him.

She wasn't blocking his path, she was standing in front of him, expressing her displeasure at being belittled.

Meanwhile, Shinsuke, who had just been called out, immediately jumped to his feet.

"You only won last time because you used some unknown trick!" he snapped.

"You think you can pull that off twice? You relied on underhanded tactics! And that Zanpakutō of yours, it's just another ordinary Cursed Tool with a ridiculous name!"

"Gojo Satoshi, if you have the guts, fight me again! I'll show you the true power of the Zenin Clan. Your so-called Zanpakutō is nothing worth mentioning."

Shinsuke issued his challenge.

But Satoshi found it meaningless.

Sode no Shirayuki had already defeated him once, there was no need to prove anything again.

However, what surprised Satoshi was that the woman in the white kimono still stood in front of him.

Her usually gentle expression now carried a hint of dissatisfaction.

She was displeased with Zenin Shinsuke's words.

Satoshi glanced around. No one else seemed to notice her presence.

That meant she wasn't actually manifesting in the real world, she had appeared only for him to see.

It wasn't his own pride that was being challenged.

It was hers.

Sode no Shirayuki didn't want to be looked down upon.

Do you want to fight? Satoshi asked internally.

Sode no Shirayuki nodded.

Satoshi exhaled, feeling slightly conflicted.

He never expected Sode no Shirayuki—who always carried herself with the grace of a Yamato Nadeshiko—to have such a strong fighting spirit.

If that's what she wants… then let's indulge her.

Just as Satoshi was about to accept the challenge, Naobito suddenly spoke up.

"Shinsuke, Satoshi-kun, this match between you two will be a good opportunity for me to observe the strength of Sode no Shirayuki firsthand."

"As the head of the Zenin Clan, I'll add a little wager to make things more interesting."

Naobito pretended to ponder for a few seconds before continuing.

"How about this, Satoshi-kun—if you win, I'll allow you to choose any Cursed Tool from the Zenin Clan's treasury and take it with you."

Satoshi's eyes narrowed.

Naobito's move was calculated.

He had sensed Satoshi's hesitation and used the opportunity to push his own agenda.

At first, Naobito hadn't expected to have a chance to propose this.

But now, he saw the perfect opening.

The question now was whether Satoshi would play along.

Satoshi frowned, swallowing the words he was about to say to Zenin Shinsuke.

Naobito's actions confirmed something, there was division among the Zenin Clan's leadership.

It was obvious now that Naobito supported working with him.

After all, it was thanks to Naobito's authorization that Toji had been able to bring back the Cursed Tool materials for forging Senbonzakura.

The real opposition came from Zenin Ogi and Zenin Shinsuke.

This bet was highly favorable to Satoshi.

Sode no Shirayuki had already decided to fight Shinsuke anyway.

Now, he could gain an extra Cursed Tool from the Zenin Clan in the process.

That was a win-win.

But rather than accepting outright, Satoshi calmly asked:

"And if I lose?"

To Ogi and Shinsuke, that question sounded like hesitation, like Satoshi lacked confidence in his own Zanpakutō.

If he was truly sure of its power, why would he even consider the possibility of losing?

"Ahem. If you lose…" Naobito's tone remained composed.

"I'll need you to take back what you said earlier and apologize to Ogi."

His request was relatively minor.

After all, as the head of the Zenin Clan, he couldn't make things too difficult for the Six-Eyes of the Gojo Clan.

Upon hearing this, Satoshi's brows furrowed slightly.

Seeing his reaction, Ogi smirked inwardly.

A coincidence should never be mistaken for true ability.

Those who confuse luck with strength will eventually suffer a crushing defeat.

Ogi believed Shinsuke would win.

He had already accounted for Shinsuke's trump card.

After a brief pause, Satoshi finally spoke.

"That's not enough."

"If I win, I want two Cursed Tools."

(To be continued.)