Chapter 54: Chapter 54: Toji, This Is the Mission Assigned to You by the Family
On the way to the cursed tool storage room, Satoshi could clearly sense the subtle shift in the way his fellow clan members looked at him.
In the past, their gazes had been filled with nothing but indifference. But today, beneath that cold exterior, a trace of doubt had begun to emerge.
Clearly, news about Suzumushi had already spread throughout the clan.
Some people even took the initiative to step aside when they saw him passing.
However, many still harbored skepticism.
After all, a six-year-old child had managed to forge a Zanpakutō after a month of repeated failures—yet, no special rumors had surfaced regarding the forging process.
It all seemed a little too convenient.
That said, this time, no one attempted to stop Satoshi and Satoru from entering the storage room.
At this moment, every single member of the Gojo Clan wanted to know one thing, could Satoshi forge another Zanpakutō?
Again and again.
If Satoshi succeeded in forging a third Zanpakutō, it would prove beyond doubt that his abilities were not just a stroke of luck.
It would mean that Satoshi truly possessed the power to change the entire Gojo Clan.
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Meanwhile – Zenin Clan
In a quiet room deep within the Zenin estate, Toji sat lazily, his eyes filled with boredom as he stared at his unexpected visitor—Zenin Naobito.
He had little interest in the higher-ups of the Zenin Clan.
To Toji, this so-called "family" meant nothing.
Yet here stood Naobito, a man ranked among the top three most powerful figures in the clan.
And yet, Toji didn't care.
His only concern was whether the Zenin Clan's cursed tool vault contained anything useful for Satoshi.
Naobito, however, had come for a different reason.
"Toji, I want to meet Gojo Satoshi through you."
At the mention of that name, Toji who had been about to leave suddenly stopped.
He narrowed his eyes, turning to stare at Naobito, and waited for him to continue.
The Zenin Clan is finally making their move on Satoshi?
So they've heard about Suzumushi.
Toji had no idea what had happened with Shunichi.
Without cursed energy, he wasn't privy to the newspapers distributed among sorcerers.
However, based on Naobito's sudden interest in Satoshi, it wasn't hard to put the pieces together.
Would the Zenin Clan bother with someone who had no cursed energy?
Of course not.
The only thing they would care about was Satoshi's ability to forge Zanpakutō.
"I heard you've been quite close to young master Satoshi of the Gojo Clan lately."
Naobits's voice was calm as he stepped into Toji's residence, casually handing him a copy of the association's newspaper.
Toji smirked, taking the newspaper with a lazy motion.
"Yeah, I suppose you could say that."
After glancing at the headlines, Toji's suspicions were confirmed—the article detailed the power of Suzumushi but conveniently omitted any mention of its forger.
He exhaled slowly, his tone carrying an unmistakable edge of mockery.
"After all, we're just two 'useless' people with no cursed energy. It's only natural that we'd get along."
His words were laced with sarcasm, but Naobito didn't react.
Instead, he nodded.
"Zanpakutō is a type of cursed tool unlike anything that has ever existed before. If such tools can be mass-produced, they will completely revolutionize the world of cursed tools."
"The head of the clan has taken great interest in this matter. As have I. That's why I'm here—to confirm something."
"Tell me, Toji... did Gojo Satoshi really forge a second Zanpakutō?"
Naobits's gaze was sharp as he locked eyes with Toji.
While everyone suspected Satoshi was the forger, the newspaper never explicitly stated it.
Before taking any further action, the Zenin Clan needed absolute confirmation.
They needed Toji to verify the truth.
Without hesitation, Toji answered.
"Suzumushi was indeed forged by Gojo Satoshi. I watched the entire process myself."
Naobi's expression didn't change, but his grip on his sleeve tightened slightly.
"Then, if the Zenin Clan is planning to act... they should do it soon," Toji added nonchalantly. "Gojo Satoshi isn't just some throwaway kid."
"If both Satoshi and Satoru reach their full potential, the Zenin Clan will be crushed."
"With the current state of this family, I don't see any way you could compete with the Gojo Clan."
Toji stretched lazily, his words carrying a carefree ruthlessness as he casually predicted the downfall of the Zenin Clan right in front of one of its top leaders.
What surprised him, however, was that Naobito did not refute him.
Instead, he fell into deep thought.
After a long pause, Naobito sighed.
"Even so… as you just said, there is no one in the younger generation of the Zenin Clan who can rival the Six Eyes."
Toji raised an eyebrow.
The Zenin Clan… actually admitting they're inferior?
The arrogance of the Zenin family was legendary.
For them to acknowledge their weakness so openly...
That alone was shocking.
Sensing Toji's skepticism, Naobito suddenly smirked.
"Perhaps the others in the family cannot compete with Gojo Satoru… but what about you, Toji?"
The room fell silent.
For a moment, the tension in the air was suffocating.
A few seconds later, Toji chuckled.
"Me?"
He tapped the scar at the corner of his mouth, his amusement barely concealed.
"I'm just a good-for-nothing without cursed energy."
But inwardly, he was intrigued.
Because ever since Gojo Satoshi appeared, the entire Zenin Clan had started to change.
And now… for some reason, they were paying attention to him.
Naobito's voice deepened.
"Toji, I know exactly how strong you are. The Heavenly Restriction isn't a weakness, it's an advantage."
Naobits's gaze held a rare intensity.
"I plan to personally report your situation to the clan head. In the future, you will be recognized as the true backbone of the Zenin Clan."
A pause.
Then, Naobito placed a firm hand on Toji's shoulder, his expression filled with undeniable respect.
"And as for Gojo Satoshi?" Naobito continued.
"The clan has already agreed that we will not take any hostile action against him, just as we have never directly acted against the Six Eyes."
"However, the Zenin Clan does want a Zanpakutō of our own."
"That's where you come in, Toji."
Naobits's tone turned serious.
"Previously, there were some… disagreements between Zenin Shinsuke and Gojo Satoshi. Because of that, direct negotiations will be difficult."
"So, I hope that you will act as the Zenin Clan's representative… and secure a Zanpakutō from Gojo Satoshi for us."
"This is your mission from the family, Toji."