Chapter 74: Chapter 74: Naobito, You’re Aiding the Enemy! (BONUS)
Naobito frowned. As the current acting head of the Zenin Clan, he had the authority to make decisions regarding family affairs. Was Shinsuke out of his mind today?
Did he have to lose his composure just because of a conversation with Satoshi?
"Uncle Naobito! A Zanpakutō is not so easily forged. Without our family's cursed tools, Gojo Satoshi would have never been able to create the remaining Zanpakutō."
"If he had only forged those first two Zanpakutō, his reputation wouldn't have reached such heights! But if we continue helping him, his fame will only grow, and the Zenin Clan will forever be overshadowed by the Gojo Clan."
"Uncle Naobito, please don't let your fascination with the Zanpakutō blind you. Personal interests must never come before the family's well-being."
"Compared to obtaining a Zanpakutō, wouldn't it be better to eliminate a potential forger? If Gojo Satoshi dies, he will never be able to forge more Zanpakutō, preventing the Gojo Clan from gaining even more power."
A ruthless glint flashed in Zenin Shinsuke's eyes.
He considered Gojo Satoshi an undeniable threat. If allowed to grow, he might even surpass the true Six Eyes user, Gojo Satoru.
"Shinsuke, do you even hear yourself? Are you trying to start an all-out war between the Gojo and Zenin Clans?"
Naobito's face darkened with anger.
He was fully aware that if Gojo Satoshi grew stronger, he would inevitably become a force that would suppress the Zenin Clan.
However, Shinsuke's words disregarded the larger picture.
Right now, not only could the Zenin Clan not harm Satoshi, but they actually needed to protect him, at least while he was within their territory.
This was an unspoken rule among sorcerer families.
Shinsuke's personal hatred for Satoshi was clouding his judgment. His reckless emotions could easily disrupt the delicate balance between the Gojo and Zenin Clans.
Naobito was about to reprimand him further when Ogi, who had remained silent until now, chuckled darkly.
"Naobito, you're misunderstanding Shinsuke's intent. He doesn't mean to harm Gojo Satoshi."
"Gojo Satoshi is just a worthless brat with no Cursed Energy. Even if he grows up, he won't be a threat. The real issue here is the Zanpakutō."
"As long as Gojo Satoshi continues forging Zanpakutō, his fame will only increase. And with the Gojo Clan tied to him, their status will also continue to rise."
"If you really want to stop Gojo Satoshi from growing, all we need to do is cut off his supply of cursed tools. Without materials to forge with, what can he possibly do?"
Ogi shot Naobito a knowing look before sharing the intel he had gathered from the Gojo Clan.
"There isn't a single cursed tool in the Gojo Clan's treasury that can be used to forge a new Zanpakutō. The material for the previous Zanpakutō came from a cursed tool that Toji brought over."
"You should know where that cursed tool came from, right? It originally belonged to the Zenin Clan. Meaning, the Zanpakutō created from it should also belong to the Zenin Clan."
"But instead, that Zanpakutō became Gojo Satoru's weapon. So tell me, what exactly did the Zenin Clan gain from supplying the materials?"
"I don't know what kind of agreement you made with Toji, but judging by the outcome, the Zenin Clan gained nothing. Instead, we ended up strengthening the Gojo Clan's Six Eyes user even further."
Ogi let out a heavy sigh.
"At best, this was a terrible decision. At worst, it was aiding the enemy."
"The Zenin Clan and the Gojo Clan may both be part of the Three Great Families, but you don't seriously think we can ever coexist peacefully, do you?"
Throughout history, the Three Great Families had stood side by side, yet their relationships had never been truly harmonious.
Rather than partners, they were more like rivals locked in a constant struggle for dominance.
Naobito was momentarily at a loss for words. Unlike Ogi and Shinsuke, he didn't harbor such deep-seated hostility toward the Gojo Clan.
He had initially hoped to take a diplomatic approach, letting Satoshi forge a Zanpakutō for Toji so the Zenin Clan could study its composition.
But after witnessing Toji's feedback and Satoshi's flawless responses, Naobito could no longer predict the young forger's next moves.
He wanted to hold firm to his stance, but despite his title as acting head, Ogi's influence still restricted his authority.
When it came to major decisions, if Ogi opposed him, compromises had to be made.
"What exactly are you suggesting? Whatever the case, harming Gojo Satoshi is out of the question. That is non-negotiable."
Naobito's expression grew heavy as he swept his gaze across the room. Though there were only three people present, this was the first time he felt truly isolated within his own clan.
Ogi smirked.
"I propose that we forbid Gojo Satoshi from entering the Treasury. The Zenin Clan will no longer provide him with cursed tools."
Zenin Shinsuke voiced his own demand.
"Uncle Naobito, my request is simple, I want to fight Gojo Satoshi again. This time, I'll redeem my honor."
"Last time, I underestimated the Zanpakutō because I was facing it for the first time. But now, I've trained. This time, I'll prove to you that a Zanpakutō is not as powerful as you all think."
"Uncle Naobito, you've never seen a Zanpakutō's abilities firsthand. All you've heard are exaggerated rumors. Let me show you Gojo Satoshi's Zanpakutō techniques with your own eyes."
Shinsuke's expression twisted with determination. Ever since his humiliating defeat at the Gojo Clan, he had been haunted by that battle.
Sode no Shirayuki's freezing technique had left a scar on his pride, a lingering nightmare that he could not shake off.
But as the Zenin Clan's prodigy, he had been relentlessly training his swordsmanship and refining his Cursed Energy.
During this time, he had made significant breakthroughs.
And more importantly, he had discovered a way to counter Sode no Shirayuki.
As long as he could withstand its abilities, Gojo Satoshi, a powerless forger with no Cursed Energy, would never be his match.
Naobito listened carefully to both their demands before letting out a deep breath.
He knew that today's discussion with Gojo Satoshi would likely end in a stalemate.
However, by weighing Ogi's proposal and Shinsuke's challenge, he found a compromise that seemed to preserve the clan's position.
But even so, this balance did not rest in his hands alone.
It required Satoshi's cooperation as well.
Would Satoshi be willing to accept his terms?
(To be continued.)
***
Junkdog Note: Ignorance truly is bliss.
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