MTLNOVEL Chapter 76: Chapter 76: Are You Worthy of It? (BONUS)
The door to the VIP room swung open as three members of the Zenin clan stepped inside.
The moment Satoshi locked eyes with Shinsuke, he knew things were about to get interesting.
And when his gaze shifted to Toji, he noticed the same expression mirrored on his face.
This was about to get even more entertaining.
"Satoshi-kun, lately, the entire Jujutsu world has been talking about your Zanpakutō."
"If I'm not mistaken, the one beside you is still Sode no Shirayuki from before, right? Mind letting me take a look? I've never had the chance to closely examine a Special Grade Cursed Tool like a Zanpakutō."
As a swordsman himself, Zenin Ogi had a deep appreciation for fine weapons.
Although he didn't believe a Zanpakutō could truly change the balance of power in Jujutsu sorcery, he still wanted to experience Sode no Shirayuki firsthand.
In his mind, his request wasn't excessive.
After all, Satoshi was seeking a partnership with the Zenin Clan. Without the cursed tool materials provided by them, it would be impossible for him to continue forging Zanpakutō, right?
So, under these circumstances, wasn't it only reasonable for him to inspect Sode no Shirayuki?
It was natural for business partners to evaluate the quality of their collaborative products.
Naobito, standing beside him, said nothing, silently granting his approval of Ogi's request.
He also hoped that after witnessing Sode no Shirayuki up close, Ogi might reconsider his previous stance and choose to support him once more.
Meanwhile, Shinsuke remained indifferent. However, beneath that impassive exterior, resentment flickered in his eyes, mingled with a trace of greed.
That blade—Sode no Shirayuki—had danced before him once.
And in his mind, it should belong to him.
He believed Satoshi, who had no Cursed Energy, was unworthy of wielding such a beautiful Zanpakutō.
If it were in my hands, Sode no Shirayuki would unleash power far beyond what Satoshi could ever bring out.
No one knew where Zenin Shinsuke's unfounded confidence came from.
But if Satoshi heard his thoughts, he would've burst into laughter.
Confidence is good. But when it crosses into delusion, it just makes you look like a clown.
---
All eyes turned to Satoshi, eager to witness the brilliance of Sode no Shirayuki once more.
After all, the last time it had been drawn, even for a mere moment, it had defeated Shinsuke in an instant.
That scene had left an indelible mark in the minds of those who had witnessed it.
But what shocked everyone now was the indifference that flashed through Satoshi's Six Eyes.
"You want to see my Sode no Shirayuki?" His voice was calm, yet laced with an unmistakable arrogance. "Are you worthy of it?"
The room fell silent.
Satoshi had never considered Zanpakutō a shared product in his supposed partnership with the Zenin Clan.
At most, they were suppliers of materials, nothing more.
To think they were entitled to wield a Zanpakutō?
They were sorely mistaken.
Moreover, Satoshi held nothing but contempt for Zenin Ogi.
In his eyes, the man standing before him was the most disgraceful figure in the entire Zenin Clan.
Having lost to Naobito in the competition for the head of the family, Ogi had blamed his failure not on his own shortcomings, but on his daughters—Maki and Mai.
A man who resented his own children for his own weakness…
How could Satoshi possibly let such filth lay a hand on the pure Sode no Shirayuki?
Even at this very moment, just the way Ogi was looking at her made Satoshi feel as though the blade was being tainted.
---
"Are you worthy of it?"
Satoshi's words echoed throughout the VIP room.
No one had expected such a response.
Among those present, only Toji took a slow drag of his cigarette, a grin spreading across his lips.
Well, now. That was unexpected. I knew you wouldn't be happy about it, but I didn't think you'd outright refuse to show any respect to the Zenin Clan's elders. I like it.
Toji's gaze lingered on Satoshi with growing admiration.
Their experiences were similar, yet their choices had been different.
For a brief moment, Toji felt as if he was looking at an alternate version of himself, one who hadn't severed ties with his family and had instead chosen to confront them head-on.
What would it have been like if I had spoken my mind as freely as Satoshi? If I had cared even less about what the Zenin Clan thought of me?
The idea was… refreshing.
Even now, a part of him still had lingering attachments to the Zenin Clan, a desire to be acknowledged by them.
But in the original timeline, even when he left, the clan barely seemed to care.
Now, thanks to Gojo Satoshi, everything had changed.
For the first time, Toji realized that the Zenin Clan's recognition didn't mean anything to him anymore.
He had long since found his own path.
And hearing Satoshi say "Are you worthy of it?"
It felt incredibly satisfying.
---
But unlike Toji, Shinsuke and Jinichi wore expressions of utter disbelief.
Did they hear that correctly?
This was the Zenin Clan's estate.
How could Satoshi speak with such blatant disrespect?
Ogi was a well-known powerhouse in the Jujutsu Society, one of the high-ranking members of the Zenin Clan, one of the three great families.
Yet, Satoshi had treated him as if he were nothing.
In a world built on hierarchy and respect, this level of defiance was unheard of.
No matter how special Satoshi's position was within the Gojo Clan, such behavior was nothing short of audacious.
Ogi's smile froze on his face.
Satoshi's response was entirely outside his expectations.
When he made his request, he had anticipated some resistance.
He had already prepared a way to pressure Satoshi into agreeing, using the Zenin Clan's influence and its monopoly over cursed tool materials as leverage.
Of course, in the end, he never intended to give Satoshi access to the Zenin Clan's treasury. But by dangling it as a bargaining chip, he had hoped to force a compromise and gain the chance to observe a Zanpakutō up close.
But with just five words—Are you worthy of it?—Satoshi had shattered his entire plan.
He had never considered this possibility.
I am a figure that the Jujutsu Sorcerer Association seeks to place at the top of the Jujutsu world.
And yet, in Gojo Satoshi's eyes…
I am nothing?
Ogi's heart burned with fury. The cold glint in his eyes could no longer be concealed.
(To be continued.)
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