Gojo Tsubaki frowned slightly and turned to look at Principal Sekiguchi Seiji standing beside him.

  "Principal Seiji, please keep this matter confidential. The issue with the Nine Phases Diagram was never your fault. It's clear that the ninth cursed womb was switched out when the diagram was first discovered 150 years ago."

  "However, the Gojo cn does not want this information leaking out. We hope for your cooperation."

  Gojo Tsubaki first absolved Sekiguchi Seiji of responsibility before making his request.

  Though it was phrased as a request, it carried the weight of the Gojo cn—denial was not an option.

  Seiji was no fool. While only a Grade 1 sorcerer, he held a certain level of authority within Jujutsu society.

  But he also understood the immense gap between himself and the Gojo cn.

  Tsubaki carried a direct order from the cn head, proof that this matter was of great importance to them.

  This wasn't something he wanted to be involved in. The less he knew, the longer he would live.

  Seiji nodded in understanding.

  Without another word, the two men silently left the Treasury, parting ways completely.

  …

  Zenin Cn Residence

  When Zenin Ogi saw Zenin Toji return home carrying two swords, he immediately recognized them as Zanpakutō.

  He had no idea why Toji had obtained two, but there was no time to question it now.

  Instead, he immediately spoke.

  "Toji, you've done a great service to the family this time!"

  After witnessing Sode no Shirayuki's third ability, Ogi had developed a new perspective on Zanpakutō.

  Now that Toji had brought back a brand-new one for the Zenin cn, he would thoroughly research it, perhaps even uncover a way to replicate Zanpakutō.

  "Toji, hand over your Zanpakutō."

  A trace of impatience fshed across Ogi's face.

  Although Gojo Satoshi had humiliated him terribly, the Zanpakutō forged by Satoshi held no fault.

  In his mind, he was already envisioning himself wielding a Zanpakutō, unlocking its forging secrets, and ultimately forcing Gojo Satoshi to kneel in regret.

  As Ogi spoke, he reached out toward Toji's waist.

  He didn't know which sword belonged to him, so he pnned to take them both.

  But—

  "Huh?"

  A flicker of surprise appeared in Ogi's eyes.

  His attempt… failed!

  Toji had dodged his grab with an effortless sidestep.

  "Toji, what do you think you're doing?"

  Ogi straightened, his eyes narrowing dangerously.

  Only now did he realize, the pn he and Naobito had devised… was going completely off course.

  Toji sneered. The corners of his mouth curled upward, pulling at the scar on his lip, forming a look of utter disdain.

  "What do I think I'm doing?"

  Toji's hand rested on the katana's hilt, while the wakizashi remained sheathed at his waist.

  Like a predator, his gaze locked onto Ogi.

  "Zenin Toji… are you pnning to betray the cn? Don't you understand that this Zanpakutō belongs to the Zenin family?"

  Ogi's voice trembled with rage.

  He had spoken kindly to this useless failure, yet Toji dared to defy him?

  "You're just a worthless non-sorcerer with no Cursed Energy or Cursed Technique! How dare you disobey me!?"

  "I am your uncle! Do you think you have the right to speak back to me!?"

  Ogi's fury erupted, his expression twisted with malice.

  At this moment, nothing else mattered.

  All he wanted was to take the Zanpakutō from Toji's hands.

  Toji was a nobody in the Zenin family, he had no status, no value.

  And yet, this failure was looking down on him!?

  "As expected… the stench of rot never fades."

  "If I let you y a hand on Katen Kyōkotsu, that would be a defilement of the bde itself."

  Toji narrowed his eyes. A cold glint flickered within them.

  "No Cursed Energy—useless."

  "No Cursed Technique—worthless."

  "Who gave you the right to decide that?"

  In the blink of an eye, Toji rushed forward.

  And drove his fist directly into Ogi's abdomen.

  "GH—!"

  Ogi's eyes bulged in shock.

  A split second ter.

  BOOM!

  His body was sent flying backward like a ragdoll, smming into the wall with a thunderous impact.

  "Not bad."

  Toji clenched his right fist, shaking it slightly as a wicked grin spread across his face.

  He had always wanted to do that.

  And today—he finally did.

  "Uncle? What's that supposed to mean?"

  "This entire family is rotting. How could a weakling like you ever be worthy of calling yourself my uncle?"

  Toji wasn't sure what had changed.

  But the moment he set foot back in the Zenin household, something within him had snapped free.

  The years of restraint he had held back… had vanished.

  The moment he threw that punch, he had felt nothing. No hesitation. No remorse.

  So… I never had any attachment to this family, huh?

  Yorozuya…

  It's not Satoshi who needs it.

  I need it.

  A pce to belong.

  Even though Yorozuya hadn't been built yet…

  Toji had already made his decision.

  If he stayed here any longer, Katen Kyōkotsu itself might not be able to withstand the Zenin cn's decay.

  "Toji, what the hell happened!? Why is Uncle Ogi like this!?"

  The loud crash had drawn the attention of Zenin Jinichi, who arrived with a face full of questions.

  He had thought the cn was under attack.

  But there were no signs of intruders.

  Only two people stood in the corridor—Toji and Ogi.

  Jinichi turned his gaze to his younger brother.

  Yet, Toji didn't even acknowledge him.

  Even though they were brothers, they had always walked different paths.

  Toji never cared for the Zenin family's power struggles.

  But Jinichi… had always coveted the position of acting cn head.

  "Jinichi! Restrain Toji!"

  "He's a traitor, he attacked me just now!"

  Ogi groaned, forcing himself up despite the crippling pain in his abdomen. His expression was twisted with anger and humiliation.

  He had always known that Toji was physically strong.

  But he had never taken it seriously.

  In his mind, raw strength meant nothing without Cursed Energy.

  But now—

  Now, Ogi felt fear.

  "Uncle Ogi… are you sure?"

  Jinichi hesitated, a trace of doubt flickering across his face.

  "How could Toji attack you? He doesn't even have Cursed Energy, how could a non-sorcerer possibly hurt a sorcerer?"

  Jinichi hadn't expected Ogi to say something so absurd.

  But since the victim himself was making the accusation, he couldn't simply ignore it.

  He turned to Toji, his gaze filled with suspicion.

  Toji could feel the shift in his brother's demeanor.

  He sighed internally.

  I have a brother too…

  But our retionship will never be like Gojo Satoshi and Gojo Satoru.

  (To be continued.)

  ***

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