Chapter 33 – Want a Clan Head? Yours for the Taking
Inside the Zen'in clan head's chamber.
"Clang!"
Naobito Zen'in slammed his sake bottle hard against the table, glaring at the two brothers before him.
"Have Fushiguro Megumi change his surname. Whatever you want in return—anything the Zen'in clan can provide—it's yours."
In Megumi, he saw the clan's future.
The boy who carried the potential of Ten Shadows—the technique powerful enough to once fight the Gojo ancestor who bore both Limitless and Six Eyes to a standstill.
If Megumi returned to the Zen'in, if he grew into his power, the balance Gojo Satoru had shattered could be restored.
And the Zen'in name would blaze in glory once again.
---
Shinsuke and Toji exchanged a glance. Both broke into easy, mocking smiles.
"Old man, so you do know how to beg?"
"Tell me," Shinsuke tilted his head, amused, "did you even ask the rest of the clan before pulling this stunt?"
"I am the head of the Zen'in clan. Since when do I need their permission?"
Naobito's voice thundered. "This concerns the future of the clan. Their opinions don't matter."
Of course he knew the others resented these two brothers—and resented Megumi even more.
But so what? This was Ten Shadows. A hereditary art strong enough to stand atop the jujutsu world.
Toji leaned back, voice calm.
"When I sold Megumi to the Zen'in back then, it was because I couldn't raise him. But things are different now. I've realized… I should at least try to shoulder a father's responsibility."
He looked Naobito dead in the eye.
"So the deal is off. But don't worry—I won't raise Megumi to hate the Zen'in. He's learned plenty from your resources, and that's enough."
That was Toji's final compromise. Megumi would not carry the Zen'in name—but he wouldn't be taught to despise them either.
"I agree," Shinsuke added mercilessly.
"If you want him to think well of the Zen'in, that's on you. Give him a good enough impression, and maybe when he makes it big, he'll even remember you kindly."
His tone dripped with scorn.
Back then, you ignored us. Now? You're not worthy to climb up.
Even Toji hadn't expected the day would come when the Zen'in clan head would bow to them like this.
It might be only Naobito's personal plea, but still—if the clan head bent the knee, the clan had already lost.
Lost completely.
Naobito said nothing more. He lifted his sake bottle and downed it in silence.
He knew these two would never forgive.
Especially Toji.
Shinsuke? He had never cared what the clan thought of him anyway. To him, the Zen'in were just sheep to be sheared.
"Shinsuke… would you like to be clan head?"
The words broke the silence.
Naobito was ready to make a decision that defied the clan's ancestors.
"...??" Shinsuke blinked.
"You've got the guts for it," Naobito pressed. "But sadly, there aren't many like you in this clan. Still, if you want it, the position is yours."
"Keep it for yourself," Shinsuke replied instantly, lips curling in disdain.
"Make me clan head, and Toji and Megumi get shackled to the Zen'in forever. I'm not that stupid. I won't trade their freedom just to get rich off your coffers."
"So be it," Naobito muttered, sighing.
"At least… the clan finally has a Ten Shadows user again. Better than before."
He poured himself another drink.
"The Zen'in will give Megumi everything he needs. No strings attached. I ask for only one thing—if one of his descendants awakens Ten Shadows in the future, they must carry the Zen'in name."
It was the best he could hope for.
If Megumi truly rose to become clan head, then surely his bloodline would continue to awaken Ten Shadows.
And eventually, the technique would return to the Zen'in family where it belonged.
"That," Shinsuke said, standing, "depends on how deep a bond you build with him."
Neither he nor Toji could make that choice for Megumi.
And besides—who knew if the Zen'in clan would even survive long enough to see that day?
Toji rose with him.
They pushed open the door. Outside, several clan members quickly averted their eyes, pretending they hadn't been eavesdropping.
Shinsuke ignored them, walking toward the courtyard. Toji followed, a sly grin tugging at his lips.
Seeing the clan so desperate for his son—yet unable to have him—felt better than burning the whole place down.
"Tell me," Toji chuckled, "were you actually tempted just now?"
"What tempted? Don't start spouting nonsense," Shinsuke shot back, annoyed.
Shinsuke flatly denied it.
Clan head of the Zen'in? So what—more money? A warehouse full of cursed tools?
A cursed tool vault wasn't worth much in his eyes. At best, maybe the price of a few Playful Cloud staffs. Like hell he'd be tempted.
"Though," he added casually, "if Megumi does end up becoming clan head someday, make sure he hands me the key to that cursed tool vault. A place that important shouldn't be left to anyone else."
Toji's mouth twitched.
Didn't feel tempted, huh? Then why are you already planning out how to skim the family vault years down the line?
Luckily, most of the Zen'in's real treasures were already sitting in his own stash.
---
Back at Shinsuke's residence, the courtyard was lively.
Maki was drilling with her staff, Megumi was practicing his shikigami, and Mai was happily chatting with none other than Mei Mei, who had somehow dropped by.
"Big brother's back!" Mai chirped, waving. Everyone turned their eyes toward the two brothers entering.
"Mei Mei? When did you get here? You could've said something first," Shinsuke remarked.
Then he noticed the flawless Playful Cloud staff at her side. His eyes lit up.
Already fixed? That fast?
"Here. Try it."
Mei Mei tossed the restored Playful Cloud to him.
He caught it, gave it a casual swing, and nodded with satisfaction.
"Feels just like before. Thanks."
"No need to thank me," she replied smoothly.
"You broke Playful Cloud?" Toji asked after a brief look, already piecing together what must have happened.
"Why not? Thing was brittle as paper—breaking it was normal. Anyway, don't you have a ton of cursed tools? Lend me another, yeah?"
Shinsuke's eyes gleamed as he shamelessly eyed Toji's private arsenal. One Playful Cloud wasn't nearly enough.
"Not a chance. Megumi, we're going home."
Toji didn't hesitate. The longer they stayed, the more likely his thick-skinned brother would actually rob him.
"Che. Stingy."
Shinsuke scowled, genuinely affronted. Was their brotherhood really worth less than a single cursed tool?
Watching this little drama, Mei Mei chuckled softly.
"You and your brother seem to get along well."
With her information network, she had no trouble recognizing Toji. And really, standing side by side, the resemblance between the two men was undeniable.
"Eh, it's alright. You and your little brother seem close too, don't you?" Shinsuke shot back.
Mei Mei's lips curved. "So you do know more than you let on."
Glancing at the sky, Shinsuke spoke again.
"It's about dinner time. Why not stay and eat with us?"
Mei Mei shook her head lightly. "No need. Instead—how about a spar? Just the two of us."
This visit wasn't only to return Playful Cloud. She wanted to see if her taijutsu could be pushed further.
Her body was already honed to its limit. But in terms of technique, there was still room to improve.
"So that's your angle? Fine."
Shinsuke smirked. For Playful Cloud's sake, giving her a few pointers wasn't a big deal.
At least she genuinely wanted to grow stronger—unlike Gojo Satoru, that lunatic who only wanted a good fight for fun.