The Burden of the Strongest - Chapter 234
'This bastard...' Ren thought, his eyes narrowing. 'He just wanted to see what I had up my sleeve the whole time.'
Ren turned away from the window, walked to his bed, and sat down with a heavy sigh. "So you didn't stop the fight just for the fun of it," he said, his voice laced with annoyance.
"Whatever. Why are you really here, huh? Also, since I scored the highest, I'm claiming my reward. I want you to be my teacher—actually teach me something for once!"
Ren pointed a finger at Gojo and smirked. 'Ha! Now you actually have to put in the work. I'm going to make it hell for you, you white-haired bastard, after all the trouble you've given me!'
For a moment, Gojo stopped smiling. The playful energy in the room shifted instantly. "Good job on not using Rika," Gojo said quietly. "As for why I'm here... I came to warn you, Ren."
Gojo walked over and sat down on the bed next to him. Ren's eyebrows shot up, a stunned expression freezing on his face. Gojo noticed and let out a small chuckle. "What? Is it really that shocking to hear me say 'good job'?"
Ren looked at him like he had gone mad while speaking. "No, the fact that you stopped smiling is weird. And you're here to warn me? That's the weirdest thing you've ever said. Are you okay in the head?"
'What the hell is he on about?' Ren wondered, scanning Gojo for any sign of a prank.
Gojo's smile returned, though it was softer this time. "I guess it is a bit out of character, eh? But yes, it's a warning. Ren... do you think you're undefeatable or something?"
Gojo reached up and calmly tugged at his blindfold. For a fleeting second, his crystalline blue eyes looked directly into Ren's. The air in the room felt heavy, charged with the weight of his eyes…
Ren didn't blink. He met the gaze head-on with a casual smile on his face! "Yes, I think there is no one other than you who can beat me in this whole world right now."
Ren thought, 'If you are being honest, then I see no reason why I shouldn't be honest. I really do believe there is no one who can defeat me other than Gojo… Right now Sukuna has not taken Yuji's body yet, and I know everything about Kenjaku. I am sure I can defeat him if it comes down to it. Sure, there are other people, but I have meta knowledge, and I honestly don't think any of them could defeat me…
And I still don't even have Reverse Cursed Technique or a Domain. I still have a lot of room to improve, so yeah, I don't think there is anyone who can defeat me other than Gojo Satoru.'
Gojo stared at Ren for a beat, then barked out a laugh. "You sound so smug, you know? And that's coming from me! Haha!"
He stood up and drifted back toward the window. Before Ren could retort, Gojo's tone turned serious again. "Look, I know you're strong. But be careful from now on.
You are truly in the spotlight.
I can't keep your name out of the files and reports anymore—it's impossible after what you showed today.
Honestly speaking, I didn't want you to take part in the event, but well, I know I can't hide you forever, and I know it's not my job to do so…"
Gojo stopped, his back to Ren. When he turned around, the blindfold was off, draped around his neck.
Gojo spoke in a calm tone: "You're mature, so I'll say this to you face-to-face: I don't want you to become someone like me.
Ren, trust me... standing at the top of the world is not fun at all.
I hope – no, I want you to just have a happier life, nothing else. That's what I want for all my students."
Ren sat in silence, truly in awe. 'Holy this… is unexpected. I knew he cared about me, but this… is way too much…
I know what he was trying to say…
he wanted to say, "Don't live a life like mine… don't follow my footsteps…"
That's what he wanted to say…
"Don't become the strongest…"
But… sorry, Gojo…
The truth is I am not like you at all… I only try to act like a younger you around you because I know you like people like yourself… people who are arrogant.'
Ren stood up, walked past Gojo, and leaned against the window frame. "Stop being all nice; it's seriously weird. Besides, who said I wanted to be like you? You aren't cool at all, always acting like a goofball. Why would I want to be that?"
Ren grinned, and Gojo laughed, the tension breaking. "Haha! Oh my, you hurt my feelings, Ren-kun! What do you mean I'm not cool? I'm looking out for you, you know. Stop acting dumb!"
Gojo stepped closer, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Ren as they both looked out at the trees outside. It was a good view...
"I'm not playing dumb," Ren said softly. "I'm just talking to you the way you talk to me. But since we're being real... I'll be honest too. I want to become stronger than you. After that? I don't know. But that's the goal for now, and you can't stop me."
Gojo's smile became wide—genuine and bright.
Ren thought. 'There you go, more validation for you. What I just said is true, but to someone like Gojo, it must sound like he is my main goal or something, which should stroke his ego… Wait, should I be doing this??
He already cares about me way too much… Uh, who cares… I will just allow Kenjaku to seal Gojo, so it really does not matter what I say right now… though it is nice having someone care about me, it's weird… I guess it's like having family? 'No, Gojo is not my family.'
"That's quite the goal you've set for yourself," Gojo said, his eyes shimmering with amusement. "But Ren-kun... if I'm being honest, you probably can't reach my level. Ever."
Ren blinked, snapping out of his thoughts. "Wait, what? Why?"
Gojo's grin turned mischievous as he pulled his blindfold back into place. "Well... do you want to get your special training started now or later?"