Naobito Zenin sat behind his desk, fingers steepled, eyes sharp despite the sake cup resting within arm's reach. The head of the Zenin clan had not achieved his position through strength alone—he understood people and understood when to push and when to yield.
Shien walked in without knocking, still wearing his training clothes, and dropped into the chair across from his father with zero ceremony.
"Papa," Shien said casually. "We need to talk about my mission."
Naobito's eye twitched slightly at the disrespect, but he'd long since given up trying to instill proper decorum in his prodigy son. "Two Black Flashes on your first mission. Chujuro's report was... detailed."
"Of course it was. Gramps loves to complain." Shien leaned back in the chair. "But I'm guessing you didn't call me here just to praise me."
"I didn't call you. You barged in."
"Semantics." Shien waved a hand dismissively. "Let's talk about the important stuff. I want to go on more missions. Higher difficulty. Grade Two minimum, Grade One when you think I'm ready."
Naobito raised an eyebrow. "You're eight years old."
"And I just killed a Special Grade curse. Your point?"
"My point," Naobito said carefully, "is that most sorcerers your age are still learning basic curse energy reinforcement, not fighting Special Grades."
Shien grinned. "Good thing I'm not most sorcerers then, old man."
Naobito sighed, reaching for his sake cup. "You get that arrogance from me, you know."
"I know and I get my good looks from my mother."
Despite himself, Naobito's lips twitched into a faint smile. "What else do you want?"
"Access to the workshop," Shien said. "I want to study Sukuna's finger and see if I can turn it into a cursed tool. Something unique to the Zenin arsenal."
Naobito's expression sharpened. "The finger is dangerous. Even sealed, it radiates malevolent energy. I plan on using it to strengthen the barriers around the compound."
"I think we could make better use of it, Papa." Shien replied. "That much concentrated cursed energy in a single object? We're sitting on a potential weapon that could rival anything the Gojo or Kamo clans have. I just need time to figure out how to use it."
Naobito studied him for a long moment. His son was a pompous brat but was no fool. "And if you fail? If the finger corrupts you or worse?"
"I won't fail. I plan on studying it. The Heian era was the peak of jujutsu sorcery. It's possible we could derive knowledge from the finger we may have lost to time." Shien's confidence was absolute. "But if it makes you feel better, supervise me. Just don't interfere with my work."
Naobito drummed his fingers on the desk, clearly weighing the risks. Finally, he nodded. "Fine. You'll have access to the workshop and the finger, but Chujuro will be present during your experiments. Non-negotiable."
"Deal."
"Is that all?"
"No." Shien leaned forward. "I want money."
Naobito blinked. "Money?"
"Yes. A significant amount. Enough to make investments."
"You're eight years old. What investments could you possibly—"
"That's my business, old man," Shien interrupted. "I'm not asking for an allowance. I'm asking for capital. Consider it an investment in your son's future endeavors."
Naobito stared at him, then barked out a laugh. "You have the audacity of someone three times your age." He paused, considering. "How much?"
"Fifty million yen to start."
"Fifty million—" Naobito's eye twitched again. "What exactly are you planning to buy?"
"Investments," Shien repeated smoothly. "Trust me, Papa. You'll get your return."
Naobito leaned back, studying his son with a mixture of exasperation and grudging respect. The boy had just proven himself in combat against a Special Grade curse. If he wanted money for some scheme, it was probably worth hearing out.
The boy probably wants to set money aside for Sayo, Naobito thought. Well, at least the brat is responsible in his own way.
"I'll give you twenty million," Naobito said finally. "Prove you can turn that into something worthwhile, and we'll discuss more."
Shien's grin widened. "You won't regret it."
"I'd better not." Naobito's expression grew more serious. "Now let me tell you why I'm indulging you, Shien."
"I'm listening."
Naobito stood and walked to the window, looking out over the Zenin compound. "The Three Great Clans—Zenin, Kamo, and Gojo—have maintained a balance of power for generations. Each clan has its strengths."
He turned back to face Shien. "The Kamo clan is the wealthiest. They practically own Kobe, control major businesses, have connections throughout Japan's political and financial sectors. Their control over the port alone makes them one of the wealthiest families in all of Japan."
Shien nodded, listening.
"The Zenin clan," Naobito continued, "has military strength. We own major properties in Osaka and Kyoto, but more importantly, we have the highest number of Grade One sorcerers of any clan. In terms of raw combat power distributed across multiple fighters, we're unmatched."
"And the Gojo clan?" Shien asked, though he suspected he knew the answer.
Naobito's jaw tightened. "The Gojo clan is the weakest in terms of assets and numbers. They have fewer sorcerers, less wealth, smaller holdings." He paused. "But none of that matters."
"Because of Gojo Satoru."
"Yes." The word came out like a curse. "Satoru Gojo is the first sorcerer in four hundred years to inherit both the Six Eyes and Limitless technique. He's a Special Grade sorcerer, and he's essentially invincible. That boy could single-handedly wipe out the entire Zenin clan if he wanted to, and we couldn't stop him."
Shien's eyes narrowed. "That's quite the imbalance."
"It destroys the entire system," Naobito said flatly. "The Gojo clan is now the strongest purely because of one individual. It makes our military advantage meaningless and shifts all negotiating power to them." He looked at Shien directly. "That's where you come in."
"You want me to reach Special Grade," Shien said.
"I need you to reach Special Grade," Naobito corrected. "You're eight years old and you've already achieved things most sorcerers never do in their entire lives. You have potential that rivals Gojo Satoru himself. If you can reach his level—if you can become a Special Grade sorcerer—you'll reassert Zenin strength and restore the balance of power."
Shien leaned back, processing. "I still haven't been able to access my domain. Not to mention RCT... but I will in time. I need to learn more."
"You will have that. There is still time. Your growth has been rapid. I will give you access to all our scrolls. Don't slack off!"
"Have no worries, Papa." Shien's grin turned sharp. "I was planning to surpass Gojo Satoru anyway. Nice to know it benefits the clan too."
Naobito studied him for a moment, then shook his head. "Your arrogance will either make you great or get you killed."
"Have no fear." Shien stood. "Is that everything, old man?"
"Yes. Dismissed."
Naobito stared at the closed door for a long moment, then reached for his sake cup.
"That boy is going to give me a heart attack one of these days," he muttered, but he was smiling.
Shien walked back to his quarters, mind already racing with possibilities.
Twenty million yen wasn't as much as he'd wanted, but it was enough. More than enough, actually, for what he had planned.
But that was secondary to his real interest.
He thought about Sukuna's finger, sealed and waiting in the workshop.
During the fight, after landing Black Flash, something fundamental had shifted in how he perceived the world. He could see cursed energy differently now, could perceive its flow and structure with clarity he'd never had before.
And he could see something else.
Souls.
The shape of them, the essence of them, the fundamental truth of what made a person real.
He hadn't mentioned it to his father or anyone for that matter. Some advantages were better kept secret until he understood them fully.
The finger was not some mundane cursed object—it contained more cursed energy than any sorcerer save himself. One finger... He could not imagine how powerful Sukuna must have been, but the most interesting part was that the finger contained a piece of his soul.
Shien entered his quarters and found Maki and Mai playing video games in the common area, controllers in hand as they focused intently on the screen. They looked up when he entered.
"Shien-chan!" Mai chirped. "Wanna play?"
"Can't. Got studying to do," Shien said.
"You always study!" Maki complained. "That's so boring!"
"Maybe if did more than play video games, you'd actually land a hit on me," Shien replied with a smirk.
"I train way harder than you!" Maki protested.
"And yet..." Shien shrugged dramatically.
"Ugh, I hate you!" Maki threw a cushion at him.
Shien caught it easily. "See? Predictable."
"Come on, just one round!" Mai pleaded, holding up a controller.
"Later. Promise." Shien walked past them toward his room, but paused. Something tugged at his new perception. He glanced back at the twins and he could sense something that made his breath hitch.
They weren't two separate souls. They were one soul, split between two bodies. Intertwined like threads that had been torn apart, each half reaching for the other.
That's it, Shien realized. That's why they're both weak.
He walked back to them. Maki looked up, confused. "What?"
Shien reached out and touched Maki's shoulder. The soul connection flared—incomplete, half-formed.
Then he moved to Mai and patted her head gently. The other half.
"Shien-chan?" Mai asked, tilting her head.
"You two..." Shien started, then stopped. They wouldn't understand. Not yet. "Never mind. Keep playing."
"You're being weird," Maki said flatly.
"That's nothing new," Mai added with a giggle.
Shien smiled slightly and nudged Maki's hand causing her lose the game. Shien escaped as Maki threw a cushion at as he closed the door and leaned against it.
Conjoined souls. That was why they were both weak—Maki without her full Heavenly Restriction, Mai with barely any cursed energy. They were sharing one soul between two bodies.
Shien moved to his desk and opened his notebook.
He wrote: Conjoined souls. Need to find a way to help them.
When Sayo came to check on him, she found him surrounded by notebooks and printouts, eyes sharp and focused. She noticed the faint bruise on his cheek, barely visible but still there.
"Shien-chan," she said gently, moving closer. "Your face... what happened?"
"Just training," Shien replied smoothly, not looking up. "Got a little too intense with the practice dummies."
Sayo reached out to touch his face with concern, examining the bruise.
"You work too hard. You're only eight years old. You still have time—you don't need to push yourself like this."
"I'm fine. Really." Shien's expression softened. "Don't worry about me, Mother."
"That's what mothers do," Sayo said quietly, voice gentle but firm. "Just... be careful, son. Please."
"I will. I promise." Shien squeezed her hand again. "I'm strong after all."
Sayo didn't look entirely convinced, but she let it go. Her eyes drifted to the notebooks scattered across his desk. "What are you working on so intently?"
"Investments," Shien said. "Papa gave me twenty million yen."
Sayo blinked. "He... what?"
"Twenty million yen." Shien's expression grew more serious. "I asked for fifty, but he only gave me twenty. It's enough though."
"Enough for what?" Sayo asked, bewildered.
Shien was quiet for a moment, then he looked at his mother directly. "This is for you, Mother."
Sayo's breath caught. "Shien..."
"I'm making these investments for you," Shien continued, voice steady but warm. "So that if something happens to me—if I die on a mission or the higher ups decide I'm too dangerous—you'll have money. Enough money to leave the Zenin compound, take Maki and Mai with you, and live happily somewhere far away from all this."
Sayo's eyes filled with tears. "Shien-chan, don't say things like that. Nothing is going to happen to you."
"I have to plan for it," Shien said gently. "You're a concubine, Mother. Without me, you have no protection here. No status. If I'm gone, the clan will cast you aside like you never mattered." He stood and wrapped his arms around her. "This money will make sure you're safe. That you can live the life you deserve, away from people who look down on you."
Sayo broke down, clutching her son tightly as tears streamed down her face. "You shouldn't have to think about these things. You're just a child."
"I know," Shien murmured, holding her close. "But I'm not a normal child, and you know it. Let me do this, Mother. "
They stood like that for a long moment, mother and son, finding comfort in each other's presence. Sayo's tears slowly subsided as she held onto the one person in the Zenin compound who truly loved her.
Finally, Sayo pulled back, wiping her eyes. "You're too good to me. Too good for this place."
"You're my mother," Shien said simply.
Sayo smiled through her tears, then cupped his face gently, careful of the bruise. "Just... promise me you'll be careful. Promise me you won't take unnecessary risks."
"I promise," Shien said, meeting her eyes. "I'm always careful."
Sayo wanted to believe him, but something about that faint bruise worried her. Still, she nodded. "Get some rest soon. You look exhausted."
"I will," Shien assured her. "Just a little more work."
Sayo kissed his forehead tenderly. "Goodnight."
"Goodnight, Mama."
Sayo hesitated, then nodded and left, closing the door softly behind her.
Shien returned to his desk, staring at his notes for a long moment.
Then he opened his notebook to a fresh page and wrote three words in careful script:
Buy Bitcoin.