Tomogui was quiet. Too quiet.
We'd left the sparring hall minutes ago, but he wasn't looking around or talking. His steps were casual but distracted.
He flexed his fingers, curling and stretching them like he was testing if they still belonged to him.
Finally, he spoke, softly, almost to himself. "I pushed myself… because of the stage rule. Stage Two—equal physicality. I couldn't overpower him. I had to match him, otherwise with our cursed energy reserves, if I poured enough cursed energy into reinforcement, I could destroy him in seconds"
I watched him. There was no defensiveness in his tone. He wasn't trying to make an excuse about the fight.
"That's why…" he continued, "the Black Flash happened. Not just skill, not just timing… but the intensity, the restraint, and… not wanting to fall behind." He paused, flexing his hand again. "…if it weren't for that, it wouldn't have worked. I don't think we can land black flashes against people without being pushed to the limit, the problem is with our cursed energy reserves, few people could actually push us to that limit"
I frowned, trying to follow his thought process. He was thinking way too much about black flashes and how to land them, why would it matter if we could land them or not, as long as we won it was fine.
He shook his head slightly, almost amused by the thought. "Weapons… in Jujutsu Kaisen no one has ever hit a black flash with a weapon. I think I'm done with weapons, I'll learn unarmed combat"
He wasn't asking for my opinion. Just stating it, as if it were obvious.
I tilted my head. "So… you're going unarmed?"
He smiled faintly, absent, but certain. "Already decided. Trust me, if you ever land a black flash you will understand everything, this feeling of ecstasy"
We walked in silence for a few steps before finally reaching home, seeing Aiko waiting at the entrance.
Gojo Clan Elder POV:
The council chamber smelled of polished wood and incense, the air heavy with the weight of centuries. I sat among my peers, the carved table stretching before us like a river of tradition. Every seat was filled: the eldest elders, the senior strategists, and, of course, Satoru Gojo.
He leaned back in his chair, legs crossed, smirking as if the formal robes and solemn faces were merely stage props for his amusement.
"We cannot allow him to leave freely," Elder Tanemura murmured beside me. "His power… unmatched. He is not a child, he is a weapon for the clan"
I nodded subtly, eyes fixed on Satoru Gojo. The boy, merely 15 years old, had grown stronger than any sorcerer in recent memory. Reckless, yes, insufferable even, but undeniably a weapon.
"There is no reason for you to waste your time at Jujutsu High, you will have the best teaching possible here, at the clan"
Gojo tilted his head, his blue eyes catching my gaze. "You're going to make me stay here forever, aren't you?" he asked calmly, though the challenging tone in his voice was clear.
"I will remind you," Elder Tanemura replied, tone sharp, "that family, the clan comes first. Your desires… come after."
Gojo's smirk deepened. "Then I'll leave the clan, simple."
A murmur passed around the table. The room tightened. I felt the tension as the elders exchanged glances all worried. Satoru Gojo's threat was not empty. He had the power to do what he wanted, the only thing we could provide him was the political and financial power of the Gojo clan, which meant nothing to him.
After a pause, Elder Shiranui spoke, calm but firm. "We will allow you to attend Jujutsu High… under conditions."
Gojo's smirk straightened, just slightly. "I'm listening."
"The first," Elder Shiranui said, "you will attend the Of-Age-Ceremony when you become 16. You honor the clan. It is tradition, and tradition must be maintained even if we grant you… freedom."
"The second," Elder Tanemura continued, "you will participate in the upcoming tournament of the three great clans. Your presence will ensure the Gojo clan's dominance and display our superiority over the other clans. The tournament will take place one year from now, two months after your Of-Age-Ceremony"
Satoru Gojo leaned back further, still grinning. "So, perform for you, and then I go?"
"Yes, make sure you win though" Shiranui said, unwavering. "You do this, and we will sanction your departure to Jujutsu High"
I watched him carefully. Even as he played with his sunglasses, even as his smirk threatened to irritate the entire council, he was contemplating the situation.
He exhaled slowly. "Fine. I'll attend the ceremony. I'll enter the tournament. If it will get you guys off my back"
Tanemura inclined his head. "As long as you display the dominance of the Gojo clan properly, everything else will be fine"
I leaned back, observing the council's uneasy balance. Gojo's presence was a gift and a challenge, a storm contained in youth's form. Soon, the three great clans would gather, and all would see the Gojo clan's power laid bare.
There was no question. Satoru Gojo would dominate the three clans for he was the first heir of the Six Eyes + Limitless in centuries. Unless an heir of the 10 shadows shows up, he is destined to rule this era.