The new era Zenin clan is in one of its most unique phases. In the past, Naoya remodeled the clan with Naohiro to address the troubles that had followed the ideology of Jujutsu Headquarters. Members like Ogi, Jinichi, Nobuaki, Chojuro, and others shared qualities similar to those raised in the formal tradition of Jujutsu society.
As the power dynamic within the clan changed, the old beliefs naturally lapsed for a while. However, after Naoya passed and Naohiro left the clan, the position of clan head was open for grabs. There were already arrangements for the next clan head, but that wouldn't stop older members from trying to usurp control.
Assassination, defamation, and more were attempted against the now current clan head, Naoki Zenin, and as one of Naohiro Zenin's children and the previous clan head's nephew, Naoki, who inherited the [Cursed Evolution] cursed technique, had the position fall into his lap.
His status as the only son of Naohiro Zenin wasn't a strong enough deterrent for those trying to steal the position from him. Even when he was a child, assassins were sent after him. They knew that if he had the chance to grow up into a sorcerer, Naoki could stand at the top of the Jujutsu world. Contrary to their expectations, all of the assassins mysteriously disappeared.
The chance never came, as Naoki has been the clan head for over two decades. When he turned thirty, he officially became the clan head. Even though Naoya was still alive, he decided to pass it down and retire. With all major threats being removed, the special grade sorcerer Naoya Zenin decided to leave the Zenin clan in the hands of the next generation.
By the time Naoki had turned twenty, he had become the strongest new grade one sorcerer in the new era. There were still grade ones from the past, such as Kusakabe, Aoi Todo, and Mai Zenin, who were all stronger, but with Kusakabe's passing and the retirements of Todo and Mai, the strongest new-era sorcerer became Naoki Zenin.
Yuki Tsukumo, Yuta Okkotsu, Maki Zenin, Kinji Hakari, Megumi Fushiguro, Naoya Zenin, Kenjaku, Uraume, and Ryomen Sukuna are all dead, with Satoru Gojo being way past his prime and retired.
The Golden Age of Sorcery, which was a blazing inferno, was now but a mere candle.
This led to the current circumstances. After the decision to execute Satoru Gojo, the big three clan heads have been notified with various demands from Jujutsu Headquarters. They obviously couldn't tell the Gojo clan or Zenin clan directly, or there would be a chance of Naohiro Zenin catching wind of it.
It would eventually come to light, but they were aiming to eliminate Satoru Gojo before Naohiro Zenin could intervene. They had no idea where he was, so they needed to be cautious. While the Kamo clan was explicitly informed about the subject matter, the Zenin clan received an interesting request.
Naoki Zenin's eyes narrowed when he saw the letter in his hands. "What do you need her for?" The request wasn't something; it was someone. It was a simple letter with a single demand.
[We hereby request the compliance of the Zenin clan and the assistance of Mikoto Zenin.]
Mikoto Zenin is the only child and daughter of Naoki Zenin and Naohiro Zenin's granddaughter. To others, this request would seem strange, since why would the higher-ups request the assistance of a random Zenin clan member? Despite her lineage, they should have no reason to request her 'assistance'.
The term 'assistance', when used by the higher-ups, translates to 'give us all human rights over her, or you'll be labeled a traitor'. Mikoto is a twenty-five-year-old woman of the Zenin clan, so a direct order of this magnitude shouldn't make any sense, but Naoki knew exactly why they wanted her.
Her inheritance is the most special because she inherited the [Ten Shadows] cursed technique. The prized technique of the Zenin clan, the Ten Shadows, isn't a particularly strong technique when compared to [Shrine] or the [Limitless] when combined with the Six Eyes if used by an average user like Megumi Fushiguro in the original timeline. However, it granted access to the most powerful and feared Shikigami.
The Divine General, Mahoraga.
It is specifically because of Mahoraga that the Ten Shadows have received most of their praise. Naoki Zenin was no fool; he could easily tell that they wanted his daughter because they planned to use Mahoraga. If Naoki agreed, he would be sending his daughter to her death.
This was exactly the idea the higher-ups had in mind. Even in his old age, Satoru Gojo still isn't a person who drops his guard. If they were going to pull off his execution, they would need to use an overwhelming force. The only one they currently have access to that could reliably end the 97-year-old Satoru Gojo is Mahoraga, when amplified by a death-binding vow.
The Mahoraga that Megumi Fushiguro used was familiar with Satoru Gojo. In fact, they had fought on multiple occasions, giving Mahoraga PTSD when seeing the white-haired menace.
Unfortunately, with every new Ten Shadows user, the technique's Shikigami are reset. This means that the Mahoraga that Naoki and Mayumi knew from their childhood, and the one they called Uncle Mahoraga, was now but an untamed feral beast who would kill anyone who stood in its way.
Naoki was brought out of his thoughts when he heard the representative speak back up. "You need not know that. Merely comply with the order, and we'll be on our way." Despite being the only person to represent them, the man used 'we', imposing the authority of the higher-ups.
The room's pressure increased as Naoki spoke with authority. "You may be on your way, but without my daughter. If you're expecting me to agree to send my daughter to her execution, you are sorely mistaken."
The man's gaze hardened, even in the face of a threatening tone. "You must know the consequences if you refuse to cooperate, yes?"
Naoki's eye twitched, but the man continued. "With you being the clan head, the Zenin clan would naturally become set for 'termination'."
The room turned silent as Naoki closed his eyes. 'Shit! Even if it wasn't Mikoto, giving the higher-ups access to Mahoraga must not happen, but if I do, the Zenin clan can live another day. Their request shows desperation. What are they planning!?'
Turning out the window, Naoki sighed. 'Sigh, father, you would know what to do, right?' After a moment's deliberation, he blinked, realizing what he thought. 'Nah, that guy would just pass it over to Uncle Naoya.' He could practically see Naohiro walking up to Naoya and pushing all responsibility on him. 'At least he's reliable when it counts.'
The representative was getting impatient. "So, what is your answer!?"
Naoki gripped his chair handle hard and spoke. "Give me a few days to discuss it with Mikoto." He wanted more time. He couldn't decide in a single meeting. Those words were pure hope that he could figure out a way to get his daughter out of this and keep the Zenin clan intact at the same time.
Silence permeated the room, and the representative spoke once more. "You have three days. At midnight of the third day, if the decision still hasn't been made, your entire clan will be labeled as a rogue cursed user territory."
Naoki exhaled the breath he didn't know he was holding. "Very well, I'll have the decision made by then."
"For your clan's sake, I hope you make the right one. Good day." With those words, he left the clan compound. He need not relay the words to the higher-ups since the entire exchange was recorded and sent to them.
Usually, they wouldn't allow for extra time in these dire circumstances, but the Zenin clan is still an important pillar in Jujutsu society, and they still had time. The negotiations with the Simurians were still underway.
-
"So, if Satoru Gojo dies, then you will stop the culling of cursed spirits?" Jabaloma said softly. After feeling the suffering of cursed spirits, Jabaloma and the rest of the Simurians were about to snap. They would soon need to resort to drastic methods.
The representative of the higher-ups spoke on their behalf. "Yes, but we request your aid. You see, even in his old age, Satoru Gojo is one of Earth's strongest warriors. If he dies, then the curses become weakened enough so that Master Itadori can lower their strength enough for containment instead of execution."
Jabaloma's eyebrow raised. "Master Itadori?" Given that the discussions have been revolving around Simurian history and their struggles with the Kalyan, Jujutsu society hasn't been at the forefront of those discussions.
Seeing the confusion on Jabaloma's face, the representative spoke. "Yes. Master Itadori is the face of Jujutsu and the one currently limiting cursed spirits from spawning in other countries. He also lowers their strength to ensure the commonfolk's safety."
Jabaloma's eye twitched as he asked the main question on his mind. "...Is he strong?"
The representative noticed the shift in Jabaloma's demeanor. He wasn't a mere mindless grunt that couldn't pick up on social cues. Given Jabaloma's personality, the only reason why he would ask such a question is that he was probing the strength of Japan's sorcerers and the 'face of Jujutsu'.
Without showing any change of expression, the representative calmly replied. "I wouldn't say strong in a fighting sense. He maintains the barriers around Japan, so naturally, he has a high-ranking position."
The gleam in Jabaloma's eyes turned back to normal as he smiled over the communication. "In any case, we are willing to help."
Seeing the atmosphere turn back to normal, the representative smiled back. "That's great to hear. We will send over the specifics, and hope that Mr. Dabura will aid us in this endeavor." After seeing him, Jujutsu Headquarters designated him a threat on the level of Satoru Gojo and Naohiro Zenin 69 years ago.
This also led to another issue with Jujutsu Headquarters. After all, how would they kill Dabura if he managed to kill Naohiro Zenin and Satoru Gojo? Yuji Itadori is in a state of no contact, so he isn't reliable in the eyes of the higher-ups. Currently, the only thing standing between destruction and peace is Dabura.
Just then, another face made its way on the screen. The very person they were thinking about showed up. Without saying any formalities, he spoke. "I'll challenge him. The way of the Deskunte is that strength reigns supreme." With those words, he walked out of frame.
The representative gulped. "Well then, here are the details…"