Souma's sudden retort stunned both Naobito and the Kamo head into silence.
The Great Elder panic-strickenly covered Souma's mouth, bowing apologetically to the two clan heads. "Please forgive him! He's young and doesn't know the rules!"
"Hmph!"
The two heads scoffed in unison and walked away, sleeves swishing with indignation.
Seeing them leave, the Great Elder let out a long breath. "Young Master Souma, those are the heads of the Zenin and Kamo clans! Even you must watch your words!"
Souma shrugged, freeing himself. "I'm too lazy for fake politeness."
It wasn't arrogance. With his current strength, he wasn't weaker than those two old men. In fact, he might even be stronger.
And he had absolutely zero interest in the hypocritical social games of the Three Families.
The brief confrontation was just a small interlude.
Evidently, Naobito and the Kamo head sensed Souma's attitude and didn't bother trying to warm up to a cold shoulder.
As for the younger generation of the Zenin and Kamo clans, their impression of Souma and Satoru was that of "the neighbor's perfect kid"—figures they had to look up to but were too intimidated to approach.
This distance suited the twins perfectly. They actually preferred being left alone.
Ignoring the curious glances thrown their way, the two wandered through the banquet hall, hunting for snacks that actually tasted good.
"Ugh... why is this dessert salty?"
Satoru put down a salted pastry, his face scrunching up in disgust.
"Lil bro, you have no taste."
Souma shook his head and reached for a cherry pie.
Maybe it was a twin thing, or maybe the Six Eyes just burned calories like a furnace, but Souma had developed a sweet tooth just like Satoru.
Just as Souma's hand was about to grab the last slice of cherry pie, a small, pale hand reached out from the side and bumped into his.
Souma paused and turned his head.
Standing there was a little girl with brown hair and tired eyes, staring blankly at him.
"Shoko Ieiri?"
Souma blurted out the name before he could stop himself.
"You know me?"
Shoko tilted her head.
The "Six Eyes Twins" were famous throughout the jujutsu world, so naturally, she knew who he was. But she hadn't expected the older brother of the famous duo to know her name.
Souma nodded. "I've heard a bit. The natural user of Reverse Cursed Technique."
Hearing that, Shoko understood.
True, the Six Eyes Twins were celebrities, but she was a "national treasure" level non-combatant sorcerer because of her innate Reverse Cursed Technique. Even if her fame was overshadowed by theirs, she was still somewhat well-known.
While she was thinking, she noticed Souma had already picked up the cherry pie.
"Uh..."
Shoko frowned slightly.
Souma glanced at her, then broke the pie in half.
Shoko's large, adorable eyes lit up, and she held out both hands toward him.
"Satoru, this one is sweet."
Souma handed half the pie to Satoru.
"Eh?"
Shoko's outstretched hands froze in mid-air. Her big eyes turned into two confused dots.
"You... eh?"
Just as Shoko was about to speak, Souma held out the other half of the pie to her.
Shoko carefully took the dessert. "Th-thank you! But what about you?"
"Me? I'll just grab whatever."
Souma reached behind him and grabbed a massive, whole cherry pie from a passing waiter's tray.
"EHHH???"
The gratitude Shoko had just felt vanished instantly.
In the span of ten seconds, this guy had shocked her three times.
What a... unpredictable guy.
Shoko sighed internally and took a big bite of her pie.
She chewed a few times, her expression turning bitter.
"Sweet things are too cloying after all."
And so, at the grandest social gathering of the jujutsu world, three small figures stood in a corner, ignoring the dignitaries and focusing entirely on eating.
The current head of the Ieiri family, Inamitsu Ieiri, saw his daughter hanging out with the Six Eyes Twins and raised an eyebrow in surprise.
"I guess geniuses attract each other?"
...
Soon, the banquet moved to its second phase: the showcase of the new generation.
The Three Families had set up a wide dojo on the hotel's top floor for this purpose.
Souma and Satoru had zero interest in these sparring matches.
But as the guests of honor, they were forced onto the stage to "exchange pointers" with the kids from the Zenin and Kamo clans.
The elders were like parents forcing their kids to perform piano at a family reunion.
The result was never in doubt.
Souma and Satoru didn't even use the Limitless technique or Blue.
Relying solely on taijutsu and the observational power of the Six Eyes, they dismantled their opponents effortlessly. They even made a few cry.
They were just six or seven-year-old kids, after all.
Amidst the dark expressions of Naobito and the Kamo head, and the smug, unbearable smiles of the Gojo elders, the banquet finally reached the part Souma was waiting for.
The auction.
Ignoring the useless trinkets, Souma waited until the main event.
Special Grade Cursed Tool: Playful Cloud.
It was a three-section staff painted vermilion, with black patterns on the ends of each section.
As a Special Grade tool, it had no embedded technique. Its only effect was pure physical amplification.
In simple terms: It was tough, hit hard, and scaled infinitely with the user's strength.
"Five hundred million!"
Just as Souma was zoning out, a rough voice cut through the air, instantly drowning out the other bidders.
Souma looked toward the source, and his pupils contracted.
Fushiguro... no, right now he's still Toji Zenin.
"What is it, big brother?"
Satoru followed Souma's gaze and saw a broad, muscular back.
The man had absolutely zero cursed energy, yet his mere presence gave Satoru a massive sense of pressure and danger.
A chill ran down Satoru's spine. This guy... is strong!
Souma smiled. "I told you. The world is full of monsters. Don't always think you're invincible."
"Tch."
Satoru pouted. Even though the man was strong, he didn't think he would lose.
Souma didn't say anything more. The fateful encounter between Toji and Satoru could wait. Right now, the priority was...
"Six hundred million!"
Souma shouted, causing a stir in the venue.
Toji frowned and turned to look at Souma. "Troublesome brat," he muttered.
"Seven hundred million!"
"Eight hundred million!"
"Nine hundred million!"
"One billion!"
"..."
Toji's mental state crumbled.
He looked at the Playful Cloud on stage, then thought about the stash of money he'd worked so hard to save up from assassination jobs.
Forget it. Trying to outbid a favored child of the Gojo clan? I'm just an outcast monkey.
In the end, Souma won the Special Grade tool for a cool one billion yen.
...
As the auction concluded, the banquet came to an end.
"Souma, Satoru, see you later!"
Shoko waved goodbye to her new friends.
Souma and Satoru waved back before climbing into the black limousine.
Not far away, Toji Zenin watched the twins leave, a strange sensation rising in his chest.
Driven by curiosity, he followed them.
The car stopped at the outer perimeter of the Gojo estate. From there, a stone path led through the forest to the main house.
The twins' mother was waiting in a kimono. She took their hands, and they walked slowly toward home.
Snow began to fall, painting a picturesque scene of the three figures walking away.
Toji's figure appeared abruptly fifty meters behind them. He leaned against a tree, arms crossed, watching their backs.
And in that exact instant—
Souma and Satoru turned their heads simultaneously.
Two pairs of glowing blue eyes locked onto Toji's surprised gaze.
This is the first time, Toji thought, a shiver running through him.
Someone noticed me standing behind them.
And it was... two of them.
Toji Zenin watched the small figures disappear into the snow, and suddenly, the winter air felt biting cold.