"Absurd!"
Naobito slammed his palm against the table, the sharp sound echoing through the room. "You all know exactly what you did to Toji. For something like that to happen, the Zen'in family only reaped what it sowed."
At his words, the clan elders stiffened, their expressions twitching with restrained displeasure.
In their eyes, the Zen'in bloodline was flawless. It could not be wrong.
As for Toji Fushiguro, a man who abandoned the Zen'in name, he was never worthy of it in the first place.
A man without Cursed Energy, a so called failure, every misfortune could conveniently be blamed on him.
Jinichi spoke in a low, suppressed voice. "No matter what, I will never accept him as Clan Head."
He rose immediately after speaking and walked out without another glance.
Naobito sighed, rubbing his temple. "Every single one of them…"
He had expected resistance, but facing it directly was still exhausting.
Still, opposition meant nothing without support to counter it.
Within the Zen'in family, the Ten Shadows Technique held weight nearly equal to the Six Eyes of the Gojo family. Now that the Gojo family possessed the rare case of twin Six Eyes users, the Zen'in clan needed someone just as formidable to maintain balance.
At that moment, Megumi raised his hand slightly.
"Um… I don't really want to be the Clan Head."
Naobito leaned forward, as if he had been waiting for that answer.
"Megumi, as Clan Head, you would inherit the Zen'in family's wealth, its cursed tools, and its authority. You would also gain influence among the Three Great Families and access to the higher-ups' information network."
He paused, then added calmly, "That kind of power could help your allies. For example, treating Gojo Shion, who is still unconscious."
Megumi fell silent.
The words struck exactly where it mattered.
"…Then what about making Maki-san the Clan Head?"
Bang!
Before anyone could respond, the door was smashed open.
Naoya stood there, his expression dark, veins bulging across his forehead, his eyes burning with anger.
"Are you joking?!"
His voice dripped with hostility.
"Maki? Ask anyone here, who would follow her? She has no Cursed Energy."
His anger had already been simmering. The idea of Megumi, an outsider who barely carried the Zen'in name, becoming Clan Head was bad enough. But now, handing it to Maki?
"Enough, Naoya," Naobito said coldly. "Maki is your cousin. Watch your words."
Naoya didn't yield. "So what? She's still a woman. She doesn't even belong in this room."
"Naoya!"
Naobito's voice thundered through the hall.
"Do you know why I would rather give the position to Megumi than you?"
Naoya's jaw tightened, but he stayed silent.
"Because of that arrogance," Naobito continued, his gaze sharp. "In times like these, your attitude would drag the Zen'in family into ruin."
"Go back to your quarters and reflect."
Naoya's face darkened further. Without another word, he turned and walked out.
Once outside, he drove his fist into the wall, cracking the surface.
"Old fool… talking about personality," he muttered bitterly. "All you care about is the Ten Shadows Technique."
Back in the room, Naobito exhaled heavily, looking visibly older.
Maki stepped forward, her tone more practical.
"Megumi, Naoya's words were harsh, but not entirely wrong. With my standing, becoming Clan Head is nearly impossible."
"The only reason you're even being considered is because of the Ten Shadows Technique."
Megumi nodded slowly. "I understand… I'll accept the position."
Naobito immediately straightened, his energy returning as if years had been lifted from him.
"Good, good!" He clapped Megumi on the shoulder and handed him a key. "From now on, this is yours."
Megumi forced a small smile, uncertain whether this choice would bring anything but trouble.
Since arriving at the Zen'in estate, everything, except Naobito, had felt suffocating.
Rigid traditions, lifeless rules, and a constant sense of pressure.
Beside him, Maki flexed her fingers, clearly uncomfortable as well.
Unlike Megumi, she had grown up here. Every corridor carried memories she would rather forget.
She stepped closer and tugged at his sleeve.
"Fushiguro, give me the armory key. Let's grab the cursed tools and get out of here."
Megumi nodded and handed it over.
Maki wasted no time heading toward the armory.
Halfway there, she stopped.
Naoya sat ahead, casually perched on a stool, as if he had been waiting.
"And here I was wondering who it would be," he said with a smirk. "Turns out it's you, Maki."
Maki didn't even slow down. "What, you finally learned to recognize women by their faces? I thought you only paid attention to their backs."
Naoya's expression hardened.
"No technique, no cursed energy," he said coldly. "Your face is the only thing worth anything."
"What's wrong? Becoming a Grade 1 sorcerer made you think you matter?"
Maki let out a quiet laugh. "Didn't I already teach you a lesson last time?"
Naoya's eyes widened, cursed energy flaring around him.
"Don't get ahead of yourself just because you won once," he snapped. "I've been training nonstop. I'll crush you like I did when we were kids."
The words dragged up old memories.
Being pinned down, mocked, humiliated.
Maki's gaze didn't waver. "After all these years, you're still the same."
She walked past him without another glance.
Naoya froze for a moment, stunned.
"I'm being ignored?"
His expression twisted with anger. "That trash…"
Just as he stood to follow, a servant rushed over.
"Master Naoya, Master Jinichi is looking for you."
Naoya paused, then smirked.
"Oh? That coward wants something?"
He narrowed his eyes. Jinichi was likely planning something against Megumi.
"Looks like there's something interesting to watch."
With that, he turned and left.
Meanwhile, Maki reached the armory.
Dim lanterns cast faint light into the long, cold corridor that stretched into darkness.
At the entrance stood a woman.
"Maki… go back," she said, her voice trembling. "You're not allowed to enter."
Maki raised the key slightly. "The Clan Head approved it."
She stepped forward, unlocked the door, and pushed it open.
"Why?!"
The woman's voice broke behind her.
"Why do you always act like this? Why can't you just follow the rules?"
"If you would just be obedient, you could live safely here!"
Her voice cracked further.
"Just once… couldn't you make me feel like it was worth giving birth to you?"
Maki turned, her expression blank, offering no response.
Then she stepped inside.
And froze.
"Father…? Mai…?"
Zen'in Ogi stood ahead, a bloodstained blade in his hand.
At his feet lay Mai, her body broken, barely conscious.
"Idiot…" Mai rasped weakly. "Why did you come?"
Ogi's voice was cold, devoid of emotion.
"The cursed tools have already been moved. You're too late."
He looked directly at Maki.
"Megumi Fushiguro will not become Clan Head."
"And you… along with Mai, the stains on my life… will disappear today."
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