"Leave?"
Kamo Asaoka froze for a moment, confusion filling his face.
"Clan Head... where should I go?"
Kamo Takanobu no longer bothered to hide his disdain.
"Back to your branch family, of course."
"Branch family?"
Asaoka looked up, disbelief written all over him.
"Clan Head, you promised I would become the Third Elder of the main family."
His voice trembled.
"Did I do something wrong? Tell me, I will fix it."
Kamo Takanobu and Kamo Hiroki exchanged glances before breaking into laughter.
Even young Kamo Hiko could not hold back a small chuckle.
Their gazes fell on Asaoka, filled with mockery.
"Asaoka, you did not actually think you belonged to the main family, did you?"
Takanobu shrugged.
"The Third Elder? And you expect a branch member to take that position? You are nothing more than a man with some research talent and no innate technique."
Asaoka collapsed to his knees, his mind going blank.
"So everything... was a lie?"
"What else would it be?"
Takanobu smiled coldly.
"The Artificial Cursed Technique is complete, and the data has been secured. You have outlived your usefulness."
"A mere branch member who only entered the main family because of his son's talent, and now you dream of becoming an elder. Know your place."
He stepped past Asaoka without another glance.
"Return to your branch family before tomorrow. As for your son, Kamo Noritoshi, if he proves useful, we might keep him. After all, he still carries Blood Manipulation."
"Though that will not be so rare anymore."
Takanobu, Hiroki, and Hiko walked away, their words cold and cutting.
Asaoka remained kneeling, his eyes empty.
Everything he believed in had collapsed, leaving behind nothing but a hollow shell.
...
Three days later, the Jujutsu Higher-Ups convened.
The Gojo Family, long withdrawn from active affairs, had been formally invited by the Kamo Family and could only send an elder to attend.
No one found this surprising.
With the Zenin Family destroyed and the Gojo Family stepping back, the Kamo Family was bound to seize this moment and push for the removal of the Zenin Family's status.
The title of the Three Great Families carried immense authority within the Jujutsu world.
Now that one had fallen, the Kamo Family was eager to claim the benefits.
Still, their actions were shameless.
The Zenin Family had barely fallen, and yet the Kamo Family was already moving to divide the spoils.
At the meeting, once all the elders had taken their seats, Kamo Takanobu sat confidently at the center.
After a long and tedious opening filled with empty words, he finally reached the point.
"I trust everyone has heard the unfortunate news regarding the Zenin Family. On behalf of the Kamo Family, I offer our deepest condolences."
The room remained silent, though many inwardly scoffed.
"With that said, the past cannot be changed. The future of the Jujutsu world depends on us."
"With the Zenin Family gone, disorder has already begun to spread. In many regions, there are not enough sorcerers to handle cursed spirits."
"For this reason, the Kamo Family is willing to deploy our elite unit, Iwa, to take over their responsibilities."
Polite applause followed.
Takanobu smiled slightly, then revealed his true intention.
"However, there is another matter. With the Zenin Family no longer functioning, their assets and voting rights within the Higher-Ups should be reassigned."
The room immediately grew restless.
Yet to everyone's surprise, the first to respond was the Gojo Family.
"I agree. The Zenin Family has almost no one left. They cannot hold their position without contributing anything."
The Grand Elder sighed.
"Third Brother, speak with more restraint."
"Harsh words, but true."
Takanobu narrowed his eyes, wondering why the Gojo Family was so cooperative.
Then the Third Elder continued.
"Therefore, I propose that all Zenin Family assets and voting rights be transferred to the Gojo Family."
Silence fell.
Takanobu's smile stiffened.
"The Gojo Family has quite the sense of humor."
"I am not joking."
The Third Elder spoke calmly.
"We at least have the Six Eyes twins as successors. What do you have?"
Takanobu's eyes sharpened.
He had been waiting for that.
"Hiko, come in."
Kamo Hiko entered with a group of children from the Kamo Family.
Takanobu gestured toward them proudly.
"These are the future inheritors of Blood Manipulation within our family."
At his signal, the children released their cursed energy in unison.
"Blood Manipulation, Crimson Scale."
Red patterns spread across their bodies, unmistakable.
The room erupted.
"So many Blood Manipulation users?"
"This is unprecedented."
"First the Six Eyes, then the Ten Shadows Technique, and now this..."
"Could this truly be a new golden age of Jujutsu?"
"I recall similar experiments in the past..."
"That does not matter. If they can use Blood Manipulation, that is enough."
"The Kamo Family has secured powerful successors."
Support quickly shifted in the Kamo Family's favor.
Takanobu's smile widened.
He signaled the children to stop and turned back to the Gojo Family.
"You have the Six Eyes twins. We have our own successors."
"Still, we are reasonable. The Zenin Family's inheritance can be divided equally between us."
The Gojo Family did not respond.
"Now, onto the next matter."
Takanobu straightened his posture.
"Maki Zenin possesses the strength to destroy an entire clan. She could become another sorcerer killer like Toji Fushiguro."
"Such an act cannot be ignored. Therefore, I believe..."
"What do you believe?"
A calm voice interrupted him.
Takanobu turned sharply, anger rising, but it vanished instantly.
A chill ran down his spine.
At the Gojo Family's seats, a figure had appeared without anyone noticing.
Shion.
Wearing sunglasses, casually cracking sunflower seeds, he looked completely at ease.
"I did not expect you to have recovered. What a pleasant surprise."
Takanobu forced a smile.
Shion spoke lazily.
"Maki is my student, and also Toji's disciple. You should choose your words more carefully."
Takanobu swallowed.
"This was a massacre..."
"What massacre? This is simply internal affairs within the Zenin Family."
Shion shrugged.
"If the Zenin themselves have no complaints, why do you?"
Takanobu wiped the sweat from his forehead.
"They are all dead."
Shion spread his hands.
"Exactly. No complaints."
His tone remained light, but the meaning was clear.
"If you are still unsure, you can go ask them yourself."
Silence filled the room.
The threat needed no explanation.
After a long pause, Takanobu forced out a strained smile.
"In that case, this matter will be classified as internal affairs of the Zenin Family."
"Maki Zenin is... innocent."