After all, transforming a Shinto clan with a struggling economy into a massive financial conglomerate isn't something that can be achieved simply on paper.
From surveying whether the land surrounding the family estate could be converted into a cultural-themed commercial district, to restructuring the underlying industries and establishing strategic cooperation outposts, there were mountains of acquisition and investment documents requiring approval. Furthermore, he had to conduct regular multi-faceted training for qualified clansmen...
"Honestly, is there any other Head of House with a greater sense of responsibility than me?"
Xiao Yu watched Satoru Gojo squatting on the wooden corridor like a large white bun, grumbling to himself. She said helplessly, "Head of House, if you don't eat breakfast, you'll be late for the morning meeting. The elders and representatives are all waiting for you."
"Doesn't matter. A trash clan that only lets you drink barley tea might as well be destroyed."
...What happened to that sense of responsibility?
Xiao Yu sighed, finally compromising: "Fine, I'll change it to coffee for you."
"Double sugar and milk?"
"Yes."
"Milk temperature not exceeding sixty degrees?"
"Yes."
"Excellent. Oh, and bring some *wagashi* while you're at it—cherry blossom *sakuramochi* and *warabimochi* will do."
Talk about pushing your luck.
"...I understand." The maid's fist felt a bit itchy.
"Aww, I knew you were the best, Xiao Yu~!"
Seeing Satoru Gojo's grinning face, Xiao Yu couldn't help but let the corners of her mouth twitch upward, though the trace vanished instantly.
She was a robotic maid gifted to the Host after a system update; though she appeared to be flesh and blood, she was actually an intelligent AI. She was a rare "hexagonal" talent—proficient in domestic affairs and capable in both literary and martial arts. She could simultaneously serve as a secretary, bodyguard, and maid, and her loyalty to her Host was unshakable. For Satoru Gojo, who wanted to develop his clan rapidly and was desperately short of manpower, she was a godsend.
Even her name was personally chosen by Satoru Gojo, rather than being randomly generated by the system. The inspiration came from characters in certain series like *Gin O* and *Jackie C Adventures*.
Xiao Yu was highly efficient and soon returned with Satoru Gojo's "Plus Version" breakfast.
*As expected of the 'daughter' (?) I named myself. What a good kid,* Satoru Gojo thought as he happily enjoyed the sweets.
What? What's wrong with treating an AI as a daughter? His mental age was that of a middle-aged man anyway; it was only natural for him to see everyone as a child now~
Xiao Yu: *...Clearly, you're the real child here!*
Having finished breakfast with a few minutes to spare before the meeting, Satoru Gojo and Xiao Yu drifted leisurely across the bluestone path of the front courtyard. An old servant watering flowers beneath the eaves straightened his back, his wrinkled face smiling like a blooming chrysanthemum.
"Good morning, Lord Divine Child. The color of your *haori* is truly beautiful!"
"Morning, Grandpa Takao."
Gojo Takao had served three consecutive Heads of House. As a skilled gardener, he was a master at tending the courtyard greenery, possessing the skill to prune a dry branch into the shape of a phoenix. He was also the very man who, while sweeping in front of the manor gates on that snowy day six months ago, had been the first to recognize Satoru Gojo's identity.
He insisted on calling Satoru Gojo "Divine Child," perhaps because he had been with the Gojo family for so long that he was deeply influenced by the deification of the Six Eyes.
At the corner of the tea room, two young maids carrying teapots saw Satoru Gojo and their eyes lit up, the tassels on their hairpins swaying happily.
"Good morning, Head of House! You look quite elegant today as well!"
"Morning~ Don't stare at me too much, or you'll spill the tea."
Despite the overall situation being less than ideal, the Gojo family remained a prestigious clan with a long history; they always maintained the outward decorum of a great family. For instance, they had a strictly hierarchical system of roles: the Chief Steward who managed daily affairs, the maid teams handling various internal duties, the Shinto priests responsible for rituals and blessings, and the master brewers with ancestral techniques...
The highest position, naturally, was the Head of House.
Speaking of the differences between the Gojo family in the *Conan* world and the *Jujutsu* world, it wasn't just the absence of missions to exorcise Cursed Spirits. By comparison, although the lingering air of feudalism remained, the clansmen's attitude toward Satoru Gojo was clearly much warmer.
Even if he didn't gain Impression Points from them, Satoru Gojo didn't mind interacting with them more.
Along the way, the chorus of "Good morning, Head of House" never stopped.
"Brother Satoru!"
Gojo Takao's little granddaughter, who was currently losing her baby teeth, came running out holding a crooked paper airplane. "Can you help it fly high?"
"Can't do it, little one. An adult's life is very busy."
Despite his words, Satoru Gojo gave it a light flick with his finger. The paper airplane caught a draft through the hall and soared over the eaves, sending the little girl chasing after it.
"The Head of House is playing favorites!" the shouts of other children echoed from afar, startling the sparrows dozing on the corner of the roof.
*Dong— Dong— Dong—*
Inside the meeting hall, the morning bell tolled three times. The elders and representatives sat upright on their cushions. Xiao Yu, transforming from maid to secretary, opened her laptop and projected the recent stock market closing data for everyone to see.
"I'll give you five minutes..."
The white-haired, blue-eyed Head of House sat high upon the main seat, backed by a silver-leaf screen in the *ukiyo-e* style. He spoke with an air that brooked no argument: "First, report on the latest renovation status of the Kyoto shops."
"Yes!"
The room was filled with the scent of sandalwood, steeped in ancient charm. Yet, the conversation—dripping with the style of a modern corporate team meeting—completely shattered that atmosphere.
"According to statistics, the profits of the Gojo Pawnshop rose by a full 32% last month. This indicates our new appraisal process is highly effective..." Gojo Kazuma, wearing glasses and a suit, spoke with flushed cheeks, clearly excited. He was one of the few elites within the clan personally handpicked by Satoru Gojo.
Satoru Gojo tapped the report. "Customer traffic increased by 35% year-on-year... As I thought, the idea to turn the display windows into Edo-style antique showcases worked out well."
"It's all thanks to the 'Scarcity Marketing' you taught us. We only exhibit our 'Treasure of the Shop' katana for half an hour each day, and customers have increased because of it," Kazuma said respectfully.
"You've done well. Keep it up."
"Yes, I will certainly work hard!"
While the younger clansmen accepted new things readily, the older conservatives still had some reservations. For example, the eldest of the elders—who had served as the Acting Head during Satoru Gojo's absence—Gojo Rika.
"Head of House, isn't combining our family's *omamori* (charms) with this so-called 'Horoscope Astrology' a bit too ridiculous? The gods might punish us for this!" she said, frowning.
Satoru Gojo spread his hands. "But Grandma Rika, the 'offering money' increased quite a bit last month, didn't it? After deducting the shrine maintenance costs, there's still a significant surplus."
"That... that doesn't mean there isn't a problem."
"Don't worry, I've already had a word with the gods~" Satoru Gojo gave a thumbs-up, lying through his teeth: "He said it's totally fine."
Looking into the young man's shimmering, crystal-clear eyes, Gojo Rika simply lost her will to argue. Well, who could blame her? The person standing before her was the one in the entire family closest to the gods.
"Then... this old woman shall trust the Head of House."