In the days that followed, my existence became a repetitive cycle of drifting into slumber, waking to the dim light of the nursery, and being fed formula by the nursemaid. Bound by the limitations of an infant's body, I was powerless against the overwhelming waves of drowsiness. Yet, even through the fog of exhaustion, I remained keenly aware of the visitors—attendants, the esteemed Clan Elders, and the man they called the Clan Head: my father.
One afternoon, Father gathered the higher-ups of the family in the corner of a cramped, tatami-matted room, as if he couldn't wait another moment to display his new prize. He hoisted me up into his arms, presenting me like a ceremonial relic.
"He rarely cries and simply lies there, staring at the ceiling with such uncanny focus. It is difficult to believe he was only just born," one of the attendants remarked, their voice hushed with reverence. "It seems true talent reveals itself from the very moment of birth."
"Naturally," Naobito replied, his voice booming with a sharp, arrogant edge. "He is my flesh and blood, after all. It seems I finally have a son who has properly inherited my lineage. Ha!"
Held aloft in his grip, I scanned the faces of the gathered clan members. No matter how many times I searched the room, I saw no one who looked as though she could be my mother. The absence was palpable.
'Where is my mother? Even among the attendants, I don't see anyone who looks like the matriarch of this house.'
Father, who had been conversing with an attendant, noticed me turning my head. As if reading my silent query, he brought his face close to mine, a smirk playing on his lips.
"Your mother has been sequestered for recovery; she grew frail after the labor. It is only natural, considering she had to bring someone like you into this world. You likely don't remember it, but the sheer volume of Cursed Energy you radiated the moment you were born... there isn't another soul like you in this world." He paused, his expression shifting to one of competitive disdain. "Hmph. I suppose that includes the brat born to the Gojo Clan last month— the one with the Six Eyes. But no matter. You are my son. You are the one who will elevate the Zenin name to its rightful place. If we are to crush the Gojo Clan, you must be the one to do it, Touya."
'What? I released Cursed Energy at birth? Me?' I searched my hazy memories, but found nothing of my first moments. By the time I had truly gained consciousness, I was already lying in that crib.
I sank into deep thought, though to the onlookers, I likely just looked like an infant staring blankly into space. Father, seemingly satisfied with my silent demeanor, eventually led the procession of attendants and Elders out of the room.
'First, there's no mistaking that face. The man I just saw was Naobito Zenin, exactly as he appeared in the original story. He mentioned that my elder brothers failed to inherit his talent... and that 'Six Eyes brat' from the Gojo Clan? He's definitely talking about Satoru Gojo. Knowing I'm the same age as that monster... the future is already looking terrifying.'
I was so deeply immersed in my internal calculations that I failed to notice a shadow lingering outside. Someone was standing behind the sliding shoji screen, watching me through a narrow gap with an unreadable gaze.