The sight of Satoru Gojo collapsing onto the dirt elicited vastly different reactions from the assembled Elders of the Zenin and Gojo clans. For the Zenin, it was a surge of profound pride—their Young Master had not only met their expectations but had shattered the Gojo Clan's legendary arrogance. For the Gojo, it was a vacuum of hollow shock; they had never once entertained the possibility that their 'invincible' future Clan Head could taste defeat.
"As expected of our Young Master. To think he is the future of the Zenin... we are truly blessed."
"Indeed. To overcome the Limitless and those Six Eyes at such an age... it is nothing short of a miracle."
While the Zenin Elders reveled in their triumph, the atmosphere among the Gojo Clan was funereal.
"I never imagined... that he would lose. I never once thought I would see our Lord in such a state."
"It cannot be helped. It simply means his opponent was just as monstrous. He must use this defeat as a whetstone. It will make him a more perfect leader in the end."
"True. Once he truly matures, there will be no one left in this world who can stand in his way."
As the Gojo Elders tried to console themselves with dreams of future greatness, Touya Zenin began his post-match 'teabagging,' leaving them utterly aghast.
"What—! What is this insolence?"
"How utterly lack of grace... A victor should be humble, yet he speaks such provocations!"
In stark contrast to the fuming Elders, the Gojo attendants found themselves feeling an inexplicable sense of satisfaction at the sight of Satoru‘s tears.
"Is it just me, or... seeing the Young Master humbled like that... it doesn't feel bad at all? Should I be feeling this way?"
"No, I feel it too. I actually feel a strange sense of gratitude toward the Zenin's Young Master right now."
Having spent years enduring Satoru Gojo's selfish and mercurial whims, the attendants secretly rejoiced at Touya‘s 'educational' smackdown.
"I'm just teasing. Good work. You really are strong, Satoru. I‘m honestly not sure I could win a second time."
Touya reached out a hand. Satoru looked up, his eyes shimmering with uncharacteristic vulnerability.
"Then we fight again later! Next time, I‘m definitely winning!"
Satoru grabbed the hand and pulled himself up. Touya offered a practiced, charming smile.
"Haha... I'll think about it. Honestly, you're terrifying. Since the ritual duel is over, why don't I show you around the Zenin estate? Consider it a commemorative tour."
Touya spoke politely, but he had no intention of actually fighting Satoru again. He wanted to retire with his current record—the only person in history to remain undefeated against Gojo Satoru.
"Hmph. I took a look around earlier, but... fine. I suppose I'll let you show me," Satoru said with a haughty sniff.
Touya chuckled at the boy‘s prickly response and began leading him through the sprawling complex, entirely unaware of the storm brewing nearby.
"Why is that brat sticking to my brother again?" muttered Naoya Zenin, her eyes narrowed in a predatory glare from behind a corner. "I'm going crazy. Why is my brother always surrounded by men? Is that why he likes that bastard Toji more than me?"
Following the Zenin‘s victory in the ritual duel, a formal exchange gathering between the two clans commenced. It was a strategic move designed to mend the fractured relationship between the two houses—and a way for both sides to establish ties now that they knew these children would eventually define the pinnacle of the jujutsu world.
An Elder of the Gojo Clan approached Naobito Zenin, who was laughing and drinking with his own retainers.
"Congratulations, Clan Head Zenin. You have been gifted a truly formidable heir. As a leader and a father, you must be exceptionally proud."
"Hahaha! My thanks. Your own heir is quite the marvel. Had my son not prepared himself to the absolute limit, the result would surely have been reversed. Those Six Eyes—paired with the perfect manipulation of the Limitless—will undoubtedly carry him to the throne of the Strongest one day."
"We may have lost this duel, but we gained much. The Young Master‘s arrogance has been tempered by this defeat. And it is a fine thing to be able to share a laugh with the Zenin like this."
"Indeed. Now that we've shown the world the vitality of our two houses, I'm sure the news will reach the Kamo Clan soon. Knowing the future of the two Great Houses is so bright... I imagine their heads must be throbbing with pain already. Wouldn't you agree? Hahaha!"
Naobito couldn't hide his smirk at the thought of the Kamo Clan's distress. The Gojo Elder joined him in his mirth.
"Haha, quite. After all, that clan possesses nothing that can rival the Ten Shadows or the Limitless. At most, they have Blood Manipulation... which is hardly suitable for high-level combat against other sorcerers. They'll have to keep their heads down for another generation."
"Precisely. They'll probably go back to groveling at the feet of the Higher-Ups like the parasites they are."
The Kamo Clan was notorious for its deep-rooted ties with the Jujutsu Higher-Ups. Among the Big Three, they were the most integrated with the conservative executive branch, essentially acting as the enforcement arm of the corrupt old guard.
"By the way... where did Touya and our Young Master get off to?"
"They disappeared a moment ago. I believe my son is giving yours a tour of the estate."
"Excellent. It's good they're getting along. We should leave them be. Now, tell me, how is your tolerance for sake?"
With the political tension defused, Naobito reached for another bottle with a carefree grin.
While wandering the estate with Satoru, Touya ran into Toji Zenin heading back to his quarters.
"Oh, Toji! Did you see? I won! It was all thanks to you."
"Hey, brat. Why‘s the guest of honor wandering out here? I didn't see it. And don't give me that 'thanks to you' crap. It looked like you just relied on your Cursed Technique to win."
"That‘s not true. My control and application of the technique only reached this level because of our sparring sessions."
Touya paused, realizing Satoru was staring intensely at the man beside him.
"Satoru, this is my cousin..."
"Ah! You're that guy!" Satoru interrupted, pointing a finger at Toji in shock. "The one who was lurking with this guy earlier! The one with absolutely zero Cursed Energy!"
"Satoru, you shouldn't speak so bluntly. It‘s rude to refer to a Heavenly Restriction like that," Touya chided.
"Hoh? I find the way *you* talk just as annoying, you little brat."
Toji reached out and ground his fist into Touya's scalp. The pressure was immense, making Touya feel like his hair was about to be uprooted.
"Ow, ow, ow! Toji, that hurts! I‘m sorry, okay? I‘m sorry!"
Toji let go, his cold gaze shifting to Satoru.
"Well, Young Master? How do I look? To those eyes that see everything... what do you make of someone without a drop of Cursed Energy?"
"Hmm... I don't know. My eyes detect Cursed Energy. If you have a Heavenly Restriction, you must be incredibly strong in other ways, right?"
"Exactly," Touya chimed in, rubbing his head. "Toji is a physical gift. In terms of pure martial arts, no one can beat him. If he‘s holding a Cursed Tool, he could probably tear through any of the Big Three families alone."
"Hoh... that strong? I‘d like to fight you one day. Though you probably wouldn't stand a chance against me."
Toji let out a short, mocking laugh.
"Big words for someone who just lost to this five-year-old. Didn't you get face-planted less than thirty minutes ago?"
"Urk...! That—that was because I let my guard down!"
"Letting your guard down *is* a lack of skill, right, Toji?" Touya added with a smirk.
"Hmph. Obviously. No matter how good your ability is, if you're careless, even a stray dog can bite your throat out. You catch a disease, you die. That's reality."
"Tsk! I get it already! It‘s just... that was the first time I've ever been hit. No one had ever managed to touch me before..."
"I bet your back is still stinging, huh? Max Elephant's weight is no joke," Touya teased.
"It wasn't just stinging! I thought a hole was literally being bored through me!"
"Then who told you to get careless and deactivate your Limitless? Puhaha... poor Satoru. Is it too much for such a 'weak' little guy?"
"You... you‘re really annoying!"
As Satoru's eyes began to well up again, Touya panicked and began trying to placate him.
"Hey, hey, I was kidding! Don't cry over a little teasing."
Toji let out a weary sigh and walked away, leaving the two heirs to their bickering.
"Now he‘s got two of them around him... Unbelievable. Is my brother's taste in people just weird? Am I not cute enough?"
Naoya's lament echoed softly from the shadows as she continued her secret surveillance.