Morning in the Gojo estate was always calm. The rising sun bathed the buildings in warm light, casting long shadows that danced across the polished wooden floors. The sounds of the estate waking up—the soft footsteps of the servants, the occasional chirping of birds—filled the air with a sense of normalcy.
But for Kaito, today felt anything but normal.
He sat in the courtyard, trying to calm his nerves. The council's meeting was set for noon, and the decision about his future would be made. Kaito had trained harder than most of his peers his entire life, yet today, he felt unprepared. His mind was filled with uncertainty, despite the years of preparation.
He absentmindedly rubbed his hands together, the faintest flicker of Infinity appearing for a second between his palms before vanishing. No matter how much he practiced, it still didn't come as naturally to him as it had for Satoru. His control over Infinity wasn't perfect, and there were days when even the Six Eyes seemed to betray him, slipping out of focus.
"What if I'm not ready?" Kaito muttered under his breath, leaning back against the stone bench.
---
Suddenly, a shadow appeared over him. He opened his eyes to see his uncle, Koji Gojo, standing above him with a small smile on his face. Koji was one of the few members of the Gojo clan that Kaito felt comfortable around. Unlike the other elders, Koji wasn't driven by tradition or legacy. He was more laid-back, often seen as the "black sheep" of the family because of his refusal to involve himself in clan politics.
"You look like you've seen a ghost," Koji said, sitting down next to Kaito. "What's going on in that head of yours?"
Kaito shrugged. "The council's deciding my future today."
"Ah, that," Koji said with a knowing grin. "I heard about it. You're worried?"
"Wouldn't you be? Half the council doesn't want me to leave the estate. They think I'll fail."
Koji let out a chuckle. "Kaito, those old fossils are always worried. They're afraid of change, afraid of anything that might challenge their view of the world. But you... you're different. And that scares them."
"Yeah, but what if they're right? What if I'm not ready to face the world? I can barely control Infinity half the time. And my Six Eyes... they're not like Satoru's."
Koji's smile faded a bit as he placed a hand on Kaito's shoulder. "You're not Satoru. You don't have to be him. You have your own path to walk, and you'll grow at your own pace. Don't let their expectations become your prison."
Kaito sighed, leaning back. "It's hard not to. Everywhere I go, I feel like I'm being compared to him. Even if no one says it, I can feel it. They want me to be just like him."
Koji leaned back too, looking up at the sky. "I get it. Satoru was... well, he was something else. But you know what? He didn't start off as the strongest sorcerer. He had to work for it. Just like you."
"I know. It's just... hard."
"I know it is. But trust me, the outside world is where you'll find your strength. Staying here, in this estate, under the watchful eyes of the elders—it'll only hold you back."
Kaito didn't respond immediately, but Koji's words struck a chord with him. Maybe he was right. Maybe getting out into the world would help him grow stronger. Maybe leaving the estate was the right choice after all.
---
As the noon hour approached, Kaito made his way toward the council chamber. The large wooden doors loomed in front of him, their intricate carvings of the Gojo clan's history feeling more imposing than ever. Taking a deep breath, he knocked softly, and the doors slid open with a soft creak.
Inside, the room was dimly lit, with the council members seated in a semicircle, their faces partially obscured by shadows. At the center of the room sat the head of the council, Kaito's grandfather, Toshiro Gojo.
"Kaito," Toshiro said, his voice deep and authoritative. "Come forward."
Kaito stepped into the center of the room, feeling the weight of the council's gaze upon him. Each member of the council was a high-ranking elder of the Gojo clan, their robes adorned with symbols of their rank. Some of their expressions were neutral, while others looked less than pleased to see him.
"We have discussed your future at length," Toshiro began. "And we have come to a decision."
The room was silent. Kaito felt his heart pounding in his chest as he waited for the verdict.
"The world outside these walls is dangerous, Kaito," Toshiro continued. "And as a member of the Gojo clan, you carry great responsibility. The techniques you possess are not to be taken lightly. Some of the council believe that you are not yet ready to leave this estate. They fear that sending you to Jujutsu Tech will only put you in harm's way."
Kaito's fists clenched at his sides. He could feel the tension in the room. He could sense the hesitation in some of the elders.
"However," Toshiro said, his gaze unwavering, "there are others who believe that staying here will only hinder your growth. That in order to fulfill your potential, you must be exposed to the world outside. You must face the challenges that lie beyond these walls."
Kaito held his breath, waiting for the final verdict.
"We have decided," Toshiro said slowly, "that you will be sent to Jujutsu Tech."
Kaito exhaled, a mixture of relief and anxiety flooding his mind. It was the outcome he had expected, but hearing it said out loud made it all the more real.
"However," Toshiro added, his tone growing more serious, "you must understand the gravity of this decision. You are not being sent away for your own amusement. You will be representing the Gojo clan. You will be expected to uphold our name, our legacy, and our values. Failure is not an option."
Kaito nodded, his mind racing. The weight of the decision settled heavily on his shoulders, but at the same time, there was a flicker of excitement. This was his chance to prove himself, to step out of the shadow of Satoru Gojo and carve his own path.
"Do you understand?" Toshiro asked, his gaze piercing.
"Yes, Grandfather," Kaito replied, his voice steady. "I understand."
Toshiro nodded once, and the other council members exchanged glances. Some still looked unsure, while others seemed more satisfied with the decision.
"You will leave in three days," Toshiro said. "Prepare yourself."
With that, the council meeting was adjourned, and Kaito was dismissed. As he walked out of the chamber, he felt a strange mix of emotions—relief, anxiety, excitement, and fear. The outside world awaited him, and with it, challenges that would push him to his limits.
But for the first time in his life, Kaito felt like he was ready to face it.