Seijuro stood in the newly reconstructed training ground, the faint smell of freshly polished wood and repaired stone lingering in the air. His body was still wrapped in bandages, the dull ache of his healing wounds a constant reminder of his battle with Toji. He took a deep breath, his crimson eyes narrowing as he focused.
"Okay, how do I do it again?" he muttered, staring at his hands.
During his fight with Toji, the destructive energy had surged from him naturally, as though it had a mind of its own. He hadn't consciously summoned it—his instincts had taken over, driven by desperation and survival. Now, he wanted to understand, to control it. But how?
Seijuro closed his eyes, taking another deep breath. He concentrated, trying to recall the moment when his life had been on the line. He tried to remember the emotions he'd felt: fear, anger, the primal urge to destroy, to survive.
The air around him crackled faintly.
—Sizzle! Crack!
A glowing, light blue glyph materialized beneath him, intricate and pulsating with energy. He felt it again—the same coursing power, surging through his body like an unstoppable current. His breathing slowed as he opened his eyes.
But the world wasn't the same.
Everything around him had dissolved into darkness. A void stretched infinitely, filled with countless stars that twinkled faintly in the nothingness. The space was serene yet overwhelming, an expanse that seemed to whisper both calm and chaos.
Tick-tock.
The sound echoed in the void, faint yet clear.
Seijuro froze. It was the same sound he had heard before—the rhythmic ticking of time, relentless and haunting.
Tick-tock.
Again, the sound reverberated, louder this time. He began moving, his body propelled forward, though he wasn't walking. The stars around him streaked past, moving faster than light, until everything stopped abruptly.
Before him was something incomprehensible—a vortex of swirling nothingness and everythingness at once. It lacked color and light yet somehow radiated an immense presence. It was a void that defied logic, embodying concepts that no mortal mind could grasp.
And yet... it called to him.
Seijuro extended a hand toward it, compelled by an instinct he didn't understand. The vortex seemed to pulse in response, as though acknowledging his approach. But just as his fingertips grazed the edge of the void—
"ISNMQOFN!"
A cacophony of voices erupted, alien and incomprehensible. The sound wasn't loud, yet it pierced his mind, resonating with an overwhelming intensity. Though he couldn't understand the words, the meaning was clear: You are not allowed. Go back.
"Ngh!"
Pain wracked his body as if every muscle, bone, and nerve were being twisted and pulled. He clutched his head, collapsing to the ground as the stars and void around him shattered like fragile glass.
When he opened his eyes again, he was back in the training ground, gasping for breath. His hands trembled as he pressed them against the ground, sweat dripping from his forehead.
"Why... does it hurt now?" he muttered, his voice shaky.
During the fight with Toji, the energy had flowed freely, unrestrained, and painless. Now, it felt like his body was rebelling against it, resisting his attempts to control it.
The only explanation he could come up with was his injuries. "It's because I'm still recovering..." he reasoned, though the answer felt incomplete.
His mind returned to the vortex. That vast, unknowable void had felt... different. Was that his Domain Expansion? Could it have been Unlimited Void? It made sense—it was a star-filled space, similar to what Satoru would manifest in the future.
"Yeah... that's probably it," he murmured to himself.
But deep down, something about the answer felt wrong. The energy he'd experienced wasn't just cursed energy or a sorcerer's domain. It was something... more.
It wasn't simply the Gojo clan's Limitless technique or even Unlimited Void. The presence of the vortex, the alien voices, the overwhelming sense of being barred from something forbidden—it all pointed to something far beyond his understanding.
He sat back against the wall, staring at his trembling hands. "Mastering this...is hard."
"Oh, that's a surprise."
Seijuro, startled, leaped to his feet, his crimson eyes locking onto the figure standing just a few paces away. Toji Zen'in stood there casually, leaning slightly against a wooden post, his bandaged arms crossed over his chest. A faint smirk played on his lips.
"So, the head of the Gojo clan is struggling?" Toji's tone was laced with mockery, his sharp green eyes glinting with amusement. "That's surprising."
Seijuro's eyes widened in shock. 'This... did he accept my offer!?' His mind raced. The implications were enormous.
If Toji had truly accepted the deal, it would be a massive advantage for the Gojo clan. Toji wasn't just a formidable fighter—he was the Sorcerer Killer, a man capable of taking down even the most skilled jujutsu sorcerers. Having him as an ally would be a game-changer, especially against future threats like Kenjaku. Toji's abilities and knowledge could fill in gaps Seijuro currently lacked, particularly as he struggled to master his own techniques. The alliance would also mean neutralizing one of the most dangerous individuals in the jujutsu world.
The sheer potential outweighed any lingering suspicion, to the point that Seijuro didn't even stop to question how Toji had bypassed the Gojo compound's extensive security measures—measures specifically designed to protect against intruders of his caliber. It didn't matter. What mattered was what Toji's presence here signified.
"Do you accept my offer!?" Seijuro asked, his voice tinged with a mix of hope and disbelief.
Toji's smirk widened as he stepped closer, his movements unhurried and deliberate.
"Maybe," he said, his tone casual. "Depends on how serious you were about that five billion yen and all the perks that came with it."
Seijuro relaxed slightly, though his posture remained guarded. "I wasn't bluffing. You'll get the money, the shelter, everything I promised. But I need to know—are you in?"
Toji stopped a few feet away, tilting his head as though considering. "Let's just say..." He leaned forward slightly, his grin turning wolfish. "I'm curious to see if you can keep your word. For now, I'll play along."
Seijuro nodded, hiding the wave of relief that washed over him. If he's here, it means he's willing to give this a chance. That's all he need for now.
"Good," Seijuro said, his tone steady. "Then let's make this work."
Toji straightened, his expression unreadable. "Don't get too comfortable. I'm not here to play family, Gojo. I'm here because you're offering me something no one else ever has." His voice dropped, the mockery fading into something harder. "Don't give me a reason to regret it."
Seijuro met his gaze, unwavering. "I won't."
The tension in the air lingered for a moment longer before Toji turned away, his smirk returning. "Guess I'll stick around, then. Oh, and you might want to tighten security around this place. It was embarrassingly easy to get in."
Seijuro let out a small chuckle, shaking his head. "Noted."
Seijuro released an exhale and thought, 'This is the beginning of something big, he thought. 'If I play my cards right, Toji Zen'in might just be the ally I need to rewrite the future.'
Satoru's voice cut through the tension. "Father, are you—"
Both Seijuro and Toji turned toward him, catching sight of the young boy standing a few feet away.
Satoru froze mid-step, his wide blue eyes filled with fear as they locked onto Toji. He immediately recognized the man.
'What is he doing here?!' Satoru's thoughts raced.
His heart pounded in his chest as a single, terrifying conclusion came to mind. 'If he's here... then he's going to kill Father!'
Toji's sharp green eyes studied the boy with intense curiosity.
The infamous Limitless and Six Eyes prodigy—the future strongest sorcerer. But seeing him now, just a boy of seven, Toji couldn't help but find it... underwhelming. Yet, there was an unmistakable glint of power behind those frightened eyes.
'So, this is the kid everyone in the jujutsu world won't shut up about,' Toji thought, his expression unreadable. 'Blessed with both Limitless and Six Eyes. He's just a scrawny kid.'
Despite the dismissive tone of his thoughts, a part of Toji felt intrigued. There was something about Satoru's presence—raw potential wrapped in a fragile, inexperienced shell. It was a stark contrast to Toji's own upbringing, where he'd clawed his way to strength without any blessings. Still, Toji couldn't ignore the tension crackling in the air.
Seijuro, standing between them, could feel the charged atmosphere. It made perfect sense. Toji was infamous in the jujutsu world as the Sorcerer Killer, and Satoru—though still a child—was well aware of the danger he represented. Satoru feared for his father, while Toji observed the boy with calculating detachment. There was no trust here, only wariness.
Clap!
The sound of Seijuro's hands clapping together broke the silence, redirecting both of their attention. "Okay," he said, his tone light but firm. "Let's have an introduction, shall we?"
Seijuro turned to Satoru, his expression calm and reassuring. "Satoru, this is Toji Zen'in. He's our new bodyguard."
Satoru's jaw dropped. His fear turned to disbelief as he stared at his father. "Bodyguard?! Father, he tried to kill you!"
Seijuro chuckled softly and walked toward Satoru, crouching slightly to ruffle his white hair.
"Don't worry, Satoru," he said, his voice gentle. "It's fine. Everything's under control."
Satoru blinked up at his father, the usual calm warmth in Seijuro's tone slightly easing his anxiety, though the knot of suspicion in his chest didn't disappear.
"But... he's a Zen'in. And he tried to kill you!" Satoru repeated, his voice firm, his gaze flicking to Toji with sharp distrust.
Toji, meanwhile, stood silently, watching the exchange. A flicker of amusement crossed his face as he observed the boy's defiance.
'He's got guts for a kid. Not bad.'
Seijuro straightened and looked at Toji over his shoulder. "Toji," he said, his tone carrying a subtle warning, "you'll be working closely with Satoru as well. I expect you two to get along."
Toji arched an eyebrow, momentarily caught off guard by Seijuro's use of his first name—a small but pointed deviation from the norm. He wasn't one to care for formalities, especially anything tied to the Zen'in name, so this unexpected informality struck a chord he wouldn't readily admit.
A faint smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth. "If the kid can keep up," he drawled, his tone carrying equal parts challenge and amusement, "then sure."
Satoru's fists clenched at his sides, and he glared at Toji. "I don't trust you," he said, his voice unwavering.
Seijuro placed a hand on Satoru's shoulder, his touch firm but comforting. "Satoru, trust takes time. But I made this decision for a reason. Toji will protect us—and the Gojo clan. He's proven his strength."
Satoru looked up at his father, still unsure. But the way Seijuro spoke, the calm confidence in his voice, made it hard to argue. "Fine," he muttered reluctantly, though his gaze didn't soften as he looked back at Toji.
Seijuro clapped his hands together, the wheels turning in his head. "Good," he said with a smile. Then, turning to Toji, he added, "Now, how about we do a binding vow?"
The suggestion hung in the air, and for a moment, Toji simply stared at him.
Then, to Seijuro's surprise, Toji threw his head back and laughed—a loud, deep laugh that echoed across the training ground.
"What's so funny?" Seijuro asked, his brows furrowing as he tilted his head slightly.
Toji grinned, wiping a nonexistent tear from the corner of his eye. "Have you forgotten, Gojo? You can't do a binding vow with me. I don't have cursed energy."
Seijuro's face froze, the realization hitting him like a brick wall. His crimson eyes widened, and his cheeks flushed slightly.
"Oh... yeah," he muttered, scratching the back of his head awkwardly.
'How could I forget something so obvious?!' he thought.
Satoru, standing beside him, couldn't hide his surprise either. His blue eyes widened as he stared at his father, uncharacteristically flustered.
'Father forgot something so basic?' Satoru thought.
"You seriously forgot that?" Toji asked, his tone mocking as his grin widened. "And here I thought the head of the Gojo clan was supposed to be the smartest guy in the room."
Seijuro cleared his throat, trying to regain his composure. "Everyone makes mistakes, I've... been busy, okay?"
Satoru blinked in disbelief.
This was not the father he was used to—the father who always seemed like he had everything under control. It was strange... but also oddly comforting. This version of his father seemed more human, more approachable. And yet, Satoru wasn't entirely sure how to feel about it.
He should be suspicious...but Satoru doesn't want to question it...as if he doesn't want to think about it. He just wants this version not to go away.
Seijuro turned to Satoru, noticing the boy's confused expression. "What? Even geniuses slip up once in a while," he said with a small smile, trying to sound nonchalant.
"Uh-huh," Satoru replied, still unconvinced.
Toji snorted, clearly enjoying the scene. "So, what now, Gojo? Gonna lecture me on the importance of trust and loyalty?"
"No," Seijuro replied, straightening up. "If we can't do a binding vow, then we'll just settle for the traditional way. A contract."
"A contract?" Toji raised an eyebrow, folding his arms. "You mean paperwork and signatures? That's not really my thing."
Seijuro smirked. "It's simple. A written contract stating your obligations as our bodyguard and my promises to you in return. It may not be as binding as a cursed vow, but it's still enforceable. Plus," he added, "it gives both of us something tangible to refer to. You'll get your five billion yen and everything I promised—assuming you don't run off."
Toji shrugged. "Fine. As long as it gets me paid, I don't care."
Seijuro nodded. "Good. I'll have the terms written up, and we'll finalize everything soon."
Satoru frowned, his suspicion of Toji still evident. "Father... are you sure this is a good idea?"
Seijuro placed a hand on Satoru's shoulder, his smile reassuring. "Trust is built one step at a time, Satoru. This is just the first step. Don't worry—I've got everything under control."
Satoru looked up at his father, still uncertain but unwilling to argue. "If you say so..."
Toji, meanwhile, leaned against a nearby post, his grin fading into something more neutral. "You've got guts, Gojo," he muttered. "Let's see if you're as good as your word."
Seijuro gave a curt nod, though his thoughts swirled. 'If this works, Toji could become a powerful ally. But if it doesn't...' He glanced at Satoru, then back at Toji. 'I'll deal with it when the time comes.'
"Gojo-Sama, bad news!" a servant ran toward them.
Seijuro turned his head sharply toward the servant rushing toward him. The man stopped abruptly, his eyes widening in visible alarm when they landed on Toji standing casually nearby.
"Don't worry about him," Seijuro said, waving dismissively at the servant's reaction. "He's our new bodyguard. Now, what's the bad news?"
The servant hesitated for a moment, clearly unnerved by Toji's presence, but quickly straightened and delivered the message. "The higher-ups have requested a meeting with you, Gojo-sama. They wish to convene immediately."
Seijuro's expression didn't shift, but internally, a string of thoughts raced through his mind. The higher-ups? Of course, they'd come knocking after the fight with Toji. He sighed inwardly.
He had an idea what this was about—likely the fallout from his battle with Toji. The Sorcerer Killer wasn't just a name whispered in the jujutsu community; it was practically a legend. Toji's reputation for killing sorcerers, even powerful ones, had likely made his attempted assassination of Seijuro an incident too big to ignore. And the fact that Seijuro had spared Toji, only to turn around and make him a bodyguard, was bound to raise eyebrows—and tempers.
Still, Seijuro's years of experience as David—attending countless boardroom meetings and navigating corporate politics—gave him confidence. This is just another meeting. Stick to the facts, control the narrative, and keep them in their place.
As long as the higher-ups didn't push him too far, he could manage. But if they tried to challenge his authority or threaten him, he wouldn't hesitate to remind them exactly who they were dealing with.
He turned to Toji, who raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed by the news. "Looks like they're rattled," Toji muttered. "Didn't think a little scrap in Tokyo would get their robes in a twist."
Seijuro gave him a faint smirk. "They're not worried about the fight—they're worried about appearances and power. My sparing you, a known killer of sorcerers, probably has them questioning my judgment. And when they question my judgment, they question the Gojo clan's power. That's what's really bothering them."
Toji crossed his arms. "So, what are you gonna do?"
Seijuro straightened, his crimson eyes gleaming with a calm yet commanding confidence.
"Remind them who's in charge."
As the head of the Gojo clan, Seijuro held immense authority in the jujutsu world. The clan's wealth and resources alone made them untouchable to most, and Seijuro's position meant he was the face of that power.
Even in his current state—still recovering and relatively "weak" compared to Toji—his title carried weight that none of the higher-ups could ignore. They needed him more than he needed them.
The servant shifted uncomfortably under Seijuro's gaze. "Shall I inform them of your attendance, Gojo-sama?"
Seijuro gave a curt nod. "Tell them I'll be there shortly."
The servant bowed deeply and hurried off, leaving Seijuro to gather his thoughts. He turned back to Toji and Satoru, who both looked at him with varying levels of curiosity.
"Looks like I've got some people to deal with," Seijuro said, his tone casual. "Toji, stay out of sight for now. Your presence will just add fuel to their fire."
Toji shrugged. "Fine by me. I'm not really a fan of stuffy old meetings anyway."
Seijuro glanced at Satoru, who looked uneasy. "And you, Satoru—don't worry about this. It's just politics. Stick to your training, and I'll handle the rest."
Satoru nodded slowly, still skeptical but trusting his father's words. "Okay... but don't let them push you around, Father."
Seijuro smiled, ruffling Satoru's hair. "Don't worry, kid. They're not the ones in charge—I am."