Seijuro sat at his desk in the quiet of his office, papers strewn about in an organized chaos. His eyes darted between a kanji guidebook with English translations and the daunting stack of documents in front of him.
Each page seemed more complex than the last, filled with technical jargon and financial terms related to the reconstruction of the training area he and Satoru had recently destroyed.
"Dear goodness..." Seijuro muttered under his breath, running a hand through his white hair.
Balancing the guidebook in one hand, he squinted at the documents, trying to make sense of them.
"I can't believe I'm trying to learn Japanese and run a clan simultaneously," he grumbled, flipping a page in the guidebook. "But hey, it's a bonus, I guess."
-Sleack!
The sound of the shoji door sliding open snapped him out of his thoughts. A servant from the financial department entered, bowing respectfully.
"Seijuro-sama, I'm here to collect your signed documents."
Seijuro straightened in his seat, giving the servant a tired but polite nod. "Ah, yes. Here you go." He handed over the stack of papers he had painstakingly reviewed, stamped, and signed.
The servant bowed again and left, leaving Seijuro alone with his thoughts. He leaned back in his chair, staring up at the ceiling. The weight of his responsibilities was evident, but he couldn't help but feel a small sense of accomplishment.
"Well, that's done. Now, what's the next step in my plan?"
His progress so far has been good. He had grown closer to Satoru, a crucial part of his strategy, and hired Toji as a bodyguard, ensuring an unconventional but powerful ally. Yet there was still much to do. Two paths lay before him, each fraught with its challenges.
"It's either I find Suguru Geto or Kaori Itadori next..." he mused aloud, tapping his fingers rhythmically on the desk.
If he sought out Geto, he could strengthen his connection with Satoru and prevent Geto's descent into madness. By introducing Geto and Satoru earlier, they might bond faster and form a deeper camaraderie.
With Toji in the picture, he could create an environment where Geto felt supported enough to avoid falling into the nihilism and hatred that plagued his character in the original timeline.
"Geto's cursed technique potential is insane," Seijuro muttered, leaning forward. "If I can guide him, this version of Geto could be stronger, sharper... better."
On the other hand, Kaori Itadori presented a more urgent dilemma. Kaori's death and subsequent possession by Kenjaku set off a chain of events leading to Yuuji's birth. Preventing her death could be pivotal, but it was a double-edged sword. If Kaori didn't die, Kenjaku wouldn't take over her body. But what if Kenjaku was the reason she met Jin Itadori, Yuuji's father? Without Kenjaku's interference, would Yuuji even be born?
Seijuro massaged his temples, his frustration mounting. "Ugh, this is a nightmare," he groaned. The thought of Yuuji not existing made his stomach churn. Yuuji was the protagonist, and Seijuro knew how vital he was to the future.
But Kaori's death was an event shrouded in uncertainty. He had no timeline, no location—only the knowledge that she would eventually die. If he didn't act quickly, Kenjaku might find her first.
"That settles it," he muttered decisively. "I'll focus on finding Kaori first."
The reasoning was simple. Information about Kaori was scarce, and finding her before Kenjaku did was a priority. Geto, on the other hand, was safe for now. Kenjaku wouldn't kill him before Kaori's death, and as long as Kaori lived, Geto's eventual demise could be postponed or even prevented.
But then another troubling thought surfaced, sending a chill down Seijuro's spine. "What if the only reason Kaori and Jin had Yuuji was because Kenjaku orchestrated their meeting?" he muttered, his eyes widening. "If I stop Kenjaku... does Yuuji even happen?"
He buried his face in his hands, groaning in frustration. "This is so much more complicated than I thought..."
But the thought of Yuuji being erased motivated him. If he could prevent Kaori's death and still ensure her relationship with Jin, perhaps Yuuji's existence could be safeguarded.
A sly grin crossed his face as an idea formed. "If it comes to that, I'll just... matchmake them myself. Yeah, that's it!" He laughed softly, the absurdity of his plan not lost on him.
"Kaori Itadori, you're next," he said, determination lighting up his crimson eyes.
"Who's next?"
"Gah!"
Seijuro nearly jumped out of his seat at the sudden voice. He whirled around to find Toji standing in the doorway, his usual smirk plastered on his face.
Seijuro's eyes widened. 'Crap, if he's here, then how much did he hear?!'
His thoughts raced, but he quickly masked his panic, taking a deep breath to calm himself.
"How long were you standing there?" Seijuro asked, his tone casual but edged with suspicion.
Toji shrugged lazily. "Only now when you said, 'Who's next?'" he replied, leaning against the doorframe.
Seijuro let out a quiet sigh of relief. "Ah, I see..."
Toji's smirk grew wider, his sharp eyes gleaming with amusement. "You know," he said, "I always thought jujutsu sorcerers were crazy, but you? You're just ridiculously crazy."
Seijuro shot him a flat look, unamused. "Thanks for the vote of confidence, Toji," he said dryly before standing up and gathering his things. "Anyway, I'm heading out."
"Where are you going?" Toji asked, his smirk fading slightly, replaced by mild curiosity.
Seijuro adjusted his yukata and turned to face him. "I'm going to Miyagi. I need to look for someone."
Toji raised an eyebrow. "Miyagi? That far? Who exactly are you looking for?"
Seijuro paused at the door, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Just... someone I'm interested in."
Before Toji could press further, Seijuro opened the door and stepped out, leaving the room. His footsteps echoed down the hall as he disappeared.
Toji remained where he was, scratching the back of his head. "Someone he's interested in, huh?" he muttered, leaning against the desk. His smirk returned as a naughty thought crossed his mind. "Oh, looks like the kid's gonna have a mom soon."
He chuckled, shaking his head. "Seijuro's full of surprises."
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Seijuro walked down the quiet hallways of the Gojo compound, his footsteps light against the wooden floor as he made his way to Satoru's room. He slid the shoji door open but was met with a space.
"Huh, where is he?" Seijuro muttered, furrowing his brows.
He closed the door and turned toward the temporary training area. As he approached, he could sense a faint pulse of cursed energy emanating from within. When he peeked in, he saw Satoru sitting cross-legged on the ground, eyes closed, his young face set in deep concentration.
Seijuro couldn't help but smile. The sight of his son training so diligently filled him with pride. That kid never stops working hard.
"Satoru!" Seijuro called.
Satoru's eyes snapped open, and his head turned toward the voice. His face immediately lit up when he saw his father.
"Father!" Satoru stood up quickly, brushing the dirt off his clothes as he walked toward Seijuro.
Seijuro knelt at Satoru's level, smiling as he reached out and ruffled the boy's white hair. Satoru leaned into the gesture, a soft, shy smile forming on his lips.
"Satoru, I'm going to Sendai City in Miyagi," Seijuro began. "There's someone I need to look for."
Satoru's eyes widened in surprise. His curiosity was evident, but so was his hesitation. 'Father's looking for someone? Then... who is it?' he thought.
"Who is it, Father?" Satoru asked, tilting his head slightly.
Seijuro smirked, tapping Satoru lightly on the forehead. "That's a secret!" he teased, ruffling his hair again.
The boy's smile widened despite himself, enjoying the rare warmth from his father.
"I'll be gone for about... a week," Seijuro continued, though his voice grew slightly uncertain. "That's my best guess, anyway."
At those words, Satoru's face fell slightly, his smile fading into a look of sadness. "A week..." he muttered softly.
Seijuro immediately noticed the change in his son's expression. He smiled gently and placed a reassuring hand on Satoru's shoulder. "Don't be sad, Satoru," he said warmly. "I'll bring back desserts and local snacks when I return. How does that sound?"
Satoru's head shot up, his blue eyes wide with surprise. "R-Really?!" he asked, a flicker of excitement breaking through his sadness.
"Of course," Seijuro said with a grin. "You know I always keep my promises."
Satoru's face broke into a radiant smile. "Thanks, Dad!" he exclaimed, his voice brimming with happiness.
Seijuro froze for a brief moment. 'Dad,' he thought.
The word felt much warmer and closer than the usual "Father." It wasn't just a term but a sign of how far their bond had come.
'Maybe I've finally done it,' Seijuro thought, his heart swelling with pride and relief. Maybe I've finally broken that wall between us.
He smiled softly at Satoru, ruffling his hair once more. "Be good while I'm gone, okay? And make sure to keep training."
Satoru nodded eagerly. "I will, Dad!" he said, his voice filled with determination.
As Seijuro stood and prepared to leave, he glanced back at Satoru one last time. The sight of his son, smiling so brightly, filled him with a renewed sense of purpose. He had made progress here, and now it was time to tackle the next challenge.
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Author's Notes:
If yall notice any wrong info, feel free to tell me 'cus why not?
Also, there would be a huge reveal at Chapter 22 on why Seijuro has red eyes. 👀👀