The Zenin Family's "Goodwill"

Maki narrowed her eyes and tilted her head up slightly, enjoying her Older Brother's gentle petting. It was a warmth she could never experience from her father.

At that moment, a middle-aged man walked into the courtyard without any hesitation.

He glanced at Maki and Mai, a hint of mockery flashing in his eyes. He thought to himself, It's amusing how trash attracts trash.

"What do you want?"

Shinsuke Zenin stared at the middle-aged man expressionlessly, his tone icy.

"Is that how you speak to your elders?"

Zenin Shinsuke looked at Shinsuke Zenin, attempting to use morality to pressure him from the position of an elder.

"Elder? You think you qualify?"

Shinsuke Zenin sneered. Although they were half-brothers, the other man had had no interaction with him or Toji since birth.

The only contact they'd had was when the other man, along with others, used to mock him and Toji when they were children.

Not only did he not help his own brothers, but he also teamed up with others to step on them.

He'd kick such a brother to the curb even if he were given him.

"Hmph, I'm not here to argue with you. I'm here to inform you that starting today, you are a member of the Zenin Family Kugurō Corps. If you perform well, I might even arrange a vice-captain position for you."

Zenin Shinsuke commanded Shinsuke Zenin as if issuing an order, his tone brooking no refusal.

"Although you have no Cursed Energy, your strength is passable. I pleaded with the Family Head to allow you to join the Kugurō Corps. Be grateful to the Zenin Family."

Zenin Shinsuke naturally believed joining the Zenin Family's Kugurō Corps was a glorious thing.

"Kugurō Corps? It's not even the Heian Organization. As always, your standards are too low..."

The Zenin Family's Kugurō Corps was a group of well-trained guards who lacked Cursed Techniques.

On the other hand, the Zenin Family's Heian Organization was composed of Sorcerers of at least Quasi-Grade 1.

If the other party had invited him to join the Heian Organization, he might have thought the Zenin Family regretted their decision. However, even knowing his strength, they only offered him a vice-captain position in the Kugurō Corps to try and win him over. This inexplicably made him want to laugh.

"Get lost. You're an eyesore."

Shinsuke Zenin couldn't be bothered to look at him.

"You! Don't forget, the place you're living in now is still Zenin Family property!"

Zenin Shinsuke hadn't expected that even after he'd compromised, the other party still wouldn't appreciate it.

Considering that the Zenin Family was making concessions to someone without Cursed Energy or a Cursed Technique, it was probably the first time in history.

"So what? If you have the guts, come and take it back."

Shinsuke Zenin wouldn't be angered into returning the house just because of a few words from the other party.

He had obtained it through his own abilities, so why should he return it?

It was already merciful of him not to have stolen the entire Zenin Family.

"Simply unreasonable!"

Zenin Shinsuke's face turned red with anger at Shinsuke Zenin's attitude. He flicked his sleeves and left.

He had shown sincerity, yet the other party still refused to appreciate it. He really was a useless trash without Cursed Energy, and his brain was also problematic.

Zenin Shinsuke thought to himself.

"Older Brother, is he okay?"

Mai scratched her head, looking at the furious Zenin Shinsuke leaving. She couldn't understand why his face had suddenly turned so red. Was he embarrassed?

"His brain is messed up. Let's not mind him. Remember to run far away next time you meet people like that. Bad brains are contagious."

"Got it, Older Brother! Mai doesn't want to become stupid!"

Hearing this, Shinsuke Zenin nodded with satisfaction.

Given how obedient and sensible Mai was, he would definitely look out for her in the future.

Then, looking at Maki, who was completely engrossed in her training and oblivious to what had happened, Shinsuke Zenin remembered something and called out:

"Maki, come here."

"Phew..."

Maki casually wiped the sweat from her brow and jogged over, her expression serious. "Master, what is it?"

"Calling me Older Brother 'Master' again. Older Sister, have you forgotten that you haven't been taken on as a disciple by Older Brother yet?"

Mai kindly reminded her from the side.

Maki didn't seem to care. "Calling you now or later is all the same."

"Ahem, alright, let's not discuss these meaningless topics."

Shinsuke Zenin interrupted their conversation.

"Maki, after observing you for a long time, I believe you have great potential. Starting today, you will learn the use of weapons from me."

He couldn't teach her Bloodline Power yet, but becoming proficient with weapons was also important before her body met the requirements.

"Really?!"

Maki's eyes widened instantly at his words, her face full of disbelief. Was she finally going to learn something good?

"Of course it's true. If you want to be my disciple, mastering the use of various weapons is essential."

"That's great! Can I skip school tomorrow and learn with you directly, Master?"

Maki was incredibly excited, so much so that she lost all composure. To become stronger, she was even willing to play hooky.

"No, you still need to go to school. Do you want to be illiterate?"

She needed to at least be able to read, right?

"...Oh, alright."

Maki crossed her arms, pouting slightly, clearly unhappy. She didn't understand what was so good about school, filled with brats. Training was much more fun.

Maki, standing nearby, breathed a sigh of relief. If her Older Sister wasn't going to school, then neither would she.

Meanwhile.

Inside the Zenin Family, Zenin Zenichi, who had returned defeated, angrily informed everyone of Zenin Shinsuke's actions.

"He's just a good-for-nothing with no Cursed Energy, how dare he be so arrogant!"

"Heh, maybe he killed a few Cursed Spirits with cursed tools and got a little famous, so now he thinks he's a Jujutsu Sorcerer."

Senlyu Zenin chimed in.

He was just a bit stronger physically; anyone could easily reach that level.

He looked down on the useless, especially his two daughters, who were the most useless of the useless. If it weren't for them, the position of Family Head wouldn't have fallen to Naobito Zenin.

He knew his two useless daughters were close to Zenin Shinsuke, but he didn't care. He even hoped the man would take his two useless daughters away from the Zenin Family.

That way, he'd have fewer stains on his record.

"You call Shinsuke-bro a good-for-nothing? Are you even qualified to say that?"

Zenin Naoya, standing nearby, couldn't stand it and retorted with a cold laugh.

"What do you mean by that?"

Zenin Zenichi and Senlyu Zenin looked at Naoya, frowning.

"Am I wrong? If you have the guts, say he's a good-for-nothing to Shinsuke-bro's face. Do you dare?"

Zenin Naoya showed them no respect.

They couldn't beat the opponent, yet they called him useless and mocked him. How could they be so shameless?

He couldn't understand it. If it were the Maki and Maki sisters, fine, they were truly useless, so mocking them wouldn't matter.

But Shinsuke-bro had already made the Zenin Family pay a heavy price, and these people still hadn't realized their mistakes.

Perhaps these people were the truly useless ones...

"You!"

"Enough, what's all the fuss about? Instead of arguing, you should focus on improving your strength."

Naobito Zenin, drinking his sake, ended the conversation.

"Hmph."

Zenin Zenichi and Senlyu Zenin were somewhat displeased but didn't continue arguing.

Putting aside everything else, their loyalty to the Zenin Family was quite high.