As Tan Man unleashed Sanghata Hell, a black-flame boulder almost as large as Naoya instantly appeared. Its counterpart was fixed to the ground near Toji.
The essence of the Sanghata Hell technique was to make two black-flame boulders from Sanghata Hell close in and collide.
When Tan Man had fought Naobito Zenin, the two black-flame boulders had accelerated toward each other with Naobito Zenin at their center.
But this time, the boulder beside Toji was fixed in place, so Naoya was carried along by the other black-flame boulder and slammed toward it.
At the critical moment, just before the black-flame boulders closed completely and collided, inflicting devastating injuries on Naoya, Toji stepped in.
Before the black-flame boulder could crush Naoya flat, he grabbed him and hauled him out.
As the black-flame boulders collided with a thunderous crash, he gave Naoya a forceful shake, extinguishing the black flames clinging to him and keeping the courtyard from being stained with blood.
Toji had not saved Naoya because he had any affection for him.
As an outcast who had spent years being ostracized by the Zenin Clan, he knew all too well how terrible Tan Man's situation would become if Naoya had been crushed to death.
Even if killing Naoya could demonstrate just how outstanding Tan Man's technique was as a source of "strength."
Killing the older brother who had been the most likely to inherit leadership of the Zenin Clan would only make Tan Man's already poor "reputation" even worse.
Toji had actually acted for Tan Man's sake. Tan Man had yet to fulfill his promise to him.
At least until then, Toji could not allow anything to happen to him.
It was not that Tan Man failed to understand all this. He had simply failed to keep his reason in check after realizing that Naobito Zenin was openly treating him as a disposable pawn.
Ultimately, Tan Man was only human, and no human could ever avoid being swayed by emotion.
The restraint Tan Man had shown from his previous life until now did not mean he could endure these painful emotions. Unable to change anything, he had no choice but to passively bear them.
Carrying the unconscious Naoya, Toji walked toward the grim-faced Naobito Zenin. As he passed Tan Man, he spoke softly.
"You went too far. You owe me one for this."
Under the crowd's varied gazes, he casually tossed Naoya down in front of Naobito Zenin and left as though nothing had happened.
Naobito Zenin looked down at Naoya, his expression shifting.
Had I rushed the arrangements after all?
Naobito Zenin had originally believed that, with the "strategy guide" he had given Naoya, Naoya's current abilities should have been enough to win the match easily.
With Tan Man's frail body, a single hit from Naoya would have left him completely unable to continue fighting.
Naobito Zenin had some idea of what had caused Naoya's defeat: the ability that had frightened Naoya the day before.
Only that ability could explain why Naoya's attack had eerily stopped in midair before touching Tan Man.
With his back to the crowd, Tan Man composed his expression, then walked up to Naobito Zenin and asked respectfully.
"Clan Head, have I demonstrated sufficient value?"
This time, Naobito Zenin did not ask Tan Man to address him differently. Clearly, he had not realized what it meant for Tan Man to call him "Clan Head," either.
Rather than answering Tan Man directly, Naobito Zenin swept his gaze over the senior members of the Zenin Clan beside him.
Jinichi nodded slightly. Ogi offered no response and merely stared at Tan Man. Several captains from Hei and Akari also nodded slightly. The remaining elders gave no clear indication, but at least none showed any displeasure toward Tan Man.
Even the elders who had backed Naoya wore grave expressions as they privately weighed the changes this outcome would bring.
"..." Naobito Zenin closed his eyes and considered for a moment before answering, "Enough. You may leave now."
Tan Man bowed slightly and respectfully took his leave.
He never learned the outcome of the subsequent discussion about him among the Zenin Clan's senior members, nor did it matter to him anymore. His part in the performance was over.
On the way back to the annex, Hiroya could not help praising him.
"You really are strong, Young Master Tan Man. It's only a matter of time before you join Hei."
After all, in the atmosphere of the Zenin Clan, most lower-ranking members felt little beyond admiration for strength.
Before matters reached the highest levels of power, strength was indeed the most important measure by which the Zenin Clan judged its members.
Tan Man said little at that moment, merely considering where he should begin improving his strength.
His weaknesses in combat were far too obvious. His body was frail, and he had no real close-combat skills. His lack of proficiency with his technique caused excessive cursed energy consumption, and his handling of cursed energy was also extremely crude.
Perhaps I should find a way to get some weapons?
An ordinary dagger or short sword-something he could wield even with his six-year-old body-should be easier to obtain.
If he wanted something more advanced, then he would need a cursed tool.
The different effects that came with each high-grade cursed tool could be remarkably useful in combat.
But cursed tools were much harder to acquire. There was certainly no easy way to obtain one from the Zenin Clan, and if he went through outside channels instead of relying on the clan, the price would be astronomical.
"M-Mr. Toji?" Hiroya stared in surprise at Toji, who stood in the shadows of a room in the annex. His hand instinctively closed around the hilt at his waist.
Toji waved him away impatiently. "Get lost. I'm here for the brat called Tan Man."
Tan Man reached out and lightly patted the back of Hiroya's hand, speaking softly.
"Wait outside for now."
"But..."
Hiroya still hesitated. After all, his job during this time had been to serve as Tan Man's bodyguard.
He could not understand why an outcast like Toji had suddenly come to see Tan Man. If anything happened, there was no way he could stop it with his abilities.
Tan Man fixed him with his Golden Eyes and spoke coldly.
"Know your place!"
"..."
Hiroya fell silent. Tan Man was right. He was merely an ordinary member of Kukuri. What right did he have to question a young master of the Zenin Clan? Even if the order would lead to Tan Man's death, he could not overstep his bounds.
At that thought, cold sweat immediately ran down Hiroya's forehead. He promptly bowed at a ninety-degree angle and shouted in agitation.
"My deepest apologies, Young Master Tan Man!"
Tan Man ignored Hiroya and walked straight toward Toji.
Having watched the entire exchange, Toji once again sensed that peculiar air Tan Man exuded.
Once again, Toji was certain that this was absolutely not something a six-year-old child could display.
It was not as though he had never seen a six-year-old before. Raised as the Zenin Clan's successor, Naoya was already exceptionally precocious. Even so, he fell far short of Tan Man.
Only that made it worth coming specifically to discuss a deal with a six-year-old child. Otherwise, even Toji would have thought he had gone mad.
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