[I'll only say this once and won't bring it up again: the protagonist isn't a normal person. The absence of familial affection and the influence of his families of origin across both lives have had a profound impact on him. Essentially, ordinary people would consider both him and Sato "patients," just with different conditions.]
[Not everyone can understand or empathize with the absence of familial affection and problems stemming from one's family of origin. I'm well aware of that.]
He was indeed pleasantly surprised by Tan Man's strength, but he also worried that his son's reckless actions would bring trouble to the Zenin Clan.
From Naobito Zenin's perspective, many things couldn't be done openly. They required either a legitimate justification or a covert approach.
Besides being Tan Man's father, Naobito Zenin was also the head of the Zenin Clan. As his son, many of Tan Man's actions would be interpreted as expressions of the clan's will.
Although his memories of that time felt like a dream, those events had truly happened. Tan Man had no intention of hiding anything from Naobito Zenin, and he spoke calmly.
"I just thought that guy was an eyesore. I'm jealous of what he has. If I killed Satoru Gojo, even if another Six Eyes might be born into the Gojo Clan in the future, they wouldn't be able to surpass the Zenin Clan for at least a few decades, right? And with that achievement, could I earn your recognition and become a candidate for the next clan head?"
Tan Man stared at Naobito Zenin as he earnestly explained himself.
Naobito Zenin looked at Tan Man in shock. This might have been the first time Tan Man had opened up to him about his inner thoughts, and it was also the first time he had expressed a desire to become clan head.
So much so that Naobito Zenin initially overlooked the question of why Tan Man would say that another Six Eyes might be born into the Gojo Clan in the future.
Moreover, Naobito Zenin could sense that Tan Man's wish to become a candidate for the next clan head wasn't an option someone else had planted in his mind, as it was with Naoya. It was a desire born of his own will.
Naobito Zenin truly struggled to understand just how mature this child of his was.
The things he said were almost indistinguishable from what an adult would say.
"..."
Naobito Zenin held Tan Man's Golden Eyes for a while before slowly speaking.
"If I were speaking to Naoya, I certainly wouldn't put it this way. But I think you'll understand." Naobito Zenin paused, then continued, "Remember who you are. You bear the Zenin name, and you're the son of the Zenin Clan's twenty-sixth head. Everything you do can, to some extent, represent the clan's will. So think through the consequences before you indulge yourself!"
Tan Man understood Naobito Zenin's words, taking his earlier attitude toward him into account as well.
Tan Man was fairly certain that Naobito Zenin meant that if he wanted to step out of line, he shouldn't do it under the Zenin Clan's name. That way, his father could turn a blind eye.
Tan Man had never expected Naobito Zenin to let him do whatever he pleased. This warning was already a decent outcome for him. At least he hadn't been confined to the house or placed under stricter surveillance.
Tan Man nodded in agreement, but he still couldn't help asking.
"So what happened after that banquet?"
Naobito Zenin still didn't explain the details to Tan Man. The interests and maneuvering involved were far too complicated to sum up in a few sentences.
Besides, they would need more time to observe the Gojo Clan's subsequent response.
After all, if Satoru Gojo, the divine child with the Six Eyes, ultimately couldn't have his severed right arm healed, they would never let the matter rest. What they would face then would be nothing as mild as a sparring match between members of the younger generation.
Even if Tan Man's intelligence far surpassed that of his peers, these weren't things he needed to know at this stage.
Naobito Zenin said evenly, "With the Gojo Clan's resources, finding someone to heal an injury of that degree won't be a problem. You don't need to dwell on it. Starting tomorrow, you won't attend Kukuri's training. You'll train with Akari all day instead."
With that, Naobito Zenin left without lingering. Having confirmed that Tan Man was all right, he didn't send the servants back either. Assigning people to this unusual son of his would only cause more trouble.
This was also Naobito Zenin's way of supporting him. Given what he had guessed about how Tan Man grew stronger, it wouldn't be appropriate for him to help in person.
He also knew about the dirty work Toji did outside the clan. Pairing him with Tan Man had inadvertently created the most suitable combination.
As Naobito Zenin was leaving, he happened to run into Toji, who had come to see Tan Man.
As they passed each other, Naobito Zenin asked evenly.
"He only just woke up. You're not planning to take him out, are you?"
Toji understood what Naobito Zenin meant. Though he hadn't said it outright, he was expressing concern for Tan Man.
But Naobito Zenin wasn't the only one who cared whether Tan Man lived or died. Toji smiled and answered casually.
"Don't worry. I just came to give him a little present."
Though Naobito Zenin had questions when he heard that, he didn't press the matter and simply left.
Seeing that Tan Man had already gotten out of bed, Toji took the gift he had prepared from inside his kimono and tossed it over as he spoke.
"You little bastard. I didn't think you'd actually come close to killing that Six Eyes brat. If you could pull that off, you should've told me sooner. I'd have held off that old man from the Gojo Clan for you. The Six Eyes' head is worth quite a bit of money."
Tan Man could tell that this was probably a joke only Toji would make. Actually killing the Six Eyes with such a crude plan would have caused an earth-shattering uproar. Collecting the bounty would hardly have been that easy.
Tan Man caught the somewhat weighty cloth bundle and asked in confusion.
"What is this?"
"What else would it be? The present you asked me for last time."
Tan Man slowly unwrapped the bundle. Inside, he found a Glock 17 that looked to be in fairly good condition and two magazines.
Thanks to the Glock's light weight, Tan Man could easily handle it while strengthening himself with cursed energy.
Tan Man couldn't help saying, "Thanks. This is probably the best present I've ever received..."
Before you continue