He'll win!

Three months later, Naomitsu learned about the Star Plasma Vessel from Ogi Zenin.

This incident finally dragged him out of his single-minded training.

Over those three months, Naomitsu's cursed energy had slowly grown to [21375]. He had a feeling that this still wasn't his limit.

It was a strange feeling. In theory, a person's cursed energy was fixed at birth. Yet Naomitsu's could multiply with each passing year, defying that rule entirely.

"In a few more years... how much will I have after it doubles? If I have enough cursed energy, I could fight a special grade cursed spirit with Rabbit Escape alone."

The shikigami of the Ten Shadows Technique were never fixed in strength. Their power depended on the caster's cursed energy.

The clearest comparison was the difference between Megumi Fushiguro and Sukuna when they used the Ten Shadows Technique.

If Naomitsu's cursed energy surpassed Ryomen Sukuna's, the shikigami he summoned would naturally be terrifying. At the very least, they would be on an entirely different level from his current ones.

"Toji should be coming soon. I wonder if he'll take the Soul Liberation Blade."

Naomitsu idly handled the Soul Liberation Blade, running his fingers over it. After taking it into battle against cursed spirits for three days and nights last time, he was honestly a little reluctant to part with it.

"Boss! Boss!"

Naoya Zenin came jogging over from outside the bamboo grove in a fluster. He was panting, his face full of excitement.

"Boss, I got some news. You might really be right. That bastard Toji might actually do something like that. Should we report it to the higher-ups?"

As he grew closer to Naomitsu, Naoya Zenin had unconsciously started calling Toji a "bastard" as well.

And ever since Naomitsu had "helped" him get stronger last time, he had truly come to acknowledge Naomitsu. At least for the time being, he had no intention of challenging him.

"Naoya, look behind you..."

Naomitsu's expression froze, but Naoya Zenin didn't believe him at all.

"Boss, how many times have you fooled me with that trick? You think I'd still fall for it? Even if that bastard Toji shows up, I'll make him taste my Projection Fist!"

Naomitsu: "..."

The air went still. Naoya Zenin suddenly noticed a shadow looming over his small frame.

"No way..."

Naoya Zenin mechanically turned his head. Before he could finish speaking, Toji's leg swept him aside like a piece of trash, sending him flying deep into the bamboo grove.

"Haha, Uncle Toji. Long time no see." Naomitsu greeted him with a hollow smile.

"Kid, I'm going to make some money. Want to come along?"

Naomitsu shook his head. He had no interest in risking his life for money. He had no children to support, no need to gamble his life on securing their future.

"Take the Soul Liberation Blade if you need it. Our agreement still stands. As long as I'm here, no one will bully him."

Toji grinned and planted his palm on Naomitsu's head.

"Kid! Don't you hate me? Do you think I'd trust someone like you?"

Naomitsu shrugged. "This clan isn't a good choice for your son, but what else can you do for him?

"With me here, he'll have someone with the same innate cursed technique. We're the same kind of person. Even if the clan wants to use us, I'll be their first choice."

One tall and one short, the two stared at each other. Toji Fushiguro dropped the Soul Liberation Blade, abandoning the idea of taking it with him.

"You should take it anyway. I don't need a cursed tool. But without the Soul Liberation Blade, things might not be so easy for you."

Toji didn't turn back, leaving Naomitsu with only the sight of his retreating back. Only once he was far away did his cocky voice drift over.

"Don't underestimate me, kid."

Naomitsu pulled the Soul Liberation Blade out of the ground, shook his head, and put it away. He spoke one last time to Toji's retreating figure.

"Toji, rest in peace."

Only after Toji had disappeared into the distance did Naoya Zenin slowly emerge, rubbing his lower abdomen.

"Has that bas... has Toji left?"

Watching Naoya Zenin glance nervously around, Naomitsu nodded to reassure him.

That kick from Toji had nearly shattered Naoya Zenin's confidence. It had been far too fast, and with Toji having no cursed energy, he hadn't noticed him at all.

"Boss, this mission... will he win?"

Naomitsu fell silent for a moment, uncertain. But remembering Toji's confidence before he left, a smile returned to his lips.

"He'll win!"

Naoya Zenin only half understood. He felt that someone as powerful as Toji probably wouldn't fail. But if he succeeded, the Three Great Families would lose far too much face.

As the future head of the Zenin Clan, he felt a little embarrassed too.

"Forget it. Let's keep training."

Training was tedious and drawn-out, and Naoya Zenin made an excellent whetstone. As Naomitsu fought him, he quickly became engrossed and lost track of time.

Three days later, Naomitsu and Naoya Zenin lay on the grass in the valley. This was the relaxing break they enjoyed every day after sparring.

"My little sister made this tempura!"

The two sampled the snacks as they admired the sunset. Behind Naomitsu, Mai puffed out her cheeks, upset that Naoya Zenin was eating the lunch she had made herself.

Bad Mitsu-chan! How dare you let that jerk eat what I spent all afternoon making!

Aaah! Damn it! Damn it!

On the grass, after finishing the tempura, Naomitsu felt a little melancholy. The outcome of Toji Fushiguro's mission had arrived.

"Boss, that bastard Toji won. He really killed the Star Plasma Vessel, but Satoru Gojo killed him too."

Though Naomitsu had expected it all along, he still felt a pang of emotion. Losing the Soul Liberation Blade really hadn't affected Toji much.

Even the course of the plot had remained more or less the same.

But because Toji had made an agreement with Naomitsu, the final scene where he entrusted his son to Satoru Gojo hadn't happened.

In other words, Tsumiki Fushiguro and Megumi Fushiguro would soon be sent to the Zenin Clan.

"What else did you find out?"

As though something had occurred to him, Naoya Zenin clicked his tongue. In an awed voice, he began describing how Toji had died.

"That Satoru Gojo is a real monster! That old bastard Toji had already killed him! But he got lucky and awakened Reverse Cursed Technique! He even developed a new move!"

To Naoya Zenin, Toji was already an utterly terrifying presence. He had never imagined that Satoru Gojo could kill him.

"Hollow Purple..."

"Huh? You know about it too, boss? That's a move only someone from the Gojo Clan can pull off! The Six Eyes combined with the innate cursed technique, Limitless," Naoya Zenin said in surprise.

Naomitsu nodded. "But no matter how strong a jujutsu sorcerer is, they eventually hit a ceiling. I can surpass that limit."

Naoya Zenin took that as nothing more than Naomitsu boasting.

"Boss! You're not planning to avenge Toji, are you? We're no match for Satoru Gojo!"

Naomitsu stood and stretched. The sun was about to set, and it was time to head home.

He dusted off his backside, then ruffled Naoya Zenin's hair.

"Stop imagining things. Your boss wants to live a little longer. I'll leave Satoru Gojo for you to deal with in the future."

"Boss! What the hell are you talking about? How could I possibly beat Satoru Gojo!"

Beneath the setting sun, their shadows stretched farther and farther. Holding the lunchbox, Mai followed silently behind them.