Watching Shunichi's departing figure and feeling the stark difference in treatment, Takuya clenched the hammer in his right hand. A fleeting trace of sorrow flickered in his eyes.
As a member of the Gojo Clan, he understood that such favoritism wasn't right. But even so, he was powerless to change it.
Takuya reached out, ruffling Satoshi's white hair, his deep blue eyes meeting the boy's pale ones. His voice was solemn as he spoke:
"Satoshi, do you understand? The Gojo Clan is like a massive tree. Sorcerers are the trunk, providing strength and stability, while those of us without Jujutsu talent are merely its branches and leaves."
"Only by fulfilling our roles can the Gojo Clan continue to flourish. Cursed Energy and Techniques are determined by fate, no one can change that. From the moment you were born, this was your reality. There's no point in resenting it."
Takuya wanted to ensure Satoshi didn't develop any misguided ambitions.
Even though Satoshi possessed exceptional forging talent, in a world dominated by Jujutsu sorcerers, a Cursed Tool forger's influence was insignificant.
Despite Satoshi and Satoru both being legitimate heirs with the right to compete for the position of clan head, in the end, the one who would truly represent the Gojo Clan could only be Satoru.
Takuya needed Satoshi to recognize this reality.
The Gojo Clan sheltered its members, but in return, those members were bound to follow the clan's rules.
"I understand, Master Takuya."
Satoshi knew that Takuya was saying all of this for his own good. He had never once considered competing with Satoru for anything.
That said, being treated differently still left a bitter taste in his mouth.
"I may not have Cursed Energy, but let's see who ends up stronger in the end."
"The Shinigami Fusion System inside me isn't just for show."
"Once I forge my Zanpakutō and master the four fundamental skills—Zanjutsu, Hakuda, Hohō, and Kidō—becoming a true Shinigami, then even Satoru, the strongest sorcerer, might not be my match."
Takuya suddenly recalled something and said, "Oh, by the way! In a few days, someone from the Zenin Clan will be visiting."
"I heard that their clan has another wielder of Heavenly Restriction. He's of your generation, though slightly older than you."
"I believe his name is Zenin Toji. He should be coming as part of an exchange between young talents."
"Satoshi, you should take this opportunity to interact with him. He's known for having no Cursed Energy, yet his physical prowess is unparalleled. From what I've heard, he's incredibly gifted."
"The Gojo and Zenin Clans are both pillars of the Jujutsu world. You should strive forward as well. Heavenly Restriction isn't a curse, it's an opportunity. As long as you have the determination to grow stronger, nothing can stand in your way!"
Takuya, ever the master of motivational speeches, continued encouraging him.
However, the mention of Zenin Toji made Satoshi's expression subtly shift.
What the hell? Zenin Toji? You really want me to compete with him?
That guy's a monster. Before Satoru fully awakened, he nearly died at his hands! Even Special Grade sorcerers were no match for him.
Even though Satoshi had absolute confidence in his Shinigami Fusion System, hearing Takuya talk about it so lightly still left him feeling a little uneasy.
But since his master had spoken, he had to work hard, at the very least, he couldn't let Takuya down.
"Understood, Master Takuya! I'll do my best."
At this moment, Zenin Toji hadn't yet reached his future Sorcerer Killer status. He hadn't left the Zenin Clan yet, which meant there was still room for a proper exchange between them.
According to the original timeline, apart from Zenin Toji, no one else in the Zenin Clan had the strength to challenge the Gojo Clan.
Among the younger generation, Satoshi couldn't recall any notable figures.
As a Heavenly Restriction wielder, Toji had been completely disregarded by the Zenin Clan.
According to the original events, Toji was the first person to gain fame through Heavenly Restriction alone.
There had been others before him, other carriers of Heavenly Restriction but only Toji was truly exceptional. Before Satoshi's reincarnation, he had been the only individual with zero Cursed Energy.
However, in the future, it was precisely because of Heavenly Restriction's compensation that Toji had become a true Sorcerer Killer.
Looking back at the Gojo Clan, despite being a dominant force in the Jujutsu world, the only real event that had shaped its history was the birth of the Six Eyes.
Aside from Satoru, no other remarkable figures had emerged.
The only genius, Gojo Satoru, had the overwhelming aura of a protagonist, yet in the end, he still got killed.
As someone who had read the original story, Satoshi had always found that outcome unacceptable.
Now that he had been reincarnated into this world, everything was bound to change.
Would Satoru still meet his demise?
And with his knowledge of the future, if he still couldn't become a powerhouse capable of influencing the entire world...
...Then he might as well have let Satoru kill him in the womb.
As Satoshi's gaze gradually hardened with determination, Takuya watched him carefully.
For a brief moment, it felt like he was witnessing the birth of another pillar of the Gojo Clan.
A small smile tugged at the corners of his lips.
"Satoshi, you're also a wielder of the Six Eyes. Your future won't be any less brilliant than Satoru's."
"Come with me to the forge. Show me how much you've improved."
With that, Takuya turned and walked toward the Gojo Clan's forge, the workshop he had dedicated his life to maintaining.
Satoshi, meanwhile, was still reflecting on his recent breakthroughs in forging.
With the Zanpakutō Forging Function about to activate, he wanted to take this chance to see if he could push through and finally begin his career as a Cursed Tool forger.
"Master Takuya, you better be careful!"
Satoshi gripped the iron hammer that Takuya had gifted him when he was three years old, raising it as if preparing to forge.
Takuya snorted. "Hah! Brat, I'm your forging master! Do you really think you can scare me?"
He prided himself on knowing Satoshi's forging skills inside and out.
Yes, Satoshi was exceptionally talented when it came to Cursed Tool forging.
But at the end of the day...
He was still just a six-year-old kid.
Could a six-year-old really forge a Cursed Tool?
That was impossible... right?