It was well over a thousand years ago, before Sukuna and before the council even became what it is in jujutsu society.
In fact, that day he remembered quite well.
It was the gathering of some of the strongest sorcerers at the time in Japan. Kenjaku was merely there to observe at the time, but he knew there was something more to this gathering that what it appeared to be.
No one here was fighting.
That was his first clue.
In that era, there were plenty of sorcerers, however more often than not, when they found another like themselves, fights would break out. Sometimes war depending on the size of the clans in battle. Yet there was this one that he kept an eye on. Since he has heard rumors.
"We are here today to announce the forming of council of jujutsu. For all parties here have agreed to temporary truce in hopes an equal council can be made, ideas are heard and sorcerers are listened to." One announced.
He was a rather strong looking sorcerer… but he didn't have curse energy.
Instantly, they scuffed at his comments.
"We don't listen to lesser beings like you," one said defiantly. "Who even gives you the right to speak now? You are but a monkey compared to us!"
The large sorcerer peered over at the one who ran his mouth. He merely smiled. "Yes, a monkey… that's what your father said to me too… I take it you found his body then?"
Instantly, he froze.
"How did you…"
"He came after my clan first, needless to say, I don't appreciate those who try and strike my family down when we have done no wrong, nor have we offended anyone from your clan… your father was searching for a fight. I gave him what he wanted, Death was a bonus."
He spoke so fearlessly, in fact the other sorcerers froze to his words as be bluntly admitted to killing someone before them.
It wasn't uncommon though.
Yet, why did that young man go pale learning of his father's death just now?
But that wasn't the only odd sight, behind this brash sorcerer… well… monkey now, was a woman. She kept silent but was looking and observing everything.
"You killed his father? Why would you even admit to that!" another shouted.
"Because, I don't like to hold up progress here. I know of his clan too, Inoshishi, right? That was the clan name you were given. Your father was looking to raise its prestige, but he picked the wrong clan to attempt such a thing on…"
"What clan do you speak for?" Kenjaku asked aloud.
He got everyone's attention, but the one who speaks brashly, stared at him oddly.
"Tooru" he said in a blunt tone. "But who are you? Why are you here? You are not among the clans invited nor acknowledged."
Kenjaku merely smiled. "I represent no clan, but stand on my own, may I be permitted to stay?"
"No," Tooru said bluntly.
"Why not, he has power!" protested the youth from the Inoshishi clan.
Tooru continued to stare at him, without breaking eye contact. "I am certain he does, I can sense it from here. But from my perspective, he may have a face one can trust, but he certainly does not embody it."
He felt the heart race in his shell.
Did Tooru just call him out?!
His technique has been perfect.
Kenjaku spent years ensuring no one could see the stitching across his brow, no other sorcerer has seen it either, and yet this monkey…
But he paused, froze even as the woman behind the Tooru, smirked, her finger suddenly traced along her own brow…
SHE is calling him out on it too!
He sneered at the moment, however the other clans allowed him to stay since he was powerful enough and was acknowledge so.
"We need a impartial council to enforce rules and regulations among those who have jujutsu, for at the moment, we are causing a lot more harm than good among the humans…"
"You cannot speak!"
Tooru paused. "Ah, you must be from the Akuma clan, correct? Why can I not speak?"
"You are no sorcerer! You have no curse energy!"
Tooru, merely smiled to him. "Keep telling yourself that, and I can promise you, you don't want to find out otherwise. Now, let's continue. We need to have a council in place in case there are feuds among sorcerers, as well, we should use this power to assist the humans who cannot see these curses that roam about…"
"Who said you dictate what happens?" Kenjaku asked aloud.
The other clans murmured in agreement to him. If anything, it was his way in to the fold.
Tooru however remained unmoved and fearless to the question. "I am not dictating what is happening, I merely stay aloud that we should consider among ourselves. I speak these ideas aloud for everyone here wishes to express their ideas too, however, most, no doubt favor their own. I speak on a notion that everyone could perhaps agree upon. For the council notion, I suggest we take the wisest among each clan and have them sit on said council and include three outsiders to ensure fairness."
The murmurs of interest grew loud to this idea.
"So, use your own family to push your agenda?" Kenjaku asked.
"No, to forge agreements and peace among the sorcerers. We are killing each other for what? A little glory? A new name perhaps? I am sick of the attacks upon my clan, I am disgusted with the notion that children are free game if such an attack happens. There is also no sense of justice for those who lose a loved one in cold blood…"
"Like my father?" snapped the youth.
Tooru glared at him. "I did not seek him out to kill him, he sought my clan to do just that. His death is on his head, not my hands."
"This all seems too far fetched for me to believe." Kenjaku said as he waved off on the notion. "After all, who could or would agree to such an idea? Everyone here has desires they want fulfilled, being joined at a council, in hopes of peace will dash and destroy many of them. This all seems rather… convenient to me."
"You weren't invited and yet, you believe you speak for everyone here?" Tooru asked.
If there was one thing he was good at, Kenjaku knew how to sway likeminded fools in his favor.
"You apparently do." He decreed. "You speak of peace, but who among your company doesn't want peace? Have you asked them? They enjoy things the way they are!"
He peered about and saw some clans nod in agreement. "Yeah, we LOVE to battle! If there is peace, there's nothing to do!" called the strongest member of the Okami clan. "We LOVE to fight…"
"More than aware of that," Tooru muttered. "And yet, how many from your clan remain?"
"Tch…" came out a few of those who wished for war.
In truth, those who craved battle, never considered the loss of life adding up. In fact, in twenty years, the clans who attended the meeting, nearly all died out.
"Perhaps the idea isn't too far fetched then." Kenjaku announced.
Suddenly, people appeared confused. Tooru appeared more on guard than usual. "You agree with me despite arguing the notion earlier?" he asked out of curiosity.
"I apologize, I just wished to see everyone's resolve on the matter and where they stand. You have a better notion of that now, do you not?"
Tooru was silent, but he agreed on the aspect of what was said. "There is now a base to build upon, it's no longer being forged on sandy ground. We can lay foundation and begin this notion of becoming a council. Those who are against it can consider their options and what is best for their clans. Those who agree can be inspired to bring their ideas forward now without worry of being mock or scorn."
The people around him nodded and smiled with agreement.
In reality, the idea of a council became perfect in Kenjaku's mind, since it would be easier to control them this way too…