Chapter 24
Meanwhile…
Theo was kept on his toes.
He had gone back to the school on a whim, not realizing the other students who had gone before also returned. "There's just a familiarity about this place, it feels like the domain…" he heard one of them say.
"Yeah, it's… oddly comforting" said another.
He agreed with everything they have said so far. As such, they keep coming back out of curiosity but also, to see if perhaps they can become stronger. It's one thing to be trained in the domain, it's another to have someone help gauge your power. Theo and the others had left the same year that Sukuna had entered, but he was not willing to offer any sort of help.
Yet they always remembered what Tooru sensei said. 'Your technique is yours to master as well as discover. You have the basic knowledge, but it is on you to expand it. Depending on how much you want to grow as a sorcerer, will depend on how much stronger your technique becomes'
Yet, since then, he has yet to improve on his concept. Theo knows he has a magnetic technique, but it's not too useful in battles as of yet.
Today, he was demonstrating it before one of the elders. Relian was observing him as he used his curse energy when his eyes widened. "HOLD IT!" he called.
Theo stopped, sweat was pouring down his face. For he was in the middle of a demonstration. Before him were two large metal beams, Relian learned of his technique and wanted it tested, he was to try and bend the bars close together, but has yet to even make the metal flinch… that is until now.
He heard the moaning coming from the steel. That's when Relian told him to stop.
When Theo looked, he saw the beams bending in just slightly. "Whoa… I… I haven't been able to do that yet!" he said proudly.
Relian was silent as he walked around the beams but nodded. "You have yet to find use for this huh?" he asked bluntly.
"Well… taking into consideration my surroundings. I worry I would do more damage than good."
"Self awareness… that's rare in a sorcerer. Many are more determined to end a threat than to worry about their surroundings, you know… before the faster the results, the better… despite the losses in between. But I am thrilled to see you take this seriously!" Relian said.
"But, what do you think would be a good method for me to use my technique?" Theo asked. "I've been trying and have even contacted my old sensei about it."
Relian smiled to him. "You already figured it out, didn't you?" he asked with a smile on his lips. "Take into consideration your short coming. You need your shortcoming to gauge your growth. Now we have identified the problem, we need to think of a sound solution to benefit you. Let's take a few hours to think about it, but rest on it."
Theo nodded in agreement.
They were leaving the spar room when Theo froze at the sight.
Why are there representatives of the three great families in the hall?
#
Roark kept himself hidden, but listened.
"Why are you here? You're not Zen'ins!"
"Besides, I thought they were kicked out of the council, weren't they?"
"I don't have to answer to you" The young man who represented the Zen'in has no curse energy. In fact, the whole clan now has become heavenly restricted users. Something Roark never thought he would see, but, he also knows they are not Zen'ins by blood.
Something must have happened to that clan.
But the Gojos and Kamos are the same as ever.
With a sigh. Roark stepped out and revealed himself. "Greetings to the three great families!" he called and lowered his head. "If you will come with me, we will get started in explaining this meeting."
No one moved in the hallway. "Who the hell are you?" demanded someone from the Kamo clan.
"Kashimo" he said bluntly. "Now, we're losing day light, follow me." He ordered. When none did so, he surged a little to make a point. Just enough to show he wasn't trying, but it was more than enough to deal with them.
They got the message.
Roark led them to a meeting room, they sat at a round table and there was more than enough room for the three families and those who accompanied them. Yet, there was something off about all three.
'Did the three great families fall at one point? I see the Zen'ins are rebuilding but in the opposite direction of their beliefs…' Roark thought.
"So… Kashimo… what is this about?" asked an elder from the Gojo clan.
He stood up. "To put it bluntly, I am one of the new members of the elders of jujutsu society." He said.
"WHAT! WHO DARE PUT YOU IN CHARGE YOU NOBODY!"
"Typical Gojos…" he sighed. "I have been selected by the government after the last council and elders ordered an attack on Yua Tooru who was of no threat to the land nor the people at the time." he explained. "We have been acknowledged by said government, so we have come to this point and introduce ourselves to the likes of you. As you can see there is no covering, I am not hiding behind a paper wall. I also want the families to know they can approach us and speak with us on matters of concern and if need be of help…"
"Bullshit" came out of the Kamo clan.
He turned and glared at them. "Gentlemen… just so we are perfectly clear… I am FULLY aware of everything that has happened in the past few years between the clans… With the exception of the Zen'ins. I do know that the Kamos have answered to Kenjaku, the sorcerer behind the culling games and bringing Sukuna into the present time. I am aware that the Gojo clan is planning on assassinating a member of their own family since they have no curse energy. You are also in a lurch since your strongest member does not answer your calls nor your clan's ambitions." He said bluntly.
There was silence from the clans.
"So, as such, I want to start a new. Clean slate, but that depends on you. Will you acknowledge this change of the elders? Or are you going to resist us? If you choose not to follow, that's fine, so be it. But your prestige as 'a great family' means absolutely nothing to us. We will help if you need help, but if you think just because your clans names are cemented in history, doesn't not guarantee a place in our society"
"Are you saying, you're claiming to be better than us?" asked a Zen'in. Yet the tone spoken wasn't spiteful or anything. It was curious question.
"No, I never claim such a thing. I just ask that if you wish to be heard in jujutsu society, we need to have a level of respect between both parties. As such. Please listen to what we have to say, and we will hear what you have to say."
"Why are the monkeys here?" muttered a Gojo.
"The same reason why a dipshit is." Roark snapped back. It got the Zen'ins to laugh. "Now, if you wish to hear more, please remain seated, if you don't care to what I have to say, you are welcome to leave."
He predicted that all three would walk out, yet, he was impressed to see the Zen'ins still in their seats. "You wish to hear me out?" he asked.
"I am curious, since not many sorcerers speak this way. You can call me Ghost"
Roark nodded and lowered his head. "Now, let me explain…" he went into detail how he wants to have a network of sorcerers cooperate together to keep the cities safe, at the same time he understands that the Zen'ins have heavenly restricted and may have some limitations, but not a lot. "We need to see what weapons you can carry out in public… then again, I should get my niece on this…"
"Niece, sir?"
"Her technique, she can make curse tools out of everyday objects. If we have something small, portable and usable for the Zen'ins to use it would make it easier to hunt…"
Ghost was stunned as were those who came with him.
"You wish to collaborate?" Ghost asked. "We can make weapons too…"
Roark paused. "Oh? Then please, let me introduce my niece to you all, I think we can outfit your whole clan!"
Ghost was stunned at this point, in fact, he looked to the others who were with him, and they appeared just as astonished. "Why does he remind me of Tooru sensei!?" Ghost finally said aloud.
Roark froze once more. Anyone who mentions his daughter, he tends to freeze up. But he can't show his hand, the rules of the contract… he has to bide his time.
'Get everything set up first so no one comes after Yua and the family again. Then. Find her' he thought to himself. He has to be certain his daughter will be protected this time around, he cannot blow this for her.
"What do you think, gentlemen? And if you have any women who are just like you and are well seasoned in combat, we would like to outfit their weapons as well." He decreed.
Ghost sighed. "As much as I would like to agree to this, I have to contact the family head. I am merely in charge when they are not at the clan residence, but I am rather convinced on this."
Roark nodded. "They are more than welcome to come and meet me as well, please extend an invitation on my behalf?"
They agreed to do so and also agreed to come back within a week's time to speak to his niece on weapons.
When they left, Roark paused, but smiled. Shaking his head he didn't realize the influence his daughter had. "That the second time they speak of you by name… what else have you accomplished my child?" he wondered aloud.
But first things first. He has to ensure this council and the elders are established and set the tone for all others. Then. His daughter can live peacefully…