The air trembled with a deafening roar, a sound that eclipsed even the mightiest clap of thunder. The echo from the nearby rocks bounced back with an intensity that seemed to shake the very foundations of the earth. Birds erupted from the nearby forest with panicked cawing, momentarily blackening the gray sky with frenzied wings.

Amidst the stark silence that followed, Gojo stood momentarily frozen, with his hand outstretched. The dust slowly settled to reveal… a neat, bare courtyard. Neater and barer than a minute ago, one needed to add. Awed by himself, Gojo blinked and sighed: What self-control, what precision! Instead of unleashing his full destructive power, he had directed a controlled burst of hollow purple energy to eradicate just a single tree instead of the entire mansion and its occupants. He hadn't even known he could do that!

"You asked what I think? That's what I think," turning to Naoya, Gojo found the Zen'in staring at the vacant space where the once-proud tree had stood, his trademark smirk replaced by a look of stunned disbelief. "Don't mention her again. Next time I might miss the tree."

Naoya's head snapped up. With a commanding gesture, the Zen'in quelled any thoughts of retaliation among his followers. It confirmed Gojo's earlier hunch: They weren't seeking to attack; rather, their aim was to goad him into losing control and making the first move.

A close call, but no. If he lost it, he would lose it on his own terms.

Gojo deliberately relaxed his body to stop it from trembling from too much adrenaline, feeling Michizane pressing against his resolve. Not enough power there, bro, he thought, keep trying and failing! Michizane could rage all he wanted, he wouldn't win. One had to give it to the Zen'in brat though, provoking Gojo on the one day in the year the ancestor was close to the surface was a smart and devious move.

Naoya's narrowed eyes assessed Gojo with a newfound intensity. "Well," he began, his voice dripping with restrained aggression, "looks like we should have a little chat after all."

Gojo responded with his characteristic nonchalance, his tone deliberately bratty. "Yes, I could use a drink," he replied and coughed affectedly. "It's very dusty here."

He too was an expert in pushing people's buttons, and in this moment, he needed to push Naoya's buttons harder than Naoya was pushing his. What had he said about Utahime? I do hope she's resting well on your grand estate. That Utahime had to rest and was on the Gojo estate was knowledge the Zen'in shouldn't have.

That could only mean one thing.

"The Zen'ins have a spy on the estate," Gojo quick-thumbed a message to his cousins Ayumi and Ema as he followed Naoya into one of the buildings. "Beware."

He trusted the two, like he did their mother, Aunt Himari. His fifth uncle, their husband and father, had killed himself more than a decade ago after the Zen'ins had identified his weakness for gambling and had systematically destroyed his life. His relatives would know what to do, they had discussed the eventuality before: Find the mole. Use the mole against its employer. Do your worst.

As they entered the wooden building, Gojo pocketed his phone, his mind turning to thoughts of defense and strategy. The warriors stayed outside and his Infinity was formidable, but he knew from past experience that—despite what he once believed—it wasn't invincible. He had taken precautions, sealing the Inverted Spear of Heaven overseas outside of Tengen's barrier years ago, but if there was another tool that could harm him in similar ways, like Miguel's Black Rope, the Zen'ins would stop at nothing to acquire it.

On high alert, Gojo followed Naoya through the corridors and roofed breezeways of the mansion to the Eastern annex. Naoya strutted before him, with a stiff back and heavy steps like he was burning to assert his dominance even while doing something as mundane as walking. What an idiot.

The room they finally entered seemed purposefully designed for hosting guests, with large windows offering panoramic views of a wintery garden and a pond full of floating ice. The Zen'in estate looked and felt eerily similar to the Gojo estate, with its architectural similarities pointing unmistakably to the Big Three's common historical origin. Gojo had never liked his heritage but today he had to admit that it had a sort of… old-fashioned charm?

"Sit," Naoya commanded, taking his seat and motioning for Gojo to join him. Without a word, Gojo sat down on the floor opposite his adversary, adjusting the folds of his Kimono. He had no idea how to negotiate, it wasn't a skill he had ever needed before.

"Tea!" Naoya shouted rudely, "hurry the fuck up!"

The hasty scuffling of feet outside indicated servants rushing to fulfill Naoya's orders. In the tense silence that followed, Gojo and Naoya locked eyes. Gojo felt the pressure in his head mount, the strain of keeping his Six Eyes uncovered in such a hostile environment beginning to take its toll.

"Why am I talking to you and not the Head of the Clan?" Gojo started the conversation. "I'm insulted to just meet a negotiator."

"I'm not just a negotiator," Naoya snapped. A pulse fluttered at his neck, betraying his agitation.

"You're doing this without your father's consent? Uh-ohhhhh, are you being a bad boy?" Gojo twisted his expression into an exaggerated mask of concern, his eyebrows furrowing deeply and his lips forming a dramatic pout.

"He backs me up in everything I do," Naoya was quick to assert. What a pathetic daddy's boy.

"We will see about that," Gojo smirked.

Unfortunately, he knew that Naobito's character was not a whit better than his son's. He would be supportive and gleeful over the kidnapping of a Gojo Spare—unless it cost him too much in return. Gojo would task Ayumi and Ema to strike at the Zen'in business empire. If he had learned one thing about doing business, it was that greedy people made mistakes. So, they just had to get the Zen'ins to make lots of mistakes to get Naobito to pay attention.

"Is she here?"

"Who?" Naoya feigned ignorance once more, but his expression quickly shifted into a mean smile. "You couldn't possibly mean my fifth cousin's new wife, could you?" he taunted, his tone dripping with malice.

It felt like a blow to the gut. Not good. Breathe.

"What a happy couple," Naoya drawled, "Quasi love at first sight! How good of you to throw the old traditions to the wind, Satoru. We are so grateful."

The old traditions… Gojo knew immediately what Naoya meant. In the old days, when polygamy had been the norm, the head of the Clan would marry his close relatives' widows to provide protection and prevent the Clan's offspring from falling into a rival Clan's hands legally. Of course, he had refused to honor such backward traditions.

Stay calm. Ah, this would be difficult, wouldn't it. Keep in control.

The door opened and three maids with tea utensils entered on their knees, heads ducked low, flinching when Naoya clicked his tongue impatiently.

"What took you so damn long," he growled.

"Very sorry, Young Lord, very sorry," the young woman at the front stammered.

Very difficult. Gojo balled his fists underneath the table. Could he perhaps purple hollow a small part of Naoya? One he wouldn't need to live? Or destroy half of the estate instead of all of it. As a warning not to push him too hard.

Naoya's smirk widened, as if he noticed Gojo's mounting annoyance. With calculated nonchalance, he gestured to the head servant, indicating for her to pour the tea. The young woman, clearly terrified, hesitated for a brief moment before fulfilling his request with shaking hands.

"This," Naoya announced with a flourish as the tea was poured, "is a rare and exquisite blend of Gyokuro green tea, harvested from the finest leaves of the Uji region." His words were laced with smug satisfaction as he took the porcelain cup between his fingers.

"Drink," he smiled amiably at the servant. "Show our guest it isn't poisoned."

The servant girl hesitated, her hands trembling pitifully as she reached for the cup. Fear and reluctance were etched across her face, but she knew better than to disobey a direct order. With a deep breath to steady her nerves, she brought the cup to her lips and took a tentative sip. After a moment of tense anticipation, the servant girl swallowed nervously and set the cup down, her expression one of relief as she realized no harm was coming to her.

"There, you see?" Naoya declared triumphantly, his gaze locking with Gojo's again. "No poison."

What a farce. Naoya cared nothing for those he considered below him, which was basically everyone. Besides, there were plenty of poisons that didn't immediately take effect.

With a calculated move, Gojo reached for his own cup of tea, his expression carefully neutral as he brought it to his lips. His senses were on high alert, ready to use his reverse cursed technique instantly. As the liquid passed his lips, Gojo felt a surge of adrenaline coursing through his veins, but nothing else.

The tea was exquisite.

Gojo sighed, his gaze drifting to the cold landscape outside the window. Nobody had ever asked him whether he wanted to be the Head of a Clan. Why could he not be someone with no responsibilities, just lots of money and time? He sighed again, his eyes drifting back to Naoya's alert eyes. Whining and feeling sorry for himself wouldn't help. The brat knew that Gojo did not have many options left. Married legally, Chia and her offsprings were lost to him—unless he kidnapped them back. Or paid a very high price.

"Is there something you want?" Gojo asked.

"Yes," Naoya replied coldly. "I want to see you bleeding out in the sand at my feet and to annihilate your pathetic, weak clan. And how close I am to my goal! Just you remain and once you are gone, we kill the Spare. No more Six Eyes. No more Gojos."

"That is not going to happen, I'm afraid," Gojo smiled sweetly"Want to try something else? Or do you only have wet, pointless dreams."

Naoya's eyes narrowed. "Give me the boy," he demanded.

"What boy?" Gojo countered, his expression unreadable.

"The boy you mentor. He is one of ours," Naoya insisted.

"I'm not aware of any boys from the Zen'in clan," Gojo replied smoothly. "Just two talented women you didn't want, who are doing exceedingly well at Jujutsu High."

"Don't play me for a fool," Naoya hissed, his non-existent patience used up already. "The boy inherited the Ten Shadows Technique."

"Ah, you mean Megumi," Gojo acknowledged slowly, tapping a finger against his chin as if considering the bargain. "But his name is Fushiguro."

"Cut the crap. We both know he is Toji's son. The boy for the woman," Naoya demanded.

"The woman is of no interest to me. Only the girl is," Gojo retorted. He was getting the knack of this. Offer, counter-offer. Easy enough.

"You're a cold bastard too," Naoya grinned toothily. "Always pretending to be oh-so-morally-good when you're just as ruthless as the rest of us. Such a beautiful widow! So meanly shunned by you!"

"I'm ruthless when necessary," Gojo conceded.

But not that ruthless. Gojo knew exactly why Naoya wanted Megumi. It wasn't for his protection or guidance—it was to eliminate a threat. Megumi's possession of the Ten Shadows Technique made him superior in the eyes of the Zen'ins, posing a significant obstacle to Naoya's plans to ascend to the head of the clan after his father's demise. What someone like Naoya would never understand though: that Megumi was entirely free to make his own decisions. Gojo had never demanded anything from him and never would.

"Megumi, huh," he mused, taking another sip from his cup. "He's worth a lot. I might consider swapping him in exchange for the girl."

Naoya bit his lip, scowling angrily. "At most, I can agree to get her killed, I won't hand her over to you. Why don't we send her into the Disciplinary Pit. She's pathetic, no training, no abilities and on top, looks like you, the poor chit. She'll die for sure."

Gojo's hand twitched. Naoya saw it and looked up, his eyes becoming even more calculating than before. Gojo braced himself.

"Then again, she's worth much more to you than just the boy. Hand over the deflowered Shrine Maiden for me to have a bit of fun on top and we have a deal."

It was as if a black cloud swept across Gojo's field of vision, casting a shadow over his thoughts. He steeled himself for what was coming. Stay calm, Gojo reminded himself, drawing on every ounce of composure he could muster. Don't let yourself be pushed over the edge.

"You can't provoke me," he said evenly even though he was hanging on by a thread. "Why anger me? Are you stupid?"

"Not at all," Naoya's tone was chatty and fake-friendly, the most annoying yet. He was pushing those buttons, pushing, pushing, pushing. "I have you exactly where I wanted you. You come here to the Zen'in estate with absolutely nothing to bargain with, thinking I will be cowed by your powers? You can't even use them on us!"

"I can't?" Gojo tilted his head, pondering that statement. "You're wrong about that."

Naoya was gravely mistaken if he believed he wasn't ready to start a war. Gojo felt no qualms about unleashing immense destruction upon his enemies before they knew what hit them. What did he really care if the Higher-Ups exiled him for it afterwards? Let them see how they'd fare without him! He had already given the Jujutsu Society his life and his best friend's life too. He owed them nothing.

"I don't think you are. You know, I did some research about the Gojos," Naoya smirked. "And found out some interesting things."

"Oh, you can read?" Gojo smirked back, trying not to wonder what the annoying Zen'in could be referring to. Last year, he had conducted some research in the Gojo family library himself to find out more about the Six Eyes bearers before him. He hadn't liked what he had found— especially the part about Michizane and the necessity of his continued blessing—and he definitely hadn't liked how ridiculously limited the available knowledge was.

"It's all about the Iori sluts," Naoya continued unfazed, "have something Gojo men can't resist, must be the smell of their dripping cunts, they just need to fuck them. Case in point: You and that ugly, scarred Harpy. And like all the other bitches before her did, she's betraying you too. I absolutely love it!"

A ferocious growl escaped Gojo's throat as his/Michizane's blood thirst skyrocketed. Naoya was obviously delighted but what did Gojo care? If there was one thing he was absolutely certain of was that he wanted to protect Utahime with all he had and… suddenly, like a strange echo, his own voice sounded solemnly in his head: "…to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part…"

Gojo sprang to his feet. What was this?!

"Oh, you don't believe me?" Naoya laughed, mistaking Gojo's stunned expression for a reaction to his crazy babbling. "But she promised to spy on you while making herself your sex slave. I'm sure you like to fuck her up the ass so you don't have to see her face, am I right? Or wait, were you trained to be the bottom? That boyfriend of yours sure looked like he liked to be rough! So… perhaps you're into being pegged! Or perhaps…"

Hasty footsteps drew near, the door was pushed open. Gojo was too preoccupied to care. He looked down at his hands, recognizing what this was, his Six Eyes saw cursed energy in every form and shape it took. Knots, forming a chain, humming and vibrating... A Binding Vow!

A member of the Hei stood at the door, breathing heavily, a troubled expression etched on his face.

"Not now!" Naoya yelled.

"A visitor turned up," the Hei-warrior grumbled. "She said you'd definitely want to see her."

"Her?" Naoya's head snapped up. "Who?"

Footsteps echoed in the corridor once more, light yet purposeful. The Hei stepped aside to allow someone to pass, standing with heightened alertness.

"Utahime," Gojo whispered.

And just like that, his anger dissipated and the pressure from Michizane's incessant barrage ceased. The Binding Vow between them sent a surge of pleasure through him at the sight of her: In a new kimono, with her hair flowing down her back. Beautiful, radiant, commanding! A Goddess descended to earth. His goddess.

"Did you see my message?" Utahime asked, without acknowledging Naoya, whose face wore an expression of comical disbelief.

"No," Gojo admitted, fishing for his phone in the depth of the fabric swishing around his body. No wonder he hadn't felt the buzzing of his phone through all these layers!

"Whatever you do, do not cede control to M," Utahime had written. "Gojo, beware, this is a trap set up by an evil who has yet to reveal itself. I'm coming to you."

Gojo lifted his head to look at her. What evil? But even more importantly, what was this Binding Vow between him and Utahime that he knew nothing about? It felt wonderful! But… Conditioned to be forgotten, he concluded after coming up with absolutely nothing of substance about it. A Binding Vow that ensnared him without his memory of its details was potentially very powerful.

"What are you doing here?" Naoya sprang to his feet, his expression a mixture of fury and puzzlement as he stared at Utahime.

"Ah, Naoya," Utahime addressed him without any honorifics, her voice calm but carrying an undercurrent of authority. She offered only the slightest dip of her head. "I'm sorry, I was so focused on my husband that I completely forgot whose house I'm in. Forgive my rudeness."

"Husband?" Naoya choked out.

Utahime ignored Naoya's reaction and turned her attention to the equally stunned Gojo. "I need a word with you," she said, beckoning with her finger. "Outside, if you please."

Feeling a little unsteady on his feet, Gojo staggered after her down the corridor out of earshot.

"Are we married?" He whispered excitedly when they faced each other in the dim light, his heart beating very fast. "But I don't remember our wedding night…?"

"For Naoya, we are," she simply said. "It will stop him from toying with me, at least until he comes up with his next devious plan. Listen…"

She looked well, perhaps a shade paler than usual. It was such a relief, he threw both his arms around her to hug her tight.

"I'm sorry I had to leave you alone," he whispered, greedily inhaling the scent of her hair. "I am so glad to see you!"

"Don't lower your Infinity here!" Utahime cried, disentangling herself hastily. "And don't tell me you drank his tea?!"

Gojo shrugged and smiled at her. "Poisons can't harm me when I'm alert."

"Listen, we have little time," she began again, but he was distracted by her lips and how red and shiny they were. Hmmm, kissing was probably not a good idea on enemy territory? Then again, he could just take her somewhere else and… No, he stopped himself. Shoko had been very clear. He was to stay away from Utahime's bed for at least two weeks.

That reminded him… "Should you not be resting in bed?" He asked, feeling a stab of pain in his chest at the memory of her collapse yesterday and at what she had lost.

"I'm fine," Utahime waved his concern aside briskly, "I'll go back to bed once this crisis is averted or else Shoko will skin me alive. You know how relieved I was to see the estate intact? I really feared…"

"I only pulverized an old tree," Gojo said happily, a hint of pride in his voice. "I held it together pretty well until the very end despite..." He stopped, there was no need to repeat the vile things Naoya had said. Utahime would never betray him again. He was certain of that.

"You should cover your eyes," Utahime said gently, reaching up to adjust his blindfold. Her voice carried a tender concern that touched him deeply. "I can see it tires you."

"Thank you," Gojo seized her hands. They were small and warm, fitting perfectly into his larger ones. "Shall we leave?"

"But you came here for Chia and the kids!" She reminded him.

"Not much I can do," Gojo sighed. "They married her off to one of Naoya's uncles."

"They... what?" Utahime gasped in disbelief. "They can't force someone into marriage!"

"Uh... well, they can, and they did," Gojo replied with a shrug. "Short of killing as many as quickly as I can, I'll have to find another way to strike a blow. It will take time."

"You're very mature when you want to be," Utahime remarked, smiling warmly at him. "Well done."

"Well, this is wonderful," Gojo smiled back. Her words filled him with a strong sense of warmth and validation. "But what is this Binding Vow?"

His words had an unexpected effect on her. All the color left her face and she staggered briefly.

"…what binding vow?" She pressed out, holding tightly onto the arm he extended to steady her.

"Ah, you've forgotten too," Gojo mused. Interesting. He touched the shimmering chain between them, feeling the fabric of the cursed energy with his fingers. It was strong and it made him very, very happy. "You and me," he explained. "There is a new Binding Vow between us but we both cannot remember, it seems."

"Oh, I see," she choked out, now looking… relieved? "That's strange."

"Well," he grinned. "It's a mutual agreement between the two of us. That's not strange."

"Everything is strange," she contradicted him. "I feel like I'm losing my mind."

"That's it, I'll take you home," Gojo put his arm around her middle to steady her during teleportation.

"Maybe I'm not feeling as well as I thought," Utahime whispered. "I was so alarmed when I heard where you'd gone, I really thought that Michizane…" Her voice trailed off. "He hasn't taken over, has he. I was worried for nothing."

"He can't," Gojo shook his head. "Don't worry."

"I do worry though," her eyes were large and expressive as she looked up at him, "there is no reason why you should believe me, but that 'child' I lost? That wasn't yours."

It hurt a lot to hear her say that, but Shoko had made him promise not to breach the subject with Utahime and not to ask whose baby it had been, nor was he allowed to be angry with her. He wasn't angry, just very sad.

"No, I'm sorry!" She lifted her hand to stroke his cheek. "It's not like that! It's just… it wasn't a child at all, at least not a human one. Gojo, something, someone is stalking my dreams and put something into me! Please, you have to believe me. I need your help!"

Really. Could this year become any stranger? Gojo stared at the woman in his arms and knew: Whatever weird things she believed in, he would protect and support her in times of need, whether it be in battle, personal struggles, or emotional challenges. He had to. He would remain loyal and faithful to her, prioritizing their relationship above all others and abstaining from actions that could betray the trust and commitment they shared.

He had to.