Heavenly Restriction User of the Gojo Clan: I Refuse to Be Cut in Half

"This isn't the first-grade cursed tool. Give it back!"

Takuya clenched his now-empty right hand, his face clouded with anger.

He hadn't expected Gojo Shunichi to be so brazen, snatching Sode no Shirayuki from him without a word.

"Not a cursed tool?" Shunichi arched an eyebrow, the mockery in his eyes deepening.

"Master Takuya, you must be joking. I can tell a cursed tool when I see one."

To him, this was exactly what he had expected. Even a master forger couldn't resist the temptation of a first-grade cursed tool.

So, in the end, Takuya was just another greedy craftsman.

"No, this isn't Yoru. This weapon was just forged by Satoshi. It's not what you think."

Takuya's words made Shunichi pause for a moment, before bursting into laughter.

"A cursed tool forged by Gojo Satoshi?"

A glint of amusement flashed across his eyes, followed by unrestrained mockery.

"Are you serious? You expect me to believe that a six-year-old forged a cursed tool?"

Shunichi shook his head, sneering.

"When did the standards for Cursed Tool Forgers become so low? If that's the case, why don't we bring in all the other failures of the Gojo family and have them train under you too?"

"If you can turn a six-year-old into a forger, then surely, I should stop calling you 'Master Takuya' and start calling you Grandmaster instead, huh?"

"Well, Grandmaster Takuya?"

The biting sarcasm in Shunichi's words made Takuya's face darken.

Though widely recognized as a master forger, he had never successfully trained an apprentice.

Many had sought to learn from him, only to leave, claiming they had gained nothing.

The title of "Master" was nothing but a source of frustration for Takuya.

—

On the other side of the room, Satoshi frowned as he slowly opened his eyes.

His body was still weak from exhaustion, but Shunichi's voice was too grating to ignore.

This guy never shuts up.

Master Takuya is the one who taught me everything. If not for him, I wouldn't have reached the level where I could forge my first Zanpakutō.

And this bastard dares to mock him?

Satoshi silently sat up, his cold gaze locking onto the scene before him.

He wouldn't let this slide.

—

Meanwhile, Shunichi continued his taunts.

"You expect me to believe Gojo Satoshi forged this? Don't make me laugh."

"There's no way someone like him could become a forger, let alone craft a cursed tool at his age."

"Completely impossible!"

Shunichi poured his Cursed Energy into the weapon in his hands, expecting a reaction.

He had only ever used Grade 2 cursed tools before, so this was his first time wielding a Grade 1 tool.

"This is the perfect chance to test the power of 'Yoru.' "

However, the moment his energy flowed in, his expression froze.

Something was wrong.

Shunichi knew for a fact that this weapon was a cursed tool. So why wasn't his Cursed Energy having any effect?

"This doesn't make sense. A cursed tool should always respond when infused with energy… Unless—"

Could it be that this weapon was purely meant for physical combat?

No, that wasn't possible. The assassin who originally wielded this weapon was a sorcerer, not a brute. His fighting style was based on Cursed Energy manipulation.

Then why?

Shunichi's eyes widened as an unsettling thought crossed his mind.

Is this really just a worthless, decorative blade forged by Satoshi?

It has to be. Takuya must have been blinded by his own bias, thinking it was a cursed tool just because Satoshi forged it.

Damn it! That means I've been tricked. So where the hell is the real Grade 1 tool?

With that realization, his frustration boiled over.

This thing isn't even a cursed tool, it's trash.

Shunichi scoffed, shaking his head.

"As expected of a fraudulent master. You call this a cursed tool?"

"Master Takuya, I wonder how your colleagues would feel if they saw how far you've fallen."

"If you lack the talent to teach, you should just focus on your work. Stop wasting your energy on a useless failure like—"

Shunichi's voice cut off abruptly.

When he turned his gaze, he realized that Satoshi was awake.

The boy sat up, his piercing gaze locked onto him with unsettling calm.

Shunichi's expression stiffened.

Although he thought poorly of Satoshi, saying it to his face was different.

After all, no matter what, Gojo Satoshi was still a direct descendant of the Gojo Clan.

As long as the Clan Leader did not strip Satoshi of his inheritance rights, this "failure" could still represent the clan in the future.

—

Satoshi slowly stood up, ignoring the exhaustion in his body.

"Hmm? Why'd you stop, Shunichi?"

He tilted his head, his voice mockingly casual.

"You can't remember what to call me?"

"I mean, I'm just a waste of the Gojo family, right?"

With effortless ease, Satoshi walked over to Takuya's side.

"Shunichi, have you already forgotten?"

"The cursed tools you so proudly wield, who do you think forged them?"

"If Master Takuya hadn't made them, how many of you would've died on missions by now?"

Satoshi's lips curled into a cold smile.

"What exactly makes sorcerers think they're so superior?"

"Let me guess, was it because your parents were sorcerers?"

"Can you guarantee that your own child will be one too?"

His words hit Shunichi like a slap to the face.

But Satoshi wasn't done.

"If anything, Master Takuya is too kind. He's spent his life ensuring that ungrateful fools like you could fight and survive."

"Yet, instead of gratitude, all he gets is disdain?"

He chuckled.

"Do you really think the Gojo Clan is some untouchable force?"

"Do you honestly believe that just because Gojo Satoru has the Six Eyes, our future is guaranteed?"

Satoshi's voice dropped into a sharp, cutting tone.

"You're an adult, yet you're still so naïve."

"If the Six Eyes were truly omnipotent, then why do curses still exist?"

"Why are there so many powerful curse users?"

"Why does the King of Curses, Ryomen Sukuna, exist?"

His eyes burned with quiet intensity.

"If the Six Eyes were truly unbeatable, then why has every wielder of the Six Eyes met a tragic end?"

Satoshi exhaled, his gaze steady and unshaken.

"I know you've placed all your hopes on Satoru."

"But let me tell you something—"

"Satoru is not invincible."

"Even with unparalleled talent, even with the Six Eyes, even with the Limitless Technique."

"He is not invincible."

"The expectations you place on him will only push him down the wrong path."

Satoshi clenched his fists.

"Satoru will become the strongest sorcerer in this world."

"But that doesn't mean he should underestimate the strength of curse users or cursed spirits."

"We still have a long road ahead."

Though his voice was still childish, in that moment.

It carried the weight of undeniable truth.