"Hello, kid. You're Megumi Fushiguro, right?" asked a white-haired teenager to our protagonist.
Megumi turned around halfway and replied, "Yes, that's me. Who are you? And why are you making that face?"
The white-haired boy's face, which had twisted into a very funny expression upon seeing Megumi's face, returned to normal, and he said, "For no reason." "It's just that you're just like him," he added quietly.
"But that's not important," he said, dismissing his previous attitude. "You see, your father came from a family of sorcerers, the Zenin, but he was so useless that even I don't like him."
"Ah... right, I don't know if you know what sorcerers are, so since you're not saying anything, I'll assume you don't, and I'll summarize it for you," said Gojo as he shifted into teacher mode.
"A sorcerer is a human who possesses cursed energy and can control it. This energy originates from the negative emotions we feel, and if we don't control its release, it gives birth to monsters known as curses."
"The role of sorcerers is to exterminate curses. Some have cursed techniques, which are like a type of superpower, but others aren't so lucky and are born without a technique."
"But anyway, back to the main topic," said Gojo as he adjusted his glasses. "The thing is, your father ran away from the Zenin clan, married your mother, and then had you." "By the way, unlike your father... you can see them and you also have the gift, right?" he said, leaning in to observe him closely.
"You've already realized your own power, haven't you?" he continued. "With these eyes, I can see that you've trained, and from what I can tell, you have quite a bit of talent," said the white-haired man, his eyes gleaming.
"You know," he said as he stood up, "The Zenin clan loves people with talent."
"Cursed techniques manifest between the ages of four and six, so this is the best time to sell you off, isn't it?" the white-haired man said, indirectly hinting at Megumi's situation.
"Megumi, you are the strongest card your father kept up his sleeve against the Zenin clan."
"It's infuriating, isn't it?" he said with a look of disgust.
"And speaking of your dad, guess what... I killed him," Satoru Gojo said, crossing his arms, very interested in Megumi's potential reaction.
After Gojo's confession, time seemed to stop for a few seconds, and the atmosphere became so silent and tense that you could even hear the sound of a pin dropping.
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.
.
"What?" "Seriously, you're not going to say anything, little guy? Did the cat get your tongue?" Gojo said mockingly, seeing that Megumi wasn't reacting to his confession.
"Is there even any point in saying anything to you?" said Megumi with an abnormal seriousness and calmness.
"There are only a few reasons why a child's father's killer would visit them."
"The first is out of precaution. In most cases, children feel a deep love for their parents, so a cautious murderer would always kill the children of their victims to prevent a potential revenge."
"Though that doesn't seem to be your case, since if that were your intention, you would have killed me the moment you found me to rid yourself of your paranoia."
"Of course, there's always the possibility that you're a madman who enjoys toying with his victims, but to be honest, you seem more like a gay clown than a madman," Megumi said disdainfully.
"Hey, kid, watch your language!!" protested Gojo with evident disgust at Megumi's accusation.
"Allow me to continue," said Megumi, coughing to clear his throat. "The second option occurred to me while you were giving your speech. You implied that my father sold me to the Zenin clan for what I assume was a significant amount of money."
"So I thought, hey, maybe this guy wants to kidnap me and demand ransom from the Zenin clan, since technically I belong to them right now. That would also explain why you killed my father, since he would surely protect me, given that I'm part of his deal with the Zenin clan."
"But if you were only motivated by money, you wouldn't waste so much time explaining these things to me. You'd act quickly."
'Without a doubt, this kid has the potential to be a sorcerer. He's completely insane; I just told him I killed his father, and instead of reacting with fear, sadness, or anger, he started analyzing the situation in a chilling way,' these were the thoughts of Satoru Gojo as he listened to Megumi.
"Finally, what I think is most likely is that you came here to take care of me," said Megumi, provoking a look of surprise in Satoru.
"If you're giving me so much information and apparently don't wish to kidnap or harm me, I assume the circumstances of my father's death are strange, or your feelings toward him are conflicted, which led you to seek me out despite having killed him."
"What I believe is most likely is that, due to your confused feelings, you're going to let me choose between going with the Zenin clan or staying with you."
"Well... enough of my assumptions. Tell me, what is your purpose?" Megumi asked, looking directly at a stunned Gojo Satoru, though he didn't show it outwardly.
'Seriously, this kid is just an elementary schooler,' Gojo thought.
Standing firmly, Gojo said, "Well, well, it seems you're quite the brainiac, huh? Let's get to the point. Your theory is correct. What do you want to do? Would you like to go with the Zenin clan, or come with me?"
"Hmm," Megumi responded. "To be honest, I have very little information to make a decision right now. Would you mind answering some of my questions?"
"Ah, Megumi, you're back!" Tsumiki said cheerfully as she peeked from the balcony of a house.
"Would you like a cup of tea?" Megumi offered Gojo.
—[Fushiguro House: Living Room]—
"Wow... that's a lot to take in," said Megumi as he sipped his tea after he and Satoru finished their chat.
"Well... now that you know everything you wanted, do you have your answer?" Satoru asked again before taking a sip of his drink.
"Yes... I think I know what I'm going to do, I just need you to agree with me," Megumi replied to Satoru.
"Huh? And where do I fit into your little plan, kid?" Satoru responded.
"You mentioned you're the strongest, or were you lying?" Megumi teased Gojo.
"Of course I am, who do you take me for, kid?" Gojo answered arrogantly. "What... are you thinking of using my strength for your purposes? Kid, I warn you, I don't like being ordered around," Gojo said with a piercing look.
"There's no need to get worked up, this could benefit you," Megumi replied calmly, unbothered by the white-haired man's piercing gaze.
"Speak", Gojo ordered.
"If you train me for a short period of time, I can reach a level strong enough to defeat the leader of the Zenin clan and take his place. You said you didn't like them, right? I think I can change them. Plus, once I'm the leader, the Zenin clan and the Gojo clan could form an alliance," Megumi offered.
"You talk a lot for someone who's a nobody, kid," Gojo's voice held a mocking tone. "You know what... let's have a fight. If your talent impresses me, I'll accept your offer," declared the white-haired man.
'Great, everything is going according to plan,' Megumi thought, smiling.
—[Unknown Location]—
"Before the fight, I'll set up a barrier so no one can see us," Gojo announced.
[That which is more terrifying than darkness itself, that which is darker than black… purifies impurities]
"Alright, everything's ready. Come on, come on," Gojo said, provocatively gesturing with his fingers.
"You asked for it, old man," Megumi responded, charging towards him.