The people around them broke into a cold sweat, terrified that they might accidentally be caught up in some struggle, wouldn't even know how they had died when the time came.
Gojo Hirohira naturally understood Satoru Gojo's style and sighed helplessly:
The elders are in the back hall. They probably didn't expect you to actually show up, so whether they meet you or not doesn't matter much to them.
Satoru Gojo shoved his hands back into his pockets and walked toward the backyard with long strides. "Since I'm already here, how can I not meet them?"
Kobe Suzuo was just about to follow him when he was stopped by someone.
Gojo Hirohira looked at Kobe Suzuo with a stunned expression, appearing as if he wanted to say something but hesitated.
Mason gave a real-time reminder.
[Young Master, Gojo Hirohira has business dealings with the company and has seen your face; there is a high probability he has already deduced your identity.]
Kobe Suzuo pulled the information about this person from his mind.
"After the birth of the 'Six Eyes,' there was no doubt as to who would inherit the position of head of the Gojo Clan; any clansman with even a modicum of intelligence would not attempt to fight for that position, but would instead strive in other directions.
Gojo Hirohira was over thirty years old and was the eldest grandson of the former head of the Gojo Clan. By blood relation, he was Satoru Gojo's cousin.
He was the type of person with a quick mind, currently primarily responsible for the Gojo Clan's finances, his ability to amass wealth was quite impressive.
It was only a brief moment of delay, but by the time Kobe Suzuo turned to look again, Satoru Gojo's figure had vanished toward the end of the corridor like a passing bird.
"What are you.." Gojo Hirohira had not yet grasped the situation, his expression slightly dazed.
If he wasn't mistaken, this person should be the young master of the Kobe Group, that elusive Director, Kobe Suzuo, right?
How did he end up grouped together with their God's Child?
Wait, wasn't Satoru-kun's provocation against the higher-ups just now a way of taking Kobe Suzuo's side?!
This isn't right, is it?
When dealing with the upper class, shouldn't one first use sarcasm to provoke them, then put on a cold face to threaten them, finally flip the table and walk away?
As he grew older, the young man, as clear as ice and snow, was no longer that lofty God's Child; he had his own thoughts.
Satoru Gojo refused to accept the clan's education, insisting on attending Jujutsu High regardless of the consequences, bluntly expressed his disdain for power struggles.
The elders were unwilling to let go, yet they did not dare to push too hard; the few remaining hairs on their heads were nearly worn away by worry.
So, the God's Child of the Gojo Clan turned around and sided with an outsider Director?
Just what kind of means did they use to bewitch Satoru!
Kobe Suzuo was not interested in what was going through this man's mind, but for the sake of him being Satoru Gojo's cousin, Kobe Suzuo gave a perfunctory nod as a greeting.
It was a rushed visit today; I will make a formal visit to you later.
After speaking, without caring how Gojo Hirohira would react, he stepped forward and chased after the direction where Satoru Gojo had left.
Along the way, all kinds of rumors and discussions continued incessantly.
The discussions surrounding Satoru Gojo's strength, arrogance, defiance were seemingly endless.
Merlin was collecting data in the background, sighing with emotion, "Young Master Gojo has quite a good temper."
Kobe Suzuo let out a cold, light chuckle. "What do you mean by that?"
If it were you, Young Master Kobe, in less than six months, all the meddlesome families present would suffer a financial crisis due to broken capital chains and massive debts, they would have no choice but to kneel and beg for your mercy.
Kobe Suzuo avoided the people walking toward him on the corridor and said mockingly:
That's not necessarily true. I, your Young Master, am restricted in many ways here, I can't fight a gorilla like a Jujutsu Sorcerer.
Merlin's simulated male voice carried a distinct sense of electrical distortion. "You are being too humble, Young Master. If you wish, you could bankrupt those families at any time."
Kobe Suzuo gave a soft "Mm" and instructed, "Pay attention to information gathering."
“Understood.”
The layout of the shrine was ingeniously designed, with formations and barriers integrated into the garden's arrangement, both to block Cursed Spirits and to prevent those with ulterior motives from scouting for information.
Kobe Suzuo was not familiar with this place; or rather, Kobe Suzuo was not very familiar with any of the Director's Department's territory.
Tengen's barrier serves the functions of surveillance and perception; the people of the Director's Department regard it as a safeguard and utilize it in all aspects.
But Kobe Suzuo truly could not stand the feeling of being watched.
After serving as the Director of the Director's Department for a month and poaching the first batch of talent, he moved to a new nest without a moment's rest.
This place clearly had no surveillance or network, Merlin's person-finding function was largely restricted, only able to guide Kobe Suzuo toward the rear palace.
The man's pace was steady, his expression was cold and hard, making it impossible to tell what he was thinking.
Merlin remained quiet for a while before he began asking questions again:
Why did Young Master bring Young Master Gojo to attend this inconsequential meeting? The higher-ups' attitude toward 'God's Child' is ambiguous; it is not a good choice to let them have too much contact.
Its thinking module was not yet complete and still required constant reasoning and computation.
I thought you would have protected Young Master Gojo immediately, like a canary in a cage.
Chapter 7: That Bodyguard
Kobe Suzuo did not know how to answer this question.
He was uncharacteristically conflicted, remaining silent for a long time.
Because.. I still can't be certain whether that child is the Fated Person or not.
If Satoru Gojo is not the Fated Person, but he forcibly interferes with this young man's causality, will the course of fate change because of it?
Will those azure eyes become clouded because of it?
Kobe Suzuo couldn't understand how emotions were not like money that could be freely traded.
Trust me, Young Master, there's no mistake this time. The compatibility data between Satoru-kun and you has already risen to 92.73%. Perhaps I should change how I address you and call you Madam..
Before Merlin could finish speaking, a sharp pain flared in Kobe Suzuo's left arm as someone darting from around the corner slammed into him, causing him to stumble back and nearly lose his balance.
Where did this idiot come from? Are your eyes just for show?
The blond youth with phoenix eyes still had the lingering baby fat of childhood on his face; he looked somewhat well-behaved on the outside, but the moment he opened his mouth, he was nothing but biting and caustic.
He did not look particularly robust, standing even shorter than Kobe Suzuo, but the force of his impact was so solid that Kobe Suzuo felt as if he had been attacked by a gorilla.
Heh.
Kobe Suzuo thought coldly: See, I told you, a barbaric Jujutsu Sorcerer.
The youth became even more infuriated upon sensing Kobe Suzuo's downward, scrutinizing gaze, his eyes widening:
Which family are you from? So weak and so ill-mannered—you are nothing short of a disgrace to Jujutsu Sorcerers! Now, get down and apologize to me!
Kobe Suzuo stared at the blonde, who was half a head shorter than her, her face expressionless.
Merlin announced amidst the clamor:
[Zen'in Naoya, the Jujutsu Sorcerer most likely to succeed as the head of the Zenin Family's next generation]
[Compatibility with you is 60.07%]
Do you happen to like this one, Young Master?
Kobe Suzuo was so exasperated he almost laughed, suspecting that Merlin's matching module had been hit by a virus. How on earth did this even pass?
He didn't even bother to spare a glance at the rude brat, passing Zenin Naoya as he prepared to leave.
Kid, watch your mouth, or it'll be the death of you sooner or later.
“Huh?”
Zen'in Naoya's face instantly darkened; it was the first time he had ever been lectured like this by an outsider.
His light golden eyes narrowed, failing to spot any obvious family crest on the clothes or accessories Kobe Suzuo was wearing.
A wicked curve slowly curled the corners of his mouth. Just before the man's figure disappeared around the corner, Zenin Naoya activated his Cursed Technique and teleported to Kobe Suzuo's side.
The hem of the boy's montsuki haori and hakama fluttered as he delivered a straight whip kick toward the back of the head exposed before him.
A moment ago, Zenin Naoya thought to himself that if he didn't teach this loudmouthed loser a lesson today, his name wouldn't be Zenin Naoya.
In the next second, his ankle was grabbed by a man in black who appeared from nowhere, he was violently hurled toward the courtyard wall.
With a loud crash, the courtyard wall shattered.
Zenin Naoya crawled out from the rubble, teeth clenched, kicked away the stones at his feet. "Who would dare attack.."
As the dust settled, the words were stuck in his throat.
“Toji??”
After several years of not seeing him, the man standing beside the black-haired, bespectacled man remained the same as ever, a scumbag's face wearing a weary expression, looking at everyone as if they were mere ants.
Those green eyes swept lightly over Zenin Naoya, not lingering for a single second, before landing on Kobe Suzuo.
Boss, you have absolutely no sense of vigilance; it's making things very difficult for me as your bodyguard.
Kobe Suzuo said expressionlessly, "Your salary is doubled for today."
It's not a matter of whether it's doubled or not; you should at least hide your lethal parts..
The man's voice was hoarse, his muscles were so robust they seemed ready to burst through his clothes, making his Kobe Group bodyguard suit look like some kind of host outfit.
Kobe Suzuo frowned slightly and interrupted, "Triple it."
Fushiguro Toji paused, fiddling with his sleeves. "And another thing, boss, my job is just to ensure your safety, right? Can I not wear this uniform?"
No.
Then..
Kobe Suzuo glanced sideways at Zenin Naoya, then turned and walked away. "Ten times."
Fushiguro Toji, who was about to say something else, paused, calculated his hourly wage for the day, decisively shut his mouth.
Alright.
“Well then, I'll be heading out first, Boss.”
As he spoke, he glanced at the blond-haired man standing in the ruins.