Two Months Later
Shien woke at 5 a.m., two hours of sleep more than enough. The serum ensured he needed barely an hour per day to function at peak capacity. He rose from his futon, bare-chested in the predawn darkness. The lights turned on with a clap as Shien started stretching in front of the mirror; before long he was flexing, marveling at his own physique. I would've killed for this level of muscle definition in my previous life. In this one, he'd achieved more gains in a few weeks of lifting than the average bodybuilder would gain in a lifetime.
By increasing his already high base strength, he could increase his cursed-energy-reinforced strength exponentially. He'd never turn into a Dragon Ball Z character, but the thought of Hulk-smashing his way through his enemies seemed very appealing to him.
Shien was admiring his capped delts when he heard someone clear their throat, loudly and rudely. He turned around to see Maki, dressed in a sports bra and track pants, shooting him a look of pure loathing.
"Are we gonna start training, or should I leave the room so you can go back to making out with your reflection?"
Shien gave her his best shit-eating grin. "It's okay. It's normal to be jealous of your betters. I'd be grumpy too if I were so weak and fugly."
Shien lazily dodged the side kick Maki threw. He sighed with faux disappointment. "So predictable." He grabbed her, shuffling out of the room with his gym bag, shoving Maki into the doorway with his butt. Maki shoved him back on the small of his back to no effect as they walked to the specialized modern gym he'd bullied Naobito into building. Maki followed, her gym shoes squeaking on the wooden floor, ponytail swishing angrily as she mumbled profanities under her breath.
He'd decided to train her himself these past few months. Although it was pity and affection that made him start, Maki had grown by leaps and bounds. Shien had been using RCT after every workout to enhance her recovery and increase hypertrophy. Maki's body seemed to respond very well to this type of training. At fourteen, she could lift half a ton over her shoulders and clean-press it. The partial Heavenly Restriction wasn't as useless as Shien had feared — if she trained hard with her ferocious mindset, she could become a Grade Two sorcerer in a few years. Mai, on the other hand, needed more motivation. It made Shien sad, knowing how much potential was capped at birth in jujutsu.
Maki's face turned beet-red, veins popping on her forehead as she tried to bench press a ton. Shien was spotting her, taking a good twenty percent of the weight, but he wanted her to have the confidence of making progress on her own. The weights clanged back onto the rack when the smell of sake and cigarettes hit the gym. Naobito had woken up — or more likely never gone to sleep, having stayed up all night drinking, as he often did. He helped himself to a seat, giving Shien a ponderous look and dismissing Maki, as he usually did.
"Boy... this is a very important day. You'll be designated a Special Grade in front of all of jujutsu society. There's no turning back now — your actions will reflect on the Zenin clan, whether you like it or not."
"Arrgghh — enough with the tedious lectures, Papa! You're boring me to tears. I'll get the damn card. You geezers can scheme and plot to your hearts' content — just don't bother me." Shien said this defiantly, snatching a pack of cigarettes from Naobito's robes and lighting one with a snap of his fingers.
Maki swatted the air in front of her, giving him a scowl before stomping off in evident displeasure.
As Shien turned to follow, Naobito said, "There's always a bigger fish in the sea, boy. Hide your strength and bide your time."
Shien just gave a backward wave as he walked toward his apartments.
He emerged freshly showered to find his mother waiting in his room, traditional garments laid out across the bed. She smiled when she saw him.
"Good morning, Shien-chan."
"Morning, Mama." He walked over, letting her begin dressing him.
The hakama was deep indigo, nearly black, with the Zenin clan crest embroidered in silver along the hem. The kimono beneath was crisp white silk. Sayo's hands worked efficiently, adjusting each layer, tying the obi with the precision of years of repetition.
"You look so handsome," she murmured. "Like a proper heir."
Shien caught his reflection in the mirror — tall, imposing, the formal clothing making him look older. Exactly the image the old prunes would expect of a future Zenin clan head.
Today was the day. His first meeting with the jujutsu higher-ups, where they would officially grant him Special Grade status and publicly acknowledge him as heir to the Zenin clan.
Theater, all of it. The decision had been made months ago. This was just ceremony.
The clan members had their theories about Naoya's disappearance. Some believed he'd left because he felt he had no place in the clan — the large amount of missing money supported that idea. Shien hadn't used his cursed technique to kill him, or cursed energy at all, for that matter. Any Grade One sorcerer worth his salt could trace cursed energy residue back to him, especially given the unique nature of his own — he might as well have announced it to the world.
Shien had plausible deniability, but who was he kidding — it was a fig leaf. The jujutsu world was a small place, and the Zenin clan smaller still. Everyone knew of the animosity between them, but as long as there was no proof, none would dare accuse him openly. And even if there were proof... what would they do, call human resources? They'd shut up if they knew what was good for them.
While intra-clan rivalries and assassinations were nothing new, the Zenin clan had to maintain a united front — any infighting would be perceived as weakness by the other clans. Naobito had skirted around the issue, and Shien had simply played dumb. Being known as someone who killed his own brother, even in self-defense, wasn't a reputation Shien wanted. It was one thing to be seen as strong and fierce, but another entirely to be seen as cruel and ambitious.
"There," Sayo said, stepping back. "Perfect."
"I'll be fine, Mama," Shien said, squeezing her hand once.
The car waited outside—a sleek black Lexus LS, the kind with executive rear seating and a privacy partition. Mei Mei leaned against it, scrolling through her phone, silver-blue hair catching the morning light.
She glanced up as Shien approached, lips curving into a professional smile. Nothing more. Not here, where servants and clan members could see.
"Good morning, Shien-kun," she said warmly but appropriately. "Ready?"
"Always."
Hayato held the door open. Shien slid into the back seat, the leather cool against him. Mei Mei followed, settling beside him with practiced grace.
The door closed. Hayato got into the driver's seat, Ranta beside him in the passenger seat.
"Privacy partition, please," Mei Mei said smoothly.
Hayato pressed a button. The tinted partition slid up with a soft hum, sealing them off from the front seats. Soundproof and private.
The car pulled out of the compound.
The moment the partition clicked into place, Shien's arm went around Mei Mei's shoulders, pulling her close. She melted against him immediately, hand finding his thigh.
"There he is," Mei Mei murmured, turning her face into his neck. "My handsome Shien-kun."
Shien just sat feeling her warmth and looking out the car window before he felt Mei Mei shifting and angling herself so she could look at his face while staying pressed against his side.
"We need to talk about what's coming," she said, voice dropping to that particular tone she used when discussing strategy. "The higher-ups are going to ask you some specific questions. pointed questions"
"Like what?"
"First—are you reliable." Her hand squeezed his thigh. "They want to know if you'll follow orders, if you'll support jujutsu society, if you can be relied upon to follow orders. You're brilliant, Shien-kun, but you're also... let's say independently minded. That scares them. Every special grade so far has been a maverick. Being from the Zenin clan they are hoping you would be more amenable to their goals."
Shien snorted. "They should be scared."
"I know, handsome." Her fingers traced higher. "But today, you need to convince them you're a good little soldier. Nod and smile and say all the right things. The Kamo clan have been delaying this for a long time. It good to have the infrastructure of the higher ups behind atleast for now."
"What else?"
Mei Mei's expression turned more serious. "They're going to ask about Naoya."
Shien went very still.
"They'll imply you were involved," Mei Mei continued, her voice soft but steady. "Not directly accuse you—they're too cowardly for that. But they'll phrase it carefully. 'Can you account for your whereabouts that evening?' 'Do you have any knowledge of what might have caused such a tragic accident?' That sort of thing. No one has seen his body and he is still presumed missing but....."
Her thumb rubbed small circles on his thigh, soothing, in an attempt to soothe him. "They want to see how you react. If you get defensive, they'll assume guilt. If you're too calm, they'll assume guilt. You need to be respectful, a little sad about your brother's disappearance, and cooperative to a fault."
Shien simply ground his teeth. Logically it made sense, but it was still bitter medicine having to feign sympathy towards that piece of shit all to appease these morons.
"Especially because you didn't kill him." Mei Mei's smile turned sharp. "Let them think whatever they want. As long as they can't prove it, their suspicions don't matter. You're too valuable to accuse on speculation alone."
Shien's jaw tightened, but he nodded.
"And there's one more thing." Mei Mei shifted closer, her breasts pressing against his side. "They might suggest that because Gojo Satoru recommended your promotion, you're in league with him. That you might be taking orders from the Gojo clan instead of being loyal to the Zenin and Jujutsu society as a whole."
Shien's laugh was sharp and humorless. "In league with Gojo? As if I'd be subordinate to anyone."
"I know that, my love." Mei Mei's hand squeezed his. "You're not subordinate to anyone. Not Gojo, not the higher-ups, not even your father. You're going to surpass all of them." Her voice dropped to a purr. "But you're so smart, Shien-kun. You know how to let people think they have power over you while you do exactly what you want."
"You want me to play nice."
"I want you to be strategic." She turned her face up to his, close enough to kiss. "These old men are terrified of you. Terrified of their on shadows to be honest, all they have are their tedious traditions that they have cling on to , As it is their only source of power. They've got three uncontrollable Special Grades already, and now here you come potential stronger than any of them at thirteen years old, with a great clan behind you."
Her fingers traced his cheek. "So they're going to try to assert control. Make you feel small. Question your loyalty, your reliability, your judgment. And you're going to smile and take it because you're smart enough to know that barking dogs seldom bite."
Shien simply grunted as he looked out through the window.
Mei Mei's smile turned wicked. "I know it bothers you to indulge these fools, but trust me, I will make it worth your while."
"Really?" Shien's ears perked up.
She leaned in, lips brushing his ear. "You remember what you asked me about last week? "
Shien's pulse jumped. "Yeah." Shien said trying to maintain his composure.
"And you remember how I said I'd think about it?" Her tongue flicked against his earlobe. "Well, I've thought about it. And I may have made some calls..." Her hand cupped him through the hakama. "I might arrange something special for later. Something involving me and a couple of friends who are very eager to meet my brilliant, handsome Shien-kun."
This day got a lot better all a sudden Shien thought to himself.
"Completely." Her fingers squeezed.
"Well... I guess I could play nice... for a few hours," Shien's voice came out rougher.
Mei Mei laughed, delighted. "That's my Shien." She kissed the corner of his mouth.
"They might ask about your technique or other specifics regarding your fighting abilities.... They expect you to lie and obfuscate... and do so but with tact... you are under no obligation to reveal your techniques"
"When they ask about Naoya," stroke, "look them in the eye. and tell them you have no clue but are saddened by your brother's disappearance."
"You're going to walk in there and make them think you're their obedient little soldier. And then later..." Her voice dropped to a whisper. "Later, I'm going to take you to a very nice hotel. And my friends and I are going to show you exactly how much we appreciate a man who knows how to play the game."
The Lexus slowed as they entered Kyoto proper, navigating narrow streets toward the higher-ups' compound.
"Almost there. You ready?"
"More than ready."
"Good." She straightened her bodysuit, adjusting the lace panel over her cleavage. "Remember—humble, polite, cooperative. No matter how much they piss you off."
"I know."
"And Shien-kun?" She cupped his face, making him look at her. "I'm proud of you. You've accomplished so much. Today is just a formality. They're acknowledging what everyone already knows—you're Special Grade. You're extraordinary. You're going to change jujutsu society."
Shien simply smirked.
She kissed him softly. "Now let's go."
The car pulled up to the compound gates. Hayato lowered the partition.
"We've arrived, Shien-sama."
"Wait," Mei Mei said suddenly. She turned to Shien, eyes bright. "One more thing."
She pulled him into a kiss tasting of strawberry lip gloss and mint.
When she finally pulled back, they were both breathing hard.
"For luck," Mei Mei whispered. Then her hand dropped to cup him through the hakama one last time, squeezing. "And to make sure you remember what's waiting for you later."
She released him, smoothing her hair, her expression shifting to professional composure.
Ranta opened the door.
Mei Mei stepped out first, all grace and poise. Shien followed, adjusting his hakama discreetly, still tasting strawberry on his lips.
The compound ahead looked ancient—dark wood, maintained gardens, paper lanterns hanging despite daylight. A shrine maiden appeared, bowing deeply.
"Zenin Shien-sama. Mei Mei-sama. The council is expecting you. Please follow me."
They walked together, maintaining a professional distance.
They followed the shrine maiden through winding corridors, polished wood floors echoing softly with their footsteps. Expensive artwork hung on walls, antiquity radiating from every corner.
Finally, the shrine maiden stopped before elaborate doors.
"The council chamber."
She slid them open.
The room beyond was vast and dimly lit. The higher-ups sat behind ornate screen doors in a semicircle—ancient men in traditional robes, barely visible through the latticed panels. Representatives from the three great clans flanked them, also obscured by screens.
Cushions waited in the center of the room.
Shien walked in beside Mei Mei, confident and unhurried. They knelt in perfect unison.
The head councilor spoke first, his voice weathered with age. "Zenin Shien. You have been summoned for formal evaluation regarding your Special Grade classification. Mei Mei-san, please present your report."
Mei Mei bowed her head respectfully. "Of course. Over the past three years of supervising Shien-san, I have observed consistent exceptional performance. He has completed one hundred and seventeen missions—forty-nine Grade Two curses, twenty-seven Grade One curses, and eleven Special Grade curses. All successful with no civilian casualties or mission failures."
A murmur rippled through the council.
Then one of the councilors spoke, voice dripping with condescension. "Impressive numbers, to be sure. But tell me, boy—can we truly rely on you to follow orders when they're given? We have enough rogues already. How can we trust that you'll support jujutsu society when you seem so comfortable doing things your own way? Tradition is what has held this society together."
Shien's cursed energy flickered inside him—boy, they called me boy—but he kept his voice perfectly calm and respectful.
"Honored councilor, I understand your concern. My mission record speaks to my commitment to jujutsu society. I have never refused an assignment, never abandoned a mission, and I have always prioritized civilian safety above personal glory. I am here to serve, and I will follow the guidance of those wiser and more experienced than myself."
The lie tasted like ash, but he said it with a respectful bow.
Another councilor cut in, tone equally patronizing. "And what of your brother, boy? Naoya Zenin's death was... convenient for your ascension, wouldn't you say?"
There it is.
Shien's cursed energy roiled inside him, hot and vicious waiting to be unleashed. They were implying guilt. Accusing him without actually accusing him, hiding behind careful phrasing and condescending tones.
But he kept his expression sorrowful, kept his voice steady.
"My valiant brother has been missing for a while. I myself participated in searching for him. But this is a family matter, and the noble and old Zenin clan will get to the bottom of this. I have no doubt."
The Kamo clan cocksucker wanted to undermine the Zenin by using the fact that Naoya was missing. Shien was seething but kept his temper under check, suppressing the urge to tear the screen and stomp on the old fossil who asked that question. Naoya, even in death, is being a nuisance.
Mei Mei watched him, impressed despite herself. He was playing it perfectly—answering their questions without getting defensive, showing just the right amount of emotion without overdoing it.
A third councilor spoke, voice heavy with skepticism. "We've noticed that Gojo Satoru recommended your promotion quite enthusiastically. Some might wonder if your loyalties lie with him rather than with the council and jujutsu society as a whole. After all, you trained with him, didn't you? Sparred with him
? How can we be certain you're not simply following his agenda?"
That one almost broke Shien's composure.
In league with Gojo? Subordinate to Gojo? As if I'd ever bow to anyone, even him.
His cursed energy started to leak, just slightly, pressure building in the room. But he forced it down, maintained his respectful expression.
"Honored councilor, I am grateful for Gojo-san's support, but my loyalty is to the Zenin clan and to jujutsu society as a whole. I seek to serve under your esteemed guidance, to use my abilities in whatever way you deem most beneficial to all of Japan. I am not aligned with any particular faction—I am simply a sorcerer who wishes to protect people from curses with the gift that has been given to me and also I have met Gojo san only once."
The councilors continued, question after question, each one more condescending than the last.
"At your age, boy, can you truly make sound tactical decisions under pressure?"
"Your cursed energy reserves are substantial, boy, but do you have the wisdom to use them responsibly?"
Boy. Boy. Boy.
Each time they said it, Shien felt his temper rise. Each time, he answered with perfect politeness, perfect humility and deference.
But inside, the rage was building. Like pressure behind a dam.
These insects. These pathetic, withered old prunes sitting behind screens because they were too cowardly to face him directly. Questioning his loyalty. Throwing vague accusations of murdering Naoya, which he did! but these fuckers had no proof. Shien wanted to murder these old wind bags too for the sin of annoying him.
And the tone. Gods, the tone. Every word dripped with condescension, with the assumption that he was lesser, that he needed their approval, that they had any authority over him at all.
Patience Patience
They didn't.
They had nothing. The only power they had over him was the power he let them have. Yet he bit his tongue and played along.
He smiled and nodded and played along.
Mei Mei noticed. Her eyes flicked to him, a tiny warning in her expression. She knew him better than he thought.
Another question. "And if we deem it necessary for you to kill Gojo Satoru, would you comply?"
Shien could feel himself grinding his teeth. Why does everything have to come to that blindfolded clown! This was supposed to be his confirmation hearing, and yet all these fuckers do is talk. Shien had no doubt in his mind he would find a way to surpass Gojo. But if these clowns think he would be used as a pawn or get drawn into one of their hare-brained schemes, they had another thing coming.
Enough.
The binding vow was released as his cursed energy output exploded from fifty percent to two hundred percent in an instant.
The effect was catastrophic.
Cursed energy erupted from Shien in a visible aura, purple-white and blazing with intensity that seemed to warp the air itself. The pressure descended on the room like a physical weight, crushing, suffocating and absolute.
Behind their screens, the higher-ups gasped. Some tried to stand and found their legs wouldn't support them. Others pressed back against their seats, hands trembling, hearts hammering in their chests with primal terror.
The pressure was unbearable. Like they were standing on a landmine that might explode at any moment if they so much as breathed.
One of the councilors made a strangled sound, eyes wide with terror.
Another's breathing turned to panicked wheezing, clutching at his chest.
A sharp, acrid smell began to permeate the chamber. Urine. One of them had pissed themselves, the dark stain visible even through the screen door as liquid pooled beneath their cushion.
Then another.
Behind their screens, ancient men who had controlled jujutsu society for decades sat frozen in terror, some with tears streaming down their faces, others with mouths hanging open in silent screams, several with wet stains spreading across their robes as their bladders released involuntarily.
One of them was sobbing, the sound high and broken.
Another was praying, words tumbling out in panicked, breathless Japanese.
The clan representatives fared no better. Experienced sorcerers, some of them Grade Ones, trembled behind their screens. One of them vomited, the sound wet and desperate.
Mei Mei's composure cracked.
She'd felt Shien-kun's cursed energy before. Had stood beside him during missions, had experienced his domain expansion, had watched him kill Special Grades.
But this—
This was different.
This was the full, unrestrained weight of his power. Just pure, overwhelming force that made her feel like an insect standing before a god.
Her hands trembled and her breath came short. She instinctively tried to make herself smaller and less relevant.
The pressure built. And built. And built.
Someone behind the screens was sobbing now, the sound high and desperate and broken.
The smell of urine grew stronger. More of them had lost control.
Shien sat perfectly still in the center of it all, expression serene. He let them feel it. Let them understand what he was. Let them know, with absolute certainty, that their questions meant nothing. That their authority was a joke. That he could end all of them without breaking a sweat.
When he finally spoke, his voice was calm. Almost gentle.
"Honored councilors, I am sure it would not come to that. But know that i will always act in the best interest of jujutsu society and do what is necessary"
Although his word although conciliatory and affirmative his actions were anything but.
Then he pulled the cursed energy back, restoring his output to normal levels.
The room gasped collectively, like drowning people breaking the surface. Several of the councilors slumped forward, breathing in ragged sobs. Others sat frozen, eyes wide and glassy with shock.
The acrid smell of urine hung heavy in the air.
Shien adjusted his hakama with casual precision, expression returning to polite respect.
"I apologize if that was uncomfortable, honored councilors. I simply wished to provide accurate data for your evaluation." He bowed, deep and respectful. "Have I demonstrated sufficient capability to be recognized as Special Grade?" He had to give these old prunes a face-saving out so they did not do something dumb like putting a hit out on him or excommunicating him. He had enough of their tedious bullshit.
After a moment that seemed to stretch for an eternity, the head councilor managed to speak, voice still shaking. "Y-yes. The... the council recognizes Zenin Shien as Special Grade sorcerer, effective immediately. We also formally acknowledge him as heir to the Zenin clan. This meeting is... is adjourned."
Shien bowed again. "Thank you for your wisdom and guidance, honored councilors. I look forward to serving jujutsu society under your esteemed leadership."
He stood and walked toward the door, movements unhurried.
Mei Mei followed, legs slightly unsteady, still struggling to process what she'd just experienced.
They walked through the corridors in silence. Behind them, the sounds of sobbing and panicked breathing faded into the distance.
Only when they reached the car did either of them speak.
Hayato opened the door. They slid inside. The privacy partition went up.
Mei Mei turned to him, eyes bright with something between fear and arousal.
"That was—"
"Necessary," Shien finished. His jaw was tight, cursed energy still simmering under his skin. "They needed to understand their place. I am not going to let them walk all over me."
Mei Mei stared at him for a moment, then gave an exasperated sigh "Shien-kun, well ... Atleast you did not kill them. I guess that is a win..."
"Good."
As Hayato pulled away from the compound, Shien stared out the window, thoughts dark and angry.
Beside him, Mei Mei squeezed his hand, then shifted closer, pressing against his side.
"Well," she murmured, lips brushing his ear. "You certainly earned your reward."
Shien turned to look at her.
Mei Mei's smile was pure wickedness. "I'll make the arrangements. Tonight, you and I and my two friends are going to celebrate your promotion properly."
Her hand slid to his thigh, squeezing. "Hope you have stamina, handsome. Because we're going to make sure you never forget this day."
Shien's answering smile was lewd and hungry.