“Kaito, my beloved younger brother!
Your big brother has come to visit!”
The dining room door was kicked open in the most ostentatious manner possible.
Satoru made his entrance with his usual arrogant flair, but the smile on his lips instantly froze before an unimaginable scene.
Kaito and the First Elder were having a meal—that was normal enough—but sitting beside them was a muscular man wolfing down food, and an annoying little girl constantly acting coddled around his younger brother.
“Kaito, get that one for me!” Tobu pointed her finger.
“Here,” Kaito gently picked up the food and placed it on her plate.
“Your cooking is amazing.
How about you come live with me from now on?”
Satoru froze for a few seconds, then yelled: “You crazy brat!
What are you doing here?!”
“Oh, I should be asking you that, platinum-haired idiot.
Why aren’t you at home training instead of running over here?
Want a rematch?” Tobu tilted her chin in challenge.
“Bring it on…
Ouch!”
Before Satoru could charge forward, Lady Otome quickly pinched his cheek and pulled him back.
“Mother,” Kaito stood up to greet her, his face brightening considerably.
This time, the entire main family—Sei, Otome, Satoru, and even Shoko—had arrived.
After placing pressure on the elders multiple times, Otome was finally able to visit her youngest son with dignity.
As for Shoko, she had been treating the Gojo estate like her own home these past few days; out of concern for Otome’s health on the long journey, she insisted on coming along to care for her.
“Oh my…” Otome looked at the two unfamiliar figures at the dining table, particularly the black-haired girl sitting beside Kaito, an indescribable emotion rising in her heart.
That her two sons were handsome was a given, but she hadn’t expected them to hold such charm for the opposite sex so early.
Watching Tobu naturally interact with Kaito, Otome was convinced this relationship was far from ordinary.
The First Elder laughed heartily, inviting the whole family to sit down.
Fortunately, Kaito had a habit of cooking extra food to last for multiple meals, so adding five more mouths to feed posed no issue.
He enthusiastically brought out fine wine to catch up with Sei.
The dining table became exceptionally warm and lively.
Satoru ate while pouring out constant praise: “As expected of my brother, he’s even a genius at cooking!”
Otome wiped her eldest son’s mouth while letting out a soft sigh: “I wonder who the older brother really is.
The more mature Kaito is, the more childish you become.”
Her comment brought nods of agreement from everyone around the table.
Shoko quickly struck up a conversation with Tobu, and the two girls of similar age fast became friends.
Noticing the faint bruises on Kaito and Tobu’s faces, Shoko showcased her Reverse Cursed Technique to heal them.
The warm energy flowing from Shoko’s hands caused the injuries to vanish in a fraction of a second—a remarkably convenient ability indeed.
Otome sat down between Kaito and Tobu, inquiring attentively while gently placing food onto the Zenin girl’s plate: “I am Kaito’s mother.
Eat plenty, dear—you look a bit thin.”
Tobu froze.
She felt the genuine sincerity and warmth radiating from Otome’s hand.
Looking around the table, witnessing the care, attention, and bustling family atmosphere…
it was a luxury she had never once tasted at the Zenin estate.
Involuntarily, Tobu’s eyes welled with tears.
“What’s wrong?
Does the food not suit your taste?” Otome asked anxiously.
“No…
it’s just that I feel so happy,” Tobu lowered her head, hiding her tears.
“Ha ha!
Crying just from being happy?
You’re way too weak!” Satoru’s laugh rang out carefree once again.
“Be quiet!” Otome pinched Satoru’s cheek painfully once more, then turned to comfort Tobu, saying gently: “If anything bothers you, just come see me, dear.
The Gojo family will always welcome you.”
Toji sat quietly in a corner, enjoying his food while taking everything in.
A rare smile appeared on his seasoned face. The source of this chapter is novelping.com.
Clang!
Clang!
The steady rhythm of the hammer striking the iron anvil echoed throughout the forge.
Five children surrounded Kaito, every pair of eyes fixed intently on the glowing red blade with a mix of curiosity and excitement.
Even Toji, despite being in his teenage years, could not suppress a child-like sense of wonder before the mystery of swordsmithing.
“Looks like it’s still not right,” Kaito wiped his sweat, letting out a soft sigh.
“Have you tried compressing those Cursed Spirits dry first?” Toji offered a suggestion.
“Or try channeling cursed energy directly into it while forging?” Tobu suggested eagerly.
“How about trying Reverse Cursed Technique as well?” Shoko pondered.
Satoru patted Kaito’s shoulder, his voice full of bravado: “How about I go hunt down a few Special Grade Cursed Spirits to serve as raw materials for you?”
Watching the kids gathered in a group from afar, Lady Otome smiled fondly.
This lively commotion brought back memories of a fateful family conversation from a few days ago.
That day, in the quiet room of the First Elder’s estate, Sei and Otome sat across from Kaito.
Behind a folding screen, four silhouettes—Satoru, Shoko, Toji, and Tobu—peeked and eavesdropped.
“Kaito, do you want to…
return to the main house?” Sei opened tentatively, his eyes filled with apology.
“Leaving you to live away from the family is my fault.
I truly wish to make up for everything you’ve lost.”
The First Elder also offered reassurance: “If you want to return, go right ahead.
This old man is used to being alone, so you don’t need to worry about me.”
Hearing this from outside, Satoru was overjoyed, already dreaming of the scenario where the two brothers could be side-by-side day and night.
Toji and Tobu were also secretly happy for Kaito, both having come to understand his circumstances.
Even if the Gojo house was more open-minded, it was still one of the Three Great Families; the rejection faced by Heavenly Restriction users was something Toji understood all too well.
However, Kaito fell into a long silence.
Looking deep into his father’s eyes, he replied serenely: “Thank you, Father, but perhaps…
I will stay here.”
“NO!” A frantic shout echoed from behind the screen.
It was Satoru.
Shoko had to quickly cover his mouth and drag him away.
“Why, Kaito?
Could it be that you still hold resentment toward me?” Sei urged, his voice trembling.
“I promise to give you anything you desire, as long as you return.”
“I already have everything I need right here, Father,” Kaito maintained his calm composure.
“And I want to make one thing clear: I have never resented you.”
The entire room sank into stunned silence.
“I understand clearly that I am an anomaly in this world.
What you did that night—I completely empathize with it.
You were also bound by family responsibility and archaic rules.” Kaito looked down at his hands and continued: “Yet I am still standing here, growing up healthy, and I have found my own path.
Please allow me to continue pursuing it.”
Lady Otome stroked her son’s head, tears welling up.
She could hardly believe these words were spoken by a six-year-old child.
“The only thing that concerns me…
is Mother’s health.”
His words brought everyone to a halt.
Being the most perceptive, he had noticed his mother’s weakening condition long ago.
“Knowing Shoko is by Mother’s side brings me some peace of mind.
But even Reverse Cursed Technique cannot completely cure the illness, proving that traditional methods are no longer effective.
I believe that the new path I am walking will surely yield a way to heal Mother completely.”
At this moment, even Sei had to bow his head in admiration for his youngest son.
This child always thought of others before himself. Find the original chapter at novelping.com.
No matter how unfairly the world treated him, he responded with the purest love.
To lighten the heavy atmosphere, Kaito turned to the First Elder and added wittily: “Besides, I’m worried that if I leave, Grandfather will be too lazy to eat properly.”
Everyone burst out laughing, and even the First Elder had to shake his head, yielding to his grandson’s thoughtfulness.
“And most importantly…
if I live at the main house, I fear Brother Satoru will bother me every day, making it impossible for me to focus on my research.”
“Little brother!
How could you be so heartless…” Satoru’s voice rang out again, and once more, Shoko covered his mouth and dragged him away.
Everyone agreed that Kaito was right.
“Very well then.
If that is the path you have chosen, persevere until the end.
Your mother and I will always stand behind you to support you,” Sei nodded firmly.
“And remember to visit home often, okay?” Otome held Kaito tightly in her arms.
“Yes, I promise.”
A week passed in the blink of an eye, bringing the Zenin siblings’ vacation to an end.
Standing in front of the gate of the First Elder’s estate, Tobu could not hide the reluctance in her eyes.
Though it had only been seven days, what this place provided—from the warmth of familial affection to fair, unreserved battles—was something she had never felt at the Zenin house.
Toji placed his large hand on his sister’s head, stroking her hair.
He understood her feelings, for he too had found a bit of “home” in this place.
“If you don’t want to go back yet, just stay a while longer.
Old Naobito wouldn’t dare do anything to me,” the First Elder spoke up.
He knew Naobito frequently pried for news.
“Thank you, but no.
I’ve already bothered everyone enough,” Tobu bowed her head slightly.
Though somewhat stubborn, she still held a degree of respect for Naobito.
Furthermore, she understood she still carried responsibilities and shackles she could not cast off immediately.
“The doors here will always be open for you,” Lady Otome smiled, gently caressing Tobu’s hair.
In her heart, she had long considered this girl family—or perhaps a very promising future daughter-in-law.
She was the one who had filled the maternal void Tobu had yearned for.
“Ha ha!
Feel free to come fight me anytime!” Satoru was still true to form, ruining the touching moment only to receive a painful rap on the head from Shoko.
Kaito stepped closer, his tone calm: “Unfortunately, even with everyone’s help, I haven’t made any major breakthroughs in forging blades.
But whenever there is an improvement, I will surely let you all know right away.”
Looking at Satoru and Kaito standing side-by-side, everyone thought to themselves: Clearly identical twins with matching looks, yet their personalities are as different as night and day.
Although he had not yet found the formula to recreate a soul for a Zanpakutō, Kaito felt he was extremely close to lifting “the veil.” He made a promise to Toji, Tobu, Satoru, and Shoko: when he succeeded, each of them would possess a blade of their own.
“Hurry it up, kid.
If I get tired of waiting, I’ll come steal this Hyōrinmaru,” Toji shook Kaito’s hand.
His words still reeked of the streets, but his firm grip showed that both had truly become comrades bound through thick and thin.
“That’s right!
If you can’t forge a sword, you’ll have to come be my personal chef to apologize!” Tobu teased, though inwardly she was already worrying whether she would gain weight back at the Zenin house out of missing Kaito’s cooking.
The Gojo main family was also preparing to depart today.
Kaito hugged his mother tightly and bade farewell to his father and brother.
The convoy rolled away, the kicking dust gradually obscuring the familiar figures.
Now, only Kaito and the First Elder remained in the spacious courtyard.
Looking at the boy’s small yet resolute back, the old man asked softly:
“Do you miss them?
If you want to change your mind and return to the main house, it’s still not too late.”
“Missing them is natural, Grandfather,” Kaito looked toward the horizon, where the sunset was painting the sky in brilliant hues.
“But separation only makes the reunion meaningful.
I want us all to be stronger than we are now when we meet again.”
He turned back toward the forge, where the fire inside was still smoldering—promising a new beginning filled with hardship, yet glowing with hope.