Shinsuke never expected to hear su unfamiliar phrase from Satoshi's mouth.

  Although this kind of duel had not taken p a long time, every ember of the Three Great Families was aware of the —Zenin Shinsuke included.

  What he couldn't uand was why Satoshi would invoke an Imperial Duel over something so trivial.

  He aowledged that Satoru was incredibly powerful, his speed and the sheer strength of his cursed energy earlier had surpassed his own in every aspect.

  However, Satoru was not the one who initiated the duel.

  It was Satoshi.

  A six-year-old boy with Heavenly Restri, someone incapable of using cursed energy, had actually challenged him—a Grade 3 sorcerer to a duel?

  Shinsuke's face twisted in anger.

  This was an insult.

  "You have no cursed energy. If I accept this duel, it would be nothing short of bullying you."

  Despite his arrogance, Shinsuke carried the pride of the Zenin .

  Although he despised Toji for possessing Heavenly Restri, he had never ht bullied him.

  Now, despite his dissatisfa, he was unwilling to use his status as a Grade 3 sorcerer to humiliate Satoshi.

  "I refuse!"

  His refusal was reasonable.

  However, Satoru was not about to let him off so easily.

  "You just insulted my brother. That alos the ditions for an Imperial Duel."

  "Therefore, the duel has already beeablished. You are not allowed to refuse."

  After witnessing the power of Sode no Shirayuki st time, Satoru was extremely fident in Satoshi's strength.

  Although Shinsuke was irong, in the face of Sode no Shirayuki, a mere Grade 3 sorcerer should not pose a signifit threat.

  inally, if Satoshi hadn't initiated the duel himself, Satoru had been fully prepared to personally teach this rude fool a lesson.

  But now that Satoshi was taking matters into his own hands.

  Satoru was more than happy to let him.

  Uhe pressure of Satoru's overwhelming presence, Shinsuke had no choice but to accept.

  "Young Master Satoshi, don't bme me for what happe!"

  His eyes gleamed coldly.

  "I don't know what kind of trump card you think you have… but in the world of sorcery, those without cursed energy are nothing but ants before a real sorcerer."

  As the most talented member of the Zenin 's younger geion, Shinsuke had never feared a battle of teiques.

  He was not particurly skilled in other areas, but when it came to jujutsu bat.

  He excelled.

  To him, this duel meant nothing.

  If Satoshi wao embarrass himself, then Shinsuke was more than willing to py along.

  The duel was officially firmed before Zenin Ogi, Gojo Kumaen, and Ieiri Inamichi—who, upon his ued arrival, was immediately dragged in as a witness.

  —

  "Shoko, what happened? Why is an Imperial Duel taking pce?"

  Inamichi was still baffled.

  He had only e to the Gojo estate with Shoko to treat the head.

  He never expected to get caught up in a major flict betweehree Great Families.

  Wasn't this supposed to be a simple gathering of sorcerers?

  How did it escate into an official duel!?

  Hearing her father's fusion, Shoko quietly expined everything that had just transpired.

  When Inamichi learhat Satoshi was a bearer of Heavenly Restri, a flicker of shock appeared on his face.

  Finally, he uood the true meaning behind the Gojo head's earlier words.

  …You actually want Satoshi and Shoko to be engaged?

  His expression darkened.

  The Gojo family had clearly discovered Shoko's talent in Reverse Cursed Teique.

  And now, they wao secure a marriage with a Six Eyes user tthen their bloodline.

  If the ohey had chosen for Shoko was Satoru, the true Six Eyes heir.

  Inamichi would have had no objes.

  However—

  If they were suggesting that Shoko should be eo Gojo Satoshi, someone who, despite having Six Eyes, was bound by Heavenly Restri and would never bee a sorcerer…

  That was pletely uable.

  He would never allow his daughter to marry someone who could not wield jujutsu.

  And to make matters worse.

  This boy actually believed he could fight a Grade 3 sorcerer using only physical bat!?

  Has he pletely lost his mind!?

  Inamichi immediately beled Satoshi as arrogant.

  However—

  Unlike her father, Shoko sehat Satoshi was different.

  Even though he had no cursed energy.

  Her gaze remained locked oana in Satoshi's hand.

  Satoshi… are you skilled in kendo?

  She could sehat the sword ecial.

  But could swordsmanship alone pare to jujutsu?

  Shoko wasn't sure.

  But she was curious to see how Satoshi would hahis duel.

  Unlike her father, she wasn't vihat cursed energy was the only path tth.

  —

  Meanwhile, Zenin Ogi and Gojo Kumaen remaiirely ued by the frontatioween Satoshi and Shinsuke.

  Each of them had their own goals and priorities.

  To Gojo Kumaen, Satoshi was not someone he favored.

  So he didn't care about the oute of the duel.

  As long as Satoru tio grow, Satoshi's reputation or ck thereof was irrelevant.

  Eventually, the differeween them would bee obvious.

  To Ogi, Shinsuke was merely a moderately talented member of the younger geion.

  He had no i in the younger geion.

  What he did care about was how to use this duel tthen his own influence.

  His goal was simple.

  To one day bee the head of the Zenin .

  —

  Oraining grounds of the Gojo estate, Satoshi and Shiood opposite each other.

  Toji observed with amusement.

  He rarely dispyed his strength in front of others.

  But he knew for a fact—

  Shinsuke was not his match.

  Still, he was ied to see what kind of fighting style Satoshi would use.

  Would he rely on pure physical strength, like Toji himself?

  That seemed unlikely.

  Satoshi was only six years old, far too young to fully develop peak physical abilities.

  So, what kind of trump card does Gojo Satoshi have?

  The other members of the Gojo family also gathered around to watch.

  Like Shoko, their attention was drawn to the Zanpakutō in Satoshi's hand—Sode no Shirayuki.

  A week ago, rumors had spread that Gojo Satoshi had fed a powerful cursed tool.

  A ype of on, one capable of unleashing tremendous cursed energy and unique abilities.

  It was said that this Zanpakutō would revolutionize cursed tools iure.

  Many had been eager to withis supposed epoch-making on for themselves.

  However—

  Over the past week, Satoshi had destroyed the fe five times attempting to create a new one.

  So this duel.

  This was finally their ce to see Sode no Shirayuki in a.

  The atmosphere grew tense.

  Everyone present had their own reasons for watg.

  But ohing was clear.

  This duel could shift the baweehree Great Families.