So that was the real reason.
It seemed they were indeed quite cunning.
By pretending not to believe Mei Mei, they were actually trying to lure out the person behind all those Cursed Tools to appear in person.
Now the question was what I should do.
Should I really go there?
If I went, there was a possibility they would try to attack me to seize the various Cursed Tools I possessed. It wasn't impossible that they would even try to force me to stay there so I could create special Cursed Tools for them.
After all, they were the Zenin Clan.
Among the three great Jujutsu Clans, they were known as the worst. Arrogance, power, and violence were almost always attached to their name. There were many unpleasant stories about how they treated those they deemed useless.
"Haaah…" I let out a long sigh as I leaned back in my chair.
My gaze drifted up to the ceiling, thinking through the various possibilities that could happen if I truly went there.
But the more I thought about it, the answer remained the same.
Whether I liked it or not, I had to go meet them. Otherwise, the plan to take Maki and Mai away would most likely never succeed.
"Alright," I finally said as I looked back at Mei Mei, "I'll go meet them."
Shizuka, who had been sitting at the side of the room, immediately turned toward me after hearing that decision.
"Are you sure?" Shizuka asked, her expression showing slight confusion. Her brows furrowed faintly. "Weren't you the one who said the Zenin Clan is the worst among the three Jujutsu Clans?"
Even so, Shizuka didn't look too worried. She sounded more surprised by my decision than anything else.
After all, she knew I had more than enough ways to escape if things turned bad. Even if the entire Zenin Clan tried to hold me back, it didn't necessarily mean they could actually succeed.
"Yes, I'm sure," I replied, nodding firmly.
There was no point in hesitating when the end goal remained the same.
Rika, who had been quietly listening to our conversation, finally spoke up.
"Then be careful," Rika said as she looked at me with a serious expression. Her eyes were fixed on mine, as if making sure I truly understood the risks involved.
"I know," I replied with a small smile. "So don't worry."
I shrugged lightly. "Just wait for good news from me."
After saying that, I reached out and gently patted Rika's head. Her hair felt soft beneath my hand, causing her to lower her head slightly.
A few strands of her hair swayed gently as I pulled my hand back.
After that, I shifted my gaze back to Mei Mei, who was still sitting calmly across the table.
"So when do I need to go?" I asked.
Mei Mei looked at me for a moment, as if making sure I had truly made up my mind.
Then she answered in a calm voice, "Tomorrow."
...
...
...
The next morning finally arrived. The air felt fresher than usual, as if today carried something different. Today was the day I would head to the Zenin Clan to meet them directly—a meeting that was clearly not something to take lightly.
Right now, I was inside our temporary base in Akiruno City. The building was simple, but spacious enough to accommodate all of us.
In the fairly wide central room, with the morning sunlight streaming through the windows, I stood facing Mei Mei, Shizuka, and Rika.
Meanwhile, Mimiko and Nanako were being held comfortably by Shizuka and Rika, their small bodies looking warm in their embrace.
The two baby girls looked at me with clear, round eyes, full of curiosity. Their gaze appeared innocent, yet it was clearly filled with a confusion they couldn't hide.
Their small eyes continued to follow my every movement, as if trying to understand who exactly was standing before them now.
Perhaps they were indeed confused.
After all, my current appearance was vastly different from usual—far too different to be easily recognized.
Right now, I was using the Mask of a Thousand Faces to alter my appearance into someone who looked strikingly similar to Minato Namikaze.
My blond hair was neatly arranged, faintly gleaming under the morning light. My face appeared more mature, with a sharper jawline, and the expression I wore naturally radiated a deep sense of calm.
Even the aura I gave off felt stable and controlled, leaving the impression of someone who had gone through countless experiences.
On top of that, I was also using the Shapeshifting Garment, which adapted itself to my needs. It had now taken the form of simple clothing with a distinct impression. A dark blue short-sleeved shirt fit neatly against my body, the fabric appearing light yet durable.
It was paired with comfortable brown long pants, allowing freedom of movement without sacrificing a neat appearance. On my feet, a pair of simple sandals completed the look.
Over it, I wore Minato's Hokage cloak, though with slight modifications. The cloak now featured a hoodie at the back, giving it a more modern feel, along with several buttons in the front that partially covered my shirt.
As the fabric of the cloak swayed gently with the breeze coming from the window, the sense of elegance and authority became even more pronounced.
This appearance made me look far more mature than usual.
Normally, I looked like an unremarkable elementary school kid, someone who could easily be forgotten in a crowd. But now, the difference was like night and day. Even the way I stood felt different—calmer, steadier.
Perhaps that was why Mimiko and Nanako kept staring at me without pause, their eyes never leaving me. To them, the person standing before them now might be nothing more than a stranger who happened to feel somewhat familiar.
"Are you ready?" Mei Mei asked while looking at me with a faint smile. Her gaze was as sharp as ever, as if trying to ensure there wasn't a single flaw in my preparation.
I nodded without hesitation. "Yeah, I'm ready."
My answer was short, but it was enough to show my confidence.
After that, I turned back toward Mimiko and Nanako, who were still watching me with clear curiosity.
"Then I'll get going," I said in a deliberately softened voice, different from the firm tone I usually used.
"Mimiko and Nanako, Papa's heading out for a bit." I gave a small smile before reaching out to gently pat Mimiko's head, who was in Shizuka's arms. The baby's soft hair felt smooth against my palm. Mimiko simply blinked slowly, her gaze still fixed on me, as if trying to remember this face.
Then I shifted to Nanako, who was in Rika's arms, and did the same. The light touch made Nanako move her hand slightly, a small reflex that looked adorable.
"Be careful!" Shizuka said with a light nod. "If they cause trouble, just beat them up!"
Her tone sounded casual, almost like a joke, as if such things were perfectly normal. There wasn't the slightest hint of worry in her words—or perhaps that was simply her way of hiding it.
Rika, who stood beside Shizuka, then gave a small smile, calm yet meaningful, as if she trusted me completely without needing to say much.
"If they can't be negotiated with," Rika said in a calm yet firm tone, "make them understand why you're called the King of the Cursed Tools."
I let out a quiet sigh at that, my shoulders lowering slightly as if an invisible weight had once again reminded me of something I had never truly asked for.
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[Note: This novel is updated on every even-numbered date]
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