But now it just seems wrong. How could a teenage girl be the girlfriend of a six-year-old boy?
The girl in front of him definitely had some ulterior motive.
In an instant, Inamichi pictured countless beauty traps that other sorcerer families might have devised to get their hands on a Zanpakutō.
At the same time, he silently cursed these sorcerer families for being utterly shameless, actually sending a girl to seduce Satoshi.
Satoshi was still just a child!
Although, this girl was indeed breathtaking. Her looks were truly extraordinary...
Inamichi sighed inwardly, then looked down at his daughter holding his hand.
Well, Shoko was also very pretty.
But unfortunately, she was only six. Her appearance leaned more toward cute than beautiful.
Moreover, it didn't seem like Shoko had any awareness of danger at all.
Is six really the age when love starts? Probably not.
Love usually begins around thirteen or fourteen…
Shoko looked curiously at the girl whom Satoru had introduced as Satoshi's girlfriend.
Just as Inamichi expected, at her age, Shoko had no concept of romance.
After all, she was only six.
No matter how precocious a girl might be, she wouldn't be thinking about relationships at that age.
However, seeing Yuki's slightly more mature figure, Shoko did feel a little envious.
...
Seeing that Satoru seemed like he wanted to talk to Yuki, Inamichi quickly interrupted him.
"Where is Satoshi? Shoko and I will go check on him."
No matter what, he still had to fight for his daughter.
Shoko might not have fallen for anyone yet, but that didn't mean she wouldn't regret it later, right?
Once she's seen someone as outstanding as Satoru or Satoshi, it'd be hard for her to look up to any other boy.
As a father, he had to leave a shred of hope for his daughter...
Inamichi's sudden appearance successfully drew Satoru's attention away.
"Master Inamichi, here, please help check on Satoshi thoroughly."
"After using his Zanpakutō's Bankai, he fell into a deep sleep. We still don't know what's going on."
Led by Satoru, Inamichi and Shoko entered Satoshi's room.
Meanwhile, Genichi quietly made his way over to Shunichi. As the acting grandson, he naturally needed to learn as much as he could about anyone involved with Satoru and Satoshi. That way, he could report everything to his grandfather later.
"Uncle Shunichi, what's the story behind that girl? Just now, Young Master Satoru mentioned she's Young Master Satoshi's girlfriend?"
Genichi asked in a hushed voice.
Shunichi nodded calmly. Now that Kumaen had changed his stance, Shunichi no longer felt the same hostility toward him as before.
He also told Genichi everything he knew about Yuki's background without reservation.
"What? She's actually a Star Plasma Vessel? And she's Lord Tengen's envoy?"
As a traditional sorcerer, Genichi held deep respect for Tengen. Lord Tengen was the guardian deity of the sorcery world, the one who protected all sorcerers...
And yet, Yuki, Tengen's envoy, had actually become Satoshi's girlfriend?
This was something his grandfather absolutely had to know.
Seeing Genichi hastily take his leave, a faint smile appeared on Shunichi's face.
Back when Toji had spoken to Yuki, he already sensed something was unusual.
However, there was no doubting Yuki's identity as a Star Plasma Vessel. That made her a perfect tool to suppress the more restless elements within the Gojo clan.
Even though Kumaen had changed sides, there were still diehards in the Twin Curse Faction lingering within the clan.
To the traditionalists, Lord Tengen was the most revered figure.
Now, this very same traditional figure had openly expressed his regard for Satoshi. That alone would shake the confidence of the entire faction.
So regardless of whether Yuki and Satoshi really had that kind of relationship, Shunichi didn't care.
Since Yuki herself had admitted it and made her position clear, then he and Toji might as well go along with it and push things forward. That would only benefit Satoshi.
At that moment, Satoshi—still lying unconscious—had no idea that, thanks to Toji and Shunichi, his so-called girlfriend was already locked in place.
...
After Genichi relayed the details about the Star Plasma Vessel and her connection to Lord Tengen, Kumaen was visibly surprised.
He hadn't expected such a mysterious identity behind that strange girl.
Even though the Tsukumo family wasn't as powerful as the Gojo clan in the sorcery world, they were still a well-known family in Kyoto. How had a girl like that ended up as Satoshi's girlfriend?
Satoshi really did keep surprising people…
Actually, the Tsukumo family wasn't the main point. What mattered was Yuki's relationship with Tengen.
If Satoshi could build a connection to Tengen through Yuki, it would be a massive boost to his future.
"Alright. Got it."
Kumaen nodded thoughtfully.
Next, it all depended on how he would use this information to make those diehards quietly back off.
The Gojo clan, the Tsukumo family, and Tengen…
If these three forces came together, then even if the entire sorcery world joined forces against them, they wouldn't be able to stand a chance, right?
That wild thought briefly crossed Kumaen's mind before he quickly shook it off.
Tengen was the most enigmatic sorcerer. Who knew what he was really thinking? As a mere sorcerer himself, Kumaen didn't dare to guess.
Still, based on Yuki's current attitude toward Satoshi, Tengen's impression of the boy was likely positive.
That thought brought a fresh wave of worry to Kumaen.
The importance of the Star Plasma Vessel to Tengen couldn't be overstated. If Yuki really was a Star Plasma Vessel, then she would eventually need to merge with Tengen...
In that case, what would Satoshi do?
Would he be willing to accept it when that day came?
In Kumaen's eyes, Satoshi wasn't someone who would bow to authority so easily.
From the moment he was born, this boy had been defying worldly rules.
Heavenly Restriction and Zanpakutō.
These were the weapons Satoshi wielded to challenge and shatter the system.
(To be continued.)
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