Chapter 107, Chapter 21: She didn't want to upset her father.
On the way back from the banquet, Gojo Satoru kept saying things like, "I told you the banquet was so boring," and "These old men are all so old, can't they say less?"
It might sound like he's being disrespectful to the elders in the family, but actually... compared to how Gojo Satoru treated those people when the two of them went to the director's meeting before, this is actually quite polite. After all, he was just complaining, not trying to kill them.
Zhi Xueya listened silently to his complaints, and, adhering to her persona, retorted, "The elders were just being concerned."
Gojo Satoru thought to himself with a slight sneer: In the past, they must have cared about him, but he was sure that today they were more concerned about how to create a second Six-Eyed, or how to keep Little Moon Princess.
However, he didn't say these words. In recent days, he had never expressed his opinion on this matter in front of the child, actually wanting to see what decision she would make.
Will they consider the so-called future of the family and reveal that the method of creating the Six-Eyed One was definitely not done through normal means, or will they remain silent about it, even if it means pretending to be ignorant and saying that they know nothing?
During the banquet, Gojo Satoru listened attentively to the various questions and answers between Little Moon Princess and the old men. The child didn't reveal any useful information, but he didn't know whether she did it on purpose or simply didn't understand what the old men meant.
Let's take another look.
If your precious daughter doesn't say anything, it means that although she seems a bit old-fashioned, she hasn't really turned into a little orange yet, and there's still hope for her.
If she said...
It seems that even Gojo Satoru can't do anything to her.
Should I give her a personality-correcting punch, beat her up, and let her feel the care from her father? Gojo Satoru couldn't bring himself to do it.
At this moment, Gojo Satoru strangely felt that if it were a son, he would definitely be able to harden his heart and give him a good beating.
However, disappointment is inevitable.
Although he desperately wanted to change the child's fate, at least to prevent her from becoming an old orange, even he couldn't. No matter how much effort he put into guiding the child, he couldn't change the fact that she could only stay in this world for a few short weeks.
How can a few dozen days of instruction compare to the long-term influence she has received over so many years in the past and future?
Gojo Satoru could only hope that he could at least leave a spark in her heart, hoping that she would one day meet someone who could guide her in the future, just as he had met Jai and the others.
——
Karin Oriyuki had anticipated this. Once she arrived at the Gojo family, the members of the Gojo family would probably try every means to contact her, attempting to extract information about the creation of the Six-Eyed Demon from her.
And the Gojo family did not disappoint her; the next day, while Gojo Satoru was taking a bath, they approached her.
The person who came was an elder. Karin Ooyuki didn't know his name, but she remembered that he was quite high up among the elders and should be a person of high status in the Gojo family.
Upon seeing him, Karin knew that he had arrived.
"Lord Chilu, I apologize for disturbing your rest. May I have a word with you?" the man said respectfully.
Yes, he called Oriyuki Karin "Lord Akari".
In fact, that's what the Gojo family calls her now, because they still believe that the little six-eyed girl in front of them is a boy.
It's not that Gojo Satoru never mentioned that she was a girl; rather, he practically went around loudly proclaiming that she had a daughter.
But... when they first met Karin Ooyuki, she was wearing a men's kimono. She also uttered the name Gojo Akari herself, using entirely masculine language, so in the Gojo family's eyes, she was obviously a boy.
It was obvious that, compared to their own unreliable head of the family, the vast majority of the Gojo family trusted Oriyuki Karin, the seemingly young but very disciplined six-eyed girl.
Although she's young, she seems very well-behaved! She even tries to advise Master Wu, which makes her much more obedient than Master Wu himself!
Lord Chilu has no reason to lie about his gender.
As for Lord Wu, he had mentioned several times before that he wanted a daughter. It is very likely that his obsession was too deep, which is why he kept trying to raise Lord Chilu as his daughter.
Thinking about it this way, it must be really hard on Lord Chilu, having to play around with Lord Wu at such a young age.
These are roughly the thoughts of the five families.
Karin Oriyuki didn't know much, but since the other party was so cooperative in calling her Lady Akari, Karin Oriyuki naturally played along.
Karin Oriyuki put down the "history book" of the jutsu world that she had specially asked someone to bring her, turned her head to look at the other person, and asked, "Please sit down, is there anything I can help you with?"
The elder, Gojo, entered the room, sat down below him, and exchanged a few pleasantries.
The two engaged in a pointless conversation about whether the food suited their tastes, whether they slept well tonight, and whether they were satisfied with the servants' service.
After receiving positive feedback from Yuki Ayakari with no objections, she said, "Then I'm relieved," and then gave an expression that seemed to want to say something but was hesitant to speak.
At a glance, Karin could tell that the other party was about to get down to business; they were just waiting for her to ask.
Zhi Xueya Huali: I won't ask.
She just stared at the elder quietly, as if to say, "If you don't move, I won't move either."
Five Elders: "..."
Although it wasn't quite what he expected, she was, after all, a seasoned old fox who had dealt with Gojo Satoru so many times. He quickly picked a point of entry and began to explain to Oriyuki Karin the current situation in the jutsu world and the Gojo family.
As summarized, this is roughly what she meant: Don't be fooled by the fact that the Gojo family seems invincible under the leadership of their patriarch; they actually face many problems. Moreover, the patriarch has offended so many people right now, and if he passes away and no one can take his place, the Gojo family will be in dire straits.
Finally, the truth will be revealed. Lord Akari, the Gojo family truly needs your help right now. Although asking this is somewhat offensive, I must do so for the sake of the family's future.
So, could you tell us about your background?
Zhi Xueya Huali: What a thorough and vivid example of PUA!
Believe it or not, if there really were such a six-eyed little guy, and he was indeed raised to be devoted to the family in everything he did, then under such a statement, he would definitely tell everything.
But—she isn't.
Looking at the old man in front of her, Ayaka Shiki shook her head, even though he looked very kind and gentle.
The five elders were clearly taken aback.
The main reason was that Karin Origami had been listening very attentively and seriously, and he thought he had already convinced her.
Zhiyuki Ayaka: I just wanted to learn this thorough PUA technique. I feel that after I go back, I will be able to improve my character portrayal of the three starter characters.
He hesitated for a moment and asked, "Does your shaking your head mean... that you also know very little about this?"
After all, although the child in front of them looks mature and composed, he is still a child, and it is understandable that he does not know many things.
"We don't expect Lord Chilu to know all the details. You just need to tell us what you know, and the rest is our business. After all, we should share some of the burden of the family."
He was still talking about this family, as if it were some kind of grander cause.
But Karin Oriyuki shook her head, giving her refusal with utmost firmness: "No, I know. I know everything you want to know."
The elder's joy had barely surfaced when she heard her next words: "But I won't tell you."
Elder Gojo was stunned, staring blankly at her: "W-why?"
He was still trying to persuade Karin Oori, and he said a lot of things about family righteousness.
With the intention of studying hard, Ayaka listened patiently to what he had to say, but her attitude remained unchanged.
She shook her head again: "No, I won't tell."
Karin Okiyuki presented her script.
She raised her eyes, her azure gaze meeting the elder's directly, and calmly replied, "I know all that you're saying, the family is important. But... this isn't what Father would have wanted, is it?"
The five elders were stunned.
Yes, this is certainly not what the patriarch wanted, otherwise they wouldn't have come secretly behind his back. But...
Karin interrupted him before he could finish speaking: "I know, Father doesn't want me to tell you these things. He doesn't even want me to come back to the main family and meet you."
"I don't know what the right thing to do is."
"You told me that the family is very important, and everything should be done for the sake of the family. You wanted to know how to create a second Six-Eyed. You also told me that my father is worthy of respect, that he has always been on the right path and leading the family."
“But my father told me that I could do whatever I wanted and that I didn’t have to follow so many rules. He also didn’t want you to learn those things from me.”
As she finished speaking, a look of confusion crossed her eyes.
The elder on the other side almost cried when he heard this.
No, we did say the first part, but we didn't say the latter part!
Although they did respect the patriarch, in truth, he wasn't really worthy of respect! The idea that he was "always on the right path" was utter nonsense; at least, that path was definitely not the one they initially wanted to see.
But... he had a pretty good idea that these words were probably taught by elders from a parallel world.
After some thought, if the patriarch were truly dead and they were to raise this young master, they would probably do it the same way. After all, even if the person is dead, their glorious image should at least be preserved, which would make it easier for them to teach the child.
But who would have thought that at this crucial moment, they would actually hold their own people back!
Elder Gojo was practically spitting blood.
He opened his mouth, still thinking he had to try to salvage the situation no matter what. Before the child could make up her mind, he wanted to change her perspective.
But Karin Oori didn't give him a chance. She immediately made her decision: "I don't know who is right, or what is right for me, but... if I tell you all this, Father will definitely be unhappy."
And she, or perhaps Gojo Tsukihime, didn't want to upset her father.
Although this father was not quite what she had imagined, for some reason, she found him to be very vivid and real.
"Therefore, I will not tell you any of this. Please go back."
The elder in front of her seemed to want to say something more, but she had already closed her eyes: "I have a bit of a headache and want to rest."
The order to leave had been made so clear that the other party had no reason to stay any longer and could only leave for the time being.
Let's find another opportunity to talk to Lord Akari later.
Although I have this thought in my heart, is there really still a chance?
Elder Gojo left with a heavy heart.
After he left...
Ayaka Shiki's smile was practically reaching for the sky.
Hahahaha! She's finished acting! Her performance was amazing! This script is brilliant! I'm a genius! Hahahahahaha!
No, I can't laugh so unrestrainedly. I am Gojo Tsukihime now, and I must be aloof and composed.
Pfft, can't seem to calm down.
In the end, Yuki Ayaka wrapped herself in the blanket, forcing herself to calm down.
If no one can see it, then I'm not laughing.
Unexpectedly, what was originally just an excuse to go to sleep turned into a genuine feeling of sleepiness after I got into bed, and eventually I actually fell asleep.
So when Gojo Satoru came back after taking a bath, what he saw was a blanket wrapped up in a ball.
With his six eyes, he could naturally see the child under the blanket. He couldn't help but laugh and went over to help pull the blanket down a bit, at least revealing her face.
He chuckled and pinched the child's still chubby cheeks: "Silly, your face is all red."
He was still the head of the family after all. Although he was too lazy to engage in any political maneuvering, if he wanted to know something, someone would naturally bring it to him. For example, an elder had just come to see Oriyuki Karin, and for example... Oriyuki Karin's answer.
He was overjoyed by what the child said, and wished he could be there in person!
Although I always feel that if I were there, my precious daughter might not have said that.
The little guy is shy.
However… looking at the child's well-behaved appearance in his sleep, Gojo Satoru's lips curved upwards, finally turning into a sweet murmur: "You like Daddy so much?"
If Xia Youjie saw the look in his eyes right now, he would definitely laugh at him—who's calling him a male mother? Who's more like a male mother anyway?
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