Weakness is a sin, and power is absolute.
This has been the only rule of the Zenin Clan for a thousand years.
So, when Naobito announced Suzuki's ascension to the Clan Head of the Zenin Clan, those whom he had beaten couldn't say anything and just accepted it, since in this clan, the strong got everything.
Yet, even if Suzuki wasn't strong enough, the fact that he had the bloodline legitimacy, considering his father was Naobito, made him fit to become the next head of the Zenin Clan.
So, no matter how annoyed, angry, fearful, nervous, or anything else they felt when they faced him, they knew well that they could do nothing, since before his might, all their resistance was futile. He, Suzuki Zenin, had become the 28th Head of the Zenin Clan, replacing his father.
Gulp! Gulp! Gulp!
"Gah!"
Naobito was drinking on the side, moving away, as he wasn't the head anymore, so he just focused on drinking, but Mai and Maki were at a loss, as they saw Suzuki's ascension, and because of that, it was just amazing.
Their thoughts returned to the past, when they spent most of their time together, as he was the only one who would protect them, beating up those who messed with them, making them untouchable.
Did he fall in love with them?
No, the two of them knew that well, since they felt like Suzuki was caring for them in his own ways, like a family, which was a term that was non-existent within this clan.
The facts?
Maki and Mai were the best, since, despite being the daughters of Ogi Zenin, they were treated as servants, tools, or, worse, slaves.
If there were no Suzuki, their fate would probably have been to become brides for the strong to bolster the genetics of the Zenin Clan, considering how beautiful the two of them were.
This might be so vulgar, yet this was the truth, after all.
"So, what are you going to do?" Naobito was drunk as he looked at Suzuki lazily. He had accepted his fate, losing his position as clan head to Suzuki, yet even so, it didn't matter, since he was also too lazy to manage the family's problems. "You want to change everything, right? Yet, how? Even Gojo Satoru, the mightiest of all, is incapable of doing anything. Even if you become the head of the family, nothing will change."
Naobito glanced at Mai and Maki and said, "You want to make the two live well, right? You have achieved it. You can make the two live well under your shadows, and as they are as good as yours, they are going to be taken care of by you, but what about the others? As the clan head, are you going to ignore the others?"
"SHUT UP!" Mai glared at Naobito, to which he laughed.
"Oh-ho? You made her so much in love with you, after all. As expected of my son~! Gyahahaha~!"
As Naobito laughed, Mai's veins became even more noticeable, clearly showing her anger, wishing to shoot several bullets at Naobito.
Yet, Maki was silent because, previously, her goal had been to become the clan head, and that was why she moved to Tokyo, but Naobito's words made her silent.
If she became the clan head, what would she do to change everything?
Would she sit down, then do nothing?
After all, as Naobito had said, the only miserable people weren't just Mai and Maki, and there were many other people, too. Moreover, Mai and Maki weren't the only ones who had such a situation. Instead, there might be one or two Mai and Maki in the future as well.
Yet, there was only one Suzuki.
Even if Suzuki could save Mai and Maki, what about the others?
"So, instead of thinking of anything stupid, you should enjoy your hard work."
Gulp! Gulp! Gulp!
If Naobito had to say, he didn't hate the idea of giving the clan head position to his last son. After all, he had seen how hard his last son had to train, study, and work. Suzuki's path might be different from others'. Yet the result was obvious: Suzuki became the strongest of all and even ravaged the entire Zenin Clan, leaving its members unscathed, completely spotless.
Unlike Naoya, who was arrogant, Suzuki was capable and also reliable.
The fact that he grew stronger to protect Maki and Mai was also something I loved, as it showed he cared about his family.
"But the family problem is different. You should follow the tradition."
Yet changing the status quo for everyone was a different matter.
The Jujutsu Sorcery society had always maintained the same rules for the past thousands of years, and nothing had changed despite the country continuing to change—why?
Because this was the most perfect method.
"You have been working hard anyway. Just focus on your hobby, and—"
"I am not like you, Father."
"Hmm?"
"You are just lazy."
"..." Naobito.
"But, I am different."
Naobito couldn't ask Suzuki how his son was different from him since, as Suzuki said those words, he stood up, walking toward the crowd, all the members of the Zenin Clan, whom he had told to gather in the yard, as the new clan head of the Zenin Clan, he had something to announce.
As his figure emerged, some looked down, either depressed, fearful, or nervous; others looked up, feeling dazed, amazed, or even at a loss, yet they knew well that, from this point, the clan head of the Zenin Clan was this young man, Suzuki Zenin.
"Listen to me. From this point, I am no longer just your relative or the son of the clan head, but the Clan Head of the Zenin Clan. Your leader. And, as your leader, let me tell you that I will change the stupid feudal era that has continued to happen in the family."
"...." Everyone.
Suzuki ignored their reactions and continued with his explanation, "For a millennium, this family has operated in a deeply flawed situation. Everyone measures human worth by a genetic lottery—specifically, Cursed Energy reserves and inherited techniques. Because of this, you systematically abused, marginalized, and wasted 80% of this family's potential. You beat the Kukuru unit. You sidelined women. You let ego dictate strategy. That is not just cruel; it is idiotic and disastrous for our future."
Suzuki looked directly at the battered, confused members of the Kukuru unit, who were used to being treated like garbage, and ignored the Hei Units, who were completely beaten by him, as in his eyes, they were all garbage.
"Let me be absolutely clear. From this second forward, I do not care what your last name is. I don't care how much Cursed Energy you have. I don't care whether you can see Curses or are entirely blind to them. The only metric that exists in this compound is utility.
"If you can balance a ledger, you have value. If you can understand the law, you have value. We are no longer a martial arts cult. We are merit-based. We are going to turn the old model of how the family works into a data-driven Private Military and Logistics Corporation."
"..." Everyone.
No one could say anything; all of them were at a loss, yet even so, no one looked away from him.
"Mai, give me my bag, and share the contracts with everyone."
"Huh?"
Mai was confused, but then she saw stacks of papers written in a complicated language that she was too lazy to understand, yet she knew well that those were contracts.
"Maki."
"Yes."
As Maki also helped, Suzuki continued, "What Maki and Mai are handing you are your new employment contracts. Effective immediately, the caste system is abolished. Every person standing in this courtyard now has a base salary, paid time off, and comprehensive medical, vision, and dental insurance. If you perform well, you will receive quarterly bonuses. If you adapt to modern tactical training, you will be promoted regardless of your bloodline."
"...." Everyone.
"However. This generosity comes with absolute compliance. Hazing, bullying, or asserting traditional 'clan superiority' over your coworkers is now a fireable offense. And because of the nature of our business, termination of employment is not just a loss of income. It is a permanent cessation of your biological functions."
Suzuki looked at them with a cold gaze, exuding an aura that made them feel crushed. "Don't test me, okay?"
"..." Everyone.
Yet, without a doubt, as they looked at the contracts, everyone knew, as the members of the Zenin Clan, all of them would have a bright future.
---
Well, it will be Arifureta after this, so be prepared!