"What would you do if one of us took that role?" Mai asked.
Maki or Mai didn't care about being the head of Zenin anymore. They feel like Naoya is indeed the right person to inherit this clan; they believe that if Naoya becomes clan leader, so much would change. So for him to suggest this, it was truly unexpected.
But Mai noticed that, from Naoya's tone, he already considered what he would do after he gave that title to one of them, and Mai needed to know what it was.
"I just built a house in the countryside and live there," I said; it's not much of a dream to hide it from them. Of course, I won't tell them the location if I buy a property after all. What if one of them, who will become head, thinks that keeping the previous heir alive would undermine authority and sends a killer after me? Maybe I am overthinking, but it never hurt to prepare. After all, people I thought would never betray me were the ones who sank their dagger in me first.
Hearing what Naoya said, both Mai and Maki looked at each other. Seeing that they both have the same opinion, they both voiced it.
"No. I don't want to become head."
"Me neither."
They said it at the same time.
I blinked. "…What?"
Maki crossed her arms. "No."
Mai nodded firmly. "Absolutely not."
I stared at both of them for a moment, wondering if I had somehow misheard.
"You do realize," I said slowly, "that becoming the head of the Zenin clan means power, authority, and enough resources to crush anyone who ever looked down on you."
"Still no."
"Hard pass."
I rubbed my forehead. "This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."
"Then keep it," Maki said bluntly.
Mai tugged on my sleeve again. "You're better at it anyway."
"That's not the point."
"Yes, it is," Maki shot back immediately. She planted the naginata into the dirt and leaned on it. "You're the one who beat Father."
She said it plainly, but there was weight behind the words.
"You're the one the clan listens to now. So you should be the clan leader."
The truth of the matter is neither Maki nor Mai can even think about separating from him. He had that much impact on their lives. Even though it was selfish, they didn't want Naoya to go to the countryside or anything. If one of them becomes head, there is no doubt 'Head' wouldn't be able to go and meet him; neither of them wants that.
Maybe it's because they are children; they can't understand what they are rejecting. I thought to myself. Well, I just ask them after they become adults, then. Maki no doubt will accept it.
---
The path through the outskirts of the city was quiet, broken only by the occasional hum of distant traffic and the crunch of gravel beneath my feet.
Another curse report And Another cleanup follow after.
At this point, it had become routine.
Ever since that first mission—where I brought Maki Zenin and Mai Zenin along and nearly got them killed—I stopped involving them in actual combat missions.
Training was one thingbu real fights were another thing.
They didn't like that decision, Not one bit. If they even suspected I was going on a curse hunt, they would cling to me like leeches and refuse to let go until I took them along. So I stopped telling them.
"…They're definitely going to find out eventually," I muttered to myself.
But that was a problem for future me. Right now, I had a curse to exorcise.
I adjusted the grip on my weapon slightly as I walked along the empty road. The air felt faintly heavy—just enough cursed energy lingering to confirm the report wasn't false.
At least this one wouldn't be a waste of time.
"Are you the next head of the Zenin clan, Naoya Zenin?"
A voice called out from behind me.
A Female. Her voice sounded calm and casual. I stopped mid-motion and slowly turned around.
Standing a short distance away was a woman with long silver hair, tied loosely behind her back. Her posture was relaxed, almost lazy, but there was something sharp hidden beneath that ease.
PIC
Her eyes were already on me, like she was assessing me.
"I am," I replied simply. "Who's asking?"
The woman smiled slightly. Then she stepped closer.
"My name is Mei Mei."
~~~
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100 POWER STONE FOR BONUS CHAPTER
Posted some extra 35 chapter in patron, if you are interested check it out, link is the synopsis.