Chapter:41 An Offer... Again.

Renko narrowed her eyes at Gojo, still holding the blunderbuss cautiously.

"Teach me? And what's with the sudden interest in my abilities? didn't you say you would start teaching me after the interview with the Kyoto branch?"

Gojo flashed a playful grin on her soft, pink lips,

"I want to see what kind of tricks my adorable Kono-chan has up her sleeves. Plus, I'm genuinely curious. Even I, the great Big-Sis Gojo, can't see the flow of curse energy as you use this technique of yours."

Renko stared at her in utter disgust, not at all convinced about her reasons. But she still had to accept Gojo's explanation, a bit reluctantly.

"Alright, what the heck do you want?"

Gojo frowned a little,

"Rude."

Renko sighed,

"Ok, what do you want to ask about?"

Gojo's mischievous expression softened as she stepped forward, seemingly pleased with Renko's compliance, and sat down on the sofa.

"Great! So, Kono-chan, that technique of yours, the one that makes things disappear without using curse energy, can you tell me more about it? What's the deal with that curse technique of yours?"

Renko hesitated, she still wasn't sure about revealing all her cards to a somewhat stranger. However, the promise of being trained a bit before entering the world of the Sorcerers was quite tempting, so she decided to share some information.

"It's my unique ability 'Inventory.' It's kinda hard to explain. In a way, I can manipulate the concept of 'nothingness' on a very small scale. I can store things in a time-static space, from within, not even a strand of curse energy can escape."

Gojo raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued.

"Inventory, huh? Interesting name, taking inspiration from a video game? And this technique somehow works without curse energy?"

Renko nodded.

Gojo then gestured at the blunderbuss,

"That weapon, the one you just shot me with, what exactly is that?" 

Renko glanced down at the inferior Cursed Blunderbuss in her hands, her expression turned slightly contemplative as she wondered what she should tell this white-haired woman.

"This is a cursed tool I created using the Innate curse technique I told you about. It's a blunderbuss, a type of shotgun. I created it using curse energy just like I created the bayonet. It's a handy pinch isn't it."

Gojo's eyes glinted with a sudden curiosity as she started to poke and prod the weapon. 

"So, you create cursed firearms as well, huh? Sneaky, sneaky Kono-Chan. Now tell me, what else can you make?"

Renko hesitated for a moment, thinking about sharing a bit more of her ability, just a tiny bit more.

"Some old firearms like flintlock pistols and Blunderbuss, and of course, the bayonet."

Gojo nodded thoughtfully, absorbing the information.

"And that's how you made that blunderbuss just now, right?"

Renko nodded in confirmation.

Gojo nodded appreciatively,

"Interesting, indeed. Your ability is unique, I just went through the records yesterday and there hasn't been anyone with your innate in the recorded history of Jujutsu Sorcerers. This isn't much of an achievement in itself but since its combat oriented and production-type at the same time..."

She paused to take a good look at Renko who was stashing away the blunderbuss in her inventory,

"Not a single strand, huh, handy trick."

Renko tilted her head,

"I guess."

'Undetectability is a nice perk.'

She walked over to the fridge and reached out to the pack of Red Bull cans before stopping and taking a box of apple juice instead,

"Juice?"

"Sure, it's gonna be a long talk anyway."

Gojo shrugged from over the couch and turned on the TV.

Renko sighed as she poured the juice into two glasses, the obnoxiously loud sound from the TV making her eyes twitch. She was never a fan of the large, heavy square used by people to entertain themselves or for politicians to dish out empty promises. 

'Heh'

Now that she thought about it, her conscription was also in the form of a pop-up notification that appeared when she was having a movie night with her girlfriend.

What? 

Her girlfriend?

She was conscripted too. Majored in architectural designing and was thus recruited in the Japanese Combat Engineer division.

Poor thing didn't last a year before getting blown to bits by a faulty landmine.

*Sigh*

Renko heaved a sigh, wondering why she was remembering this stuff after such a long time. She thought back and wondered why did these emotions not surface a couple of days ago when she spent her afternoon in front of the damned TV? 

Maybe because she had one too many energy drinks at that time. 

"Here."

She sat down opposite the white-haired woman and handed her the glass,

"So, what were you saying again?"

Gojo, who seemed to have seen something interesting on the TV, turned to look at her,

"Hmm? Oh, right. As I was saying, your 'Unique Innate Technique' meets the criteria of both combat-oriented techniques and auxiliary techniques. Which is quite unheard of."

She took a sip before continuing,

"Not that there aren't any firearms-based techniques, in fact, that's the reason why I am here."

Renko raised an eyebrow inquisitively while Gojo took another sip,

"And the reason is?"

Gojo chuckled,

"Your 'interview' just got a whole lot messier as of today. Apparently, the Zenin clan has a member with a similar technique as yours."

Renko still didn't get why her 'job interview' would get messy from someone else possessing a similar technique as hers, 

"And that's a problem?"

Gojo chuckled,

"You don't get it, do you? You, who can mass produce curse tools, possess a semblance of resemblance to a member of one of the Sorcerer Noble families. Does that ring a bell?"

Nope.

What's that gotta do with her?

And if Gojo was telling the truth about the 'Today' part, then it made even less sense for her to be in danger.

*Sigh*

With a long sigh, Gojo's face scrunched up in annoyance. Her lips opened in a manner that clearly showed she was not in a good mood,

"It means they have a claim on you or a claim on your ancestral heredity at least. Since you match one of theirs, they can just go up and say that your great-great-great-great-something grandfather was once their clan member, and if the other two clans agree with the claim, you are as good as sold."

Renko's eyes twitched in disbelief and irritation, and maybe a tinge of annoyance. She was mostly content with her solitary lifestyle, then this white-haired woman came and offered her some sweet deal which she was foolish enough to accept.

"Are you kidding me? Just because one of some distant old geezer of mine fucked some chick in their clan, they think they got some kind of claim on me?"

Gojo sighed again, taking another sip of the apple juice,

"Kinda, yes. The sorcerer society is far from sunshine and daisies, it's a bureaucratic mess, and the clans love to shove their big egos in clan-less sorcerers' faces. Worst of all, if they see potential in you or your ability, they will latch onto you like leeches. Not to mention the Zenin clan is known for their extensive curse tool collections, they might see you as an opportunity to strengthen their influence."

Renko's annoyance and irritation grew into anger, but the fire was dowsed as soon as it lit up. The idea of being claimed or owned by some big-nosed big shots was not on her 'OK' list. 

"So, what do I do now? I don't want to be part of some political game and you wouldn't have brought up the problem unless you had a solution for it."

Gojo leaned back on the couch, studying Renko with an amused look on her face,

"Well, Kono-chan, there are a few options available to you. First, you can agree to the Zenin clan's invitation, this might give you preferential treatment in addition to the protection and benefits of being a sorcerer. Second, you can resist their claim, but that would mean you are spitting on their faces and they will try making your life a living hell."

Gojo counted the options on her fingers,

"Well, the third is that you can try to negotiate with them, find some sort of middle ground works for both parties. But for that, you will need the backing of another big clan."

Renko crossed her arms, scowling at the options presented to her. None of them sounded appealing.

"I don't like any of those options. What about the fourth option, where I continue living my life the way I want without getting involved in their clan politics?"

Gojo sighed, her expression turning more serious.

"I wish it were that simple, Kono-chan. But once the clans decide they want something or someone, they usually find a way to get it. Ignoring their claims might lead to consequences you don't want to face."

Renko clenched her fists, her mind running from one scenario to the other,

"You said I need the support of another big clan. How can I get that?"

Gojo smirked, seemingly amused by Renko's question,

"I like that spirit, Kono-chan. How fortunate, I just happen to be the Matriarch of one of the big three clans."

Renko narrowed her eyes, suspicious of Gojo's sudden offer of assistance.

"And why would you help me?"

Gojo chuckled, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

"I have my reasons, Kono-chan. Let's just say I find you interesting, and I wouldn't mind having someone like you owe me a favor."

Renko sighed, realizing that getting involved in sorcerer politics might be inevitable. However, she wasn't ready to trust Gojo completely.

"I'll consider your offer, but I won't make any decisions hastily. I need time to think about what's best for me."

Gojo nodded, seemingly satisfied with Renko's response.

"Take your time, Kono-chan. But keep in mind that the clock is ticking."