In the Isayama Family's dojo, over a dozen Elders and key figures of the Family had gathered.
They sat neatly in two rows, kneeling in silence.
At the front stood Isayama Yu, Isayama Mei, and Isayama Yomi.
Yomi, who had cried by Naraku's body the entire night after hearing of his death, still had red, swollen eyes.
The silence in the room lingered until Yu finally broke it.
"Thank you all, pillars of the Isayama Family, for taking time from your busy schedules to attend this meeting."
After speaking, Yu gave a slight nod.
In response, everyone bowed with their hands on their knees in formal rei.
Once the bow was complete, Yu continued.
"I believe everyone has heard the news. Last night, my elder brother, Isayama Naraku, was killed by a Curse User. The identity of the Curse User is still under investigation..."
He lowered his gaze, pretending to be mournful.
"Although my brother had retired due to injury, he was once a top-tier Jujutsu Sorcerer. A Curse User capable of killing him so quietly is certainly not ordinary. I hope everyone will spare no effort in finding the culprit."
As he spoke, Yu swept his gaze across the room.
Everyone below him bowed again in response.
"Everyone here is a pillar of the Family. You're usually burdened with many duties, and it's rare for us to gather like this. Although the timing isn't ideal, I will now share my brother's final will."
His long-awaited moment had arrived. A glint of excitement flashed through Yu's eyes, quickly hidden.
"According to the last will of my elder brother, the former Head of the Isayama Family, I will temporarily assume the position of Head."
"Huh?"
"What?"
"Is that true?"
Voices of disbelief immediately rose in the room.
These came from Naraku's confidants, those he had promoted into positions of power within the Family.
When Naraku had been preparing Yomi as his successor, he had naturally informed them and secured their support for her.
But now, a completely different name had been declared.
A power grab.
Everyone instantly saw Yu's true intent.
Before anyone could refute him, Yu spoke again.
"Silence."
His voice was loud, but lacked Naraku's commanding presence.
In trying to mimic Naraku's authority, Yu had only managed to sound embarrassed and angry.
Many in the room looked at him with open defiance.
"Although the will names me as acting Head, due to my many responsibilities, the actual duties will be entrusted to my daughter, Isayama Mei. She is still young, so I hope everyone will support her."
As soon as those words were spoken, the tension in the room noticeably eased.
Yu's own reputation had been in ruins for over a decade, and if he had declared himself Head, many would have objected.
But Mei was a different matter.
By blood and ability, Mei was a legitimate candidate to inherit the Family leadership.
While her talent didn't match Yomi's, Yomi was, after all, an adopted daughter without Isayama blood.
So when they heard that Mei would take on the actual duties, while Yu held only the title, many of the traditionally minded Elders tacitly accepted it.
After all, when Naraku had hinted at passing the position to Yomi, many of the older generation had quietly opposed it.
"Wait, Uncle Yu."
Yomi, having recovered slightly from her grief, finally spoke up.
"What is it, Yomi?"
Yu turned to her with sharp eyes, regarding her as a thorn in his side.
"Did Father really leave a will entrusting you with the position of Head?"
Yomi looked directly at him, full of doubt.
She knew her father's opinion of Yu and couldn't believe he would entrust the Family to him or Mei.
"How could that be? The will..."
"I can testify that the former Head's will is genuine."
Before Yomi could finish, an elderly Elder interrupted her.
"Grand Elder?"
Yomi looked at him in disbelief.
"Words alone are not enough. Show us proof."
A resolute young man in his thirties spoke up.
He was one of Naraku's confidants and a strong supporter of Yomi.
"My brother left his will on his deathbed. There was no time to write it down..."
Yu replied flatly.
"Then how do you prove this isn't fabricated? The symbol of the Head, the sword Shishiou, isn't in your hands, nor Mei's."
The young man's pressure made cold sweat form on Yu's brow.
'What a useless fool, but this works too. A Head like this will be easier to control.'
The Grand Elder thought silently.
"Are you questioning us old men who've devoted decades to this Family?"
The Grand Elder and several Elders, already informed in advance, spoke up to support Yu.
Naraku's confidants, caught off guard, were completely overwhelmed in the confrontation.
"Uncle, Father's vigil should take priority right now. The issue of succession can wait..."
"Shut up."
Yu cut her off harshly, seeing her attempt to delay.
He was only one step away from the position he had desired for so long. How could he let it go?
The Grand Elder was also backing him as promised. He had nothing to fear.
"At a time like this, who do you think should take responsibility? You held Shishiou but failed to protect the Head. Now the Family is in crisis. We cannot go even a single day without leadership. Don't you understand that?"
Yomi's body trembled.
She was, after all, just a teenage girl who had just lost her father.
Naraku had planned to let her gain experience and achievements before passing on the position.
But no one had expected things to turn out like this.
"Yomi, when my brother was killed, weren't you out flirting with some man?"
She opened her mouth, but the gazes of the people in the room made her feel overwhelmed with guilt. She couldn't find the words to respond.
Clap. Clap. Clap.
A slow round of applause came from outside the dojo.
"Who is it? Don't you know we're in the middle of... No. Impossible. How could it be you!"
Yu, riding high on confidence, turned angrily toward the source.
His eyes widened in disbelief the moment he saw who it was.
"Brother. Elder Brother. How is this possible?"
"Father!"
Yomi, overwhelmed with emotion, immediately ran to Naraku's side.
"Is it really you, Father?"
Tears streamed down her cheeks.
"I made you worry, Yomi."
Naraku looked at his daughter gently.
Then he turned, his gaze sharp as a blade, toward Yu and Mei.
"What a great show, Yu."
Though calm, Naraku's voice sent a chill down Yu's spine.
(To be continued.)