Chapter 4: Mission
Gavin stood before the familiar sliding heavy door, which he knew belonged to none other than the infamous Zenin clan.
After all, it was in the memory of the body he now possessed.
His brow furrowed with concern as he pondered his next move.
The Zenin clan was notorious for their power and dominance in the world of jujutsu sorcery, making them a formidable opponent.
Gavin's mind raced as he considered his options. He turned to the system that resided within him and asked.
"System, Can I also use the ability of my two Sage paths?"
The response was swift and direct.
Ding!
[ The host can but if one or both of them dies, the host won't be able to use their powers. Plus, the host would only be able to use their passive abilities. However, once the host completed all the other paths, this will be ignored. ]
Gavin's heart sank at the news.
"I see."
The thought of losing the powers of his Sage paths left him feeling vulnerable and exposed. He knew that his best chance of survival lay in his ability to harness their full potential.
"System, what do you mean by the two passive abilities only?"
He asked anxiously. To make sure that he knows what he can do.
The system responded with clarity and precision.
Ding!
[ The passive ability of Deva Path is Universal Pull and Push with an ultimate technique, Almighty Push (Shinra Tensei) and Planetary Devastation (Chibaku Tensei). ]
[ While the Animal Path has passive ability where the path could summon any kind of immortal monsters with unique abilities to fight for it and has an ultimate technique where it can summon the other path of pain. ]
Gavin nodded in understanding.
He felt a small measure of relief knowing that he could at least access their passive abilities.
He was grateful for any advantage he could get in his upcoming battle with the Zenin clan.
He steeled himself for what was to come, knowing that the stakes were high and the risks even higher.
As he stood there, lost in thought and strategizing, he suddenly heard the sloosh! of the door opening.
A wave of apprehension washed over him as he braced himself for what was to come. He heard the voice of an elderly man, which carried an unmistakable air of authority.
"Take his corpse if he's dead and if he's alive, tend to his injuries."
Gavin's heart raced as he realized that the voice belonged to a member of the Zenin clan.
He knew that he had to act fast if he wanted to survive their encounter.
His senses heightened as he prepared to face his opponent head-on.
He could feel the adrenaline coursing through his veins, heightening his awareness and sharpening his reflexes.
Gavin took a deep breath and stepped forward, ready to face whatever lay ahead.
"I won't go down without a fight."
He said firmly to himself. He drew upon the power of his Sage paths, feeling the energy surge through him.
He knew that he had only one chance to emerge victorious, and he was determined to make it count.
"Deva, Animal."
Gavin mumbled in command, and his two puppet paths immediately stood in front of him to protect him.
However, as Gavin was preparing to blast whoever was about to enter the room, he stopped.
In front of him was a system screen
Ding!
[ Current binding: Zenin Clan. ]
[ The host desire was to make the Zenin clan great, so the host must avoid combat with family members and instead focus on building a good relationship with Ogi Zenin, the father of the body that the host had possessed. ]
[ Rewards: Unknown. ]
[ Failure: the loss of one of the hosts paths and the Sword Dance move. ]
[ Current Status of the clan: Unity ( 30/100 ) percent - you haven't done anything insignificant to the clan, that's brewing with maximum internal conflict. ]
[ Prosperity: 70 (Basic prosperity of a normal clan is 100.) ]
[ Suggestions: The Zenin clan respects that strong, the host must solve the internal conflict by showing your might! Make Moderate modification of the clan inside and outside, promote better development of the clan and have better or neutral relationship with other clans. ]
Gavin almost coughed up blood as he read the message.
"The heck!?
"That was the old man Ogi Zenin?"
He said, swallowing his saliva, he knew Ogi Zenin well and knew that he was a resolute but self-centered man who put little value on his immediate family, caring only about his own status within the Zenin clan.
Gavin had mixed feelings about this body he had possessed, an untalented son of Ogi that even his own father had thrown into the flyhead chamber to die.
"This bastard!"
Gavin cursed under his breath at the thought of dealing with Ogi Zenin.
The man had a very cynical, traditionalist mindset, with no real respect for his wife and no compassion for his children.
This was especially true for his daughters Maki and Mai, who were born untalented in the realm of jujutsu.
Ogi believed that his daughters were the reason he wasn't chosen to become head of the family and even resented them.
To gain favor with the jujutsu higher-ups, he had even volunteered to frame his own children and execute them himself.
After attacking his own daughters, Ogi was only brought to tears by the recollection that he was unable to achieve his goal.
He even stated that children shouldn't hold their parents back and tried to leave the girls for dead, calling them a stain on his life.
As Gavin looked at the door, he was having second thoughts.
"Should I kill this old man, despite the system's mission?"
Ha hated the man but he knew that it was only because of Ogi Zenin that he had managed to possess this body, the brother of Maki and Mai Zenin, who had been excluded from the story due to his early death.
"Shit!
"I can't choose."
Gavin said, the person he had possessed isn't even mentioned because of Ogi's cruelty so he was having a hard time choosing.
Should he obliterate this man or not?
Then Gavin stopped himself.
"The body I possessed is not related to me, why would I avenge this one."
Gavin realized that killing Ogi Zenin would not only go against the mission given by the system, but it could also negatively impact his own goals.
As the host of Ogi's son, Gavin had a unique opportunity to manipulate and influence the Zenin family from within.
He could use his knowledge of Ogi's character to gain his trust, and then work towards achieving his own goals while still fulfilling the system's mission.
"Hooooo!"
With a deep breath, Gavin composed himself and stepped away from the door. He knew that he needed to play the long game and bide his time.
He would work towards building a good relationship with Ogi Zenin, while also finding ways to elevate the status of Ogi's daughters, Maki and Mai. It wouldn't be an easy task, but Gavin was confident that he could succeed.
Gavin turned to his puppet paths.
"Stand down."
He knew that he didn't need to use violence to achieve his goals.
Suddenly, Gavin heard a buzzing sound, and when he turned around, he saw a lot of flyheads. He put his arms on his chin, stroking it as he realized that this cave might be long and wondered if it was connected to the cursed spirit world.
"Ha, Interesting."
With the system's help earlier, he found out that his original body was still in that world so he's worried too, if something happens to his original body, what happened to this body now?
However, Gavin quickly dismissed the idea, not having time to think about it. Instead, he looked at his Animal Path puppet and commanded.
"Summon."
Gavin does not prefer to hide his abilities for now. Even if he was not like Maki or Toji, and he didn't need cursed energy.
Although using the power of the pain paths was too consuming and he should plan to get stronger first before revealing his full potential. However, Ogi Zenin was the father of this body, if necessary, he would reveal his powers to his father to manipulate him.
"Right, it's better to use him than destroy him, after all, I don't give a shit about him."
Gavin said as he wanted to get out on his own.
Suddenly, the system inside Gavin's head rang again.
Ding!
[ The host is advasible to stay low-key. ]
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone