HRU: Chapter 384/385

Chapter 384: Again

Satoru also felt the movement of his Zanpakutō. "Yes, Senbonzakura seems to be reacting to the Zanpakutō Satoshi is forging. This is the first time I have encountered such a situation."

"Is this resonance between Zanpakutō of this level?" Suguru stared at the dancing cherry blossoms, eyes burning. His Hōzukimaru was trembling slightly in its scabbard.

Kumaen nodded solemnly, a hint of excitement on his lined face.

"It seems what Satoshi is forging this time is indeed an incredible Zanpakutō."

Shoko suddenly exclaimed, "Look!" She pointed at the cleaver on her waist, and the blade was emitting a faint green light.

Not only that, Suguru's Hōzukimaru also began to emit a faint red glow. The lights of the three Zanpakutō intertwined in the air, forming a wondrous response to the rising blue Cursed Energy.

"Interesting," Satoru narrowed his eyes. "It seems the Zanpakutō Satoshi wants to forge must have some connection with ours. Otherwise, it would not cause such strong resonance."

Shunichi thought, "Could it be..."

Before he could finish, an even stronger wave of Cursed Energy interrupted him. In the direction of the forge, the green light grew brighter, almost illuminating the entire Gojo courtyard.

Boom.

There was a dull sound, followed by the crisp ring of metal striking metal. Satoshi had clearly begun the formal forging process.

This feeling is completely different from nine years ago. The five of them were shocked. Satoshi's forging skill has not declined, it has improved.

At this moment, a servant ran in hurriedly. "Master, the Zenin family is here! They say they have something important to discuss."

Kumaen and Shunichi exchanged a look, a hint of vigilance in both their eyes.

"You came at a really bad time," Satoru sneered. "Could it be they noticed something?"

Suguru said in a deep voice, "Satoru and I will deal with them. Shoko, you stay here and inform us immediately if anything unusual happens."

Shoko nodded. "Don't worry, I'll keep an eye on things. But..." She looked toward the forge. "The energy fluctuations are so obvious, I'm afraid we can't hide it anymore."

Shunichi waved his hand. "It doesn't matter. Even if they know, it is useless. Once the Zanpakutō is forged, everything will be settled. The most important thing now is not to let them disturb Satoshi."

"I'll go see what they are up to." Satoru stretched. "If they dare have any bad ideas, I don't mind letting them have a taste of Senbonzakura."

Just then, a clear clash of metal rang out from the forging room, followed by a powerful surge of Cursed Energy. The cyan light became more dazzling, even tinged with gold.

"This is..." Kumaen stood up suddenly. "This kind of fluctuation in Cursed Power, could it be..."

Shunichi also looked shocked. "Yes, this is a sign the Zanpakutō is about to take shape. And judging from the strength of this Cursed Energy, it is probably not just an ordinary Zanpakutō."

"It looks like things are about to get interesting," Satoru said with a smile. "In that case, let the Zenin family see for themselves what a real Zanpakutō is."

...

The early summer sun shone obliquely over the Gojo family's quaint courtyard. Cherry trees lined both sides of the bluestone path, and a few late-blooming pink petals still clung among the green leaves. Zenin Shinsuke walked ahead, his face calm. Zenin Naoya and Amanai Riko followed him through the winding corridors toward the main hall.

A faint blue smoke hung in the air, a unique sign of Zanpakutō forging. The smoke carried a special fluctuation of power that made the sorcerers present feel a tremor in their chests.

Naoya looked up at the smoke drifting in the sky, a complicated look in his eyes.

He saw this strange phenomenon right after leaving the Yorozuya. It seems Gojo Satoshi has already begun forging his Zanpakutō. No wonder Father was so eager for us to come straight here.

He recalled the instructions given by his father, Naobito of the Zenin clan, and unconsciously clenched his fists.

"Naoya, since Gojo Satoshi has appeared at the Yorozuya, it means the time has come. The Gojo family has begun forging Zanpakutō again, and we must make our choice before the other families do."

Naoya lowered his voice, leaning in to whisper to his cousin, "Although I met Gojo Satoshi at the Yorozuya just now, he did not explicitly agree to protect the Star Plasma Vessel. Is it really appropriate for us to go directly to his brother like this?"

Shinsuke frowned slightly. "The clan head's meaning is very clear. Since Satoshi has appeared, it means the Gojo family is ready to rise again. Look at the smoke over there..." He pointed into the distance. "That is the best proof."

Riko walked quietly behind them, thinking about her experience at the Yorozuya with a thoughtful expression.

At that moment, the sliding door of the main hall was gently pushed open, and Satoru and Suguru walked out. Sunlight filtered through the leaves onto them, casting mottled shadows on the ground.

Satoru wore a casual light-colored kimono, his silver hair glowing faintly in the light. Although his face was extremely similar to Satoshi's, his lazy and dangerous aura was completely different. His eyes, hidden behind sunglasses, concealed a sharp vigilance.

Suguru stood slightly behind Satoru, his black coat lending him a mysterious air. He wore a gentle smile, but his eyes were quietly observing the three visitors.

They came to the door so quickly. It seems Satoshi's appearance at the Yorozuya has triggered a chain reaction.

"Oh my," Satoru drawled, amusement in his voice, "aren't these the two young masters of the Zenin family? You followed me all the way here from the Yorozuya, so impatient to see my brother?"

Said so casually, yet it made Naoya tense.

As expected of Satoru, he knew we had just come from the Yorozuya the moment he opened his mouth. Is this the strongest who possesses Limitless and the Six Eyes?

"Gojo Satoru," Shinsuke said calmly, "you already knew we came from the Yorozuya?"

Satoru chuckled. "Of course. The guards already reported it. Besides..." He glanced meaningfully at the smoke rising in the distance. "My brother always likes to surprise me. I wonder what interesting person he brought this time?"

(To be continued.)

Chapter 385: Movement

Suguru spoke at the right time. "I guess your sudden visit isn't just to see the new Zanpakutō, right?"

Riko stood behind Zenin Shinsuke, staring intently at Satoru. Although he had the same face as Satoshi, he gave a completely different feeling.

When she saw Satoshi at the Yorozuya, it was like looking up at a gentle starry sky. The one in front of me is more like a sword drawn from its sheath, sharp yet elegant. It is hard to imagine they are twin brothers.

"Come to think of it," Satoru suddenly turned to Riko, "this young lady seems very interested in me. Is it because I look like my brother?"

Naoya was about to speak but was stopped by Shinsuke. Shinsuke stepped forward, expression solemn. "Gojo-san before I answer your question, could you please ask everyone around to leave?"

Satoru narrowed his eyes and looked over the three. Interesting, it seems we are getting down to business. What exactly did Satoshi encounter at the Yorozuya?

"Suguru," Satoru turned and said, "go set up the barrier."

After Suguru set the barrier, Satoru leaned lazily against a pillar. "Now you can tell me. Did my brother at the Yorozuya promise you something?"

Shinsuke shook his head. "No, Satoshi did not explicitly promise anything. But..." He took a deep breath. "We hope the Gojo family can protect Miss Riko. She is a Star Plasma Vessel."

As soon as those words fell, the air seemed to freeze. Satoru's expression finally changed, and even Suguru put away his smile.

I see. A glimmer of understanding flashed through Satoru's eyes. So this is the Star Plasma Vessel Satoshi mentioned. What an unexpected surprise.

At that moment, a clear clash of metal came from the distance, followed by a strong surge of Cursed Energy. The cyan smoke thickened, and faint threads of gold flowed within it.

Shinsuke continued, "The situation in the Jujutsu world is complicated now, and hidden forces are coveting the Star Plasma Vessel. The clan head believes only the Gojo family has enough strength to protect Miss Riko. What is more..." He glanced at the distant smoke. "The Gojo family seems to be growing even stronger."

Satoru snorted, amusement flashing in his eyes. "So the Zenin family intends to take this opportunity to show goodwill to the Gojo family?" He rolled his shoulders slowly. "What a neat calculation. But, are you so sure I will accept?"

Hearing the threat in his tone, Naoya subconsciously took a step forward.

As expected of an extremely powerful sorcerer. Just the tone of his voice can exert tremendous pressure.

Suguru noticed Naoya's reaction, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly. "You seem a little nervous. Don't worry, Satoru was just joking."

"Yeah," Satoru waved his hand.

Before he could finish, an even louder metallic impact sounded from the distance, and the entire courtyard seemed to tremble. A golden light blazed within the green smoke, and faint lines began to emerge in the air.

Satoru's eyes moved slightly. It seems that brat Satoshi is about to finish. The aura of this Zanpakutō is interesting.

Shinsuke seized the moment, "You felt it too, right? The Gojo family has started forging Zanpakutō again. This news will probably spread throughout the entire Jujutsu world soon. By then..."

He did not finish, but everyone understood. Once the news spreads, it will cause an uproar. The existence of the Star Plasma Vessel will become a target coveted by various forces.

Suguru looked thoughtfully at Riko. I see, Satoshi anticipated all this.

At that moment, the fluctuations of Cursed Energy in the air suddenly grew chaotic, and even the barrier began to waver slightly. Satoru narrowed his eyes, as if realizing something. "It seems my little brother cannot wait any longer."

He turned to Riko with a smile very similar to Satoshi's, yet completely different. "Come on, since you arrived at this time, I will take you to see him. It is just in time..." He glanced meaningfully into the distance. "Take a look at this new Zanpakutō."

Shinsuke and Naoya exchanged a look, surprise in both their eyes. They had anticipated many possibilities, but they did not expect Satoru to decide so quickly.

As expected of twin brothers. Even though their personalities are very different, their reactions at certain times are surprisingly similar.

"Wait," Suguru suddenly said. "Satoru, are you sure you want to take her over now? Satoshi is at a critical moment in forging..."

Satoru lazily cut him off. "Suguru, do you still not understand Satoshi? Since he is ready to accept this commission, he must have made preparations." His gaze fell on Riko. "What is more, this fluctuation of Cursed Energy..."

Before he finished, a powerful light burst from the forge in the distance. Golden radiance blazed within the green smoke, and mysterious runes seemed to flow through the air. The entire Gojo family barrier began to resonate, emitting a low hum.

"This is..." Naoya widened his eyes.

Such a powerful fluctuation of Cursed Energy, even stronger than what I felt nine years ago. What is Satoshi's current level of strength?

Satoru's expression turned serious. "Interesting. It seems this Zanpakutō is not simple." He turned to Riko. "When you saw Satoshi at the Yorozuya, did he mention anything special?"

Riko recalled the scene and answered softly, "Mr. Satoshi said that everyone needs a blade of their own to cut through confusion and guide their direction."

"Guide the direction?" A strange look flashed in Satoru's eyes. "I see."

It is likely Satoshi took an interest in her not only because she is the Star Plasma Vessel.

Suguru looked at Riko thoughtfully. "No wonder such a strong anomaly appeared during the forging. Satoru, do you think..."

"Let's go," Satoru turned and headed toward the forge before he could finish.

(To be continued.)