HRU: Chapter 328/329

Chapter 328: Reenactment, Torch!

"Torch! (Taimatsu)"

As Satoshi drew his sword and slashed, an overwhelming wave of flames erupted.

Satoru tried to use the cherry blossom petals of Senbonzakura Kegoyoshi to block it, but to his surprise, the petals couldn't resist the raging flames at all.

There seemed to be a transparent barrier between the fire and the petals.

This is...

Satoru's expression shifted sharply. A no-injury circle?

Satoshi's entire attack had been unleashed within the no-injury zone, and not a single flame leaked beyond it. The fire raged furiously, contained perfectly within the boundary.

"Satoru, if you wanted to trap me inside your no-injury zone and pull off a double KO, you'll have to work on your acting."

Centered around the wielder of Senbonzakura, there existed an 85 cm-radius circular area in which the petals would never strike—the "no-injury circle."

Satoshi had entered this invulnerable zone, and even though Senbonzakura Kegoyoshi had wrapped around him, the petals couldn't attack.

Within this space, he could unleash his techniques without restriction.

As the flames of Ryūjin Jakka surged, they burned from within the no-injury zone outward. In the blink of an eye, the massive sphere of petals created by Senbonzakura Kegoyoshi had been incinerated into nothingness.

Cherry blossoms aren't combustible, but before the flames of Ryūjin Jakka, even the unburnable can be reduced to ash.

...

To the spectators, they only saw a few sparks burst from the massive pink sphere in the sky. Then, in an instant, it was completely engulfed.

The pink cherry blossom sphere was now a blazing fireball!

In that moment, the pink "moon" transformed into a burning red "sun."

Everyone knew things had taken a drastic turn. These flames were undoubtedly the manifestation of Ryūjin Jakka.

The fireball burned violently and began to crack and fall apart piece by piece…

Satoshi and Satoru reappeared before everyone.

"Satoru, if that was your best, then this ends here."

"You know… after the Shikai, Ryūjin Jakka still has one more move that hasn't been revealed."

"I thought you might be able to force it out of me… but unfortunately, not even Gōkei could make that happen."

Satoshi spoke casually, standing face to face with Satoru, flames dancing across his blade as they cast a crimson hue over both their faces.

At that moment, Satoru knew he had lost.

Indeed, Ryūjin Jakka still had one final technique, one that Satoshi had used once before against Rainbow Dragon before falling into slumber.

Satoru hadn't yet fully mastered it, but he was determined to try.

Not just to defeat Satoshi—he wanted his younger brother to witness how much he had grown.

"Satoshi, try this!"

Satoru suddenly leapt back. The billions of cherry blossom petals that had just been turned to ash by Ryūjin Jakka suddenly reappeared in the sky.

Satoshi raised an eyebrow, surprise flickering in his eyes.

My brother should be near his limit. He still has enough energy left to use another technique after unleashing Senbonzakura's Bankai?

Could it be Senkei?

So far, Satoru hadn't used the Slaughterscape.

But even if he did, not even the stronger Gōkei had affected Satoshi. So something weaker wouldn't work either, right?

As he watched the pink petals in the sky gradually shift to white, then dissolve into radiant light that fused into Satoru's body, the corners of Satoshi's lips curved upward.

He was genuinely impressed.

To think Satoru had already mastered this move right after achieving Senbonzakura's Bankai.

So that's it. So that's what he was hiding.

Satoru, is this your trump card? I don't know how far you've developed this technique, but let me test it for you.

In a show of respect, Satoshi didn't sheath Ryūjin Jakka.

Even wielding Ryūjin Jakka, he couldn't afford to underestimate this move…

...

"Is the battle over? Satoru looks pretty beat up. Looks like Satoshi won."

"Yeah, the cherry blossom sphere was completely incinerated by Ryūjin Jakka just now…"

"Seems like Satoshi's the stronger one after all!"

"Wait, look! What are those white lights around Satoru's body?"

What the hell?

Some sorcerers who had recently been watching special effects films had strange thoughts but quickly shifted their focus back to the screen.

This battle between Satoru and Satoshi had long since surpassed the limits of ordinary sorcerers. No one wanted it to end just yet.

Give us more. Let it keep going!

Right now, Satoshi's heart was filled with anticipation.

Come on, let me see the true power of Senbonzakura Kegoyoshi's Final Scene. Is your Final Scene stronger, or is my Ennetsu Jigoku superior?

Satoshi had saved this technique especially for Satoru. He wanted to know—between his strongest move and his brother's ultimate technique—which would prevail.

...

Countless white lights gathered behind Satoru. Within seconds, the cherry blossoms scattered across the sky vanished completely.

Then, in full view of everyone, a blinding white light erupted from Satoru's body, extending in all directions.

The intense radiance lit up the entire forest, blanketing everything in a layer of silver light. In that moment, Satoru seemed to grow wings. He no longer simply stood in the sky—he flew.

Behind his head, a semi-circular halo slowly formed, adding an aura of divinity to his presence.

Success!

Satoru's heart surged with joy. Truth be told, he hadn't been confident in pulling this off. If he hadn't been cornered, he wouldn't have dared to use it.

Concentrating Senbonzakura Kegoyoshi's full power behind him had been a gamble.

But he had won that gamble.

And the result… was the ability to activate Senbonzakura Kegoyoshi's strongest technique.

Endscape: White Imperial Sword

The pair of white wings behind Satoru radiated intense cold, standing in stark contrast to the inferno of Ryūjin Jakka.

Would the flowing blade burn away the frost… or would the White Emperor extinguish the flames?

Everyone held their breath, waiting to see how Satoshi would answer.

"Satoshi, does Senbonzakura's Endscape deserve your strongest move?"

As Satoru's voice fell, Satoshi calmly raised Ryūjin Jakka and replied, "Satoru, come on. Let's finish this."

(To be continued.)

Chapter 329: Endscape: White Imperial Sword

The white wings formed by Senbonzakura Kegoyoshi flared out as Satoru charged forward, trailing a blinding white light behind him.

Satoshi remained composed. As Satoru closed in, he gently swept Ryūjin Jakka across the ground.

This move stunned the spectators.

The pressure exuded by Senbonzakura Kegoyoshi's Endscape: White Imperial Sword was overwhelming. Even a Special Grade sorcerer like Yuki felt a suffocating weight from its presence.

So how could Satoshi remain so calm?

Shouldn't he use a technique of equal magnitude to counter Satoru?

Had he accepted defeat?

That thought surfaced in the minds of those unfamiliar with Satoshi. But those who had witnessed him subdue Rainbow Dragon nine years ago were quietly anticipating the reveal of his true trump card.

"It looks like Satoshi is going to lose. Sekiguchi Seiji, Satoru really is your most outstanding student. I admire that."

Gakuganji Yoshinobu sighed inwardly. So, in the end, the Gojo clan would take the championship at this sister school goodwill event.

Satoshi was strong, but Satoru was this generation's true Six Eyes, blessed with the Limitless Technique and extraordinary talent.

Given time, Satoru would surely surpass Yuki and become the strongest Special Grade sorcerer.

As for Satoshi?

Even though he destroyed a fragment of Ryomen Sukuna, he wasn't an orthodox sorcerer and couldn't be recognized as the pinnacle of the sorcery world.

If Satoshi were considered a sorcerer, then the current sorcerer hierarchy would no longer be limited to just Yuki at the Special Grade level.

In terms of sheer ability, even Zenin Toji could rival Yuki.

If ranked purely on strength, Zenin Toji would absolutely earn the title of special-grade sorcerer.

Satoshi, no matter how powerful you are, will never be acknowledged by the official sorcerer system.

Gakuganji's expression remained cold. Even with his unusual connection to Tengen, that wasn't enough for the world of jujutsu to recognize him.

...

"Does Principal Gakuganji really believe Satoshi will lose?"

Sekiguchi Seiji didn't think it would end so easily. After all, he had witnessed the battle with Rainbow Dragon nine years ago and knew that Satoshi still had one more technique he hadn't yet revealed.

"Of course. Can't you feel the pressure from Satoru's move just by watching the screen? It's overpowering…"

Gakuganji felt Sekiguchi was just stalling. After all, both Satoru and Satoshi were from Tokyo Jujutsu High. As principal, why should it matter who won?

"Yaga, look at your teacher. If he's getting senile, maybe it's time for you to take over Tokyo Jujutsu High. You're still young, and your judgment should be sharper than Sekiguchi's."

"Do you also think Satoru has the upper hand?"

Gakuganji turned toward Yaga Masamichi, hoping to find support.

He assumed Yaga would agree. After all, Satoru wielded Senbonzakura, the Limitless Technique, and now the Endscape: White Imperial Sword.

With such a combination, wasn't it obvious Satoru had already stepped into the realm of the strongest sorcerer alive?

Why were the Tokyo Jujutsu High veterans still holding back?

Could their judgment really be that poor?

"Not necessarily, Principal Gakuganji. You're underestimating Satoshi."

"Satoshi already used this technique before when he destroyed Sukuna's finger. The power of that sword strike was monstrous. Even Senbonzakura Kegoyoshi couldn't stop it."

"But nine years ago, Principal Sekiguchi and I both witnessed a move from Satoshi even more powerful than this. And so far, he still hasn't used it."

After saying this, Yaga fell silent. No matter how Gakuganji questioned him, he refused to speak further.

"How is that possible? Satoru's move is already this strong, and Satoshi had something stronger nine years ago? That's absurd."

Gakuganji was stunned by their silence, but a sliver of doubt crept into his heart. After all, there was no reason for Yaga or Sekiguchi to lie.

Tokyo Jujutsu High was already dominating. Why throw out red herrings?

Still confused, his mutterings were overheard by Yuki.

Yuki crossed her arms and chuckled.

"Principal, even if you've got more experience than me, your mindset's a little too old-fashioned."

"Don't forget, Satoshi has mastered Kidō and forged a Zanpakutō. With just his physical ability, even without cursed energy or techniques, he'd still be qualified as a top-grade sorcerer."

"You're treating Satoshi the same way you treated Toji. I don't get what you're thinking. Don't you realize that if the old dogs at the General Directorate push Satoshi and Toji too far, even I won't be able to protect you?"

A trace of disdain flickered across Yuki's face.

"And I might not even side with you…"

Her words left Gakuganji frozen.

If Yuki didn't support the General Directorate, then the entire jujutsu authority structure would become a hollow shell.

Even a group of Grade 1 sorcerers couldn't stand against a Special Grade.

The phrase "strength in numbers" didn't apply when it came to those standing at the peak.

And most importantly, the foundation of the General Directorate was Lord Tengen. But Lord Tengen's connection with Satoshi was unclear at best.

Not to mention, Yuki was formerly Tengen's Star Plasma Vessel.

For her to have been cast aside, and for Lord Tengen to forgo assimilation with her because of Satoshi… it was clear how highly Satoshi was regarded.

Then, perhaps… were his and the General Directorate's views too outdated?

Should they really start considering bringing Satoshi and Toji into the official jujutsu system?

(To be continued.)