HRU: Chapter 270/271

Chapter 270: Changeability

The Kamo Family

Kamo Shinji held his child and muttered to himself.

"Noritoshi, the future of the Kamo family rests on you. If Gojo Satoshi can do this, then I believe you can too."

At this moment, he had already begun shifting focus away from current events, turning his full attention toward cultivating the next generation.

Those of the same generation as Gojo Kumaen and Zenin Naobito had already been swept aside by the tide of time. They could only begin to yield to the rise of a new era.

...

The Yagyū Family

Yagyū Yusuke sat drinking alone, satisfied with his past decision now that Gojo Satoshi had awakened.

Sometimes, a single decision could shape the fate of an entire family.

If not for Nejibana, the Yagyū family wouldn't have been able to firmly align themselves with the Gojo clan.

Without Nejibana, they would've remained among the countless minor spellcasting families, unable to rise to a position of influence within the Jujutsu Headquarters.

"In the future, Hidetsugu is the one most suited to become the head of the Yagyū family."

Yagyū Yusuke mumbled to himself.

Although Yagyū Saemon, who wielded the Zanpakutō Satoru, was indeed more powerful in terms of combat strength, Hidetsugu's vision and judgment far surpassed Saemon's.

Yusuke believed Hidetsugu had what it took to guide the entire Yagyū family down the correct path.

...

Ieiri Household

Ieiri Inamichi watched the scene of Gojo Satoshi destroying Sukuna's fingers with pride and excitement surging in his heart.

He had already been astonished when Shoko had managed to damage Sukuna's fingers.

Now, seeing Satoshi achieve what no one before him could, he felt nothing but pride.

The only thing weighing on his mind now was the quiet rivalry between his daughter and Yuki.

Nine years ago, he had already sensed that this girl named Yuki was a threat. But he hadn't expected that, nine years later, she would become the only Special Grade sorcerer in the world.

When it came to strength, there was no debate. Especially since Yuki had once served as a Star Plasma Vessel.

Ieiri Inamichi frowned slightly. Still, he knew Gojo Satoshi wasn't the kind of man who only cared about power...

Shoko's Reverse Cursed Technique was undoubtedly a major asset as well.

Shoko, you've got this.

...

Nanami Kento looked at the silent footage, desire flickering in his eyes.

If possible, could he obtain a Zanpakutō?

He didn't expect to wield one like Sode no Shirayuki or Ryūjin Jakka. He just wanted a regular Zanpakutō.

They were simply too cool. He couldn't resist the appeal.

Besides, he had confidence in his own strength. If he had a Zanpakutō, his power would undoubtedly reach the level of a Special Grade sorcerer.

Right then, Nanami Kento made up his mind. He would join Tokyo Jujutsu High School. He had to become Gojo Satoshi's classmate. That was his only chance to obtain a Zanpakutō.

...

Tombs of the Star

Inside the Tombs of the Star, Tengen wore a gentle smile, though a trace of melancholy lingered in her expression.

With a long life came deep memories. Every person and event she had encountered remained etched in her mind.

From the founder of the Three Great Sorcerer Families, Sugawara no Michizane, to Kenjaku, she remembered them all.

Ryoumen Sukuna was no exception, a long-standing rival.

Now, his indestructible cursed remains had been completely destroyed by Gojo Satoshi. It stirred a strange feeling in her heart.

Will I, who am immortal, be slain one day by Gojo Satoshi as well?

Tengen lightly brushed the Urozakuro in her hand and murmured softly. There was no real fear in her tone, only a faint trace of relief.

If it truly came to that end... maybe it wouldn't be such a bad thing.

Tengen stretched, a playful smile forming on her lips.

"Gojo Satoshi, if your Zanpakutō, Urozakuro, really proves to be useless, then I hope you'll end me before I lose self-awareness and reach my next stage of evolution."

"You made the choice to back Yuki. That alone made me lose interest in assimilating the Star Plasma Vessel. Naturally, you must bear the consequences of my failed assimilation."

The reflection in the blade of Urozakuro mirrored Tengen's delicate, beautiful face. She didn't know it, but even she cherished her own beauty.

And she wasn't sure if she would retain it after entering her evolved form. If not, she sincerely hoped she wouldn't turn into something grotesque.

But, perhaps by then, the standards of beauty will have changed?

Tengen chuckled to herself and stopped dwelling on such trivial matters.

Now that Gojo Satoshi has awakened, I want to see how long it takes for you to return to the Tombs of the Star. The bad temper of Urozakuro must be your fault as the forger.

Still, we need to consider new candidates for the next Star Plasma Vessel. We can't place all our hopes on Gojo Satoshi.

...

Tokyo Jujutsu High – Underground Treasury

Inside the sealed archive, Sekiguchi Seiji and Yaga Masamichi had already recognized the uniqueness of Gojo Satoshi.

In their eyes, Gojo Satoshi and the others existed in entirely different categories.

There was a time when they believed Gojo Satoru was the future of Tokyo Jujutsu High.

Now, before Gojo Satoshi, even Satoru seemed to be on a lower tier. As for Suguru, Shoko, and the others, their importance had diminished even more.

(To be continued.)

Chapter 271: Most Sober

"If everything goes smoothly, the next principal of Tokyo Jujutsu High will definitely be Gojo Satoshi… if he's willing to accept it."

Sekiguchi Seiji spoke quietly to Yaga Masamichi.

He didn't hide who he had already chosen as his successor.

Originally, he thought that person would be Gojo Satoru, but now it was clear that Gojo Satoshi had a stronger presence and leadership temperament.

Yaga Masamichi didn't object at all when he heard this.

Although Satoshi was still just a high school student, as long as he didn't encounter any unexpected accidents, it was only natural for him to become the strongest in the Jujutsu world.

Even now, Yaga Masamichi still wasn't sure if even Lord Tengen could match Satoshi.

If Satoshi were to become principal, then the new generation of Jujutsu sorcerers might finally be free from the oppression of the upper ranks.

"Principal, Gojo Satoshi must stay at Tokyo Jujutsu High. For the future of the Jujutsu world, and for the sake of strength itself, we must focus on him."

"Although Satoshi was already very mature years ago, he has spent the past nine years in a deep sleep. His life now is bound to feel disconnected from what the world has become."

"It's our responsibility at the school to make sure his life on campus is fulfilling."

Sekiguchi Seiji nodded in agreement.

At this point, Gojo Satoshi was no longer just a student. He was destined to become the number one sorcerer. The fact that he destroyed Sukuna's cursed remains had already placed him in a special position, whether he realized it or not.

No one would dare make things difficult for a sorcerer fated to become the strongest.

...

Elsewhere

Satoru, Suguru, and Shōko had also personally witnessed the collision between two Zanpakutō—Sode no Shirayuki and Ryūjin Jakka.

The resulting power from the clash of the two was staggering.

If Ryūjin Jakka entered Bankai, how terrifying would its power become?

And if their own Zanpakutō reached Bankai, what would they look like then?

None of them knew. But right now, they all shared the same hope—to complete their Bankai as soon as possible.

The current gap between them and Gojo Satoshi was too wide. Without Bankai, they couldn't even imagine how to narrow that distance.

Satoshi could destroy Sukuna's cursed remnants. Did that mean he had already grasped the true essence of Bankai?

"Satoru, after our Zanpakutō reach Bankai, will they have the same power as Sode no Shirayuki or Ryūjin Jakka?"

Suguru's expression was complicated. He had thought that after controlling hundreds of cursed spirits for nine years, he would be able to compete with Satoshi.

Now, it seemed that aside from Special Grade cursed spirits like Rainbow Dragon, even an entire army of cursed spirits wouldn't last more than a few swings of Ryūjin Jakka or Hakugasaki.

Satoru shrugged and muttered, as his Six Eyes remained fixed on Satoshi and Ryūjin Jakka.

"I think we can forget about comparing ourselves to Ryūjin Jakka. At best, we're just at the same level as its Shikai."

"You saw it too. Ryūjin Jakka's Shikai is already equal to Sode no Shirayuki's Bankai. Their levels are on completely different planes. I think our Zanpakutō are closer to Sode no Shirayuki's tier."

Satoru stroked the hilt of Sode no Shirayuki at his waist and smiled wryly.

"Under Ryūjin Jakka, all Zanpakutō are equal. That goes for its enemies and allies alike."

Hearing Satoru's conclusion, Suguru nodded silently.

Though he said nothing, he was thinking the same. After seeing Ryūjin Jakka's power, it was hard to even feel like resisting.

And that was only its Shikai. If Ryūjin Jakka entered Bankai…

He didn't doubt that it could incinerate Ryoumen Sukuna in a single swing.

But just as the two of them fell into silence, Shōko suddenly spoke up.

"The power of a Zanpakutō doesn't rely only on raw might, right? Didn't Satoshi say so before? Every Zanpakutō has a different role and function."

"Take Minazuki in my hand, for example. You can't expect it to match others in terms of lethality. Even if Ryūjin Jakka is terrifying, how could it possibly outperform Minazuki in healing capabilities?"

Though Shōko had been equally stunned by Ryūjin Jakka, she wasn't as discouraged as the two beside her.

They were too competitive, unlike her. Why bother competing with Satoshi? And even if they wanted to, why place all their hopes on their Zanpakutō?

Compared to them, Satoshi had been born with nothing—no natural Cursed Technique, no talent.

There had always been a gap between them. Satoshi might not have even been able to walk the same path as them.

Now, he had forged his own Zanpakutō through his own method. It was his exclusive Cursed Tool.

And the fact that he was willing to share the power of Zanpakutō with them—that was already a priceless gift.

After Shōko's scolding, Satoru and Suguru fell into an even heavier silence. Neither could come up with anything to refute her words.

"Come on, Suguru. Think about it. If you keep believing your Zanpakutō is inferior, then maybe the real issue is your lack of trust in it. Isn't that the true reason you've been unable to reach Bankai?"

Shōko's words made both of them flinch.

Satoru was better off. He genuinely respected Senbonzakura and believed she was the perfect match for him.

Suguru, on the other hand, was different.

He had spent the past few years treating Hōzukimaru as just another tool, barely different from a regular weapon.

After all, with his Cursed Spirit Manipulation Technique and his powerful spirits, he rarely needed to engage in direct combat...

(To be continued.)