HRU: Chapter 264/265

Chapter 264: Burning Ice and Snow

"When extreme fire meets extreme ice… is this the result?"

Satoru muttered to himself, his Six Eyes widened as he looked around, overwhelmed by indescribable shock.

As for the others, after experiencing both extremes of ice and fire, their hearts had been completely conquered by Satoshi's Zanpakutō.

Even those who understood the mechanics of Zanpakutō and the vast difference between Shikai and Bankai found themselves questioning everything.

Yuto said nothing.

Ryūjin Jakka's display proved that both Jogo and Toji were right.

Ryūjin Jakka truly was a special Zanpakutō. It made perfect sense why Lord Tengen and Satoshi treated it so seriously.

The strength Ryūjin Jakka exhibited in its Shikai state was not inferior to the Bankai of other Zanpakutō.

Hakka no Togame was powerful, but Ryūjin Jakka… seemed even stronger.

At this moment, Yuto's heart surged with anticipation.

If Ryūjin Jakka's Shikai was already this overwhelming, then what about its Bankai?

What kind of form would Ryūjin Jakka's Bankai take? What kind of power would it hold?

Could Sukuna's fingers force out Ryūjin Jakka's Bankai?

Even knowing that Satoshi had not yet mastered it, Yuto couldn't help but hope to witness it for himself.

Meanwhile, Jogo's face was filled with uncontainable excitement.

This was the same move Satoshi had once demonstrated at the Tombs of the Star. It was the intense fire of this very technique that had made Jogo completely surrender to Ryūjin Jakka.

"Sukuna's fingers won't be able to withstand Ryūjin Jakka's flames! Even the King of Curses will be reduced to ash under that fire."

Jogo's expression was almost devout. His admiration for Ryūjin Jakka bordered on fanaticism.

Toji nodded silently. His best friend had survived the past nine years.

In the eyes of others, perhaps those nine years had been wasted. But Toji knew that Satoshi must have gained something in that time.

Gojo Satoshi was able to destroy Ryomen Sukuna's fingers because of Ryūjin Jakka.

Toji's belief in Satoshi only grew stronger.

...

Compared to the emotional highs of the three members of Yorozuya, things were far more grim in Shikoku.

Kenjaku's face was dark.

He had known that Ryūjin Jakka would be powerful—he wouldn't have tried to seize it otherwise.

But he hadn't anticipated that even in Shikai, Ryūjin Jakka would be comparable to Hakka no Togame in Bankai.

It was Hakka no Togame's overwhelming power that had triggered his initial sense of danger.

Now, Ryūjin Jakka possessed that same level of threat. Perhaps even more.

If Ryūjin Jakka were to achieve Bankai under Satoshi's control... it would pose a fatal threat to him.

Kenjaku hadn't expected that what he longed for—the Ryūjin Jakka capable of destroying Sukuna—would also become the very blade that made him feel most vulnerable.

Itadori Kaori's body was no match for Gojo Satoshi. I need to reconsider my next move.

Kenjaku's brow furrowed, and the stitches across his forehead seemed as though they might split.

There was no doubt now—Gojo Satoshi was his enemy.

Ever since Satoshi had appeared, Kenjaku's plans had spiraled into disorder.

Sure, his reckless attempt to snatch the Zanpakutō had exposed his intentions.

But the preparations Satoshi had made while asleep felt far too deliberate. As though every step had been designed to counter him.

Collecting Sukuna's fingers. Destroying them.

It was too calculated. What had Gojo Satoshi seen, foreseen, that led him to prepare such a path?

Sukuna had existed for over a thousand years.

His Cursed Womb had been sealed in this world for a long time.

Why would Gojo Satoshi suddenly become interested? Why would he choose to reveal his strength on a global broadcast just to destroy Sukuna's fingers?

Kenjaku couldn't understand it, but one thing was clear—Satoshi was hostile to Ryomen Sukuna.

That much was certain.

I need to cooperate with Sukuna. He and I must find common ground.

Sukuna might still be prideful.

But right now, Sukuna existed only as fragmented spirit and will. He couldn't act on his own.

If Satoshi truly destroyed his fingers here, Sukuna's mental consciousness would be severely shaken.

That, in turn, could further solidify our alliance.

Kenjaku grinned.

In today's Japan, there was no one else besides him capable of helping Sukuna retrieve the remaining fingers.

He blinked, eyes once again locked on the projection.

That palace of burning ice and snow—it was bizarre and surreal.

And yet, Sukuna's fingers were still burning. Even under the combined force of Hakka no Togame and Ryūjin Jakka, they remained unbroken.

As expected of the King of Curses from a thousand years ago.

But regardless of whether they were in the audience or watching the broadcast remotely, everyone had the same thought.

It's going to be destroyed. Sukuna's fingers will be destroyed.

Even Kenjaku, on the same side as Sukuna, couldn't deny it.

Everyone could sense it—Sukuna's fingers were nearing their limit. Under this relentless assault, they wouldn't hold out much longer.

All that remained was for Satoshi to apply a bit more pressure to tip the scale.

And then it would all be over.

With that in mind, everyone subconsciously shifted their gaze away from the burning fingers to Gojo Satoshi himself.

Gojo Satoshi, the Godson of the Six Eyes, born of the Gojo clan, bearer of the Limitless Technique without cursed energy, and founder of the Zanpakutō.

As they looked at this silver-haired young man, a realization settled in everyone's hearts.

Gojo Satoshi was the future of the sorcery world.

But when Ryūjin Jakka's flames surged in his hand, illuminating his figure...

What they saw wasn't just a sorcerer.

They saw a god of death cloaked in fire, like a devil rising from the pits of hell.

(To be continued.)

Chapter 265: Kenjaku and Sukuna

What will Gojo Satoshi do next? Everyone held their breath in anticipation.

Even Toji no longer dared to declare Sukuna's invincibility. At least, his severed fingers were not invincible in front of Satoshi.

These six fingers of Ryomen Sukuna, six Cursed Objects capable of evolving ordinary Cursed Spirits into Special Grade level, might be completely destroyed by Gojo Satoshi today.

As everyone waited anxiously, the figure of Satoshi—like a god of death wreathed in hellfire—made a move that shocked them all.

He sheathed the blazing Ryūjin Jakka.

What was going on?

Had Gojo Satoshi reached his limit?

Clearly, there was only one final step before Sukuna's finger would be annihilated. Was Satoshi going to give up now?

While everyone was still guessing, Satoshi moved again.

Returning the blade to its sheath... was just to draw it anew.

"Taimatsu (Torch)."

With a low voice, Satoshi unsheathed Ryūjin Jakka at astonishing speed.

A graceful yet sharp arc cut through the air, and the tip of the blade pointed directly at Ryomen Sukuna's finger.

Then, they saw it—flames like shooting stars were launched from Ryūjin Jakka.

Ryūjin Jakka.

If fire.

The moment that meteor-like flame touched Sukuna's finger, it ignited fiercely.

Unlike the earlier blazing inferno that consumed the Treasury's walls, this flame wasn't violent. Yet, its power was even more terrifying.

Because right now, Sukuna's finger, under the torch flame, was melting slowly—like wax.

What did this mean?

Sukuna's finger had completely failed.

Under the Torch Technique, the Cursed Womb of Sukuna would be utterly destroyed.

...

At the same time, within his domain.

Ryomen Sukuna's expression froze in shock. His four eyes widened instantly, and he stood from the skeletal throne that sat atop a mountain of bones.

"Impossible! This is impossible!"

Sukuna muttered, eyes instinctively looking toward the direction of Tokyo Jujutsu High.

Though there was no such thing as orientation in the domain, he could still feel it.

His fingers were suffering.

More importantly, the power within those fingers was rapidly dissipating. It would not be long before they were entirely destroyed.

"Who is it? Who has such power to destroy my finger?"

Ryomen Sukuna was shaken. For the first time, he felt that someone in this world could actually threaten him.

He had assumed the previous encounters represented the limit of human power. Yet this—this attack shattered that illusion.

At this point, he had already guessed it.

It had to be Gojo Satoshi.

But now, he needed confirmation.

Ryomen Sukuna slowly raised his right hand. The markings along his arm began to glow faintly.

This was the agreement he had made with Kenjaku.

He had never imagined he would one day activate it voluntarily.

Never imagined he would one day take the initiative to pull Kenjaku's consciousness into his own realm.

"I want to know everything."

Sukuna closed his eyes slightly.

Meanwhile, far away, Kenjaku felt the spiritual tug.

The corners of his lips curved slightly.

Even someone as proud as you… will seek cooperation under a true threat to your existence, won't you?

Kenjaku allowed Sukuna's power to pull on his soul.

He slowly closed his eyes. This was Sukuna calling him directly, and he intended to savor the moment.

Once he grasped the method behind this ability, he might have more ways to meet with Sukuna again in the future...

Ryomen Sukuna was a vital piece in his long-term plan.

When Kenjaku opened his eyes again, he was already standing in the eerie darkness of the Demon Subduing and Chef Control Area.

"Yo, Sukuna. I wouldn't say 'long time no see'—we just met not long ago."

Kenjaku's tone was laced with playfulness.

He stood on the ground of the skeletal domain, looking up at the throne where Sukuna sat, twisting his neck casually.

Looking up like this all the time… really is uncomfortable.

"Kenjaku, you've got sources of information in the real world. Tell me—who is destroying my fingers?"

Sukuna had suspicions but wanted confirmation from Kenjaku.

"Who? Isn't it obvious? Who have we been talking about? Who did I keep reminding you of? Who's the only one who's caused you trouble recently?"

Kenjaku didn't answer directly, but his rhetorical questions said enough.

"It's him."

Sukuna's eyes narrowed slightly as he looked at Kenjaku.

"Gojo Satoshi."

He recalled the battle where he had manipulated a Cursed Spirit carrying one of his fingers against Satoshi, and the scene where Satoshi, without even drawing his Zanpakutō, had used some unknown technique to annihilate that Special Grade instantly.

For the first time, Sukuna had felt a strange mix of surprise and doubt.

Ever since Satoshi appeared, his hostility had been immediate and instinctual, as if the two were natural enemies. That presence lingered in his mind.

"Kenjaku, how did Gojo Satoshi destroy my fingers?"

Even though his fingers inside the Treasury hadn't completely melted yet, in Sukuna's mind, it was already a foregone conclusion.

They would be destroyed.

Which meant, now, he wanted to understand Gojo Satoshi better.

He existed only as a spiritual will. His influence on the real world could only be exerted through the Cursed Spirits infused with the power of his fingers.

But this method was limited.

Like that earlier battle, even without Satoshi using Kidō to finish off the Cursed Spirit instantly, the Spirit would've died afterward anyway.

Because they weren't true vessels. They had no body capable of withstanding his power.

Which meant he couldn't rely on Cursed Spirits to act on his behalf long-term.

But Kenjaku was different.

This man had power in the real world—and the means to offer him the answers he sought.

However, what Sukuna didn't expect was...

Kenjaku tilted his head, twisted his neck, and complained.

"My neck's getting sore from always looking up at you."

(To be continued.)