HRU: Chapter 244/247

Chapter 244: It's Not Over Yet!

Seeing that Satoru returned empty-handed, all eyes at the scene shifted toward Satoshi, as if silently inviting him to step forward.

However, to everyone's surprise, Satoru didn't back down.

Just as the entire Treasury fell silent, waiting for Satoshi to take the stage, Satoru suddenly grinned and shrugged toward the Cursed Corpse in front of the first camera.

"I'm not done yet."

His words left both the live broadcast audience and the on-site spectators confused.

Was Satoru holding back when he used the Limitless Technique earlier? That didn't seem possible. That technique must have consumed a significant amount of his energy.

Even if he were to use the Limitless Technique again, he shouldn't be in peak condition anymore.

And if he truly had another technique with no lower limit, why didn't he use it earlier?

Just as everyone began to doubt, a low hum suddenly echoed in the air.

At some point, a katana had appeared in Satoru's hand.

He held the sword before him and whispered softly...

Seeing this, the more experienced sorcerers felt their hearts skip a beat. They had forgotten—Satoru still had his Zanpakutō, which he hadn't drawn yet.

For five years, the sound of Zanpakutōs had nearly disappeared. Over the last nine years, few had heard of a Zanpakutō being used to kill cursed spirits.

Those Satoshi had entrusted with his forged swords were all extraordinary individuals. Even Yagyū Saemon, who had very little cursed energy, was a grandmaster of kendo.

In those nine years, only a few cursed spirits had been worthy of seeing Saemon's Shikai.

Even Saemon rarely drew his Zanpakutō, let alone powerful curse users like Satoru, Suguru, and Kujuku.

If they could resolve a problem with jujutsu, they wouldn't resort to Zanpakutō.

Because of that, the entire Jujutsu world had slowly begun to forget that Satoru and his companions had all received Zanpakutōs forged by Satoshi nine years ago.

Zenin Ogi subconsciously scanned the waists of everyone present.

Satoru. Suguru. Yuki. Shoko.

Just at this scene, four people stood holding Zanpakutōs forged by Satoshi. Among them, Satoru and Suguru were already known across the Jujutsu world as the famous twin stars.

Even though their current sorcerer ranks were only Grade 1, no one doubted that these two would one day rise to Special Grade.

After all, Satoru had the Limitless Technique. His ascension to the top was inevitable.

Suguru's innate technique wasn't inherited from any great clan, but its potential had already proven unmatched.

Cursed Spirit Manipulation.

In a world overrun with cursed spirits, the ability to control them was more terrifying than even a battalion of soldiers.

Suguru was the only one in the current Jujutsu world who could form an army by himself. Someone like him couldn't be judged by conventional rankings. He was undoubtedly destined for Special Grade.

And then there was Yuki. There was no need to say more. She was currently the world's only active Special Grade sorcerer. Not only that, she was a woman whose strength required no further explanation.

As for Shoko, though her combat strength seemed the weakest, she had her own role.

Her mastery of the Reverse Cursed Technique was unmatched. As long as a person wasn't fully dead, Shoko could bring them back.

Not to mention, she had a manta ray-like cursed spirit companion hovering around her, rumored to possess Special Grade-level power.

So even as a support, Shoko was more than qualified—and she had offensive capability to boot.

In short, the four current Zanpakutō wielders were among the most influential people in the curse world.

It was hard to imagine how Satoshi had chosen these people nine years ago.

Choosing them back then only proved how far-sighted Satoshi was.


---

"Scatter, Senbonzakura."

As Satoru finished speaking, under everyone's watchful gaze, the blade of the Zanpakutō Senbonzakura began to glow with a soft pink light.

At that moment, the entire katana looked like it was made of light.

The next second, the glowing pink blade quivered slightly.

Then, in a sudden burst, the entire blade shattered into countless cherry blossom-like fragments of pink light, scattering through the air and drifting throughout the room.

In Satoru's hand, only the bare hilt remained. It was as if the entire sword had never existed.


---

What was happening?

Many viewers watching the live broadcast who had no knowledge of Zanpakutō were left stunned, thinking they were hallucinating. They couldn't understand what kind of technique this was.

After all, it was a real weapon—how could it suddenly disintegrate into points of light?

It completely defied the laws of physics.

Zenin Ogi and Kamo Kaname stared intently at Satoru's first release of his Zanpakutō.

Even though they already knew he possessed one, it was still incredibly rare to see someone activate a Shikai.

This was the first time Satoru had demonstrated his Zanpakutō's ability in front of such a large audience.

Many newcomers to the Jujutsu world who had never even heard the term "Zanpakutō" were completely stunned.

Zanpakutō.

These three words suddenly echoed in everyone's mind.

How could they forget such a surreal scene?

Everyone had expected Satoru to use the cherry blossom-blade Zanpakutō to destroy Sukuna's finger.

Only Satoshi remained calm, slowly shaking his head.

With the current development of Satoru's Zanpakutō, Senbonzakura's Shikai alone wasn't enough to destroy Sukuna's fingers.

But Satoshi had already guessed Satoru's true goal.

As an older brother, he could tell that Satoru simply wanted the higher-ups who had forgotten the power of Zanpakutō to remember it once more.

Satoru wanted the world of Jujutsu to remember him and his Zanpakutō.

He wanted to stand tall again through his own strength.

Although Satoshi felt it wasn't necessary, he still chose to accept Satoru's resolve.

He too wanted to see just how far Senbonzakura could go in Satoru's hands...

(To be continued.)

Chapter 245: Scatter, Grow

The petals floating in the air above the Treasury transformed into thousands of blades, completely encasing Sukuna's finger.

Although no one knew why Senbonzakura had wrapped around it, the sound of blades slicing through flesh made it clear to the audience—Senbonzakura was trying to destroy Ryomen Sukuna's finger.

Zenin Ogi and Kamo Kaname stared intently at the finger wrapped in petals.

Though they were still confident in the durability of Sukuna's finger, they couldn't help but feel uneasy, recalling the terrifying reputation of the Zanpakutō from nine years ago.

A Limitless Technique paired with a Zanpakutō—just hearing that combination was enough to unsettle anyone. No one could predict what might happen.

Seconds later, the sea of cherry blossom petals dispersed, revealing Sukuna's finger still intact. A wave of relief swept over the senior officials of the General Directorate, who had been dreading the possibility of it being destroyed.

However, some sharp-eyed viewers quickly noticed that, under the cutting force of Senbonzakura, Sukuna's finger—which hadn't suffered a single scratch from the Limitless Technique—now bore faint lines.

Though the damage was shallow, it was a breakthrough. It proved that Senbonzakura had indeed left a mark.

After all, this was Sukuna's Finger. For a thousand years, it had remained unmarred. For Satoru's Zanpakutō to even leave a scratch was a testament to its strength.


---

It's a bit of a pity. If Satoru had matured a little more, maybe he could've destroyed Sukuna's finger with his Zanpakutō.

A trace of regret crossed Yaga Masamichi's face.

Even so, Satoru's actions gave them hope. At the very least, they now knew that Sukuna's fingers weren't indestructible.

Sekiguchi Seiji quietly nodded to himself. Satoru was clearly the most promising sorcerer at the moment. While Yuki was currently the only Special Grade sorcerer, Satoru would undoubtedly surpass her one day.

With this, Tokyo Jujutsu High wouldn't lose out to Kyoto in terms of high-end combat power.


---

"Satoshi, it looks like I still can't do it. I have to rely on you. You're the creator of Zanpakutō… you should have confidence in your own blade, right?"

Satoru shrugged, his expression full of helplessness.

If possible, he had hoped to settle the matter himself. If his Zanpakutō could destroy Sukuna's finger, it would've stunned the entire Jujutsu world.

Unfortunately, he was still one step short.

After Satoru's words, the venue fell into silence. Everyone had seen the scars left on Sukuna's finger. And now, they were all focused on the identity of Gojo Satoshi.

What came next depended on whether Satoshi could destroy Sukuna's finger. Some hoped to see him succeed, while others waited for him to fail.

Yet the next to step forward was not Satoshi, but Suguru.

"Since Satoru has gone, I'll try as well. I think my strength is on par with his. I've got a Zanpakutō too. Let's see how it performs."

Suguru brushed his odd fringe aside and stepped into the spot Satoru had just left.

Before Zenin Ogi could stop him, the Special Grade cursed spirit, Rainbow Dragon, appeared at Suguru's side. Simultaneously, Suguru drew his Zanpakutō just like Satoru had.

"Grow, Hōzukimaru!"

As Suguru spoke, the blade instantly shifted form, transforming into a spear. Hōzukimaru and the Rainbow Dragon attacked Sukuna's finger together.


---

Under the astonished gazes of the crowd, the exclamations continued. Yet another weapon had changed shape.

For many who knew little about Zanpakutō, it now seemed like transformation was a standard ability.

The aura of the Special Grade cursed spirit was oppressive. At the same time, the icy gleam from Hōzukimaru was enough to send chills down one's spine.

However, Rainbow Dragon's strike left no visible damage on the finger. Only Hōzukimaru, in spear form, managed to create slight indentations.

"Satoru, looks like I'm just as good as you."

Suguru wasn't surprised by the result. After all, his strength was roughly equal to Satoru's. He hadn't expected to truly destroy Sukuna's finger.

His goal, like Satoru's, was to support Satoshi.

Although Satoshi fell into a deep sleep after handing over his Zanpakutō, Suguru had fully understood and mastered Hōzukimaru's Shikai on his own.

And he had to admit, it was thanks to Satoshi that both he and Uncle Yagyū Saemon had survived the incident nine years ago.

Given that, it was only natural for him to stand with Satoshi now.

Since Satoru had already set the stage, he simply followed suit.

Though Suguru's performance lacked the flashiness of Satoru's Limitless Technique and Senbonzakura, the presence of the eastern white dragon cursed spirit and a spear-form Zanpakutō still shocked the audience.

More importantly, that spear—Hōzukimaru—had managed to leave a dent on Sukuna's finger.

What did that mean?

Could it be that this was the essence of the Zanpakutō?

That any Zanpakutō had the potential to damage Ryomen Sukuna's fingers?

With that realization, all eyes turned to the one who had yet to make a move—Ieiri Shoko...

(To be continued.)

Chapter 246: Shōko Wants to Try It Too?

As a member of the trio alongside Satoru and Suguru, it was no secret that Shōko also wielded a Zanpakutō.

After all, Minazuki's appearance was even more eye-catching than Satoru's Senbonzakura or Suguru's Hōzukimaru.

It had become Shōko's exclusive mount. Many had seen her soaring across the skies of Tokyo on Minazuki's back.

"I want to give it a try too."

Shōko sighed and reluctantly released her Zanpakutō, Minazuki.

Unlike combat-oriented sorcerers like Satoru and Suguru, she served more as a logistical and support unit. Minazuki's function leaned heavily toward healing.

That was why she lacked confidence in handling something like Sukuna's finger.

Still, while her direct combat ability was lacking, she had her own method in mind to destroy it.

A method completely different from those of Satoru and Suguru.

She possessed the Reverse Cursed Technique, which neither of them had fully mastered. More importantly, she could externally output the positive energy it generated.

Since cursed spirits were composed of negative energy, the positive energy produced by the Reverse Cursed Technique was lethal to them.

Shōko intended to use that energy, channeled through Minazuki's healing properties, to try dissolving Ryomen Sukuna's finger.


---

The massive green manta ray, Minazuki, swallowed Sukuna's finger and floated silently in the air.

Shōko stood behind her, gripping Minazuki's slender tail with one hand. She directed the positive energy within her body through that tail and into Minazuki. Their combined power focused on Sukuna's finger.

Brilliant green light radiated from Minazuki's body, and the crowd couldn't help but feel awestruck by the sight.

This was the power of the Reverse Cursed Technique.

Under Shōko and Minazuki's influence, minor internal injuries in nearby observers began to heal on their own.

They actually went with that method. Maybe it really could work.

Yaga Masamichi was stunned when he realized what Shōko was doing.

Others in history had mastered the Reverse Cursed Technique, such as Inamichi—but Shōko's version was different. She and Minazuki could release the technique's energy with zero loss in efficiency.

While this positive energy was miraculous for healing the living, it was a deadly poison to cursed spirits.

Maybe it could really corrode Sukuna's finger.

Zenin Ogi and Kamo Kaname's expressions darkened once more. With each new person who stepped forward, their faces changed so frequently one might think they were trained in Sichuan opera.

After five minutes of silence, Shōko finally let go of Minazuki's tail and shook her head bitterly.

Minazuki, hovering weakly in the air, looked exhausted. Her large round eyes were dim and sluggish.

It was clear that both Shōko and Minazuki had depleted their cursed energy completely.

"Urk—"

Minazuki opened her mouth wide and spat out Sukuna's finger.

That moment signified Shōko's failure.

But Ogi and Kaname showed no joy.

Because that finger… looked different.

Tiny cracks lined its surface—barely visible, but undeniably there.

What did this mean?

It meant that Shōko and Minazuki's method had worked.

The surface had only been lightly corroded this time, but what if Shōko's cursed energy were stronger?

What if she were given more time?

It was now evident—Shōko possessed the power to erase Sukuna's finger.

This wasn't theory. This was real.

But was this truly due to Shōko's Reverse Cursed Technique?

After all, in Jujutsu history, many sorcerers had mastered the Reverse Cursed Technique and tried this before.

And all had failed.

Some of them were far more powerful than Shōko. So why was she the only one showing results?

Why was it only Shōko's energy that left signs of corrosion?

The question lingered in everyone's mind.

And then, as they watched her gently sheath Minazuki, their thoughts were blown wide open.

Minazuki dissolved into a stream of bright green light and disappeared into the scabbard.

A collective sense of awe spread across the crowd.

For most of them, it was the first time witnessing Minazuki being recalled. It was also the first time they truly understood what a Zanpakutō was.

Until now, they had assumed the giant green manta ray was just a cursed spirit under Shōko's control.

But it wasn't. It was her Zanpakutō.

That revelation shook them.

Wasn't a Zanpakutō supposed to be a weapon?

Senbonzakura turned into cherry blossoms—yes, but it was still a sword at its core.

Hōzukimaru changed into a spear—still within the realm of Cursed Tools.

But Minazuki?

What even was this?

How could a Zanpakutō take the form of what looked like a cursed spirit?

They didn't know what else to call Minazuki, so they kept referring to her as a cursed spirit out of habit.

A Cursed Tool turned into a cursed spirit.

At that moment, those with knowledge of the Zanpakutō nine years ago suddenly remembered something.

When Satoshi forged his Zanpakutō, he used a special kind of Cursed Tool.

What exactly did that mean?

And when he forged Ryūjin Jakka, he even incorporated Cursed Objects.

Was this fusion of Cursed Object and Cursed Tool the reason Satoshi's Zanpakutō had evolved into such forms?

No one knew.

But as Shōko and the others released their Zanpakutō one by one, everyone at the venue and those watching the livestream had come to the same realization.

These Cursed Tools called Zanpakutō were anything but ordinary.

They weren't something just anyone could access.

Now it was clear why sorcerers as powerful as Satoru and Suguru still carried these plain-looking swords at their waist.

Because beneath that simplicity… was extraordinary power.

Because the Zanpakutō that had remained dormant for nine years could actually hurt Ryomen Sukuna.

(To be continued.)

Chapter 247: Blatant

Itadori Kaori gently placed the baby in her arms aside, her expression solemn.

Gojo Satoshi, is this your trump card? If the Zanpakutō of Gojo Satoru and the others can damage Ryomen Sukuna's fingers, then perhaps...

She recalled the battle from nine years ago where she attempted to seize Ryūjin Jakka.

She had miscalculated by a single step and was deceived by Gojo Satoshi, ultimately failing to claim Ryūjin Jakka.

If she possessed Ryūjin Jakka now, and fully unleashed its power, she might have already achieved her goal.

"Sukuna, it looks like you're really going to take a hit this time."

"The Zanpakutō truly lives up to its name. A soul-devouring sword… The power you've sealed within your fingers, Sukuna, may finally be truly erased by the Zanpakutō."

Kaori frowned, and the stitches on her forehead tensed, giving her an eerie look, as though her head might split open.

If Satoshi held hostility toward her, it made sense—after all, she had once tried to steal Ryūjin Jakka and nearly killed him in the process.

But what about his hostility toward Sukuna?

Why did Gojo Satoshi, upon awakening, immediately turn his attention to Ryomen Sukuna, going so far as to publicly broadcast the destruction of his fingers?

Kaori couldn't understand his reasoning.

What she could deduce, however, was that Gojo Satoshi was definitely not on her side.

The young man on the screen before her… was an enemy.

Meanwhile, within the inner world of another cursed spirit, Ryomen Sukuna sat cross-legged on a high skeletal throne. Clad in a blood-colored kimono.

Even though he wasn't physically with the six fingers scattered outside, he could still feel the connection through their shared soul.

He clearly sensed the loss of power from one of the fingers.

Although it was a small amount—a mere drop in the ocean—it still held great significance.

It meant that his once flawless power had been fractured. Not once, but three times in a row.

In all his years of existence, this had never happened before.

He had no idea what kind of force could achieve such a feat. But one thing was clear—it wasn't from the ancient past.

The warning from Kenjaku surfaced in his mind.

"You need to be careful with Gojo Satoshi. Be careful with his Zanpakutō."

Having just tasted defeat at Satoshi's hands, Sukuna instantly connected this incident to that name—Gojo Satoshi.

And to the unfamiliar, mysterious power of the Zanpakutō.

This was Sukuna's sixth sense at work. He had no solid proof, but his instincts had always been accurate.

Especially after the previous confrontation, he understood how dangerous Satoshi truly was.

What made it worse was that Sukuna had deliberately constructed a Domain Expansion to seal Satoshi's Zanpakutō in advance.

Even without his weapon, Satoshi had managed to break through the domain and kill a cursed spirit using only the power of a single finger.

That left a deep impression on Sukuna.

The erosion has stopped.

Sukuna's expression slowly returned to calm.

He didn't know what was currently happening outside, but clearly, even with the power of the Zanpakutō, those sorcerers still couldn't fully eliminate his Death Wax.

As long as his fingers were not completely destroyed, his strength wouldn't suffer permanent damage.

Even if part of his power had been temporarily eroded, he would recover over time.

Because of that, Ryomen Sukuna once again found himself increasingly intrigued by Gojo Satoshi and his Zanpakutō.

If he had the chance to see Kaori again, he would definitely ask her about this sorcerer and this strange Cursed Tool.

With nothing but disdain for the outside world, Ryomen Sukuna slowly closed his four eyes.

The entire Domain fell into silence once more.


---

Unbeknownst to Sukuna, inside Tokyo Jujutsu High, everyone was staring in disbelief at Yuki, who had already drawn her Zanpakutō—Zabimaru—completed its Shikai, and was preparing to attack Sukuna's two fingers.

They were completely stunned.

If Satoru, Suguru, and Shoko had taken action against Sukuna's fingers for Satoshi's sake, it could be attributed to their past emotions and bonds.

But what about Yuki?

She was from Kyoto. A Star Plasma Vessel. A top-class sorcerer.

Speaking up for Satoshi just now was already enough to show her stance. But now she was going to expend her own strength like the others to attack Sukuna's finger?

Could it be that the rumor they'd just heard… that something had happened between Yuki and Satoshi nine years ago… was actually true?

But, how was that even possible?

Nine years ago, Satoshi was only six years old. Yuki herself had only just entered her teenage years. How could either of them have even understood what love meant?

As for Zabimaru's transformation in Yuki's hand—nobody was surprised anymore.

After all, wasn't transformation just a basic trait of Zanpakutō?

"Yuki, that's enough!"

She held Garuda in her left hand and Zabimaru in her right, clearly intent on destroying Sukuna's fingers.

Satoshi quickly reached out and stopped her.

There was no reason for her to exhaust her strength now. Besides, he had already verified the destructive potential of the Zanpakutō through Satoru, Suguru, and Shoko.

He was confident that he himself could destroy Sukuna's fingers if necessary.


---

Yuki looked visibly displeased as Satoshi stopped her.

She wanted to contribute, to support Satoshi's cause. But it seemed he didn't need her help at all.

Dissatisfaction filled her delicate face.

Standing nearby, Utahime and Mei Mei exchanged glances. They were shocked, but understanding quickly dawned in their eyes.

During their journey from Kyoto to Tokyo, they had already sensed the tension and urgency in Yuki's heart.

Still, they hadn't expected her to be so open about it—especially during a live broadcast being watched by the top leadership of the entire jujutsu world.

Wasn't this too blatant?

Anyone with a shred of perception could see what Yuki felt for Satoshi.

(To be continued.)