HRU: Chapter 118/120

Chapter 118: How to Practice Shunpo?

"Satoru, Shunichi, Takuya—Satoshi's been forging for quite a while now. He needs a proper rest. Let's head out first."

"Toji, you can decide based on your own schedule."

Gojo Kumaen addressed everyone. Seeing how exhausted Gojo Satoshi was, he began ushering people out.

Everyone glanced at Satoshi, then at Ryūjin Jakka in his hand. Though curiosity about the Zanpakutō's power filled the air, no one pressed further at this time.

"Satoshi, get some rest. We'll be heading back now."

As Gojo Satoru finished speaking, the group left the forge. Toji immediately departed the Gojo estate, he had to return to the Yorozuya to continue overseeing operations.

…

After sending everyone off, Satoshi exhaled a long breath.

Staring at Ryūjin Jakka and Sode no Shirayuki resting on the sword rack, he began contemplating how he should improve going forward.

With the arrival of Ryūjin Jakka, Satoshi understood that his growth through forging Cursed Tools had essentially reached its peak.

Even if he continued creating more Zanpakutō, they would merely serve to expand his arsenal's functionality.

In terms of practicality, Ryūjin Jakka and Sode no Shirayuki were already more than enough for daily battles.

As for upcoming forging plans, aside from the Zanpakutō he planned to craft for Shoko, the rest weren't urgent.

More importantly, upon coming into contact with Ryūjin Jakka, Satoshi could feel its cold rejection.

Even though he had forged it, he hadn't earned its acknowledgment yet.

He had completed its initial release but he hadn't yet mastered its Shikai techniques.

That meant his top priority going forward was to master Ryūjin Jakka's Shikai.

Even achieving Shikai mastery alone would significantly raise his combat power.

Of course, his ultimate goal was to unlock its Bankai—Zanka no Tachi.

Once that form awakened, even peak-form Ryomen Sukuna wouldn't be a match for him.

However, Satoshi still had no idea how to deepen his connection with Ryūjin Jakka, and was far from grasping its Bankai.

Beyond Zanpakutō refinement, the most immediate way to improve his strength was to study Shunpo.

Satoshi had already mastered Zanjutsu and Hakuda. That left Hohō and Kidō untouched.

But when it came to Shunpo, Satoshi felt stuck.

Shunpo, in essence, was speed manifest.

But how exactly should one train in speed and high-speed movement? He had no real example to reference.

In the future, Satoru would become the fastest jujutsu sorcerer, but right now, he was the same age as Satoshi.

The second-fastest Naobito was currently the representative of the Zenin family.

For now, Toji seemed like the most realistic candidate to study from.

When Toji fought Satoru in the future, his speed had been monstrous, second to none.

But Satoshi hesitated. Could that kind of speed really be learned?

Toji's high-speed movement was entirely physical. To match that speed, Satoshi's body would need years of development.

Since physical speed was largely innate, the only thing Satoshi could replicate was movement technique.

That meant Toji, who relied purely on physical strength, could be ruled out as a reference.

That left two potential candidates: his "discount" brother Satoru, and the Naobito who possessed Projection Sorcery.

But Satoru hadn't yet mastered Cursed Technique Reversal: Blue, and couldn't perform high-speed teleportation like he would in the future.

Which meant the only real option left was the Zenin clan's Projection Sorcery user….

I just kidnapped Toji from the Zenin clan, and now I'm going to them for help learning Projection Sorcery? That basically screams, "I don't take the Zenin clan seriously…"

A trace of helplessness appeared on Satoshi's face.

If I were a direct member of the Zenin clan, I definitely wouldn't accept a request like that.

It's better to push Satoru to learn Cursed Technique Reversal quickly, so I don't have to be in this awkward position.

Satoru's been slacking lately, hasn't he? Even if he has a brand-new weapon like Senbonzakura, he can't afford to slack off on training Limitless.

Satoshi made up his mind, he had to personally supervise his "discount" brother going forward.

Mastering the control of Ryūjin Jakka's techniques.

Unlocking Sode no Shirayuki's Bankai.

And gaining proficiency in Shunpo.

These were the top three priorities for Satoshi in the near future.

Any other forms of training right now would just be wasting time.

I should also pay more attention to the Yorozuya's matters later.

Hmm… I'll need to find someone to repair the forge tomorrow. That skylight's gotten way too wide.

And the furnace… I nearly burned through all my materials just to forge a blade sharp enough to hold that fire.

Gojo Satoshi looked up at the exposed roof, staring at the brilliant stars scattered across the winter sky.

Wrapping himself in a quilt, he slowly drifted off into a deep sleep.

…

Elsewhere—

Satoru held Senbonzakura in his hands, his heart heavy and conflicted.

Beside him, the hand of the elderly man, withered like bark rested gently atop his head. His voice was soft enough to be carried away by the breeze.

"Satoru, are you feeling unwilling? Maybe a little jealous?"

Satoru trembled slightly. In his azure Six Eyes, a flicker of unease passed through.

He was genuinely happy that his brother had forged a Zanpakutō capable of intimidating Senbonzakura.

But seeing everyone's attention shift to Satoshi left him feeling hollow inside.

The old man had warned him this day would come. He'd even said that Satoshi was more suited to become the Gojo family's head.

And Satoru himself agreed with that judgment.

Still, when it actually happened—it stung more than he expected.

He had always thought of himself as the one who would protect his powerless little brother.

But now, that "powerless" brother had grown into someone who no longer needed protection.

In fact, with Ryūjin Jakka and Sode no Shirayuki in hand, Satoshi was already stronger than him.

That realization was difficult for someone like Satoru, who had grown used to basking in others' praise—to accept.

The Clan Head said I was jealous… maybe I am, just a little.

Satoru admitted it inwardly. It wasn't exactly jealousy, more like disappointment.

"Satoru, you don't need to think of yourself as inferior to Satoshi. You haven't yet mastered Limitless."

"When you fully grasp all of Limitless's techniques, you won't be any weaker than he is."

"So instead of worrying about comparison, focus on your own training and on mastering your own Zanpakutō…"

(To be continued.)

Chapter 119: Within One Day

Early the next morning.

After a night of contemplation, Satoru took the initiative to find Satoshi and share his plans for the future, he was going into long-term recluse to fully master the Limitless technique.

Hearing Satoru's sudden enthusiasm, Satoshi was so moved he nearly burst into tears.

Does this discount brother of mine actually understand my inner needs and suddenly become this motivated?

Without hesitation, Satoshi nodded repeatedly. "Satoru, you absolutely must study Cursed Technique Reversal: Blue thoroughly. Break it down, grind it to dust, and understand every single layer."

"Huh? Oh… well, I've been in contact with Blue before, so I should be able to master it pretty quickly."

Gojo Satoru felt something was a bit off about Satoshi's reaction.

"No, no, no—I don't want you to stop at the basics of Blue! You need to grasp its advanced applications. If used properly, you should be able to develop teleportation!"

Satoshi's face lit up with excitement.

"Teleportation. Doesn't that sound awesome? Once you master it, you've got to teach me too."

"Satoru, I'm counting on you."

It wasn't until Satoru found himself shoved into the training chamber that he finally processed what had happened.

He hadn't expected Satoshi to place so much importance on advanced Cursed Technique Reversal. And he definitely didn't expect to be asked to master Blue just to teach him movement techniques later…

Advanced applications of Blue?

Teleportation? That really does sound pretty cool.

Satoru suddenly felt a spark of drive. If even Satoshi, who always looked down on most techniques, wanted it, this must truly be a power only he could master.

He had to thoroughly learn Cursed Technique Reversal: Blue… and teach Satoshi once he succeeded.

…

Satoru's initiative saved Satoshi a lot of effort.

But seeing Satoru take his training so seriously, Satoshi realized he couldn't afford to slack either.

Holding the warm hilt of Ryūjin Jakka, determination flickered in Gojo Satoshi's eyes. If even an iron rod could be ground into a needle, he could certainly take time to build a bond with Ryūjin Jakka.

Just do it.

That very same day, both Six Eyes users of the Gojo family entered closed-door training at the same time.

When Gojo Kumaen heard the news, his expression remained calm but he gained a deeper understanding of Satoshi.

To have just forged such a terrifying Zanpakutō, yet still be able to sit down in quiet.

It was Satoshi's self-discipline and character that had brought him this far.

If things continued this way, there was no doubt Satoshi's future would eclipse even his present.

"Grandfather, lately many families from the jujutsu world have been reaching out, hoping Young Master Satoshi will forge a Zanpakutō for them."

Gojo Genichi gave a respectful report on his current duties.

Previously, his understanding of Satoshi had been shallow, but ever since the Yagyū clan traded Tsuki no Sho for Nejibana, smaller jujutsu families had begun losing their minds.

Every time he met with them, they'd always bring up Satoshi in roundabout ways, dropping hints that they wanted him to forge a Zanpakutō for their clans.

Until now, Genichi had turned them down by saying Satoshi was still forging his personal Zanpakutō.

However, the pillar of fire that had pierced the sky yesterday clearly marked the birth of Gojo Satoshi's newest Zanpakutō.

Now that word had spread, the jujutsu families swarmed the Gojo estate like sharks smelling blood, desperate to gain Satoshi's favor and have him forge a Zanpakutō for them.

They didn't dare hope for a blade as powerful as Ryūjin Jakka. Even one on the level of what the Yagyū clan received would be enough.

A single Zanpakutō could create a Grade 1 sorcerer—and a Grade 1 sorcerer could uphold the strength of an entire clan.

For that kind of return, they were even willing to part with their ancestral texts, some would even sell themselves if it came to that.

In just half a day, Gojo Genichi had received dozens of such guests. At this point, he truly didn't know how to handle them and could only turn to his grandfather for guidance.

Kumaen glanced at his grandson's frustrated expression, a cold glint flickering in his eyes.

He still regretted personally brokering the deal that gave Nejibana to the Yagyū family.

Although the Yagyū now followed the Gojo family's lead, giving such a powerful Zanpakutō to another clan and letting them produce a Grade 1 sorcerer was, in Kumaen's eyes, a bad trade.

Now these minor families dared to follow in the Yagyū's footsteps and try to fleece the Gojo clan?

He had no intention of making the same mistake twice.

Kumaen snorted coldly.

"Genichi, keep entertaining them. Isn't Satoshi in closed-door training? That's the perfect excuse to dismiss them."

"Not just anyone is qualified to wield a Gojo-forged Zanpakutō. Even if Satoshi has his own criteria, as his kin, we should take on the first round of screening."

Kumaen's firm tone restored Genichi's confidence.

The Gojo family, holders of the Six Eyes, had every right to reject other families. After all, not every clan was part of the Big Three.

And even the Kamo clan, one of the Big Three, had obediently sent their family's prized Cursed Tool to Satoshi for forging.

Genichi, unaware of Kamo Shin's betrayal, mistook the Kamo clan's actions as fear of the Gojo family.

Still, in his mind, things looked good.

Even the Kamo family was no longer a match for the current Gojo clan.

…

Upon hearing that Satoshi had gone into closed-door training, many emissaries from jujutsu families let out deep sighs.

They didn't know whether this was Satoshi brushing them off or the Gojo clan flat-out rejecting them, but they could only return to their families with the news.

None of them dared voice their dissatisfaction directly. They could only curse the Yagyū clan in silence.

They all knew the real reason for the Gojo clan's rejection likely lay in how flashy the Yagyū had been after receiving Nejibana.

That brute from the Yagyū clan just couldn't keep his mouth shut. You got a Zanpakutō, great. Why couldn't you just enjoy it quietly?

You got promoted to Grade 1 and you still don't know how to hide your strength? You had to march back to the Gojo estate and show off?

Would you die if you didn't brag?

The Zanpakutō duel between Yagyū Saemon and Gojo Shunichi had already become public knowledge.

Saemon's Nejibana was far too eye-catching, completely cutting off any chance these small families had of acquiring a Zanpakutō for themselves.

An ordinary man isn't guilty but carrying something extraordinary makes him a target.

Thanks to that, the Yagyū clan had now become the target of resentment for many smaller jujutsu families…

(To be continued.)

Chapter 120: A Long Road to Adjustment

Satoshi remained in recluse for fifteen days.

And during those fifteen days, a major event shook the jujutsu world.

Kamo Shin—elder of the Kamo clan, president of the Blacksmithing Association, and master of Cursed Tool forging, passed away within the Kamo estate.

Before his death, Kamo handed down his final wishes, transferring the position of president of the Blacksmithing Association to the Gojo family.

The Kamo clan, having lost a foundational pillar, weakened further, while the Gojo family gained control over the Blacksmithing Association, elevating their influence and reputation to new heights.

Apart from those directly involved in or witness to the bet, no one knew the real reason behind Kamo's death.

Though Takuya felt some regret over Kamo's passing, as the only Grandmaster in the world of Cursed Tool forging, his loss was significant, Takuya understood that Kamo must have done something to provoke the Gojo clan's wrath.

Otherwise, both the Gojo clan's decision and Kamo Shin's willingness to accept death so readily would be unexplainable.

Takuya sighed.

He had obtained the presidency without any real qualification to lead the association. For now, all he could do was bluff his way forward, relying entirely on the prestige of Satoshi.

After all, the man who forged Ryūjin Jakka had already become a god-like figure in the entire forging world.

As long as Satoshi stood behind him, the blacksmiths under the association wouldn't dare to cause trouble.

Even though he hadn't actually taught Satoshi much of anything, that didn't stop others from assuming he was Satoshi's master…

…

Fifteen days of recluse yielded no significant breakthroughs for Gojo Satoshi.

His bond with Ryūjin Jakka remained lukewarm.

While he could activate its Shikai with the release phrase, he still couldn't use its techniques afterward.

It was like a beautiful woman lying naked on the bed… but he still couldn't get it up.

Satoshi was beyond frustrated.

But he understood that achieving true synchronization with Ryūjin Jakka required more than time.

He probably needed to experience something else with the blade, something deeper.

He could feel the pride emanating from Ryūjin Jakka. After all, its last wielder had been the strongest Shinigami in the Soul Society—Captain-Commander Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni.

It would be stranger if such a blade didn't have a will of its own…

…

The news of Satoshi leaving his closed-door training quickly reached Kumaen.

As soon as Satoshi returned to the forge, Kumaen came to meet him.

"Satoshi, how was your time in seclusion? Any progress?"

Kumaen had a bright smile on his face, no trace of the resistance he once had toward the boy.

Satoshi's response was calm.

"Not much progress. If I want to fully unleash the power of Ryūjin Jakka, it'll take a long time."

Sensing the discouragement in Satoshi's voice, Kumaen chose not to press the matter.

As someone who merely represented the clan, he didn't fully grasp the nature of Zanpakutō. This was something only Satoshi could work through himself.

Instead, he pulled out a booklet and handed it over.

"These are the requests that came in from various jujutsu families while you were in seclusion. They're hoping you'll forge Zanpakutō for them."

"This is the result of my screening."

"I believe Zanpakutō should be treated as strategic resources, not something to be handed out lightly. But some of the trade items they're offering are tempting. Look it over and decide based on what you need."

After handing it over, Kumaen didn't offer any more suggestions.

He didn't know what Satoshi truly needed, nor what might help him. So he left the decision entirely in the boy's hands.

Even though Satoshi was only six, Kumaen already treated him as an adult.

Satoshi flipped through the list casually, then shook his head.

He wasn't in the mood to forge more Zanpakutō right now. Although many of the offers were valuable, none were useful to him at the moment.

"Reject them."

Kumaen found himself agreeing wholeheartedly.

The value of a Zanpakutō was immeasurable, none of these trades were worth the exchange.

"Understood. I'll have Genichi reject them one by one."

Kumaen nodded, then asked with hopeful anticipation:

"Satoshi, is there any other Cursed Tool you need right now? If it's not in the clan archives, we can try acquiring it through other means."

He understood the significance of a forged Zanpakutō. Naturally, he wanted Satoshi to make as many as possible.

Even if not all could be as powerful as Ryūjin Jakka, blades like Senbonzakura or Katen Kyōkotsu were still incredibly rare.

If Satoshi could forge more Zanpakutō and arm clan members, the Gojo family's standing in the jujutsu world would rise dramatically.

"I'm a little tired."

Satoshi's response made Kumaen freeze mid-sentence.

"I won't be forging any more Zanpakutō for a while. I need to rest."

The follow-up completely crushed Kumaen's expectations.

Seeing the fatigue on Satoshi's face, he said nothing more.

During Satoshi's recluse, Kumaen had gained a better understanding of the forging world thanks to Takuya taking over the association.

Any Cursed Tool master who wanted to forge a weapon above Grade 1 had to devote an extraordinary amount of time and effort.

From that perspective, Satoshi forging five Zanpakutō in such a short time was beyond comprehension, completely breaking the standard logic of Cursed Tool creation.

It really is time for him to rest. Forging a Zanpakutō isn't like slicing vegetables, it takes a massive toll mentally.

He spent hours forging Ryūjin Jakka. If this keeps up, it could hurt his body…

Finishing his own mental rationalization, Gojo Kumaen nodded and told Satoshi to take his time recovering, then quietly left.

Just as Satoshi lay down, ready to rest.

Toji walked in.

" Satoshi you're finally out?"

Satoshi gave a lazy nod.

"Toji… long time no see."

Toji walked right up to him and said, "The Yorozuya has been built. Want to come take a look?"

Satoshi, who had been groggy moments ago, suddenly lit up.

"Let's go!"

(To be continued.)