HRU: Chapter 83/84

Chapter 83: No, I Want the Inverted Spear of Heaven!

"It seems that this time, our Zenin family has suffered a huge loss..."

Naobito touched his frostbitten wound, his eyes filled with regret.

Previously, he believed he had valued Zanpakutō enough, even willing to have Toji offer up a cursed tool as a gesture of goodwill.

However, he now realized that both he and Ogi had severely underestimated Gojo Satoshi and his Zanpakutō.

A single Zanpakutō contained seven techniques. Even if Sode no Shirayuki was an exception among them, the sheer potential it displayed was terrifying.

Naobito glanced at Toji beside him with regret. Throughout the battle, Toji had remained unnervingly calm.

If not for the brief moment when Toji lost his composure upon hearing that Sode no Shirayuki possessed seven techniques, Naobito might have believed Toji had already known its secret.

If that were the case, withholding such crucial information from the clan could even be considered an act of betrayal.

However, at this moment, Naobito didn't have the time or energy to investigate whether Toji had prior knowledge.

Right now, Toji was the bridge between the Zenin family and Gojo Satoshi. No matter what, he couldn't isolate him just because of some suspicion.

Moreover, given Satoshi's personality, it was certain that Toji would obtain a Zanpakutō in the future.

When that happened, if the clan and Toji requested to study the Zanpakutō, Toji wouldn't refuse.

Naobito shook his head and turned his gaze toward the one responsible for everything—Gojo Satoshi.

"Satoshi-kun, this time, the Zenin family has indeed failed. As such, I will uphold my previous promise."

"The Zenin family can afford to part with two cursed tools."

"This time, I will personally take you to the Treasury to make your selection. Although our cooperation has been overshadowed by what happened with Shinsuke, I hope you can still acknowledge the Zenin family's goodwill."

"After all, in a family as large as ours, internal struggles for power are inevitable."

Naobito was making his final effort to salvage the situation. Even if the Zenin family had lost their chance to work directly with Gojo Satoshi, he hoped Satoshi wouldn't hold a grudge against the Zenin clan as a whole.

How could that be possible? I plan to keep squeezing more benefits from them. As long as the Zenin family doesn't resent me first…

As long as they keep offering benefits, I don't mind playing the victim!

Walking through the Treasury, Satoshi examined the countless treasures on display. Rows upon rows of cursed tools were neatly arranged on the shelves.

With just a glance, he spotted several cursed tools that could serve as materials for forging Zanpakutō.

He made a mental note of these items—he would claim them sooner or later.

Of course, at this moment, he wasn't choosing for himself.

He was here to see which cursed tools Toji had set his sights on.

After reviewing the ones Toji had marked, Satoshi provided his recommendations.

The quality of these cursed tools was quite good, and their traits closely aligned with the Zanpakutō he had planned to forge for Toji.

However, his attention was caught by a particular short-bladed cursed tool.

"This is the one!"

The cursed tool Gojo Satoshi selected was actually the weakest among the three.

"Are you sure? This is just a Grade 1 cursed tool," Toji questioned skeptically. In his opinion, using a special-grade cursed tool as a forging material would yield a more powerful Zanpakutō.

"If you trust me, take this one."

GmSatoshi shook his head and picked up the short blade. The feeling he got from it was unmistakable.

Although it was only a Grade 1 cursed tool, it was the most suitable choice.

Toji studied Satoshi carefully. After confirming that Satoshi wasn't joking, he nodded.

"You're the forger. You have the final say."

Naobito, who had been observing from the side, immediately formed some suspicions.

He hadn't expected Satoshi to forge a Zanpakutō for Toji so soon.

Originally, he had planned to pressure Satoshi into forging one through a gamble. He never imagined that Toji would obtain a Zanpakutō without even needing to play that game.

Moreover, since Toji ultimately chose a Grade 1 cursed tool, Naobito believed it was a sign of Toji's loyalty to the Zenin family.

After all, giving up a strategic-level special-grade cursed tool was a significant loss.

However, what Naobito didn't realize was that this choice had been entirely dictated by Satoshi.

"Satoshi-kun, is this the only cursed tool you've chosen?"

Naobito mistakenly believed that Satoshi was being considerate of the Zenin family by selecting only a single item.

This perception made him think even more highly of Satoshi's maturity.

But in the next moment, he realized he had been completely mistaken.

Satoshi's second choice wasn't in the Zenin family's Treasury.

"Uncle Naobito, besides this cursed tool, there's another one I want—the Inverted Spear of Heaven."

Naobito's expression stiffened upon hearing Satoshi mention the weapon by name.

In this era, the concealment of cursed tools was paramount. For special-grade cursed tools like the Inverted Spear of Heaven, secrecy was even more crucial.

In battle, the unknown abilities of a special-grade cursed tool could determine the life or death of a Grade 1 sorcerer or even a special-grade curse.

Because of this, sorcerers rarely revealed the true names of their special-grade cursed tools unless absolutely necessary.

Yet, for Gojo Satoshi, this principle didn't seem to exist. He had identified the Inverted Spear of Heaven at a glance.

Is he trying to collect cursed tools that could counter his Zanpakutō in advance?

The Inverted Spear of Heaven's ability is powerful, it nullifies Cursed Techniques. That makes it a natural enemy to the series of Zanpakutō Gojo Satoshi is forging.

What a mistake! What a grave mistake! If only we hadn't included the Inverted Spear of Heaven in this selection… No one even knows it was stored here!

Just as Naobito was about to speak, Satoshi cut him off.

"Uncle Naobito, I've already confirmed this with you. I am allowed to take two cursed tools from the Zenin family, not just from the Treasury."

"So, the Inverted Spear of Heaven should fall under that agreement, right?"

(To be continued.)

Chapter 84: Too Ugly, I Don’t Want It

Satoshi didn't think too much about choosing the Inverted Spear of Heaven, nor did he ever consider keeping it for himself.

The reason he picked it was simple, this cursed tool was supposed to belong to Toji. Seeing it in someone else's hands just felt... wrong.

In Satoshi's opinion, only Toji, himself, or a perfected version of Zenin Maki in the future were qualified to wield such a special-grade cursed tool.

The Inverted Spear of Heaven, combined with a Heavenly Restriction-enhanced body, was the ultimate combination—like instant noodles and sausage, a perfect match.

Even though he didn't need it now, it was only right for him to hand it over to Toji as his exclusive weapon.

As for materials to forge future Zanpakutō? There would be plenty of opportunities later.

---

"Toji, take this. The Inverted Spear of Heaven is yours."

Satoshi casually tossed the oddly shaped weapon toward Toji.

To his surprise, the moment Toji caught it, his expression twisted with something close to disgust.

"This thing is ugly. I don't want it."

Satoshi was so shocked he nearly choked. What the hell?!

Wasn't the Zenin Toji he knew someone who prioritized practicality over everything? When did he start caring about aesthetics?!

A mental image of Satoru instantly popped into Satoshi's mind. Was the influence of his brother on him really this strong?

He had only been around Toji for half a month, yet Satoru had already managed to turn this battle-hardened straight-edged warrior into someone who rejected a weapon just because it was ugly?!

Terrifying.

Satoshi shuddered, glanced at Toji holding the Inverted Spear of Heaven, and shook his head.

"Oh, come on. If you look at it a few more times, it's not that bad. Ugly yet cool—ugly yet cool."

But... yeah, I get it. The size is a bit much. Unlike a katana, this thing is pretty conspicuous when carried around.

Honestly, both Toji and I need to find a cursed spirit that can store items. That way, we won't attract too much attention when carrying weapons in public.

Satoshi turned the black short blade in his hand, lost in thought.

Actually, I might need this type of cursed spirit even more than Toji. The more Zanpakutō I forge in the future, the more space I'll need to store them.

Damn, it'd be great if I had a cursed spirit like Rika. I don't want Toji's storage-type cursed spirit—too ugly.

In the original story, during the Culling Game, Rika had demonstrated her ability to store weapons in an armory-like fashion.

Letting Yuta reach into her belly and select a weapon looked way cooler than Toji or Geto Suguru pulling cursed tools out of some grotesque storage cursed spirit's mouth.

Spending too much time with Satoru really does make you care about style.

I mean, given the choice, who wouldn't prefer driving a Ferrari (Rika) over some beat-up, secondhand compact car (a storage cursed spirit)?

Now, staring at Toji's disgusted expression, Satoshi felt a headache coming on.

With a sigh, Satoshi tried again.

"Fine. Once I finish forging your Zanpakutō, you can swap it out. Until then, just use the Inverted Spear of Heaven."

"I don't need it. My fists are enough," Toji replied firmly.

Satoshi had to admit, he had a point. Giving Toji the Inverted Spear of Heaven right now was like giving wings to a tiger.

The guy was already the worst nightmare for sorcerers. The true significance of this weapon wouldn't come into play until his inevitable battle against Gojo Satoru in the future.

Before Satoru, was there really anyone out there who could force Toji to use this weapon?

Probably not.

Forget it.

"Alright, alright. If you don't want it, then don't take it. No need to act all dramatic about it," Satoshi muttered. "You just want to pressure me into forging your Zanpakutō faster, huh? I get it."

"At least hold onto the Inverted Spear of Heaven for now. You don't expect a six-year-old to carry something that huge, do you?"

"Let's head back to the Gojo clan."

Satoshi gave up on convincing Toji and decided to leave things as they were.

If Toji refused to use his signature weapon in this worldline, then so be it.

The Zanpakutō Satoshi would forge for him would become his new signature weapon instead.


---

Meanwhile, at the Gojo Clan.

Ieiri Inamichi, who had previously sent Shoko to the Gojo family under the pretense of a mission, now stood before the clan head.

His goal was to use Reverse Cursed Technique to extract a cursed object that had fused with Gojo Kotetsu's body.

This incident involving the cursed spirit's secret attack had drawn the full attention of the Gojo family.

They planned to analyze the cursed object to determine the identity of the culprit.

The Gojo clan suspected it was the work of a Curse User, only someone like that would be bold enough to use a human as a vessel for a cursed object.

Gojo Kotetsu was a promising talent of the Gojo family. His transformation into a cursed creature was unacceptable.

If the culprit wasn't found, would the younger generation of the Gojo clan continue to be targeted? Would Gojo Satoshi become the next victim?

The clan head refused to accept such a possibility.

As long as they could extract the cursed object, they might be able to uncover clues about the perpetrator.

After half an hour, Ieiri Inamichi, drenched in sweat, finally completed the procedure.

In his hands, he held a container filled with a grotesque, flesh-like mass.

"Phew…"

He exhaled deeply, offering the clan head a pale smile.

"Mission accomplished."

All eyes focused on the container.

If not for Inamichi's confirmation that it was a cursed object, they might have mistaken it for a part of Gojo Kotetsu's body.

The clan head studied it closely, his expression suddenly shifting.

Something about it looked familiar…

Yes. He had seen something like this before, stored deep within Jujutsu High's restricted vault.

Although the containment vessel was different, the cursed object inside was nearly identical to what he had seen back then.

A special-grade cursed object and next to it had been Master Tengen's Palace.

Could someone have stolen that sinister artifact right under Tengen's nose?

If Jujutsu High's Treasury had truly been raided, there was no way they would have stayed silent about it.

Doubt crept into the clan head's mind. Could there be an inside job at Jujutsu High?

Or… was the entity that attacked Gojo Kotetsu not a Curse User, but another sorcerer family within the higher-ups?

Otherwise, how could this special-grade cursed object have ended up here?

One name surfaced in his thoughts.

The Kamo Clan.

His suspicions needed verification.

But for now, the most pressing task was to visit Jujutsu High's restricted archives and confirm whether the set of evil cursed objects was still intact.

(To be continued.)