HRU: Chapter 73/74

Chapter 73: Undercurrents

The news of Satoshi visiting the Zenin Clan in search of materials to forge a Zanpakutō quickly spread throughout the Gojo Clan.

Ever since Satoru's Senbonzakura bloomed within the mansion, creating a mesmerizing spectacle of winter cherry blossoms, many members of the Gojo Clan had become ardent admirers of Satoshi.

Anyone with even a shred of insight could grasp the immense potential of a weapon like a Zanpakutō.

The previous dissatisfaction over Gojo Satoshi "wasting" the Treasury's Cursed Tool had now morphed into fear—fear that he would take his talents elsewhere.

"Why would Young Master Satoshi go to the Zenin Clan? Does he not realize that we've always been at odds with them?"

"What materials do we lack? Why must he seek them from the Zenin Clan? If outsiders hear of this, they'll think the Gojo Clan has fallen so low that we can't even provide our own cursed tools!"

"Could Young Master Satoshi be forging a Zanpakutō for the Zenin Clan? I've heard he has someone from the Zenin Clan close to him… Could he have been deceived?"

"A Zanpakutō is exclusive to the Gojo Clan. It must not be passed on to outsiders! Young Master Satoshi, please do not make this mistake!"

Thus far, only three Zanpakutō had been forged, and all three belonged to the Gojo Clan.

Moreover, since their creator was the Six Eyes inheritor of the clan, many within the Gojo family had come to regard the Zanpakutō as their own sacred, untouchable treasure.

Despite being the forger, Satoshi now found himself in a peculiar situation, his own clan had stripped him of the right to decide how his creations were used.

Now, just because he had paid a visit to the Zenin Clan, anxiety gripped the Gojo family. Voices began rising, emphasizing the Gojo Clan's prestige and lineage.

Ironically, before the power of Shunichi's Suzumushi had been revealed and before Satoru had showcased his Senbonzakura Shikai, many of these same individuals had doubted Satoshi's forging abilities.

Yet, in just a matter of days, the tides had shifted.

Human hearts are fickle.

Satoshi had already seen through such matters. He wouldn't allow the changing winds of public opinion to affect him.

However, for Kumaen, the leader of the Twin Curse Faction, the news of Gojo Satoshi's visit to the Zenin Clan was nothing short of a crisis.

On the other side, at the Cursed Tool Blacksmith Association, a long-standing debate had resurfaced: Should Gojo Satoshi be granted membership?

This discussion had already taken place in private among various association members. But this time, it was happening openly.

The one who put forth the proposal was Gojo Takuya, the Gojo Clan's master blacksmith of cursed tools.

Previously, Takuya had been something of an outsider within the Cursed Tool Association, often referred to as the Master's Adversary.

But now, having mentored Satoshi, his standing had changed dramatically.

No one dared to call him an adversary anymore.

Instead, many now saw Takuya and his apprentice, Satoshi, as the ones who would redefine the future of cursed tool forging.

"Gojo Satoshi is too young! If we make a six-year-old a member of the Cursed Tool Blacksmith Association, won't that make us a laughingstock?"

"He has already forged three Zanpakutō. That alone qualifies him as a forger. Our association is respected because of our master craftsmen—if we exclude Gojo Satoshi, won't our professionalism be questioned?"

"I agree! Gojo Satoshi should be admitted into the association!"

"No, no, no—he's only forged three Zanpakutō! What about his ability to forge other types of cursed tools? He hasn't demonstrated that yet!"

"Exactly! And besides, is a Zanpakutō even considered a cursed tool? Based on my research into Suzumushi, it seems like these blades have a consciousness of their own…"

"Are you suggesting that Gojo Satoshi has the ability to create artificial Cursed Objects? If that's the case, wouldn't these three Zanpakutō be classified as Special-Grade Cursed Objects? Do you really think that's possible?"

"…It's just a hypothesis."

The association was in an uproar, but Kamo Shin, the association's president, remained silent.

To him, there was no need to argue.

Given just a few more days, everything would become clear.

After all, he had faith in Special-Grade Techniques.

And with the Scorched Phase aiding him…

And with the power supporting the Kamo clan's ambitions…

Everything was inevitable.

At the Zenin Estate, within the VIP chamber, although Gojo Satoshi's main goal was to help Zenin Toji find the right cursed tool for forging a Zanpakutō, since the Zenin Clan's higher-ups had personally come to receive him, ignoring them would have been impolite.

So, despite finding it tedious, he still chose to participate in the meeting.

However, for Toji, this was an absolute waste of time.

Had it not been for his older brother, Jinichi, Toji would have dozed off right there in the VIP chamber.

Meanwhile, in a nearby training hall, Zenin Shinsuke had just finished his practice when he overheard a conversation:

"Gojo Satoshi is here."

Instantly, his Cursed Energy surged out of control.

Even now, Satoshi's name cast a shadow over him.

He wanted a Zanpakutō.

But he also wanted to see Satoshi humiliated before the Zenin Clan.

He wanted Satoshi to endure the same disgrace he himself had suffered.

He clenched his fists.

Before, this bastard had taken a cursed tool from the Zenin Clan's treasury to forge his Zanpakutō.

And now?

He's back for more.

"We can't let him succeed."

Shinsuke had always been hailed as a rare talent within the Zenin Clan.

By piecing together scattered clues, he had already deduced Satoshi's true purpose.

His old grudge ignited anew.

This time, Gojo Satoshi had stepped into his territory.

There was no way he'd let him have his way.

"To the VIP room!"

Without even bothering to remove his kendo uniform, Shinsuke bolted toward the meeting chamber.

A servant rushed in and whispered something to Zenin Naobito and Zenin Ogi.

Naobito frowned slightly.

Ogi smirked.

The two elders exchanged glances before rising from their seats.

They turned to Satoshi and nodded apologetically.

"We have a small matter to handle. Please excuse us for a moment."

With that, they departed.

The moment Zenin Shinsuke saw the two elders enter, he got straight to the point and stated his request.

"Uncle Naobito! Uncle Ogi!"

He didn't waste time on pleasantries.

"You must not let Gojo Satoshi take anything from the Treasury again!"

(To be continued.)

T/N: Sigh, how can a character be this dumb? Wish I could just delete him.

Chapter 74: Naobito, You’re Aiding the Enemy!

Naobito frowned. As the current acting head of the Zenin Clan, he had the authority to make decisions regarding family affairs. Was Shinsuke out of his mind today?

Did he have to lose his composure just because of a conversation with Satoshi?

"Uncle Naobito! A Zanpakutō is not so easily forged. Without our family's cursed tools, Gojo Satoshi would have never been able to create the remaining Zanpakutō."

"If he had only forged those first two Zanpakutō, his reputation wouldn't have reached such heights! But if we continue helping him, his fame will only grow, and the Zenin Clan will forever be overshadowed by the Gojo Clan."

"Uncle Naobito, please don't let your fascination with the Zanpakutō blind you. Personal interests must never come before the family's well-being."

"Compared to obtaining a Zanpakutō, wouldn't it be better to eliminate a potential forger? If Gojo Satoshi dies, he will never be able to forge more Zanpakutō, preventing the Gojo Clan from gaining even more power."

A ruthless glint flashed in Zenin Shinsuke's eyes.

He considered Gojo Satoshi an undeniable threat. If allowed to grow, he might even surpass the true Six Eyes user, Gojo Satoru.

"Shinsuke, do you even hear yourself? Are you trying to start an all-out war between the Gojo and Zenin Clans?"

Naobito's face darkened with anger.

He was fully aware that if Gojo Satoshi grew stronger, he would inevitably become a force that would suppress the Zenin Clan.

However, Shinsuke's words disregarded the larger picture.

Right now, not only could the Zenin Clan not harm Satoshi, but they actually needed to protect him, at least while he was within their territory.

This was an unspoken rule among sorcerer families.

Shinsuke's personal hatred for Satoshi was clouding his judgment. His reckless emotions could easily disrupt the delicate balance between the Gojo and Zenin Clans.

Naobito was about to reprimand him further when Ogi, who had remained silent until now, chuckled darkly.

"Naobito, you're misunderstanding Shinsuke's intent. He doesn't mean to harm Gojo Satoshi."

"Gojo Satoshi is just a worthless brat with no Cursed Energy. Even if he grows up, he won't be a threat. The real issue here is the Zanpakutō."

"As long as Gojo Satoshi continues forging Zanpakutō, his fame will only increase. And with the Gojo Clan tied to him, their status will also continue to rise."

"If you really want to stop Gojo Satoshi from growing, all we need to do is cut off his supply of cursed tools. Without materials to forge with, what can he possibly do?" T/N: Of course this delusional old man doesn't learn

Ogi shot Naobito a knowing look before sharing the intel he had gathered from the Gojo Clan.

"There isn't a single cursed tool in the Gojo Clan's treasury that can be used to forge a new Zanpakutō. The material for the previous Zanpakutō came from a cursed tool that Toji brought over."

"You should know where that cursed tool came from, right? It originally belonged to the Zenin Clan. Meaning, the Zanpakutō created from it should also belong to the Zenin Clan."

"But instead, that Zanpakutō became Gojo Satoru's weapon. So tell me, what exactly did the Zenin Clan gain from supplying the materials?"

"I don't know what kind of agreement you made with Toji, but judging by the outcome, the Zenin Clan gained nothing. Instead, we ended up strengthening the Gojo Clan's Six Eyes user even further."

Ogi let out a heavy sigh.

"At best, this was a terrible decision. At worst, it was aiding the enemy."

"The Zenin Clan and the Gojo Clan may both be part of the Three Great Families, but you don't seriously think we can ever coexist peacefully, do you?"

Throughout history, the Three Great Families had stood side by side, yet their relationships had never been truly harmonious.

Rather than partners, they were more like rivals locked in a constant struggle for dominance.

Naobito was momentarily at a loss for words. Unlike Ogi and Shinsuke, he didn't harbor such deep-seated hostility toward the Gojo Clan.

He had initially hoped to take a diplomatic approach, letting Satoshi forge a Zanpakutō for Toji so the Zenin Clan could study its composition.

But after witnessing Toji's feedback and Satoshi's flawless responses, Naobito could no longer predict the young forger's next moves.

He wanted to hold firm to his stance, but despite his title as acting head, Ogi's influence still restricted his authority.

When it came to major decisions, if Ogi opposed him, compromises had to be made.

"What exactly are you suggesting? Whatever the case, harming Gojo Satoshi is out of the question. That is non-negotiable."

Naobito's expression grew heavy as he swept his gaze across the room. Though there were only three people present, this was the first time he felt truly isolated within his own clan.

Ogi smirked.

"I propose that we forbid Gojo Satoshi from entering the Treasury. The Zenin Clan will no longer provide him with cursed tools."

Zenin Shinsuke voiced his own demand.

"Uncle Naobito, my request is simple, I want to fight Gojo Satoshi again. This time, I'll redeem my honor."

"Last time, I underestimated the Zanpakutō because I was facing it for the first time. But now, I've trained. This time, I'll prove to you that a Zanpakutō is not as powerful as you all think."

"Uncle Naobito, you've never seen a Zanpakutō's abilities firsthand. All you've heard are exaggerated rumors. Let me show you Gojo Satoshi's Zanpakutō techniques with your own eyes."

Shinsuke's expression twisted with determination. Ever since his humiliating defeat at the Gojo Clan, he had been haunted by that battle.

Sode no Shirayuki's freezing technique had left a scar on his pride, a lingering nightmare that he could not shake off.

But as the Zenin Clan's prodigy, he had been relentlessly training his swordsmanship and refining his Cursed Energy.

During this time, he had made significant breakthroughs.

And more importantly, he had discovered a way to counter Sode no Shirayuki.

As long as he could withstand its abilities, Gojo Satoshi, a powerless forger with no Cursed Energy, would never be his match.
T/N: Ignorance truly is bliss.

Naobito listened carefully to both their demands before letting out a deep breath.

He knew that today's discussion with Gojo Satoshi would likely end in a stalemate.

However, by weighing Ogi's proposal and Shinsuke's challenge, he found a compromise that seemed to preserve the clan's position.

But even so, this balance did not rest in his hands alone.

It required Satoshi's cooperation as well.

Would Satoshi be willing to accept his terms?

(To be continued.)