HRU: Chapter 63/65

Chapter 63: Come and Spar With Me

I need to put Shinji's Zanpakutō on the agenda, and I should also craft a Zanpakutō stronger than Senbonzakura...

After all, before Sode no Shirayuki achieves Bankai, her strength is still slightly weaker than Senbonzakura.

Satoshi stroked his chin thoughtfully, his movements resembling those of a contemplative adult.

Being stared at by Satoshi's lifeless six eyes, Toji felt the same eerie sensation that Satoru often gave him.

He subconsciously touched the scar at the corner of his mouth, wanting to say something, but ultimately remained silent.

Satoshi was clearly lost in thought, so it was best to wait until he came back to his senses before asking.

Satoru, Shunichi, and Toji all remained silent, simply watching Satoshi as he contemplated. The entire forge house fell into an eerie silence.


---

I've been completely focused on forging my Zanpakutō and have neglected my training in Zanjutsu, Hakuda, Hohō, and Kidō.

Even though Uncle Shunichi has shared some experience from his own assessments and promotions, he's ultimately a master swordsman, he's not particularly skilled in close combat.

Right now, Toji is the strongest fighter around me!

Once I start forging Toji's Zanpakutō, I also need to intensify my training in Hakuda! If I keep forging without restraint, my body won't be able to take it. I can already feel my body resisting the process.

Satoshi subconsciously pressed his waist, his brows furrowing slightly.

Forging three Zanpakutō in such a short time had consumed a tremendous amount of energy.

If he wanted to forge Toji's Zanpakutō next, he would need to rest before reigniting the forge.

Why not use this time to train with Toji? Strengthen his body a bit more.

At the same time, he could have Toji help him explore new properties for cursed tools...

At that moment, two Zanpakutō appeared in Satoshi's mind—one belonging to Zenin Toji, the other meant for himself.


---

After explaining his physical condition, both Satoru and Toji showed concern.

They had already been worried about whether Satoshi's six-year-old body could withstand such intense forging.

But seeing that he was still in good shape, they had refrained from bringing it up.

Toji had assumed that Satoshi's strength came from his Heavenly Restriction, making his body far more developed than a normal six-year-old.

Satoru, on the other hand, simply believed his younger brother was a prodigy.

Now, hearing that Satoshi was struggling physically, they were finally reminded, Satoshi was still just a child.

"Satoshi, how do you plan to recover? I will ask the clan head for help," Satoru offered, his face full of concern. He was already preparing to leave and make the request.

Seeing this, Satoshi quickly stopped him.

His current condition wasn't just physical exhaustion—it was a severe drain on both his system and body. However, it wasn't bad enough to require medicinal supplements at his age.

"That's not necessary, really. I just need to train properly for a while!"

"But... you'll have to wait a little longer. I'll need to postpone forging your Zanpakutō for now."

Satoshi's straightforwardness took Toji by surprise.

He hadn't expected Satoshi to take his Zanpakutō so seriously.

Since Satoshi was the only one capable of forging such cursed tools, he could have easily come up with an excuse to delay things.

Yet, instead of brushing it off, Satoshi was honest about his limitations and treated him with genuine importance.

He recalled that moment at the gathering when Satoshi had approached him.

"Zenin, I think you're pretty cool! Let's be friends."

The boy with the Six Eyes had completely disregarded Zenin Shinsuke, the so-called genius of the Zenin Clan, and instead chosen to befriend him.

A rare warmth surfaced in Toji's usually indifferent eyes.

"It's fine. I'm not in a rush," Toji said casually. "Unlike Satoru, I don't need a Zanpakutō right away for self-defense."

"My body is my strongest weapon. A Zanpakutō is just an enhancement, it won't make much difference if I get it later."

It was rare for Toji to be so considerate.

He, too, felt that making a six-year-old swing a hammer to forge his weapon was a bit much.

However, Satoshi's next words made Toji realize his concern had been completely unnecessary.

"Toji, in the meantime, let's train in hand-to-hand combat. You'll be my teacher."

"I also believe that the body is the greatest weapon. I don't want to only rely on Kendo, I need to master close combat as well."

Finally, Satoshi's true motive was revealed.

Since Toji wasn't rushing him to forge his Zanpakutō, then he might as well make use of him.

Hearing this, Toji's face darkened.

You don't have the energy to forge my Zanpakutō, but you want to train hand-to-hand combat with me instead?

At that moment, Toji suspected that Satoshi was just trying to exploit the situation.

But seeing the boy's serious expression, he sighed and nodded.

After all, they both possessed Heavenly Restriction—teaching Satoshi how to control his body properly could only benefit him in the long run.

This was the only way Toji could convince himself to go along with it.

"Oh, right! Satoru, while I'm training, you should train with Toji too. Set aside your Zanpakutō and Limitless for now," Satoshi suddenly added, turning to his older brother.

"Eh? Satoshi, I don't need to train in hand-to-hand combat," Satoru said, frowning.

He was the Six Eyes prodigy of the Gojo Clan. With Limitless and Senbonzakura at his disposal, there was no need for him to engage in such crude combat styles.

Besides, with Senbonzakura protecting him, who would even get close enough to fight him in hand-to-hand combat?

Unfortunately for him, Satoshi wasn't going to take no for an answer.

In Satoshi's mind, mastering hand-to-hand combat was an essential skill for any sorcerer.

Even Black Flash required a physical strike to activate, didn't it?

(To be continued.)

Chapter 64: Nine Phases of the Cursed Fetus

In the future, Satoru could be considered a master of hand-to-hand combat..

Many times, Satoru didn't rely on Limitless to fight.

After all, for him, Limitless was more of a trump card—his ultimate technique.

Could it be that he was planning to use his strongest ability right away, only to get countered?

Obviously, in future battles, hand-to-hand combat would be an indispensable part of his combat style…

Since there was an opportunity now, it was best to ensure that Satoru mastered physical techniques early on.

And, of course, this was also another way for Satoshi to squeeze some effort out of him!

"Satoru, I refuse! You must train in hand-to-hand combat with me and Toji."

Satoshi's words shattered any hope Satoru had of slacking off.

Having just received Senbonzakura from his brother, he couldn't refuse Satoshi's request outright.

"Ugh… fine! hand-to-hand combat, right? I'll learn it," Satoru groaned.

He glanced at Toji and shook his head slightly. Just the thought of training alongside this annoying guy made him uncomfortable.

Unfortunately for him, no action of his could escape Toji's sharp gaze.

Seeing Satoru's reluctance, Toji made no effort to be accommodating.

After all, he'd always wanted to beat the crap out of the Six Eyes brat.

"Oi, Satoshi! It looks like Satoru isn't interested in learning," Toji said lazily, his tone filled with mockery.

"Well, that works for me. I wasn't particularly keen on teaching him anyway. Since he doesn't have Heavenly Restriction, he won't be able to keep up with our training."

"It's probably best if I just train you one-on-one. That way, we won't have any dead weight slowing us down."

His casual, disdainful tone immediately irritated Satoru.

Yep, his instincts were right.

The two of them just flat-out didn't like each other—it had nothing to do with Satoshi.

Satoru wasn't jealous of Toji's bond with his brother. He just couldn't stand him specifically.

Neither of them fully understood why this contradiction existed.

Hearing Toji's words, Satoshi quickly shot Satoru a warning glare, telling him to calm down. Then, he turned to Toji with a smile, his tone coaxing.

"Even though Satoru doesn't have Heavenly Restriction, he has the Six Eyes. He will be able to keep up with us."

Then, he added, "Toji, I promise—I'll forge a completely unique Zanpakutō for you. Unlike Sode no Shirayuki, Suzumushi, or Senbonzakura, yours will be something truly special. What do you think?"

In order to ensure Toji properly trained Satoru, Satoshi had to reveal a little about his future forging plans.

After all, the only leverage he had right now was his ability to create Zanpakutō…

"Hm? Is that so?"

Toji copied Satoshi's usual mannerism, stroking his chin while absentmindedly tracing the scar at the corner of his mouth.

His gaze flickered between Satoru and Satoshi before finally settling on Satoshi.

"Well, since Young Master Satoshi values my Zanpakutō so much, I guess I'll begrudgingly take this dead-last Satoru along for the ride."

Hearing Toji agree, Satoshi grinned.

Satoru, however, twitched when he was called "dead-last" and nearly retorted but one look from Satoshi shut him up.

He still didn't understand why Satoshi was so insistent on him learning hand-to-hand combat, but he trusted his younger brother wouldn't make him do something pointless.

Fine. He'd endure it.

But he would master Toji's physical techniques as quickly as possible just so he could rub it in his face.

---

The Nine Phases of the Cursed Fetus.

A creation of Kamo Noritoshi, the most infamous sorcerer of the Kamo Clan, the greatest stain upon one of the Three Great Families.

During the Meiji era in Japan, there was a woman with a unique constitution, one that made her highly susceptible to cursed spirits.

One day, she became pregnant.

Her sudden conception led to suspicion, condemnation, and relentless malice from her relatives and the people around her.

After all, as far as they were concerned, there was no explanation for her pregnancy.

They couldn't see cursed spirits.

Their rejection—"This child shouldn't be born!" "How could she be pregnant?!"—acted like a curse itself.

In the end, the unborn child, a half-curse, died in the womb.

The woman, rejected and shunned, fled to a temple, seeking refuge.

But that temple belonged to him.

Kamo Noritoshi.

The moment she stepped inside, her fate was sealed.

Noritoshi, fascinated by her ability to conceive hybrid fetuses, subjected her to inhumane experiments.

Nine pregnancies.

Nine forced abortions.

The Nine Phases of the Cursed Fetus was the result of those horrific experiments.

To this day, no one knows exactly where its cursed power originated from.

Did it come from the immense cursed energy that Noritoshi injected into the fetuses?

Or from the overwhelming hatred of the mother?

Eventually, when the experiments were uncovered, the Nine Phases of the Cursed Fetus was classified as a Special Grade Cursed Object and sealed within Jujutsu High.

Few had ever seen its true form.

Most only knew of its existence as a forbidden artifact tied to the Kamo Clan.

However, as an elder of the Kamo family, he had seen it.

Or rather, he possessed it.


---

At this moment, inside the Kamo clan's private chamber.

A petri dish filled with liquid sat quietly on the table.

Floating inside was a small, fleshy mass.

A fragment of the Nine Phases of the Cursed Fetus.

The weakest of the nine phases—The Scorched Phase.

The Nine Phases consisted of nine cursed objects, each representing one of the nine fetuses.

Each phase corresponded to a different stage of human decomposition.

Choso (Swollen Phase)

Eso (Putrid Phase)

Kechizu (Blood-Stained Phase)

Nouranso (Purulent Phase)

Shouoso (Green Phase)

Tanso (Devouring Phase)

Sanso (Dispersing Phase)

Kotsuso (Skeletal Phase)

Shoso (Scorched Phase)


Among them, Choso (Swollen Phase), Eso (Putrid Phase), and Kechizu (Blood-Stained Phase)—once they possessed a human body—would mutate into Special Grade Cursed Spirits.

The remaining six, when given flesh, would at best reach Grade 1 strength.

And of them all—

Shoso (Scorched Phase) was the weakest, barely reaching the threshold of a Grade 1 curse.

However, its ability was also the most unique.

Once incarnated, a sorcerer couldn't sense its presence.

It could live unnoticed in human society, completely undetectable.

But there was a time limit.

Once it took on flesh, the vessel would only last seven days.

After that, the body would disintegrate into ash.

And return to being a cursed object.

(To be continued.)

Chapter 65: Beaten by Toji and Healed by Shoko...

"I never thought that one of the Nine Phases of the Cursed Fetus that I stole would end up being wasted on a six-year-old child."

Kamo Shin's expression was filled with dissatisfaction, but there was nothing he could do about it.

The Gojo Clan was too heavily guarded. Even for a skilled sorcerer, infiltrating their domain was nearly impossible, let alone for a cursed spirit.

For years, both of the Six Eyes wielders had carried an enormous bounty on their heads, yet they were still alive and well.

He understood that if he wanted to accomplish his goal, he would have to pay a heavy price.

The mysterious figure who had been secretly following him stepped forward and took the petri dish from the table.

Whatever happened next no longer concerned him.

An assassination attempt against Satoshi was about to begin.

This time, the one stepping onto the stage was neither a human nor a cursed spirit.

It was a Special Grade Cursed Object, a fusion of human and cursed spirit.

Shoso (Scorched Phase).


---

Gojo Kyokushin-ryu Dojo

"Kotetsu, your strength has increased a lot recently. What's going on?"

Several Kyokushin-ryu disciples surrounded Gojo Kotetsu, curious about the changes in him.

Kotetsu himself couldn't quite put it into words.

He had gotten stronger, both in speed and power.

But why?

Kotetsu rubbed his temples. He had the strangest feeling, like he was missing some memories.

Still, he wasn't the type to dwell on things too much.

Whatever the reason, it was a good thing.

Not only had his physical abilities improved, but his Cursed Energy had undergone a transformation.

He had even started to grasp the fundamentals of Cursed Techniques.

Maybe… I can become a Grade 1 sorcerer like Master Shunichi!

A newfound confidence surged in Kotetsu's heart.

As long as he kept pushing forward, he was sure he could grow stronger.

And maybe…

When he finally reached Grade 1, Master Satoshi would forge a Zanpakutō just for him.

If that happened, he—Gojo Kotetsu—would finally become a pillar of the Gojo Clan.

Fueled by these ambitions, Kotetsu trained even harder, his bamboo sword slicing through the air with renewed vigor.

This was the foundation of his confidence, his body, his Cursed Energy, his blade.


---

Three Days Later

"Satoshi! Satoru! Keep moving—don't let Toji take you down!"

Outside the forge, Satoru and Satoshi were frantically dodging Toji's relentless attacks.

Sitting nearby was a young girl with her hair in a bun, a massive bag of snacks in her arms. She watched the sparring match while casually munching on her food.

"Come on, you two! Don't get beaten up too badly!" she cheered between bites.

Standing off to the side, Shunichi observed the scene in silent distress.

Watching the two Six Eyes prodigies get mercilessly pummeled by a Zenin was almost too much for his heart to handle.

How is this even considered "training" in hand-to-hand combat?

This wasn't learning—this was just a one-sided beatdown.

"Does that Zenin brat even know how to teach?"

Young Master Satoshi and Young Master Satoru were only six years old! If this continued, he was afraid their bodies wouldn't be able to handle it.

Then, his eyes shifted to the snack-eating girl beside him—Ieiri Shoko.

His expression stiffened.

Wait… this little girl has already mastered Reverse Cursed Technique at her age?!

That's terrifying…

She looked just as young as Satoru and Satoshi.

Could it be that at the sorcerer family gathering before, Satoshi had already recognized her potential?

Shunichi pondered this silently.

At that gathering, there were only three people who had drawn Satoshi's attention.

One of them—Zenin Toji—had already proven his monstrous strength.

A true unknown powerhouse.

The second—Ieiri Shoko—was a medical prodigy who had unlocked Reverse Cursed Technique at six years old.

And the third…

Shunichi's thoughts drifted to a boy who had always been seen sitting beside Shoko, eating snacks.

A distant relative of the Gojo Clan, someone Shunichi had barely interacted with.

Why was Satoshi so interested in Okkotsu Yuto?

Looking at the extraordinary talents around him—Shoko, Toji—Shunichi couldn't bring himself to believe that Yuto was ordinary.

Young Master Satoshi… you're terrifying.

Maybe, your greatest strength isn't forging Zanpakutō… but your ability to see people's potential.


---

"Ahh! It hurts, it hurts!"

Satoshi's pained scream snapped Shunichi out of his thoughts.

At that moment, Satoshi's arm was broken.

Grinning through the pain, he rushed straight toward Shoko.

"Shoko! Hurry, use Reverse Cursed Technique to fix this!"

He complained loudly, "Toji has zero sense of restraint! This is straight-up bullying!"

Nearby, Satoru was still locked in combat with Toji.

Hearing Satoshi's complaint, Toji's expression didn't change but a hint of disdain flashed in his lazy gaze.

"...Oi, Gojo Satoshi. You're the one who wanted to train like this."

"And now you're blaming me? Do you think I'm deaf?"

Toji clicked his tongue, clearly annoyed.

Then, with zero hesitation, he took out his frustration on Satoru.

Damn, beating up a Six Eyes brat feels pretty damn good.

Yes. This brutal training method was Satoshi's idea.

Originally, he had planned to gradually follow Toji's training schedule.

But then, three days ago, Shoko suddenly arrived at the Gojo Estate.

Her father, Ieiri Inamichi, had received a last-minute mission and was worried about leaving his daughter alone.

Thus, he temporarily entrusted her to the Gojo Clan's protection.

Naturally, the Gojo Clan couldn't refuse a request from Ieiri Inamichi.

So, the responsibility of entertaining the young Reverse Cursed Technique prodigy fell on Satoshi and Satoru…

At first, Satoshi worried this would interrupt his training.

But then, he realized.

Wait. Hold on.

This is perfect.

This is literally a godsend.

Having Shoko here meant that both he and Satoru could get healed instantly.

With their very own medic on standby, they didn't have to hold back at all.

And so, with zero hesitation, Satoshi ordered Toji to go all out.

And that was how they ended up here.

Three straight days of bone-breaking, blood-spewing, organ-rupturing beatdowns.

Satoshi had gotten used to it.

Satoru?

He had lost all will to live.

He never wanted to experience this kind of "training" again.

He was just an innocent bystander, caught in the crossfire of Satoshi's madness.

Even though Shoko's healing kept them physically fine, the mental toll was unbearable.

After all…

The feeling of having your bones shattered and then stitched back together over and over again.

Was not an experience one could just get used to.

(To be continued.)