HRU: Chapter 21/30

Chapter 21: Make a Friend
Satoru glanced at Gojo Kumaen. He knew that within the clan, there were two major factions: the Twin Curse Faction and the Neutral Faction.

To him, both factions were essentially his supporters.

The main difference was that the Twin Curse Faction was openly hostile to Satoshi, believing that the twins were a curse upon the family.

The Neutral Faction, on the other hand, simply followed the will of the clan head. They weren't necessarily against Satoshi, but they also paid him no mind, choosing indifference instead of opposition.

However, after the Zanpakutō Incident a week ago, many elders within the clan had gained insight into the clan head's true thoughts. As a result, their attitude toward Satoshi had shifted.

During this time, they had also heard of the forging explosions, four in total, and each time, they expected the clan head to punish Satoshi severely.

Yet, each time, he merely brushed it off and had the forge repaired as quickly as possible. This made it abundantly clear just how much the clan head valued Satoshi.

Moreover, Gojo Shunichi, the main pillar of the Twin Curse Faction, had personally begun teaching Satoshi kendo. This alone shattered the expectations of many elders.

Thus, a week ago, the veteran members of the clan had already come to a realization:

If both Satoru and Satoshi possessed overwhelming talent, then the future of the Gojo clan was secured.

That was the consensus among the elders present.

However, at this gathering, their opinions meant little. The one presiding over this event was Gojo Kumaen.

His booming voice snapped Satoshi out of his thoughts.

He quickly realized that all eyes in the room were focused on himself and Satoru. The gathering was about to begin.

Gripping Sode no Shirayuki, Satoshi took a step back, leaving the stage to Satoru.

At an event like this, everyone was here to see Gojo Satoru—the true heir to the Six Eyes.

As for him, the fake Six Eyes user, his presence was merely a footnote.


---

Through Gojo Kumaen's introductions, Satoru learned the names of the three individuals who had caught Satoshi's attention.

"Ieiri Shoko."

"Okkotsu Yuto."

"And... Zenin Toji?"

Satoru didn't know much about Ieiri Shoko and Okkotsu Yuto, but he had certainly heard of the Zenin family, the only clan that rivaled the Gojo family.

The cursed energy emanating from both Shoko and Yuto was undeniable, allowing Satoru to instantly gauge their potential.

It wasn't surprising that these two had drawn Satoshi's interest.

But why Zenin Toji?

Satoru frowned slightly.

Unlike the others, Zenin Toji had no cursed energy at all.

That was strange.

Satoshi… what did you mean earlier? Why are you so interested in Zenin Toji?

---

Just as Satoshi had expected, Kumaen's introductions were heavily focused on Satoru, with only a brief mention of himself.

Not that it mattered to him.

His real goal for coming here was to meet Zenin Toji.

Ieiri Shoko and Okkotsu Yuto were just unexpected bonuses.

So, once the event transitioned into the free interaction phase, he wasted no time heading toward Toji.

"Toji!"

Toji blinked in surprise at Satoshi's direct approach.

"The Six Eyes brat from the Gojo family?"

Toji hadn't expected Satoshi to call him by name so casually. He also noticed the samurai sword at Satoshi's side and quickly identified him as the other twin.

"Kid, you actually know my name? Gojo Satoshi, right? What do you want?"

Toji raised an eyebrow, sizing him up.

Several members of the Zenin clan had gathered nearby. Unlike Toji, they didn't have the same sharp instincts. Upon seeing Satoshi approach, they mistakenly assumed he was Satoru.

One of them—Zenin Shinsuke—stepped forward.

"Young Master Gojo, I advise you not to associate with this man," Shinsuke said coldly. "He was born with Heavenly Restriction. He has no cursed energy at all, he's nothing more than a waste. Someone of your status shouldn't be seen with him."

Satoshi frowned.

He wasn't particularly offended by the rude remark, what piqued his curiosity was Toji's reaction.

Toji didn't even bother refuting it.

"Who are you?" Satoshi asked flatly. "And why do you think you can interrupt my conversation?"

He didn't give Shinsuke the slightest bit of respect.

To Satoshi, the only person worth paying attention to in the Zenin family was Toji.

The rest were irrelevant.

Shinsuke's face stiffened.

As one of the most talented younger-generation members of the Zenin clan, he couldn't believe Gojo Satoru—no, Satoshi—didn't recognize him.

Especially since Gojo Kumaen had just introduced him.

How could this brat remember Toji but completely ignore me?!

A flicker of anger appeared on Shinsuke's face.

"Young Master Satoru, I am Zenin Shinsuke, the representative of the Zenin family for this gathering."

Despite his irritation, he maintained his composure and reintroduced himself.

Satoshi, however, simply searched his memory.

Zenin Shinsuke?

Never heard of him.

In the original timeline, this guy doesn't even exist.

Which meant only two possibilities, either he was completely mediocre, or he died young.

"Oh."

Satoshi nodded dismissively.

"Never heard of you."

Without another glance, he turned his attention back to Toji.

His time was limited. He wasn't about to waste it on nobodies.

As he spoke, Satoshi reached out his hand toward Toji.

"Toji, I think you're pretty interesting. Let's be friends."

Shinsuke's expression darkened instantly.

The blatant disregard burned.

Meanwhile, Toji stared at the small hand extended toward him, momentarily at a loss.

A six-year-old kid… wants to be friends with me?

Toji absentmindedly touched his face, confused.

I know I'm not as ugly as Jinichi, but I'm not exactly friendly-looking either. Kids usually avoid me…

This was completely unexpected.

But from Satoshi's perspective, he had his own plans.

He needed to establish a connection with Toji now.

Once he formed a bond, he'd have plenty of reasons to interact with him in the future.

However, before Toji could even process Satoshi's words, Shinsuke still fuming from being ignored interrupted once again.

Chapter 22: Imperial Duel
"Young Master Satoru, Zenin Toji is trash. Someone without cursed energy is not worth knowing!"

"As the Six Eyes heir of the Gojo family, someone with Heavenly Restriction isn't qualified to be your friend."

Shinsuke's face twisted in dissatisfaction.

He couldn't understand why the Rokugan of the Gojo family would bother with someone like Toji.

To him, Toji was nothing more than a failure, a man without cursed energy, utterly useless in the world of sorcery.

On the other side, Satoshi's expression darkened, his irritation growing at being interrupted yet again by Shinsuke.

Shunichi, standing guard at Satoshi's side, now wore an openly hostile expression.

Shinsuke had been spouting insults about Toji, but in doing so, he was also indirectly insulting Satoshi.

Did this fool not realize that he was speaking to someone who also bore Heavenly Restriction, someone who also lacked cursed energy?

Shunichi was about to step forward and act, but Satoshi stopped him.

First, he needed Toji's acknowledgment.

He wasn't sure why Toji remained indifferent, allowing Shinsuke to openly insult him like this, but at the moment, he himself had not been directly offended.

As a member of the Gojo family, he couldn't act on impulse.

Unfortunately, his silence was completely misinterpreted by Zenin Shinsuke.

"Young Master Satoru, you must be thinking the same thing as me, right? People without cursed energy have no place in the world of jujutsu."

"The sorcerer world belongs to sorcerers. We are part of the Three Great Families, the pinnacle of jujutsu society. Surely, you understand that, right?"

Seeing Satoshi remain quiet, Shinsuke took it as agreement.

His expression grew more arrogant, his insults toward Toji becoming more blatant.

Until he said—

"In the world of sorcery, Heavenly Restriction is only given to trash!"

—

A sudden burst of cursed energy flared between Satoshi and Shinsuke.

"Heavenly Restriction is trash?"

Satoru's voice was calm, yet chilling. His piercing blue eyes locked onto Zenin Shinsuke.

"What qualifications do you have to say that?"

His voice rang through the hall, sharp and commanding.

As a direct descendant of the Gojo family and the strongest Six Eyes user of his generation, his words carried an undeniable weight.

The entire venue fell silent.

Ieiri Shoko, Okkotsu Yuto, Zenin Ogi, Gojo Kumaen…

Everyone turned toward Satoru.

Those outside the Gojo clan didn't fully understand why he was so enraged, but the members of the Gojo family knew immediately.

Shinsuke's words had struck a nerve.

Satoshi was a bearer of Heavenly Restriction.

To insult Heavenly Restriction was to insult him.

Shinsuke stiffened, taking two involuntary steps back under the sheer pressure of Satoru's aura.

His face was filled with shock.

He knew how powerful the Six Eyes was.

But he had never expected to be so thoroughly oppressed by the presence of a six-year-old child.

He had made a mistake.

He had assumed that the child before him was Satoru.

But no—this was Gojo Satoshi.

And in that moment, Shinsuke understood everything.

He now knew why Satoshi had approached Toji.

He now knew why Satoru was furious.

He now understood why Kumaen had barely introduced Satoshi at all, why it seemed like the clan was trying to ignore him.

"I see…"

"Gojo Satoshi, you're also a bearer of Heavenly Restriction!"

Zenin Shinsuke's exclamation sent a ripple of shock through the entire hall.

Ieiri Shoko, Okkotsu Yuto, Zenin Ogi.

All eyes turned toward Satoshi.

Heavenly Restriction.

The other Six Eyes user of the Gojo family…

Was born without any cursed energy.

It sounded absurd, yet, under the Gojo clan's treatment of him, it all suddenly made sense.

Toji's eyes flickered with realization.

Now, he understood why he felt a sense of familiarity toward Satoshi.

They were the same.

Both born into one of the Three Great Families.

Both raised in clans that valued cursed energy above all else.

Both discriminated against by their own blood.

Now, it was clear.

The six-year-old boy before him… had recognized this similarity.

That's why he had sought him out.

A rare smile appeared on Zenin Toji's face.

He looked at Satoshi silently, waiting to see how he would handle this situation.

He was curious.

How would this boy, who bore both the Six Eyes and Heavenly Restriction respond?

Would he simply endure the humiliation?

Or would he fight back?

Toji wanted to see it.

"Gojo Satoshi…" he murmured, too quiet for anyone else to hear.

"…You should be able to do it."

—

"Excuse me… Zenin Shinsuke, was it?"

Satoshi's voice cut through the tension, light and almost playful.

"You mistook me for Satoru just now, didn't you?"

He smiled at Shinsuke, his tone laced with amusement.

"Yes, I'm Gojo Satoshi. I'm not a genius sorcerer like Satoru. I have no cursed energy. I am a bearer of Heavenly Restriction, just like the trash you were talking about."

Satoru and Shunichi frowned at Satoshi's self-deprecating words, but he raised a hand to stop them.

He had no intention of letting this slide.

Gripping Sode no Shirayuki at his side, he took a step forward.

"Zenin Shinsuke, do you really think I can't defeat you just because I lack cursed energy?"

"Do you really believe that you represent the younger generation of the Zenin family?"

His voice turned cold.

"What you just said is a direct provocation to me."

"The dignity of the Gojo family cannot be trampled upon. Not even by the Zenin clan."

He tightened his grip on his sword.

"Allow me, a so-called loser, to shatter your shallow beliefs."

"Zenin Shinsuke, I challenge you to an Imperial Duel!"

The Imperial Duel, a long-standing tradition of the Three Great Families.

To avoid unnecessary loss of powerful sorcerers, disputes between members of these clans could be settled through this formal duel.

Once the duel was concluded, the results would be final, no further hostilities would be permitted between the involved parties, ensuring continued cooperation between the clans.

And Satoshi had seized this chance.

If he could crush Zenin Shinsuke in the Imperial Duel, it would serve as both a lesson and a form of retribution.

Not just for himself.

But for Zenin Toji as well.

Even though Toji hadn't outright expressed displeasure at Shinsuke's words, there was no way he was fine with them.

Satoshi exhaled.

Consider this my way of proving that Heavenly Restriction isn't something to be looked down upon.

"Imperial Duel!?" Gasps erupted throughout the hall.

Chapter 23: Does Satoshi Have Any Trump Cards?

Shinsuke never expected to hear such an unfamiliar phrase from Satoshi's mouth.

Although this kind of duel had not taken place in a long time, every core member of the Three Great Families was aware of the custom—Zenin Shinsuke included.

What he couldn't understand was why Satoshi would invoke an Imperial Duel over something so trivial.

He acknowledged that Satoru was incredibly powerful, his speed and the sheer strength of his cursed energy earlier had surpassed his own in every aspect.

However, Satoru was not the one who initiated the duel.

It was Satoshi.

A six-year-old boy with Heavenly Restriction, someone incapable of using cursed energy, had actually challenged him—a Grade 3 sorcerer to a duel?

Shinsuke's face twisted in anger.

This was an insult.

"You have no cursed energy. If I accept this duel, it would be nothing short of bullying you."

Despite his arrogance, Shinsuke carried the pride of the Zenin clan.

Although he despised Toji for possessing Heavenly Restriction, he had never outright bullied him.

Now, despite his dissatisfaction, he was unwilling to use his status as a Grade 3 sorcerer to humiliate Satoshi.

"I refuse!"

His refusal was reasonable.

However, Satoru was not about to let him off so easily.

"You just insulted my brother. That alone meets the conditions for an Imperial Duel."

"Therefore, the duel has already been established. You are not allowed to refuse."

After witnessing the power of Sode no Shirayuki last time, Satoru was extremely confident in Satoshi's strength.

Although Shinsuke was indeed strong, in the face of Sode no Shirayuki, a mere Grade 3 sorcerer should not pose a significant threat.

Originally, if Satoshi hadn't initiated the duel himself, Satoru had been fully prepared to personally teach this rude fool a lesson.

But now that Satoshi was taking matters into his own hands.

Satoru was more than happy to let him.

Under the pressure of Satoru's overwhelming presence, Shinsuke had no choice but to accept.

"Young Master Satoshi, don't blame me for what happens next!"

His eyes gleamed coldly.

"I don't know what kind of trump card you think you have… but in the world of sorcery, those without cursed energy are nothing but ants before a real sorcerer."

As the most talented member of the Zenin clan's younger generation, Shinsuke had never feared a battle of techniques.

He was not particularly skilled in other areas, but when it came to jujutsu combat.

He excelled.

To him, this duel meant nothing.

If Satoshi wanted to embarrass himself, then Shinsuke was more than willing to play along.

The duel was officially confirmed before Zenin Ogi, Gojo Kumaen, and Ieiri Inamichi—who, upon his unexpected arrival, was immediately dragged in as a witness.

—

"Shoko, what happened? Why is an Imperial Duel taking place?"

Inamichi was still baffled.

He had only come to the Gojo estate with Shoko to treat the clan head.

He never expected to get caught up in a major conflict between the Three Great Families.

Wasn't this supposed to be a simple gathering of sorcerers?

How did it escalate into an official duel!?

Hearing her father's confusion, Shoko quietly explained everything that had just transpired.

When Inamichi learned that Satoshi was a bearer of Heavenly Restriction, a flicker of shock appeared on his face.

Finally, he understood the true meaning behind the Gojo clan head's earlier words.

…You actually want Satoshi and Shoko to be engaged?

His expression darkened.

The Gojo family had clearly discovered Shoko's talent in Reverse Cursed Technique.

And now, they wanted to secure a marriage with a Six Eyes user to strengthen their bloodline.

If the one they had chosen for Shoko was Satoru, the true Six Eyes heir.

Inamichi would have had no objections.

However—

If they were suggesting that Shoko should be engaged to Gojo Satoshi, someone who, despite having Six Eyes, was bound by Heavenly Restriction and would never become a sorcerer…

That was completely unacceptable.

He would never allow his daughter to marry someone who could not wield jujutsu.

And to make matters worse.

This boy actually believed he could fight a Grade 3 sorcerer using only physical combat!?

Has he completely lost his mind!?

Inamichi immediately labeled Satoshi as arrogant.

However—

Unlike her father, Shoko sensed that Satoshi was different.

Even though he had no cursed energy.

Her gaze remained locked on the katana in Satoshi's hand.

Satoshi… are you skilled in kendo?

She could sense that the sword was special.

But could swordsmanship alone compare to jujutsu?

Shoko wasn't sure.

But she was curious to see how Satoshi would handle this duel.

Unlike her father, she wasn't convinced that cursed energy was the only path to strength.

—

Meanwhile, Zenin Ogi and Gojo Kumaen remained entirely unaffected by the confrontation between Satoshi and Shinsuke.

Each of them had their own goals and priorities.

To Gojo Kumaen, Satoshi was not someone he favored.

So he didn't care about the outcome of the duel.

As long as Satoru continued to grow, Satoshi's reputation or lack thereof was irrelevant.

Eventually, the difference between them would become obvious.

To Ogi, Shinsuke was merely a moderately talented member of the younger generation.

He had no interest in the younger generation.

What he did care about was how to use this duel to strengthen his own influence.

His goal was simple.

To one day become the head of the Zenin clan.

—

On the training grounds of the Gojo estate, Satoshi and Shinsuke stood opposite each other.

Toji observed with amusement.

He rarely displayed his strength in front of others.

But he knew for a fact—

Shinsuke was not his match.

Still, he was interested to see what kind of fighting style Satoshi would use.

Would he rely on pure physical strength, like Toji himself?

That seemed unlikely.

Satoshi was only six years old, far too young to fully develop peak physical abilities.

So, what kind of trump card does Gojo Satoshi have?

The other members of the Gojo family also gathered around to watch.

Like Shoko, their attention was drawn to the Zanpakutō in Satoshi's hand—Sode no Shirayuki.

A week ago, rumors had spread that Gojo Satoshi had forged a powerful cursed tool.

A new type of weapon, one capable of unleashing tremendous cursed energy and unique abilities.

It was said that this Zanpakutō would revolutionize cursed tools in the future.

Many had been eager to witness this supposed epoch-making weapon for themselves.

However—

Over the past week, Satoshi had destroyed the forge five times attempting to create a new one.

So this duel.

This was finally their chance to see Sode no Shirayuki in action.

The atmosphere grew tense.

Everyone present had their own reasons for watching.

But one thing was clear.

This duel could shift the balance between the Three Great Families.

Chapter 24: Instant Kill, Sode no Shirayuki! (BONUS)

"Dance, Sode no Shirayuki!"

The moment the duel began, Satoshi had already activated Sode no Shirayuki's Shikai.

His plan was simple, use Sode no Shirayuki's power to end Shinsuke in an instant.

Although he wasn't particularly afraid of cursed techniques due to his Heavenly Restriction, Satoshi still preferred to finish the fight quickly.

"The snow… it's getting heavier!"

Okkotsu Yuto looked up at the sky, murmuring unconsciously.

Only when the falling snow intensified did the audience finally grasp the true power of Sode no Shirayuki.

But the one affected the most was none other than Shinsuke, who stood directly across from Satoshi.

As he continued to unleash the Zenin family's signature techniques, Shinsuke gradually realized something chilling, under Sode no Shirayuki's influence, he had already fallen into Satoshi's trap.

"First Dance: White Moon!"

With Satoshi's low command, a towering avalanche of snow materialized out of nowhere, completely freezing Shinsuke in an instant.

What was initially expected to be a one-sided battle had ended in an utterly unforeseen manner.

Indeed, it was a crushing defeat.

But everyone had miscalculated which side would be crushed.

The Zenin family's prodigy, someone hailed as a rising star, was utterly powerless against Satoshi's cursed tool.


---

As official witnesses to the duel, Ogi's face darkened, Kumaen smirked in amusement, while Inamichi was utterly shaken.

Even though Ogi never thought highly of Shinsuke, he still acknowledged his strength.

He could accept Shinsuke losing to Gojo Satoru, a true wielder of the Six Eyes.

But losing to Gojo Satoshi, someone with no cursed energy at all was completely beyond his expectations.

Kumaen had already heard rumors about Satoshi's Zanpakutō, and today, he finally witnessed it firsthand.

Now, he wanted it for himself.

As for Inamichi, the shock on his face was undeniable.

His mind was in turmoil not because Satoshi had won, but because of the weapon in his hand.

Anyone with a discerning eye could see it.

The reason Satoshi defeated Shinsuke so effortlessly was entirely due to Sode no Shirayuki.

But… why?

Why was this cursed tool able to unleash such a powerful technique?


What kind of cursed tool is this? How come I've never heard of it before?

Did he just call it… Sode no Shirayuki?

Not only is it powerful, but even the name sounds beautiful!

Amid the murmurs, Shoko's gaze remained locked onto Gojo Satoshi.

She wasn't paying attention to the duel itself.

Rather, her eyes were completely drawn to Sode no Shirayuki.

For some reason, she couldn't take her eyes off it.

It was too beautiful.

Too mesmerizing.

Girls naturally gravitate toward beautiful things.

And at this moment, she couldn't help but desire something like Sode no Shirayuki for herself…


---

So it's true… Gojo Satoshi really has no cursed energy at all. His Heavenly Restriction is real.

At first, I thought his Six Eyes might allow him to overcome it, but it seems I was wrong. This whole fight was just a test—to see what kind of cursed tool he possessed.

Still, this only proves how terrifying the Gojo family truly is.

Okkotsu Yuto clenched his fists.

He could feel it, Satoshi's body was completely devoid of cursed energy.

Yet, he had unleashed such a powerful cursed technique.

The realization shook him.

Since Satoshi had no cursed energy, that meant…

The ice-based technique they had just witnessed did not come from him but entirely from Sode no Shirayuki.

This was the true power of a Zanpakutō.


---

The clan head was right. If we had believed in the "Twin Curse" nonsense, the Gojo family would have suffered a huge loss!

Now that Satoshi is being considered for succession, we should start showing sincerity as well.

The elders of the Neutral faction of the Gojo family exchanged glances.

They had been skeptical of the rumors surrounding Sode no Shirayuki.

But now, after witnessing the Snowfall Domain firsthand, all their doubts vanished.

More importantly, they recognized an opportunity.

This cursed tool was bound to Gojo Satoshi.

However—

Right now, it was being wielded by someone who could not use cursed energy.

What if a sorcerer wielded it instead?

Wouldn't that be equivalent to two sorcerers working together?

Their expectations skyrocketed.

The only regret they had was…

Sode no Shirayuki was the only one of its kind.

If Gojo Satoshi could forge more cursed tools like this, the entire jujutsu world would be revolutionized.


---

So this is the weapon that took down Shunichi…

But… it really is powerful. No wonder Shunichi lost.

Even so, accepting Satoshi? That's a betrayal! No matter how strong his cursed tools are, it doesn't change the fact that he's the "Twin Curse" of Young Master Satoru!

If the Gojo family wants to thrive, we must eliminate all obstacles that stand in Young Master Satoru's way.

The Gojo Family's Twin Curse Faction made no effort to hide their desire for Sode no Shirayuki.

To them, Satoshi was irrelevant.

The real prize was the Zanpakutō.

They were convinced.

This weapon did not belong in the hands of Satoshi.

It should be wielded by Satoru.

After all, what could be more fitting than a pure white sword in the hands of the Six Eyes heir?

But no one wanted to acknowledge one simple truth.

Gojo Satoshi and Gojo Satoru shared the same face.

Chapter 25: Rejected? (BONUS)

I didn't expect it… Gojo Satoshi, you actually used a cursed tool to take down Shinsuke. This was beyond my expectations.

As someone bound by Heavenly Restriction, are you focusing on developing your physical strength instead?

I have to admit, that's a solid choice. Cursed tools are valuable assets… Maybe I should start collecting some myself.

Toji narrowed his eyes as he observed Satoshi from the training grounds.

The battle just now had made one thing clear to everyone: the cursed tool in Satoshi's hands was terrifyingly powerful.

But Toji knew better.

Satoshi himself was just as formidable.

Even if he hadn't used Sode no Shirayuki to instantly kill Shinsuke, Toji was certain that Satoshi's raw physical ability alone would have been enough to defeat him, especially given Shinsuke's overconfidence.

Do you want to be my friend? I acknowledge you, Gojo Satoshi.

Toji smirked and turned away, dark amusement flickering in his eyes.

A new friend, huh?

Perhaps… a special cursed tool like that would be better suited in my hands.


---

The onlookers processed the battle in silence.

But ultimately, their emotions all converged into one overwhelming realization.

The Gojo family, wielding two Six Eyes, is destined to dominate the sorcerer world.

The Zenin family had lost a future prodigy to a so-called "fake Six Eyes" before Satoru even made a move.

It was clear.

In terms of potential, the Zenin clan could no longer compare to the Gojo family.

And as for the Kamo clan, another of the Three Great Families…

They could barely produce a decent Blood Manipulation user these days.

If things continued at this rate, it wouldn't be long before their influence faded entirely.

The path forward was obvious, align with the Gojo family.

With two Six Eyes users and control over the mysterious cursed tool in Satoshi's hands, the Gojo clan had already surpassed the other two families.

If they alone possessed this new type of cursed tool, the Gojo clan wouldn't just be a leader in the jujutsu world.

They could rule it.

And so, many powerful factions began investigating the creator of this powerful cursed tool.

That was when they discovered something unbelievable.

The forger of this weapon was none other than Gojo Satoshi himself.

How was that possible?

A six-year-old child had forged such a masterpiece?

Even more terrifying…

The Zanpakutō he created could not only shift forms but also produce an entirely new type of cursed technique.

An ability unlike anything recorded in jujutsu history.

"First Dance: White Moon!"

The name of that technique would be etched into the history of sorcery forever.

At this moment, everyone wanted Gojo Satoshi for themselves.


---

Some people were irreplaceable.

Like Satoru, who had Six Eyes and a once-in-a-lifetime sorcerer talent.

But Satoshi?

He was different.

A genius cursed tool forger was something that could be replicated.

If Satoshi continued to create more cursed tools like Sode no Shirayuki, any sorcerer clan could massively increase their strength in a short period of time.

Together, Gojo Satoru and Gojo Satoshi were a terrifying duo.


---

The gathering at the Gojo estate came to an end.

With Shinsuke frozen solid by "First Dance: White Moon," Zenin Ogi stepped forward, acknowledged Satoshi's victory, and finally freed Shinsuke from the ice.

Humiliated, the Zenin clan wasted no time leaving the Gojo estate.

By the time Satoshi regained his focus, Toji was already gone.

Damn… I didn't achieve my most important goal this time.

Forget it. Toji might be gone, but at least I can still introduce Satoru to some future teammates.

Taking Satoru with him, Satoshi went to find Shoko and Yuto.

At Shoko's request—"Can I touch Sode no Shirayuki?"—the four of them ended up bonding and successfully forming new friendships.

These connections would be valuable.

After all—

The strongest healer in the future and the father of a future Special Grade sorcerer were now part of Satoshi's network.

No matter what, this gathering had been a worthwhile success.


---

"Satoshi, this whole event was so boring."

Walking back to their rooms, Satoru sighed, complaining as if he had suffered through a painful chore.

The whole time, he had just been a spectator.

If he had known Satoshi was going to be so cool, he would have jumped in and shown off himself.

Now he regretted letting Satoshi fight Shinsuke.

"Well, this kind of event isn't meant to be entertaining. But at least we met some new friends, right? Okkotsu Yuto and Ieiri Shoko—Satoru, you should treasure them."

Satoshi nudged Satoru, subtly reminding him.

He didn't want Satoru to become a lone wolf in the future.

Strength alone wasn't enough.

Sometimes, companions couldn't help someone become stronger but they could provide emotional support.

In the future, Satoru would meet Geto Suguru, reconnect with Shoko, and be guided by Yaga Masamichi.

These relationships would shape his journey.

Maybe…

If Satoru learned to trust and cooperate with others sooner, instead of relying on his own power, some tragedies could be avoided.

"Alright, alright, I get it! Geez, Satoshi, you're starting to nag like an old man."

Satoru shrugged, glancing at Satoshi with a teasing smirk.

Then, as if realizing something, he raised an eyebrow and asked playfully.

"But… wasn't your real goal this time to befriend the Zenin's Heavenly Restriction user?"

"Wait—are you telling me you actually got rejected?"

Satoru's voice was full of amusement, and his grin widened.

Watching Satoshi's face darken slightly, he burst into laughter.

Chapter 26: Attack—Zenin Is Truly Unpredictable (BONUS)

Satoshi let out a long sigh.

It seemed he still hadn't formed a strong enough bond with Toji.

Even though defeating Shinsuke had helped Toji vent some frustration, it was impossible to say whether this incident had earned him any recognition from the man.

"It's fine, Satoru! Trust me, this Zenin Toji is going to be a powerhouse in the future."

"Satoru, if you're not careful, even as the strongest sorcerer, you might not be able to defeat Zenin Toji."

In an attempt to make Satoru take the man seriously, Satoshi even dropped a few hints about their future conflicts.

Unfortunately, the ever-carefree Satoru didn't take his words seriously and merely laughed.

"Yeah, yeah, I get it. Don't worry! If even you can befriend him, I can definitely make him my friend too."

Satoru stretched and casually slung an arm around Satoshi's neck.

"By the way, Sode no Shirayuki has already been touched by Shoko, so there shouldn't be any problem with me checking it out, right?"

Deep down, Satoru genuinely liked the Zanpakutō, Sode no Shirayuki. He imagined that if he could wield it alongside his Limitless Technique, he'd undoubtedly become the coolest guy in the entire Jujutsu world.

Seeing that Satoru was still fixated on Sode no Shirayuki, Satoshi could only sigh helplessly.

"Alright, take it and have a look! Seriously, didn't I already tell you I'd forge a new one for you later? Why are you in such a hurry?"

He casually tossed Sode no Shirayuki toward Satoru, intending to humor him.

However, the moment the sword left his grip, Satoshi was struck by an intense sense of danger.

A dark shadow suddenly materialized in front of them, and a powerful arm shot forward, reaching straight for Sode no Shirayuki.

The attack wasn't an assassination attempt, this person's goal was clearly to snatch the blade.

Seeing this unfold, Satoshi was momentarily shocked before quickly realizing just how physically formidable the assailant was.

"Toji...! It's you! Why are you still here?"

Satoshi shouted in surprise.

But the moment the words left his mouth, he realized how pointless the question was.

Toji's intent was obvious, why even bother asking?

His target was Sode no Shirayuki.

Even though Satoshi and Toji weren't enemies, and Toji didn't harbor any particular hostility toward him, there was no way he could allow the man to take Sode no Shirayuki.

The moment Toji made his move, Satoshi instantly reached out to reclaim the sword.

"Dance, Sode no Shirayuki!"

As he called out the Zanpakutō's Shikai command, the blade underwent a transformation, the hilt was now adorned with a flowing white ribbon.

Seizing the opportunity, Satoshi grabbed the ribbon and yanked Sode no Shirayuki back into his grasp.

At the same time, Satoru activated his Limitless Technique, erecting an invisible barrier to halt Toji's advance.

"Satoshi, this is the guy you call a friend?!"

Satoru's expression twisted in confusion.

This was the Gojo clan's residence, how could Toji dare to launch an attack here?

More importantly, the man had no trace of Cursed Energy, yet he possessed such terrifying physical prowess.

"My dear Young Master, I really like this Cursed Tool of yours."

Toji grinned as he casually stepped back, his eyes fixed on Sode no Shirayuki.

"You wanted to be my friend, right? Then why don't you let this blade serve as proof of our friendship?"

The smile on Toji's face was unsettling.

After his initial attempt failed, he put some distance between them and observed Satoshi and Satoru carefully.

"You bastard! This is Satoshi's weapon, why the hell would I just hand it over to you?"

Satoru snapped, clearly irritated.

However, Satoshi, still holding Sode no Shirayuki, had already calmed down.

Toji's words didn't sound like those of someone desperate to obtain the sword.

Rather, he seemed to be testing them.

It was clear that Toji wanted to gauge both his and Satoru's strength.

The Zenin clan had its own sense of pride.

Even though Satoshi had effortlessly crushed Shinsuke earlier, proving himself far superior, Toji wasn't the type to simply accept such an outcome.

If he truly wanted to consider Satoshi as an equal, he first needed to test him.

If the difference in strength was too great, any so-called "friendship" would be meaningless.

More importantly, Toji had noticed something interesting.

Satoshi, a sorcerer with the Heavenly Restriction, was able to wield such a powerful Cursed Tool.

If Satoshi could use it… then could he as well?

At this moment, Toji was in peak physical condition. Even though he was up against two Six Eyes users, he still firmly believed he could win.

However, he also understood the situation.

This was the Gojo clan's territory. His first strike had failed, any further action would only attract unwanted attention.

And just as he predicted, within mere seconds, Satoru's surge of Cursed Energy had already drawn the notice of several Gojo clan sorcerers.

Shunichi was the first to arrive, immediately taking a defensive stance beside Satoru and Satoshi.

At the same time, Shoko and Yuto also rushed over, drawn by the sudden spike in energy.

"Young Master Satoshi, Young Master Satoru! Are you alright?"

Shunichi's voice carried a hint of tension.

Although he was no longer Satoru's personal guard, he still kept a close eye on the clan's most valuable assets—the Six Eyes users.

Now, however, he wasn't just looking after Satoru.

Satoshi, too, had become someone to protect.

"I'm fine."

Satoshi shook his head, his gaze locked onto Toji.

At that moment, the Heavenly Restriction within him seemed to stir.

The man standing before him—the legendary "Sorcerer Killer"—was a reflection of his future.

A part of him longed for a fight with Toji.

"Uncle Shunichi, I need you to keep everyone else out of this."

Satoshi's voice was steady.

Shunichi hesitated for a moment, processing Satoshi's words.

Chapter 27: Satoshi vs. Toji (BONUS)

This doesn't make sense. Zenin Toji is just an ordinary person, a bearer of the Heavenly Restriction. He doesn't have any special Cursed Tools like the ones in Young Master Satoshi's hands. How could he force Young Master Satoru to use Limitless to block him?

How could someone without any Cursed Energy make Young Master Satoru feel threatened?

Shunichi was in shock, but his face remained calm as he gave Satoshi a slight nod.

After witnessing Satoshi's bet earlier, Shunichi had realized that his way of thinking was different, unconventional, but undeniably sharp.

If Satoshi was making this decision, then perhaps Zenin Toji truly wasn't hostile.

After all, both the Zenin and Gojo families were among the Big Three Sorcerer Clans. There was no way the Zenin clan would send one of their direct descendants to openly attack the Gojo family's Six Eyes users.

…

"Satoru, let me handle this."

Satoshi patted Satoru's shoulder, still gripping Sode no Shirayuki.

This was a battle between two Heavenly Restricted beings. There was no need for Satoru—the pride of Jujutsu society—to get involved.

"You sure? Don't underestimate him, Satoshi. He doesn't have Cursed Energy, but he's strong."

Satoru looked doubtful. While he didn't sense any hostility from Toji, his sudden attack had been far from friendly.

Satoshi taking the initiative to fight wasn't a problem but Satoru knew how terrifying Toji's raw power was. Even with Sode no Shirayuki, could Satoshi really win?

"Yeah, Satoru. He's testing my strength, it'd be rude if I didn't respond."

Satoshi smiled, his tone casual.

"Besides, keep an eye on the surroundings for me. Who knows? In the future, you might need his help to get materials for your Zanpakutō."

In his past life, Toji had possessed plenty of Cursed Tools. There had to be some method he used to acquire them.

Hearing this, Satoru's eyes lit up.

He had no idea what Satoshi meant, but if it was about his future Zanpakutō, he was willing to compromise on anything.

He shot a long look at Toji before finally stepping aside, helping Satoshi manage the situation while driving away onlookers.

…

Toji narrowed his eyes, watching Satoshi's movements with mild surprise.

He hadn't expected Satoshi to make such a decision. What gave this kid such confidence?

The corners of Toji's mouth curled up slightly.

This brat was interesting.

Even though Satoshi had trained his body through the Heavenly Restriction, the gap between them was too wide.

Unlike Satoshi who was still a kid, Toji had fully matured. Physically, Satoshi wasn't even close to his level.

And as for that fancy Cursed Tool, Sode no Shirayuki?

Toji had already seen through its ability. As long as he avoided its technique, Satoshi would be nothing more than prey on the chopping block.

Satoshi had made his choice.

Now, Toji would use his crushing victory to prove that he was the one worthy of being called "strong."

His smirk turned ice-cold.

Sode no Shirayuki, still in Satoshi's hand, began radiating a biting chill.

…

"Shoko, step back! This fight won't be normal."

Yuto moved in front of Shoko, shielding her.

With his immense Cursed Energy reserves, he could feel how dangerous this battle was going to be.

This was a duel in the world of Jujutsu.

But the two fighters weren't sorcerers.

It was a clash between two Heavenly Restricted beings.

"Satoshi's in danger. That Zenin guy is strong, he might not be able to win."

Shoko's voice was laced with concern. She didn't want to see her new friend suffer a crushing defeat.

"Yeah, Zenin Toji is a serious threat." Yu
uto's tone was firm. "But, Shoko, trust Satoshi. He definitely has something up his sleeve."

"Earlier, even Zenin Shinsuke couldn't force Satoshi to reveal his trump cards. But Toji… he might just be strong enough to push him to his limits."

Yuto watched the two figures in the distance, excitement flashing in his eyes.

This fight… was going to be good.

Shoko, however, still looked uneasy.

She could only watch and hope for the best.

…

On the other side, Satoru and Shunichi crouched down, watching the fight unfold.

A sharp gust of wind swept through the air.

For a brief moment, it felt like even the falling snow had paused.

Then—

A massive wave of ice erupted, surging toward Toji like an avalanche.

Satoshi had taken the first move.

If Toji got caught in that snowstorm, the battle would end instantly.

"First Dance: White Moon!"

Satoshi didn't even call out the technique's name.

With Sode no Shirayuki in hand, he executed the attack silently, proving just how much his control over the Zanpakutō had advanced.

But—

"It's useless, Satoshi."

Toji's voice echoed from all directions.

"You should know better than anyone… as a bearer of the Heavenly Restriction, my speed is far beyond what ice can keep up with."

His words sent a ripple of shock through the watching crowd.

Not just because of his speed.

But because of how casually he kept referring to the Heavenly Restriction.

For most sorcerers, the Heavenly Restriction was considered a curse. A defect. A fate worse than death.

But to Satoshi and Toji.

It was a gift.

Chapter 28: The Second Dance – White Ripple (BONUS)

The onlookers were perplexed, but in the center of the battle, Zenin Toji and Gojo Satoshi understood each other's words perfectly.

"Gojo Satoshi, you've lost!"

As Toji's voice rang out again, everyone's eyes shifted behind Satoshi.

At that moment, Toji had already appeared behind him.

No one believed he was bluffing.

His speed was so fast that it was impossible to track with the naked eye. No one could imagine how Satoshi would evade Toji's next attack.

Even the sorcerers present put themselves in Satoshi's position, wondering if they could survive an attack from an assassin of this level.

The answer was no.

Even Yuto, who possessed immense Cursed Energy, felt that he wouldn't be able to gain the upper hand against Zenin Toji.

On the sidelines, Satoru's expression turned serious. With Limitless, he was confident he could block Toji's next strike. But Satoshi didn't have Cursed Energy, he couldn't use Limitless.

Right now, his younger brother could only rely on Sode no Shirayuki.

It looked like he was about to lose.

Satoru didn't want to see his brother suffer a crushing defeat. He straightened up instantly, preparing to intervene.

However, just as he was about to move, he caught sight of Satoshi's slight smirk.

This scene was eerily similar to the bet between Satoshi and Shunichi earlier. That hesitation made Satoru stop himself from acting.

At that moment, everything changed.

Just as everyone believed Satoshi was about to be taken down, only Satoru noticed, Sode no Shirayuki was already stabbed into the ground.

And the moment Toji appeared, four identical swords manifested around Sode no Shirayuki, piercing into the ground simultaneously.

A frigid chill exploded outward.

Toji's expression shifted.

This was an ability Satoshi had never shown before. As expected, this mysterious Cursed Tool had more than one technique.

"Next Dance: White Ripple!"

With Satoshi's low chant, the overflowing cold condensed into a tangible force, an enormous avalanche erupted from Sode no Shirayuki's blade, swallowing the battlefield.

If Toji didn't abandon his attack, he would be consumed by White Ripple.

Earlier, Satoshi had observed Zenin Toji's movements, but just because his Six Eyes could see it didn't mean his body could react fast enough.

So, he had waited, using Sode no Shirayuki's ability to launch a defensive counterattack.

The entire plan hinged on his ability to track Toji's movement in advance.

If there had been even a slight mistake, Sode no Shirayuki wouldn't have been able to keep up.

But just as Satoshi had predicted, despite Toji's overwhelming speed, he was still within the observation range of the Six Eyes.

As the avalanche expanded, the entire Gojo estate was once again engulfed in ice and snow. The falling snowflakes seemed even heavier now.

The spectators instinctively took a step back. None of them had imagined that this pure white Cursed Tool would unleash such terrifying power.

"First Dance: White Moon!"
"Next Dance: White Ripple!"

This frost technique's large-scale attack completely restricted close-range fighters.

Anyone who got too close would either be frozen solid or buried under the avalanche.

This kind of battle completely overturned their understanding of sorcery combat.

The onlookers scanned the remnants of the avalanche, searching for Zenin Toji.

No one believed he could have escaped unscathed.

Yet, once again, the outcome defied their expectations.

Despite being caught in White Ripple's onslaught, Toji had managed to break free using his sheer physical strength and speed.

Now, he stood off to the side, gazing at Satoshi, who leaned against the snow, his eyes gleaming with excitement.

"So, this is your Cursed Tool? Gojo Satoshi, I'm impressed. Did you make this yourself?"

"I'm very interested."

Toji shook his head, a smirk forming on his lips.

"Gojo Satoshi, I acknowledge you. Originally, I wanted to test how far your Heavenly Restriction had awakened, but now, I see there's no need."

"Without a battle of life and death, this fight is meaningless."

"I look forward to seeing how you grow."

"I'll let you keep this Cursed Tool for now. Next time we meet, we'll decide who truly owns Sode no Shirayuki."

With a hearty laugh, Zenin Toji vanished in an instant.

The crowd was left in stunned silence, staring at Satoshi and the pure white Zanpakutō in his hand.

Chapter 29: Maybe It’s Not a Curse (BONUS)

Satoshi, you stole the spotlight again! I didn't expect Sode no Shirayuki to have not only the First Dance but also the Second Dance… So, does that mean there's a Third Dance?

Satoru stroked his chin, his eyes filled with anticipation as he gazed at Sode no Shirayuki.

He trusted Satoshi's words completely. Since Satoshi had agreed to forge a brand-new Zanpakutō for him, he had every reason to look forward to it.

The shock that Shoko and Yuto felt toward Sode no Shirayuki had already been deeply imprinted in their minds.

This Cursed Tool completely overturned their understanding of what Cursed Tools could be.

Satoshi, someone capable of forging a Cursed Tool like this, might be even more important to the world of sorcery than Satoru himself.

Although Shoko was still young, she had already developed a solid foundation of knowledge. As a genius in Reverse Cursed Technique, her understanding of Cursed Tools far exceeded that of most sorcerers.

There was only one Gojo Satoru—his overwhelming power could elevate the peak combat strength of the entire sorcery world. But Gojo Satoshi could technically forge more than one cursed tool.

If a Cursed Tool could be equivalent to a Grade 1 sorcerer, then didn't that mean possessing Gojo Satoshi was equivalent to having an entire team of Grade 1 sorcerers?

Everyone says those with Heavenly Restriction and no Cursed Energy are trash. But now, with the emergence of Zenin Toji and Gojo Satoshi, shouldn't that perception be shattered?

Heavenly Restriction… a curse? Are we sure it's not actually a blessing?

Yuto's eyes gleamed with excitement. Coming to the Gojo Clan had been the right choice.

This surpassed anything he had gained from traveling across Japan.

Six Eyes twins, Heavenly Restriction, a mysterious Cursed Tool—

The Gojo Clan's foundation was probably deeper than any other clan in the entire sorcery world. If they could fully harness these three factors, their dominance in the sorcery world would become utterly unshakable.

But as he thought about it, Okkotsu Yuta couldn't help but laugh.

Six Eyes, Heavenly Restriction, these were not things one could obtain simply by wanting them. These were divine gifts, impossible to replicate.

Which meant the only thing that could be replicated… was the mysterious Cursed Tool in Satoshi's hand, which housed so many powerful techniques.

Twins… twins.

In any ordinary sorcerer family, twins were seen as a curse. Yet, within the Gojo Clan, they had produced such an overwhelming force.

Perhaps, curses were nothing more than human delusions.

Maybe twins were actually the ones truly blessed by the will of the world.

A thought crossed Yuto's mind.

In the future, he wanted to have twins too. He wanted to raise children as gifted as Satoru and Satoshi.


---

With Toji's departure, life for Satoru and Satoshi finally returned to peace.

The impact of Sode no Shirayuki had forced many in the Gojo Clan, who had previously opposed Satoshi to reconsider their stance.

Only now did they begin to understand why the clan leader had chosen to support Satoshi's research into forging Cursed Tools.

If Sode no Shirayuki could truly be replicated…

No one had ever imagined that Satoshi, a supposed family outcast, would become someone capable of shaking the entire sorcery world.

And he did it not through the Six Eyes, not through Cursed Energy, but through the Cursed Tools he created.


---

Gojo Takuya's Forge

After seeing Satoru off, Satoshi immersed himself in forging Cursed Tools once again.

Ever since creating Sode no Shirayuki, he had not been able to successfully forge another Zanpakutō.

Satoshi wasn't sure if it was due to a cooldown period in the forging process or if he was missing a crucial component, but the second Zanpakutō simply refused to manifest. It was frustrating.

But until he fully understood the forging process, all he could do was keep trying.

In Satoshi's mind, even if he could only forge one Sode no Shirayuki, it was already a massive breakthrough.

Besides, he had also mastered the four fundamental Shinigami techniques: Zanjutsu (Swordsmanship), Hakuda (Hand-to-Hand Combat), Hohō (Footwork), and Kidō (Demon Arts). If he pushed these four techniques to their limits and combined them with Sode no Shirayuki and Shunko, wouldn't that put him at the top of this world?

Satoshi calmed himself, setting aside his frustration over the second Zanpakutō. Instead, he shifted his focus to the new connections he had made today.

I didn't expect that at this point in time, he was already so… abnormal.

At his current age, Toji already has such monstrous strength! If his body grows even stronger, I don't think any sorcerer will be able to stop him.

It seems like he's really interested in Sode no Shirayuki. At first, I thought about winning him over with a Zanpakutō, but if I can't forge another one soon, will he actually come to steal this one?

This time, Toji forced out the Second Dance. Luckily, Sode no Shirayuki's abilities were strong enough. But if it had been San no Mai (Third Dance), the power difference would've been even more overwhelming. And if I had reached Bankai…

Even if it were Zenin Ogi, he probably wouldn't survive Bankai: Hakka no Togame (White Haze Punishment), right?

As he continued forging, Satoshi analyzed the impact that his encounter with Toji would have on the future.

Now that Toji acknowledged him, there would likely be fewer direct conflicts between him and Satoru in the future. At the very least, Satoshi himself could serve as a bridge between them.

If things continued along this path, then Amanai Riko might not die at Toji's hands.

And if that happened, Satoru and Geto Suguru's ideologies wouldn't be shaken as they had in the original timeline.

If that moment of tragedy never happened, those two—the strongest duo—would never have parted ways.

The future could be drastically altered.

But for Satoshi, preventing Satoru and Geto Suguru from reaching that breaking point was something worth doing.

He understood that as long as they continued exorcising Cursed Spirits, their views would inevitably be challenged.

Even so, he refused to let history repeat itself.

If the sorcery world truly needed change, then it wouldn't be Satoru or Suguru to do it.

It would be him.

Satoshi had his own plans.

Chapter 30: Repeated Forging Failures

One month later.

Gojo Takuya's Forge

"Failed again?"

"Yeah… Looks like I failed again."

"Seems that way..."

Three voices echoed in the forge.

Veins throbbed on Satoshi's forehead, his expression dark and irritated.

Over the past month, he had attempted to forge Cursed Tools countless times. Not only had he failed to create another Zanpakutō, but he hadn't even managed to craft an ordinary Cursed Tool.

At this point, he was seriously starting to question whether something was wrong with his system.

Satoru, Toji, and Takuya stood nearby, watching the process unfold. Their conversation made Satoshi lose the last bit of motivation he had left.

"Why don't you just hand over your Sode no Shirayuki to me? You promised to forge a Zanpakutō for me. If you really can't do it, then just give me yours instead."

Toji stretched his arms lazily before ruffling Satoru's hair, looking completely at ease.

Ever since their last battle, Toji had been hanging around Satoshi constantly. After much persuasion, he had finally gotten Satoshi to agree to craft a personal Zanpakutō for him.

As part of the deal, Toji agreed to join the organization Satoshi planned to establish in the future.

At the time, it seemed like a great trade.

Satoshi had intended to set up a "Yorozuya"-style agency, inspired by Sakata Gintoki, handling bounty requests, exorcising Cursed Spirits, and studying the inner workings of the sorcery world.

But now…

He hadn't expected that after an entire month, he still wouldn't be able to forge another Zanpakutō.

Now, his deal with Toji was starting to feel really awkward.

"Toji, I don't want you as my clerk anymore! Let's just cancel the deal."

Satoshi was starting to get fed up with him. The image of this future Sorcerer Killer that he had in his mind was completely shattered.

Who would've thought that Toji was such a gossip?

In the anime, he had been a quiet, no-nonsense kind of guy!

"Cancel the deal? Nah, I don't agree to that."

Toji grinned, his eyes narrowing in amusement as he laughed.

"I hereby declare that Satoshi has breached our contract. So, as compensation, I'll be taking Sode no Shirayuki as payment."

"Sounds like a fair deal, don't you think? I don't have to give up anything, and I get Sode no Shirayuki for free! What a bargain!"

Toji gave Satoshi a thumbs-up.

Satoshi clenched his fists, his irritation rising.

On the other side of the room, Satoru picked up one of the failed forges, examining the scrap metal with a teasing smirk. His deep blue eyes gleamed mischievously.

"Satoshi, Sode no Shirayuki is mine!"

"You promised to forge my Zanpakutō first, remember? First come, first served. I was at least a week ahead of Toji!"

His tone was dripping with sarcasm, but in truth, Satoru wasn't actually that concerned about getting a Zanpakutō for himself. He just didn't want Satoshi to give up on his research.

After all, if Satoshi had managed to forge one Zanpakutō, then surely, he could forge more in the future.

But right now, Satoshi's confidence was at an all-time low.


---

For the past month, he had tried everything.

At first, he thought maybe he was lacking Cursed Tools as materials, so he had applied for some from the Gojo Clan's storage.

They even provided him with Grade 1 Cursed Tools for experimentation.

Yet, after burning through so many resources, he still failed to forge a new Zanpakutō.

It wasn't just frustrating for him, the entire clan was starting to doubt his forging ability.

The Gojo Clan couldn't afford to waste any more Cursed Tools, and as time passed, even the neutral faction who had initially supported him began to waver.

Before, when Sode no Shirayuki was first revealed, they had believed that Satoshi could help the Gojo Clan achieve a revolutionary breakthrough.

But now, after witnessing his repeated failures, their confidence was quietly fading.

"Gojo Satoshi was just a flash in the pan. Sode no Shirayuki was just a coincidence."

"If these Cursed Tools can't be replicated, then the clan leader's investment in him is meaningless. We can't afford to keep throwing resources at him."

The re-emergence of doubt gave power back to the Curse Faction, who had previously been silenced.


---

Gojo Kumaen, the leader of the Twin Curse Faction, was the first to hear the news.

At first, he felt a pang of regret, thinking the Gojo Clan had once again just barely missed their chance at something great.

But soon after, he doubled down on his old beliefs.

Once again, he announced to the clan that Satoshi's presence was negatively affecting Satoru.

Satoru, who had once been completely focused on mastering his Cursed Techniques, had now been wasting time in Satoshi's forge for an entire month.

And he wasn't the only one, Toji had been loitering around as well.

This was unacceptable for the future of the Gojo Clan.


---

Meanwhile, Zenin Shinsuke, the sorcerer who had been humiliated by Satoshi's Sode no Shirayuki, was thrilled.

One month ago, in front of the entire sorcery world, he had been instantly defeated.

Not only had this disgraced him personally, but it had also embarrassed the entire Zenin Clan.

Some had tried to defend him afterward, saying that Sode no Shirayuki's ability was simply unfair.

But a loss was a loss.

As a fully-fledged sorcerer, he had lost to someone with no Cursed Energy whatsoever.

Even if Sode no Shirayuki had been the deciding factor, he had still become a stepping stone for Satoshi.

And that was unforgivable.

If a person without any Cursed Energy could defeat a trained sorcerer like him, didn't that mean even an ordinary civilian could do the same?

That thought alone sickened him.

Originally, Shinsuke hadn't cared much about the Gojo Clan's Six Eyes. But after his humiliating defeat, he had developed an unwavering hatred for Gojo Satoshi.

To make things worse, he had recently learned that Toji, the person he despised most in the Zenin Clan, had become friends with Satoshi.

That realization pushed his anger to its breaking point.

"Birds of a feather flock together!"

"Trash is trash. Two people without any Cursed Energy, wasting their time on these 'legendary' Cursed Tools!"

His expression turned cold.

From that moment on, he dedicated himself even further to mastering his techniques.

In Zenin Shinsuke's mind, his previous loss had been due to a lack of strength.

If he had been Grade 2, or even Grade 1, he should have been able to dodge Sode no Shirayuki's attack, no matter how powerful it was…