Chapter 36: Yagyū? (BONUS)
Satoshi pondered for a few seconds before shaking his head.
"I just finished forging Suzumushi, and I'm feeling a bit off. You guys go ahead! Just let me know how it turns out when you get back."
Yawning, Satoshi ushered Shunichi and the others out of the forge, greeted Takuya briefly, then lay down on his bed and closed his eyes to rest.
The reason Satoshi didn't go to the dojo was partly due to exhaustion, but more importantly, he wanted to run an experiment, he wanted to see if distance affected his connection with Suzumushi.
After all, the kendo dojo was quite far from the forge.
If he could still see everything happening there through Suzumushi, it would be no different from witnessing the match in person.
--
Inside the dojo, a broad-shouldered middle-aged man stood impatiently. His black kimono was immaculate, and his presence was like an unsheathed blade, sharp and dangerous.
This man was none other than Yagyū Saemon, the master of Yagyū Shinkage-ryu.
"I had high expectations for the Gojo Kyokushin-ryu's hospitality, but I didn't expect the Gojo family to have grown so arrogant," Yagyū Saemon remarked, his voice filled with irritation.
It was true that challenging someone at their own dojo wasn't the most polite approach, but once a challenge was accepted, proper etiquette had to be followed.
Gojo Kumaen and Yagyū Yusuke were already present as official witnesses.
Had it not been for Gojo Shunichi's well-known pride, Yagyū Saemon might have suspected that he had fled altogether.
"Saemon, have some patience. We are guests," an old man sitting beside Gojo Kumaen interjected.
Between sorcerer families, the gap between the Yagyū and Gojo clans was vast. If not for their kendo heritage, the Yagyū wouldn't even be qualified to sit in the same room as the Gojo family.
Yusuke, head of the Yagyū family, had mixed feelings about this duel.
On one hand, he wanted Saemon to win and secure a place among the Four Great Kendo Masters.
On the other hand, he worried that defeating Gojo Kyokushin-ryu would provoke the Gojo family.
Still, after much deliberation, Yusuke ultimately approved Saemon's challenge.
Compared to the ever-growing influence of the Gojo family, bolstered by the Six Eyes, the Yagyū clan's standing had weakened considerably.
If they failed to establish themselves through kendo, the Yagyū risked becoming an irrelevant name among the sorcerer clans.
This match wasn't just about Saemon's personal status, it was about the Yagyū family's place in the world of sorcery.
--
Gojo Kumaen sat silently, deep in thought.
He had a strong suspicion about why Shunichi hadn't shown up yet.
It was obvious, Shunichi was still with Satoru and Satoshi.
This so-called kendo master of the Gojo family had completely forgotten where his true roots lay.
Did Shunichi really think he had achieved his status in the family without the support of the Twin Curse Faction?
Kumaen had even arranged for him to receive an exemption from punishment, and this was how he repaid him?
Kumaen's expression grew darker and darker.
As time dragged on, the atmosphere in the dojo became increasingly tense.
Not just Saemon, but all the disciples of Gojo Kyokushin-ryu could feel Kumaen's displeasure.
Just when he was about to lash out, hurried footsteps echoed outside the dojo.
The doors swung open, revealing Shunichi.
Kumaen was just about to reprimand him when his words caught in his throat.
A figure followed closely behind Shunichi, one that made Kumaen freeze.
"Young Master Satoru!"
Unlike some of the elders, Kumaen could immediately distinguish between Satoshi and Satoru.
The moment those piercing Six Eyes entered his sight, he knew exactly who it was.
Standing next to Satoru was another unexpected guest—Zenin Toji.
Ever since Toji's last battle with Satoshi, the Gojo family had been forced to reevaluate him.
Despite lacking any cursed energy, his raw physical power was monstrous.
Even within the Twin Curse Faction, a group that prided itself on jujutsu above all else, they knew better than to bring up his lack of cursed energy in front of him.
At least, not until someone capable of defeating him appeared.
"Who is that?"
Yusuke recognized Satoru but was unfamiliar with Toji.
After all, someone without cursed energy could never make a name for themselves in the jujutsu world.
"This is Zenin Toji. The Zenin clan's… best."
Kumaen introduced Toji to Yusuke before shifting his attention back to Shunichi.
"Shunichi, you're being extremely disrespectful. The Gojo Kyokushin-ryu doesn't keep guests waiting this long."
Kumaen's tone was harsh, though it was notably restrained due to Satoru's presence.
This duel was incredibly important to him, and seeing Shunichi take it so lightly was infuriating.
However, Shunichi was equally frustrated.
He hadn't even known about the challenge, Kumaen had failed to inform him properly.
And now, he was the one being scolded?
If Yagyū Saemon weren't already here, Shunichi wouldn't have even bothered coming to this farce of a fight.
As Satoru and Toji took their seats, a heavy atmosphere settled over the dojo.
The match was about to begin.
--
Meanwhile, back at the forge, Satoshi lay comfortably in bed, watching a system notification pop up.
[During the battle, the borrower has gained kendo experience. Kendo experience 1]
[During the battle, the borrower has gained kendo experience. Kendo experience 1]
[During the battle, the borrower has gained kendo experience. Kendo experience 1]
[…]
Satoshi's mood instantly brightened.
Chapter 37: Cut Them All Down? How to Compete Without Weapons? (BONUS)
The kendo match should have already started. I wonder who's stronger, the kendo master of the Yagyū family or the kendo master of the Gojo family?
I hope the fight lasts longer so I can reap more benefits.
Satoshi felt the system notifications flooding in, and the joy of gaining something for nothing filled his heart. He quickly switched his perspective to Suzumushi's, and the image of the Gojo family dojo appeared clearly before his eyes.
However, what surprised him was the complete silence inside the dojo.
Standing right in front of him, a sturdy middle-aged man in a kimono was staring at "him" in shock, his eyes filled with disbelief.
At the man's feet, a katana lay broken in two, looking utterly pitiful.
"What... what just happened? Your sword—"
Yagyū Saemon pointed at the Suzumushi in Shunichi's hand, his voice faltering.
The katana he wielded wasn't an ordinary weapon, it was a cursed tool. Yet after just ten exchanges, it had been cut cleanly in half by the blade in Shunichi's hand.
This was the first time Saemon had ever encountered such a thing.
Looking at the shattered remains of his weapon, a trace of pain flickered in Saemon's eyes. To a kendo master, their sword was more than just a tool, it was a trusted companion.
No true swordsman would willingly part with their weapon.
And yet, the sword he had relied on for so long renowned for its durability had been severed so effortlessly by Gojo Shunichi. Even more unbelievable was that Suzumushi showed no signs of damage, not even a single dent or bend in the blade.
This was completely beyond his expectations.
Nearby, Kumaen and Yagyū Yusuke, who had been watching the match, were just as shocked.
They had expected a fierce and evenly matched duel between two top-tier swordsmen. Instead, the fight had barely begun when Saemon's weapon was already destroyed.
As the duel momentarily paused, the Yagyū family's disciples hurried to offer replacement weapons to Saemon.
During this brief respite, Shunichi found himself deeply shaken by Suzumushi's power.
So this is the true strength of a Zanpakutō...?
Thinking back to his previous bet with Satoshi, where he had clashed dozens of times against Satoshi's Sode no Shirayuki with his Cicada's Cry, he suddenly felt a chill run down his spine.
If Satoshi's strength had been on par with mine back then, wouldn't my Cicada's Cry have been completely destroyed by Sode no Shirayuki?
As Saemon struggled to wield an unfamiliar weapon, a hint of sympathy flashed through Shunichi's eyes.
At the same time, for the first time in this kendo duel, where he had initially felt uncertain, he began to feel a spark of confidence.
Even though he hadn't made any special preparations, the unexpected power of Suzumushi had essentially made him unbeatable.
…
Five minutes later.
With all the Yagyū family's weapons broken by Suzumushi, a hint of awkwardness appeared on Shunichi's face.
At this moment, not only was Saemon fuming in frustration, but even Yusuke, who had been observing the duel, had an expression as dark as coal.
This is ridiculous.
What the hell is going on? Samurai swords are expensive, damn it! Is this still a kendo match, or is it just a contest of weapon durability? What material is Gojo Shunichi's sword even made of? Why is it so absurdly strong?
Yusuke shot a glance at Gojo Kumaen, suspicion flickering in his eyes.
If the Yagyū family hadn't been the ones to initiate this match, he would have seriously suspected that this was some elaborate trap set up by that cunning old fox, Gojo Kumaen.
Yet, even as Yusuke started questioning things, Kumaen himself was equally surprised.
As the leader of the Twin Curse Faction, he was privy to all the important information about the people in his faction.
He knew for a fact that the weapon Shunichi was wielding wasn't his usual blade, Cicada's Cry, but an entirely new one—far superior to Cicada's Cry.
Thinking back to how Shunichi had spent nearly a month locked away in the forge, Kumaen couldn't help but entertain a wild thought.
Could this be… a Zanpakutō?
Kumaen furrowed his brows, but he quickly shook his head, forcefully suppressing the idea.
Impossible! Satoshi spent an enormous amount of time and resources trying to forge a cursed tool like this, yet he never succeeded. There's no way he could have randomly forged one now.
Besides, even if he did manage to forge a Zanpakutō, why would Satoshi give such a valuable weapon to Shunichi? If something this powerful was unveiled, it would attract an enormous amount of resources. It would make far more sense to keep it for himself rather than handing it over to someone like Shunichi.
Is Satoshi really that generous? Does he not realize that Shunichi is part of the Twin Curse Faction? That's impossible. They've had conflicts before.
Putting himself in Satoshi's shoes, Kumaen found it unthinkable that he would willingly hand over such a weapon.
Even though Shunichi's stance toward the faction had wavered in recent times, he had once been a staunch opponent of Satoshi.
Under those circumstances, anyone with common sense would still hold some level of distrust.
If it were him, Kumaen would never do something so reckless.
Which meant… perhaps Cicada's Cry had been destroyed by Satoshi, and Takuya, out of guilt, had reforged a new weapon for Shunichi?
People believe what they want to believe.
Even when faced with reality, their biases often blind them to the truth.
…
This level of power…
Toji smirked.
Gojo Satoshi, huh? When I return to the Zenin Clan, I should really help him find some cursed tools that match his needs.
Since he's capable of setting such precise forging requirements, it seems like he's already discovered the exact method for crafting Zanpakutō.
Toji's lips curled slightly. He was eager to see what kind of Zanpakutō Satoshi would be able to forge once he obtained the necessary materials.
Just Suzumushi alone was enough to allow a swordsman to completely dominate others in terms of weapon quality and that was without even factoring in Suzumushi's special abilities.
If Gojo Shunichi could truly master Suzumushi's power, he might even break through from a Grade 2 sorcerer to a Grade 1.
That would certainly shake up the power dynamics within the Gojo family.
Toji glanced at Kumaen beside him and shook his head slightly.
Your thinking is outdated. You don't understand the significance of a Zanpakutō.
With weapons like these, who would still dare to call Satoshi useless?
These arrogant old men will eventually pay the price for underestimating him.
A gleam of anticipation flashed in Toji's eyes as he imagined the future.
He was looking forward to the day Satoshi took control of the Gojo family, just to see the looks on the faces of these so-called elders when that day finally arrived.
And when that moment came…
Toji's smile widened.
He couldn't wait.
Chapter 38: The Importance of Weapons! (BONUS)
At the same time, Satoru stood next to Toji, a smug expression on his face.
The six-year-old boy's sky-blue eyes gleamed with excitement, and despite his youthful appearance, his grin carried a confidence far beyond his years.
At this moment, enlightenment had already begun to dawn upon the world.
If someone were to ask him why he was smiling, he would have answered without hesitation, because this was a Zanpakutō, and this Zanpakutō had been forged by his younger brother!
Satoru was determined to see all of Satoshi's ambitions come to fruition.
Zanpakutō, Zanpakutō! Sode no Shirayuki and Suzumushi—these cursed tools are unbelievably powerful. I have to get Satoshi to forge a unique and ridiculously cool Zanpakutō for me.
Haha, seriously? This is it? This is supposed to be a kendo competition?
All their weapons are broken, what else is there to compete with? If it weren't for the Suzumushi that Satoshi forged, Shunichi would've lost miserably this time.
Satoru stroked his chin as he looked at the shattered swords littering the dojo floor, nodding in satisfaction.
Let's see if anyone in the Gojo family dares to look down on my little brother now.
Satoru had always been aware of the Twin Curse Faction's hostility toward Gojo Satoshi and the Neutral Faction's indecisiveness.
Before, since Satoshi had only managed to forge a single Zanpakutō, Satoru had kept his emotions in check. But now, he had no reason to hold back.
The existence of Satoshi's Zanpakutō gave him absolute confidence and more importantly, it secured Satoshi's position within the clan.
"Toji, what do you think? Looking forward to your future Zanpakutō?"
Satoru nudged Toji's ribs playfully, his face brimming with excitement.
"I am, but you should be more excited than me, right? You're definitely getting yours before I do."
Toji raised an eyebrow. Though he admitted he was looking forward to it, he maintained an indifferent expression.
"Of course!"
Satoru didn't argue. He firmly believed that as soon as Satoshi mastered the rules of forging Zanpakutō, his priority would be to create one for him first.
That was the agreement between them as brothers.
"Still, the Suzumushi that Satoshi forged is absurdly strong. It's easily on par with a Grade 1 cursed tool."
Satoru activated his Six Eyes and closely observed Suzumushi. Given its current performance and the mysterious abilities inherent in all Zanpakutō, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to classify it as a Grade 1 cursed tool.
Of course, Satoshi had previously mentioned that Zanpakutō couldn't be judged by the same ranking system as standard cursed tools.
But for now, until Satoshi established his own ranking system, Satoru and Toji could only measure Suzumushi against the conventional classifications.
"It's at the level of a Grade 1 cursed tool? Just that alone makes it impressive."
Toji nodded.
"I've seen the kind of strength a Grade 1 cursed tool possesses back at the Zenin Clan, and this isn't any weaker. As long as Suzumushi's ability isn't completely useless, it definitely qualifies as Grade 1."
Neither Toji nor Satoru believed for a second that Suzumushi's ability would be useless.
After all, they had already seen how overwhelming Sode no Shirayuki was.
A Zanpakutō personally crafted by Satoshi wouldn't be inferior. If Suzumushi ever failed to live up to expectations, the fault could only lie with Gojo Shunichi for not being able to fully wield its power.
…
"How about we end the match here?"
Shunichi glanced around at the eerie silence in the dojo and finally spoke up.
Their opponents no longer had weapons were they expected to fight barehanded?
This was supposed to be a kendo match. Without swords, how could it be considered kendo?
Were they really expected to use the so-called "sword of the heart" to fight?
Shunichi's voice shattered the tense silence. The spectators snapped out of their daze and immediately began whispering among themselves.
"The Gojo family's weapons are insane! Master Shunichi's sword is on a completely different level from Master Saemon's, there's no way he could have lost."
"Yeah, this wasn't even a fair fight."
"If they had been using the same weapon, Master Saemon definitely would've won."
"But a kendo match at this level allows different weapons, right? It's not like Master Shunichi did anything wrong. It's just that the weapons our Yagyū family provided for Master Saemon were… lacking."
The moment someone from the Yagyū family said this, the other disciples of the Yagyū Shinkage-ryū fell silent.
Only now did they truly grasp the importance of weapons.
Yet, the Yagyū family had never held much influence in the world of jujutsu. They had even resorted to challenging the Gojo family just to maintain their reputation.
Given their limited standing, how could they afford to invest more resources into their kendo masters?
It wasn't that they didn't want to, it was that they simply didn't have the means.
And even if they had the money, could they just buy a sword like Suzumushi off the market?
On the other side, the disciples of the Gojo family's Kyokushin-ryū were bursting with excitement.
"Master Shunichi is incredible! Even though it's a bit one-sided, that was seriously satisfying! What was the Yagyū Shinkage-ryū thinking, trying to show off in our Kyokushin-ryū dojo?"
"Right? Even though Master Shunichi hasn't been around much recently, he still came prepared! Using his weapon as his trump card, maybe this was his way of showing his dissatisfaction with Yagyū Shinkage-ryū?"
"Honestly, can you blame him? Master Shunichi has always had a fiery temper, and now the Yagyū family is trying to use him as a stepping stone? No one would take that lying down."
"You were so cocky before, but now you're dead silent, huh? I know it's a bit rude, but watching Master Saemon's expression right now is priceless."
As the Gojo Kyokushin-ryū disciples observed Yagyū Saemon's fluctuating expression, some of their excitement was replaced with a hint of sympathy.
Even Yagyū Saemon himself probably hadn't expected things to turn out like this.
Many spectators remained immersed in their own discussions, their thoughts mirroring those of the Yagyū Shinkage-ryū disciples.
"Kotetsu, I've never seen the weapon Master Shunichi is using before. Didn't he always use Cicada? When did he switch swords? It looks so unremarkable, but its strength is unbelievable."
Kotetsu found himself surrounded by a group of fellow disciples. Though they all trained under the same school, close friendships still formed within the dojo.
The reason he had been chosen to call Gojo Shunichi earlier was simple, he was the disciple that Gojo Shunichi valued the most.
Chapter 39: Is This the Rumored Zanpakutō? (BONUS)
Kotetsu scratched his head awkwardly under the curious gazes of his fellow disciples.
Even though Master Shunichi favored him, he had only seen him a handful of times over the past month.
However, one thing he was certain of, when he met Shunichi yesterday, he had still been wielding Cicada's Cry.
But today, Cicada's Cry was nowhere to be seen in the forge.
This immediately reminded him of the rumors circulating about Young Master Satoshi, the so-called "Cursed Tool Destroyer" of the month.
It also reminded him of when he saw Master Shunichi testing a new sword in the forge.
And of the moment Master Shunichi had handed over his weapon to Satoshi before leaving.
Putting the pieces together, Kotetsu could guess what had happened to Cicada's Cry. More importantly, he suspected that the weapon in Shunichi's hand had been forged by none other than Young Master Satoshi!
This must be the weapon that had been discussed so often in the clan recently.
A Zanpakutō.
As soon as Kotetsu shared his thoughts, the other disciples of the Gojo Kyokushin-ryu fell silent.
Due to Kumaen's influence and Shunichi's previous alignment with the Twin Curse Faction, most of the disciples leaned toward the Twin Curse Faction.
Now, hearing that Satoshi, whom the elders had always opposed had possibly forged a second Zanpakutō, they were shaken and began reconsidering their own positions.
Those who had not fully sided with the Twin Curse Faction started to feel that Satoshi, as a wielder of the Six Eyes and Gojo Satoru's younger brother, should not have been treated as an outcast within the family.
They practiced swordsmanship and held great respect for swordsmiths.
And even though Satoshi was only six years old, forging two Zanpakutō was an achievement worthy of admiration in the world of blacksmithing.
Meanwhile, those with a firmer stance against Satoshi looked troubled.
They had never believed he could forge a second Zanpakutō. After all, they had heard nothing but failure coming from the forge over the past month.
How could he fail yesterday and succeed today?
Besides, based on Kotetsu's account, wasn't it possible that Shunichi had simply been using Cicada's Cry? If Satoshi hadn't known about today's match, wouldn't that mean Shunichi might have ended up like Yagyū Saemon losing due to a broken weapon?
That didn't make sense.
And in truth, before today, Satoshi had not known that Shunichi was participating in a kendo match. He wouldn't have taken such a risk lightly.
But, unfortunately, he hadn't known.
Even Shunichi, the one participating hadn't known about it beforehand.
Because of this, Suzumushi had unexpectedly made its debut.
"Whether it's a Zanpakutō or not is still uncertain. We shouldn't jump to conclusions. I remain skeptical," Gojo Genichi finally spoke, putting an end to the discussion.
He was the senior disciple of the Gojo Kyokushin-ryu and also the grandson of Kumaen.
Regardless of his personal feelings toward Satoshi or his beliefs about Shunichi's weapon, at this moment, he needed to stand with his grandfather.
Satoshi was the foundation of the Twin Curse Faction.
Without him, Kumaen wouldn't have gained such influence.
Without him, the Gojo Kyokushin-ryu wouldn't have been able to grow so rapidly with the clan's backing.
It was a paradox.
The Twin Curse Faction despised Gojo Satoshi, yet they couldn't survive without him…
…
Saemon's face darkened at Shunichi's suggestion. He said nothing.
He didn't want the match to end like this, but reality had left him with no choice.
He had no weapon left. What else could he do but concede?
Snorting coldly, Saemon turned on his heel and left the Gojo Kyokushin-ryu dojo without another word.
Seeing this, the Yagyū Shinkage-ryu disciples quickly stood up and followed.
As a witness, Yusuke nodded slightly toward Gojo Kumaen and Gojo Satoru as a gesture of apology.
"Saemon was a bit rude today. I hope Master Kumaen and Master Satoru won't take offense," Yagyū Yusuke said.
"He has a short temper. After today's events, he lost control of his emotions. He still needs to work on his discipline."
As Yusuke spoke, Kumaen stood up to return the courtesy.
With Saemon's departure, Shunichi was the undisputed winner of the duel.
And as the victor, Kumaen naturally adopted the attitude of a gracious host.
"Shunichi and Saemon both have fiery tempers. It's no surprise that etiquette slipped their minds! Master Yusuke, thank you for coming all this way. Please forgive us if our hospitality was lacking."
Kumaen showed no concern over Saemon's outburst.
Even though Shunichi had his disagreements with the Twin Curse Faction, the Gojo Kyokushin-ryu was still under his faction's control.
Shunichi had defeated Saemon.
The match itself may have been unconventional, but that didn't diminish the reputation of the Gojo Kyokushin-ryu within the kendo world.
In the world of jujutsu, the Gojo Clan was an undisputed giant, far surpassing the Yagyū family.
But in the realm of kendo, the Yagyū family still held great prestige.
To suppress them in both jujutsu and kendo was a significant achievement in Kumaen's eyes.
The head of the Gojo Clan had been unwell, relying on Reverse Cursed Technique to prolong his life. Eventually, the clan's affairs would fall to the elders.
Satoru was the undisputed successor, but he was still too young to handle the clan's administrative matters.
Which meant that someone else would have to take charge until he came of age.
And perhaps, that person could be me, Kumaen thought.
This victory was a major boost for the Curse Faction's influence within the clan.
Originally, the Twin Curse Faction had already been a dominant force within the Gojo Clan. Now, with their kendo prowess overwhelming the Yagyū Clan, the other elders had even less of a chance to compete for power.
However, Shunichi's weapon had become a thorn in Kumaen's side.
Had this mysterious blade been forged by Takuya?
Or had it been forged by Satoshi?
Kumaen frowned, uncertainty creeping into his thoughts.
Chapter 40: The Conspiracy Behind Promotion
After the Yagyū family members left, the dojo finally returned to its usual calm. However, this calm was soon disrupted by a wave of excited chatter.
"Master, what's the name of that weapon?"
"Master, this sword is incredible! Where did you get it?"
"Master, you can't forget about me when you get your hands on good stuff! I'm your most beloved disciple, the one who'll carry on your legacy!"
"..."
Shunichi felt a bit awkward under the flood of questions. He didn't know how to respond.
His victory today had been purely thanks to Satoshi's Zanpakutō. But in the end, this Zanpakutō belonged to Satoshi, it wasn't something he could claim as his own.
Just as he was struggling for an answer, a heavy cough suddenly interrupted the noise.
"Have you all finished your training for today? Why are you standing around?"
At the sound of Kumaen's voice, the surrounding Kyokushin-ryu disciples immediately scattered like startled birds. Not daring to protest, they silently moved into position, gripping their wooden swords.
Within moments, only Shunichi and Kumaen remained in the center of the dojo, staring at each other.
After a long pause, Kumaen finally spoke.
"Congratulations on your victory over Yagyū Saemon. At the very least, your position as one of the Four Great Masters of Kendo is secure for another year."
His tone was cold. Though his words sounded like praise, there wasn't the slightest hint of warmth behind them.
"This was only possible because of the Zanpakutō forged by Young Master Satoshi."
Shunichi lifted Suzumushi slightly, hoping to make Kumaen acknowledge Satoshi's talent. He wanted him to realize that isolating Satoshi had been a mistake.
Satoshi had now successfully forged a second Zanpakutō, proving that he could support Satoru—contrary to the Twin Curse Faction's claims that he was a burden.
The moment the word "Zanpakutō" was spoken, the movements of every Kyokushin-ryu disciple froze for half a second.
So it was true.
This weapon really was the legendary Zanpakutō.
The same thought ran through the minds of every Kyokushin-ryu disciple. If only they could wield such a powerful weapon themselves…
"Elder Kumaen! Satoshi should not be treated this way."
Shunichi wanted to push the Twin Curse Faction to acknowledge Satoshi properly.
With Yagyū Yusuke gone, and Satoru and Toji having left earlier, he had no need to hold back his words.
"You've seen the power of Suzumushi firsthand. Can't such a cursed tool help Master Satoru?"
"Young Master Satoshi and Satoru both possess the Six Eyes. If they work together, the sum of their abilities will be far greater than their individual strength alone."
The so-called "False Six Eyes" theory had been something the Twin Curse Faction used to undermine Satoshi. Now, Shunichi was determined to dismantle that narrative.
The Six Eyes were the Six Eyes. Just because Satoshi had no cursed energy didn't mean his Six Eyes were "fake."
His words shook some of the surrounding disciples, who instinctively turned to Kumaen.
As the leader of the Twin Curse Faction, how would he respond?
"Shunichi, you said this is a Zanpakutō? A cursed tool similar to Sode no Shirayuki?"
Kumaen didn't answer directly. Instead, he countered with a question, probing for more details about Suzumushi.
Shunichi hesitated briefly but then nodded.
"Yes, Elder Kumaen! Suzumushi is a Zanpakutō, a cursed tool that Master Satoshi just forged today."
His voice carried a trace of pride.
But he failed to realize the true intent behind Gojo Kumaen's question.
"Oh? So you claim your sword is a Zanpakutō, and its name is Suzumushi?"
"Then tell me—can you use Suzumushi's techniques in the same way Satoshi uses Sode no Shirayuki? If it's a true Zanpakutō, it should have corresponding abilities, shouldn't it?"
Kumaen's words made Shunichi freeze.
"I… I haven't learned how to use Suzumushi's abilities yet. But you've seen its strength! It's far beyond any ordinary cursed tool."
Shunichi argued, but Kumaen simply shook his head.
"If it can't use a technique, then it isn't a Zanpakutō. At most, it's just a strong cursed tool."
With that, Kumaen effectively dismissed Suzumushi's classification as a Zanpakutō.
He had immediately seen the current flaw of the weapon—or rather, the flaw in Shunichi as its wielder.
He knew that Shunichi, having only just obtained his Zanpakutō, would be unable to wield its abilities as skillfully as Satoshi.
Of course, he didn't actually doubt that Suzumushi was a true Zanpakutō.
But right now, he absolutely couldn't admit it.
If Suzumushi was publicly recognized as a Zanpakutō, then the reason the Kyokushin-ryu had defeated Yagyū Shinkage-ryu would be credited to Satoshi.
However, as long as Shunichi couldn't demonstrate its abilities, the nature of Suzumushi remained ambiguous.
As long as that uncertainty existed, it was the best possible outcome for Gojo Kumaen.
It gave him time, time to tighten his faction's grip over the clan before Satoshi could prove Suzumushi's true nature.
The Twin Curse Faction needed to solidify its influence before Satoshi's position became unshakable.
And before that could happen, Shunichi who now wielded Suzumushi had to be sent away.
"Shunichi, you've been lingering in the clan for too long."
"I've already arranged for the clan's Grade 1 sorcerers to recommend you for promotion to Grade 1. The Jujutsu Society has received the request."
"You already have the strength of a Grade 1 sorcerer. You shouldn't remain at Grade 2 any longer."
Kumaen delivered the news casually, as if it were a mere formality.
For the foreseeable future, Shunichi would be occupied with missions under a Grade 1 sorcerer's supervision.
And most importantly, he would no longer be in the clan, interfering with the Twin Curse Faction's plans.
"What? When did this happen? Why am I only finding out about this now?"
Shunichi was stunned. He had been a Grade 2 sorcerer for a long time, but he had never pushed for promotion.
Advancing to Grade 1 was a hassle. It required multiple recommendations from existing Grade 1 sorcerers, not to mention passing a series of difficult missions.
It wasn't something that could just happen overnight.
Yet, Kumaen had arranged for it without even informing him.
A sharp glint flashed in Shunichi's eyes.
Kumaen… what exactly are you plotting?
...
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