Chapter 48: The Hum!

Satoshi, seated in the forge with his eyes closed in meditation, made his decision. Given the current situation, if he continued to wait, Shunichi and Hidetsugu would likely die on this mission.

Without hesitation, Satoshi activated the Zanpakutō Resonance function and took control of Suzumushi's communication.

[Gojo Shunichi, can you stop treating me like an ordinary katana?]

Shunichi, still sprinting for his life, suddenly froze.

A voice had just echoed inside his mind.

That brief moment of distraction nearly cost him, he felt the cursed spirit rapidly closing the gap.

"Shunichi, don't lose focus! Hold on—the association should have noticed something is wrong by now!"

Yagyū Hidetsugu, suppressing the metallic taste of blood rising from his injured organs, shouted a warning.

Even though the situation was dire, it still wasn't time to give up completely.

Hearing the voice, Shunichi quickly snapped out of his daze and continued running. He had no idea where the voice had come from.

However, after recalling the words just spoken, a bold guess formed in his mind.

Could it be…

Was it… Suzumushi?

[Is that you, Suzumushi?]

[Of course, it's me!]

[Honestly, how embarrassing. Gojo Shunichi, do you really want to achieve Shikai and counterattack? Think carefully, do you truly wish to use me?]

Satoshi guided Shunichi, reminding him that he needed to deepen his connection with Suzumushi. Without that bond, the Zanpakutō would never fully respond to him.

Amid the chaos, Shunichi finally remembered—he still had his greatest trump card.

I haven't achieved Shikai with Suzumushi yet!

If I can unlock its Initial Release… maybe I can actually defeat this Special Grade cursed spirit!

Gripping Suzumushi's hilt tightly, Gojo Shunichi forced himself to calm down.

But… how do I unlock Shikai?

When I fought against Sode no Shirayuki before, I didn't feel any signs of an awakening…

But now, Suzumushi is reaching out to me. Does this mean I've already touched the threshold of enlightenment?

Shunichi had no idea that the voice came from Satoshi.

However, by sheer coincidence, he believed that Suzumushi itself was guiding him.

That realization filled him with newfound confidence.

"Suzumushi!"

"Suzumushi!!"

"Suzumushi!!!"

Shunichi began calling Suzumushi's name repeatedly, using the simplest yet most direct method to awaken its true power.

And in response to his will, something changed.

A powerful resonance surged from Suzumushi, pulsing through his entire being.

It was as if countless crickets had suddenly awakened from slumber, their cries forming a chorus that echoed through his soul.

For the first time… Gojo Shunichi felt truly connected to his Zanpakutō.

For the first time… he felt Suzumushi's name responding to him.

For the first time… the act of calling its name felt right.

"Cry, Suzumushi!"

The words left his lips instinctively.

And at that moment—his Zanpakutō transformed.

Although the changes weren't as dramatic as Sode no Shirayuki's, it was undeniably different from before.

Feeling Suzumushi's response, Shunichi knew—this was Shikai.

Suddenly, two techniques surfaced in his mind.

[Suzumushi Isshiki: Kyōmei (Cricket 1st Movement: Resonating Echo) ] and [Suzumushi Nishiki: Benihikō (Cricket 2nd Movement: Crimson Flying Locusts) ].

Understanding the techniques of Suzumushi's Shikai, Gojo Shunichi smiled.

In that instant—he stopped running.

He turned to face the cursed spirit.

"Master Shunichi! Don't give up! The association's support is on the way!"

Hidetsugu's face twisted in shock.

What the hell was Gojo Shunichi thinking?!

He had already warned him once, which he considered repayment for the life-saving favor earlier.

If Gojo Shunichi wanted to die here, so be it.

He wasn't going to risk himself any further.

Frustrated, Hidetsugu glanced at Gojo Shunichi one last time—

And then…

His gaze was instantly drawn to the Zanpakutō in Shunichi's hands.

What kind of weapon is that?!

Has Master Shunichi always had such a blade?!

But even if it's a new cursed tool, it shouldn't be able to do anything against a Special Grade cursed spirit!

Forget it. I just want to make it out of here alive.

Just as Hidetsugu steeled himself to escape, an unprecedented force suddenly erupted from Gojo Shunichi's blade.

And then—he heard it.

A low, rhythmic hum.

"Suzumushi Isshiki: Kyōmei (Cricket 1st Movement: Resonating Echo)."

As Gojo Shunichi spoke, Suzumushi vibrated violently, emitting a deep, resonant "buzzing" sound—

Like the chorus of countless crickets awakening at once.

Then—

A gray ripple expanded outward from Suzumushi, sweeping toward the Special Grade cursed spirit.

Hidetsugu's body went rigid.

Because the cursed spirit, the same one that had relentlessly pursued them.

Suddenly stopped.

It just… stood there.

A Special Grade cursed spirit… was being controlled by a weapon?!

How is this possible?!

No matter how strong a cursed tool is, it still depends on who wields it!

Could it be… Gojo Shunichi is far stronger than a Grade 1 sorcerer?!

That shouldn't be possible!

If he was this powerful, we wouldn't have struggled so badly earlier!

Hidetsugu's mind was in turmoil, his eyes filled with disbelief as he stared at Shunichi.

But for now, at least for now, they could breathe.

It seemed that this mysterious cursed weapon could help them escape.

However—

Just as Hidetsugu cautiously approached Shunichi…

Something changed.

The Special Grade cursed spirit suddenly snapped out of its trance.

Its blood-red eyes burned with unrestrained fury.

The sheer pressure radiating from it made Hidetsugu's heart sink.

Damn it. The effect only lasted a few seconds…

That's nowhere near enough against a monster like this.

He clenched his jaw.

This is bad.

This time… I'm going to die alongside Shunichi.

Well… at least the Yagyū clan will consider it an honor to have perished beside a kendo master.

Saemon… once Shunichi dies, you should be able to get promoted.

Right?

As death loomed, Hidetsugu's mind spiraled into absurd thoughts.

His legacy, his place in history, whether the patriarch would add his name to the family shrine…

But no matter what he thought.

Nothing changed the harsh reality before him.

He was standing far too close to a Special Grade cursed spirit.

And right now… he couldn't think of any way out.

***

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