Chapter 49: Suzumushi Nishiki: Benihikō

Through Suzumushi's perspective, Satoshi could feel the true power of its Shikai.

As the Zanpakutō of Tōsen Kaname, the former 9th Division Captain of the Gotei 13, Suzumushi's abilities were a perfect match for a blind Soul Reaper. However, for Shunichi, its techniques were somewhat restrictive.

Still, even though the Avalanche Cursed Spirit had regained its senses, Satoshi wasn't worried about Shunichi's safety.

After all, aside from the Suzumushi Isshiki: Kyōmei, Suzumushi's Shikai had a second ability.

While it might not have stood out much in the Bleach universe, it was still a technique wielded by a captain-class Soul Reaper.

Suzumushi Nishiki: Benihikō should be enough to get Shunichi out of trouble.

As Satoshi pondered the next move, Shunichi spoke again.

"Suzumushi Nishiki: Benihikō (Cricket 2nd Movement: Crimson Flying Locusts)!"

The moment his words fell, Hidetsugu watched in shock as the Zanpakutō in Gojo Shunichi's hand transformed.

In an instant, it split apart into countless razor-sharp blades, their pointed tips gleaming like insect mandibles, raining down from above.

The scene resembled a locust swarm, their ceaseless slashes tearing into the Special Grade cursed spirit's body.

Deep gashes formed in rapid succession, as streams of dark purple blood sprayed from the wounds.

In mere seconds, the massive cursed spirit appeared as if it had been devoured by an actual swarm of locusts.

"ROOOAAAARR—!!"

A howl of agony tore from the cursed spirit's mouth.

Then, Hidetsugu witnessed something unexpected.

Panic.

The Special Grade cursed spirit was afraid.

"Shunichi! It's trying to escape!"

Hidetsugu immediately realized the cursed spirit's intent.

The moment he shouted, the snow monster-like cursed spirit turned, leaped away, shattered through the villa's wall, and vanished into the vast blizzard.

The purple blood trailing behind it was swiftly buried beneath the snow.

Hidetsugu sighed in regret, he wanted to scold Gojo Shunichi for letting it escape.

However, when he saw Shunichi collapse to the ground, he understood.

Those two consecutive techniques had completely drained him.

"We survived…"

With an exhausted breath, Hidetsugu finally relaxed.

And as he did—his vision darkened.

The injuries he had forcefully suppressed surged up once more, making his entire body ache in agony.

Meanwhile, back at the Gojo Family Residence, Satoshi nodded to himself.

Suzumushi's power is stronger than expected.

Even though Crimson Flying Locusts wasn't able to kill the Special Grade cursed spirit, it still proved how formidable Suzumushi's Shikai was.

After all, Special Grade cursed spirits represented the pinnacle of combat power in Jujutsu Kaisen.

Not to mention.

This snow monster-type cursed spirit wasn't just any Special Grade.

It was a high-tier Special Grade threat.

Not everyone could be like Satoru, capable of spotting a single weakness and erasing a Special Grade cursed spirit in an instant…

Well… I should mark this Special Grade cursed spirit.

If I ever get the chance to meet Geto Suguru, I can introduce him to a new business opportunity.

After all, finding Special Grade cursed spirits isn't easy.

Hokkaido, huh? I'll keep that in mind.

Unlike others, who saw Special Grade cursed spirits as a death sentence…

Satoshi saw them as potential assets.

…

One kilometer away from the villa.

The association's auxiliary supervisor suddenly arrived on the scene.

Feeling the lingering presence of the cursed spirit in the distance, Nishinomiya Shuji's face turned pale with fear.

He never expected a Special Grade cursed spirit to appear in a promotion assessment mission.

The association's intel was completely wrong.

Originally, they believed that Gojo Shunichi and Hidetsugu would be more than capable of exorcising a Grade 1 cursed spirit.

But then, the cursed energy signature at the mission site changed suddenly.

By the time Shuji realized something was wrong.

It was already too late.

Now…

There's no trace of the Special Grade cursed spirit inside the villa.

Does this mean…

It killed both of the Grade 1 sorcerers and then escaped?!

Shuji didn't even dare to entertain the thought.

This mission wasn't a regular exorcism task.

The Yagyū clan and the Gojo family were both renowned sorcerer families.

The Gojo family was one of the Three Great Families, and Shunichi was a kendo master, a highly valued figure in the clan.

Although the Yagyū family wasn't as powerful, that only made Yagyū Hidetsugu, a Grade 1 sorcerer even more crucial to them.

After all, Yagyū was the strongest sorcerer in the Yagyū family.

Now, if both of them were dead…

The Yagyū clan and the Gojo family would never let this go.

Shuji shuddered.

He could already see his future.

The association would push all the blame onto him.

This isn't my fault!

Who could've expected a Special Grade cursed spirit to appear?!

"Master Shunichi! Hidetsugu! I really didn't mean for this to happen!"

"I didn't know there would be a Special Grade cursed spirit here!"

"Please… don't come back to haunt me… This isn't my fault…"

Muttering to himself in utter despair, Shuji hesitantly stepped into the damaged villa.

With each step, his expression darkened.

The smell of blood in the air was thick.

He didn't dare move any further.

He was terrified of what he might see.

Were their bodies… torn apart?

Were their corpses… completely unrecognizable?

Just as he was about to turn away, a weak yet determined voice reached his ears.

"If you keep wasting time… Hidetsugu is going to die."

Shuji's entire body froze.

He immediately recognized the voice.

"Master Gojo Shunichi?! You're still alive?!"

He had spoken without thinking, then quickly covered his mouth.

But then—

Does this mean… Hidetsugu is alive too?!

No way…

Could it be that this wasn't a Special Grade cursed spirit after all?

Did the association make a mistake in its assessment?!

How… How are they still alive?!

"Why does it sound like you really wanted me dead?"

Shunichi's voice was filled with cold sarcasm.

"The association made a massive mistake this time."

"They sent me, a mere Grade 2 sorcerer to exorcise a Special Grade cursed spirit?"

"That's insane."

"If I didn't have the Zanpakutō forged by Young Master Satoshi, I'd be dead right now."

"I won't let this slide so easily."

Though frustrated with the association, Shunichi purposely emphasized that his survival was thanks to his Zanpakutō.

With both Yagyū and Shuji as witnesses, Suzumushi was bound to make waves in the jujutsu world.

This should count as another form of support for Young Master Satoshi.