Chapter 81: Third Dance

Compared to the arrogance of the other members of the Zenin clan, Toji remained calm.

Even though Satoshi seemed to be at a disadvantage, Toji showed no signs of concern.

He didn't believe that Sode no Shirayuki's Zanpakutō had been pushed to its limit.

Since there was a First Dance and a Second Dance, it stood to reason that Sode no Shirayuki had a Third Dance as well.

Moreover, Satoshi had mentioned before that a Zanpakutō had another form—Bankai.

Sode no Shirayuki hadn't even revealed its true form yet. How could anyone say that Satoshi was losing?

In fact, at this moment, Toji was even hoping that Zenin Shinsuke would prove stronger.

If Zenin Shinsuke could suppress Satoshi further, then perhaps Toji would get the chance to witness Sode no Shirayuki's Bankai.

---

In the center of the battlefield, Satoshi wielded Sode no Shirayuki, barely holding his own against Shinsuke and his coordinated shadow, which manipulated the Inverted Spear of Heaven.

Satoshi's swordsmanship and combat skills were being pushed to their limits.

However, the situation remained precarious. After all, Shinsuke could still utilize his technique freely, while Sode no Shirayuki's abilities were restrained by the Inverted Spear of Heaven.

The First Dance: Moon White and the Second Dance: White Ripple were both large-scale techniques. But the slightest contact with the Inverted Spear of Heaven would render them ineffective.

Against two opponents at once, Satoshi was steadily losing ground—just as the Zenin clan had expected.

Even Zenin Shinsuke, standing in the midst of battle, thought the same.

He eagerly awaited the sight of Satoshi's frustration.

Satoshi's defeat would bury Sode no Shirayuki's Zanpakutō in disgrace.

That was the outcome Shinsuke both anticipated and desired.

As his thoughts filled with excitement, his attacks became increasingly aggressive, completely abandoning his previous caution.

His coordinated shadow wielded the Inverted Spear of Heaven, applying pressure while his own body advanced with precise movements.

The coordination between them was seamless—fluid, almost artistic.

Yes, Zenin Shinsuke was performing.

With the Zenin clan's upper echelons watching and a rare opponent from the Gojo family standing before him, he had to showcase his full potential.

If this was a fight where victory was assured, then his performance was justified.

However—

To Satoshi and Toji, Zenin Shinsuke's attacks were far too reckless.

We won't get to see Sode no Shirayuki's Bankai after all.

Noticing that Shinsuke had let his guard down, Toji sighed. He knew Satoshi's opportunity had come.

The moment is here.

Satoshi's eyes narrowed slightly. For the first time, he engaged Zenin Shinsuke directly in hand-to-hand combat.

Sode no Shirayuki clashed repeatedly with the Inverted Spear of Heaven, the metallic echoes ringing throughout the dojo.

The intensity of the battle sharpened in an instant.

To the uninformed members of the Zenin clan, it seemed as though Satoshi was desperately holding on. Such fierce exchanges could easily expose openings for Zenin Shinsuke to exploit.

After all, with his shadow's assistance, Zenin Shinsuke held the numerical advantage.

And that's exactly how it appeared.

But only Toji noticed the gleam in Satoshi's eyes.

He understood immediately.

Shinsuke had fallen into Satoshi's trap.

---

"Gojo Satoshi! Just admit defeat. You can't beat me!"

Shinsuke was exhilarated. Since he began learning kendo, he had never encountered such a compatible opponent.

Every one of his strikes seemed to target Satoshi's weak points.

As expected, his talent in kendo was unmatched.

The Gojo clan had once claimed that Gojo Satoshi's swordsmanship rivaled that of a master, but that was nothing but exaggeration.

Because Gojo Satoshi was being overpowered.

That realization made Zenin Shinsuke dismiss the sophistication of Satoshi's swordplay.

So this is all the Gojo family has to offer.

But then—

The moment he saw Satoshi's expression, something felt wrong.

Although arrogant, Zenin Shinsuke wasn't oblivious.

Why does this feel… strange?

Gojo Satoshi's current movements.

He's been feeding me openings…

Why am I enjoying this fight so much?

Because Gojo Satoshi is allowing me to attack.

Shinsuke's face twisted as realization struck. Something was off.

But it was too late.

A faint smirk appeared on Satoshi's lips.

"Here I come."

At that moment—

Sode no Shirayuki suddenly locked down the Inverted Spear of Heaven, restraining Zenin Shinsuke's coordinated shadow.

Shinsuke's instincts screamed.

A powerful sense of crisis surged through him.

But he couldn't pinpoint the source.

His coordinated shadow still controlled the Inverted Spear of Heaven, so Sode no Shirayuki's large-scale freezing techniques shouldn't be able to activate.

Then why?

Why does this white blade feel so cold?

The sensation was identical to their previous battle.

That moment of absolute stillness, frozen in white snow.

Shinsuke's right fist was about to land on Satoshi, but under the weight of this inexplicable dread, he hesitated—forcing himself to stop.

The spectators didn't understand.

They only saw Shinsuke's movements suddenly becoming rigid and unnatural.

By all rights, that punch should have decided the match.

But before they could grasp what was happening.

Gojo Satoshi's calm, resonant voice echoed across the dojo.

"San no mai: Shirafune (Third Dance—White Sword)."

---

So there was a third technique after all.

Toji nodded in silent acknowledgment. Everything had played out as he predicted.

The expressions of the Zenin clan members changed drastically.

"A third technique?!"

They had never anticipated this.

As Satoshi's voice fell.

The dojo's atmosphere shifted instantly.

The damp chill that had lingered in the air vanished, replaced by absolute dryness and cold.

It felt as if their very skin would crack under the sheer absence of moisture, as if all water had been extracted from the air itself.

In the midst of this eerie transformation, Shinsuke watched in horror as Sode no Shirayuki, which had been clashing against the Inverted Spear of Heaven began to crystallize.

The blade solidified into pure ice, rapidly extending outward.

In an instant.

The sword doubled in length.

A moment later—

The elongated Sode no Shirayuki pierced through Shinsuke's body.

The freezing energy consumed him.

His coordinated shadow lost control, and the Inverted Spear of Heaven clattered to the ground.

The battle, where Zenin Shinsuke had seemingly held the upper hand.

Ended in an outcome no one had predicted.

Zenin Shinsuke had lost again.

(To be continued.)