Chapter 80: Synergy—Mutant Shadow (BONUS)
Now that Sode no Shirayuki's abilities had been sealed, how could Gojo Satoshi possibly compete with Zenin Shinsuke?
While most believed the battle was already decided, Toji remained unfazed, a slight smile on his face.
After spending time around Satoshi, he had come to realize something, Satoshi's strength wasn't limited to Sode no Shirayuki's techniques.
The hand-to-hand combat techniques Toji had taught him in the past few days, and the Kendo that Shunichi had drilled into him before, Satoshi had absorbed them all at an alarming rate.
---
"Give up, Gojo Satoshi!"
Shinsuke gripped the Inverted Spear of Heaven, his confidence soaring.
He, too, was convinced of his impending victory. Without its techniques, Sode no Shirayuki was nothing more than an ordinary blade.
As soon as the words left his mouth, Shinsuke vanished, closing the distance to Satoshi in an instant.
He chose not to rely on his Cursed Technique but instead engaged Satoshi directly in close-quarters combat.
After all, if he let go of the Inverted Spear of Heaven, who knew when Gojo Satoshi might unleash another one of Sode no Shirayuki's devastating ice techniques?
---
"Give up? Are you joking?"
Satoshi rubbed his chest, then casually shook Sode no Shirayuki, scattering the frost that had formed as a defensive layer against the Inverted Spear of Heaven's attack. A smirk crept onto his lips.
"You don't actually think my Kendo and hand-to-hand combat are weak, do you?"
Without hesitation, Satoshi charged forward, meeting Shinsuke in direct combat.
Clang! Clang! Clang!—Clang! Clang!—
The rapid exchange of blows rang through the dojo as steel met steel.
At this moment, the two were evenly matched.
No one had expected a six-year-old to possess such astonishing combat skills and mastery of the blade.
Even without its techniques, Sode no Shirayuki was holding its own against a Special Grade Cursed Tool—the Inverted Spear of Heaven.
Shinsuke, who had believed in dominating the weak through sheer power, found himself unable to gain a decisive advantage over Satoshi.
This was something Zenin Ogi had not foreseen.
He had secretly acquired Zenin Naobito's permission to lend the Inverted Spear of Heaven to Zenin Shinsuke, believing it would guarantee victory.
Yet, even with that advantage, the battle was deadlocked.
I underestimated him.
---
Shinsuke, caught in the heat of battle, could feel it firsthand—the overwhelming pressure of Satoshi's swordsmanship.
He couldn't comprehend it.
How is this possible?
How had Satoshi, at just six years old, already mastered Kendo to such an absurd degree?
If someone had told him Satoshi was already a master swordsman, he wouldn't have doubted it.
Because right now, despite wielding the Inverted Spear of Heaven, he wasn't winning in pure swordplay.
The only moments he found openings against Satoshi were through hand-to-hand combat exchanges, disrupting Satoshi's rhythm.
But that wasn't enough.
Shinsuke wasn't satisfied.
He was older, had more combat experience, and yet the battle was at a stalemate.
That was unacceptable.
---
At that moment, he made his decision.
He would activate his Cursed Technique.
A Grade 2 Sorcerer, officially recognized by the Jujutsu Society, Zenin Shinsuke's true combat foundation lay in his techniques.
His ability was unique, allowing him to move freely through shadows. At its peak, he could even control his own shadow as an independent fighter.
While not as powerful as the Zenin Clan's inherited Ten Shadows Technique, his variant of shadow manipulation was formidable in its own right.
The moment his resolve solidified.
He formed a single-hand seal, preparing to unleash his technique.
---
Satoshi immediately reacted.
He, too, realized—this was the decisive moment.
Shinsuke's close-combat skills weren't overwhelming. If he could interrupt the activation of his technique, the battle would be won.
However—
What caught Satoshi off guard was that Shinsuke could still perform his technique while wielding the Inverted Spear of Heaven.
Wait… the Inverted Spear of Heaven cancels all Cursed Techniques.
Then why is Zenin Shinsuke still able to use his own technique?
Before he could think further.
A shadow surged forward, gripping the Inverted Spear of Heaven, and swung it directly at him!
Satoshi barely managed to block with Sode no Shirayuki.
The moment he landed.
Two more shadows materialized, launching a barrage of strikes!
---
"So, he's attacking through the shadows?"
Despite the unrelenting assault, Gojo Satoshi couldn't help but admire the ingenuity of Shinsuke's ability.
No wonder he was considered the strongest among the Zenin family's younger generation.
It was clear now, the Zenin Clan had carefully cultivated him because of his unique Shadow Synergy technique.
But then—
A question surfaced in his mind.
Why was Shinsuke, someone with this level of ability, never mentioned in the original timeline?
He had no time to dwell on the thought.
The battle had reached its climax, the shadow attacks were growing stronger.
Even with all his strength, Satoshi was barely holding them off.
---
If this continued, he would eventually be overwhelmed.
Shinsuke wasn't letting his guard down.
He continued to manipulate the shadows while maintaining control over the Inverted Spear of Heaven.
This ensured Satoshi would have no opportunity to use White Ripple again.
---
"It's over. Gojo Satoshi lost."
Zenin Ogi's eyes gleamed with satisfaction.
Under the relentless attacks of the Inverted Spear of Heaven, Gojo Satoshi was forced into retreat. The conclusion seemed inevitable.
A mere imitation of the Six Eyes dares to act arrogantly in the Zenin Clan's territory?
Ogi sneered.
Fortunately, I planned ahead and made sure Shinsuke had the Inverted Spear of Heaven.
No matter how mysterious the weapon Sode no Shirayuki may be, before a Special Grade Cursed Tool that negates techniques, it is nothing more than an ordinary blade.
The pride of the Gojo Clan, trampled into the dirt by the Zenin Clan.
---
Shinsuke truly deserves to be called the most talented of our younger generation.
His Shadow Synergy technique was practically an extension of the Zenin Clan's legendary Ten Shadows Technique.
If he possessed that inherited ability instead, he would have already claimed an easy victory.
Naobito, observing from the sidelines, had mixed feelings.
Though he had been shocked by the power of Sode no Shirayuki, the effect of the Inverted Spear of Heaven had lessened his interest in it.
Even so—Zanpakutōs had now been proven to be strategic assets.
Yet, Satoshi's current predicament made him reconsider.
Perhaps the Zenin Clan no longer needed to offer such a high price to acquire one from the Gojo family.
---
As for Zenin Shinsuke.
He was already picturing Satoshi falling before him, defeated by the Inverted Spear of Heaven.
This was the moment he had prepared for.
To prove the Zenin Clan was not inferior to the Gojo Clan.
To trample the so-called 'fake Six Eyes' into the ground.
A monkey like Gojo Satoshi, who lacks even a trace of Cursed Energy, is not worthy of wielding a Zanpakutō.
(To be continued.)
***
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