Chapter 83: No, I Want the Inverted Spear of Heaven! (BONUS)

"It seems that this time, our Zenin family has suffered a huge loss..."

Naobito touched his frostbitten wound, his eyes filled with regret.

Previously, he believed he had valued Zanpakutō enough, even willing to have Toji offer up a cursed tool as a gesture of goodwill.

However, he now realized that both he and Ogi had severely underestimated Gojo Satoshi and his Zanpakutō.

A single Zanpakutō contained seven techniques. Even if Sode no Shirayuki was an exception among them, the sheer potential it displayed was terrifying.

Naobito glanced at Toji beside him with regret. Throughout the battle, Toji had remained unnervingly calm.

If not for the brief moment when Toji lost his composure upon hearing that Sode no Shirayuki possessed seven techniques, Naobito might have believed Toji had already known its secret.

If that were the case, withholding such crucial information from the clan could even be considered an act of betrayal.

However, at this moment, Naobito didn't have the time or energy to investigate whether Toji had prior knowledge.

Right now, Toji was the bridge between the Zenin family and Gojo Satoshi. No matter what, he couldn't isolate him just because of some suspicion.

Moreover, given Satoshi's personality, it was certain that Toji would obtain a Zanpakutō in the future.

When that happened, if the clan and Toji requested to study the Zanpakutō, Toji wouldn't refuse.

Naobito shook his head and turned his gaze toward the one responsible for everything—Gojo Satoshi.

"Satoshi-kun, this time, the Zenin family has indeed failed. As such, I will uphold my previous promise."

"The Zenin family can afford to part with two cursed tools."

"This time, I will personally take you to the Treasury to make your selection. Although our cooperation has been overshadowed by what happened with Shinsuke, I hope you can still acknowledge the Zenin family's goodwill."

"After all, in a family as large as ours, internal struggles for power are inevitable."

Naobito was making his final effort to salvage the situation. Even if the Zenin family had lost their chance to work directly with Gojo Satoshi, he hoped Satoshi wouldn't hold a grudge against the Zenin clan as a whole.

How could that be possible? I plan to keep squeezing more benefits from them. As long as the Zenin family doesn't resent me first…

As long as they keep offering benefits, I don't mind playing the victim!

Walking through the Treasury, Satoshi examined the countless treasures on display. Rows upon rows of cursed tools were neatly arranged on the shelves.

With just a glance, he spotted several cursed tools that could serve as materials for forging Zanpakutō.

He made a mental note of these items—he would claim them sooner or later.

Of course, at this moment, he wasn't choosing for himself.

He was here to see which cursed tools Toji had set his sights on.

After reviewing the ones Toji had marked, Satoshi provided his recommendations.

The quality of these cursed tools was quite good, and their traits closely aligned with the Zanpakutō he had planned to forge for Toji.

However, his attention was caught by a particular short-bladed cursed tool.

"This is the one!"

The cursed tool Gojo Satoshi selected was actually the weakest among the three.

"Are you sure? This is just a Grade 1 cursed tool," Toji questioned skeptically. In his opinion, using a special-grade cursed tool as a forging material would yield a more powerful Zanpakutō.

"If you trust me, take this one."

GmSatoshi shook his head and picked up the short blade. The feeling he got from it was unmistakable.

Although it was only a Grade 1 cursed tool, it was the most suitable choice.

Toji studied Satoshi carefully. After confirming that Satoshi wasn't joking, he nodded.

"You're the forger. You have the final say."

Naobito, who had been observing from the side, immediately formed some suspicions.

He hadn't expected Satoshi to forge a Zanpakutō for Toji so soon.

Originally, he had planned to pressure Satoshi into forging one through a gamble. He never imagined that Toji would obtain a Zanpakutō without even needing to play that game.

Moreover, since Toji ultimately chose a Grade 1 cursed tool, Naobito believed it was a sign of Toji's loyalty to the Zenin family.

After all, giving up a strategic-level special-grade cursed tool was a significant loss.

However, what Naobito didn't realize was that this choice had been entirely dictated by Satoshi.

"Satoshi-kun, is this the only cursed tool you've chosen?"

Naobito mistakenly believed that Satoshi was being considerate of the Zenin family by selecting only a single item.

This perception made him think even more highly of Satoshi's maturity.

But in the next moment, he realized he had been completely mistaken.

Satoshi's second choice wasn't in the Zenin family's Treasury.

"Uncle Naobito, besides this cursed tool, there's another one I want—the Inverted Spear of Heaven."

Naobito's expression stiffened upon hearing Satoshi mention the weapon by name.

In this era, the concealment of cursed tools was paramount. For special-grade cursed tools like the Inverted Spear of Heaven, secrecy was even more crucial.

In battle, the unknown abilities of a special-grade cursed tool could determine the life or death of a Grade 1 sorcerer or even a special-grade curse.

Because of this, sorcerers rarely revealed the true names of their special-grade cursed tools unless absolutely necessary.

Yet, for Gojo Satoshi, this principle didn't seem to exist. He had identified the Inverted Spear of Heaven at a glance.

Is he trying to collect cursed tools that could counter his Zanpakutō in advance?

The Inverted Spear of Heaven's ability is powerful, it nullifies Cursed Techniques. That makes it a natural enemy to the series of Zanpakutō Gojo Satoshi is forging.

What a mistake! What a grave mistake! If only we hadn't included the Inverted Spear of Heaven in this selection… No one even knows it was stored here!

Just as Naobito was about to speak, Satoshi cut him off.

"Uncle Naobito, I've already confirmed this with you. I am allowed to take two cursed tools from the Zenin family, not just from the Treasury."

"So, the Inverted Spear of Heaven should fall under that agreement, right?"

(To be continued.)

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