Chapter 96: It’s Time to Forge for Yourself, Right?

"Toji, I'll leave all the preparations for the construction to you! The funds will be considered your shares. If it turns a profit in the future, you'll get a cut."

Satoshi couldn't help but salivate at the amount of money Toji had access to.

Of course, money alone couldn't buy a Zanpakutō, he would never actually sell one for cash.

Toji nodded. Yorozuya had become the most important thing on his mind.

Now, his focus was on how to build its foundation as quickly as possible.

---

After finalizing plans with Toji for the Yorozuya, Satoshi began thinking about his next steps.

Recently, he had successfully forged Zanpakutō for both Satoru and Toji.

Everything was progressing as planned. With the power of Zanpakutō, both Satoru and Toji had grown significantly stronger.

Given the current state of the Jujutsu world, Toji was now among the strongest combatants in all of Japan.

And in the future, once Satoru fully matured, his brother would also become an unstoppable force.

With Senbonzakura, Gojo Satoru would one day rightfully stand at the peak of the world.

But with Katen Kyōkotsu, Toji might actually be even stronger.

Before Satoru mastered Reverse Cursed Technique, he probably wouldn't be able to beat him.

With two of the most powerful warriors at his side, Gojo Satoshi should have been able to relax.

But something felt off.

This state of being protected… wasn't what he wanted.

His talent wasn't weak.

After all, he was a reincarnator.

He had a system, the same Six Eyes as Satoru, the same Heavenly Restriction as Toji, and access to all four fundamental combat skills of a Shinigami:

Zanjutsu, Hakuda, Hohō, and Kidō.

No matter how he looked at it, he wasn't meant to just rely on Satoru and Toji.

He needed to start focusing on his own growth.

Training his Zanjutsu and Hakuda would require gradual progress, but forging a Zanpakutō would be the fastest way to increase his power.

Senbonzakura and Katen Kyōkotsu had made Satoru and Toji stronger.

So… what kind of Zanpakutō should he forge for himself?

Holding Sode no Shirayuki, the cold aura of the blade cleared his thoughts.

If we're talking about Zanpakutō… there's one that no one can ignore, right?

I already have an ice-type Zanpakutō… it wouldn't be unreasonable to get a fire-type one, would it?

A charred blade appeared in Gojo Satoshi's mind.

If he could truly forge that sword, he would basically be invincible.

Mastery over both ice and fire, combined with Zanjutsu, Hakuda, Hohō, and Kidō—that would make him a true Shinigami.

His heart surged with anticipation.

Sode no Shirayuki was the first Zanpakutō he had ever forged.

Senbonzakura, Katen Kyōkotsu, and Suzumushi… were all forged for others.

But now, it was his turn.

The Zanpakutō he desired most was none other than the strongest fire-type blade in all of Soul Society.

The Zanpakutō wielded by the Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13, Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni.

Ryūjin Jakka!

If he could forge Ryūjin Jakka, it would mean that he had mastered the ability to create any Zanpakutō in Soul Society.

However…

Finding a Cursed Tool compatible with Ryūjin Jakka wouldn't be easy.

So far, after searching through the Gojo and Zenin families' treasuries, he hadn't come across a single fire-type Cursed Tool.

In this regard, the Jujutsu world and Soul Society were oddly similar—fire-based abilities were extremely rare.

Which meant that this time, he couldn't rely on just waiting for materials to appear.

I should be qualified to make demands from the clan head now, right?

I basically made a Grade 1 sorcerer for the family.

I forged Zanpakutō for Satoru and Shunichi.

And most importantly, Toji's victory over Zenin Naobito and Zenin Ogi had undoubtedly forced the Gojo family to acknowledge his strength.

Right now, not a single Jujutsu sorcerer within the Gojo family could stand against Toji.

Not even Satoru, despite having Six Eyes and Limitless.

Everything Satoshi had accomplished so far had earned him leverage.

If the Gojo and Zenin families didn't have the materials, then he would ask the clan leader to find them for him.

---

At the Same Time

Inside the Gojo family head's residence, Gojo Tsubaki was reporting his findings from his investigation at Jujutsu High's Warehouse.

Sitting in the room, Gojo Shunichi and Gojo Takuya silently listened.

"...So it's true?"

The old man sighed, glancing toward the sealed container beside him.

"The Ninth Cursed Womb has been stolen. That means the object inside must be Shoso, the Scorched Phase of the Nine Cursed Wombs."

"I originally believed that only the top three Special Grade Cursed Objects were unique among the Nine Cursed Wombs. I never expected this ninth one to be so special as well."

Gojo Shunichi nodded immediately.

"Before Kotetsu attacked Young Master Satoshi, I actually met him once. But at the time, I didn't notice anything unusual."

"Based on his movements during that period, he behaved normally for at least three days. There was no opportunity for him to absorb Shoso's flesh."

"Which means that Shoso must have taken over his body at least three days prior… and nobody noticed."

Shunichi's deduction was met with agreement.

Gojo Tsubaki added seriously:

"Since they weren't Special Grade Cursed Objects, the other six Cursed Wombs didn't receive much attention from the sealing teams."

"This gave the mastermind an opening to swap them out."

"But… there were six Cursed Wombs available, from the Fourth to the Ninth. And yet, they only replaced Shoso."

"The only explanation is that Shoso has an incredibly powerful stealth ability."

The old man nodded slightly and then turned to Shunichi.

"Summon Kumaen. I have something to discuss with him."

Shunichi hesitated for a moment.

"Elder Kumaen? Is it really wise to involve him in this?"

"After all… this situation isn't in Satoshi's favor. Elder Kumaen's position—"

He stopped mid-sentence.

The old man shook his head, his expression calm and unwavering.

"Kumaen is the acting clan head now. He has a right to know."

"And since Satoshi allowed Kumaen to take that position, he must be prepared to take responsibility as well."

"Don't worry, Shunichi."

"Kumaen holds the highest seat in the clan, which means he will act in the Gojo family's best interests."

"Besides…"

"The moment Satoru obtained Senbonzakura, Satoshi's position within the Gojo family became untouchable."

(To be continued.)