Chapter 102: Hidden Functions

Before Kumaen could say anything further, Yagyū Yusuke interrupted him.

"There's no need for apologies, Kumaen-dono. With Satoshi-kun and Satoru-kun in the Gojo family, your clan's future will only shine brighter."

"Saemon, from this day forward, Yagyū Shinkage-ryū and Gojo Kyokushin-ryū shall be brother schools. Once you receive your Zanpakutō, never forget the debt of gratitude you owe to Satoshi-kun and the Gojo family."

Yagyū Saemon immediately lowered his head in acknowledgment, his heart filled with anticipation for the Zanpakutō that Satoshi would forge for him.

While others viewed Satoshi's failed forging attempts as a setback, the Yagyū family had chosen to trust him completely.

Rather than offering help when it was convenient, they had extended their hand when it truly mattered.

Seeing how much this meant to the Yagyū clan, Gojo Kumaen fully grasped just how valuable the Zanpakutō was to them.

For those without Jujutsu talent, a Zanpakutō was equivalent to an external organ, granting them the power of a Jujutsu Sorcerer.

Even a kendo master, once disregarded by the Jujutsu world, could suddenly become a force to be reckoned with.

If Zaemon were to awaken a suitable Zanpakutō ability, he might very well stand at the pinnacle of the Jujutsu Sorcerer ranks.

Gojo Kumaen shook his head. No matter the outcome, this would ultimately benefit the Gojo family.

---

"Satoshi, you just started forging yesterday. You're really planning to forge another Zanpakutō today without taking a break?"

Satoru's concern was evident in his eyes.

He believed that two consecutive forging failures must have dealt a significant blow to Satoshi.

He didn't want him to push himself too hard, he wanted him to rest and approach the next forging attempt at full strength.

Feeling Satoru's concern, Satoshi smiled warmly.

But he wasn't as fragile as Satoru thought.

Forging a Zanpakutō for Yagyū Saemon wasn't just a matter of obligation—it was also a way to refine his own forging techniques.

If his body truly couldn't handle it, he wouldn't force himself for the sake of the Yagyū family.

More importantly, Tsuki no Sho had given him an entirely new method of accumulating experience.

Completing this Zanpakutō was not just about repaying a debt, it was a chance to test this discovery.

"It's fine, Satoru. Just go and get me the Cursed Tool first."

"As for forging failures—haven't we already experienced plenty?"

"It doesn't affect anything. We've already identified the issue. As long as I have the right materials, I can definitely complete the Zanpakutō."

Seeing Satoshi's confidence, Satoru finally felt at ease.

That didn't change the fact that finding the right materials remained a huge problem.

Satoru silently resolved to speak with the clan leader and secure the Cursed Tool Satoshi needed—no matter the cost.

He could tell that this Zanpakutō meant even more to Satoshi than Sode no Shirayuki.

A part of him couldn't help but wonder.

What kind of Zanpakutō could make Gojo Satoshi, the forger himself, place such high expectations on it?

"Alright, Satoshi, I'll go get you the Cursed Tool."

With that, Gojo Satoru vanished from sight, leaving Satoshi to walk leisurely toward the forge, holding Tsuki no Sho in his hands.

Tsuki no Sho was truly a treasure.

The first reading alone had given him 3,000 points of Zanjutsu experience—and subsequent readings might yield even more.

If there were other swordsmanship classics on the same level as Tsuki no Sho, wouldn't that mean he had a faster and more efficient way to gain experience?

Though he wasn't obsessed with swordsmanship, any method of improving his strength was worth exploring.

If reading could increase Zanjutsu, then wouldn't the same principle apply to Hakuda and Hohō?

But what about Kidō?

He still wasn't sure how Kidō and Jujutsu techniques functioned in this world.

That was something he'd have to figure out later.

Discovering this hidden system function had completely lifted his spirits.

At this rate, if he continued on this path.

One day, he might truly become the strongest Shinigami, mastering every Zanpakutō and Shinigami art.

---

Meanwhile, the three Yagyū members were on their way home.

Their eyes shone with excitement, they hadn't expected things to go so smoothly.

Even though they had given up Yagyū Jūbei's legendary swordsmanship manual, they felt no regrets.

Trading Tsuki no Sho for a Zanpakutō was an undeniable victory.

"Saemon, with this, you can finally become a Jujutsu Sorcerer! The future of our clan will truly be in your hands now."

Yagyū Hidetsugu let out a sigh of relief.

As the strongest Jujutsu Sorcerer in the Yagyū family, he had always carried the burden alone.

Now that Saemon would share that weight, their clan's future seemed brighter than ever.

Yagyū Yusuke added,

"This Zanpakutō will become a sacred treasure of Yagyū Shinkage-ryū."

"Saemon, you must study it carefully and record everything about how to wield and master it."

"Perhaps, in the future, you will become our generation's Yagyū Jūbei, and leave behind a swordsmanship classic that rivals Tsuki no Sho!"

Both Yagyū Hidetsugu and Yagyū Yusuke had absolute faith in Satoshi's Zanpakutō.

Even if it didn't come with a technique perfectly suited for Saemon, the sheer quality of the weapon alone would be enough to take his swordsmanship to new heights.

After all, the memory of Suzumushi slicing through samurai swords like paper was still fresh in their minds.

Saemon suppressed his excitement and silently vowed to cherish this opportunity.

Becoming a Jujutsu Sorcerer had always been his dream.

But because he lacked Jujutsu talent, he had dedicated himself entirely to kendo instead.

He had become the youngest kendo master in the Yagyū family.

Yet for a declining clan, a kendo master alone wasn't enough.

To restore the Yagyū family's status in the Jujutsu world, they needed stronger Sorcerers.

He had resigned himself to a lifetime of swordsmanship, never imagining that he would one day meet Gojo Satoshi.

A child with Six Eyes, no Cursed Energy, yet the ability to forge Zanpakutō.

Saemon was convinced.

This was a gift from fate.

If he let this opportunity slip, he would forever be shut out from the Jujutsu world.

He knew.

The Zanpakutō that Gojo Satoshi forged for him would be perfect.

And once he wielded it, the name Yagyū Saemon would be carved into the annals of Jujutsu history.

(To be continued.)

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