Chapter 103: Spiranthes (BONUS)
In the world of Jujutsu, there seem to be no secrets.
The news that the three elites of the Yagyū family visited the Gojo clan early in the morning and personally delivered their ancestral tome, Tsuki no Sho, spread like wildfire, shaking the entire Jujutsu world.
For the Yagyū family, this act was no less shocking than the Gojo clan handing out unlimited Limitless techniques, the Zenin clan giving away the Ten Shadows Technique, or the Kamo clan offering their Blood Manipulation to an outsider.
Even if others couldn't use it, simply offering such a closely guarded secret was enough to make waves, showcasing the Yagyū family's boldness.
Was a Zanpakutō truly worth such a steep price for them?
After all, Tsuki no Sho and their mastery of kenjutsu formed the foundation of the Yagyū family's power.
If the Zanpakutō forged by Gojo Satoshi failed to meet their expectations, then the Yagyū family would be sacrificing their very foundation.
Even their current standing might be at risk.
---
Zenin Clan
The Zenin clan was deeply moved upon hearing the news.
The Yagyū family was willing to part with their most treasured secret in exchange for a single Zanpakutō.
But if they sought to collaborate with Gojo Satoshi, they would inevitably have to operate under his conditions, missing out on other potential opportunities.
The rest of the Jujutsu world might not fully understand, but the Zenin clan knew just how terrifying the Zanpakutō truly was.
Forget the sheer variety of abilities, just Sode no Shirayuki alone, with its seven techniques, could easily wipe out a smaller Jujutsu clan.
And then there was Katen Kyōkotsu, currently wielded by Toji, a blade perfectly suited for the Ten Shadows Technique.
The Yagyū family was undoubtedly braver than the Zenin clan.
They might never get another opportunity to work with Gojo Satoshi again…
---
Kamo Clan
The Kamo clan, on the other hand, was displeased with the Yagyū family's decision.
To them, it felt like the Yagyū were artificially inflating the value of Gojo Satoshi's Zanpakutō.
How could a mere Cursed Tool be worthy of Tsuki no Sho?
In the end, wasn't a Zanpakutō just a weapon for Jujutsu Sorcerers?
Meanwhile, Tsuki no Sho represented the accumulated wisdom of generations, wasn't it far more valuable?
This move by the Yagyū family would only serve to further inflate Gojo Satoshi's already considerable ego.
---
As word spread, other smaller Jujutsu families began weighing their options.
Was it truly worth it to exchange their most prized family tome for a Zanpakutō?
The Yagyū family's gamble had now become the subject of intense scrutiny.
Everyone was waiting to see what would happen after they received their Zanpakutō.
---
Gojo Clan's Forge
"You're so slow, Satoru. It was just a quick trip to the Treasury, but it took you an hour?"
As Satoshi waited for Satoru, he had already read through Tsuki no Sho twice out of sheer boredom.
By the time he was about to start his third read-through, Satoru finally arrived.
With an awkward smile, Satoru set down a spear-shaped Cursed Tool beside the forge.
After retrieving the Cursed Tool, he had made another request to the clan head, hoping to acquire an even higher-quality fire-based Cursed Tool.
Through some pleading, he had managed to secure the clan head's agreement to search for one.
But he wasn't going to tell Satoshi just yet, he wanted it to be a surprise.
"Something came up, Satoshi. Is this the one?"
Satoshi casually placed Tsuki no Sho aside, stepped up to the forge, and reignited the furnace.
A deep rumble echoed throughout the Gojo estate, signaling to all that Satoshi had begun forging once again.
This time, however, no one dared to hold their breath in anticipation.
After all, his back-to-back failures the previous night had left many worried about his health.
Only Gojo Kumaen remained calm.
In his eyes, Satoshi would undoubtedly succeed this time.
Satoshi had never been one to make empty promises.
Since he had assured the Yagyū family, this Zanpakutō would be completed without fail.
Besides, just moments ago in the clan head's chambers, he had learned the real reason behind Satoshi's failure the night before.
"A higher-quality fire-type Cursed Tool?"
Kumaen muttered to himself, excitement flickering in his eyes.
If this deal satisfied the Yagyū family, then he might be able to procure the rare materials Satoshi needed through further negotiations.
Such materials were incredibly rare, but Kumaen had seen them before in his youth.
Now, it was all up to Satoshi.
If Satoru was right, if Satoshi truly intended to forge an exceptionally powerful Zanpakutō for himself, then this deal would likely proceed smoothly.
As soon as the forge was relit, Gojo Shunichi and Gojo Takuya rushed to the scene.
They were both eager to see what kind of Cursed Tool Satoshi would create next.
"You don't need to be so tense, this one isn't difficult to forge."
"Oh, Uncle Shunichi, Tsuki no Sho is right there. Take a look for yourself, there's a lot in it that could benefit you."
Satoshi spoke casually before fully immersing himself in his work.
He had already decided on the Zanpakutō he would forge.
Now, all that remained was to summon the Sword Spirit, channel its power, and melt the water-based Cursed Tool into the blade embryo.
After an hour of focused effort, the forge's flames dimmed, the sound of hammering ceased, and Satoshi finally set down his tools.
A crisp notification echoed in his mind.
[ Ding! Congratulations, Host! Successfully forged the Zanpakutō – Nejibana. ]
In the display room, another Zanpakutō took its place among the others.
[ Zanpakutō: Sode no Shirayuki (Possessor: Gojo Satoshi) (Borrower: None) ]
[ Zanpakutō: Suzumushi (Possessor: Gojo Satoshi) (Borrower: Gojo Shunichi) ]
[ Zanpakutō: Senbonzakura (Possessor: Gojo Satoshi) (Borrower: Gojo Satoru) ]
[ Zanpakutō: Nejibana (Possessor: Gojo Satoshi) (Borrower: None) ]
Satoshi lightly waved Nejibana in his hand.
Beside him, Sode no Shirayuki trembled slightly, as if reacting to the presence of the new blade.
Even in this world, these two Zanpakutō seemed to share an unresolved history.
Satoshi set Neji Hana down and gently comforted Sode no Shirayuki.
These two blades must still carry echoes of their past—of the battle between Kuchiki Rukia and Shiba Kaien.
Master and student. Vice-captain and subordinate. The murderer and the slain.
The entanglement between Nejibana and Sode no Shirayuki was undeniably complicated.
However, in this world, they had no reason to fight anymore.
Here, they could coexist.
---
Satoru looked at the blade with curiosity.
"The forging process went unusually smoothly this time," he noted.
It only confirmed what he already suspected, yesterday's failure wasn't due to Satoshi's skills, but simply because the materials had been lacking.
"What's this Zanpakutō called?" Satoru asked.
"Nejibana."
Satoshi smiled.
"I think it's a perfect fit for the Yagyū's Shinkage-ryu…"
(To be continued.)
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