Chapter 110: Kagerō (BONUS)

Inside the main hall of the Gojo Clan.

"This Cursed Object originates from the Kamo Clan."

Gojo Shun, a close confidant of the clan head, pointed to the burning image flickering inside the vessel beside him. Then, flipping open the record book in his hand, he spoke in a low voice:

"Today, the Kamo Clan sent word that Kamo Shin wishes to visit the Gojo family to assess whether Young Master Satoshi is qualified to join the Blacksmith Association."

"According to our investigation, Kamo Shin has repeatedly voiced his disdain for Zanpakutō on multiple occasions and has also expressed strong dissatisfaction with Young Master Satoshi."

"Given the nature of past interactions between Young Master Satoshi and the Kamo Clan, the likelihood of an outside force sending an assassin to target him is almost nonexistent."

"Thus, the probability that this fire-attribute Cursed Object belongs to Kamo Shin is extremely high."

The clan head coughed lightly, raising his gaze toward Kumaen. The two exchanged a look, their thoughts aligning.

"If Kamo Shin is coming to visit the Gojo estate, it's unlikely to be just about Satoshi."

Kumaen's eyes gleamed with resolve.

"His real objective must be to retrieve this Cursed Object."

"He probably has a way to track it. We should take advantage of this."

The old man chuckled, continuing where Kumaen left off.

"Catching him red-handed within the Gojo estate will secure the evidence we need. The Kamo Clan cannot afford another scandal."

"They must pay the price both for the Special Grade Cursed Tool Satoshi requires and for the lives lost due to their scheming."

Kumaen nodded, a sharp glint in his eyes. Since Kamo Shin had dared to plot against the Gojo family, he had no intention of showing mercy.

—

The next day, Kamo Shin arrived at the Gojo estate.

Kumaen personally welcomed him, with Takuya, Satoshi, and Satoru also in attendance. The reception was of the highest standard.

During the banquet, Kamo Shin lavished praises upon the Gojo Clan.

For a time, both host and guest appeared to be enjoying themselves.

After the banquet, Satoshi excused himself, claiming exhaustion.

Kamo Shin, meanwhile, used the pretense of a stroll through the Gojo estate's garden to "clear his mind."

Not long after, he arrived at Gojo Kotetsu's quarters.

—

"Tch… So it didn't work? I didn't expect the Gojo Clan to be so well-prepared that there wasn't even a chance for the evidence to be destroyed."

"Fortunately, after the Shoso leaves the human body, it doesn't stand out much. I'll just reclaim it first."

The moment Kamo Shin reached out to touch the Shoso, his expression shifted.

Something was wrong.

The surface of the object was wet.

That shouldn't be possible.

If no one had discovered this Cursed Object before, it should have remained here for several days.

No matter how much time had passed, the surface should never be moist, it looked as if it had just been retrieved from water.

Kamo Shin's face darkened. Instantly sensing danger, he turned to leave.

But it was too late.

Three figures had already appeared around him.

"Ahem, Grandmaster Shin, it's unfortunate that we Gojo didn't give you the opportunity to erase the evidence."

Kumaen stepped forward, escorting the clan head into the room.

Kamo Shin knew immediately, he had been exposed.

Then, his gaze fell on Satoshi.

Kamo Shin's eyes flashed with murderous intent.

As long as he wasn't caught in the act, the Gojo family wouldn't have concrete evidence linking him to the Shoso.

Without hesitation, he activated his technique, ready to attack.

But in that instant, an overwhelming chill overtook him.

His eyes widened.

The katana that Satoshi had carried throughout the banquet, previously sheathed in its ordinary form had turned pure white.

"First Dance: Moon White."

A brilliant white light bloomed beneath Kamo Shin's feet.

A second later, he lost all control of his body, completely frozen solid.

So this… was the power of a Zanpakutō?

It was the first time Kamo Shin had experienced its effects firsthand. And only now did he truly comprehend the uniqueness and terrifying potential of a Zanpakutō.

He had been right to order Shoso to assassinate Gojo Satoshi.

If these weapons were allowed to spread, traditional Cursed Tools would become obsolete, reduced to mere relics of the past.

For blacksmiths like himself, whose livelihood depended on traditional Cursed Tools, the emergence of Zanpakutō was an existential threat.

Kamo Shin clenched his teeth.

It was a shame.

Not only had he failed to eliminate the threat, but he had also been caught red-handed…

—

Half an hour later.

"What?! You want Kamo's Special Grade Cursed Tool, Kagerō?"

Kamo Shin's expression twisted as Gojo Kumaen made his demand.

In that moment, everything clicked.

The Gojo Clan had been searching for a fire-type Cursed Tool.

He recalled a Grade 2 Cursed Tool that had passed through his hands before.

Now, it was clear, the Gojo family had no interest in debating the morality of what had transpired.

What they wanted was Kagerō.

"That's right. Hand over Kagerō to the Gojo Clan, and we will not pursue your crimes. The death of Gojo Kotetsu will be written off."

Kumaen's eyes held a fierce edge.

Kotetsu had been a prodigious talent. Kumaen could never forgive his murder.

But as the Gojo family's representative, he had to prioritize.

Right now, acquiring the fire-type Cursed Tool was the highest priority. Everything else could be set aside.

Kamo Shin sneered.

"I see. So the Zanpakutō your brat is trying to forge requires Kagerō?"

"A fire-type Cursed Tool… Hah! You arrogant little brat. Do you seriously think you can use one of the rarest fire-type Cursed Tools to forge a fire-type Zanpakutō?"

Kamo Shin's expression grew cold as he recalled the sheer power of Sode no Shirayuki.

An ice-type Zanpakutō was already this formidable.

If Gojo Satoshi successfully forged a peak-grade fire-type Zanpakutō…

The balance of power could be completely upended.

If he handed over Kagerō, he would be giving his greatest enemy an unparalleled weapon.

"You Gojo really underestimate Special Grade Cursed Tools. That brat of yours is delusional for even considering it, and you're even crazier for indulging him."

"As far as I know, the Cursed Tool he used before was only Grade 1 at best."

"A child who hasn't even successfully reforged a Special Grade Cursed Tool, do you seriously think he can turn Kagerō, a relic enshrined by the Kamo Clan for generations, into a Zanpakutō?"

—

Outside the chamber, Satoshi paused slightly before pushing the door open.

From Kamo Shin's words, it was clear, negotiations weren't going smoothly.

Not that it mattered.

This was just one approach.

Kamo Shin foolishly believed that as long as he perished in the Gojo estate, the Shoso incident would be buried with him.

But that was impossible.

With the Gojo family's current strength, if they took direct action, the Kamo Clan would never be able to resist.

Handing over Kagerō was inevitable.

Of course, Kumaen preferred not to take things that far.

The Kamo Clan, while losing influence, was still one of the Three Great Families.

Gojo had no desire to eliminate them entirely.

But if Kamo Shin remained stubborn…

Then Kumaen wouldn't hesitate to make everything public, exposing the Kamo Clan's secret dealings with forbidden Cursed Objects and their attempt to assassinate the Gojo Clan's Six Eyes heir.

A scandal of that magnitude…

Would plunge the Kamo Clan into the same disgrace they suffered 150 years ago.

And that… was an outcome the Kamo Clan could not afford.

(To be continued.)

****

Bonus for 1200 PS