Chapter 112: Know Thyself

After the incident, Kamo Shin finally realized that there would inevitably be animosity between the Kamo and Gojo clans.

He had to start preparing in advance to counter the Gojo clan. And the best option for now was, naturally, to study the forging methods behind Zanpakutō.

Kamo Shin was, in fact, the only true Cursed Tool Grandmaster and he had absolute confidence in this field.

He believed that as long as he observed carefully, he would be able to pinpoint the core principles behind Gojo Satoshi's forging techniques.

"This..."

Kumaen looked hesitant. To be honest, Kamo Shin's suggestion wasn't unreasonable, it involved matters of life and death.

However, this also touched on Satoshi's secrets, and he couldn't help but worry that Kamo Shin might really succeed in learning Satoshi's forging techniques.

Even though he now trusted Satoshi deeply, the fact remained that there was still a small chance of failure.

Even if it was only a small probability, as the representative of the Gojo clan, he had to guard against it.

Thinking this through, Kumaen was worried that Satoshi would feel cornered, so he prepared to directly refuse Kamo Shin's seemingly reasonable request.

Right now, the Gojo clan was the sword, and the Kamo clan was the fish on the chopping board.

A person at the mercy of others, why bother talking about fairness?

But just as he opened his mouth, Satoshi smiled and said,

"Sure. That request can be granted."

Kumaen nodded stiffly. Satoshi really did act beyond common sense, didn't he?

And to think he was worrying about him just now...

…

Inside the forge.

For the first time, Satoshi felt that the large room was a little cramped. It was the first time so many people had gathered in the forge!

The participants in the bet: Gojo Satoshi and Kamo Shin.

Spectators: Gojo Satoru, Gojo Kumaen, Gojo Shunichi, Gojo Takuya, and Zenin Toji.

Satoshi began forging the Zanpakutō alone while six people looked on.

He touched the still-warm Cursed Tool, Kagerō, then felt the item in his pocket that he had improvised from the estate owner. His heart slowly calmed.

A blade like fire, this was Satoshi's last shot.

If he missed this forging, it would be extremely difficult to find another Fire-type Cursed Tool material.

If he failed, he could essentially say goodbye to Ryūjin Jakka in this world.

The furnace roared to life, and the rumbling echoed throughout the Gojo estate.

Everyone knew, Satoshi was forging again.

…

"I heard that the President of the Jujutsu Blacksmiths' Association visited the Gojo estate today to verify whether Young Master Satoshi is qualified to join the Association."

"This forging must be Kamo Shin's test for him, right?"

"I believe Young Master Satoshi will definitely meet the Grandmaster's standards. After all, both Sode no Shirayuki and Young Master Satoru's Senbonzakura, those are epoch-making Cursed Tools!"

"Right. Even though they were made for outsiders, one turned Zenin Toji, just a regular guy into the strongest member of the Zenin clan, and the other helped Yagyū Saemon rise to a Grade 1 Jujutsu sorcerer."

"From now on, with Young Master Satoshi and Satoru, the Gojo clan can basically dominate the entire Jujutsu world!"

"Cut the nonsense. Don't embarrass Young Master Satoshi and Satoru."

"The weather's awful today, it's getting dark, and looks like a storm's coming. Creepy. You think it'll affect our ability to watch the forging?"

"Watch? You mean listen from outside."

"Like you aren't doing the same!"

Members of the Gojo clan waited silently, full of anticipation for Satoshi's results. Many were already imagining the shock on outsiders' faces when the news spread, Satoshi joining the Blacksmiths' Association.

The other clans received similar information. They also assumed Satoshi was firing up the furnace for Kamo Shin's evaluation.

Only a few more perceptive clans had lingering doubts.

From their understanding, Kamo Shin didn't like Satoshi. How could he start an evaluation just one day after visiting?

Something didn't add up, but they lacked key intel.

They could only keep their suspicions buried in their hearts.

…

What they didn't know was that this seemingly ordinary forging was connected to the life and death of the President of the Blacksmiths' Association.

…

One hammer. Two hammers. Three hammers...

This time, Satoshi didn't follow the usual forging technique. He chose to strike the Cursed Tool Kagerō first.

A Special Grade Cursed Tool was indeed a Special Grade. Even after being subjected to prolonged high-temperature forging, the blade merely felt warm, it never actually got hot.

Seeing this, Satoshi finally understood why Kamo Shin had been so confident.

Fire-type Cursed Tools were rare, and due to their inherent traits, their fire resistance was extraordinarily high.

This made reforging them significantly more difficult than Tools of other attributes.

Still, that was no problem for Satoshi.

If one hour wasn't enough, he'd take another.

His body, strengthened by Heavenly Restriction, had undergone extensive, seemingly pointless training but it was enough to support this forging session.

He was no longer the little weakling who got dizzy after forging Sode no Shirayuki.

And so, the monotonous, laborious forging process began...

…

After a full hour, Toji had already given up watching. Shunichi was rubbing his eyes. Even Satoru had begun to doze off. Only Takuya, Kumaen, and Kamo Shin were still intently watching Satoshi's movements.

Kamo Shin: This brat Satoshi is really something. Swinging that hammer for an hour without even flinching? Fine, I'll play along. I want to see just what you can make out of Kagerō.

Gojo Takuya: Satoshi's forging this time feels different from usual. Did he hit a wall? I keep getting the feeling that Kamo Shin is looking at Satoshi strangely. There's something off about his mood.

Gojo Kumaen: That resolve, that posture, that physique! I really underestimated Satoshi's growth these past years. Honestly, he might already be more in control of the Gojo clan than even Satoru...

Each person stood from a different perspective and carried their own thoughts.

But none of that affected Satoshi.

At this moment, he was fully absorbed in the reforging of the Special Grade Cursed Tool Kagerō.

It was a tough one to break through but that only ignited the fighting spirit of Gojo Satoshi, a swordsmith transformed into a god of the forge.

In front of Ōetsu Nimaiya, there's no blade he can't remake!

(To be continued.)