Chapter 115: Numb (BONUS)

Zenin estate.

Zenin Naobito, Zenin Ogi, and Zenin Shinsuke all stared at the pillar of fire that shot skyward from the Gojo family estate.

Their expressions were filled with shock, but in the next second, that shock was completely eclipsed by overwhelming regret.

The Zenin clan was truly in turmoil.

Such a terrifying pillar of fire, such overwhelming power not even a top-tier Jujutsu sorcerer could unleash something like that, let alone a Zanpakutō.

Who would've thought that the six-year-old child they had nearly formed an alliance with could actually forge a Cursed Tool that defied all logic and comprehension?

Gojo Satoshi's Sode no Shirayuki.

Gojo Shunichi's Suzumushi.

Gojo Satoru's Senbonzakura.

Toji's Katen Kyōkotsu

They were already considered insane.

Then there was Nejibana, wielded by Yagyū Saemon.

And now, this newly forged, nameless, flame-wreathed Zanpakutō that was clearly on a whole different level.

At this moment, the Zenin elders wanted nothing more than to exile their own sons and nephews from the clan.

If they hadn't acted so arrogantly back then, if they had simply cooperated one of those Zanpakutō could've been in the hands of the Zenin clan by now.

In a separate room, a cold look formed on Zenin Ogi's face.

He knew that Gojo Satoshi despised him, and that deep-rooted aversion was something he could never understand.

But the result was clear, even if he was shocked by the appearance of this Zanpakutō, there was no longer any hope for the Zenin clan to collaborate with Gojo Satoshi.

And since cooperation was off the table, Satoshi had now become an obstacle to the clan's future.

For the sake of the Zenin family's position in the Jujutsu world, he had to start thinking of ways to suppress both Gojo Satoshi and the entire Gojo clan.

If things continued unchecked, the Zenin clan would eventually be forced to bow down completely to Satoshi.

Elsewhere, Zenin Shinsuke's expression was filled with despair.

Toji's raw physical prowess and the Zanpakutō crafted by Gojo Satoshi, two individuals without any innate Cursed Energy had completely shattered the worldview he once believed in.

He now understood that his past confrontation with Satoshi had likely been his only real chance to stand on even ground.

Zenin Shinsuke realized that he might no longer be qualified to even be Satoshi's opponent.

All this time, he had been chasing after Gojo Satoshi, but perhaps he had never even been in his line of sight.

His heart shattered completely.

The will to compete was gone.

…

Yagyū estate.

The strange phenomenon at the Gojo estate did not surprise the three main members of the Yagyū clan in the slightest. At this moment, they had gathered in the courtyard, calmly discussing the Gojo clan's future.

"Saemon, how do you think this new Zanpakutō forged by Gojo Satoshi compares to the Nejibana in your hands?"

Yagyū Yusuke couldn't clearly gauge the difference between Zanpakutō.

Though he could sense that the fire-type Zanpakutō was stronger, he still wanted to hear Saemon's opinion.

After all, Nejibana was a water-type Zanpakutō. Even if it was slightly weaker, surely the gap wasn't too large—right?

Yagyū Hidetsugu and Yagyū Saemon exchanged helpless glances.

Their patriarch was being too naive.

Yagyū Hidetsugu shook his head. Their families were closely tied, but no matter how generous Satoshi was, it was unrealistic to expect him to hand over a Zanpakutō on the level of Senbonzakura.

That Nejibana was already a miracle. The fact it could match Gojo Shunichi's Suzumushi was more than enough for their family.

Saemon was more straightforward. He placed Nejibana onto the stone table and looked Yagyū Yusuke squarely in the eyes.

"Sir, do you see? Nejibana is trembling."

Hearing that, both Hidetsugu and Yusuke instinctively looked at the blade, but saw no visible change.

They turned back at the same time, waiting for Saemon to explain.

He let out a long sigh.

"Nejibana doesn't dare compare itself to that newly born Zanpakutō. In its heart, that sword is the strongest of them all."

"The birth of that Zanpakutō will elevate the Gojo family's power to an entirely new level."

"What we of the Yagyū clan must do… is follow the Gojo family, earnestly and without hesitation. Their rise is inevitable. That was already the consensus when the Six Eyes were born."

"Everyone has been waiting for Gojo Satoru to mature. But no one expected Gojo Satoshi to push the Gojo clan's advancement forward by at least a decade."

Yagyū Saemon's heart was filled with emotion.

In his eyes, Gojo Satoshi, who possessed no Cursed Energy at all was the one who would truly reshape the future of the Jujutsu world.

Yagyū Hidetsugu and Yagyū Yusuke fell silent.

After a long pause, both nodded at once.

The Gojo family now had Gojo Satoshi.

And in the near future, they would have Gojo Satoru, heir of Limitless and the Six Eyes.

With that terrifying duo, there would be no one left who could rival the Gojo clan.

…

Ieiri household.

Ieiri Inamichi held Shoko in his arms, staring blankly at the flame pillar erupting from the Gojo estate.

His heart was filled with deep regret.

Why didn't I agree to the engagement between Shoko and Gojo Satoshi? That had been the best timing, when no one had yet discovered his potential, when the future was still unwritten. If I had decided then, the Ieiri clan would have been the greatest beneficiary.

He looked down at Shoko, full of remorse.

At the time, he believed that with Shoko's talent, Gojo Satoshi, just a powerless child was unworthy.

So he dismissed the Gojo family's proposal.

He brushed it off then… but now it was entirely out of reach.

The boy who forged a flame-type Zanpakutō of terrifying strength… was no longer the overlooked orphan of the Gojo clan.

"Shoko, have you visited the Gojo estate recently?"

He looked down at his daughter, dozing in his arms, his heart full of complex emotions.

Although Gojo Satoshi had promised to forge a Zanpakutō for Shoko, an unexpected gift it couldn't compare to the deep regret of losing a peerless son-in-law.

"Father… I heard Satoshi made some kind of breakthrough in physical training. Even Toji said he doesn't need further treatment right now, so I haven't gone over."

Shoko rubbed her eyes sleepily, murmuring what she remembered.

Hearing that, Ieiri Inamichi sighed again.

Satoshi's potential was simply too overwhelming. Whether in Zanjutsu or Hakuda, he had already far surpassed the average person.

Toji really is a mirror image of Gojo Satoshi. This Heavenly Restriction isn't a curse at all.

If this continues… Satoshi might surpass even Toji.

Among the two sons of Six Eyes—Gojo Satoshi and Gojo Satoru—who will truly become the strongest in the Jujutsu world?

(To be continued.)

***

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