Chapter 117: Kamo’s True Ending (BONUS)

Outside the Gojo family mansion.

A woman holding a pink paper umbrella quietly observed the pillar of fire piercing the night sky. She gently touched the suture across her forehead.

"Zanpakutō, huh?"

"I didn't expect it to wield such powerful strength."

"This generation of the Gojo clan is frighteningly talented."

Kaori smiled faintly, speaking to herself.

She could sense the immense potential of the Zanpakutō, but she also understood clearly—Gojo Satoshi, in his current state, couldn't yet unleash the weapon's full power.

"Gojo Satoshi, the one who forged the Zanpakutō... can you really keep it for yourself?"

"I like this Zanpakutō very much. Why don't you give it to me?"

A seductive smile spread across Kaori's delicate face. It wasn't as if she hadn't killed a Six Eyes user before.

Originally, she hadn't cared much for the Gojo twins of this generation. But now, Gojo Satoshi might just be worth her attention.

If she could obtain this brand-new Zanpakutō, her future plans would become significantly easier to execute.

…

Inside the forge.

Satoshi ran his hand along the still-hot blade, his heart brimming with satisfaction.

I almost gave up, he thought. But in the end, Ryūjin Jakka was successfully forged.

Obtaining Shōso by accident was the critical turning point.

He should probably thank Kamo Shin for that final provocation.

If he hadn't been so bold with his declaration, he might never have connected the dots to the yakisugi technique.

Gojo Satoshi gently swung the blade. The towering pillar of fire slowly receded, eventually getting fully absorbed into Ryūjin Jakka.

The heat hanging in the air began to dissipate.

[Ding! Congratulations to the host for successfully forging the Zanpakutō: Ryūjin Jakka.]

The system's notification confirmed the birth of Ryūjin Jakka. On the system's Zanpakutō panel, the blade now appeared in the display list.

[Zanpakutō: Sode no Shirayuki (Owner: Gojo Satoshi) (Borrower: None)]

[Zanpakutō: Suzumushi (Owner: Gojo Satoshi) (Borrower: Gojo Shunichi)]

[Zanpakutō: Senbonzakura (Owner: Gojo Satoshi) (Borrower: Gojo Satoru)]

[Zanpakutō: Katen Kyōkotsu (Owner: Gojo Satoshi) (Borrower: Zenin Toji)]

[Zanpakutō: Nejibana (Owner: Gojo Satoshi) (Borrower: Yagyū Saemon)]

[Zanpakutō: Ryūjin Jakka (Owner: Gojo Satoshi) (Borrower: None)]

From this moment on, Gojo Satoshi possessed two Zanpakutō for himself, one ice, one fire.

Sode no Shirayuki and Ryūjin Jakka.

These two blades were more than enough for the current Satoshi.

After all, biting off more than he could chew would only hinder him.

He hadn't even completed the Bankai of Sode no Shirayuki yet, and it would take even longer for Ryūjin Jakka to reach its Zanka no Tachi state.

Moving forward, Satoshi no longer planned to actively pursue forging new Zanpakutō.

His approach would be more casual.

After all, sword borrowers must be chosen with care. Lending a Zanpakutō recklessly would be nothing short of blasphemy toward the blade itself.

…

Satoshi approached Kamo Shin, Ryūjin Jakka in hand.

"Looks like I won the bet between us."

The absent-minded Kamo Shin slowly returned to himself.

At that moment, he looked years older, his energy completely drained.

He had considered going back on the bet, but that idea vanished as quickly as it came.

Right now, the Kamo family wasn't even in the same league as the Gojo clan.

Compared to the flourishing Gojo family, the Kamo clan was clearly in decline.

If his attempt to assassinate Gojo Satoshi was ever exposed, the consequences would be devastating to the Kamo family's already fragile reputation.

That was something he, who had dedicated his life to the clan's revival, could not allow.

Moreover, all the leverage was in Gojo Satoshi's hands now. Kamo Shin understood that this "bet" was no longer anything more than a charitable formality granted by Satoshi.

"I understand."

Kamo Shin's hoarse voice echoed inside the forge.

He cast one last look at the Zanpakutō that had determined his fate, then opened his mouth with difficulty to ask one final question.

"What's the name of that technique?"

Sensing Kamo's sincere curiosity, Gojo Satoshi chose to fulfill the dying man's last wish.

"Flowing Blade-like Flame."

Kamo Shin nodded. In this moment, he was simply a blacksmith.

The forging process he had witnessed from Gojo Satoshi was no longer mere craftsmanship—it was a miracle.

"Flowing Blade-like Flame... what a brilliant technique."

He turned and looked at Gojo Takuya.

"Takuya, the future of the Association will be in your hands. I hope that under your and Gojo Satoshi's leadership, th Jujutsu Blacksmith Association will flourish."

From the moment the first Zanpakutō appeared, he had tried everything to suppress it, knowing it would disrupt the Cursed Tool world's structure.

Now, he understood—he had merely tried to shake a giant tree.

The moment Zanpakutō entered this world, it was destined to leave an indelible mark on the jujutsu world.

This was the trend of the times. If he couldn't understand that, he would only be crushed beneath the wheels of change.

"Grandmaster, you…"

Takuya didn't know about the bet between Gojo Satoshi and Kamo Shin, nor was he aware of Kamo's prior actions.

So, he couldn't understand why Kamo would suddenly entrust him with such responsibility.

But Kamo Shin didn't say another word. He simply dragged his aging body out of the forge and left the Gojo residence step by step.

He was the head blacksmith of the Kamo family, the clan's elder.

His death had to be untainted by disgrace.

It was the only way to preserve what remained of the Kamo family's reputation…

"Satoshi, what's going on with Grandmaster Kamo? What did he mean just now?"

Gojo Takuya frowned. Something felt off about Kamo today.

"Takuya, don't worry. Grandmaster Kamo entrusted the Association to you, so you'll have to bear that responsibility."

Gojo Kumaen patted Takuya on the shoulder.

He knew this was Kamo Shin's final gesture of goodwill toward the Gojo family, a trade before death.

In exchange for sparing the Kamo family, he handed over the fully formed Jujutsu Blacksmith Association.

Kumaen was willing to accept this offer. After all, gaining control over the entire Association was a major opportunity.

It would allow the Gojo family's influence in the jujutsu world to expand even further.

As long as Kamo Shin honored their agreement, the conflict between the Gojo and Kamo clans would end here.

This was exactly what both sides hoped for.

(To be continued.)

***

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