When news spread that the Zenin family had obediently handed over the Cursed Tool, many minor families were surprised.
But thinking about the extravagant envoy Lord Tengen had dispatched this time, they felt it was only natural. In this situation, what kind of family would dare resist?
Gojo Satoru, Zenin Toji, and Tsukumo Yuki.
After the previous incident involving the attack on Satoshi, the strength of these three individuals had become widely known.
One was Satoshi's brother, one was his friend, and the other his girlfriend...
The presence of these three alone seemed to declare to the Zenin family: I, Satoshi, have come to take something from you.
Putting themselves in the Zenin family's shoes, many of the other curse-wielding families couldn't help but feel they'd also be filled with resentment if they were in their place.
But considering Satoshi's connections, especially with Lord Tengen, and the fact that even the Gojo Clan could leverage such ties, it was clear that the Zenin family had no choice but to accept the loss.
This time, Lord Tengen's involvement had thoroughly tied the concept of the Cursed Tool and Zanpakutō together.
The source of forging Zanpakutō stemmed from Cursed Tools, which is why many jujutsu families still valued them. Whether or not they could ask Satoshi to help their family forge one, they at least needed to gather a few Cursed Tools to use in the meantime.
As a result, the price of Cursed Tools soared, and the blacksmiths of the Jujutsu Blacksmith Association, seeing the flood of incoming orders, were left confused.
At first, they had deep resentment toward Satoshi. After all, the bizarre existence of Zanpakutō had completely upended the world of Cursed Tools.
But now, thanks to the influence of Zanpakutō, their profits had skyrocketed.
They couldn't even find a reason to be mad anymore...
…
Tombs of the Star.
Watching the trio return after only half a day with the Cursed Tool in hand, Satoshi couldn't help but be impressed with their efficiency.
"Is this the Zanpakutō you're forging for Lord Tengen?"
With no outsiders around, Satoru gave voice to his curiosity.
After all, he too was eager to know what kind of Zanpakutō Satoshi would forge for Lord Tengen.
He really wanted to know—would Tengen's Zanpakutō be cooler than his own Senbonzakura?
Satoshi took the Cursed Tool, felt its properties, and nodded slightly.
It aligned perfectly with Lord Tengen's needs and was highly compatible with Urozakuro.
"Yes. Lord Tengen is a treasure of the jujutsu world. I should help shoulder some of her burdens."
He casually tossed the Cursed Tool in his hand, then smiled at Yuki.
"Lord Tengen's Zanpakutō is already decided. What about you, Yuki? What kind of Zanpakutō do you want?"
Yuki, who was suddenly addressed by Satoshi, looked startled. A Zanpakutō? Was Satoshi planning to forge one for her?
"For me?"
She asked, a little in disbelief.
"Yeah. Didn't you also help out with Ryūjin Jakka this time?"
Satoshi smiled.
"Lord Tengen even told me that the awakening of Ryūjin Jakka was thanks to your contributions, Yuki."
"Besides, I've been meaning to forge one for you anyway. I just hadn't figured it out yet, so now's a good time to ask for your opinion."
"What kind of Zanpakutō do you want? If it's within my capabilities..."
Satoshi's sincerity left Yuki momentarily lost in thought. At the same time, she could feel his consideration for her.
Even though she wasn't involved in the conversation between Satoshi and Tengen, she already knew that by forging Tengen's Zanpakutō, he was also paving the way for her.
Now, he was even preparing to forge one for her personally. Was this his way of acknowledging her?
Seeing Yuki fall into a daze, Satoshi didn't say anything else. He turned and headed toward the blacksmith furnace that Lord Tengen had prepared, Zanpakutō in hand.
He would give Yuki time to think. There was no rush.
After all, he had transmigrated earlier than most, and had long since grown into someone capable of truly changing the world.
…
"Uncle Okkotsu, can we go take a look?"
Geto Suguru was practically itching to see it. After learning about Satoshi's true identity, he had gone out of his way to find out more about his Zanpakutō.
Now that he knew how powerful they were, he desperately wanted one of his own.
They weren't just powerful—they were rare, luxurious, and a symbol of status.
And now, the chance to witness the forging of one firsthand—this opportunity might never come again...
"Uh, I don't know if that's allowed."
Okkotsu Yuto smiled awkwardly. He wasn't sure whether there were any taboos involved in the Zanpakutō forging process.
"Huh? Aren't you related to Satoshi?"
Geto was surprised. He didn't expect Yuto to be so useless that he didn't even have access.
Yuto: "Distant relative. Very distant. I don't have the authority to make decisions for Satoshi."
Geto: "Tch, when I saw you using that much Cursed Energy, I thought you were some big shot. Turns out, you're just related to a big shot..."
Yuto: "..."
Geto: "Don't you want to see it? It's a Zanpakutō! Have you forgotten how majestic Ryūjin Jakka was? When I faced that sword, I thought this place would be reduced to ashes."
Yuto: "Then you've never seen the power of Sode no Shirayuki. That's the most beautiful Cursed Tool I've ever seen. If you get the chance, you have to see it."
Geto: "So, Uncle Okkotsu, don't you want to see what Tengen's Zanpakutō will look like?"
Yuto: "I really do..."
Geto: "Then why not just go and ask?"
After listening to the back-and-forth between Geto Suguru and Okkotsu Yuto for a while, Satoshi shook his head helplessly.
"If you want to watch, just come in. There aren't any secrets. It's just an ordinary Zanpakutō. As long as it hasn't reached Bankai, it won't be of much use to Lord Tengen anyway."
With that, Satoshi began forging with practiced ease.
Even though it was an unfamiliar place and the tools were different, he handled everything without issue.
After all, he had already forged the incredibly difficult Ryūjin Jakka. A Zanpakutō based on Urozakuro was no challenge for him.
Besides, no one could learn the art of forging Zanpakutō just by watching. He might as well satisfy Geto and Yuto's curiosity.
(To be continued.)
***
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