The forging of Urozakuro went very smoothly, and Satoshi appeared completely relaxed throughout the entire process.
When they saw the Asauchi materialize, Yuto and Suguru looked a little surprised. The Zanpakutō looked extremely plain and unremarkable.
They were also curious about what Satoshi would do next.
What kind of power could he imbue into this simple Zanpakutō to make it so formidable?
However, Satoshi's next action completely stunned the two of them.
"???"
That's it? This is the process of forging a Zanpakutō?
Isn't it a bit too casual?
As Satoshi completely extinguished the flames of the furnace, Yuto and Geto finally realized that everything was already over.
Satoshi felt the system notification in his mind, and the corners of his lips lifted slightly.
[Congratulations to the Host for successfully forging the Zanpakutō Urozakuro.]
A new entry was added to the Zanpakutō display room.
[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)]
[Zanpakutō: Urozakuro (Owner: Gojo Satoshi) (Borrower: Tengen)]
…
Tengen examined the Zanpakutō in her hand with a solemn expression.
So this is the Zanpakutō Satoshi mentioned, the one that could help her achieve assimilation?
Then, what kind of power does this Zanpakutō hold? Could it possibly match the strength of Ryūjin Jakka?
The thought made her shake her head.
That was unlikely. If it were truly on the level of Ryūjin Jakka, even she wouldn't be generous enough to give it away.
"What do its Shikai and Bankai look like?"
Tengen held the blade, trying to sense its resonance.
While Satoshi was forging the Zanpakutō, she had also exchanged insights and techniques regarding Zanpakutō with Satoru and Toji.
So far, only Satoshi had achieved Sode no Shirayuki's Bankai, so Tengen didn't expect too much. She just hoped to first understand the Shikai of Urozakuro.
In her view, she was talented.
Since both Satoru and Toji were able to reach Shikai the moment they received their Zanpakutō, she believed she would be no different.
But the outcome greatly shocked her.
She couldn't sense any consciousness from the Zanpakutō, nor could she grasp the release phrase for its Shikai.
If she didn't know for certain that Satoshi would never lie to her about something like this, she would have doubted whether he was just trying to please her.
Under Tengen's questioning gaze, Satoshi smiled faintly.
Urozakuro was not an ordinary Zanpakutō.
Not to mention Tengen, even Satoshi himself had no idea what Urozakuro's Shikai abilities were.
In the original world, the Soul Reaper who wielded this Zanpakutō achieved Bankai directly, without ever going through Shikai.
So even if Tengen looked at him with such suspicion, he really didn't have any answers to offer.
"As long as you can achieve Bankai, the problem that has plagued you for so long will definitely be resolved."
"Lord Tengen, for your own sake, please try to connect with Urozakuro."
Although a bit frustrated by Satoshi's response, Tengen could sense that he wasn't lying or trying to make things difficult for her.
From the earlier experience, she knew that everything he said was true.
"You're really keeping things mysterious, Urozakuro."
Tengen shook her head with a sigh and sheathed her Zanpakutō.
No matter what, this still gave her another option. As for when she would achieve Bankai and how she would do it, she couldn't rush it.
…
And just like that, with Tengen becoming the official borrower of Satoshi's sword, his trip to the Tombs of the Star came to a perfect conclusion.
…
On his last night at the Tombs of the Star, Satoshi lay quietly on the terrace.
Admiring the starry night sky here had a unique charm. This visit had been incredibly fruitful.
His Zanpakutō, Ryūjin Jakka, had successfully awakened one of its techniques. He had learned to control its Shikai power, and his strength had risen rapidly.
At the same time, he had subdued Jogo, marking a breakthrough in his handling of cursed spirits.
Most importantly, Tengen's Zanpakutō was now complete.
Urozakuro was undoubtedly extremely significant for Tengen. Satoshi firmly believed that she would be motivated to reach Bankai as soon as possible.
This was primarily because the nature of the Zanpakutō was highly compatible with Tengen. He was also confident that with her talent, achieving Bankai wouldn't be difficult.
He even suspected that Urozakuro might be the second Zanpakutō to reach Bankai.
That thought left Satoshi feeling excited.
Ever since the system's Borrowed Sword Function had been activated, he had never received a single reward.
Now, if Tengen achieved Bankai, could he extract an ability from her?
Satoshi felt that while it might be a bit of wishful thinking, the possibility still lingered. If he could extract Tengen's "immortality" technique, wouldn't that make him invincible?
But would he really be that lucky?
Satoshi could only hope that for his first reward draw, he wouldn't receive some useless skill.
After all, the chance of someone achieving Bankai was too rare, and if the ability he gained turned out to be trash, he'd completely lose interest in urging others to pursue Bankai.
As for the next candidates to borrow swords, he had already made up his mind.
Yuki, Shoko, Yuto, and Geto—these four were currently in line for future sword borrowing. As for anyone else, that would be left to fate.
How should he choose the Zanpakutō for each of them?
For Shoko, Satoshi planned to give her Unohana Retsu's Zanpakutō, Minazuki.
As for Okkotsu Yuto, Satoshi originally planned to equip him with Kenpachi Zaraki's Zanpakutō, Nozarashi. That should be a good match when Yuto came into his own.
And for Geto Suguru? What kind of Zanpakutō suited a summoner like him?
Maybe... Ashisogi Jizō? They were both stick-like, after all.
(To be continued.)