Outside the house, Satoru's expression darkened the moment he heard the terms of the bet. Without hesitation, he moved to rush inside and stop it.
However, before he could take a single step, the old man beside him reached out and held him back.
"Clan head, I don't approve of this bet!"
Satoru's face was filled with frustration. He didn't understand why the old man was stopping him. If this bet went through, knowing Satoshi's personality, his brother would absolutely honor it.
"Calm yourself," the old man said, narrowing his eyes as he looked into the forge. His gaze was locked onto Satoshi.
"Satoru, you're still too impatient at times."
"You and Satoshi may be twins, but your personalities complement each other. Satoshi is too calm and methodical, while you're too impulsive and restless."
"Perhaps... fate arranged it this way."
The old man let out a slow breath before continuing, his voice steady.
"Think carefully, do you truly believe that someone like Satoshi would make a bet he couldn't win?"
"Yes, Takuya is important to him. But as his brother, you are just as important."
"Let's wait and see how this plays out. I'm curious myself."
A glint of anticipation flashed in the old man's eyes.
It had been far too long since he last paid real attention to Gojo Satoshi, who had spent his days forging cursed tools instead of engaging in combat.
Could it really be as Takuya claimed?
Had Satoshi truly managed to create a cursed tool at the age of six?
If this was true, then Satoshi possessed a different kind of genius, one that could rival or even surpass the talents of jujutsu sorcerers.
Unlike ordinary sorcerers, the old man, as the head of the Gojo Clan had a different perspective on things.
Most sorcerers viewed cursed tools as mere supporting weapons, secondary to their own strength.
But he didn't see it that way.
To him, a sorcerer wielding a powerful cursed tool was a complete sorcerer.
There was an old saying: "A true gentleman is not superior by birth but by his ability to utilize tools."
A capable sorcerer must learn to make use of cursed tools.
This was precisely why the old man had always valued Takuya so highly.
If the Gojo Clan lacked a master cursed tool forger, it would eventually lose its foundation as a dominant jujutsu family.
And yet... despite Takuya's importance, Shunichi had disrespected him so openly.
The old man's eyes narrowed.
Things have gone off track while I wasn't paying attention.
Perhaps it's time to make some changes within the family.
As for the clan's future direction?
That was something only Gojo Satoru and Gojo Satoshi could decide.
The two Six Eyes bearers would either rebuild the Gojo Clan from within, or burn it down and create something entirely new.
He was merely the guard dog, the one who had to ensure that this massive ship, the Gojo Clan, didn't sink before it reached its destination.
Whether Satoru and Satoshi chose to restore or destroy the ship...
That was no longer his concern.
Compared to the old man's deep contemplation, Satoru's emotions were much simpler.
"If Satoshi is truly at a disadvantage, then I'll intervene and end this bet immediately!"
His bright blue eyes remained glued to the scene inside the forge, unwilling to miss a single detail.
"Young master Satoshi, tell me—how do you want to conduct this competition?"
Shunichi's tone was serious as he looked at Satoshi.
In his mind, he had already won.
He was a Grade 2 sorcerer, while Satoshi had no Cursed Energy at all, just a mere ordinary human.
The weapon in his own hands was a Grade 2 Cursed Tool, personally crafted by Takuya, a master forger.
And yet... Satoshi's weapon didn't even seem like a cursed tool at all.
Even if it was one, how could a tool forged by an apprentice surpass one forged by the master himself?
Adding it all up, Shunichi couldn't see any possible way for Satoshi to win.
He almost felt bad for the kid.
This bet was so unfair that he was willing to accept any conditions Satoshi set.
As long as they were reasonable.
With that, Shunichi casually tossed Sode no Shirayuki back to Satoshi.
"Since this is a battle of cursed tools, I won't use my own Cursed Energy against you."
"I'll only use the Cursed Energy stored within my weapon. That should make things fair."
His words dripped with arrogance.
After all, he was up against a six-year-old child. It felt beneath him to go all out.
He didn't respond to Shunichi at all.
His entire focus was on the Zanpakutō in his hands.
Until now, Sode no Shirayuki had remained wrapped in cloth.
Now that he could finally see its true form.
Satoshi's eyes widened.
This is... Sode no Shirayuki?
Why does it look so ordinary?
Isn't it supposed to be the most beautiful Zanpakutō in all of Soul Society?
The blade before him wasn't anything like the Sode no Shirayuki from his memories.
Instead of a pristine white katana, what he held was a seemingly plain weapon.
The octagonal tsuba had a nearly rectangular shape, with flame-like patterns on the long sides and magatama designs on the short sides.
The blade itself had curved slits, along with a series of engraved reliefs on both sides.
The handle was wrapped in deep brown-red cloth.
At first glance, it looked nothing like the legendary Sode no Shirayuki.
A sharp unease crept into Satoshi's chest.
In this battle of cursed tools... my only advantage is my Zanpakutō.
But if Sode no Shirayuki doesn't respond to me.
Then I lose. Instantly.
The system's voice echoed in his mind.
[ Binding Complete: Host has successfully bonded with Zanpakutō – Sode no Shirayuki (Asauchi State). ]
[ Follow the system's guidance to unlock Shikai and Bankai at your own pace. ]
[ Hint 1: A Zanpakutō's appearance, state, and abilities are shaped by the Shinigami's own soul. ]
[ Hint 2: To wield its power, the Shinigami must learn their Zanpakutō's name and engage in a mental dialogue with it. ]
[ Hint 3: Every sword has a name. By calling upon it, a Shinigami can awaken their blade's true power. ]
[ Hint 4: Bankai is the final release stage of a Zanpakutō. To achieve it, the wielder must materialize and subdue their blade's spirit. ]