"Satoru, Shunichi, Takuya—Satoshi's been forging for quite a while now. He needs a proper rest. Let's head out first."
"Toji, you can decide based on your own schedule."
Gojo Kumaen addressed everyone. Seeing how exhausted Gojo Satoshi was, he began ushering people out.
Everyone glanced at Satoshi, then at Ryūjin Jakka in his hand. Though curiosity about the Zanpakutō's power filled the air, no one pressed further at this time.
"Satoshi, get some rest. We'll be heading back now."
As Gojo Satoru finished speaking, the group left the forge. Toji immediately departed the Gojo estate, he had to return to the Yorozuya to continue overseeing operations.
After sending everyone off, Satoshi exhaled a long breath.
Staring at Ryūjin Jakka and Sode no Shirayuki resting on the sword rack, he began contemplating how he should improve going forward.
With the arrival of Ryūjin Jakka, Satoshi understood that his growth through forging Cursed Tools had essentially reached its peak.
Even if he continued creating more Zanpakutō, they would merely serve to expand his arsenal's functionality.
In terms of practicality, Ryūjin Jakka and Sode no Shirayuki were already more than enough for daily battles.
As for upcoming forging plans, aside from the Zanpakutō he planned to craft for Shoko, the rest weren't urgent.
More importantly, upon coming into contact with Ryūjin Jakka, Satoshi could feel its cold rejection.
Even though he had forged it, he hadn't earned its acknowledgment yet.
He had completed its initial release but he hadn't yet mastered its Shikai techniques.
That meant his top priority going forward was to master Ryūjin Jakka's Shikai.
Even achieving Shikai mastery alone would significantly raise his combat power.
Of course, his ultimate goal was to unlock its Bankai—Zanka no Tachi.
Once that form awakened, even peak-form Ryomen Sukuna wouldn't be a match for him.
However, Satoshi still had no idea how to deepen his connection with Ryūjin Jakka, and was far from grasping its Bankai.
Beyond Zanpakutō refinement, the most immediate way to improve his strength was to study Shunpo.
Satoshi had already mastered Zanjutsu and Hakuda. That left Hohō and Kidō untouched.
But when it came to Shunpo, Satoshi felt stuck.
Shunpo, in essence, was speed manifest.
But how exactly should one train in speed and high-speed movement? He had no real example to reference.
In the future, Satoru would become the fastest jujutsu sorcerer, but right now, he was the same age as Satoshi.
The second-fastest Naobito was currently the representative of the Zenin family.
For now, Toji seemed like the most realistic candidate to study from.
When Toji fought Satoru in the future, his speed had been monstrous, second to none.
But Satoshi hesitated. Could that kind of speed really be learned?
Toji's high-speed movement was entirely physical. To match that speed, Satoshi's body would need years of development.
Since physical speed was largely innate, the only thing Satoshi could replicate was movement technique.
That meant Toji, who relied purely on physical strength, could be ruled out as a reference.
That left two potential candidates: his "discount" brother Satoru, and the Naobito who possessed Projection Sorcery.
But Satoru hadn't yet mastered Cursed Technique Reversal: Blue, and couldn't perform high-speed teleportation like he would in the future.
Which meant the only real option left was the Zenin clan's Projection Sorcery user....
I just kidnapped Toji from the Zenin clan, and now I'm going to them for help learning Projection Sorcery? That basically screams, "I don't take the Zenin clan seriously..."
A trace of helplessness appeared on Satoshi's face.
If I were a direct member of the Zenin clan, I definitely wouldn't accept a request like that.
It's better to push Satoru to learn Cursed Technique Reversal quickly, so I don't have to be in this awkward position.
Satoru's been slacking lately, hasn't he? Even if he has a brand-new weapon like Senbonzakura, he can't afford to slack off on training Limitless.
Satoshi made up his mind, he had to personally supervise his "discount" brother going forward.
Mastering the control of Ryūjin Jakka's techniques.
Unlocking Sode no Shirayuki's Bankai.
And gaining proficiency in Shunpo.
These were the top three priorities for Satoshi in the near future.
Any other forms of training right now would just be wasting time.
I should also pay more attention to the Yorozuya's matters later.
Hmm... I'll need to find someone to repair the forge tomorrow. That skylight's gotten way too wide.
And the furnace... I nearly burned through all my materials just to forge a blade sharp enough to hold that fire.
Gojo Satoshi looked up at the exposed roof, staring at the brilliant stars scattered across the winter sky.
Wrapping himself in a quilt, he slowly drifted off into a deep sleep.
Satoru held Senbonzakura in his hands, his heart heavy and conflicted.
Beside him, the hand of the elderly man, withered like bark rested gently atop his head. His voice was soft enough to be carried away by the breeze.
"Satoru, are you feeling unwilling? Maybe a little jealous?"
Satoru trembled slightly. In his azure Six Eyes, a flicker of unease passed through.
He was genuinely happy that his brother had forged a Zanpakutō capable of intimidating Senbonzakura.
But seeing everyone's attention shift to Satoshi left him feeling hollow inside.
The old man had warned him this day would come. He'd even said that Satoshi was more suited to become the Gojo family's head.
And Satoru himself agreed with that judgment.
Still, when it actually happened—it stung more than he expected.
He had always thought of himself as the one who would protect his powerless little brother.
But now, that "powerless" brother had grown into someone who no longer needed protection.
In fact, with Ryūjin Jakka and Sode no Shirayuki in hand, Satoshi was already stronger than him.
That realization was difficult for someone like Satoru, who had grown used to basking in others' praise—to accept.
The Clan Head said I was jealous... maybe I am, just a little.
Satoru admitted it inwardly. It wasn't exactly jealousy, more like disappointment.
"Satoru, you don't need to think of yourself as inferior to Satoshi. You haven't yet mastered Limitless."
"When you fully grasp all of Limitless's techniques, you won't be any weaker than he is."
"So instead of worrying about comparison, focus on your own training and on mastering your own Zanpakutō..."