Satoshi remained in recluse for fifteen days.
And during those fifteen days, a major event shook the jujutsu world.
Kamo Shin—elder of the Kamo clan, president of the Blacksmithing Association, and master of Cursed Tool forging, passed away within the Kamo estate.
Before his death, Kamo handed down his final wishes, transferring the position of president of the Blacksmithing Association to the Gojo family.
The Kamo clan, having lost a foundational pillar, weakened further, while the Gojo family gained control over the Blacksmithing Association, elevating their influence and reputation to new heights.
Apart from those directly involved in or witness to the bet, no one knew the real reason behind Kamo's death.
Though Takuya felt some regret over Kamo's passing, as the only Grandmaster in the world of Cursed Tool forging, his loss was significant, Takuya understood that Kamo must have done something to provoke the Gojo clan's wrath.
Otherwise, both the Gojo clan's decision and Kamo Shin's willingness to accept death so readily would be unexplainable.
He had obtained the presidency without any real qualification to lead the association. For now, all he could do was bluff his way forward, relying entirely on the prestige of Satoshi.
After all, the man who forged Ryūjin Jakka had already become a god-like figure in the entire forging world.
As long as Satoshi stood behind him, the blacksmiths under the association wouldn't dare to cause trouble.
Even though he hadn't actually taught Satoshi much of anything, that didn't stop others from assuming he was Satoshi's master...
Fifteen days of recluse yielded no significant breakthroughs for Gojo Satoshi.
His bond with Ryūjin Jakka remained lukewarm.
While he could activate its Shikai with the release phrase, he still couldn't use its techniques afterward.
It was like a beautiful woman lying naked on the bed... but he still couldn't get it up.
Satoshi was beyond frustrated.
But he understood that achieving true synchronization with Ryūjin Jakka required more than time.
He probably needed to experience something else with the blade, something deeper.
He could feel the pride emanating from Ryūjin Jakka. After all, its last wielder had been the strongest Shinigami in the Soul Society—Captain-Commander Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni.
It would be stranger if such a blade didn't have a will of its own...
The news of Satoshi leaving his closed-door training quickly reached Kumaen.
As soon as Satoshi returned to the forge, Kumaen came to meet him.
"Satoshi, how was your time in seclusion? Any progress?"
Kumaen had a bright smile on his face, no trace of the resistance he once had toward the boy.
Satoshi's response was calm.
"Not much progress. If I want to fully unleash the power of Ryūjin Jakka, it'll take a long time."
Sensing the discouragement in Satoshi's voice, Kumaen chose not to press the matter.
As someone who merely represented the clan, he didn't fully grasp the nature of Zanpakutō. This was something only Satoshi could work through himself.
Instead, he pulled out a booklet and handed it over.
"These are the requests that came in from various jujutsu families while you were in seclusion. They're hoping you'll forge Zanpakutō for them."
"This is the result of my screening."
"I believe Zanpakutō should be treated as strategic resources, not something to be handed out lightly. But some of the trade items they're offering are tempting. Look it over and decide based on what you need."
After handing it over, Kumaen didn't offer any more suggestions.
He didn't know what Satoshi truly needed, nor what might help him. So he left the decision entirely in the boy's hands.
Even though Satoshi was only six, Kumaen already treated him as an adult.
Satoshi flipped through the list casually, then shook his head.
He wasn't in the mood to forge more Zanpakutō right now. Although many of the offers were valuable, none were useful to him at the moment.
Kumaen found himself agreeing wholeheartedly.
The value of a Zanpakutō was immeasurable, none of these trades were worth the exchange.
"Understood. I'll have Genichi reject them one by one."
Kumaen nodded, then asked with hopeful anticipation:
"Satoshi, is there any other Cursed Tool you need right now? If it's not in the clan archives, we can try acquiring it through other means."
He understood the significance of a forged Zanpakutō. Naturally, he wanted Satoshi to make as many as possible.
Even if not all could be as powerful as Ryūjin Jakka, blades like Senbonzakura or Katen Kyōkotsu were still incredibly rare.
If Satoshi could forge more Zanpakutō and arm clan members, the Gojo family's standing in the jujutsu world would rise dramatically.
"I'm a little tired."
Satoshi's response made Kumaen freeze mid-sentence.
"I won't be forging any more Zanpakutō for a while. I need to rest."
The follow-up completely crushed Kumaen's expectations.
Seeing the fatigue on Satoshi's face, he said nothing more.
During Satoshi's recluse, Kumaen had gained a better understanding of the forging world thanks to Takuya taking over the association.
Any Cursed Tool master who wanted to forge a weapon above Grade 1 had to devote an extraordinary amount of time and effort.
From that perspective, Satoshi forging five Zanpakutō in such a short time was beyond comprehension, completely breaking the standard logic of Cursed Tool creation.
It really is time for him to rest. Forging a Zanpakutō isn't like slicing vegetables, it takes a massive toll mentally.
He spent hours forging Ryūjin Jakka. If this keeps up, it could hurt his body...
Finishing his own mental rationalization, Gojo Kumaen nodded and told Satoshi to take his time recovering, then quietly left.
Just as Satoshi lay down, ready to rest.
" Satoshi you're finally out?"
Satoshi gave a lazy nod.
"Toji... long time no see."
Toji walked right up to him and said, "The Yorozuya has been built. Want to come take a look?"
Satoshi, who had been groggy moments ago, suddenly lit up.
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