Kamo Kenshin's clown show finally ended, and everyone's attention shifted back to Satoru and Satoshi, who had been standing off to the side.
The two had been facing each other for a long time, yet no battle had broken out, causing many to unconsciously divert their attention toward Kamo Kenshin's antics.
However, those who had been closely watching Satoru and Satoshi understood that during this quiet confrontation, a clash had taken place—not with blades, but with consciousness. A battle of minds invisible to outsiders.
At this moment, both Satoru and Satoshi appeared noticeably paler than before, yet their eyes shone even brighter.
Two pairs of striking blue eyes, like four gleaming sapphires, sparkled with mesmerizing light.
They stood suspended in the sky, mirror images of one another—both clad in Tokyo Jujutsu High uniforms, both exuding overwhelming presence.
Without the weapons in their hands, most people wouldn't be able to tell them apart.
The Ryūjin Jakka in Satoshi's hand blazed furiously, flames billowing skyward.
Senbonzakura Kegoyoshi, a cascade of cherry blossom blades swirling like a storm.
The two Zanpakutō stood in silent opposition, clashing in aura alone.
"Satoru, you and Senbonzakura Kageyoshi are surprisingly extremely compatible.."
"No wonder you achieved Bankai. Your current mental fortitude is near the pinnacle of this world. Very few can compare to you now."
Through that mental confrontation just moments ago, Satoshi understood the reason why Satoru was able to awaken his Zanpakutō.
It was because his spiritual strength was immense. Only then could he perceive and touch the true form of Senbonzakura.
The prerequisite for attaining Bankai is to make one's Zanpakutō submit. But in reality, most people's mental strength isn't enough to even perceive the spirit form of their Zanpakutō.
That means no matter how strong they are, they can't truly subjugate their Zanpakutō.
In terms of raw power, Tengen, Toji, Yuki, even Suguru, all likely had the capability to defeat their Zanpakutō spirit bodies.
But since they couldn't even see the spirits, they could only continue tempering their Zanjutsu and rely on Shikai alone...
If there were a way to allow Toji and the others to see the spirit form of their Zanpakutō, could it help them complete their Bankai?
A sudden idea flashed through Satoshi's mind, but he didn't have time to explore it now.
After the mental battle, it was time for the real clash.
Everything before this was just an appetizer. Now, the true Zanpakutō duel was about to begin.
...
"Satoru, I'll go first."
Satoshi gently swung the Ryūjin Jakka in his hand. As he breathed, blazing flames surged with the rhythm of his movements.
The person in front of him was the strongest sorcerer of this generation. Though not officially titled as Special Grade, his strength rivaled even that of Yuki.
Until Satoru reached the true realm of Infinity, he would essentially be undefeated across the world.
But in this worldline, there existed someone like Satoshi—wielding Ryūjin Jakka.
So it was fated that Satoru would never become an unmatched existence.
Now, Satoshi intended to use Satoru as a whetstone. To hone and polish his own Bankai.
He knew very well how powerful Senbonzakura Kegoyoshi was. And with how compatible Satoru was with his Zanpakutō, Satoshi had no doubt that Satoru might have already awakened other abilities after achieving Bankai.
The nine years Satoru went without a Bankai had all been years of silent accumulation.
That accumulation was bound to erupt.
With his talent, if he didn't rise quietly, he would burst forth like a tempest.
Expectation flickered in Satoshi's eyes. He believed Satoru would display overwhelming might.
...
In a blink, Satoshi appeared before Satoru and slashed downward with his Zanpakutō.
"Cut."
It was a strike combining Zanjutsu with the blazing might of Ryūjin Jakka. Even before Shikai, this blade could cleave the skies. Now, infused with Shikai's flames, its power had escalated to an unimaginable level.
It was a devastating swing.
But for Satoru, who possessed the Six Eyes, even a strike of such magnitude wasn't enough.
Satoshi's Zanjutsu was lightning-fast, but Satoru, the fastest sorcerer alive, was more agile.
The moment the strike came down, Satoru vanished.
Satoshi's sword missed and struck the ground directly.
"That was it? So simple? Is this really the battle between Gojo Satoru and Gojo Satoshi? I thought Zanpakutō techniques were supposed to be extraordinary. With all those flames on Ryūjin Jakka, I was expecting something massive…"
"Yeah, the flame blade looks cool and all, but it still seems less impressive than the endless cherry blossom blades from Senbonzakura Kegoyoshi. In terms of sheer momentum and scale, Satoshi doesn't seem to compare to Satoru!"
As Satoshi's strike landed in vain, many spectators began murmuring. Most were already partial to Satoru, and after this first exchange, their support grew louder.
However, unlike the general audience watching via live broadcast, those present—Shoko, Suguru, and the others—wore grave expressions.
Satoru, who had just dodged the blow, was now floating mid-air with a serious face.
While the rest of the viewers were puzzled by his expression, a loud rumble suddenly erupted across the screen of the Curse Corpse broadcast.
Then, the ground—flat just a moment ago—split open, revealing a crack three or four meters wide.
Flames erupted from within, raging intensely, with no visible bottom.
This was...
All those who had dismissed Satoshi's move as simple were now rendered speechless.
It was a seemingly plain sword slash, yet it unleashed such terrifying destruction.
(To be continued.)
***
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