The previous incident where Ryūjin Jakka obliterated one of Ryomen Sukuna's fingers had certainly shocked many onlookers. However, since the target had merely been a severed finger, it didn't carry the same weight as what had just occurred—a single casual slash that split the sky and tore the earth apart.
"Satoshi, if I hadn't dodged that strike, I'd probably be split in two like the ground, huh? You really don't hold back," Satoru said with a helpless shrug, glancing at the massive crack left in the earth.
"Satoru, you could've chosen not to dodge. If you couldn't avoid it, then I'd just have to mourn my brother silently once the battle was over," Satoshi replied with a casual smile.
He knew full well that even if his sword had struck Satoru, it wouldn't have dealt serious damage. With the countless petals of Senbonzakura Kageyoshi acting as defense, and the absolute nature of Infinity, the full force of his slash would have been nullified.
The overwhelming impact of that previous blow was only possible because Satoru dodged, allowing the sword to hit the ground directly.
Satoshi returned Ryūjin Jakka to its scabbard, a faint trace of mockery playing across his lips.
"Satoru, seems like you're not ready for a true Zanpakutō duel. Honestly, I think I can handle you with just Kidō."
The act of sheathing his Zanpakutō while saying such words came off as complete disdain toward Satoru, sparking an uproar among Suguru and the others present, as well as the viewers watching the broadcast.
Was Satoshi getting too arrogant?
This was Gojo Satoru he was talking to.
Yes, Satoshi's earlier Hadō had been powerful. But hadn't Satoru already completed Bankai with Senbonzakura Kageyoshi? That power had directly destroyed Satoshi's Dankū!
Knowing Satoru's personality, how could he tolerate this kind of mockery?
Everyone expected Satoru to retaliate with Senbonzakura Kageyoshi's overwhelming force and teach Satoshi a lesson.
However, what surprised everyone was that Satoru's expression didn't change at all. His gaze remained locked on Satoshi, specifically on his right hand resting on the hilt of Ryūjin Jakka.
"Satoshi, aren't you underestimating me a bit too much?"
"You think nine years have made me forget you're a kendo master? That stance you're holding—that's Iaidō. The sword-drawing technique. Perfect for counterattacks. So this is how you're provoking me?"
Satoru's sharp words immediately revealed Satoshi's intention.
When it came to the art of Iaidō, the ones with the most authority were Yagyū Saemon and Gojo Shunichi. As the heads of the Gojo Kyokushin-ryu and Yagyū Shinkage-ryu styles, they knew best the devastating potential behind a true sword-drawing strike.
However, the essence of Iaidō lies in taking the opponent by surprise.
Now that Satoru had seen through it, wouldn't the technique lose its edge?
"Satoru, your perception is sharp as always. But even if you know I'm about to use Iaidō, you're still not going to make the first move? Don't you want to see if you can block Ryūjin Jakka in a sword-drawing strike?"
Satoshi's words were blunt and direct.
If his earlier words were just subtle provocation, then what he said now struck right at the heart of Satoru's pride.
Satoru was not the kind of person who would quietly accept being looked down on. Especially not in front of Satoshi.
So now that he knew Satoshi was preparing an Iaidō technique, he only became more curious about the true power of Ryūjin Jakka.
"Satoshi, you seem quite confident in this move. Then let me see it for myself. But first, allow me to show you a new technique I gained after completing Bankai."
Now that he understood what Satoshi was planning, Satoru had no intention of evading.
If Satoshi wanted to use Iaidō against him, then he would respond with the full strength of Senbonzakura Kageyoshi.
If Satoshi believed that the strike which shattered his Dankū earlier was the full extent of Senbonzakura's power, then he was sorely mistaken.
A faint smirk formed at the corners of Satoru's mouth. His Six Eyes shimmered with radiant light. Billions of cherry blossom petals floating in the sky began to move in perfect formation under his mental command.
"Gōkei. Senbonzakura Kageyoshi."
As Satoru spoke, the swarm of cherry blossom petals began to spiral inward, converging toward Satoshi. Unlike the previous wave-like movements, this time the petals formed a controlled, spherical structure, intent on enclosing him entirely.
Hearing the word "Gōkei," Satoshi's expression turned serious.
This was one of Byakuya Kuchiki's signature techniques in the Bleach world. It wasn't something that could be broken as easily as Dankū.
Still, Satoshi's right hand remained firmly on the hilt of his blade. Watching the petals close in, he muttered calmly, "Satoru, did you think I couldn't move just because I'm using Iaidō? My feet aren't bound."
As a Shinigami proficient in Zanjutsu, Hakuda, Kidō, and Hohō, Satoshi's mobility was no weaker than Satoru's, the fastest sorcerer in existence.
With just a few Shunpo steps, Satoshi cleanly broke through the formation of Kōkei Senbonzakura Kageyoshi.
Though the cherry blossom blades moved quickly, they were still slightly slower than Satoshi's Shunpo. This slight difference prevented the petals from completely encircling him.
He didn't even need to lift his hand from the hilt of Ryūjin Jakka.
The waterfall-like flow of blades pursued him relentlessly, but Satoshi continued evading with ease. The petals shimmered like liquid light, chasing after him in graceful arcs, while his movements remained smooth and composed.
Through the Curse Corpse's live feed, all the audience could see was Satoshi reappearing at different angles, seemingly playing a graceful game of hide-and-seek with the spiraling blade storm.
"Satoru, if this is all you've got, I'm going to be very disappointed."
Even while constantly dodging, Satoshi kept taunting Satoru, pushing him to reveal more of his power. He wouldn't rest until he found Satoru's limit.
Seeing Satoshi navigate the attack so effortlessly, Mei Mei and the others present had a newfound realization of the vast gap between them and Satoshi.
Now they truly understood—when Satoshi and Yuki had suggested that he could take all of them on alone, it wasn't arrogance.
They had taken that declaration seriously.
But in Satoshi's mind, he probably hadn't taken them seriously at all.
(To be continued.)
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