At the same time, a fantasy surfaced in everyone's minds.
If someone else obtained a Zanpakutō and completed the Bankai of Senbonzakura, would they also be able to wield the same terrifying power as Satoru?
Could they also perform Gōkei, Senkei, and even the overwhelming Endscape: White Imperial Sword, just like Satoru?
It seemed possible.
In fact, the possibility seemed very high.
The sorcerer clans who had paid attention to Zanpakutō since nine years ago immediately thought of the Yagyū clan, which rose to prominence because of Satoshi, and of Yagyū Saemon, who advanced to Grade 1 sorcerer by mastering the Zanpakutō technique Hanaguruma.
Since Yagyū Saemon could use the technique of Nejibana, there was no reason he could not, one day, master its Bankai.
Even if Nejibana's Bankai would never be as powerful as Senbonzakura, it would still be a massive leap in combat strength.
Through Ryūjin Jakka and Senbonzakura, everyone had now witnessed the enormous difference between Zanpakutō. Ryūjin Jakka was clearly at the very peak of all Zanpakutō.
A blade like that was beyond reach. But what about other Zanpakutō?
Just owning one was enough to change the course of a sorcerer's life and at least double their strength.
How can we make Satoshi forge a Zanpakutō for us?
That was the question on everyone's mind.
But it was also an incredibly difficult one.
After all, it had been nine years since a new Zanpakutō had appeared in the jujutsu world.
…
Somewhere in the Four Regions
The shrill sound of cicadas echoed ceaselessly outside. The blazing sunlight filtered through the trees, scattering patches of light across the ground and painting everything in the hues of summer.
Inside the house, Itadori Kaori sat silently, eyes fixed on the projection on the wall. Her brows were knit together, and regret clouded her gaze.
The cursed corpse broadcast was filled with the red glow of the flowing blade, but Itadori Kaori's heart was an icy blue.
If Satoshi destroying Sukuna's finger with Ryūjin Jakka before had already shaken her beliefs, then this battle between Senbonzakura and Ryūjin Jakka completely filled her heart with regret.
She regretted retreating back then.
I had the chance to obtain this peerless Zanpakutō. All I had to do was endure a few seconds longer, withstand the cold power of Sode no Shirayuki, and I could have taken Ryūjin Jakka.
If I had Ryūjin Jakka, why would I have to hide away here? I wouldn't need to form an alliance with Ryoumen Sukuna either.
"This was such a foolish decision!"
Her face froze. Back then, she had already been wary of Satoshi. She had recognized at a glance that Ryūjin Jakka was extraordinary.
If I hadn't underestimated Satoshi back then, I would already have obtained Ryūjin Jakka.
In these nine years, I might have already found Tengen and forced her to submit to my Ryūjin Jakka.
But, unfortunately, there are no what-ifs in this world.
At least, right now, Ryūjin Jakka is in Satoshi's hands.
And Satoru, his brother, wields Senbonzakura with Bankai.
Everyone around them possesses the power of Zanpakutō.
As she thought about it, Itadori Kaori suddenly felt that the brothers and those around them seemed like protagonists from a classic shōnen manga.
There was an inexplicable sense of déjà vu.
If the Gojo brothers are the protagonists, then what are Sukuna and I? Are we the main villains of this entire story?
The thought crossed her mind, but she quickly shook her head.
If this world had a true protagonist, then perhaps Ryoumen Sukuna, the King of Curses, with his unparalleled power, would be the one to hold that role.
…
Yorozuya Headquarters
Toji stretched lazily.
"As expected, Satoshi won."
Yuto brushed his fingers over the sunflower in his hand, excitement in his eyes.
Before this battle began, everyone in Yorozuya had been leaning toward Satoshi's side.
But Satoru's Bankai had still shaken them.
Especially for Yuto, who still couldn't even release his Shikai, it made him restless.
In contrast, Toji felt his competitive spirit ignite because of Satoru.
Right now, he no longer even glanced at Megumi beside him. His thoughts were focused entirely on how to complete Katen Kyōkotsu's Bankai.
Katen Kyōkotsu's strength was no less than Senbonzakura's. Once it reached Bankai, could it stand against Satoshi?
Toji ran his thumb over the scar on his lip. His eyes burned with determination.
The tyrant of the Zenin clan had been inspired by the battle between Satoru and Satoshi.
As for Jogo, standing to the side, he was the only member of Yorozuya without a Zanpakutō. He still carried the scars from the beating inflicted by the mysterious man who used Blood Manipulation.
Now, he yearned for his own Zanpakutō more than ever.
He looked forward to the day he could wield one, to fight back against that mysterious man and take his revenge for the humiliation he suffered in the black market.
Satoshi had once promised to forge a Zanpakutō suited to a cursed spirit's body.
Jogo believed Satoshi would keep his word.
Even though, if Satoshi decided to go back on that promise, Jogo wouldn't be able to do a thing. After all, he couldn't beat anyone in Yorozuya.
Even Yuto, despite being injured, was beyond him now.
The power of Ryūjin Jakka was truly the king of flames.
Seeing it now, Jogo felt that the regret he had carried for nine years—of not having witnessed Ennetsu Jigoku with his own eyes—had finally been eased.
Though he still hadn't seen it up close, at least he now understood its true form and the sheer destructive force of Ryūjin Jakka.
But he could also sense that this was not its limit.
This was only Ryūjin Jakka's Shikai. He could hardly imagine what kind of terrifying strength it would unleash when it finally achieved Bankai.
(To be continued.)
***
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