The air seemed to freeze, and even the brisk autumn breeze felt as if it had stalled.
Suguru and Shoko exchanged a look, surprise and confusion in both their eyes.
Why would Satoru ask this question now?
Satoru looked at Riko, who was lost in thought, and raised his hand to signal her not to rush her answer.
"This kind of thing needs careful consideration." He turned to Shoko and Suguru. "Come with me." He then walked toward the corridor outside the dojo.
The three of them stopped under a tall maple tree.
The deep red leaves were especially vivid in the sun, and the fallen leaves fluttered lightly in the wind.
Satoru leaned against an old wooden pillar, his gaze drifting toward the forge in the distance, where the sound of hammering still rang in intervals.
"That guy Satoshi," Satoru said with a meaningful smile, "he always sees things we do not."
"What do you mean?" Suguru asked, frowning.
"Didn't you notice?" Satoru's gaze stayed on the forge. "Ever since getting Sakanade, Riko has become a completely different person. Not only has her strength changed, more importantly..."
"She started having her own thoughts and pursuits," Shoko said, a hint of realization in her voice. "She no longer just passively accepts everything."
"Exactly."
Satoru nodded, a note of pride in his tone. "That is Satoshi's intention.
"Forging Sakanade for Riko was not to restrict her from the start, but to help her find her own path."
Suguru looked toward the dojo thoughtfully. Riko was still deep in thought. "So you asked that question just now..."
"I think we can let her learn Kidō," Satoru said, his tone suddenly light. "But we should still ask Satoshi's opinion. Though I am sure he will agree."
He walked toward the forge, his back relaxed and at ease.
In the forge, the fire burned bright. The air carried the smell of metal and charcoal, and the tools on the wall cast flickering shadows in the firelight.
Satoshi was focused on crafting. The firelight outlined the calm lines of his face. Hearing footsteps, he spoke without looking up.
"In trouble again?"
"Hey, you are underestimating me," Satoru said, pretending to be annoyed. "I am very seriously teaching the juniors. So, what are you tinkering with this time? Could it be..."
"Riko wants to learn Kidō?" Satoshi interrupted, putting down his tools before turning to look at him.
The fire cast warm light on the brothers' profiles, one calm, the other lazy, yet both carrying the same depth. Sunlight slanted in through the window, and their shadows crossed on the floor.
"I agree," Satoshi said simply, his voice calm and firm. "You are the most suitable person to teach her."
"Is that really alright?" Satoru's expression turned uncharacteristically serious, the light in Six Eyes deepening. "Even if I have mastered most Kidō, there is the Star Plasma Vessel issue..."
"Precisely because she is the Star Plasma Vessel," Satoshi cut him off, his voice carrying unquestionable weight, "she needs the freedom to choose. Whether to merge with Tengen should be her decision. To make a true choice, she needs enough power and wisdom."
Satoru looked at his brother, then smiled. "You really have not changed at all, Satoshi. Always worrying while pretending you do not care."
"You are so long-winded." Satoshi turned back to his work, but the corners of his mouth lifted slightly. "Instead of worrying about me, think about how to teach your student properly."
"Got it, got it." Satoru turned to leave, his back lighter than when he came. "When you are done, come meet your future favorite student. Come see how your Zanpakutō turned out."
The steady hammering resumed in the forge. Satoshi worked with full attention, but a smile flickered in his thoughts. This guy Satoru can be very accurate sometimes.
At dusk, when the news reached the dojo, Riko stood in the afterglow of the setting sun, looking at Sakanade in her hand.
The Zanpakutō's blade glowed with a warm luster in the fading light, as if responding to its master's will. As the light flowed, the delicate patterns on the blade seemed to surface, each line carrying the forger's painstaking effort.
Taking another step forward. She gently stroked the blade, determination filling her heart. This time, I will seize my own fate. Whatever lies ahead, it will be my choice.
...
In the forge, the fire burned bright. The smell of metal and charcoal intertwined in the air, and the tools on the wall cast dancing shadows in the flickering light.
The old wooden floor had been worn smooth by years of work, every grain telling of countless days and nights.
Satoshi stood at the bench, staring at the failed piece in front of him, his brows faintly furrowed. This was already the seventeenth attempt, yet there was still no sign of success in achieving Tenshintai.
Various tools lay scattered across the table, each well maintained and reflecting a cool sheen in the firelight. In the corner, a pile of previous failures rested, varied in shape yet all emitting subtle fluctuations of Reiryoku.
In addition to the smell of metal and charcoal, faint traces of residual Cursed Energy lingered in the air.
Why is it always just a little short...
Satoshi picked up the latest failed piece and carefully examined the patterns on its surface.
"Hey, stupid brother," Satoru's voice drifted in from outside, lazy and teasing. "Are you torturing yourself here again?"
Satoru strode into the forge, his open white coat fluttering behind him.
He picked up a failed piece and turned it in his hand, a playful gleam in Six Eyes. Even facing his brother's repeated failures, the Gojo family's genius maintained his usual relaxed demeanor.
"How many times has it been?" Satoru continued, tossing the failed piece lightly. "Ah, the seventeenth, right? I am telling you, you are a total workaholic. Consider taking a break. Even for my genius brother, you cannot keep dwelling on this."
(To be continued.)
***
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