Satoru's chest surged with emotion. Once again, he felt the call of the Divine Sakura Tree.
Over the past nine years, he had sought out that sacred cherry tree time and again but never succeeded in reaching it.
Nine years ago, when he first came into contact with his Zanpakutō, Senbonzakura, he had glimpsed the tree and obtained its Shikai through that vision.
Scatter, Senbonzakura!
Back then, he had naively believed that achieving Bankai would be just as simple.
But unexpectedly, during the entire time Satoshi had been asleep, Satoru remained unable to fully connect with Senbonzakura. The sword refused to open its heart to him.
In these nine years, the growth of his Zanpakutō had been almost nonexistent.
But this time, it was different.
Satoru could clearly feel it—Senbonzakura was calling to him.
Perhaps under the pressure Satoshi exerted, even the sacred cherry tree had been stirred and now sought to reveal its true strength.
"Senbonzakura, will you fight with me?"
He gently placed a hand on the weathered bark of the tree, speaking softly.
At that moment, the sacred cherry tree swayed. Among the dancing petals, Satoru faintly heard another name.
Nine years of relentless pursuit, and now the spirit of Senbonzakura had finally yielded. It had accepted him, becoming truly his.
Senbonzakura had finally become Satoru's Zanpakutō.
…
What kind of power is this? So sharp.
Kenshin stared at Satoru, who still had his eyes closed, utterly stunned.
Why was this happening? That razor-sharp pressure—Satoru had never been proficient in swordsmanship!
Kenshin had spent years tempering his body and swordsmanship to this level. So how had Satoru done it? How had his aura shifted so dramatically in an instant?
Kenshin was filled with jealousy. He could sense that Satoru had suddenly awakened—he had broken through, matured, grown stronger.
Satoru was becoming even more formidable.
Shoko and Suguru were just as shocked by Satoru's sudden breakthrough.
Perhaps this would become their turning point.
Suguru didn't want to lose to Satoshi. The reason he had been hiding his special-grade cursed spirit was to make an impact during his final clash with Satoshi.
Tamamonomae, a special-grade illusion-type Cursed Spirit, wasn't limited to what had been shown so far. (The original portrayal was far too weak. This one would be different.)
When used at full strength, Tamamonomae's incarnation could rival the mythic beast of the same name from Japanese folklore. Though still a fantasy-class cursed spirit, it could completely overpower most Grade 1 sorcerers.
Suguru was waiting. He knew he couldn't defeat Satoshi, but he was prepared to give Satoru another chance.
Mei Mei and Utahime placed all their hopes on Satoru. The man whose aura had suddenly transformed. He was the final hope for their side in the sister school goodwill event.
…
Satoru's mist-covered eyelashes trembled slightly, and the eyelids covering his Six Eyes began to move.
As his spiritual pressure intensified, the five others instinctively stepped back, vacating the battlefield.
Now, only Satoru and Satoshi stood at the center.
Seeing the changes in Satoru and sensing the Zanpakutō's breath, Satoshi's eyes lit up with anticipation.
He knew—Satoru had completed his Bankai.
Exactly nine years since Satoshi forged Senbonzakura, finally, someone other than himself had achieved Bankai.
…
Satoru opened his eyes. His azure blue Six Eyes met Satoshi's, as sparks of spiritual light danced between them.
The two brothers stared into each other's souls.
"Satoru, let me see it for myself."
"Satoshi, bear witness."
They spoke simultaneously, sharing the same unshakable intent.
The entire live broadcast of the Curse Corpse battle shifted focus to the Gojo brothers. The world now watched them alone.
Satoru gripped the hilt of Senbonzakura. The countless floating petals of Senbonzakura that once swirled above him turned into shimmering pink light, gathering into his hand and reforming the blade.
Then, Satoru turned the blade downward. Calm and composed, his voice low and raspy, he declared:
"Bankai, Senbonzakura Kegoyoshi."
The moment he spoke, everyone in the jujutsu world who possessed a Zanpakutō—and every high-ranking official who understood what Bankai meant—stiffened in shock.
Bankai! Gojo Satoru achieved Bankai!?
Ever since witnessing the overwhelming power of Satoshi's Sode no Shirayuki's Bankai, they all understood what the final form of a Zanpakutō truly represented.
Only after achieving Bankai could a Zanpakutō be considered fully awakened. Only then could it display its true form and power.
Originally, everyone thought Bankai was exclusive to Satoshi, the creator of Zanpakutō. But now, it was clear.
Satoru's Bankai proved that what Satoshi said nine years ago wasn't fiction.
Every Zanpakutō held the potential for Bankai. It all depended on whether its wielder had the strength and resolve to unlock it.
Yagyū Saemon caressed Nejibana after activating its Shikai, a fierce determination flashing across his eyes. His talent wasn't the best, but he was resolved to reach Nejibana's Bankai.
Shunichi trembled with excitement as he watched the broadcast.
When would he be able to achieve Bankai?
If he didn't continue to grow stronger, if he couldn't unlock Bankai, then what use would he have beside Satoru and Satoshi?
Toji placed his hands on his waist, resting them atop the hilts of Katen Kyōkotsu's twin blades. A faint smirk tugged at the corners of his mouth.
Satoru achieved Bankai. I can't afford to fall behind. It looks like I haven't been spending enough time with Katen and Kyōkotsu... I'll have to get serious about my Bankai training.
(To be continued.)
***
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