Everyone loves the story where David defeats Goliath.
People are drawn to tales that challenge authority and upend power.
That's why, at this moment, the audience found themselves quietly hoping that Satoru could shake Satoshi's overwhelming image.
The petals of Senbonzakura Kageyoshi had engulfed Satoshi in an instant. Billions of razor-sharp blades spun at high speed, covering the ground with countless cuts from their passage.
Satoshi took the full brunt of Senbonzakura's attack, a torment akin to physical torture.
A hint of concern surfaced on Shoko's face.
After Bankai, Senbonzakura's power was immense. As a supporter, she could clearly sense that even with Satoshi's powerful body, resisting Senbonzakura's attack would be difficult.
Does Satoshi not understand how powerful Senbonzakura Kageyoshi is? Why didn't he dodge? With his speed, those petals shouldn't have been able to touch him so easily.
Was he truly being careless, underestimating the strength of Satoru's Bankai?
Shoko stared at the cherry blossom sphere spinning at high speed. She was ready to act the moment she noticed anything wrong with Satoshi's condition.
Petals filled the sky. Billions of cherry blossoms completely enveloped Satoshi. Many petals couldn't even reach him and instead hovered endlessly around the outer layers of the swirling sphere.
Boom—
Trees toppled in waves as the overflowing petals swept through the forest. Even standing on the sidelines, everyone could feel the sharp sword intent radiating from the storm.
There's no way Satoshi can come out of that unscathed, right?
Although he didn't want to admit Satoru's strength, Kamo Kenshin was indeed stunned by the sheer destructive force of Senbonzakura's Bankai.
High above, Mei Mei's black bird circled in the air, trying to observe Satoshi's state within the spinning mass of petals.
But the petals were too dense. Even from above, the black bird couldn't see through the barrier of cherry blossoms.
Suguru rested his hand on the hilt of Hōzukimaru, his resolve quietly strengthening.
If he couldn't achieve Bankai, the gap between him and both Satoru and Satoshi would only continue to widen.
Everyone held their breath, eager to see the result of Satoru's full-powered strike.
At the entrance of the venue, the Kyoto High Commission staff were gathered around the live broadcast. Led by Gakuganji, they remained silent—except for Yuki, who let out a lazy yawn.
Meanwhile, the Tokyo High staff, including Sekiguchi Seiji and Yaga Masamichi, were clearly torn. After all, both Satoru and Satoshi were students of Tokyo Jujutsu High. Supporting either of them felt wrong.
"Yuki, looks like your boyfriend might be a bit overwhelmed."
Seeing Satoshi being swallowed by Senbonzakura Kageyoshi, Gakuganji leaned on his cane, his voice carrying both resignation and a touch of glee.
Kyoto had been completely overpowered in this event, showing no real strength. But now, watching Satoru and Satoshi clash, Gakuganji couldn't help but feel slightly gleeful at the internal strife.
Given their strength, if Satoru and Satoshi truly intended to determine a winner, there was no way they could hold back.
Perhaps both would suffer losses from this battle. If so, Kyoto Jujutsu High might still have a chance to capitalize on the aftermath and win the goodwill event.
Since the event was being broadcast live, ending it this way would have a huge impact on Kyoto's reputation.
Even if picking up the pieces wasn't exactly glorious, it could at least give Kyoto a chance to regain some prestige.
"Principal Gakuganji, are you getting senile?"
Yuki raised her brows, giving the old man a helpless smirk.
"Satoshi isn't that easy to take down. I'll admit, Satoru's Bankai is strong. But if you think that's all there is to Satoshi, then your judgment isn't fit for a principal."
She ran a hand through her golden hair and added meaningfully, "Maybe I should take over as the principal of Kyoto High."
Normally, she had no interest in such positions.
But ever since Satoshi woke up, his behavior had changed. She could feel it. It made her realize just how important the school was in his plans. That was why she had begun paying closer attention to her responsibilities.
Gakuganji glanced at her quietly. Under his half-closed eyelids, a flicker of surprise passed through his weathered gaze.
Yuki had always been indifferent at Kyoto High, but now she was showing such initiative. It was… unusual.
So even Yuki is changing because of Satoshi. Just as she said, maybe I really did underestimate him.
Since Gakuganji didn't respond, the conversation naturally ended. Both returned their focus to the center of the battlefield—back to Satoru and Satoshi.
Just as Yuki had said, how could Satoshi be defeated so easily?
Although the cherry blossom sphere looked visually overwhelming and breathtaking, it wasn't enough to take down Satoshi.
Suddenly, a wave of heat swept across the battlefield.
Petals in the sky began to curl unnaturally, as if scorched dry by intense heat.
Then, a low chant echoed from within the petal storm.
"All things in the universe turn to ashes. Ryūjin Jakka."
A pillar of flame erupted skyward, instantly dispersing Senbonzakura's petals. The massive swirling cherry blossom sphere that had wrapped around Satoshi was blown apart by the blaze of Ryūjin Jakka.
Satoshi had finally drawn his Zanpakutō and was now taking the battle seriously.
This time, he chose the Shikai form of Ryūjin Jakka.
"Satoru, you didn't even use Bankai. Since you've chosen Ryūjin Jakka, Sode no Shirayuki won't get a chance to come out."
Facing the flames of Satoshi's Zanpakutō, Satoru's bright blue Six Eyes glimmered with excitement.
He wanted Satoshi to witness the true power of Senbonzakura. Even if Satoshi had drawn Ryūjin Jakka, as long as it wasn't Bankai, Satoru was confident that Senbonzakura was enough.
(To be continued.)
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