Suguru spoke at the right time. "I guess your sudden visit isn't just to see the new Zanpakutō, right?"
Riko stood behind Zenin Shinsuke, staring intently at Satoru. Although he had the same face as Satoshi, he gave a completely different feeling.
When she saw Satoshi at the Yorozuya, it was like looking up at a gentle starry sky. The one in front of me is more like a sword drawn from its sheath, sharp yet elegant. It is hard to imagine they are twin brothers.
"Come to think of it," Satoru suddenly turned to Riko, "this young lady seems very interested in me. Is it because I look like my brother?"
Naoya was about to speak but was stopped by Shinsuke. Shinsuke stepped forward, expression solemn. "Gojo-san before I answer your question, could you please ask everyone around to leave?"
Satoru narrowed his eyes and looked over the three. Interesting, it seems we are getting down to business. What exactly did Satoshi encounter at the Yorozuya?
"Suguru," Satoru turned and said, "go set up the barrier."
After Suguru set the barrier, Satoru leaned lazily against a pillar. "Now you can tell me. Did my brother at the Yorozuya promise you something?"
Shinsuke shook his head. "No, Satoshi did not explicitly promise anything. But..." He took a deep breath. "We hope the Gojo family can protect Miss Riko. She is a Star Plasma Vessel."
As soon as those words fell, the air seemed to freeze. Satoru's expression finally changed, and even Suguru put away his smile.
I see. A glimmer of understanding flashed through Satoru's eyes. So this is the Star Plasma Vessel Satoshi mentioned. What an unexpected surprise.
At that moment, a clear clash of metal came from the distance, followed by a strong surge of Cursed Energy. The cyan smoke thickened, and faint threads of gold flowed within it.
Shinsuke continued, "The situation in the Jujutsu world is complicated now, and hidden forces are coveting the Star Plasma Vessel. The clan head believes only the Gojo family has enough strength to protect Miss Riko. What is more..." He glanced at the distant smoke. "The Gojo family seems to be growing even stronger."
Satoru snorted, amusement flashing in his eyes. "So the Zenin family intends to take this opportunity to show goodwill to the Gojo family?" He rolled his shoulders slowly. "What a neat calculation. But, are you so sure I will accept?"
Hearing the threat in his tone, Naoya subconsciously took a step forward.
As expected of an extremely powerful sorcerer. Just the tone of his voice can exert tremendous pressure.
Suguru noticed Naoya's reaction, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly. "You seem a little nervous. Don't worry, Satoru was just joking."
"Yeah," Satoru waved his hand.
Before he could finish, an even louder metallic impact sounded from the distance, and the entire courtyard seemed to tremble. A golden light blazed within the green smoke, and faint lines began to emerge in the air.
Satoru's eyes moved slightly. It seems that brat Satoshi is about to finish. The aura of this Zanpakutō is interesting.
Shinsuke seized the moment, "You felt it too, right? The Gojo family has started forging Zanpakutō again. This news will probably spread throughout the entire Jujutsu world soon. By then..."
He did not finish, but everyone understood. Once the news spreads, it will cause an uproar. The existence of the Star Plasma Vessel will become a target coveted by various forces.
Suguru looked thoughtfully at Riko. I see, Satoshi anticipated all this.
At that moment, the fluctuations of Cursed Energy in the air suddenly grew chaotic, and even the barrier began to waver slightly. Satoru narrowed his eyes, as if realizing something. "It seems my little brother cannot wait any longer."
He turned to Riko with a smile very similar to Satoshi's, yet completely different. "Come on, since you arrived at this time, I will take you to see him. It is just in time..." He glanced meaningfully into the distance. "Take a look at this new Zanpakutō."
Shinsuke and Naoya exchanged a look, surprise in both their eyes. They had anticipated many possibilities, but they did not expect Satoru to decide so quickly.
As expected of twin brothers. Even though their personalities are very different, their reactions at certain times are surprisingly similar.
"Wait," Suguru suddenly said. "Satoru, are you sure you want to take her over now? Satoshi is at a critical moment in forging..."
Satoru lazily cut him off. "Suguru, do you still not understand Satoshi? Since he is ready to accept this commission, he must have made preparations." His gaze fell on Riko. "What is more, this fluctuation of Cursed Energy..."
Before he finished, a powerful light burst from the forge in the distance. Golden radiance blazed within the green smoke, and mysterious runes seemed to flow through the air. The entire Gojo family barrier began to resonate, emitting a low hum.
"This is..." Naoya widened his eyes.
Such a powerful fluctuation of Cursed Energy, even stronger than what I felt nine years ago. What is Satoshi's current level of strength?
Satoru's expression turned serious. "Interesting. It seems this Zanpakutō is not simple." He turned to Riko. "When you saw Satoshi at the Yorozuya, did he mention anything special?"
Riko recalled the scene and answered softly, "Mr. Satoshi said that everyone needs a blade of their own to cut through confusion and guide their direction."
"Guide the direction?" A strange look flashed in Satoru's eyes. "I see."
It is likely Satoshi took an interest in her not only because she is the Star Plasma Vessel.
Suguru looked at Riko thoughtfully. "No wonder such a strong anomaly appeared during the forging. Satoru, do you think..."
"Let's go," Satoru turned and headed toward the forge before he could finish.
(To be continued.)