Heavenly Restriction User of the Gojo Clan: I Refuse to Be Cut in Half

"Young Master Satoshi, since Kumaen's target is Suzumushi, I'll return it to you. I can't use Suzumushi's technique, but you can."

"If Kumaen questions your strength, you can use Suzumushi to prove yourself."

Ever since encountering Sode no Shirayuki and Suzumushi, Shunichi had developed an almost blind trust in Satoshi.

He never doubted whether Satoshi could wield the Suzumushi technique.

Even though he felt some reluctance, he was still determined to return Suzumushi to Satoshi.

He had no desire to be involved in the schemes of the Twin Curse Faction.

However, to his surprise, Satoshi shook his head in refusal.

Instead of worrying about this kind of thing, it's better to focus on mastering Suzumushi. Completing Shikai and achieving Bankai as soon as possible would be the best reward for me.

Suzumushi is of no use to me. Is it just to prove I can forge a Zanpakutō? Haha… why should I care about what others think?

Besides, I haven't even seen what a Cursed Spirit truly looks like yet. Let me experience the cruelty of this world through Suzumushi's vision.

"Keep using Suzumushi. Master Shikai as soon as possible and unlock its technique."

"Don't worry about anything else."

"Do you really think the assessment for a Grade 1 sorcerer is that easy? Now that you've lost Cicada's Cry, are you planning to find a new weapon that suits you better?"

"Satoru and Toji just told me about the recent kendo competition. You don't want to end up like Yagyū Saemon, do you?"

Satoshi's words struck deep into Shunichi's heart.

Especially the mention of Yagyū Saemon's fate, it sent chills down his spine.

Shunichi let out a long sigh and nodded.

If I didn't have my Zanpakutō, Suzumushi, would I still be capable of becoming a Grade 1 sorcerer?

Shunichi had confidence in himself, but having Suzumushi as his support was also a form of security.

He could feel the concern in Satoshi's words, and his loyalty toward him increased slightly.

Although Satoshi had initially returned Suzumushi in exchange for a reward, in the end, this arrangement still improved Shunichi's overall strength.

---

"But before you leave, let's have one final kendo spar!"

"This time, you use Suzumushi, and I'll use Sode no Shirayuki."

"I can't use Sode no Shirayuki's techniques either, but perhaps fighting with a Zanpakutō will help you connect with Suzumushi more easily."

Satoshi unsheathed Sode no Shirayuki, his calm expression hiding a hint of excitement.

Shunichi was about to leave the Gojo Clan to undertake his Grade 1 promotion assessment. Once he left, there would be no more opportunities to train in kendo together.

After the kendo match between Shunichi and Yagyū Saemon, Satoshi's kendo proficiency had reached 99.9%—just a tiny fraction away from completion.

Originally, Satoshi had expected that after watching a duel between two kendo masters, he would finally unlock Hakuda (hand-to-hand combat).

However, due to the issue with Suzumushi, the match had ended in vain, leaving him one step short.

Regretting the missed opportunity to maximize his kendo proficiency, Satoshi decided to take matters into his own hands.

On one hand, he wanted to help Shunichi develop a deeper connection with Suzumushi. On the other, he needed to push his kendo mastery to its limit and unlock Hakuda as soon as possible.

Once Shunichi left, he could continue sparring with Toji.

After all, when it came to unarmed combat, Toji was among the strongest in the entire Jujutsu world.

Hearing Satoshi's request, Shunichi was moved.

Unaware of Satoshi's true intention—to max out his kendo proficiency—Shunichi assumed he was simply trying to help him gain Suzumushi's full recognition and unlock its Shikai as soon as possible.

Determined, he gripped Suzumushi in its sealed Asauchi state and prepared for the duel.

---

"Dance, Sode no Shirayuki!"

Wanting to prolong the exchange, Satoshi immediately activated Sode no Shirayuki's Shikai.

On the sidelines, Satoru and Toji silently admired the elegance of Sode no Shirayuki, completely ignoring Shunichi.

Though they had seen Sode no Shirayuki before, witnessing its transformation from a plain Asauchi to its pristine and beautiful Shikai form still left them in awe.

"Young Master Satoshi, I wonder… will Suzumushi be as beautiful as Sode no Shirayuki when it awakens?"

Shunichi voiced his thoughts unconsciously.

As expected, even a hardened warrior like Shunichi couldn't resist the allure of something truly beautiful…

Of course, Satoshi wouldn't tell him the truth.

After all, Sode no Shirayuki was known as the most beautiful Zanpakutō. It was only natural for its appearance to reflect that.

As for Suzumushi…

Its abilities were excellent, but its appearance was… well, ordinary.

Clang…

Clang…

Clang…

[The Host is receiving instruction from a sword master. Kendo experience +10.]

[The Host is receiving instruction from a sword master. Kendo experience +10.]

[The Host is receiving instruction from a sword master. Kendo experience +10.]

The sound of Zanpakutō clashing echoed throughout the room.

Yet, despite his repeated exchanges, the final 0.1% of experience refused to budge.

Eventually, the system's prompt changed.

[The Host is receiving instruction from a sword master. Kendo experience +0.]

Satoshi frowned.

If his kendo proficiency could no longer increase, that meant he had already reached the limit.

But why was it still stuck at 99.9% instead of reaching 100%?

While exchanging blows with Shunichi, Satoshi began recalling all the kendo techniques he had learned.

Flashes of past training surfaced in his mind.

As the duel became increasingly mechanical, Satoshi unknowingly entered a trance-like state.

And then, his accumulated kendo experience started to fade away.

[Kendo Experience: 99.9%]

[Kendo Experience: 90.9%]

[Kendo Experience: 80.9%]

…

[Kendo Experience: 10.9%]

[Kendo Experience: 0%]

Unknowingly, his entire kendo proficiency had reset to zero.

At that moment, Satoshi felt an unprecedented sense of clarity, as though an invisible barrier had shattered.

All the techniques he had once painstakingly learned suddenly merged together, forming a seamless whole.

When he snapped back to reality, he saw that the Suzumushi in Shunichi's hand had been knocked away, and Sode no Shirayuki was now pressed against Shunichi's neck.

A biting chill filled the entire forging room.