The news of Satoshi visiting the Zenin Cn in search of materials to forge a Zanpakutō quickly spread throughout the Gojo Cn.

  Ever since Satoru's Senbonzakura bloomed within the mansion, creating a mesmerizing spectacle of winter cherry blossoms, many members of the Gojo Cn had become ardent admirers of Satoshi.

  Anyone with even a shred of insight could grasp the immense potential of a weapon like a Zanpakutō.

  The previous dissatisfaction over Gojo Satoshi "wasting" the Treasury's Cursed Tool had now morphed into fear—fear that he would take his talents elsewhere.

  "Why would Young Master Satoshi go to the Zenin Cn? Does he not realize that we've always been at odds with them?"

  "What materials do we ck? Why must he seek them from the Zenin Cn? If outsiders hear of this, they'll think the Gojo Cn has fallen so low that we can't even provide our own cursed tools!"

  "Could Young Master Satoshi be forging a Zanpakutō for the Zenin Cn? I've heard he has someone from the Zenin Cn close to him… Could he have been deceived?"

  "A Zanpakutō is exclusive to the Gojo Cn. It must not be passed on to outsiders! Young Master Satoshi, please do not make this mistake!"

  Thus far, only three Zanpakutō had been forged, and all three belonged to the Gojo Cn.

  Moreover, since their creator was the Six Eyes inheritor of the cn, many within the Gojo family had come to regard the Zanpakutō as their own sacred, untouchable treasure.

  Despite being the forger, Satoshi now found himself in a peculiar situation, his own cn had stripped him of the right to decide how his creations were used.

  Now, just because he had paid a visit to the Zenin Cn, anxiety gripped the Gojo family. Voices began rising, emphasizing the Gojo Cn's prestige and lineage.

  Ironically, before the power of Shunichi's Suzumushi had been revealed and before Satoru had showcased his Senbonzakura Shikai, many of these same individuals had doubted Satoshi's forging abilities.

  Yet, in just a matter of days, the tides had shifted.

  Human hearts are fickle.

  Satoshi had already seen through such matters. He wouldn't allow the changing winds of public opinion to affect him.

  However, for Kumaen, the leader of the Twin Curse Faction, the news of Gojo Satoshi's visit to the Zenin Cn was nothing short of a crisis.

  On the other side, at the Cursed Tool Bcksmith Association, a long-standing debate had resurfaced: Should Gojo Satoshi be granted membership?

  This discussion had already taken pce in private among various association members. But this time, it was happening openly.

  The one who put forth the proposal was Gojo Takuya, the Gojo Cn's master bcksmith of cursed tools.

  Previously, Takuya had been something of an outsider within the Cursed Tool Association, often referred to as the Master's Adversary.

  But now, having mentored Satoshi, his standing had changed dramatically.

  No one dared to call him an adversary anymore.

  Instead, many now saw Takuya and his apprentice, Satoshi, as the ones who would redefine the future of cursed tool forging.

  "Gojo Satoshi is too young! If we make a six-year-old a member of the Cursed Tool Bcksmith Association, won't that make us a ughingstock?"

  "He has already forged three Zanpakutō. That alone qualifies him as a forger. Our association is respected because of our master craftsmen—if we exclude Gojo Satoshi, won't our professionalism be questioned?"

  "I agree! Gojo Satoshi should be admitted into the association!"

  "No, no, no—he's only forged three Zanpakutō! What about his ability to forge other types of cursed tools? He hasn't demonstrated that yet!"

  "Exactly! And besides, is a Zanpakutō even considered a cursed tool? Based on my research into Suzumushi, it seems like these bdes have a consciousness of their own…"

  "Are you suggesting that Gojo Satoshi has the ability to create artificial Cursed Objects? If that's the case, wouldn't these three Zanpakutō be cssified as Special-Grade Cursed Objects? Do you really think that's possible?"

  "…It's just a hypothesis."

  The association was in an uproar, but Kamo Shin, the association's president, remained silent.

  To him, there was no need to argue.

  Given just a few more days, everything would become clear.

  After all, he had faith in Special-Grade Techniques.

  And with the Scorched Phase aiding him…

  And with the power supporting the Kamo cn's ambitions…

  Everything was inevitable.

  At the Zenin Estate, within the VIP chamber, although Gojo Satoshi's main goal was to help Zenin Toji find the right cursed tool for forging a Zanpakutō, since the Zenin Cn's higher-ups had personally come to receive him, ignoring them would have been impolite.

  So, despite finding it tedious, he still chose to participate in the meeting.

  However, for Toji, this was an absolute waste of time.

  Had it not been for his older brother, Jinichi, Toji would have dozed off right there in the VIP chamber.

  Meanwhile, in a nearby training hall, Zenin Shinsuke had just finished his practice when he overheard a conversation:

  "Gojo Satoshi is here."

  Instantly, his Cursed Energy surged out of control.

  Even now, Satoshi's name cast a shadow over him.

  He wanted a Zanpakutō.

  But he also wanted to see Satoshi humiliated before the Zenin Cn.

  He wanted Satoshi to endure the same disgrace he himself had suffered.

  He clenched his fists.

  Before, this bastard had taken a cursed tool from the Zenin Cn's treasury to forge his Zanpakutō.

  And now?

  He's back for more.

  "We can't let him succeed."

  Shinsuke had always been hailed as a rare talent within the Zenin Cn.

  By piecing together scattered clues, he had already deduced Satoshi's true purpose.

  His old grudge ignited anew.

  This time, Gojo Satoshi had stepped into his territory.

  There was no way he'd let him have his way.

  "To the VIP room!"

  Without even bothering to remove his kendo uniform, Shinsuke bolted toward the meeting chamber.

  A servant rushed in and whispered something to Zenin Naobito and Zenin Ogi.

  Naobito frowned slightly.

  Ogi smirked.

  The two elders exchanged gnces before rising from their seats.

  They turned to Satoshi and nodded apologetically.

  "We have a small matter to handle. Please excuse us for a moment."

  With that, they departed.

  The moment Zenin Shinsuke saw the two elders enter, he got straight to the point and stated his request.

  "Uncle Naobito! Uncle Ogi!"

  He didn't waste time on pleasantries.

  "You must not let Gojo Satoshi take anything from the Treasury again!"

  (To be continued.)