"All Things in the Universe, Turn to Ashes!"
As Satoshi spoke those words, Ryūjin Jakka stirred once more.
However, the appearance of Ryūjin Jakka didn't mark a turning point for Satoshi.
Within the Coffin of the Iron Mountain, Ryūjin Jakka was no different from Sode no Shirayuki without her Shikai.
Satoshi had already anticipated this scenario, but when it actually happened, he couldn't help but feel disappointed.
Ryūjin Jakka, such a powerful Zanpakutō had fallen to this state.
On the opposite side, Jogo felt a fatal sense of crisis the moment Satoshi released his Zanpakutō, so he instinctively chose to defend first.
But what surprised him was that the weapon Satoshi took out appeared completely ordinary.
Though confused, Jogo still pressed the advantage.
He knew that this Domain wasn't his own power, so it could vanish at any time.
He had to finish this fight before the Domain collapsed.
Now that he held the upper hand, he had to seize the opportunity.
Waves of searing flames continued to pour out from Jogo's arms. With the Domain's guaranteed hit ability, every attack struck Satoshi directly.
However, due to Ryūjin Jakka's presence, Satoshi appeared noticeably calmer while defending.
After all, Ryūjin Jakka was a fire-type Zanpakutō, while Sode no Shirayuki was ice-type. In this fire-heavy Domain, Ryūjin Jakka was naturally more adaptable.
But being pummeled like this repeatedly, Satoshi's irritation grew.
It was embarrassing, owning the most offensive Zanpakutō, yet forced into a purely defensive role.
Zanjutsu, Hakuda, and Hohō weren't suitable right now.
His Zanpakutō was uncooperative.
Although Satoshi's overall strength far surpassed the current Jogo, for a host of reasons, he had been suppressed throughout the entire battle.
"Ryūjin Jakka, are you really satisfied just passively defending like this? Doesn't this insult your status?"
But Ryūjin Jakka remained silent.
Satoshi closed in and slashed horizontally, sending Jogo flying. Then, without hesitation, he thrust Ryūjin Jakka into the ground.
If Ryūjin Jakka refused to cooperate, there was no point in holding onto it.
After that, Satoshi prepared to rely solely on Hakuda and Shunpo. He'd fight Jogo directly, exchanging blows, even if it meant injury for injury. He would defeat him in this Domain.
...
The spectators watching the projection felt a wave of disappointment.
The plan Tengen had devised didn't seem to have any effect on Satoshi's Ryūjin Jakka.
"Lord Tengen, is this cursed spirit really effective against Ryūjin Jakka?" Yuki bit her lip, visibly displeased.
Toji and Satoru nodded in agreement. They couldn't understand why Tengen had such an odd idea.
Satoshi had already abandoned using Ryūjin Jakka. In that case, how could he possibly activate its technique?
Still, Tengen remained composed.
She showed no signs of concern over Satoshi's actions and continued watching the battle unfold, as though still waiting for the true outcome.
…
Inside the coffin of Iron Mountain, the battle between Jogo and Satoshi raged violently.
The two were locked in a dead-even fight.
Satoshi's Hakuda strikes landed with force, and Jogo's flame attacks continued to hit. Both exchanged injuries, battling fiercely without pause.
…
Satoru and Toji were tempted to intervene.
Tengen calmly extended a hand to stop them.
"If Satoshi knew about this, do you think he'd want you to interfere? Trust me, Satoshi wouldn't want to miss this opportunity."
"Besides, given his current state, even if a cursed spirit were to enter this Domain, both sides would take heavy damage."
"So, what are you really worried about?"
Tengen smiled calmly and added, "Don't you believe in Satoshi's victory?"
Tengen's words left Satoru and Toji silent. Their initial thoughts dissipated. After all, nothing Tengen had done so far had harmed Satoshi.
Though still uneasy, they could only place their hopes on Satoshi using this battle to truly awaken Ryūjin Jakka's technique.
Because they knew just how much Satoshi longed to master it.
...
A punch.
A kick.
A burst of flame.
A surge of cursed energy.
Jogo and Satoshi had been clashing for a long time.
With neither Satoru nor Toji stepping in for support, Satoshi realized something was off.
Tengen shouldn't be this hostile toward him.
Moreover, it was unlikely Tengen would stall Toji and Satoru this long without reason…
So clearly, this wasn't a suppression—it might be a test.
And if he passed it, there might be something to gain.
That was the only explanation that made sense now.
As the battle raged, Satoshi began reviewing the events leading up to this moment.
Yuki hadn't greeted him in person…
Jogo's Cursed Womb had appeared inexplicably in the Tombs of the Star…
The entire space had been specifically built to seal Sode no Shirayuki's abilities…
Toji and Satoru had been detained for an unusually long time…
The Coffin of the Iron Mountain had appeared without warning…
Tengen…
Given all of this, it seemed that Tengen bore no hostility toward him. If anything, everything Tengen did was likely beneficial.
What was he missing?
Satoshi thought back to the complaints he'd made to Yuki about his Zanpakutō.
I can't awaken Ryūjin Jakka's technique. If I had better control, I definitely could've defeated Kaori Itadori…
In the midst of the fight, Satoshi caught sight of Ryūjin Jakka stuck into the ground.
Did Tengen design all of this to deepen his bond with Ryūjin Jakka?
As his Six Eyes scanned Ryūjin Jakka, Satoshi was shocked to feel the fire within it suddenly surge.
He looked around and noticed the volcanic walls had begun to dim.
Ryūjin Jakka is absorbing the power of the Coffin of the Iron Mountain?
At that moment, Satoshi felt a faint response from Ryūjin Jakka.
It had been so long… Getting even a small reaction from Ryūjin Jakka was already a massive step forward.
The last time it had responded was the day it was first forged…
(To be continued.)
***
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