The entire dojo fell into silence.
No one had expected the battle to be reversed so easily.
Even as Shinsuke lay injured on the ground, not a single person moved to provide immediate medical aid.
---
"His wound was frozen by Sode no Shirayuki, so it's just a penetrating injury. He won't be able to use his Cursed Energy for a while, but conventional treatment will be enough."
After all, the Zenin Clan and the Gojo Clan were two of the great families.
Although they had always been at odds, Satoshi had no intention of permanently crippling the Zenin Clan's future heir on their own turf.
He had already achieved his goal.
The moment Zenin Shinsuke fell, Satoshi's mind had already shifted to choosing a Cursed Tool.
Yes—even before stepping into the Zenin Clan's Treasury, he had already set his sights on a target.
---
Awakened by Satoshi's voice, Naobito quickly ordered his servants to carry Shinsuke away for treatment.
Although Shinsuke had lost, there was no doubt about his strength.
If nothing unexpected happened, he was still the most likely candidate to become the next leader of the Zenin Clan.
Beside Naobito, Ogi's face was ashen.
The warrior he had fully supported—Shinsuke—had lost to Gojo Satoshi.
It was humiliating.
Thinking back to Satoshi's earlier insults, then witnessing Zenin Shinsuke's defeat, rage consumed him.
His entire body trembled as he shot a venomous glare at Satoshi before leaving the dojo in disgrace.
The atmosphere within the Zenin Clan suddenly grew cold.
Only Jinichi, who had been acting as a neutral observer, remained calm.
---
"I never expected it, Satoshi-kun, your Sode no Shirayuki actually had another hidden technique!"
"Everyone was misled by your large-scale techniques… But your third technique—White Sword—was the real trump card."
The Zenin Clan members were filled with shock and admiration.
Shinsuke's defeat was not unjust.
The cunning and deception Satoshi displayed in this battle was nothing like that of a six-year-old child.
No one had ever imagined that a Cursed Tool like a Zanpakutō could possess three techniques.
---
"Uncle Naobito, why do you think Sode no Shirayuki only has three techniques?"
A smirk appeared on Gojo Satoshi's face.
"Being targeted by the Zenin Clan like this would provoke even the most patient person."
The Zenin Clan had lost their qualifications to cooperate with him, so he had no reason to hold back anymore.
They probably thought that Sode no Shirayuki only had three abilities.
Since they had no interest in working with him, why should he bother playing nice?
Besides—now that things had escalated this far, he was genuinely curious to see how Naobito would react when he realized the true potential behind the Zanpakutō partnership.
---
"…There aren't just three?"
Naobito's expression froze.
He had caught onto the deeper implication behind Gojo Satoshi's words, but he couldn't quite believe it.
The three techniques of Sode no Shirayuki were already overwhelmingly powerful.
If there was a fourth technique… or even a fifth…
Then this Zanpakutō would be utterly terrifying.
---
"Of course, Uncle Naobito!"
"Shall I count them for you?"
Satoshi innocently stretched out his left hand and started counting with his fingers.
"Let's see… Moon White, White Ripple, White Sword—those are the ones you've seen."
Gojo Satoshi counted off three fingers, then glanced at Zenin Naobito's increasingly shocked expression before continuing.
"Next…"
"Minus Eighteen Degrees."
"Minus Fifty Degrees."
"Absolute Zero."
And finally—
"Bankai."
Satoshi tapped the index finger of his right hand and flashed a dazzling smile at Zenin Naobito.
"Uncle Naobito, looks like there are seven techniques in total!"
---
Naobito's eyes widened instantly.
Even Toji, who had remained calm throughout, leaned forward in shock.
The two strongest individuals in the Zenin Clan had just been shaken to their core.
A Zanpakutō with seven techniques?
Is this brat lying? Is he just trying to mess with me?
Naobito mind raced with conflicting thoughts.
Minus Eighteen Degrees? Minus Fifty Degrees?
The names don't match the pattern of the First Dance, Second Dance, or Third Dance… Shouldn't the next one be Fourth Dance?
And what is this… "Bankai"?
While the first six techniques sounded temperature-related, the last one was completely different.
What does that even mean?
Naobito's expression shifted between doubt and astonishment.
He wanted to believe it, but at the same time, it sounded too absurd to be real.
---
Meanwhile Toji, after a brief moment of surprise, quickly regained his composure.
When he heard the word "Bankai", he realized that Satoshi wasn't lying.
However, what truly shocked him was the sheer number of techniques Sode no Shirayuki possessed in its Shikai state.
I underestimated the Zanpakutō.
---
Satoshi grinned before turning his gaze toward Zenin Ogi, who had left the dojo moments earlier.
"I know the Zenin Clan still thinks Sode no Shirayuki isn't that strong… But that's only because you were never capable of forcing out its true power."
"If I had used White Sword + Minus Eighteen Degrees against Shinsuke just now…"
"Then he'd already be in the morgue."
(To be continued.)