Kaito and Tobu were sparring on a vast, open stretch of land.
A barrier had been cast around the entire perimeter, isolating it completely from the outside world.
No one could see in.
No one could interfere.
There were only the two of them—and the battle.
Hyōrinmaru in Kaito’s hand radiated a faint, frosty chill.
After seven years, his mastery over it had grown immensely refined.
Ice was no longer just an offensive tool—it had become a medium for absolute battlefield control.
Meanwhile, Tobu—
Excluding Mahoraga, she had successfully subdued every single one of her shikigami.
One of the most dangerous moves she could currently execute involved the Piercing Ox.
This shikigami could only charge in a straight line, but the greater the distance it traveled, the more devastating its power became.
Tobu had Nue grab the Piercing Ox, soaring high into the sky—
And dropping it straight down.
BOOM!
The collision tore the earth apart, the shockwave spreading like a large-scale explosion.
Yet that was far from all.
“Come forth… Tiger Funeral.”
Tiger Funeral materialized.
It was the ninth shikigami of the Ten Shadows Technique—a striped tiger standing on two legs, its lower body covered in jet-black fur resembling trousers.
It possessed deadly close-quarters combat capabilities coupled with exceptional agility and speed.
Like a silent assassin.
Tiger Funeral lunged forward.
Tobu followed right behind it.
A pincer attack—two against one.
“Not bad, Kaito,” she muttered softly, seeing him remain composed.
Kaito didn’t dodge.
Nor did he counter immediately.
He… was reading their movements.
Tobu’s blade slashed down—
Cursed energy erupted, tearing through his icy barrier.
“This ends here!”
The blade struck straight down.
Thwack.
…But the “Kaito” before her shattered.
It was merely an ice clone.
A cold chill ran down her spine.
Tobu froze.
“Behind you.”
Kaito’s voice sounded right beside her ear.
His blade was pressed firmly against her neck.
A moment of silence passed.
“Hmph… I lose.”
“Let’s call it a draw,” Kaito said, sheathing his sword and deactivating Shikai.
Tobu glanced at him… then looked down at her own hands.
Even though the duel ended peacefully, a profound sense of helplessness weighed heavy in her heart.
For the past year, she had trained harder than anyone else, even managing to enter her inner world—a quiet realm filled with towering skyscrapers under an endless, gentle rain.
Yet, she still couldn’t glimpse the form or hear the voice of her sword’s soul.
“Why… can’t I unleash Shikai yet?”
Kaito remained silent for a moment before answering:
“I think… it’s because of what’s inside you.”
He looked straight into Tobu’s eyes.
“You’re extremely strong.
Almost on par with Satoru.
So… the issue isn’t a lack of power.”
Tobu said nothing, merely listening.
“I’ve talked to everyone who has unlocked Shikai,” Kaito continued slowly.
“And I noticed one common trait.”
“Their sense of self… is extraordinarily clear.”
“Whether strong or weak, regardless of their background—their core identity never wavers.”
Tobu tightened her fists slightly.
“…Their sense of self.”
“Yeah,” Kaito nodded.
“Like Toji.
Like Satoru.”
“They know exactly who they are.”
“And that… is why the sword’s soul accepts them.”
Tobu stood still.
In her mind, those words echoed over and over.
Perhaps… she had been heading in the wrong direction from the very start.
“Don’t overthink it,” Kaito said gently.
“For you… it’s only a matter of time.”
“…Yeah.”
Ring.
A phone chimed.
Kaito looked at the screen.
“Satoru.”
He picked up.
“—Hello?”
The voice on the other end… was unusually panicked.
“Get back here immediately, Kaito.”
“Mother… something happened to Mother.”
Kaito’s mind went blank for a split second.
Tobu heard it too.
No further words were needed.
“Get on.
Flying will be faster.”
Kaito clenched his fists tightly.
“…Thanks.”
The two left immediately, leaving behind a battlefield still lingering with cold mist—
And a growing sense of dread.
Inside Otome’s bedchamber—
She lay on the bed, her body so frail and emaciated that it seemed completely devoid of life.
Only a faint, fragile breath… proved she was still alive.
Surrounding her were the Gojo family doctors.
At the center stood Shouko.
She was continuously unleashing Reverse Cursed Technique, desperately trying to hold onto the life slipping through her fingers.
Outside—
Satoru and Sei stood in complete silence.
Neither said a word.
Because… there was nothing left to say.
The door burst open.
Kaito and Tobu rushed in.
Just one glance at the expressions on his father’s and brother’s faces—
And Kaito understood.
“Mother… how is she?”
Sei answered, his voice low:
“She only said she felt a bit tired this morning… then suddenly collapsed in the courtyard.”
“The doctors are trying to stabilize her… but…”
He couldn’t finish the sentence.
“Calm down,” Sei added.
“Worrying won’t change anything.”
“Not worry?!”
Satoru exploded instantly.
He grabbed his father by the collar.
“How… how can you say something like that?!”
“Satoru.”
Kaito’s voice rang out.
Not loud.
But enough to pull him back.
“Is even Reverse Cursed Technique… completely ineffective?”
That question… carried pure desperation.
Satoru froze.
“…I’m sorry, Father.”
He released his grip.
This was the father he respected most.
There was no way… he wasn’t worried.
He was simply trying to hold himself together… from breaking down.
“Clan Head…”
A doctor stepped out, but there was no spark of hope in his eyes.
“Lady Otome has regained consciousness.”
“A temporary rally… before the end.”
“I am deeply sorry… we have done everything we could.”
He bowed deeply.
“She wishes to see everyone one last time.”
No one said another word.
All four rushed into the room.
Inside—
Shouko was the only one who hadn’t stopped.
She kept pouring in cursed energy, even though she knew in her heart… it was meaningless.
Otome opened her eyes.
Her face was gaunt… yet her smile remained overwhelmingly gentle.
“Satoru… Kaito…”
“It seems… my time has come to an end.”
Tears spilled from Satoru’s eyes.
“Seeing both of you… grow up so well… remaining together…”
“That was… my greatest happiness.”
She turned her gaze toward Sei.
“I’m sorry… I have to leave first.”
“But you… have become a wonderful father.”
“I am… truly content.”
Then she looked over at Shouko and Tobu.
“Shouko… Tobu…”
“Please… help me look after the boys…”
“Please… don’t speak like that anymore…” Shouko choked back her tears.
Otome smiled softly.
“Thank you… my dear children…”
Her eyes gently closed.
Her breathing… slowly faded away.
“MOTHER!!” Satoru screamed out.
Sei stood frozen.
Kaito clenched his fists until his knuckles turned white.
No…
It couldn’t end like this.
…Then—
A wave of icy sensation rippled outward.
Hyōrinmaru… vibrated.
Kaito froze.
“…What… are you saying?”
A sudden thought flashed through his mind—
Shouko…
Kaito’s gaze snapped open, utterly transformed.
“Shouko!” he shouted loudly.
“Stop the Reverse Cursed Technique!”
“Grab your Soul Slayer Blade now!”
Everyone froze in utter confusion.
“Bring Mother out to the courtyard—right now!”
“What are you doing?!” Satoru snapped aggressively.
“Hurry!”
“If you still want to save her!”
No one dared delay any longer.
Their faith—
Was placed entirely on Kaito.
Out in the courtyard—
Sunlight streamed down.
Otome lay there, peaceful… as if she had accepted everything.
Shouko ran over, her hands trembling slightly.
“Kaito… I…”
“I haven’t been able to—”
“You can do it,” Kaito’s voice was rock solid.
“Listen to your heart, Shouko!
Isn’t your deepest desire to heal and save all life?”
Kaito’s words struck like a lightning bolt straight through Shouko’s mind.
She closed her eyes, and the world around her suddenly fell into an eerie, surreal silence.
She heard the breathing of all creation; she heard the call coming from deep within the soul of her blade.
—”Release them from all their agony… MINAZUKI!”
The sword was drawn—
It possessed no steel blade.
Instead, from within the scabbard—
A colossal living entity manifested.
A massive, green manta ray featuring a single, glowing yellow eye.
It expanded its giant body—
Blanketing the entire Gojo estate.
“What… is this?” Sei muttered under his breath.
The manta ray opened its mouth—
And swallowed Otome whole.
“Hey—” Satoru called out nervously.
“Trust Shouko,” Kaito said.
Shouko stood there.
Eyes closed.
Her entire consciousness… concentrated onto a single point.
Time trickled by—
Ten minutes.
Twenty minutes.
Thirty minutes.
No one dared to breathe heavily.
Then—
The giant manta ray opened its maw.
Otome… was gently returned.
Her body was coated in the creature’s digestive fluids… but—
The spark of life had returned.
Her eyes fluttered open.
“I just… had a wonderful dream…”
“MOTHER!”
Satoru burst into heavy tears, wrapping his arms tightly around her.
Sei turned his head away… though his shoulders trembled uncontrollably.
Otome smiled softly, gazing at Kaito and Shouko.
“Thank you… my dear children.”
Kaito wiped a stray tear from his eye.
“No… it was all Shouko.” He pointed toward her.
Thud.
Shouko collapsed to her knees.
Tobu quickly rushed to catch her.
“I’m fine… just overexerted my energy…”
She gently stroked the hilt of her sword.
“…Minazuki.”
The members of the Gojo clan—
Every single one of them had witnessed it.
It wasn’t merely a miracle.
It was—
A brand-new realm of power.
A Soul Slayer Blade… was not just meant for fighting.
It could also… save lives.
Shouko looked at Kaito, her voice filled with genuine warmth:
“Kaito, thank you.”
“You have it backwards, I’m the one who should be saying that.
Thank you for saving my mother.”
“Not at all… if it weren’t for the Soul Slayer Blade you forged, I would have been forever helpless against fate.”
“Sheesh, stop being so overly formal, you two!” Satoru barged right between them, wiping his tear-stained face before breaking into a radiant smile.
“Mother has recovered, we need to throw a massive feast to celebrate!”
Tobu stood behind them, quietly taking in the whole scene.
Her gaze softened.
Gojo Kaito…
His Soul Slayer Blades had saved so many people.
…What about her own?