"Yes, I was too eager to replicate the result." Satoshi continued sketching. "Tenshintai transformation should not be a compulsory tool, but a medium, a bridge. It needs to resonate with two different souls at the same time."
He pointed to the newly drawn lines. "This is the core. Using a special material structure and Cursed markings, we can establish a deep connection between the Zanpakutō and the user in a short time."
"That sounds reasonable," Satoru said, picking up a shard. "But how do we actually do it?"
Satoshi returned to the forge table. "The key lies in the choice of materials and the arrangement of the patterns. The explosion just now made me realize the previous design was too rigid. It needs more flexibility."
He took a new piece of metal from the shelf and placed it on the bench. "This time I'll use a special alloy. Its molecular structure is looser, so it resonates with energy more easily."
"Such a workaholic..." Satoru sighed. "But honestly, seeing you this motivated puts me at ease."
Satoshi paused and looked up at his brother. "What do you mean?"
"Remember when we were kids?" Satoru leaned against the wall. "Whenever you ran into a problem, it was like this. You'd get stuck at first, but once you found your direction, nothing could stop you."
This worrywart of a brother... Satoshi shook his head inwardly.
"At the current pace," he shifted the topic, "I'll finish in at most a month..."
Satoru shrugged. "Need my help?"
"No." Satoshi's attention had already returned to his work. "Go watch Riko's training."
"Ah, right," Satoru laughed. "Her performance today was really surprising. She has fully mastered Kidō up to the thirties, and her understanding of each one is unique."
Satoshi's hand paused. "Really?"
"Why pretend to be indifferent?" Satoru walked to the door. "You clearly care. By the way, she seems very curious about your research on Tenshintai transformation. Do you want to..."
"Wait until I'm done," Satoshi cut him off, though his tone was softer than usual. "There's hope now."
Looking at his brother's focused profile, Satoru suddenly remembered something. "By the way, did you get inspired by the relationship between Riko and Sakanade?"
"I suppose so," Satoshi's voice lowered. "Watching how she understood and used that power taught me a lot. Power is never a one-way gift, it's resonance."
"In that case," Satoru mused, "Tenshintai transformation is actually helping the user reach a deeper understanding with their Zanpakutō?"
"Exactly." Satoshi nodded. "It should be a platform that allows two souls to communicate better."
As the night deepened, moonlight filtered through the broken roof and blended with the forge's glow. Satoshi threw himself back into work, each movement filled with newfound confidence.
"Then I'll head out first," Satoru said, turning to leave. He paused at the door. "Don't overdo it. And... I believe you can do it."
After the door closed, only the fire and the ring of metal filled the forge. Watching the shape forming beneath his hands, Satoshi smiled. "Don't worry. This will succeed."
...
Autumn sunlight bathed Ginza. The ginkgo leaves along the street had begun to turn yellow, adding warmth to the bustling district.
"Is this really okay?" Riko asked anxiously. "Just going out shopping like this..."
"Of course," Satoru replied, as relaxed as ever. "It's good to unwind now and then. And the results of your last half month of training have exceeded my expectations."
Shoko gently patted Riko's shoulder. "It's fine. With the three of us here, nothing will happen. Besides..." She cast Satoru a meaningful look. "It's not easy to get out of the training grounds. You should enjoy it."
Suguru walked at the rear, quietly observing everyone's interactions. Shoko, are you planning something...
Inside Ginza's largest mall, Riko couldn't help being drawn to the dazzling window displays. She usually wore simple training clothes and rarely had the chance to visit places like this.
"This shop looks nice," Shoko stopped before a boutique. "Riko, let's take a look."
The elegantly decorated store was softly lit, with a faint perfume drifting through the air. The warm light and autumn sun created a cozy atmosphere.
Riko followed Shoko a bit nervously. This kind of high-end store felt unfamiliar, but Shoko's gentle guidance helped her relax.
"This knit cardigan suits you," Shoko said, lifting a light beige sweater. "It would pair well with a skirt."
Satoru and Suguru stood not far off, pretending to browse the men's section. But Six Eyes occasionally glanced toward the women's area.
That cardigan really suits her, Satoru thought. But the color combination is a bit off...
"If you ask me," he said, walking over and picking up a dark blue dress, "this color suits Riko better."
Riko froze, heat rising to her cheeks. Gojo-sensei... you pay attention to details like this?
"I didn't expect you to have good taste," Shoko smiled. "Riko, try it on."
In the fitting room, Riko looked at herself in the mirror, heart pounding. The dark blue dress brought out her delicate temperament, and with the beige cardigan, it felt both warm and elegant.
"It's perfect," Shoko's eyes lit up as Riko stepped out.
Satoru stood there speechless. Sunlight poured through the glass, casting a soft halo around Riko. The beauty of that moment made it hard to look away.
So she can be this beautiful... he thought.
"Since it suits her so well," Suguru chimed in at the right moment, "Satoru, as her teacher, shouldn't you express something?"
Before Satoru could reply, he took the cardigan from Shoko and headed for the register. "I'll cover this one. Satoru, the rest is yours."
Riko waved her hands quickly. "No, that's not necessary. This is too much..."
"Let them," Shoko whispered in her ear. "Look, Gojo-sensei is already paying."
(To be continued.)
◇◇◇
◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 200 Power Stones.
◇ You can read the ahead chapter on Pat if you're interested: p-atreon.c-om/Blownleaves (Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)