Heavenly Restriction User of the Gojo Clan: I Refuse to Be Cut in Half-Chapter 188: Set Off and Go Home!

"What's wrong with me?"

Yagyū Saemon opened his eyes, still groggy. The light was dim, and he couldn't clearly make out his surroundings. He only knew that there were people—or perhaps spirits—gathered around him.

Am I dead already? What a disgrace to Young Master Gojo Satoshi. Even in death, I wasn't able to complete the Bankai of my Zanpakutō.

If others find out, they'll surely mock the Yagyū clan for wasting a Zanpakutō like Nejibana.

Out of habit, Saemon reached for his hip. Even in death, his reflex to draw his blade hadn't changed.

"Hm?"

A familiar sensation met his fingers.

"Nejibana... it's still here?"

"Can a Zanpakutō forged by Young Master Gojo Satoshi even follow me into the afterlife?"

Saemon was startled but also somewhat comforted.

If I could bring Nejibana with me into the underworld, then maybe this death isn't so bad after all...

Just as he fell into thought, the green light around him began to fade.

As it fully disappeared, a familiar voice reached his ears.

"Uncle Saemon, I'm so glad you're okay!"

Suguru?

Didn't he make it out in the end?

That thought flashed through Saemon's mind. But Suguru's words told him more.

Is it really great that I'm okay?

Saemon's expression stiffened, then shifted into utter joy.

I'm not dead. I'm still alive!

With that realization, his vision finally cleared, and he recognized the faces around him.

Yuki, Shoko, Toji, Satoru...

And standing nearby was Satoshi.

Seeing this, how could Saemon not understand what had happened?

Young Master Satoshi brought them here to save me.

A wave of shame washed over Saemon. After his duel with Shunichi at the Gojo clan, he had sworn to Satoshi that he would attain Bankai.

Now he had ended up in such a pathetic state.

"Saemon, check your body's condition. This was Shoko's first time using Minazuki to heal someone. Make sure you don't feel any lingering damage."

Satoshi's tone was flat, but Saemon could still hear the concern in his voice.

Still... what the hell is a 'Minazuki'?

Just as the question formed in his mind, something warm and sticky slid across his skin.

What in the world?

Saemon was instantly startled by the strange sensation and leapt back like a spring-loaded mechanism.

After landing, he turned his head instinctively—and what he saw made him freeze.

A massive, strange green stingray had extended its tongue toward him.

Apparently, that tongue was what had just licked him.

"A cursed spirit?!"

Without hesitation, Saemon reached for Nejibana, prepared to strike. He had no idea why a cursed spirit was present.

But just as he was about to draw his blade, Zenin Toji flashed forward and reappeared beside him.

Toji immediately halted Saemon's motion.

"This is Shoko's Zanpakutō ability. What you're seeing is Minazuki, not a cursed spirit."

Toji's words caused Saemon to freeze, confirming the suspicions of the three support team members observing nearby.

This massive green stingray was indeed a Zanpakutō manifestation.

"So... when Young Master Satoshi said I was healed by Minazuki..."

Saemon stumbled over his words. He truly couldn't imagine how a creature like this had healed him.

"That's right, Uncle Saemon. Minazuki swallowed you and healed you."

Suguru's explanation made the truth sink in completely.

Saemon shivered as Minazuki floated over, stuck out its tongue again, and began to lick the remaining green light off his body.

Throughout the entire process, Saemon stood stiffly, every muscle tense. Even though he was being treated, he couldn't mentally accept it.

But Satoshi and Shoko both understood what Minazuki was doing.

Minazuki was absorbing the remaining Kaidō energy leaking from Saemon's body.

Because Shoko hadn't been able to supply enough cursed energy, the Kaidō energy hadn't fully integrated into Saemon.

Rather than let that energy go to waste, Minazuki simply reabsorbed it to avoid unnecessary loss.

Once all the Kaidō energy was recovered, Minazuki transformed into green light and returned to Shoko's scabbard.

With Yagyū Saemon's safe recovery, this entire incident had finally come to an end.

...

Sekiguchi Seiji said, "Saemon, if you're alright, then we'll return and report to the association."

Yaga Masamichi added, "Satoshi, have you ever thought about enrolling in a technical high school? The education system there is different from clan-based training. It might be worth trying someday."

Nishinagaki bowed. "Lord Saemon, I deeply apologize for the inaccurate intelligence. I will personally visit the Yagyū household and offer my apologies to Lord Yagyū Yusuke."

Suguru smiled, "Uncle Saemon, I just subdued the Rainbow Dragon. I now have a Special Grade cursed spirit under my control. Sadly, that means you don't get to avenge me this time."

Yuki said softly, "Satoshi, everything's resolved. Let's head back. It's getting late, and we need to rest."

Shoko glanced sideways. "Hubao is still at the Gojo estate. He's a cursed spirit, so it should be fine for him to stay there, right?"

Toji nodded. "Okkotsu Yuto is still at Gojo House. We need to pick up him and Rokuko. Plus, the other Zanpakutō is still in Yuto's hands, isn't it?"

Satoru stretched lazily. "We managed to rescue Saemon and Suguru, so mission complete. Too bad I didn't get a chance to make a move..."

Saemon bowed deeply. "Thank you all for your help. If it weren't for you, Suguru and I might have died out there. I'll be holding a banquet at the Yagyū estate later. I hope you'll all attend."

Satoshi gave a calm command, "Set off. Home. Destination, Yorozuya."

(To be continued.)