Sasuke was still obsessed with becoming stronger.
The absolute strength of Ximen Chuixue—and his total devotion to that strength—deeply captivated him.
Only now did he realize…
There was another way to live: entrusting everything to the sword. Only the sword wouldn't betray him.
So he couldn't imagine—how could someone like that get married?
"It all comes down to choice." Takuya gently stroked the now-sleeping Shigure in his arms, as if he'd seen through Sasuke's confusion. "Like I said—swordsmanship is the path of killing. The Ruthless Sword really is a fitting ideal. But every power can also be used to protect. The sword is no exception. That's… the Sword of True Emotion."
"Sword of True Emotion…" Sasuke muttered the words.
He was no longer the same kid from a few hours ago.
He'd opened so many jars.
Learned so many sword techniques.
He thought he already understood the sword. But now, hearing Takuya's words—he found himself confused again.
"A sword is… for killing, isn't it?" he asked.
"Hahaha." Takuya laughed, shaking his head. "You've still got a long way to go down the sword path. Right now, forget the Sword of True Emotion—even the Ruthless Sword is out of your reach."
He could tell Sasuke was starting to float a little.
Seemed like canon Sasuke was the same way.
Random bursts of confidence, followed by epic beatdowns.
Learned Chidori and thought he could charge Itachi. Got wrecked. Honestly, throughout the whole show, Sasuke got clobbered more times than he could count.
Sure enough—
Sasuke was getting cocky. "Anyone who stands in the way of my revenge, I'll kill them without hesitation. Isn't that what a Ruthless Sword is?"
He tilted his chin slightly, eyes full of resolve.
He really believed he was already different.
Takuya looked at him and sighed internally.
Not good.
In this kind of business—especially this kind—the key isn't scamming people. It's making sure they never feel satisfied.
He couldn't let Sasuke think he could do it all on his own.
He needed Sasuke to believe that only through jars could he truly become stronger.
Good thing Takuya had prepared for this.
"If that's all you think a sword is," Takuya said casually, "you'll never get far down this path. But it's fine—most people don't understand at first. Keep opening jars. That's what they're for—to give you what you could never get on your own."
Sasuke went quiet.
But his gaze toward the jars was still full of desire.
He could still grow stronger.
He went back to opening jars.
What he didn't know was—one of the jars still waiting held a very special gift Takuya had prepared.
And here it came—
In jar #194, there was just a single jade piece.
"That's the one!" Takuya's excited voice rang out. "Looks like your luck really is good."
"What is this jade?" Sasuke's curiosity spiked.
If Takuya reacted like that—it had to be something big.
"That's a Trial Jade." Takuya looked at Sasuke with meaning.
"Trial Jade?" Sasuke echoed.
"Yup. These are super rare. It lets you experience a sword state of mind firsthand. If you're a real genius, you might even retain part of that state—and gain a huge power-up." Takuya paused, then gave a sly smile. "Didn't you say your sword was ruthless? Perfect. This jade lets you experience a true Ruthless Sword."
This jade wasn't something he'd just added.
It had been planned long ago.
One reason swordsmanship jars were more expensive was that most people simply didn't have the talent for them.
Anyone who could actually master the sword—across any world—was almost always a rare genius.
The path required insane talent, insight, and willpower.
But the power it gave in return was real.
Takuya, as a former game designer, knew full well: make the payoff feel too far and people won't spend. But make them feel like they're almost there? That's how you hook them.
That was the trap Sasuke was falling into now.
He looked at the jade.
Power boost?
He was all in.
Without hesitation, he pressed the jade to his forehead as instructed—completely ignoring the part about needing "real genius-level talent."
The jade glowed.
Tiny, sword-like streaks of light shot into Sasuke's mind.
His body jolted.
And suddenly—
Sasuke felt it. He became like an observer to his own thoughts. His mind was empty—no emotions, no hate, just a vast snowy void. The only thing there—
Was a sword.
Nothing else.
He and the sword were one.
Even without holding it—he was the sword. He knew he could turn anything into his blade. Anything he willed—it would become a sword.
Such power. Such overwhelming power.
He felt like he didn't even need to move. One glance. One thought. That alone could slice through all creation.
But…
No joy.
He was the sword.
And swords didn't feel joy. Even when he thought of Itachi, his murdered clan, his parents—it stirred nothing. In this state, that hatred was like dust. Insignificant.
He could still kill.
But not for revenge. Not for emotion.
Just… to practice the sword.
That was true ruthlessness.
Sasuke's eyes looked lifeless now—like a dead thing. Only a blade remained.
"Wake up—!"
Suddenly, a voice roared through his soul like thunder.
It shattered the sword in his heart.
"Hah… hah!"
Sasuke collapsed, clutching his chest, gasping for air. His eyes were full of indescribable fear.
What the hell was that?
That feeling…
It was like he'd died. Like his soul was turned into a sword. Everything human about him—ripped away.
Just a blade.
"That's… the Ruthless Sword?"
His voice hoarse, Sasuke looked up at Takuya. Without that man's roar, he might never have come back.
Impossible.
Someone could really take the sword that far?
"The Ruthless Sword walks that path. People on it must be loyal to the sword—not to other people." Takuya looked at Sasuke and shook his head. "But you're not suited for that. Those with real talent won't be consumed like that. If I hadn't stepped in, it would've taken you a long time to recover from being a 'sword slave.'"