**Kokotsu** (枯骨, *Kokotsu*) is a cursed tool resembling a curved Japanese broadsword, possessing black fur in place of a traditional hand guard and a tattered hilt, giving the tool a somewhat shaggy appearance. Most notably, Kokotsu lacks a pommel, instead featuring a fleshy mouth lined with two sets of human-like teeth. Unlike most swords, Kokotsu does not possess a scabbard, with the blade typically being wrapped in white cloth when carried at the wielder’s side.

Despite its crude appearance, Kokotsu is recognised as a special grade cursed tool and is imbued with a unique cursed technique that grants it a potent “**Healing Inhibition**” (治癒阻害, *Chiyu Sogai*) effect. Upon activation, Kokotsu emits a loud “**cry**” (泣く, *naku*) from the human-shaped mouth embedded at the base of its hilt that suppresses the regenerative capabilities of anyone who hears it by interfering with the area of the brain responsible for governing the body’s healing process. For sorcerers, this effect prevents the use of reverse cursed technique to regenerate flesh, whilst cursed spirits become unable to manipulate their cursed energy to heal injuries. Likewise, those physically gifted with a heavenly restriction have their natural healing capabilities suppressed.

Although potent, the healing-inhibiting effect is only temporary, dissipating shortly after activation and rendering Kokotsu unable to release another “cry” for approximately 10–20 seconds, though this interval can shorten as the wielder becomes more adept at using the cursed tool. In addition, targets capable of directing cursed energy to the area of their brain that controls auditory function can completely ignore Kokotsu’s “cry”, preventing the healing-inhibiting effect from taking hold.

# Trivia

• The cursed tool’s name, “**Kokotsu**” (枯骨, *Kokotsu*), is a Japanese term referring to a person’s weathered bones after their corpse has decayed, containing the kanji for “**wither**”, “**die**”, “**dry** **up**” (枯, *Ko*) and “**skeleton**”, “**bones**”, “**remains**” (骨, *Kotsu*), respectively.

• Kokotsu has been noted to bear an eerie resemblance to the Split Soul Katana, with some theorising the cursed tool to be a failed attempt at replicating the Split Soul Katana’s ability to ignore all physical toughness and strike at the soul directly; whether these theories hold any weight has yet to be determined.

• On occasion, the human-like mouth embedded within Kokotsu’s pommel has been observed smiling, much to the disgust of onlookers.