Soul Reaper, My Zanpakuto Is a Bit Trendy

The chaos in Seireitei tonight has far-reaching implications. Although Kirio Hikifune doesn't work for the Second Division, she can make Haruto owe her a few more favors: judging from Haruto's rapid progress, these favors will play a significant role sooner or later.

Even if I tell you, there's nothing you can do about it.

"A high-ranking noble?"

Kirio Hikifune's reaction was remarkably swift.

"Captain Hikifune, please take your time to guess."

"Buzz!"

A circular portal opened behind Yushima Oko.

"Providing so much intelligence was just for the purpose of escaping?"

"No, it's for the sake of a long-lasting, green river."

"To be honest, for Dangai expert, you're a bit slow at opening doors."

"After all, we need to guard against Captain Hikifune making any mistakes, but it seems you don't have such intentions?"

"Arresting people isn't the Twelfth Division's job; your information is enough for me to do them a favor."

There is no doubt that Yushima Oko is an enemy of Soul Society.

However, for Kirio Hikifune, who had no connection with the nobility, she could actually understand Yushima Oko's thoughts and mindset better.

"As for who's responsible for this..."

You'd better pray you don't run into Haruto.

Volume 1: Chapter 170, Dance of Ice

Ice flowers bloom in the center of Seireitei.

The Golden Seal Noble Assembly.

The tower, symbolizing the highest power in Soul Society, had been frozen and cracked into countless pieces, which then became the stem supporting the blooming ice flower; all the ancillary spaces, including the living quarters and the confinement area, had all become the vines that complemented it.

Upwards along the stem.

Byakuya's Shunpo relentlessly, one step after another, as he charged towards the sky.

"Whoosh!"

Grasp firmly at the edge of the petal.

Thump.

The solid ice flowers did not tremble in the slightest, nor did they scatter even a shard of ice; the howling wind of late autumn swept by, and opposite Byakuya's somewhat frail body, two figures in black and white stood quietly.

Dressed in Shihakushō and wrapped in a red floral veil—the dowry that Kuchiki Clan Ginrei Kuchiki personally presented to his son-in- Kuchiki Hine at their wedding—the red hue stained with the blood of his teammates was bound to one side by two Kenseikan.

The Kōga Kuchiki.

He sat there motionless and quietly on the bench made of ice crystals.

The man beside her, dressed in white with long fingernails and eyes completely stained with purplish-black, is Kōga Kuchiki's Zanpakuto "Muramasa": in its physical form, possessing half the Reiatsu pressure of its master in its Bankai form.

"Byakuya and..."

Seeing that figure, who still seemed immature in his eyes, and whom he had helped train many times with his wife, Kōga's lips twitched unconsciously a few times.

"..."

Seeing the once-spirited Kōga, now devoid of his former ambition, Byakuya gripped his plain-colored vest and swung it, amidst the violently shaking spatial fluctuations—

"Whoosh!"

"Haruto?"

Haruto, who was just entangled with the Reigai, suddenly appeared beside Byakuya.

"You..."

A glimmer of life finally appeared in Kōga Kuchiki's eyes.

"Are you here to take me to see Ginrei?"

"Kōga!"

Byakuya had just opened his mouth when Haruto had stepped forward, cut him off, stopping him from saying the rest of his sentence.

"..."

"We're not taking you to see Miss Hine."

Haruto replied in this way.

Something is very wrong with Kōga.

His words just now stemmed from fear, not hope: he was definitely not looking for Ginrei Kuchiki.

"Why?"

"You indiscriminately Bankai on Seireitei in Muramasa."

Haruto blocked half of the cold wind blowing towards Byakuya.

Muramasa's Bankai is actually controllable within a small area, which is why he was not prohibited from using Bankai in Seireitei the Central 46 Chambers.

Of course, another difference between him and Kuruyashiki Kenpachi is that he is a member of the Kuchiki Clan, while the former is just a commoner.

"Whether they knew it or not..."

Haruto is standing here speaking as a member of the Onmitsukido (Stealth Force), not as a close friend of the Kuchiki Clan, or as a member of the Gotei 13.

This is another reason why Ginrei Kuchiki asked him for help.

Someone took advantage of your Bankai.

"In just a few short hours, more than three thousand Soul Reaper and nobles have lost their Reiatsu from Seireitei."

The Gotei 13 has a total of only 6,000 men.

Even if this figure includes the losses among the nobility, at least one-third of the Gotei 13 perished; as for whether the survivors became elites, that is not something to consider now.

"..."

The Kōga Kuchiki in silence.

He was well aware of the meaning of that number, even though he was merely... venting his anger and dissatisfaction by listening to Muramasa and that man's words.

"You..."

Kōga Kuchiki's gaze towards the two changed slightly.

"You've come to kill me?"

"Kōga..."

Hearing Kōga's words, Byakuya could only sigh deeply and slowly murmur that familiar name.

"No!"

Haruto shook his head vigorously.

"We're here to fulfill our promise."

Kōga is going to die no matter what, and even though no one except the Kuchiki Clan dares to speak up first, this is the consensus of the entire Seireitei at this moment.

But.

Killing Kōga Kuchiki will not end this tragedy.

Muramasa Zanpakuto capable of acting independently of its master. If Kōga were killed before it were broken, it would be equivalent to removing the last shackle from Muramasa: no one can imagine how much trouble an unrestrained Muramasa would cause in Soul Society... especially since he might fall into the hands of Soul Society's enemies.

Therefore, no matter what, Haruto must make Muramasa finish here.

"Agreement?"

A new sparkle appeared in Kōga Kuchiki's eyes.

"Yes."

"When you went to Hueco Mundo, didn't you leave a note in the secret manual of Hyōga Seiran: 'Upon your return to Seireitei, you must test the results of my Kidō.'"

I think...

Haruto stomped his foot.

The icy shavings, dancing in the autumn wind, reflected a mesmerizing color under the moonlight.

"This stage is great."

Regardless of how much darkness of the Soul Society Tsunayashiro Tokinada Kōga Kuchiki in the cell next to the solitary confinement room; regardless of what pessimistic and depressing emotions the Muramasa instilled in his master.

As long as Kōga still harbors impulses, and as long as they aren't driven by hatred, there's still a chance.

"..."

"Alright."

Kōga Kuchiki stood up.

"The Kidō?"

Kōga raised his hands.

He stared at those increasingly rough hands again and again—he could feel the warmth of his lover's palms, yet he could also freeze the breath of life within them.

"Byakuya!"

"Kōga."

Byakuya's expression grew increasingly complicated.

"Your Bankai... was completed quite quickly."

"Kōga..."

Third-Class Reii.

Aside from his father and grandfather, the Byakuya most wanted to share this joy with was none other than Kōga Kuchiki standing before him.

The goal he had been relentlessly pursuing now seemed lonely and desolate.

"Brother Sōjun must be very happy."

"..."

"Yes."

Haruto nodded on behalf of Byakuya.

"Byakuya has already mastered Bankai, and his speed has surpassed the record set by Kōga back then; he insisted on coming with me this time because he wanted to see how much of a gap there was between his Bankai and yours."

"..."

The silence during the conversation wasn't due to thinking, but rather a simple matter of each person being a beat behind.

"Muramasa."

"Owner."

The man, his eyes dull and weary, bowed deeply to Kōga Kuchiki Hibiki.

"Go and train with Byakuya."

As you wish.

Muramasa would not refuse Kōga's request, even though he felt somewhat uneasy about Haruto's appearance.

"Byakuya!"

"!!"

Haruto loudly woke up Byakuya was in a low mood.

"The scenery here is so beautiful, isn't it the perfect place for me and Kōga..."

"Want to see your Bankai?"

"... good!"