Chapter 77
"This is all for the Mikazuki Clan."
Munemori said without changing his expression.
"Yes, that's what you always say... but now I have a better suggestion."
Munehata revealed an expression that said, "I knew it."
"It's all for the Mikazuki Clan."
"... What do you want to say?"
Munemori's expression became even more complicated.
"Hand over Munechika."
"To exchange a future Seated Officer with half-dead potential for a promise from a higher-ranking noble family... to guarantee the Mikazuki Clan's peace for a hundred years."
Munehata's emotions seemed to change instantly, and he immediately regained his composure.
"... Munehata."
I understand your dissatisfaction.
"But you must know that these choices were not made out of my own selfish motives."
"Of all the younger generation in the Mikazuki Clan right now, only Munechika has the talent to become Seated Officer or even a vice-captain in the future."
"If we rely on outsiders, the Mikazuki Clan will soon become a mere shell of its former self."
Munemori's words were truly from the bottom of his heart.
What can be done?
"Brother, this is just wishful thinking on your part."
"?"
Munemori, who had just been trying to help Munehata, suddenly stopped what he was doing.
"Puff!"
The familiar Zanpakuto pierced through my heart from behind.
"Zong... Wan?"
"I'm sorry, brother."
That sword was the Munechika had used, a treasure passed down through generations of the Mikazuki Clan.
"The medicine that Munehata prepared has already been taken into your stomach, brother... I simply replaced the anesthetic with one that is slightly more toxic."
"You are for..."
"Puff."
Muneban gently pulled the knife away, and Munemori's body went limp and fell to the ground.
"Nothing."
With a light flick of the blade, a trail of dark red, foul-smelling liquid shot across the ground.
"I just feel that Munehata's words seem to make more sense."
"As well as..."
"Call out!"
Having just killed his elder brother, Muneban cut the ropes binding Munehata with a single stroke.
However, the latter did not regain the strength to stand up—it wasn't very obvious when he was tied up, but after regaining his freedom, Munehata found that he didn't even have the strength to move his arms.
"Second Brother?"
"When it comes to compensation, it's always better for one person to share it than for two."
"Puff!"
As the Zanpakuto struck again, Munehata's head was also sliced vertically in two.
"..."
"My lord, the task you assigned has been completed."
Mikazuki Muneban sheathed his Zanpakuto and, without turning his head, spoke to the empty room containing only two corpses.
"I'm starting to regret giving you this poison."
In the shadows of a corner.
A figure dressed in jet-black clothing slowly appeared.
As the head of the Mikazuki Clan, Munemori, though not Vice-Captain-level, was not far off; the drug that could render him powerless without his knowledge was certainly not something that Muneban, the second-in-command of a mid-level noble family, could produce.
"You flatter me, sir. With your strength, dealing with me is merely a matter of lifting a finger."
Muneban turned around and said very respectfully.
"... Should I give it a try?"
"This doesn't seem to be good for adults."
"Of course! Even though you voluntarily reduced the reward to 70%, if you clean up the Mikazuki Clan's mess, then it'll all be mine, won't it?"
"Are you going to kill Munechika now?"
"No, his value still needs to be explored for some time."
The man in black didn't immediately understand Muneban's meaning, but he didn't hide this small matter.
"That settles it... I believe Munechika will listen to some of what his uncle says—"
"Compared to thieves who slaughter entire families."
"..."
Compared to his earlier "joke," the man in black's eyes now showed a clearer wariness.
You are very smart.
"It is an honor for the Mikazuki Clan to serve you, sir."
"... Lead the way."
Compared to the promised reward, and unsure of Muneban's next move, the man in black decided to proceed with caution.
The most important thing is to get the task assigned by that person done first.
"Please go ahead!"
The Mikazuki Clan doesn't occupy much space.
The three brothers and their families shared a large four-room house—the kind that was the same size as Haruto's dormitory—and after leaving the main hall, which symbolized the Mikazuki Clan's prestige, a left turn led to the former clan Munemori's house.
Munechika was lying there, wounded.
However.
The moment Muneban led the men in black out of the main hall—
"!!"
The continuous drizzle tapped out melodious notes on the bluestone.
The dim light outlined a strange figure that didn't belong here at the edge of their vision:
Black robe, bamboo hat, Zanpakuto.
Who goes there!?
――――
"Yare yare."
Haruto raised the brim of his hat slightly, looking somewhat helpless.
"I thought this job would be a boring fight, but I didn't expect to see such a good show before I even started."
This outfit was provided by Byakuya.
Although he appeared to be lightly dressed, Byakuya actually brought a lot of things with him on this trip, which were the Heavenly Bestowed Armaments from the Shihoin Clan:
Kukai Box.
Haruto has been eyeing this for a long time, but unfortunately, there aren't many of these Kukai Box. Even the one Byakuya has is one he temporarily borrowed from the Cat Demon.
It's definitely not something I can think about anytime soon.
Who are you?
The man in black spoke with a serious expression.
Although the rain affected his senses, as the leader of the secret unit, he hadn't detected any trace of the newcomers at all, which was not good news—judging from their words, they probably witnessed the entire upheaval in the Mikazuki Clan just like him.
The man in black is named Heizō, whose surname was given to him by the "Silencing" family. He is Vice-Captain-level of the Fifth-Class Reii. Due to the nature of his work, he is extremely proficient in Shunpo (Shunpo) and perception. Even opponents who are a level stronger than him would find it difficult to escape Heizō's sight.
Based on this judgment:
The opponent is either Captain-level or possesses a special item that conceals their presence.
A new Captain-level expert is a once-in-a-century occurrence, and if they are experts of this caliber, they could have taken them all down before Muneban, who had been bribed, could have made his move.
So.
Heizō felt that this guy was most likely carrying a special item.
"Hmm... Visored Rider passing by?"
"?"
The other party's answer gave Heizō a rather absurd feeling.
"... Making a big fuss!"
"Smack!"
Heizō snapped his fingers.
Three figures dressed identically to him appeared simultaneously on the roof of the Mikazuki Clan using the Shunpo, forming a three-sided encirclement that cut off all of his escape routes.
Since they are a secret unit modeled after Stealth Force, the Shunpo is naturally an essential skill. The bodies of these subordinates have been modified with drugs over the years. Although they are not completely inept at slaying demons, they are uniquely skilled in the Shunpo and the assassination techniques derived from it.
They are indeed ineffective in direct combat, but in a surprise attack, they can defeat even an unsuspecting high- Seated Officer with a single blow.
Before knowing the other party's strength, they are the best tools for testing the waters.
"Whoosh!"
The sound of Shunpo was masked by the sound of raindrops.
In the next instant, four short blades were aimed at Haruto's neck, back, and side... The close-range attacks were decisive and deadly.
But!
"Zheng."
Rainwater slid diagonally down the exposed hilt of the sword, its sound like the faint clashing of metal on the battlefield.
Dimensional Slash —
The center of gravity shifts downward, and the hip line separates.
The Kidō contained within the sheath was entirely gathered into its sharp edge.
As Haruto drew his sword and Reiatsu, the sword light instantly transformed into several invisible beams of light, slashing towards the three of them at a speed far exceeding that of the attackers!
"The Swallow's Return!"
"Puff!!"
"Zheng."
A half-foot of cold light returned to its sheath.
Haruto slowly stood up from his slightly crouched position.
The three assassins, capable of using the Shunpo, had already transformed into splashes of blood, staining the painting of a drizzling, quiet night.
――――