Truer Than the Truth

"It couldn't be him!"

Shunsui Kyoraku gritted his teeth and forced out those words one by one through clenched teeth.

His gaze locked onto Ross beside him, who appeared to be staring at the fake body ahead, utterly unaware of the conspiracy around him.

If Ross was the mastermind behind it all, then the truth was far too horrifying.

Not only was this the outcome Shunsui Kyoraku found hardest to accept, it was also Soul Society's nightmare.

If he and Captain-General Yamamoto met with disaster today, Ross would undoubtedly succeed to the position of Captain-General.

Letting an infiltrator from True King's Palace take control of Soul Society?

That would be the greatest joke in Soul Society's history—and its final death knell.

Shunsui Kyoraku did not dare believe it, nor could he.

"But according to that brilliant deduction of yours just now, once every impossibility has been eliminated, whatever remains, no matter how unbelievable, is the truth, isn't it?"

Kurosaki Masaki's voice did not rise, yet it pierced clearly into everyone's ears.

She stepped forward on her long, voluptuous legs, her gait as light as though she were strolling through her own backyard. Her black high heels struck the rough stones of the Hill of Punishment with crisp, rhythmic taps.

With every step she took, the surrounding air seemed to grow heavier.

She finally stopped between Shunsui Kyoraku and Sōya Azashiro, like an impassable chasm.

"Don't waste your effort on those little tricks."

Kurosaki Masaki tilted her head slightly, her hair brushing over her fair neck. Her eyes held the pity one might show an ant.

"Stalling for time is useless. As long as I stand here, every single Spirit Particle in this world obeys only my command."

"Trying to send a message? Or are you counting on that old man