Now It Was My Turn

"C-Captain...? Why...?"

Nanao's eyes were filled with confusion. Trembling, she reached out as if to touch Kyoraku's face, unable to understand why the captain she so admired had suddenly turned his blade on her.

That sight was enough to shatter any normal person's sanity.

But Shunsui Kyoraku did not scream.

He did not even shed a tear.

He merely closed his bloodshot eyes in silence. The twisted pain on his face lasted only an instant before turning into deathly coldness.

He had no way back.

He was no longer a captain of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads, no longer that gentle drunkard.

He was a gambler.

A madman who had lost all his chips, his dignity, his friends and family, yet still staked his own life on this unwinnable game.

After all, everyone was Ross's toy.

After all, anyone could die at any moment.

And even if they did not die, they would suffer even more inhuman torment later.

Since that was the case...

Then let me free you all.

Expressionless, Shunsui Kyoraku abruptly pulled out his blade, bringing forth a spray of gruesomely beautiful blood as Nanao's body collapsed helplessly backward.

He did not even spare a second glance for those eyes as their light gradually faded.

With a stomp, Flash Step exploded beneath his feet, and he charged once more toward Ross, who had reappeared not far away with a mocking smile.

Old Man Yamamoto... Ukitake... Nanao...

As those names shattered one after another in his heart, as the people most important to him fell beneath his blade.

He felt the part of himself known as humanity rapidly peeling away.

If this world is fake, then I'll kill until only what's real remains.

*If I can't tell who Ross is, then I'll slaughter every moving thing in my