Entrusted with a Mission

"A Zanpakuto whose ability is to create swords?"

Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto ran through every Zanpakuto he had seen over the past thousand years. In the end, he determined that, in Soul Society's history, there had once been two people with the ability to create "swords."

That was back in the era before Soul Reapers even had "Zanpakuto" to wield.

The first was the founder of the Kasumiōji Clan, who had forged the Moyao Blade, capable of absorbing a Soul Reaper's Spiritual Pressure to unleash even greater power.

The second was Nimaiya Ōetsu, who had forged the Zanpakuto.

Without question, both had been powerhouses of their era.

After the Zanpakuto became the Soul Reapers' exclusive weapon, Nimaiya Ōetsu had even ascended to the Soul King Palace and become a member of the Royal Guard.

Would Ailin grow to reach their level?

Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto did not know the answer.

But at the very least, someone capable of creating a "sword" unaffected by Hibiki Hoshino's Zanpakuto was the best candidate to deal with Hibiki Hoshino right now.

Of course, before that, Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto needed to confirm one thing.

"Vice-Captain Ailin, I need you to answer me honestly."

"Please ask, Captain-Commander."

"Have you already mastered Bankai?"

"Hm?"

At Captain-Commander Yamamoto's question, all the captains turned their eyes toward Ailin.

When Ailin had entered the Captain's Meeting room, everyone had already tested his Spiritual Pressure.

Second-class Spiritual Pressure!

Unquestionably Captain-level.

Everyone knew that one of the unspoken requirements for becoming a Gotei 13 captain was mastering one's Zanpakuto's Bankai.

If Ailin had already mastered Bankai, then he was already someone on the same level as them.

All he lacked was the position of "captain."

Even Shihoin Yoruichi stared at Ailin with great interest.

She had only come to know her Vice-Captain five years ago, when he challenged Marechiyo Ōmaeda.

After that, most of what she learned about him had come from Sui-Feng.

Back then, Ailin's Zanpakuto had been capable of unleashing wind slashes.

A few days ago, Ailin's Zanpakuto had become wreathed in flames, releasing powerful slashes infused with both wind and fire.

At the time, Shihoin Yoruichi had thought it was Soul Society's first Zanpakuto capable of wielding two elements.

Now, it seemed this was a weapon created by Vice-Captain Ailin.

If this guy had mastered Bankai, then what was his Bankai like?

"Yes, Captain-Commander. I have already mastered my Zanpakuto's Bankai."

Ailin's words shocked everyone once more.

Shihoin Yoruichi in particular.

Ailin was her Vice-Captain, and Yoruichi knew that he had joined the Second Division immediately after graduation. He was currently around fifty years old.

That talent...

Was no worse than hers.

Ginrei Kuchiki was also pleasantly surprised.

To say he did not regret losing Hibiki Hoshino as a future son-in-law would have been a lie.

But now, it seemed his daughter's judgment was no worse than his own.

No!

Remembering Ailin's Zanjutsu and Shunpo, both clearly superior to Hibiki Hoshino's, he should say that his daughter's judgment was better than his!

Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto opened his eyes. "Then tell me, can you defeat Hibiki Hoshino and restore peace to the Seireitei?"

"Yes. If it is Third Seat Hibiki Hoshino, I have no problem."

Ailin looked directly at Captain-Commander Yamamoto without the slightest hint of retreat.

With his own "Muramasa" stationed within his Inner World, Hibiki Hoshino could not affect Ailin's weapons.

That was Ailin's greatest confidence in facing Hibiki Hoshino.

"Very good."

"Then, Vice-Captain Ailin, I entrust you with the task of capturing Hibiki Hoshino and suppressing this rebellion in the Seireitei."

"I hope you will not disappoint me."

"By your command, Captain-Commander."

After respectfully bowing to Captain-Commander Yamamoto and the other captains, Ailin left the Captain's office.

Then, after sensing Hibiki Hoshino's Spiritual Pressure, he turned into a black afterimage and rushed toward the Seventh Division barracks.

"Damn it!"

Aikawa Love collapsed to the ground, covered in blood.

"I'm still too weak..."

After his Zanpakuto had been controlled by the enemy, Aikawa Love could only fight using his Zanpakuto's Shikai and Bankai. In the end, he suffered a crushing defeat.

"Hmph."

After stopping Aikawa Love's Zanpakuto from continuing its attack, Hibiki Hoshino waved a hand. Several shadowy Zanpakuto immediately escorted Aikawa Love to the rear and threw him together with the other Soul Reapers.

Since launching his rebellion, Hibiki Hoshino had already taken control of the Ninth Division and the Seventh Division, commanding more than a thousand Zanpakuto.

He even had two Captain-level Zanpakuto.

There were as many as forty-seven Seat Officer-level Zanpakuto.

Yet fewer than fifty Soul Reapers had died in this rebellion.

It was not because Hibiki Hoshino was kindhearted or unwilling to kill.

Rather, if these Soul Reapers were killed, the Zanpakuto corresponding to them would also dissipate after some time.

Hibiki Hoshino intended to overthrow the Gotei 13 and rule Soul Society himself.

In a sense, these Soul Reapers were also his "source of troops."

If he could rule all of Soul Society, Hibiki Hoshino would prefer these Soul Reapers never die!

Tengumaru stood behind Hibiki Hoshino, positioned behind Muramasa.

Beside him stood Kensei Muguruma's Zanpakuto—Danjikaze.

"The next target..."

Hibiki Hoshino raised his head and looked around.

The Ninth Division and Seventh Division were now completely under his control.

Hibiki Hoshino now had two choices.

The first was to use the Ninth Division as the center, seize the other divisions surrounding the First Division, then use his overwhelming numerical advantage to attack the First Division.

The second was to go all in and lead his current Zanpakuto forces directly against the First Division.

According to the memories Muramasa had obtained from Aikawa Love, the captain of the Seventh Division, the First Division had sounded the alarm for a "Captain's Meeting" not long ago. All the captains of the Gotei 13 were currently gathered in the First Division.

If he could enter the Captain's Meeting room and control those captains' Zanpakuto, then wouldn't the entire Seireitei be his to command?

At that thought, a fierce light flashed through Hibiki Hoshino's eyes.

"Muramasa..."

Whoosh!

Before Hibiki Hoshino could give the order, however, a beam of light shot toward him at high speed.

"Bankai—Danjikaze!"

A humanoid Zanpakuto clad in silver-white armor appeared before Hibiki Hoshino. A metallic ribbon extended from its back and connected to the fist blades on both hands as it threw a punch at the incoming beam.

Boom boom boom boom boom...

Countless wind blades gathered and erupted from the armored figure's fist blade, knocking the incoming beam aside and blasting it through a nearby building.

Clang!

Only then did Hibiki Hoshino see that the beam Danjikaze had knocked away was actually a Zanpakuto embedded in the ground.