Nemu Kurotsuchi stared at the empty sword rack in disbelief. For a moment, she was dazed. In the several centuries since becoming a Soul Reaper, she had never imagined that a Zanpakutō could be stolen. It was simply impossible.
There was a deep connection between Soul Reapers and their Zanpakutō, a connection that came from their souls. Unfortunately, Bubu Wang had blocked that connection—or rather, he had caused the Zanpakutō to merge with the environment along with him.
After recovering from her initial shock, Nemu quickly came to her senses. Her gaze swept across the surroundings, because she could sense that her Zanpakutō, Ashisogi Jizō, was nearby.
"There's no need to hide. Come out."
Nemu snorted coldly, her face full of disdain. She appeared calm, but was actually extremely uneasy. She had already used a special method to notify the hidden guards inside the laboratory building and have them seal the structure.
Bubu Wang, not far away, glanced at Nemu. He had encountered tricks this crude countless times.
"Since you refuse to show yourself, then die here."
Nemu flexed her ten fingers. They resembled a series of withered branches, giving off an unnatural feeling.
If anyone else had been present, they would certainly have thought Nemu was about to unleash a killing move. Unfortunately, Nemu merely stood there without doing anything, because she had failed to sense Bubu Wang.
Boom!
A loud explosion came from outside the laboratory building. The sound was actually a signal. Bubu Wang hurried toward the room's exit, and Nemu did the same, though she could not see Bubu Wang's presence.
Moments later, Nemu reached the laboratory building's main entrance. The metal door, forged with killing-stone, had been blown apart. Several corpses lay nearby, all bearing knife wounds.
"Captain, the thieves fled that way!"
A Soul