Tsunayashiro Motoi's pupils trembled violently.
He stared at Siwei Yan, who stood in the center of the hall, and backed away uncontrollably until his heel struck something.
It was Tokinada's leg.
Motonari turned, his face twisted with terror.
"What are you standing there for?!" he roared at Tokinada, spittle flying. "Hurry up and kill him!"
Tsunayashiro Tokinada kept his foxlike smile and nodded repeatedly.
"Yes, yes, I'll kill him right away."
As he spoke, he reached down and drew the Zanpakuto at his waist.
The blade was plain and unadorned, but it gleamed an ominous dark red beneath the reishi lamps.
"Hurry!" Motonari looked back at Yan Si, his voice hoarse. "If you don't have enough soul power, there's more in the storerooms!"
He took a deep breath, trying to steady his trembling hands, but failed.
All he could do was grip his cane tightly. "Siwei Yan," Motonari said through gritted teeth, forcing out every word.
"An arrogant brat like you is just begging to die-"
His voice cut off.
Motonari froze.
Slowly, he lowered his head and looked at his chest.
The tip of a blade protruded from it.
Dark red, and still dripping blood.
Blood slid down the edge and dripped onto his deep-purple noble robes, blooming into dark flowers.
The pain came a beat late.
Then it spread from his chest to every limb like exploding gunpowder.
Motonari stiffly turned his head.
His bones made a faint grinding sound as his neck turned. He saw Tokinada's face.
The smile was still there, his eyes curved and his mouth stretched wide.
Tokinada held the hilt with a steady wrist. The blade ran through Motonari's body, entering his back and emerging from his chest.
"Tokinada..." Motonari opened his mouth, blood frothing in his voice. "You... bastard..."
Shhk.
Tokinada pulled