A sharp blade thrust out from the black shadow, moving incredibly fast—steady and ruthless!
The hilt was gripped by a black figure that emerged from the shadow, revealing only its upper body.
The blade was pitch-black from hilt to tip, broad and straight, stabbing directly toward Kenma's back!
Yet Kenma was looking ahead, all his attention fixed on Yamamoto. He had no awareness of the assassination attempt whatsoever.
Yamamoto, meanwhile, gripped Ryūjin Jakka tightly and calmly watched the assassination, as if he had anticipated it long ago.
Behind Kenma, his subordinates also saw the assassin emerging from the shadow.
The figure was broad-shouldered, dressed in a tattered black Shinigami uniform. His brown hair was tied into a braid at the back, with two hairpins stuck into it.
It was none other than Kyōraku Shunsui!
At that moment, everyone had no time to wonder why he had suddenly emerged from the shadow. Anxiety was plainly written across their faces.
"Great King, look out!"
Sengoku let out a thunderous shout, his voice brief as he warned Kenma.
Everyone charged forward together, trying to stop the assassination.
Kyōraku glanced at the people behind him.
"You're too late."
Their hurried actions could never catch up with the speed of his strike.
He immediately turned his attention back to his target ahead.
At that moment, Kenma also sensed that something was wrong.
The instant Sengoku's roar rang out, he hurriedly turned around and instinctively swung the Horse-Cutting Sword downward.
But when he saw who was attacking him from behind, a trace of surprise flashed through his eyes.
Kyōraku Shunsui?
Why was he here?
Earlier, when he had attacked Kyōraku and Ukitake, he had shown no mercy, cutting through the two men's internal organs with a single strike.
The fact that they had managed to stay