Beloved Friend

"Komamura, get out of the way! Aren't you obeying the Captain-Commander's orders?!" Kaname Tōsen shouted.

As Komamura's friend, Kaname Tōsen Komamura valued Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto's kindness above all else. There had been times in the past when Komamura almost discovered the problem. As long as Tōsen used his secret weapon, Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto's secret mission, he could always fool Komamura.

However, at this moment, Kaname Tōsen's old tricks seemed to have failed.

"I became captain and got to where I am today by following the path of justice and upholding the ideals of the Gotei 14 under the leadership of the Captain-Commander. Tell me, are you still on the path of justice?!"

Komamura was not as easily fooled Kaname Tōsen imagined. As a devoted fan of the Captain-Commander, how could Komamura not know Captain-Commander Yamamoto's philosophy of governing the company? Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto dedicated his entire life to upholding the principles of "Gotei 14" (the name of the Gotei 14).

In the past, Komamura was fooled by Kaname Tōsen because he trusted Kaname Tōsen a lot and he didn't think too much about it. When Komamura broke free from the limitations of his past thinking and recalled each of Kaname Tōsen's deceptive words, he realized that after encountering the ambiguous Kaname Tōsen, some events, big or small Komamura, would always occur in Soul Society.

It's likely that Kaname Tōsen has long since strayed from the path of justice that Komamura envisioned.

Upon hearing Komamura call his name, Kaname Tōsen knew that things wouldn't end easily today. He drew his Zanpakuto and said to Komamura, "What I do is justice, Komamura, don't stop me!"

Komamura hadn't expected Kaname Tōsen actually draw his sword. He had once thought that Kaname Tōsen were flawed, but both of them were striving for the path of perfect justice. Now that Kaname Tōsen drawn his sword, it only proved that the news brought by the Ryoka was entirely credible.

Komamura didn't draw his sword, but slowly asked, "Is it for revenge? For that friend you cherish?"

Komamura knew that Kaname Tōsen had a close friend in the past, a woman named Kakyō, who was Kaname Tōsen love. He brought this up now because he wanted to know if Kaname Tōsen's original feelings had changed.

Kaname Tōsen's hands trembled. He hadn't expected Komamura to ask such a question. He himself had asked himself this question more than once: was the path he was walking a path of justice or revenge?

Ultimately, revenge is the priority. Whenever Kaname Tōsen's inner balance tipped in that direction, Aizen always managed to offer timely guidance.

That's right, he was not wrong. He had always been on the path of justice. Tōsen firmly believed that only by following Lord Aizen to overthrow the existing order and establish a new world could he truly avenge Kakyō!

Kaname Tōsen has no intention of wasting time talking to Komamura, the truth will always be in the hands of a minority. As long as Lord Aizen can ascend that throne, those who killed Kakyō will surely be held accountable!

Kaname Tōsen stepped forward and slashed at Komamura's chest. Komamura seemed not to have reacted at all and did not dodge Kaname Tōsen's attack.

Kaname Tōsen was that the owner of the gushing blood had a terrifyingly cold expression on his face.

"This blow is what I owe you; it's my responsibility that I didn't guide you onto the right path."

A powerful spiritual pressure shot out from Komamura's palm, striking Tōsen. Tōsen was forced back several steps. Palm strikes are usually used to bully weaker opponents; they are almost ineffective against opponents of the same level.

But that was enough. There was enough space in the space to draw his Zanpakuto Komamura. "Let me deal with my mistakes myself."

"What are you talking about? What do you know!"

Kaname Tōsen breaking down. Whether Komamura questions or criticizes him, Kaname Tōsen won't be angry. But Komamura is taking all the blame upon himself—what does that mean? Does he completely disregard him?

"Sing out, Suzumushi!"

Kaname Tōsen unleashed his Zanpakuto and charged towards Komamura. Komamura gathered his sword pressure to defend, but continued talking, taking advantage of the explosion from the collision of their spiritual pressures to ask, "Tsunayashiro, right?"

Tōsen no longer knew how to describe his feelings; perhaps he was somewhat numb. Komamura had surprised him far too much, and even the mention of Tsunayashiro left him only with a brief moment of disorientation.

Komamura continued, "Why not tell them? We can work together, and the Captain-Commander will uphold justice for you!"

Kaname Tōsen was filled with nothing but rage. Did Sajin Komamura even know what he was talking about? That was the Tsunayashiro Clan, one of the Four Great Noble Clans! What right Kaname Tōsen, a commoner, have to rebel against them?

As for Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto? That guy who didn't even dare to defy the Central 46, what makes him think he could challenge the Four Great Noble Clans who are above the Central 46?

Kaname Tōsen's enormous eyepatch couldn't hide his somewhat disdainful expression. Sajin Komamura was still so naive, naively believing that the Captain-Commander was the god of Soul Society. He didn't know that in Soul Society, Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto was also not in control of his own destiny!

Even Kaname Tōsen Lord Aizen for many years. Soul Society has its Soul Society rules, and Lord Aizen's vision was far ahead of its time. To create such a world, only Lord Aizen could hold the power of discourse. The Throne of the Sky must be seized!

With a swing of his Kaname Tōsen Zanpakuto a barrage of white, needle-like blades that shot towards Komamura like locusts— Suzumushi -shiki 2: Suzumushi!

Komamura was very familiar with Kaname Tōsen's techniques, and the fact that Kaname Tōsen using these techniques proved one thing: he was serious.

Komamura sighed silently to himself. Kaname Tōsen finally made his move, and he could no longer back down. "Roar, divine retribution!"

A giant's arm appeared out of thin air, wielding a massive Zanpakuto, blocking Komamura 'Kaname Tōsen's Suzumushi. Only when Komamura moved the Zanpakuto aside and regained his vision did he realize that Kaname Tōsen was nowhere to be seen; the Suzumushi had merely been feinting an attack.

Kaname Tōsen's goal remained clear: Rukia Kuchiki. Only by obtaining the Hogyoku within Rukia could Aizen's plan be completed. As for fighting Komamura? What a joke! Did that even matter?

So, while Komamura was shielding himself from view, Tōsen took a longer route, flying over Komamura's head and heading straight for Rukia.

Since Kaname Tōsen did not conceal his spiritual pressure, Komamura turned his head and saw the figure in mid-air. Without hesitation, Komamura released the part of Tenken's body that was holding the sword, and the other hand that was not holding the sword slammed down in Kaname Tōsen's direction.

A black shadow covered Kaname Tōsen's body. He looked up and saw a giant hand attacking him. Without thinking, Tōsen knew that it was the power of divine retribution. There was no time to dodge; he had to fight it head-on.

With the Suzumushi: First Form, Tōsen's Zanpakuto emitted a violent buzzing sound, with a large amount of sound waves Zanpakuto. These sound waves provided a resistance, and he usually used this ability to deflect his opponent's Zanpakuto and gain the upper hand in his attacks.

But things are different now. Kaname Tōsen facing a colossal being like the Heavenly Punishment, which requires immense power. So he concentrates his spiritual pressure, and the chirping of the Suzumushi can be heard throughout the entire Sōkyoku.

Komamura's hand was deflected. To counteract the impact of the divine punishment, Kaname Tōsen spun around twice. Now he understood completely that it was impossible to bypass Komamura and capture Rukia.

Komamura's eyes seemed to see right through the silent Tōsen. He stood atop the steps, one after another, and said, "Kaname Tōsen, if you want to get over here, you'll have to step over my dead body!"

They were once the best of friends in Soul Society, sharing everything, honing their skills together, and striving to become captains. It wasn't until these last two days that Komamura realized it was all wishful thinking on his part. Kaname Tōsen had never told him the truth; all along, Tosen had been using the name of justice to harm Soul Society.

Kaname Tōsen Sajin Komamura, Tosen Kaname only had the task Aizen had given him. Since Komamura was so persistent, there was only one way: let's settle things with our skills!

"As you wish."

This was Kaname Tōsen's first reply after his anger subsided. Beneath the calm surface lay an overwhelming undercurrent of emotion. As Kaname Tōsen's former close friend, Tōsen Komamura could guess what Tosen intended to do from this single sentence.

Komamura Kaname Tōsen without regard for anything else, his Zanpakuto Tōsen as they flew into the sky. He couldn't let Tōsen's attack hit anyone else; if nothing unexpected happened, Tōsen would definitely use that move next.

"Bankai!" x2

Kaname Tōsen and Sajin Komamura shouted together, and a huge spiritual pressure ball appeared above Sōkyoku. The spiritual pressure ball continued to expand, as if it were being stretched open by something, and it took a while before it stopped expanding, completely occupying half of the sky Sōkyoku.

This black spiritual pressure sphere is Kaname Tōsen's Bankai, Suzumushi Final Style: Enma Kōrogi. And what made Enma Kōrogi so big was Sajin Komamura's Bankai, Black Rope Heavenly Punisher Kaname Tōsen's Bankai.

Inside the Enma Kōrogi, sensing Sajin Komamura's abnormal spiritual pressure, Kaname Tōsen silent. Although he was blind, this was his spiritual pressure space, and he could sense everything inside. Sajin Komamura's Black Rope Heavenly Punisher did not stand up directly, but instead shrank inside the Enma Kōrogi.

Kaname Tōsen understand that Sajin Komamura has stopped, but he can no longer stop. Having released his Bankai, he must defeat Komamura as soon as possible; he has no time to stall with Komamura.

Tōsen understood Komamura's intentions, because his Bankai could deprive Komamura of his senses, meaning Komamura had no ability to resist him. Therefore, Komamura's plan was simple: to curl himself up into a ball and use the defensive capabilities of the Black Rope Heavenly Punisher to buy as much time as possible.

Best friend and justice. Looking at Komamura huddled together, Kaname Tōsen's hands trembled. It would be a lie to say that he had no feelings for Komamura, but there must be sacrifices before justice arrives. Kaname Tōsen has been upholding this belief all this time.

If necessary, Kaname Tōsen is even willing to sacrifice himself, as long as Aizen can complete that final step and send all the nobles of the old era to Hell, he will do anything.

Kaname Tōsen once told Aizen that if he could no longer follow in Aizen's footsteps, he should ask Aizen to execute him, as he could not bear to live in this utterly corrupt world.

Aizen agreed to Kaname Tōsen; it was a promise made by both of them.

Kaname Tōsen's resolve hardened once more. He needed to act quickly; it would take considerable time to severely injure the massive Black Rope Heavenly Punisher with his small Zanpakuto, and time was their greatest weakness.