True Name Unleashed! (Seeking Follow-ups!)

Once, Kaname Tosen was merely a commoner in Rukongai, and because he was blind, he had almost no friends.

Under such circumstances, Kakyō became his only true friend and the goddess—the white moonlight—in his heart.

Just when Kaname Tosen thought his peaceful life would continue this way, Kakyō chose to become a Bleach and married a member of a minor branch of the Tsunayashiro Clan: Tsunayashiro Tokinada.

Later, Kakyō was murdered by the psychopathic Tsunayashiro Tokinada, for no reason other than a petty argument between husband and wife.

Tsunayashiro Tokinada, who killed Kakyō, was exempted from all criminal punishment due to his noble status; after a perfunctory interrogation, he was released.

Upon his release, Tsunayashiro Tokinada saw Kaname Tosen waiting at the gate, and his sadistic nature flared; he humiliated Kaname Tosen, beat him brutally, and before leaving, ordered the guards to finish off the severely wounded man.

Just as Kaname Tosen was waiting in despair for death, Sosuke Aizen appeared.

He killed all the guards on the scene, helped Kaname Tosen up, and said, "I have a proposal. Would you like to... entrust the overflowing hatred in your heart to me for a while?"

From that moment on, Sosuke Aizen became Kaname Tosen's salvation.

This past, aside from those involved, had been sealed away in Kaname Tosen's heart, never told to anyone—not even Gin Ichimaru.

Naturally, Kakyō remained buried deep within Kaname Tosen's heart as well.

But Kaname Tosen never forgot Kakyō, nor did he ever forget his hatred.

He once swore before Kakyō's remains: "If justice is not enough, then let me become justice, and wipe away all the evil in this world like clouds."

After making his vow, Kaname Tosen took up the Zanpakuto that had regressed into an Asauchi upon Kakyō's death—Suzumushi—and after re-infusing it with his own spiritual pressure, reforged it into his own Zanpakuto.

However, Kaname Tosen did not change its name; his Zanpakuto is still called "Suzumushi."

This was to ensure he would always remember his hatred.

Now, with this white moonlight buried deep in his heart being spoken of by Gilgamesh, how could Kaname Tosen not be moved?

Nearly a hundred years had passed since the incident with Kakyō, and Kaname Tosen could not fathom how the twelve-year-old Gilgamesh before him could possibly know of it.

Moreover, Gilgamesh did not just know of Kakyō; he also knew of the hatred from those years.

For some reason, as if possessed, Kaname Tosen could not help but ask, "I want revenge? But how should I do it?"

Kaname Tosen is now a captain of the 9th Division of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads, which is to say he already belongs to the center of power in the Seireitei.

Yet, the closer one gets to the center of power, the more one realizes how ugly the true face of the Seireitei is, and how much evil is hidden behind it.

In such a Seireitei, a fair and just trial for Tsunayashiro Tokinada is simply impossible.

Furthermore, in the face of the Tsunayashiro Clan, one of the Four Great Noble Clans, a mere captain from Rukongai like himself is nothing.

Therefore, Kaname Tosen chose to place his hope for revenge on Sosuke Aizen.

As long as he waited for the moment Sosuke Aizen's plan succeeded, an ideal world would arrive.

That was what Kaname Tosen had originally believed.

But for some reason, at this moment, hope surged within him once again.

Gilgamesh then spoke: "Conquer the Soul Society, change the Soul Society, create a brand new kingdom without nobles where everyone is equal, judge all evil, and let no darkness remain hidden!"

Gilgamesh's voice sounded youthful, like the unrealistic ambitions of a child.

But heard by Kaname Tosen, it was like a morning bell or an evening drum, shaking his very soul.

This was not only because Gilgamesh's words carried a royal majesty that could command conviction.

It was also because what Gilgamesh spoke of coincided perfectly with the goals of Sosuke Aizen.

Sosuke Aizen hated the dictates of fate and the rules of the Soul Society; he refused to be bound and wanted to thoroughly change the flawed structure and governance of the Soul Society.

It was just that what Gilgamesh hoped for was the establishment of a new kingdom.

While what Sosuke Aizen hoped for was to surpass the Soul King and become the only true god of the world.

Crack!

The sound of shattering glass suddenly startled Kaname Tosen.

Before Kaname Tosen could react, a golden ripple appeared, and from it emerged a golden shield resembling the wings of a butterfly.

Clang!

A sound of metal striking metal rang out.

In Kaname Tosen's mind's eye, he saw Gin Ichimaru's Shinso collide with the Aegis.

The Aegis was far too sturdy, so much so that Shinso could not break through and was forced to retract quickly.

"Do you want me to deal with him?"

A steady male voice suddenly sounded, drawing Kaname Tosen's attention.

Kaname Tosen followed the sound and saw the black cat nestled in Gilgamesh's arms stretching its body, its emerald eyes looking coldly at Gin Ichimaru, who stood in the void in the distance.

A cat that could speak!?

Kaname Tosen was stunned, an expression of disbelief appearing on his face.

Not only that, but Kaname Tosen even sensed danger emanating from the black cat.

This fact left Kaname Tosen's mind in a state of confusion.

A cat actually making him sense danger—had the world gone mad, or had he?

Yoruichi Shihouin paid no heed to Kaname Tosen.

From the fact that Kaname Tosen could easily breach the light barrier of the Vimana, Yoruichi Shihouin knew that Gilgamesh had allowed it intentionally.

Based on the subsequent words, Yoruichi Shihouin also understood that Gilgamesh intended to subjugate Kaname Tosen.

Although Yoruichi Shihouin did not like or think much of Kaname Tosen, since it was what Gilgamesh wanted, there must be a purpose behind it; she only needed to assist him silently.

As for Gin Ichimaru, Yoruichi Shihouin had discovered him the moment he launched his first attack.

She had originally intended to ignore him, but she had not expected his Shinso to be able to penetrate the Vimana's light barrier on the second attempt.

This would undoubtedly disrupt Gilgamesh's plans, which was why she had spoken up to inquire.

Gilgamesh shook his head slightly and replied, "No need, I shall deal with him personally."

As he spoke, the Vimana shifted its orientation, allowing Gilgamesh, who sat upon his throne, to face Gin Ichimaru directly.

Seeing this, Gin Ichimaru's eyes narrowed slightly.

It was at this moment that a golden ripple emerged to the right of Gilgamesh.

Under the watchful eyes of Yoruichi Shihouin, Gin Ichimaru, and Kaname Tosen, a uniquely shaped Caladbolg emerged from within.

Yoruichi Shihouin's heart trembled slightly; this was yet another weapon she had never seen before.

However, she would not doubt the power of this weapon, especially with the Mountain-Slaying Sword and Enkidu as precedents.

Upon seeing this scene, Gin Ichimaru's gaze flickered.

He caught sight of the Aegis placed to the side, and after a brief moment of hesitation, he raised his Shinso once more, intending to launch another attack.

Gilgamesh had already raised the Caladbolg, aiming it at Gin Ichimaru, and spoke: "This sword is called Caladbolg, a demonic sword from Celtic mythology."

"Legend has it that this sword was forged by the spirits of the land of the gods and harbors the formidable power of the thunder of the heavens."

"Later generations believe this sword to be one of the prototypes of King Arthur's holy sword, Excalibur."

"Kaname Tosen, feel it well—this is but the tip of the iceberg of this King's power."

"True Name Release..."

"Caladbolg!!"