True Name Release! (Please follow!)

Tōsen Kaname had once been an ordinary resident of Rukongai. Since he was blind, he had almost no friends.

Under those circumstances, Kakyō became his only close friend—and the goddess he cherished in his heart.

Tōsen had thought his peaceful life would continue that way forever. But Kakyō chose to become a Soul Reaper and married Tsunayashiro Tokinada, a low-ranking member of the Tsunayashiro Clan's branch family.

Later, Kakyō was killed by the psychologically twisted Tokinada. His reason was simply that the couple had argued.

Because Tokinada belonged to the nobility, he was exempt from all criminal punishment for killing Kakyō. After a brief, sham of an interrogation, he was released.

When Tokinada was freed, he spotted Tōsen standing guard outside. His twisted nature took over, and he went over to insult and beat Tōsen. Before leaving, he ordered the guards to finish off the badly injured man.

Just as Tōsen waited in despair for death, Sosuke Aizen appeared.

He killed all the guards at the scene, then helped Tōsen to his feet and said, "I have a proposal. Would you like to... temporarily entrust to me the hatred overflowing in your heart?"

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

That past had remained buried in Tōsen's heart, known only to those involved. He had told no one—not even Gin Ichimaru.

Naturally, Kakyō had remained buried deep in Tōsen's heart, too.

But Tōsen had never forgotten Kakyō, nor had he ever forgotten his hatred.

At Kakyō's funeral, he had once sworn, "If justice isn't enough, then I'll become justice. And I'll wipe away all the evil in this world, like clouds disappearing from the sky."

After making that vow, Tōsen took up Kakyō's keepsake, her Zanpakuto Suzumushi, which had reverted to an Asauchi after her death. He infused it with his own spiritual pressure and remade it into his Zanpakuto.

However, Tōsen didn't change its name. His Zanpakuto was still called Suzumushi.

He did so to keep the memory of his hatred alive.

Now, Gilgamesh had spoken aloud the name of the person Tōsen had kept as a cherished memory in his heart. How could Tōsen not be moved?

Nearly a hundred years had passed since Kakyō's death. Tōsen had no idea how Gilgamesh, who looked to be only around twelve, could know about it.

What's more, Gilgamesh knew not only about Kakyō, but also about the hatred Tōsen had harbored all those years ago.

For some reason, as if compelled by an unseen force, Tōsen couldn't help asking, "I want revenge? But how am I supposed to do that?"

Tōsen was now the captain of the 9th Division of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads. He could be said to have reached the heart of Seireitei's power.

But the closer he got to the center of power, the more he saw how ugly Seireitei truly was and how much evil it concealed.

In a place like Seireitei, a fair and just trial for Tokinada was simply impossible.

And before the Tsunayashiro Clan, one of the Four Great Noble Clans, a lowly captain from Rukongai like Tōsen didn't stand a chance.

So Tōsen had placed his hopes for revenge in Sosuke Aizen.

Once Aizen's plan succeeded, the ideal world would arrive.

That was what Tōsen had believed.

But for some reason, at that moment, hope stirred within him once more.

Gilgamesh spoke. "Conquer Soul Society, change it, and create a new kingdom where there are no nobles and everyone is equal. Put every evil on trial, and let no darkness go unseen!"

Gilgamesh's voice was still childlike, like a little boy's unrealistic ambition.

But to Tōsen, it rang like a bell at dawn and dusk, shaking him to his core.

It wasn't only because Gilgamesh's words carried the majestic authority of a king and made him easy to believe.

It was also because Gilgamesh's goal happened to align with Sosuke Aizen's.

Sosuke Aizen despised the dictates of fate and the rules of Soul Society. He refused to be bound by them and wanted to completely change Soul Society's flawed structure and system of rule.

The difference was that Gilgamesh wanted to establish a new kingdom.

Sosuke Aizen, on the other hand, wanted to surpass the Soul King and become the one true god of the world.

Crack!

The sound of shattering glass suddenly jolted Tōsen back to his senses.

Before Tōsen could react, a golden ripple appeared. A golden shield, shaped like a butterfly with its wings spread, emerged from within it.

Clang!

A metallic clash rang out.

In Tōsen's Mind's Eye, he saw Gin Ichimaru's Shinsō collide with Aegis.

Aegis was so sturdy that even Shinsō couldn't break through it, and the spear could only quickly retract.

"Want me to deal with him?"

A steady male voice suddenly rang out, drawing Tōsen's attention.

Tōsen turned toward the voice and saw the black cat in Gilgamesh's arms raise its head. Its blue-green eyes were fixed coldly on Gin Ichimaru, who stood in the distance, suspended in midair.

A cat could talk?!

Tōsen froze, his face filled with disbelief.

And that wasn't all. He could even sense danger coming from the black cat.

The fact left Tōsen's mind in a muddle.

A cat was making him feel threatened. Was the world insane, or was he?

Yoruichi Shihouin paid Tōsen no attention.

The moment Tōsen had easily passed through Vimana's barrier of light, Yoruichi had known Gilgamesh had let him through on purpose.

After hearing what they'd said, she also understood that Gilgamesh intended to recruit Tōsen.

Yoruichi didn't like Tōsen and didn't think much of him, but if Gilgamesh wanted him, he must have had his reasons. All she had to do was quietly support him.

As for Gin Ichimaru, Yoruichi had noticed him as soon as he launched his first attack.

She hadn't wanted to get involved, but she hadn't expected his Shinsō to pierce Vimana's barrier of light on the second try.

That would undoubtedly interfere with Gilgamesh's plan, which was why she had asked.

Gilgamesh shook his head slightly. "No need. I'll deal with him myself."

As he spoke, Vimana turned, bringing Gilgamesh, seated on his throne, to face Gin Ichimaru.

Gin Ichimaru's eyes narrowed slightly at the sight.

At that moment, a golden ripple appeared on Gilgamesh's right.

As Yoruichi, Gin Ichimaru, and Tōsen watched, a uniquely shaped spiral sword emerged from within it.

Yoruichi's heart stirred. This was yet another weapon she had never seen before.

Still, she wouldn't doubt its power, not after seeing the Mountain-Slaying Sword and Enkidu.

Gin Ichimaru's gaze shifted slightly when he saw it.

He noticed Aegis resting off to the side. After a brief hesitation, he raised Shinsō again, preparing to attack once more.

Gilgamesh had already raised the spiral sword and pointed it at Gin Ichimaru. "This sword is called Caladbolg, a magic sword passed down in Celtic Mythology."

"Legend says it was forged by the fairies of the Land of the Gods and contains the mighty power of the gods' thunder."

"People in later generations believed it was one of the original models for King Arthur's holy sword, Excalibur."

"Tōsen Kaname, feel it well. This is but a glimpse of my power."

"True Name Release..."

Caladbolg!!