At the other end of Wahrwelt, the labyrinthine passages were unusually quiet.
Yachiru Kusajishi had completely lost her way in the enormous fortress, where every part looked exactly alike.
Driven by curiosity, she had only meant to take a look at a strange sculpture on the neighboring street.
But as she ran along, after a few turns, she could no longer find her way back and became completely separated from Kenpachi Zaraki.
She wandered through the seemingly endless corridors. Apart from white walls, she could not find a single person to ask for directions.
Looking this way and that, Yachiru followed a narrow path to the door of a seemingly unremarkable little room.
The door stood ajar, with faint light spilling out.
She reached out a small hand to push it open and poked her head straight inside.
The room was empty, with only an enormous table standing in the center.
At the other end of the table sat a rather sleazy-looking, balding old man who appeared quite advanced in years.
Guenael Lee adjusted the round glasses on his nose, his mustache curling into a peculiar arc.
Guenael studied her with interest and said, "Letting a little girl run around the enemy's headquarters? You Soul Reapers really are carefree."
Yachiru paid no attention whatsoever to his mockery.
She walked straight into the room and looked around as though she were out shopping.
Yachiru tilted her head up. "Mister, do you know where Little Ken went?"
Hearing the name Little Ken, Guenael had absolutely no idea who she meant.
He stood and unfastened his white uniform coat, revealing a shriveled body.
Guenael sneered, "Looks like you got separated from your companions. What rotten luck."
"Now that you've run into me, this is where your journey ends."
The moment he finished speaking,