In the silent First Division's commander's room, a slightly oppressive atmosphere permeated the air. Shigekuni Yamamoto-Genryūsai, the Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13 and the current leader of the Soul Society, stood quietly in place, holding his cane. After listening to the urgent reports from Kuchiki Ginrei and Kōga Kuchiki, he remained silent and lost in thought.
"I am willing to take full responsibility, Your Shigekuni Yamamoto-Genryūsai."
Seeing Kōga Kuchiki Shigekuni Yamamoto-Genryūsai remained silent for a long time with a slightly bitter expression, Kuchiki Kyoga lowered his head, willing to take full responsibility.
"This matter is not as simple as you think, Kōga."
"If simply stating who should take responsibility could resolve the issue, that would be ideal, but clearly it's not that simple..."
However, before Kōga Kuchiki could say anything more, Kuchiki Ginrei stepped in and took over Kōga Kuchiki's responsibility.
"Father, please don't say that. It's all my fault. I shouldn't have been so willful as to use my Bankai in the courtyard."
Kōga Kuchiki shook his head slightly; he couldn't forgive himself for letting Aisa act so recklessly.
"Idiot! Don't you understand? This is the real problem!"
Kuchiki Ginrei sighed helplessly, feeling resigned to Kōga Kuchiki, this piece of elm wood.
"The real problem... isn't about your arbitrary Bankai. Of course, it was wrong of you to recklessly Bankai in the courtyard, but the bigger problem is why your Zanpakuto's Bankai disappeared without a trace..."
"Is this a problem specific to you, or will it evolve into a problem affecting all Soul Reaper in the Soul Society?"
"If it's just a problem with you personally, then it's not so bad. But... if this matter endangers all the Soul Reaper in the Soul Society, then it's very serious. Just imagine how terrible it would be if all the Soul Reaper in the Soul Society lost their Bankai?"
Kuchiki Ginrei explained the gravity of the situation, stating that it was arguably the greatest crisis Soul Society had ever faced. Compared to the Aizen incident and the Hollowfication Incident, the current Zanpakuto running away from home was merely a drop in the ocean...
"Everyone's Bankai will disappear?!"
Kōga Kuchiki's expression changed drastically. He hadn't expected things to be so serious. However, if the situation really did develop as Ginrin Kuchiki had described, then things might really escalate.
"No, you haven't grasped the seriousness of this matter."
Just as Shigekuni Yamamoto-Genryūsai, Kuchiki Ginrei, Kōga Kuchiki Kyouga were pondering countermeasures with grim expressions in the team's room, a hoarse voice entered their ears. In the air, a figure slowly emerged, transforming from ethereal to tangible before their eyes. It was a refined and handsome young man with a touch of feminine beauty on his face, exuding an aristocratic air from head to toe.
"Who are you..."
Shigekuni Yamamoto-Genryūsai had been keeping his eyes slightly narrowed, opened his sharp eyes upon seeing the newcomer. In the dimly lit room, two beams of light seemed to flash, heading straight for the young nobleman.
"Who I am is not important; what matters is the kind of intelligence I bring you."
The young nobleman shook his head slightly, as if unwilling to talk about his past.
"Alright, tell me about this. How much do you know about it?"
Shigekuni Yamamoto-Genryūsai did not rush to make a move. He knew that the reason why the young man in front of him was arrested and sentenced was not because the young man had committed any heinous crimes, but because the young man had touched the interests of the Central 46 Chambers. Therefore, now that the Central 46 Chambers was a thing of the past, he was not willing to pursue the young man's past actions too much.
"I saw it all... I saw everything that happened clearly."
"This was not an accident, but rather deliberate."
"It was done by someone wearing a black cloak. I couldn't see their face, but I could sense that they were filled with malice."
The young nobleman narrowed his eyes slightly, recalling the various signs he had noticed, and spoke with certainty.
"Man-made?!"
When Shigekuni Yamamoto-Genryūsai, Kuchiki Ginrei, Kōga Kuchiki Kyouga heard the nobleman's words, they all frowned. If this was deliberate, then things were going to get very bad...
The fact that it was deliberate means that this was premeditated, and premeditation implies that there must be a conspiracy behind it, meaning that someone is planning to take action against Soul Society again...
The enemy's plan to attack Soul Society is tantamount to them planning to directly Gotei 13...
"Order the entire Gotei 13 to enter Level 1 alert!"
The enemy is far more dangerous than we imagine!
After a few minutes of contemplation, Shigekuni Yamamoto-Genryūsai decided to trust the young nobleman before him. He believed that this refined and cultured young nobleman had no reason to deceive him. Of course, it wasn't that Shigekuni Yamamoto-Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto-Genryūsai the refined and cultured young nobleman so much, but rather that he trusted Shigekuni Yamamoto-Genryūsai Sōgo Shihoin.
"Buzz!!"
With Shigekuni Yamamoto-Genryūsai's order, the entire Soul Society instantly went on alert.
"I've heard there's an enemy who can Bankai Soul Reaper?"
"Really?"
"Really, really."
"Someone from the Kuchiki Clan has already fallen for their tricks, and that's the Kuchiki Clan, one of the Five Great Noble Clans!"
"Wouldn't we be in great danger?"
"Hahahaha... What a joke! We haven't even Shikai yet, what danger could we possibly be in? The danger is directed at those squad captains and noble lords... We talentless underlings are actually the safest, okay?"
"Hahaha... I never thought that having no talent would become our shield. Thinking about it this way, maybe being too talented isn't such a good thing after all..."
As night fell in Soul Society, the patrolling Soul Reaper chatted idly, taking the opportunity to complain about the noble lords and the squad captains.
" Muramasa, these people are in your hands now."
Just as this group of Soul Reaper were chatting idly about the strange events that had happened that day, a chilling voice rang out from the shadows.
"Yes, sir!"
A man in a white fur coat walked out of the shadows with leisurely steps, heading straight for the group of Soul Reaper.
"Halt! Who are you?"
The patrol of Soul Reaper noticed the man in the white fur coat and drew their Zanpakuto from their waists, becoming wary.
"Relax~"
"Break free from your bonds! Free yourselves from endless troubles!"
"You should understand one thing: we Zanpakuto are not slaves of the Soul Reaper; we are the masters of the Soul Reaper!"
"Rise now! And then shred those cowardly Grim Soul Reaper to pieces!"
The man extended his five fingers, which had purple and bright red nail polish, and then clenched them tightly.
The next second, the Zanpakuto in the hands of the Soul Reaper suddenly became uncontrollable... From those simple and unadorned swords, ferocious monsters emerged, the Roar and howling as they attacked the Soul Reaper.
"Monster!"
"Damn monster!"
"Don't eat me..."
The Soul Reaper, seeing the grotesque and hideous monsters before them, cried out in terror, their bodies trembling with fear, and were torn to shreds by the suddenly appearing monsters.
"Ridiculous, ridiculous..."
"To call one's own soul half a monster—how utterly ridiculous!"
The man in the white fur coat looked at the Soul Reaper before him, who were being slaughtered to pieces by the spirits of his Zanpakuto, and uttered a disdainful sound.
Is this all the power you have?
"The power to enter other people's hearts..."
"As terrifying as a demon!"
The man, clad in a jet-black cloak that obscured his face, watched with a wistful expression as the white-coated man in front of him subtly moved his fingers, causing the Zanpakuto and the Soul Reaper to fight each other.
"A demonic power?!"
"I like this nickname..."
"Yes, I am a Zanpakuto that is like a demon, but I prefer you to call me the Demon Sword Muramasa."
The man in the white fur coat smiled slightly, and his voice resonated directly in the heart of the man in the black cloak.
"Can you even hear what I'm saying?"
The man in the black robe was emotional; finally, someone could understand him again.
"Certainly..."
We understand each other.
Muramasa smiled slightly. His words contained hidden hints and hypnosis. It wasn't that he wanted to incorporate these into his speech, but rather that he was born this way, like an evil demon, with every word concealing murderous intent.
"A meeting of minds?!"
The black-robed man's long, jet-black robe, which was impossible to see clearly, shimmered with light. He seemed to understand something, yet he also seemed to understand nothing at all. But one thing the black-robed man knew was the fact that he was evolving.
"I am Zanpakuto!"
"Only when its mind is in perfect harmony with its master can it unleash its full power..."
"No matter who my master is, at the moment I am used, there is no doubt that we are connected at heart, even if it is you."
Demon Sword Muramasa, smiled as he spoke to the man in black robes.
"Our hearts are connected..."
The man in black robes continued to softly repeat the words of the Demon Sword Muramasa, as if Muramasa's words were of great importance to him.
"Come on, Muramasa!"
"Let the entire Soul Society dance!"
Let all Zanpakuto in the world be freed!
The man in black robes continued to proclaim loudly that he, together with Muramasa, would offer the grandest fireworks display and the most beautiful blessings to the great Yhwach and the wonderful Soul Society!
"..."
Demon Sword Muramasa, smiled without saying a word, his deep eyes gleaming with a sinister light.
"Boom!"
As night fell, the deafening explosions echoed in the ears of the Soul Reaper. Countless Grim Soul Reaper had been fast asleep were jolted awake by the sudden shock and forced to open their dazed eyes.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
The next second, a series of booming sounds suddenly resounded, instantly waking up the Soul Reaper who were still dazed and unaware of what was happening.
"Enemy attack?!"
What exactly happened?
Where is the enemy?
The Soul Reaper donned their Shihakusho, picked up their Zanpakuto, and stepped out of the barracks, shouting incessantly.
"Ha ha ha ha..."
"I will destroy you! I will destroy you!"
A gigantic man, resembling a giant from a story, with long red hair and a muscular physique, continuously sent the Soul Reaper in front of him flying. Relying on his impenetrable muscles, the Zanpakuto of ordinary Soul Reaper could not cause him any harm at all; their blades could not even pierce his skin.
"Hateful!"
Let's all go together.
The Soul Reaper, unable to bear watching the burly man Zanpakuto with unparalleled skill, picked up their Zanpakuto and slashed at him.
"Ding~"
With a crisp metallic sound, the several incredibly sharp Zanpakuto were instantly broken into pieces in front of the burly man.
"It's useless! It's useless! It's useless!"
The burly man looked at the Zanpakuto that had been shattered by his own powerful chest muscles and grinned Zanpakuto. He was incredibly powerful and felt incredibly proud of himself. He had to put his hands on his hips for a moment.
"Monster! Monster!!"
The Soul Reaper, seeing the massive, muscular man ignoring the Zanpakuto's attacks, all showed fear on their faces and exclaimed in surprise.
"Hahahaha..."
"You bunch of trash, you have no strength at all. I'll just crush you into mincemeat right here!"
The red-haired giant grinned, looking like a vengeful demon from Hell who devours people alive. He swung his enormous fist at the group of Soul Reaper before him, intending to twist Soul Reaper heads off and make them into a necklace to wear around his neck.
"Scatter, Senbonzakura!"
Just as the red-haired giant was about to attack the Soul Reaper, a cold and serious voice rang in everyone's ears. The next second, countless cherry blossom petals fell from the sky... Beautiful and vibrant cherry blossom pink petals, attracting people to stop and admire, formed a wall in front of the Soul Reaper.
Are you all alright?
Accompanying the cherry blossoms was a cold, aloof nobleman dressed in a Captain's Haori, with an icy expression and an aura that kept strangers at bay.
" Captain Kuchiki... thank you for saving my life."
The Soul Reaper looked at Byakuya Kuchiki with gratitude for saving them. Although Byakuya Kuchiki always seemed unapproachable and disregarded others, he was unusually reassuring at this moment.
"Um."
Byakuya Kuchiki didn't bother with the other Soul Reaper squads; he simply nodded slightly as a greeting and then focused all his attention on the huge, red-haired giant in front of him.
"Ha ha ha ha..."
"You're Byakuya Kuchiki, the captain of the Sixth Division?! I've actually caught such a big fish, this is amazing~"
"Come on! Let's fight to our hearts' content!"
The burly man laughed loudly, swung his spear, and prepared to fight Byakuya Kuchiki.
" Bankai! Senbonzakura Kageyoshi!"
Unfortunately, Byakuya Kuchiki had no intention of stalling with the burly man and immediately grasped his Zanpakuto, unleashing his Bankai.
"You... lack martial ethics."
Faced with an endless sea of cherry blossoms, the strong man was weak and powerless, forced to submit to the ravages of the flowers, unable to do anything about it.
"Asshole!!!"
" Muramasa, are you really going to keep watching?"
"I'm almost dried out!"
The burly man roared loudly, trying to get help.
"Well..."
"You were being far too impulsive, Hōzukimaru."
With a helpless sigh, an elegant man in a white fur coat slowly emerged from the shadows, walked step by step to Hōzukimaru's side, and reached out to gently touch the petals fluttering in the sky.
" Byakuya, this is bad..."
The moment the man in the white fur coat gently stroked the petals, Byakuya Kuchiki heard Senbonzakura's cry echo in his mind.
"Null!"
The next second, before Byakuya could react, the pink cherry blossom petals floating in the air vanished completely.
Instead, a fierce warrior clad in black armor appeared.
"..."
Byakuya Kuchiki stared in silence at the armored samurai who had suddenly appeared before him.
He recognized the samurai before him; they were close friends. The samurai's name was Senbonzakura!
" Senbonzakura..."
Byakuya Kuchiki softly murmured the samurai's name, which was also the name of half of his soul, his Zanpakuto.
"Scatter, Senbonzakura!"
Before Byakuya Kuchiki could say anything more, the samurai immediately Shikai his Zanpakuto.
Countless petals flew towards Byakuya Kuchiki from the sky.
"..."
Byakuya Kuchiki's emotions were somewhat complicated at this moment. He was the one who used this move to hit others in the past, and this was the first time that someone else had used this move to hit him.
It was only after being fought by Senbonzakura that Byakuya Kuchiki truly understood how disgusting Senbonzakura's combined offense and defense, along with her binding abilities, really was.
" Byakurai!"
Just as Byakuya Kuchiki, with mixed feelings, prepared to block Senbonzakura, a beam of white light shattered Senbonzakura into pieces...
Byakuya is back...
A man with long, light purple hair, dressed in the classic aristocratic attire of the Kuchiki Clan, appeared beside Byakuya and shattered Senbonzakura's Shikai with a single blow.
" Muramasa!!!"
The man shielded Byakuya Kuchiki behind him as if he were a child, then roared at the endless night.
"..."
The man in the snow-white fur coat narrowed his eyes slightly upon seeing the nobleman who had suddenly appeared.
" Kōga."
Muramasa murmured the name of Kōga Kuchiki softly, then retreated behind him.
"Everyone, retreat."
As if Muramasa did not intend to confront Kōga Kuchiki directly, Muramasa chose to avoid seeing the menacing Kōga Kuchiki.
" Muramasa!!!"
"Coward! Come out and fight me one-on-one!"
Kōga Kuchiki looked at his own Zanpakuto, feeling an intense rage, as he realized he didn't even have the courage to face it.
"..."
"Ha ha ha ha..."
" Soul Society is finished!"
" Soul Reaper is finished!"
Muramasa did not respond to Kōga Kuchiki's shouts; only the cold, mocking laughter of countless Zanpakuto echoed in the deep night.
"Damn Muramasa!"
Kōga Kuchiki looked around at the devastation, the countless fallen Soul Reaper soldiers, and the still-raging fire. He truly felt anger; all he wanted now was to wait until he reached Muramasa and give him a good beating.
Five thousand~
(End of this chapter)