"Kyoraku… you mean Matsumoto Rangiku's Zanpakutō is—"
When Jūshirō Ukitake saw Kyoraku Shunsui comparing Matsumoto Rangiku's Haineko with the strongest elemental-type Zanpakutō, he immediately understood the implication.
"—the strongest Kaze-type Zanpakutō."
"Although I'm not entirely sure, the range of Shikai's attack could cover Lieutenant Sasakibe's Bankai like a hurricane blotting out the sky.
"For such a powerful Shikai, either Matsumoto Rangiku's Reiatsu is overwhelmingly strong, or her Zanpakutō itself is the most powerful of the wind-type class. I believe it's both."
Kyoraku Shunsui nodded as he gave his opinion.
Of course, this was only speculation.
In Soul Society, there are only three who can truly determine whether a Zanpakutō is the strongest of its type:
Ichibē Hyōsube, who names each Zanpakutō, Shikai, and Bankai.
The Zanpakutō spirit itself.
The Shinigami who wields it.
Of course, nothing is absolute.
The same Shinigami can manifest two entirely different blades depending on whether their soul is fractured or whole.
Such was the case with Matsumoto Rangiku.
Her soul—complete and fused with the true Hōgyoku (born of both the Soul King's fingertips and the Soul King's Hakusui) — wrote a Zanpakutō with entirely different power than the Rangiku of the original timeline. Though the name remained the same and its Shikai still appeared to be wind-based, its strength and scope were utterly different.
Also called Haineko.
The incomplete Rangiku, the one missing the Soul King's fingertip and part of her essence, wrote a Zanpakutō just as incomplete. Haineko was merely on par with Senbonzakura, far from the strongest of its class.
But this Rangiku's complete soul, fused with the Hōgyoku… the Haineko she wrote with that essence was why Kyoraku Shunsui now suspected it might be the strongest Kaze-type Zanpakutō.
"Gonryōmaru that split the sky apart… a truly beautiful Bankai."
He exhaled a faint sigh.
"Brother… it wasn't in vain that you cultivated her so carefully."
"I must admit," Aizen added, nodding after witnessing the display,
"The current Matsumoto Rangiku is indeed worthy of being called your right arm—whether in terms of her Zanpakutō or her own power as a Shinigami."
His appraisal of Matsumoto Rangiku shifted once again.
At first, she was nothing more than a container for the Soul King's fingertip.
Later, merely a vessel for the Hōgyoku he had envisioned.
Now, she was acknowledged as someone qualified to bear the title: the right hand of Aiyan Sōsuke.
"Matsumoto Rangiku…"
Yamamoto looked at the bloodied form of Chōjirō Sasakibe, collapsed in a pool of red, and anger roared in his chest.
Not only was he furious that his loyal lieutenant had been gravely injured—he burned with rage that captain after captain, Lieutenant after Lieutenant, openly chose to side with the Sōsuke brothers before his very eyes, trampling on Seireitei's laws and betraying the order he himself had forged.
"Ichimaru Gin. Are you planning to betray Seireitei as well?"
Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni's words made Matsumoto Rangiku frown. Her eyes immediately shifted toward Ichimaru Gin.
"Captain-Commander, how could you think such a thing of me? I, a commoner of Rukongai, was raised up only through your grace and favor. I was made captain of the Gotei, and I've had nothing but gratitude. How could I ever wish to return to that old life?"
He smiled thinly, his voice soft and unhurried.
"I swear to you, Rangiku will never again lift her blade… but I cannot raise mine against Captain Aizen either. After all, he once showed me kindness."
With deliberate ease, Ichimaru Gin drew his Zanpakutō and pointed it toward Matsumoto Rangiku.
"Shall I?"
Hearing Gin's solemn assurance, Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni hesitated, then finally nodded.
Even he, at times, could feel the tug of leniency.
And if even he could, then surely other Shinigami might falter as well.
Besides, none of the lieutenants here could hope to contend with Matsumoto Rangiku. Only a captain could stand against her.
"Captain-Commander," Tōsen Kaname suddenly said, his voice firm, "allow me to fight in this battle!
"Leave Muguruma Kensei, Ōtoribashi Rōjūrō, and the rest of those criminals below to me. Since the day I joined the Gotei and was named a captain, I have accomplished little. This time, I will prove myself worthy of the title through their blood."
Yamamoto's eyes narrowed, then he nodded slowly.
"Very well. Jūshirō, take a few lieutenants with you and go.
"But pay no attention to those fugitives—we'll deal with them later.
"First, execute Byakuya Kuchiki and Kurotsuchi Mayuri, who dared to rebel."
He was satisfied with Tōsen Kaname's resolve.
Yes… he had not misjudged the man.
Despite the tragedy of the Tsunayashiro Tokinada affair, Tōsen had not faltered, but had become stronger, more self-reliant.
Blind in body, but righteous in heart.
"Captain Jūshirō, didn't you hear the Commander-General's order?"
Tōsen's tone grew colder.
"Or do you intend to defy it? Will you fall, like Kurotsuchi Mayuri and Byakuya Kuchiki?"
Jūshirō Ukitake shot him a withering glare.
He remembered clearly: this same Tōsen Kaname had once been aided by Aizen at Shinō Academy.
Even his Bankai had been trained under Aizen's hand.
And now? He immediately turned his blade against his benefactor, without the slightest hesitation.
"Jūshirō," Yamamoto's voice rumbled, heavy with warning.
"I understand."
Ukitake caught the subtle signal in Shunsui's wink, and he understood.
He, too, saw how dire Seireitei's situation had become.
What began as a public execution had devolved into a full-scale struggle for power—not just for command of the Gotei 13, but for the authority of all Seireitei, perhaps even all of Soul Society.
If it were merely a contest for the Gotei's captaincy, neither he nor Kyoraku would have sided with Aiyan. But this… this was an armed coup, a violent overturning of Seireitei's entire foundation. Neither of them could accept it. Neither could predict how far Aiyan would go once opposed.
After all, both Ukitake and Shunsui were nobles. They understood the stakes.
Clang!
As Jūshirō Ukitake and Tōsen Kaname advanced, each flanked by their lieutenants with blades drawn, Byakuya Kuchiki stepped forward as well, Zanpakutō in hand.
Now that his resolve was set, there would be no turning back.
"Byakuya, it's fine," Aiyan's voice interrupted.
"If you're uneasy, you can stand aside. I'm not Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni—I won't force you.
"Simply remain there and watch this war end. Consider it my thanks for unleashing your Bankai earlier—I'll grant you a fitting conclusion."
Aiyan's words stopped Byakuya Kuchiki in his tracks.
"I am not uneasy," Byakuya answered calmly.
"I understood everything before I drew my blade.
"Captain Aiyan… your choice is the correct one."
He shook his head slightly, unwavering, and moved to stand with Aizen on the battlefield.
"Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni," Aiyan called, his eyes narrowing toward the high platform,
"Will you surrender?"
"Ridiculous!" the old man barked.
"Aiyan—this is your so-called Gotei 13? All I see is Byakuya Kuchiki, Kurotsuchi Mayuri, and your lieutenant at your side.
"Of course, if you count those fugitives, you might scrape together half a division."
He laughed, harsh and bitter, his Reiatsu crackling.
Aizen only smiled faintly in return, offering no rebuttal.
"Bankai · Suzumushi Tsuishiki: Enma Kōrogi."