After the purge, two-thirds of the Tsunayashiro family were wiped out.
Although the entire clan wasn't annihilated, the damage to their core strength was severe.
Yet in the aftermath, one young man moved with purpose into one of the family's hidden chambers.
Before he could enter, several secret guards suddenly emerged from concealed positions in the shadows.
Upon seeing them, the young man spoke coldly, "Now that the Tsunayashiro family is in chaos, why don't you go deal with the enemy? If not, we'll take your heads next."
There was hesitation among the guards, but they quickly responded, "We obey, Ninth Young Master."
He was Tsunayashiro Rikou-the ninth heir of the Tsunayashiro family.
After the guards departed, Rikou took in a slow breath before stepping into the chamber and approaching the enshrined Zanpakutō-Enra Kyōten.
Just then, a calm but unfamiliar presence stirred around him.
"Are you picking up the Enra Kyōten to deal with me?"
Rikou turned to look around but saw no one present. He remained composed.
"No... Rather, I want to thank you. If not for the disorder you caused, I wouldn't have had the chance to reach this Zanpakutō. I also know you're using Urozakuro-the one from the 8th Kenpachi-so you're not bound to one place."
Yuta's faint chuckle answered him, "Seems the Tsunayashiro family isn't without its exceptions. I also know you've long disagreed with their decisions. That's why you were locked away."
Rikou nodded slightly. "It was this upheaval that allowed the guards around my room to scatter. That gave me my opportunity."
"You don't hate me for killing so many members of your clan?"
Rikou gave him a faint smile. "No. Those people committed enough evil to deserve death. I also used this very Zanpakutō to kill the heir ahead of me… I did it so I could take control of the Tsunayashiro family. Only then will I be able to correct its path."
Yuta watched him for a moment. "I didn't expect someone like you existed in that family."
Rikou's shoulders tensed. When he spoke again, there was resolve in his eyes.
"You should know what the Tsunayashiro family is. Even among themselves, they fight with vicious factionalism. My parents were tortured by them. My sister... she was treated cruelly to protect me."
"This family was already steeped in sin. If I want to change it, I don't have the luxury of mercy. Even if you hadn't done this, I would've killed them one by one after I obtained the Enra Kyōten."
Yuta gave him one final nod. "I've killed most of the ones who needed to be dealt with. The rest won't be able to stop someone wielding the Enra Kyōten. I'll leave the rest to you."
Rikou turned with the blade in hand and stepped forward into the shadows of his own resolve.
Outside the Tsunayashiro estate, Yuta's form reappeared as he exited.
His Zanpakutō-the "Spiritual Book"-had also taken form. A white bandage wrapped softly around both its blade and Yuta's waist, resting lightly against him.
"Kusawokaru" and "Rūto no Sakujo" were tucked away in his inner world for now-he didn't plan to carry three blades openly unless necessary.
"I didn't think anyone like Rikou existed in the Tsunayashiro family," Yuta said aloud to the spirit within the book.
Her ethereal tone echoed in his mind. "Everyone's nature is different."
"Tsunayashiro Tokinada descended into corruption, while Rikou endured cruelty and rose with conviction to change things."
"Even if they saw the same things within the family, they chose different paths."
"This purge will stabilize the Tsunayashiro family for now-they've long been the source of many problems."
"Rikou has the strength to handle what comes next."
As they walked, the scent of takoyaki drifted from one of the nearby stalls.
Yuta didn't pay it much attention, but the Spiritual Book hesitated in his thoughts.
"… Do you want to try that?"
"…Yes," Hana Akari answered softly. "Though... I have no body. I cannot eat." (T/N: i decided to give the spirit book a name, its hana akari now.)
It dawned on Yuta then-she had vast knowledge and the ability to explain countless things, but she had no ability to feel or experience them.
Her life had only ever existed within data and records. She had likely understood everything about taste without ever tasting anything herself.
She didn't even understand what it was to miss that feeling.
Yuta's thoughts shifted and he said, "I could use the abilities of 'Spirit Control'… or even Muramasa's technique to materialize you. If we do that-you should be able to eat. Want to try it?"
"...Yes," her answer came without hesitation.
Finding a secluded place, Yuta removed Hana Akari from his waist and knelt as he activated Spirit Control.
Her form began to condense as spiritual particles gathered and shaped themselves into clothing.
From the air, snow-white hair and pale features began to take form-long hair cascading down from the figure of a girl in white. The delicate folds of her dress moved with the breeze. Soft boots encased her pale feet.
Her face was symmetrical, calm, and expressionless-but also flawless in construction. Her eyes looked out into the world with clarity, though void of emotion.
Her hair, previously flowing far past her body, had been shortened for ease-now just touching her lower back.
Once the process was done, she descended slowly and instinctively leaned into Yuta's chest as she arrived in this new form.
Her scent was clean and faint. Her frame was light.
After resting against him for just a moment, she gently pushed off and tried to stand on her own. Her first step faltered and she nearly tripped-until Yuta caught her hand to help her balance.
"How is it? Can you walk?"
"…Carry me."
Her small hand tugged lightly at his sleeve. Her face remained expressionless as always, but her words were clear.
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