"Ha!"
Seeing Ginrei in such a state, Koga felt a surge of satisfaction.
Having followed Kuchiki Ginrei for over twenty years, Koga was one of the people who understood him best… particularly when it came to his physical condition.
In his current state, Koga could exploit Ginrei's weaknesses and defeat him in a short time. But that wouldn't bring him any real satisfaction.
He couldn't understand why, after learning about his Zanpakuto's true ability, his father-in-law had immediately branded him as a threat to the Seireitei. So, Koga rebelled with a roar of defiance.
He deliberately avoided the most efficient way to end the battle. Instead, he matched Ginrei's style, engaging him in a Kido duel.
He wanted to prove that even if his Zanpakuto, Muramasa, didn't have the ability to control other Shinigami's Zanpakuto, he, Kuchiki Koga, was still unmatched!
"I overestimated myself..."
Ginrei sighed inwardly.
He never expected Koga's mastery of Kido to have reached such a level.
Danku was the strongest defensive Kido in the sequence, capable of completely blocking Hado below #90.
Of course, the Dankū Ginrei had cast lacked an incantation and subsequent chants, so its true defensive power was only about one-third of its full potential.
But Koga's [Hyoga Seiran] wasn't a fully incanted version either.
Both were Kido cast without incantations… the higher the skill, the faster the casting speed, and the greater the retained power.
The fact that Kuchiki Koga could break his Dankū with a #92 Hado proved that his Kido prowess was no less than Ginrei's.
Koga waved his hand, and behind him, Reiatsu condensed into three golden chains.
"Bakudo #63: Sajo Sabaku!"
Though he held the advantage in battle, Koga had no real intention of killing Ginrei.
Thus, this time, he used Bakudo #63.
After all, Ginrei's legs were already frozen, making escape impossible.
Besides, over the years, the bond between Koga and Haruko was genuine.
If he really killed Ginrei, how could Haruko face the aftermath?
Whoosh-
As Koga murmured the incantation, the three golden chains snaked toward Ginrei, aiming to bind him completely.
Ginrei narrowed his eyes slightly.
At this point in the battle, his heart was filled with both relief and sorrow.
He was relieved that Koga had not failed his expectations and had grown into a true Captain-level warrior.
But he grieved that Kuchiki Koga had failed to withstand the test, his mind corrupted by his Zanpakuto's power.
Breaking out of prison, attacking nobles, slaughtering comrades, assaulting a Captain...
Any one of these crimes was enough to sentence Koga to death.
And now, all four charges were stacked against him?
Earlier, Ginrei had told Koga that he could plead for his life before Yamamoto. His plan had been to seal Koga before the chaos spread.
That way, even if the Central 46 later interrogated him, they wouldn't be able to undo the seal.
But now, it seemed Koga's strength surpassed what he alone could handle.
He could only hope that Yamamoto would grant Koga a dignified end, for his sake.
Otherwise, if Kuchiki Koga survived, he would inevitably face trial before the Central 46 after this battle.
In that case, Koga would die, and the Kuchiki Clan's reputation would suffer a heavy blow.
After all, a clan that produced a criminal could hardly remain the 'model' for the Seireitei's nobility.
Swish-
Just as the chains of Sajo Sabaku began coiling around Ginrei, a figure clad in a Captain's Haori appeared beside him in an instant, reaching out toward the golden chains binding him.
The hand's skin was slightly loose, resembling that of an ordinary old man.
But when that hand gripped the golden chain and clenched its fingers, the chain, formed by the Bakudo #63, was crushed to pieces!
Whoosh-
The shattered chain dispersed into golden Reiatsu.
"Forgive me, Captain-Commander."
Once freed, Kuchiki Ginrei bowed slightly to the newcomer and said, "Koga's strength exceeded my expectations. I failed to subdue him before he became a threat to the Seireitei."
"No matter, Captain Kuchiki."
"If anything, it is thanks to your efforts that this brat was unable to run rampant through the Seireitei and seize more Zanpakuto." Yamamoto said to Ginrei.
"Moreover, had you not sealed your own heart, I might have had to face yet another formidable opponent upon arriving here."
Ginrei shook his head.
He knew that the Captain-Commander was trying to preserve his dignity.
His Zanpakuto was by no means weak, but compared to the ones hailed as the [Strongest], it still fell short.
Even if his Zanpakuto had been controlled by Koga, it would have merely meant a few extra slashes for Yamamoto.
"Captain-Commander Yamamoto…"
Upon seeing Yamamoto appear, Koga's pupils contracted sharply.
For the past thousand years, every Shinigami in the Gotei 13 had grown up hearing legends of the Captain-Commander.
The title of [Strongest Shinigami of the Millennium] was not just an empty boast… it was a reputation forged through countless battles, each victory carved into history with blood and steel.
In the hearts of all Gotei 13's Shinigami, as long as Yamamoto stood, the Seireitei remained unshakable.
Even though Koga had never intended to betray the Seireitei, the crimes he had already committed were punishable by death.
Now, facing Yamamoto, he couldn't help but feel a chill in his heart.
"Kuchiki Koga..."
"You have disappointed me greatly."
Yamamoto's deep voice carried an overwhelming authority as he fixed his gaze on Koga.
"Hah… disappointed?"
"Captain-Commander, those words should be mine to say!"
Kuchiki Koga grabbed the front of his robes and roared at Yamamoto, "Tell me, Captain-Commander! In all my actions up until now, have I ever once brought harm to the Seireitei?"
"Why was it that after a single Captain Assessment, you all dismissed me entirely… just because of my Zanpakuto's ability?"
"Just because of my power, I was branded a threat to the Seireitei?"
"Correct."
Yamamoto did not mince words. His response was direct and unyielding.
"Kuchiki Koga, your ability is too dangerous."
"And as the current situation proves, our concerns were not unfounded."
"You have not even officially become the Captain of 6th Division, yet you have already caused this level of chaos."
"If you were to assume the position, the destruction you could bring would be ten… no, a hundred times worse."
Yamamoto's words struck Koga like a hammer.
He had never expected the Yamamoto's justification to be based on his current actions… judging the past version of himself who had not yet committed any crimes.
"Hahahaha…"
"Hahahaha…!"
Koga laughed… a bitter, hollow sound.
Suddenly, he reached up and violently tore off the [Kenseikan] that bound his twin hair strands, crushing it in his fist.
"I see now…"
"To you, Father… and to you, Captain-Commander… for the sake of the Seireitei's stability, you can stand on high and pass 'judgment' upon me without hesitation…"
"I should have realized it sooner…"
"From the day I achieved Bankai, there was no longer a place for me in the Seireitei."
"If you insist that I will bring ruin to the Seireitei in the future… then fine. I'll grant your wish!"
With that, Koga turned and shot into the distance.
"Not good!"
Seeing this, Ginrei's expression twisted in alarm.
"Captain-Commander, stop him—now!"
"Koga intends to seize control of every Zanpakuto in the Seireitei and use them to cause maximum destruction!"
It had to be said that when it came to understanding Koga's thoughts, Ginrei had an almost preternatural intuition.
Until now, Kuchiki Koga had still held onto a sliver of hope… for his father, for the Captain-Commander, for the Seireitei itself.
But Ginrei and Yamamoto's words had shattered that hope entirely.
Now, all that remained in his heart was fury.
If they were so certain he was a threat to the Seireitei… then he would prove them right.
Destroying the Seireitei outright might be beyond him… but crippling it?
That was well within his power.
"Don't even think of escaping!"
With Ginrei's warning, Yamamoto had even less reason to let Koga flee.
In an instant, Yamamoto drew the Zanpakuto at his waist and slashed toward Koga's retreating figure.
Boom-!
A devastating Kenatsu tore through the air, forcing Koga to turn and block.
Crack-
Amidst the dust, a trickle of blood seeped from the corner of Koga's lips.
Even in his Bankai state, the gap between him and Yamamoto, a Shinigami with peak 1st-class Reiatsu, was simply too vast.
A single casual Kenatsu from Yamamoto was enough to wound him.
Seeing Yamamoto closing in rapidly, Koga knew that if he hesitated any longer, he wouldn't just fail to teach Ginrei and Yamamoto a lesson… he'd be killed on the spot.
"Borsalino-sama… are you still there?"
"Please… hold off the Captain-Commander for me."
At that moment, Koga spoke in a low voice.
He couldn't see through Borsalino's disguise, so all he could do was hope the man was still nearby.
"Ara ara…"
Fortunately, Borsalino didn't disappoint.
In a flash of golden light, Borsalino materialized beside Koga.
"Koga-dono… you really know how to make trouble for me."
Narrowing his eyes, Borsalino crossed his arms over his chest, his thumbs and middle fingers pressed together as golden light gathered at his fingertips.
"Just so we're clear… I can't guarantee how long I'll last against the Captain-Commander."
"If things get too dangerous, I will run away."
"Understood. I'm counting on you."
Koga nodded.
From his earlier interactions with Borsalino, he knew the Zanpakuto's Spirit had only willingly submitted to Muramasa's influence.
Borsalino's sole objective was to fight Kyoya on equal footing.
Beyond that single command, like forcing Borsalino to battle Kyoya… Muramasa had no real hold over him.
That was why Koga treated Borsalino with such respect.
But even so, Borsalino wouldn't fight with his life just to hold off Yamamoto.
After all, his ultimate goal was still to face Kyoya in combat.
If he died here, his entire rebellion would be for nothing.
Slink-
Golden light streaked through the air as Yamamoto's Zanpakuto met Borsalino's laser beam head-on, triggering a thunderous explosion.
Boom-
Though the laser was sliced apart, the force of the blast halted Yamamoto's advance.
"This Reiatsu-"
Yamamoto's eyes narrowed as he studied the figure before him… a man clad in a yellow-and-white striped suit, a [Justice] coat fluttering behind him.
"Are you Captain Kyoya's Zanpakuto?"
While a Zanpakuto's Reiatsu differed from its wielder's, it still carried traces of its Shinigami's soul.
Yamamoto's senses flared outward, searching for any sign of Kyoya.
"Your presence here… did Kuchiki Koga ambush Captain Kyoya, exploiting his ignorance of Muramasa's ability?"
"Or… has Captain Kyoya allied himself with Kuchiki Koga?"
Finding no trace of Kyoya within his Reikaku, Yamamoto's brow furrowed as he addressed Borsalino.
An unprepared Shinigami, even his own prized students, would struggle to defend against Muramasa's sudden hypnosis.
But Kyoya was different.
Even if his Zanpakuto had been seized, Yamamoto refused to believe Kyoya would lose to Koga.
Yet Koga bore no visible injuries. Any spiritual depletion was from his earlier battle with Ginrei.
Borsalino's sudden appearance made Yamamoto wary.
"Pleasure meeting you, Captain-Commander Yamamoto~"
Borsalino didn't answer directly. Instead, his hands came together, manifesting the gleaming Ama no Murakumo.
Against Yamamoto, even Borsalino couldn't afford carelessness.
"My apologies~"
"But this road is closed to traffic!"