"Unseal."
With a low shout, spiritual pressure surged, and Kuchiki Ginrei swiftly unsealed it.
In an instant, a rumbling sound came, and the ground trembled slightly.
When Kuchiki Kōga slowly awoke, the sight of Kuchiki Ginrei made him freeze for several seconds.
He clearly remembered being jointly sealed by the Captain-Commander and his father-in-law.
Logically speaking, he shouldn't have been able to regain consciousness in this lifetime.
He had thought so at the time, and thus struggled desperately, but to no avail, eventually falling into an unwilling slumber filled with resentment.
Now...
"Hmph hmph."
Kuchiki Kōga unconsciously twitched the corners of his mouth, letting out two sneers.
He had intended to say a few sarcastic words.
To question how his "father-in-law," who always adhered to the rules, could release a criminal like him.
However, as soon as the laughter began, he realized that his voice had become hoarse at some point, sounding as unpleasant as a broken bellows.
He lowered his head slightly to examine himself.
His muscles were atrophied and dry, a deathly gray, and he looked emaciated and malnourished.
His upper Shinigami uniform was gone, which was why his muscles were exposed, and every rib was clearly visible.
His clothing from the waist down was tattered, the hem gnawed as if by wild beasts, full of tears.
His appearance was no different from a beggar's.
"!"
Kuchiki Kōga's expression suddenly changed.
How long had he been asleep?
In his memory, he had been in his prime just a second ago.
He hadn't expected to wake up in such a desolate state...
"Kōga."
Kuchiki Ginrei quietly watched Kuchiki Kōga, seeing his miserable appearance, like a gaunt, evil spirit, and felt a mix of emotions.
He softly called out, drawing Kuchiki Kōga's somewhat scattered thoughts back.
Immediately, he unhesitatingly used Kido to bind Kuchiki Kōga.
"Bakudo No. 63: Sajō Sabaku."
Clatter.
Golden reishi tides transformed into chains, tightly binding Kuchiki Kōga.
The sudden sound and the pressure enveloping his body made Kuchiki Kōga's expression change once more.
He struggled forcefully, trying to break free from the restraints, but he couldn't—having been sealed for several centuries, his body was simply too weak.
After an unsuccessful attempt, Kuchiki Kōga took a deep breath, his chest heaving violently.
He glared, eyes wide, at Kuchiki Ginrei, roaring, "Father... no, old man, what exactly do you want to do?!"
"Is it fun to toy with me like this?! You sealed me, so why release me?!"
He would rather be permanently sealed in that dark, sunless place for an eternity than see Kuchiki Ginrei's face again.
Because he knew that if this old man appeared before him, nothing good would happen.
Kuchiki Ginrei sighed helplessly, his sigh filled with much resignation and regret:
"No matter what I say, I was once your father-in-law, Kōga. Why must you be so agitated?"
"The moment you betrayed the Seireitei, you should have understood what fate awaited you."
"Yes, I understand, but so what? You people framed me! Those people weren't killed by me at all!"
Kuchiki Kōga's emotions grew more agitated, and fury burned fiercely in his heart like a raging fire.
He once again struggled with all his might, his body shaking violently, the chains clattering loudly.
But besides the annoying noise, there was still no sign of breaking free.
He was extremely unwilling:
"Damn it! Old man, don't think I don't know, you're just jealous of me, jealous of my abilities, that's why you deliberately suppressed me!"
"You and those guys from the Forty-Six Chambers are all in cahoots. Now you say you were once my father-in-law, don't you think it's ridiculous?!"
"If you were my father-in-law, why didn't you help me, instead of ignoring my plight with them?"
"Isn't the Kuchiki Clan one of the Five Great Noble Clans?"
Even the Five Great Noble Clans couldn't act recklessly, as there were other noble clans eyeing them... It was only because Kuchiki Ginrei, as the head of the Kuchiki Clan at the time, used his prestige to overrule dissenting opinions, that he managed to temporarily imprison him within the Sixth Division.
Otherwise.
If it were an ordinary person, he would have been sent to the Forty-Six Chambers' judgment seat that very day.
Of course, talking about these things now was useless...
Kuchiki Ginrei, with one hand tucked into his sleeve, silently turned around, his other hand holding the chain, and his voice slowly rang out:
"Regarding this, it is indeed my fault. I only wanted to temper you, which is why I acted so coldly."
"I didn't expect you to misunderstand me, thinking I was suppressing you... Kōga, why would you think that?"
"It seems Muramasa's influence on you is considerable. Now, in order to save you, he is preparing to cause a great disturbance in the Seireitei."
"Just like you back then..."
"What are your thoughts on this?"
Kuchiki Kōga gritted his teeth, bound by chains, and desperately wanted to blurt out, "Well done."
However, when he recalled Muramasa's actions back then, anger surged uncontrollably in his heart, and he cursed loudly:
"Is that scoundrel Muramasa in the Seireitei? Damn him, who wants him to save me? I'll kill him!"
"If it weren't for him back then, I wouldn't have fallen to this state."
"Old man, what exactly do you want by releasing me? Do you want to use me to lure Muramasa?"
"Hmph, utterly ridiculous. Where was he before? Coming now, he's a complete and utter waste!"
Currently, Kuchiki Kōga trusted no one but himself; even if Muramasa wanted to save him, he believed it was to harm him...
Seeing Kuchiki Kōga's mind completely twisted, a complex expression appeared on Kuchiki Ginrei's face, and his mood grew heavier.
He knew in his heart that all of this, in the end, was due to his own problematic handling of the situation back then, which led to the current predicament...
He said nothing along the way.
Clatter.
When Kuchiki Ginrei reached a certain spot, he slowly drew the Zanpakuto from his waist, gently swiped it through the air, and a Senkaimon appeared out of nowhere.
Seeing this, Kuchiki Kōga's unwillingness intensified. He clearly knew that once he entered the Soul Society, he would have no chance of escape...
So, he continuously cursed, trying to affect Kuchiki Ginrei's state of mind and disrupt the Kido's effect.
Unfortunately, how could a Shinigami over a thousand years old be disturbed by a few words?
With a dazzling flash of white light, their figures instantly vanished from the spot, successfully returning to the Seireitei.
After Kuchiki Ginrei brought Kuchiki Kōga back to the Seireitei, he immediately had Kuchiki Sōjun, as the head of the Kuchiki Clan, issue a message.
—Reiterating Kuchiki Kōga's crimes.
As soon as this news spread, it immediately caused an uproar among the noble families.
Except for those families who had only been promoted to nobility in recent centuries, the other noble families were all aware of Kuchiki Kōga's existence.
Back then, he was also a genius, having mastered Bankai while still in school.
He was later recruited by the Kuchiki Clan and became Kuchiki Ginrei's son-in-law, naturally attracting much attention.
They had thought he had gone missing, as the nature of that incident back then was too sensitive, and all parties were tight-lipped, with news being strictly suppressed.
But unexpectedly, he wasn't missing, but rather secretly dealt with by the Kuchiki Clan?
After so many years, why were they bringing him out again now?
The nobles were not clear about the specific reasons, only knowing that a good show was about to unfold.
Muramasa, located within the Seireitei, naturally also heard this news, and his expression instantly twisted.
"Damn it!"
His slender fingers formed sharp claws, tightly clenched, and a gap immediately appeared in the surrounding wall.
Muramasa had not expected these Shinigami to play outside the rules.
What were they trying to do?
Re-judging Kuchiki Kōga, this was completely a prelude to a decisive battle.
Because if he didn't want Kuchiki Kōga to be imprisoned in Muken, he had to act before the judgment results came down, one step ahead of them.
But his power had not yet reached its peak...
Damn it.
Muramasa grew increasingly furious. He knew this was an open conspiracy, yet he had no choice but to act.
To this day, he still prioritized Kuchiki Kōga's safety.
He wondered what expression Kōga would show when he saw what he had done; he should be quite moved...
It would not be in vain for all the hardships and tribulations he had endured along the way.
Thinking of this, Muramasa's clenched fist gradually loosened, and a look of determination flashed in his eyes.
Following that, his body transformed into a wisp of smoke and quickly disappeared from the spot.
There was still some time; he needed to make thorough preparations to avoid ending up with nothing and breaking into the Forty-Six Chambers alone.
Even those cannon fodder, as long as they could be used, he would use them...
...
Not long after.
The day of judgment arrived.
On that day.
Kuchiki Kōga stood on the judgment seat, bound in shackles, this special position filling his heart with immense humiliation.
Creak—!
His knuckles turned white from clenching, and his jaw bulged from the effort.
Everything shouldn't have been like this; he shouldn't have been judged; he clearly did nothing wrong, so why did he end up like this?
Damn nobles, damn Forty-Six Chambers, it was just killing a few people, and he was framed!
It had been so long, why wouldn't they let him go?!
His chest was filled with such intense resentment that it felt like it would burst.
Kuchiki Kōga stared fixedly at the location of the Kuchiki Clan.
Since returning from the Human World, after so many days, he had understood how long he had been sealed, a full two centuries.
After two centuries, Kuchiki Sōjun had changed.
He used to always look sickly, but now he appeared vibrant, as if his illness had been cured...
Looking at him, wearing the haori that symbolized his status, had he actually become the captain of the Sixth Division?
He could vaguely see a hint of pity hidden in his eyes.
Damn it.
Still as arrogant as ever. Who wanted his pity?!
Who was that young man beside him?
His son?
Just as Kuchiki Kōga was filled with indignation, he suddenly saw the only female among the four.
In an instant, the anger in Kuchiki Kōga's heart seemed to be doused with a bucket of cold water, instantly extinguishing more than half of it.
His stern eyes dimmed slightly, and a hint of guilt flashed within them.
That was his wife—at least, she used to be.
...
"Kōga…"
Upon seeing Kuchiki Kōga's gaze, Kuchiki Sōjun and his sister felt particularly heavy-hearted.
Once, their relationship had been so close.
They were family, and his father hadn't cared about his birth at all...
But because of that moment of impulse, all the past beauty had turned into a fleeting dream.
If Kōga had been able to control himself then, letting reason overcome impulse, the situation they were facing now would surely be completely different…
Katsuki Kouki tilted her head slightly, looking at her brother, and asked softly:
"The trial is about to begin. Brother, do you know what Kōga's verdict will be?"
Her tone carried a hint of melancholy.
Even though the physical pain had been healed by the Red and White Hot Springs.
But the invisible wound deep within her heart still lingered like a persistent disease, pricking her from time to time.
Sōjun heard her, hesitated for a few seconds, then sighed softly:
"At least five thousand years or more."
"This is already a lenient result, considering his current situation."
"Not many people knew about what happened back then, and Father didn't intend to explain it to the public. Moreover, the Forty-Six Chambers members responsible for Kōga's arrest have all passed away."
"As it stands, the charges against Kōga are only two: attacking fellow Shinigami and betraying the Seireitei…"
"Of course, the purpose of this trial is not to reopen old wounds from back then; it's mainly to draw out his Zanpakuto…"
"If Kōga can help us resolve this matter, his sentence might even be further reduced. It just depends on how he chooses."
Kuchiki Sōjun lowered his eyes slightly, reached out, and gently stroked his sister's head, intending to reassure her.
Sōjun naturally understood his sister's thoughts.
However, given the current circumstances, it would be difficult for the two of them to have any further interaction, or to return to how things once were.
He only hoped his sister could forget Kōga from her heart as soon as possible.
Perhaps only then would his sister not suffer so much.
Once imprisoned in Muken, those lingering thoughts in her mind would gradually fade, he hoped.
Unlike before, when his father concealed Kuchiki Kōga's whereabouts, causing his sister to imagine things, always believing Kōga would return one day.
Whenever Sōjun thought of this, he felt a pang of sadness. He knew his father did this to maintain the stability of the Kuchiki Clan.
Because once his sister learned that Kōga was sealed away, she would undoubtedly go to the Human World regardless of the consequences.
And given a girl's nature, she would very likely go to any lengths to unseal Kōga.
If that were to happen, it would be troublesome.
Now that he had become the head of the family, he naturally wouldn't allow such a thing to occur.
Feeling her brother's comfort, Katsuki Kouki bit her lip slightly, nodded gently, and stopped speaking.
She simply cast her gaze towards Kuchiki Kōga in the distance, quietly observing him.
Thump-thump.
A sudden knocking sound echoed in the quiet environment, breaking the somewhat oppressive silence.
The trial thus began.
...
At this moment.
Outside the Forty-Six Chambers.
Muramasa led a massive army, charging forward.
...
"Plans change. I didn't expect the Kuchiki Clan of the Sixth Division to bring Kuchiki Kōga back. Gin, you don't have to be the bait. This is truly wonderful."
Also outside the Forty-Six Chambers, Matsumoto Rangiku had a bright smile on her face, her gaze gently fixed on Ichimaru Gin, as if her smile held endless joy.
"Although this means your plan to atone for your actions won't happen, it's still much better than facing danger head-on."
"I already asked Captain-Commander Yamamoto, and he said he would clear your name after this matter is over."
"Gin, are you happy?"
Matsumoto Rangiku grew more excited as she spoke, her smile becoming even brighter.
Ichimaru Gin didn't know what expression would be appropriate.
He had originally intended to resolve these troubles through his own efforts, but he hadn't expected to have to rely on the Captain-Commander again...
No, to be precise, he had to rely on Rangiku. If Rangiku hadn't pleaded for him, the Captain-Commander probably wouldn't have gone out of his way to help him.
Ichimaru Gin sighed inwardly, then, with a smile, he nodded slightly towards Rangiku, and just as he was about to say something, his expression suddenly changed.
His gaze also shifted.
"They're here!"
Matsumoto Rangiku's expression also changed at that instant.
She understood what Ichimaru Gin meant.
Muramasa was attacking.
A battle was about to erupt.
...
Inside the Forty-Six Chambers.
Yoriichi Tsugikuni also sensed those presences.
He calmly looked outside the room, gave a glance to the judge from the Shihouin Clan beside him, briefly indicated something, then his figure flickered, and he quickly left his seat.
He passed through a secret passage to the outside, only to see some Shinigami already clashing with some Zanpakuto.
Earlier, knowing that Muramasa's ability was unlikely to penetrate sealed stone, Yamamoto Genryusai had ordered the Twelfth Division to create a batch of sealed stone sheaths to counter Muramasa.
Although the abilities of those Zanpakuto were varied and diverse,
Once Kido struck the sealed stone sheaths, it would be instantly absorbed completely, unable to exert its proper power.
Precisely because of this.
At this moment, the Shinigami side held the advantage.
Yoriichi's gaze quickly swept over the Zanpakuto, but he did not find Muramasa's trace; he was most likely hidden.
Was he still thinking of saving Kuchiki Kōga?
After pondering for a moment where he stood, Yoriichi Tsugikuni swiftly flashed towards a certain location.
Not long after, on the only path leading to the Gotei 13, Yoriichi found Muramasa.
The Underground Great Prison was located beneath the Gotei 13, so if Muramasa wanted to break him out, this was the only option.
He couldn't force his way into the Forty-Six Chambers, as it was entirely made of sealed stone.
Yoriichi Tsugikuni's appearance seemed to break the tranquility of the place, and instantly, Muramasa's expression changed.
Having spent some time in the Seireitei, he clearly knew who he could provoke and who he couldn't.
As of now, he might not even be able to defeat Yamamoto Genryusai.
Thus, Muramasa immediately transformed into nothingness and disappeared.
Yoriichi Tsugikuni didn't mind, he simply walked forward quietly, his tone calm:
"You came indeed. Why do you aid a tyrant, Muramasa?"
"I'm not entirely sure what you and Kuchiki Kōga went through, but since he has abandoned you, why do you still cling to him?"
"He won't be grateful for your actions…"
Yoriichi Tsugikuni knew of Kuchiki Kōga's hatred for Muramasa.
When he was previously imprisoned in the Sixth Division, he had cursed Muramasa quite a bit.
Although it seemed as though a rift had occurred between the two, from Muramasa's behavior, it seemed no rift had occurred…
Perhaps it was just a misunderstanding. In any case, he felt quite sorry for Muramasa.
Muramasa was not aware of the specific reasons, but upon hearing Yoriichi Tsugikuni's "slander" of Kuchiki Kōga, Muramasa immediately became enraged:
"What do you know, Shinigami! Kōga and I are a unique pair!"
His angry voice directly boomed in Yoriichi Tsugikuni's spiritual world,
"How can you measure the bond between him and me? He can't possibly abandon me. Stop trying to deceive me, Shinigami."
"Now, please enjoy the surprise I have prepared for you!"
"Today, I will definitely take him away! No one can stop me!"
In a blink of an eye.
Four Zanpakuto spirits of various appearances appeared before Yoriichi Tsugikuni.
From left to right, they were a monk, a woman, a child, and an old… Hmm, not an old man, but a man with a cold expression.
The monk's expression was icy, with what seemed like burning anger in his eyes. He held a weapon in each hand, and the aura he exuded was not to be underestimated.
The woman and the child… their appearance looked somewhat familiar. Yoriichi thought for a moment, these were probably Hinagiku and a black cat.
Not everyone had beast ears, and two pairs at that.
Despite all precautions, he didn't expect Muramasa to still seize the opportunity.
That's right, his ability could even influence Ryujin Jakka.
Over the past year, Matsumoto Rangiku had not been without using her Zanpakuto, so it was possible for him to find an opening.
Yoriichi was somewhat surprised, but only for a moment.
And that last one…
"Are you my master?" the cold man asked.
The man's face had a large "X" mark.
That "X" mark, centered on the bridge of his nose, almost covered his entire face, presenting a striking white color.
Yoriichi Tsugikuni had never seen him before, only feeling that the aura emanating from him was exceptionally cold.
Just as Yoriichi was about to speak, Muramasa snorted coldly:
"He is your enemy."
"Don't hold back, Hyōrinmaru."
"If you wish to find your master, I will tell you where your master is after you deal with him."
"And you three…"
Hinagiku clicked her tongue. As a mature woman, her actions were slightly frivolous. She extended one hand from her chest, where they had been crossed, and waved it casually in the air, interrupting:
"Sorry, what did you say? I didn't hear clearly. Get rid of him?"
"Muramasa, we want to help you, that's true, but that doesn't mean we're fools."
"Thanks to that girl, I know his strength. With just a few of us, at most, we can only hold him back."
Actually, there was something Hinagiku didn't say: the premise of being able to hold him back was based on Yoriichi Tsugikuni being unwilling to kill them.
If he went all out, let alone the four of them, even forty people would probably be instantly defeated.
Muramasa, however, paid no mind, as if he considered Hinagiku's words to be alarmist.
His indifferent voice echoed repeatedly in their spiritual world, calm and resolute:
"Then hold him back."
"Hold him back at all costs."
"Remember, we are comrades. We must work together now."
"Hinagiku, Black Cat, Hyōrinmaru, and Myōō."