"«Shutara Senjumaru»."
Facing the woman who had suddenly materialized within the domain of his «Bankai», «Takeda Goki's» expression darkened instantly, his brow furrowing into a deep scowl. As a veteran «Captain» of the «9th Division», he naturally recognized this researcher who had fundamentally altered the history of the Soul Society.
Rumor had it that she had received an invitation to the «Royal Guard» years ago but chose to remain in the Seireitei because her current research was unfinished. Later, due to a shortage of certain materials, she had petitioned the «Central 46» to become the Warden of the «Central Underground Great Prison», a position equal in rank to a Captain of the «Gotei 13».
But for a member of the civilian research staff to barge into the domain of «Bankai: Saga no Mikoto» like this—was she not taking him a bit too lightly? Or did she truly believe he wouldn't dare to kill?
«Takeda Goki's» gaze turned predatory.
"The «9th Division» is on official business. I see no need to explain myself to anyone outside of my jurisdiction." He paused, his voice dropping an octave. "Furthermore… your subordinate has unilaterally slaughtered nobles, a direct violation of Soul Society law. If you insist on obstructing me, I wouldn't mind arresting you along with him."
Upon hearing this, the corner of «Senjumaru's» lips curled into a nearly imperceptible arc, a flicker of amusement dancing in her calm eyes.
"Is that so?" she asked softly. "«Captain Takeda», I wonder if you are aware of a certain theory in the study of «Zanpakuto»? It suggests that abnormal fluctuations in emotion can directly interfere with the state of one's «Bankai»." She tilted her head slightly. "Especially those of the domain type."
«Takeda Goki's» eyes remained ice-cold as he stared her down, completely unmoved. A «Zanpakuto» was the foundation of a Soul Reaper, a powerful force tied intimately to the soul. How could it possibly be affected by mere emotional fluctuations?
It was utter nonsense.
Did this woman take him for one of those ignorant brats at the Academy, thinking she could deceive him with a few lines of pseudoscientific gibberish?
"Whether you agree or not, the fact that «Naraku Sora» has violated the law is set in stone. I am taking him today, and I'd like to see who dares stop me—"
«Takeda Goki» had no intention of wasting more words on «Senjumaru». He raised his hand, preparing to command the crystal spikes to seal their fates once and for all.
However, the moment he attempted to act, he discovered to his horror that his right hand was as stiff as stone, completely unresponsive. A sharp, localized agony—as if a sewing needle had been driven beneath the nail and into the marrow—erupted in his finger and spread with lightning speed through his limbs.
It swept through him like a localized arctic gale, swallowing everything in its path.
The sudden, searing pain paralyzed his nerves, sinking into his bones and the very depths of his soul. «Takeda Goki's» features contorted into a mask of pure agony. He couldn't even maintain his balance. He doubled over, trembling uncontrollably like a hunched-back shrimp out of water. A violent, hacking cough tore from his throat, spraying crimson blood onto the glittering crystals at his feet.
A cacophony of shattering sounds filled the air. Like ice struck by a massive boulder, countless cracks spiderwebbed across the crystalline world, expanding until they consumed the entire «Bankai» domain.
«Takeda Goki's» eyes bulged as he stared at the scene, his mind reeling in disbelief. He didn't even understand what had happened. At the exact moment the woman had finished speaking, his «Zanpakuto» had spiraled out of control.
It felt as though someone were stitching patterns directly onto his soul with a sewing needle. Though he could tell the wounds weren't technically fatal—perhaps not even requiring a specialist from the relief squad—the sheer violation of it was staggering.
He didn't even know *what* she had done.
To make a «Bankai» collapse with nothing but a few casual remarks—what kind of terrifying ability was this? If he were to truly engage this woman in combat, he might die without ever knowing the cause.
In an instant, a bone-chilling dread completely submerged him.
"Well? «Captain Takeda», was there anything incorrect in what I said?"
«Senjumaru's» lips curved into a beautiful smile, her elegant face appearing particularly radiant against the backdrop of the shattering crystals. Yet, to «Takeda Goki», this beautiful sight was more horrifying than any demon.
They were both «Captain»-class Soul Reapers, yet the gap between them felt wider than the chasm between a human and a dog. Faced with her question, he didn't even dare to think of a response, fearing that any active thought would lead to an even more miserable fate.
In the deathly silent ruins, the onlookers stood frozen in shock, their worldviews shattered.
Unlike the previous battle between «Takeda Goki» and «Naraku Sora»—which had been filled with suffocating pressure, raging lightning, and explosive fire—»Senjumaru's» intervention was devoid of any flashy effects. Even her «Reiatsu» seemed ordinary, almost unremarkable.
And yet, with a few simple sentences, she had caused the god-like «Takeda Goki» to suffer a total breakdown, unable to even maintain his «Bankai».
«Takeda Goki» panted heavily, his body still hunched over. It took a long time for him to recover from the sheer terror of the moment, his inner robes drenched in cold sweat.
"Lady... Lady «Shutara» is correct," he stammered. "I... I may have indeed been compromised by negative emotions recently."
He didn't wait for a reply. "I will leave the situation here in your hands. I must return to the «Seireitei» immediately."
The words had barely left his mouth before «Takeda Goki» fled toward the «Seireitei» in a desperate scramble, as if something nightmare-inducing were snapping at his heels. He didn't even stop to call for his subordinates.
The remaining members of the «9th Division» looked at each other in confusion. After a moment of hesitation, they chose to follow their Captain's lead and beat a hasty retreat from the ruined estate.
"Little brat, you certainly caused quite the stir this time," «Senjumaru» said, turning toward «Naraku Sora». The smile on her face grew noticeably warmer.
"Not only did you take down an «Adjuchas» head-on, but you also dismantled an illegal gathering and arrested so many criminals. The «Central Underground Great Prison» is going to be quite lively for a while."
She didn't even mention «Takeda Goki», as if a Captain of the «9th Division» was a matter of total insignificance.
"Actually, I'm more curious about what you did to that guy," «Naraku Sora» said, frowning as he gestured toward the horizon where the Captain had disappeared. "To break a Captain's «Bankai» so easily?"
From their brief clash, «Sora» knew that while «Goki» had been humiliated by «Senjumaru», the man was actually incredibly powerful. Putting aside that rare domain-type «Bankai», his «Reiatsu» alone was at least 2nd-class. He was a seasoned veteran.
«Senjumaru» kept a playful smile on her lips and whispered, "Actually, that was just the nature of «Shirakushi». If you usually paid attention to my lectures, you would know why he ended up like that."
She leaned in slightly. "I am simply stronger than him. That is all."
"However, she continued, the person you should be focusing on right now isn't «Captain Takeda», but the current situation."
Her slender finger pointed toward the huddle of nobles nearby, whose faces were now masks of pure, unadulterated terror.