"What!"
"You want to join us!"
"How is that possible!"
Hearing Byakuya declare his intention to join them, all the Zanpakuto erupted in an uproar, their expressions incredulous.
"Why? Why would a man like you choose to side with the Zanpakuto and become an enemy of the Shinigami?"
Senbonzakura demanded.
"I am merely acting in accordance with my pride."
Byakuya replied expressionlessly.
"Hmph! What kind of bullshit pride is that? Who the hell would believe something like that!"
Kazeshini, the Zanpakuto of Hisagi Shuhei, snorted coldly.
"But... he did save us."
Haineko stepped forward to explain.
"He saved you?"
Muramasa asked, puzzled.
"Yes. Earlier, when we were causing trouble for the Shinigami, we were ambushed and captured. Kuchiki Byakuya suddenly appeared and rescued us."
Haineko explained.
After Byakuya had saved Haineko and Tobiume, he proposed joining the Zanpakuto faction. Hesitating briefly, Haineko and Tobiume had brought him to this place.
"But... we're all gathered here to cause trouble for the Shinigami, to overthrow their rule. You saying you want to act with us... that's a bit hard to swallow."
Ruri'iro Kujaku said hesitantly.
"That's right. Having a Shinigami join us feels like losing our purpose."
Gonryomaru also spoke up.
Ruri'iro Kujaku and Gonryomaru weren't necessarily suspecting Byakuya of faking his defection to be a spy. It was more that the rebelling Zanpakuto had always been at odds with Shinigami. Suddenly having one appear and ask to join was mentally difficult to accept. After all, no matter what, Byakuya's identity as a Shinigami couldn't be changed.
Most of the other Zanpakuto were also bothered by Byakuya's Shinigami identity, while the rest suspected his motives for joining.
Seeing that most Zanpakuto either minded his identity or doubted his purpose, Byakuya frowned. "What must I do to be allowed to join?"
Muramasa thought for a moment. "Kuchiki Byakuya, allowing you to join is not impossible, but you must prove your resolve and provide evidence of your betrayal of the Shinigami."
"What do you want me to do?"
Byakuya said calmly.
Muramasa glanced at Senbonzakura beside him, then spoke. "Your Zanpakuto, Senbonzakura. If you were to execute him here and now, I would agree to let you join us."
"What!"
All the Zanpakuto couldn't help but exclaim in shock.
"If a Zanpakuto is killed by someone other than its master, it seems it cannot be restored. But what happens if it's killed by its own master? I'm very curious about that as well. I wonder if you could satisfy my curiosity?"
Muramasa looked at Byakuya with a playful expression.
Hearing Muramasa's words, Byakuya turned his cold gaze towards Senbonzakura.
"Muramasa-san, why are you doing this?"
Senbonzakura demanded loudly.
But Muramasa did not answer.
Clang!
Byakuya drew his sword without hesitation and walked towards Senbonzakura.
"Hmph, Kuchiki Byakuya, do you think you're a match for me now?"
Senbonzakura said disdainfully.
"The current Kuchiki Byakuya would indeed have a hard time defeating you. However..."
Muramasa suddenly acted, an invisible wave of Reiatsu washing over Senbonzakura.
"What!"
Senbonzakura suddenly found his body feeling as if it were bound, difficult to break free from, even moving slightly was a struggle.
"Kuchiki Byakuya, strike now!!"
Muramasa shouted.
Whoosh!
A flash of sharp blade light, Byakuya swung without hesitation towards Senbonzakura, showing not a single sign of holding back. It was as if Senbonzakura wasn't his own Zanpakuto.
Clang!
In the nick of time, a figure suddenly emerged from the shadows and blocked Byakuya's attack with their own blade. It was a girl with short, straight hair, a single skull ornament on the left side of her hair, her face obscured by a mask and hair, only her right eye visible, giving the impression of a restrained ninja. This was 'Katen' of the Katen Kyokotsu pair.
Clap, clap...
Muramasa suddenly began applauding, showing no surprise at the scene, as if everything was unfolding as he had predicted.
"Congratulations on passing my trial, Kuchiki Byakuya. You may now join us."
Muramasa said with a smile.
The binding force on Senbonzakura had dissipated, and he quickly asked, "Muramasa-san, what's going on?"
Muramasa looked apologetic. "Forgive me, Senbonzakura. I deceived you all. I asked him to attack you just now only to test Kuchiki Byakuya. You are, after all, his Zanpakuto. If he could strike down even his own blade without hesitation, it would be sufficient proof that he has truly betrayed the Shinigami and wishes to join us."
Then Muramasa walked over to Senbonzakura, patted his shoulder, and said sincerely, "Please forgive me, Senbonzakura. Our current strength is no match for the Shinigami side. If Kuchiki Byakuya joins us, it will undoubtedly greatly increase our power. That's why I had him suddenly attack you. But believe me, I only did this to test Byakuya's loyalty. I never truly intended for him to kill you. That's why I had Katen ready to intervene and block his attack at any moment."
"Hmph, since that's the case... I'll reluctantly accept it."
Faced with Muramasa's 'kind words', Senbonzakura 'reluctantly' accepted what had happened.