"..."
All the Zanpakutō fell completely silent.
No one could have imagined that in the end she would say such words.
This Zanpakutō who escaped the Soul Reaper's shackles through Muramasa's power, Candle Dragon...
Even at this moment, she still maintained such high loyalty to that Soul Reaper.
This was beyond their imagination.
And beyond their comprehension.
Hearing this, Muramasa's gaze violently trembled. After a moment, he suddenly lowered his eyes.
Despite possessing such powerful strength, yet still remaining loyal to her master...
Though he didn't want to admit it in his heart, Muramasa knew that he and she were actually fundamentally the same.
"Cough!"
He violently coughed up blood. Staining his white clothes red.
He raised his head. Looking toward Candle Dragon. In those deep purple eye sockets, his gaze was cold as he spoke heavily:
"Candle Dragon... what is your purpose?"
"After utilizing my power to complete materialization, you deliberately came here..."
"Could it be you just want to come here on your master's behalf to directly annihilate us?"
"As a Zanpakutō, carrying out a Gotei Soul Reaper's duty—is this..."
"Is this your action of serving your master?"
Though Muramasa's tone remained steady as he spoke, his expression was exceptionally fierce. Combined with the blood at the corners of his mouth and chin, his entire appearance looked extremely terrifying.
"?!"
Hearing his words, the surrounding Zanpakutō's expressions also shifted slightly.
If that were truly the case, then...
Without doubt, they would all become Candle Dragon's enemies! A death battle might be unavoidable!
But now, even without anyone saying it, they all knew—
No one wanted to fight Candle Dragon!
This wasn't a matter of willingness. It was purely because of the gap in power!
The surrounding air seemed to suddenly freeze. Muramasa still stared fixedly at Candle Dragon.
Though he'd noticed the similarities between himself and her, he was unwilling to accept it.
He was only one step away from finally rescuing his master. He didn't want to give up like this.
However, just then, Candle Dragon suddenly laughed mockingly. She slightly raised her chin. Her gaze indifferent. Speaking coldly:
"Heh... annihilate you?"
"Crushing you insects—does that have any necessity for me?"
As her words fell, she suddenly waved her hand.
That lightning spear that had just been piercing Muramasa's abdomen directly disappeared!
Immediately after, having lost support, Muramasa's body crashed to the ground.
Thud.
As dust flew up, Muramasa sharply raised his head to look. He saw Candle Dragon's expression was still as indifferent as ice.
At this moment, not just him—everyone around was also stunned.
What... what did this mean?
Why when things were so tense just now, did they suddenly...?
Everyone's gazes looked this way.
However, at this time, changes suddenly occurred again around Candle Dragon.
Those exploding golden lightning bolts wrapped around her body actually began slowly fading. Finally disappearing.
Immediately after, a gentle white radiance suddenly appeared. Enveloping her body.
In her pupils, the lightning began dimming. Finally, she narrowed her slender eyes slightly.
At the same time, beneath her feet, waves of air pressure began emanating.
At this moment, a faint smile began appearing on her face. Her entire temperament underwent another complete reversal.
The people below watched. Completely in a state of confusion.
Only now did they suddenly realize—
When Candle Dragon opened her eyes compared to when she narrowed them, she was almost completely two entirely different people!
One arrogant and cold. One gentle and soft.
At this time, with narrowed eyes, she smiled and spoke softly:
"Oh my, everyone shouldn't look at me with such eyes."
"After all, I'm not some demon."
"I have absolutely no interest in slaughtering the weak."
"From the beginning, I didn't come here to actively fight. It's just that you all seemed to have misunderstood."
"Besides, if Shigure knew, he'd definitely think it was bad too. Hehehe..."
Her warm and clear light laughter rang out in this silent cave.
As if all the previous battles had never existed.
However, none of the people below, including Muramasa, made a sound.
They could no longer guess Candle Dragon's purpose at all.
She neither planned to betray her master nor came to fight on her master's behalf. So why exactly did she come here?
This was the doubt shrouding everyone's hearts.
And this doubt naturally showed through their facial expressions and gazes.
Candle Dragon didn't mind. She still smiled lightly. Then turned her head toward a distant rock wall. Gently waving her jade-like hand.
The next moment, an invisible blade suddenly appeared. Rapidly slashing toward those giant stones.
Boom!!
Shattered stones flew. Dust rose. Completely blocking the view inside.
The people below immediately froze. Not yet understanding what she was doing. The next moment, the sand and dust were blown away by wind. Dispersing.
Inside, a massive stone throne had actually appeared!
Then Candle Dragon slowly flew over there. Turned around. And sat upon the throne.
After sitting down, she slightly tilted her head. Somewhat lazily supporting her face with her right hand. With narrowed eyes, she smiled lightly:
"The reason I came here is just because this place is suitable for temporarily hiding."
"I don't want to be found by Shigure so early."
"..."
Hearing this, Muramasa and the others still looked bewildered. Not quite understanding what this meant.
Candle Dragon smiled lightly and continued:
"Having this rare materialization opportunity, of course I need to surprise him a little."
"And preferably, meet him in a form he can't refuse."
"So I won't obstruct your plans. Don't worry."
"?!"
Hearing this, Muramasa's heart suddenly shook violently.
Won't obstruct?
In other words, she apparently didn't plan to help that Soul Reaper fight for the Gotei. On the contrary, she might even take certain actions toward him?
Thinking of this, light began flickering again in Muramasa's purple eyes.
Meanwhile, Candle Dragon sat on the throne. Gently swinging her pale legs. Her face bloomed with a smile as she spoke in a soft voice to herself:
"Hehe, I'm really looking forward to that expression on your face when you see me."
"Shigure~"
Making up the fourth chapter owed from earlier ww.
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