Chapter 131: Kōga's Ambition
Kōga was somewhat surprised.
Under normal circumstances, using his Bankai allowed him to easily extract the spirit of his opponent's Zanpakutō and turn it to his side.
The sword spirit would retain the Zanpakutō's release abilities, while the original Shinigami would lose that power.
With one side weakened and the other strengthened, even the strongest Shinigami would see their power greatly diminished, becoming victims under his blade.
But now, even though he had clearly used his Bankai, Shunsui's Zanpakutō spirit had not appeared.
What was going on?
As Kōga stood bewildered, Muramasa approached him.
"Kōga, he used a secret technique to seal his heart. I can't communicate with his Zanpakutō in a short time."
So that was it!
Kōga's face lit up with understanding.
Under his gaze, Shunsui's eyes appeared somewhat vacant, his physical agility far inferior to before.
This was the side effect of someone unaccustomed to sealing their heart suddenly forcing it shut.
If any ordinary captain had tried this maneuver during battle, even without Muramasa's ability, they would have been easily cut down by him.
But Shunsui was different.
This guy's strength was too formidable—even with slowed reactions, he was sufficient to suppress him.
Watching Shunsui, he spoke:
"Captain Kyōraku, while we've been fighting, the assassins have already gone after Yoruichi Shihōin."
"I wonder how long she can hold out."
Hearing this, Shunsui seemed to process it with a slight delay before revealing a smile.
"...No need to trouble yourself with that. My junior is over there, and his strength is no less than mine."
The latter part was something he made up on the spot.
While Satoru was quite capable, claiming he could rival one of Soul Society's most veteran captains was still a stretch.
But hearing this, Kōga couldn't help but frown.
Could Satoru truly possess such power?
Though skeptical, it still stirred a trace of anxiety within him.
"Kōga!"
Sensing his master's change, Muramasa quickly warned.
And Shunsui, even with his delayed state, keenly seized this opportunity.
Gripping his dual blades, he flashed step before Kōga and swung his swords.
Though his Zanpakutō remained unsealed, both the long and short blades were wreathed in dazzling Reiatsu.
Each strike carried terrifying spiritual pressure, like ferocious sword slashes!
Boom!! Boom!!!
Kōga raised his blade, hastily blocking in succession.
Shunsui's movements weren't refined—burdened by delay, he couldn't react promptly to his opponent's techniques.
But his Reiatsu was too dense, his combat experience too vast.
Before even striking, he had already predicted how Kōga would parry based on his own moves.
He wasn't fighting the Kōga before him, but the Kōga in his own anticipation!
"Ugh!!"
Kōga's expression turned grim.
This vacant-eyed, bearded man was completely suppressing him!
Since awakening his abilities, he had never fought such a frustrating battle.
"Muramasa! What are you doing? Hurry up!"
Irritated, Kōga couldn't resist urging his Zanpakutō.
Muramasa: "..."
He wanted to act, but the problem was his opponent's defenses were too tight—he simply couldn't find an opening.
Just as he grew anxious, a terrifying explosion suddenly erupted from the distant Kyōgoku House.
Even from this distance, they could feel the scorching heat wave washing over them.
Kōga looked over in surprise.
What happened?
That should be the restaurant where Satoru and Yoruichi Shihōin were, right?
With an explosion of such magnitude, even a powerhouse like himself would likely be severely injured.
Did the assassins targeting Yoruichi possess such strength?
Half a second later, Shunsui also showed shock, turning toward Kyōgoku House.
Instinctively, he wanted to rush over and rescue them.
In that moment of distraction, Muramasa's eyes lit up.
An opportunity!
He extended his right hand with long purple nails, aiming at Shunsui.
"Heed my call! Awaken! Rebel!"
Damn it.
Hearing the voice from behind, Shunsui's expression changed as he hurriedly tried to seal his heart again.
But a figure had already silently detached itself from his sword.
It was a woman with long purple hair, wearing a black kimono and a skull-shaped hair ornament.
Then, another figure emerged from his other short sword.
A petite girl with short purple hair, wearing a mask.
The moment the two appeared, Shunsui clearly felt his swords become completely empty.
The ability to release his Zanpakutō had left him at this moment.
Although he had known about Kōga's ability in advance, actually experiencing it now gave him a very strange feeling.
This power that had been born with his soul and accompanied him for hundreds of years... to think it could be so easily taken away by someone else...
Looking at the two beauties—one tall, one short—before him, Shunsui smiled wryly and adjusted his straw hat.
"My... if you two are joking, this isn't a good occasion for it."
Hearing this, the long-haired woman curled her lips.
"Joke?"
"Don't worry, Sōzōsa, there's no joke here."
She reached out, her slender fingers grasping at empty air.
The moment she clenched her hand, an ornate large sword had already appeared in her grasp.
Looking at Shunsui before her, her gaze turned cold.
"I've been wanting to teach you a lesson for not taking proper care of yourself."
"Come and experience the concern of a Zanpakutō properly."
As she spoke, she swung the large sword and came before Shunsui.
Watching Shunsui and Katen entangled in combat, Kōga finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Though the process had a few minor twists and turns, he had ultimately managed to defeat Shunsui Kyōraku.
Indeed, possessing Muramasa's power made him an invincible existence.
Although his father-in-law maintained a lofty facade, he must surely fear this power deep down.
Those icy words, that refusal to acknowledge him—in the end, they were merely expressions of fear.
Realizing this, he couldn't help but feel a sense of absurd amusement.
How foolish he had been in the past, always viewing his father-in-law as an untouchable, elevated being.
In the Soul Society, power was everything.
As long as he grew strong enough, his father-in-law would eventually have no choice but to acknowledge him.
Perhaps... even bow his head before him!
Imagining that scene, Kōga took a deep breath to calm his surging emotions.
Watching Shunsui battling a Zanpakutō not far away, he closed his eyes and began using Muramasa's ability to probe Shunsui's memories.
He needed to see clearly what kind of power Satoru possessed.
Soon, he found what he was looking for.
After a cursory read, he frowned.
This Shunsui Kyōraku... claimed to be Satoru's senior brother.
How could he not even know the specific abilities of Satoru's Zanpakutō?
No matter. Since that was the case, he would just have to verify it himself!