"How troublesome… now I've got an extra Zanpakutō."
Although Urahara Kisuke spoke in a complaining tone, his face was filled with delight. The phenomenon of Zanpakutō materialization was something worth studying.
Smiling broadly, Urahara drew Benihime from its sheath.
The moment his hand gripped the blade, he seemed to feel a faint tremble.
Interesting.
Holding the Zanpakutō, Urahara began communicating with it. After a short moment, the blade in his hand once again transformed into the elegant woman in crimson robes.
"Urahara-sama."
Benihime bowed respectfully.
"Oh my, no need for such formality."
Urahara hid the corner of his grin behind his folding fan.
He had already confirmed it.
Even while materialized, the Zanpakutō in his hand could still wield the power of Shikai.
And now that Benihime had manifested physically, he essentially had a follower who perfectly understood his thoughts and obeyed him completely.
Why would he be unhappy?
"Oh? You look pretty pleased with yourself, Kisuke."
Urahara didn't even need to turn around to know Yoruichi was staring directly at the back of his neck.
He quickly jumped two steps away, his mind racing.
"It's not what you think—"
"Relax. I'm not that petty."
Yoruichi laughed casually.
She wasn't pretending.
She genuinely didn't mind Benihime's existence, nor did she care if other women appeared around Urahara.
Because both she and Kisuke had long since decided that the other was the only person they would walk through life with.
Right now, she was simply teasing him for fun.
"That said," Yoruichi added while circling Benihime, "such a gentle Zanpakutō acting like a lovesick lunatic earlier… Kisuke, are you planning to keep experimenting on her in the future?"
Benihime looked toward Yoruichi, tears filling her eyes.
The mistress is such a good person…
Unlike that terrible master of mine who only thinks about modifying me and never shows any mercy.
Of course, Urahara noticed her expression.
He awkwardly turned his head away.
He still wanted to research Zanpakutō materialization—how could he possibly agree to Yoruichi's suggestion?
So he decisively changed the topic.
"I'll go see where that idiot Tsuna dragged Muramasa off to."
Right as he said that—
Tsuna arrived.
He casually tossed Muramasa off his shoulder, then leaned close to Yoruichi and whispered,
"I already sent you the picture. Don't forget to accept it."
"No problem."
Yoruichi immediately pulled out her Soul Pager.
Displayed on the screen was an image titled:
Urahara Kisuke – Bound.jpg
Tsuna truly was her best friend—he understood her perfectly.
"Careful. The shopkeeper might sabotage you," Tsuna warned. "After all, these Soul Pagers were made by Urahara himself. Deleting a photo wouldn't be difficult."
Yoruichi calmly tucked the device somewhere deep within her clothing.
"Don't worry. He wouldn't dare."
Urahara looked at the two of them with utter disbelief.
Without question, another embarrassing photo had just been added to his dark history.
"…Bankai."
Tsuna and Yoruichi immediately became alert.
Had they actually hit a nerve this time?
Urahara rolled his eyes.
Using the modification ability of his Bankai, he reconstructed the torn scraps of cloth on his body back into his normal outfit.
Fortunately, Benihime had shown restraint earlier and at least left him a pair of shorts.
Otherwise, he might seriously consider giving Tsuna and Yoruichi a proper beating.
"Shopkeeper, life must be tough lately," Tsuna remarked. "You've even started wearing beggar clothes."
Because anything reconstructed through Urahara's Bankai left visible stitched seams, his newly restored clothing looked complete but was covered in patchwork scars.
It practically radiated poverty.
Urahara wisely decided not to continue that topic.
He kicked Muramasa lightly.
"So, what now?"
"Simple. We go find Old Man Yamamoto."
Tsuna crouched in front of Muramasa and patted his head.
"Next I'll take you to meet Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto. Behave yourself and don't talk nonsense, got it?"
Muramasa nodded outwardly.
Internally, he was already calculating ways to cause trouble.
Unfortunately, his thoughts were obvious to everyone present.
"Stop overthinking it," Tsuna said. "After we meet Yamamoto, I'll take you to the place you want to go most."
Then he clarified:
"Kōga Kuchiki's location."
Muramasa froze.
The temptation of that promise was overwhelming.
Everything he had done in Seireitei had been for one purpose—to find Kōga Kuchiki.
Now the answer was being handed to him directly.
At worst, he would die alongside his master.
That outcome was perfectly acceptable.
"Let's go. Back to Seireitei."
"You two go ahead," Yoruichi said. "I'll head to the Human World first."
She already knew Tsuna and Urahara's plan.
Her return to the human world was preparation.
Squad One Barracks — Head Captain's Office
"Efficient work."
Yamamoto nodded approvingly.
If every Shinigami in Seireitei had the efficiency of Tsuna and Urahara, he would have far fewer concerns.
His gaze then shifted curiously toward the woman behind Urahara.
"So that is Zanpakutō materialization?"
"That's right," Urahara replied openly. "This is my Zanpakutō, Benihime."
"Hmph… I admit I'm curious to see what Ryūjin Jakka would look like."
A Zanpakutō was a Shinigami's closest partner.
Of course Yamamoto was curious.
But he would never risk letting Muramasa manipulate Ryūjin Jakka casually.
"When everything is finished, we can try it," Tsuna said.
"Have the arrangements for the Gotei Thirteen been made?"
"I left it to that boy Kyōraku."
Most of Seireitei's affairs were already being handled by Kyōraku Shunsui.
Adding a little more responsibility for half a day wouldn't hurt.
After all, Yamamoto planned to leave Soul Society briefly.
"Good. We'll depart once Byakuya arrives."
Tsuna poured himself a cup of tea casually.
"The boy from the Kuchiki Clan… yes. This matter should be resolved by him."
Back then, it was Yamamoto and Ginrei Kuchiki who had sealed Kōga Kuchiki.
Now the current head of the clan should handle it.
Not long after, Byakuya Kuchiki entered the Squad One barracks.
"Head Captain Yamamoto."
Byakuya greeted Yamamoto first, then nodded to Tsuna and Urahara.
He didn't ask why he had been summoned.
Yamamoto would explain.
"We are going to find Kōga Kuchiki. You will accompany us."
That was all Yamamoto said.
He trusted Byakuya to understand.
Byakuya had heard the name Kōga Kuchiki only from his grandfather, Ginrei Kuchiki.
Ginrei had once told him:
If Kōga Kuchiki ever loses control again, the current head of the Kuchiki Clan must personally execute him.
Byakuya had almost forgotten that name.
Now he rested a hand on the hilt of Senbonzakura.
It seemed a battle awaited him.
Meanwhile, Muramasa had already closed his eyes in despair.
The moment he saw Byakuya, he knew Kōga Kuchiki could never escape the Gotei Thirteen.
But dying together with his master…
That was acceptable.
What he didn't understand was—
Why were these people so ceremonial?
If they already knew Kōga's location, why not simply kill him immediately?
Human World — Karakura Town
At a remote lakeside area, Yoruichi was already waiting.
For Urahara, locating Kōga Kuchiki wasn't difficult.
The challenge was approaching the situation legitimately.
Muramasa's status had to be clean if they wanted to make proper use of him.
Soon, Yamamoto arrived with the others.
His eyes briefly lingered on the young girl standing beside Yoruichi.
There was something strange about her.
Simply put—
She didn't feel entirely human.
Ururu shyly hid behind Yoruichi.
The real reason Yoruichi had come ahead was to bring her here.
Ururu would be the key figure in this incident.
Tsuna removed the restraints from Muramasa.
"Kōga Kuchiki is inside this lake," he said. "Do you need me to teach you how to break the seal?"
On the journey here, Yamamoto had already explained the details of Kōga's sealing.
Especially the parts related to the seal-breaking method.
Some truths had to be uncovered personally to truly cause despair.
Muramasa staggered toward the lakeshore.
His lips trembled.
His hands shook with excitement.
Only he knew how much effort he had spent just to see Kōga Kuchiki again.
He had devoured Hollows without hesitation—despite the risk of losing control—just to prolong his existence long enough to reunite with his master.
Muramasa spread his arms and loudly recited the unsealing incantation.
As his Reiatsu spread outward, ripples appeared across the lake's surface.
A vertical black coffin slowly rose from the water.
Golden sealing spears were embedded across its surface.
Muramasa forced his Reiatsu outward, pushing the spears away one by one.
When the final spear was removed—
The coffin exploded apart.
From within the endless resentment emerged a gaunt, arrogant man.
Kōga Kuchiki.
A strange mask-like ornament covered the center of his face.
His clothes had long since deteriorated from years of confinement.
Though he had been aware of the outside world all this time, the seal prevented him from moving—even from attempting escape.
Over the years, an immense amount of hatred had accumulated within him.
The moment the seal broke—
Kōga wanted to destroy everything.
Destroy this beautiful Central Lake Park that humans admired.
Destroy the humans chattering endlessly above his prison.
Destroy the Soul Society that had betrayed him.
Destroy everything.
Establish himself as king.
In this world, everything could betray him—
Except power.
With enough power, even darkness could represent justice.
Slowly, he opened his eyes.
Kōga Kuchiki had returned.
He would build a world where he alone ruled, and every traitor would be slain.
But just as that thought formed—
He froze.
A twisted smile spread across his lips.
How convenient.
Standing right before him was the greatest traitor of his life—
His own Zanpakutō, Muramasa.
What a wonderful day.
One good event after another.
His greatest obsession could now be resolved immediately.
Then let it begin—
With the execution of the traitor Muramasa.
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