Ten seconds later, the fight ended.
The boy grinned and yanked his ring-blade from Hiyori Sarugaki's body.
Blood splattered. Hit the ground. Drip, drip, drip.
Hiyori's eyes rolled back. Consciousness fading. One last whisper:
"Shinji..."
Thud.
Her small body collapsed onto Kensei Muguruma in his pool of blood. Out cold.
Kensei had fallen earlier under their combined assault.
Between Kinshara's illusions and Sakanade's reversal, the still-injured Hiyori and Kensei never had a chance.
Barely ten seconds. Total defeat.
Even at the end, they couldn't understand what happened.
They'd just returned from Soul Society to the World of the Living. Planning to pack some things.
Shortly after arriving, they sensed abnormal spiritual pressure. So they split from Shinji and the others to check it out.
But why would two complete strangers suddenly appear wielding Shinji Hirako and Rōjūrō Ōtoribashi's Zanpakutō?
Made no sense.
A Zanpakutō manifested a Soul Reaper's own soul power—an inseparable part of their strength.
Even if stolen, someone else couldn't use its abilities.
Yet these two had released full Shikai and attacked them...
"Tch... way weaker than I expected."
The boy in the hat looked down at the bodies. Chuckled.
Flicked blood off his blade. Slung it over his shoulder.
The woman with the golden whip smiled. "You're right. Muramasa-san overestimated them."
A figure materialized behind them.
Snow-white robes. Purple trim at sleeves and collar.
Muramasa, in physical form.
Behind him, several other figures appeared.
Muramasa's face stayed cold. "Well done, Sakanade. Kinshara."
"The last two companions in the World of the Living are gathered."
"Time to head to Soul Society."
A black-clad figure looked startled. "Wait, now? Already?"
"Thought you'd wait till everything was foolproof..."
Muramasa's expression didn't change. He walked forward. "Hiding in the World of the Living serves no purpose now."
"Once we reach Soul Society, with my ability... victory's assured."
"After Aizen and his Arrancar army fought the Seireitei, the Gotei 13 is hanging by a thread."
"Strike while they're weakest, and we can..."
"Take them down in one blow."
"My plan will be nearly complete."
The black figure grinned. "So you've got a way to handle that Candle Dragon and its Soul Reaper?"
"Handle?"
Muramasa kept his hands in his pockets. Glanced back. "Did I say I'd 'handle' him?"
"I've simply figured something out from our last encounter."
"Hm?"
The others looked confused.
Muramasa's eyes narrowed. "Candle Dragon may not join us, but... he's definitely not allied with the Gotei Soul Reapers."
"On the contrary, he may become our..."
"Greatest asset in invading Soul Society."
The black figure's eyes lit up. Smile spreading.
Meanwhile, in the Seireitei.
Shigure emerged from the underground assembly hall. Parted ways with Yamamoto and Chōjirō Sasakibe. Headed back to the 5th Division.
Late night. Crescent moon overhead.
Aside from 10th Division night patrols, the inner court was empty.
Shigure walked slowly. Expressionless.
The power reform had quietly concluded.
With Yamamoto personally backing it, the Central 46 had no room to object.
The proposal only redistributed some authority anyway.
However reluctant, they agreed.
During peacetime, the Central 46 still held supreme judicial power.
But during wartime, they'd surrender decision-making to the Gotei 13.
Through this quiet reform, the matter was buried.
No one would pursue him over this anymore.
Shigure turned his attention inward to the Soul Wall palace.
First, the lowest level where Aizen was sealed.
Still asleep. Nothing unusual.
Dozens of levels up, Ulquiorra Cifer stood alone in an all-white space. Silent.
Next, higher up.
Little Nel and Dondochakka's group. Aning. Nothing unusual.
But then, a female voice called out.
"Captain Segawa!"
Shigure snapped back. Looked toward the source. Blinked.
"Vice-Captain Ise?"
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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