Meanwhile, elsewhere in the Seireitei.
In the canyon cluster beneath the Sōkyoku execution stand, a secret cave extended outward.
At this moment, several figures sat in different positions within it.
Their expressions varied. Some had faces calm as still water. Others showed extreme impatience.
"Hey, I'm saying, just how much longer do we have to wait?"
"Since last night, we've been stuck here by that person. If this continues, what's the difference from before..."
"If we can't go out and look around, it's just like being imprisoned!"
This was the voice of a somewhat playful girl. She currently sat on a rock outcropping. Swinging her legs listlessly.
Speaking, she suddenly jumped down from the rock. Her gaze flickered slightly. Then she licked her lips and smiled faintly:
"No way! I'm going out to look around right now!"
Saying this, she headed toward the cave passage. But just then, a snow-white figure suddenly appeared.
This was a young woman wearing a white long-sleeved kimono.
Her ice-blue eyes and light purple long hair seemed especially dazzling in this dim cave.
Her equally snow-white long hair had part of it tied together in a long bun behind her. Falling past her shoulders. With one strand hanging before her forehead, separated by a blue star-shaped hairpin.
Around her waist wrapped a pale yellow-green belt. With a large light purple bow tied at her back.
Sode no Shirayuki.
The instant she appeared, the other people around seemed to pale in comparison.
She slowly walked out from the cave's shadows. Then said softly:
"Don't be hasty, Haineko."
"Muramasa-san said our full complement hasn't assembled yet."
Hearing this, Haineko's expression immediately deflated. She said helplessly:
"Full complement... just how many more people are coming...?"
As her words fell, several gazes from various corners of the cave simultaneously looked over.
There was a little girl with a bland expression. A woman with a smiling face. And a black figure wearing an evil grin.
At this moment, Sode no Shirayuki closed her eyes slightly and shook her head gently:
"About that... it's still unclear. We just need to quietly await Muramasa-san's message."
Hearing this, before Haineko could speak, she suddenly heard an extremely arrogant and haughty voice from the distance behind her:
"Hehe, actually... we don't need to win with numbers, right?!"
"Even if you let me handle it alone, it'd be fine..."
The one who spoke these words was precisely that black figure with the evil grin. Behind him, a massive scythe gleamed with cold light.
But just then, light footsteps suddenly sounded from the passage entrance.
These footsteps were very regular. Neither hurried nor slow.
And the instant they sensed his presence, everyone in the cave looked over in unison.
In fact, they already knew who it was.
At this moment, a girl wearing white and purple robes with a pink silk sash suddenly floated up from within the cave toward the passage entrance. Then she said softly:
"Welcome back... Muramasa-san."
"Mm."
Muramasa's footsteps didn't stop as he answered indifferently.
Then, from behind him, golden light suddenly emanated.
Immediately after, a small floating figure suddenly appeared. This was a twin-tailed girl radiating honeycomb-patterned golden light all over her body.
The instant they saw her, everyone's gazes all looked over.
Muramasa said flatly:
"This is a new companion... Suzumebachi."
"I'll trouble you to look after her temporarily."
Finishing, Muramasa walked calmly inward. But just then, a young boy suddenly leaped before Muramasa. Blocking his path.
Muramasa looked down. Expressionless: "What is it, Hōzukimaru?"
The boy grinned and smiled:
"Muramasa-san, didn't we agree to invade Soul Society?"
"Why is it that after arriving yesterday, you keep making us hide in this cave?"
"If this continues... I won't keep cooperating with you."
As his words fell, that black figure carrying the scythe also suddenly leaped out. Grinning evilly:
"Hey, count me in too! I'm sick of staying in this place!"
Seeing this scene, Haineko's eyes brightened. She seemed somewhat eager to try as well.
But just then, Sode no Shirayuki suddenly appeared beside her. Suddenly extending her hand to block before her.
Then she turned her head to look over. Her gaze indifferent. Saying in a low voice:
"Don't do foolish things like them."
"Muramasa-san's power... cannot be blocked by mere willpower."
Hearing this, Haineko's gaze immediately stirred. However, before she could speak, she saw the disturbance in the distance.
Muramasa remained expressionless. Saying flatly:
"I already said... you just need to endure a bit longer."
Finishing, he suddenly extended his right hand.
Just then, Hōzukimaru and the other standing opposite him suddenly sensed some strange power. Their expressions changed slightly.
But the next moment, before they could react, their gazes simultaneously fell into vacant, lightless stupor.
Seeing this, Haineko's pupils suddenly contracted sharply.
What?!
This... what kind of bizarre power is this?!
Even Zanpakutō that have already achieved physical manifestation... can still be completely controlled...?!
Cold sweat immediately slid down Haineko's forehead. She suddenly felt grateful that Sode no Shirayuki had stopped her just now.
At this moment, Muramasa turned to look at everyone. His gaze swept across them as he said flatly:
"Yamamoto Genryūsai's Ryūjin Jakka—there's now a way to deal with it."
"So from now on, we just need to quietly await the awakening of our remaining companions. Then we can officially launch our attack."
"Everyone, just quietly await my command."
As his words fell, the surroundings immediately fell into silence.
After a moment, Sode no Shirayuki's voice suddenly rang out:
"Muramasa-san, the companions you mention... do they include that 'Candle Dragon'?"
Hearing this, everyone's gazes in the cave stirred simultaneously.
Muramasa looked over. Speaking evenly:
"They do."
"Although before, it completely blocked out my call and Kairan Kyomu. But now..."
"I've already begun to sense it."
"It is autonomously... betraying its master."
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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