"Have you thought about it? Once you kill these people, there will be no room left for you to turn back."
"Conversely, if you choose to stop, even though you're a criminal for the time being, with the help of the Kuchiki family, you can still prove your innocence."
Just as Kuchiki Xianghe was seething with murderous rage, ready to storm the noble estates and slaughter the Shinigami who had framed him, a calm yet sharp voice rang in his ears. He froze. Turning toward the source of the voice, his pupils narrowed upon seeing the figure standing before him, blocking his path.
It was a man wearing the white haori of a captain.
Kuchiki Xianghe's expression darkened with a sliver of composure. He recognised this person immediately – it was the captain of the Eleventh Division, Gosuke Shigure, the current Kenpachi.
Although Gosuke Shigure's reputation was not exactly stellar, given he avoided unnecessary fights and rarely acted like typical bloodthirsty Kenpachi, he nonetheless bore the name because his strength was undeniable.
That the first to arrive before him was this man… Xianghe did not expect it.
Naturally, he knew Gotei 13 would hunt him down after his prison escape. But he had hoped he could at least kill those nobles first before being stopped. Yet here was Gosuke Shigure, already ahead of him.
"Captain Gosuke, your speed is impressive," he said coldly. "What, you intend to stop me?"
Gosuke Shigure smiled faintly. "There's no choice. The Captain-Commander's orders were clear – all of Gotei 13 is to apprehend you."
"Since I've met you first, I'll have to bring you in myself."
"What punishment awaits you afterwards… has nothing to do with me."
"Is that so?" Xianghe sneered, eyes glinting with murderous light. "Even if you are Kenpachi, capturing me won't be so simple."
After choosing to escape prison, Kuchiki Xianghe had cast away all restraint. Barefooted and unafraid, he now harboured only one intent: to kill those who had framed him. Anyone obstructing that goal was his enemy.
In an instant, Xianghe dashed forward, Zanpakutō unsheathing in a flash as he slashed at Gosuke Shigure.
But the Kenpachi smiled calmly. Utilising Shunpo, he effortlessly dodged the strike. At the same time, his own Zanpakutō – still in its sealed state – slid from its sheath and swung down at Xianghe.
Boom!
A tremendous sword pressure burst forth. Xianghe staggered under the crushing weight of Reiatsu. Only then did he truly realise why Gosuke Shigure held the title of Kenpachi.
For a moment, those rumours about Gosuke Shigure avoiding battle seemed ridiculous. Regardless of his demeanour, the sheer force behind that slash left no doubt: he was Kenpachi.
Xianghe instinctively dodged using Shunpo, but his speed fell short. As he attempted to reposition, Gosuke Shigure's figure appeared before him in a blur, sword slicing down again with unrelenting ferocity.
"Damn it—!"
Xianghe grit his teeth. Reflexively, he swung up his blade to parry the blow. He was confident; his swordsmanship and spiritual pressure were both powerful.
But the moment their blades collided –
BOOM!!
An explosion of spiritual energy surged through his body. Xianghe felt his arm bones rattle violently, his internal organs shuddering from the impact. His body was sent flying backwards, smashing through a wall behind him.
Bang!!
Debris scattered in all directions as smoke billowed. Xianghe rose from the rubble, his robes tattered and his breath ragged. Looking at Gosuke Shigure, a flicker of fear crossed his eyes.
He was a genius. Back in Shin'ō Academy, neither nobles nor commoners could match him. He had graduated first in his class, then was chosen by Kuchiki Ginrei as son-in-law of the Kuchiki clan. After joining the Sixth Division, his strength rivalled veteran seated officers. In his heart, he believed that despite his humble birth, he was destined for greatness, perhaps even captaincy one day.
Yet just now, clashing with this true captain, he realised the gulf between them.
Just one swing had shattered his pride.
Is this the strength of Kenpachi…?
His gaze turned ferocious once more.
"Even if you are Kenpachi, you won't capture me that easily!"
In the next instant, Xianghe unleashed his Zanpakutō's true power. "Whisper… Muramasa!"
A surge of lavender Reiatsu burst forth, enveloping his blade. Muramasa – the demon blade known for its manipulative abilities. This Zanpakutō's power was indeed eerie. Through it, Xianghe had overwhelmed many noble Shinigami in the past.
Now, that same power extended invisibly toward Gosuke Shigure's sword, attempting to force the Kenpachi's blade to turn upon its master.
Back in the Sixth Division, Xianghe had repeatedly used this ability to humiliate those arrogant nobles, watching their astonished expressions as their own Zanpakutō betrayed them. It had always filled him with twisted pride.
Surely, Gosuke Shigure's face would soon reveal that same shock.
But unexpectedly, his Zanpakutō's slash did not waver. Gosuke Shigure's sword continued its deadly arc straight toward him, forcing Xianghe to leap back in urgent evasion.
"Surprised?" Gosuke Shigure's voice echoed in the alley. "Your Zanpakutō's ability failed."
His calm eyes narrowed slightly. "No matter how strange its power, it still has limitations. My Zanpakutō remains sealed. Manipulating an unreleased Zanpakutō… you're expecting too much."
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