After visiting the Tsunayashiro estate, Gosuke Shigure spent time speaking with Tsunayashiro Ayana, the newly appointed head of the family.
Throughout their conversation, he carefully avoided mentioning the matter of Yanluo Jingdian, the hidden ancestral Zanpakutō of the clan. Interestingly, Ayana herself never brought up the sword either.
Perhaps it was because the main family of the Tsunayashiro had been nearly annihilated, and Ayana, being a younger member who had not previously held influence, had no knowledge of the relic.
This did not surprise Shigure. Among the Great Noble Houses, it was common knowledge that the Tsunayashiro family possessed a secret Zanpakutō passed down through the generations, yet few outside the inner circle knew its true nature. Only the Patriarch and the most senior members were entrusted with such information.
At that time, Tsunayashiro Tokio had been one of those inner-circle members.
However, Tokio met a cruel end, slain directly by Tsunayashiro Tokinada when he had been dispatched on a simple summons. Thus, Ayana—still just a student of the Shin'ō Academy at the time—remained ignorant of the sword's existence.
Shigure knew that if Ayana had questioned him about the Zanpakutō, he could have easily feigned ignorance, claiming he never saw Tokinada wielding such a weapon. But her silence spared him the trouble of weaving excuses.
The reason Shigure chose not to mention Yanluo Jingdian himself was simple: he had come only to observe, not to reveal. If Ayana someday proved herself worthy as the Tsunayashiro head, then she might earn the right to wield the sword. But in the wrong hands, the relic would bring only abuse and disaster.
Although the sword's power was limited—it could only replicate the Shikai of other Zanpakutō, never their Bankai—Shigure knew that even such a restricted ability, if exploited recklessly, could cause chaos in Seireitei.
Leaving the Tsunayashiro household, he returned to the Eleventh Division barracks. To his mild surprise, a visitor awaited him.
⸻
Inside the captain's quarters, Yoruichi Shihōin sat cross-legged, reading his recently published volume The Seireitei Correspondence Collection. As soon as Shigure entered, she set the booklet aside, rose gracefully, and greeted him:
"Teacher."
"I didn't expect you would come here yourself," Shigure replied with a small smile.
Yoruichi, skipping pleasantries, asked directly:
"Sensei, you went to the Tsunayashiro estate, didn't you?"
Shigure nodded without hesitation. "The family suffered catastrophic losses. As the captain who executed Tokinada, it was my duty to pay respects to the victims' household. At present, their situation is fragile."
Yoruichi's golden eyes flickered. "As far as I know, only one girl remains among the younger generation of the Tsunayashiro. Since you met her, teacher, what impression did she leave on you?"
Shigure chuckled softly. "How else does one form an impression, except by using their eyes?"
Yoruichi shot him a flat look at his teasing, prompting him to add more seriously:
"She appears competent. Despite her youth, Ayana shows capability. Whether she can shoulder the weight of the Tsunayashiro name in the long run… that remains to be seen."
In truth, Shigure knew well that this girl had never appeared in the original timeline of the Soul Society. Neither Ayana nor even the Tsunayashiro family itself held prominence in the events of Bleach. Yet her earlier resolve suggested she might carve out a place for herself in the future.
The times create heroes, after all. Talent must be given opportunity to flourish. The destruction of her family, tragic as it was, had thrust Ayana into the stage of history.
Yoruichi raised an eyebrow. "The teacher really speaks highly of her," she remarked with an odd edge to her tone. Perhaps it was because the current head of the Tsunayashiro clan was another young woman like herself—yet Shigure, who rarely praised Yoruichi so openly, offered this girl his approval.
Shigure only smiled and said nothing more.
⸻
Yoruichi's expression shifted, growing serious. "Teacher, the two blades are still in your possession, aren't they?"
Shigure's demeanor hardened. "And what are you trying to imply?"
Yoruichi explained:
"The Tsunayashiro family has indeed passed down a Zanpakutō from generation to generation. The records in my family state that its power is dangerous—exceptionally so. After Tokinada's execution, the blade should normally be restored to the Tsunayashiro.
"However, given the family's ruined state, if you, Teacher, keep it under your watch, that may be for the best. Just don't let outsiders learn of it. The weapon exacts a terrible, irreparable price from whoever wields it."
Shigure was silent for a moment. "…So that is why you came here."
Yoruichi nodded firmly. "Yes. I don't know which of the two blades in your possession is the Tsunayashiro heirloom. But since both fell into your hands, I felt it my duty to warn you. And rest assured, Teacher—I won't reveal this to anyone else. This secret will remain between us."
Shigure gave her a sidelong glance. "You truly are considerate."
Yoruichi smirked, her feline playfulness returning. "Think of it as a secret pact between student and teacher."
"A secret, indeed," Shigure murmured, not denying it.
Just as swiftly as she had arrived, Yoruichi departed. It seemed she had come solely to deliver this warning.
⸻
Once she was gone, Shigure withdrew the two swords from his inner chamber. One was the Yanluo Jingdian, the Tsunayashiro family's cursed relic. He immediately sealed it and resolved never to carry it on his person.
The other… was far more personal. It was the Zanpakutō from his previous life—Shikei no Tsurugi, the "Sword of the Dead." Holding it in his hands again, Shigure fell into deep contemplation.
JOIN MY PATREON TO READ 90+ CHAPTERS BEFORE PUBLIC RELEASE OR PURCHASE FOR LIFETIME ACCESS!
WE ARE CURRENTLY ON CHAPTER 215 ON PATREON.
Patreon.com/HACKDWORLD