"What are you even… talking about?!"
Kuchiki Kōga stared at Naraku in shock, completely unable to grasp what he meant.
And also—compared to a moment ago, why did this guy's whole vibe suddenly change?
Did something trigger him?
"What do you mean 'what am I talking about'? Kōga, you seriously don't understand that line? It perfectly describes your situation right now."
Naraku regretted not having hair gel on hand—if he could pull an Aizen-style "hair-gel hand" move, it might be more persuasive.
"Ginrei-sama gave you the Kuchiki surname, letting you jump from a Rukongai commoner to a member of one of the Five Great Houses. He gave you a stage to prove yourself, and in a very short time you became Sixth Division's Third Seat."
"When people see you, they naturally show respect—some even look at you with admiration."
"Toward Ginrei-sama, the one who changed your destiny, you crave his recognition and long for his praise. For the head of the Kuchiki clan, you hold a deep admiration."
"But it's precisely because of that admiration… that you can't understand Ginrei-sama."
Kōga's brows drew together as thought flickered in his eyes.
After a brief silence, he looked up and asked in a low voice:
"Naraku… you mean my father-in-law is actually doing this for my sake?"
Naraku curled his lip in disdain.
"See? I told you—you don't understand."
"Which word I said gave you the impression that's what I meant?"
Kōga frowned, confused.
Seeing that look, Naraku finally explained patiently:
"In the end, it's not that Ginrei-sama is 'doing it for your sake,' and it's not that he doesn't recognize you either. From an outsider's perspective, no one would say you're not excellent."
"A student who mastered Bankai while still at the Academy—how many like that exist in history?"
"But because you're that excellent, Ginrei-sama's expectations of you are unrealistically high."
"Mature temperament. Perfection in everything."
"He even uses an unusually harsh attitude toward you—one mistake and you're scolded."
"But he never considers that people are people precisely because they are imperfect."
"And on top of that, the Kuchiki family's inherited curse of speaking in riddles—of course the two of you end up with distance between you. That's normal."
Naraku shook his head, looking faintly regretful.
Kōga's current mentality wasn't just because Kuchiki Ginrei refused to speak like a normal person—there was another critical factor.
The Zanpakutō Muramasa.
A blade that was uniquely willful and blindly loyal, willing to give everything for Kōga—even its own life.
But what did a sword know?
Every time Ginrei scolded Kōga, Muramasa would jump out inside him and hype him up with praise so ridiculous it bordered on delusion.
It worked, in the sense that it kept Kōga from breaking.
But was that really the right approach?
Put simply, Kōga got lost in constant "you're amazing!" until he became weirdly confident, which then turned into arrogance.
Eventually, he could no longer hear anyone else.
In the end, no one was innocent here.
Ginrei was too harsh. Muramasa spoiled him. Kōga himself was already a little stubborn and extreme.
All three together created the perfect storm of insecurity and obsession—laying the groundwork for the fate waiting ahead.
Naraku's "combo" had managed to pull him back a little. Whether Kōga would truly break through… depended on Kōga himself.
Kōga fell into thought.
And then a voice sounded inside him—
"Kōga, please don't overthink. I can sense the confusion in your heart. His words sound reasonable, but that doesn't mean Naraku-sama is correct."
"Remember: I will always stand by your side. We are Shinigami and Zanpakutō, bound to meet by fate."
"Trust me… and trust yourself…"
Right as he was thinking, Naraku suddenly leaned in and grinned.
"Is your Zanpakutō trying to sweet-talk you again?"
Kōga's eyes flew open—shock and anger surging together.
His conversations with Muramasa happened inside his mind. No one should be able to hear them.
Did this guy have mind-reading?!
Kōga remembered Muramasa could read others' memories.
"I don't have mind-reading."
Naraku spread his hands, completely frank. "You just wear your thoughts all over your face."
"Remember what I told you?"
"Admiration… is the emotion farthest from understanding."
"You can ask your Zanpakutō: does it feel admiration toward you?"
Kōga didn't hesitate. He immediately sank his consciousness into his inner world and asked Muramasa—who waited atop a stone pillar—exactly that.
"Admiration?"
Muramasa answered without thinking.
"Of course. I am your Zanpakutō. Isn't it only natural for a Zanpakutō to feel admiration toward its Shinigami?"
Kōga stared at the figure for a long time without speaking.
Muramasa thought it had said something wrong and was about to explain—
Only to find Kōga had already vanished from the inner world.
"…You were right."
Back in reality, Kōga looked at Naraku with helplessness on his face.
"Look," Naraku said, resting a hand on Kōga's shoulder and speaking earnestly, "people don't have to get everyone's approval."
"No one is perfect."
"You just need to keep getting better. Be patient. Ginrei-sama will see your changes."
Kōga lowered his gaze, thinking. After a moment, he looked up with gratitude.
"I understand. Thank you, Naraku."
After that near soul-baring talk, Kōga felt a lot lighter.
The knot in his chest finally loosened, and he could breathe again.
Maybe because they were both "sons-in-law," Naraku understood him better.
It was strange, but finding a confidant in the Central Prison felt unexpectedly rare.
Naraku waved it off.
"Eh, don't mention it. I was just talking."
"Oh right, Kōga—there's one more thing I forgot to say."
Kōga blinked. "What?"
Naraku's smile faded. He spoke seriously.
"Everyone knows a Zanpakutō's shape, state, and ability are built from the Shinigami's soul as the template."
"So it can be considered part of the Shinigami's own power."
"But from what I can see… you rely on your Zanpakutō too much."
As Kōga's brows tightened further, Naraku offered a gentle smile.
"Kōga… do you really understand your own power?"
~~~
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