Naraku Sora had initially prepared a speech about how "this is simply the way of Genryū" to persuade Kuchiki Kōga into accepting the situation. To his surprise, the man didn't complain at all; instead, he actually wanted to thank him.
As expected of someone from the Kuchiki family, their thought processes really were different from ordinary people.
"Oh, what is there to thank? As fellow sons-in-law, helping each other is only natural."
Naraku Sora waved his hand dismissively, putting on an expression that suggested he was only doing his duty. The more he acted this way, the more grateful Kuchiki Kōga became.
'He truly is a good man who does kind deeds without seeking reward.'
Men like this were rare in the Soul Society nowadays. He could have clearly ignored the situation or even kicked a man while he was down, yet he chose not to. Compared to the strictly demanding Lord Kuchiki Ginrei, the difference was like heaven and earth.
"I have a general grasp of your situation now," Naraku Sora said candidly. "Your Zanpakutō development is more than sufficient, but your personal foundation is severely unbalanced. Your Kidō performance is acceptable, but you are lacking significantly in other areas."
"It's clear you have plenty of combat experience, but in reality, once you are separated from your Zanpakutō, your performance becomes a complete mess."
Kuchiki Kōga was stunned, subconsciously replaying the battle that had just occurred. Although Naraku Sora had seized the initiative, it wasn't as if Kōga had been completely unprepared, yet he had still been beaten until he had no power to fight back.
It was as if his opponent could see every single flaw and opening; the attacks always landed at the perfect moment, shattering his defenses with overwhelming force. Sometimes, he was crushed before he could even construct a defense. Without his Zanpakutō, his combat performance was indeed disappointing.
Kuchiki Kōga sighed. "I think I understand what you mean. But I've been used to using Muramasa's power for so long. It's not like I can just stop using it on a whim, can I?"
Hearing this, Naraku Sora shook his head.
"See, you're overthinking it again."
"The original intention of teaching you Genryū isn't to make you give up your Zanpakutō. It is to correct your mistaken habits and focus on your own personal cultivation."
"The more you understand yourself, the stronger Muramasa's power will become."
Although his goal today was to trick Kuchiki Kōga into becoming his assistant, Naraku Sora hadn't told a single lie from beginning to end. When dealing with a Soul Reaper who possessed a Zanpakutō capable of reading hearts, it was easy for the opponent to judge one's sincerity.
Lies would only be met with lies.
In Aizen's words, you only need to be yourself. You don't need to worry about anything else; the other person will fill in the blanks in their own head.
As it turned out, Aizen was right.
Though Sora wasn't sure what kind of image he currently held in Kuchiki Kōga's mind, he could tell from the man's unwavering attitude that his level of trust likely exceeded that of Muramasa, who was currently lying helplessly against the wall.
"Kōga, a Soul Reaper shouldn't be like this," Muramasa's voice echoed in his mind. "Everyone has their own path. Other people's paths aren't necessarily—"
Before the spirit could finish, Kuchiki Kōga frowned. He unilaterally closed his heart, cutting off a speech that he deemed utterly meaningless.
'As a Zanpakutō, do you really think you understand how to be a Soul Reaper better than a Soul Reaper does?'
"Then, what comes next...?" Kōga looked up at his only friend.
Naraku Sora reached out and grabbed two bamboo swords from a nearby rack. He gave them a casual swing, a pleasant and ferocious grin spreading across his face.
"Naturally, we focus on the area you are best at, but which is also your weakest and most lacking link."
"How to correctly use a Zanpakutō..."
The two of them soon clashed with their bamboo swords. Under Naraku Sora's deliberate guidance, every strike was ruthless, as if they were mortal enemies locked in a life-and-death struggle.
The helpless Muramasa lay in the corner, staring blankly at the figure that was drifting further and further away from him, his eyes filled with despair.
---
Outside the gates of Shino Prison.
Naraku Sora waved goodbye to the battered but exhilarated Kuchiki Kōga, welcoming him to return next time. Just as he was about to go back and continue his unfinished cultivation, he suddenly sensed a familiar spiritual pressure approaching from the distance.
Turning his head, he saw a familiar figure.
"Sora, how was your exchange with Kuchiki Kōga?"
Naraku Sora gave a thumbs up and grinned. "I handled it, don't worry."
"Right now, it might be a bit difficult to ask Kōga to go hack Kuchiki Ginrei with me, but if it were Old Man Yama, he wouldn't hesitate for a second."
Aizen: "..."
What on earth had this guy done to Kuchiki Kōga? He had clearly only told them to get acquainted with each other, but the development of events seemed to have exceeded expectations once again.
"Never mind. We can put the matter of Kuchiki Kōga aside for now." Aizen frowned and continued, "I discovered today that Takeda Goki left the squad barracks alone and headed toward Rukongai."
Hearing this, Naraku Sora was slightly taken aback. He knew Aizen had made a move against Takeda Goki before. But investigating the man now... wasn't that a bit too disrespectful toward a Captain-level Soul Reaper? If they were caught, things could easily go south.
Just as he was about to offer a warning, Aizen continued, "I found that he went to the first district of South Rukongai, to the estate of the Morita family, a lower-class noble house."
Under Naraku Sora's gaze, Aizen raised his hand. A glint of spiritual energy flashed from his fingertip.
"I captured Reishi in the vicinity that does not belong to the Soul Society."
"If I'm not mistaken, Takeda Goki likely intends to continue his previous sacrifices, and the Morita family is the new partner he has chosen."
"Or rather, his subordinates."
A look of realization dawned on Naraku Sora's face, and he slapped his palm.
"Sōsuke, the situation is urgent. Let's go kill the traitor Takeda Goki!"
Aizen: "?"
While his idea in coming to find Naraku Sora was more or less the same, those words were perhaps a bit too blunt. He shook his head without saying more, placing his hand on Naraku Sora's shoulder.
A misty glow of Kidō emerged, completely enveloping the two of them in an instant.
---
In South Rukongai, two figures moved swiftly.
Under the cover of Bakudō Number Twenty-Six: Kyokko, it was impossible for anyone to discover their tracks unless a Captain-level Soul Reaper personally performed a search. Following the route Aizen had planned in advance, the two of them successfully reached a quaint estate located at the border between the town and the outer districts.
Compared to the Yokota family's manor, this place was slightly less grand. However, in terms of concealment, it was significantly superior.
Gazing at the towering gates, Aizen cautioned, "In a moment, I will use a Kidō barrier to completely envelop the entire estate, but the commotion might be noticed by Takeda Goki."
"You will be responsible for pinning him down from the front. Once the barrier is complete, I will come to assist you."
Naraku Sora rested his hand on the hilt of his sword, a wide grin appearing as his dormant spiritual pressure began to awaken from deep within.
"Leave it to me!"