"Hey... let go, are you trying to suffocate me?"
"I can finally hug you properly, I'm so happy!"
"Don't you hug me every day?"
"That's different! Back then, I had amnesia... I was just a child."
Inside the pit.
Tsunayashiro Yushin's vision began to blur, and double images formed in his eyes as he watched the scene before him, blood running down his face.
The same queen-like Menos Grande who looked so cold and powerful a moment ago, now dashed into Shinji's arms like a coquettish little girl, her demeanor completely transformed.
Why... why does Kuchiki Shinji have such a monster by his side?
She's a King-class Menos Grande of the Vasto Lorde-level Arrancar!
Her Reiatsu is even beyond captain level!
Why would someone like that willingly follow Kuchiki Shinji?!
Yushin couldn't understand it at all. All he felt now was pain.
With Nilu's strength, the blow she delivered wasn't just some minor concussion, it should have shattered his entire skull. That he wasn't already dead was simply a testament to his tenacity and durability.
Footsteps gradually approached.
Kuchiki Shinji appeared, holding the female King-class Menos Grande, who clung to him like a koala. They stood at the edge of the massive crater.
"You actually know, don't you? That King-class Menos Grande of the Vasto Lorde-level has Reiatsu far surpassing that of a captain?"
"Of course you do. You're a captain-class Shinigami yourself, with access to vast resources and information. As a noble's retainer, you're bound to know even more..."
Shinji said slowly.
"I... I don't know what you're talking about," Tsunayashiro Yushin struggled to reply, his voice weak and slurred.
He had been raised in the Tsunayashiro family since childhood and devoted his entire life to them. Betraying them was never an option.
"You don't want to admit it? That's fine. I don't need evidence to act anyway."
Shinji chuckled and gently set down the reluctant Nilu.
She was comfy to hold, sure.
But his elder brother's Reiatsu was approaching fast, so it was better to be cautious.
"Kuchiki Shinji... what are you planning to do? You wouldn't dare, would you?!"
Tsunayashiro's eyes suddenly snapped open as he shouted in disbelief.
It was like a final surge of energy. Ignoring his broken body and near-death state, he managed to stand up.
"People on the brink of death shouldn't worry about such things."
Shinji gave him a calm glance, then his Reiatsu erupted violently!
Boom!
The overwhelming pressure even began to damage the surrounding world. Beneath the cracked ground, Tsunayashiro Yushin's eyes dimmed and he fell.
Moments later, stones rained down to fill the sky overhead.
Already on the verge of death from Nilu's blow, Yushin couldn't even withstand the pressure of Shinji's Reiatsu now.
Swish!
Byakuya Kuchiki landed silently on the edge of the sinkhole, his expression as calm as ever, but the icy glint in his eyes betrayed his inner fury.
"So... this is your doing?"
"It seems the Kuchiki clan has been silent for far too long."
Despite his usual stoic demeanor, Byakuya was truly enraged.
Someone had infiltrated the Kuchiki estate and attempted to assassinate his little brother.
That wasn't just a provocation against the Kuchiki family, it was a direct challenge to his own bottom line!
"Do you know who the enemy is?"
Byakuya asked coldly.
"Well… I don't have solid proof, but I'm pretty sure it was someone from the Tsunayashiro clan."
Shinji replied calmly.
Only then did Byakuya notice the woman standing beside Shinji, who looked like she was ready to leap into his arms again.
That face... could it be?
She resembled Nilu, only a more mature version.
And her clothes, that mask fragment on her head…
Was it really Nilu?
Could this be her combat form?
Or some other ability?
As he pondered, Byakuya's pupils suddenly shrank and he froze in place.
In a single moment, a brief leak of Reiatsu from Nilu let him sense something far beyond a captain's level.
That kind of Reiatsu, powerful, oppressive. stronger than even himself!
Was that... Nilu's Reiatsu?
Adjuchas? No way. An Arrancar of the Adjuchas class couldn't possibly have that level of Reiatsu.
Then... a Vasto Lorde-class Arrancar, a King-class Menos Grande?
Just what kind of being had his younger brother taken in?
"What do you intend to do?"
Byakuya asked, stopping his approach.
"What they tried to do, obviously, I'm going to return the favor."
Shinji smiled coldly.
Someone had tried to assassinate him at home, and even tried to use Nilu against him.
Shinji was furious.
The last person who dared touch Nilu was already cold in the ground.
He didn't mind making someone else just as cold.
"You don't have much time," Byakuya nodded, not stopping Shinji. "Once the fighting starts, you'll probably have ten to twenty minutes before the other captains start arriving."
Captains could use Shunpo repeatedly and had incredible mobility.
Just like himself, he got here in only five minutes.
So Shinji didn't have long.
But stop Shinji?
There was no need.
No one was allowed to insult the Kuchiki family's dignity and honor!
Go cause a scene.
And let them see, anyone who dares challenge the Kuchiki family will be met with ruthless retribution!
The Kuchiki clan was the strongest among the Four Great Noble Houses.
They weren't afraid of anything.
Because the Kuchiki family had power.
Direct descendants or not, the family had the most members, and they were thick-skinned.
There were already four captain-level Shinigami: Byakuya, Shinji, Kuchiki Yinagawa (a veteran servant), and Kuchiki Ginrei (former head of the family, and grandfather to both Byakuya and Shinji).
Byakuya was captain of Squad 6, and Shinji was captain of Squad 10, two direct powers within the Gotei 13.
And then...
Byakuya casually glanced at Nilu again.
That woman beside Shinji was likely a Vasto Lorde-class King-level Menos Grande.
If she was counted, the Kuchiki family had five captain-level powerhouses!
That, was the Kuchiki family's true power.
"Ten minutes? That's plenty."
Shinji smirked, turned to leave the Kuchiki estate, and waved casually at his brother.
Nilu, naturally, followed close behind.
Eventually, she even caught up and clung to Shinji's back again.
Meanwhile,
At the Tsunayashiro estate.
Tsunayashiro Tokinada stood by a window, staring into the distance with a dark expression.
He was sensing Reiatsu from the direction of the Kuchiki estate.
"They're not even bothering to hide their Reiatsu anymore? Looks like Yushin must've succeeded."
After a moment, Tokinada exhaled deeply.
He had complete faith in Tsunayashiro Yushin.
After all, this wasn't the first time he had sent him to assassinate someone.
Yushin had even killed off other potential successors in the Tsunayashiro clan himself.
That was how Tokinada had secured his position as clan head!
"Kuchiki Shinji… what a troublesome pest."
"If it weren't for you, I would've already torn a chunk out of the Shiba family… maybe even swallowed the whole thing."
"Damn fool… helping someone like Shiba Kaien awaken his Bankai."
"It's honestly It's good for you to just die."
Clenching his fingers tightly, Tokinada cursed under his breath:
"A bunch of absolute idiots."
"Ah~? Then how exactly are you planning to kill me?"
Suddenly, a teasing voice came from right next to the window.
"Of course, I was going to throw him in prison and kill him slowly, slice by slice."
"The best part would be torturing his loved ones and the people he cares about to death right in front of him."
"Doesn't he have a sister named Rukia? And isn't he also pretty fond of that cute Arrancar girl Nilu? The one who botched the captain's assessment?"
"The moment you lose what matters most... is the moment despair claims victory."
"I just... um???"
A sinister smile still hung on Tsunayashiro Tokinada's face when a question mark seemed to appear above his head. Something suddenly felt off.
He turned his head.
And his pupils shrank to pinpoints. He instinctively took a few steps back.
Right there, leaning casually against the wall, was the man he'd just been describing so viciously, listening to everything with a calm smile.
And beside him stood a green-haired woman with long waist-length hair.
Kuchiki Shinji!
Why is he here?!
And that woman... her face looked a lot like that Arrancar girl Nellu. Could it be?
Cold sweat started to bead on Tsunayashiro Tokinada's forehead.
Did Yushin... fail?
If Kuchiki Shinji was standing here, there could only be one conclusion.
Tsunayashiro Yushin's assassination mission had failed.
And a failed attempt would be his last.
But, how? With Yushin's brutal strength and deadly abilities, how could he possibly have failed?
Suddenly, Tokinada felt it in his spiritual sense.
Yushin's Reiatsu had plunged and then disappeared completely.
The meaning was clear.
He was dead.
Tokinada's expression changed immediately. There was no longer any hope of pretending otherwise.
"Captain Kuchiki Shinji... it's quite late. What brings you to the Tsunayashiro estate?"
He tried to smile.
And continued to edge backwards without being obvious.
"Oh, nothing much. Just a little bored."
Shinji stepped inside, Nilu following him closely like a shadow.
Then Shinji smiled slightly and said:
"And I happened to overhear how much the great Tsunayashiro Patriarch despises me."
"I didn't realize you hated me that much, really. I'm honestly kind of touched."
As he walked in, Shinji casually poured himself some tea from the pot that had long since gone cold, then offered it to Tokinada, who was still retreating slowly:
"Here, Tsunayashiro-sama. Weren't you planning to catch me and 'slice me up bit by bit,' like you said?"
"Why so far away then? Don't you want to get close?"
"Or are you... afraid of me?"
Tokinada took the cup with a stiff smile.
"Captain Kuchiki Shinji, this is all just a misunderstanding. What I said earlier, I was just blowing off steam. I'd never really go after you."
"Liar!"
Nilu suddenly shouted.
She stepped in front of Shinji, eyes full of hostility and hatred.
By nature, Nilu was gentle and kind, she disliked fighting.
But that didn't mean she wouldn't.
Anyone who threatened someone she loved would face the fury of the Vasto Lorde-class Arrancar queen herself!
Her bloodlust was clear, radiating with thunderous anger.
"Captain Shinji, please calm down. I really have no idea what you're talking about."
"And shouldn't you be worried that barging into the Tsunayashiro head's room like this could spark a war between our clans?"
"A war?"
Shinji narrowed his eyes, cold and sharp.
"You already started it. This conflict? You provoked it."
"The war has already begun."
"Now... are you ready to face mine and Nilu's wrath, you mutt?"
Tokinada's face twitched hard.
Mutt?!
He was being humiliated this openly?!
"Captain Shinji, you're crossing the line," Tokinada growled. "I'm still the Tsunayashiro Patriarch. Even if what you said is true, where's the evidence?"
"Are you planning to start a war without any proof?"
He sneered.
He was betting that Shinji wouldn't dare.
If two of the Four Great Noble Houses went to war, the entire Soul Society would be thrown into chaos. No one wanted that.
"Well..." Shinji scratched his head, smirking.
"You might be disappointed, then."
"I don't need evidence to act. If I think you're a threat..."
"...I just eliminate you."
"No threat, no problem."
"Also, you might be overestimating yourself, and underestimating the Kuchiki family."
Indeed, the Kuchiki family was the strongest of the Four Noble Houses.
Even in a one-on-one battle among the clans, none could beat them.
Even two-on-one... the Kuchiki family might still win.
Besides, the Shihouin family was currently allied with the Kuchiki clan. Yoruichi Shihouin was Shinji's fiancée, no less.
The Shiba family? Also on his side, Shiba Kaien had reached captain level thanks to Shinji's help, strengthening their family and protecting their members.
So, Tsunayashiro Tokinada... who do you think you're fooling?
"Where'd you get the nerve to bark at the Kuchiki family like this?" Shinji's voice dripped with sarcasm.
"Was it from murdering your own wife?"
"Or from butchering every other heir in your clan to steal the patriarch's seat?"
Tokinada's face darkened.
His voice turned menacing:
"So... you know everything about my past. In that case, don't do anything that might make me really angry!"
"Come out already! Nogawa!"
"Hikoya!"
With his furious roar,
An older man with spiky silver hair, around his fifties or sixties, appeared in the room like a ghost, holding a Zanpakutō in one hand and another strapped to his back.
Beside him stood a boy in a rough jacket with short white hair and an androgynous look.
"Oh? So this is what you've been hiding."
Shinji glanced at them.
"Two captains, huh?"
But... wait.
That boy,
Shinji frowned.
This strange, chaotic spiritual pressure...
Suddenly, it clicked.
He knew who this boy was.
"Ah... so you've realized, Kuchiki Shinji."
Tokinada's face twisted into a crazed grin as he covered part of his face with one hand and pointed to the white-haired child with the other.
"This child... he's my perfect creation. My ultimate trump card!"
"His name is Hikoya!"
"He's 'both the beginning and the end!' Reproductive organs, gender, growth, none of it matters. All that matters... is power!"
"It is your privilege to witness the power of Hikoya before dying by his hand!"
"This time, I win, Kuchiki Shinji!"
"Now, Hikoya... KILL THEM!"
"Burn it all, Yan!"