Chapter 116: Solitude and Kindred Spirits

The situation gave Kyoraku no time to dwell. Everything happened so abruptly and hastily that even now, the mastermind's identity and ultimate purpose remained shrouded in mystery.

More pressing was the failure of Unohana, whom Kyoraku had placed great hope in, to resolve the creeping problem: the transformation of souls into Hollows due to Hollowfication. Despite her prolonged efforts, there was no sign of improvement.

So… if it truly came to the worst, Kyoraku mused grimly, rather than let the situation spiral further into chaos, a bloody resolution might be the only way to end it all.

With a sudden turn, he reversed the grip on his zanpakutō, Katen Kyōkotsu, and tossed his pink haori towards Lisa, who was bound and sealed on the ground. Without hesitation, he sprinted toward the battlefield where Ōtoribashi Rōse and Kuchiki Ginrei struggled against overwhelming odds.

"Flower Wind Rage!"

Kyoraku raised his dual blades high, unleashing a spiraling whirlwind of energy that tore towards Yoruichi, attempting to draw the attention of her Hollowfied, mindless state.

"Well now, little wildcat Shihouin's—shall we play an interesting game?" he teased with a casual, almost playful tone.

No sooner had the words left his lips that Yoruichi appeared before him in a flash, her bone-like claws slicing viciously towards his face.

Clang!

A shockwave erupted as spiritual pressure intertwined, whipping Kyoraku's captain's haori into the air. Yet, despite the overwhelming force of Yoruichi's blow, Kyoraku met it head-on, steady and unwavering.

But within moments, Yoruichi vanished into a blur, reappearing below him with speed that defied logic, lunging at him from an impossible angle.

Kyoraku's pupils narrowed. He leaped backward instinctively, yet his mouth continued its ceaseless chatter, aiming to keep Yoruichi's attention fixed on him.

"My, my! Even though your fighting style is almost fully Hollow-like, your speed has surpassed your usual self. What a monstrous talent you are!"

However, Yoruichi's movements grew even faster, and in an instant, she closed the gap, her claws driving straight for Kyoraku's chest. In midair, with nowhere to evade and no time to block, the strike seemed inevitable.

Yet Kyoraku showed no panic. His sharp gaze locked onto her as he whispered, "Captain Shihoin, this is a game… Black or white?"

Immediately, Yoruichi's claws, poised to pierce the black fabric of Kyoraku's uniform, faltered. As if bound by some unseen rule, her attack lost all its momentum.

In the next instant, Kyoraku's Katen Kyōkotsu swept down upon the white bone-like shell covering much of Yoruichi's body.

Slash!

Though his strike seemed light, the resulting force was anything but destructive. The white armor shattered, and blood sprayed in fine arcs as Kyoraku's blade tore through it. His white captain's haori billowed dramatically in the aftermath.

---

This scene unfolded clearly in the eyes of two figures observing from the shadows of the courtyard.

One was Aizen Sōsuke, who should have been fending off Hollowfied Shinigami elsewhere, and the other was Tōsen Kaname, who had not attended the birthday gathering.

"Captain Kyoraku's zanpakutō—what exactly is its ability? Why were Captain Shihoin's attacks ineffective against him?" Tōsen asked, his tone puzzled.

Aizen, adjusting his glasses with a calm expression, answered as though he had anticipated the question.

"It's quite simple. Compared to those captains who have served less than a century, Captain Kyoraku, as a graduate of the first class of the Shin'ō Academy and a direct disciple of Captain-Commander Yamamoto, is not so easily defeated."

After a pause, Aizen continued in his measured tone, "Katen Kyōkotsu can establish rules for a 'game' within a certain range. Just now, Captain Kyoraku likely declared a rule where only attacks targeting white would be effective. Furthermore, the more white an opponent possesses, the stronger the effect of his attacks."

Tōsen fell silent at this explanation.

As someone who could not see colors, Tōsen realized he would be at a complete disadvantage against such a rule. Should Kyoraku ever switch to wearing clothes of a different color in secret, Tōsen would be utterly helpless.

At that moment, Tōsen felt the weight of the world's cruelty towards the blind.

Turning his attention back to the fight, Tōsen asked, "Lord Aizen, what should we do? Given Captain Shihoin's mindless state, breaking through Kyoraku's ability seems exceedingly difficult."

"It's of no consequence," Aizen replied smoothly. "Using these captains as Hollowfication test subjects is merely a secondary goal. Captain Kyoraku will not impede my ultimate plan."

Aizen's gaze shifted to a group of Shinigami who had completely succumbed to Hollowfication, their twisted, grotesque forms a stark contrast to their original selves.

Before him lay a grand laboratory of chaos: Shinigami, from low-ranking officers to seated members, vice-captains, and even captains, were all unwilling participants in a sprawling experiment.

Low-ranking officers crumbled under Hollowfication, their spiritual bodies disintegrating almost instantly.

Seated members resisted briefly before succumbing, twisting into feral, monstrous Hollows.

Vice-captains struggled to retain their Shinigami forms.

Captains, unexpectedly, not only endured but exhibited drastic increases in spiritual pressure.

The scene was chaotic, brutal, and blood-soaked.

Yet, to Aizen, it was nothing more than an array of experimental data—necessary sacrifices on the path to transcending the limits of Shinigami evolution.

"Thank you all for your contributions," Aizen murmured, his tone devoid of warmth as his mind calculated the next steps in perfecting Hollowfication.

Tōsen, however, could not suppress his unease. "Lord Aizen, is that man, Senju Makoto, truly worth all this effort? Surely there are less risky methods…"

Aizen glanced at Tōsen. Behind his glasses, the reflection of the carnage danced coldly, though his lips curved into the faintest of smiles.

"Yes, he's worth it. Surely you understand that feeling, don't you? A person's life is steeped in solitude. Yet, the moment they sense the presence of a kindred spirit, it becomes unforgettable for a lifetime."

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