Since Tokinada Tsunayashiro still hadn't confessed any valid information, the Seireitei side had no choice but to lock him back into the Maggot's Nest.
As for why not Muken? Because they found this fellow was a bit of a weakling. Putting him in Muken might actually cause him to starve to death; it would be a bit of an insult to Muken.
Thus, after an investigation by His Excellency the wise and martial Captain-Commander, the Gotei 13 unanimously agreed:
[It seems Azashiro Sōya and the others released him only to create chaos; they didn't expect this fellow to actually go and chop down all of Central 46.]
Naturally, the sin of slaughtering Central 46 could only be borne by Tokinada Tsunayashiro alone.
First Division barracks, Captains' Council.
After His Excellency the Captain-Commander informed the Captains of the ability of the Zanpakutō Muramasa, he also revealed the place where Muramasa might have taken the Zanpakutō—Karakura Town.
"Fortunately, this old man's Zanpakutō, [Ryūjin Jakka], was not hypnotized by Muramasa. However, this old man cannot participate in the operation to subjugate Muramasa this time."
Gripping the cane in his hand, the Captain-Commander's eyes half-closed.
Indeed, if the Captain-Commander's Ryūjin Jakka were hypnotized...
The Captains fell silent. Merely imagining that terrifying future made them shudder.
Ryūjin Jakka, the strongest fire-element Zanpakutō; its power after release was enough to destroy Soul Society.
After a round of selecting soldiers and generals, the group of candidates heading to Karakura Town to subjugate Muramasa was roughly determined.
First was Zaraki Kenpachi, whose combat power was intact, followed by the volunteers Byakuya Kuchiki, Tōshirō Hitsugaya, Ichigo Kurosaki, and Unohana Retsu, who was responsible for treatment (?).
Before departure, while gathering at the Senkaimon...
"Wait! Let me go too."
"That fellow Soifon's Zanpakutō was also turned by Muramasa. Maybe we can run into them in Karakura Town this time..."
Yoruichi Shihōin unwrapped the bandages on her body and walked step by step toward Unohana Retsu.
Unohana Retsu looked at Yoruichi, smiled gently, and nodded:
"You can go, but..."
"Wasn't Miss Yoruichi just knocked down by one punch from Soifon? Is your combat strength really no problem?"
Unohana was being sarcastic.
"Hmph, if Byakuya and this white-haired brat are fine, of course I'm fine!"
Yoruichi Shihōin huffed coldly, standing in the formation with her arms crossed.
Standing in the team, Byakuya and Tōshirō turned their heads abruptly—
Hey, why are you dragging the two of us into your quarrel with Unohana?
After stepping into the Senkaimon, as the youngest little brother, Ichigo Kurosaki voluntarily took on the responsibility of laying the Spirit Particle floor.
A broad Spirit Particle road, wide enough to accommodate almost three dump trucks, was extravagantly paved within the dark Dangai.
Seeing this extravagant way of using Reiatsu, everyone was stunned, expressing that there was no need to build such a wide road; a Spirit Particle floor wide enough for one person was sufficient.
After all, they might have to fight later; it was better to conserve Reiatsu.
"Conserve Reiatsu...? What are you guys talking about?"
"My Reiatsu is still very abundant. I can pave this kind of Spirit Particle floor all day."
Ichigo Kurosaki looked at the floor, then turned back to look at the Captains.
The group ran toward the direction of the World of the Living. The Spirit Particle floor behind them that was no longer needed was continuously recycled back into Ichigo Kurosaki's body.
Perhaps when Soifon injected Reiatsu into Ichigo Kurosaki, she simultaneously activated both the Shinigami and Quincy powers within him, causing his Reiatsu control capabilities to be much stronger than the average Quincy.
Seeing this situation, everyone knew that a pathetic, thick barrier already separated them from Ichigo Kurosaki.
"Mr. Kurosaki, I have a question, though I don't know if I should ask."
Running beside Ichigo Kurosaki, Unohana Retsu spoke up.
"Miss Unohana, please speak."
"Your father, what is his name?"
"My dad? Isshin Kurosaki, he's a doctor who runs a clinic."
"Isshin..."
Did Captain Shiba change his surname after going to the World of the Living? That makes sense then.
"Then, what is the situation with the Zanpakutō on your back?"
Yoruichi Shihōin followed behind the two, staring at Zangetsu on Ichigo Kurosaki's back.
After the blade spirits bewitched by Muramasa left, the Zanpakutō would all turn into the appearance of an Asauchi. She had also watched Zangetsu's spirit walk to Muramasa's side back then, so she hadn't expected Ichigo Kurosaki's blade not to turn into an Asauchi.
"Is Miss Yoruichi asking about Zangetsu? What about it?"
"I'm asking you! The spirit of Zangetsu is clearly gone, so why is your sword still in Shikai state?!"
"Oh right, Old Man Zangetsu left, but a white guy who looks exactly like me said that he is also Zangetsu."
"Hah—?!"
A white guy? Are you sure that's not the Hollow inside you???
"So, before Old Man Zangetsu comes back, I can only cooperate with him for now."
As he spoke, Ichigo Kurosaki unwrapped the bandages around Zangetsu and slashed out a blue-black Getsuga Tenshō toward the front, then turned back to smile confidently at everyone behind him.
—See, my Shikai still works.
At the same time, inside Las Noches.
"It seems the Gotei 13 has already taken action."
"The targets are Kōga Kuchiki's sealing location, as well as the Zanpakutō that were taken away."
On the screen, the Reiatsu distribution map of Karakura Town was displayed. Only Reiatsu of Captain-level and above would be included in this instrument's monitoring range.
"Have you found Muramasa's hiding place?"
Soifon looked at the map but found no dense gathering of powerful Reiatsu.
"Not yet, but it is confirmed they are not in Soul Society. Currently, we can only guess they are in the World of the Living."
Aizen shook his head. The surveillance in Hueco Mundo hadn't sensed any Garganta fluctuations either, so they could only judge that the enemy was hiding in the World of the Living.
But as for what method the enemy used to hide the Reiatsu of so many Zanpakutō, he didn't know either.
After confirming the target, Soifon picked up the Asauchi at her waist and walked out toward the perimeter of Las Noches.
"Lady Soifon!"
A somewhat urgent voice came from behind.
"Are you... leaving Las Noches again?"
Soifon did not stop walking; she only turned her head slightly to see Nelliel trotting up to catch up, her long green hair fluttering behind her.
"Yes, going to the World of the Living to handle some business."
Soifon turned around and smoothed the other's messy long hair.
Nelliel bit her lower lip and plucked up her courage: "Then do you need me to go with you? I can help you!"
Hmm? Bring you along?
If I directly say Nel's strength isn't enough, would that hurt her too much?
Seeing Soifon hesitate, the light in Nelliel's eyes instantly dimmed, and her shoulders slumped slightly: "Is it because my power is too weak and I would drag you down?"
Soifon looked at her dejected appearance and fell silent for a few seconds.
Then, she reached out her hand, wanting to subconsciously pat the other's masked head.
However, Soifon seemed to have misjudged the height difference between the two.
Sensing Soifon's hand hovering in mid-air, Nelliel very sensibly bent down, offering her head to Soifon's hand.
Should I say you are sensible, or insensible?
Pretending nothing happened, Soifon rubbed the mask and head, which felt excellent to the touch.
"No." Soifon looked into her eyes. "Harribel and you are both Arrancars I have high hopes for."
"Work hard on your cultivation, Nelliel. Don't let anyone... look down on you."
As her words fell, she stayed no longer. Her figure flashed, disappearing into the Garganta slowly splitting open in front of her.
Nelliel stood in place, watching the Garganta slowly close until the last sliver of the gap vanished.
She raised her hand, gently pressing the spot on her head Soifon had just patted; the temperature of the other's hand seemed to still linger there.
"Yes, Lady Soifon, I won't let you down."
"After all, this life of mine was also saved by you, Lady Soifon..."
____
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