“…Kyoka Suigetsu?!”
Hisagi, who had been dragged into the shadow world by Kageoni, the ability Katen Kyokotsu possessed, exclaimed in surprise after hearing what had been happening recently from Kyoraku and Nanao.
“Yes. We suffered an embarrassing blow. Other than Captain Zaraki, all of us saw the moment it was released… I think the Arrancars and Quincies must have also understood the ability immediately. Tokinada has been able to use as many zanpaku-to abilities as he desires while we’re immobilized out of fear we’ll attack each other.”
When Hisagi looked closely, he saw that Kyoraku sported a wide variety of wounds; the Captain General had been burned, frostbitten, slashed, and even seemed to have had holes drilled into him.
Hisagi immediately realized that Tokinada had likely used Complete Hypnosis to make Kyoraku misapprehend the type of attacks that assaulted him. If Tokinada’s Ryujin Jakka were mistaken for Shinso, even if the target thought they had avoided the blow by a thin margin, they would still end up getting scorched. If it were the opposite, then because the person being attacked would be estimating the speed at which the flames spread, their body would end up cleaved by the lightning-fast strike.
Though Tokinada’s other zanpaku-to abilities were not performing as efficiently as before—possibly because he was pouring most of his spiritual powers into Kyoka Suigetsu—still Kyoraku assessed that at this rate they would not be able to escape annihilation.
“Captain Zaraki himself has his hands full facing Hikone. And frankly, considering that the child has been battling him for so long, they must be just as much of a threat as Kyoka Suigetsu.”
“Then what should we do? How do we deal with such a depraved zanpaku-to?”
“Tokinada’s spiritual pressure is a far cry from Aizen’s. That’s why I think there must be a limit to his Complete Hypnosis abilities… But even without that power, he’s still a formidable opponent.”
“Yes, I can’t believe he has the ability to copy others’ zanpaku-to…” Nanao said, as Hisagi recalled Tokinada’s face with irritation. “We can’t assume that he can use every ability. He is the head of the Visual Department. It’s possible he can only use abilities he has witnessed himself.”
“Come to think of it, according to Aura, that woman who’s in league with him, he was supposedly watching the whole battle in the fake Karakura Town.”
“It seems he is well prepared then. The Visual Department was the first to report on Rukia and Ichigo too. Given those circumstances, I wouldn’t be surprised if he were secretly connected to Aizen.”
Although Kyoraku had suggested that troubling idea, he himself guessed that the possibility was slim. Had Aizen joined forces with Tokinada or the Tsunayashiro family, Aizen would likely have elicited needless backlash from Kaname Tosen. Tosen might have been able to handle all of that, but there was no reason to rattle him on purpose. Either way, given Aizen's personality, had the Tsunayashiro family come into contact with him, it was very likely Aizen would have dealt with them in the same manner he had the previous Central 46.
“Well, regardless, we can’t simply assume his powers have restrictions while we’re confronting him. Especially since he is obviously the type of man who enjoys pretending he cannot do something, then at the last minute revealing to his opponent that he actually can, in order to make them despair.”
“That’s appalling.”
“I really did you a terrible disservice asking you to write an article about him. If we survive this, I offer you all my apologies.”
Though Kyoraku spoke in his usual tone, even Hisagi could see the man’s wounds were not shallow. Kyoraku was likely putting on a show of acting like everything was normal in order to give Nanao peace of mind. But Nanao didn’t have holes for eyes. Though she looked uneasy for a moment, she immediately gathered what Kyoraku intended and tried to put on a brave face, the sight of which made Hisagi’s hands curl into fists.
“I’ll kill him.”
“Assistant Captain Hisagi, that’s…”
“I know that I’m not strong enough. But I might be able to steal his zanpaku-to, at least.”
Kyoraku stared into Hisagi’s eyes. Though Hisagi spoke with confidence, it was clear he was frightened. However, when Kyoraku saw that Hisagi was willing to walk toward death while carrying that fear, the Captain General sighed and interjected with a question.
“Tell me…did your Shinoreijutsuin cohort still have compulsory battle drills by night?”
≡
“I know you can hear me, Kyoraku! How about you come out soon?”
In the flames that spread around him, Tokinada was surrounded by his own countless shadows as he raised his voice, looking the epitome of composure. “Do you intend to hide in the shadows until everything is over? If that is the case, I don’t mind. That way you can watch as the rebel army you hastily threw together meets its demise.”
Tokinada then turned his eyes to Yoruichi, who was close at hand.
“I have an excellent idea. Shihoin princess, how about I use the zanpaku-to of the Fon family maiden who so yearns for you…and slaughter you with Suzumebachi’s power? But of course, I won’t let you have the second sting immediately. After I engrave the seal of death all over your body, I will take my time administering the Nigeki Kessatsu sting.”
“Sheesh, you’re even more tasteless than I thought.”
Though Yoruichi smiled fearlessly as she stood up, the wounds she had sustained were by no means superficial.
“This is my last bit of mercy. Then how about I make myself look like the user of the blade herself? I wonder what the girl’s face will look like when she learns it was Suzumebachi’s powers that made you disappear without a trace… Ha ha ha ha ha! I cannot help but anticipate it!”
“It’s pretty ironic that someone whose debased character, which would certainly cause his demise if this were a tale from a story scroll, can somehow get his hands on such power in the real world.”
“That’s how the world works though, isn’t it? Hm, or would you like me to take Kisuke Urahara’s form to—”
Tokinada paused in the middle of his sentence as he sensed spiritual pressure rising up from the shadow behind him. When he turned around, he saw Kyoraku, Nanao, and…
Hisagi, holding Kazeshini with his eyes closed.
Tokinada was bewildered for a moment, seeing their faces, but eventually his laughter burst out as though a dam had broken.
“Now, now, don’t make me laugh so hard, Kyoraku! Surely you don’t intend that to be your last hope?”
Seeing Hisagi, who stood in front of Tokinada with his eyes still closed, Tokinada easily understood what they intended. They were trying to ensure that Hisagi, who was not under the control of Complete Hypnosis, did not see Kyoka Suigetsu the moment it was in shikai form.