36 Assigned  

"An ability to forge swords?"

The Zanpakuto Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto had seen over this millennium flashed through his mind. He eventually confirmed that in Soul Society's history, there had been two others who possessed the ability to "forge swords".

That was in an age when even Shinigamis did not have "Zanpakuto".

The first was the founder of the Kasumiōji clan, who forged Bakkōtō - blades that could absorb a Shinigami's Reiatsu and demonstrate even greater power. 

The second was Nimaiya Ōetsu who forged the original Zanpakuto. Without a doubt, these two were powerhouses of that era.

Moreover, after Zanpakuto were established as the Shinigami's exclusive weapons, the latter advanced to the Royal Palace and became a member of the Royal Guard's Zero Division.

Would Ailin grow to their level?

Yamamoto did not know the answer to that question. But at the very least, being able to forge a "sword" unaffected by Koga's Zanpakuto made Ailin the best candidate to face Koga at this time. Of course, before that, Yamamoto needed to confirm one more thing.

"Vice Captain Ailin, I need you to answer truthfully. Have you achieved Bankai?"

"Hmm?"

Hearing the Captain Commander's question, all the captains turned their gazes onto Ailin. When Ailin entered the hall earlier, he had already passed their test.

Captain-class Reiatsu!

One of the unspoken criteria to become a Gotei 13 Captain was successfully manifesting one's Zanpakuto's Bankai.

If Ailin had already achieved Bankai, that meant he was on the same level as them. The only thing he lacked was the rank of a "Captain".

Even Yoruichi Shihoin watched Ailin with great interest. To her, this Vice Captain had caught her eye five years ago when he challenged Marenoshin Ōmaeda to a duel. Afterwards, she mainly learned about him from Shaolin Fon. 

At that time, his Zanpakuto could unleash slicing wind strikes. A few days ago, his Zanpakuto was wreathed in flames, capable of both wind and fire attacks. Back then, Yoruichi thought it was the first Zanpakuto in Soul Society's history that could wield two elements. Now it seems those were weapons forged by Vice Captain Ailin!

If this guy had achieved Bankai, what would his Bankai be?

"Yes, Captain Commander. I have attained Bankai for my Zanpakuto." Ailin's reply stunned everyone once more. 

Especially Yoruichi. As his Vice Captain, she knew Ailin had joined 2nd Division right after graduating. Currently, he should be around fifty years old. What astonishing talent... His current level probably didn't fall short of hers back then!

Ginrei Kuchiki was also delighted inside. He couldn't deny feeling regret over losing a future son-in-law like Koga. But now it seems his daughter's eye for people didn't fall short of his own. No! Recalling Ailin's clearly superior swordsmanship and Shunpo compared to Koga, perhaps his daughter's judgement surpassed even his.

Yamamoto opened both eyes. "Then tell me, can you defeat Koga and restore peace to Seireitei?"

"Yes. Dealing with 3rd Seat Koga won't be an issue."

Ailin stared straight at Captain Commander Yamamoto without the slightest retreat. Right now within his Reality Marble, his "Muramasa" stood guard. Koga's existence wouldn't affect his weapons at all. This was Ailin's greatest confidence in facing Koga.

"Very good."

"Then Vice Captain Ailin, I entrust you with capturing Koga and quelling this rebellion in Seireitei. Do not disappoint me."

"By your command, Captain Commander."

After respectfully saluting Yamamoto and the other Captains, Ailin exited the hall. Next, he sensed Koga's Reiatsu and streaked towards 7th Division as a black shadow.

***

"Damn it!"

Love Aikawa crashed heavily onto the ground, his whole body drenched in blood.

"I'm still too weak..."

With his Zanpakuto under the enemy's control, Love could only fight using Shikai and Bankai. He was utterly defeated in the end.

"Hmph."

Koga waved his hand to stop Love's Zanpakuto from continuing its attack before signaling the manifested Zanpakuto to drag Love behind where the other captured Shinigamis were gathered.

From starting his rebellion until now, Koga had taken over 9th Division and 7th Division with over a thousand manifested Zanpakutos under his command. That included two Captain-class and forty-seven Seat Officer-class Zanpakutos. 

Yet among the deaths so far, the number of Shinigamis didn't exceed fifty. Not because Koga was kindhearted and unwilling to kill. Rather, if these Shinigamis were slain, their corresponding manifested Zanpakutos would fade after a period of time too.

Koga harbored ambitions of overthrowing the 13 Divisions and becoming the supreme ruler of Soul Society himself. To a certain degree, these Shinigamis were also his "soldiers".

If he could truly rule over Soul Society in the future, Koga actually wished for these Shinigamis to never perish!

Tengumaru stood behind Koga and lined up behind Muramasa. Beside Tengumaru was the 9th Division Captain's Zanpakuto - Tekken Tachikaze.

"Next..." Koga raised his head, glancing around in all directions. 9th Division and 7th Division were completely under his control now.

Koga currently had two options. 

One, use 9th Division as the center and occupy the neighboring Divisions encircling 1st Division in rings before launching an assault on 1st Division with absolutely crushing force.

The second option was staking everything on a desperate gamble to lead his current forces on a direct charge at 1st Division.

Based on the memories Muramasa extracted from 7th Division Captain Love, 1st Division had sounded the assembly for an emergency Captains meeting not long ago. Currently, all Captains of the 13 Divisions were gathered at 1st Division.

If he could enter the Captains Assembly Hall and subjugate their Zanpakutos, wouldn't everything in Seireitei be under his control then? Thinking so, killing intent flashed through Koga's eyes.

"Muramasa..."

Whoosh!

But before Koga could give the order, rays of light suddenly shot at him from the side.

"Bankai - Tekken Tachikaze!"

An armor-clad humanoid wielding spiked gauntlets on both hands appeared before Koga. It had a metallic cable connecting its gauntlets to the armor on its back. The humanoid met the incoming rays with a punch, concentrating surging blades of wind around its fists that exploded outwards, blowing the light attack away to crash through a nearby building instead.

Clang!

Only now did Koga see that the deflected beam of light was actually a sword stabbed into the ground.