27 Tilting  

"Ah? Is time up already?" Haruko Kuchiki covered her small mouth, her face full of disbelief.

In the past, an hour always felt very long. How come today, it felt like she had just arrived? 

A hint of reluctance flashed in her eyes as Haruko Kuchiki bowed to Ailin again, "Ailin-kun, please take care of yourself. I will have my father pay attention to this incident. On the day of the trial, I will accompany my father to attend as well. If need be, I can testify in court for Ailin-kun."

After saying that, Haruko Kuchiki left the 9th Division's prison under the lead of a Shinigami from the 9th Division.

"Father? Eldest brother? Why are you two here?"

After leaving the prison, Haruko Kuchiki was surprised to discover her father Ginrei Kuchiki and eldest brother Sōjun Kuchiki actually waiting outside for her.

"Cough cough... Sōjun wanted to say something but started coughing from his condition, covering his mouth.

From between Sōjun's fingers, droplets of blood could be seen dripping down.

"Eldest brother, are you alright?"

"I'm fine, just my old condition acting up."

Waving his hand at Haruko Kuchiki, Sōjun wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, smiling as he asked, "Little sister, how was your chat with Vice Captain Ailin?"

Sōjun knew his own condition best. He didn't even know if he had as much time left as his father. Hence, Sōjun understood clearly the Kuchiki family's next generation had to rely on his little sister's husband for support.

Previously, Ginrei Kuchiki had chosen Kōga Kuchiki, 3rd Seat of the 1st Division as his pick. But after yesterday's battle and learning of the connection between his little sister and 2nd Division Vice Captain Ailin, Sōjun had suggested to his father switching the one betrothed to his sister to Ailin instead.

After last night's events, Ginrei Kuchiki's impression of Kōga had lessened somewhat. Although he wouldn't veto Kōga outright, when another option appeared, Ginrei would scrutinize more carefully.

After a night of investigation, Ailin's information was swiftly presented before father and son. Compared to Kōga, Ailin was younger and more versatile.

Yesterday's battle clearly displayed Ailin's superior swordsmanship and Shunpo, allowing him to suppress Kōga despite the vast difference in Reiatsu. Under equal Reiatsu, Ginrei even felt he might not necessarily defeat Ailin in swordsmanship or Shunpo. This showed Ailin had a solid foundation as 2nd Division Vice Captain.

As for Ailin's Zanpakuto, Ginrei hadn't deciphered its abilities at all. The first blade seemed wind-type, capable of unleashing powerful wind strikes. But the later manifestation of hundreds of other blades left even Ginrei clueless.

Of course, what shocked Ginrei most was Ailin's final move last night. If he hadn't seen wrongly, at that time, Ailin's Zanpakuto had transformed into a blazing fang, unleashing fused wind and fire attacks.

If Ginrei recalled correctly, in the thousands of years since Zanpakutos' birth, never had any single blade wielded two elemental powers simultaneously. Ailin's Zanpakuto would likely be the first dual-element Zanpakuto in Soul Society's history.

Perhaps in terms of functionality, Kōga's Zanpakuto surpassed Ailin's by far. But because of that power, the constraints Kōga would face would be far greater after joining the Kuchiki family. The scheming and plots targeting someone with such a fearsome ability would surely intensify beyond what Kōga currently faced in the 1st Division. After all, Ginrei Kuchiki was no Captain-Commander Yamamoto with his peerless might.

Meanwhile, Ailin's power was mighty yet not to the extent of causing dread. Also, Ginrei knew a Shinigami's true foes weren't fellow Shinigami but the Hollows from Hueco Mundo and the Sternritters from the Wandenreich... When facing these enemies, Ailin's usefulness exceeded Kōga's.

Comparing both their Zanpakutos caused the weighing scales in Ginrei's heart to tilt slightly. Having Haruko visit Ailin today was a test for the father and son pair towards Ailin.

Naturally, Haruko was oblivious to all that. But from his daughter's expression and their conversation, Ginrei nodded inwardly.

Yet unnoticed by the Kuchiki trio was the shadowy figure of Muramasa concealed nearby, his form exuding gloom as he observed all this silently.

***

"The Kuchikis go too far!"

In his cell, Kōga ground his teeth tightly. Beside him stood the respectful form of Muramasa.

After incarceration, the 9th Division members had confiscated all the prisoners' Zanpakutos. Without their Zanpakutos, a Shinigami's strength would fall by seventy to eighty percent, facilitating the guards' management.

Yet unknown to all was Kōga's Zanpakuto Muramasa differed from the norm. As long as Kōga called his name, Muramasa would instantly appear by his side. Moreover, with just Kōga providing Reiryoku, Muramasa could independently materialize to gather intelligence from the outside world, extremely convenient for Kōga.

Thus, never had Kōga expected Ginrei Kuchiki to be abandoning him!

"Ginrei Kuchiki, Ailin, each and every one of them acts sanctimoniously but are actually despicable, vile people... Daring to make a fool of me, everyone will have to pay the price!"

Tremendous Reiatsu erupted from Kōga, channeled into Muramasa. Yesterday, Muramasa had taken Ailin's fiery Wind Scar head-on, suffering grievous injuries. But under Kōga's mighty Reiatsu, his wounds slowly recovered.

After some time, Kōga withdrew his Reiatsu. "Muramasa."

"Master, please instruct me." With most injuries healed, Muramasa no longer seemed like he might drop dead from exhaustion at any moment. Bowing respectfully to Kōga, slight bewilderment rose in Muramasa's heart.

What happened just now? For an instant, Muramasa felt he could barely make out his master's voice. Fortunately it was just a fleeting moment before Kōga's voice returned to normal.

Dismissing it as his mishearing, Muramasa focused intently, awaiting his master's command.

"Go. Infiltrate the Kuchiki family and assassinate that old geezer's son."

"Then..."