If the residence of the Kuchiki clan is like an expansive garden, then the estate of the Tsunayashiro Tokinada family is a magnificent castle—its grandeur a clear sign of the family's ambition, a relentless drive to truly rule the Soul Society.
During his days at the True Spirit Arts Academy, Daniel Davis gained new insights into the aristocracy of the Soul Society—information he'd never known before. Up until now, his knowledge had been largely limited to the Thirteen Court Guard Squads; as for the nobles, all he'd heard were mentions of the "four great families" and the Central 46 Division.
In many ways, the relationship between the Thirteen Court Guard Squads and the Central 46 Division is much like that between the Navy and the World Government in a pirate's world—the squads are tightly controlled by the Central 46.
It all goes back to Captain Yamamoto's achievements. Over a thousand years ago, the Soul Society had no Thirteen Court Guard Squads—and naturally no True Spirit Arts Academy either. Back then, everything was ruled by the four great noble families. Only after a cataclysmic event over a millennium ago did the Thirteen Court Guard Squads come into existence.
The academy even contains fragments of that history. Though it doesn't spell out exactly what the event was, Daniel Davis suspects it had something to do with Youhabakh leading the Extinction Cultists in an incursion into the Soul Society. Even though Youhabakh eventually failed, he still succeeded in inflicting severe damage on the noble factions—especially the four great families—without which the Thirteen Court Guard Squads might never have been established. Of course, that's merely Daniel's conjecture; the academy's curriculum doesn't elaborate on the matter.
"Aren't there a lot of Shinigami? The power of the nobles should not be underestimated."
Infiltrating the luxurious Tsunayashiro Tokinada family castle, Daniel Davis soon observed that numerous Shinigami were patrolling the grounds. Not every graduate of the True Spirit Arts Academy joins the Thirteen Court Guard Squads; some, lured by the prospect of noble power or wealth, choose instead to pledge allegiance to the aristocracy. After all, noble authority—especially that of the four great families—ranks above even the Thirteen Court Guard Squads. And then there are those Shinigami whose abilities are too weak to attract the squads' attention.
Take, for example, those whose zanpakutō are designed more for performance than combat—swords meant for display rather than slaying. The Thirteen Court Guard Squads wouldn't recruit such individuals, but the nobles tend to favor them.
"So this is the Tsunayashiro Tokinada family… such a vast clan, yet it has been reduced to being controlled by a mere branch leader. Their direct line has been targeted for assassination—so much so that the Soul Society even has an assassination organization?"
While covertly shadowing a servant in the Tokinada castle, Daniel Davis managed to apprehend an elder. Although this man was a member of the Tokinada family, he did not seem to be a Shinigami.
From the elder's memories, Daniel learned many internal secrets of the Tokinada family. For instance, the reason Tsunayashiro Tokinada was released from the "Maggot's Nest" prison was that the current heir was too young, so they let him out.
Tsunayashiro Tokinada had once committed a grave offense and been confined in the Maggot's Nest. However, judging from the conditions there, it wasn't considered a truly heinous crime—after all, the real sinners in the Soul Society are not locked up in the Maggot's Nest but in the Infernal Pit.
"That's odd… If they suspected Tokinada, why would they release him from the Maggot's Nest?"
From the elder's recollections, Daniel noticed something amiss: the Tokinada family's direct line had not been entirely exterminated; there was still an heir. Under such circumstances, a criminal should never be released from the Nest. The elder's memories revealed that he had longed to kill Tokinada—and had even hired assassins along with other elders to eliminate him, though all attempts had failed.
"He used to be classmates with Kyouraku Harusui and Uchidabane Fuzhu, so he's roughly a captain-level Shinigami. At least, he doesn't have his own zanpakutō."
Though Tokinada had been freed from the Maggot's Nest, his zanpakutō remained in the custody of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads—it had not been returned to him.
But that doesn't mean he was without a weapon. As one of the four great noble families, the Tokinada clan possesses a hereditary zanpakutō passed down through generations. In the entire Soul Society, only two such ancestral swords exist—one belonging to the Tokinada family and the other to the Ise family.
This zanpakutō—called "Jiutian Jinggu"—is said to be capable of reflecting an enemy's attack back at them. Its power is undeniably formidable, though Daniel Davis is certain there must be some limitation; otherwise, such a powerful sword would never be neglected by the Tokinada's direct line, nor would it be allowed to fall into Tokinada's hands.
Even if its ability is purely reflective, it must still be tied to the user's own strength. Otherwise, wielding this sword would enable one to contend with Aizen or Youhabakh effortlessly.
Nevertheless, its strength cannot be denied.
Having obtained the information he needed, Daniel Davis did not kill the elder. Instead, to prevent him from revealing Daniel's presence, he subdued the man with a heavy cloth and then made his way toward the compound where Tokinada resided.
"Hehehe… Here comes another one to deliver his own death?"
When Daniel reached the Tokinada residence, he found that in the main hall, Tokinada was grinning broadly while surrounded by eight men in black. Judging by their attire, they were likely there to assassinate him.
"Taking advantage of the Traveler's invasion to try to kill me and pin it on the Traveler? Not a bad idea—but perhaps you've underestimated me."
Surrounded, Tokinada's face twisted into a warped smile. He promptly drew his zanpakutō from his waist and intoned in a low voice, "Behold, Jiutian Jinggu."
To everyone's surprise, however, after his incantation, his zanpakutō remained unchanged. Meanwhile, the men in black sprang into action—eight of them simultaneously flailing their arms, launching a barrage of hidden weapons at Tokinada. Then an odd sight occurred.
Tokinada flicked his sword—and in that moment, it transformed as if it became a flawlessly smooth mirror, reflecting every hidden weapon back at their throwers. Caught off guard, four of the eight men collapsed immediately.
The remaining four were equally stunned. But it was too late—Tokinada had already used Shunpo to appear beside one of them, plunging his sword straight into that man's heart.
These assassins appeared incredibly dedicated. Even after losing five of their number, the remaining three did not retreat. Instead, they unsheathed their short blades and charged Tokinada.
"Does it only reflect long-range attacks?"
Observing from the sidelines, Daniel Davis noted that Tokinada fought with an excited look, parrying the three attackers with his zanpakutō. In his mind, he mused, "He's like a tax dodger—sly and opportunistic."
Given Tokinada's power, killing these three would have been trivial. Yet he deliberately chose not to deliver lethal blows. Instead, he slashed non-vital areas one after the other, all the while sporting a mischievous, almost roguish grin. Even when the three were left bloodied and mangled, he continued his assault unabated.
"Room… Slaughterhouse."
Just as Tokinada was enjoying himself immensely, Daniel Davis suddenly struck. In an instant, he used his ability to swap the zanpakutō in Tokinada's grasp, then delivered a swift, decapitating strike. Although Tokinada was no slouch—possessing power on a captain's level—Daniel's surprise attack, compounded by Tokinada's own excitement, left him with no time to react.
"Oh… Is this how I die? What an interesting way to go," Tokinada exclaimed, his head flying off. Strangely, his reaction was not one of terror but of wild, maniacal laughter.
Yet the laughter abruptly ceased when Daniel Davis's left hand grasped his head. For someone as unhinged as Tokinada, Daniel had no interest in exchanging words—he simply accessed his memories.
"This is utterly unexpected," Daniel murmured.
The memories of Tsunayashiro Tokinada left Daniel speechless. He had never imagined that such a deranged man would hide such monumental secrets. The Tokinada family, after all, is steeped in Soul Society history—if anyone knows the most secrets in the Soul Society, it's undoubtedly the Tokinada clan.
"A family heirloom stone tablet… If Uchiha Madara were to know, we might have much in common."
Within the Tokinada family, there is a stone tablet that records secrets about the Soul Society, the Hueco Mundo, the Extinction Cultists, and even the Soul King. This tablet was once treasured as a family heirloom, but unfortunately, after Tokinada had seen it, he promptly destroyed it.
"So it wasn't called Jiutian Jinggu at all—it was Enrakyōten."
Gazing at the zanpakutō in his hand—which now looked no different from an ordinary issued sword—Daniel Davis was overcome with emotion. He had never imagined that the so-called Jiutian Jinggu was merely an alias, a half-Shikai form. The sword's true name was Enrakyōten, and it was an extraordinarily terrifying zanpakutō.
Its ability? Imitation—it can mimic the zanpakutō of any Shinigami in the Soul Society. Of course, there's a catch: one must know the release incantations of those other swords.
For an ordinary Shinigami, that would be nearly impossible to achieve. But the Tokinada family wields considerable influence in the Soul Society, and with control over the "Imaging Hall," Tokinada even knows the release incantations of every Shinigami's zanpakutō.
Even Aizen's Mirror Flower, Water Moon can be replicated. Daniel recalled how he'd wondered why the elders had released Tokinada from the Maggot's Nest—and it was because Tokinada had used Mirror Flower, Water Moon on them.
Yet Tokinada's taste for cruelty is peculiar. He didn't completely use Mirror Flower, Water Moon to control the elders. Instead, he seemed delighted to watch them helplessly obey his commands, even as they hired assassins to try to kill him, only to fail in their attempts. In many ways, Tokinada is a thoroughly twisted man—arguably one of the few pure evil individuals.
"Powerful, yes—but isn't the price too steep?"
Daniel Davis was naturally thrilled by the true capabilities of Enrakyōten. The Soul Society is replete with powerful zanpakutō—the likes of Captain Yamamoto's Ryujin Jakka, Tōshirō Hitsugaya's Daikuren Hyorinmaru, and Byakuya Kuchiki's Senbonzakura are all formidable. Not to mention Aizen's Mirror Flower, Water Moon.
Even if its might doesn't quite match the originals, it's more than sufficient. After all, true power is measured primarily by the strength of one's spiritual pressure. With Daniel's own spiritual pressure, even wielding an issued sword like Hinamori's Hime, he could potentially defeat a captain. And if he were to face Aizen with Mirror Flower, Water Moon, it would surely leave him utterly baffled.
However, as formidable as Enrakyōten is, it comes with a severe drawback—it's a life-draining zanpakutō. That very side effect has caused successive heads of the Tokinada family to avoid using it. Though Shinigami live for a long time, none would wish to shorten their lifespan by courting death.
Moreover, for reasons unknown, the main branch of the Tokinada family has always been somewhat weak. In the Soul Society, weakness often equates to a shorter lifespan.
Upon discovering the side effects of Enrakyōten, Daniel Davis couldn't help but respect Tokinada's ruthlessness. It's one thing to be cruel to others, but it's another entirely to be equally harsh on oneself. Even though this life-draining zanpakutō is known to him, Tokinada wields it regularly—he literally risks his life to revel in its power.
That's something Daniel Davis could never bring himself to do. Even if he knew his own lifespan was long, he wouldn't sacrifice it merely to harness the sword's strength.
"Clearly, for now, he's not someone I can let live."
Having deduced Tokinada's true intentions, Daniel Davis decided to spare him—for the moment. The Tokinada clan's status in the Soul Society is exceedingly useful; for instance, they can freely access the Great Spirit Library, a privilege reserved only for the Tokinada family. Even the other three great families must request permission to enter.
"I never imagined the Soul King would be such a being… And the reason Rangiku Matsumoto hasn't died despite Aizen stripping her of her soul isn't due to her incredible talent—it's because she possesses a fragment of the Soul King."
The situation with Rangiku had completely caught Daniel Davis off guard. Not only Rangiku, but also Ginjō Kūgo—back when he suddenly betrayed the Soul Society, it was because the Tokinada family had dispatched agents to capture him.
Then there's Ge Kuang, the friend of the Eastern Celestial, whom Daniel had long wondered about—how could a member of the Tokinada family, given their status, marry a Shinigami from the slums of Rukongai?
Back when Byakuya Kuchiki married Fushma—Rukia's elder sister—he paid an enormous price. That price is the very reason why he took no extraordinary action regarding Rukia's execution this time. If it weren't for that, he would have undoubtedly invoked the full power of the Kuchiki privilege.
At the very least, it might have spared Rukia from the death sentence. If the Central 46 still condemned her to death, then it would prove there's a problem with the Central 46.
And that's just the Kuchiki family. The Tokinada family is even more arrogant in this regard. Tokinada's marriage to Ge Kuang was entirely part of the Tokinada family's grand plan. Yet Tokinada himself harbored no real affection for his clan—he eventually seized an opportunity to kill Ge Kuang and another Shinigami.
It's almost painfully ironic. Tokinada killing Ge Kuang is a heinous crime, yet in the end it prevented Ge Kuang from becoming a test subject for the Tokinada family.
As the saying goes, "Only evildoers beget evildoers." The Tokinada family's rampant misdeeds have, in turn, produced someone far more evil who has wiped out most of them.
"Soul King, Extinction Cultist, Daohane Auwula, Ginjō Kūgo—there are certain plans here that might prove useful."
Now, Tokinada is in hiding. Having understood the true nature of Mirror Flower, Water Moon, he has seen Aizen's true face. The assassination games between him and the elders are merely diversions he has devised for his own amusement while lying low.
Still, he has no intention of exposing everything. Naturally, he won't be the one to help dispel Mirror Flower, Water Moon—Enrakyōten can counter it.
For Tokinada, he secretly roots for Aizen's plan to succeed; the destruction of the Soul Society—and indeed of the entire world—is his greatest pleasure.
"We'll talk about the rest later. For now, can Enrakyōten bypass its side effects?"
It's a pity that such a powerful zanpakutō is being discarded so easily by Daniel Davis.
(End of Chapter)
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