Junlin'an was located in West District 1, the area with the best public security in all of Rukongai.
But today, a large group of Shinigami had gathered in front of a smithy there.
Clearly, something serious was about to happen, and the local residents had already distanced themselves from the trouble.
Kyōraku Shunsui lifted his straw hat and looked up at the signboard.
"Ōtsuka Workshop... Katori-kun, is this the place you mentioned?"
Kyōraku had rushed over with the 8th Division after receiving Batsu'unsai's message, offering assistance in the investigation of the Bakkōtō.
Nanatsuki nodded. "Yes, this is where I traced the 'Cursed Blades' back to."
He didn't tell Kyōraku Shunsui about Kasumioji Shin. He simply said that one of his students had died due to a 'Cursed Blade,' and his investigation had uncovered the secret here.
Kyōraku sighed.
"A place like this... to think it became a den of filth."
"I've even visited this place before. They were running a discount promotion not long ago."
At that moment, someone inside the Ōtsuka Workshop noticed the commotion outside.
A young man stepped out, startled to see so many Shinigami gathered.
"Wh-What's going on...? Ah—Captain Kyōraku! Is something the matter?"
Kyōraku spoke with a smile.
"Is Master Ōtsuka in? I'd like to ask him a few questions."
"H-He's inside… I'll call him right away…" The young man was visibly nervous. Being stared at by so many Shinigami was overwhelming.
"No need."
A burly middle-aged man stepped out from inside.
Taking one look at the encirclement, he realized this was serious—but still kept his composure.
"Captain Kyōraku, you're here for me?"
Kyōraku nodded.
"Master Ōtsuka, I've received intel that your smithy has been producing prohibited items."
A flicker of emotion passed through the man's eyes—subtle, but noticeable.
"Captain Kyōraku, I assure you, Ōtsuka Workshop has done no such thing. We only forge standard weapons and everyday tools—nothing beyond what Seireitei allows."
"I'm sorry, but we'll need to perform a search."
"Go ahead..." the man finally said. With a Captain personally present, there was no way he could refuse.
Still, he didn't think they'd find anything. He assumed it would just be a waste of time.
As the Shinigami entered, Kyōraku gave Nanatsuki a look, signaling him to lead the way.
Nanatsuki brought them straight to the forging room, which contained the usual equipment: furnaces, anvil platforms, and a quenching pool.
He stopped in front of the quenching pool and began pouring in fresh water to fill it.
His actions made the middle-aged man's face change drastically—these Shinigami came prepared!
He rushed forward.
"Sir, you can't use the quenching pool like that. It can't take that much weight—the water level can't go past halfway!"
But Nanatsuki didn't stop. He kept pouring. He had seen the secret through shadow-vision: if the quenching pool was filled to the top, it would trigger the mechanism that opened the hidden passage to the true "Forging Hall."
Kyōraku watched the change in the man's expression and stroked his chin.
"Master Ōtsuka, you seem nervous. Are you hiding something?"
The man forced a smile.
"Not at all… I'm just an ordinary blacksmith..."
He tried to stay calm, but the more the water rose, the more sweat poured down his forehead.
At that moment, Kyōraku received a message from the Tenteikūra:
"Kyōraku Shunsui! Where are you right now?!"
"Huh?"
"I've already received the report. Why did you act without notifying us?"
"What report? What are you talking about?" Kyōraku poked his pinky into his ear and muttered,
"I can't hear you. Maybe something's interfering with Kidō here?"
"…You bastard!!!"
Once the message disappeared, Kyōraku clicked his tongue.
"Tch… word got to the old man that fast, huh? Looks like we're in the right place. Someone's panicking."
Soon, the quenching pool was full.
Nanatsuki twisted a valve, and the water began draining rapidly.
Everyone heard the clunking sound of gears turning beneath their feet.
Moments later, a lever rose up next to the pool.
Nanatsuki pulled the lever, and one side of the quenching pool slowly opened, revealing a hidden passage.
Kyōraku let out a whistle.
"Well hidden, indeed. Master Ōtsuka… it seems you were guarding quite the secret."
Seeing this, the blacksmith's face turned ashen.
Kyōraku turned to Nanatsuki.
"Katori-kun, we need to move quickly. I'm sure they've got lookouts in the streets. My unauthorized deployment has already been reported."
He had acted based on his trust in Batsu'unsai and Nanatsuki, completely bypassing protocol.
And if they had waited for approval, the evidence here might've already been moved—and worse, they might be accused of slandering a noble.
Kyōraku left two Shinigami to guard the workshop entrance. The rest followed him through the hidden door.
A steep staircase extended into the depths.
They descended for over a hundred meters before reaching the true Forging Hall.
The space was divided in two: one half for forging sword blanks, the other for holding prisoners.
There were only a dozen guards and researchers inside—they were quickly subdued.
Once secured, the Shinigami began releasing the captives and checking their condition.
Meanwhile, Kyōraku and Katori Nanatsuki moved to inspect the half-forged sword blanks.
Nanatsuki picked up a piece of metal that looked like it had only gone halfway through the forging process.
The moment he touched it, he seemed to hear phantom wails—layered cries of suffering, echoing endlessly.
He could sense chaotic spiritual energy within.
"Captain Kyōraku, take a look at this." Nanatsuki passed the blank to him.
Kyōraku examined it—and his expression hardened.
"This forging method… it's downright evil. These blanks were made by fusing together countless souls!"
The chaotic soul energy in the blank proved it wasn't just one soul.
If a Zanpakutō is born from a Shinigami's own soul, then these were forged by crushing numerous weak souls together and smelting them into one.
A Shinigami approached to report.
"Captain Kyōraku, we've checked. There are 58 souls held here—all of them have potential spiritual power."