Just as Koga was indulging in the fantasy of once again earning the recognition of Ginrei and Yamamoto, Kyoya's words shattered his illusions and sent him crashing back into the abyss of reality.
"Stop deceiving yourself, Kuchiki Koga."
"Do you really think that if I can figure this out, Captain Kuchiki and Captain-Commander Yamamoto wouldn't have considered it as well?"
"For them, whether the Seireitei gains a few more Captain-level fighters makes little difference to the balance of power."
"But as long as you exist, your ability remains an unstable factor that could incite panic among the Shinigami."
"Rather than strengthening the Seireitei, what they truly desire is stability above all else."
"Captain Kyoya, why have you brought me here and told me all this? What exactly do you want?"
By this point, no matter how slow Koga was, he could sense that Kyoya might not share the same loyalties as the Seireitei.
Placing a hand on the hilt of his Zanpakuto, Koga adopted a combat stance, "If you're trying to turn me against the Gotei 13, you're underestimating me!"
"Hah? Turn you against them?"
Kyoya raised an eyebrow and let out a cold laugh, "Do you really think you're even worth the effort of turning?"
"Your future is painfully predictable to me."
"It's not so much that I'm trying to sway you… it's more accurate to say I'm offering you salvation."
"But before I save you, I need to measure your capacity and resolve."
"If your potential is lacking, and your will fails to meet my standards, then I'm sorry… you don't even deserve to be saved by me."
"So, what'll it be?"
"Will you leave now and report me to Captain Kuchiki and Captain-Commander Yamamoto? Or will you prove your worth to me?"
As he spoke, Kyoya extended his right hand toward Koga Kiba, palm up, curling his fingers in a mocking yet inviting gesture.
"Damn you!"
To Koga, Kyoya's gesture was nothing short of humiliating.
Moreover, he understood that while Kyoya had seemingly presented him with two choices, in reality, if he wanted to survive, there was only one path forward.
Now that he knew Kyoya's true stance, that he was not aligned with the Seireitei or the Gotei 13, did Kyoya really intend to let him walk away unscathed?
"Captain Kyoya… what exactly are you planning?"
Koga's voice was heavy with tension.
He wanted to base his final decision on Kyoya's answer.
As a former candidate to inherit the Kuchiki family, Koga Kiba had long steeled himself with the resolve to sacrifice his life for the sake of the Kuchiki clan's honor if necessary.
"That question…"
Kyoya didn't answer directly, "Didn't I make it clear from the very beginning?"
"If your potential earns my approval, I'll extend a hand to help you."
"But if you disappoint me, I'll simply watch as you drown in your own delusions… and use your downfall as a cautionary tale for those who come after you."
"Enough!"
Realizing he wouldn't get any more answers, Koga Kiba stopped hesitating.
In an instant, he drew his Zanpakuto and released it without hesitation.
"Whisper, Muramasa!"
"boom!"
A surge of violet Reiatsu erupted from Koga's body, enveloping him in a radiant aura.
Then, an invisible ripple spread outward from his Zanpakuto.
When the ripple reached Kyoya, he felt something, a faint 'light', attempting to break free from his control, as if it wanted to turn against him.
This was the power of Koga's Zanpakuto, Muramasa.
In its Shikai state, Muramasa could amplify the discord between a Shinigami and their Zanpakuto, driving a wedge between them and forcing the Zanpakuto to rebel against its wielder.
However, since Kyoya was already in his Bankai state, Muramasa's Shikai couldn't fully seize control of his fused Zanpakuto… it could only exert a minor influence.
To be honest, in Kyoya's eyes, if Muramasa's ability weren't limited to Zanpakuto, it might have been able to rival Kyoka Suigetsu as the strongest illusion-type Zanpakuto.
"What?!"
This was the first time Koga had used his Zanpakuto's ability against a Captain-level Shinigami.
Yet, he never expected that his power would have almost no effect on Kyoya.
His expression darkened further.
Having grown up hearing legends of Kyoya's strength during his time at the Shin'o Academy, Koga was well aware of Kyoya's overwhelming power.
Even though he had now reached 3rd-class Reiatsu and unlocked his Bankai, qualifying him as a Captain-level Shinigami, he had hoped to rely on his Zanpakuto's unique ability to gain an edge in this battle.
As for going into close combat with Kyoya-
That was out of the question.
Kyoya was someone who had defeated the former Captain of 11th Division, Kiganjo, with pure swordsmanship even before his Reiatsu reached Captain-level.
Koga was self-aware enough to understand the implications of that.
Especially now that he had become a Captain-level Shinigami himself, he could deeply feel just how vast the gap in strength was between a Lieutenant and a Captain.
And how strong is Kyoya's swordsmanship, which is capable of defeating a Captain while still below that level, must be!
The only reason Koga held any confidence at all was because his Zanpakuto's ability was an extreme counter to Shinigami. This made him believe that, even if he wasn't the strongest among the Captains, he was at least within the top tier just below the strongest.
However, he didn't even dare to think about challenging Kyoya in swordsmanship.
Over the years, Kyoya had long since explained his philosophy on swordsmanship to the Shinigami of the 11th Division. He divided swordsmanship into three ranks: Swordsman, Great Swordsman, and Master Swordsman.
Those who had mastered basic sword techniques belonged to the Swordsman rank.
Those who could unleash flying slashes with their swordsmanship were Great Swordsman.
And those who could casually unleash slashes exceeding a hundred meters were Master Swordsman.
From a pure swordsmanship perspective, even among the Captains, there were likely very few who could truly unleash flying slashes with sheer technique alone.
However, the captains' spiritual pressure was so immense that they could simply condense it into their Zanpakuto to produce Kenatsu.
To other Shinigami, this might still qualify them as Great Swordsman.
Koga had never received personal instruction from Kyoya. Relying solely on the swordsmanship techniques left behind by Kyoya in the Shin'o Academy, he had been unable to break through to the Great Swordsman rank.
The two major ranks of difference in swordsmanship made Koga fully aware that, in a contest of pure swordsmanship, he stood no chance against Kyoya.
His greatest advantage lay in his Zanpakuto's ability.
Now, since Muramasa's Shikai had failed to achieve the desired effect, Koga's first thought was to immediately release his Zanpakuto's Bankai.
"Bankai, Mukojochū Muramasa!"
Boom!
A pillar of purple spiritual pressure erupted from Koga's body, shooting straight into the sky.
Such a massive surge of Reiatsu, combined with the fact that Koga had never intended to conceal his presence in the first place… if anything, he wanted the commotion to draw the attention of several Captains from the Gotei 13.
No matter how strong Kyoya was, since he hadn't openly turned against the Seireitei yet, he must still have some reservations.
In front of the other Captains, he would surely hold back.
As for reporting Kyoya's suspicious actions…
Now that he had calmed down, Koga knew this would be pointless.
Over the years, Kyoya's reputation in the Seireitei had always been impeccable.
The improvement in swordsmanship among many Shinigami in the Gotei 13 could, to some extent, be traced back to the influence of Kyoya's teachings spreading from the 11th Division.
Moreover, Koga was already under scrutiny by both Ginrei and Yamamoto due to his Zanpakuto's dangerous ability. If he were to suddenly accuse Kyoya of treason now, would Ginrei and Yamamoto even believe him?
More likely, they would assume that he was the one trying to manipulate them, sowing discord between them and Captain Kyoya to plunge the Seireitei into chaos… all so he could exploit his Zanpakuto's power to overthrow the order.
Admittedly, if an ordinary person possessed an ability that could control other Shinigami's Zanpakuto, Koga could understand the temptation to replace Yamamoto as the Captain-Commander.
After all, Muramasa's ability was an overwhelming counter to Shinigami.
But Koga also knew this: if a Zanpakuto was powerful, then the Shinigami who could suppress that Zanpakuto must be even more powerful.
For most captains, losing their Zanpakuto would mean losing at least 70% of their strength.
But for powerhouses like Kyoya and Yamamoto, even without their Zanpakuto, they would still stand at the pinnacle of Shinigami strength.
"Koga-"
A man with long purple hair, draped in a violet fur-lined coat, appeared beside Koga, his delicate features filled with wariness.
This was Koga's Zanpakuto, Muramasa.
"I'm counting on you, Muramasa!"
"Mm."
Nodding in acknowledgment, Muromaru stretched out his right hand toward Kyoya.
Hum-
In an instant, Kyoya felt the world shift… from the quiet forests of the Seireitei to the grand and imposing Marineford.
"How scary~ I've been controlled by this guy, you know?"
Kyoya glanced at Borsalino, who now stood beside Muramasa, and rolled his eyes.
"Cut the crap, Borsalino."
"If you were really that easy to control, you wouldn't even be qualified to stand beside me in the first place."
Muramasa's Bankai allowed him to directly hypnotize Zanpakuto, manifesting them to fight for him.
But before Muramasa had even made a move, Borsalino was already claiming he'd been controlled… wasn't that just nonsense?
Or perhaps Borsalino hadn't been satisfied with his previous defeat and was now taking advantage of Muramasa's ability to challenge Kyoya again?
'What's going on?'
At this moment, Muramasa was also stunned.
He had just entered Kyoya's Inner World, and if Borsalino hadn't spoken up, he wouldn't even have realized when Kyoya's Zanpakuto had appeared beside him.
And judging from the conversation between Kyoya and his Zanpakuto… they knew about his ability?
'No matter. I'll act first!'
Despite his confusion, Muramasa remembered his purpose.
Immediately, he stretched his hand toward Borsalino.
Hum-
Purple ripples spread outward, rapidly surging toward Borsalino.
Contrary to Muramasa's expectations, when he attempted to brainwash Borsalino, he encountered no resistance from Kyoya's Zanpakuto.
"Ara, ara~ Kyoya, now I'm really being controlled, you know…"
Perhaps because Muromaru had amplified his battle instincts, Borsalino's usual lazy, slightly perverted expression was gone… replaced by a coldness reminiscent of Sakazuki.
Whoosh-
Even as Borsalino spoke, a golden laser beam shot from his fingertip, streaking toward Kyoya.
"Tch…"
Kyoya shook his head and flicked his wrist. Golden light instantly condensed into a radiant sword, Ama no Murakumo, which he raised before him.
The laser beam collided with the blade and was cleanly split in two, the separated beams shooting past Kyoya and exploding behind him.
Boom!
Boom!
The deafening blasts obliterated two buildings in Marineford, the manifestation of Kyoya's Inner World.
Borsalino transformed into a streak of golden light, splitting into over a dozen identical clones, each wielding their own Ama no Murakumo. They attacked Kyoya from all directions.
In Kyoya's memories, Borsalino was also a Master Swordsman.
Perhaps a single Master Swordsman wouldn't pose much of a challenge to Kyoya in battle.
However, when more than a dozen Master Swordsmen attacked together, even Kyoya had to take it seriously.
Clang, clang, clang, clang, clang-
Boom, boom, boom, boom, boom-
The sound of clashing blades and the shockwaves from the explosions between Kyoya and Borsalino reached Muramasa's ears, leaving him utterly dumbfounded.
As a Zanpakuto capable of infiltrating a Shinigami's Inner World, Muramasa could brainwash their Zanpakuto and then attack the Shinigami's soul within that space, dealing severe spiritual damage.
But right now, the battle between Kyoya and Borsalino made Muramasa realize… he had no place in this fight.
Every single golden slash exchanged between them seemed powerful enough to critically injure him.
Yet, in the hands of Kyoya and Borsalino, these were nothing more than casual strikes.
Muramasa was certain that even if he tried to assist Borsalino in attacking Kyoya, merely getting close to the center of their battle would mean being annihilated by the aftermath of their clash.
'This… is the enemy Koga has to face?'
'How terrifying!'
A trace of fear crept into Muramasa's heart.
However, in the end, his loyalty to Koga overpowered his dread.
'I might not be able to help in direct combat.'
'But support is still possible.'
'Ah… right.'
'If I can extract Kyoya's memories, it will undoubtedly make Koga's swordsmanship even stronger!'
'Then-'
A glint flashed in Muramasa's eyes.
His Bankai's ability wasn't just brainwashing Zanpakuto… it also allowed him to steal a Shinigami's memories.