Chapter 129: Kōga Kuchiki, Draws His Sword
"This is so annoying!"
In Rukongai, at the Kyougoku House, Yoruichi, wearing her Shinigami Uniform, tilted her head back and downed the sake in her cup.
"At the very least, I'm the Commander-in-Chief of the Onmitsukidō and the Captain of the Punishment Force. Logically, I should be on the protecting side. How did I end up becoming the one who needs protection?"
While complaining, she extended her cup toward Satoru.
Satoru picked up the sake bottle and poured her a cup.
At the same time, he comforted her: "Think about it from another angle... besides these roles, you're also a great noble of the Soul Society."
"Nobles are supposed to stay in safe places and enjoy life, right? You're just living up to your status."
Yoruichi: "?"
Her blood pressure rose.
After pouring sake for Yoruichi, Satoru refilled his own cup.
Taking a small sip, he narrowed his eyes with satisfaction.
"Stop overthinking it. How old are you? Not even a hundred yet."
"For others, at your age, they'd still be playing house, but you're already a vice-captain level expert."
"I guarantee, in another two or three hundred years, you'll definitely be one of the strongest captains in the Soul Society!"
Hearing this, Yoruichi first showed a proud smile.
But immediately after, she couldn't help rolling her eyes.
"If someone else said that, it might be somewhat convincing."
"But you, who's younger than me and stronger than me, saying that is just asking for resentment."
Satoru shook his head: "I'm only strong because of my Stand; my actual strength is quite average."
Yoruichi snorted dismissively.
Just as Satoru was about to say more, he suddenly stopped.
Gently finishing the sake in his cup, he set it down.
Then, he gripped the hilt of his sword.
...
…
Not far away, on the roof of another tavern, Shunsui adjusted his straw hat.
"Ah, watching others drink while I have to stay here—this is practically torture."
"Don't you agree, Kōga?"
Beside him, Kōga stood quietly.
Hearing this, Kōga shook his head.
"My mission is to protect Yoruichi Shihōin."
"Since I've accepted this mission, I must fulfill it properly."
"Pleasure-seeking is not my desire."
Shunsui grinned wryly.
This kind of overly serious personality was what he handled the worst.
Suddenly, Kōga looked at him.
"Captain Kyōraku, if you want to go drink, feel free. I can handle things here."
Hearing this, Shunsui's eyes lit up.
But then he sighed and waved his hand. "Never mind, never mind. If Old Man Yama finds out, I'll be in trouble again."
For some reason, Old Man Yama's temper had clearly worsened over the past few months.
Although his temper had gradually improved over the past two to three hundred years, recently it had returned to how it was before.
He heard that in the human world, people tend to become moody after middle age. Could Old Man Yama be experiencing this belatedly?
As Shunsui was thinking these random thoughts, Kōga Kuchiki came to his side.
"It's fine, I won't tell the Captain-Commander."
Half of his face was hidden behind the red flower-patterned scarf.
His visible eyes seemed to contain some kind of determination.
Shunsui chuckled lightly. "Well, thank you for the kindness, but I'll pass."
"Despite how I may appear, I can distinguish priorities when it matters."
"Is that so." Kōga nodded and said nothing more.
The two fell into silence together.
A breeze swept past them.
The moment the last trace of wind left their bodies, Kōga drew his sword without warning.
Countless hours of training in iaijutsu made his movements as swift as phantoms.
The drawn blade traced a cold silver arc, instantly arriving at Shunsui's neck.
Just as he was about to be decapitated, Shunsui raised his hand.
At some point, he had already drawn his own blade.
The reverse-gripped sword emerged from his cherry-colored cloak, clanging as it blocked Kōga's strike.
Sparks flared brilliantly where the blades met!
Kōga showed no surprise at seeing his sword blocked.
Though it was a sneak attack, he never expected to defeat the long-renowned Shunsui in a single move.
However, Shunsui's complete lack of surprise—as if he had anticipated the attack all along—left him somewhat puzzled.
"…Captain Kyōraku, you don't seem surprised."
Pressing his blade harder against Shunsui's neck, Kōga spoke.
Shunsui's face remained hidden in the shadow of his straw hat, like a predator lurking in its den, calmly watching him.
Gazing at the blade so close to him, he sighed with emotion.
"Satoru told me you might be trouble and warned me to be careful. At the time, I thought he was overthinking things."
"I never expected things to unfold exactly as he predicted."
"I've rather embarrassed myself as his senior."
"Satoru?"
A flicker of astonishment crossed Kōga's eyes.
He never imagined it would be that guy.
He remembered Satoru vividly.
Initially, through his interactions with Satoru, he thought they might share common ground.
In terms of strength, background, and experiences, the two were quite similar.
Yet, after learning about Muramasa's abilities, Satoru, like everyone else, began to fear him and kept his distance.
In fact, he avoided him even more conspicuously than others.
Just like… his father-in-law!
At this thought, Kōga took a deep breath, his Reiatsu growing unstable.
Seizing the opportunity, Shunsui deftly disengaged and created some distance.
Studying Kōga, who stood motionless, he asked curiously:
"Lord Kuchiki, by doing this, have you thrown your lot in with the Tsunayashiro Clan?"
"You bear the Kuchiki name… and you killed the Tsunayashiro Clan's direct grandson."
"With all that, do you still entertain the notion of reconciling with the Tsunayashiro Clan?"
Last night, Satoru had suddenly sought him out, warning him that Kōga was suspicious and he must be cautious.
When he asked Satoru why, Satoru offered no explanation, only saying that divine secrets must not be revealed.
He pondered it all night but could find no logic in it.
Though he was a son-in-law, Kōga's treatment was no different from that of a blood relative.
The Kuchiki Clan had spared no effort in nurturing him.
Resources, opportunities—whatever could be given was provided without hesitation.
If he sided with the Tsunayashiro, he could never hope for such treatment.
Moreover, this guy had personally killed Tsunayashiro Takatori.
Such deep-seated hatred could hardly be more irreconcilable.
What hidden circumstances lay beneath it all?
Hearing Shunsui's words, Kōga chuckled softly.
"Bear the Kuchiki name?"
"To outsiders like you, perhaps that's how it seems."
"But in truth, does the Kuchiki Clan truly regard me as one of their own?"
"Did my father ever have even a shred of trust in me?"
Shunsui showed a somewhat surprised expression.
Then, under his gaze, Kōga raised his sword.
"Whisper, Muramasa!"