"Kuchiki Kōga was assassinated?"
Hearing Fugaku's report, Kenma shot to his feet, his gaze filled with astonishment.
To dare assassinate the Kuchiki family's son-in-law inside the 6th Division... was the mastermind really that bold? Weren't they afraid of retaliation from the Kuchiki family?
Assassinating an heir of a great noble family... the implications were too severe. It wasn't just the Kuchiki family; the Four Great Noble Families would unite against a common enemy over something like this.
The Four Great Noble Families held a pivotal position in the Seireitei. Although there had been friction over the years, they had long established a certain mutual understanding in their dealings with each other.
Who exactly was it that dared to act so unscrupulously, breaking the bottom line of this mutual understanding?
No, the most important thing right now was Kuchiki Kōga's condition.
"How is he? Is he injured?"
Fugaku said in a low voice, "Kuchiki Kōga is fine. He easily dealt with the assassins, even without using his Zanpakutō."
Hearing Kuchiki Kōga was unharmed, Kenma subconsciously let out a sigh of relief.
Back in their Academy days, Kuchiki Kōga, as Kenma's senior, had left an astonishing impression on him. His talent was outstanding, his abilities superb.
He had also helped him a great deal recently. Kenma had plans for him and naturally didn't want anything to happen to Kōga.
But immediately after, Kenma's mood plummeted again.
"You just said... after he escaped from the 6th Division, he went to the Seijōtōkyorin?"
Fugaku's expression was grave. "According to the surveillance my subordinates set up in advance, that seems to be Kuchiki Kōga's target."
The black cat perched on Kenma's head, her yellowish-brown eyes narrowing. She almost cried out.
"What on earth is Kuchiki Kōga doing going to that place?"
"Could it be..."
The Seijōtōkyorin was where the sages of the Central 46 lived their daily lives. It was a forbidden area that no Shinigami could lightly set foot in.
For Kuchiki Kōga to head straight there after breaking out of prison... his purpose was self-evident.
Kenma stated flatly, "It's exactly what you 'could it be' implies. What else would he be doing!"
With his understanding of Kuchiki Kōga, he had probably learned of the Central 46's judgment, or perhaps sensed the location of the mastermind who framed him. In a fit of rage, he intended to carry out a massacre.
If he really did such a terrible thing, it was feared that not even the Kuchiki and Shihoin families, two great noble houses combined, could protect him.
"How can he be so bold! Isn't he afraid of implicating the Kuchiki family?"
Receiving confirmation from Kenma, the shock in Yoruichi's vertical pupils became even harder to suppress.
Kenma snorted coldly. "He just survived an assassination attempt. Filled with resentment, what wouldn't he do!"
If Kenma himself had encountered this, his actions probably wouldn't be much better than Kuchiki Kōga's.
He was just about to step out, but as if he thought of something, he abruptly stopped.
He estimated the distance. By the time he reached the Seijōtōkyorin, Kuchiki Kōga would likely already be finished.
In that case, Kuchiki Kōga couldn't be saved, no matter what...
In a flash, Kenma made a judgment.
'If the man can't be saved, then at least his Muramasa... I have to get my hands on it, no matter what!'
Kuchiki Kōga's Zanpakutō ability was powerful, basically an unsolvable existence among the Seireitei's Shinigami. It was a perfect counter to other Zanpakutō, an invincible god of civil war!
Kenma would absolutely not allow this blade to fall into anyone else's hands.
He quickly reached up to grab Yoruichi from his head.
This time, however, Yoruichi didn't dodge, allowing him to grasp her and hold her in his palms.
Kenma's brow was furrowed in complete solemnity, his eyes staring deep into Yoruichi's yellowish-brown vertical pupils.
"Yoruichi, the Shihoin family holds the title of the Divine Armament Corps, controlling various treasures bestowed by the Soul King."
"Among them, is there a weapon capable of suppressing his Zanpakutō?"
Yoruichi had naturally heard of Kuchiki Kōga's ability.
Hearing Kenma's question now, she immediately said, "There is one treasure that can seal a Zanpakutō's ability, preventing its release."
"Wait, I'll go get it for you right now."
The black cat leaped from Kenma's hands and ran out of the room.
"After you get it, go straight to the gate. I'll wait for you there."
Kenma added this to the black cat, then looked down at Fugaku.
"Fugaku, take your men and stand guard everywhere. If anything unexpected happens, report to me immediately."
"As you command."
Fugaku responded, and his figure instantly vanished from the room.
"Shisui, Toji, you two come with me!"
Kenma glanced at Kiritsugu, which was on the desk, and seeing the short blade at Shisui's waist, he reminded him, "Shisui, leave your Zanpakutō."
"Yes!"
By the time the three of them hurried to the Shihoin family gate, Yoruichi had also just arrived, carrying a small cloth pouch on her back.
Seeing Kenma, she leaped lightly onto his broad shoulder.
"Alright, let's go."
Just as Yoruichi's voice fell, she saw a large hand grabbing for her.
Because she was carrying the pouch, she couldn't dodge and allowed the large hand to pick her up.
"Mr. Serious, what are you planning to do now?"
Kenma held the cat up with one hand and used the other to take the pouch from her back.
"Yoruichi, you shouldn't go. Stay at home."
The black cat's eyes showed confusion, and her voice was huffy, laced with annoyance.
"Why can't I go?"
"I am the Captain of the 2nd Division. This concerns the protection of the Gotei; it's my duty."
'Now you remember your duty?'
Kenma frowned. There were some things he couldn't conveniently reveal to Yoruichi right now, so he naturally didn't want her to follow.
He forced a look of doubt and worry onto his face, persuading Yoruichi with concern.
"Yoruichi, Kuchiki Kōga's assassination is too strange. It gives me a bad feeling."
"The mastermind dared to move against the Kuchiki family; it's not a stretch to think they'd target others."
"At a critical time like this, if we both leave, the house will be empty. It might attract the covetous eyes of ill-intentioned people."
"Especially Father and Yūshirō..."
Hearing Kenma's reminder, Yoruichi's expression changed, and she couldn't help but worry.
"This... you have a point."
Her father was gravely ill, and her younger brother Yūshirō was young. The house truly needed someone to protect it.
Yoruichi changed the subject.
"In that case, you stay home. I'll go deal with Kuchiki Kōga."
"Even without my Zanpakutō, I have impressive combat power. Enough to handle him!"
Yoruichi's voice was full of confidence.
But Kenma shook his head. "No, that's too dangerous. I wouldn't feel at ease."
"Then it's not dangerous for you to go?"
"Kuchiki Kōga and I have some history. He won't do anything to me. Even if a fight really breaks out, I can at least protect my life."
Kenma's voice was heavy.
"What's more, my skills are not inferior to his."
He lifted Yoruichi to his eye level, his expression serious, staring straight into those yellowish-brown vertical pupils.
"Yoruichi, this is my request. Stay at home. Don't go anywhere."
Seeing the sincerity in Kenma's eyes, Yoruichi was moved. After a moment's hesitation, she nodded.
"I understand..."
Kenma crouched down and placed the black cat on the ground.
He shook the small pouch in his hand.
"How do I use this?"
"You just have to wrap it around the opponent's Zanpakutō. It will seal its release."
The method was surprisingly simple. Kenma gave Yoruichi a slight nod, then led Shisui and Toji, hurrying off in the direction of the Seijōtōkyorin.
[Reviews - Power St0nes - Comments are highly appreciated to keep me going.....(+50 chapters) patre0n.c0m/talecrafter]