Of course, given that Muramasa's threat only targets the Zanpakuto itself, as long as appropriate preparations are made in advance, there should not be any sudden unforeseen circumstances.
Let's first see how others respond.
Not long after Kuchiki Ginrei left, Yoriichi Tsugikuni returned to Soul Society with his family.
One day, the Gotei 13 issued an order.
During non-combat times, Shinigami are not allowed to carry their swords and must store them in the storage rooms of their respective Divisions.
Only Captains and Vice-Captains have permission to open the storage rooms.
Along with this order came objects resembling boxes made of sealed stone.
They were very large, roughly estimated to hold over a thousand Zanpakuto.
This was probably the countermeasure taken by the Gotei 13 in response to Muramasa's appearance.
As long as the influence of spiritual pressure is isolated, no matter how powerful Muramasa is, he cannot affect the Zanpakuto stored inside.
As for combat time…
There's really no way around that. Before finding Muramasa, Shinigami can't just fight with their bare hands and feet.
Not all Shinigami are proficient in Hakuda, such as the Eleventh Division.
As a combat Division, at least 80% of the Shinigami in the Eleventh Division rely on Zanjutsu.
If they were truly forced to rely on Hakuda to fight Hollows, the casualties would undoubtedly be severe.
Yamamoto Genryusai would not do something so counterproductive.
As soon as this order was issued, the entire Seireitei was filled with complaints.
The Shinigami did not know what had happened, as matters related to Muramasa were kept highly confidential to avoid causing unrest…
They only knew that not being able to carry their swords during non-combat times truly affected their communication with their Zanpakuto.
The situation was better for those Shinigami who did not rely on their Zanpakuto; they could barely cope.
But for those Shinigami who were extremely dependent on their Zanpakuto, this feeling was as if they had suddenly lost half their lives.
The Ninth Division was also affected to some extent, though fortunately not too severely.
It was also an opportunity, allowing some Shinigami to see their shortcomings and thus no longer rely on their Zanpakuto…
To mitigate the impact of this incident as soon as possible, as soon as the order was issued, Yoriichi dispatched several individuals to the Human World to conduct investigations, focusing on the Karakura Town area.
After all, according to Kuchiki Ginrei, Muramasa's goal was certainly to free Kuchiki Kōga.
Therefore, ambushing him there in advance became particularly important.
Even if Muramasa couldn't be caught, it didn't matter. The Seireitei had been too peaceful in recent years, causing some team members to gradually become complacent and lose their former vigilance.
Sending them out on missions would at least help them regain their form, which was much better than letting them idle away their time in the Seireitei.
Thus, days passed, and the quietly implemented surveillance created hidden dangers around Kuchiki Kōga.
When Muramasa had recovered some of his strength and wanted to revisit the old place to reminisce about the past, suddenly, his gaze was drawn to several seemingly ordinary figures.
Those individuals were systematically setting up camp in the forest around the small island.
They looked like tourists, but occasional hushed conversations revealed their identity.
—Shinigami.
Muramasa was instantly enraged.
He knew very well that if he hadn't been able to hide his spiritual pressure and hadn't rashly shown himself, these few people in front of him would have been enough to cost him half his life.
How could these Shinigami be so efficient?
Kōga is already like this, and you still won't let him go?
This is too much!
Muramasa completely forgot that the reason Kuchiki Kōga was sealed was precisely because his power was too uncontrollable.
The Shinigami's presence here was also due to Muramasa's immense threat, unrelated to Kuchiki Kōga himself…
Rage surged wildly in his heart.
Muramasa immediately wanted to use his ability to kill these Shinigami hidden in their Gigai, both to vent his hatred and to fake it as an internal conflict.
Unfortunately…
No matter how he sensed, there was no trace of any Zanpakuto around him.
This discovery made him pause.
Then.
Beep beep beep.
A sudden, urgent and piercing buzzing sound erupted, its sharp noise like a needle prick, abruptly pulling Muramasa's thoughts, immersed in anger and confusion, back to reality.
Subsequently, Muramasa saw the Shinigami's expressions suddenly change, as if facing a formidable enemy, as they reached for a device and glanced at it.
In an instant, everyone's gaze simultaneously shifted towards him, their eyes filled with undisguised vigilance and seriousness.
—Was I discovered?
Muramasa's pupils constricted slightly.
Even though he had been sealed for hundreds of years, and out of touch with the world for hundreds of years, he understood what this situation meant.
He had been entrapped.
How could this be!
Damn it!
The moment he perceived their gazes, Muramasa felt an unprecedented sense of crisis.
He cursed under his breath, then immediately and without hesitation wanted to flee this place, the faster the better, not wanting to stay a moment longer.
Fortunately, he belonged to the illusionary Zanpakuto type.
He had abilities similar to Kyōka Suigetsu.
As long as he didn't want to be seen, others would never be able to discover him…
Although the consequence of doing so was that he also couldn't touch anything, it was still better than being captured alive by Shinigami and becoming a prisoner…
Muramasa fled in a hurry, his figure appearing quite disheveled.
At the same time, the incessant "beep beep beep" buzzing sound abruptly ceased, and the surroundings instantly returned to their previous silence.
Seeing this, the Shinigami in their Gigai secretly breathed a sigh of relief, their tensed nerves finally relaxing slightly.
"Did he leave?"
"He should have left…"
"Mission accomplished…"
"Now it's up to the Captains…"
…
Ninth Division.
"Eh!"
Matsumoto Rangiku's voice suddenly echoed within the Division barracks.
Seemingly realizing that her movement was a bit too loud, Rangiku deliberately lowered her voice, sat down, and looked at Yoriichi Tsugikuni directly opposite her, asking with a face full of confusion:
"Why bring Muramasa to Soul Society?"
"Isn't that sword very powerful?"
"What if it gets out of control?"
"I heard that the order to restrict carrying swords was issued by Captain-Commander Yamamoto specifically to deal with Muramasa, right?"
"Brother, you…"
"No need to worry, this is also an order from the Captain-Commander." Yoriichi Tsugikuni looked calmly at Rangiku, interrupting her, "Remember to use titles within the Division. Muramasa is indeed strong, but there's not no solution."
"Old Man Ginrei once said that Muramasa's source of power is either his master or other Zanpakuto."
"Now that Kuchiki Kōga has been sealed, if Muramasa wants revenge, he can only constantly absorb the power of Zanpakuto to strengthen himself."
"Previously, he was active in the Human World, making it difficult for us to catch him."
"In contrast, Soul Society is different."
"After he discovers that the area around Kuchiki Kōga is under our control, if Muramasa wants to become stronger and break through the Shinigami's blockade, he can only come to Soul Society."
"Once the sword restriction order is issued, Rangiku… you should understand what this means, right?"
Rangiku didn't actually understand; her mind wasn't very quick, but hearing Yoriichi say this, she vaguely guessed some of the situation.
After thinking for a long while, she hesitantly asked:
"Are we trying to make Muramasa feel despair? To make him realize that even if he comes to Soul Society, he can't recover any power?"
"Ultimately, to make him expose himself?"
On the surface, yes. As the saying goes, when things reach an extreme, they turn around; finding hope in desperation…
When a person falls into despair, if a glimmer of hope suddenly appears, breaking through the darkness in their heart, they will undoubtedly pursue that glimmer of hope at all costs.
And this glimmer of hope is the opportunity for Muramasa to regain his power.
The Seireitei can completely control the timing of this opportunity's appearance, thereby determining where Muramasa will manifest.
This is the ultimate goal of the surveillance.
It can both avoid damage to the Seireitei and limit the impact caused by Muramasa.
Even if Muramasa knows there might be a trick involved, it's useless.
Because if he wants to avenge Kuchiki Kōga, he must fall into this trap.
And once he falls in…
The outcome and fate will no longer be his to decide.
When Matsumoto Rangiku understood the deeper meaning behind this plan, she couldn't help but sit stunned on the sofa, suddenly feeling the treachery of human hearts.
The Captain-Commander is indeed the Captain-Commander; manipulating human hearts… no, manipulating Zanpakuto with such ease. No wonder he formulated such rules.
The problem could have been solved simply by using tools developed by the Twelfth Division.
But he deliberately chose not to, probably to make the entire plan seem more natural.
If everyone was using tools, and suddenly one team used their Zanpakuto, even Muramasa, no matter how foolish, would notice the abnormality.
And thus, he would very likely abandon the operation directly.
But if no one was using tools, and occasionally some Shinigami used their Zanpakuto, the situation would be entirely different…
Gulp~
Matsumoto Rangiku swallowed hard twice, forcing a smile, and asked Yoriichi Tsugikuni:
"Then, Brother… no, Captain, has the selection of personnel for this plan been confirmed?"
"That is, the team that will act as bait…"
In Matsumoto Rangiku's view, the team meant to attract Muramasa's attack was indeed bait.
The kind that, with one careless mistake, could even lose their Zanpakuto.
She hoped it wouldn't be her, after all, her Zanpakuto's ability was simply too unfair.
Previously, during the fight with Ichimaru Gin, a small fragment of Hinagiku was accidentally absorbed into Gin's body.
In an instant.
Gin fell into a severely injured state. After examination, it was found that his internal organs had suffered irreparable damage…
Fortunately, Soul Society's medical techniques were hundreds of years more advanced than those in the Human World; most injuries, except for decapitation, could be healed.
Otherwise, a sparring match would have turned into a fight to the death.
It was from that battle that Rangiku truly understood the real power Hinagiku possessed.
It could bypass internal organ defenses.
With deliberate control, it could instantly pulverize the enemy's internal organs and brain, causing them to die instantly, with no healing method being effective.
Of course, if the enemy's five senses were sharp enough, they could detect the abnormality the second before Hinagiku made contact and evade it.
But in battle, there are always times when one can't dodge…
With this ability, Matsumoto Rangiku instantly became one of the Shinigami closest to Captain-level combat power.
Hinagiku was also hailed as one of the most dangerous Zanpakuto in a thousand years.
It was formless, colorless, and odorless, killing people invisibly, making it impossible to guard against.
One might well lose their life while sleeping.
For a time, even the number of Shinigami who approached Matsumoto Rangiku decreased.
Only Ichimaru Gin continued to treat her as usual, without any change in attitude, which brought Rangiku some comfort.
Sighing quietly, Matsumoto Rangiku recalled the past, subconsciously clenching her clothes, her heart somewhat uneasy.
Yoriichi Tsugikuni noticed her small gestures, seemingly aware of what Rangiku was worrying about, and denied it in a calm tone:
"Don't worry, you're not among them. The reason I called you here is because of Gin."
"Ichimaru Gin is one of the candidates for this team."
"This is also the Captain-Commander's request, to let him atone for his sins."
"To completely clear his name."
At these words, Matsumoto Rangiku's body suddenly stiffened, as if she had been instantly frozen, her mind a blank.
Her expression also froze on her face.
Initially, she was happy to hear that she wasn't part of the decoy team, as she wouldn't have to face Hinagiku's threat.
She knew in her heart that once Hinagiku materialized, she would definitely not be her opponent.
But Gin…
As soon as Ichimaru Gin's name was mentioned, Matsumoto Rangiku's heart was filled with disbelief and an endless sense of bewilderment…
Why him?
And what did "atoning for his sins" mean?
Oh…
Rangiku suddenly remembered that when Ichimaru Gin returned from Hueco Mundo, from Aizen's side, he came back as a traitor.
Although Yoriichi knew he was an inside man, Ichimaru Gin, in order to make Aizen lower his guard, decided to further solidify his traitorous identity, even going so far as to get himself imprisoned.
Precisely because of this, after he was bailed out of the Maggot's Nest, his traitorous identity was never cleared, because the judgment was set, the facts were so, and could not be changed.
At that time, Yoriichi didn't think much of it.
After all, Seireitei had always adopted a tolerant attitude towards those with special talents…
Moreover, generally speaking, as long as there were no incidents for a hundred years after parole, then he would regain his freedom.
But unexpectedly, the Muramasa incident suddenly occurred.
Yoriichi Tsugikuni looked at Rangiku, who was staring blankly, her face full of confusion, and felt helpless.
A moment later.
His slightly comforting voice followed:
"Rangiku, you should know that Gin has always been a very opinionated person. He never gives up on something he has decided on, from beginning to end."
"So when he learned that participating in this mission would completely free him from his past misdeeds and allow him to truly be with you, he resolutely agreed."
"I also tried to persuade him, no matter how you look at it, this mission is too dangerous, but he didn't listen to my advice."
"He believes that as a man, he should be upright and completely abandon the past."
"It's also like making a clean break with his past self."
"That's what he thinks."
"This is also why I came to you… He told me not to tell you about this, but I think, as the person involved, you should have the right to know."
"What are your thoughts?"
Matsumoto Rangiku came back to her senses, her emotions still too complex to describe.
She pursed her lips slightly, gritted her teeth, and after a while, she softly uttered a few words: "That idiot."
She subconsciously clenched her fists, her voice filled with unwillingness:
"Who asked him to make his own decisions? He clearly knows I don't care about these things, he clearly knows I'll worry about him…"
Matsumoto Rangiku didn't continue, because she wasn't sure what the overflowing emotions in her heart truly were.
Was it worry? It didn't seem to be entirely that.
There was also some satisfaction and fondness mixed in, as if a young girl had heard a heartfelt confession from her beloved, her heart a mix of emotions.
Undeniably.
Although Ichimaru Gin's actions were a bit willful, they were also like an arrow, accurately piercing the softest part of Matsumoto Rangiku's heart.
Perhaps it was Ichimaru Gin's efforts and sacrifices to be with her that made her feel valued and cherished.
Thinking of this, Matsumoto Rangiku sighed softly. She looked up, her expression somewhat complex, with a hint of apology:
"I'm very sorry, Captain, that idiot caused you trouble."
"To be honest, I don't know how to handle this, because my ability is limited and, as you said."
"Gin's temper is very stubborn…"
The word "stubborn" certainly carries a derogatory connotation, but in the current context, it precisely highlights his determination and responsibility.
Matsumoto Rangiku was at a loss.
Should she try to persuade him?
It's meaningless.
If even the Captain couldn't persuade him, what good would it do for her to try?
It would only deepen Ichimaru Gin's idea of atoning for his sins through meritorious service, because, in Ichimaru Gin's view, Rangiku was worried about him, and he should end all of this as soon as possible.
Not to persuade him…
Rangiku always felt a bit guilty, which is human nature.
One party puts in a lot of effort, while the other seems to gain something without effort; any normal person would feel a sense of guilt.
For a moment, Rangiku's words stopped again.
The room fell into a brief silence, with only the occasional sound of wind from outside softly echoing…
Seeing this, Yoriichi Tsugikuni broke the silent atmosphere:
"You mean, you also want to help him a little, right?"
Rangiku's eyes lit up: "Yes, that's it!"
She had actually kept these words in her heart for a long time, but couldn't bring herself to say them, because she really couldn't think of how she could help Ichimaru Gin.
Now that Yoriichi had brought it up, she could naturally proceed to ask:
"Brother… no, Captain, do you know how I can help him?"
… …
… …
On the other side, Muramasa, in a disheveled state, quietly followed a Shinigami to Soul Society.
As the saying goes, plans can't keep up with changes; he could no longer stay in the Human World.
Those Shinigami must have noticed something unusual, which is why they were ambushing him.
Continuing to stay in the Human World would only increase the risk of exposure, and due to the scarcity of Shinigami in the Human World, it was simply not enough for him to implement his plan.
The original plan was to complete it slowly over several decades, but now it seems…
He had to act quickly and become stronger quickly.
Of course, even though he was eager, he didn't rush to Seireitei immediately.
Muramasa knew that his power was too weak to influence the powerful Zanpakuto wielders, so he naturally couldn't draw power from them.
Therefore, he decided to stay in Rukongai for a while first, to see if he could find any opportunities.
Although Muramasa's actions differed from Seireitei's deployment, overall, it was insignificant, merely pushing back the timeline of the plan a little.
Thus, by some chance, he appeared in South Rukongai, near Gyomei Himejima.
Actually, this wasn't entirely a coincidence. It was mainly because when Muramasa entered Soul Society, he found that there was spiritual pressure in South Rukongai that he could utilize or absorb.
He wasn't sure if it was a Shinigami, but he had to go check it out anyway.
Upon checking, he saw a monk over two meters tall wielding an axe, easily defeating a Rukongai resident holding an asauchi.
The Rukongai resident looked quite fierce, with dark skin, giving the first impression of a difficult character.
Although he seemed to have decent combat power, like a desperate fighter, he couldn't even withstand one axe swing from Gyomei Himejima.
With a bang, like a sudden clap of thunder, the Rukongai resident was instantly sent flying dozens of meters away, the asauchi in his hand directly flying out.
After landing, he seemed to have been scared out of his wits, and without even bothering to pick up his weapon, he fled in a hurry.
Gyomei Himejima stood quietly in place, his gaze calmly watching the Rukongai resident's retreating back, not choosing to pursue him.
He just silently twirled the prayer beads in his hand, and then informed the Shinigami stationed nearby about the incident.
Not long after, the already distant Rukongai resident was escorted back.
As soon as the Rukongai resident saw Gyomei Himejima, he immediately understood why he had been caught.
His face instantly showed a vicious, "You just wait" grim expression.
But Gyoumei seemed not to notice his fierce appearance, merely chanting softly with a serene expression:
"Amitabha…"
"Benefactor, your sealed stone is too heavy. You need to reflect deeply. When you have turned over a new leaf, come and meet with this humble monk again."
"I hope by then, you will sincerely repent and live a new life…"
It would have been better if he hadn't said anything; once he did, the Rukongai resident became even more furious, baring his teeth, looking as if he wanted to devour someone.
However, the Shinigami responsible for escorting him didn't give him any chance to speak, directly ushering him away quickly.
Only when everyone disappeared from sight did Gyomei Himejima slowly come back to his senses. Then, his gaze was drawn to the asauchi on the ground.
"?"
Seeing this, Gyomei Himejima's heart filled with doubt, and he frowned slightly.
Why wasn't this sword recovered by the Shinigami? This should be a Shinigami's weapon, right?
Renji had told him about it before, and he had also seen Renji's sword, which looked exactly like the asauchi on the ground…
With the intention of returning lost property, Gyomei Himejima slowly walked forward, bent down, and picked it up.
He originally planned to return it to its owner later, but unexpectedly, at the very moment of contact, the asauchi suddenly transformed.
The sword was still the same sword, its size unchanged, but the appearance of the blade had undergone a drastic transformation.
The hilt and guard gleamed with a dark gold, exuding a sense of profound history.
The blade itself was predominantly black, with golden patterns spiraling and intertwining like agile dragons, appearing from a distance like a priceless, exquisitely beautiful, and expensive work of art.
However, Gyomei Himejima knew in his heart that a Zanpakuto was never a work of art; no matter how luxurious its appearance, it was ultimately a weapon…
He became even more confused.
However, this scene was perfectly witnessed by Muramasa. In an instant, a hint of joy appeared at Muramasa's lips. What a good monk!
The reason he could constantly grow stronger was because he could draw power from the original owners by awakening the physical forms of Zanpakuto.
Although the amount was very small, so small that even the Shinigami themselves couldn't detect it, as the saying goes, many a little makes a mickle…
In the future, he even managed to repel Kurosaki ichigo with this ability.
It doesn't matter if there's no Shikai.
As long as an asauchi becomes a Zanpakuto, it means it has a name.
Muramasa could ignore the name and directly awaken its true form.
He wondered how strong this monk's spiritual pressure was…
If it was too strong, awakening the true form would become extremely difficult, which was one of the flaws of Bankai.
Seireitei, just wait…
Muramasa clenched his teeth in secret.
After regaining his composure, he immediately intended to approach Gyomei Himejima.
However, at that very moment, a premonition in the unseen realm caused Gyomei Himejima to suddenly look up.
Even though he saw no one in his line of sight, or even within the perception of Transparent World.
But his intuition told him that someone was watching him…
Who was it?