At this point, Kōga paused for a moment.

Originally, Kōga had planned to have Muramasa kill Sōjun Kuchiki first, before killing Ginrei Kuchiki as well.

However, in that instant, Kōga suddenly recalled Muramasa's helpless performance when facing Ailin's attack last night, and he began to doubt greatly whether Muramasa could actually kill Ginrei Kuchiki.

"Forget it, without me, you're just a useless fool. After killing Sōjun Kuchiki, you should just go back to where you were and wait. I will call for you when I need you. By then, we will join forces to kill Ginrei Kuchiki, as well as that despicable Vice Captain!"

Muramasa gazed at Kōga moving lips, and a powerful sense of fear suddenly arose within him.

I can't hear it!

I can't hear it!

He knew his master was speaking, but he couldn't hear what his master was saying at all.

"Useless..."

"Kill..."

"We will join forces to kill Ginrei Kuchiki..."

Fortunately, after Kōga said "we" from his mouth, Muramasa could once again hear Kōga’s voice normally.

"Did you hear that? Muramasa."

"I understand, Kōga-sama."

Muramasa hurriedly lowered his head in response to Kōga‘s question. That should have just been an accident earlier, right?

"If you heard it, why aren't you going to do it right away?"

"Yes, Kōga-sama!"

After Muramasa's figure disappeared from the prison cell, Kōga‘s turned his gaze towards the prison cell housing the culprit who had turned him into a clown and dashed all of his bright future prospects into darkness.

"Just you wait. After I deal with that old geezer, it will be time for your death..."

Kōga restrained the killing intent in his eyes and closed them, waiting for his chance.

By violating Captain-Commander Yamamoto's edict and releasing Bankai within Soul Society, Kōga knew what likely awaited him was banishment to the expeditionary force in Hueco Mundo.

After all, although he was the 3rd Seat of the 1st Division directly under Captain-Commander Yamamoto, that elder cared more about upholding Soul Society's "rules" than saving him.

If he had become the Kuchiki family's son-in-law with their maneuvering, at most he would have been detained for a few days before transferring to the 6th Division to become their new Vice Captain. In a few years, or even decades, he might have even succeeded as the 6th Division's Captain. But all of that completely shattered after Ailin's appearance.

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The Kuchiki family now had another option. What infuriated Kōga even more was that this option had come about by his own hand.

If he hadn't made a move last night and let that man get away, who would have known a mere Vice Captain actually had strength to briefly match his own?

Even if that man had risen to prominence some time later, he would likely have already become 6th Division's Captain by then.

What a pity...

It was all that man's fault!

***

"Ah..."

In the early morning while most were still asleep, the shriek from the maid attending to Sōjun Kuchiki, eldest son of the Kuchiki family, caused the atmosphere in the entire Soul Society to tense up significantly.

"How could this be? Big brother, he..."

Outside Sōjun Kuchiki's bedroom, Ginrei Kuchiki reached out to stop his youngest daughter from seeing her eldest brother's miserable state.

Over a dozen members of the Onmitsukidō were investigating all over the Kuchiki residence. Inside the bedroom was 2nd Division Captain Yoruichi Shihōin, 3rd Seat Kisuke Urahara, and Shaolin Fon.

Yoruichi Shihōin folded her arms, her phoenix eyes sweeping across the entire bedroom, seemingly having discovered something.

"What do you think, Urahara?"

"Hmm."

Kisuke Urahara's expression was solemn as he nodded, affirming Yoruichi Shihōin's speculation.

Meanwhile, Shaolin Fon beside them couldn't comprehend what the pair were communicating. She could only gaze at her Captain admiringly one moment, before staring at Kisuke Urahara as if looking at trash the next.

"Let's go."

Yoruichi Shihōin smiled and ruffled Shaolin Fon’s hair. Shaolin Fon and Urahara's interaction was a rare delight in her daily life.

After leaving the bedroom, Yoruichi made a gesture at the Onmitsukidō members before walking towards Ginrei Kuchiki who was waiting outside.

Although it was his own son who had died, Ginrei had still assigned the investigation of his death to the 2nd Division. After all, the 2nd Division were the experts compared to the 6th Division for such matters.

"Have you found any clues? Yoruichi."

"Mm."

"Old man, Sōjun died by his own Zanpakutō's power."

"The only one capable of accomplishing this is..."

"3rd Seat of 1st Division, Kōga!"

Before Yoruichi Shihōin could finish, Ginrei Kuchiki directly spoke that name. This answer also caused him tremendous heartache.

As Haruko Kuchiki's father, even when considering finding a pillar of support for the Kuchiki family and 6th Division, Ginrei would still consider the other party's moral character and personality. After all, he didn't want his daughter meeting someone unworthy either.

Over these years, Kōga was the youth Ginrei looked upon most favorably. They were even a step away from him bringing Kōga to meet his daughter. If she didn't object, Kōga would have become "Kōga Kuchiki".

Even when his son later suggested including 2nd Division's Vice Captain Ailin as another candidate, due to their years of rapport, Ginrei still naturally favored Kōga more at heart. Yet he could never have imagined that in just a single day, his own son would actually die by his Zanpakutō's power.

"How is this possible?"

Upon hearing their conversation, Haruko’s mind buzzed blankly. Due to eldest brother's poor health all this time, everyone was aware he might not last much longer. She had also long prepared herself to lose eldest brother at any time. But she never imagined her eldest brother would not have died from illness, but was instead assassinated.

The culprit was that man called "Kōga"

"Ginjirō, you lead the division members to care for Haruko. Yoruichi Captain and I are heading to the 9th Division."

"Yes, Captain Kuchiki!"

Beside Ginrei was a male Shinigami with short, cropped hair. He promptly arranged for additional defenses all around the Kuchiki residence.

Ginjirō Shirogane, 3rd Seat of 6th Division, was also the strongest in 6th Division after Captain Ginrei Kuchiki.

If not for Sōjun Kuchiki being Ginrei’s son, the position of 6th Division Vice Captain would definitely have belonged to Ginjirō.

Similarly, as 3rd Seat, Ginjirō had also defeated many members of 6th Division who wanted to challenge Vice Captain Sōjun. Compared to Sōjun Kuchiki, Ginjirō was more popular within 6th Division.

As Ginrei and the other three left into the distance, one Shinigami suddenly said to Ginjirō: "Vice Captain Kuchiki has passed, so 3rd Seat Shirogane will be our next Vice Captain now, right? Congratulations!"

"Hmph..."

After glancing at that congratulatory Shinigami, Ginjirō shook his head: "Don't spout nonsense. If Captain Kuchiki heard that, there would be hell to pay for you later."