After hearing Hyorinmaru's response, Muramasa's expression froze in embarrassment.
"Even if I did free you from Hitsugaya Toshiro, even if you refuse to be our comrade, you shouldn't humiliate me like this," Muramasa said, his anger rising from shame.
"Hmph! Who do you think you are, to be worthy of my humiliation?"
Towards Muramasa, Hyorinmaru was completely condescending, looking down on him.
"Get lost now, Muramasa. Do you think I would be like the other Zanpakuto, affected by your power, full of goodwill towards you, and at your beck and call?" Hyorinmaru said impatiently.
Muramasa's heart tightened, but his face remained impassive. "What do you mean by that, Hyorinmaru?"
"You know exactly what I mean, Muramasa. Don't put on airs with me. I am well aware of your origins and your purpose," Hyorinmaru said coldly.
Muramasa unconsciously clenched his right hand, yet still tried to maintain his composure. "What are you talking about, Hyorinmaru? I simply don't understand. My purpose is naturally to overthrow the Shinigami's rule and liberate all Zanpakuto. As for my origins... my master was already killed by me long ago. There's nothing more to say."
"Is that so? Your master was killed by you? How interesting. It seems I need to discuss a certain Shinigami named 'Koga' with you," Hyorinmaru said with a slight smirk.
Muramasa's expression immediately changed drastically. He could no longer maintain his calm facade.
"Katen Kyokotsu, Sogyo no Kotowari, Minazuki! Everyone attack together! Since Hyorinmaru refuses to cooperate with us, we'll have to use force to make her submit!" Muramasa shouted.
After Hyorinmaru uttered the name 'Koga', Muramasa's mind was in turmoil, unable to think calmly. He even ordered Katen Kyokotsu and the others to attack without considering whether they could actually win.
Upon hearing Muramasa's command, Katen Kyokotsu and the others did not hesitate. They stepped forward, eyeing Hyorinmaru warily, looking ready to strike at any moment.
Under the influence of Muramasa's power, Katen Kyokotsu and the others trusted Muramasa completely and would not easily disobey his orders. Even against an opponent like Hyorinmaru, they were undaunted.
Because, in their view, although Hyorinmaru's power was indeed formidable, and none of them could match her individually, if they joined forces, they might still stand a chance, and a considerable one at that.
However, the truth would soon prove them wrong.
"Sode no Shirayuki, withdraw. Go as far away as possible. Within a radius of three spiritual miles, I cannot guarantee your safety," Hyorinmaru said with her back to Sode no Shirayuki.
"Yes, Hyorinmaru-sama!" Sode no Shirayuki acknowledged and immediately fled as fast as she could.
Neither Hyorinmaru nor Katen Kyokotsu and the others possessed strength that Sode no Shirayuki, who was at the Lieutenant level and hadn't even mastered Bankai, could contend with. Not to mention contending… even being caught in the aftermath could cost her life.
After Sode no Shirayuki left, Hyorinmaru raised her hand. With a flash of ice-blue light, a sword identical to the Zanpakuto form of Hyorinmaru appeared in her hand.
Hyorinmaru stood holding the sword, adopting a starting stance, and said calmly to Muramasa, Katen Kyokotsu, and the others, "Make your move. Otherwise, once I act, you'll never get another chance."
Muramasa, Katen Kyokotsu, and the others did not swarm forward. Instead, they slowly circled Hyorinmaru, as if searching for an opening.
However, after waiting for a while, Hyorinmaru saw that Kyokotsu and the others still hadn't moved.
'Impressive. There isn't a single opening on her entire body,' Kyokotsu thought to herself, inwardly alarmed, a drop of cold sweat forming on her brow.
'I can't let this continue. Otherwise, our momentum will be completely suppressed,' Kyokotsu thought.
With that, Kyokotsu made the first move!
Shunpo!
Kyokotsu extended her hand, materializing a large sword, and slashed at Hyorinmaru.
As Kyokotsu moved, Muramasa, Sogyo no Kotowari, and Minazuki also struck.
Clang!
Hyorinmaru swung her sword, effortlessly repelling Kyokotsu.
But this was only the beginning. What followed were the fan attacks and lightning strikes from Sogyo no Kotowari, and Minazuki's exquisite swordsmanship, along with Muramasa's various bizarre abilities, all coming at her without end.
Yet Hyorinmaru remained completely at ease, standing atop a stone pillar, calmly fending off the attacks from Muramasa, Katen Kyokotsu, and the others, never moving a single step from her position.
After being repelled by Hyorinmaru again, Kyokotsu couldn't help but exclaim in admiration, "Truly worthy of the Strongest Ice-type Zanpakuto. Your strength is indeed beyond ours."
As Kyokotsu spoke, a figure materialized from empty space behind Hyorinmaru. It was a girl with short, straight hair, a single skull ornament on the left side of her hair, her face obscured by a mask and hair, only her right eye visible. She swung a large sword, similar to Kyokotsu's but shorter, striking silently at Hyorinmaru.
"How presumptuous! Do you think I would ignore the threat behind me just because you're speaking in front to get my attention?"
Hyorinmaru abruptly interrupted Kyokotsu's words and swung her blade fiercely backward.
Clang!
The girl was sent flying by Hyorinmaru's slash.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Only after crashing through several stone pillars did her body finally come to a stop.
"Katen! Are you alright!"
Kyokotsu shouted, quickly flashing to the girl's side.
This girl was 'Katen' of the Katen Kyokotsu pair. She had been hiding in the shadows all along, waiting to serve as a surprise attacker should a fight with Hyorinmaru break out.
Yet the result proved this plan was useless.
"Hmph, how disappointing. I had thought that Katen Kyokotsu, Sogyo no Kotowari, and Minazuki, as the Zanpakuto of Unohana Retsu, Kyoraku Shunsui, and Ukitake Jushiro, the three whose strength in Gotei 13 is second only to Toshiro and Yamamoto Genryusai, would be incredibly powerful. But it seems they are nothing special."
Hyorinmaru's tone was filled with disappointment.
The reason she had engaged Katen Kyokotsu and the others was to gauge the strength of other Zanpakuto. However, their displayed abilities failed to satisfy her.
"If this is all you have... then let's end it here. I have no interest in playing around with you."
Clang!
Hyorinmaru reversed her grip and thrust her sword into the stone pillar beneath her feet.
Boom!
In an instant, an immense, overwhelming Reiatsu erupted from Hyorinmaru's body. A blinding ice-blue radiance spread in all directions, above and below, centered on the sword embedded in the pillar.
Wherever the blue light passed, within a radius of three spiritual miles, without exception, mountains, rivers, scattered rocks, forests, including Muramasa, Katen Kyokotsu, and the others… everything, absolutely everything, was instantly frozen solid.