"Komamura, move aside! Are you defying the Head Captain's orders?!" Tōsen Kaname shouted.
As Komamura's friend, Tōsen knew just how deeply Komamura revered Yamamoto. In the past, whenever Komamura came close to uncovering something, Tōsen could always brush it off with vague excuses—secret missions from the Head Captain—and that would be enough to fool him.
But this time… that old trick no longer worked.
"I became a captain under the Head Captain's leadership—walking the path of justice and upholding the duty of protection," Komamura said in a booming voice. "Tōsen… tell me—are you still walking that path of justice?!"
Komamura was not as easy to deceive as Tōsen had assumed.
As one of Yamamoto's most devoted followers, he understood clearly what "Gotei" truly meant—protection. Yamamoto had spent his entire life embodying that principle.
In the past, Komamura trusted Tōsen—and never thought too deeply about his words.
But now, looking back, he realized something unsettling.
Every time Tōsen spoke vaguely, something always happened in Soul Society—large or small.
Perhaps…
Tōsen Kaname had long since strayed from the path of justice Komamura believed in.
Hearing Komamura call his name, Tōsen understood—
This wouldn't end easily.
He drew his Zanpakutō.
"My actions are justice. Komamura… do not stand in my way!"
Komamura hadn't expected Tōsen to actually draw his blade.
Once, he believed they were both flawed beings striving toward a flawless justice.
But now—
That blade confirmed it.
The Ryoka's words… were true.
Komamura did not draw his sword immediately. Instead, he asked quietly:
"Is this for revenge? For that friend of yours?"
Komamura knew of Tōsen's past.
The woman named Kakyo—his beloved, his guiding light.
By bringing her up, Komamura wanted to know—
Had Tōsen's original resolve changed?
Tōsen's hand trembled.
He had never expected that question.
Even he had asked himself countless times—
Was his path one of justice… or revenge?
In truth—
Revenge weighed heavier.
And whenever that thought surfaced, Aizen would guide him back.
That's right.
He was not wrong.
Only by following Aizen—overthrowing the current order and creating a new world—
Could Kakyo's death truly be avenged.
Tōsen stopped wasting words.
Truth, after all, belonged to the few.
As long as Lord Aizen ascended to the throne, those responsible would face judgment.
He stepped forward—
And slashed.
His blade cut across Komamura's chest.
Komamura didn't even dodge.
Blood splattered.
What Tōsen couldn't see—
Was the terrifying coldness in Komamura's expression.
"This strike… I'll consider it a debt I owe you," Komamura said. "Failing to guide you onto the right path—that is my responsibility."
A powerful burst of Reiatsu erupted from his palm, slamming into Tōsen and forcing him back several steps.
Palm strikes usually meant little against equal opponents.
But this—
Was enough.
The distance created gave Komamura the time he needed.
He drew his Zanpakutō.
"Then I will correct my mistake… with my own hands."
"What nonsense! What do you understand?!"
Tōsen snapped.
He could tolerate being questioned or accused—
But Komamura taking all the blame upon himself?
That infuriated him.
"Cry out—Suzumushi!"
Releasing his Zanpakutō, Tōsen charged.
Komamura met him head-on, gathering spiritual pressure into his blade. Amid the clash, he spoke again:
"Tsunayashiro… is that it?"
Tōsen froze for a split second.
Shock had long since dulled into numbness—but hearing that name still shook him.
Komamura continued:
"Why didn't you tell me? We could have faced it together! The Head Captain would have delivered justice for you!"
Rage surged within Tōsen.
Did Komamura even understand what he was saying?
The Tsunayashiro Clan—one of the Four Great Noble Houses.
What right did someone like him have to oppose them?
And Yamamoto?
A man who didn't even oppose Central 46—how could he possibly challenge the nobles above them?
Behind his visor, Tōsen's expression twisted with disdain.
Komamura was still naïve.
Naïve enough to believe Yamamoto stood at the pinnacle of Soul Society.
He didn't understand—
Even Yamamoto was bound by its system.
Tōsen had only realized this after years under Aizen.
Soul Society had its rules.
Aizen's vision went beyond them all.
To reshape the world—
He had to seize the throne.
The empty throne—
Had to be claimed.
With a swing of his blade, countless white, needle-like projectiles burst forth like a swarm.
"Suzumushi Second Form: Benihikō!"
Komamura knew this attack well.
If Tōsen used it—
He was serious.
Komamura sighed inwardly.
So be it.
"Roar—Tenken!"
A gigantic arm materialized, wielding a massive blade, blocking every incoming strike.
But when Komamura lowered his sword—
Tōsen was gone.
The attack had only been a feint.
Tōsen's goal had never changed.
Rukia.
Only by obtaining the Hōgyoku within her could Aizen's plan proceed.
Fighting Komamura?
Irrelevant.
Using the moment Komamura's vision was blocked, Tōsen circled around and shot into the sky—heading straight for Rukia.
Komamura reacted instantly.
Without hesitation, he dismissed part of Tenken's form—the arm holding the blade—and sent the other massive hand crashing down toward Tōsen.
A shadow engulfed him.
Looking up—
A gigantic hand descended.
No time to dodge.
He had to meet it head-on.
"Suzumushi First Form!"
A sharp buzzing filled the air as waves of sound wrapped around his blade, generating repulsive force.
Normally, it deflected attacks.
But this—
Required overwhelming power.
Tōsen unleashed his Reiatsu to the fullest.
The roar of Suzumushi echoed across Sōkyoku Hill.
The giant hand was blown aside.
Spinning twice midair to disperse the force, Tōsen steadied himself.
Now he understood—
There was no bypassing Komamura.
Komamura stepped forward, standing in midair like ascending steps.
His gaze seemed to pierce straight through Tōsen.
"If you wish to pass," he said, "you'll have to step over my corpse."
Once—
They had been the closest of friends.
They shared everything.
Trained together.
Strived toward becoming captains.
Only now did Komamura realize—
It had all been one-sided.
Tōsen had never told him the truth.
All along, he had acted in the name of justice—
While harming Soul Society.
Tōsen's mind held no such reflections.
There was only Aizen's mission.
If Komamura refused to yield—
Then there was only one way forward.
"Very well."
His voice was calm—
But beneath it surged overwhelming resolve.
Komamura immediately understood.
Without hesitation, he charged, forcing Tōsen upward into the sky.
He couldn't allow the next attack to engulf others.
Because he knew—
What was coming.
"Bankai!" ×2
A massive sphere of Reiatsu formed above Sōkyoku Hill, expanding rapidly until it occupied half the sky.
The black dome—
"Suzumushi Tsuishiki: Enma Kōrogi."
Inside it—
Was Komamura's Bankai:
"Kokujō Tengen Myō'ō!"
The giant's immense body nearly burst through the sphere itself.
Within the darkness—
Tōsen fell silent.
Though blind, this was his domain.
He could sense everything.
Komamura had not fully extended his giant form—instead, he remained compressed, defensive.
He understood.
Komamura was still holding back.
But he couldn't afford to.
Bankai demanded a swift conclusion.
Time was something he didn't have.
Komamura's strategy was simple:
Endure.
Rely on Kokujō Tengen Myō'ō's defense.
Delay.
Justice or friendship—
Watching Komamura's form, Tōsen's hand trembled.
He did care.
But before justice—
Sacrifice was inevitable.
That belief had carried him this far.
If necessary—
He would sacrifice even himself.
As long as Aizen succeeded—
As long as the corrupt nobles of the old world were cast down—
Nothing else mattered.
He had once told Aizen:
If he could no longer keep up—
He should be executed.
Aizen had agreed.
That was their pact.
Tōsen's resolve hardened once more.
He had to end this quickly.
Using a slender blade to destroy such a massive Bankai—
Would take time.
And time—
Was the one thing they lacked.
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