Seireitei, in front of a cave in the northwestern part.
Toshiro led the elite Shinigami of the Gotei 13 and the elite unit of the Kido Corps to surround the cave where Muramasa and his group were hiding.
The Zanpakuto faction, led by Muramasa, seemed to have been prepared for this. Most of the Zanpakuto were stationed at the cave entrance, confronting Toshiro's Shinigami forces.
However, Muramasa himself, along with Katen Kyokotsu, Sogyo no Kotowari, and Minazuki, were not among them.
"Kuchiki Byakuya, how disappointing. I never expected you, the Captain of the 6th Division and head of the Kuchiki Clan, to betray the Shinigami and join the Zanpakuto."
Toshiro looked at Byakuya within the Zanpakuto ranks with a face full of 'disappointment'.
"It's not so much betrayal. I have always acted in accordance with my pride. Where does betrayal come into it?"
Byakuya said calmly.
"Hey, hey, hey! Toshiro, if we're going to fight, let's fight. Why waste so much time talking to them?!"
Zaraki suddenly interrupted impatiently.
Then, with an eager expression, Zaraki looked at Byakuya. "Yo, Byakuya! I've wanted to have a good fight with you for a long time, but I've never had a good chance. This time, let's have a blast!"
"Hahaha..."
Without waiting for Byakuya's reply, Zaraki charged at him with a wild laugh, swinging his sword.
"Hmph, this lunatic..."
Byakuya frowned slightly but had no choice but to draw his sword and meet Zaraki's attack.
Seeing Zaraki and Byakuya already engaged, Toshiro took the opportunity to order, "All troops, listen up! Everyone, find your own Zanpakuto and fight. Those who have already reclaimed their Zanpakuto, along with the Kido Corps, assist the others!"
"Charge!"
Toshiro swung his arm sharply, and the Shinigami side immediately rushed towards the Zanpakuto side.
Only Toshiro, Hyorinmaru, Kyoraku, Ukitake, and Unohana remained standing still.
"Muramasa and your Zanpakuto aren't here, Shunsui. It seems they're inside watching over Genryusai-sensei. We should go in and rescue him."
Toshiro said to Kyoraku and the others.
Kyoraku adjusted the straw hat on his head. "Ah, that's right. It's a bit troublesome, but we have to get Old Man Yama out. And that Katen Kyokotsu, daring to betray me, their master... they're getting more and more outrageous."
Toshiro nodded. "Let's go."
Then Toshiro and the others walked towards the cave entrance.
The Zanpakuto side, perhaps knowing they were no match for Toshiro and the others, or perhaps following Muramasa's orders, made no attempt to block them. Instead, they actively made way for Toshiro and his group to pass.
...
Drip!
A drop of water silently fell, shattering on a rock.
Muramasa suddenly opened his eyes.
"Shinigami... have you finally come?"
Muramasa said calmly, as if everything was going as expected.
"They're here, they're here, they're finally here! The game is about to begin!"
Two children in blue robes and tall hats bounced around excitedly.
"But will our plan really succeed?"
Kyokotsu said with some concern.
"Don't worry, we will definitely succeed!"
Muramasa said firmly.
'At least my plan will succeed.' Muramasa curled his lips into a sinister smile.
...
Tap, tap, tap...
Footsteps echoed in the empty cave as Toshiro, Hyorinmaru, Kyoraku, and Ukitake walked through the gloomy passage.
"This cave is really quite large."
Toshiro said with some emotion.
"Yeah, it would be easy for someone unfamiliar to get lost in here."
Kyoraku agreed.
The cave where Muramasa and his group hid was not only vast in area but also covered with forks in the path, like a maze. One could easily get lost inside. Toshiro and the others had to stop and go, judging the path ahead by the traces left by the Zanpakuto coming and going.
When they reached a relatively open area, Toshiro suddenly stopped.
"What's wrong, Toshiro? Is there something?"
Kyoraku asked.
Before Toshiro could answer, Unohana, as if sensing something, actively stepped forward in front of Toshiro.
Then, a figure draped in a cloak, completely concealing their appearance, stepped out.
"This Reiatsu... it's Minazuki, isn't it?"
Although it was a question, Unohana's tone was very certain.
Hearing Unohana's question, Minazuki remained silent, as if unable to speak.
"Toshiro, you all continue forward. Don't waste time. I'll handle Minazuki."
Unohana said with her back to Toshiro.
"Are you sure you don't need our help?"
Toshiro asked with some concern.
A Zanpakuto's strength is slightly greater than its master's at their peak. Although Unohana had always seemed unfathomable, Toshiro was still a little worried.
"Oh my, don't worry. I'm confident I can handle Minazuki. You go on ahead. Besides, if I needed help dealing with my own Zanpakuto, this 'senior' would be very embarrassed."
Unohana said with a gentle smile, but her attitude was very firm.
"Alright then, Hana-chan. Take care of yourself."
Seeing Unohana's firm attitude, Toshiro didn't insist further.
"Hyorinmaru, Shunsui, Ukitake, let's go."
Minazuki made no move to stop them, easily letting Toshiro, Kyoraku, and the others pass, as if his target was only Unohana.
...
After parting with Unohana, Toshiro, Hyorinmaru, Kyoraku, and Ukitake arrived in front of a staircase, beyond which was a passage leading somewhere unknown.
"It seems we've arrived at another unique place."
Toshiro said.
The ground beneath their feet was paved with fish-scale-like stones, and even the steps of the staircase were quite uniquely shaped.
"Honestly, having the leisure to appreciate the scenery... you're quite relaxed, Toshiro."
Kyoraku remarked.
"Don't say that. This battle with the Zanpakuto isn't that difficult. Muramasa and his group's defeat is only a matter of time. Besides, it looks like if we don't go up these stairs, we won't be able to reach the deeper parts of the cave."
Toshiro said calmly.
As soon as Toshiro finished speaking, a figure emerged from the passage at the top of the stairs. She wore purple clothes and hair ornaments with skull patterns, had long, curly hair, and an eye patch over her right eye. Her personality seemed gloomy yet dignified, giving the impression of a mature older sister figure. This was 'Katen' of the Katen Kyokotsu pair.
"Another one appears?"
Toshiro said.
Just as Toshiro spoke, the voices of two children suddenly echoed in the cave.
"What shall we play?"
"Let's play! Let's play!"
The voices reverberated throughout the cave, making it impossible to tell where they came from.
"Who's there?"
Ukitake felt the voices were strangely familiar and couldn't help but ask.
"He asks who it is, who is it?"
"You really don't recognize us?"
Before the words faded, two figures suddenly dropped from above.
Bang!
Ukitake was knocked to the ground.
"Hey, hey, let's play! Let's play!"
Toshiro turned to see two children sitting on top of Ukitake, incessantly demanding he play with them.
"Heh, it seems if you don't play with these two kids, Ukitake, you won't be able to move forward."
Toshiro said, finding it amusing.
"My, my. Although they're Zanpakuto, having to play with children is a bit hard to manage."
Ukitake said, looking utterly helpless.
"Hey, Shunsui, it seems this beautiful lady's target is you. You should have a good play with her too."
Toshiro glanced at 'Katen' and said to Kyoraku.
"Well, it's my honor to play with a beautiful lady."
Kyoraku said with a light laugh, like a carefree playboy.
"Then we won't disturb your 'playtime'."
With that, Toshiro and Hyorinmaru stepped onto the staircase and walked past 'Katen'.
The moment Toshiro and Hyorinmaru passed by her, 'Katen's' entire body tensed, as if ready to strike at any moment.
But in the end, 'Katen' remained motionless, watching Toshiro and Hyorinmaru walk by. She could feel that if she made a move against them, she would die!
She would definitely die!!