In Bleach as Gilgamesh

Chapter 68 - The Cursed Blade, Muramasa

"Rukia, Renji, let's go," Gilgamesh said, turning to leave the classroom.

Renji and Rukia, carrying Yoruichi in her cat form, didn't hesitate and followed him.

Byakuya Kuchiki watched them silently, tightly gripping the now unreleased Senbonzakura in his hand. He didn't try to stop them and had no mind to think about Rukia's situation for the moment.

The scenes of the recent battle played back in his mind.

After Senbonzakura's Bankai was released, if Gilgamesh hadn't held back at the last moment, Byakuya would be gravely injured and lying on the ground now.

Byakuya knew this well, and his emotions were extremely complicated.

He never imagined he would lose so thoroughly to a newly enrolled student.

Of course, if it were merely a defeat, Byakuya, having witnessed Gilgamesh's mystery and power, would have felt just dissatisfaction and would have sought to improve himself to win next time.

However, Gilgamesh showed mercy at the crucial moment, which Byakuya viewed as pity and charity, making him feel humiliated.

As the head of the noble Kuchiki family, he could allow himself to be defeated miserably, but he could not accept his enemy's pity and charity.

This was his ingrained dignity and pride.

Byakuya wanted to wash away the shame but felt powerless.

He knew that even if he still had the strength to fight, seeking out Gilgamesh now would only result in further humiliation.

This realization made him feel even worse.

Byakuya retracted his spiritual pressure, signaling the end of the battle.

However, those rushing over didn't stop, eager to find out what had happened.

Soon, Miho was the first to arrive at the Hakuda classroom.

Upon entering, she saw the disheveled Byakuya, with even the symbolic Keiseikan of the great nobles shattered, and the two retainers lying in pools of blood. Her face showed utter shock.

She couldn't imagine what could have made Byakuya Kuchiki, the captain of the Sixth Division of the Gotei 13 and head of one of the four great noble families, so disheveled.

Byakuya, noticing Miho, let his expression turn icy once more.

After sheathing his Zanpakutō, he ordered the remaining retainer, "Take those two and follow me back to the family estate."

The retainer didn't hesitate, hoisting the two injured retainers onto his shoulders and following Byakuya out.

Only then did Miho react, immediately flash stepping in front of Byakuya to ask, "What happened? How did you get injured?"

Byakuya didn't spare her a glance, maintaining his noble and aloof demeanor as he walked past her.

Clearly, Byakuya had no intention of explaining to Miho.

Knowing her place, Miho didn't dare stop him.

Though a sword fanatic, she knew who could be provoked and who couldn't.

Byakuya anticipated many would come seeking him, so he chose a detour to avoid those arriving.

This led to other captains, teachers, and even Yamamoto missing Byakuya.

In the Hakuda classroom, Yamamoto silently observed the scene.

Behind him were the two vice-principals of the Shin'ō Academy and several captains who had arrived.

They too observed the classroom.

Based on the battle traces left behind, they knew a fight had occurred.

Oddly, they found only marks from Senbonzakura's attacks, none from another combatant.

Through their deductions, a wild thought emerged in the minds of the captains, including Yamamoto.

It seemed there had been a battle here, but it involved only Byakuya.

As for the injured retainers, they were disregarded.

No one would suggest Byakuya had fought his retainers, using Bankai and even getting injured in the process.

Such an absurd idea was beyond consideration.

Gin and Tōsen knew what had transpired but remained silent.

At that moment, a flustered teacher ran to Miho, whispering in her ear.

Miho's expression changed slightly, a figure surfacing in her mind.

After a brief hesitation, she said, "From the available information, Captain Kuchiki came to the Shin'ō Academy for a student named Rukia."

Hearing the name, the captains who were at the entrance examination recalled a certain figure.

Could this be related to him?

But that seemed impossible, regardless of his talent, he couldn't force Byakuya to use Bankai and get injured.

The most puzzling part was if he fought Byakuya, why were there only Senbonzakura's battle traces?

What seemed to provide clarity only made things more perplexing.

As for questioning the parties involved, everyone looked to Yamamoto.

Sensing their gazes, Yamamoto spoke, "I have already stated that while he is studying at the Shin'ō Academy, no one is allowed to disturb him. Disperse."

"I will demand an explanation from Captain Kuchiki."

The gathered captains didn't argue further.

Their curiosity about Gilgamesh only deepened.

They began considering ways to approach Gilgamesh.

Elsewhere, in the Kuchiki family head's study.

Byakuya, his wounds treated and in fresh clothing, recounted his battle with Gilgamesh to his grandfather, the former head of the Kuchiki family, Ginrei Kuchiki.

Ginrei listened intently.

Despite his seasoned composure, when he heard that Gilgamesh's Zanpakutō, Kennō, could control Senbonzakura's Shikai and even Bankai, he couldn't help but feel a stir.

This wasn't due to Kennō's power and mystery but because Ginrei recalled someone from his buried memories.

This person was Kōga Kuchiki, his son-in-law, whose Zanpakutō was named Muramasa.

Muramasa's abilities were strikingly similar to Kennō, capable of controlling opponents' Zanpakutō.

But Muramasa was a cursed blade, too dangerous.

When Kōga Kuchiki was sealed by Ginrei and Yamamoto in Karakura Town, Muramasa vanished.

Could there be a connection between them?

Pondering this, Ginrei's expression grew serious.

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