In Bleach as Gilgamesh

Chapter 64 - Scatter, Senbonzakura!

Shin'ō Academy.

The retainers brought by Byakuya were not even at the seated officer level, merely ordinary Shinigami.

When they were suddenly attacked by their own Zanpakutō, they were completely unprepared. With a scream, they lost their combat ability and collapsed, lying in a pool of their own blood.

The event happened so abruptly that, except for Byakuya and Yoruichi in her cat form, no one else had any time to react.

Byakuya slowly walked toward Gilgamesh, speaking as he walked. "Gilgamesh, you are the most talented individual I have ever seen, heard of, or known, without exception."

"In just two days, you have nurtured and evolved your own Zanpakutō from an Asauchi. This is unprecedented in history. You have set a new precedent once again."

The reason he said "again" was that Gilgamesh had already set a precedent during the Kidō talent test.

Byakuya's cold voice echoed clearly in the Hakuda classroom, reaching the ears of everyone present.

The remaining retainer of the Kuchiki household, Renji, and Rukia now noticed that Gilgamesh was holding a Zanpakutō instead of an Asauchi.

Asauchi were uniform and simple in design, without a guard.

Zanpakutō, however, had unique appearances based on their owners.

Renji and Rukia clearly remembered that Gilgamesh received his Asauchi at the same time as they did.

Originally, they thought Gilgamesh had always possessed a Zanpakutō, given his evident strength.

But on the day they received their Asauchi, they realized Gilgamesh didn't have a Zanpakutō.

This meant that Gilgamesh started nurturing his Asauchi on the same day they did.

According to Aizen's lecture on Asauchi, it usually took about a year to evolve an Asauchi into a Zanpakutō, even for a genius.

So what kind of speed was Gilgamesh demonstrating?

Before they could process this, they heard Byakuya speak again. "Although I do not know the exact abilities of your Zanpakutō's Shikai, I can deduce some things from the current situation."

"If I'm not mistaken, your Zanpakutō should be a Kidō-type special Zanpakutō, with abilities similar to manipulating other Zanpakutō."

"However, for Kidō-type special Zanpakutō, activating their Shikai abilities usually requires certain conditions."

"The more powerful the special effect, the more stringent the conditions."

Byakuya's words stirred even more waves in the already unsettled hearts of Renji, Rukia, and his retainer.

They couldn't help but think, "A Shikai ability that can manipulate other Zanpakutō? Does such an illogical Zanpakutō really exist?"

Only Yoruichi, in her black cat form, remained calm in Gilgamesh's arms, her green eyes watching Byakuya approach. She thought to herself, "Byakuya has indeed grown sharper over the years."

"Unfortunately, he still underestimates the true power of the Kennō."

"The true ability of Kennō is not just manipulation, but…"

In her mind, Yoruichi recalled the scene in Hueco Mundo.

By now, Byakuya had reached Gilgamesh, stopping five steps away, and said, "I can give you a chance to leave now."

"This is a matter between me and Rukia. You don't need to get involved."

"If you leave now, I can allow you and the red-haired boy behind you to join the Kuchiki Clan, granting you the name 'Kuchiki.'"

"This way, even if Rukia goes to the Kuchiki Clan in the future, you won't be separated."

Byakuya's offer was an irresistible temptation for most people.

Being granted the name 'Kuchiki' meant becoming part of one of the Four Great Noble Houses, attaining an exalted status.

Byakuya made such a generous offer because he valued Gilgamesh's talent.

In Byakuya's view, if Gilgamesh were willing to join the Kuchiki Clan, it would be worth bringing Renji along. The elders of the clan would certainly agree.

Moreover, it would make it much easier for Rukia to join the Kuchiki Clan.

He was confident that Gilgamesh wouldn't refuse.

But he didn't expect Gilgamesh to lightly shake his head and say, "I have no interest in joining your Kuchiki Clan."

Then, looking at Rukia, Gilgamesh continued, "And I am not an outsider. Rukia is one of my own."

"Whether she chooses to forgive Hisana Kuchiki, who abandoned her as an infant and escaped from Inuzuri alone, is her decision, not yours or mine."

Gilgamesh's words made Byakuya's pupils shrink sharply. Forgetting his noble demeanor, his usually cold tone rose as he questioned, "How do you know about this?"

Rukia was also stunned, her pupils trembling violently.

She finally understood why Byakuya had found it difficult to answer her question earlier.

Though she didn't want to admit it, seeing Hisana's photo had touched her heart, making the long-desired familial bond seem within reach.

But she hadn't expected the truth to be so cruel.

If Byakuya had told her the truth from the start, she wouldn't have harbored hopes for a bond that shouldn't exist.

Byakuya had only considered Hisana's feelings from the start, not hers.

Now, with her hope shattered, a deep sadness overwhelmed Rukia.

No one knew how she had survived as an infant in Inuzuri or what she had endured all these years.

Thinking about the hardships, loneliness, pain, and suffering she had endured, tears streamed down her face.

Feeling heartbroken, Rukia lowered her head, like a wounded animal licking its wounds alone.

Without needing Gilgamesh's signal, Yoruichi jumped from his arms and quickly ran to Rukia to comfort her.

Gilgamesh watched this scene silently and sighed softly.

Then he looked at Byakuya and said, "It's natural to care for your wife, but you shouldn't completely disregard Rukia's young and fragile heart."

After a brief pause, Gilgamesh continued, "You were curious about the Shikai ability of Kennō, right?"

"Let me show you, and at the same time, vent Rukia's anger."

Gilgamesh's tone was calm, but it felt like the calm before the storm, suffocating and oppressive.

Before Byakuya could respond, Gilgamesh pointed his Zanpakutō at him and declared, "Scatter, Senbonzakura!"

"?"

"!!!"

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