Chapter 3: Fragments

Well, well, if it isn't the Head Captain of the 13 Court Guard Squads, Shunsui Kyoraku.

Interesting that you came all this way yourself instead of calling me to the barracks or the Central 46. You must be planning something that you don't want to make public.

Hikone Ubuginu...

Could you tell me? Who exactly is he, and where did he come from?

A fragment of the Soul King.

...!

You understand what that means, don't you?

The child called Hikone also possesses a fragment?

That's almost right.

The Tsunayashiro Clan has been gathering Soul King fragments for some time now. With those fragments as the core, Soul Reaper and human souls were combined to create a being.

That being is Hikone Ubuginu.

Aren't you off to a bit of a late start?

Hm? What do you mean?

Don't you find it odd that you're able to contact me directly?

Tokinada Tsunayashiro loves scheming, so why hasn't he come up with some plan to silence me?

If I had to venture a guess, it would be that he has already completed his preparations.

And that is why he hasn't tried anything, even though he has predicted your movements.

I see. That could be the case.

It's true that I'm on the defensive, but that's exactly why I need to make my move now.