Bleach: From the moment I was invited by Squad Zero.

Some say you were beaten to your knees by Stark with a single blow, coughing up blood; others say you begged for mercy out of fear of Vastord's power. The rumors are getting more and more outrageous!

Ise Nanao took a deep breath, trying to calm herself, but the worry and anxiety in her eyes remained:

"Now, when our Eighth Division members go out on missions or interact with other divisions, they are looked at with strange eyes and gossiped about behind their backs!"

Many team members felt ashamed and their morale was severely affected! If this continues, how can our Eighth Division maintain its standing in the Seireitei? Captain, you need to think of a solution quickly!

As Kyoraku Shunsui listened to Ise Nanao's narration, an image involuntarily surfaced in his mind:

He walked on the streets of Seireitei, surrounded by Shinigami, whether they were familiar captains, vice-captains, or ordinary members.

They all cast complex glances at him... Whispers buzzed like flies:

"Look, that's Captain Kyoraku of the Eighth Division..."

"Oh! The one who was so scared by Vasto Lorde that he surrendered on the spot?"

"Tsk tsk, I really didn't expect that the captain would actually..."

"Should we learn from the leader of the Kyoraku band and just surrender when we see Xu in the future?"

"The Eighth Division is really 'famous' now, hahaha..."

"hiss--"

Kyoraku Shunsui suddenly shivered, feeling a chill run from the soles of his feet straight to the top of his head!

The newspaper in his hand felt like a red-hot branding iron, leaving him unsure whether to keep it or throw it away.

Oh no, oh no, oh no! Kyoraku Shunsui, the captain of the Eighth Division, with a lifelong reputation, dashing image, and (in his own opinion) debonair charm.

Must we, because of this damned, exaggerated, and distorted "sparring match," completely become the laughingstock of Seireitei and the typical "surrender captain" to be repeatedly chewed over during our leisure time?!

This was even more painful than being bombarded by Stark's "Infinite Reload Cero" ten times!

How can I happily skip work to drink in the future? How can I leisurely sunbathe? How can I put on airs as the team leader in front of Qixu?

"Little Nanao..." Kyoraku Shunsui's voice was weak as he rubbed his throbbing temples.

"This...this must be someone's doing! Yes, someone is deliberately spreading rumors and distorting the facts to ruin my reputation and demoralize the Eighth Division! Their intentions are despicable!"

Ise Nanao gritted her teeth and said, "But the most important thing now is to salvage the situation! Captain, you must step forward and clarify things immediately!"

Report this to the chief commander, explain the situation to the other commanders, and strongly condemn this irresponsible rumor! Ideally, a meeting should be held to clarify the situation publicly!

“Clarify? Explain?” Kyoraku Shunsui smiled wryly, glancing at the “classic” image of the spirit particle on the newspaper.

Images can speak volumes, especially images taken from such "tricky" angles.

He did indeed shout "I surrender," as evidenced by the video. The explanation? That he strategically surrendered?

To say that neither side used their full strength? Who would believe that? It would only make things worse and make people think that they are making excuses and dithering.

"This video...this title...it's too toxic." Kyoraku Shunsui sighed deeply, slumping into a chair.

"If I go out to explain now, I'll probably just become a laughing stock. Those guys who love to watch the drama are probably hoping I'll jump out."

"Then... then are we just going to let the rumors continue like this? Let the Eighth Division be disgraced?" Ise Nanao asked anxiously.

“Seven Osamu,” Kyoraku Shunsui said slowly, “first stabilize the team and tell the members that the innocent are innocent and there is no need to care about rumors.”

The honor of the Eighth Division isn't something others can just talk about.

Chapter 110 The Mysterious Visiting Card

Meanwhile, deep within the Kasumi family compound, in a hidden underground chamber.

This place is different from the cold and austere council hall of the Central 46 Chambers, and also different from the research-filled residence of the Ghost Path Clan.

The air was filled with the distinctive smell of a certain metal that had been forged at high temperatures and then rapidly cooled.

The light came from the ghostly crystals embedded in the walls, casting a dim, yellowish glow in the room.

The enclosed room was quite large, but it was crammed with things.

Against the wall was a huge bookshelf, crammed with weapon forging blueprints and various mineral samples of unknown material.

On the other side were several frames covered with heavy canvas, the outlines of which vaguely revealed the shapes of various weapons.

A person was sitting at a large desk in the center.

Yun Jingyao Jue.

He looked to be about fifty years old, with a thin face and deep-set eyes, making his always slightly squinted eyes appear particularly profound.

He was dressed in an old-fashioned, dark purple family robe, with the family crest representing the Xia Dalu family emblem embroidered on the cuffs and collar.

Her gray hair was meticulously combed back and secured with a simple jade hairpin.

He sat upright in the main seat, exuding the solemnity unique to old-fashioned aristocratic retainers.

But at this moment, the calm expression on his face, which always seemed to be deep in thought, was covered by a layer of worry.

His thin, bony fingers were repeatedly stroking something lying on the desk in front of him.

That was a visiting card.

The letter of invitation was simple: Squad Zero member Yanagawa will be formally visiting the Kasumioji family tomorrow.

We had an “exchange and discussion” with the person in charge of Xia Dalu Family regarding “certain historical issues and technical matters”.

The inscription was signed by Yanagawa himself, along with the exclusive seal of the Zero Division.

“Yanagi River… Zero Squad…” Yun Jingyao murmured these two words, his voice sounding exceptionally clear in the silent, secret room.

His finger stopped on the two characters "Liuchuan" on the visiting card.

This person has suddenly risen to prominence during this period and entered the Zero Division at an unbelievable speed.

As for the young Shinigami who repeatedly stirred up storms in Seireitei, it was impossible for Yosuke Kumoi not to pay attention to him.

Whether it was the sensation it caused at the Shinigami Academy, easily thwarting Tsunayoshiro's conspiracy, or the more recent and outrageous act of bringing back a Vastrock Hollow as a "guard" from Hueco Mundo.

... Each and every one of these incidents highlights the extraordinary nature of this person.

Zero Division, directly under the Spirit King Palace, transcends worldly affairs.

The sudden visit of a member to the Kasumi family, and the formal presentation of a visiting card, stating that they wanted to discuss "historical issues and technical matters"... Could it be that a family secret has been discovered?

Yun Jingyao's heart sank little by little.

The Kasumi family, as an upper-class noble family in Soul Society second only to the five great noble families, has a long history and profound heritage.

The foundation of their family's existence lies in their unparalleled weapon forging and spirit equipment development technology, passed down through generations in the Soul Society.

The Seireitei Gotei 13, the Hidden Mobile Force, and even some of the standard and special weapons of the noble private armies are more or less related to the Kasumi Ōji family.

This glory and power is the pride of the family, and also the focus of the covetous eyes of countless enemies.

However, only a very few core members knew what dark and dangerous secret lay hidden beneath this glamorous technological heritage and imposing power—the Tapir Blade.

The origins of that bizarre, forbidden biological weapon that devours the user's spiritual pressure and sanity were initially related to Yun Jingyao's top-secret research.

Although it was later listed as taboo due to accidents and other reasons, and related records were deliberately destroyed and buried, some of the most core, indelible information and... "samples" remained.

Still kept secret deep within the family, Yunjing Yaojue, the chief elder who has served as the assistant to the young head of the family, Kasumi Oji Rurichiyo, and has actually controlled the family affairs for decades.

He was also the creator of the Tapir Blade, and he secretly used the Tapir Blade to cultivate a force that obeyed only his orders.

The "Bakuya-katana Corps" is an assassination squad composed entirely of Shinigami (death gods) who have undergone modifications or enhancements using the "Bakuya-katana"!

These modified Grim Reapers, powerful yet mentally damaged, are like puppets, serving as his sharpest blade to purge dissidents, consolidate power, and ultimately realize the ambition hidden deep within his heart.

Over the years, he has used the "Mo Yao Dao Clan" and various other means to eliminate most of the retainers or branch forces within his family who dared to question him or might hinder his plans.

Once the time is right, he will be able to completely sideline the young head of the family, Ruri Chiyo, and bring the Kasumioji family's vast assets and power under his complete control.

But now... Liuchuan has arrived.

Why are the members of Squad Zero suddenly interested in the Kasumioji family? Is it really to discuss "technical matters"?

While the Kasumi family's forging techniques are top-notch, is that really so appealing to the Zero Division, which is rumored to possess unfathomable abilities? Or... has he sensed something?

"A legacy of history..." Yun Jingyao pondered this phrase on the visiting card. Could it be... the "Mo Yao Knife"?!

Countless speculations and doubts seeped into Yun Jingyao's heart.

He had been working on this for many years, and it seemed that the great thing was about to be accomplished. He absolutely could not let it all fall apart at the last moment because of a kid from the Zero Division who suddenly appeared!

"Liu Chuan... what exactly do you want?" Yun Jingyao stared at the visiting card, his eyes flickering uncertainly.

To directly refuse the visit? Impossible. The Zero Division's invitation is equivalent to the will of the Soul King Palace; the Kasumioji family has no reason, nor the courage, to refuse.

Pretending to be deaf and dumb, or just giving a perfunctory answer? Judging from Liuchuan's past behavior, it's probably not that easy to get rid of him.

We must be prepared! Prepare for the worst!

He took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the panic in his heart, his eyes turning sinister again, and he gently tapped on the desk.

"Tap, tap."

The sound of Yun Jingyao's thin fingers tapping on the desk was exceptionally clear in the silent, secluded room.

The moment the voice faded, a figure slowly emerged from the dark crevice.

A warrior's armor, simple in style yet exuding a ferocious aura, covered his entire body, gleaming with a cold, eerie light in the dim, secret room.

What is most striking is his face.

A huge, menacing scar runs from the forehead to the bridge of the nose, clearly an old wound, yet it still exudes a chillingly fierce aura.

The lower half of the scar was covered by a black mask, revealing only the eyes hidden in the heavy shadows.

He walked about five steps to the desk, knelt on one knee, his movements fluid yet heavy, the armor parts rubbing against each other, producing a deep metallic clang.

He lowered his head and reported briefly:

"My lord, Guanjing Banzuo awaits your orders."

Kujiro Hanzai is the most trusted and sharpest knife in Kujiro Yosuke's hand.

The actual leader of the Kasumi family's assassination squad, "Bakuya-no-Knife Clan," and the most direct executor of all of Kumoi Yosuke's shady dealings.

The scars on his face and the menacing armor he wore were the marks left by countless bloody missions and brutal battles.