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

"From this day forward, the Zanpakuto will rule over the Shinigami!"

“Muramasa…” Kuchiki Byakuya recalled the name. He remembered the past that Kuchiki Ginrei occasionally told him. It turned out that it was not just a legend!

Muramasa's true abilities are not simply "manipulation" or "defection".

He can sense and amplify any form of "dissatisfaction" that a Zanpakuto might have towards its Shinigami wielder.

Whether it's dissatisfaction with being treated as a mere tool, dissatisfaction with the weakness of the master, dissatisfaction with the limitation of power, or dissatisfaction with being ignored...

As long as there is even the slightest crack, Muramasa can ignite and magnify it until the will of the Zanpakuto completely deviates and turns against it!

Chapter 135 The Final Crescent Moon Sky Surge

However, in this oppressive atmosphere, two figures, one after the other, slowly walked out from the captain's line.

One man wore his usual cheerful smile, but that smile now contained absolute seriousness and fighting spirit—the captain of the 10th Division, Shiba Isshin.

The other person wore glasses and had an unchanging, humble smile on his face, as if the earth-shattering changes before him could not disturb his inner peace—the fifth division captain, Aizen Sousuke.

Ignoring the surprised and uncertain gazes around them, the two calmly drew their Zanpakuto.

Shiba Isshin shouldered his Zanpakuto and grinned:

"Oh, looks like tonight's program is going to be quite lively. But, you think you can make my 'Shanyue' sulk with me? No way!"

His eyes narrowed, and a blazing, intense spiritual pressure erupted from his body, his Zanpakuto bursting into flames: "Burn—Shanyue!"

Blazing flames shot into the sky, enveloping the blade. Shiba Isshin, wielding the flaming giant blade, unleashed a surge of power, his Zanpakuto responding with fluid and overwhelming force!

Almost simultaneously, Aizen gently raised his Zanpakuto, his gaze behind his glasses calm and unwavering.

"It's a truly regrettable situation, but my relationship with my Zanpakuto has always been harmonious. Shatter, Kyoka Suigetsu!"

The other captains all knew about the ability of "Mirror Flower Water Moon," which uses the irregular reflections of mist and water to disrupt the enemy's five senses and cause them to kill each other.

However, the spiritual pressure surrounding Aizen clearly indicated that his Shikai was complete and the power of his Zanpakuto could be activated at any time.

"Oh?" For the first time, Muramasa's gaze showed a noticeable change. He looked at Shiba Isshin and Aizen with slight surprise.

"So there's a Grim Reaper who can resist 'Liberation'... Interesting."

Shiba Isshin said nonchalantly, "Looks like only Captain Aizen's and my Zanpakuto are reliable tonight!"

Aizen adjusted his glasses and smiled, "Captain Isshin is joking. I simply understand and treat 'Kyoka Suigetsu' as an equal."

It knows my feelings, and I respect its existence. We trust each other, so there is no 'betrayal' between us.

His words were spoken in a gentle and refined manner, which, combined with the "good guy" and "ideal captain" image he had always cultivated, sounded reasonable.

The Shinigami around them, especially the members of the Fifth Division, all showed expressions of admiration and understanding, as if to say, "Just as I thought" and "As expected of Captain Aizen."

Hinamori Momo's eyes shone with undisguised admiration, and she thought excitedly:

"Captain Aizen... he's so gentle and respectful even to his own Zanpakuto! How could such a perfect person have a Zanpakuto betray him?"

However, the Third Division Captain Gin Ichimaru, who was standing in the shadows not far away, had a look of seriousness in his eyes, which were always narrowed to slits.

He knew Aizen Sousuke's true nature and the terrifying hypnotic power of Kyoka Suigetsu better than anyone else.

Muramasa's ability is to amplify the "dissatisfaction" of a Zanpakuto... but Kyoka Suigetsu is a Zanpakuto whose essence is "deception".

Does it really have any "dissatisfaction" with Aizen, the master who took "deception" to the extreme and even used it to build the world?

No, perhaps quite the opposite... Only in Aizen's hands could Kyoka Suigetsu fully unleash its ability to "deceive the world" and savor the unparalleled pleasure of manipulating the perceptions of all beings.

This is not just "harmony," but a higher level of harmony! Even Muramasa's abilities cannot shake this relationship...

Gin Ichimaru's heart sank. The appearance of Muramasa was already terrifying enough, but Aizen's "normality" made him feel an even deeper chill.

If Aizen's Zanpakuto didn't betray him, it could be explained by his "personal charisma" and "treating his Zanpakuto well."

The fact that Shiba Isshin's Akizuki was also unharmed has puzzled and even made many people feel indignant.

Isshin Shiba? The 10th Division captain who's always joking around, shirking his duties, and constantly going out drinking, who seems carefree and unserious?

Why is his Zanpakuto so devoted to him? Does the Zanpakuto also prefer such a casual master?

Some captains and deputy captains who knew Zhibo Yixin's "moral character" couldn't help but have doubts.

But only Shiba Isshin himself, and the blazing "Shanyue" in his hand, knew that this bond, which remained unbreakable even under Muramasa's strange abilities, did not come out of thin air.

On the contrary, the cost of this bond is far greater than outsiders can imagine.

After that night's operation with Yanagawa, Shiba Isshin did not rest, but instead, unusually, he practiced sword meditation, entering the inner world of his Zanpakuto.

It was not a fiery hell, but an endless wasteland burning with an inextinguishable flame.

In the heart of the wasteland, an ancient-looking Zanpakuto is stuck in the ground, its blade wreathed in quietly burning flames—that is the manifestation of the true will of "Shanyue".

"Hey, Shan Yue, are you free to chat tonight?" Shiba Isshin stepped forward, sat cross-legged opposite the giant sword, his smile unchanged, but his eyes were unusually serious.

The blade trembled slightly, the flame flickered, and a deep voice rang out:

"Isshin, you have some doubts in your heart. Are they about power, or about protection?"

"I think so." Shiba Isshin scratched his head.

"A lot has happened recently. After doing so many big things with Liuchuan... I feel that relying on the current situation is not quite enough."

"What if one day I encounter an exceptionally formidable opponent, or... need to protect something extremely important? Will my current strength be sufficient?"

After a moment of silence, Yan Yue's voice rang out again, tinged with a complex emotion:

“Yixin, you crave power to protect, but have you ever considered that what you want to protect may not be exactly the same as what I, ‘Shanyue,’ want to protect?”

Shiba Isshin was taken aback: "What do you mean? You are my Zanpakuto, aren't we one?"

"We are one, yet distinct." The flames of the bright moon rose slightly.

"As a Shinigami, you want to protect the order of the Seireitei, protect your comrades, protect your family, and protect the 'justice' and 'responsibility' that you believe in."

"I will naturally do my best to help with these matters."

Its tone shifted slightly, carrying a deeper, purer emotion:

"However, Yixin, while your grand goals and heavy responsibilities are important to me, they are not my fundamental original intention."

From the moment my soul resonated with yours and consciousness was born, the only thing I've ever wanted to protect, from beginning to end, is you yourself!

Shiba Isshin was stunned, staring at the burning blade before him, speechless for a moment.

Yan Yue's voice, like the most steadfast vow, echoed through the fiery wasteland.

"So when you ask me if my power is enough, my answer is—if it's to protect 'you' yourself, so that you can survive in any desperate situation..."

The flames suddenly surged higher, their light blinding! A stream of light, imbued with the Zanpakuto's original will, shot out from the tip of the blade and instantly pierced into Shiba Isshin's brow!

"Ugh—!" A massive flow of information and an unprecedented sense of power surged into Shiba Isshin's consciousness!

He "saw" a move, an ultimate technique that was so powerful it was terrifying, yet came at a price so heavy it was heartbreaking!

"The name of this move is—The Final Crescent Moon Strike." Yan Yue's voice sounded ethereal yet resolute amidst the torrent of information.

"By using this move, you will temporarily gain an unprecedented power boost that surpasses your current level. Its power is enough to reverse most seemingly hopeless battle situations."

"But the price is..." Yan Yue's voice lowered, carrying a hint of barely perceptible sadness.

"Once used, the part of me that constitutes my existence and is connected to your soul will burn completely and irreversibly."

I will... vanish forever, and you, Shiba Isshin, will also forever lose your power as a Shinigami.

Shiba Isshin's consciousness churned amidst excruciating pain and shock. Permanently losing his Shinigami powers? The eternal annihilation of the Moon Goddess? This price…

"Why..." he managed to utter, "Why tell me this technique? Why, knowing the price would be so high..."

"Because this is my answer." Yan Yue's voice returned to calm, even carrying a hint of relief.

"You want to protect 'those', but I only want to protect 'you'. If one day in the future you encounter an enemy that you can't defeat and that will endanger your life."

Therefore, rather than let you die in battle, I would rather give you this final power, so that you may lose your power but live on.

To survive, even as an ordinary person, is the 'protection' that Yan Yue most wants to achieve.

“But you…” Shiba Isshin felt a sharp pang of sorrow.

The Zanpakuto is a partner, another side of the soul, which caused Shan Yue to completely dissipate in order to "live on"?

"No need for sorrow, just focus." The flames of the bright moon seemed to soften.

"We are one; my will is another expression of your will. If you agree with this 'protection,' then accept it. Then, with this awareness, continue forward."

As consciousness returned to reality, the conversation that night and the passing down of the "Last Crescent Moon Tenshou" remained like the deepest imprint on Shiba Isshin's soul.

From then on, his relationship with Yan Yue was no longer just that of master and weapon, nor simply that of partners fighting side by side.

It is a deeper level of absolute trust and entrustment of life that transcends ordinary bonds.

He knew Shan Yue's final feelings and choices, and Shan Yue also knew his resolve after accepting those feelings.

Their connection has become so close that any external attempts to sow discord, alienate, or amplify "dissatisfaction" have proven utterly ineffective.

Because of his unwavering devotion to Shiba, Shan Yue no longer harbors any "dissatisfaction," but only the purest and most extreme will to "protect," and is even willing to sacrifice everything for this will.

Zhibo's heart is set on Shanyue, and he carries this heavy realization and gratitude.

The flames of the moon burn only for Shiba Isshin, existing only to protect him. Muramasa's abilities are meaningless in the face of this will.

Chapter 136: The Sealed Captain-General?

"Hmph, it seems there are still two who slipped through the net." Muramasa's gaze swept over Shiba Isshin and Aizen, his tone still calm, but a deeper probing seemed to flash in the depths of his eyes.

He could sense that the connection between Shiba Isshin and that flame-wielding Zanpakuto was exceptionally strong, a connection that even Muramasa himself secretly envied.

"But what can the two of you change on your own?"

Muramasa stopped hesitating and gently raised his hand.

The dozens of materialized Zanpakuto around him simultaneously emitted hostile spiritual pressure fluctuations.

Like a pack of wolves about to pounce on their prey, they locked onto all the Shinigami in the arena, especially the two figures who could still wield the power of Zanpakuto.

Kenpachi Zaraki licked his lips, his eyes blazing with fighting spirit.

Kuchiki Byakuya gripped the unfreezable Senbonzakura tightly, preparing for this incredibly difficult chaotic battle without the aid of his Zanpakuto.