Crossover Anime: Starting with Bankai from Demon Slayer

Chapter 385 A True Judge of Character

"As you know, Aizen massacred the entire Central 46 Chambers... The Soul Society is now being rebuilt amidst chaos."

"The newly appointed Captain Kyoraku wants to stabilize the situation in the Spirit Court as soon as possible and re-establish the power structure of the Central 46. He has been working hard lately to make contacts and appease the restless noble forces... We admire him for that."

"At this critical juncture, what Captain Kyoraku needs most is stability... He needs the various families to unite and provide resources and support, rather than having internal strife break out at this time."

"And Yunjing Yaojue..." Quanlong sighed, "Although I don't want to admit it, he is too good at political maneuvering."

"He had already secretly made exchanges of interests with many upper-class nobles... To outsiders, the head of the Kumoi family was a mature, experienced politician who could perfectly control the Kasumi family's vast business empire."

"In comparison, our Lady Ruri Chiyo..."

Yuanlong gave a wry smile: "In the eyes of those politicians and nobles, she's just a naive, willful, and even somewhat arrogant little girl."

"Handing the Kasumi family over to her will only bring uncertainty and chaos."

"Lord Asuka, you are well aware of the schemes of those in power, and you know how much filth and despicable behavior is involved."

Inuryu raised his head, his gaze uneasy: "If we report this to the Kyoraku Commander-in-Chief, do you think, considering the bigger picture and stability, the Kyoraku Commander will choose to support a willful little girl who could be assassinated at any moment and has no powerful backing?"

"Or will they choose to turn a blind eye and acquiesce to Yun Jingyao's usurpation in exchange for a stable and obedient family that can continuously provide resources and support to the new 46th Chamber?"

"If we don't expose this matter... we still have the possibility of contacting other loyal subjects to rebel, but once it's brought to the forefront..."

These words were indeed realistic, leaving even the birds speechless.

He did not refute it because he realized that what the two guards said was possible.

Although he didn't know what kind of person Kyoraku Shunsui was...

But someone who can be elected as the captain in such a place is no ordinary person; he is most likely a cunning old fox who is good at scheming and weighing options.

If Ruri Chiyo were handed over, the most likely outcome would not be protection... but rather that she would be used as a political pawn, placed under house arrest, or even quietly die of illness in some unknown corner.

Asuka's eyes flickered slightly as she looked at the two desperate men before her: "...But what use are you to me?"

Inuryu kowtowed deeply again: "We know that you have received a direct appointment from the Soul King Palace and are an acting Shinigami independent of the Gotei 13!"

"You are not subject to the jurisdiction of the Thirteen Squads, nor are you bound by the outdated customs and practices of Seireitei."

"In this world, if there is anyone who can disregard those corrupt exchanges of interests, if there is anyone who can protect Lady Rurichiyo solely with a heart of justice... then it is only you, Lady Asuka!"

The bird listened quietly to their story, its face revealing no emotion.

After a long pause, he chuckled softly.

"Your ideas are not bad, but what makes you think I will do as you wish?"

Asuka's eyes became extremely aggressive as she crouched down and looked at Inuryu: "You just said that Kyoraku Shunsui needs stability and needs to win over the nobles."

"As a substitute Grim Reaper still on probation at the university, what reason do I have to offend the current Captain-Commander and get involved in the mess of your Kasumi Ōji family for a complete stranger?"

"In my opinion, it would be more worthwhile for me to just tie you all up and hand you over to Kyoraku Shunsui in exchange for a favor, or to secure a more stable position for myself in Soul Society."

"After all, returning a runaway noblewoman to the Seireitei is a great achievement, isn't it?"

This rhetorical question was equally realistic, and it silenced Inu-ryu and Ape-ryu.

The two remained kneeling, their bodies stiff as two stones.

Of course they considered this possibility.

In this escape, every plea for help is a life-or-death gamble.

In reality, they had no bargaining chips to use in the exchange.

Their weakness had already been seen through by the Grim Reaper agent in front of them, and the difference in strength between the two sides was like an insurmountable chasm.

Even if they want to hide it or escape, if the other party is determined to stop them, they will have no way out.

The extreme pressure drove them to take desperate measures; they had no choice but to sacrifice Ruri Chiyo's life and the future of the Kasumioji family.

They gambled heavily on the Grim Reaper's agent before them, betting that he possessed a just heart.

a long time.

Dog Dragon slowly raised its head.

To Asuka's surprise, the man who had just been pleading did not show any fear or despair despite Asuka's threat.

He and the ape-dragon beside him exchanged a glance, and a bitter smile, full of helplessness and self-mockery, appeared on their lips at the same time.

"Lord Asuka..."

Inu-ryu's voice became much calmer: "If you really decide to do that... then there's nothing we can do..."

"Our strength is like that of ants before you... If you want to capture us, we don't even have the right to resist..."

"If you intend to return Lady Rurichiyo to the head of the Kumoi family..."

Inu Ryu closed his eyes, two lines of tears sliding down his cheeks: "It was fate that brought ruin upon the Kasumi clan... We have nothing to say, we can only resign ourselves to fate."

Yuanlong also took off his sunglasses, wiped his bloodshot eyes, and said in a tragic tone, "We only hate that our strength is too weak to eliminate the treacherous officials."

"If Lord Asuka is truly going to use us to secure his future, we only ask one thing of you..."

...I only hope that you will spare her a proper burial, considering her youth and innocence, and prevent her from falling into the hands of that old scoundrel, Kumoi, and suffering endless torment...

After saying that, the two of them closed their eyes at the same time.

They straightened their necks, as if offering their necks for execution, waiting for the bird's merciless blade to fall.

Asuka looked at the two men and fell silent again.

They are not smart.

Their plan was riddled with flaws.

They don't even have the power to protect their master.

However, when faced with a desperate situation, they did not choose to betray or run away, but instead chose to gamble their lives on a slim chance.

This kind of awkward obsession... this kind of stubbornness in order to protect someone, even knowing it's impossible.

"call...."

This world is rotten...

But there are always some people who use their faint light to try to illuminate even a small patch of darkness.

"Don't put on this dramatic, life-or-death act in front of me, it's annoying."

The bird turned around and looked towards the end of the street.

There, Shinobu Kocho was leading Ruri Chiyo, who was holding a giant pink cotton candy, back home, chatting and laughing.

"You two idiots...didn't you prepare a Plan B or something? Aren't you afraid I'll really catch you?"

"Lord Asuka! You mean...?"

"Don't be so loud, get up quickly..." Asuka's voice was still indifferent, but to Inuryu and Enryu's ears, it was like heavenly music: "That little girl, Shinobu seems to like her quite a bit."

"If Shinobu knew I gave that little girl away as a gift, she would be very angry..."

"Sigh... Pack your things and come with me to find a place to stay for the night. The shady merchants have a lot of territory..."