Crossover Anime: Starting with Bankai from Demon Slayer

Chapter 409 The Witch of the Western Bureau

"There, there are no Shinigami, no Zanpakuto, no Kido."

"They use a technology called 'magic,' wielding power by chanting incantations and drawing magic circles, and call themselves witches and magicians."

"In short, it is a very special place with independent laws, completely different from the Soul Society we know."

Ichibei used a brush to write and draw in the air, producing terms unfamiliar to the birds: "Those of us in the know will call it Inner London, or..."

"Soul Society: West Frontier Bureau"

The bird listened intently.

Although he had also experienced adventures in other worlds, he never imagined that such a vast and peculiar world existed within the Soul Society he knew.

"But..." Asuka swallowed hard. "What does this have to do with Tokihime? Is she from that world?"

"No."

Ichibei's answer was unequivocal: "Tokihime is a true member of the Eastern Frontier Bureau."

"Moreover, her status is extremely noble..."

"She is a girl from the branch family of Tsunayoshiro, one of the five great noble families."

Gang Midai?

Having just experienced the internal strife instigated by Tsunayoshi, I heard this name again.

Could it be that Hojo learned this information because he belonged to the Tsunayashiro family...?

"As you probably already know, the Tsunayashiro family has always considered themselves the recorders of the world," Ichibei continued.

"When the existence of the West Shore Bureau was discovered, the higher-ups of the Tsunayo family considered it an extremely dangerous and destabilizing factor."

"But at the same time, it also contains a great secret about the origin of the world."

"In order to uncover the truth there, and to explore the true boundaries of the three realms, the Tsunayo family made a decision."

"They need to send an absolutely loyal and exceptionally talented person to that unfamiliar world to seek the truth."

"And the one who was chosen was Tokihime."

A hint of regret crept into Ichibei's voice: "Tokihime is a good girl."

"Besides her outstanding talent, what's even more precious is that she possesses a pure heart that is rarely seen in the Tsunayo family for hundreds of years... Unfortunately, her fate was decided by the family when she was very young."

"She was secretly sent to London as a child to live in that exotic land of dangerous dragons."

"She concealed her identity as the Grim Reaper, learning the local customs and culture from scratch, how to use magic, and how to deal with those creatures known as dragons."

"To fulfill her family's mission and to answer her own questions about the world, she traveled through the streets of both the inner and outer London, venturing into the most dangerous dragon's lair."

"She attempted to combine the demonic arts of the Eastern Bureau with the magic of the Western Bureau, trying to find common ground in the laws of the two worlds, and spent many years there..."

Recalling all of this, Ichibei felt as if it were just yesterday.

"Because she always wore a specially made black cloak and used strange powers that even the natural dragon management agencies couldn't understand..."

'

"More often than not, whether it's the mages of the Western Bureau or the high-ranking members of the Soul Court who know of her existence, they will refer to her by a title that carries a hint of apprehension."

...the witch in black.

The monk's voice lingered in the bird's mind for a long time.

He sat there, stunned, his eyes vacant.

Tokihime.

A noblewoman from the Tsunayo family.

The pathfinders exiled to the Western Frontier Bureau.

A woman known as a witch.

What exactly did she go through back then? Why did Hojo say she was his mother?

And why did I end up in Rukongai? And why, after so many years, does the Tsunayo family still forbid anyone from mentioning my name?

Could the answer lie with the Tsunayo family?

Seeing the growing killing intent emanating from Asuka, Ichibei frowned.

"Calm down, little bird."

His voice came again, pulling the bird back from its chaotic thoughts.

"If you intend to cause a ruckus at the Tsunayo family's residence, I advise you not to act rashly."

"It's not just because the Tsuna-Yayo family holds a position you can't shake; even if you're just going to question them, you have to go through Kuchiki Byakuya's Senbonzakura first."

"Furthermore... I believe your background has nothing to do with Tokihime."

Ichibei patiently explained to Asuka, "After Tokihime returned, several Zero Division members and I exchanged a lot of knowledge about the West Coast Bureau with her. To be honest, I benefited a lot from it."

"Unfortunately, Tokihime died suddenly not long after..."

Dead?

Asuka frowned, instinctively sensing the smell of a conspiracy.

"Hmm... According to the Tsunayoshi family, he died because he was contaminated by the spiritual energy field of the West Shore Bureau for many years, which made him unable to adapt to the environment of Soul Society."

"I don't know the truth of the matter... but one thing is certain: it's impossible for her to have had children in such a short time."

"So, Asuka," Ichibei said, looking earnestly into Asuka's eyes, "you can't possibly be Tsunayoshi Tokihime's child, understand?"

The bird fell silent.

Yes, that was just a name Hojo uttered before he died...

Could it be that he is truly depraved and deliberately trying to provoke a conflict between himself and the Tsunayo family?

But recalling the expression on the other person's face before they died, it certainly didn't seem like...

"Thank you for the information, sir. I will keep it in mind."

After a long silence, the bird finally spoke.

Seeing his calm demeanor, Ichibei breathed a sigh of relief, his laughter returning to its previous hearty tone: "Ha! Anyway, it's good that you've figured it out. This matter..."

"I would like to apply to work at the West Coast Bureau!"

Unexpectedly, this moment of ease lasted only a few seconds before Asuka's words caused Ichibei's laughter to catch in his throat.

"Since I can't afford to offend the Tsunayo family, and you don't know anything about Tokihime, I want to go there myself to find the answers."

"Asuka, you...."

"6

Please approve my request!

Having said that, Fei Niao lowered his head, which was unusually arrogant, and spoke with a firm and resolute tone.

Ichibei's eyes narrowed again.

He could tell that although the guy seemed very sincere, his bowed head showed absolutely no humility.

He could already imagine what would happen if his request was actually rejected...

He'll probably go find the so-called Western Bureau without giving any prior notice.

An eerie silence lingered between the two, neither speaking, silently waiting for time to pass.

"Why...."

In the end, Ichibei waved his hand helplessly: "I understand..."

"This matter, I will discuss further with everyone in the Spirit King Palace and with the will of the Spirit King."

'

The ink began to slowly fade, and Ichibei's phantom image gradually blurred.

Asuka raised her head, cupped her hands in a gesture of respect towards Ichibei, and said nothing more.

"Enter your spiritual power only if necessary... Don't make any rash moves during this time, you brat."

After saying that, the illusory image on the agency certificate completely disappeared, and the room returned to silence.

Moonlight seeped through the cracks into the windowsill.

Asuka stared at the agency certificate in her hand, the title "witch" echoing in her mind.

He pushed open the paper window and looked out at the tranquil night outside the manor.

I am restless and uneasy.