A/N: Had to leave for a relative's wedding.
...
{Muramasa got Minazuki. Boy, it'll be a pain for you to deal with him.}
The rapid progress of Muramasa's plan gave Kazuya a strong hunch that the rebellion drew closer. A rebellion that was in name only, the true goal of which was to weaken Yamamoto by taking away his ability to use his Zanpakutō.
'Aizen isn't messing around now.'
{Brother Sosuke took a long rest and went back to scheming.}
Unohana suddenly placed her sword against his neck. "You don't look the least bit surprised."
He casually pushed back her blade, showing a solemn expression. "I talked to Rangiku today. Ikkaku Madarame of the 11th Squad might be dealing with the same issue."
"Madarame too? Who could be behind this?"
No matter how hard Unohana thought, she couldn't pinpoint anyone with the ability to take someone's Zanpakutō Spirit away — the ability went against the very fundamentals of the Soul Society. Kazuya would be her first suspect if she wasn't familiar with him. After all, his mere existence defied every established notion about Shinigami and Hollow. Her close second suspect would be Aizen, someone she knew next to nothing about.
"It might be Aizen's trump card."
His answer made her frown, as she imagined the fate of the Soul Society with everyone being unable to use their Zanpakutō. Most captains wouldn't be able to fight at their designated rank without their Shikai or Bankai. Only abnormalities like Kenpachi and Yoruichi could fight at their best, as their fighting style never relied on their Zanpakutō.
"If your doubts aren't misplaced, this will be catastrophic for the Soul Society," she whispered, looking mighty serious. "Will the ability work on you? Your Zanpakutō is principally different from a normal Shinigami."
She had no knowledge of his Zanpakutō, but she knew he wielded two fundamentally different types of Zanpakutō — a support-type and a complete offensive-type in his Hollow form. She hadn't seen his Hollow form in action, but she had heard of it from Aizen himself.
And from those words, she had felt nothing but curiosity about the full potential of his Zanpakutō.
Kazuya shook his head. "Probably not. My Zanpakutō is… Nami, come out."
As he knocked on his katana's guard, wisps of flames emerged from its sheath, and from them emerged Nami. Unohana was somewhat surprised to see his Zanpakutō Spirit dressed in overtly regal clothing that starkly contrasted with the traditional Japanese aesthetics embraced by the Soul Society.
Nami smiled, raising the edge of her dress and giving a curtsy bow. "It's an honor to make your acquaintance, Unohana-sama. I'm Izanami-no-Makoto. Nami for short."
Nami's formal etiquette surprised Unohana as she expected his Zanpakutō Spirit to be a reflection of him. There wasn't a speck of rudeness or playfulness to be gleaned from Nami's behavior.
Smiling, Unohana waved her hand. "No need to be formal, Izanami-san."
"It's not a matter of needs but a matter of want." Nami sat down on the floor, mirroring Unohana's overly formal seiza style. Feeling Kazuya's intent gaze, she cleared her throat loudly. "Partner, it's not nice to make people uncomfortable with your stare."
"Uncomfortable my ass," he muttered under his breath. "Why are you roleplaying Soi Fon when she is around Yoruichi? Don't tell me you have a crush on Retsu."
"Uh, it's not like that. Unohana-sama is my idol!" Nami chuckled. "Truth be told, I have always admired her."
"Idol?" Unohana asked, confused. "What have I done to earn your adoration?"
Ever since she hung up her boots—sword—she had done nothing but heal her people and even enemies she had encountered along the way. She never thought her work could get not one but two women's admiration, with Isane being the first.
Nami revealed a cheeky grin. "Unohana-sama is everything I want to be — a perfect blend of gentleness and insanity. And she brings it all together with a sense of impeccable grace. How can I not admire her?"
Unohana took back her previous words — Nami was just as, if not more, eccentric than Kazuya. "What are you teaching your Zanpakutō Spirit?"
He shrugged. "She has been infected from the start."
"Indeed, my desires aren't Partner's fault," Nami said. "He likes crazy, and I want to be the craziest bitch out there. It's as simple as that."
Unohana couldn't help but smile. "Even your Zanpakutō Spirit is obsessed with you. I'd be more careful if I were in your shoes. Obsession, when extreme, can lead to extremely dangerous situations for the victim… One of these days, you may wake up with a knife in your chest."
She had heard too many stories—tragedies—that ended poorly for both parties. After all, even the strongest person was vulnerable in their sleep. Walking up to him and stabbing him over, over, and over would be a delightful feeling—she slapped her cheeks, snapping herself out of the vivid, bloody vision.
"I wouldn't mind being stabbed by Retsu's sword."
Unohana looked at him with a blank gaze, wondering what she had done to get him to act this way toward her. Nothing. Absolutely nothing. Nothing was her fault. He had an abnormal personality to begin with.
Nami burst into laughter. "Partner, how could you say that with a straight face? Say it with a tiny smile to come off as even crazier."
"Nah. I'm not crazy."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. Liking crazies doesn't qualify me as one… I think?"
"Kind of true…" Nami nodded slowly as though coming to an enlightenment. "Partner is wise beyond his years."
Unohana rubbed her forehead, suddenly looking concerned about resting the Soul Society's future in his hands. "This discussion will lead nowhere."
He reached out and took her hand. "Let's leave whatever this is and go to my place."
She swatted his hand away. "We still have your training. Come, let's finish it quickly so I can discuss this Zanpakutō Spirit vanishing phenomenon with Captain Yamamoto."
She had to discuss this matter with Yamamoto and find the culprit behind it, or else the whole Soul Society might lose their Zanpakutō Spirits.
He let out a sigh. "We'll have to use Shunpo today."
"It'll be a good warm-up for—" she suddenly looked to her right, sharp eyes seemingly gazing beyond the wall. "Captain Soi Fon…" She turned to him with an inquisitive look. "Have you done something to her?"
He looked like he wanted to curse out loud. "Nothing, well, aside from beating her a couple of times in the past. Doesn't feel like she is here for that."
"..."
Nami glanced between the two of them before disappearing back into the katana with a "Goodbye". She wanted no part of the drama that would soon occur due to Soi Fon.
Sliding through the door in a hurry, Soi Fon showed, her forehead covered in sweat. "Kazuya, get up now… Captain Commander has summoned you."
***
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