Chapter 240: Zokusa's Revenge!
"You're strong. What's your name?"
Ishihara asked, showing a measure of respect for strength.
The man slowly lifted his head.
"You're not going to kill me? This is something you created, after all~."
"You'd better cultivate chakra. This power doesn't belong to you—it will leave you one day."
Ishihara didn't answer the man's question but instead spoke about something else.
The man was momentarily stunned but quickly understood.
"I see. Thanks for the advice. My name is Genma Zokusa, but just call me Zokusa."
Zokusa spoke, a thought already forming in his mind.
This man wouldn't kill him for now, but one day, he would probably come to reclaim the Zanpakutō. When that happened, all this power would vanish from his grasp.
The only way to maintain his strength after losing the Zanpakutō was to cultivate chakra.
Before, no one had been willing to teach him. Now, no one would dare refuse to teach him!
Thinking this, a slight smirk appeared on Zokusa's lips.
In truth, Ishihara was thinking the same thing. Since he had decided to make this man work for him, there was no rush to kill him.
Later, he would come back for this guy and take all his spiritual energy.
Saying those words was simply to mentally prepare Zokusa.
Just then, the Zanpakutō, which had fled earlier, came rushing back!
"Haha! I'm back! Catch me properly this time!"
The Zanpakutō spoke arrogantly, but Zokusa completely ignored it.
With a quick step, he dodged, letting the sword stab into the ground.
"Pfft! Ugh! Damn it! You actually dared to dodge me?! That's outrageous! If it weren't for—hey, hey, hey! Not so rough!"
The Zanpakutō was still complaining when Zokusa yanked it out and gave it a firm shake.
"Oh? Not running anymore?"
Ishihara teased, while the Zanpakutō warily eyed him.
It was well aware of Ishihara's strength—if he truly wanted to kill them, they wouldn't stand a chance.
"Tell me your master's location. Otherwise, I won't hesitate to destroy you."
"Impossible! I would never betray my master!"
The Zanpakutō declared firmly, but Zokusa tightened his grip on it.
"Tell him."
Zokusa's voice was icy cold, and for a moment, the Zanpakutō felt as if it had seen its great-grandmother's ghost.
But in the next second, it remained stubborn.
"No way! Find it yourself!"
Just as Zokusa was about to press further, Ishihara shook his head.
He had already figured it out—this Zanpakutō most likely didn't even know its so-called master's whereabouts.
Most likely, the master had a special way to signal it when nearby.
"I'm leaving. There's no point questioning it further."
With that, Ishihara vanished with a Shunshin no Jutsu, while Zokusa stared at the sword in his hand.
"One last time. He's gone now—do you truly not know where your master is, or are you just refusing to say?"
Zokusa's words made the Zanpakutō fall silent.
That was answer enough.
So this idiot didn't even know the location itself?
Then what was the point of looking for the master?
Wasn't this just pure stupidity?
"I only remember… it was on the sea."
"The sea, huh? That's going to be a hassle."
Zokusa sighed in frustration, but for now, his main goal was revenge!
Those bastards who had tormented him—were they ready for what was coming?
This time, he was going to tear them all apart!
— — —
Meanwhile, after leaving, Ishihara continued searching for scattered Zanpakutō.
However, for a long while, he didn't come across any more linked to the Shadow Organization.
Several days passed like this.
Then, Zokusa arrived at the entrance of a mountain stronghold, Zanpakutō in hand.
This was the place.
The people inside had tormented him!
"I'm back! This time, I'll flatten this place!"
"Hey, hey, hey! Those guys inside are just trash. You're not seriously thinking of making me cut down trash, are you?"
The Zanpakutō immediately protested. It could sense that there wasn't a single strong fighter in the entire stronghold.
It wanted to battle real warriors, not a bunch of weaklings!
"They're the ones who left me to be hunted by wolves. You think I'll let them off?"
Zokusa's voice was calm, but his intent was clear.
He was someone who settled his debts.
Since they had harmed him, he would repay them in full!
"Fine, fine. I won't use your power unless absolutely necessary."
Zokusa smirked, stepping forward.
At that moment, one of the lookouts at the gate spotted him.
"Huh? Hey, doesn't that guy look like Zokusa?"
"It really is him! That bastard is still alive? What about the forest wolves? Weren't they supposed to kill him?"
"This is weird. I clearly remember us releasing over a dozen forest wolves."
"No matter. We'll just kill him now."
"Agreed. I'll take care of him."
"Heh. You? Are you sure? He's carrying a sword, you know."
"Hah! What a joke. At least I know how to use kunai."
With that, the man lunged forward…
(Translator's Note: This fanfic will be on hiatus.)