Chapter 44: A man who is loyal to strength
“Captain, should we keep running away like this?”
“Are you suggesting to return to Gotei 13?” Watanabe Keiryū fiercely glared at his Lieutenant after hearing his question.
“It wasn’t because of your idea. That bastard Azashiro is just a complete lunatic, eliminating all Hollow? He gotta be joking! I thought it was just his excuse to gain more influence. That guy is actually serious about eliminating all Hollow. He even tried to convince those old fogeys in Central 46.”
Watanabe Keiryū was so annoyed because he originally planned to join forces with Azashiro Kenpachi to gain more influence, but he turned out to be such a…
“Hm? Why did you stop?”
Watanabe Keiryū turned around and asked when he sensed his Lieutenant suddenly stopped moving.
Even though Watanabe Keiryū was in this predicament because of his Lieutenant, he realized his Lieutenant did it was for his own good. Even though he was a little frustrated, he knew that he couldn’t keep relying on his Lieutenant as he was no longer a Captain, just a traitor to Soul Society, and by now, Gotei 13 must’ve issued an execution order for them.
“I don’t think I can go with you.”
Ryūzaki Sengyo said indifferently, which obviously surprised the other two.
“What do you mean by that?” Watanabe Keiryū didn’t seem pleased.
“Exactly as it sounds.”
Ryūzaki Sengyo’s expression was as indifferent as ever, but his words completely changed the look on their face.
“Ryūzaki, you bastard, are you betraying Oji-sama?” Watanabe Ichiro said with a fiery glare.
Ryūzaki Sengyo was quiet for a moment before smirking all of a sudden, “Are you a fool? Just how gullible are you?”
“You son of a…”
Watanabe Ichiro was furious and immediately drew his Zanpakuto, but Watanabe Keiryū stopped him.
“Oji-sama!”
Watanabe Ichiro looked at his uncle confusedly. Had it not for him, he would’ve struck Ryūzaki Sengyo down.
“I want to hear your explanation, Sengyo.”
Watanabe Keiryū ignored the questioning look on his nephew’s face and looked straight at Ryūzaki Sengyo solemnly. It seemed that he really wanted an answer.
“You have always been loyal. Even if I ask you to do something you don’t like, you never refuse and always complete the task I gave you. Why would you betray me?“ Watanabe Keiryū’s said with a delicate expression on his face.
Ryūzaki Sengyo just smiled. He did not mind answering this question, perhaps out of respect for his former Captain, but he did bow his head slightly before explaining.
“Betray you? No, I’ve never done such a thing. That’s just your wishful thinking. I’ve never been loyal to you in the first place, so you’re quite mistaken.”
Watanabe Keiryū frowned. Why would his Lieutenant do everything he said so far if it were not out of loyalty?
Seeing Watanabe Keiryū’s still seemed puzzled, as if knowing what he was thinking, Ryūzaki Sengyo immediately added: “I have never been loyal to you. I’m simply loyal to power!”
There was a trace of madness on Ryūzaki Sengyo’s face.
“Power is the only thing I believe! Absolute power that stands above others!”
This time, Ryūzaki Sengyo went insane from the looks of it. His maniac laugh sent chills down to Watanabe Keiryū and Watanabe Ichiro’s spine. Anyone would be shaking in their boots right now regardless of how strong Ryūzaki Sengyo was. Watanabe Keiryū and Watanabe Ichiro saw nothing but a madman in front of them
After a short while, Ryūzaki Sengyo seemed to realize his unbecoming behaviour and immediately regained his composure, and his expression gradually reverted to listless as usual. But Watanabe Keiryū and Watanabe Ichiro would never think that the man in front of them was just an indifferent guy since he snapped off earlier.
“Up until now, I’m not loyal toward you, but your strength, but what do you think you have left now? You’ve lost your influence, your status, and soon you will lose strength and your life. I don’t think you can escape from Soul Society’s nose.”
“Now that you have lost everything, I don’t think you’re worth following anymore.”
“This is not a betrayal. All I’ve been loyal to is power.”
Watanabe Keiryū seemed quite disturbed by Ryūzaki Sengyo’s remark just now.
“Oji-sama, let me kill this scum!”
Watanabe Ichiro was ready to draw his Zanpakuto and cut Ryūzaki Sengyo down. Even though he was a bit startled because of Ryūzaki Sengyo’s sudden change, he couldn’t allow himself to cower in fear here. He was so eager to kill the guy who betrayed them.
“Stand down! you are no match for him.”
Watanabe Keiryū stopped his nephew while vigilantly observing Ryūzaki Sengyo. He realized his former Lieutenant was not someone he could underestimate. As his Captain, who has spent quite some time with him, he knew that he has been holding back out of reservations for him, and his nephew clearly couldn’t handle Ryūzaki Sengyo if he went all out. Besides, his Zanpakuto Ability was tricky too.
“Besides, there is no time to waste now. We must hurry up and leave.”
Watanabe Ichiro realized his uncle had a point. They indeed couldn’t afford to waste any time now, so he sheathed his Zanpakuto even though reluctantly while glaring fiercely at Ryūzaki Sengyo.
“Do you still plan to escape now? You may not make it, Captain Watanabe.”
“Who!?”
Watanabe Keiryū’s complexion drastically changed, and he quickly put his hand on Zanpakuto.
“No, I don’t think I should call you Captain Watanabe anymore. Maybe it’s better to call you a traitor to Soul Society, Watanabe Keiryū.” Kimura Muyang said with a playful tone as he appeared before them with a smile.”
Kimura Muyang received a message from Hikifune Kirio through Kidō on his ways. When he heard the news, Kimura Muyang couldn’t help but be taken aback. Stabbing 2 Captains in the back, leaving them severely injured and still being treated at the 4th Division’s infirmary. In addition, Captain-Commander Yamamoto ordered to execute them if they showed even the slightest resistance!
Kimura Muyang stared at Watanabe Keiryū mockingly. There was not even a handful of cases like this in Soul Society because there was no way one could get away after committing such a crime. Besides, he still got some unfinished business with him.
“Kimura Muyang.” After looking at Kimura Muyang briefly, Watanabe Keiryū asked, “You’re not gonna hide behind your Captain this time?”
Kimura Muyang didn’t bother responding to Watanabe Keiryū’s little provocation. They were all dead meat in his eyes anyway, so he just let him do whatever he wanted for now. Kimura Muyang knew himself the best, and he believed that he would never lose to ordinary Captains
Besides, Hikifune Kirio and Kyōraku Shunsui were on the way. Even if he couldn’t deal with these three, it’d be fine as long as he could stall them until Hikifune Kirio and Kyōraku Shunsui arrived.
“Oji-sama, please leave it to me this time.”
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