Episode 81: Interference

Hand him over to me.

Hearing such arrogant words from the short boy before him, Nagatsuro couldn't help but twitch his eye in irritation.

He despised those who meddled in others' affairs and shamelessly tried to steal the glory. Clearly, this prodigious little fellow had become one of Nagatsuro's least favorite people.

"Hey, hey, even if you're the captain, brazenly trying to take someone isn't right, is it?"

With a tone of mild annoyance, Nagatsuro nodded at Hitsugaya, hoping he would leave at once.

Unfortunately, Nagatsuro underestimated Hitsugaya's persistence when it came to Momoka. The boy with silver hair shook his head and replied with utmost seriousness, "Sorry, but may I?"

"......"

A truly difficult type to negotiate with—this wasn't Nagatsuro's forte.

Nagatsuro narrowed his eyes dangerously, speaking in a low voice, "I don't like arguing. If you won't back down, that's fine..."

"Click..."

The supple rapier in his hand suddenly became as sharp as a dagger, poised at Hitsugaya's throat.

"Why not just get rid of you first?"

"You!"

Hitsugaya, sensing the other wasn't joking, immediately drew the zanpakuto from his back and knocked Nagatsuro's sword aside, keeping his distance.

"Are you... with him as well?"

He couldn't believe it. If they really were together, he'd be in serious trouble today.

"Me? With him? That's amusing, Captain Hitsugaya. If I were with him..."

Nagatsuro lifted his head slightly, the contempt in his eyes unmistakable.

"Would you still be standing here, speaking so casually?"

"......"

Though the worst-case scenario was avoided, Hitsugaya found no comfort in it. The situation was, at best, a standoff between three forces; at worst, he was surrounded, and while they weren't allied, a temporary partnership was likely. Taking down Ichimaru before Momoka arrived was impossible.

"Captain Ichimaru, consider this your benefit for now. I'll deal with you once I've handled him."

"Oh my, should I be thankful at a time like this?"

Ichimaru spread his trademark fox-like smile, his sleeve lifted by the wind, revealing the concealed dagger within.

"But I have no intention of accepting your favor, Vice Captain Shakube."

He opened his eyes dangerously, his tone carrying a hint of menace. "On the contrary, I'm rather interested to see just where your limits lie."

"......"

Hitsugaya glanced back at Ichimaru in surprise, a glint of caution in his eyes.

Join forces with Ichimaru?

Never mind that the other was a vice captain; right now, the fox-faced man before him was still a suspect in Aizen's murder. He might suddenly stab him in the back at any moment—the unlucky one would be Hitsugaya.

"So... shall we do this together, Captain Hitsugaya?"

"I have no intention of cooperating with you. You're far too dangerous."

Hitsugaya shifted his body slightly. The safest course was to avoid alliances, turning the conflict into a chaotic three-way battle.

"What a pity... oh?"

Ichimaru, about to say more, suddenly fell silent, for a black silhouette abruptly intervened between the three.

"Momoka..."

The slender figure halted, ignoring Hitsugaya calling her name from behind, instead drawing the sword at her waist.

"I've finally found you..."

Momoka faced Ichimaru head-on.

Does she want to challenge Ichimaru herself?

No!

"Wait! Momoka! Step back, let me handle this...!"

He expected her blade to point at Ichimaru, but suddenly, it was aimed at his own throat.

What is she doing...

Hitsugaya's emerald eyes brimmed with shock.

She's... here to kill me?

"Aizen's... murderer."

"Mo...moka..."

She really intends to kill him?

Why...

"......!"

His gaze inadvertently caught Ichimaru's sly smile at the side.

"Was it you..."

Hitsugaya struck aside Momoka's blade from his neck and leaped up, thin ice beginning to gather on his zanpakuto.

The most powerful ice-type zanpakuto was awakening.

"It was you..."

He clenched his teeth, so furious he didn't realize his jaw was nearly shattered.

Tampering with Aizen's letters and forcing Momoka to turn her blade against him—such a thing...

"Was it you!!"

I will never forgive you!!

"Ichimaru!!"

Hitsugaya's emerald eyes blazed with rage. He had never been so livid.

But his anger had nowhere to go.

That small figure he most wanted—and most could not—hurt suddenly stepped between him and his target.

"Momoka..."

"Was it you who killed Captain Aizen!!"

Tears glistened at the corners of her eyes, her zanpakuto released to its initial form, a sizable fireball forming at its tip.

"Clang!"

Hitsugaya caught the blade aimed at his head, urgently saying to Momoka, "What are you doing! Get out of the way!"

"Hiss... boom!"

The fireball at the tip exploded, serving as Momoka's answer and an unwilling strike.

"Thud."

With Momoka's vice captain-level strength, she couldn't possibly harm Hitsugaya. Upon landing, Hitsugaya kept searching for a way to defeat Ichimaru without hurting Momoka.

"They seem to be having quite the heated fight... I feel abandoned."

"Shall we continue here, Vice Captain Shakube?"

"No, I believe I've mentioned—"

Nagatsuro's irritation was evident on his face, his hand trembling as he gripped his sword.

"I hate when others interfere in my battles the most."

"Boom!"

Once again, Hitsugaya dodged Momoka's reckless fireball attack, now struggling even to get close.

"Wait! Momoka! Calm down!"

"Calm down..."

Momoka, clutching her sword and streaming with tears, screamed desperately at Hitsugaya.

"How am I supposed to calm down!!"

"Tch..."

Hitsugaya dodged her stabbing blade, retreating swiftly.

"I don't want to believe it's true either! But what am I supposed to do now!! What am I... supposed to trust!!"

"Damn..."

He dodged another fireball, his mind in chaos.

How could he stop Momoka without hurting her...

"Don't know what to do?"

"!"

A figure appeared once more in the dark night sky.

"Then stay out of my way, little girl."

"Boom!"

Without mercy, Nagatsuro struck with overwhelming strength, sending Momoka's body flying.

"One-on-one, two-on-one, or three-on-one, it matters not..."

His white haori glowed under the moonlight, but its wearer radiated a deadly aura.

"Anyone daring to interfere, come at me together!!"