Chapter 469

"Stonehara-kun, we've recovered most of the Zanpakuto."

"But some Zanpakuto remain unrecovered—either lost outside, or perhaps some people refuse to exchange them for new ones…"

Orochimaru said with a hint of helplessness, though he harbored another suspicion.

Someone is researching Zanpakuto!

And the likelihood is not low.

"I understand. I'll personally retrieve those Zanpakuto."

Stonehara nodded.

He was well aware that some Zanpakuto, once sold, might be studied.

Or perhaps taken up by those spirits.

If so, then let me retrieve them all myself!

Thinking this, Stonehara used Shunshin to depart.

"I didn't expect your Shunshin has become so refined—if you keep improving like this, I won't even be able to see you anymore?"

Orochimaru shook his head, then resumed his work.

Recently, they had detected traces of the Two-Tails again!

It was spotted over an ocean—not precise, elusive and shifting.

Yakushi Kabuto has already been dispatched to investigate.

After leaving Orochimaru, Stonehara prepared to first seek out the motionless Zanpakuto.

Such Zanpakuto were most likely being studied—or their owners had died in battle and their spirits had departed.

Indeed, many Zanpakuto belonged to masters who had died in battle, their spirits gone and unwilling to use them.

After recovering these Zanpakuto, Stonehara arrived at another location.

"Underground? So someone really is researching Zanpakuto."

"But is this something you're even capable of understanding?"

Stonehara's lips curled slightly. Since they loved studying, let him give them a Zanpakuto technique.

Let them study it thoroughly!

Stonehara clenched his right hand, and a Zanpakuto appeared in it.

He then made a light slash.

Instantly, a crescent-shaped blade shot downward.

Boom!

The crescent struck the ground with force.

The ground immediately began to collapse—clearly, there was indeed a research facility below.

"What's going on? Why did the ground suddenly shake?"

"Strange—I remember our facility was designed to withstand an 8.0 earthquake?"

"Damn it, the facility's collapsing! Let's go, or we'll be buried alive!"

"Damn it! Someone must have attacked us—everyone, run!"

"Aaaah! Help! My leg's trapped!"

"Wait! Don't run yet—take that sword with you!"

"Take a sword? That broken thing's useless—we've studied it for years and found nothing!"

"Yes, Doctor, forget it—our lives matter more!"

"Doctor, don't cling to the sword, or we'll all be buried here!"

Outside the facility, Stonehara frowned slightly—this facility was suspicious.