Skirt-Flipping Maniac: Tch, lately more and more people here are using the Level Upper.
Doujin Artist: Level Upper? Oh, you mean that thing Harumi Kiyama made? It later turned into that wild mind beast thing—big part of the early *Railgun* story.
Scarlet Lotus Fairy: Harumi Kiyama… she was a pitiful one. In the end, she just wanted to save her students.
Skirt-Flipping Maniac: Yeah. Her actions were extreme, though. And that experiment was doomed to fail. Whatever. I'll go have a proper talk with her.
This is an Actor: Ruiko's not satisfied with girls anymore? Gonna aim for a mature lady now?
Wig Guy: Ruiko?
Doujin Artist: Yeah, Ruiko. Even our group admin respects her. She's built a massive harem in Academy City as just a regular schoolgirl! Totally deserves the title of strongest in the group!
Skirt-Flipping Maniac: Pfft! What harem? Don't make it sound so embarrassing!
Machete Girl: So Ruiko-chan has this kind of achievement too?
Wig Guy: Impressive.
Skirt-Flipping Maniac: I said it's not true! You two are just trying to tease me on purpose!
Scarlet Lotus Fairy: Uh-oh, Ruiko's mad now.
Amegakure Village's Angel: Don't be mad, Ruiko. How about we make Gintoki sing a little tune for you later?
Skirt-Flipping Maniac: You guys are at it again!!
Doujin Artist: Hahaha, Gintoki singing? Then nobody's sleeping tonight—we'll all have nightmares!
Machete Girl: I-Is it really that bad?
Wig Guy: Oh, absolutely. Back in our Joui squad days, people used to call him the "Singer of Death." Even aliens were afraid of him grabbing a mic.
Shark-Faced Guy: Wasn't Gintoki the White Demon? When did his title change?
Wig Guy: "White Demon" was the name aliens gave him later out of fear. "Singer of Death" was what *we* called him back in the day.
Skirt-Flipping Maniac: Pfft!
Doujin Artist: No way, seriously?
Scarlet Lotus Fairy: If it weren't true, Gintoki would've jumped in to argue by now.
Truth is, Gintoki wasn't staying quiet on purpose—he just hadn't seen the nonsense Wig Guy was spouting yet.
Right now, he and Tsukuyo had already reached the top floor of the Night King's tower.
The spacious, grand hall had a huge jade rabbit statue resting in the center. Beneath the statue was a long red table, and at the table sat the Night King Fumisen, dressed in a kimono with long silver hair.
"Tsukuyo? So you're one of the intruders too?" The Night King gave her a sideways glance and slowly stood up. "No wonder those useless Byakua people didn't send me any warning."
"I don't think it has anything to do with that." Gintoki stepped forward with a grin. "They probably just couldn't stand your disgusting old-man smell anymore."
"Oh? A samurai?"
Now turning his gaze to Gintoki, the Night King smirked, "You pathetic bunch—robbed of your land, your pride, even your women—still have the nerve to talk tough?" As he spoke, he suddenly pushed off the ground and charged straight at Gintoki.
*Thud.*
A heavy punch collided with Gintoki's wooden sword, and the air instantly boomed with a powerful thump. A shockwave burst out from the clash, ripping through the hall.
The two fighters quickly jumped back after the hit. Gintoki still looked calm as ever, but the Night King now had a more serious look on his face.
"Impressive."
He pulled open his robe to reveal a ripped, muscular body and leaped onto the jade rabbit's head. "After all these years, you're the first Earthling who's ever made me feel threatened. Now I'll fight you with my full strength!"
As he said this, he reached for the giant umbrella gripped in the statue's mouth. With just a small swing, the air exploded with a sharp, echoing blast.
*Hiss.*
Seeing that, Tsukuyo sucked in a breath and asked quietly, "This old guy's way too strong. Do you think you can beat him?"
"Hmph. Beat him?" Gintoki gave a crooked smile. "What are you talking about, Tsukuyo-chan? Of course not!"
Even though he said that, Gintoki figured that if he went all out, he might actually win. But there was no need for a head-on fight right now—just call for backup.
*Blank stare.*
Tsukuyo looked at him, stunned, like she was seeing something unbelievable. "You're not confident, but you're still acting all calm? Are you not scared of dying or what?"
"Hey, hey, you've got a bad memory." Gintoki scratched his head. "Didn't I already say? I'm not the one who's going to become the Night King."
What?
Tsukuyo blinked in confusion. Before she could react, a shining golden portal suddenly opened next to Gintoki.
Out stepped a handsome young man with brown hair.
He wore a white coat with his hands in the pockets, and a green-handled sword hung at his waist. Though his smile looked gentle, his eyes gave off a feeling of complete domination.
"Didn't expect crossing between worlds would be this easy," the young man said. His voice was young but carried a magnetic pull. "It's way easier than using a black portal."
"You…" The Night King finally snapped out of it and stared at the boy, now clearly on edge. "Who are you?"
Danger. Serious danger.
His Yato blood was screaming with instinctual warnings. He had never felt this kind of threat before in his life.
"Oh, sorry." The boy turned to face him, smiling slightly. "I guess I haven't introduced myself yet." He pulled his right hand from his pocket and rested it on the sword handle.
He was going to attack!
The Night King's eyes widened. He gripped the giant umbrella with both hands, bracing himself to block.
"Aizen Sosuke." The boy softly said his name and *clack*—snapped the sword back into its sheath. "Starting today, I will be the new Night King."
*Confused.*
Both Tsukuyo and the Night King now looked completely baffled. What was this kid doing? Why sheath the sword?
Then, in the next second—
A thin line of blood suddenly appeared at the Night King's throat. As shock and disbelief filled his eyes, bright red blood sprayed into the air.