Within the spacious 1st Division barracks, two rows of captain-level warriors stood on either side, their expressions solemn.
Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni's voice boomed like thunder, deafeningly loud.
Fujimiya Makoto stood in the ranks, still looking utterly bewildered even as he raised his head.
However, whether it was an illusion or not,
Jushirō Ukitake, standing beside the old man, subtly glanced at him and gave a slight nod.
Noticing Ukitake's gesture, Fujimiya Makoto decided to trust him, stepping out of the ranks and kneeling on the ground, his expression resolute.
"This subordinate does not know."
Seeing his compliance, the old man nodded slightly in approval and gestured to his side:
"Ukitake."
"Yes."
Jushirō Ukitake stepped forward from behind the old man and addressed the crowd: "Now, we will announce the charges against 11th Division Vice-Captain Fujimiya Makoto."
Kneeling on the ground, Fujimiya Makoto's eyes widened in shock.
Damn you, Ukitake! You set me up?!
But despite his inner turmoil, Ukitake continued unfazed.
"On the afternoon of the day before yesterday, between 3 PM and 6 PM, 11th Division Vice-Captain Fujimiya Makoto, in the area between the 79th and 80th Districts of Rukongai, unleashed an unknown attribute ability, causing widespread collapse of the foundational Reishi in the 79th District."
"Now, the suspect Fujimiya Makoto is ordered to truthfully recount the events."
"Hiss——"
The other Shinigami, who had initially thought their strategist had merely made some minor mistake, collectively gasped upon hearing this.
The voices mainly came from the vice-captains who were still unaware of the situation.
Their gazes toward Fujimiya Makoto instantly changed.
The captains standing further ahead, however, had clearly been informed of something in advance, and their eyes now held an even more complex mix of emotions as they looked at Fujimiya Makoto.
Though they had already heard of this 'successor's' deeds and anticipated he had done something extraordinary,
hearing the full extent of the incident still made them feel a sense of wariness toward him.
Just the aftermath of the battle caused the collapse of the Soul Society's foundational Reishi?
What kind of power was this?
Many turned their gazes toward the old man at the front and the silent Yachiru Unohana standing in the ranks.
Among the 13 Divisions, only these two could achieve such a feat, right?
Fujimiya Makoto, however, remained clueless, completely unaware of the purpose of this event.
He first glanced at Teacher Unohana, who smiled and nodded at him, signaling him to speak truthfully.
Noticing her gaze, Fujimiya Makoto finally felt a bit reassured.
"Yes."
"The day before yesterday, I requested a Shikai release practice with Captain Unohana."
"Due to the wide-ranging effects of the ability, we chose the 79th District for testing."
"During the test..."
Before he could finish, the crowd erupted in an uproar.
Even the captains, who had been somewhat prepared, couldn't help but widen their eyes in shock upon hearing that the massive disaster was caused merely by his 'Shikai'.
Their gazes toward Fujimiya Makoto were filled with disbelief.
Everyone present knew what a Shikai was.
As the most authentic manifestation of a Shinigami's soul, a Shikai normally only required around 10th-seat level Reiatsu to activate. For high-ranking officers, it was standard equipment, and the Soul Society was filled with countless Shikai. However, even the most outrageous Shikai abilities, at most, only doubled or tripled the user's Reiatsu.
But this guy…
At this realization, most present looked at Fujimiya Makoto as if he were a complete monster.
Indeed.
For these battle-hardened warriors, strength, battle records, and abilities were the most effective means of communication.
Even Takitori Bakusai unconsciously turned to look at Fujimiya Makoto.
Though she had heard some rumors from the old man, it was limited to Fujimiya Makoto and Unohana having a fierce battle.
She had assumed it was a Bankai clash.
But her imagination was too conservative, it seemed.
"Shikai…?"
Takitori Bakusai's glasses glinted, and the corners of her lips curved slightly as she looked at Fujimiya Makoto.
After the noise subsided slightly, the old man's face darkened, and he slammed his sword sheath against the ground with a heavy thud.
"Thud——"
"Silence!"
The commotion was instantly suppressed.
At this point, even the slow-witted Fujimiya Makoto realized the old man's intent wasn't to 'punish' him—rather, in a sense, this seemed to be a deliberate attempt to boost his reputation?
Or perhaps it was a planned 'publicity stunt' by the old man and Teacher Unohana…?
But why choose this method?
"Fujimiya Makoto, continue your account," the old man said sternly.
"Yes."
Fujimiya Makoto continued: "During the test, as I sparred with Captain Unohana, I failed to control my Shikai's full power, causing high-density Reishi leakage, which invaded the surrounding foundational Reishi and led to its collapse—that should be the reason."
The old man nodded noncommittally, then turned to Yachiru Unohana.
"Is this true?"
Teacher Unohana stepped forward from the ranks and spoke softly: "To be precise, it was when I used my Bankai to forcefully break through Makoto-kun's 'Shikai domain' that our colliding Reishi caused the widespread collapse of the foundational Reishi."
Her words only made everyone's gazes toward Fujimiya Makoto even more bizarre.
Unohana's Bankai?
The legendary, unparalleled great evil?
Shikai against Bankai.
And it was even reversed…
However, perhaps due to the frequent 'shocks' earlier, everyone present seemed numb, merely staring blankly at Fujimiya Makoto.
Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni merely nodded slightly, his eyes flashing with satisfaction as he looked at Fujimiya Makoto.