Dawn broke upon the second day.
Following the Department of Research and Development's exhaustive investigation, earth-shattering news reverberated throughout Seireitei.
Former Thirteenth Division member Rukia Kuchiki had not perished, but had transferred her spiritual power to a human!
She herself had inhabited a gigai, which explained why Soul Society had remained unable to locate her.
Upon this revelation's emergence, immediate and massive upheaval erupted within two divisions.
Foremost, naturally, the Thirteenth Division.
As Rukia's comrades, they experienced profound relief upon learning of her survival.
Simultaneously, however, Rukia's actions filled them with profound unease.
As a Soul Reaper... she had abandoned her Gotei obligations, privately bestowing spiritual power upon a human.
Such conduct, under any circumstances, constituted grave violation of Soul Society's fundamental laws.
Now that this intelligence had disseminated, Central 46, as the supreme judicial authority, would inevitably become aware.
When that moment arrived, what awaited her might prove devastatingly severe punishment...
This day, Shigure conducted routine territorial patrol as customary.
However, virtually every squad member appeared somewhat absent-minded.
Though Shigure maintained surface concentration, his thoughts naturally gravitated toward this development.
Meanwhile, within the Sixth Division.
Upon receiving this news, the teacup in Byakuya Kuchiki's grasp trembled almost imperceptibly.
Tea overflowed, staining his captain's haori.
Subsequently, he placed the cup down with deliberate care, closed his eyes, exhaled softly, and spoke with measured composure:
"I comprehend. You are dismissed."
The reporting officer immediately genuflected: "Yes, Captain Kuchiki!"
Following this acknowledgment, he prepared his withdrawal.
However, before he could pivot toward the doorway, someone burst through, colliding directly with him.
Crimson hair bound upward in a distinctive spike configuration.
"L-Lieutenant Abarai!"
The reporting personnel immediately lowered his head before departing swiftly.
Renji charged forward rapidly, anxiety etched across his features as he called out desperately: "Captain! Rukia she..."
"Renji!"
Byakuya Kuchiki's frigid rebuke resonated forth, seemingly plunging the entire chamber's temperature several degrees instantaneously.
Renji froze immediately, paralyzed in position.
Only then did Byakuya Kuchiki regard him with glacial indifference: "What, precisely, did you intend to communicate?"
Renji sensed coldness penetrating his spine, bowing his head while speaking through clenched teeth: "Captain Kuchiki, Rukia... Rukia's circumstances are dire, we must..."
"Must what?"
Byakuya Kuchiki rose slowly, fixing him with an arctic stare.
Renji lifted his head, attempting to articulate his thoughts, only to encounter Byakuya Kuchiki's piercing gaze directly.
Gritting his teeth, he declared: "At minimum... I wish to assist her somehow!"
Upon hearing this declaration, Byakuya Kuchiki's expression revealed no fluctuation whatsoever.
Turning his back dismissively: "Such concerns exceed your authority. Central 46 shall render appropriate decisions."
These words caused Renji's heart to lurch violently: "Captain! I..."
"Depart." Byakuya Kuchiki spoke with absolute finality.
"..."
Renji's mouth worked soundlessly before he finally gritted his teeth, lowering his head: "Yes."
Following this submission, he turned and departed the captain's quarters.
Byakuya Kuchiki's expression remained unchanged, though his gaze trembled as he resumed his seat.
Moments thereafter, an individual garbed in distinctive attire materialized within the captain's office.
The instant Byakuya perceived this presence, his eyes sharpened immediately.
Upon clear recognition, however, his gaze contracted sharply.
A secret messenger from Central 46!
Central 46 served as Soul Society's supreme arbiter of all "crimes," and upon determining situations requiring military intervention, they issued judgments through formal deliberation.
Judgment results were sealed as secret orders, transmitted via underground clandestine channels to designated units or individuals.
Those responsible for Central 46's communications were the secret messengers.
This individual, observing Byakuya Kuchiki, inclined his head respectfully: "Sixth Division Captain Kuchiki, this constitutes a secret order issued by Central 46. Please review."
Following this announcement, he approached swiftly, presenting an envelope-sealed document.
Byakuya Kuchiki accepted it wordlessly.
The messenger immediately bowed: "I shall withdraw presently."
Swoosh!
Upon completing his statement, he vanished from the chamber entirely.
Only then did Byakuya Kuchiki examine the secret order, his expression gravely serious.
Given the secret order's direct delivery to his possession, he had already surmised its general contents.
Removing the obsidian seal, he opened the document. Upon a single sheet, several lines were inscribed:
"Judgment Secret Order."
"Recently, former Thirteenth Division Gotei member Rukia Kuchiki was discovered within the World of the Living, having illicitly distributed spiritual power to humans while concealing herself within a gigai."
"This conduct treats Soul Society regulations with contempt, constituting high treason!"
"This judgment secret order is hereby issued to Sixth Division Captain Byakuya Kuchiki."
"Upon conclusion of today's Gotei obligations, proceed to the World of the Living—Karakura Town—and retrieve Rukia Kuchiki as a condemned criminal!"
"To prevent operational complications, another captain-level officer shall accompany you."
"Following our deliberations, the designation is..."
"Thirteenth Division Lieutenant Shigure Segawa."
"Impossible?!"
Upon perceiving that name at the document's conclusion, Byakuya Kuchiki's pupils constricted violently.
His respiration, in this moment, ceased entirely.
He had long comprehended that Rukia would inevitably return as a condemned criminal.
However, he never anticipated that his accompanying partner would be that Segawa from the Thirteenth Division!
...
Simultaneously, Shigure sat within the division barracks, remaining stunned for considerable time after reviewing the secret order.
He verified repeatedly before accepting that his perception was accurate.
"They're actually assigning me to accompany Byakuya Kuchiki to the World of the Living for Rukia's capture...?"
Shigure smiled with bitter irony.
"It appears I've become completely entangled without realization."
In the original narrative, Central 46 disguised by Aizen, seeking to guarantee Rukia's arrest wouldn't fail, had configured the team as Sixth Division's Byakuya Kuchiki plus Renji Abarai.
However, the timeline had now diverged.
Within Aizen's forged secret order, Shigure had become Byakuya Kuchiki's designated partner.
Shigure set aside the secret order, his eyes gleaming with contemplation.
Secret orders conveyed by Central 46 were initially delivered by secret messengers directly to judgment executors.
Subsequently, upon executors' imminent departure, the Gotei 13 captains would receive notification.
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