Uryū Ishida was well aware of Zanpakutō releases.
Ever since deciding to accompany Kurosaki Ichigo into Soul Society, he had made a point of studying as much information about the Shinigami as possible.
For example, he learned that Soul Society was divided into Rukongai and Seireitei.
Ordinary souls who arrived from the World of the Living would first enter Rukongai.
Seireitei, meanwhile, was the domain of the Shinigami.
Within Seireitei existed the Gotei Thirteen, the thirteen military divisions that maintained order throughout Soul Society.
At the top of those divisions stood the Captains.
Each Captain possessed power far beyond that of ordinary Shinigami.
Byakuya Kuchiki, the man who had taken Rukia away from the World of the Living, was one such Captain.
In addition, Uryū had learned about Shunpo, the high-speed movement technique of the Shinigami, comparable in many ways to a Quincy's Hirenkyaku.
Most importantly, he had learned about Zanpakutō.
Every Zanpakutō possessed the ability to release its true power.
The first release was known as Shikai.
And a released Zanpakutō was vastly more dangerous than its sealed form.
Because of this knowledge, Uryū was not surprised when Mayuri Kurotsuchi released his Zanpakutō.
What truly troubled him was the immense pressure Mayuri himself exerted.
After all, this was a Captain of the Gotei Thirteen.
No matter how calm Uryū remained on the surface, he could feel the enormous difference between them.
Meanwhile, Nemu Kurotsuchi had already defeated the Eleventh Division Shinigami and captured the unconscious Orihime Inoue.
Remembering Mayuri's earlier words, Uryū's expression darkened.
If Orihime fell into the hands of most Captains, she would likely be imprisoned.
If she fell into Mayuri's hands
The consequences would be unimaginable.
The man standing before him was a genuine mad scientist.
Therefore, no matter what, he had to stop him.
Even if it meant using his final trump card.
Before departing for Soul Society, Uryū had paid a visit to his grandfather.
Sōken Ishida.
Though age had begun to catch up with him, Sōken remained as gentle and composed as ever.
When Uryū explained his decision to enter Soul Society, Sōken did not object.
Instead, he simply smiled.
"If it's something you've decided for yourself, then follow your own path."
That was always Sōken's way.
Perhaps it was because of that same temperament that he had once accepted relationships and decisions that many traditional Quincy families would never have tolerated.
However, before Uryū left, Sōken had entrusted him with something important.
A Quincy artifact.
An emergency measure.
A means of temporarily drawing out the full power of a Quincy beyond normal limits.
The technique was known as the Letzt Stil.
Once activated, it would grant overwhelming power.
The price, however, was severe.
The user would lose their Quincy abilities afterward.
At least, that was what Sōken had told him.
Even so, in a life-or-death situation, such a sacrifice might be worthwhile.
And now, facing Mayuri Kurotsuchi, Uryū was seriously considering using it.
Just as he was preparing himself, an unexpected voice suddenly sounded nearby.
"Hm?"
"This place seems unusually lively."
The newcomer appeared so suddenly that even Uryū instinctively glanced over.
The man wore simple black clothing.
Not a Shinigami uniform.
Not a Captain's haori.
Not even noble attire.
Just ordinary clothes.
He appeared calm and relaxed, as though he had merely wandered into the area by coincidence.
At first glance, he hardly looked like a Shinigami at all.
Naturally, Uryū assumed he might be one of Seireitei's residents or perhaps a noble.
After all, not everyone living inside Seireitei was a member of the Gotei Thirteen.
Then the newcomer's gaze shifted.
He first looked at Nemu.
Then at the unconscious Eleventh Division Shinigami lying nearby.
Immediately, a trace of displeasure appeared in his eyes.
"Captain Kurotsuchi."
"It seems you owe me an explanation."
"Why exactly has a member of the Eleventh Division been attacked?"
The newcomer turned toward Mayuri.
The moment Mayuri recognized him, a flash of surprise appeared beneath his painted face.
After retiring, this man had rarely involved himself in the affairs of Seireitei.
He had lived quietly for years.
Mayuri had not expected to encounter him here.
Still, after hearing the accusation, Mayuri merely sneered.
"An explanation?"
"What explanation do I owe you?"
"You are no longer the Captain of the Eleventh Division."
"Furthermore, you don't even possess a Zanpakutō anymore."
"On what grounds are you questioning me?"
"If anyone wants an explanation, let Zaraki Kenpachi come speak to me himself."
The moment Zaraki's name was mentioned, Mayuri's tone changed slightly.
Among the Captains, there were few individuals Mayuri truly disliked dealing with.
Zaraki Kenpachi was one of them.
Their personalities simply clashed.
And Mayuri had absolutely no desire to repeat certain unpleasant encounters from years past.
Nearby, Uryū listened carefully.
Only now did he realize his earlier assumption had been wrong.
This man was not some ordinary resident of Seireitei.
According to Mayuri's words, he had once been Captain of the Eleventh Division.
A former Kenpachi.
The man standing there was none other than Gosuke Shigure.
After Ichigo had been taken away by Yoruichi for training, Gosuke had spent his time wandering around Seireitei.
Eventually, he happened upon this scene.
Upon seeing an Eleventh Division member injured by Nemu, he naturally decided to intervene.
After hearing Mayuri's response, Gosuke spoke calmly.
"The fact that I've retired does not mean I will ignore an attack on the Eleventh Division."
"If you attack members of your own division, that's your business."
"If you attack members of another division, I generally won't interfere either."
"But since I personally witnessed a member of the Eleventh Division being injured, I cannot simply pretend I saw nothing."
His eyes settled on Mayuri.
The pressure in the air subtly changed.
"Captain Kurotsuchi."
"You still owe me an explanation."
Mayuri's expression gradually darkened.
He was not someone who backed down easily.
His original objective tonight had been simple.
Capture Uryū Ishida.
Capture Orihime Inoue.
Turn both into research specimens.
Yet because of Gosuke's appearance, the situation had become considerably more troublesome.
If he wanted to continue, he would first have to deal with the former Kenpachi standing before him.
Slowly, Mayuri raised Ashisogi Jizō.
The infant-faced blade emitted an eerie aura.
Then he spoke in a cold voice.
"Very well."
"If that's how you want it…"
"Then allow me to personally determine whether the former Kenpachi of the Eleventh Division is truly as remarkable as the stories claim."
The atmosphere instantly grew tense.
Even Uryū, who had been preparing to activate the Letzt Stil, paused.
A confrontation between a former Kenpachi and the Captain of the Twelfth Division was about to begin.
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