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Cold sweat soaked through Hirako Shinji's thin shirt, clinging to his skin. He hadn't even said it aloud—just thought it—and yet Yu had really killed Kurotsuchi Mayuri. Wait. Did I overlook something?
Shinji's voice was cautious as he asked, "Who did you say teamed up with Kurotsuchi Mayuri?"
"Tsunayashiro Tokinada," Moyu replied with a note of surprise. "You didn't know? He's the head of the Tsunayashiro family. Well, the current head. A placeholder, really."
Shinji's eyes widened, his voice catching in his throat. The Tsunayashiro family—one of the four great noble houses—wasn't a group of weeds to be hacked down on a whim. That was the head of one of Soul Society's most powerful bloodlines. Did Moyu even think before acting?
Moyu raised his hand with calm indifference. "No need to be so shocked. Nobles are nothing special. It means nothing."
Shinji stared blankly at the elaborate star-shaped clip perched on Moyu's head and the winding silver inlay coiled around his neck. If you're going to say that, could you at least take those things off first?
Noticing Shinji's gaze, Moyu cleared his throat and steered the conversation forward. "You're probably wondering how I'm still the captain of Squad 10 after killing those two."
Shinji blinked, the realization striking him like a delayed thunderclap. Even if Moyu had ties to the Kuchiki clan, this couldn't be brushed aside lightly. The Tsunayashiro family—had they truly not retaliated?
Moyu's smile was faint. "Potential. Strength. Yamamoto's attention. The Kuchiki name has become secondary. If those are the objective factors, there are subjective ones too."
Shinji felt numb. He was starting to believe that talking to Moyu had been a serious mistake. His worldview had been flipped upside down again and again in one conversation, and nothing Moyu said at this point could surprise him.
"The third seat of Squad 10—her name's Nilu," Moyu continued. "She's a Vasto Lorde-class Arrancar from Hueco Mundo."
Shinji's jaw slackened as he stared at Moyu, frozen in disbelief. "Impossible! A Menos Grande? In the Gotei 13? That's completely absurd!"
He was spiraling.
"If you don't believe me, ask anyone you like," Moyu said as he sipped the last of his tea. "I've got no reason to lie about something that can't be hidden."
Shinji abruptly stood. "Wait for me!" He vanished through the Bakudō barrier, only to return moments later, visibly rattled and eyes wide with shock.
"This... this can't be real. A Menos Grande, not only allowed in Seireitei, but welcomed as one of its own…"
Moyu's voice was flat. "Have you been hit in the head by Aizen? If you're the brains behind the Visored, maybe it's time that group disbanded."
The jab landed hard.
"If an Arrancar can join Gotei 13," Moyu continued, "then doesn't that mean…"
Shinji's eyes lit up as the pieces fell into place. "You mean—?"
Moyu nodded. "That's right. Come with me. Rejoin the Thirteen Court Guard Squads. I'd love to see the look on Aizen's face when he sees you standing beside me."
Shinji fell silent, the idea tugging at him. If it were only his own life at risk, he could bear it—but if this gave them a chance to disrupt Aizen's plans, even slightly, it might be worth it. Death was inevitable, but he had long stopped fearing it.
"Can you really guarantee I'll be accepted back?" he asked at last.
Moyu smiled with quiet confidence. "I give you my word. In the name of the Kuchiki family."
Shinji hesitated, then lifted his eyes, steadier than before. "Captain Moyu. I'll trust you."
Moyu nodded with quiet satisfaction. "You won't regret it."
Truthfully, the idea had only occurred to him recently. Aizen's provocations were deliberate, calculated, and remaining passive would be a mistake. The Visoreds had become a card worth playing. Shinji alone couldn't shift the balance—but he could rattle the board. A wronged captain returning to the Court, watching Aizen's every move—that alone could stir chaos.
Moyu found himself anticipating their reunion in Seireitei. Whether Aizen had already taken notice of him no longer mattered. The moment Xu Bai had appeared, the game had changed. Unless Moyu gained overwhelming power, the two of them would never walk the same path.
Now fully resolved, Shinji stood beside Moyu as they prepared to return to Soul Society. Kyoraku Shunsui, watching from nearby, looked dumbfounded.
"Hirako, are you sure about this? There's no need to rush. I was going to speak with the Head Captain…"
Shinji cut him off. "Captain Moyu's already made arrangements. Returning might give the Visored a future."
Shunsui could only sigh. "Alright. If you trust Moyu…"
The Visoreds watched silently, mixed emotions clouding their expressions. They weren't ready to forgive Soul Society—but they respected Shinji's choice. That respect came from shared pain, from scars they all bore. Even Sarugaki Hiyori, usually volatile and brash, said nothing.
Shinji turned to them with a lopsided smile. "Don't worry, everyone. I'll find us a new future. I'll rewrite fate itself."
Shunsui raised his Zanpakutō and opened the gate to the Soul Society.
"Let's go," Moyu said, passing Shinji. "There's much more excitement waiting."
Shinji chuckled, his smile more cryptic than ever. "Yeah. Can't wait." He stepped through the gate without looking back.
As it closed behind him, silence fell among the remaining Visoreds—until a familiar voice rang out across the ruined warehouse.
"Why're you all looking like someone died?"
Hiyori's eyes twitched as she turned with a scowl. "That guy again!"
She launched herself in a flying kick, but a solid thud rang out as foot met palm.
"Hiyori, after all this time, still so feisty."
Urahara Kisuke caught her easily, his smile never leaving.
"Hmph. I bet you knew about Kuchiki Moyu, didn't you?!"
Hiyori yanked herself free and glared at him, but Urahara's expression darkened subtly. "Moyu… he's a fascinating one."
That look in his eyes—Hiyori had never seen it before.
What exactly was Kuchiki Moyu hiding?
Urahara adjusted his hat, voice soft. "Maybe it's time you all found out…"
---
Soul Society
The gate opened, and three figures stepped onto familiar ground. Shinji took a deep breath. "Feels the same as ever. Like nothing's changed."
"Stop talking nonsense," Moyu said. "Seireitei was renovated not long ago. The whole architectural style's different."
Shinji froze, then pouted. "Can't you just let me have a moment?"
"Be normal," Moyu replied, expression flat. "Or something bad might happen."
Right then, a chill ran down Shinji's spine.
"Mr. Hirako," said Unohana Retsu, her smile gentle but eyes glinting. "Mind your manners. You're still a criminal."
The veiled threat made Shinji sweat. "Ha… thank you… for the reminder."
As they walked toward the Squad buildings, Shinji's shirt-and-tie attire drew plenty of attention. Some recognized him immediately.
"Is that… Captain Hirako?"
"Wasn't he missing?"
"What happened?"
"Why's he being escorted like a prisoner?"
Shinji ignored the stares, smiling and waving at familiar faces. Some froze in shock, unable to process the scene.
In the First Division barracks, Moyu stood before Yamamoto Genryūsai. "That's the situation. Hirako Shinji used his Zanpakutō's ability to help his allies escape. Captain Unohana and Captain Kyoraku couldn't intervene. We detained him and brought him here."
Yamamoto listened in silence, eyes closed. After a long pause, he finally opened them. "Well done. As for Hirako Shinji's sentence, we'll follow Central 46's judgment."
Shinji's heart dropped. That sounded ominous.
"Sir," Moyu said, stepping forward, "I object. In that battle, neither Shinji nor the Visoreds showed signs of Hollowfication. They're no different from any Shinigami. They were victims of the Hollow incident, not perpetrators."
Yamamoto stared at him, unmoving. "What is your proposal?"
Moyu exhaled slowly. "Squad 10 already has Nilu as a seated officer. One more won't hurt."
Yamamoto said nothing for a long while. Finally, he closed his eyes again. "This decision is not mine alone."
"Chōjirō."
Chōjirō Sasakibe stepped forward as Yamamoto's voice rang firm. "Summon hell butterflies. We convene a captain's meeting."
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