Not long after, Ukitake Jūshirō still delivered the worst possible news.
Inside the Captain's office, Ukitake-san sat behind his desk, his pale face drawn with concern. Across from him stood Amamiya Miyako, the Thirteenth Division's vice-captain, posture calm and unreadable.
"The Onmitsukidō's Rapid Response… has sent word," Ukitake-san began gravely. "Kuchiki Rukia, Sixth Seat of our Thirteenth Division, has been confirmed to have lost all her reiatsu."
He paused before continuing, his tone heavier.
"Furthermore… an unregistered Shinigami was found near her location. After investigation, their true identity turned out to be… an ordinary human from the World of the Living."
"Nani…?!" Kiyone-chan gasped, her knees giving way as she fell to the tatami floor. "No way… Transferring Shinigami powers to a regular human is… that's a major crime in Soul Society…"
Sentarō-san clenched his fists, his expression twisted with disbelief. "Why would Kuchiki-san do something like that…?"
Only Miyako-san remained calm, his voice even. "Ukitake-taichō… please permit me to go to the Human World to investigate, just as we discussed earlier."
Ukitake-san gave a slow nod. "I understand. I'll approve it. However… the mission to arrest Rukia has already been assigned to the Sixth Division's Captain and Vice-Captain. You must not interfere with their operation."
"I understand," Miyako-san replied firmly. "But, Ukitake-taichō… although the arresting party is the Sixth Division, I request that our Thirteenth Division be designated as her place of detention once she's brought back to Soul Society."
Ukitake-san's brows furrowed slightly. "You want… us to guard her?"
"Yes," Miyako-san said without hesitation. "There are too many unnatural elements in this case. Rukia must be under our direct supervision. Otherwise… it will be nearly impossible for her circumstances to be resolved favorably."
"Unnatural elements…?" Ukitake-san leaned back slightly, thinking.
"Taichō," Miyako-san continued, "others in different divisions might not know Rukia's true capabilities… but we do. She's a seated officer who can release her Zanpakutō's Shikai. Coupled with her kidō proficiency, she can even hold her own against a Vice-Captain. For someone like her to simply hand over all her powers to a human… unthinkable."
Ukitake-san slowly nodded. "That's… true."
"And there's more," Miyako-san pressed. "By all rights, after such a transfer, her reiatsu should have begun to recover long ago. Yet from the moment her spiritual pressure vanished until now, there's been no trace of it. That… is beyond abnormal."
Hearing this, Ukitake-san's frown deepened. Indeed, he realized—Rukia's situation was far from ordinary.
"…I understand. I'll immediately file the request to have her placed in our Thirteenth Division's custody once she's repatriated," Ukitake-san decided with a firm voice. "After all… I won't allow one of my subordinates to be executed without cause."
"Then, without delay," Miyako-san said, bowing slightly, "I will head to the Sixth Division to speak with Kuchiki-taichō and Abarai-fukutaichō to confirm their departure time."
"Mm," Ukitake-san replied, his expression softening slightly. "Rest assured, Miyako-san… I will push the request through, no matter how Central 46 resists. If necessary, I'll even speak to Kyōraku Shunsui… or invoke my status as Yamamoto-sōtaichō's disciple to make it happen."
Kiyone-chan and Sentarō-san stayed quiet, watching the quick exchange. The matter was too grave for them to interrupt.
As Miyako-san left, Kiyone-chan's eyes followed his back with admiration. "…Vice-Captain Amamiya is… amazing. I've never seen him act with such authority before."
Sentarō-san frowned. "Yeah… but can we really change Kuchiki-san's fate now…?"
"Yare yare," Ukitake-san said quietly, glancing at them. "Don't worry, you two. Since Miyako-san has already noticed this many irregularities… then he must have some degree of confidence."
He looked away for a moment, a distant shadow crossing his eyes. "And as Captain… I won't give up on my subordinates so easily." He thought of Shiba Kaien—how, if Kaien were here, he would have done exactly the same as Miyako-san: never abandoning a comrade.
"Come, Kiyone, Sentarō," Ukitake-san said finally, his voice regaining its steadiness. "This won't be simple. First, we'll go make sure the approval for Miyako-san to travel to the Human World is secured."
The three of them stepped out, the air in the room still carrying the heavy weight of what lay ahead.
.....
Meanwhile, within the pristine walls of the Sixth Division barracks, tension had already taken root.
"Kuchiki-taichō! Are you sure the intel from the Onmitsukidō is correct?!" Abarai Renji's voice was taut, almost cracking. He could barely believe what he had heard.
"Do not make me repeat myself, Renji," Byakuya said, his tone icy as ever. Yet the slight crumpling of the mission dossier in his hand betrayed the pressure of his grip—and the turmoil underneath.
Why, Rukia…? Why did you…? Even for Byakuya, the news had been a shock. But the confirmation was undeniable, and the rules left no room for his personal disbelief.
"Rukia Kuchiki's actions are a serious violation of Gotei 13 regulations," Byakuya continued, his voice firm. "Central 46 has already issued the arrest order. You and I will carry it out personally in the Human World."
"Damn it…! Taichō, she's your imōto! How can you stay so damn calm?!" Renji burst out, anger and desperation swirling in his voice.
"Rules are rules," Byakuya said, his gaze unwavering. "Even… my sister… is not exempt."
Renji clenched his fists so tightly they trembled. He wanted to argue—but his words were stuck.
At that moment, a voice came from outside the office.
"Kuchiki-taichō, Abarai fukutaichō—Thirteenth Division Fukutaichō Amamiya Miyako-san requests an audience regarding an urgent matter."
Byakuya's brow furrowed slightly. "Thirteenth Division's fukutaichō…? What business does he have with us now?"
"Miyako…?" Renji blinked in surprise. "What's he doing here…?"
Moments later, the door slid open, and Miyako stepped inside, led by Sixth Division personnel. His eyes quickly took in the room: Renji standing rigidly to the side, and Byakuya Kuchiki—immaculate as the snow-white scarf of the Kuchiki Clan draped over his shoulders, kenseikan gleaming in his hair, his expression as unreadable as ever.
"Miyako!" Renji called, relief and concern laced in his voice. "Are you here because of Rukia—"
"Renji," Byakuya's tone was cold but not raised. "Silence." His eyes shifted to Miyako. "State your business, Amamiya-fukutaichō. If it is regarding Rukia Kuchiki, the order from Central 46 is final. Her arrest will be carried out by the Sixth Division."
Miyako stepped forward, his gaze steady. "Kuchiki-taichō, I am not here to interfere with your mission."
Renji's eyes widened. "Oi! Miyako, you know what's gonna happen if Rukia's brought back like this—!"
"Don't worry, Renji," Miyako said quietly, shaking his head. He then addressed Byakuya directly. "You will soon receive official notice: I have been approved to go to the Human World to investigate the cause of Rukia Kuchiki's loss of spiritual power. My visit here is to request that you inform me of your departure time so I may accompany you through the Senkaimon."
Byakuya's gaze narrowed slightly. "Investigate the cause…? Hmph. The fact remains—Rukia Kuchiki transferred her powers to a human. No explanation will erase that truth. Still… the Thirteenth Division's orders are not my concern."
He turned slightly, his scarf swaying faintly with the movement. "Tomorrow. We depart at dawn to the Senkaimon. Abarai and I will perform the arrest personally. If you have formal approval by then, you may follow."
Miyako gave a short nod. "Understood Arigatō, Kuchiki-taichō, for your cooperation." Without lingering further, he turned to leave.
Renji took a half-step forward, his mouth opening as if to say something, but Byakuya's silent glance stopped him. Miyako left without looking back, already planning his next stop: Central 46, to confirm that Ukitake-taichō's petition for his mission had been accepted.
The tension in the Sixth Division office remained thick even after the door slid shut.