Night had already fallen over Karakura Town. The dim streetlights cast long shadows as Kuchiki Rukia walked alone down a quiet street, her footsteps echoing softly in the silence.
Her brows were knit in frustration. Even though most of the Hollows plaguing the town had been handled by Kurosaki Ichigo, the spiritual power she had entrusted to him hadn't returned to her. Worse still, it felt as though it was diminishing with each passing day.
This can't go on… she thought grimly. She couldn't remain in the Human World forever. Yet, without her Shinigami powers, she was trapped in this gigai—and walking around in the Human World without power was far too dangerous.
"Damn it… why hasn't it come back yet?" she muttered, clenching her fists.
"You're right. This can't go on, Rukia," a familiar voice came from behind her.
Rukia spun around instantly.
"Why have you been lingering in the Human World for so long?"
Descending from above was Abarai Renji, his crimson hair swaying in the night breeze, his tone heavy with reproach.
"Renji?!" Rukia's eyes widened. She couldn't understand why he was here.
"Your guard's dropped, hasn't it? Staying in the Human World too long will do that. If I'd wanted to attack just now, I would've succeeded, y'know."
Renji's sharp gaze pinned her in place. "Now—tell me where the human is. The one you gave your powers to."
Rukia stiffened. "What are you talking about? Just because I'm in a gigai doesn't mean—"
"Don't bother lying!" Renji cut her off, his voice rising. "The Onmitsukidō already investigated. It's a human, Rukia. You can't hide it anymore."
Her breath caught. She hadn't known they'd been discovered.
"Transferring Shinigami power to a human is a grave crime. The fact the Gotei 13 didn't send the Punishment Force but instead entrusted the arrest to us… that's them being merciful."
"'Us'…?" Rukia's eyes darted around until she spotted another figure standing quietly behind her.
"…Byakuya-taichō…" she whispered.
Her adopted brother, Kuchiki Byakuya, stood there with an expression as unreadable as ever. His voice was calm, but his spiritual pressure rolled over her like an icy tide.
"Rukia."
"Byakuya… Nii-sama." Her heart sank. For him to come personally…
Without warning, Renji's blade cut through the air. Rukia barely managed to evade.
"That was just a test slash," he said. "If dodging that much strains you, you won't stand a chance if we fight for real. Don't resist."
"Now—tell us the human's name. Taichō and I will capture him… or kill him, if necessary. Stop protecting him."
Rukia's thoughts were in turmoil. The way they spoke, they wouldn't stop until they found Ichigo.
It was then another figure emerged from around the corner.
"Rukia," Amamiya Miyako said evenly, "don't resist. And don't keep shielding that human. This way… everyone walks away with less trouble."
"Miyako… even you…" Rukia's voice trembled. Seeing him side with the arresting party made her chest tighten painfully.
"Rukia, enough stalling!" Renji barked, stepping forward to seize her arm.
But before he could touch her, a blue-and-white arrow whistled through the air. Renji's instincts flared—he leapt back, the arrow skimming past him.
"Three armed men ganging up on an unarmed girl… how pathetic," came a calm, cutting voice.
From the shadows stepped Ishida Uryū, both hands wrapped in fresh bandages. In one, he carried a small convenience store bag; in the other, a gleaming reishi bow, its form sharp and elegant.
"I can't stand… methods like this," he said, pushing up his glasses, his gaze never leaving Renji.
Renji's eyes narrowed. "A bow like Miyako's? Oi, who the hell are you?"
"Just her classmate," Ishida replied coolly. "And someone who… dislikes Shinigami."
Renji clicked his tongue. "Tch… being vague won't save you." He took a step forward, ready to strike—
But Amamiya Miyako raised a hand. "Leave this one to me, Renji-san. I've been wanting to see what a real Quincy can do." His tone was casual, but inside, he was just trying to spare Uryū unnecessary pain.
Byakuya-san, standing silently nearby, didn't even blink at the sight of a living Quincy—despite their race being erased from history long ago.
"A… Quincy?" Renji frowned, as if searching his memory. "That race that's only supposed to exist in records?"
"Mm. And Renji-san, you've seen my Shikai. You should know why I'm telling you to back off, right?"
Renji met his eyes, then sighed. "…I get it."
"Hmph. So you've figured me out," Ishida said, voice calm but prideful. "It doesn't matter. You'll all fall here."
'Kami-sama… your head's as hard as steel,' Miyako thought, suppressing a sigh.
Ishida set down his convenience bag and, without hesitation, loosed an arrow at Miyako.
Miyako didn't even draw his blade—just tilted his head slightly, letting the arrow whistle past. Compared to the arrows of Ishida Sōken, Uryū's were sluggish.
"Oi, kid… is that really your fastest shot?" Miyako smirked.
"Tch!" Uryū's brow furrowed as he increased his firing speed, launching arrow after arrow, but Miyako slipped between them with ease, each movement relaxed.
'Damn it…' Uryū jumped back, firing continuously in midair, trying to force distance.
"Feeble," Miyako muttered. He drew his Zanpakutō with a smooth motion, deflecting arrows one-handed as he advanced step by step.
Sweat formed on Uryū's forehead. 'This guy… he's nothing like Kurosaki!'
Just as Uryū prepared to unleash a Quincy technique, Miyako's figure flickered—vanished.
"Take a nap," came Miyako's voice from right beside his ear. "Hadō #4: White Lightning!."
From point-blank range, the thin, blazing bolt of lightning shot from Miyako's fingertip, striking Uryū's side. His entire body went rigid, nerves screaming, muscles locking. He collapsed instantly.
'Kuso…!' Uryū's mind was clear, but his body betrayed him.
Miyako increased the current just enough to keep him down without lasting harm.
"You're way too nice, Miyako," Renji said with a half-smile. "If it were me, he wouldn't just be lying there."
He glanced at the fallen Quincy and scoffed. "And his arrows can't hold a candle to yours. Is this all the Quincy have left?"
Miyako didn't reply. His eyes narrowed, focusing on something else. A heavy spiritual pressure—familiar—was rapidly approaching.
"They're here," he said calmly.
"Huh?" Renji blinked, but Byakuya-san had already sensed it as well, though he gave no warning.
Miyako stepped aside without hesitation.
A moment later—BOOM—the ground where he'd stood exploded, chunks of stone scattering.
Through the settling dust, an orange-haired young man in a Shihakushō strode forward, a massive Zanpakutō slung over his shoulder.
Renji's eyes widened. "Oi… who the hell are you?"