Fourth Division, General Relief Station.
Amamiya Miyako walked in, dragging another figure with him. Ishida Uryū, still barely conscious, was placed before the Fourth Division's Captain.
"Captain Unohana, could I trouble you to find someone to treat this ryoka as well?" Miyako's voice was calm but firm. "After treatment, you may confine him together with the others."
"Vice-Captain Amamiya!" Sentarō Kotsubaki and Kiyone Kotetsu exclaimed in unison, eyes wide as they realized Miyako had captured yet another ryoka.
"…I understand," Retsu Unohana said softly, her expression unreadable. "I will arrange it."
"Captain Unohana," Miyako continued, bowing slightly out of respect, "this ryoka is an important lead. Please make sure to keep a close watch on him. Also, there is this matter of Yamada Hanatarō."
He glanced to the side. Hanatarō shifted nervously under Miyako's gaze.
"Sentarō," Miyako ordered, "read Captain Ukitake's report to Captain Unohana."
"Yes!" Sentarō answered with exaggerated seriousness, pulling the document from his robes. Kiyone, standing beside him, already braced herself for his over-dramatic delivery.
Clearing his throat, Sentarō read in a booming voice, "It is hoped that Captain of the Fourth Division will show leniency towards him. That concludes Captain Ukitake's report to you!"
Kiyone grimaced and covered her ears. "Honestly, Sentarō, you don't need to shout like that!"
But Retsu Unohana listened to every word, her gentle eyes narrowing as she turned to Hanatarō. "Yamada-kun… is this true? Did you aid the ryoka?"
Hanatarō opened his mouth but faltered. He could not deny it. His head dropped, shoulders trembling.
Miyako stepped forward. "Captain Unohana, perhaps Hanatarō's punishment can be decided after the execution. Right now, the Soul Society has no time to waste—especially the Fourth Division."
He looked her in the eye, serious. "There are still two ryoka at large. One of them has already defeated a Captain. Your squad will be overwhelmed treating injuries. Instead of punishing Hanatarō immediately, why not let him atone through service first?"
Unohana frowned, weighing his words carefully. Indeed, the number of wounded was still climbing, and her division was stretched thin.
"…I understand. Yamada Hanatarō, your punishment will be decided after these matters are concluded."
"Y-Yes, Captain…" Hanatarō stammered, relief washing over his pale face.
Miyako gave a small nod. Yare yare… once this is all over, Hanatarō will be fine.
...
That night, in the underground relief cell number 75 of the Fourth Division. Ishida Uryū slowly opened his eyes. The first thing he saw was an unfamiliar ceiling. He sat up abruptly.
"Where is this…?" he muttered, clutching his bandaged torso. "I'm still alive. Before I collapsed, I remember… no, it was Amamiya Miyako who attacked me."
His brow furrowed. "But why? Why would a Shinigami… use that technique?"
"Oi, you awake?"
A voice came from above his bunk. Ishida flinched as a face suddenly leaned down, upside down, grinning at him.
"Ganju?" Ishida blinked in surprise.
Shiba Ganju swung down and landed with a wince, his arm thickly wrapped in bandages. "You're finally up! Tell me, Uryū, were you also knocked out by that Amamiya guy?"
"Also…?" Ishida echoed, taken aback. "You were knocked out by him too?"
"Yeah!" Ganju said, puffing out his chest despite the pain. "I was this close to rescuing that Kuchiki girl, but then the Sixth Division's Captain—Kuchiki Byakuya—showed up. One strike from him and I was done for. When he heard my surname was Shiba, he didn't even hesitate—released his Zanpakutō and came at me full force!"
He shivered at the memory, then grinned bitterly. "But that's when Amamiya showed up. He blocked Byakuya's attack for me. I thought he was saving me, but…"
Ganju threw his good arm up in frustration. "That guy! He just turned around and knocked me out cold! I was so close to rescuing Rukia-chan, and he just—bam!—laid me out!"
He stomped the ground, wincing again from the pain. "He's totally taking revenge! I badmouthed him earlier, and now he's showing how petty he is! What a narrow-minded guy!"
Ishida frowned, still lost in thought. Amamiya Miyako… why would he intervene like that? His actions don't make sense. He's a Shinigami, but…
"I didn't expect you to be the first among us to reach the Senzaikyū…" Uryū muttered thoughtfully, adjusting his glasses as doubt clouded his expression. "But Amamiya Miyako's actions… why would he protect you from Captain Kuchiki and then knock you out himself? I was also knocked out by him and dragged here…"
"Because a Captain was assassinated, and we're connected as important witnesses," Chad's deep voice rumbled from the side.
"Chad!" Uryū's eyes widened, a wave of relief washing over him at the familiar sight. "I'm glad you're okay. Wait—you said a Captain was… 'assassinated'?"
Chad nodded. "So Amamiya saved us not to let us interfere, but to keep us away. He's deliberately stopping us from moving forward."
"Tch…" Uryū clicked his tongue, irritation rising. "So whose side is he really on?"
"Who knows?" Ganju barked. "If it weren't for these stupid handcuffs sealing my reiatsu, I'd already be out of here! I'd take Shiba-ryū and run, and the first thing I'd do is give that Amamiya a beating! Chad, Uryū—you two have to help me!"
"Handcuffs…" Uryū glanced down at his wrists, his eyes dimming. "Even without these, my Quincy powers are gone…"
Chad raised his head, his tone calm and certain. "But Ichigo hasn't been captured yet. I believe in him. Ichigo will definitely come to save us. Until then… we wait."
…
The following morning, the Thirteenth Division was struck by even worse news.
"What did you say? Rukia's execution date has been moved to tomorrow!?" Ukitake Jūshirō's usually gentle voice thundered, his anger breaking through his sickly demeanor.
The two messengers froze in fear, trembling before the Captain's rare fury.
"We understand. You may leave," Amamiya Miyako said calmly, stepping forward with authority.
The messengers bowed quickly and fled, relieved to escape the suffocating tension in the room.
Ukitake's shoulders trembled as he struggled to contain his rage. His pale face twisted with both anger and despair. "Rukia's execution date… changed again? This is madness!"
Miyako placed a steadying hand on his Captain's shoulder. His tone was quiet, but resolute. "Captain Ukitake, this is good news."
"Good news?!" Ukitake snapped, his voice breaking. "Rukia's date has been altered again and again! This is proof enough—there's a mastermind pulling the strings behind the scenes!"
"Yes," Miyako nodded firmly. "And that's exactly why this change works in our favor. It means he's impatient. We've already prepared everything we need—we only have to wait for the execution day to arrive."
"I see…" Ukitake exhaled, forcing himself to calm down. "You're right. He's growing desperate, so desperate even Central 46 bends to his will. Then… is he a member of Central 46 himself? Or perhaps a noble with enough influence to sway them?"
Ukitake's mind raced, searching through the possible suspects, but never once considering the man who was already 'dead.'
"Captain Ukitake," Miyako spoke evenly, "to activate the Tenshi Heisō—the Heavenly Armaments—I'll need support. And I also have other matters that require my attention. Please, find Captain Kyōraku. I'll entrust that part to you."
"Shunsui, huh…" Ukitake muttered, his expression softening slightly. "I understand. We've already spoken about this, so convincing him won't be hard. But, Miyako, what could you possibly need to do at such a critical time? This is Rukia's life we're talking about…"
Miyako turned his back, his gaze fixed forward with determination. "Please rest assured, Captain. On the day of the execution, I'll be there. No matter what. Even if our division has to openly defy the laws of Soul Society—especially under the watchful eyes of the Captain Commander himself."
Ukitake's eyes widened. "Yes… Even if we must oppose Genryūsai-sensei, we cannot allow this tragedy. Otherwise…"
Miyako bowed his head respectfully. "Then, Captain, I'll be taking my leave. There are some fools I need to set straight… and most importantly—" his voice dropped, carrying a heavy resolve, "—I need to understand myself."
With that, Amamiya Miyako walked out of the room, his figure disappearing into the hall, leaving Ukitake staring after him with a mix of trust and uncertainty.