"Yoruichi-san, let me stay here for a while too." After explaining everything to Abarai Renji, Amamiya Miyako no longer cared about his look of shock. His tone was calm, but his eyes carried determination.
"That's fine," Yoruichi Shihouin tilted her head curiously, "but what are you planning, Miyako-kun? You've already prepared everything. Shouldn't you be heading back to the Thirteenth Division?"
"True… everything is ready." Miyako exhaled slowly, then placed a hand on his Zanpakutō hilts. "But I still want to make one final effort."
He stepped aside, away from the shaking ground and spiritual pressure of Kurosaki Ichigo's clash. With a steady motion, he drew his twin blades, sat cross-legged on the ground, and placed them carefully across his knees.
"Oi, Yoruichi-san…" Renji, who had finally recovered enough to sit up, frowned in confusion as he watched. "What's he doing? That's… the posture for Jinzen, right? But Miyako's already achieved Shikai, hasn't he?"
Yoruichi folded her arms, her golden eyes narrowing with interest. "Who knows, Renji. Maybe he's aiming higher."
Her words made Renji's eyes widen slightly. "Tch… higher? Don't tell me—"
…
Meanwhile, within the Seireitei, the tension grew thicker.
"Is that so? It really is strange." Kyōraku Shunsui let out a sigh, tilting his straw hat forward. "The orders from Central 46 this time… no hesitation, no room for doubt. Quite forceful, eh?"
Ukitake Jūshirō nodded gravely. "Miyako and I have both suspected it. Central 46 is not acting normally. Someone must be influencing them. And that someone's goal… is to see Rukia executed under the Sōkyoku. We cannot allow that to happen."
Shunsui scratched his beard with one hand. "Yare yare… who would've thought a single Ryoka invasion could shake Seireitei this much? But, Jūshirō, if you're prepared for this… what about Captain-Commander Yamamoto?"
"Yes," Ukitake's voice carried quiet resolve. "Even if it means crossing blades with Yamamoto-sensei, I will stop this execution."
Shunsui gave a small, helpless laugh. "Aa, you really don't leave me much choice. If you've already decided, then I'll just have to tag along—even if it means going to hell together." His tone was light, but the glint in his eyes showed he shared Ukitake's doubts.
"Thank you, Shunsui. I knew I could count on you." Ukitake smiled faintly, bolstered by his friend's support.
"Still… it won't be easy later, huh. Just picturing Yamamoto-sensei's angry face already gives me chills."
"Ahahaha…" Ukitake chuckled, though his coughing fit made it sound strained. "I've already prepared myself for the consequences." He turned, cloak fluttering faintly. "Then I'll take my leave. Next, I need to find Byakuya. After all, Rukia is his sister."
Shunsui tilted his hat again, concern flickering in his eyes. "Captain Kuchiki, huh? The Kuchiki Clan's the head of the Four Great Noble Houses. Asking them to break the law… you might as well be asking them to throw away their pride."
"Still… Byakuya once asked me to watch over his sister after she entered the Thirteenth Division. I want to try. If I can, I'll persuade him to act with us."
As Ukitake walked away, Shunsui let out a quiet sigh.
Just how far will this farce go before it ends…?
…
The Sixth Division barracks.
After finally finding Kyoraku Shunsui, Ukitake Jūshirō immediately made his way to the Sixth Division barracks. He needed to confirm it for himself—did Kuchiki Byakuya truly intend to do nothing about Kuchiki Rukia's execution?
"Byakuya!" Ukitake called, his voice carrying both urgency and frustration. He caught up quickly, placing a hand firmly on Byakuya's shoulder. "Rukia's execution date has been moved up again… are you just going to stand by and watch?"
Byakuya's cold gaze did not waver. "The execution is tomorrow. Since the decision has been made, I can only accept it." His voice was calm, detached, and utterly unyielding.
"This… this joke is going too far! She's your sister!" Ukitake's heart sank. He had thought there might be room to sway Byakuya's pride, to remind him of the bond they both knew was there. But Byakuya's expression was like stone, unreadable and immovable.
"As a member of the Kuchiki clan, she violated the rules. Therefore, she must accept the consequences… whether she is my sister or not." Byakuya's voice was quiet but absolute. He had sworn never to compromise his vow again, never to bend for anyone—not even for Rukia.
He turned slightly, his eyes narrowing. "Ukitake, control your vice-captain. If he causes trouble during the execution…" He left the threat unfinished, turning his back and walking away with a flutter of his captain's haori.
Ukitake watched him go, a complex pain tightening in his chest. Byakuya… why would you say such a thing? You were the one who came to me when Rukia first entered the squad…
Clenching his fist, Ukitake straightened. Even if you refuse to acknowledge your feelings, Byakuya, I won't stand by and watch one of my precious squad members die again. No… this time, I'll act. I'll stand with the others to save Rukia. His expression hardened as he turned back toward the Thirteenth Division.
...
Meanwhile, within the rowdy halls of the Eleventh Division, Madarame Ikkaku had just recovered enough to move around. Together with Zaraki Kenpachi, he watched as a squad member dragged someone through the doors.
"Oi, Aramaki," Ikkaku called out, squinting. "Who's this woman? She doesn't look like she's one of us from Eleventh…"
"Yes! Third Seat Madarame, this woman is a Ryoka! I captured her and brought her back!" Aramaki puffed out his chest, shamelessly taking credit.
"A Ryoka, huh?" Kenpachi's one eye glinted with amusement as he leaned forward. "Oi, woman, what's your name? You know Ichigo, don't ya?"
"Eh? A-ah, my name is Inoue Orihime," she stammered nervously, her eyes wide at the intimidating presence of Kenpachi-taichō. "As for Kurosaki-kun… we came here together, but we got separated when we entered Seireitei…"
Kenpachi's grin widened.
"Oh? And what happened after that, Orihime? Is Ichigo still alive? That brat beat both me and Ikkaku, after all."
Ikkaku crossed his arms, curious despite himself.
Orihime fiddled with her fingers nervously. "Um… actually, I-I don't really know. I'm worried about Kurosaki-kun too…"
"Tch, don't say useless things." Kenpachi's laughter boomed through the hall. "That brat's still alive—I know it. I can feel it. And not just that—he's gotten stronger. Heh… no, he's already stronger than before!"
Kenpachi's bloodlust flared, his eye burning with excitement. "How interesting, Kurosaki Ichigo… fight me again, brat. Show me that power."
He leaned down toward Orihime, practically radiating killing intent but also an odd sense of trust. "Oi, Orihime, right? You're gonna help me. If I stick with you, I'll find Ichigo faster, yeah?"
Ikkaku smirked, scratching the back of his bald head. "Heh, count me in, Taichō. I wanna see how much stronger that guy's gotten too."
,....
Night fell over Seireitei, but instead of quiet, the city was alive with chaos. Captains clashed with captains, vice-captains abandoned their posts, and restrictions on spiritual pressure were lifted, leading to fierce, unrestrained battles across the divisions.
Even in the cover of darkness, the Soul Society trembled with unrest.
By the time dawn crept over the white walls, the long-awaited day had arrived—Rukia Kuchiki's execution.
Deep in training grounds hidden away, Abarai Renji finally collapsed onto one knee, sweat dripping as his Bankai training reached its end. His crimson eyes darted toward Amamiya Miyako, who still sat cross-legged, eyes tightly shut, spiritual pressure swirling around him like a storm. On the other side, Kurosaki Ichigo fought relentlessly under Yoruichi's watch, his blade ringing again and again.
Renji bit his lip, uneasy. "Yoruichi-san… why hasn't Miyako woken up yet? And Ichigo—d'ya really think that guy will make it in time?"
Yoruichi Shihōin's golden eyes narrowed, but her smirk carried a firm confidence. "Don't worry. Amamiya's reiryoku is stabilizing. Once he opens his eyes, he'll be ready. And Ichigo… he's the kind of fool who can achieve Bankai in three days. He'll make it, I guarantee it."
Renji exhaled heavily, gripping his zanpakutō. "…I get it. Then I can't waste another second. I'll head to Sōkyoku Hill right now."
He turned, determination in his stride.
And at that very moment—
Amamiya Miyako's eyes slowly opened, glowing with the sharp brilliance of a soul reaper prepared for battle.