The battlefield shifted with each clash between Abarai Renji and Kuchiki Byakuya, while all eyes atop Sōkyoku Hill remained locked on Amamiya Miyako and Kuchiki Rukia, standing side by side, ready to move.
But before either could act, two familiar figures stepped forward, shielding them with calm defiance—Jūshirō Ukitake and Shunsui Kyōraku.
"Jūshirō, Shunsui… do you understand what you're doing?" Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto's voice rumbled like fire itself, one eye opening as if to pierce through their very souls.
"…I know, Genryūsai-sensei. And I am prepared for the consequences," Ukitake answered firmly, his voice carrying both respect and unshakable resolve.
"Prepared, are you?" Yamamoto's second eye opened, his gaze burning hotter than any flame. "Then you should know… as Captains, to turn your blades against the law of Soul Society, even if you are my students… I cannot forgive it!"
"It's over, Jūshirō. Looks like we can only run," Kyōraku said with a wry grin, scratching his chin as if feigning panic. "Yare yare… what a mess." He grabbed Ukitake's sleeve and began pulling him away.
"Wait, Shunsui! Amamiya-kun and Rukia are still—" Ukitake tried to protest, but Kyōraku gave him no chance, leaping off the hill with his fellow Captain in tow.
Yamamoto's gaze followed the direction they fled, unmoving and unhurried. He had already judged them as the main traitors. As for Amamiya Miyako and Abarai Renji—mere Vice Captains—he was certain others would deal with them.
"Shunsui, we still haven't taken Rukia!" Ukitake's frustration bled into his voice.
"Calm down, Jūshirō," Kyōraku answered, his tone suddenly serious beneath the lazy mask. "If we clash with the old man here, everyone will die. The only thing we can do is draw him away. The rest… we leave to Amamiya-kun."
"…I see." Ukitake fell silent, silently thankful that he hadn't brought Sentarō or Kiyone. The chaos would've swallowed them whole.
In the next instant, Yamamoto vanished, his fiery reiatsu pursuing the two Captains who dared defy him.
Miyako stepped forward, blade drawn, placing himself firmly between Rukia and the remaining Captains and Vice Captains.
'Damn it… if only I could fight too…' Rukia clenched her fists tightly behind him, her heart heavy with frustration and worry as she watched Miyako's back.
"Rukia," Miyako said softly, his lips curling into a small, reassuring smile. "He's here too."
At that moment, a surge of reiatsu sliced through the air. A figure landed at Miyako's side.
"Yo," Kurosaki Ichigo grinned, his body clad in the Shihōin Clan's Tenshi Heisō—Heavenly Armaments. "I'm not too late, am I?"
"A little late," Miyako smirked, "but just in time."
"I… Ichigo…" Rukia's eyes widened, her breath caught in her throat.
"Sorry, Rukia." Ichigo's eyes softened, but his voice carried unwavering determination. "I was late becoming stronger. But now… I won't lose to anyone!"
From the ranks of the remaining Captains, Suì-Fēng narrowed her eyes, her cold voice cutting through the tension.
"Thirteenth Division Vice Captain Amamiya Miyako, and that Ryoka…" She flicked her gaze toward Ichigo. "Even without the Captain-Commander here, you cannot escape. Ōmaeda, go."
"Yes, Captain Suì-Fēng!" Ōmaeda charged forward clumsily, his massive frame stomping the ground.
At the same time, Chōjirō Sasakibe, the loyal Vice Captain of the First Division, unsheathed his Zanpakutō.
"Pierce the heavens, Gonryōmaru!"
Beside him, Ōmaeda swung his own weapon with a bellow.
"Crush him, Gegetsuburi!"
But Ichigo's form vanished in an instant. Flash Step.
The next moment, both Vice Captains were struck down before their Shikai could even finish manifesting. Ichigo landed with his blade resting casually on his shoulder.
"Tch. Weak."
"Impossible!" Isane Kotetsu gasped, frozen in disbelief at the sight. "Vice Captain Sasakibe-san… defeated in one strike?!"
Unohana Retsu lifted her hand slightly, halting Isane before she could rush in recklessly. Her calm eyes studied the scene, as if unraveling the chaos piece by piece.
Suì-Fēng clicked her tongue, preparing to step in herself—when Miyako's voice cut through the air.
"Captain Suì-Fēng… an old friend is waiting for you."
"What?!" Her sharp eyes narrowed, but before she could react, a flash of movement slammed into her from behind. The force carried her down from Sōkyoku Hill.
When she regained her senses, she looked up—only to see a face that left her stunned.
"Yoruichi… Shihōin?!"
Back on the hill, Miyako turned his eyes toward Unohana and Isane, but made no move to strike.
Ichigo strode back to his side, grinning. "Only two left. How about we take one each?"
"Baka, don't say such ignorant things," Miyako replied sharply, his gaze steady. He was all too aware of Captain Unohana Retsu's true strength. If they seriously fought, even together, the two of them might not walk away.
He stepped forward slightly, keeping his voice calm but firm. "Captain Unohana, I have no intention of harming you. I believe you also see the problems with this execution."
Unohana's serene eyes narrowed just a little, her expression unreadable. "Thirteenth Division Vice-Captain Amamiya Miyako… what is it you wish to say?"
"Captain Unohana," Miyako bowed slightly, his voice steady. "I have no intention of harming you. And I think you already suspect the truth. This execution… doesn't add up."
Her eyes softened, though her reiatsu never faltered. She, too, had begun to suspect. The Ryoka alone could not have plunged Soul Society into such chaos. The escalation had begun from somewhere else…
"Captain Unohana," Miyako continued, his gaze unwavering. "I know these Ryoka well. From their time in the Human World until the moment they entered Soul Society, I followed their steps. I can assure you… none of them ever approached the Fifth Division barracks."
Unohana's eyes widened just slightly at his words. A subtle understanding passed between them. Without another word, she turned.
"Let's go, Isane."
"Yes, Captain…" Isane bowed and followed.
The tension that had gripped the hill seemed to ease for a moment. But for Miyako and Ichigo, it was only the calm before the storm.
At those words, a brief silence hung in the air. Unohana's eyes softened slightly, as if she had understood what he was really pointing at. Without another word, she turned to leave. "Isane, let's go."
"H-Huh? Captain? But what about Vice-Captain Amamiya and that Ryoka—"
"It's fine," Unohana interrupted gently. "As long as the Captain-Commander returns, they won't escape. Right now… we have more pressing matters."
Isane followed reluctantly.
Ichigo blinked in amazement. "Oi, Miyako… you're really something. Just by talking, you—"
"Don't be silly," Miyako interrupted, shaking his head. "We're insignificant compared to the weight of what's moving behind all this."
Then his eyes sharpened. "Ichigo, you should go. Help Renji first. With his strength, he won't be able to beat Kuchiki Byakuya."
"What? Byakuya?" Ichigo looked around in surprise, realizing that the noble captain was no longer here. Renji had already taken him away.
Miyako caught his stunned expression and narrowed his eyes. "Don't tell me you're thinking of facing Kuchiki-taichō one-on-one. I'm telling you now— even if you master Bankai, it doesn't guarantee you can defeat him."
Ichigo smirked, his trademark confidence lighting up his features. "Heh, is that so? I don't think so. Anyway, I'll leave Rukia to you for now." He glanced toward the distant roar of spiritual pressure and dashed off without another word.
The once lively Sōkyoku Hill grew quiet. Only Amamiya Miyako and Kuchiki Rukia remained.
"Amamiya… what are we supposed to do now?" Rukia's voice trembled slightly.
"Just wait," Miyako said calmly, standing with his arms folded. "If the real enemy doesn't reveal himself, then even if we run, they'll drag us back. Patience, Rukia-chan."
"…I see." Rukia lowered her eyes, memories from days before swirling in her chest.
.....
The scene shifted back, to the day Rukia was about to be transferred to the Palace of Penitence. Alone, she had met Miyako in the Thirteenth Division barracks.
"Amamiya! You're back!" Rukia gasped in relief. "What's the situation outside? Tell me!"
Miyako's tone was steady. "Kurosaki Ichigo and the others have already entered Soul Society. It won't be long before they breach Seireitei."
"What?!" Rukia's eyes widened in shock. "Those idiots… I told them not to come. They'll get killed!"
"Rukia," Miyako interrupted gently, "I need your cooperation for something. Trust me."
"Eh? Cooperation?" Rukia tilted her head in confusion. Why now, of all times?
"When it's done, I'll tell you everything. Time is short… I'm going to extract the true cause of why you're being targeted."
"…The cause?" Rukia froze, her eyes narrowing. "You mean… Urahara-san's Gigai? But that was taken to the Twelfth Division's Technical Development Bureau already."
Miyako shook his head firmly. "No. Kisuke Urahara's Gigai only suppressed your spiritual power to cover something deeper. The true culprit is inside your soul. As long as it remains there, the ones after you will never stop."
"Kisuke Urahara? So it was really him? Amamiya, what happened? Why would—"
"Rukia," Miyako said, his eyes calm and unyielding, "let's remove it first. Then I'll explain everything."
For a moment, she hesitated. Then, seeing his unwavering gaze, she nodded softly. "…I understand."
Miyako immediately took out the tools Urahara had entrusted him with in the Human World. A delicate extractor for the Hōgyoku, a barrier talisman to block spiritual fluctuations, and most importantly— a sealed box containing a fake Hōgyoku to mask the real one.
His hand glowed faintly as he activated the extractor. A strange green substance coated his palm, and he muttered quietly, "Rukia… don't resist. I'm going to draw it out now."
A dark void slowly opened in Rukia's chest. She gasped but clenched her fists, trusting him completely. Miyako reached in, his hand sinking into the void, and finally pulled it free— a small gem shimmering with a blue-black light. Without hesitation, he slipped it into the fake Hōgyoku container.
Rukia staggered, clutching her chest as the void healed and her consciousness cleared. When she opened her eyes again, she saw the gem glimmering in Miyako's palm.
Miyako stared at it, his expression unreadable. "…So this is the Hōgyoku."
"The… Hōgyoku?" Rukia whispered, her eyes filled with shock and dread.
"Yes," Miyako said firmly. "And now, Rukia, I'll tell you everything—why you were targeted, and the truth behind all of this—"
But before he could seal it away, the Hōgyoku pulsed violently in his hand. A blinding blue glow erupted, and in the next instant—
It shot straight into Amamiya Miyako's body.
"Miyako!" Rukia screamed as the light engulfed him.
His eyes widened as the overwhelming energy coursed through his veins, swallowing his breath and sending his mind spiraling.
The Hōgyoku had chosen him.