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The thought of Aizen's near-unbreakable Zanpakutō, Kyōka Suigetsu, silenced the room. Urahara Kisuke and Yoruichi exchanged no words, for both knew the weight of its power.
Urahara had long studied Kyōka Suigetsu's Shikai, searching for cracks in its Complete Hypnosis. In the years since Aizen's betrayal became a shadow over Soul Society, Kisuke had poured time into two things: research on Yhwach's Schrift, and ways to counter Aizen's illusion. Both efforts had yielded no breakthrough.
The reality was cruel—Kisuke and Yoruichi themselves had already witnessed Kyōka Suigetsu's release. From that moment forward, so long as Aizen willed it, their senses were his to manipulate. No amount of caution, no bond of love or trust, could save them.
"Brother Shiraha, aren't you immune to Kyōka Suigetsu's ability?" Yoruichi asked.
In all of Seireitei, perhaps only Shiraha had escaped the snare of Aizen's hypnosis.
"Miss Yoruichi," Shiraha answered calmly, "I can resist Kyōka Suigetsu's illusions. But I am not Aizen's equal. His strength does not end with his Zanpakutō."
Aizen was a perfect warrior, sharp on every side. Mastery of swordsmanship, mastery of Kidō, unshakable skill in hand-to-hand combat—all wrapped in a spiritual pressure that dwarfed most captains several times over.
Shiraha's own technique of infinite incantation, unbounded by limits, gave him an edge in defense. Aizen could not cut him down. But in turn, Shiraha had no means to wound Aizen either.
"Shiraha is correct," Kisuke said gravely. "Aizen hides his depths well. Even without Kyōka Suigetsu, his strength is overwhelming."
"Mr. Urahara. Miss Yoruichi. Follow the plan as agreed. I must return to Soul Society. If anything happens, send word." Shiraha rose smoothly, setting Yoruichi down from his arms with a faint smile.
His task in the living world was complete. To linger now risked suspicion. A captain of the Seventh Division had no right to remain in the human realm without cause; discovery would bring guilt and censure.
"Understood," Kisuke replied, adjusting the brim of his striped hat.
With a nod, Shiraha slid open the door, stepped into the night, and with a flash of Shunpo disappeared. Drawing his blade, he opened a gate through the Dangai, and vanished within.
Two months passed in Soul Society. Life settled back into its rhythm. Shiraha, now firmly ensconced once more in the Seventh Division, spent his days managing affairs, training Kira Izuru in swordsmanship, and honing Hinamori Momo's Kidō.
His reputation had grown. The tale of the Seventh Division captain who slew a Vasto Lorde in the living world had spread through the Academy, and fresh graduates now flocked to his squad. The division that once numbered only two hundred now boasted nearly four hundred members.
Even within the Kuchiki household and the Thirteenth Division, his presence was felt. Rukia's disappearance weighed heavily. Captain Ukitake had come personally to apologize to both Byakuya and Shiraha, admitting failure to safeguard her. For two months, members of the Thirteenth scoured Karakura Town in vain. Eventually, even Jūshirō had been forced to let go.
One afternoon, as Shiraha stepped from the captain's office with thoughts of sharing sake with Kyōraku Shunsui, a voice rang out.
"Captain Shiraha! Please, I beg you to join our Men's Shinigami Association!"
It was Tetsuzaemon Iba, running breathless, bowing deeply.
"No." Shiraha refused at once.
The Men's Shinigami Association—an organization whose status was laughably low compared to the Women's Association—was hardly worthy of his time. Their meeting rooms were forever usurped and repurposed, until finally they had been pushed into a dingy chamber behind the men's restroom.
"Captain Shiraha, please! You need only lend us your name. Without new members, we'll be dissolved." Tetsuzaemon's plea carried desperation.
The truth was clear. They sought to borrow Shiraha's fame—the captain who slew a Vasto Lorde—to draw new recruits from across Seireitei. Without that, their end was certain.
"…Fine. I'll join. But know this—I won't have time to visit your association." Shiraha relented, albeit reluctantly.
Even the thought of the association's "headquarters" made his skin crawl. But remembering how Tetsuzaemon and Komamura had managed the Seventh Division in his decade-long absence, he felt unable to deny them entirely.
"Thank you, Captain Shiraha!" Tetsuzaemon shouted with joy.
Shiraha waved off his gratitude, departing the squad barracks in silence.
Meanwhile, within the Research and Development Institute of the Twelfth Division, alarms began to shriek.
A glowing red light pulsed from the living world Reiatsu detector, its shrill tone drawing immediate attention. Every researcher froze, then rushed to the console.
Deputy Captain Nemu Kurotsuchi arrived swiftly, joined by Assistant Director Akon.
"This can't be right…" Akon's brow furrowed. "That reading—it's Menos-class. A Gillian has appeared in the living world?"
The device, designed solely to monitor spiritual disturbances, showed three states: white for calm, black for Hollow activity, red for Menos-class threats.
Now, it glowed red.
Akon shoved aside subordinates and began calibrating the controls. "Is it Karakura Town again? Strange… why would a Gillian appear there?"
Before he could finish, the red glow vanished. The monitor turned white once more.
"…What?" Akon blinked. He rubbed his eyes, certain it was an error. But the reading was clear. A Gillian had manifested—and been destroyed in an instant.
Normally, such a Hollow demanded at least a lieutenant's strength to eliminate. Yet here, it had been snuffed out almost immediately.
Frowning, Akon shifted to the residual Reiatsu analyzer, tracing the lingering echoes in the human world.
"What is this? A Quincy signature?" His voice sharpened. "And… this Reiatsu—Rukia Kuchiki of the Thirteenth Division, presumed dead."
Gasps rippled through the room.
"Impossible! Rukia's Reiatsu has been missing for two months. Her mission file was closed. But this… it's hers beyond doubt."
Another fluctuation caught Akon's attention. "Unregistered Shinigami Reiatsu… faint, unstable. Could it be—did Rukia transfer her power to a human?"
The chamber grew heavy. Such an act was forbidden. Transferring Shinigami power to a mortal without authorization was not just taboo—it was a capital crime.
Akon turned sharply to Nemu. "Vice-Captain Kurotsuchi, report this to the Captain-Commander at once. Rukia Kuchiki's Reiatsu has resurfaced in Karakura Town. And alongside it—a major violation. The Gotei 13 must judge this."
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