Komamura Sajin's voice fell heavily, and the weight of his words left the entire room frozen. Everyone's expression shifted in shock—everyone except for Shiraha, who stood calm and thoughtful.
"The execution time has been changed?" Shiraha murmured under his breath.
In the original course of events, Aizen had advanced the execution as well, but never this quickly. For him to accelerate it now could only mean one thing: Aizen had already secured what he sought within the Great Spirit Book Corridor. All that remained missing was the Hōgyoku concealed within Rukia Kuchiki.
"How could Central 46 arbitrarily alter the execution date?" Komamura frowned, his voice tinged with disbelief.
Once Central 46 issued a ruling, it was final. Even the Captain-Commander, Yamamoto Genryūsai, lacked the authority to alter their decree. And yet, they had moved Rukia's execution to tomorrow. Worse, the Sōkyoku had already been prepared—its massive mechanisms primed for release. Resetting them for an earlier execution bordered on madness. The irregularity gnawed at Komamura's sense of order and justice.
"Rukia… tomorrow?" Kira Izuru's voice cracked, his eyes wide in disbelief.
"Captain Shiraha, is there truly nothing we can do?" Izuru asked, desperation seeping into his tone.
If anyone could intervene, only Shiraha might hold the strength to prevent her death.
"Silence, Kira!" Komamura barked, his tone rising with restrained anger. "Do you understand what you're saying?"
Though Komamura's heart weighed heavy at the thought of Rukia's fate, justice was his guiding star. He could not allow sentiment to overrule duty. Even entertaining rebellion against the Court's orders was dangerous.
"My apologies, Vice Captain Komamura," Izuru said quickly, bowing his head. He knew he had spoken recklessly.
"Hmph," Komamura grunted, choosing not to press the matter further.
"Don't worry, Kira. Rukia will not die as long as I am here." Shiraha's calm smile carried quiet assurance.
Komamura's head snapped toward him, detecting something beneath the words. "Captain Shiraha—" he began, but Shiraha raised a hand to dismiss the matter.
"Everyone, return to your duties," Shiraha said firmly.
Komamura opened his mouth as though to protest but thought better of it, closing it with a heavy exhale. Izuru, however, felt his heart lighten with renewed hope.
"Yes, Captain Shiraha."
With that, Komamura, Tetsuzaemon, and the other squad members bowed and departed. They assumed their captain's mood must be grim after hearing the news of Rukia's imminent execution, and none dared to linger.
But Shiraha's expression betrayed no despair. On the contrary, his eyes held quiet anticipation. For once the Sōkyoku execution began, his next check-in task could be completed.
"After saving Rukia, my template progress should reach ninety-eight percent," Shiraha murmured with a faint smile.
The progress of the Satoru Gojo template already stood at ninety-five percent. By destroying the Sōkyoku's restraints and shattering the fully manifested King of Punishment, the advancement would rise to ninety-eight. One final check-in would push it to completion, and with the Hōgyoku in his grasp, he could awaken not only the third template but also his own Zanpakutō at last.
Meanwhile, in the Thirteenth Division barracks, a flustered Toru Qingyin and Kotsubaki Sentarō burst into the captain's quarters.
"Captain! It's bad—Rukia, she… her execution has been moved!"
Ukitake Jūshirō, seated calmly while channeling reiryoku into the sealed Shihōin artifact before him, raised his head with a gentle smile. "Slow down, Qingyin, Sentarō. What's happened to Rukia?"
"Captain, a Hell Butterfly from Central 46 just arrived. They've changed the execution date—it's set for noon tomorrow," Qingyin blurted out, still breathless.
Since Division Thirteen lacked a lieutenant, and with Ukitake entirely focused on dispelling the seal, only the two of them received the message.
"What? They changed the date?" Ukitake's hands faltered, and the shield slipped from his grasp, clattering to the floor with a resonant thud. His usually composed features twisted with shock.
"Yes, Captain… what should we do?" Qingyin asked, her voice tinged with dread.
Ukitake's brows furrowed. "This is troubling. At least two more days are needed to undo this seal."
According to his plan, the timing had aligned perfectly: the shield would be unsealed just as Rukia's execution approached. But now, the abrupt acceleration left him powerless.
"Then… then Rukia is doomed?" Qingyin's voice trembled, her panic plain.
Ukitake closed his eyes briefly, exhaling in frustration. "It seems… we can only entrust this matter to Shiraha."
He had not wanted to place the burden on Shiraha, but with time stolen from them, no other path remained. Rising to his feet, he called out, "Qingyin, Sentarō, come with me. We're going to the Seventh Division."
"Yes, Captain!" the two answered, bowing before falling in step behind him.
Elsewhere, at the Eighth Division barracks, Kyoraku Shunsui lay sprawled on the tiled rooftop, sake cup dangling loosely in hand. "Ah, what a bore," he muttered. "Jūshirō's been holed up in his division for days, working on that seal. Not even a drink together… And on top of that, Zaraki hasn't bothered me lately. Peaceful, but far too dull."
A shadow fell over him as Ise Nanao approached, her ever-present book in one hand. Adjusting her glasses, she spoke crisply. "Captain, news from Central 46. Rukia Kuchiki's execution has been rescheduled for noon tomorrow."
Shunsui blinked, his easy smile vanishing. "Changed again? Just what are those Central 46 fellows playing at?"
Ever since Shiraha had warned him of Aizen's conspiracy, Shunsui had grown wary. The decisions flowing from Central 46 had become increasingly erratic—harsh before, yes, but never reckless to this degree. It felt as though the chamber had been compromised, its decrees mere puppetry under unseen hands.
"Manipulated… yes, that must be it," Shunsui muttered, standing suddenly, his face uncharacteristically grave.
"Nanao-chan, come. We're going to the Seventh Division. I want to hear Shiraha's thoughts on this."
"Yes, Captain," she replied without hesitation. Together, they vanished into flash step, streaking toward their destination.
{ Enjoying the chapters? Please Support me on Patreon and unlock 100+ advanced chapters, with 3 new chapters released every two days!
The fanfic is also available for one-time purchase on Patreon – unlock lifetime access to the full collection, no membership needed! Don't miss out –support and own it forever!
patreon.com/Oreski}