The King of Destruction spread its blazing wings across the sky.
"This is the true form of the Spear of Sōkyoku," Yamamoto Genryūsai said calmly, his hands resting on his wooden staff. "It is the final executor of this punishment. By its flames, the sinner Kuchiki Rukia will be consumed. When it pierces her body, the execution will be complete."
As his words fell, the fiery phoenix in the heavens beat its wings, preparing to strike. The oppressive heat swept across the hill, scorching even the air.
Bound within the Sōkyoku stand, Rukia felt the wave of searing force crash over her, but her heart held no fear, only a deep sorrow.
"Farewell, Nii-sama. Farewell, Byakuya-san… and Ichigo," she whispered. A single tear slipped down her cheek and fell soundlessly. Closing her eyes, she resigned herself to death.
Byakuya watched from below. His gaze lingered on Rukia for only a moment before shutting his eyes, afraid that if he looked any longer, his resolve would falter. He could not afford to betray the rules he had sworn to uphold.
"Brother Shiraha, it has already been nineteen hours. Will you still not act?" Yoruichi murmured anxiously from the shadows where she observed.
Shunsui and Ukitake turned toward Shiraha.
"It seems the time has come," Shiraha said with a faint smile.
In the next instant, his form flickered and vanished with a burst of Kidō. At the same moment, the King of Destruction swept down, its wings blazing as it surged toward Rukia. If the strike landed, the force would multiply dozens of times in an instant, obliterating her without a trace.
"The domain expands. Infinity within space. Curse—Chi!"
Shiraha extended his hand, violet energy flooding outward. The pressure it released rippled through the air like a living tide. A vast field unfurled from him, blanketing everything within one hundred and sixty thousand meters, encompassing even the flaming phoenix itself. Within that domain, his every attack would be magnified, strengthened beyond measure.
A circular wave of purple energy hundreds of meters wide roared into existence, tearing through the sky before crashing into the back of the fiery phoenix.
"Boom!"
The heavens thundered as the destructive energy swallowed the Sōkyoku's manifested king. The phoenix's body shrieked, flames shredding as the violet tide cut through it again and again, breaking it down into scattering embers. Its cry echoed across the Soul Society before dissolving into countless spirit particles.
As the last fragments faded, even the sky bore the scars of Shiraha's attack, jagged cracks splitting space itself before slowly mending. Within seconds, all returned to calm.
"It is powerful," Shiraha murmured. He had poured nearly his full strength into the strike—his expanded domain amplifying his Kidō by nearly twenty percent, merging with the perfected curse Chi, a spell capable of threatening even the highest captains. The result was instantaneous annihilation.
"King Ruihuang… destroyed?" voices gasped below.
The executioner of a million Zanpakutō's power had been erased in a heartbeat.
The strike had lasted no more than two seconds. Most eyes had still been fixed on the phoenix, and by the time they turned, the deed was already done. The captains stood frozen.
"Shiraha's intent is clear," someone whispered. "He destroyed the King of Destruction… to shatter the punishment itself. To save Rukia."
Shunsui and Ukitake exchanged glances, a mix of awe and shock in their eyes.
"His destructive force is astonishing," Ukitake breathed.
Shunsui tilted his hat with a half-smile. "And here I thought he might only strike at the unawakened form. I didn't expect this."
"So strong… that kind of power," Suì-Fēng muttered, pupils narrowing. She had seen him raise only a single hand, no Zanpakutō drawn, and obliterate an executioner equal to a million blades. Her chest tightened with dread.
"Captain… Captain Shiraha… is he… is he really going to defy the Central 46?!" Omaeda stammered, his snack slipping from his fingers as his jaw dropped.
Suì-Fēng shot him a glare, eyes sharp. "Idiot."
"Brother… why are you here?" Rukia's voice trembled. She opened her eyes, surprised to find Shiraha standing before her, shielding her from the scorching air. The phoenix was gone, nothing left but dissipating spirit particles.
"Did you… already destroy King Ruihuang?" she asked in disbelief.
Shiraha smiled faintly. "Rukia, as I told you—I will never let you die."
"But brother, this is my burden. Please… leave quickly," Rukia pleaded, shaking her head.
"Rukia," Shiraha said softly, "stand and watch. As long as I am here, no one will harm you."
Below, Byakuya's composure shattered. His voice rang out, sharp and furious. "Shiraha! Have you forgotten the honor of the Kuchiki clan?"
For hours, Byakuya had thought Shiraha restrained by the law, unwilling to act. He had not expected him to strike only at the moment of execution, destroying the King itself. Rage burned behind his cold mask as he moved to intervene—
But two figures stepped into his path.
Kyoraku Shunsui and Ukitake Jūshirō.
"Ah, Captain Kuchiki, forgive us," Shunsui said with a languid smile, lowering his straw hat. "Shiraha asked us personally. No matter what, we cannot allow you to interfere."
"Sorry, Byakuya," Ukitake added, his expression tinged with regret.
"You two," Byakuya said coldly, "do you intend to betray the Gotei 13?"
Shunsui chuckled lightly. "That's too harsh. We're not betraying anyone. We're only stopping you, nothing more."
On the side, Yamamoto Genryūsai raised his head slightly. His eyes fixed on Shiraha, but he said nothing, neither condemning nor moving to halt him.
The execution had been broken. The course of Soul Society itself had begun to shift.
{ 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}