The eyes of every captain turned to Shiraha, waiting for his answer.
"Forgive me, Captain. For now, I cannot say. Please understand."
Shiraha's calm voice carried a faint smile. Inside, he knew that revealing too much would trigger disaster. With Yamamoto Genryūsai's temperament, if the truth about Aizen and Kyōka Suigetsu came to light now, the Head-Captain would personally strike to arrest Aizen. That would shatter the hidden course of events, deny Aizen his Hōgyoku, and at the same time, interfere with Shiraha's third template awakening. Worse still, if Yamamoto—entrapped by Kyōka Suigetsu—released Ryūjin Jakka's Bankai in the heart of Seireitei, the destruction would be beyond imagining.
"Kuchiki Shiraha," Yamamoto's eyes hardened, his voice resounding like iron, "then the old man can only take you down."
The staff in his grip powdered into dust under the weight of his reiatsu, revealing the blade concealed within. Sparks of raw pressure rippled outward.
Before the strike could fall, a slender figure stepped forward. Unohana Retsu moved from the sidelines, her face no longer serene but grave, her presence commanding even before Yamamoto himself.
"Captain Unohana?" Yamamoto's pupils contracted faintly. Her intervention surprised him.
"Captain, please restrain your anger," Unohana said, her voice solemn and unwavering. "Shiraha bears burdens he cannot yet reveal. This matter touches not only the safety of the Gotei 13 but the stability of Soul Society itself. When the storm is past, Shiraha will give his explanation. I believe in him, and I am willing to vouch for him."
Her uncharacteristic firmness startled Isane, who had never seen her captain abandon her gentle mask so openly.
Kyōraku Shunsui stepped forward next, adjusting his hat with a lopsided smile. "Old man Yamamoto, I'll vouch for him too. Shiraha isn't acting out of betrayal—there are deeper reasons."
"Genryūsai-sensei," Ukitake Jūshirō added with quiet conviction, "he has difficulties we cannot yet hear. I trust him. Please allow him the chance."
Whispers stirred among the lieutenants and seated officers. Byakuya's gaze flickered briefly, thoughtful yet guarded. Why would three captains—Unohana, Kyōraku, and Ukitake—risk standing against their commander, all for Shiraha? What hidden truth bound them?
Yamamoto's stern face tightened, anger flashing, but slowly, the weight of his long years pressed down. These three—Kyōraku and Ukitake, his own students, and Unohana, his contemporary of a thousand years—were pillars of the Gotei. He knew their loyalty, their characters. Unohana, above all, would never speak without reason.
After a tense pause, Yamamoto exhaled through his beard. He lowered his blade. "Very well. Since Unohana, Shunsui, and Jūshirō stand for you, Shiraha, I will not strike you—for now. But when this is over, I expect your explanation."
The oppressive tension broke slightly. Unohana's gaze softened, and Kyōraku let out a quiet sigh of relief.
"Thank you, Captain-Commander," Shiraha said with an untroubled smile, bowing his head.
But before relief could settle, a new ripple disturbed the air. White cloth snaked around Rukia, binding her in an instant. Two figures materialized at her side: Ichimaru Gin and Tōsen Kaname.
The sudden intrusion turned every head.
"Ichimaru, Tōsen—what is the meaning of this?" Yamamoto thundered, sensing the betrayal at once.
Tōsen did not answer. With a sweep of his arm, more white strips of cloth shot out, encasing all three of them—himself, Gin, and Rukia—within a cocoon of whirling light.
"Farewell, everyone," Gin said with a foxlike smile, his eyes narrowing in mock courtesy.
Byakuya's expression sharpened, his body flashing forward in shunpo, blade drawn to cut them down. But the cocoon spun faster, glowing bright, and in the next instant, the three vanished.
Shiraha's eyes narrowed. Senkaimon-based technique—A Thousand White Snakes. His Observation Haki tracked their reappearance—barely eight thousand meters away. He knew why they had taken Rukia: the Hōgyoku hidden within her soul. There was no need to rush.
Byakuya froze at the disappearance, anger flashing through his normally cold eyes. The other captains stood in stunned silence, unable to reconcile Gin and Tōsen's treachery. Only Unohana, Kyōraku, and Ukitake remained composed, their knowledge keeping them silent.
Then, two more figures stumbled onto the hill. One was bloodied and torn, his haori shredded; the other clutched her side, pale and gasping. Komamura Sajin collapsed at Yamamoto's feet, barely able to speak. Rangiku Matsumoto followed, face pale as ash.
"Captain-Commander… Ichimaru Gin… has betrayed you…" Komamura's deep voice faltered as he lost consciousness, body slumping heavily.
Unohana knelt at once, hands glowing as she worked Kaidō to stabilize him.
Yamamoto's frown deepened, eyes shadowed beneath his brows.
Matsumoto staggered forward, her voice trembling. "Captain-Commander, it's worse than that."
His head turned sharply toward her. "Speak."
"Captain Hitsugaya suspected Ichimaru from the start. He pursued him to Central 46. But his reiatsu flared suddenly—then vanished. I rushed there, and…" Her voice broke. "I found Captain Hitsugaya impaled through the chest. Gravely wounded. Unconscious."
A murmur of shock swept the hill.
But Matsumoto's next words froze every soul present.
"In the underground chambers of Central 46… I saw it myself. All forty-six sages, all the judges… every last one… slaughtered."
Her trembling voice echoed in the oppressive silence, a silence that even Yamamoto Genryūsai could not immediately break.
{ 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}