Within the barracks of the First Division of the Gotei 13.
This was the domain of the man who stood at the very peak of the Gotei 13, the one who nominally commanded all security forces of Soul Society. Known as the "Greatest Shinigami of a Thousand Years," Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni, the Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13, guarded this place at the very center of Seireitei.
At that moment, this man of near-absolute authority and unmatched power casually scattered a handful of millet onto the wooden corridor of the First Division barracks.
"Chirp, chirp, chirp…"
Immediately, sparrows fluttered down, pecking eagerly at the grains.
"..."
Yamamoto watched them with half-closed eyes, his weathered face unreadable—was it a smile, or merely the blank mask of one who had seen centuries pass? None could say.
His gaze shifted from the sparrows on the floor to the sky above. There, a raptor circled tirelessly. Its sharp eyes locked on the sparrows at Yamamoto's feet, yet it dared not descend, restrained by the presence of the old captain—like a beast recognizing a predator far greater than itself.
"Report, Captain-Commander!"
A black-clad Shinigami suddenly appeared behind Yamamoto.
The sparrows, startled by the killing intent that accompanied the newcomer, scattered in panic. The raptor, seeing its prey vanish, gave up the hunt and soared away.
"Do not act rashly…"
Yamamoto sighed softly, watching the fleeing sparrows and retreating raptor. This scene mirrored the state of Soul Society's balance of power.
The sparrows represented the Central 46—weak, yet untouchable. Yamamoto could annihilate them at will, just as he could strike down the nobles represented by the raptor. Yet neither he nor the nobles could move directly. Instead, he had to appease the Central 46, maintain their trust, and avoid open hostility.
The nobles, the Five Great Houses foremost among them, were like rulers of the sky, seemingly above Soul Society's laws. In recent years, many of the finest graduates of the Shin'ō Academy had been claimed by the noble houses—especially the Kōmiyashiro Clan—leaving common-born geniuses stifled.
Yamamoto wished to end this imbalance. But to strip the nobles of their privileges, he needed the authority of the Central 46. For all his strength, he was bound by rules—like a tiger that could not leap into the sky. The Central 46, though weak, had wings. And so, to break the nobles' dominance, Yamamoto had to pit noble against noble, rule against rule.
"Act rashly…?"
The messenger Shinigami froze at Yamamoto's cryptic words.
"I wasn't speaking to you. Report—what happened?"
Opening his sharp, blade-like eyes, Yamamoto fixed the kneeling Shinigami with a gaze that brooked no delay.
"Yes, sir. Our investigation detected an unknown reiatsu in Kusajishi District, along with the spiritual pressures of Second Division's Yūshirō Shihōin, Kisuke Urahara, and Suzumebachi Ayame. I came to report immediately."
"Understood. Leave it be."
Yamamoto gave a small nod, dismissing him.
"Yes, sir!"
The Shinigami vanished like a shadow.
"Yūshirō Shihōin…"
Yamamoto murmured the name. Among the Five Noble Houses, Yūshirō was unusual—wielding immense power, yet showing no sign of ambition. Yamamoto's stance toward him was one of cautious lenience. Even the Royal Guard shared this view.
"Power brings transcendence… but also danger. Yūshirō Shihōin, whether your existence proves Soul Society's blessing or its downfall, this old man shall bear witness with these decayed eyes."
He whispered the words to himself, then turned back inside.
Meanwhile, in the remote hills of Kusajishi District—
"Lord Yūshirō, please don't move. Lady Suzumebachi will be here soon."
Szal Apollo cautioned.
"I understand. Quickly, prepare the crystal."
Yūshirō nodded, then assumed an expression of feigned shock, standing perfectly still.
"...Sigh."
With a weary glance at Yūshirō's theatrics, Szal Apollo drew his blade and made a few sweeping gestures. A transparent crystal instantly enveloped Yūshirō, making it appear as though he had been caught off guard and sealed by some enemy's trap.
"Now then… your turn. Come forth, Orochi!"
He shattered a crystal orb, and in a surge of light, a colossal serpent with eight heads and eight tails appeared before them—the legendary Yamata no Orochi.
"Then I'll be taking my leave, Lord Yūshirō."
Szal Apollo waved mockingly, tablet in hand, before vanishing.
Not long after, Suzumebachi Ayame and Kisuke Urahara arrived at the scene.
"That's Young Master Yūshirō—he's been sealed in crystal!"
Suzumebachi's eyes widened in alarm. Instinctively, she moved to rush forward.
"Wait! It's dangerous!"
Urahara grabbed her just in time. The tiny Suzumebachi (barely 150 cm tall) was yanked back like a doll by the tall Urahara (183 cm), as corrosive purple fluid splashed where she had stood, eating a deep pit into the earth.
"That's… a Hollow?"
She frowned at the monstrous serpent, sensing its hateful, unstable reiatsu. Her glare turned accusingly toward Urahara.
"Hahaha… Miss Suzumebachi, you misunderstand. This test subject isn't a Hollow—it only looks like one. I would never disgrace myself by illegally experimenting on Hollows. Please believe me!"
He shook his head with exaggerated innocence.
"Enough lies! Secret Hollow research is strictly forbidden!"
Suzumebachi snapped.
"As long as it isn't discovered, it isn't against the rules, is it? And besides—I told you, this isn't a Hollow."
Urahara grinned, shameless as ever.
"Disgusting… I'll report you to Lady Yoruichi later. But first, we have to save Yūshirō!"
Suzumebachi clenched her jaw. She knew what mattered most right now.
Urahara chuckled nervously, but quickly refocused. "To free him, we'll have to deal with this creature first."
"Sting All Enemies—Suzumebachi!"
Without hesitation, she released her Zanpakutō and darted at the serpent.
"Wait! Miss Suzumebachi!"
Urahara winced—she had rushed in without hearing its weakness.
Too late. Suzumebachi danced through the air like a swallow, striking three of Orochi's heads with her markings in an instant. The heads exploded in a spray of blood.
"Hmph. Five left."
But the serpent roared—and its heads regenerated in moments.
"What?!"
Suzumebachi faltered, eyes wide. The serpent's tail whipped out and smashed her to the ground.
"Are you alright?!"
Urahara rushed to her side.
"Just scratches," she muttered, her body protected by Kenpachi's spirit pressure defense technique. Then her eyes narrowed coldly. "But you—owe me answers."
She seized Urahara's collar with surprising force. Despite her small frame, her domineering presence cowed even the tall man.
"What kind of abomination did you make? Why doesn't my Nigeki Kessatsu work? Did you create it just to counter me?!"
Urahara sweated profusely. "N-no… of course not!"
"Then tell me its weakness!"
"Fine, fine! Its body contains multiple souls. That lets it regenerate past your Nigeki Kessatsu. But if you hit it with overwhelming firepower and destroy it all at once, it won't be able to regenerate!"
"I see…"
Suzumebachi nodded grimly. Her solution was clear.
"Miss Suzumebachi, sometimes in life—"
"Bankai! Jakuhō Raikōben!"
Before Urahara could finish his lecture, her Bankai detonated into existence—a golden missile streaking through the sky.
Inside the crystal, Yūshirō could only watch the missile descend toward him and the beast.
Times have changed…
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