Inside the dimly lit room, Kurotsuki Renyastood calmly, his gaze fixed on the man in front of him.
Ginjo Kūgo.
"So," Ginjo said casually, his tone relaxed but his eyes sharp, "tell me what I want to know."
Renya replied evenly, "What exactly do you want to know?"
Ginjo smiled faintly. "Everything about the Substitute Shinigami. His name, his power, and what happened in Soul Society."
"You mean Kurosaki Ichigo?" Renya asked.
Ginjo nodded.
"Yes. I heard he caused quite the uproar in Seireitei. Fought captains. Defeated them. Then walked away unharmed. That sort of thing doesn't happen every day."
Renya met his gaze calmly.
"It's true. He challenged the Gotei Thirteen and survived. Not only that—he won."
Ginjo's eyes narrowed with interest.
"Go on."
Renya spoke steadily, recounting the events: Ichigo's infiltration of Seireitei, his battles with Madarame Ikkaku, Renji Abarai, Zaraki Kenpachi, and finally his clash with Byakuya Kuchiki. He explained how Ichigo's power continued to evolve through each fight, how his resolve sharpened, and how he ultimately rescued Rukia Kuchiki.
As Renya spoke, the expressions of those around him slowly changed.
Yukio folded his arms.
"So even captains couldn't stop him…"
"Correct," Renya replied. "And not just any captains. He defeated Kenpachi Zaraki in a direct clash."
Ginjo's eyes gleamed with interest.
"That's impressive."
Lilynette scoffed lightly.
"So what? Captains aren't invincible."
Renya looked at her calmly.
"True. But those who underestimate them usually die."
Silence fell.
Ginjo leaned back, hands in his pockets.
"And after all that, he returned to the Human World?"
"Yes," Renya answered. "He lost his powers shortly after."
A flicker of intrigue crossed Ginjo's face.
"Interesting…"
Then he continued, "Tell me—what about the others? The Quincy, the Fullbringers around him?"
Renya nodded.
"Ishida Uryū fights using spirit particles. Inoue Orihime possesses a rare ability that rejects phenomena itself—she doesn't heal, she rejects damage. Sado Yasutora wields immense physical strength enhanced by spiritual power."
Ginjo exhaled slowly.
"So that's how it is…"
Tsukishima, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke.
"If that's true, then confronting them directly would be foolish."
Renya nodded.
"Exactly."
For a moment, silence hung heavy in the room.
Then Ginjo smiled.
"Thank you. You've been very helpful."
Renya relaxed slightly.
"So… we're free to go now?"
Ginjo's smile widened—but it didn't reach his eyes.
"No."
Renya stiffened.
"You know too much," Ginjo continued calmly. "Letting you walk away would be a mistake."
Soi Fon's hand tightened at her side.
"So this was a trap."
"Correct," Ginjo said without shame.
Lilynette hesitated. "Ginjo… do we really need to kill them?"
He turned to her.
"Yes. They're Shinigami. Loose ends."
Renya exhaled slowly, his expression sharpening.
"So that's your answer."
He raised his head, his reiatsu subtly shifting.
"I was hoping you'd choose differently."
Ginjo drew his Fullbring—his pendant transforming into a massive blade.
"Don't take it personally."
At that moment, Renya's communicator vibrated.
He glanced down.
RESTRICTION LIFT AUTHORIZED.
A digital voice echoed faintly.
"Limiter release confirmed."
Ginjo's expression changed instantly.
"What?"
Renya exhaled slowly, his spiritual pressure rising—calm, vast, and suffocating.
"You really shouldn't have forced this."
Soi Fon stepped forward, her stance shifting as well.
"You picked the wrong people to threaten."
Ginjo felt it then.
The crushing weight of a captain-class reiatsu.
"This… this pressure…" he muttered. "Captain-level?"
Renya's eyes narrowed.
"Correct. I am the Fifth Division Captain, Kurotsuki Renya."
Soi Fon's voice followed, cold and sharp.
"And I am the Commander of the Stealth Force."
The room trembled.
Ginjo's smile faded completely.
Before he could react
Flash.
A blur passed him.
In the next instant, a body collapsed behind him.
One of his allies—cut down before they could even react.
Soi Fon stood behind the fallen man, her blade glowing faintly.
"Shunkō: Jakuhō Raikōben," she said calmly.
The others froze.
Renya stepped forward, eyes cold.
"You wanted to see what a captain can do," he said quietly.
"Now you know."
The air grew heavy.
And the battle had only just begun.
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