"Oi, oi… what's with all the killing intent?"
Inside the 8th Division barracks of Seireitei, Kyoraku Shunsui pushed himself upright from his lounge chair, gaze drifting toward the direction of the 2nd Division.
"…That voice…"
"Soi Fong?"
—
Inside the 5th Division, Aizen Sosuke lifted his head from his paperwork, his mild smile unchanged as his glasses caught a sharp glint of light.
"…Something's happened in the Human World?"
"…For such spiritual pressure to flare inside Seireitei…"
—
In the 7th Division, Koraku Sentaro, his face hidden beneath a paper bag, scowled toward the 2nd Division.
"…Captain, that reiatsu—it's from the 2nd. Could it be… something's happened to Rukia?"
—
In the 6th Division, Abarai Renji's jaw tightened as he looked anxiously in the same direction.
"Rukia's been missing for days now… don't tell me she's really in danger?"
Byakuya Kuchiki, cold and silent as a glacier, rose without a word. His form blurred, vanishing from the office.
—
Within the ruins of the 2nd Division captain's office, Soi Fon glared at Sekawa with eyes like sharpened blades.
"Impossible. Before Yoruichi defected, I was always at her side. She… could never have had a man."
Captain, we were talking about Rukia just now… Sekawa wanted to cry, but could only kneel and nod meekly.
Soi Fong's teeth ground together. "With your experience, tell me. Was that brat's claim true… or false?"
Sekawa's scalp tingled with dread. After a long pause, he couldn't bring himself to lie.
"…Captain. I saw Yoruichi-sama in her cat form… in that man's arms. She nuzzled him, even… licked his fingers."
BOOOOM!!!
The ground exploded under Soi Fong's fist, a crater gaping wide.
Her voice trembled with fury as she hissed, "So that's why she betrayed Soul Society… abandoned the name of Shihoin… forsook the title of 2nd Division Captain…"
"For a man…"
"Yoruichi Shihoin… you cast me aside, for a man!?"
Sekawa shrank further, wishing he could bury his head like an ostrich and vanish.
Slowly, Soi Fong steadied her breath, her eyes colder than steel.
"I'm going to the 1st Division. Find Omaeda. Have him prepare a Senkaimon at once."
"Yes, Captain!"
Sekawa bowed, inwardly weeping. It's over. Captain Soi Fong's gone mad…
—
Not long after, several visitors gathered in the 1st Division.
Vice Captain Sasakibe Chojiro rubbed his temples, exasperated.
"Captain Byakuya, Captain Soi Fong, Captain Ukitake—I can understand you three being here. But Captain Gin Ichimaru, why exactly are you here?"
Gin, fox-like smile never fading, replied cheerfully, "Oh, I just thought Captain Soi Fong might want some extra support. After all, the 3rd Division's specialty is backup, isn't it?"
"Hmph." Soi Fong snorted. "This is the 2nd Division's jurisdiction. We need no help from the likes of you."
Byakuya's tone was icy. "Captain Soi Fong. Rukia is my sister. If something has befallen her, I have every right to know."
Ukitake Jushiro coughed lightly, his voice weakened. "Captain Soi Fong, Rukia is also a member of the 13th. Please—tell me what's happened in the Human World."
Soi Fong's gaze swept them like blades of ice. "When the Captain-Commander arrives, I'll speak. Otherwise I won't repeat myself to each of you."
The three fell silent.
Gin's mind, however, churned.
Has Aizen miscalculated?
By his captain's plan, once the 2nd Division's report returned, Byakuya should have immediately moved to apprehend Rukia.
But now, with Soi Fong's emotions spiraling out of control…
"…Hehe. The Human World really is interesting…" Gin mused, his smile stretching wider.
Moments later, a dignified elder appeared—kyo purple haori draped over him, deeply lined face stern beneath bushy brows, a cane steady in his hand.
At once, every captain straightened in reverence.
"Captain-Commander!"
Before them stood Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni—the thousand-year strongest shinigami, bearer of the most powerful zanpakuto, Ryūjin Jakka.
He seated himself, eyes sweeping the captains, finally fixing on Soi Fon.
"Captain Soi Fong. Report. What has become of the missing shinigami?"
Soi Fong's voice was sharp, edged with venom. "She was stripped of her powers by two humans. They've taken her captive—turned her into their plaything."
Byakuya: "…"
Ukitake: "…"
Gin: "…"
The three captains froze, dumbstruck.
In all their centuries, they had never heard anything so absurd.
Veins pulsed at Byakuya's temple, though his voice soon smoothed to ice. "Who are these humans?"
But Soi Fong ignored him, turning instead to Yamamoto.
"Captain-Commander, for the dignity and honor of the Gotei 13, I request permission to personally enter the Human World. Remove all limits on my spiritual pressure."
Byakuya's gaze cut like a blade. "Captain-Commander. Rukia is my sister. Since she suffers such humiliation, allow me to deal with it as family."
"This is the duty of the 2nd Division!" Soi Fong snapped, rage flaring.
Ukitake opened his mouth, but closed it again with a cough. In his frail state, he knew joining such a mission might only make matters worse.
Gin's smile deepened. "Captain Soi Fong. For mere humans to defeat a shinigami… I doubt they're as simple as you claim, eh?"
Soi Fong's eyes narrowed, hand falling to her zanpakuto. "Gin Ichimaru. Do you want to die?"
Gin only chuckled, falling silent. His mission from Aizen had been to gather information. With what he'd heard, his work was complete. No need to risk further.
Yamamoto's eyes closed briefly as he weighed their words. Then, opening them, he fixed once more on Soi Fong.
"These humans. Are they truly… mere humans?"
Soi Fong hesitated. Then she recounted every detail without omission.
When she finished, her gaze speared Byakuya.
"Byakuya Kuchiki. This matter concerns Yoruichi Shihoin—the traitor. If you dare interfere, I'll kill you myself."
...…
...
(End of Chapter)
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