Above the sky—
A streak of blue light suddenly tore through the heavens.
But it wasn't light.
It was a meteor wreathed in roaring blue fire.
"BOOM!"
The impact rattled the warehouse barrier, blasting open a massive crater, blue flames blazing on its rim.
Shinji whistled. "As expected of the Great Kido Chief. To unleash that much power with just a thirty-something spell…"
The Vizards nodded in agreement.
They all knew kido, but compared to Tessai, their spells were child's play.
"But…"
Hachigen muttered, "Does the Great Kido Chief really think this will teach that human brat to use Sōkatsui?"
Back in Seireitei, he'd served under Tessai in the Kidō Corps. His talent had been considered first-rate.
And even then, it had taken him weeks to master a single mid-tier hado.
Learning it just by watching? Impossible.
The Vizards exchanged puzzled looks, not sure what Tessai was up to.
Lowering his hand, Tessai turned to Cole with a faint smile.
"Well, Cole? Did you get it?"
"Not quite…"
Cole shook his head.
The higher the spell, the harder it was to grasp. Even after seeing it once, he hadn't fully absorbed it.
Tessai wasn't disappointed. He raised his hand again and fired once more.
This time, Cole's eyes lit up.
"I've got it!"
Before Tessai could speak, Cole mimicked his stance, arm extended, voice ringing with incantation:
"Mask of blood and flesh, all things of the universe, wings that soar, crown that names mankind!
Truth and temperance, barrier of dreams unknown, stand only before me!
Hadō #33: Sokatsui!"
Blue fire blazed down from the heavens, crashing like a meteor into the earth.
"BOOM!"
The ground split open in a fiery crater. Weaker than Tessai's, yes—but the destruction was undeniable.
Hiyori gawked, shouting, "Wait, WHAT!? Just like that!? He really learned it from watching!? He's never studied kidō before!?"
She'd been Twelfth Division's lieutenant once. She'd studied kidō.
It had taken her a full week to master even a Shakkaho. And that had earned her the title of genius.
If she was a genius, then what was this boy?
A monster?
But Cole ignored her, bowing his head seriously to Tessai.
"Uncle Tessai, please teach me the next spell."
For once, Tessai let out a booming laugh. He stretched his hand outward. "Then we'll rotate—hado, bakudo, kaido. Next, I'll teach you binding arts."
…
Three days passed in a flash.
Seireitei, Sixth Division headquarters.
"Captain Kuchiki, it's been three days. Still no word from Captain Soi Fong… Could Rukia really be in danger?"
Renji paced in a daze, muttering.
Normally, captains weren't permitted to linger in the World of the Living. Their power risked destabilizing the balance.
Yet Soi Fong had remained there for three whole days.
Every time they checked in, she said the same: everything was fine, she was still searching for Rukia.
But how long did it take to find one person?
Byakuya closed the file in his hand, eyes cold as he fixed Renji with a glance.
"Are you idle?"
Renji shivered, shaking his head violently.
"Then go train the division. This month, I expect three of them to achieve shikai."
Renji nearly coughed blood. But he dared not argue. Shoulders slumped, he trudged out.
Only then did Byakuya frown faintly.
"Cat demon… just what are you scheming?"
…
Fifth Division barracks.
Two captains gathered before Aizen: Gin Ichimaru and Kaname Tosen.
Gin leaned against the wall, foxlike smile in place. "Captain Aizen, Soi Fong still hasn't returned. Want me to drop by Squad One and prod the Head Captain?"
Tōsen's voice was flat. "Lord Aizen, perhaps I should request permission from him to investigate the World of the Living."
Had any ordinary Shinigami heard them, they would've been stunned.
In Seireitei's eyes, Aizen Sosuke was nothing more than a gentle, weak-hearted man.
Gin was the sly silver fox. Tōsen, the rigid extremist of justice.
Yet here they stood—addressing Aizen with deference.
Aizen pushed up his glasses, voice smooth as ever.
"We mustn't trouble the Head Captain. If he suspects anything, our plans could unravel."
Gin's smile thinned. "So we keep waiting? For Soi Fong to bring back intel?"
"No."
Aizen shook his head. A glint flashed across his lenses as he rose, smiling faintly.
"If she won't return… we'll bring her back ourselves. And issue the order to capture Rukia Kuchiki."
Gin's grin faltered.
Tōsen, by contrast, trembled with fervor. "Lord Aizen… is it time at last?"
"Yes. Let's go."
Aizen's figure blurred, Gin and Tosen at his side as they sped through the white halls of Seireitei.
Before long, they reached the heart of Soul Society.
A grand white hall loomed—Central 46, the chamber of judgment.
Inside, robed officials filled the seats, gazes sharp, cold, towering from above.
The presiding judge blinked as though awakening from a dream, glaring down.
"Aizen Sosuke. Why are you three here? And why… have I suddenly convened a trial!?"
...…
...…
(End of Chapter)
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