"Ahhh!!!"
"Our Squad Thirteen walls are gone!?"
"Damn it, even the Captain's office is missing!?"
In Seireitei, countless Soul Reapers were red-eyed with fury, patrolling the streets in anger, determined to catch the one devouring spirit energy.
"That bastard! If I catch him, I'll kill him myself…" one muttered bitterly, glaring at the empty space where flowerbeds had once been.
"Because of him, we have to rebuild twelve flowerbeds. Those are harder than walls!"
Another grumbled, "Our barracks were absorbed too. Where do we even sleep tonight?"
Their comrade tried to calm them. "Relax. I heard Captain Aizen went to see the Head Captain. He'll handle it."
At once, they all relaxed, praising Aizen.
"Only Captain Aizen cares for us regular Soul Reapers. He never punishes us."
"He's always so kind, speaking gently."
"If only Captain Aizen were stronger. I heard Kyōka Suigetsu is the weakest zanpakuto among the captains."
"That's true. Never heard of him dueling anyone — always the nice guy."
"Better that way. If he were like Captain Mayuri, I wouldn't have the courage to live…"
Their chatter was cut short by a sharp humming from afar.
"What's that sound?" someone asked.
A veteran paled. "That's First Division's emergency assembly call. Only used in critical situations. All captains must gather."
Another swallowed. "The last time was a hundred years ago… the Hollowfication incident."
The atmosphere turned tense. Then, one foolish voice blurted, "Wait, if all captains are gone… doesn't that mean their barracks are empty?"
Everyone whipped around — and froze.
A black-haired youth stood there, not in shihakusho, but casual sportswear. A golden staff rested on his shoulder.
Cole grinned. "You've been searching for me all day and didn't even know my face?"
Gasps filled the air. Of course they'd been hunting the one devouring Seireitei's walls!
Fear and madness mingled in their eyes as they charged, blades flashing.
Ten seconds later, they all lay groaning on the ground.
Cole smirked. "Really? Did you think you were my opponents?" He squatted, licking his lips. "Now then… which squad has the most buildings?"
…
In the First Division's hall, Yamamoto Genryūsai sat firmly with his cane, gazing at the assembled captains.
Squad Two: Soi Fong.
Squad Three: Gin Ichimaru.
Squad Four: Retsu Unohana.
Squad Five: Sōsuke Aizen.
Squad Six: Byakuya.
Squad Eight: Shunsui Kyōraku.
Squad Nine: Tōsen Kaname.
Squad Ten: Hitsugaya Tōshirō.
Squad Twelve: Mayuri.
Squad Thirteen: Jūshirō Ukitake.
His cane struck the ground. "Where are Zaraki Kenpachi and Komamura Sajin?"
Tōsen stepped forward. "Head Captain, Captain Komamura was gravely injured fighting the ryoka. He rests in Squad Four's care."
Yamamoto nodded slightly.
Shunsui sighed. "As for Kenpachi, when he heard the ryoka was strong, he and his squad ran off to find him."
The captains exchanged glances. Typical Kenpachi.
Yamamoto's gaze sharpened. "So the intruder is powerful?"
"Very powerful," Tōsen said gravely. "His reiatsu and hoho are captain-class — faster than me. His raw strength wounded Captain Komamura in Bankai with only shikai. In pure power… he may equal you, Head Captain."
Gasps rippled through the captains.
Hitsugaya frowned. "Are you serious? Shikai matching Bankai?"
Tōsen nodded. "Ask Gin. He fought him."
Gin smiled. "A strong youth indeed. My palms went numb from the clash."
The room grew grim. One captain's word might be doubted, but not two. The ryoka had Bankai-level might.
Tōsen suddenly turned his glare on Byakuya. "Captain Byakuya, you fought him in the Human World. Why didn't you report properly?"
All eyes turned. Byakuya, calm as ever, said faintly, "I did. I said his power was great. You chose to ignore it."
Tōsen trembled with rage, hand on his sword.
"Enough!"
Yamamoto's cane struck. Crushing reiatsu filled the chamber. "Captains will not fight each other!"
All bowed, subdued under the weight of his power. Tōsen reluctantly retreated, though his sightless eyes still burned at Byakuya.
Yamamoto finally commanded, "From now, the reiatsu restriction is lifted. Captains may use Bankai freely. Capture the ryoka at once."
"Yes!"
Shock ran through them. To lift the restriction meant unleashing their true might in Seireitei itself. The Head Captain was serious.
Jirōbō, his lieutenant, asked, "Any further matters?"
Aizen adjusted his glasses. "Yes. Someone absorbed 28 of Squad Five's walls, 476 houses, and 2,100 paving stones."
The room fell silent, faces twitching.
Tōsen growled. "My squad lost ten walls."
Mayuri hissed. "Seven laboratories vanished. When I find him, I'll show him true hell."
Ukitake coughed. "Even my office is gone…"
Yamamoto muttered darkly. Was Seireitei starving? Pica-eating disorder?
The meeting ended in that bizarre mood. Captains dispersed.
Outside, Gin teased, "Byakuya, since you've fought this Cole before, will you capture him?"
Tōsen sneered. "He's protecting him. He won't."
"Boring," Byakuya said coldly, vanishing.
Mayuri licked his lips at Soi Fong. "Your squad handles surveillance. Any leads? I can't wait to meet him." His rage boiled at losing six labs.
Soi Fong's eyes glinted. "When I have news, you'll know." She disappeared. Others followed.
At Squad Four, Lieutenant Kotetsu Isane rushed to Unohana. "Captain, will he target us too? We're the weakest division…"
Unohana smiled gently. "Don't worry. Even if he absorbs a few streets, we'll rebuild."
Isane protested. "Captain, you're too kind. We must patrol!"
Unohana's smile lingered. "Impossible. The intruder is too strong. If we confront him, we'll be hurt."
"But we can't just let him—"
"Relax. A body can only hold so much reiatsu. He's absorbed plenty already. He'll reach his limit."
Isane reluctantly nodded.
They returned to their barracks — and froze.
Before them stretched a barren plain. Their division… gone.
Isane rubbed her eyes. "This is Squad Four… right?"
The surrounding landmarks proved it. Only Squad Four had vanished.
Bruised Squad Four members stumbled over, sobbing. "Captain Unohana! Vice-Captain! A Soul Reaper came, beat us all, and turned our buildings into spirit energy…"
(End of Chapter)
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