Normally,
Kurosaki Isshin was carefree,
acting sloppy and unreliable in daily life.
But now—
Inside the office of his family clinic,
he yawned, propped his chin on one hand, and prepared to watch the countdown video.
Though he didn't understand why the transparent screen had suddenly appeared,
nor whether his Zanpakutō, Engetsu (Scorching Moon), might be ranked among the top ten strongest—
All curiosity vanished the instant Kurosaki Ichigo appeared on screen.
"What the hell…"
"No way! Impossible!!! Ichigo… actually became a Shinigami?!"
"And he's fighting not one, but two Gotei Captains?!"
Staring at the screen in shock,
Isshin froze in place like a statue, completely dumbfounded.
Originally—
As an outsider,
he had just planned to snack on gossip, watch the show, and slack off during work.
But in a blink,
the gossip had landed squarely on his own son.
Good news: Ichigo made it on screen.
Bad news: the video exposed his hidden identity, and worse—
he was reduced to a stepping stone, a foil to highlight Kuchiki Byakuya's strength.
Utterly ridiculous.
"No matter what…"
"Whether this countdown is real or not, that bastard Kuchiki Byakuya…"
"If I ever get the chance, I'll beat him down myself for hurting Ichigo!"
Isshin clenched his teeth in anger.
As a father,
to watch his own son cut down and lying in blood—
It tore at his heart.
Especially since, as the former Captain of the 10th Division,
though long absent from Soul Society,
he knew Byakuya's strength and cold personality well.
Which only deepened his worry.
If Byakuya held killing intent,
if he meant to execute Ichigo—
Then in his wounded, weakened state,
Ichigo's life would truly be in danger.
He could very well die at Byakuya's hands.
Elsewhere.
On the outskirts of Karakura Town, inside Urahara Shop—
"That's it?"
"He just cut down a rookie Shinigami… that's nothing special."
"Doesn't make Senbonzakura impressive at all."
A dissatisfied, skeptical voice broke the silence.
In front of the light screen,
Wearing old work clothes, dark-skinned and burly,
Tessai Tsukabishi adjusted his black-framed glasses,
shaking his head with disapproval.
Like others, his curiosity had been piqued when the screen appeared,
so he had crouched before it, eager to see the countdown's developments.
But after seeing Byakuya's strike—
He couldn't hold back his critique.
It was just a sword swing.
Any Zanpakutō could do that.
There was nothing impressive or convincing.
At the very least, a Zanpakutō should be released,
through Shikai (Initial Release) or even Bankai (Final Release).
Meanwhile—
His companion, and the shop owner,
Urahara Kisuke,
watched beneath the brim of his green-striped hat.
He too thought Byakuya's performance was shallow—just one swing with Senbonzakura.
But his focus lay elsewhere.
Not on Byakuya.
But on Kurosaki Ichigo, and the reason for this battle.
"These clips…"
"The sound, the images, the movements—they're too real. They can't be fake."
"If they're real… then are they glimpses of the future?"
At once, Urahara's mind whirred.
From the unusual appearance of Byakuya and Renji in the Human World,
he quickly deduced—
In the future, they were likely sent as pursuers,
ordered by the Gotei 13 to capture someone.
But why…
Why would Kurosaki Ichigo,
a human boy he had secretly watched for years—
ever since the Hollow White incident,
and because of his ties with Isshin—
why would he become a Shinigami?
For now,
the countdown had only just begun.
There was too little information.
Urahara couldn't figure it out.
After a moment's thought, he gave up with a shake of his head.
"Looks like… we'll just have to keep watching. Unless more people appear on screen, my guesses can't be confirmed."
But before he finished speaking—
As if in response to his words,
the video's next shot panned away from the fallen Ichigo.
Instead, the camera followed his gaze forward.
There—
A girl in a blue-and-white dress appeared, being forced away.
Kuchiki Rukia.
Inside the 5th Division underground base.
As Rukia's back and profile appeared—
Aizen, who had been calm and cold,
suddenly smiled.
For the first time in years,
a spark of genuine emotion lit his face.
Yes.
If Ichigo's earlier appearance had merely piqued his curiosity—
Then Rukia's presence outright thrilled him.
Because a month ago,
to perfect his betrayal,
using Kyōka Suigetsu (Mirror Flower, Water Moon),
with its absolute hypnosis,
Aizen and his allies had deceived all of the Gotei 13.
They had massacred the Central 46,
then disguised themselves as them,
issuing a false order:
Rukia Kuchiki was to be dispatched to the Human World.
Now—
Her appearance confirmed it all.
The footage wasn't fabricated.
It was the future.
Everything was unfolding exactly as Aizen had planned.
That was why he was excited.
"Yare yare…"
"Aizen-taichō, it looks like our plan is already succeeding…"
"This countdown… it will reveal even more secrets, won't it?"
Beside him,
Ichimaru Gin smiled slyly, his fox grin spreading.
If the video could reveal the future—
then if Shinsō (Divine Spear) made the list,
could it show the scene of his blade piercing Aizen himself?
That thought thrilled Gin.
He, too, awaited what was to come.
(End of Chapter)
If I see that this fanfic has support, I will upload it to Patreon!!
[[email protected]/Zukooo]
[Thanks for your support!]