"The Seireitei wall has been lowered, and the soul-shielding membrane now covers the entire Seireitei.
People inside can't get out, and people outside can't get in."
"Shunsui, is there any way?"
After leaving the First Division's building, Jūshirō Ukitake's voice carried a hint of anxiety.
"Old Man Yama clearly wants to execute Lisa, Kensei, and the others first, and then consider how to deal with Aiyan."
"Of course, it's not necessarily certain. Just like he said, maybe he won't do it."
"After all, Lisa and the others are insignificant compared to Aiyan. But no matter what, we still have to prevent this from happening."
Kyoraku Shunsui looked up at the soul-shielding membrane covering Seireitei, feeling as though a heavy haze was pressing down from the sky.
"My intuition tells me that if this matter continues to develop, it will cause unpredictable changes—changes not even comparable to the Urahara Kisuke incident."
His words made Jūshirō Ukitake, already burdened with worry, look even more troubled.
"How do we stop it?"
Jūshirō Ukitake suppressed the irritation and unease in his heart.
"Go to Central 46 first. If we can solve it from the source, that would be best."
"If not, we'll find another way."
After Kyoraku Shunsui finished speaking, he used Shunpo to rush ahead, with Jūshirō Ukitake following closely behind.
With their Shunpo fully open, the two of them became fleeting shadows darting swiftly across the rooftops of the Seireitei.
Soon, they stopped before the gates of Central 46.
As the most senior Gotei captain, a direct disciple of Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni, and the unofficial senior among captains, Kyoraku Shunsui made only a brief report, waited a short while, and was then escorted into the central underground council chamber.
The moment he stepped through the gate, he saw the surrounding high platforms, with the sages and judges seated at forty-six distinct positions.
Although these forty-six individuals held authority, they were like rats hiding in the shadows—afraid to show their real faces, concealing themselves behind plaques marked with numbers from one to forty-six.
"Kyoraku Shunsui."
"Jūshirō Ukitake."
"You are not performing Gotei duties in Seireitei, so why have you come to Central 46?"
Inquisitor No. 1 spoke first.
"It's like this."
"Regarding the public execution of Lisa and Kensei, aren't these executions excessive?"
"Also, I would like to ask about Aiyan Sōsuke's sentencing. Do you truly understand the consequences of carrying out this order?"
Kyoraku Shunsui's words were direct and heavy, questioning Central 46 without hesitation:
"A single Urahara Kisuke, after becoming a traitor to the Soul Society, was able to wipe out Central 46 and send all your predecessors to their graves."
"The entire Soul Society couldn't defeat Urahara Kisuke together."
"So tell me, what makes you think Gotei 13 can take down Aiyan, who surpasses Urahara Kisuke in both strength and strategy?"
As soon as he finished speaking, stern voices rose from all around.
"Even a captain is not allowed to question the judgment and orders of Central 46. This is your first warning."
"Kyoraku Shunsui…"
"The duty of Gotei 13 is not to question, but to execute."
The voice of Judge No. 2 was cold and firm.
"Including when you know this decision will push Seireitei into eternal doom, letting history repeat itself, and causing the same mistakes that left your predecessors without even a burial place—do you still choose silence and execution?"
Kyoraku Shunsui's gaze swept across the room. Though their faces were hidden behind numbered plaques, his sharp eyes seemed to pierce straight through them.
"Arrogance."
"If you take down a captain who failed to protect Central 46 and several criminals who violated the laws of the Soul Society, yet still push Seireitei to the point of no return, then it is you who are failing in your duty as the governing body of the Gotei."
Sage No. 4's voice dripped with disdain.
"So, it's irreversible?"
Jūshirō Ukitake couldn't help speaking up.
"The orders and judgments of Central 46 cannot be changed or disobeyed."
"This is your second warning."
"If there's a third, we will sentence you."
Sage No. 7's tone was sharp.
"I understand."
"Coming here today has clearly disturbed you."
"Then, Jūshirō and I will take our leave."
Kyoraku Shunsui lowered his hat and stopped Jūshirō Ukitake from speaking further.
"This will probably be the last time we meet."
"After all…"
"If nothing unexpected happens, you will be the last sages and judges of Central 46."
Without waiting for a reply, the two turned and left.
However—
Kyoraku Shunsui and Jūshirō Ukitake didn't know that as soon as they left the gates, the sages and judges, so full of righteous fury moments ago, suddenly froze in place—like a paused scene in a film.
The next moment, a low, calm voice echoed.
"Shatter · Kyōka Suigetsu."
The sound of a mirror shattering rang out. The chamber was still the same chamber, but the scene had changed.
The sages and judges of Central 46, who moments earlier had been speaking from their high platforms, now had blood spraying from their necks before collapsing lifelessly.
"The last time we met?"
"No…"
"It should be said we didn't even have the chance for a last meeting."
In the underground council chamber, Aizen lightly shook his Zanpakutō. The blade itself slid cleanly, not a drop of blood staining it as it reflected the corpses of the sages.
Apparently—
After Aiyan's earlier destruction of Central 46, Aizen had staged a second massacre in the newly rebuilt chamber.
"Thank you for your hard work, everyone."
"Struggling so fiercely to become the sages and judges of this generation… only to fulfill my small wish—"
"To let Kyōka Suigetsu savor the taste of Central 46's blood."
Aizen murmured, the lenses of his glasses flashing faintly.
"Heh… were you ever worthy to judge my brother?"
He chuckled, shook his head, and sheathed Kyōka Suigetsu.
Meanwhile—
Kyoraku Shunsui and Jūshirō Ukitake, unaware of what had just happened, headed straight for the 12th Division without stopping.
This was the last possible method they could think of.
Of course—
Kyoraku Shunsui concealed his Reiatsu and even created a false impression of returning to the 8th Division.
"Oh? A rare pair of visitors!"
"I didn't expect my small 12th Division to host two captains at once."
"I'm truly flattered."
Kurotsuchi Mayuri, who had succeeded Hikifune Kirio as captain of the 12th Division, stepped out of his office with a clearly surprised tone—though his voice carried an unmistakable edge of mockery.
"What brings the two of you here?"
...
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