"Captain Kurotsuchi Mayuri, time is of the essence, so I will speak directly."
"I assume you saw it too — the Seireitei Wall has been lowered."
"With your intelligence, second to none in the Soul Society, you should have a way to break through the Seireitei Wall and contact the outside world!"
Although Kurotsuchi Mayuri was appointed as the 12th Division Captain by the Captain-Commander himself, Kyōraku Shunsui had already done his homework before coming and knew his opponent's character very well.
"Breaking through the Seireitei Wall?"
"That's not difficult."
"But Captain Kyōraku, aren't you the next in line? There are plenty of ways for you to leave."
Kurotsuchi Mayuri gave Shunsui a deep, assessing look, then grinned.
"My method won't work for you."
"You'll have to use yours — and quietly."
"Can it be done?"
Kyōraku Shunsui shook his head.
Of course he had ways to leave Seireitei, but those methods had long since been countered by Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni.
What they needed was a way to leave without leaving a trace.
"It's not difficult," Mayuri said, "but I want to know the reason."
"Two things," Shunsui replied.
"First, Central 46 has issued a verdict to execute Lisa, Ōtoribashi Rōjūrō, and the others."
"Second, we need you to send a message to your former captain."
Kyōraku paused, then recalled that Mayuri had once served as Aiyan's lieutenant, and decided there was no point in hiding it.
"Is that so?"
"That's truly unfortunate."
Kurotsuchi Mayuri feigned sorrow.
"Captain Kurotsuchi, forgive me for being blunt, but why do I feel you're not worried at all?"
Jūshirō Ukitake suddenly spoke.
"And what exactly would you have me do?"
"Tremble? Scream? Be consumed by unease?"
"Don't joke — that would be an insult to the intelligence of two captains. If Captain Aiyan needs me to worry for him, he's not worth the trouble. In all of Seireitei, there are only two people who truly warrant such concern."
Kurotsuchi Mayuri shook his head with a faint laugh.
"I'll take the liberty of asking…"
"If the Captain-Commander is determined to deal with Captain Aiyan — as his disciples, how will you choose?"
The question made both captains pause.
"Alright, alright — I'm making things difficult for you."
"As an apology, I'll help you two leave Seireitei."
Mayuri noted their expressions, seemingly satisfied with the answer he had drawn out of them, and stood to prepare for their departure.
However—
Before he could act, a squad of Shinigami and the Detention Force surrounded the 12th Division barracks.
"Apologies to the three of you."
"By order of the Captain-Commander — Captains Kyōraku and Ukitake are to return to their respective divisions. Captain Kurotsuchi is forbidden from leaving the 12th Division for any reason at this time."
Tōsen Kaname, Komamura Sajin, and Sasakibe Chōjirō entered together.
"You see? It's not that I won't help you," Mayuri said with feigned helplessness.
"It's simply that some people don't want me to. I'm afraid I can only ask you to finish your tea before leaving."
Even if he tried every trick, Mayuri knew he could not overcome Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni's Ryūjin Jakka.
"I forgot to mention," Kyōraku said, "when we came here, we hid our reiatsu, and also created the illusion that we'd returned to the 13th and 8th Divisions."
"So, Captain Kurotsuchi… are you planning to betray your own captain?"
Kyōraku Shunsui rose, staring at Mayuri with calm but cold eyes.
"Such rude words, Captain Kyōraku," Mayuri replied.
"And what did you just call me? Since I am a captain of the Gotei 13, why would I betray my own captain?"
"As a captain, it's natural to follow the Captain-Commander's orders and uphold the Soul Society's laws."
"Even if I once served as the 5th Division's lieutenant—"
He shrugged nonchalantly.
"And besides… you speak of betrayal."
"If I betrayed Captain Aiyan, then what about you?"
"You would be betraying your own captain — and your teacher."
His eyes locked with Kyōraku's, a mocking smile on his face.
Hearing this, the anger in Kyōraku's heart faded instantly.
Yes.
If Mayuri had betrayed Aiyan, then Kyōraku himself had betrayed Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni.
He fell silent and turned to leave.
"Kyoraku…"
Jūshirō Ukitake watched his friend's lonely back. For the first time, he felt hesitation and helplessness from the man who was usually unshakable.
"Sorry, Jūshirō. I think I've done all I can."
"Even someone like Kurotsuchi Mayuri, who once served as Aiyan's lieutenant, has chosen to align with the Captain-Commander and betray him."
"Tōsen Kaname and Komamura Sajin too — both were classmates of Aiyan. Especially Tōsen… Aizen was nothing but kind to him."
Kyōraku looked up at the soul-shielding membrane covering the sky like a second sun. It felt as though not only Seireitei, but also his own heart, was now sealed.
"This proves the execution, and everything that follows, isn't some spur-of-the-moment decision. It's been planned for a long time, with even many noble houses involved."
"The next thing we must think about is what Mayuri said…"
"If the Captain-Commander insists on dealing with Aiyan, how should we decide?"
With that, Kyōraku vanished with Shunpo.
As for reenacting the execution ground battle and standing with Jūshirō Ukitake against Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni?
It was meaningless now.
He could feel the Captain-Commander's killing intent — there would be no room for negotiation this time.
And he wasn't ready to sever ties with his teacher.
"The strongest genius in a thousand years… The strongest Shinigami in a thousand years… Is it truly impossible for the two to coexist?"
Jūshirō Ukitake sighed.
Their visit to Central 46 had made it clear why the sages, judges, and nobles wanted Aiyan gone.
Anger was part of it, but not the main reason.
Central 46 simply refused to allow a second, uncontrollable 'strongest in a thousand years' to exist.
The first — Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni — founded and maintained the Soul Society. This gave Central 46 and the nobles peace of mind. He upheld the laws, which also upheld their power and status.
Aiyan, however, was different.
As early as the Kuchiki incident, he had openly shown dissatisfaction with Central 46.
If he grew stronger — or if Yamamoto died — he could easily overturn the Soul Society's current laws and dismantle Central 46's authority.
The first strongest could create the laws; the second strongest could destroy them.
"The strongest genius and the strongest Shinigami in a thousand years… I didn't expect the clash to come so soon. Thinking about it almost excites me," Mayuri thought.
"It would be even better if I could get the body of one of them. A truly unique experimental material."
At the same time—
In the 12th Division, Kurotsuchi Mayuri was eager for the conflict, even willing to fan its flames, no matter who won or lost.
With that thought, he pushed open his office door, intending to dissect a Shinigami corpse for amusement.
But in his supposedly empty chair sat a figure.
"So… who do you think will win?"
"Or perhaps the better question is — whose body would you rather have, Captain Kurotsuchi?"
The figure chuckled softly.
Mayuri's smile froze. His muscles tensed, and a chill ran from the soles of his feet all the way up to his forehead.
...
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