Dang
Dang
Dang
Bursts of heavy and rapid bells, like war horns, first sounded from the First Division, and then spread quickly until they swept through the Gotei 13 and even the entire Seireitei.
"What is this sound?"
"Is it an invasion by Ryoka?"
"No, the sound for an intrusion is not the knocking of wooden boards."
"Idiot, you haven't studied at the Shin'ō Spiritual Arts Academy, have you? That is a compulsory summons by the Gotei 13. All Shinigami of the Gotei 13—whether they are seated officers, Lieutenants, or even captains—once the bell rings, they must put down everything at hand and go to the First Division to assemble."
"As fast as possible!"
All Shinigami in every division who heard this sound, whether they were seated officers or ordinary members, were almost stunned. For them, this kind of bell was very unfamiliar—it seemed to be the first time they had heard it.
It wasn't until some Shinigami with over a hundred years of experience explained that they finally understood.
After realizing the seriousness of the Gotei's forced summoning order, no Shinigami dared to neglect it, and Shinigami from all divisions rushed to the First Division.
Without exception, they all used Shunpo to get there.
Looking down from a high place, it was like thousands of birds returning to their nest, swarming towards the First Division from all directions.
Less than an hour later—
Standing under the attic of the First Division's team building, dozens of Shinigami were already assembled, lined up by division.
Each division was headed by its captain, followed by the Lieutenant, then the seated officers, and finally more than two hundred division members ready for deployment.
A total of more than 2,700 Shinigami.
"Captain-Commander, Gotei 13—"
"All members have assembled," Chōjirō Sasakibe reported to Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni, who was standing on the high platform.
"Leave 700 people to maintain the normal operations of Seireitei," Yamamoto ordered.
"The remaining 2,000 Shinigami—"
"Follow me."
Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni nodded slightly and did not explain to the Shinigami below the reason for initiating the forced assembly.
Chōjirō Sasakibe immediately carried out the order.
Trainee Shinigami who had just joined, along with lower-ranked members, stayed behind. The remaining 2,000 Shinigami followed Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni all the way.
After crossing the low mountains in Seireitei, they finally came to a vast, flat land and stopped under a majestic execution platform.
"When did such a huge execution platform appear in Seireitei?"
"It's bigger than the one at the Central Great Underground Assembly Hall."
"When was it built?"
Looking at the execution platform—divided into three levels and as tall as a hill—everyone except the captains and Lieutenants who already knew the truth were shocked by the sight before them.
"In accordance with the sentence announced by Central 46—"
"In the name of the Gotei 13's Captain-Commander, I have decided to carry out the execution of the former Gotei captains: Muguruma Kensei, Aikawa Love, Ōtoribashi Rōjūrō; the former Lieutenants: Yadōmaru Lisa, Kuna Mashiro, Sarugaki Hiyori; the Great Kidō Chief, Tsukabishi Tomioka; and the Vice-Chief of Kidō, Hachigen Ushōda—by public execution."
"Every Gotei 13 Shinigami must guard the execution platform to ensure that the execution proceeds as scheduled."
"During the public execution, any who trespass, disrupt, or destroy the proceedings will be punished with the same sentence."
Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni walked to the top floor and looked down at the 2,000 Shinigami below the execution platform.
As soon as these words came out, there was an uproar.
None of them had expected that the first forced summons since the founding of the Gotei 13 would not be to fight against invaders, nor to launch an expedition to Hueco Mundo—but for a public execution.
And the ones to be executed were former Gotei high-ranking officials.
Captains. Lieutenants. The Great Kidō Chief. The Vice-Chief of Kidō.
"The three-story execution platform—"
"The first floor is guarded by the Captain-Commander, the second by the captains, the third by the Lieutenants, with two thousand Shinigami positioned in all directions."
"With such a lineup and such combat power, could anyone in Seireitei possibly disrupt the execution?"
Seeing the execution platform guarded at every level by the strongest forces of the Gotei 13, many Shinigami found it hard to believe.
Such a large-scale gathering of Shinigami just to guard an execution platform was unprecedented in Seireitei's history.
And more importantly—the whole operation had been too sudden, as if decided at the last moment. Like a blitzkrieg, giving no time for preparation or reaction.
In truth, that was exactly the idea.
"Captain Kurotsuchi Mayuri, has there been any unusual activity regarding the Sōkyoku in the past three days?"
After giving the guarding orders, Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni addressed the one stationed on the second level.
"So far, there have been no signs of anyone trying to break in from outside Seireitei," Kurotsuchi Mayuri replied.
"As for the Shiba household outside Rukongai—it has already been put under surveillance."
"No one will be able to open the door until the execution is over."
"You should know what I truly wish to ask," Yamamoto replied, clearly unsatisfied.
"As far as the technology and surveillance currently available to the 12th Division are concerned—"
"There is no trace of Captain Aiyan or Captain Aizen within Seireitei."
"Captain-Commander," Kurotsuchi Mayuri said after a few seconds of silence.
The conversation between them fell into the ears of the other captains and Lieutenants, instantly sending waves of unease through their hearts.
Whether they had known or not, they now felt the full weight of tension.
"So, in this public execution… the ones they fear might interfere are Captain Aiyan and Captain Aizen?"
"No wonder it's just an execution, yet they've launched a forced summons unprecedented in Seireitei's history and gathered 2,000 Shinigami here."
"If the opponents are Captain Aiyan and Captain Aizen, then it makes sense."
"It's just… if they come to disrupt it, that means facing the entirety of Seireitei. Will they really come?"
Some Lieutenants like Kotetsu Isane and Shiba Kaien, though trying to keep their composure, could not hide the shock in their eyes.
Meanwhile, a few captains had expressions that were equally heavy, their inner struggles unceasing.
"Captain Kuchiki, the lessons from our past are still before our eyes."
"I advise you not to make any mistakes."
"Whether the guilt and shame that the Kuchiki family has carried can be washed away—it's up to you to think about it."
Although Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni stood at the top of the execution platform and could not see Byakuya Kuchiki's face, he seemed to sense the strong fluctuations in his emotions.
"Shunsui, Jūshirō—"
"This is my last warning to you."
"Do not make me completely disappointed in you."
After first addressing Byakuya Kuchiki, then warning the two veteran captains who had experience with traitors, Yamamoto stopped speaking.
Not because he had nothing more to say, but because—under the escort of the Kidō Corps—eight individuals, including Muguruma Kensei and Ōtoribashi Rōjūrō, had arrived at the execution platform.
Without exception, all of them had their Reiatsu sealed, their Zanpakutō taken away, and even their movements restrained by specialized shackles designed for high-level prisoners.
The former captains, Lieutenants, and other Shinigami had been rendered powerless—like crabs with their shells broken.
One by one, they were escorted to the execution platform like lambs awaiting slaughter, under the gaze of more than two thousand eyes.
...
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