"What's this?" Mayuri Kurotsuchi exclaimed, clearly taken aback and momentarily at a loss for words. "Madarame and Ayasegawa are critically
"What's this?" Mayuri Kurotsuchi exclaimed, clearly taken aback and momentarily at a loss for words.
"Madarame and Ayasegawa are critically injured, near death," Kyōraku Callum stated bluntly, dispensing with any pretense of politeness. "Kidō is ineffective; we need your help."
A year of shared experience, while not forging a friendship, had rendered pleasantries unnecessary.
Kurotsuchi's expression shifted to one of curiosity. "The injured? Where are they?"
At Unohana Retsu's gesture, Minazuki regurgitated the two men.
Thick saliva clung to them, a rather unpleasant sight.
Kurotsuchi, however, showed no such concern.
He knelt beside them, his eyes moving in a disconcertingly erratic manner.
"Spiritual pressure entanglement, life force severely depleted," Kurotsuchi diagnosed. "Flesh regeneration serum, plus spiritual pressure purification pills. Kidō support will also be necessary."
"Then let's begin," Kyōraku Callum said without hesitation, extending a hand and immediately initiating a large-scale group healing Kidō. Green light enveloped the two injured men.
Unohana Retsu's eyes widened slightly, a hint of surprise flashing across her face as she observed Kyōraku Callum's skillful manipulation of the large-scale Kidō.
Kurotsuchi let out a strange chuckle, producing two vials from his pocket and injecting them into the men's necks.
He then pulled out two black pills and, before everyone's eyes, unceremoniously shoved them into the injured men's eyes.
"Good thing their eyes are also injured," Kurotsuchi muttered to himself. "Otherwise, I wouldn't have been able to get them in. Remember to have these two reimburse the cost of the serum. The flesh regeneration serum and spiritual pressure purification pills are quite expensive."
He had barely finished speaking when, under the influence of the Kidō, Madarame and Ayasegawa's injuries began to heal rapidly. Within minutes, their spiritual pressure had stabilized.
Kyōraku Callum, observing this, dispelled the Kidō.
"Their bodies have recovered, but they'll likely need some time to regain consciousness," Unohana Retsu stated after a quick examination.
Although Kyōraku Callum was brimming with questions, he could only wait for them to awaken before seeking answers.
Two days later, Fourth Division, general infirmary.
Madarame slowly regained consciousness, the stark white ceiling momentarily disorienting him. "Where... where am I?"
His eyes snapped open, a flicker of recognition crossing his face. "Ayasegawa, run!"
He sat up, taking in his surroundings—a Fourth Division ward.
Seeing Kyōraku Callum's familiar face, he slumped back onto the bed.
"Whew, I'm actually alive," he breathed, a sigh of relief escaping his lips. "Incredibly lucky!"
Thwack! Kyōraku Callum delivered a sharp blow to the back of his head, the sound echoing clearly in the small room.
"Stop playing dead. What exactly happened?" Kyōraku Callum demanded. "If those Shinigami patrolling the Rukongai hadn't found you two, the Eleventh Division would have two new Third and Fifth Seats!"
At this, Madarame sat up abruptly, his voice laced with concern. "Ayasegawa?"
Kyōraku Callum pointed to the right. "He's in the next room, still unconscious. He'll probably need another half-day to wake up."
Hearing this, Madarame visibly relaxed.
Silence settled over the ward once more. Kyōraku Callum didn't rush him, patiently waiting.
After a long pause, a hoarse voice broke the silence.
"We encountered a Hollow while on patrol in the northern Rukongai."
Kyōraku Callum's curiosity intensified.
"This Hollow was unlike any we'd seen before," Madarame continued. "Tall and slender, wearing black armor, and its Hollow mask… it looked like a bull's head."
As Madarame recounted his memory, an image began to form in Kyōraku Callum's mind.
As the image solidified, a wave of realization washed over him.
"That… that was the Hōgyoku?!" Kyōraku Callum's eyes widened in shock. The Hōgyoku had been created prematurely!
A day after Madarame's awakening, an emergency meeting of the Gotei 13 was convened. All officers of vice-captain rank and above were summoned to the First Division for a discussion. The purpose of the meeting: the strange Hollow that had attacked Madarame and Ayasegawa.
First Division barracks.
In the spacious hall, Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto sat in the center, his cane held firmly in his hand, his eyes narrowed, his expression grave and serious. Despite having suppressed all his spiritual pressure, the atmosphere in the room was intensely heavy, almost suffocating. The air itself seemed to stagnate.
Kyōraku Callum and Unohana Retsu entered the hall. Several Captains were already present, awaiting the meeting.
Suì-Fēng, noticing Kyōraku Callum's arrival, immediately focused her gaze upon him. However, mindful of Yamamoto-taichō's presence, she suppressed her immediate impulse to approach him. Discretion was the better part of valor in this situation.
Unohana Retsu seemed to notice Suì-Fēng's subtle shift in demeanor and glanced at Kyōraku Callum with a hint of surprise. Kyōraku Callum offered a strained smile, attempting to appear nonchalant.
"Oh dear, everyone seems to have arrived already!"
Mayuri Kurotsuchi and Nemu Kurotsuchi entered from outside, Kurotsuchi with a characteristically light and playful expression.
"Ah, Kyōraku-kun," Kurotsuchi greeted him enthusiastically. "Remember to have Madarame and Ayasegawa settle their bill with the Twelfth Division. The flesh regeneration serum and spiritual pressure purification pills are quite expensive."
Byakuya Kuchiki entered the hall at a measured pace, Ginjirō trailing behind him. The Sixth Division's vice-captain, known for his side business of making glasses, though his shop was yet to open.
Upon noticing Kyōraku Callum, Byakuya Kuchiki gave a subtle but deliberate nod of acknowledgment. Their friendship was well-known throughout the Seireitei. Byakuya Kuchiki remained deeply grateful for Kyōraku Callum's past assistance.
Soon, all thirteen Captains of the Gotei 13 had assembled. Even Jūshirō Ukitake, despite his chronic illness and frail health, had not been absent.
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