"After deliberation, the Central Forty-Six has reached a verdict!" Chōjirō Sasakibe's voice resonated with authority. "Firstly, her soul sha
"After deliberation, the Central Forty-Six has reached a verdict!" Chōjirō Sasakibe's voice resonated with authority.
"Firstly, her soul shall be confined to the Fourth Cell of the Muken. Secondly, one month hence, she shall receive the prescribed punishment at the Sōkyoku Hill execution grounds in the Seireitei."
"That concludes the judgment."
With the announcement complete, the oppressive spiritual pressure that had enveloped the Seireitei vanished.
Kyōraku Callum's eyes flickered. He murmured, "It seems much the same as I anticipated. The only difference is that Rukia has been replaced by Hinamori."
His words were barely out when the long-dormant system voice suddenly interrupted.
[New Check-in Mission Activated. Please check in at the Fourth Cell of Muken during the impending Ryoka (Traveling Evil or Outsider) invasion and prevent Hinamori Momo's escape!]
[Mission Reward: Gōkon Barrier!]
Upon hearing this mission, Kyōraku Callum almost thought he'd misheard.
Hinamori Momo attempting an escape?
Initially, Kyōraku Callum almost chuckled. A mere Vice-Captain attempting to escape Muken? That was a fool's errand!
But he quickly realized the potential problem.
"It seems there are a few rather zealous individuals involved," Kyōraku Callum mused.
"If they assist her escape, it might actually be possible. That would be interesting."
"The Seireitei might descend into chaos on the day of her execution. We might even witness Yamamoto-Genryūsai's Bankai!"
Kyōraku Callum had long harbored a desire to witness Ryūjin Jakka's Bankai.
At full spiritual pressure, could he withstand it?
He wasn't entirely sure of his current strength.
Ordinary Captains were no match for him, but he'd never had the opportunity to face someone like Yamamoto-Genryūsai.
"The Stairway to Time… I'm currently at the ninety-nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-ninth step," he muttered to himself. "I've been trying to reach the final step for almost a year now. I feel like something's missing…"
"Hopefully, this Gōkon Barrier will bring some pleasant surprises."
While the system hadn't provided details about the Gōkon Barrier, Kyōraku Callum always had immense faith in mission rewards.
Even if it didn't help him reach the ten thousandth step of the Stairway to Time, it would undoubtedly enhance his abilities.
It was a win-win situation!
"I'm suddenly looking forward to the day of the execution."
The Central Forty-Six's verdict sent ripples throughout the Seireitei. A Vice-Captain sentenced to execution—it was a matter that demanded attention.
Many Shinigami discussed the matter. Some were dissatisfied with the verdict.
While cases like this were rare, there had been a few precedents.
Those Shinigami were at most imprisoned in Hell or exiled to desolate lands.
Never before had a Shinigami been sentenced to execution like Hinamori.
However, most Shinigami only discussed it; few voiced opposition. The Central Forty-Six's authority to determine punishment was deeply ingrained in their minds.
Even Yamamoto-Genryūsai Shigekuni, the Captain-Commander, had accepted the verdict, leaving little room for dissent.
Muken. The Fourth Cell.
Hinamori Momo sat in the center of her cell, a binding circle inscribed with Kidō runes around her neck.
Upon learning of her death sentence, all hope for the future had vanished. As a Fifth Division Vice-Captain, Hinamori Momo was acutely aware of the severity of her punishment.
"Is this the end?" she thought. "How I wish I could continue working by your side…"
Her melancholic reverie was broken by a gentle voice.
"Hinamori, I've come to see you."
At the sound of the voice, Hinamori Momo sprang from her chair, her expression filled with excitement as she looked towards the entrance to her cell.
"Captain… Captain Aizen!"
Seeing the person she most longed to see was undoubtedly a joyous occasion, but the reality of her impending execution quickly dampened her spirits.
Aizen's smile remained as gentle and calm as ever. "Hinamori, please do not give up hope. Even with the sentence handed down, you still have a month. I will do everything in my power to overturn this verdict during that time."
Hinamori Momo's face lit up with renewed hope. Her voice trembled as she asked, "R-really, Captain Aizen?"
Aizen offered reassurance. "I will do my utmost."
At that moment, a chilling aura spread through the corridor outside the Fourth Cell. Although Muken was constructed from Sekiseki, capable of blocking spiritual energy and pressure, it didn't completely negate the spiritual pressure emanating from a Shinigami's body.
A flicker of surprise crossed Aizen's brown eyes as he gazed towards the figure slowly approaching down the corridor.
"Captain Hitsugaya?"
Hitsugaya Tōshirō's emotional state was far from ideal, evident in his demeanor. He approached Hinamori Momo's cell, his gaze falling upon her.
"Hinamori," he said, the chill in his demeanor dissipating, his voice laced with helplessness.
"Tōshirō, I…" Hinamori Momo's expression was pained; she was struggling to accept the reality of her impending execution.
Hitsugaya Tōshirō's gaze hardened at this sight. However, he remained silent, aware of the presence of another Shinigami.
"Captain Aizen," Hitsugaya Tōshirō began, his words simple and straightforward.
"Captain Hitsugaya," Aizen responded. "I too am deeply saddened by what has befallen Hinamori."
The smile vanished from Aizen's face, his voice subdued. "I intend to petition the Central Forty-Six for a reduced sentence during this month".
"If two Captains were to make a joint appeal, perhaps our chances would improve."
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