"Well, Captain Kuchiki, now that it's been revealed the one controlling Central 46 was Aizen, you no longer have to worry about Rukia being sentenced to Sōkyoku," said Kyōraku Shunsui with his usual lazy smile.
Byakuya Kuchiki gave a faint nod but offered no reply.
"Shiraha, I'll leave the rest to Jūshirō. Come back to the Eighth Division for a drink with me."
Kyōraku didn't seem the least bit concerned with Byakuya's cold silence as he turned and extended the invitation toward Shiraha.
"Shunsui, you really…" Jūshirō Ukitake sighed helplessly, shaking his head at his friend's carefree attitude.
The battle was barely over, and Shunsui was already talking about drinking. There truly was no one quite like him.
"Brother Shiraha, wait a moment!"
Yoruichi's clear voice rang out as she approached with Suì-Fēng at her side. Shiraha glanced toward them, his Observation Haki immediately reading the subtle relief between the two. Whatever tension had lingered before seemed to have been resolved.
"Miss Yoruichi, what's the matter?" Shiraha asked, slightly confused.
Yoruichi gave Suì-Fēng a nudge forward. The Second Division captain hesitated, her face faintly flushed. She glanced up at Shiraha, opened her mouth as if to speak, then lowered her head.
"Go on," Yoruichi urged with a smile.
"Captain Shiraha… I'm sorry," Suì-Fēng said softly, her head still bowed.
It was the first time in her life she had apologized to anyone other than Yoruichi. Around them, several people turned their heads, clearly puzzled by the sight of the proud and stoic Suì-Fēng lowering her head.
"Brother Shiraha, Suì-Fēng attacked you earlier—this is her apology," Yoruichi explained casually, glancing at the flustered captain beside her.
Realization dawned on the gathered Shinigami.
"It's all right," Shiraha said with a small smile. "Captain Suì-Fēng was only doing her duty."
In truth, had Yoruichi not mentioned it, Shiraha would have already forgotten the incident. As captain of the Second Division and head of the Onmitsukidō, Suì-Fēng's attack during the destruction of the Sōkyoku was understandable.
That Yoruichi could make Suì-Fēng apologize, however, proved there was always someone who could keep another in check.
Rukia slowly opened her eyes, blinking as her surroundings came into focus. The ground around her was cracked and uneven, evidence of the fierce battle that had taken place. Not far away stood Shiraha, Byakuya, and the others.
"Brother… Lord Byakuya…" Rukia murmured, her expression dazed and confused.
Her last memory before losing consciousness was being brought here by Tōsen Kaname and Ichimaru Gin. She remembered seeing Aizen—who was supposed to be dead—standing before her, his spiritual pressure so overwhelming that she fainted.
"Brother, Captain Aizen isn't dead! He was with Captain Ichimaru and Captain Tōsen! You must report this to Captain-Commander Yamamoto immediately!"
Rukia struggled to her feet, staggering toward Shiraha. Her face was pale, her voice urgent.
"Rukia, calm down," Shiraha said gently, smiling as he patted her head. "It's all over."
"But, Brother, what I said is true! Please believe me!" Rukia pleaded, her voice trembling.
"Captain Jūshirō, please explain the situation to Rukia," Shiraha said with a faint sigh.
Ukitake nodded and began recounting everything—from the battle at Sōkyoku Hill to Aizen's betrayal and escape through the black cavity.
"What? Captain Aizen, Ichimaru, and Tōsen… defected? And they killed Central 46?" Rukia's eyes widened in disbelief.
"That's right," Ukitake replied softly. "Your case will be rejudged by the Captain-Commander himself."
Though she had broken the law, Rukia would no longer face the Sōkyoku. Her fate would now be decided anew.
"Thank you, Brother," she said quietly, bowing deeply to Shiraha.
From Ukitake's words, she learned Shiraha had fought Aizen, Gin, and Tōsen alone—and won. She knew how impossible that sounded. Even within all of Soul Society, perhaps only Captain-Commander Yamamoto Genryūsai could stand against three captains simultaneously.
Shiraha only smiled, ruffling her hair roughly without replying.
A sudden burst of spiritual pressure rippled across the air as several figures flashed into view—vice-captains Ise Nanao, Matsumoto Rangiku, and others.
After the black cavity had closed, Yamamoto Genryūsai had sent them to confirm the aftermath. He and Sasakibe had already returned to the First Division.
"Captain Shiraha, have those three escaped?" Ise Nanao asked seriously.
"Old Man Yama must've seen them leave," Shunsui replied with a grin. "That's why he sent you here instead of backup."
If Aizen and the others hadn't already fled, Yamamoto would never have allowed the vice-captains to approach. Their arrival only meant the battle was truly over.
"Rukia! I'm here to save you!"
A loud, familiar voice split the air.
Kurosaki Ichigo, dressed in the heaven-sent armor Yoruichi had lent him, descended from the sky, landing heavily on the torn ground. His eyes locked onto Rukia with burning determination.
After completing his Bankai training through Urahara's Tenshintai device under Yoruichi's supervision, Ichigo had rushed straight to Sōkyoku Hill—only to find the entire hill reduced to rubble and everyone gone. Seeing the black cavity close in the distance, he followed it here.
Yoruichi raised an eyebrow as she saw him. "What kind of monster are you? You actually learned Bankai in just one day?"
Even using the Tenshintai, mastering Bankai in such a short time was unheard of. Urahara Kisuke himself had needed three full days. Ichigo had managed it in barely one.
It defied logic.
"Idiot! What are you doing here?" Rukia snapped, her heart pounding between relief and disbelief.
Kurosaki Ichigo just grinned back at her, his orange hair catching the faint light.
The storm that had shaken Soul Society was finally settling—but for Kurosaki Ichigo, it was only the beginning.
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