After arriving in the Seireitei, Yuta led the group directly toward the 1st Division barracks. The wooden structure carried an ancient presence that gave off an austere and imposing atmosphere. Its simple design reflected age and tradition rather than extravagance.
"That's the 1st Division's barracks," Yuta said as they approached.
On the way, Hinamori Momo had taken the time to explain the structure of the Gotei 13 to Kurosaki Ichigo and the others. She had told them that the 1st Division was the central division, with the Captain-General presiding over the entire Soul Society from there.
Ichigo clenched his fists slightly as he stepped into the division's meeting hall without hesitation. To him, even if this was an internal Soul Society matter, it was tied directly to threats that endangered the human world. The strange beings they had encountered-bearing traits of both Hollows and Shinigami-could not be ignored.
Inoue Orihime lingered at the doorway, her expression uncertain. "Is it really alright for us to be here? This seems like something only Shinigami should be involved in."
At that moment, Taketori Jirō emerged from inside and looked toward Orihime and Chad. "By the command of the Captain-General, you are to attend as well. This matter concerns you humans too, so you should hear it."
Hearing this, Orihime and Chad entered with quiet nods.
"Do you want me to join as well?" asked Tessai Tsukabishi from behind.
Yuta shook his head lightly. "No. It's unnecessary."
He already understood what would be discussed; he had no need to sit in on the meeting. Turning away from the hall, he stepped outside.
Hinamori Momo followed after him. She hesitated for a while before gathering the courage to speak. "Yuta… what do you think about Captain Aizen? Why would he betray Soul Society? I can't believe he's that kind of person."
Yuta rested a hand gently on her head, as she barely reached his waist. "It's fine to just call me Yuta. That formal title doesn't suit me."
Her face turned red at the comment before she whispered softly, "Alright… Yuta."
"As long as you keep training and growing stronger, one day you'll be able to ask Aizen Sōsuke yourself. That will be the only answer that matters."
Her eyes steadied somewhat with that guidance, and determination reflected faintly in her voice. "I'll definitely train harder from now on!"
Yuta's gaze instinctively shifted eastward. A sudden explosion resonated faintly in the distance. "That's Ishida Uryū. He's fighting Kurotsuchi Mayuri," he said in a low tone.
Though Kurotsuchi's Bankai had little value to him personally, Ishida's Quincy abilities were still of interest. With that thought, Yuta disappeared from the spot with a step of shunpo.
Hinamori remained where she stood, watching his figure vanish, and assumed he had urgent business of his own.
…
Inside the 12th Division's barracks, cries of agony echoed.
"Why is this happening… Captain Kurotsuchi… this isn't what you said it would be…"
The words came from a young Shinigami moments before his body detonated into a violent explosion, blood mist spraying through the hall. Time seemed to freeze in the seconds before his death, leaving confusion and disbelief etched into his final thoughts.
He had graduated from the Shin'ō Spiritual Arts Academy after several failed division entrance exams. He had finally secured a position after his fourth attempt and had been assigned to the 12th Division. His original hope had been to join the 5th Division to be near Hinamori-senpai, but he hadn't been fortunate enough.
After only weeks in the 12th Division, Kurotsuchi had called him into a covert task. Believing it to be an opportunity, he accepted, imagining it might lead to recognition and perhaps a transfer. He hadn't understood why he was chosen, but he hadn't asked either, fearing it would be taken away from him.
What he hadn't expected was this outcome-used and then discarded without hesitation.
Kurotsuchi held the detonator calmly in one hand, smiling with cold amusement. "Did you truly think I'd allow a stray bomb to turn back against me? Impossible."
As he sensed Ishida Uryū's spiritual pressure approaching, his expression shifted slightly. The Quincy were supposed to have been eradicated-yet one stood before him now.
"Bankai… Konjiki Ashisogi Jizō."
His Zanpakutō split into three grotesque blades sprouting from a hilt that bore an infantile face. The release filled the air with a suffocating presence as the grotesque form of his Bankai emerged.
One strike launched toward Ishida, who had already been injured by the preceding explosion. Still, Uryū managed to evade by using Hirenkyaku, avoiding the attack's center. His hand drew back with the activated cross of Sanrei Glove, forming a bow of pure reishi that fired straight into Nemu's arm.
Even injured, Nemu did not slow. She pounced forward with mechanical determination, forcing Uryū back into the range of Konjiki Ashisogi Jizō's strike. Both she and Ishida collapsed under its effect, blood staining the ground.
Kurotsuchi's sharp smile lingered. "Now you can no longer resist and can only serve as material for my research. The official study of the Quincy may have been abandoned long ago, but as the sole survivor, you carry value beyond measure."
Uryū tried to lift his body but quickly realized his arms and legs refused to move. Paralysis spread throughout him in a suffocating wave of dread.
Kurotsuchi lifted his blade slowly. "This is the ability of Konjiki Ashisogi Jizō. It severs the communication between your brain and the motor functions of your body. It isn't paralysis-it's simply the removal of your ability to act. You will still feel everything."
Blood pooling beneath her, Nemu raised her head weakly. "My injuries… they've pierced the lungs… without replenishment, I won't maintain integrity much longer…" Her words broke with difficulty as air struggled to reach her voice.
Kurotsuchi looked down at her coldly and pressed his foot against her frame. "You disappoint me, Nemu. Even with a shattered arm you should have maintained grip on the target. How could you falter so quickly? Did you forget everything I've drilled into you?"
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Another fun fact but this times its about bleach: i just found out that when orihime got kidnapped by the espada, rather than covering her mouth. I forgot who but the dude's fingers are jammed down her throat to shut her up... lol.
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