Seireitei.
The First Division's barracks, captain's office.
Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni stood in silence as he faced the wall in front of him. The wall was spotless and solemn, pure white, bearing upon it the emblem of the First Division, a white chrysanthemum.
Above the hall of the First Division hung a single sentence.
It was a line written by Yamamoto himself:
-The soldiers must die for the Gotei, and if they harm the Gotei, they must die.
At that moment, a surge of golden light flashed, followed by the roaring crack of thunder.
"This is... Suzubē's Bankai."
In the next instant, several figures appeared behind Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni. Their silhouettes varied in height and build, but each wore the same pristine white military uniform, tightly wrapped and formal. White boots pressed against the wooden floor, and white caps crowned their heads. Their faces, however, were hidden behind opaque black masks.
One of them stepped forward and spoke with arrogance in his voice.
"It is an honor to meet you. You must be Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni, Captain of the Gotei 13."
"We are here to declare war."
"Although I must admit, I am surprised. I didn't expect breaking into the office of the Captain-General of the Gotei 13 would be this easy."
"Is your defense truly so lax?"
Yamamoto Genryūsai turned with his cane in hand, his expression calm but his presence heavy with authority. His eyes carried intimidation without the need for anger, and the twin scars carved across his forehead deepened the ferocity of his gaze.
"Do not concern yourself. With me here, nothing could provide stronger defense."
"Really?" the man in the lead replied flatly.
In an instant, a spirit arrow several meters long exploded into existence and shot across the room with blinding speed.
It struck true, pinning a man against the wall.
The one who had been struck was the First Division's lieutenant-Sasakibe Chōjirō.
Blood flowed from him as the arrow pierced clean through his chest.
"What-?! Chōjirō!" Yamamoto's voice carried genuine shock as his eyes narrowed on the scene before him.
The man in uniform spoke coldly.
"Do not mourn. He has simply shown you the end that awaits you as well. After all your years of struggle, your only fate will be to die in despair."
"Five days from now, the Soul Society will fall into ruin at the hands of the Invisible Empire."
Yamamoto remained silent, though his eyes darkened with fury. The fire within them was enough to sear the world itself.
With a sharp motion, his body blurred and wood splinters scattered as his cane transformed into a Zanpakutō. With a single swing, the spirit arrow shattered into fragments, and he caught his lieutenant's body, laying Chōjirō carefully on the ground.
The man in the mask sneered faintly.
"Judging by your expression, I can tell you're desperate to know who we are. Consider it for now, Captain-General. You already have the answer."
Their forms began fading into shadow as their bodies disappeared.
"Stop!" Yamamoto's voice cut through the air as he swung his Zanpakutō.
Flames erupted in a tidal wave, consuming everything before him in a blaze that reduced the room to ash.
The sound of burning wood echoed throughout the office as the fire spread outward, collapsing pillars and scorching the chamber until the blaze finally receded and died down several dozen meters later.
Half the office lay in ruin. The ground was charred black, with smoke curling upward from the lingering embers.
"They escaped." Yamamoto's tone was low, his eyes scanning through the smoke. "Their reiatsu has vanished entirely from within the Soul Society."
He grimaced.
"They ignored the spiritual membrane and still moved freely."
On the floor, Chōjirō stirred weakly, blood still seeping across his chest. With great effort, he forced words past his lips.
"Genryūsai-dono... I must report something... They... they can steal Bankai!"
Yamamoto's eyes widened in shock, the weight of his lieutenant's words sinking in immediately.
---
The Human World.
Kurosaki Clinic.
Second floor.
Within Kurosaki Ichigo's room, Yuki Ryūnosuke froze the moment he heard a familiar name.
"Hideki Yuta... You're the Captain of the 12th Division who's been staying in the Human World and neglecting his duties... aren't you?"
For the past two years, Yuta had remained in the Human World for the majority of the time. Aside from occasionally sending instructions on the research work of the 12th Division, he had rarely returned to the Soul Society. Strangely, both Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni and the Central 46 had avoided pressing the issue of Yuta's absence.
Perhaps his decisive contributions in the battle against Aizen Sōsuke had granted him the freedom to do as he pleased while still holding onto his position as captain.
The daily work of the 12th Division had long since shifted to Kurotsuchi Mayuri.
To the Gotei 13, Yuta had built the image of a saltfish captain-lazy and idle-but among the captains themselves, there was no question of his overwhelming strength. Rumors painted him as both terrifying and mysterious.
His legend had spread slowly; a man both detached and powerful, reliable only by his own choosing.
The door creaked open.
"La la la! Fresh bread is here!"
Inoue Orihime walked in cheerfully, carrying a large box overflowing with soft, freshly baked bread. Every piece was golden and inviting. Following closely behind were Kurosaki Karin and Kurosaki Yuzu.
"Everyone, come eat some bread!"
Kurosaki Ichigo took a piece and set it before Ryūnosuke.
"Here, eat something first. Though... you probably can't in this condition. Don't worry-your gigai has already been prepared over there, so you'll be fine once you settle into it."
Sweat dripped down Ryūnosuke's face as he shifted nervously.
"Now... now isn't the time for food, right? Miss Shino... how is she?" He vividly recalled Madarame Shino's injuries from before.
The door opened again.
"I'm back," Madarame Shino announced calmly as she stepped inside, a bottle of Coke in her hand.
Her eyes widened at the sight in front of her.
"Ryūnosuke!"
"Miss Shino-you're all right!"
The Coke dropped from her hand as she rushed forward and collided with him.
"You idiot! You were unconscious for an entire day even after your wounds had healed!"
"Wait-Miss Shino, that hurts!"
"This level of pain is nothing!"
Ichigo glanced their way and frowned slightly.
"Now that I think about it... I don't even know your name."
"Azkielro Ibon."
The words came from the center of the room, and suddenly a figure appeared on Ichigo's bed.
He wore a white military uniform, red hair falling past his shoulders, and half of his face was obscured by the remains of an Arrancar mask.
Ichigo immediately shifted his stance, eyes narrowing as he faced this new opponent.
The Arrancar had introduced himself-Azukierro Ibon-and Ichigo braced for battle.
Meanwhile, Yuta and the others remained where they were, the aroma of freshly baked bread still lingering in the air as they quietly observed.
Kurosaki Yuzu picked out a strawberry-filled bread roll and held it up with anticipation.
"Captain Yuta, please try this one."
[T/N: 4 chapters today.]
PS GOALS: 150 PS= 5-10 extra chapter on an update.
💕💕
READ 45+ ADVANCED CHAPTER AT MY P@TREON! FOR ONLY 10$
at [email protected] /Zaneninjacat
💕💕
💀💀 gimme powerstones!💀💀