Soul Society.
Crematorium.
"Nagajiro Tadashi."
"He was originally qualified to be a captain among the Shinigami."
"According to records, he had mastered Bankai long before Kyōraku Shunsui and Ukitake Jūshirō were even born."
"However, since the establishment of the Gotei 13, he never once revealed his true abilities in public."
"Some people believed that even captains could be flawed in character."
"Although Chojiro's strength was always acknowledged, as a vice-captain who rarely participated in battles, some looked down on him and believed he was only suitable as a chief officer."
"Yet no matter how others treated him, it never affected the resolve of Vice-Captain Sasakibe Chōjirō."
"Over time, captains came and went, vacancies opened, and acting captains were appointed. Even when figures such as Kira Izuru and Hisagi Shūhei temporarily exercised a captain's duty, Chōjirō always refused the offer."
"That was because his loyalty was unwavering."
"Sasakibe Chōjirō once swore that as long as Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni lived, he would remain a vice-captain for life."
"This man died the first time he revealed Bankai in battle."
"If the members who misunderstood him had seen his Bankai, they would have recognized his true worth as vice-captain."
"The captain's grief is something we of the younger generation cannot truly comprehend."
Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni stood before everyone, bowing his head slightly, as if in tribute to the soul of Sasakibe Chōjirō. His bald head and snow-white beard reflected a lifetime of unshakable strength-a man who had never bowed before any enemy. Yet at this moment, he lowered his head in silence.
Before him lay the funeral pyre, Chōjirō's body resting on top with hands folded neatly across his abdomen.
Though the sun shone down on the gathered crowd, Yamamoto alone stood in the shadow cast by the woodpile.
"Light the fire."
His voice was calm, and none could guess the emotions hidden in his eyes.
...
At Hideki Yuta's villa.
"Eh? Why are there so Many people at Yuta's house today?" Liluka asked in surprise as she looked at the group inside.
Uncles, children, and women of striking appearance were gathered together-the scene looked surreal. To her they seemed like strange Hollows, and she wondered since when Yuta entertained such beings for tea.
Tia Harribel narrowed her gaze slightly as she set her cup down. "Yuta, did you invite us here just to drink tea today?"
The moment Lilinette spotted Yuta her eyes lit up. She rushed forward with an eager shout. "Yuta, Yuta, Yuta! Let me play with your sword!"
Starrk leaned back with a thoughtful expression. Based on what he knew of Yuta, this gathering surely had a purpose beyond idle conversation. Something in Hueco Mundo must have happened.
Before Yuta could answer, a figure crashed through the villa's window with a shout. "Yu–Ta-!"
"Super Acceleration!"
The small form sped through the air and collided into Yuta's arms, though her strength wasn't enough to move him an inch. It was the childlike Neliel.
Another Hollow tumbled in right after her: Pesche.
Neliel clung to Yuta tightly, her voice trembling. "Yuta… please… save us…"
Yuta didn't need to hear the rest. He already understood. Someone important to them had been taken-Tesla, perhaps-and they were seeking his help to rescue them.
"Let's move," Yuta said firmly, glancing at Starrk and Harribel.
Their expressions grew serious at once. The arrival of Neliel confirmed it-something grave had occurred in Hueco Mundo.
...
Urahara Shop.
After sensing the reiatsu of two Arrancar appearing in Karakura Town, Urahara Kisuke tilted his head upward at the Garganta still lingering in the sky.
Hōjō Tessai put down what he was working on and addressed him. "Manager, with Arrancar and Shinigami moving in and out of Karakura Town so openly-and with that strange reiatsu just now… it felt like both a Quincy and an Arrancar together. Could something have happened?"
Kisuke lowered the brim of his striped hat, his tone uncharacteristically grim. "If I'm not mistaken, this is no ordinary event. This may be a crisis involving all three realms."
...
Within the Garganta, the group advanced swiftly along the reishi path.
They didn't even need to construct the road themselves; Yuta's control gathered the spirit particles into a wide and solid bridge beneath their feet. Neliel rested securely in his arms as the others stood close behind.
He produced a white bracelet-like device and showed it to Neliel.
"Here, Neliel. This is for you."
Her eyes widened with joy as she held it. "Wow! Yuta, you're amazing! You even brought me a gift!"
He reached out to pat her head gently. "This bracelet lets you switch freely between your child and adult form. That way, you can protect yourself more effectively."
"Really? That's incredible! Yuta, I love you!" Neliel cheered as she kissed his cheek playfully.
Harribel studied him silently for a moment before asking, "Yuta… since you gathered us for tea in the Human World in advance, does that mean you already foresaw this happening?"
"That's about right," he replied calmly.
She considered his words and then asked again, "Then who exactly are we facing? The Shinigami?"
Yuta shook his head slightly. "No… it's the Quincy."
His eyes narrowed as if seeing far beyond the present moment. The Quincies' reemergence would inevitably force Shinigami and Hollows into reluctant cooperation. When a greater enemy threatened them all, even natural adversaries would unite.
Like now-with Quincies as the common enemy-Hollows and Shinigami had no choice but to stand together. If someone sought to unify the world through conflict, that objective was clearly being fulfilled.
...
"Hurry up!"
"Don't slow down!"
"Keep moving!"
Quincy soldiers dressed in pristine white uniforms herded groups of ragged Hollows and Arrancar forward like prisoners.
At that moment, one of the soldiers halted.
"What's wrong?" another asked.
"Did you hear something?"
"Impossible. There's nothing here but corpses. You must have imagined it."
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