Seireitei
The rumors had spread through the white corridors of Seireitei like a silent contagion.
Inside a modest izakaya near the Sixth Division barracks, three seated figures carried the weight of that rumor heavily.
Abarai Renji, Vice-Captain of the Sixth Division, stared into his untouched sake, jaw tight.
Across from him sat Kuchiki Rukia, composed yet visibly unsettled. Beside her, quiet and pale as ever, was Kira Izuru, Lieutenant of the Third Division.
"I still can't believe it," Renji muttered. "I can't imagine Kurotsuki Renya betraying Seireitei."
Since the war against Sōsuke Aizen, much had changed. Renji had grown into his position as vice-captain, no longer carrying the insecurity that once distanced him from Rukia. The battles they had endured forged something steadier between them.
Rukia lifted her gaze.
"I believe in Renya," she said firmly. "There has to be a reason."
Kira's soft voice followed.
"Abandon Seireitei… defect to Hueco Mundo… and for what? The Hōgyoku is gone. Aizen is imprisoned. There is nothing left to gain from betrayal."
Renji exhaled slowly.
"Whether we believe it or not doesn't change the order. Yesterday, Central 46 authorized a full-scale incursion into Hueco Mundo. In three days, multiple divisions will mobilize."
The words settled heavily.
Rukia's expression darkened.
"If Renya resists… we'll be facing him as enemies."
Kira lowered his eyes.
"Then before it reaches that point, we should go to Hueco Mundo ourselves. Ask him directly what he intends."
Renji's eyes sharpened.
"That's right. If we can persuade him to return before the Gotei 13 deploys, we can prevent bloodshed."
Rukia frowned slightly.
"But how do we reach Hueco Mundo without official authorization?"
Renji gave a thin grin.
"There's someone who specializes in inconvenient travel."
Second Division Barracks
Inside the headquarters of the Second Division, Captain Soi Fon stood rigidly before the three lieutenants.
"You intend to travel to Hueco Mundo ahead of Seireitei's mobilization?" she asked coldly.
Renji did not waver.
"If Renya makes a move during the invasion, both sides will suffer. Our goal is to bring him back before that happens."
Soi Fon's golden eyes narrowed.
"You expect me to accompany you… to persuade him?"
"Yes," Renji answered. "You deserve to hear from him directly."
Silence lingered.
Renya's departure had been classified as desertion. Yet Soi Fon knew him better than most. She had trained him personally within the Second Division's covert operations unit. His loyalty had never once been questioned.
Until now.
Finally, she spoke.
"…Very well. I will go."
Tenth Division Grounds
Renji and Kira stood before Shiba Kaien, now Captain of the Tenth Division, his expression troubled.
"You're asking me to violate orders," Kaien said quietly.
Kira bowed slightly.
"You've defied protocol before to protect those you value. If Renya truly intends to stand against Seireitei, don't you wish to know why?"
Kaien closed his eyes briefly.
Renya had fought beside him. Trusted him. Learned from him.
"If this ends in war…" Kaien murmured.
Kira's voice softened.
"Then at least we'll know we tried."
Kaien opened his eyes.
"…I'm coming."
Senkaimon Transit
At dusk, five figures gathered before a Senkaimon gate under Soi Fon's authority.
The spiritual boundary parted.
Moments later, they stepped into the Human World.
Urahara Shop – Karakura Town
They landed silently outside the small, unassuming candy shop.
A familiar man in a striped bucket hat awaited them.
Urahara Kisuke.
"You're here regarding the upcoming expedition, I assume?" he said lightly, tapping his fan.
Soi Fon stepped forward.
"You understand Renya's strength. If the Gotei 13 engages him in Hueco Mundo, casualties will be inevitable."
Urahara's smile thinned.
"Yes… Kurotsuki Renya's Reiatsu is no longer lieutenant-class. If he releases his Bankai at full output in Hueco Mundo's unstable atmosphere, the damage radius would be… unfortunate."
Renji frowned.
"You knew?"
"I suspected," Urahara replied mildly. "Which is why it's fortunate you arrived before things escalated."
He gestured toward the shop.
"Rest tonight. Tomorrow morning, I'll open a Garganta for you."
He paused.
"And I'll arrange additional support."
Underground Training Facility – Urahara Shop
Morning light filtered faintly above as nine figures gathered in the vast subterranean chamber.
In addition to Renji, Rukia, Kira, Soi Fon, and Kaien
There stood Yoruichi Shihōin, presently in her human form.
"I was going to storm Hueco Mundo myself," she said lazily. "Kisuke convinced me patience was the smarter option."
Near her stood Yadōmaru Lisa, former captain and Visored, arms folded.
"I'm going," Lisa said evenly. "Renya may be reckless, but he's not faithless."
For nearly three decades she had watched over him like an older sister. She refused to believe this was simple treason.
A familiar orange-haired Substitute Shinigami stepped forward.
Kurosaki Ichigo.
"Urahara-san said you might need me."
Renji eyed him.
"This isn't an execution mission."
Ichigo scratched his cheek.
"Relax. We're dragging an idiot back home. Not cutting him down."
A softer voice spoke up.
Inoue Orihime stepped forward, hands clasped.
"I'll support everyone. I won't let anyone get hurt."
Lisa glanced at her skeptically.
Urahara answered before the question was voiced.
"Inoue-san's Shun Shun Rikka can reject phenomena itself. If negotiations fail, her ability will be invaluable."
Soi Fon turned to Urahara.
"You're not coming?"
He smiled faintly.
"If Renya truly intends rebellion, I would only complicate matters. This is personal."
His eyes, however, were sharp.
If Renya had truly crossed the line, Urahara would act accordingly.
He tapped his cane against the ground.
Two stone pillars rose, vibrating as space distorted between them.
A vertical tear opened.
A Garganta.
Black, swirling, unstable.
"Please watch your footing," Urahara said casually. "Hueco Mundo's atmospheric Reishi density differs significantly from the Human World."
The nine stepped forward one by one, spiritual pressure stabilizing around them as they crossed into the void.
White sands awaited beyond.
And somewhere within that endless desert
Kurotsuki Renya.