"But this was only the Head Captain's suspicion. We couldn't forbid the nobles from attending just on that basis. That's why only vice-captains and above were informed. Since you're a 3rd seat now, you weren't notified."
Unohana's voice came softly from behind Higashino.
The explanation was perfectly reasonable—yet to Higashino, already on guard, it felt like "no silver buried here."
"True. Even if you gave Hollows a hundred guts, they'd only dare stir up trouble in Rukongai. Who'd come storming Seireitei to openly challenge us?"
He nodded along, and Unohana returned her usual smile.
Just then, Jirō appeared, giving Higashino an excuse to leave.
"The Hollows are out! Let's head to West Rukongai, District 62!" Jirō tugged his arm, excitement all over his face.
"Why there?" Higashino asked, keeping pace with Shunpo.
"Because that zone only has ordinary Hollows. It's the safest hunting ground. Based on past events, few nobles choose it, and Shinigami don't fight over it. I just secured us guard duty there!" Jirō declared proudly.
Clearly, he'd prepared for this.
Higashino hesitated. It clashed with Aizen's orders. But after Unohana's suspicious attitude earlier, he shelved the idea of being a "good employee."
Failing Aizen might earn a scolding later. Failing Unohana could mean prison—or worse.
Soon, they reached District 62.
According to the plan, the hunting areas were West Rukongai Districts 62, 64, 66, and South Districts 71, 73, 75. Dividing them up prevented "kill stealing." After all, this event was for nobles to entertain themselves, show off, and pad their records.
The outer perimeters were guarded jointly by the 10th and 2nd Divisions.
Inside, aside from nobles and volunteer Shinigami, it should've been empty. But here, one captain was already present.
"C-Captain Shihōin?!"
Jirō stammered when he saw the bronze-brown figure.
A 2nd Division captain here? How could low-level Shinigami hope for a chance at "heroics" now?
That was Jirō's honest thought.
Seeing them arrive, Yoruichi cheerfully waved. "Yo, you two are the Shinigami assigned to this sector?"
"Yes, Captain Shihōin. Didn't expect you to be here in person." Higashino stepped forward and bowed.
Her presence didn't surprise him.
Kensei had already said this was a trap. Stationing at least one captain per zone made perfect sense. If anything, one captain alone here was what seemed off.
But then he reconsidered. With Yoruichi's skill, she could easily take two Kenseis head-on. Captains varied greatly in power. And her unmatched Shunpo meant she could intercept Hollows instantly, anywhere in the district.
Putting two captains here would just be a waste.
"Not really here to sit watch. Just dropping by. Don't mind me—carry on. If nothing unusual happens, I won't step in."
She waved them off casually.
She knew Higashino by reputation as a former 4th Division vice-captain, but they weren't close. No need for formalities.
Higashino stayed calm—he already knew "if nothing happens" was wishful thinking.
Jirō, on the other hand, looked miserable. To him, this meant the nobles would never notice him. His dreams of "rescue glory" were gone. Better to have stayed in the 6th Division, grind overtime, and save faster for his glasses shop.
Their exchange with Yoruichi ended quickly. She meant what she said: she wouldn't interfere unless needed.
Soon the noble party finally arrived.
Higashino counted twenty-nine: sixteen men, thirteen women—roughly even.
He was about to look away when he caught sight of a familiar figure.
"Soi Fon?"
He wasn't sure at first. The girl looked barely ten years old.
He knew the grown woman well. But in this child's form, he could only guess by details.
"Could it be… is this where she and Yoruichi first connect?"
Higashino combed his fading memories and recalled a glossed-over note in the original story.
Soi Fon was from the lower-noble Fon family, who served the Shihōin for generations. Effectively their assassins.
By now, the family was dwindling. Sending out a young Soi Fon to face Hollows early almost made sense.
"But thanks to me, the Hollows now are stronger than they should be…"
He frowned.
Aizen's accelerated research, fueled by decades of Reishi Higashino had supplied, had advanced Hollow evolution. They'd even developed "Death Knots"—Reishi constructs that absorbed all spiritual energy in a radius, forming a defensive barrier.
When Szayelaporro devised it, Aizen had tested it on Higashino himself.
The result: formidable. Unless you overpowered its threshold, the Hollow behind it was untouchable.
But the weakness was simple. Use Hakuda or a plain slash. Without Reishi-based attacks, the knot meant nothing.
Still, if Aizen unleashed it here, it would stall many Shinigami for a while.
As nobles below unleashed their abilities against ordinary Hollows, three black Garganta suddenly tore open nearby.
"So it begins?"
"They're here."
Higashino and Yoruichi thought the same thing at the same time.
//Check out my Patreon for 20 extra chapters on all my fanfics //[[email protected]/Razeil0810](http://[email protected]/Razeil0810)