Seireitei, Noble District—the Kuchiki family, one of the Five Great Noble Houses.
A newly married youth was swinging his Zanpakutō (Soul-Cutter Sword) in the middle of the courtyard.
"Keep the blade straight, your waist upright, hands strong, stance solid!
Byakuya, have you forgotten how I drill you every day?!"
An elder in a white captain's haori stood nearby, gaze stern as he watched the sweat-soaked youth at the center.
"I haven't forgotten, Grandpa!"
Byakuya gritted his teeth and persevered.
How many swings was this today?
A thousand? Ten thousand?
He'd lost count.
Since the Kasumiooji family rebellion five years ago, his grandfather Ginrei had increased his training load.
Because his father Sōjun—now the Sixth Division lieutenant—though gifted, was frail and not suited to the brutal intensity required of captain-class Shinigami (Soul Reapers).
So Ginrei pinned his hopes on Byakuya.
"All right, that's enough kenjutsu for today. Next is Zanpakutō Shikai (Initial Release)!"
Ginrei didn't care what Byakuya thought. From where he stood, all he saw was Soul Society shrouded under an unseen pall.
In a single day, four seated captains and five lieutenants had fallen. Even the usually detached Kidō (Demon Arts) Corps had lost a vice-chief, and its chief stood suspected of treason.
Not to mention Kisuke—former Twelfth Division captain—now locked in the Maggot's Nest.
And the other problematic unknown: the head of another Great House, Yoruichi, captain of the Second Division of the Gotei 13 (Thirteen Court Guard Squads).
Just like that, more than half of Soul Society's top-end combat strength was gone.
If even captains couldn't guarantee their own safety, what hope did his grandson have—a fledgling who hadn't even mastered Bankai (Final Release)?
As Ginrei was about to instruct Byakuya on fighting with his Shikai, the last thing he wanted to hear—yet fully expected—hit.
"Father, bad news! Second Division's captain—Yoruichi—has rebelled!"
Sōjun rushed into the courtyard too fast to even circle around the young Byakuya. The moment he spoke, he knew disaster had come to Soul Society.
This time might be worse than the Kasumiooji rebellion five years ago.
"Yoruichi attacked the Maggot's Nest and broke out Kisuke and Tessai, didn't she?"
"Yes, Father. The Head Captain immediately dispatched the Tenth Division captain to intercept, but—"
Sōjun's mouth was dry.
"But what?" Ginrei's brows drew together, a bad hunch clawing at him. "Don't tell me Kisuke released all those captains and lieutenants he Hollowfied?"
With that single line, Kisuke's image in Ginrei's mind was sealed.
Whatever Kisuke had been before, whatever unanswerable doubts still clung to him—
From the instant Yoruichi assaulted the Maggot's Nest and freed Kisuke and Tessai, not just Ginrei but over ninety-five percent of Seireitei would believe it: "Kisuke has long plotted treason against Soul Society."
That was exactly what Ginrei feared.
Five years ago, on the night of the Kasumiooji uprising, even a handful of sub-captain-level Hollowfied Shinigami with Bakkōtō nearly painted Seireitei in blood.
Now, if Kisuke unleashed five Hollowfied captains and four Hollowfied lieutenants to run wild—
And add Kisuke, Yoruichi, and Kidō Corps Chief Tessai—each with captain-class power—standing in the way—
Ginrei could hardly imagine how many would be left in Soul Society by day's end.
Fortunately, what Sōjun said next sounded—relatively—like good news.
"No, Father. Kisuke didn't release them all…"
"Didn't release them all? Then how many Hollowfied captains is he working with?"
Ginrei frowned.
All or nothing—either free them all or hide them all and wait for the next move. How did "just some" make sense?
Sōjun only shook his head, looking just as baffled as Ginrei.
"Kisuke and the others released only one Hollowfied Shinigami…"
"Rose? Shinji? Love? Or Kensei?"
Ginrei almost laughed. Was Kisuke drunk on overconfidence?
Did he think a single berserk Hollowfied captain could cover their escape from judgment?
Sōjun's next words pushed Ginrei past his limit.
"None of them, Father. The one Kisuke released was Higashino Shuuichi—former Fourth Division vice-captain and Eleventh Division lieutenant—and he seems to have retained his reason."
"What?! Impossible!!"
Ginrei stared, incredulous.
Hollowfied Shinigami lost reason, reduced to bestial instincts until the Hollow within devoured them and they became full Hollows.
That was the hard-earned lesson after the Kasumiooji affair five years prior.
Why did it fail here—just because it was Higashino Shuuichi?
"How did the Head Captain respond?"
Shocked but steady, Ginrei asked for the Head Captain's directives.
Given that a Tenth Division captain had been dispatched instantly, the Head Captain had clearly already made his move.
"The order is: all captains to mobilize at once. Apprehend Yoruichi, Kisuke, and the rest before they can inflict greater damage on Soul Society.
If they cannot be taken alive, kill on sight is authorized!"
At the same time, the same words were delivered in the Fourth Division barracks by Vice-Captain Seinosuke to his captain, Retsu.
Retsu only asked, lightly, "Seinosuke, what is the Fourth Division's duty?"
"To save the dying and heal the wounded."
Seinosuke blinked, then answered.
"Then we'll prepare for post-battle rescue."
Retsu remained kneeling on her cushion, with no intention of rising.
This entire affair reeked of wrongness—in timing, in method, in outcome.
She refused to be anyone's cat's-paw.
Besides—if it was that person, he wouldn't escalate this any further.
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