Six Heinous Individuals
"Captain Suì-Fēng will be handled by Teams Two and Three!"
"Captain Komamura will be handled by Teams One, Ten, Eleven, and Thirteen!"
"Captain Kuchiki has completed the sixth stage of surgery. Teams Eight and Nine are preparing for transfer."
Unohana Retsu stood amidst the vast ruins, calmly issuing orders to the Fourth Division members, ensuring each soldier knew their role.
"I'm fine. Go take care of the others," Komamura Sajin rumbled. His injuries were severe, yet he refused treatment, insisting resources go to others who needed them more.
"Captain Komamura, you're being reckless," Kotetsu Isane protested weakly.
"Captain Unohana! Captain Suì-Fēng's injuries are grave. She needs a purifying barrier and can't be moved until the eighth stage of treatment is complete," a healer reported urgently.
"Very well. Proceed," Unohana replied, instantly recognizing the truth of the diagnosis.
No one could call Suì-Fēng weak — but compared to the monsters freed from Mugen, warriors who had endured centuries of combat, she was inexperienced. Barely a century into her captaincy, still without Bankai, relying only on her Shikai — she was overmatched.
Kuchiki Byakuya had made the same mistake. He hadn't even had the chance to release Bankai before being struck down. The arrogance of the noble houses could be fatal.
Komamura alone had used Bankai — but his giant warrior form had been nothing more than a massive target. Ironically, had he not summoned it, he might have lasted longer.
In the end, it was Yamamoto, Kyōraku, and Unohana who bore the brunt of the battle.
"Captain Unohana, Captain Komamura refuses treatment and insists on leaving," Isane added helplessly.
Unohana blocked Komamura's path in an instant, her warm smile as bright as the sun. "Captain Komamura, to be so energetic even when gravely wounded — truly admirable. But…" Her tone sharpened, eyes narrowing. "From the moment you were injured, your life ceased to be yours alone. It belongs to us — the medics. Do not forget that."
Komamura twitched his wolf-like ears, recalling the fight against the Mugen convict — a man who hadn't even drawn his sword, relying purely on kidō, hakuda, and shunpo. "That's not what I—"
"Then be obedient," Unohana interrupted, smiling again, though her voice left no room for defiance.
Komamura sighed. "…Very well."
At that moment, a Fourth Division messenger knelt. "Captain Unohana, the Head-Captain summons you to the main hall for a captains' meeting."
Komamura stirred as if to accompany her, but Unohana's clear, unwavering gaze silenced him. He turned back to Isane, defeated.
Without another word, Unohana flash-stepped away. The devastation stretched for miles, the Seireitei scarred by battle. Recovery would take years. And yet… this was only the beginning.
The prisoners of Mugen had always been dealt with one at a time. Now six of them had appeared together. That alone spelled catastrophe.
When she entered the First Division barracks, only two captains were present. Unohana took her place silently. Soon after, Aizen Sōsuke, Ichimaru Gin, and Tōsen Kaname arrived, untouched by combat.
Moments later, Rangiku Matsumoto entered. "Apologies for being late."
Kyōraku Shunsui chuckled. "It's fine, Rangiku-chan. One more hasn't arrived yet. Sit here beside me."
Rangiku nodded quietly and took the Tenth Division's place. Her eyes flicked to Gin — relief flooding her when she saw he was unharmed.
Heavy, drum-like footsteps echoed through the hall. The doors slammed open. Zaraki Kenpachi strode inside, tattered uniform dripping with blood, his chest wounds reopening with every step. The bells on his hair jingled, his eyepatch hung loose, and his aura was that of a beast straining against its leash.
The sheer presence he exuded made it impossible to ignore him.
Rangiku's gaze met his for a heartbeat. Even without malice in his eyes, fear stabbed through her, and she quickly looked away.
"Oh? Even you're wounded like this… was the enemy truly so strong?" Gin drawled.
Kenpachi scowled. "I don't even know what happened. I was cut to ribbons before I realized it. My Fifth Seat lies unconscious, his Zanpakutō stolen."
Yamamoto finally spoke, slamming Ryūjin Jakka into the floor. "This is urgent. We convene now."
All present captains and acting commanders assembled. Those absent — Ukitake, still ill; Kuchiki and Suì-Fēng, incapacitated; and Kurotsuchi Mayuri, who had fled to the Research Bureau — would be briefed later.
Yamamoto's voice carried the weight of centuries. "You understand the gravity of this situation. Oda Nobunaga sacrificed his life to shatter Mugen's seal. Six convicts once meant to vanish forever now walk among us again."
He raised his staff. "Hear their names, and remember:
Munemasa, the Mad King.
Zaraki Sōya, the Eighth Kenpachi.
Genjirō, the Wicked Doctor.
Tendō Kaoru, the Demon Fist.
Kiyashirō, the Creator of Forbidden Techniques.
Yagyū Tsukikage, the Silver Flash."
As he spoke, spirit particles coalesced before them. From the light, Zaraki Sōya's figure emerged — the former Kenpachi standing tall among them once more.
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