Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Wearing a short black skirt-style Shihakushō and a light purple braid tied behind her head, Nemu Kurotsuchi sped through the streets of Seireitei. Her peacock-green eyes scanned the surroundings, searching for Fūjin Taichi.
Since Nemu was an "artificial soul" created by Mayuri Kurotsuchi using gigai and gikon technology, she did not possess a personal Zanpakutō of her own.
However, after undergoing Mayuri's modifications, Nemu was capable of unleashing astonishing power even without a Zanpakutō.
In addition, Mayuri had implanted various terrifying drugs within her body under the pretense of protecting her from enemy harm—enough to deal with all kinds of crises in Soul Society.
"Found you…"
Nemu's eyes lit up as her gaze locked onto a figure not far ahead. She quickened her pace and darted in that direction—
Just then—
"Hadō #31: Shakkahō!"
A surging crimson fireball shot diagonally from the front-left, forcibly halting Nemu midair!
"I won't let you take another step forward, Nemu!"
Rukia Kuchiki, dressed in her black Shihakushō with her short ponytail tied back, walked slowly toward Nemu with a look of absolute resolve.
"Rukia, do you intend to violate the laws of the Seireitei as well?"
Although Nemu had no Zanpakutō, her Hakuda (hand-to-hand combat) ranked among the best in the Gotei Thirteen.
The moment Rukia appeared, she had already assumed a battle stance—
Standing perfectly still, her left palm extended forward and her right hand resting behind her back, an overwhelming aura radiated from her body like a hunting jaguar poised to strike.
"Nemu, I don't want to fight you. But if you're like those others who can't tell right from wrong and are going to capture Taichi, then I absolutely won't let you get one step closer to him!" Rukia said firmly.
"Betraying Seireitei… abandoning your family's honor… protecting that man at all costs… Is this what you call love?"
"Idiot! What nonsense are you talking about?! Taichi and I are just friends!"
A faint blush flashed across Rukia's face as she snapped angrily.
"And I'm doing this simply because I believe Taichi would never do anything to harm Soul Society!!"
"Oh… I envy you," Nemu said softly, studying Rukia with curiosity. "To have a friendship worth risking everything for, no matter the time."
"You have a choice too, Nemu!" Rukia countered. But her eyes widened in alarm as Nemu's figure suddenly blurred and vanished. Crap—!
Zip!
Nemu reappeared high above Rukia, her fist cocked back and ready to strike. "I am sorry, Rukia," she whispered. Even though I envy your friendship…
But Lord Mayuri's order is to bring Fūjin Taichi back! Therefore—Nemuri Seventh Form: Shinkei!"
"Then let our blades decide, Nemu!!"
Seeing the attack descending toward her face, Rukia quickly drew her Zanpakutō and met the blow with the flat of her blade—
"BOOM!"
Nemu's fist, carrying immense force, slammed heavily against Rukia's Zanpakutō. The bluestone pavement within a ten-meter radius shattered instantly, and an invisible shockwave burst outward!
So strong! Rukia gritted her teeth, bracing her sword with both hands as she resisted the attack.
The Twelfth Division's vice-captain, Nemu Kurotsuchi, usually seemed quiet and gentle like a refined young lady—but who would have thought a single punch could carry such terrifying power?
"Don't lose focus during a fight, Rukia! Now then—Nemuri Seventh Form: Saitei!"
Before her words even finished, Nemu vanished again.
When she reappeared, she was already at Rukia's side. Her right knee, already raised, drove forward viciously—
Smack!
Rukia's abdomen took the full impact. Her body instantly doubled over and was sent flying dozens of meters before crashing into a house along the street.
"Ugh—!"
Rukia spat out a mouthful of bile. Enduring the intense pain coursing through her body, she forced herself back to her feet and shook her head.
"I thought… since we're both members of the Shinigami Women's Association, you might go a little easy on me. Looks like… I was mistaken."
"I'm sorry, Rukia," Nemu said apologetically. "This is Lord Mayuri's order. I cannot refuse."
"So no matter who stands in my way… I will defeat them here and complete the mission Lord Mayuri has given me!"
"Heh, as expected of Captain Kurotsuchi's daughter. Even the way you speak is just as cold as his," Rukia Kuchiki said.
Slowly raising her Zanpakutō, she murmured, "In that case, I'll get serious too! Dance, Sode no Shirayuki!"
"That's the Rukia I know," Nemu replied, slightly lowering her stance. With her left hand behind her back and her right hand extended forward, she declared, "Nemuri Seventh Form: Hōmei!"
...
Meanwhile, after leaving Seireitei's North District, Fūjin Taichi was surrounded at the foot of Hill of Penitence by the Head Division's Internal Security Unit—the Thirty-Six—led by Chōjirō Sasakibe.
"Fūjin Taichi, this ends here!"
Sasakibe frowned deeply, his sharp eyes fixed on Taichi.
"In the name of the First Division and as Vice-Captain of the Head Division, I shall end the crimes you have committed!"
"Vice-Captain Sasakibe, hearing you say that feels oddly nostalgic…"
Taichi smiled faintly.
"Killing this one, erasing that one without caring about right or wrong—just who exactly gave you the courage to do that?"
"Stop running your mouth, Fūjin Taichi!" Sasakibe said sternly. "The Captain-Commander has personally ordered your execution! Therefore—"
Shing! Shing! Shing!
Thirty-five division members drew their Zanpakutō simultaneously, pointing them at Taichi, ready to strike him down at Sasakibe's command.
"Well then, I suppose ignorance is what gave you that courage."
Facing thirty-five killing-intent-filled shinigami, Taichi remained calm as still water.
Unhurriedly, he pushed his Zanpakutō—Tsukumo—out of its sheath by three inches with his left thumb. He slightly lowered his body, his right hand gripping the hilt.
His left leg bent subtly, his right stepped forward, and he held that peculiar iaido stance without moving at all—like a statue frozen in place.
Sasakibe was a seasoned shinigami; he wasn't intimidated by Taichi's strange posture. Remaining composed, he issued the command:
"Go!"
"Kill him—!"
The division members charged like men possessed, shouting wildly as they raised their blades and rushed at Taichi!
Yet Taichi remained motionless in that odd draw stance, as though stunned—until their blades were about to reach his face.
Then he moved.
"Fūjin Style: Iaido — Three Thousand World-Winds!!"
A sharp gleam flashed in his dark eyes.
In an instant, Tsukumo slashed forward. A cold glint burst forth as countless green arcs of blade-light tore across the sky, engulfing every incoming Zanpakutō—
Clatter—!
A few breaths later, the storm of blade-light vanished.
Taichi calmly returned his sword to its sheath and looked indifferently at Sasakibe.
"Your turn, Vice-Captain Sasakibe."
Clang! Clatter!
The division members stared in horror as they realized their Zanpakutō had been cleanly severed at the base—leaving only bare hilts in their hands.
"Th-That's impossible!"
Not only the division members, but even Sasakibe—who had believed victory assured—wore a look of utter disbelief.
This man… this man had cut through thirty-five Zanpakutō in a single strike!
Those were shinigami with seated-officer-level strength!
Could it be… that Fūjin Taichi had already reached captain-class power…?
But that—how could that be?!
He hasn't even mastered Bankai!!!