4th Division.
"What? You're saying Byakuya has defected?"
Toshiro looked up at the Shinigami kneeling before him, delivering the report.
"Yes! There's no mistake! I saw it clearly with my own eyes, it was definitely Captain Kuchiki himself. Even if someone could impersonate his appearance, his Reiatsu cannot be faked."
The Shinigami vouched confidently.
"Tell me the specific details of what happened."
Toshiro instructed.
"Yes, sir. Here's what happened: Earlier, Lieutenant Matsumoto and Lieutenant Hinamori defeated their respective Zanpakuto and had myself and a few others escort them to the 4th Division. Suddenly, Captain Kuchiki appeared, knocked us unconscious without a word. When we woke up, we found ourselves in hospital beds. Upon inquiry, we learned we were discovered by a patrol after being knocked out and brought to the 4th Division for treatment. As for the Zanpakuto of Lieutenant Matsumoto and Lieutenant Hinamori that we were escorting, they were gone. There's no doubt Captain Kuchiki was responsible."
The Shinigami recounted the events.
Toshiro nodded understandably. "I see. I understand the situation now. Go and get some proper rest."
"Yes, sir!"
With that, the Shinigami left.
"My, my, you really chose to do this after all, Byakuya."
Toshiro murmured thoughtfully.
Toshiro, of course, knew that Byakuya hadn't truly betrayed anyone. He was trying to use Muramasa to find the location where Kuchiki Koga was sealed, intending to kill Koga himself and cleanse the Kuchiki Clan's shame.
"Honestly, even if you really want to cleanse that shame and uphold the Kuchiki Clan's honor, you didn't necessarily have to do it this way. Once we rescue Yamamoto-sensei, we can find out where Koga is sealed anyway. Then handing him over to you wouldn't have been a problem. Why go through this whole 'defection' charade, leaving me to clean up the mess?"
Toshiro complained.
Of course, it was just a complaint. In reality, Toshiro understood that because it involved the Kuchiki Clan's honor, Byakuya didn't want to rely on anyone else's help. He intended to resolve the issue and protect the clan's honor his own way.
"But, although Byakuya wants to solve things his way, I can't just do nothing..."
Toshiro suddenly called out to the door. "Someone! Issue my orders! Kuchiki Byakuya has defected. Immediately issue a warrant for his arrest throughout the entire Seireitei!"
…
"What's going on, Toshiro?! I heard Byakuya defected and you've ordered his capture!"
Ukitake and Kyoraku arrived together, and Ukitake couldn't help but speak first as soon as he entered.
"Yes, that's right. I received news earlier that Byakuya, who had been missing, suddenly appeared and rescued captured Zanpakuto. It's suspected he has betrayed the Shinigami and joined the Zanpakuto faction. So I've ordered his pursuit."
Toshiro explained.
"But... but how could Byakuya possibly betray us?"
Ukitake was still incredulous.
"Well, actually, I don't believe Byakuya would betray us either."
Toshiro suddenly said.
"Then you..."
"There's a reason I'm doing this."
Before Ukitake could ask, Toshiro explained, "The fact that Byakuya rescued captured Zanpakuto is undeniable. His reasons for doing so are likely one of two possibilities."
"The first possibility is that he truly betrayed the Shinigami and joined the Zanpakuto faction. If that's the case, ordering his capture is only natural."
"The second possibility is that he rescued the captured Zanpakuto to gain Muramasa's trust, infiltrating the enemy from within. If that's the case, then by ordering his capture, I'm further proving Byakuya's 'betrayal' of the Shinigami, making it easier for Muramasa to trust him, right?"
"So, regardless of the situation, ordering Byakuya's capture is beneficial and harmless."
Hearing Toshiro's explanation, Ukitake and Kyoraku calmed down.
Ukitake pondered. "Well, knowing Byakuya as I do, he's probably trying to infiltrate them..."
"But if that's the case, why didn't he inform us beforehand? That way, we could have coordinated better, couldn't we?"
Kyoraku asked, puzzled.
"Well, who knows? Maybe he has his reasons he can't discuss."
Toshiro said noncommittally, though internally he knew the reason. He didn't explain, as he couldn't justify how he knew.
Just then, a hasty voice came from outside the door.
"Captain Hitsugaya! Captain Hitsugaya!!"
Before the voice faded, Renji burst in.
"Oh, it's Renji. By the way, I heard you've already reclaimed your Zanpakuto. Congratulations."
Toshiro smiled.
"Ah, forget about that for now! I came about Captain Kuchiki! What's going on with him? How could he possibly betray the Shinigami?! There must be some misunderstanding!!"
Renji said urgently.
Earlier, when he had defeated his Zanpakuto and made it submit, Renji had been overjoyed. But upon returning to the 6th Division, he heard the news of Byakuya's defection and Toshiro's capture order. Refusing to believe it, Renji had rushed straight to the 4th Division to get the truth from Toshiro.
Hearing Renji's purpose, Toshiro's expression turned 'pained.' "Renji, as much as I hate to admit it, Byakuya's defection is indeed..."
"No! Impossible!! Someone as proud as Captain Kuchiki would never defect!!!"
Renji exclaimed emotionally.
Bang!
Toshiro slammed the table. "Renji! Calm down! As much as I don't want to believe it either, Byakuya's defection is real. Several Shinigami witnessed him rescuing captured Zanpakuto. There's no mistaking it."
Toshiro said seriously, with a straight face.
"Whew..."
Renji took a deep breath. "Sorry, I got too worked up."
"Alright, I understand how you feel. But for now, go and calm down."
Toshiro said with a frown.
"Yes, sir."
Renji replied reluctantly and finally walked out dejectedly.
"Why didn't you tell him the truth?"
After Renji left, Ukitake couldn't help but ask.
Though without concrete evidence, none of them believed Byakuya had truly betrayed the Shinigami. Ukitake was curious why Toshiro hadn't told Renji the truth, instead putting on such a 'pained' expression as if Byakuya really had defected.
"Well, Ukitake, you know Renji. He's a simple, straightforward guy. If we told him the truth, he wouldn't be able to hide his emotions. Muramasa and the others would see through him in any upcoming battle. To be safe, we have to keep it from him for now."
Toshiro explained.
"Honestly, it seems to me this whole mess could have been avoided. Once we find Muramasa and the others' hideout, we could just send the whole army, roll right over them, and wipe them out in one go. I don't know what Byakuya was thinking."
Toshiro complained again.
"Knowing him, Byakuya must have his reasons. He never does anything pointless."
Ukitake defended Byakuya.
Because of Rukia, Ukitake and Byakuya were relatively close, which is why he firmly believed Byakuya wouldn't betray them.
"Anyway, issuing the warrant for Byakuya also serves as a kind of cover for him."
Toshiro said.
No sooner had Toshiro spoken than another person entered from outside.
"Here to report on Byakuya's situation?"
Kyoraku asked Sui-Feng as she walked in.
"No, I'm afraid not, Captain Kyoraku. You're mistaken. I'm not here about Captain Kuchiki."
Sui-Feng shook her head.
"Oh? Then what for?"
Kyoraku was a little surprised.
Sui-Feng didn't directly answer Kyoraku's question, instead looking at Toshiro.
Seeing this, Toshiro smiled mysteriously. "As expected of the Captain of the 2nd Division and Commander-in-Chief of the Onmitsukido. It seems you've completed your task."
"Ah, that's right. I have some confidence in my tracking and stealth skills. That matter wasn't particularly difficult for me."
Hearing Toshiro's praise, even Sui-Feng couldn't help but puff out her chest, a proud look on her face.
"Hey, hey, what kind of secret code are you two speaking? Why are you leaving me and Ukitake out of it?"
Kyoraku said, a little 'jealously'.
"Hehe, it's nothing secret. Captain Sui-Feng, you can tell them too."
Toshiro said with an amused smile.
"It's like this. Earlier, Captain Hitsugaya anticipated that the Zanpakuto wouldn't be able to contain their hatred and would actively attack Shinigami. After attacking, as long as they weren't captured, those rebelling Zanpakuto would surely return to Muramasa and the others' hiding place."
"So Captain Hitsugaya ordered us to deliberately let one Zanpakuto escape, and then I followed secretly to locate Muramasa and the other Zanpakuto's hideout."
Sui-Feng explained.
"What!"
Kyoraku and Ukitake exclaimed in surprise.
"The reason I had Sui-Feng do this is because Muramasa tampered with the Zanpakuto. Those reclaimed by Shinigami don't remember much about Muramasa and the others. Interrogating captured Zanpakuto hasn't been very effective either. That's why I had Sui-Feng do this."
Toshiro said.
"Then Captain Sui-Feng, did you really find Muramasa and the others' hiding place?"
Jushiro Ukitake quickly asked.
Sui-Feng said proudly, "Of course! Who do you think I am!!"