Seireitei, First Division barracks, conference room.
On both sides of the long table, the expressions of the Captains were graver than usual.
An oppressive atmosphere permeated the air; only the sound of Chōjirō Sasakibe's report and the occasional coughing of Jūshirō Ukitake echoed through the spacious meeting hall.
"The coordinates of the last Reiatsu transmission from Captain Soifon were located in the East Suburbs of Karakura Town, with the time frozen at yesterday evening."
"Since then, the signal from her Soul Pager has been cut off, and all conventional means of contact have received no response."
Sasakibe's tone was heavy.
"Feedback from the Department of Research and Development's remote Reiatsu monitoring indicates that Captain Soifon's own Reiatsu reaction is extremely weak and shows a trend of continuous decay. Currently... it is akin to a candle in the wind."
The Captains lowered their heads in contemplation. None had expected the enemy this time to be so troublesome.
Judging by Soifon's skills shown when she apprehended Tokinada Tsunayashiro and sparred with Zaraki Kenpachi, even if her Reiatsu was not her strongest suit, an ordinary opponent would find it difficult to even catch her.
Within the ranks, Tōshirō Hitsugaya clenched his fists, veins bulging on his hands.
If not for the sake of his master's face, he would have already opened a Senkaimon and led the Tenth Division to the World of the Living to save her. What was the point of this meeting?!
"It seems..." Captain-Commander Yamamoto's voice was slow but powerful, "The opponent in the World of the Living this time is trickier than anticipated."
"Who is willing to go to the World of the Living to provide support?"
The heavy cane tapped lightly on the ground.
Almost at the same moment his voice fell, Tōshirō's voice rang out:
"I am willing."
Tōshirō took a step forward, his eyes full of urgency: "Captain-Commander, please let me..."
"Rejected."
The Captain-Commander interrupted him, his gaze falling upon his young disciple.
"Captain Hitsugaya, your strength is insufficient to support this rescue operation."
Hearing this, Tōshirō Hitsugaya's fists clenched at his sides. He struggled internally for a long time, but eventually retreated in frustration.
At this moment, Byakuya Kuchiki stepped out from the ranks and bowed slightly toward the Captain-Commander.
"Please allow me to go."
Byakuya Kuchiki spoke unhurriedly, "I propose taking Lieutenant Isane Kotetsu of the Fourth Division and Lieutenant Rangiku Matsumoto of the Tenth Division with me. Both of them are familiar with Captain Soifon and have mastered Kaidō..."
The reasons were sufficient. The Captain-Commander pondered for a moment before slowly nodding: "Granted."
*
The news of Soifon's loss of contact leaked out from somewhere unknown.
When Rukia and Momo Hinamori rushed to the Sixth Division barracks, Byakuya Kuchiki had already packed his things and was preparing to head to the Senkaimon to assemble.
"Brother Byakuya!" Rukia's voice carried an anxiety she couldn't conceal. "Are... are you going to the World of the Living to find Teacher Soifon?"
Momo Hinamori stood silently to the side, her eyes red.
Byakuya Kuchiki turned around and was silent for a few seconds before saying: "It is a support mission. Captain Soifon is not 'missing'; that is a rumor."
Facing Soifon's two students, he could not bear to voice the worst-case conjecture.
Hearing her brother's reply, Rukia stumbled and was forcibly supported by Momo Hinamori.
"Teacher Soifon, she..."
Looking at Byakuya Kuchiki, Momo Hinamori's voice carried a sob, yet she couldn't finish the question.
Byakuya Kuchiki averted his gaze, not answering the implied question.
"Remain in the Seireitei and perform your duties well."
He said only this one sentence before turning and walking toward the prepared Senkaimon.
Watching his retreating figure, Momo Hinamori dragged Rukia and ran out of the Sixth Division:
"Let's go find Shiro-chan!"
"Shiro-chan is a Captain too; he should understand the inside details!"
The two used Shunpo to rush into the Tenth Division. At this moment, Tōshirō Hitsugaya was standing in front of the Captain's office window, his brow locked in a tight frown.
"Tōshirō!" Momo Hinamori grabbed his arm. "What exactly happened to Teacher Soifon? Tell me the truth!"
Tōshirō looked at the two of them, hesitating to speak. Finally, he simply squeezed out a sentence with difficulty:
"The Captain-Commander has already sent Captain Kuchiki to support... Don't worry too much, I will definitely think of a way."
How could they not worry?!
Meanwhile, the Senkaimon slowly dissipated in the sky above the outskirts of Karakura Town.
Byakuya Kuchiki, Isane Kotetsu, and Rangiku Matsumoto hovered in the air.
The moment they stepped into the World of the Living, the Limiter Spirit Seals on their arms dissolved silently. This was a special permission granted by the higher-ups of the Seireitei out of caution toward the unknown strong enemy.
Without needing to search deliberately, the three of them almost simultaneously cast their gazes toward the forest to the east—that forest looked as if it had been brutally wiped off the map by a giant, invisible hand.
The figures of the three flashed, and in the next second, they landed on the edge of that area.
Isane Kotetsu went to the side of a broken tree and crouched down, picking up a smear of dry powder that had already turned black with her fingertips.
"It is Captain Soifon's blood..." Isane Kotetsu looked up and said, "The Reiatsu residue is very weak."
At the same time, inside the underground training ground of the Urahara Shop, Kisuke Urahara was training Ichigo Kurosaki to control the power of his Reiatsu.
Just then, the passage door overhead was pulled open.
Yoruichi shouted with a grave expression: "Hey, people from the Seireitei are here!"
"It is Byakuya Kuchiki," Yoruichi spoke very fast. "The distance is very close; he will knock on the door in at most one minute."
Kisuke Urahara pulled down the brim of his hat, signaling for the three of them to stay there while he went up to handle it.
Knock, knock.
Outside, Rangiku Matsumoto knocked on the closed door of the Urahara Shop.
A moment later, the sound of dragging footsteps came from inside.
"Oh? Rare guests, rare guests. Isn't this Captain Kuchiki? And Vice-Captain Matsumoto and Vice-Captain Kotetsu?"
The shoji door was slid open a crack, and Kisuke Urahara's bucket hat obscured most of his face.
Byakuya Kuchiki had no intention of exchanging pleasantries and asked directly: "Has Captain Soifon been here?"
Kisuke Urahara blinked: "Captain Soifon? She indeed came to find me once. She said she was injured during a mission and asked me to help treat it."
Rangiku Matsumoto immediately spoke up: "She was injured? Is it serious? Where is she now?"
"The injury wasn't serious. It was mainly excessive exhaustion of Reiatsu, along with some superficial wounds."
Kisuke Urahara spread his hands, "I gave her emergency treatment. She said she still had a mission and left that same night."
"Left?" Isane Kotetsu couldn't help but voice out, "Which direction did she go? Did Mr. Urahara see?"
"Well..." Kisuke Urahara rubbed his chin, "I don't remember clearly."
Byakuya Kuchiki was silent for a moment, then finally nodded slightly: "Many thanks."
"You're welcome." Kisuke Urahara waved his hand. "If the three of you have nothing else, would you like to come in for a cup of tea?"
"No need." Byakuya Kuchiki interrupted him and turned around. "Excuse us."
Rangiku Matsumoto and Isane Kotetsu glanced at Kisuke Urahara one more time before turning to follow in Byakuya Kuchiki's footsteps. The three followed the street they came from and soon disappeared around the corner.
"Captain Kuchiki..."
"Shh—"
At the corner, Byakuya Kuchiki silenced the two, frowning as he sensed the Urahara Shop.
Just now, he had clearly felt the fluctuation of a strange Reiatsu coming from underground. There could be no mistake.
____
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