The authority of Central 46 within the Seireitei was absolute. It stood as the highest governing body, above even the Thirteen Court Guard Squads.
All judgments regarding crimes and punishments, whether within the Seireitei or across the entire Soul Society, were decided by Central 46.
At times, it delegated limited authority to the Thirteen Court Guard Squads, allowing them to act on its behalf. Even so, that power was only borrowed.
When Central 46 issued a ruling that needed to be delivered, it was always done through a special envoy.
"Captain of the Eleventh Division, Uchiha Ryūjin, Central 46 has a confidential order for you."
The envoy presented a sealed letter with both hands.
Ryūjin Uchiha took it without a word.
Once the delivery was complete, the envoy said nothing further and departed immediately.
Ryūjin opened the letter and scanned its contents. His reaction was mixed, both expected and unexpected.
Expected, because the order aligned perfectly with what he had already anticipated. Aizen had altered the plan again.
Unexpected, because Aizen had actually gone through with it.
The contents of the letter were brief.
Judgment Secret Order:
Rukia Kuchiki, formerly of the Thirteenth Division of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads, unlawfully transferred her spiritual power to a human in the World of the Living, granting that individual the abilities of a Shinigami.
This act disregards the laws of the Seireitei and constitutes a grave violation of its regulations, amounting to high treason.
Therefore,
Captain Uchiha Ryūjin of the Eleventh Division is hereby ordered to proceed immediately to Karakura Town in the World of the Living and apprehend the criminal Rukia Kuchiki, bringing her back to the Seireitei for judgment.
This order is issued to uphold the authority of the Seireitei.
Ryūjin narrowed his eyes slightly.
"Why me? What is Aizen trying this time?"
Capturing Rukia Kuchiki was inevitable. It was a key part of Aizen's plan.
Originally, the task had been assigned to Kuchiki Byakuya and Renji Abarai. Now it had been redirected to him.
Aizen never acted without purpose.
Which meant there was something behind this.
Ryūjin considered the possibility that Aizen was targeting him again. The thought barely registered as a concern.
Whatever came, he would deal with it.
At this point, Aizen had no way of actually threatening him. If anything, the man might just end up handing him another opportunity.
Still, one question lingered.
He had never interfered with Aizen's plans. He had not presented himself as a threat. So why the repeated attention?
"When I crush him, I'll ask."
Ryūjin shrugged it off.
With Central 46's order in hand, there was no reason to delay. He summoned Kenpachi Zaraki.
"Vice Captain Kenpachi, I'm heading to the World of the Living on a classified mission. You're in charge of the Eleventh Division while I'm gone."
"What a hassle."
Kenpachi muttered, already turning away with Yachiru Kusajishi clinging to his back.
Ryūjin left the Eleventh Division and headed toward the First Division barracks.
Even with a direct order from Central 46, protocol required reporting to the Captain Commander. Besides, access to the Senkaimon was located there.
"Captain Ryūjin!"
As he arrived, members of the First Division greeted him with visible respect.
Their expressions carried clear admiration.
After killing Barragan, the Emperor of Hueco Mundo, Ryūjin's reputation had soared to its peak. Combined with his overwhelming strength, demonstrated by defeating Kenpachi Zaraki even without the eyepatch restriction, his standing continued to rise.
Ryūjin gave a casual nod and made his way inside, heading straight for Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni.
Then he noticed them.
Kuchiki Byakuya.
Renji Abarai.
Ryūjin paused slightly.
He had assumed that since Aizen assigned him this mission, Byakuya and Renji would no longer be involved.
Yet here they were.
Given the timing, it was unlikely to be a coincidence.
They had probably received their own orders from Central 46.
Still, Ryūjin did not dwell on it. Instead, he accessed the Sign in System.
"System, check in at the First Division barracks."
"Ding! Check in successful. Reward obtained, Hadō 73, Sōren Sōkatsui."
A powerful Kidō.
Ryūjin had to admit, the First Division never disappointed.
Other divisions usually yielded techniques in the 30s or 40s range. Here, he consistently received high level spells.
At this point, he had collected most Kidō above the 70th level, many of them obtained here.
Choosing to become a Captain had been the right call.
Without that position, he would not have had such frequent access to the First Division.
"Captain Ryūjin."
Byakuya greeted him with formal courtesy, his posture refined and composed.
"Captain Kuchiki."
Ryūjin responded in kind.
"Captain Commander, I have received a confidential order from Central 46 to carry out a mission in Karakura Town. I am here to report."
As Ryūjin spoke, he caught subtle changes in expression.
Byakuya's gaze shifted slightly.
Renji's reaction was far more obvious.
"Captain Ryūjin, I am already aware," Yamamoto said with a nod. "Since Central 46 has issued its order, you will set aside your duties here and carry it out."
"Sasakibe."
At the command, Chōjirō Sasakibe stepped forward.
"Escort Captain Ryūjin and Captain Kuchiki's group. Open the Senkaimon to Karakura Town."
"Yes, Captain Commander."
Sasakibe immediately led them out.
So Byakuya was indeed heading to Karakura Town as well.
At a time like this, there was only one possible reason.
Still, Ryūjin had no idea what exact mission Aizen had given him.
It could not be that all three of them were sent for Rukia. That would be excessive.
Following Sasakibe, they arrived at the Senkaimon. Members of the First Division activated it.
"Captain Ryūjin, Captain Kuchiki, the Senkaimon to Karakura Town is ready. I wish you success."
"We will fulfill our duties."
Byakuya stepped forward, entering the gate with Ryūjin and Renji.
In an instant, their surroundings shifted.
Karakura Town.
"Captain Ryūjin, are you here to capture Rukia?"
Renji spoke immediately, unable to hold back.
His concern was obvious.
"Renji. That is enough."
Byakuya's tone sharpened.
"But Captain, I…"
"Silence. Have you forgotten the regulations?"
His spiritual pressure flared slightly, forcing Renji to fall quiet.
Byakuya then turned to Ryūjin.
"My apologies. My subordinate has been disrespectful."
Ryūjin waved it off.
"Doesn't matter."
Honestly, if Byakuya had not cut him off, Ryūjin would have answered.
Byakuya nodded.
"In that case, we will proceed with our mission. We part ways here."
Without further delay, he left with Renji. Within moments, they vanished using Shunpo.
Ryūjin watched their direction, thinking.
"So they are not here for Rukia."
Renji's reaction had been too certain. If they were assigned to capture her, he would not have asked.
Which meant their objective was something else.
Still, it had nothing to do with him.
"Not my problem."
Ryūjin dismissed the thought and began his own task.
First, he applied his usual method.
Using Ice Release combined with Genjutsu, he controlled the people across Karakura Town, ensuring he would not be noticed.
Then he spread out his Observation Haki.
Locating Rukia was simple.
A flicker passed through his eyes.
"Found her."
She was inside Ichigo Kurosaki's room, leaning over a desk, writing a farewell letter.
Ryūjin did not interrupt.
Instead, he turned away.
"It's been a while since I've had proper food here."
He headed into the busy district and entered a hot pot restaurant, taking his time enjoying the meal.
After finishing, he checked again.
Rukia had already left, just as expected.
Only then did Ryūjin leave.
On a quiet street near the outskirts of Karakura Town, a lone figure walked under dim streetlights.
Her expression carried a mix of reluctance and loneliness.
Her shadow stretched long behind her.
"I should go back."
"I've stayed here too long."
Rukia Kuchiki spoke softly to herself.
She had already realized that the Soul Society had begun investigating her. Capture was only a matter of time.
To avoid dragging Ichigo Kurosaki into it, she chose to leave without saying goodbye.
Even so, as she walked those familiar streets, reluctance lingered.
Every corner of Karakura Town had become part of her memory.
Especially that stubborn, justice driven boy.
She would carry those moments with her.
Then her expression changed.
A spiritual pressure.
A Shinigami.
Someone had come.
Rukia turned sharply.
A familiar figure stepped into view.
Her pupils contracted.
"Captain Uchiha Ryūjin?"
She had not expected this.
Ryūjin had not been in the Gotei 13 for long, yet his presence was impossible to ignore.
Defeating Kenpachi Zaraki without restriction alone placed him among the strongest Captains.
And now he was here.
"Rukia, long time."
Ryūjin gave a faint smile.
"Captain Ryūjin… have you come to take me back?"
She looked at him, her voice quiet.
"Yeah."
Ryūjin nodded.
"You broke the rules. Central 46 wants you back."
His tone was direct and indifferent.