Good thing I made it in time. Ukitake maintained a firm grip on Byakuya's wrist. During the time he had been bedridden and unconscious, an astonishing amount had happened in the Seireitei.
Kuchiki Rukia was to be executed for the crime of privately transferring her powers to a human. The Seireitei had suffered an invasion by Ryoka; first, Shihouin Kōe was severely injured in battle, and then even the Captain of Squad 5, Aizen Sōsuke, was murdered last night.
As for the present, the situation was even worse than he had anticipated. Ukitake looked across at Shiba Kaien, who had broken free from the Rikujōkōrō. He shouldn't be here.
"Are you also here to 'save' someone, Ukitake?"
"Not exactly." Ukitake forced a smile, his words sounding somewhat hollow.
He *was* here to save someone, but not in the same manner as the Ryoka. Strictly speaking, he had only come to prevent a mistake from happening, regardless of whether that mistake was being made by the Ryoka or by their own side.
To be sentenced to the ultimate penalty simply for privately transferring power to a human... what was happening to Rukia was far too bizarre. But if this matter was connected to Urahara Kisuke, then it made a twisted sort of sense.
But did it warrant this just because it involved Urahara? Using such an exaggerated method as an execution only made it feel like a warning directed at certain individuals—like him, Ukitake Jūshirō.
Therefore, Rukia's death was actually dispensable; she was merely a sacrificial pawn used to deliver a message? Central 46 was certainly capable of such a thing, but was it truly right?
Of course, all of this was based on the premise that the Ryoka hadn't invaded. If the Ryoka were connected to Urahara, it proved that Rukia herself was extremely important to him. His initiative to make contact in the World of the Living back then was likely targeting Rukia all along.
Yet, this level of importance didn't align with their current actions. Causing a massive commotion everywhere and making absolutely no secret that their target was Kuchiki Rukia—as a rescue operation, it was far too much of a failure.
Ukitake felt that this might also be a message Urahara was sending to the Seireitei: *'Rukia is extremely important and cannot be easily executed, but we also do not wish to make enemies of you.'*
This thought quickly took root in Ukitake's mind. Taking it a step further: if they didn't want to make enemies of the Seireitei, did that mean Rukia was equally important to the Seireitei itself?
These were all just conjectures, but regardless, Ukitake couldn't bear the thought of deciding an innocent person's life or death based solely on opposing stances.
He hoped to resolve the conflict between both sides in as peaceful a manner as possible, without dragging anyone else into it. If someone had to be implicated here, then let him be the one to face the consequences.
"Then, do you still consider Shiba Kaien to be the lieutenant of Squad 13?" Byakuya withdrew his hand with evident displeasure, his voice dripping with cold sarcasm. "It seems you haven't fully recovered from your illness."
"There is no need for Captain Kuchiki to worry about that."
Though Ukitake spoke toughly, he sighed inwardly. Looking up at Kaien not far away, he knew Byakuya was right; Kaien shouldn't be here, no matter what.
"Kaien..."
"Captain Ukitake, I know what you're going to say. Over all these years, I have never held any resentment toward the Seireitei."
Kaien interrupted Ukitake. Back then, following the disappearance of his wife, Shiba Miyako, he had been treated as a dangerous element and locked away in the Maggot's Nest. This had indeed angered him, but it never escalated to the level of resentment. He had always believed that when Miyako returned one day, all the misunderstandings would vanish.
"But now I know the truth, Ru—" Kaien paused. It was better not to let Rukia know about this just yet, so he quickly corrected himself. "Trust me, Captain Ukitake."
Ukitake understood Kaien far too well. The truth he mentioned had to be regarding Shiba Miyako's disappearance, a lingering question that had remained unresolved in Ukitake's own heart for years.
And the fact that he wouldn't speak of it in front of Rukia meant this matter had an unusual connection to her, making it inappropriate to reveal right now.
"I don't believe the truth you know is objective enough," Byakuya suddenly spoke up. Ukitake knew this was actually directed at him. "It wouldn't hurt to listen, Captain Kuchiki."
"Hmph! Trust the words of a dangerous element? No, he is no longer just a dangerous element, but a true fugitive!"
Byakuya shot Ukitake a glance, the warning in his eyes self-evident. The Gotei 13 was the power that protected the Seireitei. When facing someone who had come to the Senzaikyū to snatch a prisoner, they, as captains, could only hold one stance!
This put Ukitake in a terrible dilemma. Watching Byakuya approach Kaien step by step with his drawn Zanpakutō, he knew clearly that Byakuya wouldn't let Kaien go. At the same time, Kaien definitely couldn't stop Byakuya.
At this moment, the only one who could stop a captain like Byakuya was another captain like himself. But once he raised his blade against a fellow captain, things would truly spiral out of control. Regardless of Urahara's original intentions, and regardless of his own, the only path left would be war.
"Captain Ukitake!"
Behind them, Rukia cried out anxiously. She knew Lord Kaien was no match for her brother, and she also knew she couldn't persuade her brother; her pleas would only have the opposite effect.
The only one here who could save Big Brother Kaien was Captain Ukitake. She really didn't want to see Lord Kaien get hurt, or worse, die right in front of her.
*'I have to step in. Not for anyone else, but simply for myself!'*
Just as Ukitake made up his mind and his hand gripped his Zanpakutō, an unfamiliar Reiatsu suddenly erupted in the sky. It was drawing closer and closer, completely on par with a captain-class Reiatsu.
It wasn't Yoruichi, it wasn't Urahara, and it certainly wasn't anyone he was familiar with. Bringing someone like this here... what exactly was Urahara trying to do?!
"This Reiatsu is...?"
Hanatarō was a bit uncertain and turned to look at Ganju beside him. He saw the other boy nod. That guy really did it; he had to admit defeat to this scene-stealing entrance!
It was Ichigo. Rukia was all too familiar with it. Not only had this idiot survived, but had he actually become this strong now?
*That's the place.* Ichigo looked at the solitary bridge in the distance. The guy who took Rukia away back then was right there, but he wouldn't let him take Rukia away from him a second time!
The single wing he had borrowed from Mr. Yoruichi—no, Miss Yoruichi—seemed to understand his thoughts. With a powerful flap, it carried Ichigo above the solitary bridge the very next moment.
The faces of Byakuya and Ukitake flashed past Ichigo's eyes. However, at this moment, he only had eyes for Rukia at the end of the bridge. Retracting the wing, he landed in a half-crouch right in front of her.
"Ichi..."
Ichigo didn't pay any attention to Rukia, who had lowered her head to greet him. Instead, he walked straight past her toward Hanatarō and Ganju.
"Are you guys okay?"
Hanatarō nodded repeatedly. Beside him, Ganju tried his best not to laugh, putting on an expression he thought was cool but was actually incredibly comical. "Just this once, I'll admit that you and I are tied for the manliest men in West Rukongai!"
*'He's still blaming me, isn't he? He must be. After all, I said such awful things before I left.'*
Rukia despised herself in her heart. Suddenly, Ichigo's voice rang in her ears—without a hint of blame, filled only with unwavering determination.
"I've come to save you, Rukia."