Two days passed in a rush, filled with countless people's unease and calculations.
[Execution Day, Early Morning]
A strange damp heaviness hung in the air, as if even the sky above Seireitei knew that a bloody spectacle was about to unfold, pressing down so hard it was difficult to breathe.
[Ninth Division Barracks Gate]
Rosse, wearing the white haori of the Tenth Division captain, walked calmly at the front.
Behind him followed Hitsugaya, Shiba Kukaku, and Matsumoto Rangiku.
"Captain Rosse, Captain Hitsugaya, and the two lieutenants."
Hisagi Shuhei, already waiting at the gate, showed little surprise at the sight.
He bowed respectfully and stepped aside.
"Captain Tosen is waiting at the special holding cells. The prisoners can be transferred at any time. Please follow me."
By custom, those sentenced to execution at Sokyoku Hill would be moved days in advance from a temporary prison to the Senzaikyu near the execution grounds.
But this time, the situation had been too unstable.
And with Byakuya Kuchiki strongly insisting on security grounds, Rukia had remained in the Ninth Division's temporary cell.
Compared to the now unguarded Senzaikyu, Byakuya clearly believed Captain Tosen Kaname, who appeared neutral and just, was the safer choice.
"Much appreciated."
Rosse nodded slightly and led the group inside.
At this point, the board was face up.
After the captains' final discussion last night, it was decided that Rosse and Hitsugaya, along with their respective lieutenants, would escort Kuchiki Rukia and Ise Nanao to Sokyoku Hill.
The other captains would approach from different directions and converge there.
Though today was the biggest internal event in Soul Society in a century, not everyone would attend.
Kenpachi Zaraki was still lying in the Fourth Division after yesterday's battle.
Mayuri Kurotsuchi remained in his Twelfth Division lab, claiming he would monitor remotely to avoid sensory manipulation.
As for Ichimaru Gin, he wandered Seireitei to prevent unexpected incidents.
They held the advantage. There was no need for every captain to stand on guard.
Other than those three and their lieutenants, all remaining captains and lieutenants would gather beneath Sokyoku.
Ordinary Shinigami had no right to attend in person, but they would watch through giant spirit particle screens provided by Mayuri.
According to Mayuri's theory, even the most outrageous five-sense manipulation was still a Zanpakuto ability based on spirit particles.
And such illusions had physical limits.
The equipment transmitted only light and images, not the spiritual particles of Shinigami themselves.
Even if everyone on site was deceived, thousands watching remotely could see the truth.
They might not send messages to those deceived, but they could witness and expose Shunsui's disguise.
Rosse naturally smiled and agreed.
If Aizen were truly behind it, exposure would be inevitable.
But the real hand behind the board was him.
Mayuri was a genius, but his reasoning, built on standard spirit particle theory, was almost cute in its innocence before someone who stood beyond such rules.
Aizen without the Hogyoku could not cover all Seireitei with Kyoka Suigetsu. But Rosse could.
With his spiritual pressure, he could cover Seireitei and even the nearest five Rukongai districts.
Meaning every Shinigami watching, every projection device, was within his control.
Kyoka Suigetsu could not hypnotize someone who had never seen it through a screen.
But they were all already under its effect.
Whether watching live, watching a screen, or reviewing recordings frame by frame later, they would only ever see what he allowed them to see.
Kyoka Suigetsu did not alter mere visual signals.
It rewrote cognition itself.
That was its true terror.
———
[Ninth Division, Special Holding Cells]
Under Hisagi's lead, they arrived quickly.
"Captain Rosse. Thank you."
Tosen Kaname, standing guard, turned his head slightly and nodded.
He opened the heavy iron doors behind him.
"Come out. Guilty or not, it is time."
He then walked away.
For him, this was simply the final duty.
"Captain Rosse… I am truly sorry…"
Chains dragged against the ground as Kuchiki Rukia stepped forward in white prison clothes, small and frail.
Her voice trembled with guilt.
In her mind, it was her fault everything had escalated.
"Do not think too much."
Rosse smiled and gently patted her head like a kind older brother.
"Your brother has done quite a lot to save you. As his sister, just trust him."
He lowered his voice, "Relax. Today's execution is just a formality. Watch quietly."
He had no particular interest in her, but he would play his part.
"Thank you… Captain Rosse…"
Rukia nodded gratefully, eyes reddening.
On the other side, Hitsugaya opened another cell.
"Hmph! What a troublesome woman. You and your captain are finished today."
He sneered at Ise Nanao.
"Likewise, short captain. I hope you can still smile later," She adjusted her glasses calmly.
Under Hitsugaya and Kukaku's watch, she stepped out without resistance.
At Rosse's glance, Rangiku moved in and hugged Rukia's shoulders warmly.
"Do not look so gloomy! Trust our captain. It will be fine."
Wrapped in Rangiku's embrace, Rukia felt strangely comforted.
Being among allies felt good.
———
At the same time, outside Central 46.
Creak!
The sealed bronze doors opened again.
A wave of stale rot and blood drifted out.
Sasakibe Chojiro stood waiting like a statue.
The moment he saw the figure, he knelt heavily.
"Lord Yamamoto!"
Morning light stretched Yamamoto's shadow long.
"Chojiro."
His voice echoed.
"You will not attend at Sokyoku Hill today."
"You will guard Central 46. Beneath lies the Great Spirit Archive. It must not fall."
"But, Captain-Commander—"
Sasakibe looked up in shock.
"This is an order."
Four words crushed all protest.
"Yes. I understand."
He bowed deeply.
After a thousand years, he knew the old man well.
Yamamoto had prepared for the worst.
If he fell, Sasakibe would carry on his will.
Yamamoto walked past him without looking back.
Not only he, but Sasakibe had grown old.
Of the two disciples he had taken, both now stood against him.
Only Sasakibe remained trustworthy.
He hoped he would live.
"Sensei!"
At last, Sasakibe broke. Tears streamed as he bowed to the ground.
"Your disciple, Sasakibe Chojiro, sees you off, Yamamoto-sensei!"
Yamamoto paused briefly. He did not turn. But a faint, rare smile touched his lips at that long-forgotten title.
Lonely, he walked toward the blood-stained hill.
———
[Eighth Division, Captain's Office]
The cicadas outside made the silence heavier.
"It is too quiet."
Kyoraku Shunsui stood with hands tucked in his sleeves, hat lowered.
"Little Nanao is heading to execution, the old man stands against me."
"In the end, only you are left to walk this path with me, Jushiro."
"Don't make it sound so tragic."
Ukitake smiled warmly.
"Whatever the outcome, I will walk with you."
A simple promise.
"Heh! Good!"
Shunsui laughed loudly, raising his head.
His lazy air vanished.
"Then let's go."
He stepped forward.
If he succeeded, order would return.
If he failed, he would die branded a traitor.
Everything would be decided today.
He had prepared too long.
Today, he could not lose.
He would not lose.
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