In the original time and space of the Soul Society, in the barracks of the Fourth Division.
"Captain Unohana, are you saying that Arata is dead?"
"Lieutenant Captain Matsumoto, I understand your feelings very well, but unfortunately, all the present captains, including the Head Captain himself, can no longer sense any spiritual pressure from Arata‑kun."
Unohana Retsu's voice echoed through the infirmary room of the Fourth Division barracks, so calm that it bordered on cruel.
Matsumoto Rangiku was gripping the metal railing of the hospital bed so tightly that her knuckles had turned white.
Her long golden hair was messily scattered over her shoulders, and her grey eyes were filled with disbelief and anger.
"What do you mean you can't sense his spiritual pressure?!" Her voice suddenly rose and sounded especially sharp in the quiet infirmary.
"That black hole clearly swallowed only him! Why didn't you go after him? Why didn't you—"
"Sister Rangiku!" Kotetsu Isane quickly approached and grabbed her by the shoulders, but Rangiku pushed her away.
"Isn't your Fourth Division the best at healing? How is it that you can't even save one person?"
Rangiku's questions were like sharp knives digging into Unohana Retsu, who stood calmly by the window.
The cherry blossom tree outside rustled in the night wind, a few petals drifting into the room and landing on Unohana Retsu's long, black hair.
She stood with her back to Rangiku, her shoulders tense beneath the haori, but she didn't turn around even once.
"Answer me! Captain Unohana!" Rangiku's voice was now almost full of tears. "Aren't you his teacher? Didn't you promise that you would—"
"Enough."
Unohana Retsu finally spoke, her voice so soft it was nearly swallowed by the wind.
She slowly turned around, and in the candlelight, the face that always carried a gentle smile was now pale as paper.
"Rangiku…"
Her fingertips trembled slightly as she pressed the Zanpakutō at her waist, and for the first time she called Rangiku by her name.
"Do you think it hurts me any less than anyone else?"
Those words struck Rangiku like a bucket of ice water poured over her head. She gasped, staggered back two steps, and hit the medicine shelf behind her.
Amid the sound of shattering glass, she saw tears flash in Unohana Retsu's eyes.
The always‑calm and elegant Unohana Retsu now had red eyes, just like her.
A deathly silence filled the room, the only sound the soft drip of medicine falling to the floor.
Kotetsu Isane stood between them, completely overwhelmed, her eyes brimming with tears.
"I…" Rangiku opened her mouth, but realized she could not speak even a single word.
All her anger, all her questions, all her defiance, crumbled before the deeply sorrowful and numbed gaze of Unohana Retsu.
Suddenly, she remembered something Arata once said.
"Sensei values feelings more than anyone."
The tears finally broke.
Rangiku covered her face with both hands and slowly slid down the wall until she sat on the floor.
Warm droplets seeped through her fingers, soaking the sleeves of her hospital robe.
"I'm sorry…" she whispered hoarsely, not even knowing to whom she was apologizing.
Unohana Retsu slowly walked over, knelt on one knee, and gently placed a hand on Rangiku's trembling shoulder.
"He will return." Unohana's voice was very soft.
"That child is tougher than we think."
Rangiku lifted her head, and through the blur of tears she saw a faint, almost imperceptible curve at the corner of Unohana's lips.
"I promise you."
——
At the same time, in the barracks of the First Division.
Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni sat in the main seat, and before him on the table lay two reports: one was the plan for handling the Kasumioji family matter, and the other a detailed record of Saito Arata's disappearance.
All the captains of Gotei 13 stood on both sides, and the atmosphere was so heavy it felt like it could be sliced apart with a knife.
"According to the preliminary decision of the Central 46, all members of the Kasumioji family, except the head of the house, Rurichiyo, are stripped of their noble status."
"All other nobles who took part in researching the Bakkōtō, such as the Kurokawa family, the Hatake family, and all others involved, will be executed…"
Yamamoto's voice was like thunder, echoing through the meeting hall.
Komamura Sajin growled coldly, "That's too lenient! All three clans should be punished! Why wasn't the Tsunayashiro family punished?!"
"Calm down, Captain Komamura."
Kyoraku Shunsui pressed his bamboo hat. "Right now, the most important thing is finding where Arata is."
Zaraki Kenpachi scratched his head in annoyance. "That brat is stubborn as hell. He won't die that easily!"
"The question is… where does that black hole lead?"
Ukitake Jushiro coughed twice, his pale face filled with concern. "Even the Head Captain can't track his spiritual pressure. I'm afraid that…"
He didn't finish, but everyone present understood what he meant.
Aizen Sosuke, who had been silent until then, suddenly spoke.
"Dear Captains, in some books from our world I have read certain scientific theories about black holes…"
He pushed up his glasses, the lenses catching a cold gleam.
"Theoretically, it is very possible that Arata‑kun was transported by the black hole to another spacetime."
"Another spacetime?"
Shiba Isshin frowned. "You're saying… the past or the future?"
Aizen smiled gently and nodded. "Exactly."
Noise erupted in the hall.
"Captain Aizen, isn't that claim a bit too absurd?" Soi‑Fong asked with suspicion.
"But it is, at the moment, the most reasonable explanation."
Kurotsuchi Mayuri licked his lips with excitement. "If we could determine the principle behind the formation of that black hole, perhaps we could even reproduce it—"
"Enough."
Captain Yamamoto struck the floor with his staff, silencing everyone.
He swept a sharp gaze across the captains.
"I will personally take charge of this matter. Captains, you will strictly guard the secret regarding Arata‑kun's disappearance."
"Also, starting tomorrow, the kendo tournament is canceled for justified reasons. The distribution of awards and everything else will be left to Captain Kuchiki."
"The meeting is dismissed."
After the captains left one by one, Kyoraku Shunsui remained.
"Old man."
For once, he had completely put aside his usual playful demeanor. He pointed upward with his left index finger.
"Are you planning to…"
Yamamoto Genryusai didn't answer. He simply looked quietly at the night sky through the window.
The bright moon hung in the darkness, just like always.
"That child… is important."
After a long silence, the old man finally spoke.
——
In front of the Fourth Division barracks, Matsumoto Rangiku sat alone on a bench in the courtyard.
The night dew dampened her golden hair, but she didn't even notice.
"Sister Rangiku."
Kotetsu Isane approached with warm tea and said gently, "Please drink something, you already…"
"I'm fine."
Rangiku forced a smile and accepted the cup. "Thank you, Isane."
Warm steam rose from the tea, blurring her vision.
In her daze, she thought she saw Arata standing at the far end of the courtyard, waving and smiling at her.
"Idiot…" she whispered softly and began crying again.
Isane sat beside her and gently held her cold hand.
"Captain Unohana went to the Technology Development Bureau. She said she will definitely find a way."
Rangiku nodded and suddenly asked, "Isane… do you believe in miracles?"
Kotetsu Isane was taken aback for a moment, then answered firmly:
"I don't believe in miracles."
" But I believe in Arata‑kun."
"He is the greatest miracle."
——
Rukongai, Shiba household.
"That bastard! That bastard!"
Kūkaku pounded the wall with her fist, blood dripping down her knuckles.
Broken bottles lay across the floor in a chaotic mess.
Kaien stood quietly behind her, sadness and heaviness swirling in his eyes as he watched his sister.
"Kūkaku…"
"Why him?"
Kūkaku whirled around, tears streaming down her face.
"Why do the people I care about always disappear? First Father, and now Arata!"
Kaien stepped forward and pulled her into an embrace, allowing her fists to hammer against his back.
"He'll come back," he said softly. "That boy is a genius among geniuses. Nothing can hold him forever."
Kūkaku finally broke, collapsing into sobs in his arms.
The once‑fearsome "big sister" of Rukongai now looked like a completely fragile girl.
Outside the window, the first rays of morning light pierced the clouds.
A new day had begun, but for some people, the world had stopped the moment the black hole vanished.
——
Soul Society, a thousand years in the past.
Arata followed Unohana Retsu and the others toward the First Division barracks.
The scenery along the way felt both familiar and foreign at the same time.
"Hey, what are you daydreaming about?"
Saito Fuma poked his back with the sheath of her sword.
"You'll be standing in front of that dangerous old geezer soon. Nervous?"
"Fuma‑chan!"
Yakumo Kadori quickly stopped her. "You can't talk about Lord Genryusai like that."
Unohana Retsu laughed.
"Don't worry, he won't get angry over such trivial things."
She turned toward Arata and looked at him curiously.
"But you've been looking around for a while now. Are you perhaps interested in the layout of the Soul Society?"
Arata withdrew his gaze and respectfully replied,
"I just thought the architectural style of the First Division is very unique, so I had to take a few extra looks."
After all, these were buildings from a thousand years ago, like looking at living antiques.