"Captain Hirako, it wasn't you who chose me to be your lieutenant; it was I who chose you."
Moonlight bathed the wasteland, illuminating the earth.
The captains who had gone to investigate the scene lay scattered on the ground, their lives hanging by a thread.
First it was Kensei Muguruma and Mashiro Kuna, then Hiyori Sarugaki, whom Kisuke Urahara had asked for help, and finally the captains who had rushed there under Yamamoto's orders.
Love Aikawa, Rōjūrō Ohtsuibashi, Lisa Yadomaru, Hachigen Ushōda of the Kido Corps...
A white substance covered their faces, squirming and spreading across their bodies.
Shinji Hirako was the only one still holding on.
Although most of his face was covered by a mask, Shinji Hirako still gripped his blade tightly, stubbornly standing up to face the enemy before him.
In front of him stood three figures in shihakusho.
They were the masterminds who had forced them into this predicament.
Sousuke Aizen.
And his two subordinates, Ichimaru Gin and Tōsen Kaname.
Aizen slowly drew his blade from his waist, observing the captains on the ground whom he had subjected to Hollowification experiments.
"It seems the speed of Hollowification is influenced by individual differences. I've seen something quite interesting, but I suppose this is where it ends."
Finally, his gaze settled on Shinji Hirako, as if looking at a piece of artwork.
His voice remained gentle and low.
"Let's bring this to a close, Captain Hirako."
"As a final piece of advice: a betrayal that can be seen is easy to handle. What is truly terrifying is the betrayal you cannot see."
The white substance on Shinji Hirako suddenly surged, making it impossible for him to hold out any longer.
Gasping for breath, he looked at Aizen, who raised his zanpakuto high.
Under the moonlight, the blade gleamed with a sharp light.
"Farewell, Captain Hirako."
"You really were an excellent batch of experimental materials!"
Hearing Aizen say this, Shinji's eyes nearly split from rage.
Even though he had always been wary of Aizen, his lieutenant, he had still fallen into his trap.
He had been played like a puppet in the man's palm so pathetically.
And he had dragged his comrades down with him!
"Damn it!"
All was lost. Shinji's voice was shrill and desperate.
Just as he watched Aizen swing the blade to pierce him, a sudden change occurred.
A dark figure wielding a blade rushed in from a distance, swinging at Aizen.
*Swoosh!*
Sensing the attack, Aizen lightly dodged, yet the intruder's blade still managed to slice through the lieutenant's badge on his arm.
He turned his head toward the two figures that had suddenly appeared.
His gaze landed on the man who had just struck. Upon recognizing him, a slight smile played on Aizen's lips.
"Well now... more interesting guests have arrived."
"What brings you here, Captain Urahara and Grand Kido Chief Tsukabishi?"
The newcomers were Kisuke Urahara and his companion, who had rushed there at top speed!
Seeing them, Ichimaru Gin teased, "This isn't good, Lieutenant Aizen. We've been discovered."
Tōsen Kaname drew his sword. "Lord Aizen, I will deal with them."
"No, that won't be necessary."
"But..."
Tōsen hesitated, but Aizen's cold gaze swept over him.
"Kaname, I said it's not necessary."
Sensing Aizen's displeasure, Tōsen immediately sheathed his blade and knelt on one knee to apologize.
At that moment, Shinji Hirako struggled to stand, the white substance on his face having increased significantly.
"Haa... haa... Kisuke... why are you... here?"
"Knowing how... dangerous it is... you still came..."
He was breathless, his voice staggered as if he might expire at any moment.
Kisuke Urahara looked over, staring at the mask for several seconds. Something clicked in his mind, and he gave Shinji a reassuring look.
He then scanned the others lying on the ground, noting that they all wore masks.
'So that's how it is...'
His gaze lingered on Hiyori for a moment. Looking at her pale face, his expression became utterly grave.
He looked at Aizen, his voice heavy.
"Lieutenant Aizen... what are you doing here?"
"Nothing much."
Aizen spoke softly, paused, then added: "As you can see, Captain Urahara, I happened upon the captains of the Soul Disappearance Incident Response Unit who were injured in battle."
"I am currently attempting to save them."
Upon hearing this, Shinji Hirako could not contain his rage, letting out a raspy growl.
"Aizen... you really are... shameless..."
Kisuke Urahara naturally didn't believe a word of it. "Why lie, Aizen?"
"Lying?"
Aizen countered, "Is there something wrong with a lieutenant coming to the aid of his captain?"
"No, that's not what I mean!"
Kisuke Urahara shook his head imperceptibly, his gaze returning to the fallen.
"Injured in battle? You call this being injured?"
"This is clearly Hollowification!"
Tessai Tsukabishi's expression shifted, and Shinji Hirako looked on in surprise. Both turned to Kisuke Urahara.
This was the first time they had heard the term 'Hollowification'.
Although it was their first time hearing it and they had no prior knowledge, the name itself made it clear: it meant a Soul Reaper transforming into a Hollow!
Kisuke Urahara's eyes were sharp as he stared at Aizen.
"The soul disappearance incident, members vanishing one after another, and now things have escalated to this point. This is most likely... a Hollowification experiment."
"And the one behind all of this is you, Sousuke Aizen!"
Suddenly, Kisuke Urahara paused. A stern and majestic face flashed through his mind.
Ren Shihoin!
Long ago, before Captain Kirio Hikifune's promotion, Ren Shihoin had visited the 12th Division to find him. During that time, he had mentioned the Hollowification of Soul Reapers...
In an instant, a bolt of lightning seemed to flash through Kisuke Urahara's mind, clearing his thoughts and connecting all the events.
His eyes widened, and a look of horror appeared on his face.
"And... Ren Shihoin!"
He stared intensely at Aizen, muttering to himself, "It's you and Ren Shihoin performing these Hollowification experiments in the shadows! You were the one who told him about Hollowification!"
"Am I right, Aizen?!"
It was as if he had found the answer and was seeking confirmation from Aizen.
Beside him, Shinji Hirako's mind was reeling, more white substance spewing from his mouth.
Yet he ignored it, staring fixedly at Kisuke Urahara.
"Ugh..."
"Kisuke... you said Ren Shihoin... that guy is involved too?"
Unable to hold on, Shinji collapsed to his knees. On the parts of his face not covered by the mask, a deep-seated resentment was visible!
A flash of pleasant surprise appeared in Aizen's eyes. He looked at Kisuke Urahara, slowly sheathing his blade, and spoke with a chuckle.
"Just as my senior said, you truly are an interesting person, Kisuke Urahara."
"It's wonderful that you could make it tonight."
Aizen's words were an obvious admission of Kisuke's deduction.
"Aizen, the senior you speak of... is it Ren Shihoin?!"
Kisuke Urahara was about to say more, but Aizen ignored him, turned around, and began walking away.
"Gin, Kaname, our objective is complete. Let's go."
Aizen left without a hint of hesitation.
Kisuke Urahara's expression tightened, and he quickly reached out.
"Wait, Aizen! This isn't over—"
Before he could finish, the figures of Aizen and his two subordinates vanished into thin air.
It was as if they had never been there.
"Gwah!"
Shinji Hirako wailed on the ground. Beside him, Tessai Tsukabishi quickly called out to Urahara.
"Lord Urahara, Captain Hirako and the others are reaching their limit."
"Aizen's matter can wait. The priority is to treat them!"
Kisuke Urahara knelt down, watching Shinji struggle. He nodded, though cold sweat dripped down his face.
"Yeah, but..."
He performed a brief check on the Hollowification progress on Shinji and looked troubled.
"They have Hollowified to such an extent. To treat them properly here is simply..."
At that moment, Tessai seemed to think of something and asked:
"Lord Urahara, from your conversation with Aizen, it's clear you have some understanding of Hollowification."
"Am I correct in assuming you also know a way to deal with it?"
Kisuke Urahara's eyes darted around, his expression shifting.
After a few seconds, he looked up, his eyes filled with determination.
"I do know of a way, but it's essentially a gamble. I don't know if it will succeed."
Hearing there was hope, Tessai nodded slowly.
"A chance is better than none at all!"
He stood up abruptly and moved among the fallen captains.
He looked at Kisuke Urahara with a calm gaze.
"I will keep the captains in their current state and transport them back to the 12th Division. With your equipment, you should be able to save them, right?"
"What?" Kisuke Urahara was startled. "Keep them in this state? How is that possible?"
"It can be done!"
Tessai said, his voice firm.
"By using Time Stop and Spatial Displacement, I can achieve it!"
"They are forbidden arts, but given the urgency of the situation, we have no choice!"
Having said that, he pressed his hands together in front of his chest and slowly pulled them apart.
A shimmering, cubic pillar of light appeared between his hands!
......
...
Kyōraku led Yamamoto and the others out of the room.
Watching their retreating backs, a strange smile flickered in Ren's eyes before disappearing without a trace.
He had already recounted to Yoruichi in detail how he had just pummeled Yamamoto.
In his account, he emphasized his mental state and the grievances he had suffered.
"That's everything. I know I was a bit impulsive just now, but I couldn't help it. I just couldn't stomach that insult."
He asked Yoruichi, "Yoruichi, could you have endured it?"
Yoruichi shook her head repeatedly. "Not a chance!"
If her goodwill was belittled, if she wasn't trusted, and if she was subjected to all sorts of surveillance, she would have lashed out too.
From that perspective, Ren hadn't done anything wrong!
However, some things in this world couldn't be settled by right or wrong alone.
Ren's choice to fight had one major problem—the man he beat up was none other than Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigokuni!
He was the strongest Soul Reaper in a millennium, the Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13, and the pillar that stabilized the Seireitei!
Yamamoto's status was too unique, and his power was too overwhelming; he was a pivotal figure across the three realms!
Even the Four Noble Houses and the Central 46 could not disregard him!
The old man followed the orders of the Central 46 because he chose to follow them.
If he were unwilling, neither the Noble Houses nor the Central 46 could force him.
"...Mister Serious, you must have really lost your head to threaten to abolish the Gotei 13!"
"Even if it was just out of anger, you can't just say things like that!"
Listening to Yoruichi's scolding, Ren spread his hands and gave a wry smile.
'Could I really not?'
His gaze drifted toward the wooden door, where the shadows of Yamamoto and the others flickered against the paper screen of the window.
Yamamoto and the others followed Kyōraku into the corridor outside.
Kyōraku casually set up a barrier, enveloping them within.
Seeing his caution, Yamamoto and the others grew even more solemn.
Ukitake couldn't help but ask, "Shunsui, did you discover something?"
He glanced back at the room, understanding the situation.
It seemed this was something that couldn't be discussed in front of Ren and his wife.
Kyōraku looked at the group, his face grim. "Old Man Yama, this is bad. Kisuke Urahara has disappeared!"
"What?"
"What do you mean?"
"I ordered him to stay within his division at all times. Why is he gone?"
Seeing their confusion, Kyōraku briefly explained his previous actions.
He then recounted the conversation between Ren and Urahara that he had overheard at the end of the meeting.
Ukitake was horrified. "So, Kisuke Urahara is the one behind this?!"
No wonder they didn't want Yoruichi inside to hear. Kisuke Urahara was her childhood friend, so there was naturally an emotional bond.
As for Ren's earlier words to Urahara, he must have been warning him for Yoruichi's sake.
Kyōraku adjusted his straw hat, his eyes deep.
"Based on current deductions... yes."
"But if we want final confirmation, we're still missing decisive evidence!"
Having said that, he frowned deeply, an uneasy look on his face.
Yamamoto noticed this anomaly and asked, "Shunsui, you've always been sharp. What else did you notice?"
However, Kyōraku shook his head, looking troubled.
"The answer seems so obvious, yet I still feel like something isn't right."
"But as for what exactly is wrong, I can't say."
The answer they had arrived at was too direct, too clear.
It was so clear that he felt as if something else was hidden beneath it.
Yamamoto tapped his cane lightly on the floor and said sternly, "Kyōraku, if you feel something is off, then keep it in mind."
"For now, let's resolve the matter at hand. Regardless of the truth, everything will become clear once we reach the scene!"
"Putting everything else aside, Kisuke Urahara disobeyed orders and abandoned his post. That much is an indisputable fact!"
He looked at everyone again, his gaze landing on Ukitake. "Jūshirō, can your body handle this?"
Ukitake patted his chest. "No problem. I've been in good health lately. I can carry out the mission."
Yamamoto nodded slightly, his expression becoming solemn as he issued the command. "Very well. Captain Jūshirō Ukitake, Captain Shunsui Kyōraku, Captain Retsu Unohana, and Lieutenant Chōjirō Sasakibe—the four of you shall head to the scene and investigate!"
"Remember, prioritize your own safety above all else. Do not let your guard down."
These four were the core personnel Yamamoto relied on to lead the Gotei 13.
If these four were also harmed, the Gotei 13 would truly become nothing more than an empty shell!
The four responded solemnly, "Understood!"
There was one more captain present, Yoruichi Shihoin of the 2nd Division.
However, Yamamoto, Kyōraku, and Ukitake all intentionally excluded her.
At that moment, Kyōraku suddenly asked in confusion, "By the way, where is the Grand Kido Chief?"
Sasakibe explained softly, "The Grand Kido Chief saw the conflict between the Captain-Commander and Ren Shihoin. Fearing the fallout, he departed for the battlefield early."
"I see. No wonder I didn't see him just now..."
Kyōraku slapped his forehead, a look of pity on his face.
"The Grand Kido Chief couldn't handle the tension between Old Man Yama and that kid Ren."
"But by going there, he might have put himself in even greater danger."
Seeing this, Ukitake pulled on his sleeve.
"Shunsui, stop lamenting and let's go!"
"If we move quickly, maybe everything can still be saved!"
With those words, the four used Shunpo and vanished from the corridor.
Yamamoto, left alone after their departure, looked at the empty space around him and sighed.
When did the Gotei 13 become so useless?
Or was it that the useless one was actually him?
Was he truly... getting old?
The old man stepped out onto the corridor and looked up at the bright moon, remaining silent for a long time.
[Reviews - Power St0nes - Comments are highly appreciated to keep me going.....(+50 chapters) patre0n.c0m/talecrafter]