"Urahara-dono, please pull yourself together!"
"Captain Hirako and the others are still waiting for you to save them!"
Tessai Tsukabishi struggled to rise, sweat pouring down his face, yet his hands remained tightly clasped.
Even after suffering that powerful repulsive force, he had not let go.
He continued to maintain the time-stop spell cast upon Shinji and the others.
He walked toward Kisuke Urahara with heavy steps.
Seeing Urahara's face twisted in rage, Tessai felt a knot in his chest, unsure of how to proceed.
All he could do now was try his best to keep the captains alive.
To completely cure them was beyond his power; he could only rely on Urahara's brilliance.
*Cough, cough...*
Hearing Tessai's voice, Kisuke Urahara coughed twice, spitting out blood as his face turned deathly pale.
He pushed himself up from the wall, his expression grim.
His gaze swept across the fallen captains, and a flicker of despair appeared in his eyes.
"Damn it! Now that the Hōgyoku has been stolen, what can I possibly do..."
"Urahara-dono, are we just going to watch Captain Hirako and the others die?!"
Tessai roared, causing the equipment in the room to vibrate.
He thrust his elbow out, bracing it against Urahara's chest as he gritted his teeth.
"You are the only one who can save them, Kisuke Urahara!"
"You have researched hollowfication extensively and even created something as incredible as the Hōgyoku. There has to be... there has to be another way!"
"I..."
Urahara's lips trembled as he turned his head to look at the captains.
After a few seconds of silence, he shook his head slowly at Tessai.
"It is no use... I cannot do it now..."
"Why? Urahara-dono, why are you denying yourself like this?" Tessai shouted. "You possess a talent that others can only dream of. Why be so pessimistic!"
"Captain Hirako and the others fought to the very end. They never gave up hope!"
"Fighting Aizen, resisting the hollowfication inside them... the only one who can free them from this misery is you!"
"Please, try one last time... even if the hope is slim, it is better than doing nothing!"
Urahara looked at the hopeful Tessai, but his own eyes remained hollow.
He shook his head again, a bitter smile playing on his lips as if everything was already over.
"Grand Kido Chief, it is not that I do not want to save them! I want to save them more than anyone!"
"But the enemy... Ren and Sousuke Aizen... they will not give me the chance."
Tessai froze at Urahara's words.
His eyes widened as if he had just realized something.
Just as he was about to speak, a noise echoed from the laboratory entrance.
*Click!*
*Thud—*
The heavy doors slowly creaked open, revealing three figures standing there.
Behind them were numerous Soul Reapers in their black Shihakushō.
The laboratory lights flared to life, illuminating the room.
Tessai's expression darkened as he whipped around to look.
Seeing the three familiar faces, Tessai's pupils shrank, and he murmured to himself.
"So that is what you meant... Urahara-dono."
Three men wearing white haori stood there. One wore a straw hat and a flashy pink kimono over his haori.
It was Kyōraku Shunsui and the others who had rushed back.
He panted heavily, his chest heaving. He looked at the fallen captains, his gaze lingering briefly on the white masks covering their faces.
Then, he looked toward Urahara and Tessai deep within the lab.
A complex expression flickered across his usually frivolous face, and he let out a long sigh.
"Well... I am at a loss for words."
Beside him, Jūshirō Ukitake kept his hand on his hilt, alert for any hidden threats.
When he saw the full scene inside the laboratory, his face filled with shock.
"Captain Urahara, it really was you!"
Upon entering the room, Retsu Unohana immediately moved to the fallen captains.
After checking them one by one, she shook her head at Kyōraku and Ukitake.
"The condition of these captains... is unprecedented. Judging by their abnormal Spiritual Pressure and physical symptoms, they are beyond help."
Kyōraku stepped forward, looking at the miserable Urahara, and lowered the brim of his hat.
"Captain Urahara, you are under arrest!"
"Do you have anything to say?"
Urahara's lips trembled as he thought of the two masterminds who had deceived everyone from the shadows.
They had fallen into this trap, the Seireitei was under Ren's control, and Aizen was lurking in the dark...
He had lost all means of fighting back.
Even if he resisted, in his current injured state, he would be no match for Kyōraku and the others.
They... were finished.
Urahara could only sink powerlessly to his knees.
His voice rang out low, making one final stand.
"I do."
"I want to report the true masterminds behind this incident!"
While the three arrived at the 12th Division, Sasakibe, who had split from them, headed straight for the 1st Division upon reaching the Seireitei.
Midway, he suddenly stopped, sensing something, and turned toward the darkness on the side.
"Who is there? Show yourself!"
Sasakibe's expression was solemn as his hand instinctively gripped his sword.
Two crimson lights abruptly ignited in the darkness.
*Tap, tap, tap...*
Accompanied by light footsteps, a young man stepped out from the shadows.
As he entered the light, his face was revealed.
The youth had refined features and wavy black hair. Pinwheel patterns were spinning slowly within his red eyes.
Seeing him, Sasakibe let go of his hilt, though his expression remained stern.
"So it is you, Uchiha Shisui."
"Instead of following your Commander-in-Chief's orders to maintain the Seireitei's alert, why have you come looking for me?"
It was Shisui.
A harmless smile played on Shisui's face as he asked, "How is the situation at the scene, Lieutenant Sasakibe?"
"And where are the three captains who went with you? Why don't I see them?"
"What? Does the Stealth Force want to take over?" Sasakibe countered knowingly.
The four of them had not hidden their presence when they left to investigate under Captain-Commander Yamamoto's orders.
With the Stealth Force's eyes everywhere, it was not surprising they knew.
Sasakibe thought for a moment and said deeply, "The situation at the scene is not entirely clear, but we have a general conclusion. Regrettably, there is no need for the Stealth Force to waste effort sending people there."
"Captain Kyōraku and the others went to the 12th Division to find evidence as soon as they returned."
"If there is nothing else, I must return to the 1st Division to report to the Captain-Commander."
Sasakibe spoke coldly and then used Shunpo to leave.
Because of Ren's previous aggression toward Yamamoto, Sasakibe naturally harbored a dislike for him.
This dislike extended to Ren's subordinates as well.
Well, except for Walter the butler.
He was a true English gentleman—elegant, proper, and never so crude.
Seeing Sasakibe leave, Shisui also used Shunpo to give chase.
"If things are as you say, I must explain the situation to Lord Ren. Why don't we go to the 1st Division together? It is on the way anyway."
As he spoke, he was already at Sasakibe's side.
Looking at Sasakibe, Shisui's eyes gleamed.
After a moment's consideration, he suppressed the crimson glow in his eyes.
'Forget it, no need to cause extra trouble.'
'I wouldn't want to displease the Lord.'
Sasakibe was surprised to see Shisui catching up so easily.
'What a fast Shunpo. Seeing how effortless he looks, he clearly is not even trying!'
Though he had not been very famous in recent years, he had served at Captain-Commander Yamamoto's side for a thousand years; he had plenty of skill.
If he wanted to, he could easily serve as a Captain.
Yet Shisui could keep pace with him with ease, showing mastery over Shunpo.
'Truly worthy of the name "Shisui of the Body Flicker."'
'A pity he chose the wrong master...'
The two traveled together and soon arrived at the 1st Division.
In the same tea room, Yamamoto and Ren sat at the head of the room on opposite sides.
Yoruichi was busy trying to calm Ren down while simultaneously apologizing to Yamamoto, practically running in circles.
Shisui and Sasakibe entered, heading toward Ren and Yamamoto respectively.
Seeing Shisui return, Ren asked, "Shisui, how is the situation?"
Shisui's expression remained neutral as he shook his head. "My apologies, My Lord. Things did not go smoothly."
Ren understood instantly.
Shisui always followed his orders and would have given his all. If he failed, it meant Aizen had not cooperated.
"No matter."
Ren waved his hand.
Sending Shisui had just been a backup move.
It would have been great if it worked, but it was not a big deal if it did not.
He simply felt that he really was not suited for these kinds of conspiracies.
The current results were only achieved thanks to his knowledge of the original plot.
He was far from having Aizen's ability to see through hearts and calculate every detail.
Like he said, a few minor changes did not matter.
He had other plans.
The results he had now were already quite fruitful.
Compared to the worst-case scenario he had imagined, this was heaven.
On the other side, Sasakibe walked to Yamamoto and shook his head grimly.
Having worked with him for years, Yamamoto understood immediately as well.
"It seems things are heading toward the worst possible conclusion."
"Yes..."
Sasakibe started to speak but hesitated, glancing at Yoruichi beside Ren.
Noticing his behavior, Yamamoto glanced at Yoruichi and Ren and said deeply, "Go ahead. We cannot hide it at this point."
He turned and called out, "Commander-in-Chief Shihoin, and Captain of the 2nd Division, Yoruichi Shihoin, why don't you listen in as well?"
At that, Ren looked at Yoruichi and turned slightly toward Yamamoto.
Yoruichi looked confused. "Listen to what? Captain-Commander, are you hiding something from us?"
"The situation is like this..."
Sasakibe's voice was low as he recounted everything he had seen during this trip.
He also explained the abnormalities he had noticed and the conclusions they had reached.
"Currently, Captain Kyōraku and the others are at the 12th Division. They have likely found the answer."
After hearing Sasakibe's report, Yoruichi's eyes widened in disbelief.
She burst out with denials.
"Lieutenant Sasakibe, what are you saying!"
"How is that... possible!"
"You are saying this whole series of soul disappearances was Kisuke's doing?!"
"And he hurt Shinji and the other captains too?! And Uncle Tessai was involved?!"
"That is impossible! I know Kisuke's character. He would never do something like that!"
Seeing Yoruichi's intense reaction, Yamamoto struck the floor heavily with his wooden cane.
*Thud!*
The old man barked at her, "Captain Shihoin, act your rank!"
"As a captain, you should be an example for your division. To be so flustered and lose your composure like this—how can you handle such responsibility!"
Beside Yoruichi, Ren stood up and gently patted her shoulder.
"Yoruichi, I understand how you feel."
"Kisuke is my friend too. Based on what I know of him, he would never commit such heinous acts!"
"Someone must be framing him from the shadows!"
Yoruichi turned to look at her husband's stern profile, which seemed to be radiating light.
Her delicate face could not help but show her emotion.
"Ren..."
"I am so glad you are by my side."
Her golden eyes were misty, shining with light.
Ren turned his head slightly, not daring to meet her gaze.
He looked at Yamamoto and Sasakibe and said softly, "Since Captain Kyōraku and the others are at the 12th Division, let's head over there."
"True or false, we will know once we see for ourselves!"
Yamamoto thought for a moment and nodded slowly. "Very well."
Led by Yamamoto, the group made their way to the 12th Division in force.
Yoruichi was anxious, desperate to find the truth, and her pace kept quickening.
Fortunately, both Ren and Yamamoto were masters and kept up with her easily.
In fact, the two of them seemed even more urgent than Yoruichi. After overtaking her with Shunpo, they continued to accelerate.
Yoruichi had to put in every ounce of effort just to barely keep up with their speed.
By the time they arrived at the 12th Division, Yoruichi was panting, completely out of breath.
Ren and Yamamoto, however, were breathing steadily, showing no signs of exertion.
Even Shisui was the same, performing much better than she had.
Had she really regressed this much after having a child?!
'No...'
Yoruichi could feel that she had not regressed.
After having Touichirou, she had recovered quickly.
With her heart at peace, her Shunpo had even improved.
It was just that the Shunpo of these three was too monstrous.
It was far beyond her own!
Upon entering the 12th Division, the group found the entire barracks brightly lit.
The 12th Division members were being held in one area, surrounded by Soul Reapers brought in from other divisions.
Under Yamamoto's lead, the group passed through the patrolling guards without hindrance and entered the barracks.
Immediately, they saw the captains, who had been full of life not long ago, lying on the floor, their fates unknown.
White masks covered their faces.
Retsu Unohana was leading Lieutenant Seinosuke Yamada and members of the 4th Division in providing final treatment to the captains.
"Captain Unohana, what is their condition?"
Yamamoto approached, his gaze sweeping over the captains before looking at the busy Unohana.
Seeing Yamamoto arrive, Unohana stopped her work and sighed, shaking her head.
"Captain-Commander, these people cannot be saved."
"They are only alive now because of the forbidden technique Tessai Tsukabishi cast, putting them in a state of time-stop. After I took over, I can only maintain it slightly, but that is all."
"Based on what I found in Captain Urahara's research logs and from questioning him earlier, Captain Hirako and the others were forcibly subjected to hollowfication experiments. They are transforming from Soul Reapers into Hollows, and the process is almost irreversible."
Hearing this, Yoruichi looked at the captains on the ground, especially the white masks on their faces.
They did indeed resemble Hollow masks.
She silently committed the term "hollowfication" to memory.
Yamamoto nodded calmly.
"I see..."
Having lived for so long, he had heard of Soul Reaper hollowfication, though it was a very long time ago.
As for the forbidden technique Tessai had used, it was not as important now.
After slowly letting out a breath, the old man looked toward the depths of the room.
There stood the two criminals, Kisuke Urahara and Tessai Tsukabishi!
[Reviews - Power St0nes - Comments are highly appreciated to keep me going.....(+50 chapters) patre0n.c0m/talecrafter]