"This... Impossible! How could something like this happen!"
Looking at the bodies scattered around, lying in various corners of the Judgment Hall with expressions of terror, Rukia's pupils constricted, and a look of disbelieving shock appeared on her face.
"Central 46, completely wiped out?!"
"It was already like this when I arrived."
Haschwalth walked over from behind and pointed towards the wall not far away.
"Based on the state of the blood, these people should have been killed a day ago."
"As for who the killer is... I think you already have the answer in your heart, right?"
"..."
Rukia fell silent, not replying.
In fact, the answer was already very clear.
The location of Central 46 was the core area of Seireitei. The only person capable of bypassing the Shinigami's patrols and openly coming here to kill everyone in Central 46 was Aizen, who possessed Kyoka Suigetsu.
"I didn't expect Aizen to attack Central 46. Is there any benefit for him in doing this?"
"I don't know, but... Hmm?"
Haschwalth's reply was only halfway finished when he suddenly turned his head to look at a corner not far away.
It wasn't just him. Rukia also noticed something was wrong and felt a presence from the corner.
However, before she could react, a calm voice sounded first.
"Shoot to kill! Shinsō!"
A faint Reiatsu fluctuation rose, and a cold light instantly pierced through Haschwalth's chest, pinning him to the wall and causing him to let out a muffled groan.
"Haschwalth!"
Rukia reacted a beat late, turning her head to look at the source of the attack.
"Gin, why are you here?!"
"Why am I here? That should be my question."
Ichimaru retracted Shinsō and walked out from the shadows with a smile.
"I didn't expect the young lady of the Kuchiki clan to ally with a Quincy and slaughter Central 46. If your brother knew you did something like this, I think he would be heartbroken."
"What nonsense are you spouting! You're the one who killed the members of Central 46!"
Rukia snorted coldly, activated her Shikai, and summoned an ice pillar to attack Ichimaru.
However, in the next second, Ichimaru used Shunpo to appear at the other end of the hall.
Shinsō activated again, the short Zanpakuto blade rapidly extended, and in the blink of an eye, it reached Rukia's front. Rukia dodged the attack with a side step, while simultaneously raising her right hand and aiming at Ichimaru.
"Hadō #31: Shakkahō!"
"Huh?"
A hint of surprise flashed in Ichimaru's eyes.
Before launching the attack, he didn't expect Rukia to be able to dodge the burst of Shinsō.
Using Kidō to block Shakkahō, Ichimaru narrowed his eyes and let out a soft chuckle. "It seems you've gotten a lot stronger during your time away from Soul Society."
"Do you think I would be so foolish as to come back without any preparation?" Rukia snorted coldly and attacked again.
Crisp collision sounds echoed within the hall, and the two completed over a dozen exchanges within a few breaths.
After completing another exchange, Ichimaru voluntarily retreated to create distance, moving to the outside of the hall.
"Don't think you can run!" Rukia chased after him immediately.
However, at this moment, the Reiatsu on Ichimaru's body began to constantly climb.
"Bankai! Kamishini no Yari!"
Boom!
A cold light instantly appeared before Rukia.
"So fast!"
Rukia's pupils constricted, and she instinctively dodged to the side. Even so, she was still hit by the sudden attack, leaving a wound on her arm.
"Too bad, I was hoping to take you down directly with this move."
"...It seems I underestimated you." Rukia's expression became serious.
Because her strength had increased significantly in a short period, she subconsciously believed she could defeat Ichimaru. But in reality, Ichimaru was not weak.
As a genius who had once shocked the Spiritual Arts Academy, his power was even above hers.
Looking at Ichimaru, who was emitting terrifying Reiatsu after activating his Bankai, Rukia took a deep breath, and the Reiatsu on her body also began to rapidly climb.
"Hmm? This is truly unexpected." Ichimaru's narrowed eyes opened for the first time.
As a Captain-level Shinigami, he naturally understood what the change in Rukia's body meant.
"It seems I can't hold back."
Raising Kamishini no Yari towards Rukia again, Ichimaru's Reiatsu reached its peak.
However, just as the two were about to go all out, a figure emitting a terrifying aura appeared between them.
"You scoundrels! Stop this instant!"
"Captain Commander?"
"Oh my, why are you here?"
Recognizing the identity of the newcomer, Rukia and Ichimaru tacitly stopped their actions, choosing to cease fighting.
"It's been a long time since I've seen the old man this angry."
"That person is... Rukia?"
"It seems the situation is a bit complicated."
Just then, three more voices sounded.
Three figures wearing Captain haori appeared on the open ground not far away almost simultaneously.
"Captain Kyōraku, Captain Hitsugaya, and... Aizen?!"
Sweeping a glance at the three from the corner of her eye, Rukia's expression instantly became serious.
Looking at Aizen, who was standing on the right, she subconsciously gripped her Zanpakuto and entered a state of alert.
"I told you to stop, didn't you hear me!"
Yamamoto snorted coldly, and a surging Reiatsu instantly pressed down on Rukia.
Seeing this, Rukia reacted to the current situation, put away her Zanpakuto, and looked at Yamamoto.
"Captain Commander! I have something to report!"
"Gin and Aizen are colluding with Hueco Mundo, intending to disrupt the order of Seireitei!"
Information containing a huge amount of detail echoed above Central 46.
However, to Rukia's surprise, Yamamoto and the others showed no reaction to this report.
As if he hadn't heard, after seeing Rukia put away her sword and stop causing trouble, Yamamoto looked at the other party involved.
"Gin, you have three minutes. Explain why you were fighting with Rukia in Central 46."
"Captain Commander, I received intelligence that a Quincy had infiltrated Central 46 and rushed here immediately to assist."
"However, by the time I arrived, all members of Central 46 were already dead, and the only ones present were the Quincy and Rukia, who was chatting and laughing with the Quincy."
"Central 46 wiped out?"
Yamamoto's figure flickered, appearing in front of the hall's gate not far away, his gaze sweeping inwards.
Upon seeing the scene that resembled purgatory, his expression instantly turned grim.
"Rukia, I demand an explanation!"
"Captain Commander, this was all Gin's doing! It has nothing to do with me!"
Yamamoto was furious. "Speak! Do you think keeping silent will make it seem like nothing happened!"
"This is... Kyoka Suigetsu?"
Looking at Yamamoto who kept ignoring her words, Rukia finally reacted and looked towards Aizen.
"Too slow to react, Rukia."
Aizen seemed unsurprised that his ability had been exposed.
He raised his hand to push up his glasses and said, "You should have realized from the very beginning that you were always within the range of Kyoka Suigetsu's influence."
"Damn it! Do I have to force my way through!"
Rukia placed her hand on her Zanpakuto.
However, just as she was about to launch an attack, a terrifying killing intent enveloped her.
Rukia's body stiffened, and she looked to the side.
The next second, Yamamoto's face, filled with rage, came into view.
"Rukia! If you act recklessly again, even if you are from the Kuchiki clan, I will cut you down without hesitation!"
"...Yes."
"Regarding you and the Quincy, do you have anything you want to say?"
"...No."
"You're certainly stubborn."
Yamamoto snorted coldly and called over Shunsui, who was still watching the show nearby.
"Send her to the Second Division, and have Captain Soi Fon interrogate her personally."
"Huh? Is that really necessary?"
"I won't repeat myself."
A vein popped on Yamamoto's forehead.
Central 46 being killed by a Quincy was already crossing the line for him. Instead of worrying about Rukia's identity, he needed information about that Quincy more right now.
"After sending Rukia to the Second Division, notify Ukitake not to leave the Thirteenth Division."
"Understood." Shunsui sighed inwardly.
As one of Yamamoto's first disciples, he naturally understood what the Quincy meant to Yamamoto. However, with the information he had received from Jushiro, he knew this matter was not that simple.
His gaze lingered on Ichimaru for a moment, then Shunsui turned to look at Rukia. "Come with me to the Second Division, I hope you won't resist."
"I will cooperate."
"Good."
Shunsui nodded slightly, activated Shunpo, and disappeared from the spot with Rukia.
After watching the two leave, Yamamoto looked at the others standing around.
"Captain Aizen, heed my command. You will remain here to guard the scene, do not allow anyone to approach."
"Yes."
"Captain Hitsugaya, heed my command. Go to the Fourth Division and invite Unohana to examine these bodies."
"Yes."
"Captain Ichimaru, heed my command. You will come with me to the First Division and stay there, you are not permitted to go anywhere without my order."
Ichimaru asked, "Eh? Is that really necessary? Does Captain Commander suspect me of something?"
"Stop talking nonsense. Come with me."
Yamamoto snorted coldly, grabbed Ichimaru, and disappeared from the spot with him.
After that, Tōshirō also disappeared from the spot, heading to the Fourth Division to find Unohana.