"In the end, it was all Urahara Kisuke's fault."
Not only Sarugaki Hiyori was filled with indignation—Kuna Mashiro also spoke with rage.
"Urahara Kisuke… I'll settle that debt with him later."
"But for now, the most urgent thing is rescuing Captain Kiryu."
"I'll ask one last time—anyone who wants to back out, the door is right there."
Muguruma Kensei interrupted Kuna Mashiro, his arm raised as he pointed toward the office entrance.
"Just think of it as returning this Shinigami's Reiatsu to Captain Kiryu!"
Yadōmaru Lisa made her stance clear.
"Besides, the Gotei captain position I am holding… was originally given to us by Captain Kiryu."
Love Aikawa added.
The others voiced their opinions as well—but not a single one was willing to withdraw.
"Every time a loyal dog is executed in the name of righteousness…"
This sentence still rang true, even in Soul Society.
To give up one's identity as a Gotei captain, a Lieutenant, or even a Shinigami—to become a fugitive, hunted to the death by the Seireitei—was no easy thing.
But they had come from Rukongai.
They had received Captain Hikifune Kiryu's kindness.
And now, they had become captains and Lieutenants of the Gotei.
Not one of them chose ingratitude.
They had resolved to return the power of a Shinigami to the very one who had once given it to them.
"Since no one's backing out, let's move on to the next step."
"Don't worry about the Captain," Ōtoribashi Rōjūrō added, "someone's watching him."
"Besides us, there are others who don't want to see Captain Kiryu executed."
Hearing this, Yadōmaru Lisa suddenly recalled something from the meeting hall some time ago, and her heart was filled with clarity.
"…What about Aiyan?"
"Any word on him?"
"What's he going to do in all this?"
The moment Sarugaki Hiyori uttered that name, the atmosphere in the office froze.
Even the air became heavy.
Because of a single name—
Aiyan Sōsuke.
The name of a man. The shadow of a tree.
Though he had only been a Shinigami for less than a year before becoming a Gotei captain, within the Gotei 13, his weight was already on par with the Second Division captain.
No—he had even eclipsed Kyoraku Shunsui, the man considered next in line to lead, and even surpassed the First Generation Kenpachi—Unohana Yachiru.
As long as the Gotei 13 was involved—
Nothing could avoid the name Aiyan Sōsuke.
Whether things could be done or not—
Depended entirely on his will.
"Aiyan and Shihōin Yoruichi didn't return with the Shinigami expeditionary force."
Love Aikawa's voice carried a hint of fear. Of course, not toward Shihōin Yoruichi—
But toward Aiyan.
"I heard from the squad leader that the reason the expeditionary force was being chased by a Gillian horde was because someone had planted Hollow bait on them."
"That matter's already been reported to the Head Captain."
"I think Captain Aiyan and Captain Yoruichi… are probably still investigating."
Yadōmaru Lisa's words made all the captains and Lieutenants present sigh in relief.
As if a giant mountain weighing on their chests had finally moved away.
A mountain—
Named Aiyan.
"Better that he doesn't come back."
"I won't lie—" Sarugaki Hiyori wiped the cold sweat from her brow. "I'd rather face eleven captains than fight Aiyan alone."
She was the only one here who had once gone head-to-head with Aiyan.
And that was when he had just graduated from the Shin'ō Academy—when he'd only trained for a single month.
Even then, he gave her a sense of oppression she could never forget.
"He's the strongest genius in a thousand years, after all."
"Every day that passes, his power surpasses the day before."
"No one knows just how strong Aiyan Sōsuke has become. Because since the moment he joined the Gotei 13, every time he's made a move…"
"He crushed his enemies with the flick of a wrist."
Ōtoribashi Rōjūrō shook his head. He had no intention of mocking Sarugaki Hiyori.
Because he felt the exact same way.
"…And what about Aizen?"
"Though not quite as monstrous as his brother, he's still a once-in-a-century genius."
"I once heard the Captain say—Aizen already has the strength to be a Gotei captain."
"But there's no open seat—so he wasn't appointed."
Love Aikawa brought up a name that couldn't be ignored.
"Aizen?"
"Leave him to me."
"Even if he really has the strength of a Gotei captain—he's still too green."
"If he wants to beat me, he'll need another ten years of training."
When it came to Aiyan, Muguruma Kensei's expression turned pale.
But when Aizen's name came up—
He immediately stood tall, voice brimming with confidence.
"Aiyan hasn't returned yet."
"The Head Captain has someone to counter him."
"Captain Unohana has sworn an oath to save lives. She won't take action lightly. Besides, she has a close relationship with Captain Kiryu—she'll likely turn a blind eye."
Yadōmaru Lisa placed her hands on the table.
"So the only ones we really need to worry about are the following captains."
"Zaraki Kenpachi—he's the one who killed Kiganjo half a month ago."
"And Byakuya Kuchiki of the Sixth Division."
"Both are newly appointed."
"They shouldn't be too strong."
"If we split our forces, two captains per opponent—we can handle it."
After some brief discussion—
After assigning responsibilities and opponents—
Everyone exchanged looks.
Then, one by one, they quietly waited in the office.
Watching the hour hand, the minute hand, and the second hand tick forward.
As the time for execution drew closer—
They rose.
Took up their Zanpakutō.
And strode toward the execution grounds with unshakable resolve.
…
"Captain Kiryu!"
When Muguruma Kensei, Sarugaki Hiyori, and the others arrived at the execution site—
They saw Hikifune Kiryu and Shutara Senjumaru bound atop the execution platform.
Both wore Reiatsu-suppressing prison uniforms.
Both were shackled in layers of Kidō bindings.
At a glance, they recognized the very uniforms that sealed Reiatsu—
Were the ones Hikifune Kiryu and Shutara Senjumaru had invented for Soul Society.
And now?
They were wearing them.
This scene—
Didn't just fill them with rage.
It made them even more determined to risk everything.
To storm the execution platform.
As the execution hour neared—
One familiar figure after another arrived.
Captains of the Gotei.
Lieutenants with strength rivaling captains.
Kyoraku Shunsui.
Ukitake Jūshirō.
Aizen Sōsuke.
And of course—
The Head Captain.
Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni.
"It's time."
"Release the Sōkyoku."
Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni's eyes swept across the Gotei captains and Lieutenants, one by one.
There was a weight in his gaze—
As if he could see right through them.
As if he were warning them.
Boom—
The massive spear standing before the execution platform erupted in a flame of orange spirit light.
Under the guidance of a Central 46 executor—
A column of orange Reiatsu surged upward, engulfing the Sōkyoku, illuminating the sky.
Click—click—
As the restraints on the Sōkyoku unraveled—
Blazing flames burst from the hilt.
A wave of searing heat rolled outward, sweeping across the execution ground.
From within the fire—
The form of the weapon began to change.
Wings.
Beak.
Talons.
In an instant—
A phoenix-like creature emerged from the flames.
Its soulless, penetrating eyes fixed upon the execution platform.
Hikifune Kiryu and Shutara Senjumaru had been completely sealed.
"The Firebird King."
Staring at the flaming beast, Aizen—standing just below the execution platform—lightly pushed up the rim of his glasses.
A trace of unreadable brilliance shimmered in his eyes.
...
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