"I think Soul Society's responsibility is quite interesting—it's like the law in this world.
"But here's the question: what if the people who control that law are themselves in the wrong?
"Should we simply obey them, allowing them to throw Seireitei into chaos and cause countless tragedies? Or should we stop them, even if it means being condemned by Soul Society and scorned by a handful of people?"
On a normal day, if it were anyone else, even Kyōraku Shunsui and Ukitake Jūshirō, his two most loyal disciples— daring to openly question Central 46 in front of him, Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni wouldn't have said a word. He would have simply drawn his sword and let the traitors discover for themselves whether Ryūjin Jakka was sharp enough.
But Aiyan was different. He had repeatedly made great contributions to Soul Society, his reiatsu was immense, and in terms of strength, he now stood on par with the strongest Shinigami in history.
More importantly, every word he spoke—both the direct statements and the implications—was in defense of Soul Society's duties.
This left Yamamoto in a difficult position.
Everyone knew that the Captain-Commander regarded Soul Society's responsibilities as his very lifeblood.
"Should I defend the responsibilities of Soul Society, or should I defend those who abuse its authority?"
"What do you think?"
"Headmaster."
Aiyan casually threw the question back to Yamamoto.
The verbal blow landed with the weight of Zanka no Tachi itself.
Yamamoto's brow furrowed, and the red, sky-burning reiatsu around him slowly faded away.
"Sharp," he admitted.
Kyōraku Shunsui and Ukitake Jūshirō exchanged glances, inwardly impressed.
For Yamamoto Genryūsai—the most stubborn, rigid man in all of Soul Society—to be swayed in just a few words, and over a matter involving a Central 46 verdict, was nothing short of extraordinary.
"According to Soul Society's laws, any Shinigami who has become a Hollow is to be treated as a Menos Grande.
"Although Hikifune Kirio and Shutara Senjumaru were Hollowfied because of Urahara Kisuke—which is truly regrettable—responsibility is responsibility. It cannot be altered because of circumstance.
"The verdict of Central 46 must stand."
Yamamoto's voice was firm, but there was hesitation beneath it.
As soon as he spoke, Yadōmaru Lisa and the others— who had just begun to hope that the Captain-Commander might change his mind— felt their hearts sink.
"According to you, Headmaster, as long as Captain Kirio and Lieutenent Shutara are no longer Hollowfied, they won't need to be executed—
"Even if Central 46 has already issued the execution order.
"Is that correct?"
Aiyan's words made Yadōmaru Lisa and Kuna Mashiro, moments ago on the verge of despair, look up in renewed hope.
Yamamoto frowned deeply. The struggle on his face was obvious.
"…Very well."
At last, after a long silence, he spoke again.
"The execution platform has been destroyed. It will take time to install a new one.
"During that time…"
He looked Aiyan straight in the eye.
"I trust you will have no objection to leaving them both in my custody."
Aiyan nodded.
"I trust you as well. I only hope you will not betray that trust."
It was clear Yamamoto understood Aiyan's intentions.
He gave the younger man a long, searching look—at the genius so prodigious that even he felt humbled.
"Lisa, Hiyori, Mashiro,".
"I'll ask you one final time: do you wish to entrust Captain Kirio and Captain Shutara to me?"
Aiyan didn't answer. Instead, he stepped aside and looked to Yadōmaru Lisa and the others.
"Everything is up to you."
"Captain Aiyan," the three women said in unison, nodding firmly.
On one hand: return to the execution platform and face the Sōkyoku. On the other: Aiyan, who had been nothing but kind to them.
The choice was obvious.
"Sister Hana, come help me," Aiyan called.
"Time is short. I'll explain later."
He signaled Unohana Retsu.
"Open the barrier."
Aizen understood instantly and worked with Shihōin Yoruichi, Ukitake Jūshirō, and Kyōraku Shunsui.
The four of them joined forces, forming a barrier strong enough to hold even a senior captain.
As Aiyan and Unohana Retsu each escorted a captain into the barrier, six walls of dense violet light rose up, completely sealing the space. From the outside, not a single blade of grass within could be seen.
"Release the restraints," Aiyan said once they were inside.
Without hesitation, Unohana drew her blade and slashed. A cold flash of steel cut apart the prison garments restraining Hikifune Kirio.
The incident at the Great Spirit Book Gallery is now days past.
The Hollowfication had already consumed her completely.
Without the uniform, what emerged was not the beautiful woman once known as the pride of the Gotei 13, but a Gillian-class Hollow with distinctly feminine features.
From head to toe, her body was armored in hollow plating.
"Roar!"
As the prison garb sealing her reiatsu fell away, Hikifune Kirio's orange eyes snapped open, filled with raw violence and murderous intent.
"Golden Binding Spell."
Before she could release her overwhelming reiatsu, golden ropes appeared in the air, winding around her and slamming her to the ground.
"Adamantine Sealing Chains."
She thrashed violently, scarlet light blooming in her mouth as a Cero began to form—but before it could fire, more chains of reiatsu shot in, binding her completely.
The Golden Binding Spell locked her body.
The Adamantine Sealing Chains suppressed her reiatsu.
Even with the power of a Hollow, she could do nothing but glare, trembling in frustration.
"Before this, I tried everything," Unohana said quietly.
"Whether Kaidō or Twelfth Division technology, all came to the same conclusion—Hollowfication is irreversible.
"So tell me, how do you plan to save Captain Kirio?"
She ignored the raging woman at her feet and fixed her eyes on Aiyan, as if seeing him for the first time.
In her mind, Aiyan was a Shinigami of perfect balance—kendō, kidō, hakuda, shunpo, reiatsu, zanpakutō—each at the highest level.
She had never imagined he might also surpass her in Kaidō.
"What is Hollowfication?" Aiyan asked, crouching before Kirio.
"It's the merging of a Hollow's soul into a Shinigami's soul, breaking the boundary between the two in order to reach a higher realm.
"You talk about reversing it—but unless you can turn back time to before Captain Kirio was Hollowfied, how could you undo it?
"Rather than reversal, the focus should be on modifying the structure of the soul itself."
Unohana's brows knit in confusion, but Aiyan continued without pause.
"I'm no scientist—I only know Kaidō. So my initial approach was to treat Captain Kirio as a patient, and Hollowfication as an illness.
"If a normal Shinigami's soul structure is '1,' and a Hollowfied Shinigami's is '2,' then I simply need to change her structure from '2' back to '1.'
"The Hollowfication will resolve itself."
The words were enough to make even the foremost Kaidō expert in Soul Society go pale.
"Modify the structure of a Shinigami's soul—treat hollowfication like a disease," she murmured.
"Is that even possible through Kaidō?"
"It is," Aiyan said, his voice steady.
"With my Kaidō · Blessing of Both Hands."
...
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