Yamamoto Genryūsai had never imagined that Shiraha's Zanpakutō could control time itself.
A Zanpakutō that manipulates time—throughout the long history of the Soul Society, from the founding of the Gotei 13 to the present day, such a thing had never existed.
And Shiraha's Shikai didn't merely touch time. When it cut an opponent, it reversed their physical state and spiritual strength by a full century.
The captains present stared in disbelief as the truth sank in. This was not Bankai—it was only Shikai.
If the power of his Shikai could turn back time and render a captain helpless, how overwhelming would Shiraha's Bankai become?
"The reason Captain Mayuri couldn't detect the residual Reiatsu from the Hollow I slew," Shiraha said calmly, sliding his Zanpakutō back into its sheath, "is simple. When my Shikai destroys a target, it erases them completely—body, soul, and spirit. There is no Reiatsu left to sense."
He spoke with an unhurried smile. The explanation had been carefully prepared long before. It wasn't flawless—after all, there was no reason to use his Shikai on a mere Hollow—but he had already claimed the creature was slain while he was unconscious. It would suffice.
"A Zanpakutō of a type never seen before," Unohana murmured, her serene eyes lingering on Shiraha.
"Wow! Kohane's Zanpakutō is really amazing!" Yachiru chimed from her perch on Zaraki Kenpachi's shoulder.
"Tch. Another boring ability," Kenpachi muttered, curling his lips.
"A Jian, you're clearly impressed by Shiraha's power," Yachiru teased, propping her chin with her hands.
"Don't talk nonsense! I'm just saying—Kuchiki Shiraha's life belongs to me!" Kenpachi turned away, grinning fiercely.
Ever since Shiraha had awakened the Limitless Spell: Stop Power, Kenpachi hadn't fought him again. Yet anyone scheming against Shiraha—especially manipulators like Mayuri—was something Kenpachi would never tolerate.
"Liar! You're just worried about him," Yachiru giggled.
"I said I'm not!" Kenpachi shouted.
The two bickered loudly off to the side, their voices echoing through the courtyard.
"How can this be?" Matsumoto Rangiku whispered, eyes wide. "A Zanpakutō that manipulates time?"
"To reverse time by a hundred years… and that's just its Shikai?" Hitsugaya Tōshirō's voice carried equal disbelief.
Even the idea of halting time was something out of legend, yet Shiraha had done it effortlessly. If even Captain Mayuri had been rendered powerless, what chance would others have? One cut from Shiraha's blade, and their strength and vitality would revert to what they were a century ago.
"Ahh, Shiraha's Shikai really is something," Kyoraku Shunsui muttered under his breath, adjusting his bamboo hat. His tone was casual, but the gleam in his eyes betrayed a rare unease. "To think the ability to block all attacks wasn't the peak. This… this is far beyond that."
Jūshirō Ukitake coughed lightly, glancing toward Mayuri's mutilated body. "Still, Shunsui, even if Shiraha's innocence is proven, this situation is far from simple."
He sighed softly. "He struck down another captain. The consequences will not be light."
Among the Gotei 13, disputes between captains weren't unheard of—but to wound another captain so gravely, and in front of the Head Captain himself, was another matter entirely.
"Jūshirō," Shunsui murmured, lowering his hat, "be ready. We'll act depending on how the old man moves."
Both captains exchanged a knowing glance. If Yamamoto Genryūsai chose to punish Shiraha, neither of them would stand idly by.
"Damn you! Kuchiki Shiraha! How dare you make a fool of me?!" Mayuri's face twisted with fury as he struggled to rise, his voice a low snarl.
"Kurotsuchi Mayuri," Shiraha said coldly, turning to face him. His ice-blue eyes were calm and merciless. "Keep your mouth shut. You should be grateful your title as captain spared your life. Next time, my blade won't stop at your body—it'll take your head. And you know very well, if I decide to kill you, even the Captain-Commander won't be able to protect you."
His voice carried the kind of certainty that silenced the entire Seireitei courtyard.
Mayuri's lips quivered, words dying in his throat as he met Shiraha's gaze. The cold in those eyes wasn't bluff or arrogance—it was absolute truth. Just Shiraha's Shikai alone could end him, and no one, not even Yamamoto, could prevent it.
If he spoke another word, he would die.
"Outrageous!" Yamamoto Genryūsai's thunderous voice cut through the silence as a wave of spiritual pressure filled the air. His stern eyes fixed on Shiraha. "Captain Shiraha, how dare you attack another captain in my presence!"
Although Yamamoto now understood that Shiraha's Shikai explained the strange black cavity incident earlier, the act of attacking Mayuri before his eyes crossed a line. His tone carried both reprimand and lingering disbelief.
"Captain," Shiraha replied evenly, stepping forward. "I only demonstrated my Zanpakutō's Shikai so that Captain Mayuri could experience it himself—and so that no one would continue accusing me of collusion with Hueco Mundo. I also showed mercy. I didn't kill him."
The faint smile on his lips didn't waver.
And Yamamoto knew it was true. Shiraha had stayed his hand deliberately. Even if punishment came, it would not be severe.
Before Yamamoto could respond, Shunsui's voice interjected with lighthearted ease. "Ah, come now, old man. Captain Mayuri's the director of the Technology Development Bureau. For him, an injury like this is nothing. Hardly worth getting worked up over."
"Indeed," Jūshirō added with a mild tone, stepping beside Shiraha. "He probably just lost control while testing his new Shikai. Accidents happen."
"Old man," Kenpachi boomed, walking up with Yachiru on his shoulder, "he just cut Mayuri once. It's not like he's dead."
Byakuya Kuchiki appeared in a flicker of shunpo, silently taking position at Shiraha's side. His expression said everything—his allegiance was clear.
"Captain," Unohana's gentle voice followed, calm and soft, "I believe Captain Shiraha meant no real harm."
In an instant, five captains—Shunsui, Jūshirō, Kenpachi, Byakuya, and Unohana—had aligned themselves with Shiraha.
The courtyard filled with a tense, unspoken pressure.
Only two remained neutral: Hitsugaya Tōshirō and Sui-Feng.
And standing beside the Captain-Commander himself, the lone supporter left was Komamura Sajin.
The balance of the Gotei 13 had shifted—subtly but unmistakably.
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