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Byakuya Kuchiki opened his mouth as if to speak, but the memory of his late wife Hisana's dying request tightened in his chest, and he swallowed the words before they could leave.
"Let's go. We should report to the Head Captain first," Shiraha said with a faint smile, already stepping ahead with a calm stride.
Byakuya gave the smallest shake of his head, resigned, and followed silently with Renji at his side.
It was not long before the three arrived at the First Division barracks. Standing at the entrance, waiting with the usual upright posture of a soldier carved in steel, was Chōjirō Sasakibe. Having received word from Yamamoto Genryūsai, he was prepared long before their arrival.
"Captain Kuchiki. Captain Shiraha. Please, follow me," Sasakibe said with crisp formality, bowing lightly.
Byakuya offered a curt nod, expression unchanged, while Shiraha returned a courteous smile. "Thank you, Vice Captain Sasakibe."
Escorted by him, they moved down the quiet corridors until they stopped outside the captain's chamber. Sasakibe straightened, slid open the door, and bowed. "Head Captain, Captains Kuchiki and Shiraha have arrived."
Renji's name was deliberately omitted. To Sasakibe, a vice-captain was of no consequence in this summons.
"Let them in," came Yamamoto Genryūsai's deep voice from within.
Byakuya and Shiraha entered without hesitation, Renji trailing a step behind. Sasakibe slid the door closed, sealing the room in silence.
Shiraha's Observation Haki flared subtly. He found Yamamoto sitting in perfect stillness upon his futon, eyes closed, gnarled hands folded over the wooden staff that doubled as his ZanpakutĹŤ.
"Head Captain," Shiraha began, stepping forward, "Central 46 has issued a direct order. I, Captain Kuchiki, and Vice Captain Abarai are to proceed to the Human World and arrest Rukia Kuchiki, who stands accused of a grave violation."
"I am already aware," Yamamoto said as his eyes opened, stern as burning coals. His voice carried the weight of thunder restrained. "You will go. And you will ensure that Rukia Kuchiki is captured without fail."
The elder's disdain was palpable. For Yamamoto, law and order were absolute. Even his most beloved students were not exempt from judgment. Discipline defined Soul Society, and anyone who defied its laws—even family, even protégés—would find him unyielding. The revelation that Rukia had given her powers to a human left him with clear disapproval.
"Understood, Head Captain," Shiraha replied, his tone smooth and unfazed.
With nothing further to add, the three withdrew from the chamber.
At that moment, a familiar mechanical chime echoed in Shiraha's mind.
"Sign-in Task: Destroy Kurosaki Ichigo's Saketsu and Hakusui, then return Rukia Kuchiki to Soul Society. Time limit: one day."
"Reward: Template Progress +10%."
A faint smile tugged at Shiraha's lips. "Destroy Ichigo's Saketsu and Hakusui? Simple enough." In the original flow of fate, it was Byakuya who had severed Ichigo's spiritual core. For Shiraha, it would be no trouble.
His Gojo Satoru template already sat at sixty percent. Completing this task would raise it to seventy. With Aizen's eventual fusion of the Hōgyoku, completion would surge to one hundred, opening the path to the third template. If fortune favored him, a stronger archetype could be drawn. Both Fujitora's and Gojo's templates were formidable, yet still insufficient against Yamamoto, Unohana, or even Shunsui. Against captains like Byakuya, Gin, or Zaraki, they sufficed. Against the monsters above that tier—or Aizen himself—he needed far more.
Shiraha set the thought aside as they exited.
Waiting outside was Nemu Kurotsuchi's younger sister, Nemu's assistant and the 12th Division vice-captain, Nemu's twin in appearance though quieter—Nemu had already handed her the device. Bowing politely, she held out a peculiar goggle-like locator. "Captains Shiraha, Kuchiki, and Vice Captain Abarai. This was prepared by Captain Kurotsuchi to track Kuchiki Rukia's spiritual signature."
"Renji, take it," Shiraha said casually.
Renji obeyed, fastening the device to his forehead with a determined nod.
Once she departed, Sasakibe returned, his voice low. "The Senkaimon to Karakura Town is ready. Please follow me."
The trio followed him through the courtyard and halted before the gleaming gate.
"Release the seal," Renji intoned as he unsheathed his ZanpakutĹŤ, sliding it into the console slot. With a twist and a flash of KidĹŤ, the gate flared open, spilling pale radiance into the air.
Together, the three captains and vice-captain stepped into the light.
Karakura Town.
Inside Kurosaki Ichigo's room, the window creaked open as Rukia swung her legs over the frame and leapt lightly into the night air. She had left only a hastily scribbled note behind, the handwriting scrawled and uneven. She knew the Science Bureau would track her sooner or later. Ever since Ichigo had defeated Gillian that night, their presence here had been a beacon to Soul Society.
Rukia could not risk dragging Ichigo further into her crime. She had already involved him too deeply. If Central 46 had discovered her actions, then her time was short. She ran through the streets in silence, her thoughts churning with the memories of these past months. "Perhaps I've lingered in this world too long… become too human…"
Her breath caught as a voice pierced the night above her.
"Yes. You know it well enough, Rukia. You cannot escape."
Renji landed in front of her, blade half-drawn, eyes sharp.
Rukia froze in her tracks, her heart clenching.
And then another presence descended, calm and familiar.
"Long time no see, Rukia," Shiraha said softly, appearing before her in a flicker of Shunpo. He reached out, ruffling her hair with disarming warmth, his smile faint but genuine. "Did you miss me?"
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