Chapter 91: [Soul Society Arc] Part 91: Shadows behind the indifference
# Seireitei - Sōkyoku Hill #
The atmosphere at the execution ground was tense. Captain Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto, a grizzled veteran with a long white beard, stood with a stern expression as he oversaw the proceedings. The captains, Soi Fon, Retsu Unohana, and Shunsui Kyōraku, along with their lieutenants, flanked him, their eyes reflecting a mix of concern and uneasy.
As the Kidō Corps meticulously removed the seals from the imposing naginata Sōkyoku, Captain Byakuya Kuchiki arrived, his footsteps echoing authority. His presence added a layer of formality to the already solemn occasion.
As Rukia was lifted to the scaffold's summit, the gigantic naginata uncoiled from the ground, taking the shape of an immense fiery bird. The captains observed the unfolding spectacle with a sense of discomfort etched across their expressions.
Yamamoto: "Kikōō. The halberd has assumed its true form." - He elucidated, his stern countenance revealing the weight of the impending act. - "It will impale the condemned… thereby finalizing the execution."
The colossal firebird soared towards Rukia, who, bracing for the imminent execution, closed her eyes. However, to the surprise of both her and the attentive shinigami, the avian entity, rather than fulfilling its gruesome purpose, refrained from making contact.
As the onlookers intensified their scrutiny, discerning three cloaked figures positioned near Rukia at the summit of the scaffold, a palpable tension enveloped the scene.
As the minutes ticked by, the air thickened with uncertainty until Rukia, still with her eyes shut, was startled by a voice behind her, breaking the silence that held the execution ground captive.
Yato: "Sorry for the delay. Our buddy over there took his sweet time finishing up his training." - He spoke with a nonchalant tone, a playful glint in his eyes.
Tatsuki: "We even considered leaving him in the dust." - She added, her smirk revealing a sense of mischief.
Ichigo: "You two gonna hassle me now of all times?" - He grumbled, a hint of irritation in his voice.
As Rukia opened her eyes, she saw Yato casually perched on the scaffold, swinging his legs as if it were just another day. Tatsuki stood beside him, exuding confidence with her smirk, while Ichigo, standing tall, faced the colossal firebird, his massive zanpakutō serving as a barrier.
Ichigo: "Hey." - He smirked at Rukia, a mix of relief and determination in his expression.
Rukia: "Yato…Ichigo…Tatsuki…" - She spoke in a low voice as she looked at the three, noticing their slightly different attire.
Yato had a new addition, a white headband resting on his forehead. He wore a gray long-sleeved shirt, black pants neatly tucked into black boots. His zanpakutō, once casually slung on his back, was now secured at his waist with a clean white belt.
Yato: "Before you start yelling at us to leave, I'll let you know it's not happening." - He rose, the movement smooth and confident, as he unsheathed his zanpakutō. - "Tatsuki, could you keep hold of Rukia? I'm about to blow up this scaffold."
Tatsuki smirked and stood protectively beside Rukia, ready for whatever was about to unfold, her strong yet supportive presence evident as she held the petite shinigami. Tatsuki's attire reflected a blend of boldness and elegance, with a black, backless, sleeveless shirt that accentuated her strength. A large light sea green sash cinched her waist, adding a touch of flair to her ensemble. Her black stretch pants and lightweight shoes spoke of practicality, yet the long light sea green wrist and leg warmers, secured with black bands, hinted at a subtle sense of style. The black karate belt tied around her left arm served as a reminder of her martial arts background.
Meanwhile, Ichigo, standing defiantly with his oversized zanpakutō blocking the giant fiery bird's path, greeted Rukia with a smirk.
His black shihakushō underwent subtle yet significant alterations. The traditional long sleeves were replaced by a single right sleeve, exposing the toned muscles of his left arm. The upper part of the Shihakushō retained its classic design, but Ichigo's arms and torso were meticulously wrapped in bandages.
The reiatsu emanating from Yato intensified, creating a palpable tension in the air. His zanpakutō pointed assertively at the scaffold, commanding attention from the watching captains below. The enormous fiery bird, distanced itself from Ichigo, preparing for a potential second strike.
Yato's voice, delivered with calm confidence, cut through the charged atmosphere.
Yato: "Get rid of this thing, Ichigo." - He maintained an unwavering focus on the scaffold, his eyes sharp and determined.
Ichigo charged towards the colossal flaming bird, determined to thwart its impending attack. However, a sudden intervention unfolded as enormous ropes sprouted from the rugged terrain, ensnaring the creature's neck in a display of unexpected yet effective control.
The gathered shinigami watched in astonishment as Captain Jūshirō Ukitake, wielding an artifact adorned with the Shihōin Clan symbol, arrived at the execution site. Following closely behind, Captain Shunsui Kyōraku gracefully leaped to Ukitake's side, his lieutenant by his side.
Kyōraku: "Hey there, handsome." - He playfully teased, accompanied by a lighthearted smile. - "What took you so long?"
Ukitake: "I'm sorry... had some trouble with the seal... but now I'm ready!" - Ukitake's voice, though apologetic, carried a sense of reassurance.
Isane's eyes widened in disbelief as Captain Kyōraku and Captain Ukitake intervened, preventing the execution. The crest of the Shihōin Clan caught Soi Fon's attention, triggering a surge of surprise in her thoughts.
Soi Fon: "Stop them! They're going to destroy the Sōkyoku!!" - She commanded her lieutenant with urgency.
Reacting swiftly, Captains Ukitake and Kyōraku drew their zanpakutōs, driving them into the mysterious artifact. The colossal rope ensnaring the fiery bird glowed with an intense brilliance before erupting in a powerful explosion.
At the same moment, Yato, positioned atop the scaffold, thrust his zanpakutō into the structure. A wave of vibrant green reiatsu surged forth, creating a spectacular explosion that resonated where Rukia was to face execution. The shockwave rippled through the surroundings, leaving the shinigamis and the Sōkyoku in a state of chaotic upheaval.
The captains stood in awe as the unexpected unfolded before their eyes. Even Captains Ukitake and Kyōraku, typically composed, were taken aback by the unforeseen turn of events.
Soi Fon: "…One of them halted the Sōkyoku, a power equivalent to a million zanpakutōs…and now..." - She hesitated, struggling to articulate her disbelief.
Isane: "The scaffold…"
Sentarō: "He...obliterated it..." - Sentarō Kotsubaki, the 3rd Seat of the 13th Division, accompanied by the equally astonished 3rd Seat Kiyone Kotetsu, stared at the remnants of the scaffold in shock.
Yato, Ichigo, and Tatsuki stood defiantly, their gazes fixed on the stunned shinigami below. Meanwhile, Yato's fullbring, Cheshire, sparked a playful mental exchange.
Cheshire: 'Whoa...for a dude trying to keep a low profile...that was one heck of a show...I'm totally digging it~~'
Yato: 'After this Soul Society chaos, the future's a bit hazy, so for now... I'm gonna enjoy the ride~'
Cheshire: 'Hell yeah! Who's our next target for some fun?'
Yato: 'Isn't it obvious? Byakuya's up next.'
As the captains looked on in shock, Renji staggered toward the group, his body heavily bandaged from the relentless encounter with Byakuya. Despite his condition, he managed to overpower the members of the Kidō Corps.
Ichigo: "Took you long enough, Renji!"
As the two exchanged banter, Tatsuki, supporting Rukia, handed the petite shinigami over to Yato, who swiftly appeared in front of Renji.
Yato: "Dude, at least you know how to run, right? 'Cause that's all you need to do~" - He teased, passing Rukia to Renji with a sly grin.
Renji, still recovering from the brutal defeat on his battle against Byakuya, glared at Yato with a mixture of irritation and exhaustion. Yato's sarcasm wasn't helping in his already complicated situation.
The lieutenant, now holding Rukia in his arms, shot Yato a disgruntled look but chose not to respond. He knew it wouldn't be productive to get involved in more provocations at that moment and swiftly left the scene with Rukia in his arms.
Yato: "Geez, this guy needs to chill out a bit. Maybe a SPA day or something..." - He chuckled, adding more fuel to the fire.
Soi Fon: "Don't just stand there, you idiots!!" - She barked at the lieutenants with a scowl. - "I want all the lieutenants after them!!"
After the command, Lieutenant Ōmaeda, who seemed less than thrilled, begrudgingly followed his captain's orders. In that moment, Lieutenant Sasakibe briefly exchanged glances with Yamamoto, who responded with a stern nod.
Isane, still trying to process the unexpected turn of events, redirected her attention to Captain Unohana.
Unohana: "Go on." - She uttered the word in a calm voice.
Soon, Lieutenants Sasakibe, Ōmaeda, and Kotetsu moved forward in pursuit of Renji. However, Yato swiftly positioned himself in their path, flanked by Tatsuki and Ichigo, who materialized beside him in the blink of an eye.
The three lieutenants unsheathed their zanpakutōs, and in response, Yato let out a mocking laugh, Tatsuki cracked her neck, and Ichigo drove his zanpakutō, Zangetsu, into the ground.
Ōmaeda: "Grrr, get out of our way!!!" - He roared with frustration, his hefty stature emphasizing his demand.
Isane: "Run, Itegumo!!!" - With a swift motion, Isane commanded her zanpakutō, and two smaller blades emerged from Itegumo's hilt at 45° angles.
Sasakibe: "Bite, Gonryōmaru!!!" - At the lieutenant's firm command, his zanpakutō transformed into a sleek rapier, glinting in the ambient light.
Ōmaeda: "Crush, Gegetsuburi!!" - Gegetsuburi underwent a formidable transformation, turning into an oversized spiked ball attached to a long chain, resembling a menacing flail.
Yato: "Well, that escalated quickly, didn't it?" - He taunted, his smirk widening as he prepared to engage.
Without warning, Yato launched himself at Ōmaeda, his kick connecting with the lieutenant's zanpakutō, Gegetsuburi, shattering it into pieces. The impact sent Ōmaeda hurtling backward, crashing to the ground with a resounding thud. Sasakibe and Isane watched in disbelief as their comrade was incapacitated in an instant.
Ichigo, not one to be outdone, swiftly closed in on Sasakibe, his movements a blur. With precision, he grabbed Sasakibe's hand, disarming the lieutenant and delivering a powerful strike to his chin. The force of the blow sent Sasakibe sprawling, joining Ōmaeda on the ground.
Tatsuki, displaying her formidable combat skills, materialized in front of Isane. In a swift and calculated motion, she executed a roundhouse kick that landed squarely on Isane's face. The lieutenant crumpled to the ground, mirroring the fate of her fellow officers.
The entire sequence unfolded with such speed that the lieutenants seemed to lose consciousness simultaneously, leaving a stunned silence in its wake.
Unseen by the others, Yato deftly manifested a series of invisible threads in the palm of his left hand, moving with calculated ease toward Ichigo. He anticipated Byakuya's impending attack.
In the unfolding sequence, to the astonishment of the remaining captains, Captain Kuchiki swung his zanpakutō at Yato, only for Yato to catch the blade effortlessly with his left hand. The act was executed with a blend of precision and nonchalance that left everyone, including Commander Yamamoto, incredulous.
Soi Fon: "This can't be...!"
Byakuya: 'Impossible...' - He widened his eyes slightly, grappling with the disbelief that his formidable zanpakutō had been halted in such an unexpected manner.
Cheshire: 'Look at their faces!! Hahaha!!' - The red feline's laughter echoed in Yato's mind.
Ichigo grinned, and Tatsuki whistled, clearly impressed by what their friend had just pulled off.
Yato: "You arrived just in time, Captain." - He spoke casually while holding the blade of the captain's zanpakutō. - "Since you're Rukia's brother, wouldn't mind giving me your blessing, would you?" - He smirked.
Byakuya narrowed his eyes, unable to believe the audacity of this human. He tried to pull his zanpakutō, but it wouldn't budge. As no one could see the invisible threads holding the blade, they all concluded that Byakuya couldn't break free because Yato was much stronger than him.
Still processing the situation, Soi Fon swiftly incapacitated officers Sentarō and Kiyone, who were beside Ukitake during his apparent act of betrayal in assisting Rukia's escape. Without hesitation she lunged towards Yato. However, at the last moment, she contorted her body backward, evading an unexpected kick from Tatsuki, who seemed to have kept up with the captain's movements. The captain, still recovering from the surprise, glared at the tomboy.
Soi Fon: "Insolent human..." - She narrowed her eyes, fixing her gaze on Tatsuki.
Tatsuki: "Yeah, Yeah... heard that a lot since I got here." - She replied dismissively, unimpressed by the captain's stern attitude.
In the moment Sentarō and Kiyone hit the ground from Soi Fon's swift strike, Ukitake moved as if to rush over to check on their conditions. However, the captain's intentions were abruptly halted by the stern voice of Commander Yamamoto.
Yamamoto: "Hold your ground." - His words carried the weight of authority.
Ukitake: "Genryūsai-sensei..."
Yamamoto: "The one who fled with the prisoner was just a lieutenant...easily replaceable. We'll deal with him later. But you two, as captains, have committed a more severe transgression." - Even with closed eyes, the intensity of Yamamoto's gaze conveyed the gravity of the situation. - "You have dishonored your ranks... and I trust you both understand the implications."
Trying to lighten the mood in the midst of the catastrophic situation, Shunsui laid a hand on Ukitake's shoulder while obscuring his gaze beneath his Sugegasa straw hat.
Kyōraku: "Looks like we've got no choice!" - He spoke in a playful tone. - "Let's get out of here, Ukitake!" - With that, he employed his Shunpō to leap from the Sōkyoku Hill, dragging Ukitake along, and was soon followed by Lieutenant Nanao Ise.
As tension-filled stares between Tatsuki and Soi Fon continued, each sizing up the other with an air of defiance. Meanwhile, Ichigo, feeling the weight of the situation, walked up to Yato and offered a reassuring gesture by placing his hand on Yato's shoulder.
Ichigo: "Alright, Yato, I'm sure you've made your point. But if it's cool with you, I'd like to settle things with him." - A confident smirk played on Ichigo's face as he directed his determined gaze toward Byakuya.
Yato, displaying his usual nonchalant demeanor, simply shrugged, allowing Byakuya's zanpakutō to be released, symbolizing a transfer of responsibility over to Ichigo.
Yato: "No worries. I wasn't aiming to fight him." - His calm words resonated. - "I just wanted to make it clear that even if he's against me saving Rukia... or being with her..." - A mischievous smirk crossed Yato's face. - "There's nothing he can do about it."
Yato took a few measured steps toward the fallen lieutenants, his gaze flickering between the retreating figures of Commander Yamamoto, Ukitake, and Kyōraku. While Tatsuki faced off with Soi Fon, Ichigo stood firm, eyeing Byakuya, and it didn't take long for the distinctive sound of delicate footsteps to reach Yato's ears. When he turned to face the source, the serene countenance of Captain Unohana greeted him.
Unohana: "It seems only the two of us remain... What shall we do now?" - Her words flowed gently, accompanied by a small, enigmatic smile. Her eyes, closed in an almost maternal expression.
Yato: "Good question... I happen to be the group's sort-of doctor..." - He spoke with a casual tone, a hint of recognition in his eyes, acknowledging the concealed danger beneath the captain's composed demeanor.
Unohana: "Oh my, what a coincidence... so am I." - Her response carried a subtle playfulness.
Yato: "Well, then give me a medical opinion..." - He spoke in a more serious tone. - "In a place like this in Seireitei, is it possible for someone to fake their own death?" - He asked vaguely, ignoring the fact that he himself had done something similar before.
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