"So, did the last thing you wanted to happen actually happen?"
In the captain's chamber, Kyoraku Shunsui sighed heavily.
In less than a day, a large number of Shinigami Zanpakutō had gone out of control, materializing on their own, completely beyond their masters' control.
Kyoraku Shunsui, already well-informed about Kōga Kuchiki , naturally understood that this was the ability of Kōga's Zanpakutō, Muramasa.
"He's infiltrated the Seireitei without being noticed? Looks like we really have a serious problem on our hands."
Ukitake Jūshirō coughed, putting away a blood-stained handkerchief. Now wasn't the time to worry about his health.
If they didn't handle this properly, the Soul Society could be in huge trouble.
Because now, even the captains Zanpakutō, not just those of ordinary Shinigami, were materializing on their own.
Yes.
Including those captains currently present, many vice-captains and seated officers had already lost control of their Zanpakutō, which had materialized independently.
At this moment, the Soul Society's fighting strength was at an unprecedented low.
Without their Zanpakutō, Shinigami couldn't utilize their full power.
But those Zanpakutō, now free from their masters, could still use their powers freely.
"It's just one piece of bad news after another..."
Ichimaru Gin leaned against the wall, squinting with his usual smile.
"By the way," asked Komamura Sajin, looking puzzled, "why haven't your Zanpakutō, Captain Ichimaru and Captain Tōsen, materialized?"
Among all the captains present, only three had not had their Zanpakutō go rogue:
Ichimaru Gin, Captain of Squad 3
Tōsen Kaname, Captain of Squad 9
Zaraki Kenpachi, Captain of Squad 11
It made sense that Kenpachi Zaraki's Zanpakutō hadn't materialized. After all, that beast of a man had kept his Zanpakutō in its released state for years, there was definitely something off about it.
But why hadn't Ichimaru and Tōsen been affected?
Everyone turned to look.
"Ah, how stressful, being stared at by everyone like this," Ichimaru said with a soft laugh, then explained:
"Right when the Zanpakutō started materializing, I went to the 9th Division prison to check on a Shinigami who used to be in Squad 3. Once I sensed something was off, Captain Tōsen and I quickly agreed to seal our Zanpakutō. That's why ours didn't materialize."
He spread his empty hands as if to say, See? No sword here.
He had clearly delegated this matter to the Kuchiki brothers, Shinji and Byakuya, hoping to finally slack off for a bit. He hadn't expected such a disaster in Seireitei.
Fine.
Forget rest, if this didn't get solved soon, even sleeping would be a luxury.
"It's just one disaster after another..."
Ukitake sighed as well, then chuckled dryly.
Actually, there was one piece of good news.
He and Shunsui's teacher, Captain Yamamoto, wasn't in Seireitei right now. He had gone to the Royal Realm to meet the Zero Division.
That meant they didn't have to deal with Yamamoto's Zanpakutō, Ryūjin Jakka.
Because if Ryūjin Jakka materialized... it would be catastrophic.
But the existence of the Zero Division and the Royal Palace was top secret, so no one could mention that Yamamoto was there. Everyone just silently agreed to keep quiet.
"I wonder what's going on with Captain Shinji of the 10th Division. There's been no word yet..." Komamura's tone grew serious.
"Let's hope... it's not bad news." Kyoraku gave a forced smile.
Since Muramasa was showing up in Seireitei, then it was highly likely that Kōga Kuchiki was hiding here as well.
That meant the only ones still able to fight at full power were likely Byakuya Kuchiki and Kuchiki Shinji. Along with the battle-hungry Zaraki Kenpachi, they now represented Seireitei's strongest active fighting force.
---
Outside the captain's chamber,
the vice-captains stood quietly with tense expressions. The atmosphere was heavy.
"Wait a minute, wasn't Captain Byakuya Kuchiki of Squad 6, and Captain Shinji of Squad 10, sent to the real world to arrest or eliminate Kōga Kuchiki?
Then how is Kōga showing up here in Seireitei?"
The speaker was a broad-faced man with a high-collared purple uniform and a topknot hairstyle. He was very chubby, adorned with self-made gold jewelry, and was chewing on a fried pancake while talking.
This was Omaeda Marechiyo, vice-captain of Squad 2.
"Omaeda. Are you implying that my Captain Shinji failed in his mission?" Matsumoto Rangiku asked coldly.
Gone was her usual playful and laid-back demeanor.
Her face was serious and cold, and her tone had a threatening sharpness to it.
"I was just saying the truth, that's all," Omaeda mumbled, pancake in mouth.
"If you keep spouting nonsense and slandering my captain, don't blame me for losing my temper." Matsumoto's gaze grew even colder.
She stood up, like a lioness ready to attack.
"Vice-Captain Omaeda, Captain Shinji is not someone you can speak about carelessly. I suggest you watch your mouth..."
From the other side, Shiba Kaien spoke with a calm but dangerous tone, arms crossed.
That warning was enough.
Omaeda shrank back and moved quietly to a corner, no longer daring to speak.
What's going on? Is Matsumoto Rangiku really that loyal to Captain Shinji now? Just a casual comment and she blows up?
And Kaien too? Since when was he so loyal to Shinji?
Omaeda shook his head and shoved those thoughts away.
Better focus on his food.
He bit into his fried pancake again.
---
"I wonder what's going on in the real world... Did the 10th Division captain uncover any useful intel?" Ise Nanao, vice-captain of Squad 8, pushed up her glasses and spoke calmly.
Among all the vice-captains present, she and Matsumoto were perhaps the most similar, both had highly unreliable captains.
"Yeah, if it's Shinji, he'll be fine. He's super strong!" Kusajishi Yachiru, vice-captain of Squad 11, said with a grin, legs swinging cheerfully.
Hearing that, Matsumoto Rangiku finally sat down again.
Strong?
Yes, Kuchiki Shinji was strong, this, Matsumoto knew well.
But this time, the situation was very different.
Even if their unpredictable captain was powerful… Could he really take on so many materialized Zanpakutō on his own?
That just wasn't realistic.
At that moment...
BOOM!
The ground of Seireitei suddenly shook.
The vice-captains' expressions changed instantly. They pushed open the doors and rushed into the courtyard, gazing into the distance.
At the same time as the tremors echoed, flames suddenly erupted throughout Seireitei, engulfing the surroundings in a deathly silence.
Inside the room
The captains, who had not yet concluded their meeting, also emerged, each wearing a solemn expression.
"Looks like He couldn't hold back anymore,"
Kyoraku Shunsui reached out, lowering the brim of his hat as he spoke deeply"Everyone… the war has begun."
---
Flames swept across the entirety of Seireitei.
In just a few minutes, the battle had spread like wildfire.
Everywhere, Shinigami were locked in chaotic combat with their own materialized Zanpakutō. Casualties had already begun to appear.
Meanwhile, beneath the Central 46 Chambers
Aizen descended the seemingly endless staircase, a soft smile on his face.
Behind him followed the ever-squinting Ichimaru Gin.
"Ahh~ I never imagined there'd be such an interesting place beneath Room 46," Gin waved and gave a look of surprise "So… you deliberately had Kuchiki Hibiki unleash his Zanpakutō to cause chaos in Seireitei and distract everyone with a riot..."
"And now, you're sneaking in while everyone's preoccupied.
So this… is your true objective, Captain Aizen?"
Gin tilted his head slightly, eyes scanning the space curiously.
"So what even is this place?"
"No need to be so curious, Gin," Aizen replied smoothly, adjusting his glasses.
"This is the Great Spirit Book Corridor, guarded by the Tsunayashiro family, one of the Four Great Noble Houses."
Gin's eyes opened slightly in shock.
"So this is it… the Great Spirit Book Corridor?" So this is what Aizen had been targeting all along, using the chaos outside to slip into this secret place?
"Are you just that interested in Soul Society history?" Gin asked with a hint of sarcasm.
"You've gone to such lengths, just to come read a few books?"
He had heard of the Great Spirit Book Corridor before. But never imagined it was hidden directly under Room 46.
It supposedly contained the full history and secrets of Soul Society, but ordinary Shinigami were strictly forbidden from entering, captain-level or not.
"Gin," Aizen continued as they walked down the stairs, "This corridor is more than just books. It's a massive data system."
"You see, this place does not operate based on the will of Shinigami. It automatically records everything that happens in Soul Society, without exception."
Gin's pupils narrowed sharply.
That meant it might be under the jurisdiction… of the Soul King?
"Seems you understand, Gin," Aizen stopped in front of a massive bronze door and smiled. "From the very founding of Soul Society until now, everything is recorded in here."
"Ever wonder why nobles and the ruling classes forbid Shinigami from entering this place?"
"Because if they seal it off, they cut off all communication. And if there's no communication, people eventually forget it even exists."
"It becomes a myth."
"They are intentionally erasing it from memory. They don't want Shinigami to know what is recorded inside."
Aizen smiled faintly.
"Aren't you curious, Gin? What secrets are they hiding?"
Gin silently stared up at the massive door.
And then… the bronze gates opened on their own.
As Gin caught sight of what lay inside, his eyes involuntarily widened.
Books.
Endless books.
The huge octagonal space stretched on and on, just the central area alone spanned at least a thousand meters.
Beyond that, countless layers of stacked floors, soaring higher and higher with no end in sight.
Row upon row of massive octagonal bookshelves, each packed tightly with tomes.
Even if one spent their entire life here, they would never be able to read it all.
"So this… is the Great Spirit Book Corridor.
The place Aizen has been looking for…"
Gin quickly composed himself.
Then glanced toward Aizen, who stood smiling back at him.
"Captain Aizen, with so many books, how will you find the one you need?"
He knew now this space was special, its internal dimensions were far larger than what should've been possible from the outside.
"Look here, Gin." Aizen walked up to a bookshelf and pointed.
"Each book is sorted by era. I just need to find the right time period and search from there."
"Ahh, so that's the trick," Gin chuckled with exaggerated awe and leaned against the wall.
"Well then, better hurry. The Tsunayashiro family might catch on soon."
"After all… we are trespassing."
He squinted again.
Even if chaos had overtaken Seireitei, that didn't mean their defenses were gone.
The Tsunayashiro family, though disgraced after Kuchiki Shinji killed their head and was judged by Captain Yamamoto and Central 46, still held considerable power.
They wouldn't let the Spirit Book Corridor go unguarded.
"Don't worry, Gin. I've already accounted for that," Aizen said calmly, stopping at a bookshelf.
"Of course you have. Captain Aizen, always ten steps ahead. A terrifying man who never lets a single drop escape."
Gin smiled darkly as he watched Aizen pull out a book.
"Now then… let's begin. Urahara Kisuke."
At the same time, elsewhere in Seireitei
"Haineko! Snap out of it! This isn't what you really believe!"
Matsumoto Rangiku shouted as she dodged a barrage of lightning-quick attacks.
Opposite her stood a short-haired woman with reddish-brown hair and feline features.
Her Zanpakutō, Haineko, now materialized.
"Don't listen to her, Haineko," A seductive voice cut through the air.
A tall nobleman wearing the Kuchiki clan's star-patterned haori and red silk sash walked forward.
In his hand was a Zanpakutō that radiated ominous power.
Kōga Kuchiki.
He stared at Matsumoto Rangiku coldly.
"Kill her, Haineko."
Upon hearing this, Haineko's eyes turned hostile.
"Stop pretending to care, Rangiku!"
"You've never understood me, not once!
You're not worthy to be my master… so just die!"
She lunged.
But
The expected pain never came.
Matsumoto slowly opened her eyes in disbelief.
"Shinji… Captain…"
"Sorry, Rangiku. I'm a little late,"
Kuchiki Shinji gently pulled her into his arms, brushing her golden hair as he smiled.
"No, Captain Shinji. You arrived just in time."
Rangiku's eyes softened. She took a step back, giving him space.
She knew, at this point, she would only get in the way.
Kuchiki Kōga narrowed his eyes.
"You… the brat from the Kuchiki family?"
Rage and hatred surged in his gaze.
"You dare draw your Zanpakutō in front of me? I'll show you how foolish that is."
"You'll pay the price… for that arrogance."
Kuchiki Shinji raised his weapon.
"It's time!"