Chapter 19
REGRET for the FAILURE, FRAMING on the WRONG
000
Sitting in the dimly lit office, Ishida Ryuuken meticulously filled out the necessary paperwork to legally take custody of Masaki's son.
The air was thick with the scent of ink and the weight of his thoughts. He paused, staring at the blank spaces on the forms, his mind drifting back to Kurosaki Ichigo.
Masaki's firstborn was a mirror of her spirit: stubborn, reckless, and fiercely protective.
The memories of that fateful day, June 17th, haunted him. After Auswählen, his wife Kanae had collapsed, her life slipping away like sand through his fingers.
He learned of Masaki's death too late, her body lying cold in the morgue at Karakura Hospital. The funeral was a blur, attended only by his father, Ishida Souken, while he remained lost in his grief for Kanae.
Days turned into weeks, and Ryuuken found himself at Masaki's grave at the end of June, the weight of loss pressing heavily on his chest.
He had held a funeral for the Ishida household, mourning not just his wife but the entire lineage of Gemischt Quincies that had been decimated. Uryuu, his son, had been spending time with Souken, but Ryuuken felt distant, trapped in his sorrow.
Few days after last June as I continued my life I saw a child running away from hollows. Seeing that child was almost devoured by hollows I decided to save his life.
Unexpectedly, that child was Masaki's son. Masaki had a child with Shiba Isshin.
I didn't know they had a child－a son.
It's the first time I heard it and I only know it because Ichigo told me about it. Ichigo took Masaki's own appearance, her orange-ish brown hair, her warm brown eyes, and her face. Stubborn, reckless, steadfast in their desires to protect others and they look so similar at first glance. Just like Masaki, Ichigo got entangled with Shinigami's problem and almost got killed.
"Why?" Ryuuken's mind spiraled into a torrent of questions.
Why hadn't he intervened that night twenty years ago?
Why hadn't he stepped in to help Masaki fight against that black hollow?
Why had he only taught the basics to Masaki's son?
Why had he left the boy to fend for himself against the hollows?
Masaki was gone, and Ichigo was left to suffer at the hands of the very Shinigami who had caused his mother's injury.
Why did Masaki's son endure such agony?
Why didn't I help?
Why?
Regret filled my heart.
A failure.
I failed to save my beloved wife Kanae.
My stern mother had fallen victim to Auswählen.
My foolish Father brutally killed by a hollow.
My precious son Uryuu was hospitalized and traumatized.
Most Gemischt Quincy was purged by Quincy King.
Masaki had died in killed by a wandering hollow.
Ichigo had almost died by Shinigami's hands.
Why do people around me always get hurt, and yet I'm always helpless to save them?
Why?
....
No.
No more.
No more regrets.
It's all Quincy King's fault for taking Quincy's life.
It's all those Shinigami's fault for their own failure and incompetence.
It's all Shiba Isshin's fault that Masaki and Ichigo got hurt.
Ryuuken clenched his fists, determination coursing through him. He needed to be strong for Uryuu and Ichigo.
Being weak was no longer an option.
Uryuu needed him to help recover from his trauma, and Ichigo needed protection from Shiba Isshin.
I need to be strong for Uryuu's and Ichigo's sake.
It's the only thing I can do for them.
It's all I can give to them.
A home for them...
Because there's no responsible adult around them other than myself.
With renewed purpose, Ryuuken set aside the paperwork, the ink drying on the forms that would change everything. He would not let the cycle of pain continue.
He would be the guardian that both Uryuu and Ichigo needed.
They were all he had left of Kanae and Masaki.
000
July 23rd.
In the heart of the Soul Society, where the air was thick with the weight of ancient secrets, the Underground Chamber of Central 46, known as the Seijoto Kyorin, lay shrouded in an unsettling silence.
It had been three days since the Quincy boy had escaped, and the echoes of his audacious flight still reverberated through the hallowed halls of the Great Archives, the Daireishokairo.
The atmosphere was charged with tension, a palpable sense of dread that clung to the walls like a lingering mist.
Despite Lieutenant Sasakibe Chojirou's death, Captain Commander decided to not remain idle. Instead mourning him in grief, he decided to honor him by moving forward and not letting his sacrifice go in vain.
Keep protecting Soul Society... knowing it was what Lieutenant Sasakibe would say.
Inside Squad 1 hall, high-ranking Shinigami began to gather. Meeting between all Captains and Lieutenants has begun.
Former 3rd Seat Okikiba, now a Lieutenant, promoted to fill the empty position to ensure Squad 1 remains strong in front of Central 46 and nobles interest.
Okikiba stood before the Captain Commander, his expression grave as he reported the findings of the investigation.
"Captain Commander, it is as we feared. The trails of Reiatsu we detected around Central 46 and the Great Archives belong to the Quincy boy. We have confirmed that he accessed the Great Archives during his detainment. Witnesses have corroborated his presence there, and the implications are dire."
The Captain Commander, a figure of stoic authority, listened intently, his brow furrowed in thought. The recent discovery of the deceased bodies of all Central 46 members had sent shockwaves through the Soul Society.
Autopsy reports from Captain Unohana indicated that the murders had occurred in the morning on July 20th, the same day the Quincy boy had made his escape.
"Several witnesses claim to have seen a figure resembling the Quincy boy around that time," Okikiba continued, his voice steady despite the gravity of the situation.
"The evidence is mounting, and we must act swiftly."
The Captain Commander nodded, his mind racing through the implications of the Quincy boy's actions.
The Quincy had long been a thorn in the side of the Soul Society, their powers a dangerous counter to the Shinigami.
But this was different; this was a calculated attack, a strike at the very heart of their governance.
Days turned into nights as the investigation continued, each moment fraught with tension.
The bodies of Central 46 have been laid to rest, but the questions surrounding their deaths linger like a dark cloud.
"We must consider the possibility that the Quincy boy is not acting alone," the Captain Commander stated, his voice steady but laced with urgency.
"If he has allies within the Soul Society, we are facing a threat far greater than we anticipated."
"In the days that followed, Onmitsukido worked tirelessly, piecing together the fragments of information they had gathered. They discovered that the Quincy boy had not only accessed the Great Archives but had also been in contact with a few rogue Shinigami, individuals who had long since turned their backs on the Soul Society. Urahara Kisuke and Tsukabishi Tessai." Okikiba reported.
"Does that mean Urahara Kisuke with Tsukabishi Tessai, and the Quincy boy are working together?" Captain Kurotsuchi wondered.
"Most likely." Captain Tousen agreed.
The pieces began to fall into place, revealing a conspiracy that ran deeper than he had ever imagined.
The Quincy boy was not merely a fugitive; he was a catalyst for a larger movement, one that sought to dismantle the very foundations of the Soul Society.
"For most Shinigami, those locations are generally off-limits. And few Captains have any idea what is inside them." Captain Commander Yamamoto said.
"What's going on Captain Commander? What is it that you want to tell us?" Captain Hitsugaya asked.
"While Captain Ukitake investigated The Great Archives, he made an unusual discovery the other day. He found records that certain documents related to Hogyoku have been accessed." Captain Commander Yamamoto explained.
"Hogyoku?" Captain Komamura asked.
"It was created by the former Captain of 12th Squad and the founder of Soul Society's Research Institute, Urahara Kisuke before he was exiled to the Living World." Captain Commander Yamamoto explained.
"Urahara Kisuke! He's definitely involved in this! I just knew it!" Captain Soi-Fon exclaimed in anger.
"Calm down Captain Soi-Fon." Captain Kyoraku advised.
"How did Urahara and Tsukabishi enter Soul Society, if their power was sealed before being exiled to the Living World?" Captain Aizen asked.
"Perhaps it was Tsukabishi Tessai who undo the seals." Captain Soi-Fon explained, angry at Urahara's obvious schemes.
"How?" Captain Kuchiki asked.
"Before being exiled, Tsukabishi Tessai was known as Kido Corps Commander." Captain Tousen answered.
"Kido Corps Commander!?" Captain Hitsugaya exclaimed in surprise.
"I see.. That makes sense..." Captain Kuchiki accept the answer.
"During that time a document unrelated to Hogyoku had also been accessed." Captain Ukitake shared.
"The documents about what?" Captain Komamura asked.
"The Oken, the Royal Key," Captain Ukitake answered.
"The Soul Society has its own Royalty. They let Central 46 govern Soul Society and never interfered with Gotei 13 operations. None of us have ever seen them."
"Indeed. The Highest Authority was called the Soul King. He's symbolic yet revered figure in Soul Society. The Soul King Palace existed on a different dimension from the Soul Society and the Royal Guards known as the Zero Squad protected it. The Oken opens the means to access the Soul King Palace." Captain Commander explained.
"Then their objective is-" Captain Aizen said.
"To kill the Soul King. I think that was their objective. But it's not an immediate threat." Captain Commander stated.
"Did the documents that Quincy boy accessed contain the location of the Oken?" Captain Soi-Fon asked.
"No. You won't find it in any documents as it was a secret that was passed down orally to a few people. What the Quincy boy accessed were the documents pertaining to the Creation of Oken. The Quincy boy knows how it was made." Captain Commander clarified.
"Then... He could have already made his own Oken." Captain Komamura concluded.
"No, it's not that simple. The immediate problem is the raw materials they need. To create an Oken around exactly 100,000 souls and a concentrated Spirit Zone (Jureichi), two Reiri diameters were required." Captain Commander explained.
"100,000 souls?!" Captain Hitsugaya is surprised at the counts.
"Yes. But souls aren't our only concern. Jureichi was an unusual phenomenon in the Living World. Its locations changed over time. It's a spiritually charged area to which Spirits/Ghosts are drawn." Captain Commander explained.
"What do you want us to do, Captain Commander~" Captain Ichimaru asked.
"As of now, Soul Society will enter a State of Emergency!" Captain Commander ordered.
"To find the Quincy boy, Urahara Kisuke, and Tsukabishi Tessai we must monitor the area that will become Jureichi! Once you find them, immediate approval of releasing Gentei Kaijo will be done! Deal with them accordingly!" Captain Commander stated.
"So? Does that mean you gave us permission to go all out and kill all of them?" Captain Zaraki asked.
"Yes." Captain Commander answered.
"Heh! That's more like it!" Captain Zaraki exclaimed in joy at the discovery of new opponents.
000
Somewhere after meeting concluded.
"Captain Aizen~ To think you framed the Central 46 massacre and document thievery on the boy and your old foe~" Ichimaru Gin sing-songed.
"I'm simply taking advantage of what can be taken advantage of, Gin."
"Captain Aizen~ So evil of you to use Kurosaki Ichigo like that~ I wonder what kind of faces Kurosaki Ichigo would make when he found out~"
"Indeed, Gin," Aizen mused, a faint smile playing on his lips, the amber light catching the subtle gleam of his eyes.
"His indignant fury will be entertaining. But such trivialities are inconsequential. The Hogyoku's secrets, the true nature of Oken's creation those are the prizes. The Central 46 were inconvenient obstacles. Easily dealt with."
Gin chuckled, a low, throaty sound. "Though, I wonder, I rather enjoyed the look on that old man, Urahara Kisuke, when he realized your involvement, Captain Aizen~"
Aizen nodded slowly. "Efficiency is key, Gin. Ichigo's lack of information made him a perfect pawn. His abrupt imprisonment, his Quincy heritage… all fuel for our machinations. He believes he is successful in evading the Soul Society, and that belief will cloud his judgment, making his future actions predictable. A valuable asset, even in his escapades."
He set down his eyeglasses, the clink a sharp contrast to the quiet intensity in the room.
"The documents are secure. The analysis is progressing well. Soon, Urahara's Hogyoku will be mine. And with Oken…"
His voice trailed off, a hint of something akin to awe in his tone, "The world will be remade in my image."
Tousen Kaname leaned against a nearby pillar, his expression thoughtful. "And what of the Soul Society's reaction, Lord Aizen? Their investigation will be… thorough. They wouldn't suspect us, of course, but.... the unknown enigma could become a hidden danger..."
Aizen smiled, a chillingly confident expression. "They have nothing Kaname. The evidence points squarely at Kurosaki Ichigo and Urahara's party. By the time they uncover the truth, it will be too late. The preparations will be complete. They will be powerless to stop me."
"The mysterious enigma will eventually reveal themselves. No need to pursue them." He paused, his gaze drifting to something only he could see.
"Unless," he added, a glint of something unexpected perhaps amusement, perhaps something colder flashing in his eyes.
"Unless Kurosaki Ichigo proves… more resourceful than I anticipate." He chuckled softly, a sound that sent a shiver down Gin's spine.
"It would be...unfortunate, wouldn't it, Gin? If the pawn were to become the king." Aizen added mysteriously.