As the Shinigami who narrowly escaped with his life relayed the events to the Captain-Commander in a state of panic, Tōsen Kaname arrived at
As the Shinigami who narrowly escaped with his life relayed the events to the Captain-Commander in a state of panic, Tōsen Kaname arrived at Sōkyoku Hill with Rukia Kuchiki in tow.
Upon reaching the Captain-Commander, Tōsen Kaname presented his carefully constructed narrative, asserting that Yusuke, who was originally assigned to assist him in the prisoner's transport, had suddenly launched a prison break, though he, Tōsen, had reacted swiftly and managed to secure Rukia Kuchiki.
Hearing Tōsen Kaname's report, which aligned perfectly with the surviving Shinigami's account, Yamamoto Genryūsai readily accepted their version of events.
Turning to his lieutenant, Yamamoto Genryūsai commanded in a deep voice, "Chōjirō Tadaoki Sasakibe, order the immediate lockdown of the Seireitei and initiate a comprehensive search for Uchiha Yusuke. As for the Sōkyoku execution, proceed according to the established plan."
Rukia Kuchiki, held firmly in Tōsen Kaname's grasp, wore a blank expression. Initially, when 'Yusuke' had intervened to rescue her, she had been both startled and filled with a renewed sense of hope.
However, now that she was standing before the Captain-Commander, and the Sōkyoku execution was set to continue, she felt certain of her impending demise.
While she felt that Byakuya Kuchiki had not acted upon his promise to save her, she harbored no resentment towards him. As the head of the Kuchiki clan, Byakuya Kuchiki bore responsibilities far exceeding her own well-being.
"I truly wish I could see my sister, Renji, and Ichigo one last time!" Bound to the execution rack, Rukia Kuchiki gazed up at the clear blue sky, murmuring her heartfelt wish.
"Oh my, my dear lady, who did you say you wished to see? However, placing my name at the very end is rather upsetting, you know!"
Suddenly, a familiar voice echoed in Rukia Kuchiki's ears.
Rukia Kuchiki's face registered extreme shock, as, in her understanding, that voice should have been impossible to hear in this location.
Following the sound, Rukia Kuchiki turned her head and saw a young man with vibrant orange hair, clad in a Shinigami uniform and carrying a massive Zanpakutō, perched atop the execution rack, smiling down at her.
Affixed to the young man's back was a contraption resembling a pair of kite wings, suggesting that he had used this device to reach the summit of the execution rack.
"Ichigo! How is it possible that you're here? Are you throwing your life away!" Rukia Kuchiki cried out, her voice filled with tears and alarm.
Ichigo Kurosaki replied with a grin, "I value my life, but I value my friends even more! And I'm not the only one here; Uryū, Orihime, and Chad have all come too. Everyone is eagerly anticipating a reunion with you!"
Hearing Ichigo Kurosaki's words, Rukia Kuchiki was overwhelmed with emotion and momentarily rendered speechless.
However, she knew that with their limited strength, they stood virtually no chance of rescuing her from Soul Society.
Simultaneously with Ichigo Kurosaki's dramatic appearance, all the captains and lieutenants present at Sōkyoku Hill naturally became aware of his presence.
The arrival of Ichigo Kurosaki and his companions introduced unforeseen variables into the carefully laid plans of both Aizen and Yusuke.
"These Ryoka are Rukia's friends from the Human World? I never expected them to be more resolute than I, her own brother!"
Observing Ichigo Kurosaki, who was bantering with Rukia Kuchiki while simultaneously freeing her from the execution rack, Byakuya Kuchiki could not help but feel a sense of self-deprecating amusement.
He had only recently and with considerable difficulty decided against a direct rescue attempt, yet these friends, whom Rukia Kuchiki had known for less than a year, had boldly risked their lives to venture into Soul Society for her sake, clearly demonstrating a level of resolve that surpassed his own.
"However, their actions have deprived me, her brother, of the opportunity to personally rescue my sister," Byakuya Kuchiki thought to himself, slowly drawing his Zanpakutō.
He knew that battle had formally commenced at that very moment!
Just as Ichigo Kurosaki prepared to depart Sōkyoku Hill with Rukia Kuchiki, Suì-Fēng, captain of the Second Division, received an order from Captain-Commander Yamamoto Genryūsai to intercept Ichigo Kurosaki using her extraordinary Shunpo skills.
However, her advance was immediately blocked by Byakuya Kuchiki, who also employed his own superior Shunpo.
"Captain Kuchiki, what is the meaning of this? Have you betrayed the Seireitei?" Suì-Fēng demanded, her voice stern as she faced Byakuya Kuchiki's impassive expression.
Having fought alongside Byakuya Kuchiki in the past, Suì-Fēng knew all too well how formidable he could be.
Beyond his mastery of various Shinigami combat techniques, his calm demeanor and exceptional analytical prowess were qualities she deeply admired.
In a direct confrontation, Suì-Fēng was certain her chances of victory were slim.
"Captain Suì-Fēng, before I am a Shinigami of the Seireitei, I am the head of the Kuchiki clan. To execute a member of my clan for such a frivolous reason would require the approval of my blade," Byakuya Kuchiki stated calmly.
A testament to his unwavering devotion to his sister, even in this act of defiance, Byakuya Kuchiki had found a perfectly legitimate and justifiable reason!
The captains present, as well as Rukia Kuchiki and Ichigo Kurosaki on the execution rack, all witnessed Byakuya Kuchiki's obstruction, further complicating the already intricate situation.
Seeing Byakuya Kuchiki's intervention, Aizen, fearing Rukia Kuchiki's potential escape, instructed his lieutenant, Mirai Saru, who was standing behind him: "Mirai, retrieve Rukia Kuchiki."
Mirai Saru nodded silently, his form blurring as he vanished from sight.
Aboard the execution rack, Ichigo Kurosaki asked with curiosity: "Rukia, who is this guy who seems so proud and aloof? Is he helping us?"
Seeing Byakuya Kuchiki's intervention, Rukia Kuchiki understood that her brother had not abandoned her, and was simply waiting for a suitable opportunity to act.
At that moment, she felt that having friends like Ichigo Kurosaki and a brother like Byakuya Kuchiki made even dying there worthwhile.
Rukia Kuchiki smiled happily, and said: "He's my brother, Kuchiki Byakuya."
As Rukia Kuchiki was touched by her brother's actions, Ichigo Kurosaki, with a complete disregard for the mood, landed a chop on Rukia Kuchiki's head: "You look so ugly when you cry and laugh at the same time. Hold on tight, we're getting out of here!"
Ichigo Kurosaki shouted, and the flying device on his back suddenly unfolded, with a powerful airflow bursting from his wings. It seemed as if he was about to fly directly away with Rukia.
However, at that moment, a flash of sword light appeared, and Ichigo Kurosaki's wings were directly cut off. Because of the sudden loss of airflow, Ichigo Kurosaki lost his balance and fell from the top of the execution rack, holding Rukia Kuchiki.
"Aaaaagh!!!"
Ichigo Kurosaki and Rukia Kuchiki cried out at the same time, but after landing, they did not feel any pain. It seemed as if there was a soft cushion under their butts. Looking down, they saw a Shinigami wearing a Shinigami uniform.
Seeing a big clump of crimson hair next to them, Rukia Kuchiki immediately knew who it was.
"Renji, what are you doing here!" Rukia Kuchiki exclaimed.
Renji Abarai, who was still being squashed under their butts, said weakly: "Of course I'm here to save you, did you really think that I, the great Abarai Renji, would let my friend be executed! Also, can you two move your butts? I really can't breathe!"
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