Just as Unohana Yachiru had warned Ukitake Jūshirō—trust no one.
Faced with Kotetsu Isane's sudden attack, Unohana had no choice but to Shunpo away, gazing at Inaba Kagerōza with a faint sigh.
"As expected of the mastermind behind all this. You even replaced Isane without anyone noticing, huh?"
Kagerōza didn't deny it.
As for how he managed to create copies of captains and lieutenants—
It was during the period when the Gotei 13 had sent lieutenants to the Human World to deal with the city displacement issues.
At that time, Inaba Kagerōza secretly modified the Dangai portals.
As long as any captain or lieutenant got close to, or passed through, one of the portals, he could easily extract their Reishi and fabricate a Reigai replica.
Which is also why he couldn't create a clone of Yamamoto Genryūsai—he never went near the portal.
Even if Kagerōza had managed to obtain Genryūsai's Reishi, it's doubtful he could recreate a Reigai of the Head Captain anyway.
Just like his failed attempts to clone Rukia and Nemu—completely botched copies.
And there were two people he absolutely could not replicate.
One was Seirō.
The other—Unohana Yachiru.
Both were far too unique, and not even someone like Kagerōza could duplicate them.
Also… Ichigo.
No matter what he tried, Kagerōza couldn't replicate the strongest being of the Three Worlds.
Even though Ichigo had used the portals multiple times, it was still impossible to create a Reigai version of him.
This was a major reason Kagerōza couldn't successfully frame Ichigo.
Because if there was a Reigai Ichigo, not even Unohana, Ukitake, or Kyōraku could have defended him.
After explaining how he pulled off the bait-and-switch, Kagerōza looked at Unohana and asked,
"So, what do you think of my plan?"
"Oh? There's even a clone of me?"
Unohana's eyes lit up. Literally.
No pupils—just white sclera.
Ichigo knew this look all too well.
Reigai Unohana immediately launched a spell—
"Hadō #88: Hiryū Gekizoku Shinten Raihō!"
No incantation.
A fully powered level 88 Hadō.
Yet Unohana wasn't fazed.
Even with three opponents standing before her, she remained utterly calm.
She knew—this was Genryūsai's test.
If she could resolve this incident flawlessly, her appointment as the next Captain-Commander would be as good as sealed.
Because a true leader doesn't fight on the front lines.
That's for warriors like Kenpachi.
But for the head of the Gotei 13—strategizing and commanding is what matters.
Unohana understood this perfectly.
So she suppressed her own intense bloodlust.
She fired back with her own Hadō 88—
"Hadō #88: Hiryū Gekizoku Shinten Raihō!"
But her version was vastly more powerful.
It engulfed the entire lab in a roaring explosion.
Taking advantage of the blast, she vanished from the scene.
Not because she couldn't win—
But because brute force alone wouldn't prove she was ready to lead.
Meanwhile, over at the First Division barracks—
Reigai Kyōraku and Ukitake had infiltrated Yamamoto's quarters, pretending to report in.
Genryūsai looked at his "students" curiously.
"Kyōraku. Ukitake. Surely you understand why I've remained stationed here in the First Division… Why not report to Captain Unohana instead?"
But instead of replying with words, the two attacked.
Genryūsai, of course, had been prepared.
The whole situation was far too suspicious.
As Reigai Ukitake drew his sword, Genryūsai sensed the killing intent and dodged with ease.
To him, this so-called "perfect plan" was child's play.
And he wasn't even using any special techniques yet—
This was pure strength.
His crimson spiritual pressure flared up, overwhelming the area.
Yet even though their ambush failed, the two Reigai made no effort to flee.
Instead, Reigai Kyōraku sighed,
"Knew it wouldn't be that easy… Ukitake, got any ideas to stall him?"
Reigai Ukitake nodded grimly.
The battle was on.
Yamamoto narrowed his eyes.
These weren't his real disciples.
But even so, to cross swords with their copies before retiring… wasn't a bad parting gift.
"All things in the universe turn to ash—Ryūjin Jakka!"
His Zanpakutō ignited in a surge of flame.
The Reigai didn't flinch—
"Katen Kyōkotsu!"
"Sōgyo no Kotowari!"
"Zanki!"
Reigai Kyōraku leapt into the air, activating his game-based abilities.
But even in his own "game," his attacks held no weight against Genryūsai.
With a simple Shunpo, the Head Captain appeared behind him.
"…Is that all?"
He slashed—
A vortex of fire lashed out, curling toward Kyōraku.
Ukitake intervened—
"Sōgyo no Kotowari!"
His twin blades absorbed the flames and redirected them back at Genryūsai.
The old man dodged again with ease.
"Sorry, Ukitake," said Reigai Kyōraku. "I underestimated him."
Their spiritual pressure grew so intense that even the sky darkened, and rain began to fall.
Genryūsai stood on the rooftop, glaring down.
"How pitiful. You talk like Kyōraku and Ukitake… fight like them… But you're just Reigai. The will you possess isn't even your own."
His words were like a blade through the heart.
He laid bare the essence of a Mod Soul.
Reigai Kyōraku was visibly upset, but Ukitake replied calmly,
"Even if we were created from copies, we haven't lost what matters most. We still have honor."
Genryūsai looked momentarily surprised—then gripped his flaming blade once more.
Massive waves of fire surged forth again!
Ukitake tried to reflect them—
But Genryūsai roared,
"Don't think the same trick will work twice!"
He unleashed a stronger flame—one that overwhelmed Ukitake's reflected blast and slammed into him directly.
One strike.
Reigai Ukitake was seriously injured.
Kyōraku leapt in front to shield him.
"Dark Game – White!"
A rule-based attack that sliced Genryūsai's haori.
But the wound was shallow. Kyōraku had too few white areas on his body to enhance the damage.
Genryūsai bellowed,
"Too naïve!"
Without hesitation, he slashed down.
His blade struck Kyōraku directly, flames consuming him.
The Reigai captain was thrown through the air and crashed at Ukitake's feet.
Still—there was no fear in their eyes.
They may have been clones…
But they fought with the same unwavering spirit.
That moment, Genryūsai realized—he would have to go all out to defeat them.
He charged his spiritual pressure—
And launched a devastating wave of fire at Ukitake.
Not even Sōgyo no Kotowari could reflect this one.
Realizing this, Ukitake was forced to flee.
Kyōraku stepped in to cover him.
But both were heavily injured now.
Their strength fading.
While Genryūsai stood firm—unshaken, unmoved.
Compared to the aging, panting Reigai, he looked like the one in his prime.
Just as he was preparing the final blow—
Reigai Unohana arrived from the R&D Bureau.
Turns out, Kyōraku and Ukitake had been buying time—
They knew Reigai Unohana would eventually show up after defeating the real Unohana.
With her healing abilities, they could recover and continue fighting—
Until they wore Genryūsai down.
The moment she arrived, their injuries were nearly healed.
Genryūsai looked at the scene and… burst into laughter.
"HAHAHAHAHA! Unohana Yachiru… so even you are underestimated now! Someone thought your power was just healing?! HAHAHA!"
He laughed so hard he couldn't even stand straight.
Meanwhile, the three Reigai didn't understand why.
Still, they raised their blades—
And the battle continued!
"Not one step back!"
——
(End of Chapter)
[Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][www.p@treon.com/zaelum]
[+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter]
[Thank You For Your Support!]