Reigai Kyōraku Shunsui waved his Katen Kyōkotsu, summoning a massive whirlwind to trap Yamamoto Genryūsai in its center.
But standing calmly within the eye of the storm, Genryūsai simply raised Ryūjin Jakka—and with one gentle swing, the whirlwind transformed into a roaring firestorm that shot straight toward Kyōraku!
Forced to cross his swords to block, Reigai Kyōraku was still pushed back by the overwhelming force.
"Kyōraku!" Reigai Ukitake cried out in concern.
Genryūsai narrowed his eyes.
"You're worried about others… at a time like this?"
He unleashed another stream of searing flames toward Ukitake!
But thanks to Unohana's healing, Reigai Ukitake could still reflect it effortlessly.
Seeing his two fake disciples repeatedly healed by Reigai Unohana, Yamamoto finally showed signs of weariness.
All he wanted was a good fight—how did it turn into this long-winded mess?
"Tch… fine then."
Facing three stubborn Reigai, Yamamoto decided to unleash his strongest move—while still in Shikai.
It wasn't Soul Society's doomsday yet, so there was no need for Bankai.
If he did, these three would be instantly reduced to ash.
"Ennetsu Jigoku!"
Yes—Blazing Heat Hell. The same move he was going to use against Aizen in the original timeline!
Its destructive power was massive. It had never been fully unleashed before, but it was more than enough to wipe out three powerful Reigai captains.
Unohana, having just left the Research Bureau, saw this massive eruption and quickly Flash Stepped in to pull Yamamoto out of the inferno and away from the battlefield.
——
Elsewhere, Reigai Hitsugaya Tōshirō intercepted Byakuya Kuchiki.
The moment he spotted Byakuya, he activated his Bankai—
As expected of a captain who uses Bankai in every fight!
Even his Reigai version didn't hold back—
"Bankai! Daiguren Hyōrinmaru!"
A giant ice dragon surged forward, charging at Byakuya.
But Byakuya didn't even bother with his own Bankai—he shattered the dragon using just his partially released Senbonzakura.
Byakuya landed gracefully, waiting for the mist from the collision to clear.
But Reigai Hitsugaya had vanished.
Byakuya glanced upward—and there he was, descending with a full-force finisher—
"Sennen Hyōrō!" (Thousand-Year Ice Prison!)
Even in the Zanpakutō Rebellion arc, Hyōrinmaru treated this as an ultimate move.
Surrounded by towering ice pillars, Byakuya showed no surprise.
Hitsugaya landed, exhaling in relief—
Too soon.
Flash Step!
Byakuya appeared behind him and slashed—shattering the icy wings on Hitsugaya's back and cleaving him nearly in two!
…Or so it seemed.
Because in the next moment, Reigai Hitsugaya crumbled into shards of ice—
A decoy.
The real one landed beside Byakuya and immediately pointed his blade at him—unleashing a flurry of ice spikes from the ground!
But Byakuya simply Flash Stepped away.
In close combat, Reigai Hitsugaya was clearly less adept.
After exchanging several blows, Byakuya calmly asked,
"You have power. Why serve that man?"
Reigai Hitsugaya didn't hesitate—
"I don't serve anyone. But there's someone I must protect—no matter the cost!"
He leapt high into the air and once again unleashed—
"Sennen Hyōrō!"
This time, the ice pillars were even more massive. But he wasn't aiming to trap Byakuya.
He wanted to restrict his movement.
Byakuya relied heavily on his incredible speed. If that was suppressed, he could be cornered.
It was a good plan—just not quite enough.
Because Byakuya wasn't just speed.
Finally, he activated his Bankai—
"Bankai, Senbonzakura Kageyoshi."
Blades erupted from the ground—tearing through the ice pillars.
Then, transforming into countless petal-like blades, they swept toward Hitsugaya.
Hitsugaya retaliated by coating his body in ice crystals to block the attack.
When he emerged again, he realized—
Sennen Hyōrō wasn't enough.
But it had filled the battlefield with dense fog and icy debris, drastically reducing visibility.
And that was exactly what Hitsugaya wanted.
In the obscured battlefield, he changed the climate above Byakuya's head—
Dark clouds dispersed.
Snow and ice fell—touching Byakuya and instantly blooming into icy flowers.
This was—
"Hyōten Hyakkasō!" (Frozen Heaven Hundred Flower Funeral!)
A technique that once defeated Harribel, the Tercera Espada.
Even Byakuya couldn't escape this one—he was sealed in a crystal of ice, from earth to sky.
Reigai Hitsugaya exhaled in relief and turned to leave—
Until—
Crack!
A faint pink light shone through the ice!
It began spreading—then exploded!
"Impossible… how did you not get frozen?!" Hitsugaya gasped.
Byakuya stepped forward, a little scuffed, but very much alive.
"I wrapped my body in Senbonzakura. Your Hyōten Hyakkasō only froze the outer layer."
Hitsugaya's eyes widened in realization. But the area was still covered in mist.
And in that moment—
He sensed Byakuya's position.
Slashing forward, he launched a preemptive strike—
But—
Byakuya grabbed his Zanpakutō with his bare hand—spiritual pressure coating his palm.
He bled slightly—but held the blade fast.
This was something he'd learned during the Muramasa incident—watching Kenpachi!
Except unlike Kenpachi, Byakuya followed it up with a grand move—
"Gōkei, Senbonzakura Kageyoshi!"
The petals surrounded both of them, swirling like a hurricane.
Byakuya was protected. Hitsugaya was not.
As the attack hit home, Reigai Hitsugaya murmured…
"…Karin…"
Byakuya froze.
That name—he knew it.
"…Karin? Is there a Shinigami by that name in Soul Society?"
No.
Wait.
It was familiar.
His sister, Rukia, had often mentioned a human girl named Karin when she returned from the Human World.
"Niisama, today I saw that girl again… Ichigo's little sister…"
Realization dawned.
Byakuya stared at the fading form of Reigai Hitsugaya, face full of disbelief.
This was a huge secret!
The Captain of the 10th Division… had feelings for a human girl!
And meanwhile, unaware that his secret had been exposed, the real Hitsugaya was heading toward the Research Bureau.
On his path, strangely—there was no resistance.
While running, he spotted someone on the rooftop ahead—
"Hinamori?"
With a flash step, he appeared beside her.
"You're back from the Human World? You haven't been clinging to Ichigo again, have you?" Hitsugaya asked like a stern older brother.
But Hinamori slowly stood, swaying like she might fall.
Hitsugaya rushed to steady her.
"You're hurt?" he asked.
But she only muttered—
"Sorry, Shiro-chan… I'm sorry…"
Then she drew her blade and attacked him!
Of course, there was no way this attack would land. Hitsugaya easily caught it.
Looking at her wrist—
Yep, a control tag.
"Sheesh… You can't defeat me with this," he said calmly.
"But can you defeat me, Shiro-chan?"
Hitsugaya frowned.
Was this fake really trying to play mind games?
And then—
Another voice called out from behind!
"Watch out, Shiro-chan! That one's a fake!"
Another Hinamori appeared!
Hitsugaya relaxed slightly.
"Don't come any closer. I'll handle her."
But this new Hinamori didn't stop.
She Flash Stepped right beside him and—
With that same fake, syrupy smile—
"What's wrong, Shiro-chan? You don't love me anymore~?"
Hitsugaya's eyes twitched.
Damn it. This one's fake too!
Spin kick!
He booted the second Hinamori flying—
And that just so happened to foil the first Hinamori's follow-up attack too!
Perfect timing.
——
(End of Chapter)
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