Above the 2nd Division barracks, a man clad in a white haori, sporting an afro, raised his Zanpakutō high—
"Shatter it, Tengumaru!!"
With his roar, the meter-long blade gleamed and extended—
Instantly transforming into a massive, seven-to-eight-meter-long black spiked club.
The afro-wielder swung it down with all his might.
A massive section of the barrier shattered on impact!
The moment the barrier shattered, the spiritual pressure contained within surged out.
Sensing the information carried within the spiritual pressure, the expressions of the two captains nearby darkened.
Kyōraku Shunsui's entire face was shrouded in shadow.
Drawing his Zanpakutō, he flashed forward, charging straight downward without hesitation.
Kirio Hikifune followed closely behind without a second thought.
From afar, the two could already see the scene before the prison gates at the Second Division's rear mountain.
The sight was so bizarre that for a moment, they even forgot their anger.
The Ninth Division captain, Yasushi Takada, lay on the ground with his entire shoulder blown apart, his condition unknown.
Not far away, Rennosuke Kamikawa gripped his sword, his face filled with terror.
On the other side, Satoru stood quietly.
Though his clothes were tattered and his hands dripped with blood, the intense fighting spirit radiating from him was as dazzling as the blazing sun.
"Satoru!!" Shunsui shouted.
Hearing this, Satoru grinned.
His dear senior, though not perfectly timely, had arrived just in time.
Though he had taken down Yasushi Takada, he was already at his limit.
If Rennosuke regained his senses and started finishing them off, none of them would likely survive.
Swish!
Shunsui landed beside Satoru using Shunpo.
"Satoru, how are you?" Shunsui couldn't help but ask, seeing Satoru looking like he might collapse at any moment.
Satoru shook his head.
Fighting against the overwhelming drowsiness, he spoke:
"Senior, Ninth Division captain Yasushi Takada conspired with the rebels, plotted a rebellion, and launched a night attack on the Second Division, causing heavy casualties among the squad members."
"Among the injured is the head of the Shihōin family, Yoruichi Shihōin!"
"Rennosuke Kamikawa was also rescued by Yasushi Takada's men... There are still his accomplices in the prison cells. Remember to arrest them all."
Hearing this, Shunsui Kyōraku couldn't help but laugh.
This kid, even in such a state, hadn't forgotten to pin the blame on Yasushi Takada first.
The most impressive part was how he downplayed the rebellion but emphasized the attack on the Shihōin family head.
He really had the nobility figured out.
"Got it. I'll remember all this and report it," Shunsui said with a smile, seeing that Satoru didn't seem to be in critical condition.
Satoru nodded.
As he relaxed, his legs gave way, and he nearly collapsed to the ground.
Thud!
A pair of hands caught him from behind.
Turning his head, Satoru saw Yoruichi looking at him with a complicated gaze.
Holding Satoru under his arms, Yoruichi used Shunpo to retreat to the edge of the battlefield, avoiding further conflict.
Watching this scene, Shunsui wanted to whistle but held back, considering the inappropriateness of the moment.
Kirio Hikifune surveyed the surroundings, her eyes filled with rage.
So many squad members had become sacrifices because of this ridiculous mess.
Could these nobles be any more despicable?
Her gaze turned icy as she looked at the two captains before her, a killing intent rising within her.
Both were captains, rare combat assets in Soul Society. Even if captured with solid evidence, they would likely be bailed out by their noble backers, just like today.
She might not have much time left in the Seireitei.
Once she left, no matter how much the rebels stirred, she wouldn't be able to intervene.
Might as well finish them all off here today!
Blades had no eyes, and this was a battlefield—killing them would be perfectly justified.
Even if the Central 46 wanted to make an issue of this and cause trouble for her, she could simply head to the Royal Guard ahead of schedule.
Let those old fools from the Central 46 try to chase her there!
With that thought, she hesitated no longer, drawing her Zanpakutō in one swift motion.
Pushing off the ground, she charged straight toward Rennosuke.
Watching Kirio dash towards Rennosuke, Shunsui grimaced, his expression tinged with fear.
He had considered trying to dissuade her, but the moment he recalled the Central 46's verdict on Rennosuke, he stopped himself.
Even Love Aikawa, the captain of the 7th Division descending from above, couldn't help but feel a chill run down his spine.
Under the gaze of the onlookers, Kirio closed the distance to Rennosuke in an instant—her blade slashing downward!
Yet, mid-swing, she suddenly sensed something.
Instantly shifting from her charging stance, she twisted her body and leaped back.
Almost simultaneously with her movement, a slash of energy surged past her, carving a deep fissure between her and Rennosuke!
Whoosh!!
Shunsui and Aikawa both flash-stepped to her side.
Yoruichi, slightly startled, turned her gaze toward the direction of the attack.
Emerging from the darkness of night was a tall, slender figure clad in a blue kimono, a Zanpakutō in hand—his face concealed behind a tengu mask.
A few strands of graying hair peeked out from beneath the mask.
At the sight of this man, Rennosuke's eyes lit up, his expression one of immense relief.
Shunsui frowned slightly.
There was something vaguely familiar about this man.
Especially his spiritual pressure—though well-concealed, it carried a faint, unsettlingly recognizable trace.
Not far away, Yoruichi, who was half-kneeling on the ground with Satoru leaning against her, showed a similar reaction.
Under the gaze of the group, the man wearing a tengu mask stepped toward Yasushi Takada.
Shunsui flashed forward, blocking his path.
"...Well now, sir, these two are wanted by the Gotei 13."
"If you leave now, I can still pretend I saw nothing."
The tengu mask remained silent for a moment as he stared at Shunsui standing before him.
Then, he suddenly swung his Zanpakutō.
CLANG!!!!
Shunsui raised his twin swords, blocking the strike.
In the next instant, his expression changed.
Without the slightest hesitation, Shunsui leaped back in retreat.
Through his Zanpakutō, the opponent's immense force surged into his arms, leaving his hands slightly numb.
Such overwhelming spiritual pressure... Just who is this?!
After forcing Shunsui back with a single slash, the tengu mask flicked his fingers lightly.
Yasushi Takada, lying on the ground, floated up and landed on his shoulder.
Then, he turned his gaze toward Rennosuke.
The latter froze for a moment before realizing something and hurriedly running over.
"Trying to leave?!"
Kirio's brows furrowed as she prepared to charge forward.
The tengu mask seemed to have anticipated her move—he raised his Zanpakutō and aimed it at her from a distance.
"Hadō #91."
"Senjū Kōten Taihō."
Kirio's eyes widened.
The next second, under her disbelieving stare, dozens of blinding white light spears instantly took shape and shot toward her—
BOOM!!!!!
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