Impossible Prison Break
The sudden alarm shattered the atmosphere in Yuqian Hall, filling the air with tension.
No one spoke at first.
Kotetsu Kiyone glanced between Shiraishi and Captain Ukitake, unable to help herself. Both men had long silver hair, both strikingly handsome—could they be brothers?
But no, she had never heard Captain Ukitake mention any relatives. Besides, could the intruder the guards were warning about possibly be this man standing before her?
Her brow furrowed. If the Central 46 discovered Captain Ukitake had sheltered an intruder, things would go very badly.
At that moment, a soft, composed voice broke the silence from beyond the bamboo curtain:
> "It's impossible for us to have been discovered."
Kiyone turned sharply. The one who lifted the curtain was someone she recognized.
"Yone?!" she exclaimed.
Nemu Yinmeng bowed politely. "Long time no see, little Kotetsu."
"I told you not to call me that—just call me Kiyone!"
She barked without thinking, then immediately realized Captain Ukitake was beside her. Her face flushed. "Captain, I don't usually speak so rudely…"
Sentarō Kotsubaki snorted. "Don't pretend. Everyone knows you act like a tomboy most of the time."
"You bastard! You dare insult me in front of Captain Ukitake?!"
Unlike her more restrained sister, Kotetsu Isane, Kiyone was small but fiery. Except for her captain, she wasn't afraid of anyone.
Ignoring their bickering, Ukitake spoke with heavy gravity:
"Things have become far more complicated. Whether your whereabouts have been exposed or it's someone else breaking into Seireitei, any plan of a prison break is impossible."
This wasn't the first time Seireitei had faced infiltration. The Central 46 always maintained countermeasures. As Head Captain, Yamamoto Genryūsai would adjust his precautions depending on the intruder's strength.
Ukitake explained: "Since Isshin Shiba's disappearance, the Court has already been on wartime alert. Every seated officer must carry their Zanpakutō at all times. The restrictions the Central 46 once imposed on captains have been lifted. Martial law has been declared. The Central 46's chambers are already sealed by barriers—layer upon layer. If you try to break through, Genryūsai-sensei himself will respond instantly."
He coughed violently, blood spraying onto his hand. But he still forced his voice firm:
"And then, you will die."
Ukitake knew better than anyone the terror of Ryūjin Jakka. Even its Shikai could incinerate the heavens themselves. Combined with the Head Captain's own mastery, there was no one alive who could hope to overcome him.
"That's… truly terrifying," Shiraishi admitted honestly.
His original plan had been simple: slip in quietly, rescue Kūkaku, and leave without notice. But the alarm ruined everything. Now Seireitei's divisions were mobilized, and the route to Muken—the Underground Prison—was completely locked down.
If he forced his way, he'd be a corpse by morning.
"Yinmeng. Take me to the First Division."
Shiraishi's tone was calm, resolved. He was betting on the chaos. They weren't the only intruders tonight. Whoever else had entered had triggered the alarm, which meant opportunity amidst disorder.
Ukitake's eyes widened. "Are you going to throw your life away?!"
"Don't worry. I'm not that reckless. I just need to see if a chance exists. If there isn't, I'll back off."
But Ukitake's heart twisted. For an instant, Shiraishi's determined figure overlapped with another in his mind—Kaien Shiba.
Yes, Kaien would never have stood by either. He wouldn't care about the Central 46's decree. He would have thrown himself forward to save Kūkaku without hesitation.
"Wait." Ukitake finally broke. His voice was hoarse, heavy with guilt. "The location of the Central 46's council chamber is a tightly kept secret. Outsiders cannot know. Let me tell you how to reach Muken."
He coughed again, violently, staining the quilt with red.
Shiraishi frowned. "Captain, you should lie down—you've already coughed out half a basin of blood."
"Who do you think caused that?!" Kiyone shouted furiously.
Ukitake raised a hand to silence her, shaking his head weakly. "It's fine. Just the same illness as always. Listen carefully."
He explained:
> "The entrance to the council chamber is outside the First Division barracks, surrounded by a circular lake. Beyond the barrier are thirteen defense walls, each strong enough to withstand a captain's strike. If you shatter one, Genryūsai-sensei will appear in moments. Beyond them lies a staircase. Go down, and at the bottom is a hall. To the right is Muken.
Each floor's gate is controlled by the Kidō Corps. The barrier must be opened by the floor's warden in person. If you force it, the entire floor collapses—killing every prisoner inside."
Shiraishi's brows furrowed. "That's… truly troublesome."
Ukitake nodded grimly. "Since its construction, no one has ever broken into Muken. No one has ever escaped from it."
"I like challenges."
Shiraishi smiled faintly, then stood. "Rest easy, Captain. You've already done more than enough."
Ukitake's expression was full of apology. He wanted desperately to do more, but in his frail condition, even a single shunpo would have left him bleeding on the floor.
Shiraishi waved it off. "The information is enough. Nemu, let's go."
He could already feel spiritual pressures closing in fast. They had to move.
Nemu nodded, slipping outside Yuqian Hall with him. Together they raced toward the First Division, sandals clattering against stone.
At the same moment, a squad from the Onmitsukidō landed in front of Ukitake's hall, kneeling at the threshold.
"Captain Ukitake—urgent orders!"
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