Emergency meeting…
Emergency meeting!!!
A gathering held late at night was already bound to feel tense and anxious.
And now, the captains who assembled were met with a piece of news they had half expected:
A Ryoka invasion.
"Humans from the living world have crossed into Soul Society and, with the help of the Rukongai residents, have successfully infiltrated the Seireitei."
The information was read aloud in a flat tone from the report in hand.
Sasakibe Chōjirō looked up thoughtfully, the glint in his eyes growing subtly sharper.
"In conclusion, it has been confirmed that Ryoka are currently hiding within the Seireitei."
"As the Gotei 13, I ask all captains to give this matter their full attention."
"Resolve this pointless crisis at once."
This was not an order directly passed down from Central 46. The message Sasakibe delivered was a handwritten directive from Yamamoto Genryūsai himself.
The old man's stance on such matters was always crystal clear.
"Life and death must remain distinct."
"The living should not intrude into the realm of the dead. Such a violation of the natural order warrants severe punishment."
Before Central 46 could begin its inquiries and issue a formal declaration, this was a preemptive move to deal with the Ryoka threat.
For the reputation of the Gotei 13, this would also serve as damage control. And with this, the old man's declaration…
Was essentially the will of the entire organization.
In a single moment, the captains reached a unified response.
"Understood."
A direct order—there was no room for objection.
But just as everyone was about to leave, Kenpachi Zaraki suddenly called out coldly to the man beside him.
"Oi, hold up."
The Tenth Division's captain, Gin Ichimaru, had his shoulder grabbed.
Like a venomous snake, he turned slightly, wearing a polite yet restrained smile.
"Yes, what is it?"
"You've already fought those Ryoka once, haven't you?"
Gin didn't answer immediately. Tilting his head, feigning confusion, he finally replied in a low voice:
"Yeah, I did."
Kurosaki Ichigo and his group had initially tried to storm the White Road Gate.
They broke through Jidanbō's massive axes and won his respect, prompting him to consider letting them through.
But Gin intercepted them mid-way.
"What's their strength like?"
"Nothing too special. Can't release Bankai inside the Seireitei, after all. But if we get serious, they'll go down easy."
He'd sent one flying with a stab of his Shinsō… so from Gin's perspective, that was a fair assessment.
But Zaraki clearly didn't like that answer.
"That's it? They're that weak, huh…"
All interest gone—classic Kenpachi.
But just as he was about to leave, that beast of a man suddenly paused and narrowed his eyes again.
"Wait… If you already fought them, why didn't you finish the job?"
"And that gatekeeper—his job is to stop intruders. Why'd he let them through?"
Classic Kenpachi—always catching those sharp little inconsistencies.
The other captains, who were about to leave, slowed down and glanced back.
Naturally—who doesn't love a bit of drama?
Mayuri, on the other hand, seemed completely disinterested. He glanced over once, then turned away.
"Nemu, we're going."
The girl who seemed like she had more to say to Seiya smiled awkwardly and bowed slightly before following after her captain.
—Seems like Mayuri's been in a worse mood lately.
Seiya smiled wryly and gestured toward Hinamori, who stood by the door, asking her to wait a moment, before turning back to the ongoing exchange.
The face-off continued.
"If you want to know why I didn't finish them off, isn't it obvious?"
A shrug, a tilt of the head.
Gin remained relaxed and mocking, clearly unfazed by Kenpachi's aura.
"It was in the Rukongai. Jidanbō's been guarding that gate for over three centuries—loyal and diligent."
"If I'd cut him down without an official verdict, that would've reflected poorly on the Gotei 13, don't you think?"
There was logic to it.
From a rational standpoint, it made sense.
But Kenpachi Zaraki wasn't known for being rational.
"What? A guy who failed his job deserves to die. Especially a gatekeeper."
Survival of the fittest—that was the Eleventh Division's mantra. Kenpachi wouldn't accept anything less.
"Why not just admit you didn't want to dirty your hands doing something so disgraceful?"
Was that a provocation?
Maybe not intentionally.
But it still ticked people off.
"Heh… So even the brainless ones say deep things now and then."
"What was that?!"
Tension exploded.
Seeing that neither would back down, Shunsui Kyōraku stepped forward with a wry smile, placing himself between them.
"Now, now, I get it—we're all a bit on edge because of these recent headaches."
"But it's times like this we need to hold it together. Keep the peace, you know?"
"At the very least, let's not give the old man something to laugh about, huh? Wouldn't do our captain titles any justice."
Blunt words aren't always sharp—but jabbed in the right place, they still hurt.
The two backed off, silently turning their heads away and walking off in different directions.
"Yachiru, let's go!"
The pink-haired, pint-sized vice-captain followed, but not without flashing a grin at Shunsui.
"Thanks, scruffy old man!"
"Ahaha… that hurts, but I'll take the sentiment."
On the other side, Rangiku was muttering under her breath, giving her captain a beating.
"What's wrong with you? Stirring up trouble for no reason! If you go down, all the work falls to me!"
"Ow… I got it, I got it. Quit it already…"
Their noisy squabble drew annoyed glances even from Hitsugaya.
"You two, tone it down! Everyone's watching!"
Clearly, the captain had zero control over his vice-captain.
Seiya couldn't help but chuckle at the lively scene.
"Captain Arima?"
At Hinamori's soft call, Seiya snapped out of it and nodded.
"Yeah, let's head back too."
The way home wasn't far.
But today, there were more people accompanying them than usual.
Seeing the crowd of Fifth Division members flanking him, Seiya glanced sideways and asked:
"This your doing?"
Hinamori nodded cheerfully.
"Yep! With the Ryoka invading, everyone's worried something might happen to you, Captain… so we gathered the free officers."
It wasn't an order—it was voluntary.
Even so, they'd had to limit participation because too many wanted to come.
"Everyone cares about you, Captain Arima!"
"Haa…"
Seiya had no words.
Sighing, yet clearly moved, he looked around with a complex glint in his eyes.
"Thanks, everyone."
Everything was going smoothly.
—Both Aizen's plan and Kurosaki Ichigo's invasion.
The reason Gin had run into them before was partly coincidence, partly strategy.
Come to think of it…
Even though he said he wanted to test the kid who shared half of Seiya's soul—
He still held back during their fight.
Since when did Gin become such a softie?
Lost in thought, Seiya returned to the barracks. After a quick wash, he turned in for the night.
Being "sick" made a perfect excuse.
Meanwhile…
On the other side of the Rukongai—
Shiba Kūkaku was adjusting her cannon, trying to find the sweet spot that'd launch people high—but not fatally.
Yoruichi, in her black cat form, was giving the final briefing.
"Listen up. Once we're inside the Seireitei, we won't be able to help each other much."
"And considering how complicated it is in there, you might run into some of the most dangerous individuals around."
"In short—the Gotei 13."
No need for flowery words.
Along the way, Ichigo and the others had already learned about Yoruichi and Urahara's true pasts.
Former captains.
Now…
Thirteen powerhouses like that were lying in wait.
"I'm not gonna sugarcoat things. The best advice I can give is simple."
The cat yawned, then turned serious.
"If you encounter a captain—any captain—don't fight."
"Run. As far and fast as you can. That's your only hope."
Of course they were nervous—but more than that, they were determined to save Rukia.
Yoruichi could tell—no amount of warning would change their minds.
So she turned away.
"Well then, take care of yourselves. I've got other things to handle, so we'll split up from here."
At dawn the next day, under the morning light—
Shiba Kūkaku, energized and ready, fired them off with a booming shout.
"Come back safe!"
BOOM!!!
The cannon's explosive burst sent Ichigo and the others soaring into the sky.
And then…
The protective barrier over the Seireitei shattered.
In that instant, every member of the Gotei 13 sensed the foreign presence entering their domain.
They looked up—
The glowing barrier fractured like a five-pointed star.
They've arrived—realizing this, the captains sprang into action.
So did Seiya.
He wasn't waiting quietly in his room. Instead, he slipped out of the Fifth Division.
Not for any shady business—just curiosity.
He wanted to see how strong the boy carrying half his soul had become.
For others, finding someone specific in the Seireitei was like finding a needle in a haystack.
Too many spiritual pressures made tracking impossible.
But not for Seiya.
Half his soul dwelled inside that boy.
To him, Ichigo's presence was like a blazing beacon.
He wandered slowly, like out for a stroll, and soon found the boy.
Before he arrived, he heard voices.
"Be careful. Our Eleventh Division captain is really strong."
"Is that so? But even so… if I beat him, I can keep moving forward, right?"
"Hah… cocky, aren't you?"
That voice…
Ikkaku Madarame.
Rounding the corner, Seiya saw the two battered figures chatting amid rubble.
They looked like mangy dogs who'd just wrestled in the mud.
He didn't show himself—just leaned to the side, observing with quiet curiosity.
Kurosaki Ichigo.
He hadn't really studied the kid's face before.
Rough, wild—
That part was all Isshin.
But he had a softness and strange charm too—that must've come from Masaki.
As Seiya watched, Ichigo began heading toward the tower where Rukia was held.
Seiya followed, keeping a slow pace.
Before long, noise erupted behind them.
Turning, Seiya saw Ganju Shiba running for his life, barreling toward them in a panic.
"Ichigo! Help me out here!"
As an invader, Ganju's chaotic fleeing drew plenty of attention.
A crowd gathered quickly—exactly what Seiya had expected.
Just as he considered stepping aside, something tugged at him.
He changed his mind.
…
The two groups collided.
In the chaos, Ganju had a sudden brainwave—and grabbed someone nearby who looked weak.
"Nobody move! Or I'll kill this guy!"
A hostage.
Not the noblest move, but now wasn't the time for shame.
Even Ichigo didn't object.
But the Shinigami around them didn't seem impressed—especially the Eleventh Division.
"You think threatening us with some lowly squad member will work?"
They charged forward.
But then—
One of them shouted:
"Wait! Look at him carefully!"
Huh?
Everyone turned.
The hostage was tall, but thin. His cheeks were sunken, eyes swollen.
Looked sickly as hell.
But—
That uniform.
The Fifth Division insignia fluttering in the wind made everyone freeze.
"Wha—?!"
"Why the hell is Captain Arima Seiya here?!"
And the man himself?
Being held by the neck, coughing into his hand with a sheepish smile.
"Ahaha… sorry, sorry."
"Got caught off guard. How embarrassing."
"Please don't tell the Fifth Division kids about this, okay?"
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Powerstones?
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