The phrase "throwing the baby out with the bathwater" might have been coined for moments like this.
The Fifth Division Captain had been taken hostage, and the gathered Shinigami felt their scalps tingle.
It would be one thing if it were just a random foot soldier—but a captain? None of them could act rashly now.
Still…
HEY!!! You're a captain! How do you get captured so easily?!
On the other side, Ganju Shiba was under immense mental pressure.
He had just grabbed the weakest-looking guy he could find—how was he supposed to know it'd be this guy?!
What's with this guy?
Is he really that weak? Huh?! Is this seriously one of those top 13 elites Lady Yoruichi talked about?
Is it me that's lost my mind—or is this whole world nuts?
"Snap out of it, Ganju!"
Only Ichigo remained remotely calm, yanking Ganju's arm as they backed away.
But maybe out of nerves, Ganju's hands slipped—and just like that, Seiya broke free.
Everyone froze for a second in total confusion.
Leave it to Ichigo to react first—he sprang forward and locked Seiya's neck in a hold, dragging him backward toward the wall.
"…Now what do we do?"
Ganju wiped his sweat-soaked forehead, visibly teetering from stress.
"Just running back like this—we'll never break through the perimeter. More guys are showing up by the second."
Ichigo clenched his teeth.
"Then figure something out!"
"Don't rush me! I'm trying to think!"
"…What about the sewers?"
Huh? Who said that?
They both turned to see the hostage himself—Seiya—looking back at them with a smile.
"The sewer system in the Seireitei is complicated. Except for members of the Fourth Division, no one else really knows the layout."
"…" x2
Now the hostage was helping them plan their escape.
Who's capturing who, again?
Even though it felt totally off, the growing number of enemies gave them no choice—they had to roll with it.
"ICHIGO!"
"Got it!"
Ichigo yanked Seiya's collar over his face to protect him, covering his own mouth and nose with his other hand.
Oddly considerate—Seiya even seemed surprised.
Before he could speak, a tear gas bomb exploded—pink smoke burst outward.
The Eleventh Division troops, caught off guard, dropped to the ground, wailing in agony.
Ichigo and the others dove into the sewers. Originally, they'd just planned to run and figure it out later…
But then Seiya spoke up again.
"You're trying to reach the high tower where serious criminals are held, right?"
"If so, you're going the wrong way."
"You should be heading this direction instead."
Ichigo and Ganju exchanged glances. Suspicious and frustrated—but what choice did they have?
If the guy had meant them harm, he wouldn't have helped them escape through the sewers.
"…What's your deal, anyway?!"
Ganju finally snapped, growling as they ran.
"You're a captain, but you were that easy to take down? Don't tell me you got your position through shady means or something!"
It was rude, but with the Shiba family's situation, understandable.
Kukaku and Ganju still considered Kaien's death an unresolved tragedy—no wonder their guard was up.
Seiya didn't seem bothered.
"Heh… Due to a certain incident, I lost most of my strength. Cough cough So yes, I'm weak now."
"Then why did you lose your powers?"
Ichigo's voice came from behind as he finally loosened his grip on Seiya's neck.
"Hey! Ichigo, what are you doing?!"
"Let it go… He's been treating this whole thing like a joke from the start. Clearly, he doesn't see us as a threat."
Ichigo wasn't hung up on formalities. His tone was even, grounded.
"So why are you following us?"
The calmness impressed Seiya.
"Very composed, Kurosaki Ichigo."
"…How do you know my name?"
"Word gets around. Ryoka are rare enough—you're quite the sensation."
Fair enough, though Ichigo didn't seem convinced.
He stared at Seiya's profile with a troubled expression, as though he had more to say.
After several moments of back-and-forth internal struggle, he finally spoke up.
"Um…"
"Just call me Captain Arima."
"…Captain Arima, have we… met before?"
He couldn't explain it.
But now that he could see Seiya clearly, Ichigo felt a deep sense of familiarity.
Like he had known this man for years and years.
Embarrassingly enough, Ichigo almost felt like he was reuniting with a long-lost family member rather than meeting a Soul Society captain.
—Why the hell am I thinking like that?
He shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts.
But before he could speak again, Seiya said:
"Kurosaki Ichigo, are you ready?"
"…Ready for what?"
"To rescue Rukia. To escape the Seireitei in one piece. To return to the world of the living and resume your peaceful life."
Dead on target.
Ichigo's eyes dimmed a little.
He couldn't answer. The difference in strength was too obvious.
Even after his recent power surge, he couldn't shake the memory of Byakuya's overwhelming strength.
Doubt before battle isn't the mark of a wise soldier—but having a clear sense of one's limits is.
Seiya didn't need a reply.
Ichigo's expression told him everything.
He smiled softly and simply patted Ichigo's shoulder.
"Fear is normal. Pain, respect for life—these are all human traits."
"So don't feel ashamed. Don't think of yourself as lacking."
"Everyone is the same."
That warm tone.
Just hearing those words lifted something in Ichigo's chest.
He didn't know why, but he wanted to open up—to talk.
Like a child finally finding their long-lost, unreliable father.
He wanted to rant, complain, get it all out.
And then, after being comforted, regain his strength and face the trials ahead.
But why… was this the person he felt that from?
Conflicted, Ichigo turned his head away in silence.
Awkward tension filled the air.
But Seiya's gentle smile remained.
After observing Ichigo's reaction, he said:
"Kurosaki Ichigo, I know it's hard to trust me—but no matter what…"
"Your courage is your sharpest weapon. It is your strength—your path to victory."
"Do not fear. The power you wield is all the proof you need."
With those final words…
Seiya's form began to fade.
In the blink of an eye, as if evaporating into the air, he vanished without a trace.
His final message lingered in the air:
"Keep… going… At the end… you'll find your answer…"
"Wait—WHAT?!"
Ganju screamed in disbelief. The hell?! Are all Gotei captains this ridiculous?!
Compared to him—
Ichigo's reaction was… a lot calmer.
He didn't know what to feel.
Moments ago, he'd rejected the man's kindness, clearly distrusting him.
Now he felt guilty.
Like he'd made a mistake.
"Damn it…"
He punched himself hard in the face—so hard that Ganju winced.
"Hey! Ichigo! What the hell was that?!"
"…It's nothing. Just needed to snap out of it."
Everything had become too much.
Since arriving in Soul Society, things had gotten endlessly complicated.
His lazy old man apparently had secret ties to the Seireitei.
And people here knew Ichigo—why?
And that strange kindness from Arima—what was that?
Why is everyone keeping secrets from me?
And no matter who he asked, the answer was always, "It's for your own good."
Ichigo clenched his jaw.
His feelings were a tangled mess.
But thankfully, he wasn't one to dwell too long.
He could deal with those feelings later.
Right now—
Rescue Rukia.
Everything else could wait.
"Ganju!"
"Huh?"
"Let's move. Fast!"
"Heh, about time you perked up!"
They broke into a run, following Seiya's directions.
Meanwhile…
"Heart of the South, Pupil of the North, Fingertip of the West, Toe of the East… Gather with the wind, scatter with the rain! Bakudō #58: Kakushitsuijaku!!"
Kido energy pulsed outward as Momo Hinamori stood solemnly beneath the night sky. The spell surged upward.
Everyone in the Fifth Division looked on, eyes full of hope.
But…
The spell dispersed before completing.
Momo's eyes darkened.
Even Kido couldn't trace Captain Arima's spiritual pressure…
Then where did he go?
Moments earlier, Eleventh Division members had delivered shocking news.
Fifth Division was in chaos.
Panic, anxiety, confusion—just from one man's disappearance, the division fell into disarray.
Only Momo held it together, giving clear, direct orders.
"Send a team to the Eleventh to help track the Ryoka!"
"Split another team to inform the other divisions—ask for backup to find Captain Arima!"
"The rest of you, with me!"
The Seireitei wasn't small—not by foot.
And yet, she didn't use the Reishi Communication Network.
Captain Arima wouldn't want widespread panic.
Standing still, she closed her eyes and tried to think like her captain.
—If I were Captain Arima… what would I do?
Seek help from someone reliable, of course.
Then it hit her.
"Let's go to the Tenth Division. We'll ask Gin-senpai!"
Given their past relationship as teacher and student, he'd definitely help.
As she ran, Momo's heart was heavy with guilt.
Why hadn't she stayed with him, knowing how tense things were?
Why had he vanished now, of all times?
Tears welled in her eyes.
Captain! What are you thinking?!
"Your lieutenant came looking for you."
"I didn't want to see her, but she was too persistent. Rangiku had to calm her down."
"For safety, she's asleep at the Tenth Division for now."
"…Did you even think about what your disappearance would do to people?"
Gin sighed. Seiya could only chuckle awkwardly and rub the back of his head.
"Didn't have much time to think."
Plans never keep up with change.
Deep into the night, Aizen's group had gathered in secret once again.
Gin grumbled, but Aizen wore a calm smile.
"Well done, Seiya-kun. Just your disappearance caused a major stir. No one's talking about Rukia's execution anymore."
"Now all we need to do is keep stalling. Push the execution as close as possible."
"And to make that happen…"
No need to finish the thought.
Seiya raised his hands.
"Yeah, yeah—I got it. I'll play dead."
One problem.
"Where should I 'die'?"
Aizen adjusted his glasses, smirking like a man enjoying a show.
"I already have the perfect place in mind."
"The Seireitei's central heart—the court of judgment for nobility."
"If your corpse is discovered hanging from the wall there, it'll shake the entire Soul Society."
Of course.
So it's still the wall, huh.
Seiya sighed, but declined Aizen's Kyōka Suigetsu illusion.
"Using it on me would drain too much Reiryoku. Not worth it."
Instead—
He had his own method.
And maybe…
"It'll work even better."
Aizen raised an eyebrow, but didn't object.
As Seiya gazed at the gloomy, grey sky, he smirked slightly.
Tomorrow.
When the sun rises…
All the warmth I've built up—will be shattered by my own hand.
Yes. Tomorrow.
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Powerstones?
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