The atmosphere froze in an instant.
Every face in the room showed a flicker of shock.
"Captain Unohana… do you truly understand what you're saying?"
Kyōraku Shunsui rubbed his jaw hard, the light in his eyes dim and strained.
The easygoing 8th Division Captain, normally fond of compromise and peace, wouldn't usually question someone so directly.
Which only showed how seriously he took her words.
"To suspect our fellow captains of internal murder—it's not just about the external reputation… the problem lies in the present reality."
Ukitake Jūshirō picked up the thread with a troubled tone.
"There's… no clear suspect yet, correct?"
Unohana closed her eyes slowly and nodded.
"That's correct."
And that was the problem.
If they confirmed this as an internal act, then until the truth was known, every remaining captain was a suspect.
What then?
Should they tear each other apart before they even found the killer?
Nearby, Aizen Sōsuke adjusted his glasses, a worried crease between his brows.
"Well… this has certainly turned into a troubling affair."
Gin Ichimaru tilted his head with a half-smile, tone uncertain.
"Weren't there similar intrusions before? Didn't a captain once get attacked by an unknown assailant?"
His implication was clear—he referred to the time when Muguruma Kensei had been nearly crushed by Seiya Arima.
But since he wasn't present for that, he chose his words carefully.
Kyōraku wasted no time in answering.
"Highly unlikely."
A simple analysis made it clear.
"Captain Seiya showed no signs of resistance, meaning he was killed without a fight."
If he trusted the attacker, or was caught off guard…
"Compare that to the guy who once fought Captain Muguruma. If he didn't want to show his face back then, he likely didn't have the strength to pull something like this off now."
Even injured, Seiya would not have gone down so easily.
"Besides, I doubt Captain Seiya had any ties to such a person."
Conclusion: that mystery attacker was unlikely to be involved.
Ukitake gave a few thoughtful coughs and added:
"But… we can't rule out the possibility that guy formed a group in secret."
After a pause, Kyōraku sighed.
"Yes, and that's where things get tricky."
An enemy in the dark.
No idea of their strength.
No clear lineup.
Not even certainty that those in this room weren't involved.
Ukitake scanned the room, voice grave.
"If that's the case… this gets much worse."
So…
Who was the killer?
No one spoke, but tension crackled in the air like lightning.
Invisible pressure mounted.
Then—
Sui-Feng frowned, spat "Idiots," and turned to leave.
Byakuya blocked her path.
"Captain Sui-Feng, where are you going?"
"Isn't it obvious? I'm going to hunt down the Ryoka and avenge that dumbass lying in there!"
Their views didn't align.
Byakuya lowered his gaze and placed a hand on his sword.
"Didn't you hear what Captain Unohana said?"
If everyone here was a suspect…
Then an investigation must begin here.
"Captain Sui-Feng, where were you last night?"
That question alone showed where he stood.
The accusation was clear.
Sui-Feng's expression twisted into fury.
"…Huh?! You're accusing me?!"
"I'm simply clarifying details."
Being distrusted was infuriating. To Sui-Feng, this was pure provocation.
Still…
If it helped catch the killer, maybe some sacrifice was worth it.
She clicked her tongue and turned away, irritated.
"I was at the Onmitsukidō headquarters setting up patrols. Later I made rounds around Seireitei—alone."
"Is there anyone who can confirm that?"
Her patience snapped.
"You're deliberately targeting me now!"
"Not at all. I'll ask the same of everyone here. I will not miss a single detail."
Byakuya was cold as ice. His voice was mechanical.
"From a tactical point of view, I find it odd that you would leave your post to patrol alone."
"Then explain it, please."
"…Tch."
It was like being cornered in chess.
She couldn't reveal her true reason.
I was searching for Yoruichi Shihōin.
She couldn't say that. Yoruichi was technically a traitor—closely tied to the Shihōin family.
If Sui-Feng's carelessness brought ruin to her clan, she'd never forgive herself.
The weight crushed her.
"Do I need to report every move I make to you now?"
"Such deflection is suspicious."
"You think I killed a fellow captain?! You bastard, if you really believe that, try me!"
A pause.
Then, with terrifying calm—
"…Gladly."
He gripped his sword.
The pressure surged, flooding the room with heatless spiritual energy.
Kyōraku stepped in between them with a forced smile.
"Hey now, this isn't the time for captains to start drawing swords on each other, yeah?"
"People are watching, you know. Let's cool down, wait for Old Man Yama to take over—"
Before he could finish—
Flash!
"?!"
Everyone flinched.
Even Kyōraku stumbled back.
Slash!
His shoulder garment split open.
Byakuya had drawn his sword.
His voice was like thunder:
"This is my final warning. Cooperate with my investigation."
Why is it…
We only realize the importance of something after it's gone?
It was like this with Grandfather. I thought I'd grown, but… I'm still the same fool.
His heart ached. Too many thanks left unsaid. Too many lessons unreturned.
So now—
He would uncover the truth.
Even if it cost him everything.
Tears ran silently down Byakuya's cheeks.
"I ask you all… to please cooperate."
Face torn, mask dropped.
Even Kyōraku, usually carefree, went quiet.
He looked down at his chest.
If Byakuya hadn't held back, he'd be bleeding.
"…Well, being underestimated is kinda annoying."
He straightened his hat, his tone dark.
"Even I can get emotional… when a drinking buddy dies."
A heavy aura bloomed.
Ukitake grabbed him quickly.
"Shunsui! Now's not the time to cause more chaos!"
"Haha, that depends on Captain Kuchiki, doesn't it?"
Unohana said nothing. Aizen seemed to want to speak but Gin held him back.
The balance—already unstable—tipped and collapsed.
Boom!
A shockwave erupted. Spiritual pressure surged and scattered like petals.
The captains began fighting.
From a safe corner, the one behind it all watched the chaos above… and smiled.
As expected?
No.
Even more than expected.
Seiya's death was the fuse. The fallout would be massive.
And far in another corner…
Ichigo Kurosaki faced his first true brush with death in Soul Society.
"You're not going to attack first?"
The voice was rough, serrated like a rusted blade. Just hearing it made your breath catch.
Jagged hair. Scarred face. Wide shoulders. Ragged sword.
No fancy stance—but you could feel it.
Not just pressure.
Power.
The ground cracked beneath him, spirit particles scattering like fireflies.
Ichigo stared into the abyss.
His heart screamed: Not my level.
But he couldn't retreat.
He drew courage from the battles behind him—Ikakku, Renji.
Just keep doing what I've done.
Zangetsu said it—never back down. Not even one step.
—
But…
Pierced through the chest, his body failing, Ichigo couldn't respond.
Kenpachi Zaraki frowned.
"…This all you've got?"
He turned away, disappointed.
No point in crushing the weak.
He left the cleanup to someone else.
"…Wait…"
Even his voice was barely a whisper.
Kenpachi ignored it.
But to Ichigo's eyes, time slowed.
In the darkness beside Kenpachi…
Two familiar figures appeared.
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Powerstones?
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