Kapitel 146: The Lesson

Yoruichi Shihōin stood beside Kisuke Urahara, her usual smile fading.

"Don't forget, when Kirio Hikifune was promoted to the Zero Squad, that Zero Squad member who came down from the Soul Palace mentioned they had extended an invitation to Captain Ailin, which he refused."

Hearing Yoruichi's words, Hiyori Sarugaki suddenly recalled the incident.

The mohawked figure who had come to escort Captain Hikifune only spoke with Captain Unohana of the 4th Division, Captain Ailin of the 11th, and Commander-General Yamamoto.

Even Hikifune, who had just passed the Zero Squad's examination, wasn't given much attention by that punk. It was as if the other captains weren't even worth that guy's consideration.

As much as Hiyori didn't want to admit it, she knew Captain Ailin's strength far surpassed Hikifune's substantial power.

Kensei Muguruma glanced at Mashiro Kuna. Without her presence, he couldn't muster the resolve to face Ailin. But for Mashiro's sake... Even against Ailin, he wouldn't cower!

...

"Tch!"

Under everyone's watchful gaze, a Zanpakutō blade pierced through the Black Coffin's wall, then slashed horizontally.

In the next instant, a white flash glinted in their eyes as the top half of the coffin's lid they'd pinned such high hopes on slanted downward from where the brilliance appeared.

Crackle crackle…

Before the coffin's body could fully slide to the ground, it shattered into black fragments.

Boom!

The shockwave from the destruction of the #90 Bakudō swept across the ground, kicking up a layer of debris.

The powerful gale forced Urahara and the others to raise their hands, shielding their eyes from the swirling yellow dust and grit.

"Captain Yoruichi, I know it's been a long time since we last met, but giving me such a grand welcome right after our reunion? I almost couldn't handle it," Ailin said once the dust settled, his robes spotless.

Everyone's grave expressions held tinges of fear upon seeing the unfazed Ailin.

What a terrifying man.

Bakudō above #90 were among the highest-level Kidō spells. More destructive than the Bankai releases of many captains' Zanpakutō. After all, some Zanpakutō specialized in unique abilities rather than sheer destructive force.

While they guessed the #90 Kurohitsugi likely couldn't fatally injure Ailin, to slice through it with a single sword strike was still excessively overpowered.

Keep in mind, this Bakudō utilized a post-incantation chant by the Grand Kidō Chief himself. Could even the Commander-General manage that?

Unbidden, the Shinigami present found themselves comparing Ailin to the "most powerful Shinigami in a millennium" - Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto.

In their hearts, they had already placed Ailin on par with the Commander-General.

"Who are you kidding? 'Almost couldn't handle it' after cleaving the Black Coffin in one strike?" Yoruichi scoffed.

"Heheh, that's why I said 'almost'," Ailin replied, raising his left hand in a 'mini universe' gesture.

"Captain Ailin, did you come here for a specific purpose?" Urahara stepped forward amid the tense atmosphere.

Yoruichi inwardly regretted her actions. When relocating Mashiro and the others earlier, she instinctively brought them to Urahara's underground base, forgetting it was known to Ailin and Byakuya Kuchiki besides just herself and Urahara.

"Well, I saw you folks were in a spot of trouble, so I came to ask if you wanted to call in the favor I owe you?"

Urahara's expression darkened slightly. This guy Ailin... "Very well, I'll cash in one favor to have Ailin keep our presence here secret for a time. How's that?"

"Urahara, you're really underestimating me." Ailin stroked his chin. "But oh well, if you're willing to spend a favor, I'll oblige. Since we're all gathered, let me update you on the current situation."

Ailin then recounted the events from today's captains' meeting to those present.

"Damn it!" Kensei punched a nearby boulder, shattering it into shards.

They never imagined that after centuries of guarding Soul Society, those nobles of Central 46 would sentence them to outright extermination just for being manipulated into their current state.

What did they mean by 'dealing with them as they would Hollows?'

Growing angrier by the second, Kensei let out a furious roar as swaths of white substance emerged across his body.

The turmoil of emotion caused the inner Hollow to overwhelm Kensei's psyche, instantly Hollowfying him.

Shht shht shht...

With blistering speed, Shinji Hirako, Urahara and Yoruichi flickered to Kensei's side, restraining the Hollowfied captain.

Whump!

Yoruichi shattered Kensei's mask with a single punch, the redness fading from his eyes as reason returned.

"Calm down, Kensei," Shinji Hirako said. "In our current state, strong emotions risk our inner Hollows taking over, transforming us into rampaging monsters that could bring disaster to Soul Society..."

As much as he wanted to deny it, he couldn't accept this either... Sensing the turmoil within, Shinji Hirako took several deep breaths to steady his emotions.

Seeing their plight, Ailin spoke somberly, "Urahara, in your condition, it's only a matter of time before you're captured as long as you remain in Soul Society. The Gotei 13 already has four squads searching. This place is hidden but not suited for you to linger. Your best refuge is the World of the Living."

"Yes, we understand that," Urahara replied after the exchange with Ailin convinced the group of his trustworthiness, putting them more at ease.

"But..." Urahara looked at Hirako and the others. "Their situation isn't very optimistic. On one hand, I need to help stabilize their condition, allowing them to overcome their inner Hollows so the Hollowfication side-effects no longer affect them.

On the other, I still need to construct Gigais capable of suppressing their reiatsu, so everyone can hide in the World of the Living undetected from Soul Society."

Urahara sighed. "Juggling both means we need at least twenty days to complete everything before escaping to the Living World. However... Ailin, I need your assistance. Will you help me?"

"Haha..." Ailin walked over and patted Urahara's shoulder. "Urahara, what did you think I came here for? I've been waiting for you to ask. Otherwise, just keeping your hideout secret in exchange for one favor would leave me a bit embarrassed."

In the time that followed, Urahara devoted himself fully to constructing the prototype Gigai. Fortunately, his previous experience creating Haruko's perfectly harmonized soul body helped immensely, allowing rapid progress on the reiatsu-suppressing Gigais.

Meanwhile, Yoruichi became more of a spectator as Ailin took charge.

Once the barrier was established, even if all eight of Shinji Hirako's group Hollowfied simultaneously, Ailin alone could subdue them.

If any showed signs of completely losing control, Ailin would instantly shatter their mask, restoring rationality.

After a few such instances where Hirako's group realized Ailin posed no risk of them going berserk, their worries and fears faded as they focused inwardly on battling their Hollows.

Under these conditions, they steadily gained mastery over Hollowfication.

The first to overcome her inner Hollow, fully commanding the "Hollowfication" ability, was 9th Division Lieutenant Mashiro Kuna!

Successfully harnessing Hollowfication boosted Mashiro's strength considerably. While not yet at captain level, she surpassed many veteran lieutenants.

Moreover, after initially mastering her Hollow powers, Mashiro could maintain Hollowfied state for twenty-four hours - astounding endurance that shocked even Urahara.

Following Mashiro were Shinji Hirako, Kensei Muguruma, Rōjūrō Ōtoribashi, Love Aikawai, Hachigen Ushōda, Lisa Yadomaru and finally Hiyori Sarugaki, each overcoming their inner Hollow to command Hollowfication.

Unfortunately, despite resolving their inner conflicts, Urahara had yet to complete the Gigai, forcing them to wait a few more days before fleeing to the Living World.

"Captain Ailin, what's the situation outside been like recently?" Hirako asked. Free from imminent Hollowfication, their priority became getting payback against Sōsuke Aizen.

"Well, apart from the 8th, 10th, 11th and 13th Division members still searching for you, the biggest hubbub in Soul Society is the captains' selections for the 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th and 12th Divisions.

As you likely know, with only seven captains remaining in the Gotei 13, any lieutenant aspiring to promotion must be recommended by three existing captains and pass the Captain's Proficiency Test witnessed by the Commander-General.

Currently, the 2nd Division's candidate is Vice-Captain Soi Fon. However, since she hasn't achieved Bankai yet, she serves as acting captain until then, whereupon she'll officially become the 2nd Division captain.

Oh, and Yoruichi, Soi Fon's recommendation to become captain didn't come from us, but rather your father, the former 2nd Division Captain, proposed it directly to Commander Yamamoto."

"Soi Fon, huh..." A faint smile crossed Yoruichi's lips at the mention of the girl who shadowed her for so many years. "Soi Fon does deserve to lead the 2nd Division. She's essentially handled its duties for years. Father approving her is only natural. It's just a pity. If I hadn't foisted the division's affairs onto Soi Fon, her talent would have surely allowed Bankai long ago."

A tinge of regret tinged Yoruichi's words. She used to think with her shielding Soi Fon, the latter's strength mattered little.

Who could have foreseen these few days leading to herself and Urahara becoming fugitives from Central 46?

The pressure on Soi Fon would be immense in the coming days.

Yoruichi opened her mouth, as if to ask Ailin to look after the 2nd Division, but knowing Soi Fon's prickly pride, having Ailin 'assist' would only make her bristle at the perceived insult.

"For the 3rd Division captain, I recommended the vice-captain, Gin Ichimaru."

"What? Gin Ichimaru?"

Hearing this, the former captains were shocked.

Hiyori Sarugaki rushed up, jabbing a finger at Ailin. "Captain Ailin, why would you recommend that guy Gin Ichimaru as the 3rd Division captain? You know he's already defected to Aizen - that night, he attacked us alongside Aizen, leaving us in our current state! Why would you still recommend him for captain?"

As Hiyori Sarugaki accusingly pointed at him, the slight smile on Ailin's face vanished.

"Oh no..." Sensing the change in Ailin's demeanor, Yoruichi inwardly cursed.

Sure enough...

Rumble!

An immense spiritual pressure erupted from Ailin, the weight threatening to crush Hiyori Sarugaki where she stood into an abyss. That colossal force felt like shouldering a mountain, her very bones and muscles straining against its inexorable press.

Whump!

In an instant, Hiyori Sarugaki crumpled to her knees before Ailin, the surrounding ground cratering from the intense pressure.

"Captain Ailin, please show restraint!" Shinji Hirako reacted swiftly, interposing himself between the two. But standing before Ailin's overwhelming presence made Hirako understand his true menace.

Pressing his left hand on his face, white substance gathered over his left hand, which he swiftly pulled down to manifest a bone-white mask across his face.

Rumble!

Donning the Hollow mask, Shinji Hirako's spiritual pressure shifted dramatically.