It was as if Rukia could anticipate their every move, rendering their attacks useless. Eventually, the Shinigami of the 13th Division learned to avoid her. They couldn't help it; Rukia had given them all psychological scars.
Facing her, they forgot how to fight.
The only one who could still spar with Rukia was Kaien Shiba. However, even he was no match for her "Data Kendo" in its base form. He had to release his Zanpakutō, Nejibana, to gain an advantage.
Ironically, Kaien, at this stage, was the perfect opponent for Rukia.
Since she already had a detailed data model for Kaien's base form, even though his spiritual pressure increased fivefold upon releasing his Zanpakutō, she wasn't entirely helpless. With enough time to gather information on his Shikai state, she could use her knowledge of his abilities and weaknesses to keep him at bay.
For Kaien, the benefits were even greater.
Each spar with Rukia exposed his flaws, forcing him to adapt and grow. If he didn't address those weaknesses, he would be thoroughly defeated, his pride shattered.
However, while Kaien's strength increased with each battle, his wife, Miyako Shiba, grew increasingly troubled. The smile on her face faded, replaced by a haunted, distant look.
Perhaps those who had sent her to spy on Kaien had learned of his connection to Ailin's disciple. They were growing impatient.
Miyako glanced at Rukia, her heart heavy with guilt.
"Forgive me, Rukia… I have to be selfish…"
…
"The Hollow entered through the White Road Gate?"
The 2nd Division's Stealth Force was undeniably skilled. They had meticulously analyzed the spiritual traces Soi Fon had discovered, using equipment from the 12th Division to reconstruct the Hollow's movements within the Seireitei.
However, their findings contradicted Mayuri Kurotsuchi's theory that the Hollow was a product of Hollowfication experiments. According to the Central 46's records and the behavior of Shinji Hirako and his comrades after their Hollowfication decades ago, Hollowfied Shinigami were driven by primal instinct, their minds consumed by a ravenous hunger.
While such Hollows were undeniably powerful, they were relatively easy to contain. Even a captain-level Hollowfied Shinigami could be subdued or even slain by two or three captains working together.
But according to the Stealth Force's investigation, this Hollow had been systematically devouring Seireitei residents, assuming their identities for a period before moving on to its next victim.
Unlike the ordinary souls of Rukongai, everyone within the Seireitei possessed spiritual pressure, making them a feast for a Hollow.
This behavior didn't align with that of a Hollowfied Shinigami.
Based on their findings, the Stealth Force concluded that the Hollow wasn't a product of Hollowfication experiments but a Gillian with independent consciousness, one that had somehow infiltrated the Soul Society from Hueco Mundo. They focused their investigation on the four gates connecting Rukongai to the Seireitei, eventually discovering traces of the Hollow's presence near the White Road Gate.
"While we've ruled out the possibility of Hollowfication experiments, we still need to determine how this Hollow infiltrated the Seireitei," Soi Fon said, turning to Ailin as they stood before the gate. "Captain Ailin, would you like to report our findings to Head-Captain Yamamoto, or continue the investigation with us?"
Yamamoto had tasked Ailin with assisting them to apprehend those responsible for the Hollowfication experiments. However, with their current findings suggesting that the Shinigami reiatsu within the Hollow was from the Shinigami it had devoured, Ailin's presence was no longer necessary.
"I wouldn't mind stretching my legs a bit longer. Besides, Captain Kyōraku hasn't contacted us yet. It seems his investigation of Rukongai hasn't yielded any results. Why don't we pay him a visit and see if we can offer any assistance?"
…
"Captain Kyōraku, Soi Fon and I have been working tirelessly day and night. Don't you think it's a bit unfair that you're enjoying yourself while we toil away?"
Finding Kyōraku hadn't taken much effort. Ailin could have used Bakudō #58 Kakushitsuijaku and Soi Fon could have dispatched her Stealth Force. However, they hadn't needed to resort to such measures.
They had encountered an 8th Division Shinigami on their way to Rukongai. After a brief inquiry, the Shinigami had readily revealed Kyōraku's location.
Deliberately providing false information?
Please.
This Shinigami was facing the captain of the 2nd Division and the captain of the 11th Division. How many lives did he have to risk deceiving them?
Of course, this could also be interpreted as the Shinigami's absolute trust in his captain. He believed that Kyōraku, even facing Soi Fon and Ailin, could handle the situation.
With minimal effort, they arrived at Kyōraku's location: a tavern in the 1st District of Rukongai. There they found Kyōraku, surrounded by several scantily clad women, enjoying himself.
"Hahahaha…"
Even Kyōraku, known for his carefree nature, felt a twinge of embarrassment at being caught slacking off.
"Captain Soi Fon, Captain Ailin, I trust you both implicitly. I have no doubt that you'll get to the bottom of this," he chuckled, gesturing for them to join him. "So, what have you found?"
"We've made some progress, but our findings indicate that the Hollow wasn't related to Hollowfication experiments," Ailin said, taking a seat and pouring himself a drink.
"Oh?" Kyōraku's eyes narrowed. That the Hollow itself wouldn't provide any leads was expected. After all, Aizen and Ailin had been meticulous in covering their tracks. If this Hollow was truly a product of their machinations, any evidence would have been erased.
However, Kyōraku hadn't anticipated that the 2nd Division's investigation would conclude that the Hollow wasn't related to Hollowfication experiments.
"How so?"
Soi Fon proceeded to share their findings and conclusions.
"Indeed…"
Kyōraku nodded. Shinigami, after undergoing Hollowfication, lost their reasoning, their souls consumed by the Hollow. They wouldn't retain their intelligence.
But this Hollow, based on its actions, clearly possessed self-awareness. It had the potential to evolve into an Adjuchas.
However, what truly bothered Kyōraku was the memory of Ailin's reaction during the captains' meeting, that brief flicker of recognition.
What connection did Captain Ailin have to this Hollow?
That expression… It suggested that Ailin not only knew about the Hollow, but might even be involved somehow.
This was giving him a headache.
"Captain Kyōraku, that's all we've found within the Seireitei. We followed the Hollow's trail, and it led us here, to Rukongai. Have you made any progress?"
Soi Fon looked at Kyōraku expectantly.
"Well…"
Under Soi Fon's intense gaze, even Kyōraku felt a twinge of shame. Believing that their investigation wouldn't yield any useful results, and fearing the potential consequences if they did uncover something, he had simply delegated the task to his subordinates and spent his days indulging himself. He wasn't even aware of their progress.
As he scrambled for an excuse, an 8th Division Shinigami rushed into the tavern.
"Captain Kyōraku, Jun'ichirō has made a major discovery!"
Kyōraku, with a flicker of Shunpo, brought the Shinigami before Soi Fon and Ailin.
"Tell me, what have you found?"
"Huh? Oh." The Shinigami, momentarily stunned by Kyōraku's sudden appearance, quickly relayed the message.
"Captain Kyōraku, Jun'ichirō said that while tracking the Hollow's spiritual traces, he spotted dozens of suspicious individuals using a Senkaimon to enter Rukongai. They're heading towards the 13th District in West Rukongai."
"Oh?"
Kyōraku's eyes lit up, his expression turning serious. "Captain Soi Fon, Captain Ailin, it seems your arrival was most timely. I suspect these individuals might be connected to the Hollow. Let's head to the 13th District and see what they're up to."
For Kyōraku, regardless of their intentions, he had to investigate. After all, anyone secretly using a Senkaimon to infiltrate Rukongai was undoubtedly up to no good.
Your support is the greatest encouragement for me!
Please follow/support us at:
https://www.patreon.com/ZenpaiTrans
Soi Fon and Ailin exchanged a glance, their expressions hardening. After Kyōraku gave his subordinates a few instructions, the three captains sped off towards West Rukongai's 13th District.
…
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!
Crimson fireballs rained down from the sky, engulfing the Shiba Clan's estate in a fiery inferno. Kaien Shiba, clutching his wife, Miyako, emerged from the burning wreckage, his voice filled with panic.
"Kukaku! Ganju! Rukia!"
He had never imagined that a simple visit home, during a rare break with his wife and colleagues, would turn into a nightmare. The intensity of the attack, the sheer ferocity of the assault, left no doubt in his mind: Their enemies intended to annihilate the entire Shiba family.
"Kaien, I'm alright!"
Rukia Kuchiki's voice called out from the guest quarters. Moments later, she burst through the roof, leaping into the air and using Shunpo to land beside Kaien.
"Kaien, what's happening?"
"I don't know. We're under attack."
Kaien glanced at his wife, her eyes vacant, her expression haunted. His heart ached.
Seeing no sign of his younger siblings, Kukaku and Ganju, he hardened his resolve, handing Miyako to Rukia.
"Rukia, take care of Miyako. I need to get Kukaku and Ganju out of there."
"Kaien?!"
Rukia, holding Miyako in her arms, tried to speak, but Kaien was already rushing back into the burning building.
"Roar, Nejibana!"
As he chanted the command, his Zanpakutō transformed into a three-pronged spear.
Boom!
Kaien's spiritual pressure swirled around him as he spun the spear, summoning a torrent of water that cascaded over the burning house, extinguishing the flames.
"Kukaku! Ganju!"
He didn't release his Shikai. Instead, clutching Nejibana tightly, he charged into his siblings' bedroom.
"Third Seat, are you alright?"
Rukia, watching Kaien disappear into the wreckage, turned to Miyako, her voice laced with concern. Miyako was a mess, her face streaked with tears.
"I'm sorry, Kaien. I'm so sorry…"
"Third Seat, what are you talking about? What happened?"
"Sob… sob…"
Miyako, consumed by guilt, simply wept, offering no explanation.
Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!
As Rukia tried to comfort Miyako, shadowy figures materialized around them, their palms glowing with crimson energy.
"Shakkahō!"
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!
Rukia, clutching Miyako tightly, used Shunpo to dodge the barrage of fireballs that exploded behind them.
"Damn it!"
She had never imagined that a simple trip to Rukongai would turn into such a chaotic ordeal. While it was clear that their enemies were targeting the Shiba family, she was caught in the crossfire.
Their relentless assault suggested they intended to silence all witnesses.
"Dance, Sode no Shirayuki!"
Holding Miyako with one arm, Rukia drew her Zanpakutō, instantly releasing its Shikai. She slashed a white energy wave towards the attackers, then leaped into the air.
Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!
Five assailants, seeing Rukia airborne, sped towards her.
A faint smile touched Rukia's lips. "First Dance - Some no mai, Tsukishiro!"
A large, white circle materialized on the ground, its circumference tracing the path of Rukia's previous energy wave.
Moments later, a blinding white light erupted.
When the light faded, a massive ice pillar, ten meters thick, pierced the sky, reaching towards the heavens. Within the ice, the five attackers were frozen solid, their expressions contorted in a mixture of surprise and fear.
"Fools. Sode no Shirayuki can freeze anything it touches. You stepped into the area I had already slashed. How foolish can you be?"
"Hadō #31 - Shakkahō!"
"Hadō #31 - Shakkahō!"
The remaining attackers, witnessing the fate of their comrades, seemed to recognize Rukia's threat. Two figures, cloaked in black, aimed their palms at her, launching crimson fireballs.
"Second Dance - Hakuren!"
Frigid air erupted from Sode no Shirayuki's blade, freezing everything in its path. Not only were the fireballs frozen mid-flight, but the two assassins who had launched them were also encased in ice.
Crash!
Rukia dispelled her Shikai. The two ice structures, "Tsukishiro" and "Hakuren," shattered, sending shards of ice raining down. The frozen fireballs and assassins, trapped within, were pulverized.
Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!
With two more attackers dead, the remaining assailants realized they had encountered a formidable opponent. Six figures emerged from the shadows, their blades drawn, surrounding Rukia and Miyako.
The others continued their assault on the Shiba estate, unleashing fire-based Kidō spells, reducing everything to ash.
Two massive figures, battered and bleeding, fought desperately against four or five attackers. They were the Shiba Clan's retainers, the brothers Koganehiko and Shiroganehiko.
They were nearing their limit.
The remaining attackers stormed the Shiba Clan's ancestral shrine, intent on finishing off Kaien and his siblings.
Boom!
A final, deafening explosion erupted, sending flames soaring into the night sky. The Shiba Clan's estate, consumed by the inferno, was reduced to smoldering ruins.
…
"Such chaotic spiritual pressure… There's a battle up ahead!"
"And… Rukia's reiatsu?!"
Ailin, Soi Fon, and Kyōraku, rushing towards the 13th District, noticed a pillar of fire rising from the distance, accompanied by a surge of tangled spiritual pressure. It was a battleground.
To Ailin's surprise, he sensed Rukia's reiatsu within the chaotic mix.
"That's strange. Isn't Rukia stationed at the 13th Division? When did she come to Rukongai?"
Despite his curiosity, Ailin was more concerned about Rukia's safety. The spiritual pressures clashing up ahead were all at the level of seated officers and above. He turned to Soi Fon and Kyōraku.
"Soi Fon, Kyōraku, I've sensed Rukia's reiatsu in that battle. I'm going to head there first."
"Hold on, Captain Ailin! Are you looking down on us?" Soi Fon frowned, taking offense at Ailin's words. "While I may not be your match in terms of strength, I'm confident that my speed is second only to Lady Yoruichi!"
"Indeed, Captain Soi Fon is right," Kyōraku added, adjusting his straw hat, his expression turning serious. "When it comes to Shunpo, the 2nd Division reigns supreme. Captain Ailin, don't hold back. Show us what you've got. I may not be as fast as Captain Soi Fon, but I can keep up."
Ailin blushed, realizing his words had been insensitive. He had unintentionally implied that he was far faster than them, that their presence would only hinder his progress.
"My apologies. Let's head there together."
"Hmph!"
Soi Fon glared at Ailin, a grunt escaping her lips. Then…
Boom!
Her spiritual pressure erupted, forming two bolts of lightning that crackled behind her.
"Shunkō!"
With a flicker of light, Soi Fon vanished, leaving only a trail of afterimages.
"It seems Captain Soi Fon is taking this seriously. If I fall behind, those youngsters will never let me live it down," Kyōraku chuckled, unleashing his reiatsu. It formed a white streak that shot towards the battlefield.
Ailin sighed, watching them disappear. He had indeed spoken carelessly. To prove that they wouldn't be a burden, Soi Fon had activated her Shunkō, and Kyōraku had unleashed his reiatsu, pushing their speeds to the limit.
"Well, it's not a bad thing. The sooner they recognize the gap, the harder they'll train. "Perhaps this way, during the Thousand-Year Blood War, the Seireitei won't be pushed to the brink of collapse…"
With that, Ailin vanished, leaving only a faint ripple in the air.
Swoosh!
For the first time, he was using his full speed. In a few blinks, he overtook Kyōraku, then Soi Fon. They could barely register his passing, catching only a glimpse of his form before even their spiritual senses lost track of him.
"This…"
Soi Fon and Kyōraku exchanged a startled glance, their expressions filled with awe.
"His speed… It's beyond the range of my perception. Just how strong is Captain Ailin?"
Kyōraku was less surprised. He had already placed Ailin on par with Head-Captain Yamamoto. While this was the first time he had witnessed Ailin's full speed, it wasn't entirely unexpected.
Thank you, book friends for the collections and stones. Thank you.
Please follow/support us at:
https://www.patreon.com/ZenpaiTrans
Vous aimerez peut-être aussi
Commentaire de paragraphe
La fonction de commentaire de paragraphe est maintenant disponible sur le Web ! Déplacez la souris sur n’importe quel paragraphe et cliquez sur l’icône pour ajouter votre commentaire.
De plus, vous pouvez toujours l’activer/désactiver dans les paramètres.
OK