บท 88: [Soul Society Arc] Part 88: Kagerō's Embrace
- In the realm of the unknown, a soul dwelt, Unknown landscapes and secrets to uncover.
Then, thrust into a world of scripted legends, Knowledge is embraced, yet the heart echoed as before. -
A few minutes after scheming how to get Rukia out of Senzaikyū, Yato guided Orihime and Uryū to the underground labyrinth of Seireitei, retracing the same path he had previously taken. As the teenagers concealed themselves, Uryū shot an uneasy look at Yato, who continued to hold Mayuri captive, intensifying the irritation on the face of the 12th division captain.
Mayuri: "Do you honestly believe you can confine me here as if you're playing some trivial game?" - The irritated voice of the 12th Division captain echoed through the underground space.
Yato: "Yes... But don't worry, Captain Goo... as soon as Nemu gets back, I'll let you go home. No need to get your lab coat in a twist." - Yato responded casually, manipulating the liquid form of the captain at the tip of his index finger while his eyes revealed a touch of disdain.
Uryū: "By the way... how exactly are you doing this, Yasakani?" - He inquired, watching his colleague effortlessly manipulate the liquid form. His eyes narrowed, trying to decipher the mysterious technique.
Yato: "Hmm... I'd better explain that when this goo isn't around us anymore." - He leaned casually against the wall, a faint smirk playing on his lips as he observed Captain Mayuri's struggles. - "By the way, Ishida-san..." - Yato shifted his gaze briefly to his Quincy companion. - "As soon as Nemu returns, I want you and Inoue-san to stay hidden... preferably, don't stray far from Inoue-san."
A flicker of surprise crossed Uryū's face for a moment, his eyes widening before he composed himself. He averted his gaze, avoiding eye contact with his companions.
Orihime: "But why are you asking that, Yasakani-kun?" - Her voice, laced with a softness, carried both empathy and a genuine interest.
Before responding, Yato glanced briefly at the Quincy, noting his discomfort, torn between the loss of his powers and the possibility of being protected.
Yato: "Let's just say Ishida-san is pretty worn out after tangling with this mess here, meaning you're the only one currently fit for a fight. Not to mention, someone's got to get Sado out of that jail."
Orihime: "But what about you, Yasakani-kun?"
Yato: "I'm going to investigate what's going on here in Seireitei because I suspect there's some captain, or captains, scheming something."
Yato's colleagues shifted uncomfortably at his words, the air thick with tension, but it was the captain himself who punctuated the silence.
Mayuri: "Oh...interesting... And what makes you think that?"
Yato: "Well... I sensed this peculiar reiatsu from literally every shinigami I crossed paths with, as if there's an external influence affecting them all." - He once again used this as a pretext to initiate his explanation. - "But I didn't sense it from two people. Captain Gin Ichimaru and Captain Kaname Tōsen." - Yato let out a sigh. - "At first, I thought they weren't affected precisely because they are captains... but..." - A sly smirk crept across his face as he glanced at the green liquid under his control. - "I've come to realize that even this captain is being affected by that reiatsu."
Mayuri: "Don't speak nonsense... that would mean someone is manipulating me—"
Yato: "That's exactly what I'm trying to say." - He interjected, his voice holding a firmness that mirrored his conviction.
Before the captain could delve into expressing his frustrations, the teenagers perceived the sound of approaching footsteps. Their attention shifted, and they noticed Lieutenant Nemu Kurotsuchi making her way toward them, shouldering a Gigai.
Nemu: "I brought the Gigai you requested, Yasakani-sama." - Her tone was respectful, but her expression held an enigmatic stoicism, betraying little emotion.
Yato: "Thank you." - He acknowledged the lieutenant's assistance before redirecting his focus to Mayuri. - "Well, as agreed, now I'll let you go home."
With a mischievous smile playing on his lips, Yato nonchalantly tossed the green liquid into the underground water, eliciting startled reactions from Uryū and Inoue. Meanwhile, the echoes of Mayuri's promises to remember such defiance reverberated through the subterranean chamber.
Nemu: "Yasakani-sama, I believe throwing him into the water won't prevent him from returning to the laboratory."
Yato: "I figured... I just wanted the satisfaction of tossing him into the sewer." - His tone carried a hint of amusement, his eyes reflecting the lingering satisfaction of the unconventional confrontation. - "By the way, did you encounter any issues fetching this Gigai from the lab?" - He asked, genuinely curious.
Nemu: "I thought it appropriate to inform the scientists that I was retrieving materials as requested by Captain Kurotsuchi."
At the revelation, Yato playfully mimicked wiping away a tear from his eye, his tone laced with mock sentimentality.
Yato: "They grow up so fast…" - He grinned, his eyes glinting mischievously as he observed the incredulous and amused reactions unfolding on the faces of Inoue and Uryū.
Nemu: "I also thought it appropriate to bring these." - She unveiled small devices discreetly stowed within her Shihakushō. - "They're communicators. Perhaps they'll be of assistance to you." - Handing a communicator to each of the teenagers, she added, - "Simply place it in one of your ears and press it when communicating with each other."
Orihime: "Now I feel like a secret agent!" - Her eyes sparkled with excitement as she eagerly inserted the device into her ear.
Uryū, on the other hand, cast a bemused look at Orihime, grappling with how to respond to her infectious enthusiasm.
Yato: "Thanks again, Nemu." - He smiled at the lieutenant and then adopted a slightly more serious expression. - "Now..." - He briefly glanced at Uryū and Inoue, contemplating whether leaving them alone would be a wise decision. With so many variables already altered, an accidental encounter with a captain could be disastrous. - "I've got a somewhat risky idea for you two to save Sado…"
Uryū, grappling with the limitations imposed by the loss of his powers, felt a surge of apprehension. If Yato's idea leaned too much towards risk, the weight of the impending troubles might disproportionately fall on Inoue's shoulders.
Inoue, however, met Yato's gaze with unwavering determination. Since the group had parted ways, she harbored a sense of undercontribution. Now, ready to take on a more active role, she sought an opportunity to prove her capabilities within the team.
Before delving into his plan, Yato shot a quick look at Nemu.
Yato: "Can you tell me where the captain of the 11th Division is?"
Nemu: "Captain Kenpachi Zaraki received medical treatment and is now in his respective division with his lieutenant, the 3rd, and 5th Seat." - Her voice maintained an unwavering calmness, yet her eyes conveyed a subtle hint of curiosity, as if she anticipated the reason behind Yato's inquiry.
Yato: "Alright, so here's the plan..." - He shifted his focus back to his friends. - "I want you two to go to the 11th Division and—"
Uryū: "Have you lost your mind?! You want us to meet with a captain?!" - He cut in, his voice laced with incredulity and concern.
Yato: "I know it sounds crazy... but I have my reasons. Let me explain." - He patiently waited for Uryū to settle, gauging the intensity of his reaction. - "From what I've gathered, the captain of the 11th Division is a real fight maniac. Always craving strong opponents, bending or outright ignoring the rules of this place. Ichigo managed to defeat this guy. It's pretty darn obvious that the captain would be itching for a rematch."
Uryū: "That still doesn't explain why we have to meet this guy! Especially if he's as dangerous as you're saying!"
Yato: "That's the thing. Ishida-san is quite weakened at the moment, and even though Inoue-san is strong, her powers aren't exactly the type to spark Captain Zaraki's interest in a fight. This means that if you tell him you're friends with Ichigo, he's likely to help you in the hope of finding Ichigo."
Orihime: "But... wouldn't that put Kurosaki-kun in danger?" - She asked, a hint of concern in her voice.
Yato: "Technically... no, because you don't need to look for Ichigo. He's probably hiding somewhere with Tatsuki and Yoruichi. Your task is to guide Zaraki to the prison to free Sado and Ganju. After that, just keep leading him in different directions, because I'm sure if other shinigami see Zaraki helping you, knowing how dangerous he is, they'll likely attack him... and he won't refuse to fight them."
Nemu: "This might work..." - She chimed in. - "Captain Zaraki isn't well-regarded among the other captains, and he also has a poor sense of direction, getting lost easily."
Orihime: "In that case, count us in!" - Her eyes sparkled with determination and eagerness, embodying a readiness for the upcoming challenge.
Uryū: "But what about you, Yasakani? What are you going to do?" - He questioned, a hint of reservation lingering in his tone.
Yato: "I'll use my powers to make some modifications to this Gigai, but it'll take a few minutes." - He shifted his gaze back to the lieutenant. - "Can you guide them to the 11th Division using the communicators?"
Nemu: "Yes, Yasakani-sama." - Her response was delivered with a calm assurance.
As Inoue and Uryū rose from their seats, there was a palpable shift in the atmosphere. Both exchanged parting words with Yato as they ascended the stairs leading to the exit of the underground passage.
As echoes of their footsteps faded with Inoue and Uryū's departure, Yato approached the Gigai provided by the lieutenant. It bore a striking resemblance to a mannequin, and a sense of anticipation hung in the air as he initiated his peculiar modifications.
Studying it with a critical eye, the young man initiated the manifestation of numerous red threads, deftly weaving them around the form of the Gigai until it was entirely shrouded.
In a sudden and seamless transition, the Gigai disappeared into the red threads, leaving no trace behind.
Witnessing this enigmatic display, Nemu maintained her characteristic stoicism. Unfazed by the unexpected disappearance, she shifted her focus to her task, guiding Inoue and Uryū to the 11th Division, ensuring their success in this unconventional mission.
Yato: 'The trickiest part was altering the Gikongan, but that's done... now, it's just Cheshire left to modify the Gigai.' - His eyes reflected the calculated determination that fueled his thoughts. - 'Aizen will be at Central 46, Gin is likely occupied with Hitsugaya, Zaraki will assist Inoue and Uryū... Senzaikyū has only two guards, but Nemu can easily slip past them. We need to execute this plan tonight because tomorrow morning, some guys from some squad I can't recall will show up to announce to Rukia that the execution date will change...'
As minutes passed, Yato felt the subtle shift in his fullbring, signaling the successful modification of the Gigai. Turning his attention back to Nemu, he prepared for the next phase of their plan.
Yato: "Are they okay?" - Concern lined his voice, a flicker of worry etched across his face as he inquired about Inoue and Ishida.
Nemu: "There was an unexpected turn, but it might play to our advantage. While guiding them, they apparently crossed paths with the lieutenant of the 11th Division. From what I could discern, she detected Ichigo Kurosaki's reiatsu in your friends, and now she's accompanying them to the 11th Division." - Her words, delivered with measured precision, hinted at a potential shift in their plan. - "And as for the Gigai, Yasakani-sama?"
As a response, Yato once again wove the red threads into existence, replicating the same intricate movements that had made the Gigai disappear. However, this time, the threads worked in reverse, coaxing the Gigai back into existence. Its form, however, had undergone a profound metamorphosis, now a flawless reflection of Rukia herself.
Yato: "Here it is... it might not seem like it, but pulling off this kind of thing consumes more reiatsu than it appears." - His words carried the weight of the energy expended in the intricate manipulation. He retrieved a Gikongan from his pocket and approached the lieutenant. - "Now, I want you to head to Senzaikyū as fast as you can with the Gigai and the Gikongan. When you encounter Rukia, place the Gikongan into the Gigai and leave it there in her stead."
Nemu: "Understood. Where should I take Rukia Kuchiki after leaving the Gigai in her place?"
Yato: "Bring her here...apparently, the shinigami don't usually venture down here." - A subtle, sly smile etched across Yato's face.
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