“Report!
An intruder alert has sounded for the Rukongai!”
A member of the Inspection Corps stood before Vice-Captain Shihōin.
“Investigate again and report again,” Ichiryu said.
“Report!
A Hollow has appeared outside the White Road Gate.
The Seirei Gate is lowered.
The gate guardian, Jidanbō, is fighting the Hollow.”
“Investigate again and report again.” Ichiryu poured himself a cup of tea.
“Report!
Jidanbō was defeated by the intruder.
The intruder tried to open the gate, but was injured by Captain Ichimaru Gin.”
“Check again and report again.” Ichiryu touched the teacup.
The tea was still warm.
He smiled.
“Report!
The captain has gone to the Senzaikyū.
Central 46 has issued an order to block the intruders outside the Seireitei.
No pursuit or suppression is required.”
“Ha.
Investigate again and report again.” Ichiryu set his cup down.
“And pay attention to the Shiba family.”
Seireitei Calendar 997, September 8th.
Soul Society stirred to life after a long silence.
The arrival of the intruders excited the Shinigami of the Gotei 13.
From his vantage, Ichiryu watched the division barracks buzz with activity.
A sense of relief settled in his chest.
Soon, your lives will become far more colorful.
Just as he expected the lull to continue, a Shinigami wearing a tiger mask rushed in.
“Urgent report!
The Captain of the Chamber Guard requests assistance.
There has been a change within the Senzaikyū.
He demands a confidential discussion.”
Ichiryu paused.
“A change in the Senzaikyū?
And he wants a secret conversation?
Where is he?”
“The Captain of the Chamber Guard waits in the watchtower.
Should we investigate first?” The tiger-masked Shinigami sounded uncertain.
“The Captain of the Chamber Guard.” Ichiryu stood.
“No.
I will go myself.
You are not to reveal this matter to anyone.
Understood?” He left, his trail dissolving into the shadows.
“Yes!” The subordinate bowed, the unspoken implication clear.
The captain had sent a messenger, but the messenger itself could not be trusted.
There were spies from other noble families within the Inspection Corps.
Ichiryu knew them all, had even encouraged their presence in recent years.
But the Twenty-Eighth Unit were his.
Their loyalty ran deeper than rank.
The watchtower stood empty.
This was the watchtower for the Senzaikyū, normally guarded by the Chamber Guard—the personal protectors of Central 46.
No Shinigami of the Gotei 13 could appear here without summons.
Even a captain needed approval.
Now, the only exception was the Inspection Corps.
Ichiryu climbed the stairs.
The Captain of the Chamber Guard waited alone.
The man had a square face, a thick beard, and a powerful build.
He wore not a Shinigami uniform, but a suit of battle armor.
“Captain Ukitake,” Ichiryu said.
“What is happening?”
The Captain of the Chamber Guard shared the Ukitake name.
By seniority, he was an elder of Ukitake Jūshirō’s clan—a veteran noble family, old but low-tier, without a seat on the Ōin Council or even within Central 46.
But very, very old.
“Shihōin.” The Captain’s voice was flat, his face flushed, his eyes bloodshot.
“You may not believe it.
But I suspect… the sages of Central 46 are already dead.”
“Has Captain Ukitake been under too much pressure recently?” Ichiryu’s posture shifted, his guard rising.
The man’s state was wrong.
Something controlled him.
“Do not guard against me.
I am invoking kamikake.
I can barely remain awake.” The Captain watched Ichiryu’s defensive stance.
Kamikake.
A technique of ancient noble families to borrow a sliver of the Spirit King’s power.
The most famous practitioner was Captain Ukitake of the Thirteenth Division, who borrowed the power of the Spirit King’s right arm in its entirety, at a terrible cost.
This Captain of the Chamber Guard had borrowed only a little.
Some insignificant fragment, perhaps.
Dander and boogers.
“Barely awake?” Ichiryu focused on the phrase.
“I suspect… for the past half-month, everyone who entered the Senzaikyū has been under an illusion.” The Captain’s shock bled through his hollowed eyes.
“Half a month?” Ichiryu’s voice hardened.
“The captain went in.
Are you suspecting that old man?
Impossible.
He couldn’t conceive a scheme that required that much brain.”
“It is not impossible!
Or… he was also affected!”
“Do you know what you’re saying?
That is Captain Yamamoto.” Ichiryu’s tone asked are you crazy?
But his expression turned serious.
“I have no one else I can trust.
I cannot leave here, or the illusion may reclaim me.
You are the only one, Captain Shihōin.
Find a way to contact Squad Zero.” The Chamber Guard Captain spoke with desperate gravity.
The other Captain Ukitake?
To the Ukitake clan, Ukitake Jūshirō’s more important identity was “Captain Yamamoto’s favorite disciple.” In the Chamber Guard Captain’s mind, the probabilities were equal: Captain Yamamoto had rebelled, or a rebel’s illusion was strong enough to control him.
“Squad Zero.” Ichiryu rubbed his temple.
“To contact them, I must go through the captain.” He leveled a look at the man.
“Is there anyone else you trust?
Captain Zaraki would never involve himself in a conspiracy.”
That man could only chop.
His IQ didn’t allow for plots.
“No!
That beast is not to be trusted!
You must contact Captain Kuchiki.” The Captain said it like it was simple, as if unaware of the problem he posed.
Would Kuchiki Byakuya even speak to Ichiryu now?
In the next moment, Ichiryu provided the perfect solution.
Thud.
Thud—
The Captain of the Chamber Guard’s consciousness lagged.
Several golden rods pierced his shoulders, his torso, pinning his body to the floor.
He knew these rods.
“Traitor… you…” He stared at Ichiryu, anger warring with surprise.
His hollowed eyes looked monstrous, but as the rods flickered, his reiatsu guttered and died.
“You wanted to contact Captain Kuchiki?” Ichiryu smiled, a look of genuine relief.
“It seems you really had no one else to trust.”