Soul Society, Seireitei, First Division, Captains’ Meeting Hall.
“In other words…” the Captain of the First Division and Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13, Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni, said indifferently from his high seat, “you simply returned like this?”
“Yes.” After reporting the events in full once more, Byakuya nodded.
“Given the circumstances at the time, without releasing my Limiter, it was difficult for me to contend with Yoruichi Shihōin.
Had she wished it, I might not have returned to the Soul Society safely.”
“That is no excuse for retreating!” Soi Fon, Captain of the Second Division, snapped.
“As a Captain, you simply allowed yourself to be humiliated by a human and a criminal?!”
“If you have an objection, you are free to go there yourself.”
“I certainly will!”
“Then I shall look forward to it.”
“Now, now.” The easygoing Captain of the Thirteenth Division, Ukitake, said with a smile, “As long as the mission is complete and no one is hurt, that is what matters.”
“Captain Ukitake!
You cannot say that!
As a Captain—”
“That is enough, Captain Soi Fon.” Sōsuke Aizen, Captain of the Fifth Division, spoke with a gentle expression.
“Rushing into action against an opponent whose depths are unknown is not always the wisest choice.”
“…” Seeing that two Captains had spoken up, Soi Fon ceased her arguing, merely stating coldly, “I will have the Stealth Force keep a constant eye on the Living World.”
“The primary concern is that human,” Byakuya reminded them.
“As well as some of his companions.”
“Humans with special abilities…
how rare.” Shunsui Kyōraku, Captain of the Eighth Division—who looked like a slovenly middle-aged man in a flowered shirt—sighed.
“It has been a long time since I’ve heard of such people.”
“Then…” Captain-Commander Yamamoto spoke again.
“That human, the one possessing the power of a Shinigami…
just how strong is he, Captain Kuchiki?”
At these words, the Captains all sharpened their focus.
A human possessing Shinigami powers was strange enough, but the report stated that this human had crushed a Lieutenant’s Shikai Zanpakutō with his bare hands.
Even considering the Limiter, such a feat was staggering.
“…Unfathomable.” Byakuya recalled that night, and the terrifying Reiatsu that had flashed by.
“He is stronger than most of you—including myself.”
“…What?”
Everyone froze.
After all, a report was just a report; most of those present had the strength to crush a Limiter Zanpakutō with their bare hands.
However, for a Captain to personally admit he was inferior was an entirely different concept.
“A human with power exceeding that of a Captain…” The towering, helmeted Captain of the Seventh Division, Sajin Komamura, said in a muffled voice, “Captain Kuchiki, are you certain?” Get faster updates on novelping . com.
As the representative of raw power, Sajin Komamura ranked among the top of the Captains in terms of both his Zanpakutō’s ability and his own physical conditioning.
He was confident in his own ability to crush a blade, but setting aside victory, he did not believe he possessed the strength to make another Captain admit inferiority.
“Certainly.”
Recalling the Reiatsu erupted by the orange-haired youth that night, Byakuya felt a tremor in his heart even now.
In that moment, his pride as a genius had been ruthlessly crushed.
“That terrifying Reiatsu, that sense of crisis…” Byakuya turned his gaze toward the Captain-Commander.
“I have only ever encountered it in one other Shinigami.”
“…Hey, hey, hey!” Shunsui Kyōraku couldn’t help but complain.
“Comparing him to the old man?
What kind of monster is he?
Is he really human?”
The Captains began to murmur.
From their high positions, they quickly began to wonder why such an existence had appeared in the Living World, why that human was so powerful, and what the relationship was between him, Kisuke Urahara, and Yoruichi Shihōin…
it was all shrouded in mystery.
“Enough—”
“How embarrassing!” A voice rang out, commanding and stern.
The Captain-Commander scolded them, “A mere human!
What does it matter if he possesses great power?!”
“The priority now is to investigate exactly what Rukia Kuchiki and Kisuke Urahara are plotting.
A former Captain and former head of the Shinigami Research and Development Institute is far more difficult to deal with than some brat!”
Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni did not dwell too much on the human youth’s strength.
Although Byakuya’s claims were indeed beyond common sense, as the pinnacle of all Shinigami and the strongest for a thousand years, he did not believe a mere human could ever surpass him…
“Yes!” the Captains responded in unison.
“Captain Kuchiki.” At the end of the meeting, Captain-Commander Yamamoto reminded him, “Rukia Kuchiki is currently a criminal.”
“I understand.”
***
The Living World, Karakura Town, Urahara Shop.
“Mr.
Urahara!” Ichigo demanded, “Why did you let Rukia be taken back just like that?
What exactly did you do back then?”
“…” After a moment of silence, Kisuke Urahara spoke slowly, “You know that Shinji and the others possess a power called Hollowfication.
This happened because someone used them for experiments.
Such an act is certainly illegal, and the mastermind shifted all the responsibility onto me.”
“Who is that person?” This was the first time Ichigo had received a direct answer; previously, the topic had always been vaguely glossed over.
“Tell me his name.”
“Do you actually plan to storm the Soul Society and cut him down?”
“Of course,” Ichigo replied as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
“Anyone who could outsmart a guy like Urahara isn’t someone I’d want to compete with in an IQ contest.”
“That is exactly the problem,” Kisuke Urahara said.
“Just like the Living World, the Soul Society has its own laws and rules.
Power does not represent everything.
Even if you can cut him down, so what?
The Gotei 13, unaware of the truth, will not let the matter rest.”
“So what,” Ichigo said dismissively.
“We’ll deal with it when it happens!”
“Stop watching so much TV!” Yoruichi sighed, rubbing her forehead in frustration.
“I knew I shouldn’t have let you watch those dramas…
look what’s happened to you.”
“No matter how strong you are, what can you actually achieve?” Kisuke Urahara shook his head.
“You can defeat one Captain, but can you defeat more?”
“Of course I can.”
“Can you defeat every single Captain of the Gotei 13?”
“Probably…
no problem.”
“Can you defeat the members of the Zero Division?”
“Um…
I guess…”
“Can you surpass the Soul King, who created the Three Worlds?”
“…Uh…”
“Strength does not represent everything,” Kisuke Urahara said earnestly.
“Ichigo, you have placed too much importance on power lately.”
“But I don’t know any other way to help her.” Ichigo’s eyes dimmed slightly.
“Rukia is my friend, but right now, I can’t do anything for her.”
“Do not lose heart.
After all, power is the foundation of everything,” Kisuke Urahara said, bringing out his fan with a smile.
“We just have to wait a little while—until that man exposes himself.”
“…Who exactly is that guy?”
“His name is…” With a sudden chill in his eyes, Kisuke Urahara became unusually serious.
“Sōsuke Aizen, the current Captain of the Fifth Division.”