Behind the 1st Division, atop a barren hill.
The funeral ceremony proceeded solemnly. Beyond the wind, no sound existed.
No funeral music. No weeping.
A warrior's death should never be consoled with such noise.
Silent mourning and remembrance—this was the Gotei's greatest respect.
The funeral detail wore pure white uniforms. They raised Chōjirō Sasakibe's coffin high and carried it to the burial platform.
Upon thick, soft straw, Chōjirō Sasakibe lay peacefully.
The platform was built from four massive wooden pillars. Three tiers rose upward. Funeral incantations were carved into each pillar.
These weren't functional Kidō spells—just symbols to comfort the departed spirit.
Seeing this, the captains and lieutenants felt their hearts stir.
This was the highest-level funeral in the Seireitei.
Normally, only important members of the Four Great Noble Houses or Gotei captains received such ceremonies.
Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto stood alone at the front, back to everyone, before the platform.
A gentle breeze lifted his haori slowly. It also raised his empty sleeve where his arm had been severed.
He leaned on his cane with one hand. His back looked especially lonely.
Shigure gazed at that back. He sensed emotions he'd never felt before.
Nearby, younger lieutenants like Renji Abarai looked distinctly uncomfortable.
They didn't understand why this lieutenant who rarely fought would receive such a high-level funeral after death.
Just then, Byakuya Kuchiki opened his eyes.
The usually taciturn captain seemed to notice their confusion. He spoke unprompted.
His gaze remained forward as he said quietly:
"Chōjirō Sasakibe was, in fact, qualified to be a Gotei captain."
"According to historical records, even before Captain Kyōraku and Captain Ukitake were born, he had already... mastered the Soul Reaper's ultimate secret—Bankai."
Byakuya spoke unhurriedly. Renji Abarai, Rukia, and others froze.
But Byakuya didn't stop:
"That said..."
"Since the Gotei 13's founding a thousand years ago, he never once used his power before others."
"Though he possessed captain-level strength, without displaying it, no one knew."
"And though some heard of Sasakibe's abilities, because he was 'a lieutenant who never fought,' many looked down on him."
"Some even thought... he only deserved to be a seated officer."
"Yet no matter what treatment or looks he received, nothing could affect Chōjirō Sasakibe's position as 1st Division lieutenant."
"Over the following years, Gotei 13 captain positions changed hands repeatedly. Several opened up."
"But forget temporarily acting as captain—even when the 3rd and 9th Divisions remained vacant long-term, he firmly refused."
"All of this was because... of his intense loyalty."
"He once swore that as long as Yamamoto Genryūsai lived, he would serve only as his lieutenant for life."
"But now, the first time he used his Bankai in battle... he died because of it."
Here, Byakuya's expression shifted slightly. He lowered his eyes:
"The Captain-Commander's grief is something we of the younger generation could never imagine."
As Byakuya finished, everyone's hearts grew heavier.
They suddenly began to feel the sorrow beneath the Captain-Commander's back.
After a long while, Yamamoto slowly raised his head toward the platform and said quietly:
"...Light it."
After the funeral ended, the sorrowful atmosphere lingered.
But everyone knew that ahead lay an even grimmer situation.
Even Yamamoto understood he couldn't remain stuck here.
So shortly after, he immediately convened a captains' meeting.
Due to this meeting's severity, all lieutenants were placed in the side hall. Only captains could attend.
The meeting began with a report from the Department of Research and Development.
However, Mayuri Kurotsuchi disliked such reporting work. Naturally, he assigned the task to Vice-Director Akon.
"Captains, what follows is the complete observation report of this incident—"
"Four hours and twenty-seven minutes ago, seven unidentified individuals infiltrated the 1st Division duty room. After two minutes, they rapidly withdrew."
"At the same moment, the Black Ridge gate patrol area within the 1st Division was also invaded by similarly dressed unidentified individuals."
"During 182 seconds of combat, total squad member deaths... 116."
"Lieutenant Sasakibe suffered fatal injuries in this attack."
"The invaders' infiltration and withdrawal methods remain completely unknown."
"Given that the soul-concealing membrane around the Seireitei detected no disturbances, the enemy likely possesses some movement method that ignores the membrane's existence!"
"Additionally, since all invasion witnesses died, the exact number of outside invaders remains unknown."
"However, based on spiritual pressure traces measured by our department, the enemy was likely..."
"One person!"
At this, every captain's expression changed.
Meaning in just two minutes, one person killed 117 people—including Lieutenant Sasakibe?!
And in the vast 1st Division, not a single witness survived?!
What kind of bizarre power was this... What kind of person?!
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