"A human bomb, huh… ruthless."
After the blast, Mayuri was singed and a bit ragged, but walked over.
He stared at the pile of meat with a shadowed expression.
Careless.
A captain-class figure, yet a death soldier.
Who were these enemies, to treat a captain as expendable? Even Mayuri hadn't gone that far.
Each captain is massive combat power, not to be discarded lightly.
He pinched a fragment, smirked, and stored it away.
He glanced at the 12th Sector. The giant reishi white serpent had vanished, and the reishi turbulence overhead was gone. Something had collected it in an instant.
Who could do that? A very short list.
"Interesting… interesting…"
Mayuri laughed, even cackled.
"I've got you now, Quincy."
He knew the Quincy well—studied them for decades. Seeing Royd's scraps felt familiar. Given the wraith was formed from Quincy rancor, it wasn't hard to guess.
He still had one question: where were they hiding?
As he pondered, other captains arrived late. Mayuri ignored them, thinking about recent events—were they connected?
…
Watching Mayuri think, Baelz exhaled.
Looks like he still hadn't found the Wandenreich. Mission accomplished.
Knowing Quincy remnants exist meant little—Mayuri already knew. He was an old hand; he knew Yhwach hadn't died and that his subordinates would be hiding him, waiting to strike back.
So letting Mayuri know Quincy were behind this wasn't a problem—so long as he didn't know the Empire's location.
"Royd died?"
Liltotto walked in, scowling. "Hurry, get me a container. I'm gonna hurl."
Baelz handed her a bottle. "Spit it in here."
"So small? Will it hold?" She doubted, then gagged a cloud of white mist into it.
"Ugh—vile. Worse than Hollows. Never feeding me that again. And this thing…"
She corked it, then spat the mini black hole into her hand and thrust it at Baelz. "Ever since I ate that, I've never felt full. Don't assign me this again."
"There won't be a next time. Keep the mini black hole, though," Baelz said. "Might save your life."
"What, you want me to re-eat what I spit? Gross."
"I could… wash it for you?"
"…still gross." She kept it anyway—grossness isn't worth your life.
She'd looked down on Seireitei. Even so, this shocked her—Mayuri alone took down a powerful Sternritter.
Terrifying.
"Where's Lloyd?" Baelz asked.
"Reporting to His Majesty," Liltotto said, clutching her stomach. "Forget it, I think I ate something bad." She ran to Baelz's washroom.
"Hey—" He lifted a hand, then let it drop. He'd wanted to say "Use your own room," but feared a beating.
He stared at the white gas in the bottle, eyes gleaming.
He'd planned to let Yoshio study it, but it didn't have much technical depth—just junk conglomerated with accidental arrangements producing odd powers.
If he mapped their composition and arrangement, that was it—especially for Mayuri, who'd made the components in the first place.
Baelz only wanted to see if any special chemistry had emerged. If not, Yhwach would probably do more with the wraith later—more chances to study it.
"Lili, I'm going to see His Majesty. Come by for dinner tonight."
…
First Division, Captain's Meeting Room.
A room that should hold only captains now held over a dozen lieutenants.
The Captain-Commander sat in front. Captains and lieutenants stood in two rows—captains front, lieutenants back—getting chewed out by Yamamoto.
They'd been scolded for half an hour.
To do it, Yamamoto even dredged up trivialities from decades ago.
But the main focus was the latest failure.
For more than a decade, Seireitei had been a sieve.
Yamamoto declared them the worst class of captains he'd ever led.
How many were actually listening?
Besides Soi Fon and Komamura looking humble, most were glazed—clearly spacing out.
Sigh.
Better to let them go investigate than waste half an hour here, the old man…
Yoshio grumbled internally.
Then Yamamoto barked: "Shiba Isshin's case has been handed to Central 46. They will fully handle it!"
Everyone frowned—especially Rangiku.
She knew Central 46's sages were troublemakers. Who knew what judgment they'd pass on a captain?
Rangiku was about to speak when Kyōraku stepped forward. "Old man, that's not great. Even if it's Central 46, Shiba is our internal matter. Handing it over—"
"This is Central 46's decision. We have no right to interfere!" Yamamoto snapped.
"I hear no respect for the sages of Soul Society in your tone!"
He cut Kyōraku off. Kyōraku sighed—once Central 46 decided, the captains could protest, not overturn. The captains were apex in status, not in voice.
"Mayuri, did you identify the attackers?"
Mayuri had been spacing out. He answered, "No. A certain barbarian was too useless to capture the target alive."
"Hmph! That's rich coming from someone who watched the target blow himself up," Kenpachi snorted.
Mayuri and Kenpachi always sniped each other at meetings.
Even Yamamoto was used to it. He barked, "Enough—stand down, both of you."
Then: "Regarding the parasitic Hollow—any thoughts?"
People shook their heads—only Yoshio and Byakuya looked like they had something to say.
Byakuya stayed silent; seeing that, Yoshio held his tongue too.
No answers—Yamamoto fumed and resumed the lecture.
…
Half an hour later, the meeting dispersed.
Following Aizen, Yoshio muttered, "So Captain Aizen endures this torture every meeting—truly hard on you."
"Don't say that here, Yoshio," Shunsui smiled. "The old man might hear you."
"If Captain Shiba remains missing," Aizen shifted topics before people fully dispersed, "who will lead the 10th Division?"
"Hmm," Shunsui rubbed his chin. "Probably not Rangiku—still a bit green."
"Hitsugaya?" He looked at Tōshirō.
Tōshirō said coolly, "I'm slated to be 13th Division captain. After this, Captain Ukitake seems set to retire."
"True. He only stayed on because of the Substitute Shinigami incident. Now with this, he should retire," Shunsui mused. "Lucky. I wonder when I can retire."
"You can retire anytime," Nanao pushed her glasses. "I won't stop you."
"How can you say that, little Nanao? It hurts my heart."
"Time flies…
"Speaking of which…" Shunsui looked at Yoshio. "Yoshio-kun, you've got potential for 10th captain."
"Ah, let's not," Yoshio said helplessly. "Captain Shiba might come back."
Everyone knew Isshin likely wouldn't. Even if he did, he'd face inquiry.
They dispersed.
…
Back in the 5th, Yoshio leaned back, eyes closed.
Phase One complete. Time for Phase Two.
His plan had three phases:
Assault Mayuri and Rukia, obtain the Bureau's Quincy souls, and make everyone forget Rukia.
"Notice something off"—discover they've "forgotten Rukia."
Find and bring Rukia back.
Tomorrow… he'd visit the 6th Division.
During the meeting, when Yamamoto asked if anything seemed off, Yoshio saw Byakuya's expression—he had noticed something, but said nothing.
These people are like that—discover something but don't tell others.
Just like Mayuri not stating the attackers were Quincy.
Yoshio was beginning to understand, but he'd never operate that way.
If Phase Three succeeds, he could gain a lot of favor: Rukia, Renji, Byakuya, Hitsugaya, Ukitake…
Ukitake's favor always hovered just shy of 80. Before he fully retires, Yoshio would break through his defenses via Rukia's case.
He got excited. Forget waiting—go now!
He told Aizen he was stepping out and slipped from the 5th. As he left, Hinamori's soul ability flickered—time for her to change, it seemed.
What would her new ability be?
Curious.
But Rukia first. After this, how high would her favor go? Would she fall in love?
Ew—admire me, sure, but don't fall in love~
Smirking at himself, Yoshio went to the 6th.
At the gate, he saw Ginjirō Shirogane.
"Ginjiro, heading out?"
They chatted—both into eyewear. Yoshio had about 60+ favor with him, enough to temporarily use Ginjiro's soul ability "Eyeglass Designer," which crafted glasses imbued with different reiatsu. Yoshio wondered if glasses would make him look scholarly.
"I've got business with Captain Kuchiki."
"You picked a bad time—he didn't return after the meeting."
"Where to?"
"Home, I think. He's weighed down lately."
"Thanks." Yoshio headed for the Kuchiki estate—not far from the 6th. As a noble house, now practically first among the five after the Tsunayashiro's decline, they hadn't ostentatiously renovated.
He didn't force his way in. "I'm Yoshio Kamado, 5th Division lieutenant. Please inform Captain Kuchiki that I have an important matter."
Rules matter in a society of rules—unless you're Ichigo Kurosaki.
The guard, properly trained, went to report. Soon he returned with an elderly white-bearded butler—Seike Nobutsune, Byakuya's caretaker since youth.
Nobutsune led Yoshio to a room. "Lord Byakuya is inside. I only show you here."
"Thank you."
"Come in," came Byakuya's toneless voice.
Inside, Byakuya knelt before a portrait—a woman nearly identical to Rukia, but with a perpetual faint sadness in her brows, more feminine allure, eyes holding complex emotion.
Yoshio feigned shock, touching his head.
"She is Hisana, my wife," Byakuya said without turning.
"I've heard a little," Yoshio said quietly. "I shouldn't have met her, yet seeing her portrait feels… familiar."
Byakuya turned to look at him. "Familiar?"
"Yes. After Mayuri mentioned a parasitic Hollow, I wondered if I'd lost memories. I sensed abnormalities in my past."
"What abnormalities?"
"I once taught a Shinigami to train Bankai—and that Shinigami was from the Kuchiki clan."
"Your reasoning?"
"This." Yoshio took out a scarf with a peculiar crest: a V branching with black wings and two trailing black ribbons—Kuchiki family crest.
Byakuya recognized the family pattern at a glance.
"A Kuchiki item ended up at my house. No matter how I try, I can't recall which significant Kuchiki left it."
"So, I should have taught some important Kuchiki figure Bankai. That's my inference."
"Sharp," Byakuya said, eyes closing, then opening. "Why not report this at the meeting?"
He didn't seem surprised Yoshio could teach Bankai—apparently Yoshio's strength was presumed to touch that realm. No wonder some had eyed him for 10th captain.
Yoshio thought: I haven't even permanently earned that open secret yet!
But he focused on Byakuya. "Curiosity," he replied. "If that Kuchiki came to me, their strength likely wasn't high. The attackers went to such lengths—just to target a weak Kuchiki? Something feels off. If I announced it, it might harm that person.
Since I taught them, they're my student—someone I acknowledged. I think a private investigation is better. And I think…" He met Byakuya's eyes. "You think so too, Captain Kuchiki."
Seireitei is a sieve—report to Yamamoto or Central 46 and it's the talk of the town. Captains hold things in, preferring to solve them themselves—not without reason.
"…" Byakuya looked back at Hisana's portrait. "When Hisana lived, I vaguely sensed she was searching for something. She often went to Rukongai. But what was she looking for?
Whatever it was, it was important to her… and to me."
He turned back. "Yoshio, can I trust you?"
"Of course," Yoshio said firmly.
"I'm the 6th Division Captain. I cannot leave Seireitei lightly. And I would be noticed."
"I need your help."
"This is my matter too," Yoshio said, steadfast.
Byakuya gave him a deep look. Yoshio noticed Byakuya's Favor rise to 76.
Good.
"Hisana first arrived in the Soul Society at South Rukongai's 78th District, Inuzuri," Byakuya said. "Perhaps you will find something there."
"Thank you, Captain."
"I'll investigate quietly," Yoshio replied, then took his leave.
He returned briefly to the 5th to request three days' leave from Aizen, then set out.
…
From Seireitei to South Rukongai 78 was no short trek. Ordinary Shinigami would take days to reach Rukongai; captains could move faster—but still, Yoshio needed nearly a day to reach Inuzuri.
The farther from 1, the more chaotic and poor a district is. 78 is rife with violence, chaos, and plague. People kill for a drink of water—no law. Seireitei can't and won't control it.
So they don't like Shinigami.
You don't care about us—why should we listen?
Yoshio didn't wear shihakushō. He's not a pampered Shinigami detached from hardship. Sometimes it's better not to flaunt your badge.
Even in plain clothes, he stood out—his outfit too tidy for a place where people can't afford straw sandals and wear patched rags. Some were defecating on the street.
A woman on a roof tossed a paper ball. "Hey! Where are you from?"
Yoshio looked up.
Rukia, in coarse clothes. Since joining Seireitei, when had the Kuchiki heiress dressed like this? She'd come to suffer in Rukongai.
He suppressed his excitement.
"Who are you?"
"Answer my question first," Rukia said. "You don't look like you're from Inuzuri."
"I'm from East Rukongai."
Rukongai encircles Seireitei from four gates—east, west, south, north. One can traverse laterally between districts of similar numbers.
Going from East to South isn't impossible.
"Someone from the east… what are you doing in Inuzuri?"
"Who are you? Is Inuzuri run by a little girl?"
"What!"
The crowd bristled, ready to teach Yoshio a lesson.
Rukia stopped them. "Huh? Got a problem with little girls?"
Though memoryless, her trained body and reiatsu remained. In Rukongai street-fighting terms, no one here could take her.
She'd beaten back all challengers and naturally became Inuzuri's boss.
She also felt a strange familiarity toward Yoshio, despite not knowing him.
"I have business with whoever's in charge. That's you, right? Can we talk alone?"
Rukia frowned, wanting to refuse, but something inside urged her—refuse, and she'd lose something.
She hesitated—then two women appeared on either side.
"Rukia, ignore him."
Rukia looked from the sisters to Yoshio. "I feel like… I've seen him."
Homura and Shizuku glared. "Leave now! Or else!"
Yoshio saw Rukia wanted to speak but held back for their sake.
"Fine. Seems we can't negotiate. Goodbye."
He left decisively.
Watching him go, Rukia reached out, then drew back.
"What's with you, Rukia? Being soft on a stranger?" Homura scolded. "We should've killed him."
"…No, it's nothing," Rukia said. "Maybe I'm just tired."
"We'll take you to rest," Shizuku said—and in a blink, Rukia was in a thatched hut.
…
At dusk, she slipped out and returned to where she'd seen Yoshio—he was indeed waiting.
"Who are you?" she asked the man both strange and familiar.
"That's what I want to ask you," Yoshio said, producing a photograph. "Why do you look exactly like Lady Hisana?"
Rukia's pupils blew wide. She clutched her head. "I… I don't know."
"Do you remember me? I'm Yoshio Kamado, lieutenant of the 5th Division of the Gotei 13!"
"Yoshio… Yoshio-senpai…" Pain contorted Rukia's face. She crouched, holding her head. "I… don't know. But why does my body react?"
"My name is Rukia… not Hisana. I don't know Shinigami."
Hearing "Rukia," Yoshio acted as if struck by a thought and said solemnly, "If I bring you back to Seireitei, we can remember everything."
"So you're from Seireitei!" Space flickered; a woman appeared behind Rukia, glaring. "What did you do to her?!"
"You two, rather! What did you do to Rukia?!" Yoshio shot back. "From Mayuri I learned of a parasitic Hollow. You erased all memories relating to Rukia, didn't you?!"
Homura and Shizuku's faces changed. Rukia noticed, understood, and stood, gripping Homura's shoulders. "Is it true? Did you erase my memories?"
"Don't listen to him! The Shinigami just want to take you from us. We're your friends!" Homura shouted. "Shizuku—kill him!"
"We are not taking her! Rukia is a person, not someone's possession. Where she stands is for her to decide—not for you to force by erasing her," Yoshio barked. "You two ignorant brats—this ends now!"
"Ah—!" Rukia's pupils dilated further.
She clutched her head—something was surging up in her mind.
"Ugh…" she groaned. "Yoshio-senpai… Brother Byakuya… Captain Ukitake… Renji… I am… Kuchiki Rukia…"
Hearing "Kuchiki Rukia," Homura and Shizuku's faces shifted again. Suppressing fury, they said:
"I see—erasing only Rukia's memories wasn't enough. We must kill all of you meddlers—kill those who took Rukia from us! Only then will Rukia return to us!"
"N-no…" Rukia tried to speak, but they were already at her sides. Their bodies dispersed into countless particles and surged into Rukia.
"This way, we will be together forever, Rukia!"
They shouted—and fused with her.
"Ah!"
Rukia screamed. Her reiatsu turned wicked—purple-black miasma spread from her body.
Her eyes darkened to pitch. Her clothes turned white—similar to Yamiko's, but far more malevolent.
"I'm going to Seireitei… and kill them all!"