Kasumioji Rurichiyo drifted through the mist-covered hunting grounds like an apparition born of treachery.
Where she passed, silence followed.
The immobilized Gillians remained suspended under the suppressive influence of Ito Makoto's expanded domain. The distortion of reishi density within the Four Directions Field continued to interfere with their coordination, slowing movement and destabilizing balance.
Rurichiyo's gaze flickered across the battlefield, analytical rather than frantic.
"So this is the Fourth Seat's Shikai…" she murmured softly. "A spatial suppression technique layered with vibrational disruption. How fascinating."
Ahead of her, several surviving noble youths regrouped, weapons drawn, their expressions pale but hopeful upon recognizing her.
"Lady Kasumioji!"
Relief flooded their voices.
"You must release the barrier! This isn't part of the tournamentsomething's wrong!"
Rurichiyo smiled.
"Yes. Something is indeed wrong."
She lifted the silver-white blade in her hand.
The weapon did not resemble a traditional Zanpakutō. Its surface was unnaturally smooth, etched with flowing vein-like inscriptions that pulsed faintly with stolen Reiryoku.
A Bakutō.
One of the forbidden spirit-devouring blades once connected to the Kasumioji Clan's secret armory.
With a gentle flick
The blade dissolved into liquid radiance.
It spread outward like molten mercury.
Reishi in the air thickened.
Within a radius of several hundred meters, motion slowed.
Not true time manipulation
But extreme spiritual interference.
The reishi density became so distorted that bodies caught within it experienced near-total paralysis.
The nobles froze mid-breath.
Even pebbles suspended in disturbed air seemed trapped in viscous suspension.
Rurichiyo walked forward calmly.
Her steps echoed softly against immobilized reality.
One by one
She pierced each noble through the chest.
The Bakutō responded eagerly.
From its hilt emerged tendril-like extensions formed of condensed spiritual matter. They burrowed into their victims, siphoning Reiryoku directly.
Bodies withered.
Uniforms fell empty.
The blade pulsed brighter.
"All this refined spiritual essence…" she whispered, stroking the weapon affectionately. "You've starved long enough."
Her violet eyes shimmered crimson.
Not madness
Conviction.
Elsewhere
Ito Makoto emerged from the containment corridor alongside Wonderweiss.
He had guided the Adjuchas-class Hollow toward the Garganta tear above, intending to return it to Hueco Mundo before Captain-class reinforcements arrived.
Then
A scream.
Ito turned.
Rurichiyo stood amid fallen Shihakushō remnants.
Only one survivor remained
A young girl trembling beneath the mercury field.
"Lady… please… I won't speak of this…"
Rurichiyo's expression softened almost tenderly.
"Little Chie," she said gently. "You misunderstand. This is not betrayal."
The mercury surged.
The girl vanished within it.
When the fluid receded
Only cloth remained.
Wonderweiss roared.
Dozens of massive pale arms lashed outward.
Upon sensing Rurichiyo's Bakutō, the Hollow's instinct reacted violently.
Rurichiyo did not retreat.
She swung her blade.
Mercury condensed midair and collided with Wonderweiss's extended limbs.
The moment contact occurred
The Hollow's movements slowed dramatically.
Not halted by time
But restrained by reishi destabilization at the cellular spiritual level.
With a single downward motion, the condensed blade severed multiple arms.
Wonderweiss shrieked.
Moments later
The severed limbs regenerated through High-Speed Regeneration.
Yet his Reiatsu output dropped slightly.
Ito observed carefully.
"So it's reishi interference amplified through absorption…"
Her own Reiatsu had risen sharply.
Originally Vice-Captain class
Now undeniably Captain-level under the Bakutō's amplification.
Dangerous.
The mercury surged again toward Wonderweiss.
Ito stepped forward.
He released restraint.
Thirty percent of his stored spiritual pressure surged outward.
The air fractured.
Captain-class Reiatsu collided with Captain-class.
"Annihilation God Second Form: Rift Collapse."
Three overlapping rings of compressed vibrational distortion erupted outward, colliding against the advancing mercury tide.
Impact.
The ground shattered.
Suppressed Gillians caught between the forces disintegrated instantly under the pressure differential.
The mist barrier trembled violently.
Rurichiyo's eyes widened briefly.
"You would shield a Menos Grande?" she asked coolly. "Have you abandoned the Gotei 13, Fourth Seat?"
Ito's voice remained calm.
"And have you abandoned Soul Society?"
He stepped forward slightly.
"Unauthorized Garganta. Use of a forbidden Bakutō. Slaughter of nobles to amplify personal Reiatsu."
His gaze hardened.
"Central 46 would not grant you leniency."
Her expression shifted
Then she laughed softly.
"So you truly are informed."
The mercury retreated momentarily, coiling around her like a living mantle.
"I sought power beyond stagnation," she replied. "The Four Great Noble Families hoard authority. The Gotei 13 hoards strength. Why should the Kasumioji remain beneath them?"
Ito did not answer.
Instead
He seized the moment.
Gripping Wonderweiss by the shoulder, he executed a full-power Shunpo leap, propelling the Adjuchas toward the still-open Garganta.
Above
The massive worm-like Hollow that had opened the breach roared.
A beam of distorted light shot downward.
It enveloped Wonderweiss.
Reishi spiraled upward.
Within seconds
The Adjuchas vanished into the darkness of Hueco Mundo.
The Garganta began closing.
Rurichiyo slashed upward
But Ito's domain pulsed once more, disrupting her trajectory for a fraction of a second.
Enough.
The Garganta sealed.
Silence fell.
Within Hueco Mundo
Wonderweiss landed upon white sand.
The worm-like Hollow settled nearby.
Before them stood a tall humanoid figure
Black-haired.
Black-eyed.
Reiatsu stable.
Unfamiliar.
He stepped forward.
"My name is Raizen Kō."
His voice carried neither arrogance nor warmth.
"From this moment onward… I will determine the direction of your evolution."
Behind him
Endless dunes stretched beneath the hollow moon.
A new variable had entered Hueco Mundo.
And the balance of power had begun to shift.