CAN'T FEAR YOUR OWN WORLD I Translated by Missstormcaller

CAN’T FEAR YOUR OWN WORLD I
written by Ryôgo NARITA & Tite KUBO
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translated by missstormcaller & edited by tari101190
“Do not seek the aesthetics in waging war.
Do not seek virtue in death.
Do not think your life is your own.
If you wish to protect each of the heads of the five court nobles, then you must
slaughter every foe from under the shadow of the leaves.”
— Excerpt from the old edition of the Spiritual Arts Academy’s textbook, soul reaper
regulations encyclopaedia.
“Do not seek the aesthetics in waging war.
Do not seek virtue in death.
Do not think your life is your own.
If you wish to protect the things you ought to protect, then you must strike down the
enemy by cutting them from their backs.”
— Excerpt from the latest edition of the Spiritual Arts Academy’s textbook, soul reaper
regulations encyclopaedia.
Prologue
Once, there was a battle.
A great war between those who called themselves gods who governed death and
those who extinguished evil spirits.
The conflict ceased in the form of losing their respective ‘kings’ by the end of the feud
which spanned a thousand years.
The relationship between the soul reaper and the quincy hailed a new era as a result
of this great loss.
It is said that it was the very same person who killed both kings, he was neither soul
reaper nor quincy, but only a small fraction of people are aware of that fact.
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There was a young substitute soul reaper boy who was a guest of the 13 Court Guard
Squads, who defeated the ringleader of the “Wandenreich” rebel army which invaded
Soul Society —- only that part of the information along with the proclamation that
“the 13 Court Guard Squads successfully defended the Royal Palace” was propagated
throughout the Soul Society.
In other words, it was to be permanently concealed by those who were the very
foundation of the Soul Society, that the Soul King himself was dead, for the purpose of
avoiding confusion and disorder.
Even now, many inhabitants of the Soul Society including ordinary soldiers still believe
they have their Soul King enshrined at the Royal Palace.
Those who know the facts is limited to only a handful of soul reaper such as captain
ranks and superior officers, or people attached to important posts in Seireitei, they
also dare not expose the truth and thus the people’s peace of mind was not disturbed.
From there, the revival of the Seireitei that was left utterly devastated, began.
Whether or not the decision of the higher-ups, who did not deem it acceptable to
snatch away the people’s moral support, was right as they had expected — well, it
seems that is something to be judged by history 10, or 100 years down the line.
The series of conflicts that would subsequently be known as the “Protection of the
Soul King Great War”, ushered in the conclusion to such a state of affairs.
Going back in time to the point immediately following the end of the war.
Royal Palace main shrine - Greater Royal Palace.
At the spot where the former Soul King was enshrined, the holy soldiers were busily
moving around.
There was a member of squad zero, Ichibê HYÔSUBE 'Monk who calls the real name’
(aka high priest) — he stroked his deep black beard whilst silently staring at the ‘thing’
that is at the centre of the room.
From behind, he heard an easygoing tone of voice call out to him.
“Oh my…so that is the new Soul King? High priest?”
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The high priest turned to look over his shoulder, there stood a man with an eyepatch
over his right eye — Shunsui KYÔRAKU.
“Hey, you’ve become able to move already? Hmm yes, you’d be no good as a
Commander otherwise” The high priest remarked with a cheerful smile.
He answered his companion’s query by checking to see if KYÔRAKU’s line of sight was
not on himself but at the centre of the space where the holy soldiers were working.
“You already understand. The soul King is neither new nor old. It is significant that
what we call Soul King can continue to exist here”
“Aren’t you the guy that said… all power is carried in names?” With a complex
expression still on his face, and switching to honorific speech, KYÔRAKU continued.
"…that is why, in the worst-case scenario, it would have been Ichigo-kun that is being
sealed under that name”
“If that was the case, you would have accepted it right?”
The high priest had quite casually informed him of the various scenarios in which it
was possible that Ichigo would be named “Soul King”. However, that word seemed as
if it does not harbour a shred of emotion.
And then, he laughed displaying a toothy grin as he spoke about Ichigo KUROSAKI.
“I’m also pleased for that boy. To reach a point where we would be unable to talk to
him would be somewhat lonesome huh?”
“Moreover. With this, I can also feel at ease not having to endure the resentment of
Ichigo-kun’s friends.”
“Ah, you gave them those soul-tickets didn’t you? Let’s keep that quiet from some of
the 46 chambers and the noble bunch.”
“…oh dear, how perceptive of you, high priest”
The position of Soul King. That is by no means a good thing, far from it in fact,
KYÔRAKU considered that the single most, worst possible outcome as far as Ichigo
KUROSAKI is concerned.
Looking at the 'thing’ before his eyes, KYÔRAKU was reminded of that once again.
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In preparation for the worst, KYÔRAKU handed out special spirit tools called “soul-
tickets” to persons who were close to Ichigo KUROSAKI in the World of the Living.
This is a ticket that makes it possible to freely travel back and forth between the World
of the Living and the Soul Society, improvements have been made based on the
technology that was previously used to transport the humans of Karakura Town alive
to Soul Society, resulting in this practical substitute.
KYÔRAKU calmly casts down his eyes, scenes of the time he went to inform Ichigo
KUROSAKI’s friends of that one possibility played out in his mind, “depending on the
nature of his powers, it could mean that it will become impossible for him to return
back home to this world.”
He had said it himself that he hadn’t come to joke around, the young boy, despite
acting the most foolish was also filled with deep anger, “you're not joking, yet how are
you expecting us to say goodbye so easily!?”
In contrast to the true anger he displayed for Ichigo’s sake, there was the black haired
boy who stubbornly continued to believe in Ichigo with eyes that remained calm, and
then, there was the girl who was more concerned about Ichigo’s family members
rather than herself whilst harbouring deep anguish and fear for Ichigo’s well-being.
—- both SADO-kun and Orihime-chan too, Ichigo-kun is blessed with friends, isn’t he?
—- well, that is surely because those kids are captivated by Ichigo-kun…
Considering the young people of the World of the Living, KYÔRAKU was safely relieved
for Ichigo KUROSAKI, a key player who ended this war, KYÔRAKU lightly lifted his eyes
as he addressed the high priest.
“Above all, it's good that Ichigo is not the one being cut down by the high priest and
co.”
KYÔRAKU said without hesitation in a curious manner of speaking.
Without affirming nor denying that, the high priest rubbed his bald head as he laughed
cheerfully.
“Seeing as how I’m not Yhwach. That means I cannot see into the future… Well,
technically speaking, Ichigo KUROSAKI could not have won but rather ought to have
been defeated.”
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“High priest…”
“So, as far as the boy is concerned, he was fortunate that Yhwach had completely
obtained the power of the Soul King. It is for that reason, even although Ichigo
KUROSAKI had won, that the Soul Society was able to escape collapse in such a way.”
As he said that, the high priest clapped his hands together towards the ‘thing’ placed
at the centre of the greater palace.
Behind the high priest whose eyes closed along with the clear sound of his hands
clapping together in prayer, KYÔRAKU tried to question him further.
“High priest, is that the will of the Soul King?”
“Hmm…”
“Or…is it the 'dying wish’ of the founders of the five great noble families?”
In a slip of the tongue, the honorific language disappears from KYÔRAKU’s speech, the
high priest then replies with aloofness.
“This and that, paying respects to the original dignitaries. You cannot hide your
hostility. Do you also perceive Byakuya KUCHIKI and Yoruichi SHIHÔIN from that sort
of viewpoint?”
“There is no place where I think of them like that. They are comrades of the 13 Court
Guard Squads, my precious friends.”
He smiled wryly as he shook his head, he continued speaking in a lower tone of voice.
“The actions of their ancestors have nothing to do with them but, on the other hand,
it’s not like the sins of their ancestors were non-existent. Am I right, high priest?”
“You say that but, in any case, there are no longer any founders of the five great noble
families left…”
The moment the high priest had said that, the dull sound of an explosion echoed
throughout the greater palace.
“!”
When KYÔRAKU turned to look in the direction of the noise, he could sense distinctive
spiritual pressures different from that of a soul reaper’s, coming from there.
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Ahead of their sightlines, there was still a section that was fused with part of the
“Wandenreich”, a portion of the wall was now destroyed, and white smoke flowed up.
Then, a few more white figures emerged from the inner part of that wall, out of the
white smoke.
The alarmed holy soldiers simultaneously drew their swords, adopting a fighting
stance in order to defend the greater palace, but the high priest gained control of the
them with his commanding voice.
“Ah, no need to concern yourselves. These are not opponents to defeat.”
One of the white figures had already leapt in their direction, he clicked his tongue as if
drawing out a poisonous air.
“Che…what? You ain’t gonna fight?”
The white figure that was reminiscent of a wild beast — Grimmjow JAEGERJAQUEZ
glared at the high priest and KYÔRAKU with a sharp look in his eyes as he landed.
Grimmjow touched his hand to his zanpakutô, but then a small Bala* (*hollow bullet)
struck the back of his head.
“Gaah…!?”
In response to the shock of something striking his head, Grimmjow turned around,
there stood the female arrancar who turned up at Soul Society at the same time as
him, Nelliel Tu ODELSCHWANCK, with her left hand was pointed towards him, she
appeared to have just shot that Bala.
“Nelliel, why you…!”
“Picking fights on such an occasion? With the demise of the quincy king, now, it is we
who are the largest foreign body of Soul Society you know”
“So what? If you’re scared then you might as well take your burden and escape
through the Garganta at once.”
The one Grimmjow had called 'burden’ was a female arrancar who was being carried
on Nelliel’s left shoulder.
Same as Nelliel, Tier HARRIBEL held the title of Espada 'no. 3’.
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When the “Wandenreich” attacked Hueco Mundo, HARRIBEL stood at the forefront of
the battle, bearing the full brunt of it —- However she was weakened by Yhwach’s
overwhelming power, consequently, she was captured as a symbol of Hueco Mundo’s
oppression.
At the time he was remodelling the Royal Palace, Yhwach incorporated a prison into
his castle in which she became his prisoner.
Whether it was meant to teach the arrancars a lesson, or even remodel her to serve as
part of the quincy vanguard, and with Yhwach now deceased, the purpose of her
continued captivity had become unclear.
The one thing that was for certain is that she was alive, only now was she set free
thanks to the efforts of Nelliel who had arrived along with Ichigo KUROSAKI and the
others.
Nelliel effectively rescued HARRIBEL the new ruler of Hueco Mundo, but she held
mixed feelings at the current state of affairs.
Whilst feeling bewildered at the fact that it was the former subordinates themselves
who were standing in this place before AIZEN who desired to reach the Royal Palace to
such a degree, Nelliel addressed Grimmjow who was being hostile towards the soul
reaper.
“You pick fights with opponents who are exhausted from war with the quincies? Is
that your idea of a satisfying fight?”
“...Che. What a sentimental thought. Anyway, do you think these soul reaper guys are
really going turn a blind eye to us? Save me the trouble, the moment we leave, they’ll
slash us up from behind.”
It was the bald-headed, good-natured old man with the deep black beard that then
replied to this.
“Hey, don’t worry, we’ll turn a blind eye to you guys as much as you want. If you like,
we can even escort you up to Hueco Mundo, it’s no problem.”
“…huh? Who do you think you are? You take us so lightly huh.”
They were not even considered a threat as they were wounded themselves.
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Grimmjow took the remark as just that, he glared at the bald old man, his whole body
overflowing with bloodlust.
But the man in question replied in an unfazed manner whilst easily brushing aside that
thirst for blood.
“On the contrary, the opposite is true. At any rate, even if we purified or even
eradicated numerous hollows of the area, it would strongly point to calamity as a
result, eventually the equilibrium of the three realms of existence would be sure to
collapse if we did such a thing so carelessly in the current state of affairs.”
“...”
For a moment, Grimmjow was silent, but then he clicked his tongue whilst bringing his
bloodlust under control whether or not he came to terms with it himself.
It seems he would rather settle things with Ichigo KUROSAKI than mess around in this
place.
Nelliel guessed as such, when push comes to shove, she considered silently launching
a surprise attack and dragging him back to Hueco Mundo, suddenly HARRIBEL who
was leaning on her shoulder opened her mouth to speak.
“…is that what you’re all going to be calling Soul King?”
She whispered her words as if saying it to herself.
Her eyes turned towards the thing being enshrined at the centre of the palace, behind
the soul reaper.
“…such a thing is at the core of Soul Society?”
“Hmm, lady arrancar. Can you still tolerate something like this?” The bald man asked
whilst scratching his beard, at his words, HARRIBEL slowly shook her head.
“…right now, I am merely a defeated soldier. I am not qualified to say anything. But, I
understand why the man that was once our ruler continued to detest that thing.”
HARRIBEL separates herself from Nelliel’s shoulder, on her own feet, she then turns
her back to the soul reaper.
“We have inconvenienced you…One of these days we will repay this debt to you.”
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“Ah, it’s okay. As for this over here, it would be great if you can keep quiet about it in
Hueco Mundo. Moreover, if you want to show your gratitude, don’t thank us, you
ought to say it to Ichigo KUROSAKI-kun.”
As KYÔRAKU said that, the arrancars showed themselves out, leaving the greater
palace area.
The same kind of arguing back and forth from just a moment ago could be heard, “ah
that’s right…I have to repay a debt to that KUROSAKI bastard…”, the male arrancar
could be heard saying, although he was speaking of a different kind of 'debt’ to the
one HARRIBEL had mentioned earlier, in response to that the female arrancar with the
ram’s horns said “do you really wish to settle things with Ichigo with wounds all over
your body?”
“Oh my, Ichigo-kun is really popular isn’t he…?”
Next to the muttering KYÔRAKU, the high priest also turns on his feet heading outside
the greater palace.
“Where are you going, high priest?”
“To wake up Squad Zero a little”
Squad Zero.
The Royal Guards are elite guardians with five members, including the high priest
Ichibê, who are said to be comparable to the entire force of the 13 Court Guard
Squads.
Each member is a pioneer who has created things such as zanpakutô or soul-robes,
that can be described as the very foundations of the present day soul reaper, perhaps
it could be said that these great men and women thoroughly refined the history of the
soul reaper, from zero.
However, up until KYÔRAKU had arrived here, he had heard that Squad Zero, excluding
the high priest, had died at the hands of Yhwach and his subordinates.
KYÔRAKU inclined his head at the words “wake up”, but the answer soon came spilling
out from the high priest’s mouth.
“It’s not the case that my own flesh and flood was converted into the Royal Key just
for show you know? The spiritual pulse that surrounds the Zero Guard’s Detached
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Palaces which everyone was given, is almost fused with the individual spiritual
pressures of squad zero. As long as the Zero Guard’s Detached Palaces are not
completely destroyed, they will be revived if I call their names”
“That, would have been truly unfavourable, if Ichigo-kun didn’t win isn’t that right,
high priest?”
On one occasion, the Royal Palace was reworked to “Wahrwelt” by Yhwach.
If Yhwach was alive, before long, the last vestiges of the Royal Palace would have
disappeared, with the exception of the high priest, squad zero may have been quite
literally, annihilated.
“Squad Zero do not die so easily, I won’t let them die. Such is their fate. Well, anyway,
Ôetsu and the others must work harder from now on.”
The high priest spoke in an easy-going manner that was particularly similar to that of
KYÔRAKU in times of peace, accordingly, once he had finished speaking, he scratched
his beard several times whilst looking up at the sky of the Royal Palace.
“There seems to be a young person who has taken advantage of wartime to cause a
little mischief”
One hour later - Royal Palace - Phoenix Palace
“…Oh. They’ve got me beat huh!”
Ôetsu NIMAIYA had just managed to return from the boundary of life and death
thanks to the efforts of the high priest.
He carried his head in his hands, deep in the basement of the Phoenix Palace, there
would ordinarily be a sword that existed here at the bottom of the sea which
extended around his Zero Guard’s Detached Palaces.
It was a destroyed iron door and the remains of the shimenawa* rope cut up into
pieces that stared back at him through his eyeglasses. (*Lengths of braided rope used
to cordon off sacred or consecrated areas)
There was supposed to be a certain zanpakutô sealed there.
However, that seal was tragically destroyed, and there was not a trace of zanpakutô in
question left to be found.
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The girl who was standing next to Ôetsu - Mera HIUCHIGASHIMA, one of Nimaiya’s
bodyguards and zanpakutô spirit - looked at the situation exhaling a large sigh.
“So this is the end result of master getting carried away with the excitement. Jeez.”
This sword is usually kept deep in the sea so it is a difficult place to reach, but since it
dried up at the time Ichigo KUROSAKI’s zanpakutô was being forged, the floor of the
sea was now widely exposed.
“Even though it’s an emergency, the unfavourable conditions have piled up.”
Saying that, Ôetsu corrected the position of his glasses as he eyed the surroundings.
All the men that were stationed there had fallen, each of them were undergoing
revival by Ôetsu’s guards which included Tokie TONOKAWA and Nonomi NOMINO.
Those who were charged with the security of the sword were all defeated.
Ôetsu squinted his eyes. The kind of emotion in those eyes - enveloped in a quiet
anger - it was different from the time of his confrontation with Yhwach and his
schutzstaffel.
“And now, above all…there is a low-life taking advantage of the emergency situation in
Soul Society to commit thievery.”
Among the zanpakutô that were transformed into a human form, and although they
are all relatively skilled, there were some noticeably strange aspects to their injuries.
There are those who had suffered burns, those who had parts of their bodies frozen,
those who kept on spasming like they had been electrocuted, those who appeared to
have been harmed with poison, those who had been pierced with holes throughout
their body, up to those who seemed to have had their limbs crushed with a blunt
instrument.
Mera clicked her tongue as she observed the guards who were covered in numerous
'sword wounds’ that were particularly characteristic of zanpakutô.
“Good grief, how many people did this take? If they have such military force, then they
should turn to war”
Then one of zanpakutô who had regained his consciousness shook his head at Mera’s
words.
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“It’s not like that…”
“Hey, are you alright? 'Not like’ what?”
“They were alone…when they attacked this place…it was just one person…”
“...?”
Mera further tilts her head at the other’s words.
If his words are the truth, then the various types of scars were incomprehensible.
However, Ôetsu displayed a different reaction. He narrowed his eyes behind his tinted
glasses in a smiling expression and nodded furiously whilst spreading both hands apart
as if he was satisfied.
“I see, I see, well well, well. That’s right! So, it’s like that!”
“Don’t convince yourself, it gives me a bad feeling in many ways, master”
“So harsh Mera-chan. With this chat we can simply narrow down to the main criminal
now”
After thinking for a moment, Ôetsu picked up a piece of the seal cloth that were
scattered about on the floor whilst calling to mind a specific person.
As he observed that cloth which looked as if something had bitten it off, he mumbled
to himself.
“No sword should be handled by small fry…but "Ikomikidomoe” is not a sword that
can be handled by small fry in the first place.”
Whilst he whispered the name of the zanpakutô that had disappeared, Ôetsu glares at
the empty space with a slight sadness and anger as a swordsmith, his eyes were
enshrouded in heavy doubt.
"If that is so, I wonder who intends to wield it…four great noble families.”
And with the conclusion of the war, the boundaries of the Royal Palace was closed off
once again.
The frozen atmosphere makes one feel the remnants of war, and the influence of the
“Soul King” that remains as unchanged as before.
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Even more so, the several live coals of the calamity.
Alternatively—-
letting the various “crimes” that persists since the dawn of the Soul Society float
within its pronounced spiritual-matter.
Prologue
In Soul Society, there is a man.
A man who aspired to the soul reaper who once saved his life, he aimed himself down
the same path.
That man, despite being a commoner from Rukongai, achieved excellent results at the
Spiritual Arts Academy and ascended to the position of vice-captain.
Righteous, faithful to orders, willing to risk injury in order to save his comrades, even
going as far as to stake his own life if it’s for the sake of Soul Society.
In addition, he is a man who can bear mercy towards hostiles, and although he prefers
to play fair, if it’s for a moral cause, he is a man who can lurk in the mud and slay the
enemy with a surprise attack.
Soul reaper.
He is a person who gives death to his enemy.
He is a person who purifies the deaths of the world.
And he is a person who transforms “death” of people residing in the World of the
Living, into “salvation”.
Evidently, one might call it the 'template’ of a soul reaper in Soul Society.
He was a man who embodied a “soul reaper of the 13 Court Guard Squads”, both the
good and the bad.
The name of that soul reaper, is Shûhei HISAGI.
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The position of the 9th Squad’s vice-captain is worthy enough to reserve his name in
Soul Society’s records, he is a strong warrior clearly drawing a line between him and
the ordinary soldiers.
However, even though the names remains in Soul Society’s “records”, there are clear
walls between those who remain in everyone’s “memories” such as Genryûsai
Shigekuni YAMAMOTO, Kenpachi ZARAKI and Ichigo KUROSAKI.
Such aspects include, 'vice-captains who are worthy of the name vice-captain’.
Even if that evaluation receives words of praise or even ridicule, Shûhei HISAGI himself
doesn’t know.
Nevertheless, he will never-change his way of life even if he did know.
Because he has already chosen his way of life.
When a soul reaper saved his life?
When he enrolled at the Spiritual Arts Academy, and the moment he grasped a
zanpakutô for the first time?
When he lost his comrades in a training exercise?
When he encountered the way of life of a man who ought to have been his example,
when he devoted his life to that man as his vice-captain?
Or— when he cut down that man with his own hands?
It was not clear to anyone at which point in time he accepted the way of life of a 'soul
reaper’.
Perhaps even to Shûhei HISAGI himself who continues to walk down that road.
Seireitei - In front of the 1st Squad Barracks.
“Well then, do you have any last words?”
The Commander’s remark calmly echos around the criminal.
A few days after the conclusion of war with the quincies.
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The removal of the mysterious bird like creatures that rained down on Seireitei has
also been completed, and although the stench of death has faded considerably from
the surroundings - the threads of tension that is spreading around in front of the 1st
Squad barracks at the present time, is as unchanged as it was during the course of the
war.
Surrounding KYÔRAKU, the Commander, members of the punishment force who

manage “Muken” which is the lowest level of the underground prison, and the captain
rank soul reaper have been deployed in preparation of the emergency situation.
The man accused of high treason that was temporarily released from “Muken”, Sôsuke
AIZEN, is up for reincarceration.
As it stands, many soul reaper have passed away after battling the quincies, and the
majority of those who had made it to safety were still in the midst of receiving medical
treatment.
With the assistance of Orihime INOUE, many soul reapers who were between the
threshold of life and death were able to hold on to their lives, however the power of
her “Sôten Kisshun” is not suited to recovery of lost spiritual pressure.
Even though wounds can be healed, if they are completely cured up to the point of
their original spiritual pressures, the lives of other patients as well as Orihime’s
physical strength itself would become unstable.
Consequently, Orihime was put in charge of patients who were at the level of
'seriously ill’ and could not be handled by anyone else, the 4th Squad then took over in
the form of further progressing the medical treatment from those who had gotten
over the worst of their injuries.
Despite there being arrancars who have had their upper bodies blown off and then
later regenerated, even Orihime’s powers has its limits.
Those who have allowed too much time to pass since receiving fatal injuries, those
whose souls that have been completely extinguished, and those who haven’t even left
a trace of themselves in the first place are all the likes of which Sôten Kisshun is
helpless against.
After the mass loss of life, there were also many amongst the disheartened soul
reaper who felt a sense of powerlessness - and yet, news of the eventual victory was
enough to encourage the 13 Court Guard Squads as one tenacious organisation.
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Although there are no words such as “all possible measures” that would make sense in
front of Sôsuke AIZEN, they will nevertheless deal with his reincarceration by
maintaining maximum vigilance.
Be that as it may, it is only the Commander KYÔRAKU who will ultimately enter
“Muken”.
KYÔRAKU asked AIZEN about “last words” as a formality, however he is also well
aware that allowing AIZEN to talk so heedlessly is dangerous. Even in his present
condition where he is restrained in a chair and various parts of his body are sealed, he
is still able to use kidô and even the very words that comes out of his mouth could end
up being one of his schemes.
KYÔRAKU thought that he would have to seal his voice immediately in case he started
saying something disturbing, but as he appeared to assume that, AIZEN shook his head
whilst expressing a daring smile.
“It’s a pity but, there is no one here that is worthy of bequeathing my words to. That
even includes you, Shunsui KYÔRAKU.”
“Glad to hear that. It means that you are only worthy for yourself and misfortune for
others.”
“I wanted to talk to Ichigo KUROSAKI a little more. Kisuke URAHARA is attentive to

small details though isn’t he?”
Ichigo is currently staying at the residence of Kûkaku SHIBA in Rukongai with his father
Isshin KUROSAKI as well as Orihime INOUE and the others.
If one considers his war potential, Ichigo probably should’ve been at the scene to seal
AIZEN, however it was a precautionary measure taken against AIZEN who could
somehow influence the likes of the hollow inside Ichigo.
“Since Ichigo-kun is originally an outsider huh? Besides, if you have something to tell
him, he’s already finished with you, don’t you think?”
Speaking as if he was dodging the subject, KYÔRAKU adjusted his conical hat, he
looked down at AIZEN with his intact left eye.
Although the seals have become even more powerful than before thanks to Kisuke
URAHARA, he was still not going to let his guard down.
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Mayuri KUROSTUCHI who had just come out of his lifesaving device had tried to create
new physical restraints himself but there was no time to wait around for that, “you
trust the likes of Kisuke URAHARA’s countermeasures right?” he said.
“Well then, shall we go? After you’ve finished your prison sentence, I pray that you are
an ally of the Soul Society.”
“You express a sentiment that is foreign to your heart”
Whilst smiling as if he could see right through everything, AIZEN crafts his words
without looking at KYÔRAKU.
“At any rate, do you really believe the Soul Society will continue to exist till my prison
term is over?”
“Of course. Because it’s our duty to keep it going.”
“You saw it at the Royal Palace too didn’t you? This Soul Society’s original sin”
“...”
Strangely, AIZEN wore the same expression as his former subordinate HARRIBEL when
he spoke.
KYÔRAKU understands.
He had seen it for himself inside the greater palace area of the Royal Palace, the things
AIZEN was talking about.
However, he purposely did not respond to AIZEN’s words, it remained like that as he
prepare to lead the way to the entrance of Muken.
Even if he had a reply to AIZEN’s question, it was that he decided it should be done
after finally arriving at a place where the voices of the other captains would not reach
them, and that is inside Muken.
AIZEN did not anticipate a reply either, but he then spoke in a cynical manner as if he
was seeing through the heart(s) of KYÔRAKU or the soul reaper around them.
“You are a man of few words. Are you afraid that a conversation with me will evoke
memories of treacherous soul reaper? Like Kaname TÔSEN.”
Page 18
Then in the next moment, a voice filled with anger reverberated across to the front of
the 1st Squad barracks.
“Don’t you screw around!”
It was not KYÔRAKU that raised his voice in anger.
It was a soul reaper who was short of breath and gradually came running up to this
spot.
A young soul reaper characterised by the scars and tattoos on his face — it is the 9th
Squad’s vice-captain, Shûhei HISAGI.
His bandaged body was painful a look at, it appeared as if he had just slipped out of
the sanatorium of the 4th Squad.
In fact, he is is still in a condition that can be only be described as being covered head
to toe in wounds.
His body was shot at by Yhwach’s schutzstaffel Lille Barro, he was on the verge of
death with damage taken to his saketsu hakusui which can also be described as the
heart of a soul reaper.
Nevertheless, because the power of Lille’s “X-Axis” was too sharp, his body tissue, with
the exception of where he had been pierced with a hole, was not destroyed,
miraculously he had escaped death.
HISAGI who received medical treatment from Orihime, only had his physical wounds
healed, but the spiritual pressure he had lost at the time his hakusui took damage
could not be recovered so easily and he was practically in a comatose state for several
days.
In spite of the fact that he was not completely healed, he had arrived in front of AIZEN
who about to be resealed.
One of the reasons why he rushed to defy the odds until he fulfilled his duty as vice-
captain of the 9th Squad. Shûhei HISAGI’s superior and captain of squad 9 Kensei
MUGURUMA, who had come to a state of apparent death due to his body being
zombified, was put inside the 12th Squad’s special medical treatment capsule in order
to return him to his original state.
Page 19
That’s why, even though he had just barely managed to move himself, he tried to
confront the scene with his guard up.
And another reason — this was his subconscious mind but, it was out of personal
sentiment that he wanted to plainly see with his very own eyes, the imprisonment of
the man who was the cause of ruin of his former superior Kaname TÔSEN.
In actuality, he should have understood what’s in his heart.
If AIZEN is imprisoned once again, everything works out peacefully.
HISAGI clenched his fist tightly and tried to restrain himself, thinking there is no way
he can afford to complicate the conversation with his own personal grudges.
However, that resolve was broken down by AIZEN’s words which he heard as soon as
he hastened to him.
“Do you mean to say that captain TÔSEN…bent his conviction at the likes of your
words…?”
“Do not speak in such a strange manner, Shûhei HISAGI.” AIZEN retorted with a calm
and self-possessed attitude in front of HISAGI who had exposed his anger.
“Are you wondering at what point I bore witness to Kaname TÔSEN-changing his
mind? By the time you had become a soul reaper, Kaname TÔSEN was already my
subordinate.”
“...!”
“Shûhei-kun, your anger is legitimate. But, I’m sorry. Won’t you hold back for now?”
“...yes, I understand, Commander” HISAGI said in response to KYÔRAKU’s chiding,

looking like he was about to extend his arm to his zanpakutô, HISAGI quelled his heart
whilst opening his mouth to address AIZEN.
“You may have put up a united front with KUROSAKI to defeat Yhwach, but…no matter
what you try to do, to me, you will eternally be the one who brought ruin to captain
TÔSEN.”
Revenge.
How many times is he reminded of that word whenever he hears the name 'AIZEN’?
Page 20
However, it was a positive and a negative, which simultaneously called to mind two
meanings.
In his heart, there is certainly hatred for AIZEN who guided TÔSEN down the wrong
path leading to his ruin.
On the other hand, the doubts and frustrations towards himself being caught up in
strong negative sentiment was sweeping through him.
From the point of view of HISAGI - who was caught up in his desire for revenge and
had moved to put a stop to TÔSEN’s misguided ways - for him to speak of “revenge”
was nothing more than an insult to the soul reapers, Captain KOMAMURA who had
joined him on the battlefield, and above all, TÔSEN himself.
As if he was seeing through HISAGI’s mind, AIZEN donned a thin smile and stringed
together his cruel words.
“Eternity, that’s not something you can speak so lightly of, don’t you agree? Even
Kaname TÔSEN’s convictions were not eternal.”
“...ugh! About that, you…”
An enraged HISAGI’s angry voice is pushed back by AIZEN who continued his speech.
“You seem to misunderstand one thing.”
A calm voice.
And yet, it was a thick voice with a distinct “force” that managed to overwhelm the
shouts of HISAGI.
“It is not that the case that I killed Kaname TÔSEN with my own hands as a remnant of
a defeated soldier that must be punished.”
A momentary pause.
At the bewilderment of the others around him, AIZEN encapsulated his will in those
brief few words.
“That is, my mercy.”
The air surrounding them freezes at those words.
Page 21
Not only HISAGI, but also KYÔRAKU and the soul reaper in the area were unable to
immediately decipher the meaning behind the word AIZEN had just uttered.
In the relative silence, HISAGI opens his mouth to speak as his tightly clenched fist
shook.
“Your…mercy?”
After AIZEN’s brazen proclamation, HISAGI boiled in anger even more.
Not towards AIZEN.
But against his own weakness that allowed such a man to kill Kaname TÔSEN so easily.
“If that is true…to what extent did you fool captain TÔSEN you bastard.”
In contrast with HISAGI, AIZEN continued to talk in an unfazed manner.
“In that situation as it stood, it is obvious that either Orihime INOUE or Retsu
UNOHANA would eventually arrive and try to save Kaname TÔSEN. But you lot could
not understand what that would mean for him.”
“...?”
"If Kaname TÔSEN remained alive, his whole being would eventually succumb to
unparalleled despair, and his heart would rot away completely. I could not bring
myself to let the owner of such beautiful readiness to be killed, entwine himself
further into despair. For this reason, I granted mercy as a tribute to the subordinate
that had the most amount of loyalty. That is simply all it is.”
(TN – In the space reserved for furigana, above the Kanji for “mercy” in that last
passage, the kanji for “death” appears - as a side note, furigana is almost always in
either Hiragana or katakana to highlight kanji readings so of course it’s strange to see
kanji in a space that’s originally reserved for kana - this usage of the kanji for “death
死” in the furigana space of the kanji for “mercy 慈悲” is most likely the author’s
attempt to illustrate AIZEN’s use of the word “Mercy” being synonymous with the
word “death”)
Shûhei could not fully comprehend what the other was saying.
Despite this, it didn’t appear likely that he was deceiving them with vague excuses.
Page 22
Other than a perplexed HISAGI, AIZEN continued to throw words at the soul reaper
around him.
“The time will come when you will all know too. This Soul Society…and how soul
reaper are being shaped by its dangerous illusions.”
“...shall we really go that far? You’re being awfully talkative.”
Stopping AIZEN’s speech, KYÔRAKU issues instructions to the punishment force in an

attempt to transport AIZEN to the entrance of Muken.
“Please wait Commander! What in the world is that AIZEN guy...”
The captain of the 2nd Squad Suî-FÊNG stood in HISAGI’s way.
She then twists one of HISAGI’s arms whilst rotating behind him.
“That’s enough! Do not think that you alone are the only person to have been robbed
of acquaintances by that guy!”
“ *Gulp*...! But captain Suî-FÊNG…!”
“If you just want to avenge someone to your own extents, then naturally we will deal
with him! Your conduct is only a nuisance that’s bringing disorder to your
surroundings!”
“...”
Shûhei HISAGI himself was keenly aware of that more than anyone else.
He could not do anything against AIZEN’s mighty presence by himself.
What can he do with himself when he gets so upset by AIZEN’s simple words?
Even though one harbours hatred it is no wish to kill, having said that, forgiving or
forgetting is out of the question. HISAGI had understood such a thing from a long time
ago.
Then as AIZEN was being hauled away in his chair, he inclined his head slightly and
directed his gaze at HISAGI.
“—"Swinging one’s blade out duty alone is a captain's job. Swinging one’s blade out of
hatred is nothing more than filthy violence.” Tôshirô HITSUGAYA once told me that.!
Page 23
“ *Gulp*..."
At those words, HISAGI was unable to say anything more.
He felt that it could be said that he is still far away from the rank of captain, but he
thought AIZEN was right as well, so instead of refuting him, HISAGI cast down his eyes,
stiffly grinding his teeth out of vexation.
Nevertheless, AIZEN spared HISAGI the humiliation.
“Rest assured. What you’re harbouring is not hatred. It is merely sentimentality for
your lost Kaname TÔSEN and the impression he left behind.”
“Whaa…?”
“You should remember. No matter how solid one’s resolution is, it is impossible to
slaughter a warrior with mere sentiment.”
“...ugh!”
The sound of KYÔRAKU clapping his hands firmly together in an attempt to break up
the conversation could be heard.
“Alright alright, you’ve talked to such an extent huh? Won’t you stop intimidating
these children with your spiritual pressure? There’s no one worth bequeathing your
words to in this place, right?”
In response to those words, the soul reaper turned their eyes towards the members of
the punishment force - who were carrying the immobilised AIZEN that was sealed in
his chair - their whole bodies had broken out into a cold sweat.
“Those guys are merely entertainment. Since I’ll be spending my time in boredom
from now on, whether or not the future of the Soul Society-changes even in the
slightest with my modest words let me assume that it will be enjoyable.”
“My my, I can’t say your idea of fun is a good one.”
The members of the punishment force who were finally released from the influence of
his spiritual pressure, frantically caught their breath whilst starting to advance forward
once again.
Page 24
Whilst he gradually disappears underground, as if trying to get at something, AIZEN

bombards the soul reaper around him with more words in a calm voice that remained
as unchanged as before.
“If you want to see the truth without obstruction, then struggle by sacrificing your
own flesh, blood and soul”
Lastly, addressing Shûhei HISAGI, who was standing in a daze, with a few brief words
that could be considered an unnecessary addition to make.
“At the very least, Kaname TÔSEN was able to do so. I wonder if it's not your place to
know?”
Thus, the form of the heinous criminal disappeared back into the depths of darkness.
Although AIZEN’s speech which took on a philosophical view of the world, could not
possibly appear likely to be that of a prisoner’s, and although he knit his eyebrows in
disapproval at the many soul reaper he considered insolent losers unwilling to admit
defeat —- many amongst captain ranks steel themselves up and keep it locked up in a
corner of their hearts that “he is a man who plays with lies and falsehoods, but he is
not a man who says meaningless things.”
HISAGI was unable to organise his emotions until the very last moment, and AIZEN’s
words had become a loose poison that remained in his heart.
That poison did not distort HISAGI’s heart but instead it gnawed at fate itself, and
before long, it would lure him to a battle.
Or perhaps, it was always a fate he had to finally reach as long as he was a soul reaper,
following the path of TÔSEN even if there was no poison left behind by AIZEN.
Shûhei HISAGI is neither a prophet nor an omnipotent being, naturally there is no way
he could know his own future.
He is not a hero that remained in people’s memories like Ichigo KUROSAKI,
Neither is he an absolute powerhouse like Kenpachi ZARAKI,
Nor a man of wisdom like Kisuke URAHARA,
He is not an inventor like Mayuri KUROSTUCHI,
Page 25
He has no status like that of Byakuya KUCHIKI,
He is not a prodigy like Tôshirô HITSUGAYA,
He has no experience like that of Genryûsai YAMAMOTO,
No flamboyance like that of Shunsui KYÔRAKU,
No vigour like that of Sajin KOMAMURA,
No fearlessness like that of Kensei MUGURUMA,
In this regard, there are a few qualities he possesses, like self-mockery at a drinking
party, “whether I aim for captaincy or continue to remain as vice-captain, I am lacking
in countless qualities.”
In other words, his pride as a soul reaper.
Shûhei HISAGI didn’t know yet.
In order to protect such commonplace things that practically all 13 Court Guard
Squads troops had as their own foundations, they would fight with the fate of the
world on their backs.
It was only half a year after the end of the war when he would face that reality.
Page 26
CAN’T FEAR YOUR OWN WORLD Part 2
Prologue
Chapter 1
Hundreds of years ago - Seireitei - Governmental District.
“Why, why wasn’t that man sentenced to death?!”
It was an outcry that risked his life.
“I’d like an audience with the Central 46! Please!”
A young man continues to raise his voice whilst being blocked by the steel staff
weapons being held up by muscular guards.
Judging by the young man’s eyes that were void of colour, and from his meticulous
movements, he was blind.
This blind young man seems able to perceive the state of affairs around him through
sound alone, it appears he can feel the presence of the fierce guards standing in front
of him.
Whether the door guards were related to nobility or not, in their eyes, they expressed
a look of clear disdain at the young man who appeared to have come from Rukongai.
Nevertheless, the young man reached his hand out towards the interior of the gate
without hesitation.
The outcry that came spilling out of the young man’s mouth demanded condemnation
of the crime. A genuine plea seeking enforcement of justice.
But the guards wouldn’t lend an ear to him, they raised the staves they were wielding
against the blind man.
A sound of chafed fabric. In the air, the noise of footwork.
The blind youth, perceiving all of it, understood that a guard was about to deal a
merciless blow against him.
But, he did not try to avoid it.
Page 27
Is it despair or sorrow that hangs in that facial expression of his?
Regardless, there was not even a splinter of reaction not even the likes of giving way
to fear, that could be seen in him.
That young man had already prepared to risk his own life when he came here.
The guards who weren’t aware of this, swung down their weapons without wavering
on their non-resistant opponent.
The sound of a violent collision reverberated as the guards’ strike snapped back.
“!”
A zanpakutô still sheathed in its scabbard met the guards’ eyes.
The moment the guards saw the person who was holding it, the looks on their faces
stiffened.
“Do not behave in such an unsettling manner. We are still in mourning for Kakyô-san.”
“Y- You're…”
“I will persuade this gentleman over here. You guys can return to your guard duties.”
“Y- yes sir!”
The blind young man was unable to comprehend what had happened at first.
His consciousness was captured by the name that was disclosed by the man that
appears to have just rescued him.
Kakyô.
The reason he had come, risking his life here.
It is the name of his irreplaceable dear friend with whom he had spent his time
together with in Rukongai, since childhood.
The man that uttered that name then addressed the blind youth with a gentle voice.
“I recognise you. If I’m not mistaken, I believe you came to Kakyô san’s funeral.”
“…you…know her?”
Page 28
“She was a comrade. I’m also a soul reaper…although, perhaps I am incapable as a

soul reaper when I couldn’t protect her.”
The man spoke with a pensive expression as he held out a hand to the blind youth.
“Let’s move to some other place. You no longer have anything to discuss with these
stubborn guards don’t you think?”
“That’s right, you’re Kaname TÔSEN-kun aren’t you? She would occasionally mention
your name, even at the squad barracks. So I guess you were invited specially for the
funeral service huh.”
The blind young man —- Kaname TÔSEN is a resident of Rukongai, if he’s not a soul
reaper himself, then he is unable to freely travel in and out of the Seireitei.
It was a special exception that he was admitted inside Seireitei.
“When she enlisted as a soul reaper, Kakyô-san left behind a will in advance. Because
we don’t know when we’ll die in the battle against hollows. if anything, it’s the
recommendation of the Spiritual Arts academy.”
The soul reaper who was acquainted with Kakyô says that in her will, a principle aspect
she described was - “If I should die, I wish for my remains to be buried in Rukongai.”
“It seems she wished to be buried at the foot of a hill where the stars could be seen.
That place is known by her close friend, Kaname TÔSEN.”
“Yes, I happen to know that hill.”
TÔSEN’s mind recalled a memory, he remembers when he used to look up at the night
sky together with his friend, on top of a hill that was to the side of a village.
—-“I love the night sky. Kaname.”
—-“They say, the night sky reflects the world.”
—-“Everything is wrapped in darkness and there are many little lights.”
—-“But, there are clouds that try to conceal them from sight.”
—-“As for me, Kaname. I want to become the person who will clear away those
clouds.”
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—-“Not even a single light should be allowed to go out. I will clear away the clouds,
Kaname.”
She said that as she raised her eyes to the stars, before long she would fulfill her
dreams.
She gained power and position for the sake of protecting the world’s light.
soul reaper.
They’ve become the basis of the entire Soul Society, charged with the responsibility of
circulating the world’s souls, guiding those who existed in the World of the Living to
this next one.
It became everyone’s aspiration to drive out hollows that are evil spirits.
She was certainly given the privilege to protect the stars.
However, as her dreams came true, she was unable to continue stepping any further.
“…I heard that her husband was the one that killed her.”
“Ah, that’s right. Her husband slayed a comrade of the same division over a trivial
dispute, and then when she tried to admonish him for his behaviour, he even killed his
own wife. That’s the truth.”
“…why did she…have to die?”
TÔSEN clenched his fist tightly in frustration, the soul reaper man then answered him.
“This is my guess but, I think she’s a more straightforward person than anyone
else…because she continued to foster justice and peace.”
TÔSEN understands that too.
His good friend Kakyô loved peace more than anyone. Honoured justice more than
anyone.
It is for this reason, she was prepared for her own hands to be stained with a hollow’s
blood splatter.
“I was also, always concerned about her, that someday this would happen. She loved
peace too much to preserve justice. If both love and peace were negated, and she had
Page 30
only lived by nothing but stern justice, quite conversely, it probably would have been
her that ended up killing her husband. But she could not do that.”
“Is it that she had made an error regarding her hopes!? I heard that the man who
killed her won’t even be charged with this great crime!”
“Therefore, you’d like an audience with the Central 46 right?”
The soul reaper released a small sigh and continued to speak as if he was hesitant to
do so.
“…Do you know about the five great noble families?”
“I do not know the specific house names, but surely…they are the most prominent
well born families amongst the nobles of the Seireitei…”
“The man who killed Kakyô-san is from the bloodline of one of the five great noble
families.”
“!”
He knew she was married to a soul reaper, but he’s never heard that it was into a
distinguished family going as far as being one of the five great noble families.
At the bewilderment of TÔSEN, the soul reaper continued to speak even more.
“He is not a descendant of the main house, he is descended from a branch of the
family. Although that man has no significant political power, a noble is able to have
the crime of murder abated, whether or not he’s in such a position to do so. If he was
a member of the head house, it would have been treated as if the murder itself was
nonexistent, then I suppose things would be settled under the guise that Kakyô-san
was accused of treason and thus executed.”
“Such a thing! Such a thing is…absurd…!”
TÔSEN reflexively raises his voice in anger.
From the moment he heard that the man who had murdered his good friend was not
condemned for his heinous crime, in his heart, he had even considered that such a
possibility existed.
Page 31
However, he did not want to believe that such things would happen in an organisation
that she herself had positively described as “a force for the sake of justice.”
For this reason —- and particularly because he wanted to disprove it, he had come as
far as this place to appeal directly to the central 46 at the risk of his own life.
“What are the soul reapers? Was the 13 Court Guard Squads not a group that defends
the peace and harmony of the Soul Society and the World of the Living!? Were Central
46 not the people who personify the principles of the world!?”
“The peace was defended. Nobility are also part of this world. Their peace was
defended. And thus, surely the current Central 46 are a symbol of such an irrational
world.”
“...tch!”
TÔSEN stood dumbfounded at the soul reaper’s assertion.
In response to this, the rather vexed soul reaper distorts his face in a grimace as he
opens his mouth to speak.
“I’m painfully aware of your feelings. I also think its peculiar no matter how you think
about it, that the likes of the man who killed her was not seriously charged for his
crime. But that is the Soul Society. The central 46 are under the thumb of the five
great noble families…particularly the influence of the TSUNAYASHIRO family.”
Talking with a sorrowful expression, he tightly balled up his fist similar to TÔSEN —-
After checking to see there was no people around, he began to ask a question in a
quiet voice.
“Still, with all that in mind, I daringly want to ask you, her close friend.”
“...?”
Although TÔSEN was being devoured by resentment to no ends, he had lost his mental
battle at the man’s serious tone of voice, he closed his mouth that was slightly agape
and listened attentively to his companion’s words.
“If both me and you have enough power to take revenge, should we take it?”
“That’s…”
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“This is also a question of how we confront her wishes and honour. Could it be that
she actually wants you, TÔSEN-kun, to avenge her?”
Although TÔSEN couldn’t see his companion’s facial expression, he could sense
something, like a slight bloodlust, in every word that soul reaper uttered.
In contrast to that, and as a result of him regaining his composure, TÔSEN had who
had just barely managed to hold back his own anger, recalls the words of his dear
friend whilst crafting his sentences.
For her comrade to reveal a thirst for blood, that is far removed from the world she
wanted.
As he frantically tried to reach an understanding within himself, TÔSEN attempted to

answer the soul reaper’s query.
“…I think she would not wish for us to avenge her. If that is her wish…I also…”
All of a sudden, his words stop there.
—-[“I also have no desire for vengeance.”]
He found it impossible to spit those words out from his mouth.
He knew that she would never want another person to take up revenge on her
account.
However, the incessant pulsing of his emotions in the pit of his guts did not deem it
acceptable to admit that.
—- Her wishes has nothing to do with it.
—- Take revenge for yourself.
A mass of dark sentiment welling up inside makes an appeal to him, but TÔSEN could
not follow that voice.
Because he understands. If he allowed himself or some other person to submit

themselves to that hatred —- in that moment, it would be as if she had died a second
time.
He would become her living witnesses as everything gets trampled underfoot, her
hopes butchered by his own hands.
Page 33
TÔSEN couldn’t do anything but continue to form his words in exchange for killing off
his own feelings.
“I also think…she wants me to honour her desire for justice and peace.”
“I see. Right. Certainly, she loved peace. That’s why she lost her life, but I do not think
it was her weakness.”
The soul reaper, whose bloodlust had faded, continued to address TÔSEN in a matter-
of-factly fashion.
“If someone could prove that what she her hoped for was not a weakness but a
strength, then that would be how people like you would live in the future, don’t you
think?”
“...”
“Please, live by taking on her wishes. So that pointless bloodshed will not sweep
through this world anymore.”
It’s not that he could comprehend the soul reaper’s words from the bottom of his
heart.
But rather, he realised that this man who stood before him is a person that
understood his good friend in the same way he did, he decided to thank the man for
holding back the hatred that was tainting his heart.
“...Thank you very much.”
“No, it is I who must thank you. In this way, a person like you has inherited her dying
wish.”
“You’re welcome, but for me to have the sort of qualifications to…”
Even now he was desperately suppressing the anger and hatred that he was still
seething with, he felt he was incapable of protecting her will himself. In response to
TÔSEN who was thinking as such, the soul reaper addressed him with a gentle smile.
“You don’t need the likes of ‘qualifications’ to inherit a person’s wishes don’t you
think? She once told me - my own wishes are not a big deal, like the stars in the
heavens I simply want to safeguard something that just keeps on shining, it is that sort
of modest hope that is a big deal.”
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“...”
The fact that she had also told that story to the man before his eyes, he guessed she
truly had hope for her soul reaper comrades.
As TÔSEN decided as such, he was relieved that there was a person amongst the soul
reaper that respects her worth.
“Say…if you don’t mind, could you tell me your name?”
And so, he heard the name.
The fact that there is also a person other than himself that had seen her inner-self, and
as a consequence it was etched into their hearts that the world is cruel but not
without mercy.
With a calm demeanour, and without faltering the man spoke his name.
“Indeed, my name is Tokinada. Tokinada TSUNAYASHIRO.”
“Pardon? You…are…TSUNAYASHIRO-sama......?”
TÔSEN’s thoughts stop functioning for a moment.
A feeling of severe discomfort.
Because a familiar name had just been uttered from the mouth of the man that was
before him.
—- No. But. No way.
—- It appears to be my misunderstanding.
As he thought that, TÔSEN tries to ask a second time, looking at TÔSEN’s facial
expression, the man shakes his head a little.
“It’s not a misunderstanding, nor did you mishear me, Kaname TÔSEN-kun.”
“Huuh...?”
“You probably wouldn’t recognise my face of course, or even my voice for that matter.
I must say, you didn’t hear my name at the beginning by-chance. I don’t like the idea
of adopting an alias very much.”
Page 35
“Huh, what are you...”
TÔSEN was bewildered, but his guts cried out, his instincts lined up two contradictory
words.
–'Kill’
–'Escape’
Feelings of hatred and fear intermingled and began to rush through the veins in his
body.
Rationale and reasoning would not catch up with him, in response to TÔSEN who was
unable to perform either action, the man informs his companion of his own standpoint
in an unfazed manner.
“Let me say it once more. I, Tokinada TSUNAYASHIRO…am the man that was your dear
friend’s husband. Well, I should say, now that things have come to pass, I am the
cause of your dear friend’s suffering.”
“...”
“Ah, I’m glad you do not seek revenge. It is much more frightening when the poor
people of Rukongai who have nothing to lose bear a grudge against you, compared to
noblemen who would consider their own self-preservation and think twice before
bearing a grudge.”
The man talked shamelessly, with an unwavering smile that remained on his face, he
placed his hand on TÔSEN’s cheek.
At the same time, TÔSEN is struck by a chill that he’s never experienced before now.
His whole body was pierced with a heavy spiritual-pressure that was nothing but grim
unlike that which he had sensed from his dear friend, he was pinned down with brute
force by those violent Impulses that swept through his body.
The feeling of extreme fear had drowned out even his instinctive screams to 'escape’.
“It was my intention to kill you if you had answered my earlier question with 'I want to
avenge Kakyô’. It’s unpleasant to talk with fools who don’t understand her at all you
know. Whether or not they’re fellow soul reaper, it’s not a problem however much I
decide to kill the likes of Rukongai citizens.”
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He realised the murderous intent that he sensed in the man’s words earlier was now
directed at himself, though it no longer made a difference either way.
He couldn’t even begin to comprehend the meaning behind the words his companion
was uttering. He didn’t want to.
However, it was enough to release his body from the fear that weighed so heavily on
him, TÔSEN’s emotions erupted.
Right in front of him, there is a man who claims to be the cause of his dear friend’s
suffering.
Whether it was a lie or the truth, it no longer mattered.
A man who would point people to such ominous signs and talk of his dear friend in
such a way could not be forgiven.
The dam that held back the negative emotions in the very depths of his body until
now, burst open, and then he launched an attack on Tokinada TSUNAYASHIRO, the
soul reaper before his eyes.
“——————–Tsk”
A mute voice.
As he screamed like a beast, TÔSEN grabbed the man before him.
But then —-
“My wife’s good friend, why are you so angry?”
TÔSEN’s world went spinning around him.
He was slammed down into the ground from behind, rendering him immobile.
As far as he could tell the taste of blood was spreading through his mouth and his
limbs were paralysed with sharp pain.
Still, TÔSEN tried to rise up one way or another, a calm voice then continues to
resound above him.
“If my wife…Kakyô, was in your shoes, would she forgive me?”
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“You…u…You were...!”
TÔSEN tries to shout towards the origin of the voice, but the blood overflowing from
his throat does not allow him to form his words properly.
“You answered my earlier question, right? 'honour her wishes’ you said. If you
consider my wife, you would forgive me, and forget about your hatred, we should live
out our days within the peace that is preserved by the soul reaper don’t you think?”
“...tch!”
“My wife would have also wanted you to do so. Please understand, for her sake too.”
Tokinada presses his sheathed zanpakutô against TÔSEN’s throat who was trying to
get up, he forces TÔSEN back the ground whilst crushing his throat.
“Of course, you probably have no power to take revenge from the outset, for you
cannot even use a single one of the Zan-Ken-So-Ki.”
Then, he called out to the guards as they assembled having heard TÔSEN’s shouts.
“Hey, you guys. You’re on duty? This Rukongai citizen tried to raise a hand to me.
Would you quickly kick him out for me?”
“Y-Yes sir!”
The guards follow his instructions whilst also feeling a vague fear of something in front
of a relative of the five great noble families who had spoken with a smile still on his
face.
As he left TÔSEN in the form of the guards exchanging places with him, he opened his
mouth to speak appearing as if he had remembered something.
“Oh and let me tell you it’s no misunderstanding. I have not lied to you at all. That a
man like me was not adequately punished, it is truly a ridiculous world. Moreover, I
think it’s regrettable that I couldn’t even protect Kakyô from the irrationalities of this
world, I also understand that her wishes are a precious thing.”
“———”
Even though his throat was crushed, TÔSEN still tries to yell something whilst glaring
at Tokinada.
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It seems clear, that he was even blind to his injuries.
A villainous smile full of malice and pleasure was affixed on the retreating soul
reaper’s face.
“Nevertheless, merely talking about such wishes is detestable to the point where it
nauseates me.”
And, even deeper than his anger towards such a man, TÔSEN harboured a profound
sense of despair towards the world that trampled on the hopes that his dear friend
embraced.
That day, she looked up at the stars —- those stars would never shine down on her.
It is surely she who was actually the light that illuminated the world, and that is now
lost for an eternity.
Above TÔSEN who was enveloped in deep despair and anger, the guards raised their
staves up once again —-
This time, there was no one there to stop it.
Present time - A certain place in the Seireitei.
“Mu...”
There, a man wakes up.
“Oh my, that was a very nostalgic dream.”
The man who was outstretched atop an extravagant throne-like easy chair, turned his
attention to the sight of his dim surroundings.
The first thing that met his eyes was the figure of a small person whose eyes sparkled
in excitement as the person raised their voice.
“You’re awake?! Tokinada-sama!”
“Ah yes, I had a nice dream. That’s a promising start huh.”
“You had a dream? What did you dream?! Tokinada-sama!”
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The man – Tokinada TSUNAYASHIRO, was asked that question by the voice of a child
still young; “Hrmm”, he recalled the dream he had seen just a moment ago, he then
contorted his lips into a wicked smile as he answered back.
“It’s a dream that is both nostalgic and pleasant. I can still remember it clearly. The
moment a person’s heart fills with despair, it is truly a satisfying thing. I will never get
tired of it, no matter how many times I’ve tasted the moment they are defeated
crushingly by the boundless hatred they feel. Even if it’s inside a dream.”
“Is that so? I do not quite understand, Tokinada-sama!”
“Ah, that’s alright. You don’t have to understand anything. You are still very young.”
Ahead of Tokinada’s line of sight there was a child clad in black garments similar in
appearance to a soul-robes.
The child did not bear a squad emblem or the like that would indicate their affiliation,
the child was sporting a somewhat different air than that of the regular inhabitants of
the Soul Society.
If one was to apply an approximate age by the standards of a human from the World
of the Living, then the child would probably be around 15 years of age. It is safe to say
that the child’s features were good-looking, but those features were androgynous, and
it could not be determined from appearances whether the child’s gender was male or
female. The sort of outward appearance was simply that of a child.
“What was Hikone doing? It’s not like you were standing there upright until I got up,
right?”
Then, that child named Hikone replied with an equally childish smile that played on
their lips.
“It’s true I was! I followed what Tokinada-sama told me to do! There were some
people who had come to try and kill Tokinada-sama, so I promptly made them
motionless!”
Accordingly, Tokinada shifts his attention to the scene around him once again.
Several figures of people dressed in black had collapsed and were strewn around
Hikone, some were spasming after having the bones in their limbs completely
fractured.
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Judging from their attire, they were probably assassins recruited by the four great
noble families from the Covert Operations* (*stealth force), Tokinada slowly rises
from his chair and lightly pats Hikone’s head.
“I see. Well done. I appreciate your troubles.”
“Yes! Thank you very much! Tokinada-sama!”
Hikone’s eyes sparkled like a puppy’s as Tokinada slowly approached the assassins.
He stood in front of a person who appeared to be still conscious, he then began to ask
a question in a dispassionate tone.
“You lot don’t believe that your client is dead already? What are you even trying to
accomplish by staying faithful to this task?”
As Tokinada says that he turns his eyes to glance at what was at his back.
There was a long table with chairs that were occupied by several aristocratic looking
people.
Each of them had the same family crest as Tokinada sewn onto their clothes, it would
appear that they are members of the TSUNAYASHIRO family.
However, they did not stir in the slightest.
Everyone’s throats and abdomens were slit, it was a state of affairs in which one could
clearly understand with a single glance, that they were all dead.
“Assassinate Tokinada TSUNAYASHIRO huh. Considering the general rule of thumb, the
client is a leader in the very TSUNAYASHIRO family I belong to. But they’re dead. It
would have been a good opportunity if only you had run away taking the advance
payment free of charge, leaving things as they were, would it not?”
“...”
Not uttering a word, the assassin remained silent. It seems he didn’t want to leak even
a shred of information pertaining to himself or his associates, but if he was looking at
the place not with the intention to commit suicide, then it could be inferred that the
assassin was still watching for an opportunity to kill Tokinada.
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Having analysed that, Tokinada smiled softly in delight, slow clapping his hands
together to commend the assassin.
“Wonderful. As soon as you received the request, you tried to accomplish it

successfully till the bitter end even if the client is dead, I must pay my heartfelt
respects to that sort of disposition…because I could never do such a thing.”
“...”
The assassin scowled in response to Tokinada’s words.
“Oh, as your reward, I’ll tell you one good thing to have come out of this. Your client is
still alive, in brief, what I mean to say is, your actions were no fool’s errand.”
“...?”
The assassin who was still collapsed, knit his eyebrows together in unease.
Although there was a middleman, he had guessed that it was probably the people of
the same family who had distanced themselves from him, that requested the
assassination of Tokinada.
Earlier Tokinada said “don’t you believe that your client is dead?”, but now he was
saying an entirely contradictory thing, feeling a strange sense of discomfort, the
assassin anticipated his opponent’s next words whilst waiting for an opening to kill
him.
Then Tokinada smiled as if soothing a child as he opened his mouth to speak.
“It’s me.”
“...?”
“It's me that put in the request to you guys, to have me killed.”
“...!?”
At the puzzlement of the assassin, Tokinada continues.
“I turned the tables on the assassins that brought their daggers to the throats of the
TSUNAYASHIRO family, and I found that everyone was already dead. A story that will
no doubt invoke sympathy, don’t you agree?”
Page 42
“...confu…sed”
The assassin made a wry face in response to being informed that Tokinada had them
dancing right into the palm of his hands.
The person who was the go-between was always a man who is an underling of the
TSUNAYASHIRO family.
He wouldn’t obey Tokinada, a disease against the family.
However, Tokinada then spoke sneering mockingly at that opinion.
“It’s confusing huh? You can believe me or not, either is fine. Since in many cases,
assassins like you carry feelings of despair from the beginning. It’s more amusing to
make people feel confusion than despair.”
“What…are...”
Tokinada sneered at the assassin’s strained voice.
“Why do you think I am talking so indiscreetly about such a thing? Do you think it’s
foolish to speak of my own scheme also taking into account that you can’t bring the
12th Squad’s spirit-recording bugs inside this estate? I think it is foolish.”
Without pause, Tokinada tramples the assassin’s fingers underfoot.
“Gahh...!”
Whilst listening to the sound of several bones breaking, Tokinada laughs happily, in
ridicule, and in joy.
“However, I can’t help it. This bad habit. Even though I ran the risk of being heard by
someone, I wanted to see it! The bewildered face of a proud assassin like yourself!
That facial expression!”
Thoroughly, slowly, Tokinada tramples down on every bone in the man’s body again
and again whilst continuing to laugh.
Suddenly, that smile disappeared from his face and as soon as it did, he
dispassionately shook his head whilst mumbling something.
“Come to think of it, if you truly were proud, you wouldn’t even be the likes of an
underling assassin of a nobleman, now would you?”
Page 43
Releasing a small sigh, Tokinada drew out his zanpakutô.
Looking at that scene, Hikone’s eyes sparkled as unchanged as before whilst calling out
to Tokinada.
“That looks like fun! Tokinada-sama!”
Tokinada slowly stabs his zanpakutô into his opponent’s spinal cord, at the same time
he returned a smile to Hikone.
“Indeed, it is certainly fun! Trampling down on something is fun! I easily get weary but
even so, my heart will desire it again in about an hour.”
After Tokinada had spent several hours finishing off each assassin, he wiped the blood
off his zanpakutô whilst calling out to Hikone.
“Well, let’s go Hikone. I must inform the Seireitei that from today, I am the one who
has become the head of the TSUNAYASHIRO family, replacing the grand elders who
were killed by some ruffian.”
“Yes! Tokinada-sama! Uh, is it better for me to call you by the title of 'family head’
after this?”
“Don’t worry about it. Just between you and me. Tokinada doesn’t mind.”
“That’s really okay?! Tokinada-sama!”
Hikone’s face lit up with an innocent smile amongst the several dead bodies scattered
around them.
Whilst gently brushing the androgynous child’s head, Tokinada gave his affirmation
with a particularly wicked smile playing on his face.
“Huh, it’s no problem.”
—-
“Since Hikone will eventually become the Soul King. Let’s go with an equal
relationship.”
Page 44
Chapter 2
Several days later - Rukongai.
Shûhei HISAGI is engaged in two different occupations at the same time.
One of those occupations is his professional duties as Squad 9 vice-captain, which

everyone knows.
The other is being the editor-in-chief of the Seireitei Communication.
Seireitei Communication is a public institution magazine that is occasionally circulated

throughout Seireitei and as far as some parts of Rukongai, it is basically under the
management of the 9th Squad.
Naturally, it ought to be treated as equal occupations, but because the nature of the
work differs too greatly from primary soul reaper duties, it was in effect, perceived by
society as something akin to a side job.
As far as several hundred years ago, something known as ‘tile block print’ was used to
conveniently issue proclamations to the general public, but from the period when
Kaname TÔSEN became captain, that format rapidly developed in accordance with
printing techniques of the World of the Living.
Due to TÔSEN’s serious disposition, the captain himself began serving as an editor, it
was now being spread throughout Seireitei as one large informational magazine,
published with many running stories, or essays and novels and so forth, penned by the
captains themselves.
After TÔSEN left Soul Society, HISAGI, who was his vice-captain, became responsible
for that role.
Although the original captain Kensei MUGURUMA had made a comeback and was
supposed to become editor-in-chief, the man himself entrusted all the decision
making up to HISAGI saying “during my time, I left it up to the troops. Frankly, it just
doesn’t suit me”, even now, HISAGI had continued editorial duties as the responsible
editor.
“So? The Seireitei communication’s editor-in-chief-sama has gone to all this trouble,
what can he possibly want with me?”
Page 45
The quizzical voice of a woman resounded from the doorway of a certain residence.
“I’m collecting information for an article of course.”
The other party to whom HISAGI replied to is the pyrotechnician, Kûkaku SHIBA, it can
be said that she is person of clear influence within the vast expanse of Rukongai.
“What is it? Is it about my new objet d'art? I give up. Jeez, it’s not an exhibition you
know.”
With a boastful expression that was contradictory to her words, she shifted her
attention to the item of artwork, stone statues holding up a banner which HISAGI had
just passed under a moment ago.
Two huge statues imitating stern looking men stood beside each other whilst striking
an odd pose, printed on the banner were the words “welcome to Kûkaku SHIBA’s
residence”.
“No… well, it would certainly become a popular topic of conversation in some places.”
“Then is it about the front cover of the next issue of Seireitei Communication?”
“…uh, I’ve more or less prepared a plan for that already.”
Shûhei had responded with a rather innocuous reply in order to half dodge the real
issue at hand which he had to broach.
“I would like Kûkaku san’s cooperation in documenting the memoirs of the Protection
of the Soul King Great War.”
“Huh? Memoirs…? It’s not yet past half a year since then you know?”
“That’s precisely why, I want to keep accurate records without any delay.”
Kûkaku SHIBA is both a pyrotechnist at the surface as well as behind the scenes, all
involvement with Squad Zero was declared 'side jobs’. Therefore, HISAGI the 9th
Squad’s vice-captain, approaches on that standpoint, but there is a curious bigshot like
air about Kûkaku, the attitude of many of the vice-captains was that of respect
towards her.
In fact, although they are currently a fallen house, the SHIBA family is a respectable
family that once produced a number of seated officers and captain ranks, they were a
Page 46
family of good social standing to the degree that they were named as one of the “Five
great Noble families” alongside the KUCHIKI and SHIHÔIN families.
In other words, Kûkaku SHIBA herself who is standing before him, is also a
considerably powerful person.
He had heard that she defeated one of the fierce gatekeepers of the Seireitei with kidô
alone, in HISAGI’s eyes, she wasn’t merely a pyrotechnician, he believes Soul Society
are seemingly unaware of the extent of her power.
Such a visit to her is for the purpose of collecting information for the Seireitei
Communication, exactly as he stated.
Although Seireitei Communication has currently suspended publication due to

problems with its publishing systems, a small circulation of a simplified version is being
distributed in various places in order to extensively report on the state of post-war
reconstruction to the general public. With the target of officially getting it back into
print on the first anniversary of the post-war period, it was gradually gaining a secure
foothold.
Then, as hope for the highly anticipated first reissue, he started receiving requests
from many readers asking for details regarding the 'Protection of the Soul King Great
War’ to be addressed in his own segment called “Teach Me! Shûhei-sensei!!”
“Teach Me! Shûhei-sensei!!” has featured in Seireitei Communication for a long time,
it is a page where Shûhei answers the questions of the readers.
However, its popularity is shaky, and although it may be revived whenever there is
demand, it is an unstable project that is often discontinued after only a few runs since
its resumption.
Yet the people of the Seireitei still cannot grasp the complete picture of the war, it
seems they are either caught up in anxiety over whether the war had truly ended or
whether such things would really never happen again, a section in this public magazine
'Seireitei communication’ seeks to dispel those fears.
In truth, although there were many opinions, and an explanation of the whole story of
the war was wanted in the magazine itself, not just limited to “Teach Me! Shûhei-
sensei!!”, Shûhei decided to treat those all as requests in his own segment.
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This is a huge task imposed upon Seireitei Communication. It couldn’t be left entirely
up to the ordinary squad members. In accordance with the first reissue of Seireitei
Communication, “Teach Me! Shûhei-sensei!!” will make a comeback in the form of a
series, it is he who must clutch the reins of information himself.
With such enthusiasm, HISAGI set out every day, running around interviewing the likes
of the visuals department, the Technological Development Bureau, and the 4th
Squad’s special relief squad, but just as he had expected, he was not gathering enough
information.
It seems there was virtually no one amongst those people, who were able to observe
the entirety of the war from a bird’s-eye view. Really, how many people’s stories
would he have to put together before getting any closer to that domain?
Such misgivings crossed HISAGI’s mind for moment.
The man who had the most extensive view of the battlefield – Yhwach had already
been subdued at the hands of Ichigo KUROSAKI.
If that’s the case, then he has no choice but to proceed forward on his own feet to pick
up and assemble the pieces of war.
If it could be spread far and wide, how the soul reaper battled and triumphed in
various places, then it’s bound to become hope for the people who were dealing with
the restoration efforts.
Now, Soul Society has stepped into what has become a new battle called post-war
recovery.
Because it is such a time, the people can only reassure themselves from seeking
'information’.
“…In other words, from here, it is a battle that only I can describe!”
In response to HISAGI having explained the situation, Kûkaku fired herself up and
folded her arms as she replied.
“But I am hardly able to speak of such things you know? Since I merely launched up
Squad Zero bunch and Ichigo’s group.”
It is the rough tone of voice of a strong-willed woman, but it is a wondrous voice that
penetrates one’s core.
Page 48
From that alone, HISAGI somehow concluded, “ah, I guess there really isn’t much to
talk about here”. Rather than being unwilling to speak of the past, saying “I did what I
had to do” only brings about a mood like accepting everything as part of everyday life.
“Well, I guess I’ll just be giving you my greetings for today, I’ll visit another time.”
“It’s nothing but trouble however often you may come here, since I tend to pull a
muscle whenever you lot complain to me about your soul reaper squabbles, if you
want a story ask my younger brother Ganju. That guy marched up to the Royal Palace
together with Ichigo and his gang, I suppose you can talk to him.”
“! …to the Royal Palace?”
Speaking of Ganju SHIBA, he is the man who once appeared as an intruder along with
Ichigo and the others during the time of Rukia KUCHIKI’s execution scandal. Why did a
man from Rukongai go up to the Royal Palace? Having been decommissioned from the
front lines at the final stage of the war, this is the first time HISAGI has heard of this
fact.
—- Come to think of it, I still haven’t covered what happened around KUROSAKI and
his group...
Naturally he should interview Ichigo’s group who were the most deeply involved by
the end of the war. However, they are inhabitants of the World of the Living, not Soul
Society. In order to travel expressly to the World of the Living for interviews, he must
obtain the permission of the Commander.
—- I think I’ll be able to receive the Commander’s permission, but I wonder if

KUROSAKI will give his full cooperation…I can’t see that guy talking about himself in
much detail at all.
As he considered asking INOUE and SADO, if need be, both of whom apparently reside
in Ichigo’s neighbourhood, HISAGI decided to postpone that for the time being in
favour of the SHIBA household.
“I understand, I will listen to your younger brother’s story first of all.”
“Alright, if you want Ganju, he’s probably mounted on his wild boar, wandering
around west Rukongai again. If you look for him correctly, I think you can find him
right away? He’s a noisy idiot so you should be able to recognise him with a single
glance.”
Page 49
“Right, it’s okay though, I’ve caught sight of his face now and then whenever a
disturbance occurs.”
Following the advice on this dynamic manhunt, HISAGI bows to Kûkaku before leaving
behind the house with the fireworks launch pad attached to it.
Then, when he came closer to his vehicle which was parked a little further up the
roadside, HISAGI noticed something.
A few men had gathered around 'that vehicle’, which HISAGI had gone to the trouble
of ordering from the World of the Living 'spiritual-matter-converted’. Those men
appeared unlikely to be ordinary citizens of Rukongai, on top of that, the nature of the
spiritual-pressure that dwells within them is different to that of a soul reaper’s or
quincy’s.
“…What? Why is there a Kawasaki Z-II in a place like this?”
At the words of the man who had swept back hair that extended around his shoulders,
the tall figure of the young man who was beside him shrugged.
“Who knows?”
Before the men’s eyes, there is a World of the Living motorbike characterised by its
deep crimson paintwork.
They had themselves died and come to Rukongai where they had grown accustomed
to the presence of the surrounding standards of culture said to range from Heian era
to Edo period. Because there was no big cultural reformation in comparison to the
World of the Living, there are many things that make you feel that antiquity from the
clothes to the buildings, and since coming to Soul Society, they have never seen this
sort of automobile until this very moment.
Then, standing behind them, a gentleman-like fellow with a black eyepatch that
covered his right eye, stared at that motorbike with great interest as he opened his
mouth to speak.
“Hmm… regardless of whether we are fullbringers who manipulate the souls of

matter, things that can be brought to this place through soul-burial are only the
clothes and articles that can be said to be part of our person, although… Perhaps there
is someone who loved two-wheeled vehicles at a level that can only be described as
unity of rider and horse.”
Page 50
“What about such things as gasoline?”
“It’s said that the Soul Society basically does not produce oil. It seems, most of
whatever becomes fuel will instead be sent around to the technological department
and nobles of the Seireitei.”
“So, does that mean, this motorbike is some noble’s plaything?”
Listening to the young man talk about that aspect of Soul Society, the man with the
swept back hair frowned ever so slightly.
From behind him, words that denied such speculation was thrown out to them.
“I saved up my wages to buy that thing. Well, as far as it being a plaything however.”
Turning to look in HISAGI's direction - the newcomer that had just appeared - the man
with the swept back hair narrowed his eyes in a smiling expression.
“…Oh. If I came to think that I had heard the sound of a rare motorbike here, I’d never
expect to come face to face with a soul reaper as a result.”
Observing the face of the man who had turned to look at him, HISAGI knit his
eyebrows in unease.
That face matched well with the personal description that had circulated amongst the
13 Court Guard Squads many times prior as a 'dangerous character that kills soul
reaper’.
HISAGI had never seen him personally, but his corpse, after being defeated by Ichigo in
the World of the Living, happened to exist in Soul society.
“Kûgo GINJÔ…”
The man who was the first substitute soul reaper, then was later estranged, a man
who pursued and slaughtered a number of soul reapers.
That corpse was buried in the World of the Living at the request of Ichigo KUROSAKI,
but naturally, souls are a different story.
Since they were also human beings who lived in the World of the Living, their souls
which had slipped out of their dead bodies had drifted into Rukongai.
Page 51
“Oh my, this is an honour. They say a guy who wears a vice-captain’s armband is a
famous face.”
HISAGI’s soul-robes is sleeveless, but when going out to a public place, he fastens his
armband, putting it on display around his exposed arm.
GINJÔ looks at the armband whilst smiling daringly, in response to this, HISAGI speaks
in a lowered voice.
“I’ve heard rumours that you didn’t fall into the depths of hell…what are you doing in
a place like this?”
“Dear me, you shouldn’t glare like that on our first meeting, don’t you agree? Have I
done something to you?”
“Playing dumb all of a sudden…Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten what you did to the soul
reaper and KUROSAKI.”
As his eyes narrowed, HISAGI fixed a glare at the man who was once a substitute soul
reaper.
Then, GINJÔ also narrows his eyes once more, smiling fearlessly in HISAGI's direction.
“So what? You mean to say I should get down on my knees and apologise? For your
information, I have an obligation to Ichigo KUROSAKI, but I’ve never planned on
becoming a friend of you soul reaper lot, I don’t regret being turned into their enemy.”
“You bastard…what are you planning?”
“Huh. Does it look like I’m planning something? If that’s the case, what are you going
to do to me?”
GINJÔ laughed scornfully, at the same time, the tall young man who was standing next
to him, closed the book he was holding and took out a bookmark from its crevice.
“Stop it, TSUKISHIMA.”
“Are you sure? But he looks like he’s going to stab him any minute now?”
The man called TSUKISHIMA spoke with a cool facial expression.
Hearing that name, HISAGI tightens his guard even more.
Page 52
“TSUKISHIMA…if I’m not mistaken, you were the asshole that messed up KUROSAKI’s
past.”
TSUKISHIMA looked at HISAGI, expressing a cynical smile.
“That’s a cruel manner of speaking. The past of the person himself hasn’t-changed.
Yes, the last time, I merely took care of his sword a little.”
“...?”
Unable to comprehend the meaning of TSUKISHIMA’s words, HISAGI looked at him in

puzzlement.
The gentleman with the eyepatch who had observed the situation, let out a sigh whilst
opening his mouth to speak.
"GINJÔ-san, it appears he has no knowledge of the fact that you two assisted Ichigo
KUROSAKI?”
“You assisted?”
—- That reminds me, I get the feeling that Renji said something along the lines of
“there was an unexpected helping hand"...
—- Che. Should I have interviewed the others first?
For the past six months, HISAGI had come to work his fingers to the bone as acting
captain of the 9th Squad in exchange for MUGURUMA who was undergoing medical
treatment for his zombified state.
Therefore, until MUGURUMA returned, he couldn’t get around to conducting detailed

interviews.
GINJÔ looked bored as he spoke to the gentleman with the eyepatch.
"Assisting him was no big deal. I only paid back a small debt.”
Watching the three people who remained chatting as they displayed placidity, HISAGI
thinks.
—- Can I win against these three guys, alone?
—- I don’t know this eyepatch guy, but he’s probably GINJÔ’s comrade.
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—- I’m not sure about his abilities…although, considering other stories I’ve heard from
MADARAME and captain HITSUGAYA…
He had heard rumours that “Kenpachi ZARAKI cut down his opponent with a single
strike”, could they possibly be speaking about this man?
HISAGI thought as such, but he is not stupid enough to conclude that this man was
weak just because Kenpachi ZARAKI defeated him with one blow. Because HISAGI
knows well that there is not much difference between a wolf and a puppy in the
presence of Kenpachi.
However, what was before his very eyes, is the 'enemy’ who once butchered members
of the 13 Court Guard Squads.
Apparently, Ichigo KUROSAKI seems to have forgiven them, but this is a different story,
as a soul reaper, this is by no means an opponent he can overlook.
Having concluded that, HISAGI decided to first of all keep the opponent talking whilst
keeping his guard up in order to probe into their intentions.
“The soul reaper…UKITAKE-san, why did you betray them?”
Then, the darkness that was dwelling at the back of GINJÔ’s eyes for a moment, faded
away, he opened his mouth to speak as surprise and disgust intermingled on his face.
“…what a surprise. A soul reaper would ask me that now after such a long time?”
“If I remember correctly, I heard that captain UKITAKE used a agent’s badge to
monitor you. Was that alone enough to turn every member of the 13 Court Guard
Squads into an enemy? Surely unpleasant, but it’s merely a matter of protesting
against UKITAKE-san once you’ve noticed it, huh?”
“…once I’ve noticed it?”
As GINJÔ murmured that, he went silent for a short while.
In the next instant, he broke out into a laugh as if he had just witnessed a humorous
circus trick.
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“Haa…Is that so. I must be a fool for not seeing it. Does that mean, even at vice-
captain level, your awareness is only to such an extent?”
“What are you talking about?”
“You don’t understand anything at all.”
His smile disappeared and he began fiddling with the cross shaped pendant that was
suspended over his chest.
HISAGI sensed some unpleasant spiritual-pressure fluctuating in that pendant, taking a

step back, HISAGI reached his hand to his own zanpakutô.
As they maintained their distance from each other, the air of an explosive situation fills
the surroundings ——
In the next moment, that atmosphere was shattered to pieces by the squeals of a
beast and the trembling of the ground.
Turning their attention to the squeals, a huge wild boar as big as a Kei car, came
careening from the direction of a neighbouring village, and plunging in between
HISAGI and GINJÔ’s group who were opposite each other.
The wild boar rapidly eased up on its speed in front of them, and as a result, 'he’ who
was riding on the back of the boar was thrust headfirst into the grassland between
HISAGI and GINJÔ.
“Buhhoo-aa…!?”
The man who had crashed into the ground whilst comically shrieking, stood up as he
remained unsteady on his feet, he then gave a firm thumbs up towards the boar he
was riding, raising his voice at the same time.
“Heh…great! Your style was so cool today too Bonnie-chan!”
As if ignoring the man who had just spoken, the wild boar galloped away in the
opposite direction with momentum that was as swift as the wind.
With HISAGI watching the sudden comedy exchange in round eyed wonder, the man
who had followed the wild boar with his eyes until it was out of sight then turned to
face their way and began to speak in a high-spirited voice.
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“Hey, hey, hey! What are you guys up to? Trouble?”
“It’s nothing, Ganju. I was just poking a bit of fun at this soul reaper who is ignorant of
the ways of the world.”
HISAGI Looked at the stern face of the man who GINJÔ had called “Ganju”.
“Have you gotten into a dispute with the soul reaper? Jeez, I can understand your poor
opinion towards the soul reaper, but you don’t need to raise a riot! Don’t say let
bygones be bygones but then suddenly go head on to pick a fight, it’s distasteful!”
Listening to that, the gentleman with the eyepatch inclined his head as he asked a
question.
“Really? In Kûkaku-dono’s stories, I heard that when you met KUROSAKI-san, you had
a childish fight.”
“Guuhh…! Big sister talks too much!”
As he said that, the man who had the same face as the banner holding statues seen
just a short while ago, pulled a wry expression.
It was unmistakably the person himself, the one he was looking for —- facing Ganju
SHIBA, HISAGI then knit his eyebrows as if he was annoyed.
“Your timing is good and bad…”
“Huuhh!? What's that you jerk!? ... Oh you're… if I’m not mistaken… you’re the vice-
captain of some squad… vice-captain…Hi…Hisa…”
“...”
After an awkward silence, Ganju gives a firm nod, he presents HISAGI with a thumbs
up and the same smile he had given his wild boar earlier.
“Long time no see! Vice-captain! Vice-captain who is an acquaintance of Rukia

KUCHIKI!”
“It’s only one more character, come on you can do better! It’s HISAGI! Of the 9th
Squad! Shûhei HISAGI!”
Beside the shouting HISAGI, GINJÔ let out a sigh as he released the pendant from the
grip of his fingers.
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“What's this, you guys know each other?”
Having confirmed that the tense atmosphere was now completely demolished,
TSUKISHIMA also opens his book once again and turns his attention towards that.
“…Oi, Ganju SHIBA, what’s the meaning of this? Do you and Kûkaku-san know what
kind of people these guys are?”
“Isn’t it obvious? We also know everything, big sis found these guys and took them all
in as freeloaders.”
“Freeloaders…?”
Away from HISAGI who was unable to make heads or tails of it, GINJÔ and the others
were trying to leave this place a step ahead.
However, the sharp sighted Ganju who detected that restrains them with his
enigmatic, overbearing attitude.
“Hey wait a minute! Where are you guys going!? I don’t know what happened
between you and this vice-captain brother here, but while I’m still alive, I will not allow
suspicious grudges between the soul reaper and friends of the SHIBAs to be left
behind!”
In contrast with GINJÔ’s group turning to look back seemingly troubled, and HISAGI’s
befuddled expression, Ganju’s face is brimming with self-confidence as he spoke of his
bright solution.
“Leave it up to this self-proclaimed 'crimson bullet of West Rukongai’, the number one
self-proclaimed 'person who is most wanted to be called boss of West Rukongai’ for 17
consecutive years! And self-proclaimed 'former soul reaper hater’, Ganju-sama!”
Ganju was raising the tension all by himself.
Unable to comprehend how to respond to he who had just spat out a speech on his
puzzling self-introductions, HISAGI whose eyes had managed to stay open only
halfway, could barely produce rational words.
“That last one… It’s not particularly necessary to call yourself by that title if it’s
'former’ you know…?”
—- This is bad.
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—- I’m not being dragged into some troublesome course of events am I?
A few hours later - Seireitei - 1st Squad Barracks.
“This has become troublesome huh, very much so.”
In response to those words issued from the mouth of the Commander, Shunsui
KYÔRAKU, the two vice-captains who were before him – Nanao ISE and Genshirô
OKIKIBA, exchanged a quick glance.
The words KYÔRAKU had spoken has half become a habitual saying, but from his tone
of voice, the vice-captains Nanao and OKIKIBA could sense something was up.
Although it is a difference in tone that can only be understood by those who are
accustomed to hearing it, the Commander's muttering at present was in a tone of
voice that was used only when something truly unpleasant had happened.
“What’s the matter, Commander?”
At Nanao’s words, KYÔRAKU releases a heavy sigh.
“Ah, sorry, did I make you anxious? You can jump into my chest if you want to stop
your trembling you know?”
“I’m asking you seriously, Commander.”
“…yes, well then. A while ago, before Nanao-chan came, Nayura-chan came to me
with an escort. There was an official notice and request from Central 46.”
“Nayura AMAKADO-sama, came to you personally?”
Nanao also knows Nayura.
In Soul Society, the highest judicial body that guides the soul reaper as the mouthpiece
for the Soul King and occasionally hands down judgement, is the Central 46.
Nayura AMAKADO is the youngest amongst its constituent members, she is a young
girl who only looks around 10 years of age in appearance.
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However, her shrewdness which has existed longer than what meets the eye, is
acknowledged by both KYÔRAKU and Nanao, with her as the pivot, the central 46 who
prioritised nobility, were gradually changing.
There is a conscious disparity between the status quo of the soul reaper and the
Central 46, but that gap is gradually being filled by the pressure and encouragement of
both her and KYÔRAKU. At least Nanao feels as such, although it is a matter of
balance, she was hoping that the judiciary would settle things in good form for the
current position of the soul reaper and the nobles, or the commoners and all the
inhabitants of Rukongai.
From Nanao’s standpoint, she wanted KYÔRAKU to hold back on referring to a

member of the Central 46 with “chan” attached to their name, but since there are
many people associating with Nayura who occasionally comes to visit by pretending to
be a commoner, she also found herself inadvertently coming close to calling her
“Nayura san”.
KYÔRAKU, who spoke the name of the young girl from Central 46 in such a way, let out
a sigh with a look of slight discomfort.
“Not too long ago, a fairly troublesome incident occurred amongst one of the four
great noble families. Although I think you’ve heard about that.”
“Yes. It’s regarding the assassins who invaded the TSUNAYASHIRO family and
murdered their family head isn’t it?”
The fact that the head of one of the four great noble families and their household
members had been massacred, is a major incident that sends shockwaves through the
Seireitei itself in peacetime. To make matters worse, there is also the fact that the
confusion and disorder after the war has not completely settled down, and the official
story that was declared took the form of - "their health came to harm out of anxieties
during wartime, this epidemic took their lives".
That is why the particulars of the case are only known by a handful of the higher-ups,
even amongst the 13 Court Guard Squads, only a few people including the
Commander KYÔRAKU and his vice-captains, and the commander-in-chief of the
Covert Operations - Suî-FÊNG, have a full grasp on the outcome of things.
“Well, I suppose captain KUROSTUCHI and Yoruichi-chan know through their own
independent routes huh. Or rather, after such events, they probably knew things
before me.”
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“…Does this mean, there is some issue with the subsequent succession of the family
head?”
“I heard the general story from Nayura-chan, but the disputes between members of
nobility is out of our jurisdiction. This is not for the 13 Court Guard Squads, this falls
under the classification of the Golden-Seal Noble Assembly…at least, for now.”
Nanao understood his intentions and narrowed her eyes at the implications behind
KYÔRAKU’s manner of speaking.
“For now? Does that mean the 13 Court Guard Squads will become involved in this
situation?”
“I hope it doesn’t come to that.”
After KYÔRAKU replied with a somewhat distressed expression, he looked at the letter
from Central 46 whilst continuing to speak.
“Ah, also, won’t you summon MUGURUMA-kun and HISAGI-kun for me?”
“Squad 9?”
“It would be fine even if it was just HISAGI-kun. But this problem must be carefully
judged, so far as it goes, I think it’s better to have the captains grasp the situation
too.”
Meanwhile at Kûkaku SHIBA’s residence.
“Suddenly, Just as I thought I wouldn’t get any excitement, that Ichigo asshole,
somehow stone statues materialised at our backs! Me and Chad were in such high
spirits in order to 'prepare the way home for Ichigo!’ and yet everything move down a
step ahead to Seireitei on our way back, what’s the meaning of that huh!?”
The guest room in the basement of Kûkaku’s house.
At the centre was the figure of Ganju who was making HISAGI listen to his complaints
whilst gulping down his sake.
"Really!? That chad guy was saying” Ichigo sees nothing but the path ahead" you
know!? But I never thought it would make me realise that in such a way, damn it!”
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"Yes…I guess, it was difficult huh.”
Midway through his speech, Ganju received a firm kick from behind and was planted
face first into the ground.
Kûkaku, the person who had dealt that kick, spoke as she trampled on her fallen
brother’s back.
“Don’t yap on so loudly! Your spirit was practically pathetic wasn’t it!”
“That's cruel, it hurts! Big sis!”
“You punk…even though I’ve trained you for several years to be able to fight on the
front lines till the bitter end, you managed to lose sight of your companions by losing
your way on the road, what’s the meaning of this…?”
“From whom did you hear that I got lost!? Besides, it’s Ichigo that jerk- ow-tetetetete!
Will you cut that out big sis!? My spine is turning into sand! It’s turning into sand!”
Ganju whined as Kûkaku continued to relentlessly trample on her brother.
Unable to comprehend how to deal with two such people, HISAGI, as if he was
troubled himself, downed his sake.
Amid that, HISAGI also shifts his attention towards a seated GINJÔ that was at the
corner of his eye.
Earlier, HISAGI had been lead to the guest room by forceful invitation of Ganju who
said “drinking sake will wash your grudges away”, however, for the time being, he
inquired about the relationship between GINJÔ’s group and Ganju, before he knew it,
he was stuck listening to the idle complaints of Ganju who had gotten tipsy.
Incidentally, TSUKISHIMA did not partake in the drinking party, he was at the corner of
the room, leaning against a wall whilst reading his book, en route here, the man with
the eyepatch who introduced himself as Giriko KUTSUZAWA, sank into the SHIBA
family’s kitchen saying “allow me to prepare some snacks.”
“Both GINJÔ and TSUKISHIMA are suspicious too you know!? From what I've’ heard
they managed to jump straight to Ichigo’s location! Wasn’t that unfair!? It’s unfair isn’t
it?!”
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Ganju who was released from under his sister’s foot, changed the subject of his
complaints to GINJÔ.
Dismissing Ganju's words with a nonchalant air, GINJÔ drinks his sake in a refined
manner whilst shrugging his shoulders.
“We travelled there directly with Yukio and Riruka’s abilities.”
“Yukio and Riruka?”
In response to HISAGI’s muttering, GINJÔ averts his eyes as he opens his mouth to
speak.
“Oh, I used to hang out with those guys in the World of the Living. Unlike us, they’re
not dead, they came all that way to help Ichigo.”
“For KUROSAKI…?”
As an editor of Seireitei Communication, he wanted to ask inquisitively about every

detail surrounding that subject, but his wariness towards GINJÔ did not readily allow
that.
“Don’t drink behind such a tight-fisted mask. You were told earlier weren’t you? Both
me and Ganju have an understanding with those freeloaders. Even if we got cut up
from behind, we don’t bear grudges.”
“But, those guys…”
“UKITAKE would understand too.”
“Ehh…?”
Kûkaku continued addressing HISAGI who held back the voice of protests at the back
of his throat.
“Well, now that things have come to pass, he can’t even attest to that.”
“Wait a moment. So, has GINJÔ also met UKITAKE-san?”
When HISAGI shifts his eyes towards GINJÔ, he spoke whilst rolling his empty sake cup
in hand.
Page 62
“I haven’t met him. Honestly, I did not intend to meet him until things became
troublesome here.”
“It’s different now?”
“Well. Even if I had met him, he would probably have been killed already right?”
“So, why go that far...”
What exactly happened between UKITAKE and GINJÔ the first substitute soul reaper?
At least, as long as he found it impossible to dispel his vigilance, he would never come
to know that.
No, no matter what reason he may have, the fact remains, that the man before his
very eyes is the menace that has murdered soul reaper.
“However,” HISAGI thinks with a little doubt — or possibly fear harbouring in his chest.
Were it possible to think he could kill GINJÔ by simply crossing blades with him here,
would it be possible to say he had struck down an enemy of the soul reaper out of
duty to the 13 Court Guard Squads? He tried to stop captain TÔSEN’s revenge himself,
is it not a mistake to rely on emotions to swing one’s blade?
AIZEN’s words from six months ago are called back to HISAGI’s mind.
—- “What you’re harbouring is not hatred. It is merely sentimentality for your lost
Kaname TÔSEN and the impression he left behind.”
That manner of speech may be correct in a sense.
If he was asked whether he carried fragments of emotion through his own blade too,
he would probably answer 'No’.
However, he couldn’t simply turn a blind eye to GINJÔ. Being misled by the likes of
AIZEN’s words, and even losing sight of how to use his own blade would be reversing
the logical order of things.
HISAGI who realised there was indecision and fear within himself, then quite
conversely recovers the composure in his heart.
Page 63
Erasing the emotion from his face, as a member of the 13 Court Guard Squads who
must assess threats to the Seireitei, he turned to face the man named Kûgo GINJÔ
once again.
"...well, I certainly don’t understand anything. For this reason, please enlighten me.
What did the soul reaper… what did we do against you the first substitute soul
reaper?”
Having observed the situation, GINJÔ raises one eyebrow in slight astonishment, he
placed his sake cup down on the tabletop and replied.
“Of course, certainly, you’re not seated as vice-captain for nothing.”
Although laughing with great interest, GINJÔ paused for a short moment before slowly
shaking his head left and right.
“…I appreciate you confronting me seriously. But no matter what comes out of my
mouth, isn’t it unthinkable to digest what a 'dangerous character’ says? Why don’t you
talk to your Commander?”
“That in its own way is not fair. The Commander isn’t a person who would tell lies, but
I am a journalist for the time being. I have to listen to both sides of the story for the
sake of impartiality.”
“A journalist’s words have jumped out of a soul reaper’s mouth huh? There are no
rules that journalists must be fair in the first place.”
“Fairness is the number one priority; it is a policy I carry on from the former editor-in-
chief.”
Hearing those words, GINJÔ stifles his laughter.
“You’re a strange guy. At first glance, you look like nothing more than an ordinary soul
reaper.”
“I’ll take that latter half as a compliment.”
“And so? What would you do if I was not able to convince you, even after I’ve told you
the reason why I betrayed you all?”
“I understand. In that case I’ll —-”
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The voice of Kûkaku, who had remained silent up till now, interrupted HISAGI’s speech
just as he was about to reply with resolve.
“I don’t mean to interrupt this discord between the soul reaper and the freeloader.
But if it comes to crossing swords, do it outside, got it?”
“...Yes.”
“Understood, we won’t cause any trouble for you.”
HISAGI obediently nods, GINJÔ accepts whilst shrugging his shoulders.
The tension that was in the air fluctuated, after a few seconds of silence, GINJÔ opens
his mouth to speak.
“I guess I ended up deceiving Ichigo KUROSAKI.”
“? Ah, so they say.”
“I personally made TSUKISHIMA alter my past… In that past, there was a Half-soul
reaper who cooperated with us in order to remove the hollow power from
fullbringers… It was supposed to be the case that the half soul reaper and our former
comrades were killed by TSUKISHIMA.”
Something fullbringers like GINJÔ have in common, is that they each have a parent
who was attacked by a hollow.
Therefore, HISAGI had heard that they are born mixed with hollow powers, and that it
manifests as a unique ability called fullbring.
“So, how was it that the original past was restored…There was no such Half-soul
reaper guy similar to Ichigo. It suffices to say that I was the one who was undertaking
the role of substitute soul reaper. Well then, who killed the former comrades that
were in those memories?”
“…wait, all that was down to TSUKISHIMA’s modified past too…”
“TSUKISHIMA’s ability…"Book of the End” allows TSUKISHIMA to insert himself into

another person’s past. Although things such as 'memories’ and 'outcomes’ where
TSUKISHIMA was concerned can be inserted, as far as inserting people who don’t exist,
that’s impossible. By the way, the guy who was thought to be a Half-soul reaper was
actually one of the soul reaper I killed in a rage.”
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"...No way.”
Getting an unpleasant feeling, HISAGI gulped.
TSUKISHIMA, who was at the corner of the room, lifts his eyes up from his book to
glance at the scene between HISAGI and GINJÔ.
He noticed that Ganju was in no mood to interrupt, silently straining his ears to listen
to the conversation of the other two, Kûkaku had an expression as if to say “it’s no
concern of mine”, but slightly out of the ordinary, she was quietly gulping down her
sake.
An uncomfortable silence dominated HISAGI’s surroundings.
Then, it was the words of a dark eyed GINJÔ that killed that silence.
“It’s the soul reaper…who killed the comrades from my past.”
Silence and a chilling air fills the place again.
However, HISAGI who couldn’t stomach that shook his head as he tried to stand up.
“Wait…well then, why did you say it was UKITAKE san’s fault!?”
“Come now. I noticed the secret of the agent’s badge at the time. I don’t have to tell
you the rest for you to understand, do I?”
“Uh…”
HISAGI recalled the conversation from a little earlier to mind.
—- “It’s merely a matter of protesting against UKITAKE-san once you’ve noticed it,
huh?”
Although he was unaware of the circumstances, he realised how beside the point his
own words were, he was seized with the feeling of shame.
“I see. I couldn’t swallow your story just yet, but…earlier, I was in the wrong.”
“I don’t give a damn. It made me laugh didn’t it.”
After mixing in a bit of playful banter, GINJÔ continued talking some more.
Page 66
“On the day I repaid my debt to Ichigo at the Royal Palace, I planned to meet UKITAKE.
I wondered just how far his orders went, in any case, I had no trust in him from the
onset, why did my fullbringer comrades have to be killed? But it’s a funny story. I
searched for UKITAKE prepared to clash swords with him in the worst-case scenario,
but he was not in a state where one could talk to him anymore.”
“That's...”
HISAGI tried to say something, but his words wouldn’t come out properly.
In his mind, the scene of the moment TÔSEN is killed by AIZEN plays back to him.
At that time, HISAGI was certainly able to exchange words with TÔSEN in his final
moments. However, just before they were about to cross that path together once
more, TÔSEN was cruelly murdered at the hands of AIZEN —- HISAGI too had forever
lost that opportunity to exchange words with his opponent.
Seeing the look on HISAGI’s face who had remembered such a thing, GINJÔ clicked his
tongue as he released a sigh.
“Che… I’ve said more than what’s necessary. I’ve gotten drunk already.”
“Please wait. If that’s true…”
Midway through his sentence, a noise played out from the divine-messenger that was
in his pocket.
When he took it out and checked it, there was a familiar convocation notice there.
“…This isn’t good. It’s a call to a meeting, from the 1st Squad.”
“You were summoned with this timing, well I never, are you also being monitored
from above?”
“Perhaps, if it was captain KUROSTUCHI, the Commander wouldn't… still, I guess it

may seem like I’m being monitored, but I am, nevertheless, merely fulfilling my
duties.”
HISAGI rises from his seat, finally he speaks to GINJÔ in a blunt manner.
“It doesn’t necessarily mean that I take you completely at your word. I don’t want to
believe that my colleagues carried out such atrocities in the World of the Living with
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no motive, but… I will get to the bottom of this story. Because I am a soul reaper, and
at the same time, I am editor-in-chief of Seireitei Communication. You can count on
me.”
“...”
“Anyway, we’ll talk again soon. And Ganju, please let me know next time. Next time,
the sake is on me.”
Lastly, HISAGI bowed to Kûkaku and left the SHIBA residence.
Hearing the noise of a bike engine echoing in the distance, TSUKISHIMA who was silent
up till then, raised his voice whilst his eyes were turned towards his book.
“That’s rare. For GINJÔ to tell that story himself.”
“Yeah. I’ve finally lost my edge, haven’t I?”
After talking jokingly, GINJÔ stares at the empty space with a serious expression.
“I guess he’s a serious soul reaper. Reminiscent of the 13 Court Guard Squads indeed.
whether I doubted such a guy would respond to my story with honesty or not… well
let’s just say, instead of UKITAKE who’s gone now, I probably just wanted someone to
vent my frustrations at.”
Then, Giriko appeared holding a plate saying “Oh. Even though I’ve prepared snacks,
the soul reaper gentleman has already left?”
“Yeah, I suppose he’s a punctual guy. He was in such a hurry.”
“I see, that is a wonderful thing. Because the flow of time is an absolute law that
remains as unchangeable in the World of the Living as it does in Rukongai as well as
Seireitei. On any account, if the soul reapers call themselves 'gods’, then it is only a
natural matter of course to abide by that rule.”
Elsewhere from the fullbringers who were having that conversation, Ganju posed a
question to his sister who was unusually quiet as she continued to drink.
“Say, big sis, what do you actually think?”
“I don’t know. I told you, didn’t I? It’s not something we can poke our nose into when
we’re not even soul reaper ourselves.”
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“...I wonder if big brother knew something.”
That big brother was Kaien SHIBA who served as UKITAKE’s lieutenant before the
collapse of the SHIBA family –
– Due to his death and the disappearance of Isshin KUROSAKI who was a descendant
of a branch of the main house, their noble status was ousted, however, even now
Ganju considered his big brother the pride of the SHIBA family.
Recalling the face of her older brother who was already dead and gone, Kûkaku cast
her eyes down to her sake cup whilst forming her words.
“…who knows. The soul reapers are looking away in order to protect Seireitei.”
“As with that AIZEN bastard, the soul reapers are probably becoming all kinds of thick-
skinned against the scoundrels created by the Seireitei itself.”
One hour later - 1st Squad - Head office.
“Ah, you’re late Shûhei. Just how far did you come from?”
“My apologies captain, I went up to Kûkaku SHIBA san’s place in West Rukongai to
collect information.”
“Kûkaku…? Oh, Kaien’s younger sister…”
When HISAGI enters the office, the captain of the 9th Squad Kensei MUGURUMA is
already waiting there ready to receive orders, then KYÔRAKU made an appearance
from the opposite side of the door.
“Hello there, it’s wrong of me to ask you here when you’re so busy isn’t it.”
Seeing the Commander raise one hand in greeting with his usual rhythm, MUGURUMA
spoke up.
“So? What’s going on Commander? Is there any particular reason why it’s only the 9th
Squad that’s been summoned too?”
“Ah, well. It’s kind of a matter that involves Seireitei Communication.”
“Huh? If so, then why am I here?”
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MUGURUMA is the captain of the 9th Squad, but he is not involved in editing of the
magazine at all.
Just a few days ago, he was resting in order to treat his zombified flesh, and for a short
while he was in a position where he was not even aware of the current state of
Seireitei Communication.
“Well in fact. I was told from the higher-ups, that there is something they want you to
officially announce directly in Seireitei Communication. Therefore, I think it is better to
also pass this onto you, the captain.”
“Official announcement? Is it from Squad Zero?”
“No, it’s from Central 46. The group of nobles behind the Central 46 to be exact.”
Saying that, KYÔRAKU turns his eyes to HISAGI for a moment and continues to speak
of the matter.
“Actually, it has been decided so that one of the four great Noble families is to install a
new family head. The matter has already passed through the governmental district
and as a formality the new family head has by now been instated, but very much at
the request of that new family head, it appears that he wants to publicise his own
inauguration extensively throughout Soul Society.”
“Damn it, why does it always have to be about self-indulgent nobles?” Kensei said
looking rather bored.
Although there is the exception known as Yoruichi SHIHÔIN, basically, it is known only
too well that the nobles are unable to cooperate with others, Kensei was rapidly losing
interest in the matter as the subject also concerned Seireitei Communication. On the
other hand, HISAGI continues the conversation with a look that says he’s not quite
sure on some aspects.
“Uhh…around how many pages will it take? From the onset, the first reissue is still
scheduled several months ahead, and it commences with a special feature that looks
back on the Protection of the Soul King Great War, so the balance with that will...”
“It seems he wants you to produce an extra special edition. He wants you to distribute
it widely, as far as Rukongai.”
“S-special edition! If we are to completely set up the publishing systems right away,
the sort of budget required for that would be awfully...”
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The inauguration of a new family head from one of the four noble families is big news
in itself. However, because the highest ranking being is the Soul King, it is rare to go as
far as issuing extra special editions even in the case of things such as auspicious events
and times of mourning related to the four great noble families.
Of course, unexpected budgets are sometimes required, and if it was being distributed
widely up to Rukongai, then there is also the potential for that alone to bypass the
annual budget.
HISAGI pondered how he could possibly get by on that budget whilst groaning in
frustration, but then, with a plop, KYÔRAKU placed his hand down on HISAGI’s
shoulder as he smiled.
"You can rest assured. Since it appears that the budget will be completely handled by
that noble family.”
“Really!?”
If that’s the case, HISAGI considered it an opportunity to use the special edition and
advance notice of the resumption of publishing as a pretext to broaden subscriptions
to the usual edition of the magazine, in HISAGI’s mind he began to weigh up the
benefits, the implications of which differed from just a moment ago.
However —-
As if to pull him back to reality, KYÔRAKU’s smiling face then clouded over.
“And, that noble who is the new family head...”
“? …Is something wrong, Commander?”
“I’m speaking about the TSUNAYASHIRO family’s, Tokinada…you understand right?”
The blood vessels in Shûhei’s body pulsated frantically.
“TSUNAYASHIRO...Tokinada.”
HISAGI had already known that name too.
With the objective to bring Kaname TÔSEN - who once ran counter to the correct path
- back to the other side, and to learn even a little more about him, HISAGI closely
investigated TÔSEN’s past for some time.
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The details of the incident in which TÔSEN’s close friend was killed was gruesome, her
husband at the time considered the idea of imprisonment mere folly, he continued to
live his life comfortably without even being sufficiently punished.
“Hold on a moment. Surely that man is supposed to be at the lower end of the branch
family.”
“He’s risen to the top. Factors such as the time AIZEN massacred the Central 46, and
the disorder born out of the last war worked to his advantage no doubt. Furthermore,
last week the head of the TSUNAYASHIRO family and the surrounding family members
were murdered by assassins, one by one.”
“Captain.”
Nanao who had remained silent beside him up till then, raises her voice.
After the assassination scandal of the TSUNAYASHIRO family, martial law was
declared, Nanao couldn’t imagine it a good idea to carelessly reveal information to
HISAGI even though he held the position of vice-captain.
However, holding out a hand to silence Nanao's protests, KYÔRAKU daringly continued
to speak.
“I won’t speak from conjecture. Nevertheless, those assassins were completely wiped
out by Tokinada TSUNAYASHIRO alone, with that meritorious deed in hand, he was
then promoted from the lineage of the branch family. Conveniently enough, no
members of the branch family had passed away…that’s what I was told.”
Contrary to KYÔRAKU’s opening remark, no matter who was listening, it was like they
were all hit by a stream of understanding about 'the true culprit behind the
assassination scandal and his goals.’ Of course, HISAGI was no exception and he
gradually raised his eyebrows in discomfort during the course of the conversation.
“I also know about him. I think you understand already, but he is a man who can do
those sorts of things without compunction.”
At those words, not only HISAGI but even Nanao and Kensei expressed a little surprise,
judging by Genshirô OKIKIBA who maintained a deep silence, it seemed he agrees with
KYÔRAKU’s words too.
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HISAGI and Nanao were surprised because those current words did not seem likely to
be the speech and conduct of the usual KYÔRAKU who seldom speaks poorly of
others.
Whether or not he noticed that scene, a self-mocking, wry smile played on KYÔRAKU’s
face as he formed his words.
“I don’t like it, not even I, am a man of noble character. Let’s hope this is only a matter
of one or two men who do not see eye to eye.”
Then KYÔRAKU’s smile disappeared once again, he threw a question at HISAGI with a
serious look in his eye.
“To sum it up, you have been instructed to put out a special edition celebrating his…
Tokinada TSUNAYASHIRO’s inauguration. HISAGI-kun... can you do it?”
Chapter 3
An abnormal event was gradually eating away at the world.
Tragedy struck the noble district of Seireitei.
That may be just the beginning.
Strangely, it started from the day Shûhei HISAGI learned that Tokinada TSUNAYASHIRO
was to be inaugurated as family head —-
A budding malice that spreads like leaves and branches, extending its fingertips to the
Soul Society, the World of the Living, and Hueco Mundo.
Seireitei - 4th Squad - Squad Barracks.
“...”
In front of the 4th Squad barracks, there is a timid looking soul reaper.
He kept glancing over his shoulder, looking intently in the direction of the main street
that merged together with the paths leading to the other squad barracks.
“What’s the matter, 3rd seat YAMADA?”
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That timid young man who was referred to as “3rd seat YAMADA” – Hanatarô
YAMADA , turns to the members of the 4th Squad who had just emerged from the
squad barracks.
“Huh? Ah…sorry. I’m okay!… probably.”
“Well, on the contrary, there is nothing but anxiety in that answer.”
In response to the voice of seated member OGIDÔ who had spoken with a calm visage,
Hanatarô awkwardly replies.
“A short while ago, vice-captain HISAGI was heading towards the 9th Squad barracks
with an awfully grim look on his face, I wonder what happened…”
He replied as if he had become somewhat frightened, the likes of which would only be
seen in faint-hearted fresh recruits.
Nevertheless, amidst the 4th Squad, he is one of the most prominent users of
‘recovery-arts’ – the healing spiritual arts, despite his timid disposition, his gentle
character makes him trustworthy and he was assigned to the position of 3rd seat of
squad 4.
However, the person himself thinks he was able to become 3rd seat because of the
fact that Yasochika IEMURA, who was originally the 3rd seat, had transferred to
another squad, he confronts his personal duties whilst struggling with the pressure of
thinking “by all rights, I am not well positioned.”
It was a squad 4 member whose large build contrasted with Hanatarô’s own, that
reacted to the name of squad 9’s vice-captain.
“HISAGI...?”
"Ah, Aoga-san was classmates with vice-captain HISAGI right?”
At OGIDÔ’s query the soul reaper called Aoga answered.
“That’s right…we seldom meet these days. But around six months ago we met on a
visit to our friend’s grave, and the last time I saw him was in a hospital room after the
war.”
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Although from outward appearances Aoga looks more seasoned than OGIDÔ, since
OGIDÔ is a seated member, Aoga uses honorific speech when addressing him. Hearing
those words, the 4th Squad members around them begin to stir.
“Aoga-san was HISAGI san’s classmate...”
“That’s so awesome, that was a season when many elites were produced right?”
“Yeah, during the several decades since lieutenant HISAGI’s time there, it was a
generation were many captain class soul reaper were produced, such as Lieutenant
ABARAI, Lieutenant HINAMORI, Lieutenant KIRA and above all, Captain HITSUGAYA.
The exceptional speed of their advancement through the ranks was also a topic of
conversation even at the Spiritual Arts Academy.”
“While we’re on the topic of advancing quickly through the ranks, it’s the same with
3rd seat YAMADA right?”
In response to the subject that was suddenly brought up, Hanatarô, despite being 3rd
seat, bows his head to the squad members.
“err, umm...I’m sorry.”
“Why are you apologising?”
“Well, compared to HISAGI-san and the others, I’m nothing special and I only end up
annoying everyone at squad 4…”
Remaining expressionless OGIDÔ then addresses Hanatarô who had spoken of himself
with pessimism despite being praised.
“What are you saying, 3rd seat YAMADA? You are also an elite amongst the elites
which goes hand in hand with your lineage and raw talent, aren’t I right? Isn’t it the
case that even Kisuke URAHARA-san took his hat off to your recovery-arts?”
“I realise that seems awe-inspiring but… what I mean is, saying that I don’t feel like I’m
going through a bad experience every time URAHARA-san is involved, wouldn’t be
entirely accurate…”
“By the way, a visitor came by a while ago for 3rd seat YAMADA, he’s been waiting
more than an hour in the guest room already.”
“Ehhh!? C-can you please tell me about these things earlier!?”
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After watching Hanatarô hurriedly dash into the squad barracks until he was out of
sight, OGIDÔ whispered with a nonchalant face.
“My apologies, that was a mistake. He arrived just a moment ago so he hasn’t been
waiting around that long.”
One of the soldiers who heard those words then chided OGIDÔ with an astonished
expression.
“You should've just said that beforehand no matter what… Your personality is as bad
as ever, OGIDÔ-san.”
“Come now, if it’s the case that we must not keep visitors waiting, then I spoke
shrewdly didn’t I?… Also, if I have a ‘bad personality’, then I think that guest is
considerably worse.”
“?”
When OGIDÔ shrugged his shoulders as he spoke, the soldiers around him tilted their
heads in puzzlement.
Meanwhile, Aoga alone gazed in the direction of the main street where HISAGI had
travelled down a while ago, with a complex expression he spoke to himself.
“Making a grim face, huh…?”
He remembers the time after the war, when HISAGI was carried into the 4th Squad, in
a serious condition.
Although he was still alive his injuries were inconceivable.
With the help of Orihime INOUE’s powers, he managed to escape death, however it
took a considerable amount of time to recover his spiritual-pressure afterwards.
After HISAGI had regained his consciousness, Aoga evasively posed a question to him.
"You still intend to continue the fight?”
That time they reunited in front of the grave of their former classmate Kanisawa, Aoga
remarked to HISAGI, who continued to fight whilst often on the verge of death, that
“you have pushed aside your fear.”
However, seeing him on the verge of death again, Aoga understood.
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No matter how many times one pushes it aside, when soul reapers do battle on the
front lines they cannot escape from fear.
He thinks HISAGI’s strength exists in his resolution to continue with his life whilst being
at odds with that endless fear.
Therefore, although he had perceived his companion’s reply, he couldn’t help but ask
He only said a few brief words and laughed “Even though they say the war is over,
you’re making such a face. Kanisawa would have your hide.”
The next day, he forcibly left the hospital saying he would be witness to AIZEN’s
imprisonment.
Concerned about the fact that HISAGI hurried off with a grim face, and not being able
to do anything about it, Aoga whispered with a voice that seemed regretful of his own
helplessness.
“For at least a little longer… until Seireitei is revived, I hope it doesn’t come to
something like fighting at the risk of his own life.”
He would confront that battle if something does happen regardless of whatever the
state of affairs around him may be.
That’s because Aoga knew HISAGI’s character well.
However, the fate surrounding HISAGI had already crushed Aoga’s hopes.
Squad 4 Barracks - Guest Room
Inside the 4th Squad barracks, which placed importance on its functionality for the
purpose of performing recovery-arts, there is a room built there which adds just a little
emphasis on splendour.
It is a guest room used when the Commander or noble envoys are invited in.
Nonetheless, the 4th Squad, whose number one priority was the lives of the soldiers
attached to the 13 Court Guard Squads, opened up that guest room during wartime to
serve as a temporary first aid station, even now the faint smell of medicinal odours
were still left in the room.
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Hanatarô YAMADA rushes into that room with footsteps that sound equally as hurried.
As he stumbles over himself into the threshold of that room, with the same
momentum, he bowed his head and spoke words of apology.
“Awawa...uh…uhmm…I’m sorry…for keeping you waiting.”
Before even seeing his host’s face, a dishevelled looking figure met his eyes, however
the visitor couldn’t even blame him for it, he let his witty voice resound within the
room.
“As usual, you have a lifeless voice to go with your lifeless appearance. Did you plant a
lesion in your heart whilst trying to understand the feelings of your patients?
Hanatarô.”
Feeling a sense of nostalgia, he realised it was a voice and manner of speaking he was
used to hearing, with eyes wide open Hanatarô lifted his face.
“Eh…ah…S-Seinosuke nî-san!?”
“Oh my, lifeless even up to your face. It’s worrying, whether patients taken care of by
you wouldn't come to hang themselves from the anxiety.”
Seinosuke YAMADA.
He is the older brother of Hanatarô and the man that served as vice-captain of squad 4
till a few decades ago.
Currently he is retired from the 13 Court Guard Squads with his name withdrawn from
the official roster, and even his zanpakutô is left in the care of the squad barracks.
However, though he is retired from his vice-captain’s seat, it's not the case that he is
without an occupation, in fact he was headhunted to a new workplace which is a
special case within a special case. In the 13 Court Guard Squads, where “military
discharge” basically meant being thrown into a special prison called ‘the Maggots
Nest’, it was necessary to officially retire in order for him to leave his post.
And because he knows about the new workplace that recruited his brother, Hanatarô
inclined his head.
“W…what happened? Is it your day off today from your work over there? I heard that
you are kept busy these days.”
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“Hn. I guess so. But it’s a job worth doing. After all, in spite of being soul reaper
noblemen, the old people who are unwilling to die come to me all the time. It is a
pleasant feeling whenever I see a powerful, influential person frightened by old age,
the unflattering sight of them struggling to cling on to something.”
“U-uhh… Is that really okay, nî-san? To say such things about the noble people…”
“Of course not. That sort of treachery will probably be punishable by death. Does
Hanatarô intend to inform on me, to tell someone what I’ve said? If Hanatarô wants
me dead, then that is the request of my precious little brother. I have no choice but to
graciously give up my life.”
“Eehh…? I…I would never do such a thing, Seinosuke nî-san…”
After frantically waving his hands, Hanatarô clumsily refuted his brother.
“I-it’s true nî-san is mean, and everyone dislikes that bad personality, but…if we look,
there are also good points…probably…besides, I think a person who wants another
person dead should not be in the 4th Squad to begin with!”
“It would be rather hurtful if you had seriously considered that.”
Contrary to his words, a beaming smile was expressed on Seinosuke’s face as he

shrugged his shoulders and came clean.
“Well, I’m on a break from work, but I had things to do here, so I thought I’d just come
by and take the opportunity to give Hanatarô a little advice.”
“Advice…?”
Then Seinosuke narrows his eyes ever so slightly and the smile disappears from his
face as he touches on the real issue at hand.
“Hanatarô. Wouldn’t you like to take time off from squad 4 for a little while?”
“Ehh?”
“Various rumours have reached my ears, relating to my work.”
The representative of the Seireitei’s central pharmaceutical institution —- or in other

words, Seinosuke, who is the chief executive of a specialised relief station for upper
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class nobility with a focus on the four great noble families, chuckled as he spoke in
response to Hanatarô tilting his head at the sudden proposal.
“With the quincy threat now gone, there probably won’t be any big wars occurring for
some time. However, the Seireitei seems to have fallen into slight crisis instead. This is
not such a small course of events that will stop just because someone tries to stop it.”
“If you don’t want to get dragged into this, then separate yourself from a position of
responsibility for a while and cover your eyes and ears.”
World of the Living - Karakura Town
“Whoaaaaaa! Got dragged into thiiiis! We got dragged into this!”
Evening in Karakura Town.
As he ran through a deserted back alley, Asano Keigo who was fully enjoying his break
until just a few minutes ago, was now making his tearful voice ring throughout the
surroundings.
Running alongside him was a boy with a solid poker-face – Mizuiro KOJIMA, who then
spoke up.
“Be quiet Keigo. Your stamina will become just as useless as your yelling you know?”
“I’ve thought this for a long time but, why are you always, always so calm in situations
like this!?”
“I can’t help whether I’m calm or not.”
Reducing his running speed, Mizuiro shifted his attention, glancing over his shoulder.
“It’s the first time I’ve seen a monster that looks like that, but at least it’s better than
that cheating AIZEN guy…”
Before his line of sight, there was an enormous and grotesque figure shaped like a
crab – a huge hollow was drawing near, it let out an unpleasant shriek whilst raising its
pincers overhead.
Mizuiro KOJIMA was once pursued by Sôsuke AIZEN along with Keigo and Tatsuki
ARISAWA.
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Although this situation isn’t as bad as that time, the fact that their lives were in danger
remained unchanged.
However, currently it’s not Mizuiro or Keigo the monster was directly aiming at.
It was the figure of a young boy in a soul-robes who was running slightly behind the
other two that the hollow was trying to crush with its pincers.
“Uwaaaaaaahh!! D-Danger! It’s dangerous, so leave this up to me now, please escape

quickly! But then who will save meeee!? Whoooo!?”
The young soul reaper who appeared to yell with almost the same tearful voice as
Keigo, continued to run away from the huge hollow without being given even a bit of
leeway to perform shikai.
Ryûnosuke YUKI - a soul reaper in charge of Karakura Town - casually happened to

encounter a hollow that was much stronger than himself, and in the midst of escaping
in a panic, he ended up getting Keigo and Mizuiro, who were walking through a back
alley, caught up in this situation too.
Keigo and the others have been involved in various events concerning their friend
Ichigo KUROSAKI, on top of that receiving something called 'soul-tickets’ from the
eyepatch wearing soul reaper also seems to have been a trigger for them to become
considerably susceptible to sensing spiritual phenomenon.
They’ve caught glimpses of Yuki’s presence every now and then, and they’ve heard his
name from Orihime and the others, but Keigo and Mizuiro didn’t concern themselves
with such matters by giving him a level of recognition thinking “they have chosen a
successor, that probably means he is much stronger than Af-san”.
It turned out now, that this young soul reaper who showed up in place of Zennosuke
KURUMADANI – the soul reaper who is his predecessor, referred to as “Af-san*”
(*short for Afro-san) by Keigo and “Imoyama-san” by Ichigo – is far more unreliable
than Keigo and Mizuiro could have imagined.
Watching Ryûnosuke escape whilst drawing out his zanpakutô in a shaky manner,
Keigo screamed loudly, Mizuiro on the other hand calmly thought “at this pace, I
wonder if we can escape to URAHARA-san’s shop…”
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Mizuiro had also implicitly asked Ichigo about URAHARA Shop, he was told that he
would be safe if he escaped there first if they were ever attacked by a hollow in the
event that Ichigo himself was not present.
In the course of handling the aftermath of the AIZEN incident, Mizuiro was gathering a
certain degree of intelligence, so he understood that the shopkeeper of that URAHARA
Shop was on par with the captain ranks, and moreover, he understood that URAHARA
is a man of great importance.
—- “I think he will try to sell you various items afterwards. But I guess you may as well
give in and think of it as a 'thank you’ for receiving his help.”
Since Ichigo said that, Mizuiro has entered the shop a few times, of course there was a
variety of suspicious goods stacked alongside each other such as “Anti-spirit serum
Katakoran Alpha” and “Spirit Repellent Spray Sekirei X” which were clearly not brand-
name goods.
“Oh, that reminds me.”
Remembering something, Mizuiro dexterously began fishing inside his bag whilst
running.
“W-w-w-what are you doing, Mizuiro!? Don’t tell me you’re trying to take out some
stun gun like thing again!?”
Mizuiro then produced a ball with a strange face drawn on it before the shouting
Keigo.
'Electromagnetic Capture Sphere - Zeta-ball-tan’.
It was the name of that product that Mizuiro had recalled.
When he asked the young girl tending to the store - who looked to be a junior high
school student - about how to use the product, the explanation she gave was “uh let’s
see…if it is the case that you are being chased by something that defies human
understanding, then after twisting this knob, please throw it at the Holl... at the
monster.”
“Well, I might as well give this a try since I have nothing to lose.”
As he muttered that, Mizuiro threw the item he was carrying at the huge crab monster
in the way he was instructed to do so.
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Then in the next instant – an intense noise along with lightening devoured the
surroundings, the monster’s movements were slowed down as its whole body
convulsed.
“Wow…how amazing. If I had thrown that at a person I wonder if it would have been
fatal…?”
Next to Mizuiro who said that with calmness, Keigo slowed down to walking speed in
blank amazement.
“What now!? Stun guns!? Eh?…huh? What do we do now!? stun guns!?”
As soon as he gave up trying to think, Keigo repeats the same line twice in
bewilderment.
With a sidelong glance, he expected the boy clothed in black to now move on the
offensive, however – the 'key player’ Ryûnosuke YUKI was unable to stay standing due
to the surprise of the lightning and thunderous roar from just a moment ago.
“...lets resuming this marathon course, again shall we?”
Although its movements were slowed down, it didn’t mean that the hollow was
completely defeated. Because of this situation, Keigo began to consider the idea that
he would have to flee whilst carrying Yuki underarm.
However, he was brought to a standstill midway through that thought –
– By the loud voice of an assertive young woman which echoed through the back alley.
“What are you doing!? Ryûnosukeee!”
Watching the silhouette of the young woman – the owner of that voice –jump down
from the rooftop of a multi-storey building, Mizuiro confirmed that she was one of the
soul reaper that had come to their town together with Yuki.
—- If I remember correctly, it was Shino MADARAME-san.
As her soul-robes fluttered matching the force of her drop, with all her might, Shino
swung down her zanpakutô which had transformed into a naginata.
The violent impact made the area around the alleyway tremble like an earthquake.
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The giant crab shaped hollow is crushed and dissolved into tiny pieces, its spiritual-
matter purified by the power of her zanpakutô.
Keigo’s facial expression was one of amazement towards the soul reaper who had
defeated that huge monster with a single strike, Mizuiro took in the situation with a
cool composure thinking “ah, at least there is also a competent soul reaper.”
Meanwhile Ryûnosuke who realised that the hollow had been purified, looked at
Shino and spoke words of relief.
“That’s good…you were safe Shino-san.”
“That’s my line, this idiot!”
Shino who landed on the ground with her back turned towards Ryûnosuke, jumps
behind him and collides with the top of his shoulder.
Whether by-chance or intentional, after she had sent Ryûnosuke tumbling to the
ground with a luchador’s 'tope de reversa’ move, she attacked her defeated partner
further by using a joint lock technique on his body.
“Pathetic! Why is it that this is a-chance in a million and still you are too intimidated to
even stay standing yourself!”
“Ai-tatatata! Let go, let go Shino-chan! Please let go of my arms neck and back!”
Watching that sort of comedy exchange between the other two, Keigo was finally able
to exhale a heavy breath realising they had overcome their predicament.
“Phew… we’re saved. Shino-chan was it? Somehow, I feel like I’ve seen you before.”
“…oh? It’s you? So, you’re the guy Ikkaku-nî took on as an underling in this place…”
“Ikkaku-nî!? And is that the way I’m supposed to be treated!? As an ‘underling’? That
baldy was nothing like a leader to me at all you know!?”
Asano Keigo was once threatened by Ikkaku MADARAME who had come to the World
of the Living, he ended up being half forced to accommodate Ikkaku. However, the
fact that Keigo’s sister was so eager was also a major reason why he lent the
accommodation.
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“Baldy you say… I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that but, if word reaches Ikkaku-nî’s ears, he
would kill you.”
Listening to the conversation in a setting that has calmed down, Shino appeared to be
either Ikkaku MADARAME’s sister or cousin. It seems the family of both her and Ikkaku
were being repeatedly involved in violence everyday in Rukongai, before the both of
them were old enough to understand the world around them, their parents had died
one after the other and they were passed onto their relatives who kept giving them
the run-around, as a consequence they also didn’t have have a clear understanding of
exactly how they were related.
After Ikkaku had suddenly become a soul reaper, she herself followed by entering the
Spiritual Arts Academy, however that brother told her directly from his mouth “I think
squad 11 is too intense for Shino”, top management also concluded as such, and to
this day, she is attached to the 13th Squad where she was eventually assigned to.
“Good grief, even though you’ve been training continuously all that time since that
war with the quincies ended, you still can’t help but essentially be a good for nothing
loser!”
“Oof, I’m sorry, Shino san…”
At Shino’s telling off, Ryûnosuke dropped his shoulders despondently.
Unable to just watch without doing anything, Keigo interrupted the lecture in order to
divert the conversation.
“I mean, it wasn’t a matter of concern because of Ichigo's safe return. But even though
the battle ended it didn’t exactly mean that those white monsters decreased too did
it…?”
Releasing a small sigh, Shino responded to Keigo’s question seeing as how he was a
victim who was dragged into this.
“It’s not that we soul reaper and KUROSAKI-san were waging war with hollows or
something. This region is prone to hollows from the start…”
Listening to Shino’s words, Mizuiro nodded in understanding.
“Ah, it was about that special sacred place wasn’t it? The one that AIZEN was aiming
for, right?”
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“…You’re a human, and yet you are well informed huh. I see. For that reason, anything
could happen in this locality, so we can’t be off our guard.”
Then, Ryûnosuke opens his mouth to speak with a serious look in his eye.
“But I think I’m pretty unprepared whenever I’m dispatched!”
“Don’t say that to yourself!”
Ryûnosuke’s scream echoed across the alleyways of Karakura Town as he was

subjected to the joint lock technique again.
However, as if drowning out that scream, a voice on a loudspeaker resounded from

the direction of the main street.
[“...therefore, it is unacceptable for the world to remain in its present condition,

however people do not wish to return to the past, what the Dôshi* seeks is an escape
to a new world——” ] (* An officiating monk/priest/guru)
“What’s that?”
When Shino knit her eyebrows together in discomfort at the voice that was streaming
out from the propaganda vehicle like thing, Mizuiro answered that question.
“It’s an emerging religious cult that was recently born. Because of the lengthy
earthquake we had half a year ago, it sparked a considerable amount of disorder
around the world.”
The lengthy earthquake.
This had occurred because of the fact that during the course of the war between the
soul reaper and the quincies, the Soul King had perished and as a result the boundaries
between Soul Society, the World of the Living and Hueco Mundo began to collapse.
It was completely different from the geological system so far, due to the
extraordinarily long earthquake that occurred for reasons that cannot be explained by
science, the world was gradually being wrapped in deep anxiety to no ends.
Many people had premonitions.
One could say they smelled danger.
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They wondered if this meant that some mighty force had encircled this world, defying
science and conventional common knowledge.
It was dealt with publicly as “a large scale deformation of the Earth’s crust that was
not present in our previous data, at present the cause is under investigation”, however
that alone was not enough to eliminate the anxiety that was born in people’s minds.
As a result, religious people who sought answers themselves, or those who tried to
take advantage of people’s anxieties, founded new religions one after another, good
and evil was jumbled together, and chaos had slowly spread throughout the world.
Currently, amongst those religious faiths, there is a particularly influential one, it is the
same group that was distributing its doctrine with a propaganda vehicle just a moment
ago.
Trying to supplement the subject Mizuiro had brought up, Keigo talks about the
information he himself knows with serious eyes.
“They say, the founder of that religious sect can truly make things like miracles
happen. And most importantly, it was rumoured that the founder is a sister with a nice
body and a considerably beautiful woman! That founding sister came to encourage me
directly about how a truly ideal world should be!”
Listening to that, Shino’s eyes became half closed as she asked Mizuiro a question.
“Hey, can I beat this guy up?”
“I think that’s fine.”
Watching as Mizuiro nods, Ryûnosuke also poses a question feeling some doubts
himself.
“All that out of the way, what is the name? The name of that new religious group?”
“Right. If I remember correctly, the name of that group was...”
World of the Living - Inside a certain multi-floor company building - President’s office.
“Thank you very much for giving me the opportunity to talk with you this time.
President VORARLBERNA.”
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The woman who is ushered into the simple black themed room respectfully bows her
head to the young boy who was seated on a sofa playing on his handheld gaming
device.
The woman was wearing a style of suit that gave off a flirtatious impression, and
although it had nothing to do with her actual attire, it was her very being that would
somehow make any observer sense the mystical seductiveness about her.
However, without even turning his eyes to such a woman, the young boy that was
referred to as VORARLBERNA, continued to play around with his gaming device whilst
crafting his words in an uninterested manner.
“…Enough of your barefaced greetings. What are your objectives?”
Addressing the boy - Yukio Hans VORARLBERNA - who had asked that question, the
woman answered courteously.
“Dear me. My one and only purpose here is to meet with president VORARLBERNA
representative of 'Y. Hans Enterprise’, who is promised to be a victor of the future by
fate. Young, talented people like yourself have the power to lead everybody into the
future. As a guide that will pave the way to a righteous world, I would like to have your
allegiance to our creed.”
'Y. Hans Enterprise’.
It is a corporation owned by Yukio and a large company that is currently expanding its
business with enough force to knock down birds in flight.
He obtained the company by seizing control of it from his father and thought it was
not worth worrying about, but after going through conflict with Ichigo KUROSAKI and
the soul reaper, it was now one of his objectives in life is to expand that company. In
the future, it is his aim to construct fertile grounds that accepts stray people who are
fellow 'fullbringers’ like himself. Even at this stage, Riruka DOKUGAMINE was part of
the company as a cooperative worker, and although it was earlier than planned, it was
through her that he was also able to call out to Jackie TRISTAN.
That young company president that had a hidden identity as a 'fullbringer’, in a cold
manner and for the second time, questioned the woman who was enticed into his
multi-floor company building.
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“Do I look like the type that would keep company with someone who gives such a
farcical response?”
“Would it be better for me to outright tell you that I want a donation as a collateral in
exchange for slaving away to expand your business?”
“That is also a farce. That is not your, no, that is not your people’s intention now is it?”
Unfazed, and as if reading her like a book, Yukio continued to talk in a manner that
was not dissimilar to muttering to himself.
He then parted one hand away from his gaming device, taking his business card out of
his pocket and placing it on the tabletop.
Looking somewhat ill-humoured he opened his mouth to speak to the woman.
“Although it has been on my mind for a while, by you coming here today I was
assured…from this point, you will not be given a-chance to retry, I think it’s better you
answer me honestly.”
Taking it as an opportunity to make an appointment, a single business card was

handed over to Yukio. As he glared at the name of the organisation that was written
there, Yukio asked her again.
“You people, what are your objectives?”
On that business card, the name of the woman is also written down with monotone
characters.
For Yukio, both names could by no means be overlooked.
[Religious corporation - XCUTION representative - Aura MICHIBANE]
Hueco Mundo.
6 months since the Protection of the Soul King Great War.
Even in Hueco Mundo, the world of the hollows headed by the arrancar, a gradual
change is occurring.
After the arrancar hunt by the quincy of the Wandenreich came to an end, powerful
arrancar such as HARRIBEL and Grimmjow had disappeared, a new period of civil
unrest was about to be ushered in.
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However, as Nelliel, whose whereabouts had been unknown thus far, suddenly
returned accompanied by HARRIBEL, the ambitions of the arrancar and vasto lorde
class menos grande were instantly met with disappointment, and they retreated to
their respective colonies as a result.
Several arrancar launched surprise attacks on Nelliel and HARRIBEL thinking “surely
they’re exhausted now”, however most of them were beaten at their own game, and
even those who had managed to escape were sent sinking to the ground unlucky
enough to bump into Grimmjow who was in a foul mood.
In a corner of Hueco Mundo which was in the gradual process of restoring its peace
from such a ‘return of the leader’, a man wearing a mask resembling a bull’s skull
released a sigh.
“…That was a brief dream huh.”
Rudborrn CHELUTE.
He is an arrancar that was once the leader of the “Exequias” directly under AIZEN, and
he is the man that continued to manage Las Noches alone in Hueco Mundo after
AIZEN’s departure.
“After all, for a weak person like myself to dream of such things, wasn’t the very idea
itself presumptuous...?”
He is also one of the arrancar that tried to unify Hueco Mundo after HARRIBEL’s
disappearance.
Rudbornn still felt an obligation to AIZEN and was attempting to defend the new order
as much as possible in its original form, created after that leader seized control of
Hueco Mundo from Baraggan.
In addition to the likes of the Tres Bestias and the Espada, there are also several other
arrancars that are stronger than him.
However, without having any interest in governance to begin with, they did not
participate in a succession dispute. It could be said that it was Rudbornn alone that
tried to fight for hegemony considering that very 'order’ itself as the number one
priority.
It's not that he was without ambition.
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He could not deny that he had dreamed of a day where he would eventually develop
Hueco Mundo himself and be worthy of being acknowledged by AIZEN as a being that
was a cut above the rest like the Espada.
Although he had heard that AIZEN had quite literally 'cut down and cast away’
HARRIBEL as well as leaving behind words of disappointment with the Espada, if AIZEN
had returned to this place at the time, he wished to communicate that he had
accomplished something with the powers he had received from AIZEN.
Even if he would be astounded thinking the results were unfavourable, and then cut
him down on the spot, it was no matter.
And now, as before, for the sake of protecting Hueco Mundo’s order —— he was
battling the quincies.
"Dear me, I didn’t expect that there would still be quincy survivors left.”
Half a year ago, the quincy who captured HARRIBEL later deployed a unit called
“Jagdarmee” throughout Hueco Mundo to conduct arrancar hunts in every place.
After the executive captain of the Jagdarmee Quilge is defeated by Ichigo and
Grimmjow’s group, the majority of those separated units were left behind in Hueco
Mundo.
It was those quincies that put up a do-or-die resistance which took various forms for
each unit from desperate suicide attacks to guerrilla warfare, however most of them
were annihilated at the hands of the “Exequias” led by Rudbornn.
There had been no movement for several months since then, so just when he thought
their extermination was complete, he received eyewitness reports of quincies going
on the offensive.
“Truly disappointing indeed. The “Picarro” are disobedient as usual, and I hear they
frequently go to the World of the Living with Rocca. And even now Grimmjow-sama
refuses to give his cooperation to establish rule in Hueco Mundo. If things continue
like this, I wonder if order could genuinely be brought about someday…”
Rudbornn shakes his head at his own shortcomings, but as he uttered such things,
coming towards his observation spot, a voice of protest is raised against him.
“Hey! Don’t sigh, you also must fight for yourself once in a while! It’s not just about
pushing the job to us and the small fry you create every time!”
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“Forget it Loly, even talking about it is pointless.”
The arrancar with the twin ponytails who was talking smack – Loly AIVIRRNE – is
rebuked by an arrancar with a short-cut hairstyle – Menoly MALLIA.
When they were discovered on the verge of death after battling with Quilge, they
were transported to Las Noches where they were left in the care of Rudbornn.
Soon after that, they were dragged into acting as members of the “Exequias” to
gradually match the fighting power of the quincies, but because they are not under
the direct supervision of Rudbornn, they failed to reach an understanding in any way
whatsoever.
“No, I will say it! Anyway, Rudbornn! Where were you when HARRIBEL-sama was
kidnapped! You were not even there when that guy called Quilge came!”
“Since the invasion began in various places at the same time, someone had to cause
an obstruction in each location that’s all. And while we’re on the subject, when AIZEN-
sama was defeated by Ichigo KUROSAKI, we could not have rivalled anyone who was
already at his side.”
"…You have a comeback for every remark…”
At Loly’s complaint Rudbornn releases a sigh whilst shaking his head.
“You two are inexperienced, but because you still have respect for AIZEN-sama, in this
way, you were able to join my troops. Because under normal circumstances, disturbing
the existence of order with mere presence like your own, is truly unbefitting of Hueco
Mundo.”
“Huh, what am I 'disturbing’ just with my presence?”
"Forget about it.”
“Let go of me Menoly! That guy acts like he’s better than everyone else, but what do
you think he was doing when the soul reaper attacked this place? A passing Yammy
socked him so hard he was practically on the verge of death, isn’t that so?!”
“Since that also happened to us...”
Menoly tugs back Loly’s arm to keep her at a distance from Rudbornn.
Page 92
Veins were visibly throbbing on her forehead, and even as she was released from
Menoly’s grip, she attempted to complain some more, However – a single streak of
light passed by before her eyes.
That bullet of light pierced a boulder located a fair distance away from Rudbornn and
the others, part of the large boulder is hollowed out as if it had been bitten off by
something with a huge set of jaws.
“Whaa!?”
When Loly shifts her attention to the direction in which the streak of light had flown in
from, as her eyes popped out in astonishment, there, a figure of a girl with a bow
drawn out was standing atop a pile of a caved in building structure.
Her garments closely resembled that of the quincy lot that once tried to capture them.
In the depths of that structure the figures of others also begin to stir, from there, it
appears that a couple were launching an attack their way.
A continuous stream of quincy arrows that were just shot can be seen flying towards
them at alarming speeds.
When Menoly and the others scrambled to avoid it, skull wearing soldiers who are
Rudbornn’s subordinates were now engaged whilst numerous pillars of sand shot up
in Hueco Mundo’s desert.
As she Looked at the sand craters that were left behind after that with shocked eyes,
Loly yells in a cold sweat.
“Just a minute! Those are not the usual small fry! Their kind still remains!?”
“…That group of arrancars, there’s only a few of them gathered here. I’m of the
impression that they’re the ones that came to clean us up.”
Whilst clutching a small bow with a design that was reminiscent of shark teeth, the
small girl spoke with a straight face.
In response to that, a figure that was in the darkness of the structure, which was half
reduced to rubble, spoke up.
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“So, you mean, we only have to get rid of a few small fry? And you missed your target
at this distance? Wow, you suck. It’s because you haven’t been practicing properly
isn’t it?”
“You’re such a nag. You’d better get to work too. This is a-chance to increase our
pawns you know, Gigi.”
Then, the quincy that was known as “Gigi” - Giselle GEWELLE - replied as she displayed
a mechanical smile which made it impossible for others to read her emotions.
“My power can only temporarily allow me to zombify hollows, you’re aware of this
right? I thought it was common knowledge that hollow spiritual-matter is
incompatible with us quincies, or did you forget about that?”
“Even if it’s just temporary, it doesn’t matter does it? Everyone other than Bambi is
disposed of anyway, and even if they’re able to undo zombification 'over there’, the
situation is practically the same.”
“You’re tired I don’t like it. Lil might as well become my zombie, how about it?”
Lil tilted her head as she responded to Gigi – remaining expressionless Liltotto
LAMPERD gave her companion a tongue-lashing.
“Do you want me to eat you, dumbass? …No, never mind. If I eat Gigi I’d probably get
diarrhoea.”
“Isn’t that a bit harsh? I think it’s a terrible insult to eat a girl and then get ‘digestive
problems’. Hey, don’t you think so too, Bambi-chan?”
Looking at the girl with dark red skin who was 'placed’ like a doll in a corner of the
wreckage, Gigi maintained her mechanical smile as she sought the girl’s agreement.
“Y-yes…just as Gigi…it’s just as Gigi says. So, so Gigi…please…blood.”
“Ugh, Bambi-chan is really greedy huh. If you want to speak selfishly to me…you get
the picture, right? Because Bambi-chan is smart, isn’t she? She’s clever right?”
“…I, I understand…defeat…enemies… Like…to protect…Gigi…that’s why, Blood…”
Watching Bambietta BASTERBINE - the corpse with the reddish skin rise, unsteady on
her feet, Lil spoke as if she was somewhat amazed.
Page 94
“Why does it feel like her injuries aren’t completely healed, and her speech has
become more ambiguous than before? Is she Frankenstein’s monster? It’s as if she’s
become some freak that has just strayed out of a forest and into civilisation.”
“It’s okay, if I give her blood I can 'fix’ her up nicely. But, Bambi-chan is cuter when she
looks so pitiful like this, so I’m still keeping her this way for a while alright?”
“You’re a real piece of shit aren’t you?”
Although she disapproved of Gigi’s preferences with her candid expression, Lil didn’t
try to stop Bambietta who began walking towards the enemy.
Because she knew well.
Even though her ability to think has degraded to such an extent, when it came to
Bambietta’s powers, there was no hindrance to defeating average strength arrancars,
hollows and the like.
And as if to prove it ——
An infinite amount of spiritual-matter mass emitting from Bambietta’s surroundings

were thrust towards the enemy camp, the white desert was blanketed by dazzling
explosive flames.
Liltotto LAMPERD.
Giselle GEWELLE.
Apart from Bambietta who has been transformed into a corpse puppet, why were
those girls who rose in revolt against Yhwach in Soul Society and then supposedly had
the tables turned on them, still alive and staying in Hueco Mundo?
As for how this came to be, one must go back in time to the point immediately
following the end of the war between the soul reaper and quincies.
6 months ago - A certain place in the World of the Living.
“...”
When Lil awakens, she finds herself inside an unfamiliar room.
Page 95
A bandage is wrapped around her abdomen and a dull pain shoots through her when
she touches it.
It appears that she had undergone healing techniques unique to quincies, however it
seems it wasn’t the case that she was completely recovered.
—- Of course.
What remains in her memory is the fact that she had challenged Yhwach to a fight,
after being unsuccessful in that regard she was cut down with ease, and just before
she collapsed the spiritual-pressure of Bazz-B, who had been doing battle in another
place, disappeared.
—- My abdomen was cut open with that kind of power. Ordinarily, the fatally
wounded would have been left alone.
—- Why am I still alive?
When she looked to her side there was the figure of Gigi who had not yet regained her
consciousness and laying down further back was a body that appeared to be
Bambietta’s, wrapped head to toe in bandages like a mummy.
All three people including herself had been laid down to rest in simple beds and had
seemingly been given minimum medical treatment.
Lil who noticed that the pillow placed under head was “Wandenreich” issued,
speculated that this place is one of their bases in the World of the Living.
—- There are considerable signs of quincies outside this room too…but most of them
are already half dead.
When she got up to survey her surroundings, the door to the room opened and a
woman appeared.
“You’re awake? Liltotto LAMPERD.”
It was a female quincy with a dignified look in her large-pupiled eyes that was standing
there.
“You're…”
Lil puts herself on guard.
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"Aren’t you the lackey of Yhwach’s lackey? Did you mistakenly rescue the enemy?”
- A member of the sternritter who possesses the Schrift “B” and is said to essentially
be Wandenreich’s second in command -
Jugram HASCHWALTH.
It was HASCHWALTH’s close aide that appeared in the room, and amongst the
ordinary soldat with no Schrift, this female quincy was one of the most outstanding
when it came to raw talent.
Although it was rumoured that her handling of purely bows and arrows as well as her
combat strength even surpassed some members of the sternritter, she was not given a
Schrift, it is said that this is because she herself wished to continue to serve as
HASCHWALTH’s subordinate rather than becoming equal to everyone who was a
'Schrift holder’ - with the exception of Yhwach.
HASCHWALTH, who is her superior, is a loyal subject to Yhwach. There should be no

motive for her to help Lil’s group who had raised a revolt against the Wandenreich.
“HASCHWALTH that bastard, what is he thinking of doing? Even if he interrogated us,

nothing would surface you know? We merely got sick of Yhwach so we betrayed him,
that is all.”
Judging from HASCHWALTH’s cautious nature, is it not reasonable for him to speculate
that those who betrayed the empire had the backing of the soul reaper, or some other
organisation attached to them?
In response to Lil who thought as such, the quincy woman shakes her head a little.
“…HASCHWALTH-sama was killed in action after giving his strength to his majesty.”
“Huh?”
At those unexpected words, Lil grimaced.
However, the facts that were narrated after that, was the thing that caused the former
sternritter member Liltotto LAMPERD to be surprised.
“…His majesty also passed away by battling special war potential Ichigo KUROSAKI, as
well as Sôsuke AIZEN.”
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“!”
In a rare display, both of Lil’s eyes widened and her mouth gaped open a few times,
but after about ten seconds had passed, her usual calm demeanour returns.
“…seriously? That Ichigo asshole, I thought he would be outrageously strong, but to

that extent? He’s pretty strong, for someone who’s awfully naive huh.”
Recalling the orange haired soul reaper who yelled “you idiot, dodge it!” to a quincy
who tried to stop the huge slashing attack that soul reaper had fired himself, Lil smiled
wryly with a touch of self-mockery.
“That reminds me, what happened to Candi and Meni?”
Candice CATNIPP, Meninas McALLON.
They are her comrades who mobilised jointly with her during wartime, it was unusual
for Lil, being recognised as a comrade amongst the sternritter by each one of them.
Although it was habitual for her companions to throw out blistering remarks to each
other, it seemed to be the kind of relationship where they would bring up each other’s
names first and foremost in situations like this, half resigned as she is, Lil quietly
waited for her addressee’s reply.
“…I went to rescue them, but I didn’t make it in time. It seems they were captured by
the 12th Squad when they lost the power of their vollständig in his majesty’s
'Auswählen’. Najahkoop-sama too, although it is unknown whether they are alive or
dead, they appear to have been transported there.”
“I don’t give a damn about that Peeping Tom bastard. The 12th Squad huh…? I see…in
that case, perhaps it’s better if they had died at once.”
What kind of department is the 12th Squad? What kind of man is Mayuri KUROSTUCHI
the captain of that division? Through advance intelligence, she was able to
understand.
“Be that as it may…there is a possibility that they’re still alive, isn’t there?”
Lil cast a quick glance at Gigi who was lying down beside her.
If they have the power of Gigi’s Schrift “Z” – “The Zombie”, the others can be
recuperated even if they have a certain degree of physical impairment due to
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'experiments’ or 'autopsies’ carried out by the 12th Squad. And even if they are dead,
as long as the body and brains remain, it is possible to revive them as zombies like
Bambietta in the worst-case scenario.
Although, as far as emotional scars are concerned, that cannot be healed.
Taking everything so far into consideration, Lil then posed a question to the quincy
woman before her eyes, in a dispassionate manner.
“…Returning to the subject at hand. Why did you help us?”
“It is HASCHWALTH-sama’s will. When his majesty entered his final sleep,
HASCHWALTH-sama ordered the soldat under his direct supervision to retrieve and
provide medical treatment to you ladies and other wounded soldat.”
“It doesn’t make any sense at all to me. What happened to the schutzstaffel bunch?”
Despite knitting her eyebrows in bewilderment, Lil thought she should straighten out
further details by continuing to enquire.
Returning a shake of her head and with a sorrowful expression –
“…All members were killed in action. I received reports from the observation unit that
his Majesty completely absorbed Gerard-sama’s power and he dissipated.”
“So even Nakk Le VAAR was done away with huh? Maybe it’s true that guy is lethal.”
—- Is it that we took those soul reaper guys too lightly?
—- Taking in the “Heart of the Soul King” until his own trusted minion Gerard
dissipated, that Yhwach bastard was pushed to go that far? When he was done with
me and Gigi, he was talking some nonsense about “being able to see into the future”
or something…but what kind of future did that guy see with those creepy eyes?
—- wait a minute?
“…You said HASCHWALTH ordered you to save us when Yhwach went to sleep right?”
“That’s right. Immediately after his Majesty had fallen asleep.”
HASCHWALTH was granted the “mask of the ruler” allowing him to exercise all powers
as a substitute, only during the period where Yhwach falls asleep at night.
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“If that’s the case, does that mean that HASCHWALTH bastard saw the 'future’ too?”
In response to Lil’s query which was uttered as if she was half speaking to herself, the
quincy woman cast her eyes down whilst forming her words.
“…When he handed down his instructions to me, he muttered something as if thinking

aloud to himself. Seeing into the future is a cruel power he said.”
“That asshole, what did he see? Did he see a future where both he and Yhwach would
die?”
“This is something I am unable to comprehend.”
The female quincy who was HASCHWALTH’s trusted aide sorrowfully distorted her
face, she spoke as her wise voice was enveloped in a slight sadness.
“HASCHWALTH-sama did not divulge his true feelings. Neither to us, nor the
sternritter…and in all likelihood, not even his Majesty. However, at the very end, “no
matter what, preserve the future of the quincies” was the only thing he said to me….”
“So then, being honest to a fault, you went as far as to save us rebels, is that it? For
your information, don’t expect me or Gigi to feel like we have an obligation to you or
something.”
“That’s fine. It’s not that we are seeking a reward, we are merely obeying
HASCHWALTH-sama’s commands.”
In response to she who had answered matter-of-factly, Lil opens her mouth to speak
after lightly clicking her tongue.
“Well, we survived thanks to you. I am grateful for that…just, don’t expect even a
word of gratitude from Gigi. When she wakes up, she’ll turn you lot into zombies, and
she may even use your flesh to treat her own injuries.”
“...”
“Don’t give me that look…I think I understand enough to know how to take
responsibility for this kind of thing. I can handle Gigi, as soon as she becomes able to
move, we will take our leave.”
Leaving Lil who caught a glimpse of Gigi’s condition, the quincy woman exited the
sickbay.
Page 100
That woman who was HASCHWALTH’s trusted aide, told only one lie to Lil.
Before confronting his final battle, there were other words HASCHWALTH had left
behind too.
—- “Uryû ISHIDA is perhaps the last test his Majesty bestowed upon me.”
—- “I don’t understand the reason why, but my emotions are so violently shaken at
times, only by that man.”
—- “If there is ever a time I am driven by passion and forget my role as the balance…in
that moment, I will relinquish all power his Majesty has entrusted to me, as well as my
life.”
The way in which he had spoken was as if he had seen a future where such a thing
would come to be.
But assuming this was visible to him, why could he not take action to avoid that
future?
If it’s the case that even after he became aware of the future, he still couldn’t suppress
his emotions, what kind of words did he make Uryû ISHIDA hear? Or what sort of
conduct did he let him see?
Although everything has been nothing but incomprehensible now that things have
come to pass, that quincy who was a trusted aide could only feel proud of her master.
Even if his own destiny was in sight, she believed he carried complete resolution on his
back, and chose his path of his own free will.
It was the very next day when Liltotto, Giselle and Bambietta had disappeared from
the hidden base in the World of the Living.
Currently, Liltotto’s group continue their dispute with the arrancars in Hueco Mundo.
It took several months to regain their powers, but it was restored to all useable levels
with the exception of their “vollständig” ability which was snatched away by Yhwach.
“If only we had vollständig, we would be able to absorb all their spiritual-matter.”
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The quincy’s ultimate form is vollständig, if they have the “Sklaverei” ability which is
unleashed by the halo that is generated when one enters that state, it becomes
possible for a quincy to completely disintegrate the surrounding spiritual-matter and
forcibly enslave it.
There was also the potential to capture even hollow-spiritual-matter - whose spiritual-
matter matter is naturally poisonous for quincies - as a harmless substance with a one-
time complete decomposition.
However, there are no more quincies who possess that ability.
If there is a possibility, then that would only be Uryû ISHIDA and his father who were
spared from Yhwach’s “Auswählen”, but Lil shrugged her shoulders thinking “so what
if men who are enemies were able to use it.”
Then, Gigi’s voice could be heard from behind.
“Eh? But Lil can do something similar can’t she? If you wanted, you could just swallow
those guys whole. or perhaps you’re on a diet?”
“There is nothing I can’t eat, but poison is poison, my stomach will become awfully
upset, so I refuse.”
Whilst replying in a detached manner, Lil watched intently as Bambietta trampled

everything in her path, Gigi then spoke some more.
“In the end, most of them have fallen huh? The survivors of the Jagdarmee that is.”
“Every last one of those guys are pitiful. As if marching through this desert for two
months wasn’t annoying enough, none of those guys could become a decent fighting
power.”
They were now mobilising with the purpose of reclaiming the independent quincy
units for themselves and drawing them in as “pawns”.
Their ultimate goal was to raid the 12th Squad in Soul Society and recover Candi and
Meni.
“Even though Lil tells us to leave her alone, sometimes she places great importance on
things like frie~nd~ship~ huh? And then, helping the remnants of the Jagdarmee, half
of the time it’s not for the purpose of collecting pawns, is it that you want to repay
those people in that sickbay?”
Page 102
"Whatever. I’m just pushing the guys who are likely to get in our way onto that
bunch.”
“Lil is being sultry whilst having such a cold expression, I think it’s really creepy, but I
actually kinda like it?”
“Are you praising me or dissing me, pick one, bitch.”
remaining expressionless, Lil spoke in an unconcerned manner.
For some reason, the moment Gigi was called a “bitch”, she smiled looking a little
delighted at the thought, she then replied in a cheerful manner.
“Oh my, It’s a joke, It’s a joke. Lil is so cute when she’s embarrassed. There’s no way I
can just ignore it. If Candi and Meni are both dead, does it mean they can be my
zombies?”
Then Gigi’s expression fades away, she recalls the face of a certain man as she spoke
with a voice that was full of resentment.
“…Besides, I won’t be satisfied unless I give that dazzling weirdo a little surprise you
know?”
“Forget it. That guy completely outranks you.”
At Lil’s chiding, Gigi then spoke.
“If I use my brains I can manage somehow. Hey, what if I zombify Ichigo KUROSAKI?”
“Stop right there. I have no interest in going along with your suicide mission, alright?”
In all honesty, it’s not the case that Lil hasn’t considered that idea in her own mind.
If they could turn Ichigo KUROSAKI into one of their pawns with Gigi’s abilities, she has
considered the fact that he would become their strongest fighting power. However, as
far as Lil could tell, around Ichigo KUROSAKI, there were people such as his father who
has experience as a captain in the 13 Court Guard Squads, Uryû ISHIDA who had
defeated HASCHWALTH, and his father Ryûken ISHIDA who is an “Echt” quincy,
moreover she understood there is also the special war power Kisuke URAHARA, Lil was
neither hasty nor foolish enough to step into such a den of sinister forces.
“Be that as it may, we will continue to crush arrancars here like this…”
Page 103
The actions of the quincies, eradicating arrancars, is a prohibited act that will disturb
the balance of the world from the soul reapers viewpoint, if they overdo it, the soul
reaper will likely sense this and send in assassins to eliminate the threat.
Considering the fact that they lent a hand to the soul reaper together with Bazz-B in
the end, it’s not impossible for them to reach an understanding, however – even if
they reconciled it did not appear likely that the 12th Squad captain will release Candi
and the others, above all, formal reconciliation will probably be difficult when Gigi has
zombified many soul reaper and then let them kill each other.
“Well, first of all, after we’re finished with these guys, we will return to the World of
the Living to plan...”
Lil suddenly stopped talking in the midst of her muttering.
Before her line of sight, there were figures of arrancars being ravaged by Bambietta’s
bombing raid.
However, Lil had then realised that something felt wrong.
“…it’s still not over yet?”
It’s not that Bambietta was dealing with this at a leisurely pace.
As much as her reasoning power has weakened, there is still a part of her that
maintains her ability to carry out a reckless bombing raid.
But the number of arrancar soldiers has not decreased in the slightest.
Rather, it even felt as though their numbers were increasing with time.
“Reinforcements? No, that’s not it…”
Furthermore, those countless number of skull masked soldiers that had newly
appeared assembling on top of one another thus creating a wall, could it be that they
were putting themselves in harm’s way to continue to defend the troops at the
centre?
There was not a shred of hesitation, as if they were accepting of their own death.
“What? …What’s going on?”
Going back in time to just a few minutes ago.
Page 104
“Th, that was close! What the hell is that sickly looking girl?! Endlessly throwing bombs
or something without warning huh!?”
Whilst hidden in the shadow of the skull masked soldiers, Loly yells in a cold sweat.
Menoly who she had directed the question at was also unable to stand and trembling
as she responded.
“Th-this is bad, Loly…She’s as strong as that guy with the glasses, Quilge or
whatever…”
Next to the two flustered 'AIZEN bodyguards’, there was a man who calmly analysed
the progress of the battle alone.
It is the leader of the Exequias, Rudbornn.
“Hmm…apparently, her spiritual-matter seems to have the power to convert anything

it comes into contact with, into an explosive. The underlying spiritual-matter itself
doesn’t have the ability to explode, so I guess it can only be rapidly fired to those
extents but…it doesn’t seem like a good plan to wait for our opponent’s spiritual-
energy to become exhausted.”
“Just a minute! What are you talking about in such a carefree manner?! At this rate
our situation will only get worse won’t it?!”
Hearing that complaint, which was mixed with yelling, Rudbornn releases a sigh as he
shakes his head.
“You are not to expose such disgraceful behaviour as AIZEN-sama’s former servants,
not even for an instant. Always keep calm. Do not harbour despair in the face of
death. Even if your lives end here, continue to think of what you can leave behind for
AIZEN-sama’s sake until the very last moment.”
“We don’t have time for that Zommari like manner of speech! As things stand, we’ll be
charred to the tips of our nails let alone leave something behind!”
“How truly awe-inspiring that I am being compared to someone like Zommari-dono… it

doesn’t matter, there is no need to worry about anything. Because either way, I have
no intention of dying here.”
Page 105
As he said that, Rudbornn pulls out his zanpakutô setting the blade level with the
ground.
“Let’s show them. As someone who once fell behind the soul reaper, we’ve refined
our abilities to shave away our shame…!”
“Grow… Árbol”
In an instant, Rudbornn’s zanpakutô transforms and spreads like tree vines, it coils
around Rudbornn’s arm and the lower half of his body, changing into a tree like shape.
Additionally, from the 'branches’ that grew on his back, skull soldiers were created one
after the other, the intact soldiers once again became part of the wall, proceeding to
defend the others from the enemy’s bombing raid.
“What’s this, the same as always...”
Stopping mid-sentence, Loly’s eyes widened.
When she looked carefully, a little further ahead the sand was swelling up, new skull
wearing soldiers were starting to emerge out of the desert.
It seems that bamboo like rhizomes were spreading underground, appearing to

produce fresh soldiers in succession of one another.
Árbol’s ability “Calaveras” sucks up Hueco Mundo’s spiritual-matter from the roots
and with that as its source, creates an infinite number of Rudbornn’s loyal soldiers.
Even though its nature hasn’t-changed since before, growing trees at the tip of the
rhizomes and continuing to extend its range further, changes the speed of production
to an astonishing one.
Although this was originally a technique developed on reflection of the past when his
branches were sealed because they were frozen over by Rukia KUCHIKI, he attempted
to produce them underground where an icy chill wouldn’t reach, the extraordinary
rate of the mass production of soldiers resulted in a great upsurge in Rudbornn’s
power acting as his new weapon.
The several newly born skull soldiers eventually exceed the numbers that have died
out due to the enemy quincy’s bombing raid – becoming a great army with no fear of
death, they surrounded the deathly pale quincy.
Page 106
“No…no way, these guys…don’t fear death...”
In Bambietta’s broken mind, her past fears are resurrected.
“…w-what? Why….”
The captain with a dog’s appearance who was called KOMAMURA, sacrificed his own
heart, she felt fear when he approached her as a dead warrior.
Bambietta’s biggest motive for fighting was “I don’t want to die”.
In the Wandenreich, what is given to losers is a 'death penalty’ called execution.
That is why she keeps fighting.
For her, battle was a process through which one could continue to evade death for an
eternity, and for that reason she could not even begin to comprehend the act of
abandoning one’s own life.
When she battled that man named KOMAMURA, she was seized with a fear she had
never experienced before.
That soul reaper had told her, “I am not throwing away my life, I am merely staking it.”
In that moment she felt fear, as though she was truly dealing with a god who governs
death.
However, now, the skull masked swarm that had gathered around her were even
more abnormal in nature.
They were not staking their lives, nor were they throwing it away. Instead, this
humanoid army was behaving as if they had no lives to begin with. Could it be that
even dying was merely part of their system and nothing more, that this swarm of
skulls have robotically embraced 'death’ when they are engaged in an attack?
They were not even hollows, not even beasts, it’s as if they were a huge swarm of
insects that have transformed into a colony, and it seemed like they were trying to
drag Bambietta into their cycle of 'death’.
That frightened even Bambietta who has been reduced to a living corpse.
The primordial fear that was engraved in her soul and brain momentarily stimulated
her damaged mind.
Page 107
But she could only raise her fearful voice.
“No…no…don’t, I don’t like it, I’m scared, I’m scared…”
Several hundreds, thousands of skull swarms transcend the explosive inferno, gushing
forth from the the depths of the flames.
Using the corpses of their own, even the bodies of those who were alive as stepping
platforms, the skull swarm became one huge tentacle that tried to swallow up
Bambietta who was fluttering about midair.
The face of the young lady who had forgotten even the fact that she was already dead,
distorts, and she trembles like a little girl.
“Lil…Candi…Meni…Gigiii…! Save me…save me…everyone…!”
Then in the very moment she was about to be captured by the huge wave of skull
soldiers ——
That ominous, white heaving wave disappeared in the blink of an eye.
“!”
Rudbornn and the others who were watching with a panoramic view from a spot in
the distance, were shocked to see the new development during events.
“W…what happened just now…”
As a cold sweat ran down her cheeks, what met Loly’s eyes was the petite quincy’s
mouth that came flying their way from the direction of the ruins, that mouth started
to deform into an irregular shape – in the next moment, the huge mouth appeared as
if to chew up the heavens, it was a spectacle where nearly a thousand skull soldiers
were swallowed with one mouthful.
Where did all that mass disappear to? Under the night sky, there was only the few
figures of those who were apparently quincies, still left standing.
“Uu…ua…L-Lil…?”
Reflected in the eyes of that trembling zombie was the figure of Liltotto who was
chewing something before gently swallowing it down.
Page 108
“How unpalatable…no, it doesn’t have any flavour to begin with. What the heck is
this?” Lil remarked dissatisfied with what she had eaten just a moment ago.
Gigi suddenly appeared from behind her, with both hands she grabbed Bambietta’s
head.
“Really, I don’t know what to do with you! Bambi-chan is truly useless huh!
...
What’s wrong? Don’t you want your reward? If you don’t want it, I can send you to
sleep? I won’t be troubled right?”
“Ah…n-no, not that…I’m sorry…sorry, Gigi…”
When Bambietta became teary eyed once more, Gigi looked at her displaying an
expression full of ecstasy.
Watching the scene between the other two with a cold look, Lil spoke to Gigi in a
detached manner.
“Yet you, of all people, being unashamedly able to make public that "I’m not an ’S’
type” huh...?“
”? why?”
After watching Gigi tilt her head in seriousness and giving a small shrug of her own
shoulders, Lil turned her attention to enemy lines once again.
“Good grief, they’re still rapidly hatching out. Are these guys cockroaches?”
“By the way are you alright? You said you’d get an upset stomach if you eat hollows.”
“I have no choice but to forcibly digest them, after all, we are in this predicament.”
Although Lil who used her own ability “The Glutton” to absorb spiritual-energy by
devouring a huge quantity of enemies with her heteromorphic mouth, it was never an
easy task.
hollow spiritual-energy is a poison to quincies. It is naturally a suicidal act to absorb it,

if Lil wasn’t included as a member amongst the Schrift holders, she would probably
have become immobilised by now.
Page 109
Continuing the digestion process whilst battling with the sensation of her entrails
being eroded away, Lil nevertheless maintains her composure not revealing even a
splinter of such a sensation on her face as she spoke to Gigi and Bambi.
“I think I can eat another 2 or 3 more times, but those guys from just a moment ago
were seriously lacking in both flavour and nutrition. That damned garbage won’t
satisfy my hunger.”
Then, they shifted their attention to the several 'trees’ that continued to give birth to
skull soldiers, and the arrancar with the lower body that had transformed like a tree
who was at the centre of it.
“So then, you eat guys that seem flavoursome right away?…but that seems unsavoury.
"Nuu…!”
Sensing the imminent threat drawing near, Rudbornn let out a groan.
The quincy who had 'devoured’ skull soldiers earlier, danced through the air with
hirenkyaku whilst making a beeline in their direction.
The skull soldiers immediately rushed forward, but the quincy who had manipulated
explosions earlier began firing out her spiritual-matter in a manner that would restrain
them.
Watching as the petite quincy approached by weaving her way through the army that
was confined in the blast from the explosions, Rudbornn built up his flesh wall of skull
soldiers to carry out defence.
“What an ugly layer of skin you’re hiding behind.”
The mouth of the quincy, who was whispering whilst expressionless, strains like slime
that then immediately stretches out horizontally.
With a 'single bite’, she intended to consume what was on the inside, skin and all, so
that the wall of skull soldiers would instantly disappear.
However ——
“…There’s nothing there.”
Page 110
Apparently, the wall was merely a diversion tactic, and Rudbornn and the others who
were on the inside had already moved.
Then, Loly sprang out from behind the quincy whilst shouting her release command.
“Poison! Escolopendra!”
Her zanpakutô which took the form of huge a centipede like creature entwined with
her body, Loly brandished parts of it like a blade.
“!”
The quincy dodged it by a hair’s breadth, but the desert sand that was struck down
upon by that blow began to melt into pulp.
“Dissolve!”
Loly yells whilst trying to land a blow on the quincy however ——
The tentacle that gave the impression of a centipede’s body vanishes into thin air.
“Whaa...”
“…Rather pointlessly spicy. But not bad I guess.”
“Y-you! Part of my resurrección...!”
—- it’s been eaten.
Realising that a clump of her own natural power sealed in her zanpakutô had been
eaten, Loly turned pale.
Although it was far from a fatal injury, the feeling of losing part of her body reminds
her of fear.
But the thing that truly surprised her, was what happened immediately following this.
“...huh.”
The quincy scatters arrows all around the place, piercing the skull swarm and the
splitting trees that were creating them.
Page 111
Consequently, the skull soldiers and the trees that were struck by those arrows, like
the sand from just a moment ago, dissolved as if they were pulp.
“My…poison?!”
“It seems I can manage to digest it somehow. My stomach acid was stronger huh.”
As she watched the enemy army melt, Lil murmured in a relaxed manner.
The ability of “The Glutton” is not just to consume enemies.
It is possible to freely use the unique abilities possessed by a target who she had torn
into “only up until the part that was eaten is digested”, she also gained the secondary
power to understand how to use said abilities instinctively.
During the last war she 'consumed’ a man named Pepe, but it seems there was no way
she could demonstrate her true abilities because Pepe’s power appeared unlikely to
be effective on Yhwach, who was her opponent.
Nonetheless, according to what she told Gigi “do we really want to use such a
disgusting bastard’s powers?”, It’s possible to say that in the end, the man named
Pepe was devoured only for retribution and replenishing spiritual-energy.
“So…where are they hiding?”
—- Although I don’t want to act impulsively like Bambi…will scattering this 'poison’ at
random bring them out into the open?
—- No, I’ll start by getting rid of that one who likely has the ability to counter the
poison.
Then, Lil turns her bow towards a single arrancar.
Towards the female arrancar with the twin ponytails who had her 'poison’ ability
plundered just a moment ago.
“eek...”
Loly has never attempted to find out whether her own poison is effective on herself.
But Loly had heard that Baraggan who was once the King of Hueco Mundo had died by
his own curse, in a panic Loly tried to run away.
Page 112
However, because part of her body, after using resurrección, had been eaten, she fell
down, unable to maintain her balance.
“Loly!”
In response to Menoly who rushed over to try and help her, Loly yelled as her eyes
widened.
“Idiot! Runaway...”
Without waiting for the other two to finish their conversation, poison arrows were
fired from the quincy’s bow ——
In the next moment, a large mass of water swept away the poison infused arrows
together with the surrounding skull soldiers.
“Eh...?”
"No way...”
A barrier of water that protected them.
Watching the form of a large body of water which is out of place in a desert, dancing in
mid-air, Loly and Menoly embraced each other realising what had just happened.
And then, before anyone could notice, Rudbornn reveals himself, he bowed his head
deeply whilst uttering words of apology.
“Oh…for you to go as far as to come to such a place in person. How should I express
my humble apologies for causing you trouble...?”
The arrancar that appeared on the scene opened her mouth to speak in a manner that
interrupted Rudbornn’s apology.
“There’s no need for you to apologise. I’m sorry for arriving so late.”
The arrancars mouth was covered by a mask which was reminiscent of a set of fangs,
and then concealed behind a long collar —- Tier HARRIBEL turns her eyes towards the
quincy in the sky whilst the water steered by her zanpakutô was made to surround
them as a river flowing through the air.
“…Your leader is supposed to be dead. Why lay waste to our territory?”
Page 113
In contrast with HARRIBEL who had posed that question, a man who appeared from
behind flashed a villainous smile as he spoke.
“Ha! Does it matter what kind of reason they may have? If they came here for a fight
let’s give them one.”
Looking at the arrancar who had just made an appearance, Loly and Menoly who were
once attacked by him shrieked.
“G-Grimmjow!”
“eep...”
Grimmjow looked at the pair and simply muttered to himself “huh? I feel like I’ve seen
their mugs somewhere…”, however, appearing to not take any particular interest, he
removed his eyes from them right away.
“It’s been a while since I’ve felt such a flashy spiritual-pressure so I came to see, is this
some sort of festival? And you’re leaving me out in the cold, you have some nerve,
don’t you Rudbornn!”
“…But I’ve requested your assistance for the subjugation of quincies many times…”
In response to a perplexed Rudbornn, Grimmjow replies without even a hint of shame.
“I’m not interested in small fry. However, these guys look like they’ll do just fine.”
Although he’s not as irrational as he once used to be, there is still a part of Grimmjow
that is typically battle hungry.
As if to reprimand him, an arrancar who was a little further behind him spoke.
“It’s no good if you just throw yourself at the enemy all of a sudden, Grimmjow. We
have to probe into our opponent’s goals and abilities first of all.”
“Huh? Back off Nelliel. Their goals ain’t worth shit, it’ll be over when I beat all of them
to death.”
“You say that but, who was the one that was almost killed by the quincy in Soul
Society, I wonder?”
“...Why you.”
Page 114
Taking Nelliel’s words as a provocation, Grimmjow turned his irritated gaze towards
her.
In a vast desert where the silence resembles nothingness, showy explosive flames and
spiritual-pressure was enough to attract the attention of powerful arrancar.
Watching the current scene where practically all the top-class powerhouses amongst
the arrancar were gathered, Rudbornn concealed his emotions, in his heart he was
choked with tears.
Menoly is relieved thinking “we’re saved, for the time being”, Loly experiences a sense
of envy towards the stronger warriors and irritation towards her own helplessness,
she ground her teeth seemingly vexed.
Strangely, it just so happened to be the case that each of those three strong warriors
were all present, and even though the battle seemed to intensify further – they have
not yet noticed.
The fact that it was not only the inhabitants of Hueco Mundo who were being drawn
in by the conflict of the desert.
“Hey, some dangerous looking guys have turned up.”
Vigilant of the huge mass of water Lil kept her distance, Gigi addressed her from
further behind.
“That person over there, wasn’t she a prisoner of war in Silbern?”
“Yeah, she’s the arrancar boss that was captured by Yhwach personally. She’s not an
opponent you can be careless around.”
Whilst trying to predict the abilities of the newly arrived arrancar, Lil tries to issue
simple instructions to Gigi.
“Gigi, use your blood on that water...”
However, she was interrupted midway through her sentence.
A sudden chill runs down the spines of Lil and the others.
—- What the heck? What’s this creepy spiritual-pressure?
Page 115
Lil turned her attention to the three newly arrived arrancar, but it seems not to belong
to them.
On the contrary, the arrancars seemed to pick up the same feeling, shifting their
cautious eyes back in Lil’s direction.
They have never felt such a thing before now, but despite that, when they probed
around for the source of that spiritual-pressure that seemed as if it was familiar
somehow ——
“It” suddenly appeared from the sky.
A small gate that resembled the Garganta, opened up high in the night sky.
The small figure that jumped out from it, dropped down to the ground with
tremendous force as the spiritual-pressure of that figure in question dispersed, a cloud
of sand was made to rise several hundred metres in height.
A few seconds later, the mass of dense spiritual-pressure that was at the centre of it
swirled around resulting in a crater far wider than that created by the quincies’ attack
earlier.
“What…? This spiritual-pressure…”
“…It’s a strange spiritual-pressure. It reeks of a soul reaper and hollow mix…”
Grimmjow responded by continuing Nelliel’s words.
—- It’s similar to that blonde masked asshole, the one who got in the way during my
fight with that Ichigo bastard.
Grimmjow did not know his name, but it’s one of the “visoreds” that appeared before
him in the past – it closely resembled Shinji HIRAKO, despite this, he felt the spiritual-
pressure was even more sinister as he turned his guarded attention towards it.
Then, HARRIBEL who was silent up till then raised her voice.
“…It’s like the Quimera Parca that belongs to APACCI and the others…”
Quimera Parca.
Although they haven’t arrived here yet, the three arrancars who were HARRIBEL’s
direct subordinates, are able to create a ferocious beast by sacrificing one arm each.
Page 116
“Ayon? It certainly has that sort of stench to it.”
An eerie spiritual-pressure, intermingled with a myriad of elements.
What kind of monster has materialised from within that cloud of sand?
As the arrancars keep their guard up, that cloud soon clears away ——
“Aitatata...Sand becomes rock hard when you dive into it huh? I’ve learnt something
new!”
A voice resounded as if to shatter the tense atmosphere, a child wearing black

garments similar in appearance to a soul-robes became visible.
The child is beautiful but with androgynous features whom one cannot distinguish as
either a boy or a girl, looking at the group of arrancars that were in the surroundings
“It” nods with evident satisfaction – next, “It” looked at the three quincies and tilted
its head.
“Huh? quincies? I haven’t heard anything about how to deal with quincies. What
should I do?”
Muttering that to itself whilst standing up, “It” turned in the direction of the arrancars.
“But if I don’t do what Tokinada-sama told me to do first of all...”
An out of place child without any indication of nervousness.
Although, seen from the outside, the child made such an impression, there is no one
who could laugh or drop their guard after watching that.
The fact that they had maintained composure in a situation like this is an abnormality
in itself – because the sinister spiritual-pressure they had sensed earlier is without a
doubt being emitted from the child in front of their eyes.
“Stop right there…Who are you?”
HARRIBEL enquired, her zanpakutô remaining in a readied state.
Rudbornn has already produced countless new soldiers, enclosed in a horde of skull
soldiers running in the thousands, “It” displayed an innocent smile and gave its name.
“Right! I’m Hikone! Hikone UBUGINU!”
Page 117
The child named Hikone, remained completely unperturbed by the fierce arrancars.
Observing that scene, Lil then spoke.
“…I’m getting a sick feeling. That brat’s smile doesn’t reach its eyes at all.”
Whilst sensing an aura similar to Gigi’s zombies, an expressionless Lil continued to

speak some more.
“Moreover, I also sense signs of familiar scum…what’s going on?”
In an atmosphere surrounded with confusion, Hikone quietly bowed before speaking

of their own intentions.
“Well err, to all the arrancars, I have a gift from Tokinada-sama.”
“Tokinada...?”
The arrancars are even more perplexed at the fact that a completely unfamiliar name
had just been brought up.
“I heard that the one called Baraggan-san and the one called AIZEN-san are gone, and
this world has no king now.”
When Hikone said as such in a cheerful manner, some degree of the arrancars’
bewilderment turns to hostility.
Whether or not the child noticed the-change in atmosphere, Hikone continued to

speak unfazed.
“Therefore – it seems Tokinada-sama himself is kind enough to let me be king of

Hueco Mundo! Isn’t that great?! He and I will do our very best so that I become a good
king!”
Hikone quickly bowed their head.
The skull soldiers brandished their blades and advanced at Hikone’s back.
“Your disrespect knows no bounds. You even talk about replacing AIZEN-sama or
something, surely you jest.”
Page 118
Although Rudbornn speaks with a calm voice, he took those words from just a
moment ago as an insult towards AIZEN, a wave of fierce emotion overflowed within
him.
However, Hikone doesn’t even try to avoid the attacks of the skull soldiers who came
swooping down on them, Hikone took every hit with their whole body.
Then, the sound of a violent collision could be heard —— the shattered blades of the
skull soldiers went flying into the air.
“...Hierro!?”
Nelliel raised her voice in astonishment.
Why does that soul reaper like child have hardening skin which is a special
characteristic of arrancars such as themselves?
In front of Nelliel, who held some doubts, Hikone delightfully looked at the
surrounding arrancar and spoke.
“Tokinada-sama said it’s likely no one would accept. As expected of Tokinada-sama.

It’s become just as he said it would be.”
Accordingly, Hikone unsheathes the zanpakutô that was being carried on their back.
Looking at the blade that had just come into view, the arrancars perceived the drop in
the surrounding temperature.
The child was clearly enshrouded in an aura that differed from that which ordinary
soul reaper or their own employ.
Before the arrancars could even ascertain the true nature of that sense of discomfort,
Hikone poetically recites the instructions of “Tokinada-sama” aloud.
“In that case… beat them to a bloody pulp, until they consent, until their hearts yield,
that’s what I was told!”
As soon as that was said, Hikone grasped the zanpakutô they were holding tightly,
with a smile still on that face, Hikone-chanted the name of the sword.
“Orbit the stars —— Ikomikidomoe!”
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Chapter 4
Squad 9 Barracks.
“...”
Shûhei HISAGI was sitting at his vice-captain’s desk, gazing at and reflecting on
previous issues of Seireitei Communication.
At his back, the voice of MUGURUMA, his captain, called out to him.
“Hey, what’s with the long face, Shûhei.”
“Uh, captain…”
“Is it because of the business from just a short while ago? Well, it’s not surprising that
you’re irritated.”
“…sorry, it really shows on my face huh?”
He intended to bottle up his emotions, but it seems he couldn’t even do a good job of
that, no matter how hard he tried.
After taking a deep breath, HISAGI posed a question to MUGURUMA.
“Captain, did you know about it? Captain TÔSEN…I mean, Kaname TÔSEN’s past?”
“…Just a little.”
Even now, HISAGI has a habit of calling TÔSEN “Captain TÔSEN” when he gets worked
up.
He understands this is discourteous towards the current captain MUGURUMA, but no

matter what, when it came to TÔSEN, it seemed impossible to keep in control of his
reasoning power.
Because MUGURUMA is understanding of that, he couldn’t even blame HISAGI for it.
“I’m not the kind of person who concerns myself with a subordinate’s past or
something. So I didn’t inquire that deeply, and even if I didn’t ask, he was able to work
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in a reliable enough manner… but thinking back on it now, perhaps I should have
gotten to the core of things some more.”
“What about the TSUNAYASHIRO noblemen…?”
“All the same, the likes of nobility was not a matter worth worrying about as far as I
was concerned. It’s okay if they were like KYÔRAKU-san, KUCHIKI or Yoruichi, but
ordinary nobles were not ones who wanted to get too close to that bunch.”
HISAGI also knew well about the arrogance and irrationality of the soul reaper
noblemen.
If it was arrogance that is somewhat genial in nature like the ÔMAEDAs’ then it would
be excusable, but the conduct of nobles like that which was seen from the Central 46
not too long ago was outrageous.
Although he had heard that Central 46 had also happened to reform their way of
thinking after the war, still, among those who live in Noble district*, there were many
who openly looked down upon commoners or those who hailed from Rukongai.
“It would’ve been great if they were all like Yoruichi-san.”
“…That in its own way will only spell trouble.”
Imagining the figures of a crowd of Yoruichis leaping around Noble district,

MUGURUMA knit his eyebrows together in unease, whilst recalling the past he crafted
his words.
“Come to think of it, around the time that Byakuya guy was still a brat, whenever
Yoruichi would tease him, he’d be furious, and he was a delight to be around, but now
he’s become completely nobleman-like.”
“It can’t be helped. He is the head of one of the four great noble families after all.”
“But then Yoruichi would have had the same standpoint too back then…”
As he said that MUGURUMA picked up a copy of “Seireitei Communication” which was

on the desk, he flipped through the pages whilst questioning HISAGI.
“Anyway, you’ve dared to undertake this task huh? Given the circumstances, I think it
would have been fine if you had refused and passed the matter off to others in the
squad you know?”
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"…I was also hesitant when it came to decide.”
An hour ago - Squad 1 barracks
“…Understood. I will take on this special edition matter.”
“Eh? Really?… You’re fine with it?”
In response to KYÔRAKU who spoke as if he was surprised, HISAGI gives a firm nod.
“Yes, I am, but I inherited Seireitei Communication from the former editor-in-chiefs
like it was my castle…so, whether or not that guy deserves to have a special edition
made for him, I will first and foremost collect information on him with my own hands.”
“You talk more boldly than I could’ve imagined… ah… Just so you know, if you’re
bringing up the past it’s likely you’re already being watched by the Golden seal Noble
Assembly*. But I think we can curb the efforts of those belonging to Central 46 one
way or another if we ask Nayura-chan.”
“No, it’s not the past I’m going to collect information on, but rather the current
situation around that man. I will write down exactly what I have observed with
integrity, if there are no problems, then please leave the special edition up to me.”
“…You have no personal grudges?”
KYÔRAKU inquired in a certain manner, as if feeling him out, after a short silence hung
between them, HISAGI replied.
“I can’t be certain of whether or not there is some…in any case, to distort an article
with my emotions, that in itself would be an insult to captain TÔSEN.”
Although he had unintentionally called TÔSEN “captain” even here, Nanao only slightly
narrowed her eyes and no one directly pointed the issue out to him.
After watching HISAGI with a serious look in his eye for a short while, he lightly
shrugged his shoulders and opened his mouth to speak.
“I see, well then, you’ve been asked to do this. But don’t push yourself too hard. Your
addressee is a leader amongst the nobles who operates under a completely different
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set of principles to we of the 13 Court Guard Squads. It’s possible that they may
meddle with any weak points they see in you the interviewer.”
"I’m prepared for that. I can’t interview cunning soul reaper if I’m afraid of such
things.”
“Really? You’d be okay even if a seductive young lady like Rangiku-chan used
flirtatious means to get what they want?”
“Ehh? You really think I’d be taken in by that kind of thing…?”
A flustered HISAGI turns his attention towards Nanao, but she immediately averts her
eyes.
Subsequently, when he turned his face towards MUGURUMA–
“Well, amongst the vice-captains you seem to be second only to ÔMAEDA when it
comes to falling into a trap.”
–He said, expressing his impressions quite frankly.
“Second to ÔMAEDA!?”
“That’s right, but ÔMAEDA has money, so perhaps he’s gallivanting about the place
more than one would expect and is accustomed to flirtatious advances. Then that
would mean you’re actually number one…”
“No, no, not at all! What about the others, such as Renji… the others…?”
He recollected various things that happened in the past – more specifically things like
the reactions of both himself and Renji when Mayuri KUROSTUCHI once told them “I
can perform a zanpakutô sex-change”, he realised there was little difference between
them.
“Well, that’s quite enough of that conversation don’t you think! Anyway, you can
leave this matter with me!”
“Of course, it’s better to have a certain kind of relaxed attitude. Since it’s pretty tough
keeping company with those nobles who do nothing but strain your nerves.”
“Captain KYÔRAKU...”
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Realising that those words from just a moment ago were said for the purpose of
alleviating his mental strain, HISAGI felt a sense of gratitude towards KYÔRAKU whilst
speaking once again.
“I understand. In the name of Seireitei Communication, please allow me to undertake

this task.”
“Yes, do let me know if there’s anything I can assist you with too. However, a
Commander’s job is more hectic than I expected, so I can’t be available at all times.”
“Thank you very much! Err...”
Then, HISAGI remembered.
Questions he had to ask the Commander personally.
“ ? What’s the matter?”
Responding to KYÔRAKU who tilted his head in puzzlement, HISAGI broached the
subject with a serious look on his face.
“Captain KYÔRAKU…sorry to-change the subject but, there’s one more thing I want to
ask you.”
“What would you like to ask me? I hope I can give you an answer.”
“...It’s about captain UKITAKE, and Kûgo GINJÔ.”
“...”
A slight shadow is cast over KYÔRAKU’s expression and after a brief silence, he opened
his mouth to speak.
“I’m at a loss, why ask about that at this point in time I wonder?”
“I met with GINJÔ today.”
“! I see… right, there’s no need to worry about him. Regarding his treatment, UKITAKE
requested to prolong it as much as possible.”
Whilst calling to mind the face of his now deceased dear friend, KYÔRAKU quietly
glanced towards an empty space.
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“Captain UKITAKE, he...”
“However, that’s because it wasn’t possible to say whether or not he was innocent in
all this from outward appearances, in truth, UKITAKE tolerated it and adopted a wait
and see attitude.”
After displaying a wry smile, KYÔRAKU then asks HISAGI about the fundamental
points.
“So then…did you hear the story from him?”
“Yes, but I can’t very well listen to and swallow up only one side of the story.”
“You treat such matters seriously huh? I think that’s a good thing, yes.”
After flashing a smile as if he was reassured by HISAGI’s attitude towards his work,
KYÔRAKU released a small sigh whilst he formed his words.
“Be that as it may…will you give me a little time?”
“Time?”
“It appears that UKITAKE tried to keep the matter to himself. I too was unable to grasp
the whole story. However, with my current position, various things that were
ambiguous before can now be cleared up, I think. If that happens, it’s possible that
Kûgo GINJÔ will also be given a pardon of sorts.”
After going as far as to say that, KYÔRAKU narrowed his one eye.
“…On the flip side, there is also a possibility that a criminal amongst the soul reaper
will be uncovered.”
“…Understood. I will wait until then.”
Following that, he was given a short briefing and after obtaining a number of
‘interview permissions’, HISAGI left the 1st Squad barracks.
As he hurried back towards his own squad barracks, HISAGI thinks over the
instructions for the special edition issue once again.
—- Tokinada TSUNAYASHIRO.
Page 125
Whilst reflecting upon the name that was carved into his mind many times over, he
tried to subdue his emotions as he headed towards his squad barracks with an
extremely grim looking face —— it was enough to frighten Hanatarô YAMADA who he
had passed by en route.
Present time - Squad 9 Barracks.
“Oh damn, is that the time? Sorry captain, I have to head out for the interviews.”
“You’re a busy guy huh. Where will you go to next?”
“Squad 11. To those guys MADARAME and Yumichika, I’m going to interview those
two about the left arm of the Soul King.”
One hour later - Squad 11 Barracks - Resting Area.
“Well… that’s precisely what we saw. If that’s somewhat helpful?”
“In fact, during that battle we were mostly just watching. So, it’s a rather tedious
matter. Oh, I hate to admit it too much, but Nemu-chan’s fight was truly beautiful.”
In response to MADARAME and Yumichika who continued to narrate their rough

accounts on the matter, HISAGI knit his eyebrows as he replied.
“So, in brief, if I understood you correctly, captain KUROSTUCHI was being crazy as
usual. Still, I hope Nemu-san will be healed without problem…”
“Rather than 'healing’, it seems she’ll have a new body soon. That Akon guy said that a
few years later, by crawling around she’ll probably be able to use a certain level of
shunpo.”
“That will be a sight to behold.”
Unable to imagine it he tilted his head to the side, but HISAGI didn’t probe too deeply
into the subject and decided to ask other questions instead.
“So then, surely captain KUROSTUCHI talked about the left arm of the Soul King?”
“Yeah, I couldn’t understand anything at all about that thing…”
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Because he had heard rumours surrounding that topic, HISAGI had paid a visit to these
two specifically to enquire about the details of the battle.
HISAGI was trying to investigate whether or not there was some kind of connection
between the “right arm of the Soul King” that dwelled in captain UKITAKE, and the
“left arm of the Soul King” that for some reason was in the Wandenreich camp.
A local deity called “Mimihagi-sama” dwelled within UKITAKE. If it was truly the right
arm of the Soul King, why in the world were the arms of the Soul King detached from
the body?
Given that this may also affect UKITAKE’s honour depending on the circumstances,
HISAGI wanted to make a clear distinction between the boundaries of rumour and
reality, however – with this interview, the state of affairs started to appear
increasingly chaotic.
“That guy, he was changing his manner of speech and had some strange things to say.
Like "I have always been a quincy” for example.”
"...?”
At the words which had unexpectedly left Yumichika’s mouth, HISAGI reflexively knit
his eyebrows together.
“No way, that’s strange. Why is the left arm of Soul King-sama quincy from the
beginning? Could it be that somebody amongst the quincies obtained the left arm of
Soul King-sama somewhere, and then implanted it within their body like UKITAKE-san
or something?”
“How should I know? It’s not like we could even hear the whole exchange after all.”
“What about you MADARAME?”
“I probably can’t explain the reasoning behind things that Yumichika can’t understand.
Ask captain KUROSTUCHI.”
Although it was a reasonable suggestion, HISAGI could only release a sigh at that.
“I’ve requested permission to collect information on a variety of other subjects, such

as the situation with kira…but these past six months he seems to be busy all the time.
He rejected any interviews. He says he has a mountain of new research.”
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Realising that he was already complaining, HISAGI dropped his shoulders whilst
backing-up with his next words.
“Well, that’s mostly because of Seireitei’s restoration and Nemu-san so I guess it can’t
be helped…”
“You look like you’re having a hard time. You never seemed suited to this line of work
to begin with.”
“It’s not a question of being suited or not. MADARAME, you too wouldn’t listen to
someone who told you "the battle is not suited to you so give up” would you?”
"Right, I would cut the guy down before he could tell me a joke like that.”
Just when he let out a sigh at MADARAME’s unsettling reply, HISAGI remembered
something.
“Come to think of it, you have a younger sister, right? When I investigated the name of
the soul reaper who is currently in charge of Karakura Town with the intel I recovered,
I was surprised that the name that came up was MADARAME.”
“Oh…Shino? I’m not sure if she’s my sister or a cousin. Apparently, on the first day she
was dispatched to Karakura Town, she was knocked out by a group of huge hollows
and then rescued by Ichigo, she’s still got a long way to go. It’s just like what I kept
telling her, squad 11 is too difficult. She won’t be able to mix in with us tough guys.”
MADARAME looked worried despite speaking so bluntly, in response, it was Yumichika

who matter-of-factly pointed out the flaws in his argument rather than HISAGI.
“Well, if several large hollows were your opponents, normally, a novice soldier alone
would end up dying even if they were squad 11.”
“…That’s right MADARAME. Not everyone is like you or captain ZARAKI.”
After his vague interjection, HISAGI cast his eyes down.
The time he was still a pupil at the Spiritual Arts Academy sprang into his mind – he
was leading the juniors in a training exercise when they were attacked by huge
hollows, that was when he lost his comrade Kanisawa.
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At that time, HISAGI was at his wit’s end, the incident was swiftly dealt with when
AIZEN and Gin ICHIMARU who had appeared in the wake of the trouble, defeated the
enemies by themselves.
—- I wonder if the person I am today has become as strong as AIZEN and Ichimaru was
back then…?
Despite thinking that, he still cautioned himself, what he wanted to obtain was not
really such strength.
He reaffirmed that since that fight, it was TÔSEN who gave him a 'way’ to regard fear
in battle —- at the same time, he recalled the name of the man which he had heard
from KYÔRAKU.
Tokinada TSUNAYASHIRO.
The man who was the root cause of TÔSEN being led astray.
—- Such a guy is really a family head of one of the four great noble houses?
“Oi, what’s the matter HISAGI?”
“Huh? Ah, it’s nothing, sorry. I was just thinking about something.”
Coming to his senses at MADARAME’s voice, HISAGI scolded himself whilst returning
to the subject of the “left arm of the Soul King”.
“Isn’t there someone else who also witnessed that battle? I want to gather as much
information as possible.”
“Ah, perhaps, there is someone.”
“Who?”
When HISAGI enquired - thinking that surely there was no other spectators other than
MADARAME and co. - with his curiosity peaking, MADARAME calmly revealed the
name of the person in question.
“YAMADA should have been lying around nearby. That’s right, the 4th Squad’s 3rd
seat.”
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1 hour later - Squad 4 Barracks.
“Well, about that…I was really just paralysed and ended up collapsing that’s all…”
As he tilted his head at Hanatarô who for some reason had a fearful expression on his
face, HISAGI began to consider that this trip had been made in vain.
At the time of the battle against the quincy called Pernida who was apparently the
“left arm of the Soul King”, it seems Hanatarô was caught up in Mayuri KUROSTUCHI’s
zanpakutô ability and all the muscles in his body were paralysed.
“Anyway, why does it seem like you’re too afraid to look at my face?”
“Eh? No, about that… you were making a grim face earlier on the street, I thought
something had put you in a bad mood…”
“…Ah, sorry. I was feeling a little irritated earlier.”
—- I let it show on my face that much?
As he reflected upon himself, HISAGI crafts words in order to dodge the real issue.
“It’s nothing, after this I have to go to Noble district to collect information, but I’m not
quite sure how to start work on it. I was just a little irritated because of that.”
“Eh? Noble district?”
“That’s right, in brief, I’ve received authorised entry, but the question is from which
establishment do I start the interviews… captain KUCHIKI and Yoruichi-san seem busy.
And the procedures surrounding Central 46 and the Noble Assembly are
troublesome.”
The latter half of his sentence was no deception but rather a true sentiment.
Although he had obtained permission from KYÔRAKU to freely enter Noble district in
order to interview this Tokinada character, it was necessary to acquire separate
permissions to collect material on each of the institutions surrounding the nobles.
HISAGI considered it too early to go to the TSUNAYASHIRO family directly, he intended

to begin his investigations in the documents of the Great Spirit Library which was
under the management of Nayura AMAKADO, however —-
Page 130
“Well err, if you need someone who is well acquainted with Noble district, then I know
a person.”
“Ehh? This person is in Squad 4?”
“N-no… not quite but… but he said it’s his day off today, so I think it would be no
problem.”
“? Who in the world is it?”
At HISAGI’s question, Hanatarô lowered his head seeming somewhat apologetic, at the
same time he replied as if he was lacking in self-confidence.
“R-right… it’s Seinosuke YAMADA…he’s my older brother… probably. He left just a

short while ago, so if he’s not at our family home right now, then he’ll be at the central
pharmaceutical institution in Noble district I think.”
“Oh! Come to think of it, YAMADA was the name of a representative of the Central
Pharmaceutical Institution! So, he’s actually Hanatarô’s older brother! I remember
because he was featured in articles a few times before I became editor-in-chief! ...wait
a minute, what do you mean by probably?”
“…My brother, he’s got a talent for recovery-arts unlike myself…sometimes I grow
doubtful about whether or not we’re truly brothers”
“How can someone like you be worried about something like that…?”
Releasing a sigh HISAGI tries to cheer Hanatarô up.
“Relax. Your reputation for recovery-arts is considered top-class even in Seireitei

Communication opinion polls you know?”
“...How can…such a thing… huuhh? M-maybe my brother pitied me and handed out
bribes to everyone who voted...I-I’m sorry, I beg your forgiveness!”
“Both you and captain KOTETSU too, why are talented members of the 4th Squad so
negative about themselves…?”
—- Perhaps it’s a reaction to UNOHANA-san being more than twice as powerful as

almost any other soul reaper.
Page 131
Although HISAGI considered such a thing, in his eyes, he could confidently say that
Hanatarô’s skill in recovery-arts was more than outstanding. Even if the person himself
says he has no talent, if he was able to reach his current level just by pushing himself,
then it’s safe to say that he has plenty of talent in recovery-arts.
In fact, the opinions on Hanatarô that was sent into Seireitei Communication also had
some saying that “because he always has a negative expression on his face, we get
somewhat uneasy around him”, but for the most part, only when it came to healing
did he display a positive stance, and the voices of those who acknowledged that talent
and attitude were in the majority.
It was the same after the Great War had ended, far from being timid, he rushed
around the scene of the battlefield together with INOUE and others to provide medical
treatment, and everyone who saw him acknowledged Hanatarô as a respectable soul
reaper.
HISAGI who was one of the people among those who acknowledged him, began to
once again consider Hanatarô’s suggestion from earlier.
Meeting the chief of the pharmaceutical Institution in Noble district would mean there
is an extremely high possibility of being able to detail things such as the interpersonal
relationships between the nobles and their reputations. If that’s the case, then there
was no way he could let slip the opportunity to secure connections here.
—- well, if he’s Hanatarô’s brother, then he’s surely a friendly person.
Coming to an optimistic conclusion with his carefree speculations, HISAGI decided to

accept Hanatarô’s proposal.
“Pardon me, Hanatarô. If it’s alright with you, I’d really appreciate it if you could
introduce me to your older brother.”
He remained unaware of the fact that this choice has once again, significantly altered
his fate.
Meanwhile at the Squad 1 Barracks.
Around the same time as HISAGI meeting with Hanatarô ——
Even at the 1st Squad barracks, a reunion drama was unfolding.
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“Long time no see, Shunsui. Since I was sent to the Maggot’s Nest I think.”
A large escort had accompanied an important noble to the 1st Squad barracks –
Tokinada TSUNAYASHIRO ordered those people to leave the room so now he was
facing the Commander of the 13 Court Guard Squads one-to-one.
“Is that so? At any rate, I heard that you were in a state of house arrest for a few
hundred years.”
“It’s a foolish affair. Those guys from the head house tried to humiliate me by making
me take responsibility for my crime, so they tried to treat my very being itself as non-
existent. Rather than behaving in such a way, they might as well have given me a
formal sentence, like execution or exile. And what is the consequence of hesitating to
root out the criminal from their own house? Take a look, that criminal has now taken
everything from them.”
If one were to hear those words alone, its contents could be interpreted as something
akin to self-mockery.
However, he was talking whilst his whole face was lit up with a smile, KYÔRAKU could
sense that Tokinada was sneering at each and every aforementioned member of the
TSUNAYASHIRO family, from the bottom of his heart.
“…Can I take that as a confession that you conspired to dispose of your family
predecessors?”
“Oh my, you’re not serious, are you? I was merely being sarcastic you know?”
After giving a strained laugh, Tokinada narrowed his eyes as he spoke.
“However, even if that is the case, I am family head already. And even if something
happens afterwards, I can easily silence it. There won’t be a reduction of penalty like
the time I killed my comrade and wife. Rather, I can make it out to be so that the crime
itself was completely non-existent.”
“Would you really be able to pull off such a thing? The current Central 46 are
beginning to-change their old-fashioned ways you know?”
“Nonetheless, aristocrat society itself hasn’t-changed. Isn’t that right?”
“...”
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“Even though everything was being destroyed by that herd of quincies, and they only
had to seclude themselves indoors, most of the nobles of Seireitei still couldn’t
change. The only ones that have-changed are those who have had various experiences
out in the world from the very outset, such as you, the KUCHIKI family, the SHIHÔINs
and so on. It’s laughable that as many as two houses among the four great noble
families were fighting on the frontline. Though if the SHIBA family were taken into
account, then it would have been three houses amongst the five great noble families.”
The five great noble families.
The SHIBA family which had completely collapsed in recent years, used to be counted
amongst the four great noble families, the “founding five houses” are said to be
connected to the beginnings of Soul Society.
It is also said that TSUNAYASHIRO family were the leaders amongst the five great
noble houses, and aside from the Soul King and squad zero who were in effect isolated
from politics, it’s possible to say that they were the most influential voice in existence
within Seireitei.
The current head of that very TSUNAYASHIRO family distorts his lips into a leering
smile.
“Naturally, I haven’t-changed from the old ways either. The same is true of my
resentment towards you, Shunsui KYÔRAKU.”
“Your resentment is undue. I was merely preventing you from committing evil deeds
that’s all.”
“That was a completely unexpected turn in the road. I intended to play the part of an
ill-fated husband who was betrayed by both his comrade and his wife whilst remaining
undetected by everybody, however… I couldn’t believe it, a man like you who did
nothing but chase after women was too sharp-witted for me. Truly, it’s quite
admirable how you were the one to expose my crimes.”
With a crooked smile still playing on his lips, Tokinada talked about the past in a
dispassionate manner.
“I didn’t expose anything. "He killed his buddy following a dispute, and while he was at
it he also killed his wife who rebuked him for it”... Something like that was the only
conclusion I could come to when all the fundamental details were in a grove*.“ (*TN –
"in a grove” is a Japanese idiom taken from a story title meaning one is unable to
Page 134
discern the truth because it’s shrouded in mystery/evidence is conflicting or

insufficient)
After responding with that, KYÔRAKU also uttered an 'apology’ of sorts.
“There is one thing I need to apologise to you about.”
“…What? You apologising to me? I don’t think it’s possible but, you’re not going to beg
my forgiveness because you exposed my crimes, are you?”
Then, after KYÔRAKU shakes his head a little, he fixes his eyes on the man with the
cool demeanour who belonged to one of the four great noble families.
If the escort of noblemen were still around him whilst he stared at Tokinada with that
kind of look, that alone would have them up in arms considering the act
'disrespectful’, in an unconcerned manner KYÔRAKU then spoke of his own ‘crime’.
“At the time of Rukia-chan’s execution scandal… to be honest, until I understood the
truth of the matter, I even suspected you just a little. I wondered if you had given her
a heavier punishment than what was originally intended by making the necessary
preparations in secret from the shadows of Central 46.”
“Dear me, you were on the verge of pinning AIZEN’s wrongdoings on me? But why
would you think such a thing? I don’t have a motive to force the killing of Rukia
KUCHIKI do I? I’ve never even met her anyway.”
“When KUCHIKI-kun took Hisana-chan who was a resident of Rukongai as his wife… as
well as the time he tried to adopt Rukia-chan into the family...it wasn’t just the
KUCHIKIs. The voice of opposition also came from the TSUNAYASHIRO family. So, I
thought that if it’s the case that you made those recommendations whilst in the
process of reinstating yourself, then it’s possible that you were pulling the strings
behind the TSUNAYASHIRO family.”
“So, I had no reason to make the recommendations in the first place?”
In response to Tokinada who shrugged his shoulders, KYÔRAKU spoke.
“You don’t need things like reasons. It merely stems from harassment… killing time.
And attracting the attention of the nobles.”
“...”
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“You’ve made it this far through sheer harassment. That’s your true nature isn’t it?
Tokinada.”
“Show some self-restraint, Shunsui. Do you really think the likes of a mere 13 Court
Guard Squads Commander can talk about me as they please?”
Quite in contrast with his words from just now, Tokinada grinned from ear to ear.
It was as if he was admiring KYÔRAKU’s speech word for word.
Without returning a smile to him, KYÔRAKU simply questioned him in an unfazed

manner.
“And? What business has brought you all the way here specifically? If you have a
complaint against the 13 Court Guard Squads, I’d be happy to pass it onto the Golden
seal Noble Assembly or the Central 46 for you.”
“Ah, it’s an uncomplicated matter. I wanted to obtain some contacts.”
“Contacts?”
“KUCHIKI aside, Yoruichi SHIHÔIN cannot be contacted through the aristocratic

networks. Even the Golden seal Noble Assembly are unable to get a hold of her
whereabouts… but, perhaps you know a way to get in touch with that unruly woman?”
As Tokinada said so, he handed over a piece of paper on which he had written his
message to Yoruichi.
After receiving it and scanning through it with his eyes, KYÔRAKU maintained a blank
expression as he posed a question to Tokinada.
“She has already handed over her position as family head to her younger brother
Yûshirô… but what are you planning?”
“Nothing at all? I’m merely thinking of putting forward a solemn proposal. For the sake
of Soul Society, no, for the sake of harmony in all worlds, the World of the Living and
Hueco Mundo included as well.
Unable to place even a fragment of trust in the words Tokinada had just spat out,
KYÔRAKU grew even more suspicious.
"Really, you came for that alone?”
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“In addition to that, I came to see you. Though you’ve already dwindled quite a lot by
now, compared to your time at the Spiritual Arts Academy. Thanks to you, my
resentment has simmered and risen to the surface once again.”
Continuing to flash smile in which one could not discern whether he was being serious
or simply joking, Tokinada added one more thing as if he had just remembered
something.
“Which reminds me, it seems UKITAKE has kicked the bucket?”
“...”
“And the right arm of Soul King-sama dwelled within his lowly body, I suppose it’s too
much of an honour for the undeserving paupers of Rukongai.”
Although Tokinada’s manner of speaking was not dissimilar to a provocation,

KYÔRAKU remained unswayed by it and asked further questions instead.
“Kûgo GINJÔ. Do you know that name?”
“…Ah, if I’m not mistaken, he was the first substitute soul reaper. I heard that he’s the
mad dog that betrayed Seireitei but, well, thanks to that precedent we were able to
gain a hero named Ichigo KUROSAKI. It must have been a good bargain from UKITAKE’s
viewpoint too. But, why ask me about such a man?”
“Nevermind, I was just checking… and, UKITAKE’s resolution was never cheap like you
think it is.”
When Tokinada heard that, he shrugged his shoulders a second time, as soon as there
was nothing more to talk about, he turned his back to KYÔRAKU.
“There is nothing of great value in this world. Especially in Soul Society where just
about everything is a sham.”
After taking a few more steps, he came to a stop once again and cast a glance towards
the corner of the captain’s office.
“Oh, just so you know, I truly had nothing to do with the execution of your mother,
Nanao ISE.”
“ ──── ”
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At the corner of the room, from the depths of the space which to all appearances
seemed empty, came the sound of a gasp.
“It’s not like I’m the mastermind behind everything. Anyway, if I had the authority
back then… I wouldn’t execute her so quickly. Just like how it was in Rukia KUCHIKI’s
case, I would play cat and mouse before killing her in a grand performance atop
Sôkyoku Hill. And, I’d order KYÔRAKU to attend with front row seats at the Garden of
Judgement.”
Flashing a villainous smile towards the vast empty space, Tokinada added more words.
“Just like that time with Rukia KUCHIKI, will KYÔRAKU try to rescue your mother by
going as far as to destroy the gallows? Would he go as far as making an enemy out of
Seireitei like Ichigo KUROSAKI by trying to save her? I’m afraid that’s unlikely to be the
case. KYÔRAKU would forsake your mother. He did forsake her. In order to protect
none other than you, Nanao ISE!”
“Would you kindly end your monologue right there? Head of the TSUNAYASHIRO
family, Tokinada-sama.”
Although it sounds like a statement made in jest with his usual easygoing manner,
Tokinada who was before his eyes sensed KYÔRAKU’s cold spiritual-pressure on the
back of his insincere honorific language, like he was under a bed of water that had
frozen still.
After Tokinada had become aware of that atmosphere and narrowing his eyes in
response, he placed his hand on the zanpakutô attached at his hip as he continued to
speak.
“…Good heavens, how frightening. I don’t want to get dragged under a sea of water
and have my throat cut up. Allow me to excuse myself for today.”
After confirming that Tokinada had left the squad barracks along with his escort group,
KYÔRAKU walked over to the corner of his captain’s office and lightly brushed his hand
through the space there.
Then, the space distorts like cloth, Nanao, whose face had turned pale, materialised
from the other side of the scenery which was being lifted.
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KYÔRAKU encircled his arm around the shoulders of Nanao who was trembling whilst
washed in a cold sweat, she was engulfed in the warmth of his spiritual-pressure
which made her feel safe.
“Are you okay, Nanao-chan?”
“Y-yes…I’m sorry, captain.”
“Oh my, not even I could notice you eavesdropping, you’ve grown up fast haven’t you.
Is this Lisa-chan’s influence?”
Perhaps he was trying to put her mind at ease by making her remember a familiar face
and that’s why he mentioned Lisa YADÔMARU’s name, his former vice-captain and a
person who is currently being regarded as a candidate for captain of squad 8.
Perceiving KYÔRAKU’s concern, Nanao used her willpower to regain control over her
breathing.
“Did he scare you? He gives you such a feeling because he emits quite a creepy
spiritual-pressure doesn’t he?”
“…In the past, when I was exposed to former Commander YAMAMOTO’s spiritual-
pressure, I was unable to even move…but in that man’s case, it’s completely different
in nature.”
If it’s the case that she was a frog being glared at by a snake when she was faced with
Genryûsai YAMAMOTO’s wrath, then in her self-analysis, just now, she was the one
that appeared to be the snake that has been made to dissolve into a slithering slug.
Before she could even get aggravated by the fact that he had used both herself and
her mother as tools in order to denigrate KYÔRAKU, a deep and bottomless feeling of
eeriness was gnawing away at Nanao’s heart.
Whilst harbouring fear of this mysterious character in addition to the fact that he had
the ability to see through her own concealing technique that not even KYÔRAKU could
notice, Nanao opened her mouth to speak with a slight tremble that remained in her
voice.
“Captain…I am against such a man… becoming a head amongst the four great noble
families.”
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As he pondered 'when was the last time she spoke about things relating to personal
matters with personal feelings’, KYÔRAKU quietly looks up at the sky.
“Regarding that matter, I agree completely.”
Next, reflecting upon the man’s request to contact Yoruichi, KYÔRAKU mutters to
himself.
“Things have become troublesome huh… very much so.”
Chapter 5
Soul Society - Noble district
“…No matter how many times I come here, I’ll never get used to walking around Noble
district.”
In the eastern end of the 6th sector, Noble district is lined with mansions belonging to
noblemen, high-class restaurant, and establishments catering exclusively to nobles.
At the heart of Noble district, HISAGI releases a small sigh whilst heading towards the
central block where commoners cannot enter unless they obtain formal permission or
an invitation from a noble.
Responding to HISAGI, Hanatarô posed a question.
“You’ve come here a few times then?”
“That ÔMAEDA guy invited me to dine with him, along with ABARAI. After all, it’s
impossible for me to come here to a high-class restaurant street alone on my salary.”
“I-impossible even on a vice-captain’s salary…it’s really that bad…?”
“Oh…well, that’s because I use most of my salary on ordering things like Gasoline or
guitars from the World of the Living… I only have a bit of money…”
HISAGI replied self-consciously.
He ordered a ‘spiritual-matter-fied’ motorbike and guitar, amplifiers and electric

generators to accompany it, fuels to work them, all from the World of the Living, in so
doing, he paid a considerable amount of money as a 'spiritual-matter conversion’ fee
to URAHARA Shop.
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As a result, and despite being in the position of vice-captain, his wages had practically
disappeared due to transactions with URAHARA Shop, but it seems he still had no
intention of giving up his hobby of motorcycles and guitars, even now.
“Even though he’s a fellow vice-captain, it’s rumoured that ÔMAEDA has his own gem
mining business. Indeed, it’s true what they say, money attracts money.”
The pair chatted away whilst walking on, however, HISAGI’s feet suddenly came to a
stop, he turned his attention to a noticeably grand structure which could be seen in
the distance.
“What’s the matter, HISAGI-san?”
“No…I was just thinking, that’s the TSUNAYASHIRO mansion isn’t it…?”
Ahead of their sightlines stood an extravagant mansion, its roof which was far taller
than the surrounding buildings is spread wide.
Aside from some facilities, Soul Society is generally less inclined to build tall building
structures making it a set of community developments reminiscent of a city during the
Heian period in Japan rather than downtown high-rise areas like in the World of the
Living.
Although it’s the same in Noble district, the architectural style of the TSUNAYASHIRO
mansion appeared as if it was looking down on the estates belonging to the other
nobles, and despite the fact that squad 6 and the KUCHIKI family were the wardens of
the entire sector, it almost appeared as if the TSUNAYASHIRO mansion was insisting
that it was they who were in fact the rulers of this neighbourhood.
“Ah, it appears you’re right, it seems like their family are the leaders amongst the four
great noble houses doesn’t it? It’s built on a spot that’s directly opposite to the
KUCHIKI family.”
“…I see.”
Whilst thinking that he may end up having to go to that place sooner or later in order
to 'collect information’, at the same time he also considered that an outsider like
himself probably won’t be allowed entry.
At the very least, the atmosphere around the TSUNAYASHIRO mansion did not feel
openly inviting like the ÔMAEDA family at all, rather it exudes an atmosphere that
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seemed even harder to probe into than that of the KUCHIKI family who were
practically like the embodiment of the word 'strict’.
HISAGI continued to walk whilst fixing a sharp look at the mansion for a short while,
but then Hanatarô raised his voice as if he had noticed something.
“Ah, I can see it. That over there is the Central Pharmaceutical Institution. Although, I
haven’t even been here since the time I went to celebrate my brother’s
inauguration…”
“…This is built more extravagantly than the squad 1 barracks, don’t you think…?”
Whilst embracing such a thought, HISAGI also harboured another Impression.
“How should I put it… the atmosphere is somewhat similar. But the outward
appearance is completely different…”
“Eh…? T-To what?”
Overpowered by the serious look on HISAGI’s face, Hanatarô enquired whilst breaking
into a cold sweat.
Then, whether he completely understood it even himself, HISAGI opened his mouth to
speak appearing to lack in self-confidence somewhat.
“…The 12th Squad’s Technological Development Bureau.”
Squad 12 - Technological Development Bureau.
“Can you point out the most important facility within Seireitei?”
When asked that question, most nobles and commoners alike would indicate to the
places associated with Central 46 or the name of an institution within the
governmental district, but many amongst the active soul reaper would speak about
one of the following three.
Firstly, the squad 1 barracks, as well as being the general headquarters of the 13 Court
Guard Squads, it is also the fortress that accommodates “Muken” in its basement, the
lowest level of the Central Great Underground Prison.
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Next, the 4th Squad’s relief station where many of those who were injured were
transported to. Previously there were numerous relief specialists from the 4th Squad
who were looked down upon, however as many soul reapers narrowly escaped death
after battling with the quincies, now there was practically nobody who
underestimated them.
And finally, the Technological Development Bureau which is under the management of
squad 12.
It’s said that ninety percent of the advanced spiritual-matter technology currently
being handled within Seireitei is born out of this Research and Development Institute,
Kisuke URAHARA, its founder, and Mayuri KUROSTUCHI, its second president, were
said to be entities who were inseparable from the very history of Soul Society itself.
However, obviously it’s not like it’s only the president that works here.
A multitude of researchers were at the forefront for the advancement of civilisation,

sometimes under the instructions of the president, sometimes at the request of the
soul reaper, and sometimes simply continuing to exhibit shrewdness for their own
interests - a beacon of hope that rapidly settles the various impossible demands of the
Soul Society - that was the place they called the Technological Development Bureau.
Even today, a new impossible demand stood in their way.
“Hmph! I’m hungryy~! Hungry, hungry hungry~! Nicorun, snacks~! Give me snacks~! I
want to eat castella*~! Something that contains a heap of sugar~!” (*TN – a type of
Japanese sponge cake.)
Kuna Mashiro the self-proclaimed “squad 9 super vice-captain” was noisily flapping
her hands and feet around like a child on the floor of the Technological Development
Bureau.
A female technician who was wearing glasses – Nico KUNA – addressed her as if
scolding a child.
“You ate the snacks yesterday didn’t you, Mashiro onê-chan.”
“No fair, no fair, no fair~! I have to eat some everyday~! You also have to give me New
year’s gifts every year~!”
“It’s pointless, onê-chan! I also gave you New year’s gifts this year already so next year
you won’t be getting any!”
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Watching as Nico scolded her saying “enough” and Mashiro who continued to throw a
tantrum, even starting to roll around on the floor let alone flapping her hands and feet
about, a man who had horn like protrusions on his forehead – Akon the vice president
of the Technological Development Bureau – muttered to himself as if he was
exasperated.
“Well… it doesn’t even matter if you give New year’s gifts every year does it.”
“Or rather, should the younger sister be giving New year’s gifts to an older sister of
that age…?”
Next to him was a man whose outward appearance looked like a cross between a
Namazu (a giant mythological catfish) and a temple bell – Hiyosu – after also
muttering to himself, he released a sigh seemingly astounded as he continued to
speak.
“Just when I thought Miss. KUSAJISHI would stop coming here, it seems it’s come to be
that we have her replacement instead…”
Hearing that whilst continuing his keystrokes on the nearby observation equipment,
technological development staff member Rin TSUBOKURA groaned with a heavy sigh.
“This place is cursed, isn’t it…”
As he says so, he reaches his hand out to a space that is seemingly empty.
Then, he stealthily took out some sweets from the small hole that had opened up
above that space.
“So in the end, your sweets were being hidden away in that artificial subspace huh…”
“This guy is also a member of the Technological Development Bureau after all.”
Akon who replied emotively in response to Hiyosu’s words, looked at Mashiro who
continued her riot on the floor, he then opened his mouth to speak as if remembering
something.
“That reminds me, an interview request was submitted to the captain again, from the
real vice-captain of squad 9. But it was swiftly rejected.”
“If that’s the case, why don’t you answer the vice-captain’s questions instead?”
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“Even if you say that, what answers can I...”
“Huh? I’m getting some kind of weird feedback!”
Interrupting Akon’s dialogue, Rin points out the abnormality on his monitor.
Confronted with that feedback, Akon leaned forward in curiosity and continued to
observe for a short while, he then knit his eyebrows together ever so slightly whilst
addressing Rin.
“…ah, that is something we can disregard.”
“Is that so? But this is some unusual spiritual-matter, without even using a gate, it’s
made a direct appearance in Noble district…”
“It’s fine. That spiritual-matter pattern. It’s something that has a "no interference
required” directive against it personally issued from within the four great noble
families. That’s why the alarms didn’t even ring… Of course the captain is certainly not
satisfied with this, I’ll probably have to keep monitoring it independently.”
Despite answering in an unconcerned manner, Akon frowned as he watched the

numerical values of that spiritual-matter pattern.
"Compared to what I observed in Noble district few hours ago, this spiritual-pressure
has depleted by a significant amount… what the hell happened?”
Central Pharmaceutical Institution - Waiting Room.
"…Incredible. Everything including the furnishings, it’s just like a nobleman’s estate in
itself don’t you think… is this place truly a waiting room for patients?”
HISAGI and Hanatarô were currently standing by in the Pharmaceutical Institution’s

waiting room.
It appeared that Seinosuke YAMADA was away from his workstation right now, but
they were to wait as he would return soon. Today was apparently his day off from
general medical examinations, and with the exception of emergency cases, it seems he
was not receiving anyone, however when Hanatarô gave his name at the reception
desk he was met with a polite response and shown into this room where they were
presently waiting.
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Although there was also a formal guest room, he thought he would lose his nerves
even being brought into a room used for important nobles, so they were invited into
the waiting room at HISAGI’s suggestion.
“P-perhaps, I think that even all this is considered the bare minimum. My brother, he
dislikes pointlessly decorating things, so I think this is probably just the demands of the
noble people.”
“So, in other words, even the room in which they wait for a medical examination must
be extravagant or else they can’t stomach it. It’s a drag isn’t it, this so-called
aristocratic vanity.”
“But captain KUCHIKI doesn’t seem to pay too much attention to vanities, does he?”
“You say that but, doesn’t captain KUCHIKI have that piece of cloth he used to wear
around his neck? Apparently one of those is worth around ten stately mansions.”
At HISAGI’s words, Hanatarô raised his voice in surprise as his eyes remained partly
open.
“T-ten!?”
“I didn’t know at first either, but I happened to hear about it when I was collecting
information for a special feature on well-established shops… I wonder how many
motorbikes one of those hair ornaments of his are worth… hn?”
HISAGI was just releasing a sigh at the difference in financial standing between himself
and the nobles, but then he suddenly lifted his face up, he turned his attention in the
direction of the Pharmaceutical Institution’s courtyard which was adjacent to the
waiting room.
“What’s wrong, HISAGI-san?”
When Hanatarô tilted his head in puzzlement, HISAGI replied whilst narrowing his
eyes.
“No, it’s just… there seems to be some sort of weird spiritual-pressure…”
As he said so with a glare fixed on the courtyard —— all of a sudden, that space opens
up like the jaws of a beast.
“Whaa...”
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It was no gate the soul reaper would use. Cracks similar to the Garganta’s Kûmon used
by hollows were produced in the space, from within that a single figure emerged.
—- A hollow attack!?
—- Inside the Soul Warding Membrane dome!?
He stood up straight despite being in shock, but then he realised he was currently not
carrying a zanpakutô at his waist.
At present, there were no war-time special exceptions in operation, even if one held
the position of vice-captain, carrying a sword was prohibited in several places, inside
the Pharmaceutical Institute was one of them.
HISAGI considered that he would need to run over to the reception desk and retrieve
his zanpakutô which he had left with them, but his feet stopped when he looked at the
true form of the figure that had just appeared.
It was a youngster wearing clothes similar to a soul-robes and it appears the child’s
whole body was covered in injuries.
“That’s not a hollow… a soul reaper? They’re terribly injured!”
“T-this is serious! If I don’t give medical treatment right away…!”
Hanatarô set off in a hurry towards the courtyard where he then came to a stop.
There, an androgynous youngster impossible to characterise as either a girl or boy, the

child’s shoulder tips were severely mutilated, holes had pierced several places on the
child’s abdomen, and one arm was twisted back into an irregular position.
Rather than describing it as wounded head to toe, looking at the youngster’s

condition, it wouldn’t be surprising to mistake the child for a corpse even if it was still
standing and walking - Hanatarô immediately hovered his hands over the openings to
those wounds, activating healing kidô known as recovery-arts (kaidô).
“…Uuhn.”
The child drops to both knees on the spot and distorts their face seemingly in pain.
“It’s okay, I will close up those wounds at once! Can you hear my voice?!”
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The usually timid Hanatarô was like a different person, his voice echoed across the
courtyard as he tried to vigorously encourage the youngster.
However – as the child shook its head from side to side looking sorrowful, its eyes
welled up with tears and it opened its mouth to speak.
“It’s pointless, I can’t go on any longer…”
“Such a thing, why would you–”
“I, I was unable to carry out Tokinada-sama’s commands… life, life isn’t worth living
anymore, please just let me die here…!”
“You must be confused… it’s alright! Please, try to pull yourself together!”
Hanatarô frantically said so whilst continuing recovery-arts, behind him however,

HISAGI’s body tensed.
—- Just now…what did…?
—- …Did that kid just say, “Tokinada-sama”?
Before HISAGI who was bewildered at the name that had just left the child’s mouth,
Hanatarô looked anxious for other reasons.
—- this spiritual-pressure… it’s continuously-changing!?
—- I cannot close these wounds with my recovery-arts alone…!
Deciding that continuing like this was perilous, Hanatarô cried out to HISAGI.
“HISAGI san! Please call a Pharmaceutical Institute staff member quickly! We’ll move
the patient into an emergency treatment room!”
“R-right!”
HISAGI had come to his senses at Hanatarô’s voice, but as soon as he turned on his
heel ——
There on the spot he had turned to look, stood a man.
“...!? Are you a staff member here!? We have an injured person…”
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Before HISAGI could even finish talking, that man calmly started to approach the
bloodstained youth, lining himself up beside Hanatarô, he placed his hands over the
wounds.
“Indeed, your efficiency in recovery-arts has improved. However, this patient is a bit of
a special case. You won’t be able to heal them alone.”
“Ehh”
Looking at the person who has appeared beside him, Hanatarô’s eyes widened as he
raised his voice in surprise.
“Se-Seinosuke nî-san!”
“What!?”
Subsequently, HISAGI’s eyes also opened wide.
A man with a sharp look in his eyes and a self-possessed demeanour, one would be
completely unable to associate his image with Hanatarô in any way, shape or form.
This man – paying no heed to the surprise of the other two, Seinosuke continued to
proceed with his medical treatment whilst skillfully-changing the nature of the
spiritual-pressure in his own recovery-arts.
Then, the wounds began to heal in an instant and the bleeding had visibility halted.
Observing that scene, HISAGI’s breath was taken away.
Even from the viewpoint of HISAGI who has grown accustomed to receiving medical
treatment, he could understand that the man’s recovery-arts level was in a completely
different league in comparison to that of the ordinary members of the 4th Squad.
—- He’s far from Hanatarô… this guy… could it be that he may even be on par with
UNOHANA san…?
Although it’s still no match for Orihime INOUE’s “rejection of events”, at the
extraordinary talent for recovery-arts that was being displayed before his eyes, HISAGI
marvelled about whether this was truly the power that belonged to the chief of the
Central Pharmaceutical Institution.
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Only the youngster being healed showed no signs of improvement in their

countenance whilst undergoing the recovery-arts treatment.
“…oh, YAMADA-san. I’m already a lost cause. Please don’t heal me…!”
“I don’t like the sound of that. I prefer keeping a patient who is eager to die, alive
against their will. Since I won’t let you die so easily, it’s a good idea to prepare yourself
while you still can. Prepare to live with that dishonour.”
“I can’t face Tokinada-sama…! Please just let me rot here like this…!”
“That’s out of the question, after all, you are the property of Tokinada TSUNAYASHIRO
are you not? If you were to die here of your own accord, then Tokinada
TSUNAYASHIRO would be unable to forgive you for such a thing don’t you think?”
“huh!”
At the words of the chuckling Seinosuke, the child opened its eyes wide and gave a
grunt.
HISAGI and Hanatarô were dumbfounded by that exchange, when the youngster’s
wounds were closed, it began to rise and slowly move.
“…Thank you very much, YAMADA-san. I almost committed an unforgivable act of

disloyalty to Tokinada-sama…”
looking at the disheartened youngster, HISAGI noticed something.
The suffering this child displayed just a moment ago did not originate from the pain
caused by its injuries, but rather from anguish at the simple fact that it had failed in its
duties to the man named Tokinada.
—- Does this kid… even feel… things like pain to begin with?
HISAGI who had just undergone this strange sensation, was at a loss as to how exactly
he should engage in conversation with them, however in that moment it was
Seinosuke YAMADA who started to talk instead.
“I’ve given the patient emergency treatment for the time being, however full-scale
medical treatment is still required, I’m sorry that you’ve been made to come on this
errand for nothing, but can I ask you to reschedule this for another day? Lieutenant
Shûhei HISAGI-dono?”
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“Eh…Y-yes.”
It seems the reception desk had already contacted Seinosuke about both himself and
Hanatarô.
Although he realised it was impossible to try and proceed with today’s interview since
he was told so by name, there was still something pressing on his mind spurring him
on, with a strong tone of voice HISAGI posed his questions.
“Hey, that kid, why are they injured like that? What kind of connection do they have
with Tokinada TSUNAYASHIRO!?”
Then, rather than Seinosuke, the injured youngster who began to walk forward was
the one to reply with an unexpected smile on its face.
“You mean me? I am Tokinada-sama’s retainer!”
“… you’re, his ’retainer’…?”
A perplexed HISAGI turns his attention to Seinosuke, but he flashed a wicked smile as
he opened his mouth to speak.
“Sorry, but as a medical professional, I cannot disclose a patient’s personal

information.”
“Please wait, also as the vice-captain of squad 9, there’s a heap of things I want to ask
you. Firstly, bringing this child to the scene of a battle, that Tokinada guy, what is he
thinking…”
As a soul reaper of the 13 Court Guard Squads, there were many matters he simply
could not ignore, such matters include the fact that this child had emerged from
within some Descorrer-like thing, or those serious injuries said child had received.
Moreover, this soul reaper called Hikone did not even appear matured, with a figure
which was still that of a child’s much like HITSUGAYA, and it seemed as if the child’s
age would probably match its outward appearance too.
Even if this was a matter connected to the four great noble families, looking at the
bigger picture here, if a man was to turn a blind eye to an injured child, HISAGI
probably wouldn’t even be in the position of vice-captain today.
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However, the instant he went to reach his hand out to Seinosuke’s shoulder in an
attempt to hold him back ——
HISAGI’s world rotated around him in a half spin, he realised he was now looking up at
the sky of Soul Society.
“...!?”
Perceiving the fact that he had apparently been thrown down to the floor by Hikone
who seized his hand from the side, HISAGI opened both of his eyes wide.
Hikone’s voice resounded from overhead, down towards HISAGI.
“Uh, s-sorry! I actually thought that YAMADA-san was in danger…”
“...…”
“But, if you are able to understand that in this way I… Hikone UBUGINU, will have the
power to fight for Tokinada-sama, then I’d appreciate it! Okay!”
He was unable to discern whether he could read the mood in the things Hikone was
blurting out, but HISAGI’s thoughts were also captured in deep confusion.
—- Hey, wait a minute…
—- Just now… what did that kid do to me?
Although this was a surprise attack, he still prides himself on the considerable amount
of varied experiences he’s accumulated amongst the soul reaper.
Nonetheless, coming from the soul reaper that introduced itself as Hikone a moment
ago, he could feel a flow of spiritual-matter which was different from any hollow, soul
reaper, or quincy he had battled in the past.
—- It’s different from any guy I’ve met in battle so far…no…
—- This sensation… it’s somewhat similar to the time my spiritual-energy was

absorbed by that zanpakutô AYASEGAWA has…
Although he had faced defeat against it only once, HISAGI who had received such an
attack did not feel the slightest bit of pain, instead he had fallen into this sensation as
if every possible “power” such as his ‘spiritual power’, or his ‘physical power’, and his
will power, had all completely dissipated.
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HISAGI stared up at the sky in a daze.
Watching him, Seinosuke YAMADA shook his head, a smile still on his face.
“This place is the domain of the nobles. As long as there are no wartime special
exceptions, the principles of the 13 Court Guard Squads don’t apply here. If common
practice is generally praised as good sense, then I think it’s better that you never set
foot in this place.”
Then, Seinosuke turns to face Hanatarô.
“I will tell you again, Hanatarô. Take some time away from the squad for a while.”
Along with a smile that held a touch of self-ridicule, Seinosuke shrugged his shoulders
and continued talking.
“If you don’t want to get dragged any further into matters such as this.”
As HISAGI got up, he began to ask a question at the backs of the two people who were
about to leave.
“Hey… I don’t know anything about the circumstances at all but… is this Tokinada guy
really worth serving under to the point where you’d get injured in such a way?”
In response, the child turned its head to look in his direction —— said child replied,
smiling with its whole face almost making it appear as if the youngster wasn’t just on
the verge of death.
“Of course! Tokinada-sama is a wonderful person! There is nothing worthy enough

that can compare, not even the extent of my own life!”
“...”
The youngster continued even further at HISAGI who wasn’t quite sure how to
respond.
“Also… Tokinada-sama told me he will let me become king! So, I must repay that
kindness by staking my life for him for the rest of my lifetime!”
“King…?”
Looking at the suspicion on the faces of both HISAGI and Hanatarô, Seinosuke gave a
strained laugh whilst addressing the child.
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“Did Tokinada TSUNAYASHIRO inform you it would be okay to just casually tell others
about that?”
After tilting its head slightly to one side like some small animal, the child’s face
instantly turns pale.
“…? …. …! Uh- ahhh! I didn’t say anything just now! Please forget about it! Your
kindness Mr… err… pardon me, but your names are…?”
“S-sure. I’m Shûhei HISAGI. And this is YAMADA, Hanatarô YAMADA.”
“I see! With your kindness HISAGI-san, Hanatarô san! Please be sure to forget about
my business! But I won’t forget this favour! When I become king someday, I will repay
this favour properly!”
After continuing to laugh in a strained manner, Seinosuke departed towards a medical

treatment room taking the youngster along with him, HISAGI held doubts about
whether or not the incident from just a moment ago was all a dream, but the child’s
blood which stained the courtyard was a clear indicator that this was indeed the
current reality.
“That was baffling… what the hell just happened…?”
At the same time, Hanatarô is dumbfounded as he mutters to himself.
“My brother’s emergency treatment is truly amazing but… for a person to even be
able to walk with their own strength right away in such a state of injury…”
Next to HISAGI who was in deep thought over something, Hanatarô recalled the
people he had treated in the past, and spontaneously spoke these names.
“It is just like captain ZARAKI or Ichigo san…”
Hikone’s body was lying on a medical table inside the emergency treatment room. The
child’s internal nervous system had become a complete mess, it almost seemed like an
illusion that this youngster was chatting with a smile on its face only a short while ago.
Whilst carrying out the treatment in a detached manner, Seinosuke mutters to himself
before an unconscious Hikone.
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“Good grief, it seems the hollows didn’t go easy on you, but this was also within the
plan wasn’t it… well, either way I won’t let you die.”
Seinosuke made use of the recovery-arts which set him apart from the ordinary
person and at the same time he displayed a smile, as if to conceal his true feelings.
“Even if there is not a shred of hope for this child’s life.”
Hueco Mundo.
“…It was quite the flashy showdown huh.”
An arrancar who had arrived late at the scene chasing after HARRIBEL – Cyan Sung-Sun
one of the “Tres Bestias”, opened her mouth to speak when she saw the devastation
in the desert.
The bodies of skull masked soldiers reaching the tens of thousands, pitifully littered
the surroundings, Rudbornn who had apparently created them also had a large gash
on his body and was in a state of dying.
“…Your blood vessels and nerves have all been connected. Please rest until your
spiritual-pressure is recovered.”
An arrancar healer who arrived late much like the Tres Bestias – whilst receiving Rocca
Paramia’s medical treatment, Rudbornn releases a groan in a weak voice.
“Understood… But, I am extremely ashamed… not only did I inconvenience HARRIBEL-

sama and the others, but I actually exposed myself to be such a disgraceful sight…”
Looking at Rudbornn, as well as Loly and Menoly who were similarly injured and
receiving treatment, and then the several huge hollows in the vicinity who had gotten
caught up in the battle now collapsed on the ground, one of the other Tres Bestias
Emilou APACCI raised her voice.
“Ha, you are truly pathetic Rudbornn. I heard that you were mowed down by some
quincy survivors, and then beaten up by some strange soul reaper brat who had burst
onto the scene?”
“Humph… even if I wanted to deny it, I can’t.”
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Listening to Rudbornn’s pained voice, Franceska MILA ROSE, also one of the Tres
Bestias, opens her mouth to talk.
“Well, in the end, HARRIBEL-sama drove them away right? Honestly, do those
goddamned soul reapers look down on Hueco Mundo as a sort of tourist attraction or
something?”
Then, HARRIBEL shook her head with eyes that were somewhat sombre.
“It wasn’t with my power alone. Without the assistance of Grimmjow, Nelliel… and
those quincies, there was even a possibility that we might have been annihilated… we
may come to regret letting this individual escape.”
“Huuuh!? What are you saying HARRIBEL-sama! Even if it’s a soul reaper, it was only
one person right!? Could it be some sort of freak, like that old fart who could
manipulate fire!?”
HARRIBEL shook her head at APACCI who questioned her whilst in shock.
“The individual’s physical strength and spiritual-pressure were certainly comparable to

a captain class soul reaper. When it comes to their physical abilities alone, it may even
have rivalled the ice user I once fought against.”
“So then, did they intentionally send in a captain rank soul reaper to Hueco Mundo?”
At Sung-sun’s question, HARRIBEL speaks words of denial.
“No, this individual is too inexperienced for that to be the case. That’s why we were
even able to catch them off guard. However… I am very concerned about the
zanpakutô which was in that person’s possession…”
“What kind of zanpakutô was it?”
HARRIBEL pondered on this for a short while – before even mentioning the form and
nature of this zanpakutô, she stated one fact first.
“It wasn’t that soul reaper who opened the Garganta… but rather the zanpakutô.”
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In a spot slightly further away from where HARRIBEL was conversing with her
subordinates, Nelliel questioned Grimmjow who was staring at the empty space where
the soul reaper had disappeared.
“Don’t you need to get Rocca-chan to heal you?”
“Huh? This thing, It’s just a scratch.”
Disregarding the deep gash on his left arm, Grimmjow clicked his tongue whilst
thinking back on the battle from earlier.
“I’ve even lost my edge, I missed the-chance to kill it in my resurrección state.”
“Yeah, there’s no way a zanpakutô could become aware of that child’s crisis and act of
its own free will. One could clearly see it opened up the Garganta and let the child fall
into it.”
“It doesn’t make any sense. A soul reaper zanpakutô acting of its own accord and
making use of the Garganta of all things.”
Nelliel did not seem to have an answer for that either, after some reflection, she
spoke.
“The next time they come here, things may not be like they were this time around.”
“Right, this will allow me to become stronger through battle. I don’t particularly care,
but you lot, from your points of view, it was a failure that you didn’t put an end to the
brat’s life.”
After giving a contemptuous laugh, Grimmjow’s smile vanished, with a serious

expression he was reminded of the face of his rival, his back teeth made a creaking
sound as he ground them together.
“I really do hate to say this, but… in this way, I’m the same type as KUROSAKI. Each
time we have a narrow escape from death, it’s like we’re born again but stronger.”
“Well… other than that detail, I feel we’re completely different.”
A certain place in the World of the Living.
Ancient stone ruins in a certain small country.
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Within those decaying ruins which were reminiscent of some sort of temple, two
quincies and one corpse were hiding.
“If we were going to end up running away, wouldn’t it have been easier to just run
away from the very beginning? Hey Lil, why did you even bother to take advantage of
the confusion and attack that soul reaper?”
At Gigi’s teasing words, Lil replies with her usual poker face.
“There was something I wanted to check. You noticed it too right?”
“Yeah, I even sprinkled some spurts of blood on that kid, but I wasn’t able to turn it
into a zombie huh? I wonder what’s going on? Is it that this kid is as strong as a captain
rank?”
“Not only that.”
When Lil said so, she recalled catching the soul reaper off guard shooting an arrow at
it, and then she remembered the sight of that arrow as it was repelled.
“That kid… it wasn’t just using an arrancar’s hierro. It was also using the quincy blut
vene.”
“Are you kidding me!?… Really?”
blut vene.
It is an ability unique to quincies which dramatically enhances one’s defence power by

circulating spiritual-matter inside the blood vessels, and alongside blut arterie which
enhances one’s capability for attack, it is the underlying power of soldiers belonging to
the Wandenreich.
“Why is a soul reaper able to use it? They can’t be that cunning, can they? Perhaps this
the doing of that dazzling weirdo?”
“Perhaps. It’s possible that various quincy bodies have been tampered with. The
question is why.”
“The kid was saying something about becoming the king of hollows. Was their goal
some sort of rebellion like with that AIZEN guy?”
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Whilst gently stroking Bambietta’s head whose eyes were shut seemingly tired, Gigi
offered her carefree response.
However, Lil accepted her response, with her usual composed expression she uttered
troubling words.
“If the soul reapers are killing each other because of internal disputes, then everything
will work out as desired for us.”
“But I hope we can still retrieve Candi and Meni in the midst of all the chaos over
there.”
Connecting Chapter
A few days later - Rukongai.
That day – As Kûgo GINJÔ wandered around Rukongai, a strange crowd caught his eye.
“…hn? What the heck is going on?”
There, several men were causing a commotion, as if they were frantically petitioning
for something.
“Hey, what the hell happened?”
When he asked the Rukongai dwellers who he’d occasionally encounter, the other
party even tilted their heads like they didn’t quite understand.
“Oh, those fresh dead guys who have recently arrived in Rukongai are making a damn
racket. Their Gods were right, soon a new world will begin for them and whatnot.”
“What’s this, religionists?”
One of the troubles caused by inhabitants who have just arrived in Rukongai is the
confusion that occurs from the disparities between religious views they had faith in
during their time in the World of the Living and the actual world of life after death.
Some amongst religious cult members get caught up in rage and say “I’m supposed to
go to heaven, a sorry place like this, there’s no mistaking that this phony world was
Page 159
created by the devil,” consequently, it could be said that one of the roles of the people
already living here is also to soothe and humour them.
“No, this isn’t the same as usual. I heard them saying "this world is exactly as the
kyouso*-sama described” (*founder of a religious sect), they seem to already
understand and in quite some detail too about things such as Rukongai and Seireitei.
And yet, I have no clue why they’re still kicking up a fuss, saying stuff like “a new
leader and a new world will come” or whatever.”
"…Oh? That’s quite interesting.”
Is it that a soul reaper who was dispatched to the World of the Living, happened to
spill the beans about everything to a spiritually aware religionist who then spread that
as their dogma?
Whilst speculating as such, GINJÔ approached the crowd seeing as he had time to kill.
Then, one person amongst the crowd took notice of his attire and spoke up.
“Ah! H-hey, that brother over there! Judging from the clothes you’re wearing; you
must have come here recently right!? If that’s the case, perhaps this brother also
knows about our religion!?”
“…Sorry, but I’m not interested in canvassing faith.”
As he thought about the fact that this was not a line he was able to say when he was a
former substitute soul reaper (TN – since being a substitute soul reaper entails the
need to reassure bewildered spirits about an afterlife in SS), GINJÔ decided to listen to
what the others had to say however – –
In the next moment, GINJÔ was shaken to the core when he heard the words that
jumped out of the man’s mouth.
“Our commercial message has even been broadcast on TV for the last few months
after all, so you ought to know it, it’s 'XCUTION’ !
“...What did you say?”
Hearing that name, GINJÔ noticeably drew his eyebrows together in unease.
—- What’s this all about?
Page 160
XCUTION.
It is the name of the fullbringer organisation GINJÔ once established in the World of
the Living.
It’s easy to think that they had simply adopted this name by-chance.
However, it is hard to imagine that it’s mere coincidence when it comes to this group
who apparently know a great deal about the soul reaper.
—- It’s unlikely that Yukio, Riruka or Jackie would spread such things.
—- …Be that as it may, right now, even if I wanted to investigate, I can't…
Although GINJÔ thought as such, he realises that he was now losing sight of ‘what he
should be doing’.
Then, the raging flames from when he was still alive reignited in his chest just a little.
—- There’s nothing I can do anyway.
—- But perhaps I should try playing detective, just a bit.
After pondering for a moment, he addressed these “XCUTION followers” with a

friendly smile.
“Sorry, I died some time before that. However, you’ve piqued my interest somewhat.
Will you allow me to listen to what you have to say about your Kyouso-sama just a
while?”
Kûgo GINJÔ.
He was not yet aware at this point in time.
About the fact that he was already getting dragged into the strife of Soul Society which
was enshrouded in secrecy.
And also, the fact that a bow was being drawn at the “fullbringers” from a completely
unforeseen direction.
The Technological Development Bureau.
Page 161
“Fullbringers. Now that I have exhausted my research into both soul reapers and
quincies, as well arrancar, it is they who will become the very trigger for the cultivation
of new technology… that, I am certain of.”
“This time around, we’re going back to the basics of the Technological Development
Bureau now, aren’t we?”
In front of the tense looking researchers, there was one man who seems to be
enjoying himself as he talked about his new 'area of research’.
It is the man who serves in concurrent posts as the president of the Technological
Development Bureau, and as the captain of squad 12 – Mayuri KUROSTUCHI.
“The targets are three 'fullbringers’ confirmed to be hiding out in Rukongai. Under
normal circumstances, it would be no problem to have just one specimen, but
fullbringers have a great manner of differences in abilities depending on the individual.
Much like our zanpakutôs, or the Schrift power used by some quincies.”
“Captain, between the three of them, it’s true that one is a criminal, and the other two
fought against Ichigo KUROSAKI as well as captain KUCHIKI and so on, but there is an
official notice from Commander KYÔRAKU to wait-and-see…”
At the words of one of the department’s staff members, Mayuri emphatically shrugs
his shoulders as he shook his head.
“Does it have something to do with analysing whether or not they’re guilty? It’s better
if they can obediently devote themselves to Soul Society’s technological advancement,
then I suppose it wouldn’t be too much of an ask to plead for their pardon with the
Central 46 from my very own oh so compassionate mouth.”
“Isn’t that going to cause a dispute with squad 1 and Rukongai?”
“What are you talking about, it’s not like I’m going to snatch them away and try to kill
them. It’s just a simple matter of requesting their cooperation for a little bit of
dismantling and analysis, which of course entails conducting as many experiments as
there are stars in the sky. If they feel nothing but a sense of guilt towards the soul
reaper, then they will offer themselves up to us willingly. Of course, I suppose I can
promise to “heal” their bodies back to perfect condition when the experiments are
over.”
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Watching Mayuri as he spoke whilst disguising disturbing characters behind the

phonetics he was using, Hiyosu stealthily posed a question to Akon who was next to
him.
“What’s going on? These days the department’s president is more aggressive than
ever regarding his research, don’t you think?”
At Hiyosu who summed up the proposal of harvesting and dissecting people with the
single word “aggressive”, Akon replied with his usual unconcerned air.
“…Since Nemu isn’t by his side anymore. The captain is trying to fill that temporary
sense of loss in the captain’s own way.”
“I can only sympathise with the fullbringers being caught up in this…”
Despite nodding in agreement at Hiyosu’s words, Akon was curious about one thing
and began to ask Mayuri KUROSTUCHI a question.
“Even so captain, although I’ve heard those guys weren’t exactly captain level in
strength, with the exception of you captain, we probably won’t be able to capture
them, right? So, does this mean the captain will carry out this task himself?”
“Honestly, as someone who is a scientist you shouldn’t have to utter such uncivilised
comments, Akon. In that case it would be just like acting with a view to cause violence
from the very onset, wouldn’t you agree?”
The man who had spoken of a plan that would quite evidently lead to violence, shook
his head as he continued to reply.
"In any case, the experiments will embody a number of uncertain elements. In
preparation for everything, I am going to have the appropriate 'equipment’
assembled.”
When Mayuri presses a button he had produced from somewhere, part of the
Research and Development Department’s walls opened up, and something gradually
rose up from there.
A countless array of cylindrical tanks stood in a line filled with a highly transparent
scarlet liquid.
Page 163
One figure per cylinder was floating around in the liquid solution, a small group of
researchers knit their eyebrows together in discomfort when they saw the identities of
those figures.
Most of the researchers were able to stay calm because they knew that the same
thing had been done with 'arrancar corpses’ in the past.
With his back to the great number of figures that were floating inside those tanks,
Mayuri KUROSTUCHI revealed his usual crooked smile as he opened his mouth to
speak.
“This is a great opportunity. As the first experiment, let’s conduct some thorough
tests, shall we?”
“– – Concerning the usefulness of quincies with regards to the fullbringers.”
Noble district - TSUNAYASHIRO Residence.
“Woah… I’m sorry, but can I ask you all to leave? I have an important meeting to
attend now.”
As Tokinada was preparing to depart for a certain meeting, he sensed an unsettling air
sweeping around his own room.
Perhaps after hearing Tokinada’s voice, they had concluded that “mounting a surprise
attack is impossible”. Without even making a sound, the covers were pushed back,
and a countless number of sword wielding figures emerged within the residence.
Looking at the men who quite clearly appeared to be from the same line of assassins
that came for him the other day, Tokinada gave a small shake of his head.
“Hmm… I’d say… there are about eight of you who have the strength of a seated
member.”
Whilst reading the spiritual-pressures of his opponents, Tokinada calmly releases a

sigh.
Page 164
“My my, you’ve actually come to target me when Hikone’s undergoing treatment.
What bad luck.”
As he spoke, Tokinada placed his hand on the sword attached at his waist.
Tokinada was no longer a soul reaper of the 13 Court Guard Squads, and his original
zanpakutô had also been confiscated.
However, just like the ISE family’s Shinken Hakkyôken, there is a sword that is handed
down from generation to generation within the TSUNAYASHIRO family, and he had
secretly inherited it as family head.
To be precise – that zanpakutô had been stolen secretly before he even became the
next family head.
“And… I’ve been underestimated for far too long.”
As he effortlessly used hakuda to dodge the leaping assassins who were trying to
prevent him from drawing out his sword, Tokinada called the name of the zanpakutô.
That name sounds extremely similar to the zanpakutô in the possession of his 'rival’
Shunsui KYÔRAKU.
“– – Revere, 'Kuten Kyôkoku’ – –”
Seireitei - Main Street
Without even being aware of his own movements, Shûhei HISAGI was finishing up his
preparations for new interviews whilst simultaneously walking through the main
street of Seireitei.
Seinosuke YAMADA’s next day off was a little while ahead, so HISAGI decided to
collect information around Noble district beforehand.
After the commotion at the Central Pharmaceutical Institution, he attempted to

conduct an independent investigation into this child who gave its name as Hikone
UBUGINU, but he did not discover anything as a result. He also asked KYÔRAKU,
however it seems he too was completely unaware about anything pertaining to
Tokinada’s personal soldiers, consequently he was unable to obtain any useful
information.
Page 165
—- When that kid threw me to the ground, I didn’t sense any animosity or ill will.
—- Rather than being gentle or naive. Perhaps the kid… doesn’t quite understand the
concept of good and evil just yet.
HISAGI is reminded of the face of Hikone who revealed an innocent smile despite
bearing such horrific injuries, and once again he is resolute for, he simply must know
what kind of person Tokinada really is.
Therefore, HISAGI decided to approach the interviewees which he had obtained

permissions for through KYÔRAKU in advance.
Perhaps by arranging to meet with those interviewees, he had suspected that he could
learn something regarding the TSUNAYASHIRO family’s internal state of affairs or
Hikone’s strange spiritual-pressure.
Placing interview utensils and the like into a simple kit bag, Shûhei tied the drawstrings
and carried the bag over his shoulder.
Coupled with his usual sleeveless garments and tattooed face, HISAGI who had the
appearance of a hitchhiking rocker continued on his way until he bumped into Shinji
HIRAKO the captain of the 5th Squad.
“What’s up Shûhei? Going somewhere?”
“That’s right, I’m going to the World of the Living to collect information for Seireitei
Communication”
At HISAGI’s words, HIRAKO questions him further whilst inclining his head.
“Huh? It’s being put back into print already?”
“No, that’s still a few months ahead, but the special feature reissue will look back on
the Great War. I’m going to take the opportunity to visit URAHARA san’s place to
conduct interviews. If everything goes smoothly, I may even be able to hear the story
from that KUROSAKI guy as well.”
“Ha, to Kisuke’s place? That’s an ordeal indeed. That guy is not the type to give you a
straightforward response in an interview.”
“Ehh? How could...”
Page 166
But after thinking over HIRAKO’s remark for a moment, a drop of cold sweat ran down
HISAGI’s cheek.
“…Now that you mention it.”
“Why have you realised this just now? You should have known that from the time you
were in your mother’s womb.”
Although HIRAKO spoke as if he was astounded, he advises HISAGI about going to the
World of the Living.
“Well, if you’re going to Kisuke’s, then there’s a-chance you may encounter Hiyori. If
you do see her, please feel free make fun of her as much as you like on my behalf.”
“In that case, isn’t it me that’s going to suffer the counterattack instead!? Forgive me,
even after I return, I’ll be swamped with collecting material in bothersome places like
Noble district…”
“Noble district? Why in the world would you go there, isn’t a feature on ÔMAEDA’s
bourgeois lifestyle or something during a time where restoration is still underway and
everything is in chaos, a rather tedious affair?”
“That’s tedious with any kind of timing don’t you think…”
After exchanging a few rounds of banter with each other, HISAGI departed, heading in
the direction of the Senkaimon.
Watching HISAGI’s back until he was out of sight, HIRAKO then unintentionally shifted
his eyes in the direction of Noble district.
“Noble district huh… come to think of it, Yoruichi was talking about various kinds of
suspicious events recently.”
Although he couldn’t observe the situation within the Noble district from this main
street, he felt he was under an illusion as if something in the sky surrounding that
place was coiling around it, HIRAKO released a sigh whilst scratching his head.
“I hope it’s nothing too difficult to deal with… well, that’s probably quite unrealistic.”
Page 167
A certain place in Seireitei.
Deep underground a certain establishment, there is a space not mentioned on official

maps.
Since ancient times, It has been a sacred place where the five great noble families
would very often discuss issues such as the policies of Seireitei, and it was regarded as
one of the most important locations in Soul Society second only to the Royal Palace.
However, it doesn’t mean that the thing that serves as the cornerstone of Seireitei is
placed there.
Only in the moment when the heads of the five great noble families were all
assembled in that room, it is sublimated to a state where one could say their safety in
that situation was tied to the fate of Seireitei as it stood.
And now – – amongst “the four great noble families” which excludes the fallen SHIBA
house, the heads of two great houses and a family head representative of another
great house were all assembled within the meeting room.
Tokinada TSUNAYASHIRO is seated on one side of the pentagon shaped conference

table, Byakuya KUCHIKI as well as Yoruichi who is acting on behalf of the SHIHÔIN
family head were each seated at the two sides situated furthest away from him.
The remaining house of the four great noble families has not made an appearance on
this occasion.
This is because there is a law established by the former Central 46 that “as a
precautionary measure, the heads of the five great noble families must not converge
together in the same place”.
It is a law that was founded on the notion that they cannot afford to lose all the heads
of the five great noble families at the same time in the event of an enemy attack or
disaster, it is said that this arose from the quincy attack a thousand years ago.
Even now when the five great noble families has become four, that law still remains,
and even now in this way, it has come to be that only three families are gathered in
this room.
“Well, it’s the first time I’m entering this place. It seems there’s no evidence of it being
used in a while, only the cleaning has been done scrupulously.”
Page 168
Quite in contrast with Yoruichi who was seated in a laid-back manner, Byakuya who
sat in his chair with an elegant posture was quiet, and yet his dignified voice
resounded within the room.
“I’ve heard it’s only been used once during an inauguration two generations ago. In all
likelihood that was probably the last time. Even during the expulsion of the SHIBA
family, this place was never used.”
“Ah, that’s why this place has been specially prepared for us. I think it’s also one of our
duties as nobles to carry on these traditional customs of old.”
In response to Tokinada who spoke with an easygoing demeanour, Yoruichi made a

sniffing sound as she spoke.
“That aside, there’s a thick stench of blood wafting in the air. Did you capture and
consume some children before coming here?”
The pronounced smell of rusted iron was wrapped around Tokinada who remained as
unharmed as ever.
With a calm smile still on his face, he replied without even denying the fact that he
was indeed soaked in spurts of blood.
“Oh it’s nothing, I was merely surrounded by a bunch of miscreants. I failed to avoid
some of their blood that’s all.”
Although they have already been introduced to one another, Yoruichi and Byakuya
were still in a state where they could not probe into this Tokinada character’s true
intentions. They had considered the idea that in the worst-case scenario, he had
summoned them to a place like this in an attempt to have them assassinated, but they
could not sense a situation like that at present.
—- In any case, this is a man who is suspected of killing members of his own head
house. We can’t be careless.
With a small smile on her face, Yoruichi observed the new TSUNAYASHIRO family head
who was before her eyes.
His predecessor was also an arrogant man with all manner of aristocratic vice
condensed into him, but this man named Tokinada also made one feel an air that was
truly unbefitting of a noble.
Page 169
However, more than that, Yoruichi’s whole body was ringing with alarm bells from
unpleasant signs that goes beyond the scope of things such as nobility and commoner.
Then, whether he felt her gaze on him or not, Tokinada flashed a gentle smile and
opened his mouth to speak.
“That reminds me, this is the first time I’m meeting the former head of the SHIHÔIN
family. Indeed, you’re not called the SHIHÔIN princess for nothing. You are a beauty
both charming and majestic.”
“Your transparent flattery is unnecessary. Anyway, in your mind you also think of me
as an unruly woman who’s unbecoming of nobility, don’t you?”
“If you are conscious about that, then as former family head you should refrain from
acting in such a rash manner.”
Whilst ignoring the words of Byakuya who so matter-of-factly interjected, Yoruichi

narrowed her eyes in a smile and posed a question to the head of the TSUNAYASHIRO
family.
“So? Why go to the trouble of summoning me and Byakuya? You asked for me
specifically rather than the present head Yûshirô… it’s not like you gathered us here to
merely show us your face is it?”
“Ah, of course. I am concerned about Soul Society’s future. After all, you all made a
blunder when you let us be attacked by the likes of quincies, even allowing them to
invade the Royal Palace.”
“It pains me to hear it.”
“Never mind, you were mere co-operators all along, I don’t even consider this to be
the fault of the 13 Court Guard Squads. Rather than blaming them, there was the Soul
King-sama and squad zero who completely failed to grasp the flow of the world’s-
changes by secluding themselves away in their shells. Don’t you think so? If we had a
Soul King-sama who could conduct themselves better, the damage to the 13 Court
Guard Squads and so on would’ve also been reduced isn’t that right?”
Although there were no others in the vicinity, Tokinada spoke in a manner as if he was
publicly criticising the Soul King.
Although his feelings were not revealed on the surface, Byakuya formed his words
with an unfazed demeanour as if rebuking him for that statement.
Page 170
“That’s quite enough. Pointlessly renouncing the Soul King in such a manner is not
appropriate behaviour for a head amongst the four great noble families.”
Then, as Tokinada held back his laughter, he spat out remarks as if to provoke
Byakuya.
“And was your behaviour appropriate for a noble? It’s true isn’t it. You who was
manipulated by the information of a traitor, I can’t possibly imitate behaviour such as
yours, you who tried to advance the execution of his own little sister.”
“...”
Tokinada continued to throw more remarks at a silent Byakuya.
“Your wife… Hisana also did foolish things. After all, that’s the kind of outcome you can
expect when you place faith in the likes of nobility and entrust the fate of your own
sister to them. Or perhaps her outlook on society had even been clouded over as a
consequence of being defiled by the well-fed and finely clothed lifestyle of a
noblewoman?”
“Tokinada, you...”
Yoruichi whose facial expression had gone blank and was about to say something is cut
off mid-sentence with a motion of Byakuya’s hand.
“It’s true that I attempted to have Rukia punished. I don’t mind if I receive any kind of
slander for that.”
“…Oh?”
“But there is not even a shred of fault on Hisana’s part. All blame, falls on me.”
Byakuya remained expressionless, but perceiving the stream of his inner sentiments,
Tokinada quietly shrugged his shoulders.
“…Please don’t make such a grim face. It’s not like I came here to quarrel with you.”
The man who was blatantly picking a fight bowed apologetically after shamelessly
declaring as such.
“I apologise for the provocation. I am relieved that you are a man who can separate
emotions from politics.”
Page 171
“Cut to the chase already. Or do I have no option but to send you flying first?”
In response to Yoruichi’s easy-going manner of speaking, Tokinada gave a wry smile,

then his expression turned serious and he began to broach the real issue at hand.
“I’d like to revive the five great noble families… or in other words, I intend to propose
a restoration of the SHIBA family.”
At those words, Byakuya was still expressionless, Yoruichi raises one eyebrow ever so
slightly.
The SHIBA family were once part of the five great noble families, but a man who was a
descendant of that house and serving as captain of squad 10 at the time - Isshin SHIBA
- disappeared into the World of the Living, as a result they were stripped of their noble
standing in the form of bearing responsibility for it.
Members of Isshin’s household who were the branch family were broken up, and head
house members Kûkaku SHIBA and co who had taken up residence in Rukongai from
the very beginning, were completely expunged even of their status amongst the five
great noble families which was already a mere title in name only at the time. As an
outcome, they were formally prohibited from travelling in and out of Seireitei.
But naturally, in Kûkaku’s case, she would later infiltrate the court by force
accompanied by Jidanbô, the gatekeeper of the White Road Gate in the west of
Seireitei.
As the two waited for him to continue with the conversation, Tokinada went on.
“It’s true, Isshin SHIBA’s departure is an act that can only be described as a betrayal
towards Soul Society. However, as a consequence of that, Isshin’s son… despite
coming from the lineage of a branch family, Ichigo KUROSAKI a descendant of the
SHIBA family, defeated the king of quincies. Don’t you think that meritorious service is
enough to clear their name?”
Because it was a view that was more earnest than what she could have imagined
coming from him, Yoruichi in turn was suspicious of what Tokinada was thinking.
Meanwhile, Byakuya’s facial expression remains as undisturbed as before, with a

nonchalant air he spoke of his own thoughts.
“I agree about Ichigo KUROSAKI’s meritorious service, but Ichigo KUROSAKI will not
accept the status of a noble or anything of the like.”
Page 172
“That’s true. For that guy things like status and prestige are simply not regarded as a
reward. Rather it only appears to be a nuisance to him at best. If you’re speaking for
the sake of entire SHIBA family it may be better received, but neither Kûkaku nor
Ganju are thinking of returning to nobility again.”
After listening to Byakuya and Yoruichi’s words and quietly nodding in understanding,
Tokinada gave a weak smile as he replied.
“So, it’s true Ichigo KUROSAKI is that sort of man. If that’s the case, then how about
we make his two younger sisters nominal family heads? They won’t need to be
involved in any practical duties. It’ll only be a formality so there’s no problem.”
“You’ve investigated even as far as Ichigo’s family members huh?… However, I don’t
see what you’re getting at. Why are you so fixated on restoring the SHIBA family?”
A look of vigilance was playing on Yoruichi’s face, at her question Tokinada replied
with honesty.
“Ah, for the sake of valuing justice. I have no problem forcibly getting things done with
the might of the TSUNAYASHIRO family, but that will only create a breeding grounds
for future problems amongst the people of Soul Society. They would think they were
under my dictatorship, wouldn’t they? For this reason, I want it to be known the world
over that the Seireitei operates through just procedures.”
“...?”
“So long as the five houses are all present, and we’ve acquired the Soul King’s formal
consent – – the five great noble families will have a position equivalent to that of the
Royal Palace and can become Seireitei’s decision making body surpassing the Central
46. Perhaps, the Central 46 at the time decided to decimate the SHIBA family in order
to prevent a situation like that.”
As he stifled his laughter, Tokinada continued even further.
“In any case, have you never thought to question it? Why, out of the five great noble
families, it was the SHIBA family that were met with a cold reception from the very
beginning? Supposedly, it’s because they took up residence in Rukongai in order to set
up a SHIBA family secret cannon there. However, before they were stripped of their
position amongst the five great noble families, the SHIBA family received treatment no
better than a bunch of poor people from lesser nobility. Aren’t you curious about both
the SHIBA family and why it was deemed acceptable?”
Page 173
“Who knows, when looking at value alone, the SHIBA family residence was in no way
inferior to the ordinary noble’s, perhaps they simply felt that was enough. However,
I’m surprised by your arrogance, you go as far as to call even nobles, poor people.”
Although it was a matter that was certainly on her mind, Yoruichi replied as if she
wasn’t going to tread to deeply into that topic right now.
She concluded that going along with Tokinada’s ideas here will only serve to stray
further away from the truth instead.
Whether or not he was also thinking the same, Byakuya then spoke to Tokinada with
an indifferent air.
“I do not intend to step foot in another house’s internal affairs… at any rate, even if
you understand it as a matter of stipulation, I expect consent has never before been
handed down from the Soul King.”
In response to the point Byakuya had just raised, Tokinada distorts his mouth into a
grin.
“I expect you’re right. Even if Soul King-sama is able to communicate his general will to
the inhabitants of the Royal Palace, he will not act to give his consent to anything.
Well, perhaps I should say, he’s incapable of doing so”
“I still can’t see what you’re getting at. What are you planning? Tokinada.”
“But those days are over. Eventually, by obtaining the Soul King-sama’s consent, the
day will come when Seireitei… when we the five great noble families, will
independently govern all three worlds. That’s all there is to it.”
At those words, both Yoruichi and Byakuya slightly raised their brows.
The three worlds.
It’s quite possible that’s referring to Soul Society and the World of the Living – – and
then, either Hueco Mundo or Hell.
At Tokinada’s mention of such sudden absurdities, Yoruichi questions him.
“…Then let me ask you this before we hear the particulars of the matter. You said the
Soul King will not give his consent, did you not? How can you be so assertive that the
Soul King will go out of his way to approve of your proposal?”
Page 174
“Oh, that’s a simple matter. Because the next Soul King-sama is to have free will.”
“...?”
In contrast with a doubtful and perplexed Byakuya, Yoruichi’s eyes widened in sudden
realisation, then those eyes instantly narrowed as she fixed a glare at Tokinada.
“...! I see. So that’s why you picked me rather than Yûshirô...”
Caught in her line of sight, Tokinada plastered a foul expression on his face, smiling,
laughing, sneering.
“You saw it didn’t you? Yoruichi SHIHÔIN. The Soul King that was killed by Ichigo
KUROSAKI… the kind of the state it was in before being killed. But what was 'that'…
that’s right, it seems you lot don’t yet know what kind of existence the Soul King had
in the first place.”
“Though Kisuke URAHARA would know about it right”
Soul society - In front of the Senkaimon.
“URAHARA-san huh… we’ve had conversational exchanges over things like

motorcycles and gasoline, but this is the first time I’ll be officially interviewing him…”
Oblivious to the fact that the same topic of discussion was being brought up amongst
members of the four great noble families, Shûhei HISAGI proceeded to take a step
towards the World of the Living, he spoke of his own resolve in order to encourage
himself.
“Well, I’ll do it for you. If I can’t at least do that, I won’t be able to call myself editor-in-
chief of Seireitei Communication.”
—- Please keep watching. Captain TÔSEN.
—- I will definitely light a path for all the people of Soul Society, in my own way.
—- As captain once did for me.
Page 175
Whilst making use of a Jigokuchô heading for Karakura Town, Shûhei prepared himself
and made progress towards the Senkaimon.
By doing so, he remained unaware of the fact that he had thrown himself deeper into
a position of conflict.
A number of destinies cling to Shûhei HISAGI, encapsulating coincidence and

inevitability at the same time.
Without knowing that the thing at the centre of the conflict is the very thing that is
tied to the core of Soul Society – – HISAGI simply continues to walk his own path.
Yielding to fear itself, Kaname TÔSEN who had once lit his own path could do nothing
but flee.
Rather than the path that was his to walk, he was convinced that a path which he had
been directed to, was the one which was in fact correct.
Shûhei HISAGI is neither a prophet nor an omnipotent and omniscient being, naturally
he has no way of knowing his own future.
It’s not like he could cut a path through a checkered fate like Ichigo KUROSAKI.
Unlike Kenpachi ZARAKI, there wasn’t a torrent of power dwelling within him.
Unlike Kisuke URAHARA, he didn’t have deep consideration for countermeasures.
Unlike Mayuri KUROSTUCHI, he didn’t have a curse-like inquisitive mind carved into his
very soul.
Unlike Byakuya KUCHIKI, he didn’t have the knowhow to confront a never-ending

heavy burden.
Neither did he have the talent to masterfully control unequalled spiritual-energy like
Tôshirô HITSUGAYA.
Nor did he have enough experience to see through one’s inner nature like Genryûsai
YAMAMOTO did.
He couldn’t cleverly parry all manner of temperaments like Shunsui KYÔRAKU.
He didn’t have the passion to redefine even the ways of the world like Sajin
KOMAMURA.
Page 176
His fists are not so strong that he could persist through his own path like Kensei
MUGURUMA.
A soul reaper who had learned everything about the conflict later told him –
That’s precisely why he is who is he, why Shûhei HISAGI is a soul reaper, so that he
might be capable of confronting the world itself.
He may be able to finally reach a resolution to that only because he is walking a

different path while continuing to follow the man named Kaname TÔSEN.
And so, Shûhei HISAGI did not yet know.
Perhaps he will continue to never know.
Since when did the man named Kaname TÔSEN who had demonstrated the path that
was supposedly his to walk, stray away from his very own path?
Or – is it that he never strayed from that path of his until the very end?
Several hundred years ago - Soul Society.
A young man from Rukongai who appears to be blind was seeking an audience with
the Central 46.
After leading him away for a few minutes to discuss the matter of this “noble who
murdered his own wife”, that very noble smiled brightly as raised voices could be
heard coming towards them.
“Hey, you guys. You’re on duty? This Rukongai citizen tried to raise a hand to me.
Won’t you quickly kick him out for me?”
Although they were quite frankly oblivious to the circumstances, the men who served
as guards had no reason to refuse those instructions.
“Y-yes sir!”
The guards sense something eerie in the nobleman’s words, nevertheless they decide
to obediently follow his instructions.
Page 177
Whether or not there was something behind those words, it was none of their
business, so rather than disobeying the nobleman, they knew it would be far more
beneficial to beat up this Rukongai dweller before their eyes.
The noble continues to throw some more words towards the blind man, but they had
no need to make sense of it.
They considered the fact that nothing good will come out of getting involved in the
disputes of the five great noble families, even if it’s just a lower seat of a branch
family.
The blind Rukongai citizen whose throat was crushed, tries to yell something whilst
glaring at the noble.
Such defiant attitude, and from someone with the social standing of a Rukongai
pauper no less.
The guards decided to give this pauper a thorough beating so that he would never set
foot in the governmental district again.
As sadistic intentions took hold, stimulated by the look of despair on the blind young
man’s face, the guards unwittingly flashed grins that were similar to the nobleman’s
even amongst themselves.
This youth didn’t know his place, it’s as if he was saying that they needed to teach him
a lesson.
And thus, they raised their staves overhead once again, above the blind man who was
enveloped by deep despair and anger – – –
This time, there was no one who would stop it.
As the sound of staves making contact with his body continued to ring out, the blind
youth - Kaname TÔSEN - continues to listen to those sounds in a daze.
—- What?
—- These guards… what are they doing?
Page 178
The soul which was boiling over furiously, engulfed in despair and anger, then began
to gradually subside due to bewilderment.
Although he couldn’t see anything with the blindness in his eyes, it seems he could
sense what was happening just from the flow of sound and air around him.
Donning a sadistic smile, one of the guards proceeded to swing down his staff in front
of TÔSEN –
Towards another fellow guardsman who was standing next to him.
“Y-you wretch, what the hell are you… arrgh”
The other guard who was hit gave a groan, but his words were cut off by a strike to the
face.
“Don’t talk back! You filthy commoner!”
The idea that they might have been overlooking him was immediately dismissed by
the beaten man’s palpitations and coarse breathing.
It seems this guard actually intended to deliver the beating to him rather than his own
partner who was by his side.
The guard then proceeded to drag his partner who had lost consciousness up to the
other end of the street.
In doing so, TÔSEN who was still in a state of confusion, continued to listen to the
sound of the guards as they gradually faded into the distance, from behind him – an
unfamiliar voice of a man could suddenly be heard.
“I switched the water in their flasks with alcohol. It’ll end up looking like their actions
just now fits with the story that they got into a scuffle after drinking on the job won’t
it? That noble will probably suspect something, but it’s better to let suspicion beget
more suspicion.”
A gentle voice.
However, unlike Tokinada - that noble from a moment ago - it made no secret of some
incarnation of power dwelling within its depths, it was a voice that made one feel
pressured just by listening to it.
Page 179
“Who is it… are you also… are you also a soul reaper…!?”
Despite his bewilderment, TÔSEN ignited the hatred in his heart once again and asked
his questions whilst enshrouded in enough bloodlust to tear out the windpipe of the
man before him.
Then, keeping nothing back from him, the man openly replied.
“Yes. That’s right. A small scrap of a trivial world that put you in despair just a moment
ago, that made you willing to burn it to the ground with flames of hatred.”
This new soul reaper that has made an appearance offers TÔSEN one proposal.
“That chest filled with hatred; don’t you want to leave it with me… just for a while?”
Although TÔSEN is dubious, judging by the voice of the man before him, this man felt
confident, as though he had already seized control of TÔSEN’s heart – – TÔSEN sensed
an overwhelming 'power’, giving him the impression that he was talking with an
instinctive leader.
The man extended his arm out to TÔSEN who remained calm – – Speaking his own
name.
It is the name of a man who would reveal the one 'path’ to the man called Kaname
TÔSEN, and then later aim for the heavens by making enemies of this world.
“My name is Sôsuke AIZEN. At present, I’m still… just a lowly soul reaper.”
END
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CAN'T FEAR YOUR OWN WORLD I Translated by Missstormcaller

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CAN'T FEAR YOUR OWN WORLD I Translated by Missstormcaller

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CAN’T FEAR YOUR OWN WORLD I

written by Ryôgo NARITA & Tite KUBO

“Do not seek the aesthetics in waging war.

Do not seek virtue in death.

Do not think your life is your own.

“Do not seek the aesthetics in waging war.

Do not seek virtue in death.

Do not think your life is your own.

Once, there was a battle.

Royal Palace main shrine - Greater Royal Palace.

From behind, he heard an easygoing tone of voice call out to him.

“Oh my…so that is the new Soul King? High priest?”

“…oh dear, how perceptive of you, high priest”

—- well, that is surely because those kids are captivated by Ichigo-kun…

KYÔRAKU said without hesitation in a curious manner of speaking.

“High priest, is that the will of the Soul King?”

“Ah, no need to concern yourselves. These are not opponents to defeat.”

“Che…what? You ain’t gonna fight?”

“Nelliel, why you…!”

“…is that what you’re all going to be calling Soul King?”

She whispered her words as if saying it to herself.

“…such a thing is at the core of Soul Society?”

“Oh my, Ichigo-kun is really popular isn’t he…?”

“Where are you going, high priest?”

“To wake up Squad Zero a little”

On one occasion, the Royal Palace was reworked to “Wahrwelt” by Yhwach.

One hour later - Royal Palace - Phoenix Palace

“…Oh. They’ve got me beat huh!”

There was supposed to be a certain zanpakutô sealed there.

“It’s not like that…”

“Hey, are you alright? 'Not like’ what?”

Mera further tilts her head at the other’s words.

“Don’t convince yourself, it gives me a bad feeling in many ways, master”

Even more so, the several live coals of the calamity.

In Soul Society, there is a man.

He is a person who gives death to his enemy.

He is a person who purifies the deaths of the world.

The name of that soul reaper, is Shûhei HISAGI.

Nevertheless, he will never-change his way of life even if he did know.

Because he has already chosen his way of life.

When a soul reaper saved his life?

When he lost his comrades in a training exercise?

Seireitei - In front of the 1st Squad Barracks.

“Well then, do you have any last words?”

The Commander’s remark calmly echos around the criminal.

A few days after the conclusion of war with the quincies.

Surrounding KYÔRAKU, the Commander, members of the punishment force who

“I wanted to talk to Ichigo KUROSAKI a little more. Kisuke URAHARA is attentive to

“You express a sentiment that is foreign to your heart”

“Of course. Because it’s our duty to keep it going.”

“Don’t you screw around!”

It was not KYÔRAKU that raised his voice in anger.

In actuality, he should have understood what’s in his heart.

If AIZEN is imprisoned once again, everything works out peacefully.

“...yes, I understand, Commander” HISAGI said in response to KYÔRAKU’s chiding,

“...ugh! About that, you…”

“You seem to misunderstand one thing.”

“That is, my mercy.”

The air surrounding them freezes at those words.

After AIZEN’s brazen proclamation, HISAGI boiled in anger even more.

Not towards AIZEN.

In contrast with HISAGI, AIZEN continued to talk in an unfazed manner.

“...shall we really go that far? You’re being awfully talkative.”

“ Gulp...! But captain Suî-FÊNG…!”