Chapter 12

"Oh, kid, why aren't you running anymore?" Grand Fisher asked mockingly.

"Running? Don't get the wrong idea, Hollow. I only did that to avoid catching Fourth Seat Chōtarō in the crossfire," Miyako Amamiya said with a chuckle.

"Don't worry, kid. After I kill you, I'll go back and kill that Soul Reaper too," Grand Fisher said arrogantly, itching to attack.

"Oh? What makes you so confident?" Miyako Amamiya asked, tilting his head.

"Confident? Killing a brat like you is easy!" Grand Fisher laughed wildly.

"To avoid affecting the World of the Living, let's finish you off quickly. I also want to see how powerful this is against a Hollow." Miyako Amamiya drew the twin blades at his waist, immediately released his Zanpakuto, and aimed the bow at him.

"A bow?" Grand Fisher was surprised. It was a rare weapon for a Soul Reaper.

Miyako Amamiya simply held out one hand and aimed it at him, leaving his other hand still. Four arrows immediately appeared around the bow and shot toward him.

Two arrows flew toward the ground in front of him, while the other two flew behind Grand Fisher.

"Kid, you missed! Hahaha!" he jeered at Miyako Amamiya's pointless move.

"Missed? No, they landed exactly where I wanted," Miyako Amamiya said.

"What did you say?" Grand Fisher looked in confusion at the ground where the arrows had landed. The four arrows formed a perfect square.

The arrows then began to change, and white light spread upward, enveloping Grand Fisher.

"Accept this grand battle formation," Miyako Amamiya said with a smile.

The white light surrounding Grand Fisher shone brilliantly.

"What?" Grand Fisher knew he had fallen into a trap, but it was already too late to escape.

"Sankt Zwinger." Miyako Amamiya's final words came at last.

The square destruction formation erupted in a brilliant light. Grand Fisher screamed, but soon fell silent.

Miyako Amamiya did not dare keep his Zanpakuto released for too long. Once he was sure Grand Fisher had fallen silent, he returned it to its sealed state.

When he reached the spot where he had used Sankt Zwinger, the enormous beast was battered and broken. Strangely, though, the antenna on its head had vanished. Only its massive body lay silently on the ground, with a clearly visible hole of middling size beside it.

"He switched bodies at the last moment and escaped..." Miyako Amamiya now realized that Grand Fisher had switched bodies with the feeler on his head and escaped long ago.

Looks like Isshin Shiba will have to deal with him himself, Miyako Amamiya thought.

Miyako Amamiya was very pleased with his first use of a Quincy skill against a Hollow outside, even though Grand Fisher had escaped. It was no great loss, and Miyako Amamiya did not believe Grand Fisher would recognize the technique.

Miyako Amamiya was very satisfied with both the speed and power of Sankt Zwinger's eruption.

I'd better go back and check on Fourth Seat Chōtarō. Miyako Amamiya left, intending to see how Zennosuke Kurumadani was doing.

"Fourth Seat Chōtarō, are you all right?" Miyako Amamiya returned to the scene and, seeing Zennosuke Kurumadani in a sorry state, hurried over and began treating him with Kaido.

Zennosuke stopped him. "Fifth Seat Amamiya, don't waste your strength. Simple Kaido won't help with these injuries."

He gave a bitter smile. "Even though I remembered your warning, Fifth Seat Amamiya, I never expected Grand Fisher to beat me up like this. How embarrassing."

"There's no need to feel that way, Fourth Seat Chōtarō. Something was very wrong with Grand Fisher this time. He was clearly much stronger than before. I'll be sure to report that in detail when I return to Soul Society." Miyako Amamiya was not offering empty comfort; he was stating the facts. Something must have happened to Grand Fisher to make his Reiatsu soar.

"Returning to Soul Society? Have you already been ordered back?" Zennosuke Kurumadani asked in surprise.

"Yes, I'll be recalled soon. Soul Society detected a fluctuation in my Reiatsu and needs me to report back."

"Cough, cough, cough." Zennosuke Kurumadani spat out several more mouthfuls of blood. "Looks like I'll have to go back with you this time."

Zennosuke Kurumadani's injuries were indeed fairly severe, and Miyako Amamiya's skill with Kaido was nowhere near enough to treat them. Returning to Soul Society was certainly a reasonable choice.

"Fourth Seat Chōtarō, if we both return to Soul Society, what will happen to the work in the World of the Living?"

"Don't worry. We still have squad members on standby. There are more than enough to replace us."

"True." The Thirteenth Division kept personnel on standby precisely to prevent situations like this.

Miyako Amamiya supported Fourth Seat Chōtarō and took him somewhere else to rest.

"In that case, Fourth Seat Chōtarō, leave the Karakura Town assignment to me," Miyako Amamiya said with a smile.

"You're right. Fifth Seat Amamiya—no, Amamiya-kun, I'll leave it to you." He gave Miyako Amamiya a toothy grin. Though badly injured, Zennosuke Kurumadani was still very optimistic.

That night, after one last training session with Ryūken Ishida, Miyako Amamiya formally said goodbye to him and returned the black cloak. They also agreed roughly when they would meet next, and then Miyako Amamiya left.

Several days later, Miyako Amamiya and Zennosuke Kurumadani went to the location specified by the Denreishinki and waited for the Senkaimon to open.

Deep in an uninhabited mountain range, a massive Japanese-style gate suddenly appeared before them. As it opened, Miyako Amamiya knew it was time to return.

He and Zennosuke Kurumadani summoned their Hell Butterflies and walked inside.

At the Thirteenth Division barracks, Miyako Amamiya walked alone toward the captain's office. He had to report to Ukitake on everything that had happened during his assignment in the World of the Living. Zennosuke Kurumadani, meanwhile, had been sent to the Fourth Division Barracks for intensive treatment because of his serious injuries.

At the door to the captain's office, Miyako knocked and said, "Captain Ukitake, it's me, Miyako Amamiya."

"Come in, Amamiya-kun," Ukitake's voice came from inside.

Miyako Amamiya opened the door and found Kiyone Kotetsu treating Ukitake with Kaido, while Sentarō Kotsubaki handled division affairs on the other side of the room.

Seeing Ukitake's pale face, Miyako Amamiya knew his old illness had probably flared up again.

"Cough, cough. Sorry you have to see me like this, Amamiya-kun," Ukitake said with a weary smile. "Well then, let's get straight to your report."

"Yes, Captain Ukitake." Miyako Amamiya knelt on one knee and gave a detailed account of what had happened in the World of the Living.

Ukitake listened thoughtfully. When he heard that Miyako had been recalled because of an eruption of spiritual pressure, his eyes moved to Miyako's waist. The recurrence of his illness had dulled Ukitake's attention, and only now did he notice the two gleaming blades there.

"...That's everything that happened during my assignment." Miyako Amamiya explained his work as a Soul Reaper in the World of the Living, keeping his independent activities to himself.

"Grand Fisher... I didn't expect him to be capable of seriously injuring Zennosuke. According to Soul Society's previous records, he shouldn't be that strong yet." Ukitake pondered for a moment. "Sentarō, make a careful record of this. Soul Reapers going to the World of the Living in the future need to be warned."

"Yes, Captain Ukitake," Sentarō Kotsubaki answered loudly. Miyako Amamiya and Kiyone covered their ears before he spoke. Even Kiyone, who had known him for so long, still could not stand his booming voice, let alone Miyako Amamiya.

"But Miyako Amamiya has given me quite a surprise," Ukitake said with a smile. "I didn't expect another twin-bladed Zanpakuto to appear in Soul Society."

Ukitake's remark finally drew Kiyone and Sentarō Kotsubaki's attention to the Zanpakuto at Miyako Amamiya's waist.

"Huh? Amamiya-kun, your Zanpakuto..." Kiyone said in surprise.

"It's a twin-bladed one, just like the captain's..." Sentarō Kotsubaki was momentarily stunned as well.

"Although it has two blades, my Zanpakuto is actually a little different from Captain Ukitake's and Captain Kyōraku's," Miyako Amamiya said with a wry smile.

"Oh? How so? What's special about your twin blades, Amamiya-kun?" Ukitake was curious too. As the only two previous owners of twin-bladed Zanpakuto in Soul Society, he and Shunsui Kyōraku had fairly similar released forms. That had led them to believe that twin-bladed Zanpakuto should have certain similarities when released.

But Miyako Amamiya said his was different. Was it not twin-bladed after Shikai? Ukitake wondered.

"Speaking of which, Captain Ukitake, if you want to know, how about agreeing to one request?" Miyako Amamiya said with a grin. "If you agree, I can show you why I said my Zanpakuto is a little different."

"Go ahead and tell me first, Amamiya-kun. I'll give it careful consideration."

"I've mentioned this to you before, Captain Ukitake. It's something I was always going to do sooner or later, but now the time is right." Miyako Amamiya continued to keep him in suspense.

"Could it be?" Ukitake recalled the bold declaration Miyako Amamiya had made when he first joined the division.

"That's right, Captain Ukitake. Please put me to the test. I want to become the Thirteenth Division's true lieutenant." Miyako Amamiya was full of confidence. Learning Shikai and training in the World of the Living had both left him eager to try.

Only by becoming lieutenant would he have a certain amount of authority in the Seireitei. Whether it was access to more advanced Soul Reaper skills or the investigation Ryūken Ishida had asked him to conduct, Miyako Amamiya needed that authority for both.

"Hahahaha, cough, cough, cough..." Ukitake suddenly broke into a violent coughing fit as he laughed.

"Captain." Although Kiyone was surprised by Miyako Amamiya's words, she immediately stepped forward and resumed treating Ukitake when she saw him coughing.

"No, Kiyone, I'm all right." Ukitake waved her back. "I'm just a little excited."

He had known that, with Miyako Amamiya's talent, he would succeed sooner or later. But Ukitake had not expected the day to come so soon.

Kaien, our Thirteenth Division has someone to carry on after us... Ukitake thought.

"Then, Amamiya-kun, as captain of the Thirteenth Division, I formally approve your request. You will be given the lieutenant's examination," Ukitake said solemnly.

"Sentarō, I'll leave the combat portion to you. Well, are you confident?" Ukitake asked Sentarō Kotsubaki. Since Kaien Shiba's death, the Thirteenth Division had not formally appointed a lieutenant, and Ukitake had also refused to transfer a candidate from another division.

Thus, aside from Ukitake, the strongest member of the Thirteenth Division was currently Third Seat Sentarō Kotsubaki. Kiyone Kotetsu, who also held the rank of Third Seat, had been specially assigned to treat Ukitake. Though she was quite strong, her greater talent lay in Kaido, so Ukitake would not have her fight.

"Yes, Captain! I'll show him that the position of lieutenant in our Thirteenth Division isn't so easy to obtain." Sentarō Kotsubaki was full of confidence. Having served as acting lieutenant for many years, he had great faith in his own abilities, and he did not believe Miyako Amamiya could have gained the strength of a true lieutenant so quickly.

"Hey, have you heard? Captain Ukitake actually agreed..."

"No way. How long has he even been in the division?"

"I still don't think he can beat Third Seat Kotsubaki."

The constant buzz of discussion around her left Rukia Kuchiki bewildered. She had no idea what the squad members were talking about.

Ahead, Kiyone Kotetsu hurried past Rukia, who quickly grabbed her.

"Kiyone, what's going on? What's everyone talking about?" Rukia was confused and urgently wanted an answer.

"Rukia, you haven't heard? It's Fifth Seat Amamiya. Yesterday, he asked Captain Ukitake to let him compete for the lieutenant's position."

"What?" Rukia was speechless with surprise. "Did Captain Ukitake agree?"

"Yes. I don't really understand it either. Even if he's learned Shikai, he shouldn't have become strong enough to be lieutenant so quickly." Kiyone did not think much of Miyako Amamiya's chances either. Seated Officers who had learned Shikai were rare, but not unheard of, and there were differences between one Soul Reaper's Shikai and another's.

"Shikai? Already?" Rukia exclaimed in shock.

"Ah, sorry, Rukia. I have to get some documents Captain Ukitake needs. If you want to watch the lieutenant's examination, just go to the training grounds." With that, Kiyone ran off.

"Wait..." Rukia reached out, wanting to ask more, but Kiyone had already hurried away.

"What on earth happened?" Rukia still did not understand what had happened to Miyako Amamiya, why he had become confident enough to apply for the lieutenant's examination so quickly, or why Captain Ukitake had agreed so readily.

Meanwhile, the open-air training grounds of the Thirteenth Division were packed tight with spectators. Ukitake stood on a small hill to one side, looking at the two people in the grounds and anticipating the outcome of the battle.

On the training grounds, Miyako Amamiya and Sentarō Kotsubaki faced each other, ready for battle.

Miyako Amamiya did not know exactly how strong Sentarō Kotsubaki was, so he naturally did not dare be careless. Sentarō Kotsubaki, for his part, realized that Ukitake had acknowledged Miyako Amamiya's strength the day before, so he did not dare relax either.

"Senior Kotsubaki, here I come," Miyako Amamiya said, drawing his twin blades.

"Bring it on!" Sentarō Kotsubaki shouted back.

In an instant, both vanished from their positions, using Shunpo to close in on each other.

The sound came before they did. Only after the piercing clash of blades rang out did the spectators see that the two had already collided.

Sentarō Kotsubaki gripped his sword in both hands and pressed down on Miyako Amamiya, hoping to overpower him.

But Miyako Amamiya had no desire to match brute force with him. He tilted his crossed blades slightly, using Sentarō Kotsubaki's momentum to guide his sword down to the left.

Then Miyako Amamiya drew back his twin blades, reversed his grip on one, and extended a finger.

"Hadō #4: Byakurai."

Sentarō Kotsubaki had naturally been prepared and vanished from Byakurai's path in an instant.

He immediately turned his sword sideways and thrust swiftly at Miyako Amamiya. If slashing was no use, he would break through at a single point.

Miyako Amamiya saw the blade thrusting toward him and remained calm. He sprang lightly into the air and landed squarely on the back of Kotsubaki Kotarō's sword.

"What?" Sentarō Kotsubaki had never seen anyone move like that and was briefly stunned. Watching from the side, Ukitake was also somewhat surprised; he had not expected Miyako Amamiya to have such excellent control over his own body.

Miyako Amamiya pushed off lightly and leaped again. Sentarō Kotsubaki's hands lost their steady grip on his sword, but Miyako Amamiya was already above him, casting Kidō without an incantation.

"Bakudō #9: Geki." Ropes shot from his hand and swiftly wrapped around Sentarō Kotsubaki. Sentarō Kotsubaki had only just steadied his sword and was already too late to stop Miyako Amamiya from binding him.

Sentarō Kotsubaki tried to retreat and evade, but Miyako Amamiya had already caught up, swinging both blades.

At this distance, he's going to cut me... Sentarō Kotsubaki thought.

Miyako Amamiya brought both blades down, but did not feel that resistance. The cuts are too shallow. He looked ahead and saw that the ropes formed by Geki had vanished, while Sentarō Kotsubaki was retreating at speed.

Two wounds crossed on Sentarō Kotsubaki's body, forming an X, and a few drops of blood slowly trickled down.

"I underestimated you, Amamiya." Sentarō Kotsubaki looked at his wounds. Though they were shallow, Miyako Amamiya had clearly come out ahead in the first exchange.

"Now I'm going to use my full strength!" Sentarō Kotsubaki said seriously.

He immediately released his Zanpakuto, and the Reiatsu that erupted swept across the entire training ground.

"Ohhh, that's Third Seat Kotsubaki's Shikai. That Reiatsu..."

"I feel like even my breathing has slowed down. That's amazing."