The Day of the Execution (Part Two)

After escaping from the Sōkyoku Hill, Jūshirō Ukitake and Shunsui Kyōraku hurried through the alleyways of Seireitei. Their steps were rapid, not out of fear, but out of a long-suppressed sense of urgency.

"Shunsui, what do you think of the old man's attitude today..." Jūshirō Ukitake began in a low voice, but couldn't finish his sentence.

Because at the end of the road in front of them, a figure was already waiting there.

Shigekuni Yamamoto-Genryūsai.

The Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13, a symbol of the highest fighting strength in Soul Society. At this moment, he stood quietly in the morning light, leaning on his seemingly ordinary wooden cane. His long white beard fluttered in the breeze, and his aged eyes were half-open, as if he were just an old man taking a rest by the roadside.

But Jūshirō Ukitake and Shunsui Kyōraku knew their teacher too well. The moment they saw Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto, they both stopped in their tracks, instinctively suppressing their Reiatsu.

"Captain-Commander..." Jūshirō Ukitake began, attempting to explain.

"Shut up." Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto's voice was calm, yet carried an undeniable authority. "Don't try to reason with me about justice. Let me rest—I haven't moved in a while, my muscles are getting stiff."

Ukitake and Kyōraku were both taken aback. They exchanged a glance, both seeing confusion in each other's eyes. The teacher's tone today... was completely different from his usual serious and rigid image, even carrying a hint of mockery.

Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto seemed oblivious to their reaction. He put down his cane and began to move his hands and feet—twisting his neck, stretching his arms, and twisting his waist. The bones made a slight cracking sound, which was particularly clear in the quiet alley.

"Hmm..." he sighed contentedly, "Hopefully, I'll get a chance to play next. It's been too long since I've fought; my body's a bit stiff."

He stopped what he was doing and looked at his two disciples. "You two, don't just stand there like idiots. I didn't come all this way just to have you as spectators—release some Reiatsu and make a show of it."

Before he could finish speaking, Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto's Reiatsu suddenly erupted.

That wasn't a tentative release, but the true Reiatsu belonging to the strongest in Soul Society. The air instantly became heavy, the ground trembled slightly, and the tiles on the buildings on both sides of the alley groaned under the weight. Jūshirō Ukitake and Shunsui Kyōraku felt the overwhelming pressure and almost had to take a step back to steady themselves.

Just then, a figure appeared at the entrance of the alley.

It was Nanao Ise, the Vice-Captain of the Eighth Division. She had obviously been drawn here by the commotion at Sōkyoku Hill to find her Captain, but as soon as she stepped into this alley, she was enveloped by Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto's Reiatsu. She swayed and almost knelt down.

"Shunsui," Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto said calmly without turning around, "Take that little girl away and find another place."

"Yes, teacher." Shunsui Kyōraku immediately understood, appearing beside Nanao Ise in Shunpo, supporting her shoulder, and whispering, "Nanao, let's leave here first."

Before Nanao Ise could answer, he had already disappeared down the alley with her.

Now, only Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto and Jūshirō Ukitake remain in the alley.

Ukitake looked at his teacher, his confusion grew heavier. Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto's behavior today was abnormal in every way—not only his indifference to Rukia's execution, but also his almost joking attitude at this moment.

"Teacher," Jūshirō Ukitake finally couldn't help but speak, "What exactly do you mean? The Sōkyoku has been destroyed, Ryoka has abducted the execution target; this is a serious violation of the Seireitei's rules. Why...?"

"Why didn't we take you down on the spot?" Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto finished the sentence for him.

Jūshirō Ukitake nodded.

Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto did not answer immediately. He leaned on his cane again, his gaze fixed on the sky illuminated by the morning light at the end of the alley. After a long while, he spoke slowly, his voice carrying an emotion that Ukitake had never heard before, an emotion that was almost one of deep emotion:

"Shisi Lang, what do you think is the purpose of my long life?"

Ukitake was stunned. The question came too suddenly, and he didn't know how to answer it for a moment.

"Is it to uphold the rules? To maintain order? Or simply because you've lived long enough that you must sit in that position?" Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto continued, without waiting for an answer, "Perhaps all of the above. But I've only recently realized that—living too long sometimes makes you forget the simplest things."

He turned to look at Ukitake, whose usually stern eyes now held a hint of gentleness.

"I originally wanted to take direct action and deal with that guy who disrupted the Seireitei. But that person is indeed quite strong, especially his Zanpakuto... It's very troublesome. If we were to fight with all our might in Soul Society, it would probably cause a lot of unnecessary casualties."

Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto paused, a barely perceptible smile curving his lips:

"So all I can do is listen to their opinions and play along with these little kids in this little show."

"Acting?" Jūshirō Ukitake's eyes widened.

"Yes, acting." Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto nodded. "According to that brat, he suggested that I occasionally lower my guard and wander around like an ordinary old man—and you know what, it feels really good."

After saying that, he actually sat down cross-legged and placed his wooden cane across his lap. He didn't look like a powerful and influential Captain-Commander; he looked more like an old man playing chess by the roadside.

Jūshirō Ukitake watched this scene, his mind nearly went blank. He hesitated for a moment, but still knelt down in front of Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto —not out of courtesy, but because he suddenly felt a strange sense of incongruity in speaking to his teacher while he was standing.

"Teacher," he asked cautiously, "What exactly happened with Rukia Kuchiki?"

Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto closed his eyes, as if enjoying this rare moment of leisure.

"Someone's pulling the strings behind the scenes. To bring back some good-for-nothings, this old man has no choice but to play along." His voice held a hint of helplessness. "What a disrespectful bunch of brats."

Jūshirō Ukitake. He understood the implication in his teacher's words— Rukia's incident wasn't an accident, but a meticulously planned conspiracy. But what did "welcoming back some worthless things" mean?

"Teacher, are we just going to wait here like this?" he pressed.

Just then, Shunsui Kyōraku returned. He landed in the alley and saw Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto sitting cross-legged and Jūshirō Ukitake kneeling opposite him. Both of them were maintaining the release of Reiatsu —not for fighting, but to create the illusion of a "standoff".

"Teacher, Ukitake," Shunsui Kyōraku blinked, "What are you doing?"

"Nothing," Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto, his eyes still closed, "Waiting for the mastermind to appear."

Shunsui Kyōraku raised an eyebrow, walked over to Jūshirō Ukitake's side, and knelt down as well. "Did I miss something?"

Jūshirō Ukitake recounted the conversation in the simplest language possible. Shunsui Kyōraku listened, his expression gradually shifted from confusion to understanding, and finally to a complex and solemn one.

"What kind of ability is it exactly?" Shunsui Kyōraku asked in a low voice, "That even the teacher finds it difficult to handle?"

Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto finally opened his eyes. He looked at his two disciples, a sharp glint in his eyes.

"You'll find out soon enough," he said briefly, then closed his eyes again. "Now, just wait quietly."

The alleyway fell silent. Only the faint whistling of the morning breeze and the occasional echoes of battle in the distance could be heard.

The three highest-ranking members of the Gotei 13 were thus "confronting" each other in an ordinary alleyway in an almost absurd way, waiting for someone hidden behind the scenes to step into the limelight.

At the same time, in the Fourth Division Barracks.

After Retsu Unohana returned with Isane Kotetsu and the other team members, she immediately began the intensive treatment. Renji Abarai was placed in the innermost treatment room, where Unohana personally treated him, enveloping his entire body in a gentle yet powerful Kaidō.

"Captain, Renji -Vice-Captain Renji's injuries...?" Isane Kotetsu asked worriedly.

"He's not in mortal danger," Unohana replied calmly, "But he overused the power of Hollowfication, putting a severe strain on his body."

"Isane," Unohana suddenly said, "Come with me for a bit."

"Where is the Captain going?" Isane Kotetsu asked.

Unohana stood up, her white Captain's Haori fluttering gently behind her. She didn't answer, only smiled slightly, a smile containing too much that Isane Kotetsu couldn't understand.

"Go where you're supposed to go."

After saying that, the two left.

Another location is the abandoned area of Seireitei.

Soi Fon was dragged along by Yoruichi Shihōin, using Shunpo to reach this desolate place. As soon as they landed, Soi Fon broke free from Yoruichi's grasp, Zanpakuto was instantly drawn.

"Yoruichi Shihōin!" Her voice was filled with suppressed anger and something else more complex, "How dare you show your face in front of me!"

Yoruichi and raised her hands in a gesture of surrender. "Soi Fon, calm down. I'm not here to fight you."

"Shut up!" Soi Fon roared. "You betrayed the Punishment Force, you betrayed the Second Division, you betrayed the entire Seireitei! And now you're here again, what is your purpose?!"

She charged at Yoruichi, her Zanpakuto through the air with a sharp arc. But Yoruichi was faster—not dodging, but meeting her head-on. She grabbed Soi Fon's wrist, twisted and pushed, easily deflecting the attack, while simultaneously pinning Soi Fon against the wall beside her.

"I told you, calm down." Yoruichi's voice was soft, yet carried an undeniable force. "If you really want to kill me, I'll give you the chance after everything's over. But not now—right now, there are more important things to do."

Soi Fon struggled, but Yoruichi's strength far exceeded her expectations. She glared at Yoruichi, her eyes burning with fury. "More important things? For a traitor like you, what could be more important than hunting you down?!"

Yoruichi didn't answer. She just looked at Soi Fon, a complex light flickering in her golden cat-like eyes. After a long while, she released her grip.

"If you really want to kill me, then come on." She took a step back, spreading her arms wide. "I'm standing here; I won't fight back."

Soi Fon froze. She looked at Yoruichi, at that face that was so familiar in her memory, yet now seemed so strange, and her hand holding the sword trembled slightly.

Ultimately, she did not attack.

"Why..." Her voice was filled with suppressed pain, "Why did you leave back then? Why didn't you take me with you? You know I..."

"I know," Yoruichi interrupted her, her voice softening, "That's why I can't take you. The road there is too dangerous; I can't let you risk your life."

She took a step closer and gently placed her hand on Soi Fon's shoulder. "But things are different now. Soi Fon, I need your help. The Seireitei needs your help."

Soi Fon looked up into Yoruichi's eyes. In those golden pupils, she saw sincerity—and a heavy resolve she had never seen before.

"Tell me," she finally said, her voice still cold, but the hostility had lessened, "What exactly are you planning?"

The Seijōtakyorin.

This is the residential area for the members of the Central 46, a quiet and elegant place exuding tranquility and solemnity. But at this moment, this tranquility has been shattered.

Liu Hao and Momo Hinamori stealthily infiltrated the area. They hid in the shadows of the buildings, their Reiatsu perfectly concealed, like two non-existent ghosts.

"Why did you bring me here?" Momo Hinamori asked in a low voice, her voice filled with unease.

"So you can see clearly," Liu Hao replied briefly, his gaze fixed on the entrance of a building in front of him.

Momo Hinamori wanted to ask something more, but just then, the door opened.

A person walked out.

Short brown hair, gentle features, and signature black-rimmed glasses. The white haori worn by the Fifth Division Captain stood out dazzlingly in the morning light.

Sōsuke Aizen.

The man who was thought to be dead, the man who had caused Momo Hinamori several days of pain, was now standing there alive, with that familiar, gentle smile on his face.

Momo Hinamori's body jolted violently. She almost lunged forward, but Liu Hao's hand pressed down on her shoulder, and a gentle force surged into her body, temporarily immobilizing her.

"Captain Aizen..." Her voice trembled, tears welling up in her eyes instantly, "He's not dead... Thank goodness... Liu Hao, why won't you let me see him?!"

"I told you," Liu Hao's voice was icy, "I brought you here so you could see everything clearly. Watch quietly, and don't point your knife at your childhood sweetheart again."

His words were like a bucket of cold water poured over Momo Hinamori's excited heart. She bit her lip, suppressing the urge to rush out, and continued watching.

Sōsuke Aizen stood in the center of the courtyard, seemingly waiting for something. A few minutes later, another figure appeared— Gin Ichimaru, carrying a Doll that looked exactly like Momo Hinamori.

Momo Hinamori's eyes widened as she watched the Doll mimic her, running joyfully towards Sōsuke Aizen and opening her arms to hug him.

Then--

Pfft.

The sound of a blade piercing through a body was exceptionally clear in the silent courtyard.

Sōsuke Aizen's Zanpakuto pierced the Doll's chest without mercy. The Doll's face still bore an expression of joy, but its eyes were filled with disbelief and confusion. It looked down at the blade in its chest, then looked up at Aizen, before slowly collapsing and dissipating into a pool of Reishi.

Hiding in the shadows, Momo Hinamori was struck dumb. She covered her mouth with her hand, her eyes widened, and tears streamed uncontrollably down her face.

"Why... why..." she murmured, her voice broken and fragmented, "Why did this happen..."

Liu Hao didn't speak. He simply pressed his hand on her shoulder, preventing her from rushing out or escaping what she was about to see.

Just then, a third person appeared.

Tōshirō Hitsugaya, his ice-blue hair shimmering in the morning light, rushed into the courtyard and saw Sōsuke Aizen and Gin Ichimaru standing together. His pupils contracted sharply.

"Captain Aizen?!" His voice was filled with shock.

Aizen turned his head to look at Tōshirō Hitsugaya, his smile unchanged.

"Yo, Captain Hitsugaya," his voice was as gentle as ever, "You're here earlier than I expected."

"I'm sorry, Captain Aizen," Gin Ichimaru replied with a smile, "It seems Izuru didn't hold out for long."

Tōshirō Hitsugaya stared at the two men, his mind racing. Captain Aizen was alive—that was good news. But why was he standing with Gin Ichimaru? Why was he here? And who was that figure who had just been stabbed?

"What... what are you talking about?" he asked warily.

"Of course we're discussing tactics," Aizen said with a smile, his tone as casual as if he were discussing the weather. "As a basic tactic, isn't it essential to disperse the enemy's forces?"

"Enemy?" Tōshirō Hitsugaya repeated the word, his ominous premonition growing stronger.

Then, his gaze fell on the ground behind Aizen and Gin Ichimaru —the traces of Reishi left behind after the Doll had disappeared. Although the Doll had vanished, the Reiatsu pressure belonging to Momo Hinamori still lingered faintly.

Tōshirō Hitsugaya's heart sank.

"Hinamori... where are you?!" His voice turned icy.

Almost as soon as he asked the question, he had already Shunpo forward. Behind Aizen and Gin Ichimaru, he saw clearer traces of Reishi on the ground— Reishi that had been ejected when the Doll was pierced, and were now slowly dissipating.

Tōshirō Hitsugaya crouched down, his fingers gently touching the Reishi. He closed his eyes, confirming once more—yes, this was Momo Hinamori's Reiatsu. Though faint, though dissipating, it was undeniably her aura.

"What a pity, you found out." Aizen's voice came from behind him, still tinged with amusement. "Actually, I should have disposed of the body."

Tōshirō Hitsugaya slowly stood up and turned around. He looked at Aizen, at that always gentle face, at those glasses that he never took off. Then, he looked at Gin Ichimaru, at that silver-haired man who always smiled with his eyes narrowed.

Something was freezing in those icy blue pupils.

"What exactly is going on, Aizen, Gin Ichimaru?" His voice was chillingly cold. "When exactly did you begin this conspiracy?"

"When?" Aizen tilted his head, as if seriously considering the question. "Ever since I became the Fifth Division Captain, I have never let anyone else serve as my Vice-Captain."

Tōshirō Hitsugaya's body trembled slightly. Not from fear, but from anger—an anger so cold it was almost icy.

"So," he forced out through clenched teeth, "That you've deceived Hinamori, me, your subordinates, and all the other Soul Reaper until now?!"

"It's not really deception," Aizen replied calmly, "It's just that you don't understand the real me."

"Don't you understand the real you?" Tōshirō Hitsugaya repeated, then suddenly laughed—a laugh filled with irony and sorrow. "But you should understand Hinamori's admiration for you! Because she admires you, she joined the Gotei 13! Because she admires you, she trained relentlessly and finally became Vice-Captain!"

His voice grew louder and louder, until it was almost a roar:

"She treats you like a religion! Do you know that?!"

In the shadows, Momo Hinamori was already in tears. She watched Tōshirō Hitsugaya's anger for her sake, and looked at Aizen's still gentle face; something inside her shattered completely.

Aizen pushed up his glasses, the lenses reflecting a cold light in the morning light.

"I know that." His voice was soft, yet like a knife piercing everyone's heart. "No one is easier to control than someone who idolizes them. That's why I chose her as my Vice-Captain."

He paused, a cruel smile curving his lips:

"Admiration... is the emotion furthest from understanding."

These words were like a final verdict. Momo Hinamori swayed; if Liu Hao hadn't supported her, she would have almost fallen to the ground. Her eyes were no longer filled with tears, only an empty despair.

In the courtyard, Tōshirō Hitsugaya remained silent. He looked at Aizen, at that familiar yet unfamiliar face, and after a long while, slowly drew his Zanpakuto from his waist.

The moment Hyōrinmaru was drawn, a chill filled the air. The temperature in the courtyard plummeted, and frost began to form on the ground.

"Sōsuke Aizen," Tōshirō Hitsugaya's voice regained its calm, but beneath that calm lay a volcano about to erupt, "I don't care what your motives are, I don't care what schemes you've plotted. But what you did to Hinamori —unforgivable."

He raised his Zanpakuto, the tip pointing at Aizen.

"Bankai-- "

His Reiatsu began to rise rapidly. Ice-blue light surged from his body, forming enormous ice wings behind him. All the moisture in the air condensed into ice crystals, shimmering dazzlingly in the morning light.

"Daiguren Hyōrinmaru!!"