This scene only deepened the fear of the Soul Reapers present.
So... this Hollow was the culprit secretly responsible for the loss of souls among nearly two hundred Rukongai residents?
Watching the officers they had once admired collapse helplessly, watching familiar comrades have part of their souls devoured without being able to do anything, fear... truly began to spread among the Soul Reapers.
They would die...
Run!
They had to run!!!
Just then, a gentle yet resolute voice suddenly rang out.
"Soul Reapers, grip your Zanpakuto tightly. The former captain of the Tenth Division died honorably in battle. Are you going to turn and flee before a Hollow, making the Tenth Division the laughingstock of the entire Seireitei?"
Under the astonished gazes of the Soul Reapers, Chiba Makoto, clad in a Fourth Division uniform, spoke passionately. He even took a step toward the Adjuchas, like a hero walking against the light, and said,
"Abandoning your officers and fleeing, abandoning the responsibilities you bear and fleeing, abandoning the helpless residents of Rukongai and fleeing—such a thing... for us Soul Reapers, is it not more shameful and unacceptable than death?!"
"Do not be afraid. Look ahead. There is no need to worry about your injuries. To embrace death while bearing honor and responsibility is the romance of us Soul Reapers..."
"And as a member of the Fourth Division, so long as I have not died, I will do everything I can to treat you until the very last moment..."
As Chiba Makoto's impassioned words fell, the fear in nearly all the Tenth Division members' eyes gradually faded, replaced by shame, excitement, and resolve...
At that moment, the two Tenth Division members whose chests had first been crushed inward by the Adjuchas rose blankly to their feet. Though obvious wounds remained on their