Together

Kuchiki Byakuya removed the Sixth Division Captain's Haori draped over his body, then neatly folded it and placed it before him.

Once Kuchiki Byakuya rose to his feet, the aura he gave off felt completely different from usual.

His nobility remained, but gone was the calm, icy indifference he once seemed to show toward everything. In its place was a sharp, resolute air.

"Captain/Brother, what are you planning to do?" Kuchiki Rukia and Abarai Renji vaguely realized something and hurriedly asked.

Kuchiki Byakuya tightened his Zanpakuto at his waist, then took a broken wooden Star-Binding Restraint from his robes and said,

"After decades, Makoto has saved me once again. It is a call from a dear friend. In the name of the Kuchiki Clan, how can I fail to answer my friend's call?"

Kuchiki Rukia and Abarai Renji were both startled.

After all, Kuchiki Byakuya had always absolutely obeyed Seireitei's orders. Even when Kuchiki Rukia had been publicly sentenced to execution, Kuchiki Byakuya had not taken any action that violated procedure.

Yet now, when Seireitei forbade Soul Reapers from acting rashly, Kuchiki Byakuya's actions were no different from openly defying Seireitei's orders.

"Captain, do you intend to head to Karakura Town and go to Hueco Mundo with Captain Unohana?" Abarai Renji asked in disbelief.

"Not as a captain, but merely in the name of Kuchiki Byakuya..."

After a pause, Kuchiki Byakuya turned to Abarai Renji and said, "Renji, I will leave the Sixth Division to you for now. You are already capable of standing on your own."

Hearing that grave tone, which faintly sounded like he was making final arrangements, Abarai Renji instinctively straightened and answered,

"Yes!"

Then, without the slightest hesitation, Kuchiki Byakuya strode toward the door of the captain's office.

Watching Kuchiki Byakuya's retreating back, Kuchiki Rukia suddenly