Target: Chiba Makoto!

As Sōsuke Aizen's Reiryoku swept forcefully across the Seireitei, the entire Seireitei... fell into near-total silence.

Under such terrifying Reiryoku, ordinary squad members could barely even remain standing.

Moreover, Kuchiki Byakuya and the other Soul Reapers who had only just returned to the Seireitei and were receiving treatment looked especially grim.

Sōsuke Aizen's brazen intrusion into the Soul Society undoubtedly announced the outcome of the war in the World of the Living:

The Thirteen Divisions led by Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni, along with the Visored Army... had lost!

"Aizen... they've come!"

Kuchiki Byakuya spoke with an exceptionally grim expression, instinctively tightening his grip on Senbonzakura.

"That's right!"

Sōya Azashiro appeared before Kuchiki Byakuya and Hisagi Shūhei, confirming it.

"It isn't just Sōsuke Aizen. There are also four Espada led by NO.0, as well as Tōsen Kaname and Ichimaru Gin."

The words instantly plunged the atmosphere into unparalleled gravity.

Hisagi Shūhei narrowed his eyes and instinctively looked toward the tightly shut operating room behind him.

Chiba Makoto's "corpse" was inside, and Unohana Retsu had already entered with Nel.

"How long will Captain Unohana's surgery... take to finish?" Hisagi Shūhei asked, his voice carrying greater urgency.

"I don't know."

Sōya Azashiro's answer was exceedingly brief before he added,

"But it's unrealistic to expect Vice-Captain Chiba to fend off Sōsuke Aizen. Damage to the soul can lead to all kinds of problems."

Yet what Hisagi Shūhei cared about was clearly not whether Chiba Makoto's strength could protect the Soul Society, but whether they could protect Chiba Makoto and get him out of here before Sōsuke Aizen breached the Seireitei.

In Hisagi Shūhei's heart, the only person he truly served and who gave meaning to his life was Chiba Makoto.

"From the looks of it, Sōsuke Aizen's first objective isn't to breach the Seireitei, but