The curtain of rain gradually grew heavier, the pale gray downpour almost shrouding the entire Soul Society.
Asano Kiyoshi stood in the rain, his clothes drenched and clinging tightly to his body, cold and painful.
Looking at the familiar figures before him, Asano Kiyoshi gave a bitter laugh.
"Teacher Ukitake, Captain Kyoraku... are you here to stop me too?"
Looking at the severely wounded Asano Kiyoshi, the pain in Jushiro Ukitake's eyes was nearly overflowing.
"Little Kiyoshi, come back with me. You still have a wonderful future ahead of you. You... shouldn't become the enemy of the entire Soul Society here!"
Kyoraku merely watched Asano Kiyoshi. Rain struck the brim of his hat, making his expression impossible to see.
At those words, Asano Kiyoshi simply shook his head, raising the Zanpakuto in his hand as he spoke softly.
"If I leave, what will happen to Nel?"
The silent Kyoraku finally spoke, his voice carrying a trace of heaviness and bitterness.
"She's a Hollow! An Arrancar! Haven't you figured out your place yet?! You're the future Captain-Commander of the Soul Society! You're our little junior brother! You're the Chief Kido Master of the Soul Society! How many people's hopes do you carry? How many expectations do you bear?! Do you know?! Start acting like an adult! Figure out what matters most!"
Looking at his old friend, who had never lost control like this in a thousand years, then at the haggard figure before them—
The knot in Ukitake's heart became impossible to suppress. A sweet, bloody taste surged into his throat, and blood scattered into the rain, blooming in a vivid crimson, bleak and desolate.
Looking at the two before him, Asano Kiyoshi raised his head. His eyes were filled with guilt, but he still tightened his grip on his long