The white haori was vast. Beneath its shelter, like wings descending from the heavens, countless living beings could thrive and multiply.
Yet while wings sheltered life, the shadows beneath them also concealed the filthiest darkness.
As the haori slowly settled, Captain-Commander had already appeared between the two. He slightly raised an arm and caught the kick the nobleman had thrown.
Seeing his attack blocked, the nobleman was startled, but a blaze of fury hot enough to burn away his reason surged within him. He opened his mouth and cursed instinctively:
"You damned old baldie... Urgh! C-C-Captain-Commander!"
Hearing the words that had slipped from the man's mouth, all the captains of the Gotei 13 wore subtle expressions.
Looking through the entire history of Soul Society, there was probably no second person who had dared say something like that to Captain-Commander.
Asano Kiyoshi looked at the man and could already picture him being cremated on the spot.
Yet the scene he had imagined did not unfold. Captain-Commander ignored the nobleman, merely helping the woman kneeling on the ground to her feet before asking:
"Are you all right?"
Looking at the old man standing at the pinnacle of Soul Society, the woman was utterly dazed for a moment. Her lips trembled as though she had been struck by lightning, and she could barely speak.
"Um... I-I'm fine. I'm fine. Thank you so, so much, my lord!"
Seeing her frightened yet excited expression, Captain-Commander gave a slight nod, then said to Asano Kiyoshi, who had already approached:
"Little Kiyoshi, treat her injuries."
As Captain-Commander's words fell, everyone instinctively looked into the distance. Then, sharp gasps rose one after another throughout the small space.
The sound of people sucking in cold air nearly made the surrounding air seem briefly scarce.
Looking at the dozen or