The moment Su Xiao appeared, Soi Fon wanted to charge at him, but Kuchiki Byakuya stopped her.
"Eh~"
Kurosaki Ichigo looked suspiciously at everyone around him. Unfortunately, he was a fighter. Although his intelligence was far from low, he clearly couldn't outscheme old foxes like Su Xiao and Aizen.
"I never expected these Ryoka to be Bai Ye's accomplices."
Ichimaru Gin immediately twisted the knife. He released his spiritual pressure, drew the short blade at his waist, and charged toward Unohana Retsu at an unhurried pace.
The others present might still have been confused, but Captain Unohana saw the situation as clearly as a mirror. She took a few steps to Asauchi Renji. Of everyone present, Renji had the least suspicion on him—almost none at all.
"Take her over there."
As she spoke, Captain Unohana gently tossed Kuchiki Rukia up from behind her. Abarai Renji hurriedly caught her in a perfectly natural bridal carry.
"What is this..."
Abarai Renji clearly wasn't a strategist, either. In his mind, Su Xiao was the villain, while everyone else should have been on the same side. Why had they suddenly turned on each other?
"Don't hesitate. They may not have much time."
The direction Captain Unohana indicated was precisely where the plasma sphere was. Although she had stopped the execution, she believed that Yamamoto Genryusai and Kyoraku Shunsui could quickly resolve the current crisis. Those two were the only ones who could.
Captain Unohana had handed Kuchiki Rukia to Abarai Renji for two reasons. First, she wanted to free her hands to deal with Su Xiao. In her eyes, Su Xiao was the greatest threat to the Seireitei. Second, Renji and Rukia had a special relationship. They had lived together in Rukongai during their childhood, and later entered the Shin'o Academy together as classmates.