Kisuke Urahara and Great Kidō Master Tsukabishi were bound tight by Kido, slumped against the base of a wall with their heads lowered. Anxiety and despair hung over them.
A group of Shinigami stood guard nearby.
Before them stood a conflicted Kyōraku Shunsui and a deeply helpless Ukitake Jūshirō.
"Shunsui, Jūshirō, what's the situation?"
Yamamoto called to them quietly.
Kyoraku turned. He forced his usual carefree smile, but it could not hide the gloom in his eyes.
"Old Man Yama, it's just as Vice-Captain Sasakibe reported. The evidence is conclusive."
"After we caught Captain Urahara and the Great Kidō Master, Ukitake and I questioned them too, but their statements were a complete mess."
Ukitake took over with a bitter expression. "Captain Urahara claimed he was innocent and had been framed. When I asked who had framed him, he named Lieutenant Aizen, and—"
He paused and glanced at Kenma and Yoruichi beside Yamamoto. "He also named Commander-in-Chief Shikokuin. Even Captain Shikokuin of the Second Division, Kenpachi of the Eleventh Division, and Captain Kuchiki of the Sixth Division were among those he accused."
Yamamoto's face darkened, and he struck the floor hard with his staff.
"He's throwing accusations at everyone!"
"Caught red-handed and facing death, he's making one last desperate attempt to drag more people down with him!"
Yamamoto had lived long enough to see plenty of people like that.
Kenma's expression grew grave, though he found the situation strange.
Had Kisuke Urahara gone mad? Why was he lashing out at everyone now?
That would only make his testimony less credible!
Beside him, Yoruichi's eyes widened in disbelief at Ukitake's words.
"Kisuke... How could he?!"
"He wouldn't do that!"
She had never imagined her childhood friend really would—
And yet something still felt wrong!
She had known Kisuke Urahara since childhood. She