Level One Alert

Chapter 37: Level One Alert

The night sky was like a dark blue curtain, studded with shimmering stars that left one deeply intoxicated.

A girl with a face full of sorrow and worry walked through the 5th Division barracks under the night sky. She looked extremely delicate, her hair tied up in a bun, yet no one dared to underestimate her.

Her name was Hinamori Momo, the lieutenant of the 5th Division. Despite her fragile appearance, she was a true master of Kidō, ranking among the top lieutenants of the Thirteenth Division in that regard alone.

"Captain Aizen." A whisper, barely audible, escaped Hinamori Momo's lips, her tone filled with anxiety.

Hinamori Momo, who idolized Aizen, was constantly observing him. However, ever since the Seireitei decided to initiate the Sōkyoku execution, Captain Aizen had been acting strangely.

She often caught a hint of unease beneath his gentle smile, as if he had discovered some secret. His eyes were filled with worry and exhaustion, which made her feel deeply concerned.

But no matter how she asked, Captain Aizen would only tell her gently that it was nothing.

This left Hinamori Momo feeling both disappointed and worried, a vague, ominous premonition stirring in her heart.

That was why she had been trying every way possible to stay by his side these past few days. Yet, when she had just gone to his office, she found that Captain Aizen had disappeared again. After searching everywhere, she found nothing.

In the end, she had to give up, planning to ask around at other divisions first thing tomorrow morning!

Lost in thought, Hinamori Momo stepped into the 5th Division cafeteria. However, as soon as she entered, her pretty brows furrowed, for the cafeteria was deathly silent.

It wasn't that it was empty; rather, everyone in the cafeteria was staring in one direction with expressions of shock. Hinamori Momo followed their gaze and discovered a boy wearing strange orange clothing sitting there.

A new face?

Hinamori Momo frowned. As the lieutenant of the 5th Division, it was basic for her to memorize the face of every member in her division. Thus, at a single glance, she could tell that this boy was not one of her own.

She had memorized the appearance and name of every new recruit during the entrance examinations a while back and had checked the roster afterward. Yet, this boy before her... she could be certain he was absolutely not on the list.

Frowning, she walked forward and tapped one of the onlookers on the shoulder.

"What?" The man sounded annoyed before turning around. When he saw it was Hinamori Momo, his expression shifted slightly, and he said respectfully, "Lieutenant Hinamori!"

As he turned, his face was revealed. Coincidentally, this was the very same bearded man who had spoken to Wu Biao earlier.

"Who is that boy? And what is with the atmosphere here?" Hinamori Momo asked, frowning.

The bearded man smiled at her words and pointed toward Wu Biao, who was buried in his food. "Lieutenant, this kid is a new recruit who came to report today. His name is... um, ah, right, it's Wu Biao."

Wu Biao?

Hinamori Momo raised an eyebrow. She wasn't surprised that this name wasn't on the roster, as she had already suspected as much.

"New recruits aren't usually enough to make everyone this curious. The reason everyone is like this is entirely because of this kid's appetite!"

The bearded man looked at Wu Biao in shock and continued, "Lieutenant, look at the basin he's eating from. In just this short time, he's finished two large basins—that's the food ration for thirty of our members! And looking at him, it seems like he could eat another big basin. He must have suffered quite a bit in the Rukongai. The Shino Academy is really something; even after graduation, they shouldn't let students go hungry. Look at how starved this kid is!"

If the Shino Academy heard this, they would surely be crying in frustration. What kind of nonsense was this? No matter how low their budget was, they wouldn't let their students starve to this extent!

Hinamori Momo couldn't help but feel a mix of amusement and frustration. However, this was no time for laughter. The most important thing right now was to clarify the boy's identity. If he was a new recruit from another division who had come to the wrong place, she could arrange for someone to take him back...

Thinking of this, Hinamori Momo walked straight up to him and asked, looking at the frantically eating Wu Biao, "Which division are you from?"

"..."

Wu Biao, buried in his food, didn't even lift his head. Although he heard Hinamori Momo's words, he didn't understand the meaning behind them and assumed she was talking to someone else.

Besides, the food in the 5th Division was absolutely top-tier—two meat dishes, one vegetable, and soup. Brother Biao was eating until his mouth was glistening with grease.

He had originally planned to eat only one basin, but after discovering how delicious it was, he had gone to get another large basin without realizing it. Since the food was this good and completely free, he would be a fool not to take advantage of it. Who knew when he'd get a meal like this again!

In the end, a member sitting next to him, who hadn't eaten a bite since getting his food and had been watching him the whole time, quietly nudged Wu Biao under the table and whispered, "Hey, buddy, the lieutenant is talking to you. Stop eating for a second!"

Only then did Wu Biao lift his head and look at Hinamori Momo, who was standing to the side. "What do you want, little girl?"

Little girl!!!

As soon as those words were spoken, the entire cafeteria fell into a deathly silence. Every member couldn't help but hold their breath.

This reckless kid actually called Lieutenant Hinamori a "little girl"?

Hinamori Momo was also stunned by the term, but being gentle and simple-minded, she didn't take it to heart. It was clear this boy didn't know who she was. As the saying went, the ignorant were not to be blamed, but she still needed to explain.

"I am the lieutenant of the 5th Division, Hinamori Momo, not some 'little girl.' If we are talking about age, I should be several times older than you. Even setting aside rank and age, I graduated from the Shino Academy a long time ago, so you should address me as your senior."

"Senior?" Wu Biao looked Hinamori Momo up and down with disdain and waved his hand. "Little brat, go play somewhere else. Not to mention I've never attended that crappy academy, even if I had, you're barely over five feet tall—you expect me to call you senior?"

Hearing "little brat," everyone was enraged. But when they heard Wu Biao say he hadn't attended the Shino Academy, the atmosphere suddenly turned strange. Many of the quicker-witted ones subconsciously reached for the Zanpakuto at their waists.

"You just said you never attended the Shino Academy?" Hinamori Momo's pretty face turned cold instantly. Reiatsu surged from her body, and her eyes watched Wu Biao with extreme vigilance. "Who... exactly are you?"

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh—

Following her words, the Shinigami who had been scattered about stood up and used Shunpo, appearing behind Hinamori Momo with their hands on the hilts of their Zanpakuto. The atmosphere in the cafeteria turned murderous in the blink of an eye.

The bearded man behind Hinamori Momo also realized what was happening and looked at Wu Biao with a strange expression. "Didn't you tell me earlier that you were a student from the Rukongai who came to the Shino Academy?"

Wu Biao didn't answer. Instead, he set down the basin he had licked clean and muttered with a look of regret, "What a shame, I was planning on having another half-basin!"

Hearing his mutterings, the corners of the mouths of the guarded members twitched. What exactly was this kid's stomach made of...

Wu Biao slowly stood up. This action immediately caused everyone to tense up, but Brother Biao showed no fear. Instead, he scratched his head in confusion at the bearded man. "When did I say I graduated from that academy? Didn't you just ask if I came from the Rukongai?"

The bearded man was stunned for a moment, and it took a long time for him to realize that he, indeed, had never mentioned the Shino Academy...

"From the Rukongai?" Hinamori Momo recalled the message that had been broadcast throughout the Seireitei and looked at Wu Biao in shock. "Are you that intruder who broke into the Seireitei?"

"What Ryoka?" Wu Biao shook his head, casually picking up the large backpack from the hallway and slinging it over his shoulder. He grinned at the wary crowd, "I'm here to steamroll the Seireitei!"

As soon as these words left his mouth, the cafeteria fell into a sudden silence. Everyone looked at Wu Biao as if he were a mental patient, and after a long moment, a burst of raucous laughter erupted.

"Hahaha..."

"What did this brat just say? Steamroll the Seireitei?"

"Hahaha, am I hearing things? A commoner with no spiritual pressure actually dares to claim he'll steamroll the Seireitei."

"..."

Upon learning Wu Biao's identity, they were no longer as tense. They didn't know how this lucky commoner had wandered into their 5th Division without being caught, but it didn't matter.

For a lowly 'Plus' to claim he would steamroll the Seireitei was probably the funniest joke they had ever heard in their lives.

Two middle-aged Shinigami walked directly toward Wu Biao.

"Kid, surrender obediently, and you might save yourself some suffering."

"That's right, that's right. A mere Plus running into our 5th Division and claiming he'll steamroll the Seireitei? It looks like your brain is seriously damaged!"

As they spoke, the two didn't even draw their swords, simply walking toward Wu Biao.

Clang, clang, clang—

Just then, the urgent sound of a gong suddenly echoed throughout the entire Seireitei, followed by an announcement delivered in an extremely anxious tone.

"Level one alert, level one alert. The previous intelligence was incorrect. The person who invaded the Seireitei is not a Plus without spiritual power, but a human. This person is extremely dangerous and has previously killed a Gillian-class Menos in the Human World alone. All divisions, please provide support immediately.

Additionally, all patrolling Shinigami between the 120th and 160th roads in the west have been defeated by this individual. Over fifty people in front of the western White Road Gate, including 3rd Seat Togakushi of the 3rd Division, have been severely injured, and the entire western surveillance department has been incapacitated. 4th Division, please head over to provide rescue immediately.

The invading Ryoka's current approximate location is between the 100th and 120th roads. The 5th Division, being the closest, is to mobilize in full force, and all other divisions are to depart for support now. Note... this person possesses immense strength and has the ability to kill a Gillian-class Menos alone. Members below the rank of lieutenant, do not act alone! Repeating..."

"What?" In the 5th Division cafeteria, looks of horror appeared on everyone's faces.

The two men standing in front of Wu Biao had not yet recovered from the shock of the information revealed in the announcement when they felt a pair of large hands clamp onto their heads, followed by an irresistible, massive force.

Bang—

A dull thud echoed out, and the two middle-aged Shinigami collapsed to the ground, eyes rolling back, as limp as noodles dropped into boiling water.

"Where are Rukia and that sissy?"