Above the Karakura Town replica, more than a dozen figures had already shot through the air, swiftly gathering in one place to face Aizen, who had just stepped out of the Negacion, from afar.
Only Kyoraku Shunsui, wearing a straw hat, was a few seconds slower than the others. He suddenly appeared beside Ukitake and said in a low voice, relieved:
"Before leaving, I wanted to speak with Old Man Yama about something, but I didn't expect him to have already set off... Good thing I wasn't late..."
Without giving anything away, Ukitake shot Kyoraku a meaningful glance. He said nothing, quietly shifting aside to make room.
Standing before everyone, Captain-Commander Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni paid no attention to the little exchange behind him, his gaze fixed straight...