Night's End

The Kurohitsugi faded away, and Hongjiang landed back upon the crossbeam. The ten Quincy in the distance had vanished, dead beyond any doubt.

As for the nine near him, including Nodt Futz, although their bodies were riddled with wounds deep enough to expose bone, leaving them as nothing more than bloody husks, the slight rise and fall of their chests proved they still clung to life.

Hongjiang had only released half the power of the Kurohitsugi during the incantation to ensure he could manifest the full Senju Kōten Taihō. Given the excessive number of targets inside and the way the arrows from outside had further dampened the spell's potency, it was sheer luck that Nodt Futz and the others had survived at all.

"Bakudō #63, Sajo Sabaku!"

A massive, serpentine chain erupted from Hongjiang's palm, binding the nine injured Quincy—along with the two pinned to the ground by Hyapporankan—into a single bundle, which he then hauled to his side.

These were his spoils of war. It was a pity to have missed ten others, but these were mid-to-high-ranking members of the Quincy; the real big fish would depend on Hirako Shinji, Yoruichi, and the others.

After re-manifesting the Clock Prison, Hongjiang sat cross-legged atop the clock face to wait. Over time, a dozen or so battered Quincy trickled in, only to be effortlessly bound in place by his Bakudō.

About an hour later, Hirako Shinji and three other captains arrived at the lead, followed by the eight lieutenants who had commanded the frontline troops.

"Reporting to Lord Ao! The Star-Extermination Force has suppressed the outer and middle districts. We are currently awaiting orders in the middle district, Lord Ao!"

Hongjiang gestured for the kneeling 2nd Division lieutenant to wait, as Hachigen Ushoda was currently relaying a message via Kidō: "Captain Unohana Retsu of the 4th Division has arrived with her team. Please provide instructions, Lord Ao!"

"Let them in. The Star-Extermination Force is in the middle district and requires their medical support. As for Captain Unohana, have her come directly to the inner district plaza!"

After arranging for Unohana via Kidō, Hongjiang addressed the 2nd Division lieutenant below: "Captain Unohana has arrived. Go and gather all the wounded, including the Quincy, to facilitate the 4th Division's treatment. Further instructions will be relayed by the other captains!"

"Yes!"

The eight lieutenants acknowledged the order and departed the plaza for the middle district. Hongjiang, still atop the clock, shifted his gaze to Hirako and the others. "Tell me about these two in front of you."

The surrounding area fell silent. Hirako Shinji, standing in the center, looked left and right. Seeing no one else speak, he replied with obvious reluctance, "The man is called Connor, and the woman is... what was it again?"

"Yuuki Mie!" Aikawa Love whispered from the side.

"Right, it's Yuuki! Listening to those Quincy jabbering, it seems this is their Holy King and Holy Queen!"

"I didn't ask for their identities!" Hongjiang pointed at the man and woman on the ground, shouting in anger: "I want to know why they ended up in this state!"

The two at Hirako's feet were barely breathing; though alive, they were clearly on the brink of death.

He had intended to make great use of these Quincy, but now, the big fish he had waited so long for were turning into rotting carcasses. How could he accept this?!

Faced with Hongjiang's interrogation, Hirako rubbed his forehead, unsure of how to explain. Yoruichi, standing at the edge, kept her head bowed, muttering to herself, Don't ask me, don't ask me!

Seeing their reaction, Hongjiang realized the damage was done and couldn't be bothered to press further. Fortunately, Unohana would arrive soon; he hoped she could work her magic and save at least one of them.

"Forget it. The four of you, take your people and sweep the battlefield." Hongjiang sighed softly, issuing his orders to Hirako and the others. "Each of you is responsible for one direction. Start from the middle district and work outward. Search every corner. I will not allow a single fish to slip through the net!"

The four nodded slightly, stepped back in unison, and vanished from the plaza using Flash Step, leaving only Yoruichi and Urahara behind.

"Don't keep your heads down, you two. The inner district is yours—consider it your punishment!" Hearing this, Yoruichi felt a wave of relief and immediately dragged Urahara away.

Hongjiang watched them run. To think he could even bluff Yoruichi; it seemed his performance as Ao was quite successful! It was a shame the timing was wrong; otherwise, teasing Yoruichi while in the guise of Ao would have been quite amusing.

Just as Hongjiang tilted his head, pondering how to tease Yoruichi next time, a soft, beautiful voice sounded in his ear: "Lord Ao? Lord Ao!"

"Ah? Captain... Unohana!" Hongjiang turned to see that familiar face and nearly let his guard down.

Unohana frowned slightly. Her name was Unohana, but to have it shortened to just "Hana" by this man—honestly, he was quite brazen!

"May I ask why you summoned me, Lord Ao?!"

Hongjiang could hear the displeasure in her tone. Suppressing the urge to explain, he pointed to Connor and Yuuki below. "Take a look at those two. Can they be saved?"

"And these people," Hongjiang added, tossing down the bundle of Quincy he had captured, "save whoever you can."

"Appear, Minazuki." With Unohana's soft chant, the Zanpakuto at her waist expanded like a balloon, eventually transforming into a green, one-eyed, ray-like creature. This was Unohana Retsu's Shikai—Minazuki. As long as the target still had a breath of life, it could swallow them to heal their wounds.

Minazuki first approached the group of eleven, sniffed them, and swallowed them all in one gulp. It then moved to Connor and Yuuki, curled its tongue to pull Connor into its mouth, leaving Yuuki behind.

"That woman is beyond saving. The others will recover after returning to the Seireitei and resting in the 4th Division for a while." Unohana stroked Minazuki's smooth forehead and continued, "Do you have any further instructions, Lord Ao? If not, I shall return to the Seireitei."

"Has the Jianzhu Zhiwang been completed yet?"

"Not yet. The Head Captain sent me here. It seems the Star-Extermination Siege is proceeding smoothly~" Unohana knew her business here was finished and lightly leaped onto Minazuki's back. "However, Lord Ao, do keep an eye on the time. It is already evening outside. Captain Kuruyashiki and the others will be back in a day~"

With that, Minazuki's three short legs kicked off, and it flapped its fin-like wings, carrying Unohana away from the Sternritter Fortress.

After Unohana left, the Sternritter Fortress grew noisy once more. The Soul Reapers capable of movement, led by the four captains, began a thorough search of the middle and outer districts. This search took even longer than the initial conquest of the fortress.

The final results proved that the Quincy did indeed have their pride. Throughout the entire Sternritter Fortress, there were living Quincy and dead ones, but not a single one was free!

"So, they really aren't here?" Hongjiang muttered to himself as he listened to the reports from the four captains.

Since that was the case, there was no need to linger. Hongjiang waved his right hand, and the giant silver locks in the sky were the first to unlock. Sensing this, Hachigen Ushoda and the others also released their Kidō.

The black coffin that had completely encased the Sternritter Fortress finally vanished, and the sunlight spilled in from the east, somewhat blindingly.

He had arrived when the stars were scattered across the night, and he left as the morning glow filled the sky. The long night had finally passed.