The Storm Approaches

Nine hundred years ago, Yhwach, the Quincy King, led his army into the Soul Society and nearly reached the Soul King Palace.

It was then that Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto formed the First-Generation Gotei 13. After a bloody battle, they wiped out every last invader.

Today, nine hundred years later, of those thirteen illustrious first-generation captains, only Yamamoto himself remained. The rest had long been buried beneath the dust of history.

Even the name "Retsu Unohana" had gradually faded from public knowledge.

Saitō Immortal, the first captain of the Sixth Division, was a grandmaster of both Zanjutsu and Flash Step, wielder of the Multi-Stage Release Soul-Cutter Sword, Dark Owl, and a violent twin-tailed woman who dared to brawl with a Vasto Lorde at close range...

In the present-day Soul Society, these old tales could only be found in the Great Spirit Library.

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Yet today, Yato heard that name from the mouth of a Ryoka branded as an "evil criminal."

More importantly, judging from their brief exchange just now, the guy opposite him was incredibly strong. Yato definitely could not beat him.

"So you came to the Soul Society to find Lady Saitō?"

Suppressing the discomfort of his depleted spiritual power, the boy tried to soften his tone.

"I really don't know whether an era can have only one Multi-Stage Release Soul-Cutter Sword... but could you tell me about your relationship with Lady Saitō?"

Mochizuki Hanzō fell silent for a moment, seeming to sink into distant memories.

"Nine hundred years ago, Lady Saitō was the first captain of the Sixth Division. I was her Third Seat."

"So you're a senior from the Sixth Division." Yato carefully chose his words.

"You've been classified as Ryoka. Could there be some misunderstanding here? The current Gotei 13 isn't very familiar with the first-generation captains and Seated Officers. Maybe you could try speaking with Captain-Commander Yamamoto..."

"Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto?" Mochizuki Hanzō gave a sinister chuckle.

"Kid, do you know who gave me this ghastly appearance?"

He pointed at the hideous scar on his face. As he grinned and spoke, the ugly mark warped and twisted with his movements.

"Kōkō Gonryō Rikyū... Hmph. Sasakibe Chōjirō was mediocre in a fight, but his Bankai sure packed a punch."

Uchiha Yato's brow twitched wildly. He was beginning to regret saying those things.

He had never imagined that this group of Ryoka could be tied to something so massive, even involving Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto!

Thinking about it now, the First Division's designation of them as "evil criminals" seemed to carry some hidden implication.

Yato's thoughts raced. He gathered Reiatsu at his toes and in his eyes, wondering whether he should risk using a genjutsu to catch the man off guard and escape.

What he did not know was that Mochizuki Hanzō's attention was no longer on him.

"Several powerful Reiatsu signatures are heading this way. Tenteikūra... Oh? There's an old acquaintance, too."

The Ryoka leader shook his head, picked up his unconscious young subordinate, and examined his body. His expression eased slightly.

"Injured, but not crippled. Uchiha boy, you didn't bully the weak with your strength. Fine, I'll spare your life as well."

Before his words had even faded, he had vanished.

Yato had only ever seen such rapid Flash Step from Yoruichi Shihōin.

The boy let out a long breath, and his tense muscles finally relaxed.

This Ryoka leader was truly terrifying. He was experienced and ruthless, not someone Yato could handle in his current state.

But what exactly was Mochizuki Hanzō's purpose in infiltrating the Soul Society?

Was it a personal grudge between him and Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto's First Division, or...

Just as Yato's thoughts began to wander, an immense Reiatsu landed nearby.

"Captain?" The boy froze. The newcomer had purple hair and a voluptuous figure—it was Kirio Hikifune!

At that moment, Kirio Hikifune no longer wore her usual radiant smile. Her face was dark with storm clouds, her lips pressed into a tight line.

"Where is Mochizuki Hanzō?"

"I'm sorry, Captain. His Flash Step was too fast..."

"Don't blame yourself, little Yato." The purple-haired beauty let out a soft sigh.

"Big Sister Saitō Immortal was a grandmaster of both Zanjutsu and Flash Step. At the time, I was obsessed with swordsmanship, while Hanzō received her guidance in Flash Step."

Seeing Yato's bewildered expression, Kirio Hikifune explained with a bitter smile.

"Nine hundred years ago, when Captain Saitō formed the Sixth Division, I was her vice-captain, while Mochizuki Hanzō held the position of Third Seat."

"Back then, Hanzō was still a little brat who loved to cry..."

The moon shone bright while the stars were few.

Late at night, atop Blood Slaughter Mountain in the Zaraki District, Kaien Shiba and Uchiha Yato sat side by side, staring blankly at the distant forest.

That afternoon, after sensing Yato's burst of Reiatsu, Kaien Shiba rushed toward the site without stopping. He even used Tenteikūra to call for support on the way, but by the time he found Yato, everything had already been settled.

"Senior Kaien." Yato stroked the patterns on Scarlet Eye's hilt and suddenly spoke.

"Could you tell me about Saitō Immortal, the first captain of the Sixth Division?"

"I really don't know." Kaien Shiba scratched his head, his handsome face full of apology.

"Our Shiba Clan has guarded the passage to the Soul King Palace for generations, so we've never cared much about anything else. As for the past, I'm afraid only those involved and the Great Spirit Library know the truth."

"Alright." Yato sighed in the darkness. A faint sense of unease lingered in his heart and refused to fade.

A few hours earlier, he had recorded the entire encounter in detail and reported it to the First Division.

Naturally, he had left out a few inconsequential details, such as Vice-Captain Sasakibe Chōjirō's Bankai.

The Seireitei's reaction was extremely intense.

That afternoon, the First Division issued three consecutive lockdown orders. The four gates in the east, south, west, and north of the Seireitei were shut one after another, and the Gotei 13's level of vigilance visibly rose by an entire level.

After Mochizuki Hanzō revealed himself, the atmosphere grew even more grim and murderous.

A storm was coming.

"Say, Yato..." Kaien Shiba suddenly said, sounding a little uncomfortable.

"Why do I feel a little cold?"

Uchiha Yato gave a bitter smile.

"Me too, Senior Kaien."

Being stationed on the front line meant that they were far more likely than ordinary members to encounter Ryoka. Even with their strength, they had to remain tense and vigilant at all times.

"Yato, from now on, we'll have to take turns keeping watch. At least one of us must stay awake."

"No problem, Senior Kaien." Yato thought for a moment before continuing.

"Can we get some reinforcements? There are only two of us here. If we run into Mochizuki Hanzō again, we're as good as dead."

"With things like this, applying through official channels will probably just get rejected by the First Division." Kaien Shiba gritted his teeth.

"How about this? I'll have my family send some skilled fighters over. But don't expect too much. The strongest ones will probably only be around our level."

"Something is still better than nothing..." The boy trailed off, suddenly thinking of something. He spoke thoughtfully.

"Senior Kaien, maybe we don't need to ask your family for help. I think I have another way."

"Hm?"

In the darkness, Yato's expression grew increasingly strange.

"I heard there's a guy in the Zaraki District who's pretty good at fighting."