Hiyori's Century of Resentment (1)

The World of the Living, a battlefield.

All eyes were drawn to the group of Visored who had suddenly appeared, and each person had a different expression.

If the appearance of Kūkaku Shiba and Ganju Shiba brought them a sense of relief amidst the surprise—after all, they knew each other and were aware of the hatred between the two Shiba Family siblings and Sōsuke Aizen —the appearance of the Visored left these newly appointed captains and Lieutenant in the past century utterly astonished. Who were these people? Listening to the conversation between these unidentified individuals Yoruichi Shihōin, Kūkaku Shiba, and Kisuke Urahara, did they all know each other?

"That is..."

Soi Fon paused slightly, then gently raised the corners of her mouth. Of course she knew these people; not only did she know them, she was quite familiar with them. Before Hachigen Ushōda became the vice- Kido of the Kido Corps Sect, he was from the Second Division and was her senior. As for the others, Kensei Muguruma Hiyori Sarugaki, Lisa Yadomaru, and Shinji Hirako were all Yoruichi Shihōin's best friends. Soi Fon knew very well how deep the feelings between these people and Yoruichi Shihōin were; otherwise, Yoruichi Shihōin would not have betrayed Soul Society and wandered for a hundred years for them.

"Team leader!"

Ōmaeda Marechiyo immediately moved closer to Soi Fon. He had never met these people before, but the gag order meant nothing to him because he was a member of the Shihōin, whose Ōmaeda Family had Lieutenant of the Second Division for generations. He had grown up listening to stories about Yoruichi Shihōin and the Shadow, and these people were among those stories.

A slight ripple appeared on Byakuya Kuchiki's usually indifferent face. To be honest, he didn't have much of a relationship with these people. If he had to say anything, it would be resentment. A hundred years ago, when he was young, these people were always hanging out with Yoruichi Shihōin, frequently going to the Kuchiki's wine cellar to get completely drunk. His grandfather, Ginrei Kuchiki, never cared. Seeing these familiar faces again after a hundred years reminded Byakuya Kuchiki of his youthful days.

"Hey! Hey!"

On the ground, Shūhei Hisagi trembled, his eyes fixed on the man. His memory suddenly returned to a hundred years ago, to the man who had saved him from the Hollow. He seemed to see him again, the pure white Captain's Haori fluttering in the wind, with the five words he would never forget written on it: Muguruma, Ninth Division.

"Hisagi, do you know them?"

Sajin Komamura asked in confusion. By the time he became the captain, these people had already left Soul Society. In addition, due to the gag order, he did not recognize these people. Not only him, but also Izuru Kira, Hanatarō Yamada, Renji Abarai, Uryu Ishida, Yasutora Sado and others who were undergoing treatment all looked over.

However, Shūhei Hisagi said nothing, because he really knew nothing. He didn't even know the man's name, which was the reason he had been searching for him for a hundred years.

It's them!

Rukia Kuchiki spoke, she knew she had met these people before and that they had a good relationship with the Shadow. She said this because she was well aware that, given the Shadow's arrogance, the man would never be so casual with someone he wasn't very familiar with. Since they knew the Shadow, it wasn't surprising that they knew Yoruichi Shihōin. However, Rukia Kuchiki was really concerned about these people's identities.

"Sister Lisa... Lisa!"

Nanao Ise cried out in disbelief, looking at Lisa Yadomaru, the senior who had taught her so much.

Nanao Ise, however, had no idea how many people were shocked by the sound she had unintentionally made.

Sister, what happened?

"More than a hundred years have passed so quickly, it's been so long!"

Retsu Unohana's still gentle tone clearly conveyed a sense of longing.

"Captain!" Isane Kotetsu looked at her captain in surprise.

"Yes!" Shunsui Kyōraku opened his eyes, looking at those familiar faces from his memories; "How nostalgic!"

"Seeing that they are all doing well now, I'm relieved!"

Jūshirō Ukitake also spoke softly. His injuries were the most severe, but fortunately, thanks to Retsu Unohana, a master of medicine, his life was saved. However, it was impossible for him to participate in the battle.

"Captain, do you know them?"

Rukia Kuchiki asked in surprise, judging from the tone of the three people, they seemed to know each other.

Upon hearing Rukia Kuchiki's voice, Jūshirō Ukitake simply shook his head and said nothing. Of course, if he were to say anything, he would say something like this.

Ichigo Kurosaki was very familiar with these people, but despite his familiarity, he knew nothing about their true identities.

"Snort!"

Mayuri Kurotsuchi a strange laugh, seemingly lost in thought.

"These guys are really strong!" Kenpachi Zaraki grinned menacingly, his fighting spirit surging.

"So, who exactly are they?!"

Toshiro Hitsugaya asked loudly, his brows furrowed almost together. He was completely confused by these guys' incomprehensible words, as was Rangiku Matsumoto beside him, though she remained silent.

However, as soon as he finished speaking, Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto's serious and deep voice rang out.

"Shinji Hirako, Kensei Muguruma, Love Aikawa, Kazahashi Rōjūrō Otoribashi, Hiyori Sarugaki, Mashiro Kuna, Lisa Yadomaru, Hachigen Ushōda!"

Opening his cloudy eyes, Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto called out the names of everyone present. These were names he had once known intimately, names to whom he had placed high hopes and Infinity futures. In truth, he knew very well that these people would come.

"Hey! Captain-Commander!"

Upon hearing Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto's voice, Shinji Hirako turned around and was the first to raise his hand in greeting; "Long time no see, still as vigorous as ever! But, isn't your beard a bit shorter? Oh dear! It must be that Kyōraku fellow..."

"You're too long-winded, Shinji!" Shinji Hirako Hiyori Sarugaki away.

"Hiyori, what are you doing!" Shinji Hirako exclaimed helplessly.

"It's all your fault!"

"Oh dear! Hirako and Sarugaki are still the same as ever!" Shunsui Kyōraku sighed helplessly, then looked exasperated. "But what does it matter to me that Old Man Yama's beard is shorter?"

Listening to Shunsui Kyōraku's seemingly noncomplaining complaints, Jūshirō Ukitake and Retsu Unohana simply smiled, while the group of people around them who were completely clueless were even more confused. Hirako, Sarugaki, those are their names! So, they really do know each other!

"I've already heard about what happened a hundred years ago from Shihōin!" Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto said. "You are all victims of Aizen!"

"A victim?!"

Love Aikawa Rōjūrō Otoribashi exchanged glances.

"Captain-Commander!" Hiyori Sarugaki gritted her teeth and shouted, "We used to respect you very much, but..."

"Please don't say things like that to us. Yes, we've become like this because of Aizen, but what chills us to the bone is the attitude of Soul Society!" Lisa Yadomaru interjected calmly. "Don't try to brush this off with just a few words!"

"I hate Bleach!"

Looking at the other group of captains, those familiar Shihakushō and Captain's Haori, Hiyori Sarugaki solemnly declared, "From the moment Soul Society ordered our execution!"

"·····"

Execution...

Are these people all Bleach?! Toshiro Hitsugaya and the others were stunned, or rather, they were former Bleach.

Hearing Hiyori Sarugaki's serious tone, the captains who knew what had happened a hundred years ago, such as Shunsui Kyōraku, Jūshirō Ukitake Retsu Unohana, Soi Fon, Byakuya Kuchiki, and others, fell silent. What could they say? After all, the actions of the Central 46 at that time were truly disheartening.

"I hate the Bleach!" Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto. "Then, can I still consider you my comrades?"

"Comrade!" Mashiro Kuna lowered his head.

"Isn't that obvious?!" Shinji Hirako's expression instantly darkened; "Of course not!"

"·····"

No one spoke, but the atmosphere instantly became heavy as Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto drew his sword.

"We are not your comrades!" Kensei Muguruma said calmly. "We are here only to seek revenge on Aizen. If we must say, we are simply the comrades of Yoruichi, the Shadow, Kukaku, and Kisuke, nothing more!"

They spoke in a very calm tone, but neither Kensei Muguruma, Yoruichi Shihōin Shinji Hirako, Sōsuke Aizen Yoruichi Shihouin focused their attention on Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto. Instead, they looked at Sosuke Aizen. Their meaning was already clear.

"Alright, enough of this small talk!" Shinji Hirako sneered. "The enemy should be getting impatient by now!"

"..." Sōsuke Aizen smiled indifferently, revealing no emotion whatsoever.

"Oh! These are all familiar faces!" Gin Ichimaru still had that same beaming smile. "Now, apart from Kaien Shiba, the Genius Eight is here! Captain Aizen!"

"Ah!" Sōsuke Aizen responded faintly.

Kaien! Kaien Shiba!

That sunny and cheerful Bleach, that familiar name once again evoked memories for many, and also stirred up hatred in Kūkaku Shiba, Ganju Shiba, Yoruichi Shihōin, Kensei Muguruma, and others.

The Genius Eight? What are those?! What does that have to do with Kaien Shiba?!

"I remember now!"

Seemingly remembering something, Rukia Kuchiki frowned. "The Genius Eight, I've heard Lord Kaien mention this before. It's said that a hundred years ago, during the entrance exams for the Shin'ō Academy, seven highly Spiritual Power geniuses with close friendships emerged. Lord Kaien said he was the eighth one, and those others were his best friends in his life!"

"What!"

Everyone was stunned, including Byakuya Kuchiki and Soi Fon. They had never heard Yoruichi Shihōin or the Shadow mention this past event at the Shin'ō Academy.

"..." Sōsuke Aizen raised the corners of his mouth, seemingly lost in thought.

"Captain Aizen!" Gin Ichimaru looked over curiously, as did Tōsen Kaname.

"What are you laughing at!" Yoruichi Shihōin frowned.

"It's nothing, it's just that the appearance of all of you at the same time suddenly reminded me of a hundred years ago!"

Sōsuke Aizen's voice was flat and without any inflection.

"One hundred and twelve years ago, the Second Division Captain, the commander-in-chief of the Stealth Force, and the commander of the Stealth Force's general corps, was Flash God Yoruichi Shihōin!"

"One hundred and twenty years ago, the captain of the Tenth Division, Kūkaku Shiba!"

"Fifty years ago, the former captain of the Tenth Division, Isshin Shiba!"

"One hundred and twelve years ago, the captain of the Twelfth Division, the first director of the Technology Development Bureau, Kisuke Urahara!"

"One hundred and twelve years ago, the Fifth Division Captain, Shinji Hirako!"

"One hundred and twelve years ago, the Captain of the Ninth Division, Kensei Muguruma!"

"One hundred and twelve years ago, the Captain of the Seventh Division, Love Aikawa!"

"One hundred and twelve years ago, the Third Division Captain, Rōjūrō Otoribashi!"

"One hundred and twelve years ago, the Twelfth Division Lieutenant, Hiyori Sarugaki!"

"One hundred and twelve years ago, the Lieutenant of the Ninth Division, Mashiro Kuna!"

"One hundred and twelve years ago, the Lieutenant of the Eighth Division, Lisa Yadomaru!"

"One hundred and twelve years ago, the deputy head of the Kido Corps Kido Hachigen Ushōda!"

One hundred and twelve years ago, were the captain, Lieutenant, and Kido Priest all like this?

Toshiro Hitsugaya, Rangiku Matsumoto, Ganju Shiba, Ichigo Kurosaki, and the others were all stunned by these words. They had already guessed that these people must be Bleach, and their status must not be too low, otherwise they would not have become friends with the three former captains, Yoruichi Shihōin Kisuke Urahara, Kūkaku Shiba. But they never expected that these people were all captains from a hundred years ago.

He smiled, Sōsuke Aizen's smile was faint and cold.

"I was originally going to give you some more time, but oh well, since you're so eager to die, I'll grant your wish. You can go down and keep Kaien Shiba. The eight-man group isn't complete without someone!"

"Aizen!"

Hearing Sōsuke Aizen's nonchalant tone, Yoruichi Shihōin Kisuke Urahara, Kūkaku Shiba all frowned. Even though they knew they had been hit by Kyōka Suigetsu and their chances of winning were slim, they were still furious!

"Hmph!" Hiyori Sarugaki bulged; "Aizen, don't underestimate us!"

"Hiyori, calm down!"

Shinji Hirako pressed down on Hiyori Sarugaki's shoulder.

"Hateful!"

Seeing Sōsuke Aizen's indifferent, all-knowing gaze, Hiyori Sarugaki slapped Shinji Hirako's hand away.

"Aizen, this is what we came here for, to settle this century-old grudge! Whether you die, or we die here together, it doesn't matter!"

"Hiyori!!!"