Deep in the ruins, Gin Ichimaru stopped.
Looking at the mindless wild wolf in Iba's arms, the false smile Gin Ichimaru always wore slowly vanished.
Ruined walls surrounded them, and a cold wind swept over the white paving stones without a sound.
The wild wolf gave a few meaningless whimpers. It could no longer recognize the person standing before it.
Gin Ichimaru stood quietly in place.
Of course he recognized the Captain's Haori lying on the ground, and he understood what the scene before him meant.
The Captain of the Seventh Division, who always spoke of righteousness and loyalty, had ultimately chosen to abandon everything.
To avenge this devastating catastrophe, he had willingly discarded his dignity as a Soul Reaper, and even his human reason.
That almost obsessive resolve made Gin Ichimaru put aside his usual attitude of watching from the sidelines.
"My, my. What a complete and utter fool."
Gin Ichimaru sighed. "Putting everything on the line for so-called gratitude and duty, reducing yourself to this sorry state. Was it worth it?"
Tetsuzaemon Iba bowed his head, gripping the haori tightly in both hands without a word.
Gin Ichimaru had not expected an answer.
He looked up at the towering structure in the distance, an exceedingly rare glint of cold severity flashing in his eyes.
Gin Ichimaru spoke slowly. "Still, since you've already done everything you could, that's enough."
Sajin Komamura's departure undoubtedly left the Gotei 13 with a tremendous loss in fighting strength.
But at the same time, it was like a fire that burned away their last remaining avenue of retreat.
Gin Ichimaru tightened his grip on the short sword at his waist. "Leave the mess that comes next to those of us who haven't fallen completely yet."
Though his words sounded righteous, his thoughts had long