Rukia Kuchiki was escorted by countless white-robed figures to a group of squad captains. She would walk through the group of squad captains, letting them see her face and endure this humiliation before being led to the crucifixion rack to be impaled by the Sōkyoku Lance.
"..."
Rukia Kuchiki Rukia Kuchiki stood ready for battle. It wasn't fear of the captains themselves; although each of them possessed immense, world-destroying power, this couldn't instill the slightest fear in the resolute Rukia Kuchiki. Her trembling stemmed from... standing among the squad captains was her sworn brother, Byakuya Kuchiki, the current head of the Kuchiki Clan.
"Run!"
Just as Rukia Kuchiki's legs went weak and she was unable to take a step forward, the special squad members who had been standing behind her became dissatisfied. They ruthlessly pushed Rukia Kuchiki, forcing her body to move forward.
"Tsk~"
Byakuya Kuchiki, who had been silently watching Rukia Kuchiki, frowned slightly upon seeing the scene before him, his eyes filled with dissatisfaction with the brutal behavior of these team members.
"Ring ring..."
Rukia Kuchiki took a step forward, the jingling of her handcuffs and shackles accompanying her as she walked towards the group of captains. Head bowed, she passed by Shigekuni Yamamoto-Genryūsai, Retsu Unohana Byakuya Kuchiki Shaoling Fon. Rukia Kuchiki's body stiffened, and her steps became unsteady...
Rukia Kuchiki desperately wanted to raise her head; she wanted to see Byakuya Kuchiki's face one last time. However, she lacked the courage. She didn't know how to face Byakuya Kuchiki. While she hoped to see Byakuya Kuchiki one last time, she was also afraid to see Byakuya Kuchiki, afraid to Byakuya Kuchiki the disappointment in his eyes...
After a fierce internal struggle, Rukia Kuchiki sighed softly and lowered her head in despair...
She wasn't heartbroken because her brother hadn't come to her rescue; she was heartbroken because she felt she had failed the Kuchiki Clan Kuchiki Clan, unworthy of their noble title. Instead of bringing glory to the Kuchiki Clan Kuchiki Clan, she had become a notorious sinner in Soul Society, dragging the Kuchiki Clan down and tarnishing its reputation. This guilt overwhelmed her, causing her to lower her head, unable to look at her brother... Even just one last look at this brother who had filled the void left by her sister and parents, who had cared for her like family—that was her final wish...
Rukia Kuchiki paused for a few seconds beside Byakuya Kuchiki before continuing forward. In the very end, she still couldn't muster the courage to raise her head and say to her adoptive brother beside her, "Thank you for taking care of me all these years."
"..."
However... just as Rukia Kuchiki was walking silently with her head down, a large hand pressed down on her shoulder from behind...
"..."
Rukia Kuchiki felt the weight on her shoulder, and her body trembled involuntarily. Tears welled up in her eyes like a stream. Rukia Kuchiki could feel that the hand on her shoulder was her brother's hand.
Rukia gently raised her small, bruised hand, bound by handcuffs, and felt the warmth of the large hand on her shoulder. It was as if a gentle breeze had caressed her face, dispelling all the loneliness and coldness within her.
"..."
Rukia Kuchiki and Byakuya Kuchiki stood there silently, neither of them speaking.
The other squad captains, seeing the silent brother and sister, all wisely remained silent, deciding at the last moment to give Byakuya Kuchiki face.
I'm leaving.
Rukia Kuchiki released Byakuya Kuchiki's hand and raised her head. Members of the Kuchiki Clan, even in their final moments, must face death with their heads held high.
Be careful on the road.
Byakuya Kuchiki sensed the change in Rukia Kuchiki 'Rukia Kuchiki mood, withdrew his hand from her shoulder, and, like a family member or an older brother, gave Rukia some advice.
"Um."
Rukia Kuchiki smiled, nodded slightly, and walked straight toward the tall execution platform.
Standing nearly a hundred meters tall, this crucifixion has stood in the Soul Society for thousands of years, enduring hundreds of thousands of days of wind and rain. It exudes a strong sense of oppression. Often, the moment sinners are brought to this crucifixion, they kneel down and weep bitterly, constantly and painfully repenting for the mistakes they have made, and vowing to reform themselves if given the chance. Unfortunately... by the time they are brought here, it is all too late.
"..."
However, Rukia Kuchiki, this frail little girl, smiled as she walked toward the execution platform; there was not a trace of fear in her eyes.
"As a sinner, aren't you afraid? Seeing this enormous executioner's block, don't you know what to do? Don't you repent?"
The members of the First Division looked at Rukia Kuchiki, who was facing the dismemberment without any fear in her eyes, and asked with some curiosity.
"I made a mistake I had no choice but to make. I deeply regret and remorse violating the laws of Soul Society, but I don't regret it... Since I don't regret it, there's nothing to repent for, and naturally there's nothing to fear."
Kuchiki smiled; her smile was warm, like a gentle spring breeze.
"..."
The special squad member who had become curious about Rukia Kuchiki Rukia Kuchiki her move forward, her figure calmly facing death, and was deeply moved.
"Hello!"
Are you alright?
The strange change in this member drew the attention of the other members, who asked him with great concern why he was standing there, staring blankly at Rukia Kuchiki's thin body.
"I think I'm in love."
However, to everyone's utter astonishment, the member who stood there in a daze, the one gazing at Rukia Kuchiki's slender figure, actually had a hint of shyness on his face.
"Really?"
The others were shocked.
"Real!"
The member of the team who had developed feelings for Rukia blushed and touched his face.
"Please, please don't do that, it's absolutely disgusting!"
"You're hopeless, just wait to die!"
The other members spoke cruel words to the member who was in love with Rukia.
"Whoosh whoosh whoosh..."
High in the sky, Rukia, bound to the overhead frame, felt the raging wind, her eyes slightly narrowed, calmly facing her execution.
"Liberate Sōkyoku!"
Meanwhile, standing on the ground, Shigekuni Yamamoto-Genryūsai, who had been patiently waiting for someone to cause trouble, called out softly without changing his expression.
Beneath his poker face lay an incredibly panicked heart.
"Boom!"
As Shigekuni Yamamoto-Genryūsai finished speaking, the tall spear that shot straight into the sky suddenly emitted a series of booming sounds!
The next second, a terrifying and chilling Spiritual Pressure rose up, and the tall spear instantly disappeared from the ground, replaced by a giant firebird with a wingspan of a hundred meters!
This enormous firebird, resembling a phoenix, is called the Kikōō! It is the true form of the Sōkyoku! It is an invincible sword born from the fusion of millions of Zanpakuto, capable of cutting through everything in the world!
"What is that?"
Shaoling Fon stared at the giant firebird, stunned. This was the first time she had ever seen Sōkyoku after its liberation, and she was immediately awestruck by the beautiful firebird, letting out a gasp of amazement.
"Hey! This is no joke!"
Shunsui Kyōraku felt the powerful Spiritual Pressure emanating from the Firebird's body, beads of sweat forming on his forehead as he gripped his Zanpakuto tightly at his waist.
"Brother Ukitake, if you don't come soon, I'm going to attack!"
Shunsui Kyōraku felt rather helpless. Kikōō had even said that if he were to face Yama-jii alone, wouldn't he be skinned alive?
"Seriously, please have mercy on me!"
Shunsui Kyōraku sighed helplessly.
"So powerful! Even my Shikai was affected by the Sōkyoku, unable to unleash its full power. Is this the power that can be unleashed by fusing a million Zanpakuto?!"
Tenth Division Tōshirō Hitsugaya, observing the release of Sōkyoku, remarked that while his Zanpakuto Hyōrinmaru was hailed as the strongest ice-type Hyōrinmaru in Soul Society, this only meant that there was no stronger Zanpakuto in Soul Society. It did not mean that his Hyōrinmaru was truly like Shigekuni Yamamoto-Genryūsai's Zanpakuto Ryūjin Jakka, capable of Zanpakuto all dissent.
Is this the end of the world!?
Compared to the squad leaders who were merely surprised, the vice-captains seemed even more uneasy. They stared uneasily at the enormous firebird, their bodies trembling uncontrollably. The powerful Spiritual Pressure emanating from the firebird made them feel extremely insecure.
"..."
Byakuya Kuchiki silently drew his Zanpakuto, ready to unleash his Bankai.
" Byakuya, I'll keep an eye on you."
Upon seeing Byakuya Kuchiki Byakuya Kuchiki's actions, Sajin Komamura, Byakuya Captain of the Seventh Division, narrowed his eyes and secretly vowed to stop Byakuya no matter what he planned to do.
"This is the true form of the Sōkyoku Spear, and the final executor of this extreme punishment. It will pierce the sinner's body, and then the execution will be over."
"And we, the captains of our squads, are the witnesses to this execution..."
Shigekuni Yamamoto-Genryūsai gazed at the enormous firebird and murmured softly. Looking across the entire Soul Society, in terms of sheer power, there were only a handful of Zanpakuto stronger than the Kikōō. Among those present... only his Ryūjin Jakka and Shaoling Fon's Bankai, which even he couldn't comprehend.
"Clang clang!"
The Kikōō stared at Rukia Kuchiki, who was bound to the executioner's block, and let out a loud cry. With the Kikōō's cry, the terrifying flames on her body rose even higher! In an instant, the temperature of the entire cliff increased several degrees.
"Execution begins!"
With a command from Shigekuni Yamamoto-Genryūsai, the enormous Kikōō flew straight towards Rukia.
" Bankai..."
At the same time, Byakuya Kuchiki had completely drawn his sword...
" Byakuya..."
Sajin Komamura, the Captain of the Seventh Division who had been secretly watching Byakuya Kuchiki, drew his own Zanpakuto the moment he saw Byakuya Batto Sword Drawing. He absolutely would not allow anyone to interfere with the execution.
However... just as the two were preparing to Bankai, a strange Spiritual Pressure rose from the executioner's block, attracting their attention and causing them to simultaneously stop what they were doing.
"Goodbye, brother! Goodbye, Renji and everyone! And goodbye, Kurosaki..."
Rukia gazed at the enormous firebird, closed her eyes, and murmured softly.
"Hey! Rukia! Now's not the time to sleep!"
However, at this critical moment, a boy with orange hair stood in front of Rukia.
"?"
Kikōō stopped abruptly upon seeing the suddenly appearing boy. He didn't understand how the boy had appeared or what he was here for. Such a situation had never occurred in previous executions, so he decided to observe him first.
" Ichigo? Ichigo, what are you doing here?"
When Rukia saw the boy with orange hair, she was completely panicked. The boy was like an atomic bomb, exploding on the calm lake in Rukia's heart and causing huge waves!
"Huh? What else would I be here for? To save you, of course! You haven't been tortured to the point of being mentally impaired, have you?"
After hearing Rukia's words, Ichigo Kurosaki patted Rukia's head hard, his eyes filled with doubt.
"You idiot! You're the stupid one!"
"Didn't you see that huge firebird?"
"That's the Kikōō, who has fused with a million Zanpakuto! You'll die here!"
"Get down here right now..."
Rukia Kuchiki spoke to Ichigo Kurosaki over and over.
"Enough with the nonsense!"
"I'm taking you away today! Let's see who dares to stop me."
Ichigo Kurosaki didn't give Rukia a chance to say anything and immediately drew his Zanpakuto from behind him.
"Clang clang!"
Upon seeing Ichigo Kurosaki Batto Sword Drawing his sword, the Kikōō instantly became enraged, seeing it as a provocation. He roared and charged towards Ichigo Kurosaki.
And then... and then this invincible blade, fused with a million Zanpakuto, was blocked by Ichigo Kurosaki Zanpakuto.
"It's blocked?!"
"Really?!"
"You're kidding, right?!"
The vice-captains watched as a single hand and a single Zanpakuto blocked the combined Zanpakuto of millions of Sōkyoku.
"That's terrifying..."
Who exactly is that person?
"It actually blocked the combined Zanpakuto in one Sōkyoku..."
"Could he be the illegitimate son of one of the Five Great Noble Clans?"
The lieutenants of the various divisions were slightly taken aback when they saw Ichigo Kurosaki block Sōkyoku's attack with just a Zanpakuto. Could someone who could block Sōkyoku really not be the illegitimate son of Five Great Noble Clans?!
"..."
Kūkaku Shiba, the captain of the Thirteenth Division, listened to the murmurs and smiled without saying a word. "The illegitimate son of the Five Great Noble Clans "—that's a clever and apt description! Ichigo Kurosaki, Ichigo Kurosaki, the son of Isshin Shiba hidden in the World of the Living —isn't he of the Shiba Clan bloodline? Isn't he a descendant of the Five Great Noble Clans?! Isn't he a hidden descendant of the Five Great Noble Clans? Using "illegitimate son" is, to a large extent, fitting...
"A scam?"
Rukia Kuchiki stared in shock as she watched Ichigo Kurosaki Zanpakuto block out the Sōkyoku.
" Rukia, I told you, I'm going to rescue you today."
As he spoke, Ichigo Kurosaki freed Rukia from the crucifixion and hoisted her onto his shoulder.
" Ichigo, what are you doing?"
" Ichigo, put him down quickly..."
Rukia looked at Ichigo Kurosaki with a blush on her face. Being carried on someone's shoulders like a child was just too embarrassing.
Where are they?!
Ichigo ignored Rukia's loud shouts and kept looking at the people under the Sōkyoku, as if searching for something.
" Ichigo! Ichigo Kurosaki! Are you even listening to me?!"
" Ichigo, put me down right now! Ichigo!"
Rukia continued to tell Ichigo Kurosaki her story.
"..."
However, Ichigo Kurosaki seemed not to hear, completely ignoring Rukia Kuchiki on his shoulder, and continued to look around.
"Ah! Found it!"
" Rukia, hold on!"
Ichigo Kurosaki kept looking around, and finally spotted that dazzling red-haired guy.
"Wait, what are you planning to do?"
"Hey! Ichigo, what exactly are you planning to do?"
Rukia Kuchiki looked down at the dazzling red hair and her heart skipped a beat. A bad premonition suddenly arose in her heart.
"Let's go, Rukia!"
" Rukia Express, launch!"
Ichigo Kurosaki ignored Rukia Kuchiki Rukia Kuchiki, picked her up high, and then hurled her at the red-haired girl on the ground.
" Ichigo Kurosaki! If I survive, I'll definitely thank you properly!"
Rukia Kuchiki, facing the fierce wind, tears welling in her eyes, fell from the sky—it was truly terrifying...
"Boom!"
With a deafening roar, the Rukia landed precisely, protected by the red-haired man at the cost of his life.
" Renji!"
Rukia looked at the red-haired man lying on the ground with an incredibly complicated expression.
Rukia.
Renji Abarai looked at Rukia Kuchiki lying on top of him, his eyes filled with kindness.
"Asshole!"
"You actually Ichigo Kurosaki to do something like this? Are you trying to kill me?"
Rukia Kuchiki stood up and kept stepping on Renji Abarai's face. Her footwork was exactly the same as that of Hōshō Ryo, which showed that she had trained in the Second Division.
"Huh?"
Renji Abarai, completely bewildered by Renji Abarai Rukia Kuchiki's ravaging of his face, wondered if this was truly how she would treat her savior. And... Rukia, so you actually enjoy stepping on people's faces?! Rukia, you've changed...
"Come on, big bird!"
Ichigo Kurosaki stood atop the high executioner's block and beckoned to the Kikōō with a finger.
"Roar!!!"
The Kikōō roared, transforming into an endless sea of fire, heading straight for Ichigo Kurosaki.
"I'm sorry I'm late."
Just as Ichigo Kurosaki was about to collide with the Kikōō, a handsome man with long silver hair, panting heavily, arrived at the Kikōō's feet, wielding a huge shield.
"I've been waiting for you for so long..."
Shunsui Kyōraku looked at the man with long, silver-white hair, a slight smile playing on his lips. The person he had been waiting for had finally arrived.
This chapter is 5,000 words long~ Happy holidays everyone~
(End of this chapter)