— — — — — —
The appearance of hollows instantly smothered the school corridor in a heavy, oppressive atmosphere.
Ordinary people couldn't see hollows at all, but the sudden weight in the air was enough to make them instinctively retreat, fleeing far from this ominous place.
Within a minute, the entire floor was empty. Only Orihime Inoue and Ishida Uryū remained.
"…We're so screwed. They actually showed up…"
On the roof of another building, a large, round man stood behind the chain-link fence, trembling.
Marechiyo Ōmaeda.
Lieutenant of the 2nd Division's stealth forces, and one of the operatives assigned to watch Orihime.
He stared at the two distant figures he could barely make out through the corridor windows — two Arrancar, their uniforms crisp white, their presence unmistakably monstrous. Marechiyo swallowed hard, then turned to the small figure beside him.
"Captain, we should really run. Those two… those two are definitely trouble. They look like the Espada Urahara described…"
"Shut it."
Soi Fon shot her lieutenant a cold glare.
Marechiyo opened his mouth, then shut it with a wounded expression. He wasn't wrong though. With just their natural Reiatsu alone being ten times his own — how was he supposed to fight monsters like that?
Soi Fon turned her attention back to the far corridor, expression sharp.
"Marechiyo. Prepare for the worst."
"Captain, seriously? We're really doing this? Can I resign?"
His face was pale. He was built like a battering ram, but fighting an Espada? The Espada Urahara said were Vasto Lorde-class hollows who exceeded captain-class in raw power?
"Shut up."
Soi Fon grit her teeth. If not for the spiritual-masking device preventing the Arrancar from detecting them, she honestly would've kicked Marechiyo off the roof by now.
She drew a long breath, forced her irritation down, and explained coolly, "Our job isn't to fight the Arrancar."
Her expression hardened.
"If Orihime makes the worst possible choice… we eliminate her."
Marechiyo's eyes shot open.
"Eliminate? But didn't she heal Head Captain Yamamoto's arm? Isn't she— well— a benefactor?"
"That's exactly why things became like this."
Soi Fon's voice was cold. "Orihime's ability is a strategic weapon. To us and to Aizen. Her choice will heavily influence the final outcome of the war."
"From the beginning, the new Central 46 ordered her execution to prevent her from falling into enemy hands. The Head Captain personally faced their pressure and negotiated to stay their hand. That's the only reason she's alive."
"But if she chooses Ryo Yagami… chooses Aizen's side, then all of that becomes meaningless."
She continued without a flicker of emotion.
"She can choose neutrality, living peacefully as a human. Or she can choose to help the Soul Society. For either of those, the Head Captain would protect her without hesitation. But if she chooses them…"
"Then we carry out the execution…" Marechiyo whispered.
That was why only Soi Fon and he had been assigned to watch her. Killing a human under the noses of Espada—if someone had to do it, Soi Fon was the best for the job. And more importantly, it didn't waste precious battle resources.
Still… killing someone in front of two Espada? That was way too exciting for his taste.
Marechiyo stared toward the other building, his teeth chattering.
"Miss Orihime… please don't choose wrong…"
---
At the far end of the empty corridor, Harribel stood motionless, her cold eyes fixed on Orihime.
Seeing the two Arrancar, Orihime paused, surprised they'd arrived so quickly.
She let out a soft sigh, took an envelope from her bag, and handed it to Ishida.
"Please give this to Tatsuki for me. I'm counting on you, Ishida-kun."
Tatsuki Arisawa was one of her few close friends — and the only one who didn't know anything about hollows or Shinigamis.
Which was why Orihime had written a letter to say goodbye in the gentlest way she could manage.
Of course, all she wrote was that something came up and she had to visit some relatives.
With that resigned expression on her face, she offered the letter. Ishida silently accepted it.
He glanced down the other side of the hallway where Ichigo Kurosaki and Chad had arrived, clearly sensing the hollow presence.
"Orihime. Ishida. Get back."
Ichigo slapped his Substitute Shinigami badge to his forehead, transforming into his shinigami form, Zangetsu raised toward Harribel and Ulquiorra.
Harribel's hand drifted to her sword. Ulquiorra raised an arm to block her.
Tension crackled. Then—
"No need to worry, Ichigo-kun." Orihime's voice was gentle. "They're friends of mine."
Ichigo froze, Zangetsu hanging awkwardly in his hands.
Orihime gave him a small bow. "Thank you for helping me back then… with my brother."
"Orihime…" Ichigo finally realized something was terribly wrong.
Or rather, he'd sensed something off ever since the Soul Society incident… but he'd ignored it. Pretended not to see. Pushed aside the discomfort.
And now, reality was staring him in the face. "Don't worry, Ichigo-kun. I'm just repaying a favor."
Ichigo stared at the smile he'd grown so used to. For the first time, he felt powerless.
It hurt even more than when Rukia had been taken away by force.
Because this time, Orihime was leaving of her own will.
He opened his mouth, but no words came. In the end, he let out a long breath.
"...Be careful."
"Thank you." Orihime nodded, turned, and walked toward Harribel.
As she moved— a butterfly appeared behind her.
A black butterfly.
Then a whisper brushed her back.
"Nigeki Kessatsu…"
Soi Fon's stinger shot toward Orihime's spine, straight at the black butterfly.
"Orihime!"
Ichigo's eyes went wide as he saw the assassin behind Orihime.
Ishida's pupils constricted sharply. He lunged forward to intercept.
Yet strangely, Harribel and Ulquiorra didn't move at all.
A sharp crack rang out.
Before Soi Fon's attack could land, her wrist was caught.
What…? Soi Fon stiffened, immediately trying to break free.
A low voice murmured beside her ear. "Don't move. If you do, the Scarlet Needle will go straight in…"
(Scarlet Needle, or sukāreto nīdoru, is the technique of the Scorpio Gold Saint)
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