"How could this happen…? They can still be saved!"
Urahara Kisuke could not accept such a conclusion.
These were not ordinary Shinigami. This was not the loss of one or two people but four captains, along with multiple vice-captains.
Among them was Sarugaki Hiyori, his own lieutenant.
No matter how he thought about it, Urahara Kisuke could not accept Central 46's decision to execute them.
Standing within the shadows after escaping the Senzaikyū (Repentance Cell), Urahara looked firmly at Shihōin Yoruichi, Gosuke Shigure, and Tsukabishi Tessai, and said in a resolute voice:
"I want to save them."
"Although they've undergone Hollowfication, as long as we use that thing, their condition can definitely be stabilized."
Urahara Kisuke had already reached a conclusion.
Long ago, influenced by Hikifune Kirio's theories on artificial souls, he had devoted himself to researching the structure and evolution of souls. It was during that period that he perfected techniques such as the Gigai modification and artificial soul manipulation.
However
His greatest and most dangerous creation was not the artificial Gigai.
It was the Hōgyoku.
By forcibly compressing and harmonizing the spiritual essence of Hollows and Shinigami, Urahara Kisuke had created an object capable of erasing the boundary between races.
After its completion, Urahara immediately realized the threat it posed.
The Hōgyoku was not merely powerful, it was uncontrollable.
He attempted to destroy it, but failed.
And so, left with no alternative, he sealed it away, hiding its existence even from most of Soul Society.
Now, faced with the imminent execution of the Hollowfied captains and vice-captains, Urahara thought of the Hōgyoku once more.
If anything could stabilize Hollowfication and prevent total loss of self
It was that forbidden object.
But before that, they had to rescue them.
Thus, immediately after breaking out of the Senzaikyū, Urahara Kisuke, Shihōin Yoruichi, and Tsukabishi Tessai moved without rest, heading directly toward the execution site to save Hirako Shinji, Muguruma Kensei, Ōtoribashi Rōjūrō, Love Aikawa, Yadoumaru Lisa, Sarugaki Hiyori, and the others.
In this operation, Gosuke Shigure did not intervene.
He knew that with Urahara, Yoruichi, and Tessai acting together, rescue was assured.
Later, Gosuke Shigure learned the outcome from Kyōraku Shunsui.
Urahara Kisuke, Tessai Tsukabishi, and Shihōin Yoruichi had successfully rescued the Hollowfied captains and vice-captains moments before execution and then vanished completely from Soul Society.
Their whereabouts were unknown.
Previously, Urahara and Tessai had only been suspects.
But now
They had escaped imprisonment and openly defied Central 46's ruling by rescuing Hollowfied captains.
From Central 46's perspective, they were no longer suspects.
They were criminals.
Immediately, Central 46 issued a sweeping decree:
Urahara Kisuke
Tsukabishi Tessai
All Hollowfied captains and vice-captains
Were declared wanted fugitives.
The Gotei Thirteen was ordered to locate and apprehend them.
However, Central 46 did not realize that this order was effectively meaningless.
Earlier, the Gotei Thirteen had already failed to locate the Quincy remnants hidden within the shadowed spiritual space beneath Seireitei.
Soul Society's intelligence-gathering capabilities were far less omnipotent than Central 46 believed.
Moreover
Central 46's insistence on executing captains who could clearly still be treated had already caused dissatisfaction among many Gotei Thirteen captains.
Under such circumstances, searches for Urahara Kisuke were carried out half-heartedly at best.
Thirteenth Division — Kaien-dō (Captain's Residence)
The captain's quarters stood beside a tranquil lake.
This was where Ukitake Jūshirō usually rested and handled affairs while recovering from illness.
Tonight, the room carried the scent of sake.
Gosuke Shigure arrived under the guidance of Kyōraku Shunsui.
"So… things really turned out like this?"
Ukitake said weakly, his condition visibly worse than before.
Kyōraku Shunsui sighed heavily.
"I don't want to admit it either," he said seriously, "but the Gotei Thirteen has never been this weak."
He began listing them one by one:
"Ōtoribashi Rōjūrō of the Third Division.
Hirako Shinji of the Fifth Division.
Love Aikawa of the Seventh Division.
Muguruma Kensei of the Ninth Division.
Shihōin Yoruichi of the Second Division.
Urahara Kisuke of the Twelfth Division."
"That's six captains."
"And if we include Kidō Corps Commander Tessai Tsukabishi, that's seven captain-class combatants gone at once."
"And on top of that—multiple vice-captains."
"Even during the war nine hundred years ago, we didn't lose this much strength at once."
There was clear self-blame in Kyōraku's voice.
After all, Yadoumaru Lisa, his own lieutenant, was among those Hollowfied.
If he hadn't let her go on that mission
Ukitake heard the pain in Kyōraku's words and spoke gravely:
"And if we include the former Tenth Division captain who died years ago and has yet to be replaced…"
"Then the current Gotei Thirteen is at its weakest point in history."
"If the Quincy remnants choose this moment to strike…"
"I'm not sure the remaining forces could withstand them."
This was not idle worry.
Ukitake had personally felt the Quincy presence within the shadowed spiritual space beneath Seireitei.
Their hatred for Soul Society ran deep.
Conflict was inevitable.
"Don't overthink it," Gosuke Shigure said calmly.
"We'll deal with things when they come."
Then he turned to Kyōraku Shunsui.
"Do you really believe Urahara Kisuke was behind all this?"
Kyōraku was silent for a long moment.
"…I don't know."
Central 46's verdict clashed sharply with Urahara's actions.
If Urahara were truly responsible, why rescue the Hollowfied captains after escaping?
Why save his supposed 'failed experiments'?
And more importantly
What reason would Shihōin Yoruichi, head of one of the Four Great Noble Houses, have to rebel against Soul Society alongside him?
Officially, the wanted list named only Urahara Kisuke, Tessai Tsukabishi, and the Hollowfied captains.
But everyone present understood
There was another "traitor" not written down.
Shihōin Yoruichi.
Only her noble status prevented Central 46 from issuing an arrest warrant.
And thus
Soul Society entered a night from which it would never truly recover.