As the final word left his mouth, the coiling ropes wrapped around the massive execution spear unraveled, spinning loose in the air.
The spiritual pressure sealed within it erupted all at once.
Freed from its bindings, the colossal spear tilted forward, falling under its own weight.
Tangible, oppressive reiatsu rippled around the spear like distorted waves, pressing heavily upon everyone gathered at Sōkyoku Hill.
Standing atop the execution scaffold, Hinamori Momo trembled, her expression filled with utter despair.
The stone restraints beneath her feet separated into floating slabs, clamping onto her limbs and slowly lifting her toward the sky.
Sōkyoku — Released!
A golden phoenix materialized high above, its enormous form rigid and emotionless, cold avian eyes locking directly onto Hinamori.
"Sōkyoku… the Executioner."
Yamamoto Genryūsai's calm, unshifting voice echoed across the hill.
"The Sōkyoku Spear reveals its true form. As the executor of the gravest criminals , once it pierces the sinner, the execution ends."
All the captains fixed their gazes on the golden phoenix—on the Executioner itself.
Its radiant wings unfurled, covering all of Sōkyoku Hill. The sheer magnitude of its spiritual pressure even surpassed that of an ordinary Captain-level Shinigami.
Shimo narrowed his eyes, observing the massive phoenix above.
"A million sword worth of destructive power? Really?"
He felt nothing but skepticism.
Even ignoring the exaggerated spiritual pressure, just the fact that Ichigo Kurosaki had blocked it in canon already proved this "million sword" claim was basically a bedtime story.
"Well… 'according to legend' usually means it's nonsense anyway."
Shimo muttered dryly.
Yamamoto paused, coughed lightly, and gave Shimo a sharp look.
"Ahem. Regardless of its power, the Sōkyoku is the symbol of Soul Society's law."
Shimo nodded politely.
Because in the next moment, Soul Society's law was about to be trampled into dust.
The phoenix let out a piercing cry. Flames surged violently around its body as it locked once more onto Hinamori.
Facing death, she was far less calm than she imagined she could be.
Despair swallowed her entire gaze.
—BOOM!
Just as the phoenix lunged, a Zanpakutō slammed down in front of its beak.
A deafening explosion cracked the sky.
"Ichigo…!"
Everyone turned in shock.
"Who is that?"
"He blocked it?!"
"The Sōkyoku's impact—said to equal a million sword—was stopped by ONE sword?"
"A ryoka?!"
Komamura Sajin's voice rumbled, now steady and carrying renewed authority.
Since his true face had already been seen, he no longer bothered hiding it.
Showing his real form only added to his imposing presence.
"I didn't expect a ryoka to actually make it here…"
"Though unfortunately, the Sōkyoku's full might is not something he can block twice."
He made no move to interfere.
Because the only person who mattered—Yamamoto—was watching.
The phoenix withdrew into the air, its crimson wings beating once before it locked onto Ichigo and Hinamori again.
"Preparing for a second strike…?"
Ichigo tightened his grip, bracing himself.
Then—
"Sennen Hyōrō! (Thousand-Year Ice Prison!)"
A chilling voice rang from above.
—KRACK!
Massive pillars of ice plummeted from the sky, instantly engulfing the phoenix.
The golden phoenix froze completely in an instant, immobilized midair.
The cloud cover parted.
Hitsugaya Tōshirō descended from the sky.
"Hitsugaya…?"
Even Yamamoto couldn't hide his surprise.
"What of Third Seat Genshiro?"
Hitsugaya grit his teeth, forcing his ice to hold.
"He's fine! I only knocked him out!"
Yamamoto nodded.
"Then I will petition to reduce your sentence."
Hitsugaya exhaled shakily, then shouted down:
"What are you spacing out for?! Destroy the scaffold and get Hinamori out of here!"
That snapped Ichigo back into motion.
He didn't know who this white-haired kid was, but clearly, they were on the same side.
Spiritual pressure surged from Zangetsu.
A sky-colored wave tore downward—
—BOOM!!
The entire scaffold exploded.
The execution platform shattered clean through Sōkyoku Hill.
As Hinamori fell, another figure leapt upward and caught her mid-descent.
"Kira Izuru," Shimo smiled faintly.
"Looks like Third Division's jail has been breached too."
Izuru said nothing.
He didn't need to.
Getting Hinamori away from here was the priority.
"Unforgivable."
Yamamoto's voice thundered across the hill, ancient and crushing.
Spiritual pressure roared around him like a rising inferno.
"The Gotei 13 requires purification."
Hitsugaya finally retracted his ice. The phoenix, with no target, reverted back to the Sōkyoku Spear and crashed into the ground, carving out a trench dozens of meters wide.
Ichigo and Hitsugaya landed together, standing between the Captain-class forces and Hinamori's rescuers.
"We'll stop you here."
Hitsugaya's eyes were firm despite the wounds he carried—likely from breaking out of custody.
Ichigo glanced sideways.
"…Hey, what's your name again?"
Hitsugaya froze for a moment.
"…Hitsugaya Tōshirō. Tenth Division… although I won't be holding that title much longer. The Central 46's judgment awaits."
Ichigo grinned.
"Ichigo Kurosaki—Substitute Shinigami of the Human World!"
Before they could speak further:
"That is enough chit-chat."
Ōmaeda Marechiyo and Sasakibe Chōjirō stepped forward.
"By destroying the execution platform, you have committed an unforgivable crime."
Both released their Zanpakutō.
—but their releases barely completed before Ichigo vanished.
—BAM!!
His fist slammed into Ōmaeda's gut, launching him like a tumbling boulder.
A second step flashed—
Uppercut—CRACK!
Sasakibe flew backward, unconscious.
Shimo sighed into his hand.
"…Lieutenants really are embarrassing sometimes.
Even if they're holding back, this is too obvious."
Beside him—Shiiiing.
He sensed a blade being drawn.
Byakuya intended to intervene.
Shimo blocked him with an arm.
"Bya-kun, go to the Underground Assembly Hall."
"Report what you've witnessed to every officer above Lieutenant rank."
Byakuya hesitated but obeyed and flash-stepped away.
On the battlefield, Komamura stepped forward.
"This farce ends now."
"Hitsugaya, will you resist to the end?"
Hitsugaya clenched his jaw.
"…Forgive me, Captain Komamura.
But I cannot let you pass!"
The tension snapped—battle erupted.
The atmosphere thickened with crushing spiritual pressure.
Yamamoto slammed his cane into the ground.
"You dare mock the laws of Soul Society. Utter foolishness."
Soi Fon readied herself to join.
Shimo scratched the black cat on his shoulder.
"Yoruichi, now's your chance. Settle things with Soi Fon—away from this battlefield unless you want to get vaporized."
Yoruichi rubbed Shimo's cheek affectionately, then flash-stepped onto Soi Fon's shoulder.
"Come with me, little Bee."
"Beat me… and I'll let you punish me however you want."
Soi Fon grit her teeth, but Yoruichi vanished.
She immediately pursued.
Shimo glanced around.
He was the only one still idle.
Komamura exploded with power, fighting both Hitsugaya and Ichigo simultaneously.
Only Hitsugaya's exhausted state kept the balance—his reiatsu was mostly spent.
"Hitsugaya, leave this one to me!" Ichigo yelled. "I can handle this dog captain!"
Komamura roared:
"I AM NOT A DOG!!"
He smashed Ichigo skyward with a single massive punch.
Shimo winced.
"As awe-inspiring as ever."
"Captain Komamura truly never disappoints."
Yamamoto stepped forward.
"I refuse to watch this foolishness any longer."
But before he could act, a figure appeared directly before him—
Smiling calmly.
Kyōraku Shimo.
"Fourth Division Lieutenant Kyōraku Shimo… Even you intend to defy justice?"
Anger rippled in Yamamoto's eyes.
The end of his long silver beard fluttered in the heat of his rising spiritual pressure.
"Those who betray justice shall not be forgiven."
He removed his white haori and let it fall.
"Head-Captain Yamamoto," Shimo said quietly.
"Your justice has rotted."
"Your overwhelming power has blinded you.
Blind obedience to false justice only distances you further from the real thing."
Yamamoto paused.
"…I once believed you would become a pillar of Soul Society."
"It seems I was gravely mistaken."
He tore off the top of his shihakushō, revealing a body covered in countless scars.
His cane burst into flames, revealing its true form.
"Prepare yourself, Kyōraku Shimo."
"Reduce All Creation…"
"To Ash."
"Ryūjin Jakka!"
The world ignited.