"What?! We're not exposed, are we?"
In the Fifth Division's underground chamber, Gin's intrigued expression froze at the Head Captain's words, replaced by rare panic and a faint hope that misfortune wouldn't strike.
Beside him, Aizen remained silent, his face calm, but inwardly, he shared Gin's thought: Are we three exposed?
The video's backdrop—devastated skyscrapers—confirmed this was Karakura Town, the site of the final battle between the Arrancars and Gotei 13.
It all made sense!
The Head Captain's words clearly targeted Aizen, Gin, and Tōsen!
"Gin, if…"
"If we need to flee the Soul Society, the anti-membrane should descend smoothly, right?" Aizen asked suddenly, after a moment's thought.
"Lord Aizen, you're preparing for the worst?" Tōsen swallowed hard, his blindfolded face shocked.
He hadn't expected this day to come so suddenly, forced to defect to Hueco Mundo early due to the ranking video's interference!
"What else?" Aizen shot Tōsen a cold glance, stating flatly, "You'd better pray the camera doesn't zoom in on our faces next!"
"Otherwise, with the Head Captain's temper and hatred for betrayal, he won't stay calmly watching from the First Division!"
Even the composed Aizen's words carried a hint of resentment—not at Yamamoto, but at the damned video creator!
Without the ranking's exposure, with Rukia already in the human world, their plan was proceeding perfectly. They just needed to wait for Ichigo to lead the invaders into the Soul Society, and the Hōgyoku hidden in Rukia would be theirs!
What a pity…
Aizen's eyes flickered with regret, mentally preparing to flee.
But—
The camera switched!
BOOM!
The Head Captain raised his hand, his ancient body unleashing a torrential spiritual pressure, a blazing volcano ravaging the already ruined battlefield!
"Again?"
"He's not planning to wipe out the entire battlefield with one swing, is he?"
"Too terrifying! A human sun!"
The scorching aura hit again, sending viewers who'd paused their flight running again.
Who'd want to relive that torment?
Sure enough, the explosive scene repeated!
"Ryūjin Jakka, Fortress of Flames!"
His tone was calm, but as he swung, a meteor shower of flames swept across the sky, splitting Karakura Town's heavens in two—one half paradise, one half hell.
The flames' scale was so vast the camera couldn't capture it fully, panning endlessly.
The apocalyptic flames formed a massive fire wall, sealing the scorched space. Anyone trying to break out would face thousands of degrees of heat, with no chance of escape!
"You three are sealed within…"
"Repent in the flame barrier while watching us exterminate the Arrancars!"
Without naming names, the Head Captain sheathed Ryūjin Jakka, the chaotic scene calming as the flames subsided.
But his words sparked widespread shock and speculation.
"Strange…"
"He emphasized twice that three people are sealed in the flame barrier!"
"Who are these three mysterious figures?"
In the Thirteenth Division, Kyoraku frowned, catching the critical detail.
"Indeed, he seems especially furious at these three," Ukitake analyzed rationally. "From what I know of him, he only rages like this when deeply disappointed, like in the scene against us."
Rubbing his chin, Ukitake sensed an unusual emotion in Yamamoto's tone—not just anger at enemies, but something deeper.
That was odd!
If it were just the Arrancar army, the Head Captain wouldn't be this enraged. He was the millennium's strongest Shinigami!
Getting petty with Arrancars would be beneath him, not befitting his aura or stature.
So…
Eliminating other possibilities, only one remained—these three were familiar faces!
Gasp!
Ukitake's heart sank, a strong sense of unease rising.
Familiar faces… Arrancars… a war with the Gotei 13…
This wasn't just a battle—it was a purge of traitors!
The atmosphere turned eerie. Kyoraku and Ukitake fell silent, their carefree mood replaced by heavy concern.
If their guess was right, it meant the Soul Society currently harbored Arrancar spies!
A shocking secret!
As they grappled with this, Ise Nanao, nearly fainting from Ryūjin Jakka's pressure, suddenly spoke up:
"Captain Kyoraku, Captain Ukitake…"
"Have you noticed? Since the first ranking round, nearly half the Gotei 13 captains have appeared on screen…"
Her brows furrowed, hitting the crux: "But the captains of the Second, Third, Fifth, Seventh, and Ninth Divisions… they've never shown up in battles against Arrancars or Quincies!"
Her words jolted Kyoraku and Ukitake, their eyes widening in realization.
Could it be… among these five, three were traitors?
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