Hollow Group
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The alarm echoed across the Soul Society.
Rukia abandoned her cleaning, dropping the broom, and hurried toward Yuqian Hall.
She remembered that the captain had been in good condition recently, which meant that if something serious happened, he would no longer remain idle.
Many soldiers shared her concern, gathering outside Yuqian Hall.
A pitch-black hell butterfly floated by. Pale hands lifted the bamboo curtain, revealing Ukitake Jushiro's sickly white face in the sunlight.
"The spiritual pressure of the superior Hollows has appeared in the 36th district of Kitaru-kun Street," he said solemnly. "The captain has ordered the 8th and 9th divisions to attack together, with the 5th and 4th divisions providing support. I will handle the superior Hollows, and the Hollow group is to be handed over to you. Do you understand?"
"Understood!" Rukia shouted along with the other soldiers.
In theory, the captain's orders made sense. The 13th, 8th, and 9th divisions were the closest to the north.
The problem was that Shiba Kaiyan's death had significantly weakened the 13th's combat capability. Without her leadership, officers struggled to coordinate.
Was this really safe? Rukia wondered, then resolved herself. Even if she couldn't replace Kaiyan-sama, she would fight to the death. Her eyes reflected unwavering determination.
"Let's go," Ukitake declared, running from the barracks. The 13th Division followed, surging toward Kuroro Gate as their reiatsu flared.
"Hadō IV: White Thunder!" "Hadō 33: Blue Fire Drop!" "Hadō 31: Red Fire Cannon!"
Outside the gate, Kidō spells pierced the air. The rumble of explosions, the wails of the dead, and the crack of blades filled the battlefield.
The sky darkened. Thick clouds descended toward the horizon, as if the heavens themselves were collapsing. Lightning flashed.
Nearby, cracks in the black chamber opened, and Hollows poured out, attacking Kuroryoumon.
Thin Nanao Ise commanded the 8th Division to resist. They were the first to arrive.
The arrival of the 13th and 9th Divisions brought her relief. "Captain Ukitake?"
"Follow Vice-Captain Ise's orders. Captain Tōsen and I will handle the superior Hollow," Ukitake said, leaving the command to Nanao as he and Tōsen departed.
"Those skilled in Kidō will remain at the door for ranged support. Melee fighters will split into two groups, rotating alternately. Reserve units must assist the injured to minimize casualties," Nanao instructed, regaining composure.
Rukia, refusing to stay behind, drew her Zanpakutō. "Dance, Sode no Shirayuki."
Her Zanpakutō transformed into a shimmering white, the long ribbon at its hilt flowing beautifully. A Kidō light flared overhead, creating a gap for Rukia and the others to charge through.
"Hatsuma no Tsukuyō: Moonlight White!" The ground within three meters froze solid. Two giant Hollows leapt to avoid the ice, only to be shattered when a crimson fire cannon collided with it.
Rukia pressed forward. A giant Hollow inflated its neck and spat an air cannon. Undaunted, she cleaved the cannon with her sword, leaping high and splitting the Hollow's head in two.
With a powerful kick, she lunged toward the next enemy. Her valiant display drew cheers from surrounding Shinigami.
"Not enough… I must try harder," she muttered. Compared to what Haiyan-sama could accomplish, she was still far from adequate.
"Don't charge too far! Help stabilize the formation and push forward gradually!" Nanao warned. The advantage lay in coordinated attacks, combining long-range and melee. Recklessness would be fatal.
The battle gradually turned.
"Ah!" A roar echoed from the distant sky.
Nanao's face paled. That cry had summoned the Hollows previously. Were more coming?
Crack, crack… A Black Cavity fissure appeared dozens of meters above the ground.
She swallowed hard. Snap!
A pale, pointed nose punctured the fissure, and a skeletal figure larger than a house emerged, leading a series of black cloaks.
"Great Hollow Killian," Nanao grimaced. Textbooks noted that Great Hollow Killian were handled only by royal agents—ordinary Shinigami could not contend with them. Six appeared at once.
"Retreat!" Nanao decisively ordered. Power alone could not bridge the gap.
One large Hollow, Killian, gathered crimson reiatsu, preparing to obliterate the Shinigami below in a single Hollow Flash.
Ise Nanao quickly chanted, "Child of Heaven, a wall of iron, dragons march, lions roar, tigers howl, wolves run! Sever the heavens and earth before they collapse! 81st Binding Path: Severing the Sky!"
Could it block the attack? She wasn't sure.
A crimson Hollow Flash shot downward. With a bang, Severing Sky's defensive wall shattered, casting a crimson glow across the earth.
Overwhelmed, Ise's eyes widened behind her glasses. Suddenly, a figure blocked her path, wielding a blade. An invisible wall of wind intercepted the Hollow Flash.
"Beautiful woman, do you believe in light?" the man asked without looking back.
"Huh?" Ise froze, staring at the figure. His attire, silver hair, and extravagantly shaped Zanpakutō left no doubt.
"You are… Shiraishi?" she concluded.
Visit patreon.com/Akeyno to get 30+ chapters