Kurosaki Ichigo shouted, "You're Rukia's brother, Byakuya Kuchiki! Where did you imprison Rukia?"
Ishida Uryu responded quickly, "Kurosaki, don't be impulsive. Since everyone is temporarily confined, Rukia should be safe for now."
Shiba Ganju looked around, frowning. "What the hell is going on? Why were we trapped by this strange force the moment we arrived?"
"Nii-san, I don't want to die yet! Woo woo woo…"
"Idiot!" Shiba Kūkaku barked. "Ganju, stop whining or I'll chop you up myself!"
Meanwhile, Aizen Sōsuke stared thoughtfully at the floating screen, the scrolling text reflecting in his glasses. "Everyone can speak freely… and both Seireitei and Rukongai can see it. What is this power strong enough to suppress spiritual energy entirely?"
Shihouin Yoruichi narrowed her golden eyes. "It seems this power doesn't belong to our world."
"Y-Yoruichi-sama!" Soi-Fon gasped, startled. Then she crossed her arms, masking her emotion. "Hmph. I've replaced you as Commander-in-Chief of the Stealth Force. You didn't expect me to grow this strong while you were gone."
Yoruichi grinned. "Yo, long time no see, Soi-Fon. I missed you."
Soi-Fon blushed faintly before turning away. "Hmph. You're no longer the one I aim to surpass. I've long stopped caring about you."
Byakuya Kuchiki's calm voice cut through. "Yoruichi, vanished for hundreds of years, now returns. I thought you were dead."
Yoruichi laughed lightly. "Oh, it's you, Little Byakuya. Been a while since we last played tag, huh?"
The word little echoed, and everyone turned toward Byakuya in disbelief.
Renji snorted. "Pfft! Didn't expect the Captain to have such a nickname. Hahaha!"
Byakuya's expression darkened. Arms folded, jaw tense, a dangerous twitch ran through his face. The laughter around him quickly died, Renji freezing with a sheepish grin as he looked away.
Kyoraku Shunsui tipped his hat. "By the way, what's with those black and white things in the sky? They haven't moved at all."
Hitsugaya Tōshirō answered coolly, "For now, this force doesn't seem hostile. But this so-called 'live broadcast'... what's its purpose?"
Ichigo scratched his head. "Uh… this kind of thing exists only in our world. It's hard to explain right now."
As their chatter filled the air, the cold mechanical voice echoed once more.
Ding! All content loaded. Autoplay will begin in ten seconds. Countdown commencing.
Everyone tensed instantly.
10... 9... 8...
The numbers ticked down as light began to flicker on the twin black-and-white screens.
3... 2... 1...
The blurred images came into focus. The white screen slid to the forefront; the black one dimmed behind it.
Yamamoto Genryūsai, seated firmly at his post, did not flinch. His hands rested calmly on his staff, eyes narrowing beneath his brows.
Zaraki Kenpachi grinned, wild excitement flashing in his gaze. "Whoever did this… they've got power. Hahaha! Once this seal breaks, I'm hunting them down myself!"
Aizen exchanged a brief, unreadable look with Ichimaru Gin, adjusting his glasses in silence.
Jūshirō Ukitake frowned. "It's strange. Why hasn't anyone from Central 46 spoken up?"
Unohana Retsu's gentle voice followed. "Indeed. For something of this magnitude, silence from them is highly unusual."
Komamura Sajin rumbled, "Central 46 should be able to see this as well. Something's wrong."
Gin's fox-like grin widened. "Hehe, maybe those old geezers just don't feel like talking."
"Captain Ichimaru Gin, watch your tongue," Aizen said sharply.
Tousen Kaname tilted his head. "Ichimaru Gin… this isn't your doing, is it?"
"Hehe, Captain Tousen, if I had that kind of power, do you think I'd be trapped here too?"
Yamamoto's cane struck the ground, silencing them. "Enough."
The room quieted immediately as the screen's image grew sharper.
---
[Grey skies. Heavy rain. The streets nearly empty.]
[A tall woman and a small boy walked together, one carrying a pink umbrella, the other black.]
She was graceful, serene; beside her, a small boy with bright orange hair, dressed in a yellow raincoat, clutched his umbrella proudly.
A truck passed, splashing muddy water across the street.
"Look at that rude driver! Are you okay?" she asked softly, wiping his cheek with a towel. "Let's switch sides. I'll walk closer to the road."
"It's fine, Mom. I can stand here. I'm wearing a raincoat anyway!" the boy said earnestly. "I'll protect you just like I did just now!"
His childish voice carried such determination that it silenced everyone watching.
Ichigo's eyes widened. "This… this is me. And Mom… This is my memory."
Ganju burst out laughing. "Wait, that's you? Hahaha! Didn't think you were such a cute kid! Doesn't match the scowling face you've got now!"
Ishida adjusted his glasses, deadpan. "Indeed. Hard to believe this was you, Kurosaki."