"Should we go and inform the Special Forces Unit now?"
Jie Chengxian also sensed something was off; a surprise attack like this couldn't hinge on one squad alone—other rebels had to be preparing elsewhere.
After a moment's thought Yoruichi nodded, agreeing with Jie Chengxian. Racing back to Seireitei to beg old man Yamamoto for help was out of the question; better to find Kuchiki Kyōka and work out a counter-plan—maybe even turn the trap against them.
"Tell only Kuchiki Kyōka; steer clear of the two Lieutenants for now."
Better safe than sorry. While they didn't know which member of the Special Forces Unit was the mole, extra caution cost nothing. Yoruichi and Jie Chengxian hurried to the unit's base, avoiding detection, and slipped into Kyōka's rest-tent unseen.
"Who's there?!"
Seated at his desk plotting how to crush the rebels, Kuchiki Kyōka snapped to his feet at the sound, hand on his hilt as his eyes swept the tent.
"Relax, kid of the Kuchiki Clan."
Stepping from the shadows with Jie Chengxian, Yoruichi motioned for Kyōka to stand down and tossed him the letter they had just found.
"We're here with urgent news—read it and you'll understand."
Spotting the Shihōin crest on Yoruichi's shoulder, Kyōka lowered his guard, took the envelope and tore it open. The more he read, the more his jaw clenched. No wonder his pacification efforts kept failing—there was a traitor! These bastards had got him scolded by Father-in-law.
Jie Chengxian studied Kyōka, intrigued by the clan's signature thousand-star hairpiece, wondering if that Shikai of his—said to turn others' Zanpakutō against them—could help awaken his own blade.
"Damn them!"
Kyōka slammed the table, fury blazing so hot it scorched his reason. Because of these rats Father-in-law had lost faith in him; he itched to find the traitor and carve him to pieces.
"Haa—thank you both. Had you not warned me, I'd have shamed Father-in-law again."
Taking a steadying breath, Kyōka bowed his thanks.
"What will you do now?"
As commander of the Special Forces Unit, Kyōka's word was law to Yoruichi and Jie Chengxian.
"The letter lists almost every detail of this base. Besides me, only Kinoshita Hanta and Shirakura Shinichirō know that much. One traitor I can handle, but if both Lieutenants are dirty..."
He left the rest unsaid, yet they understood: a single mole could be quickly suppressed with the other Lieutenant's help, but if both were tainted Kyōka would be stalemated while the rebels attacked, and the unit could be devastated.
"Will you two stay and assist? The Kuchiki Clan will reward you handsomely."
Yoruichi glanced at Jie Chengxian; she was game, but the final say was his.
"Why look at me? If I run now old man Yamamoto will skin me."
After all, the old man had high hopes for him. Captain-level? Jie Chengxian lived to fight elites.
He itched for the coming fight—his first chance to trade blows with Captain-class foes. As long as it wasn't a monster like Yamamoto, he and Yoruichi together could handle anything.
"My thanks. I'll summon the Lieutenants for a confrontation; please back me up."
Kyōka sent a messenger to call the two Lieutenants while quietly ordering a Kuchiki retainer to alert the squads for a possible rebel strike. Then the three waited, adjusting their breathing for the battle ahead.
"Captain Kuchiki, why did you summon us?"
Kinoshita Hanta and Shirakura Shinichirō hesitated when they saw Yoruichi and the boy. What was the head of the Shihōin doing here with a kid?
"Lady Shihōin found a rebel outpost nearby; I'd like us three to eliminate it."
Kinoshita and Shirakura exchanged a covert glance, uneasy.
"A small outpost? Why not send a single squad?"
"Too noisy—we'd tip them off. Captains can handle it quietly."
Accepting Kyōka's logic, they followed him to the supposed outpost. Recognizing the spot, their hearts sank.
"Well then, you know why I brought you here. Speak up and I'll let you keep your dignity."
Kyōka drew the envelope and regarded them calmly; today the traitors would pay.
"Alas—so both of you. A pity."
At their guilty silence Kyōka sighed. Behind them Jie Chengxian shot Yoruichi a look: familiar scene.
"Wanna bet they'll start monologuing about why they betrayed us?"
Yoruichi stared as if he were an idiot—who confesses motives aloud?
"Haha! For greater power, of course! When our lord triumphs he'll grant us supreme strength, and all Soul Society will be ours!"
Had Yoruichi been drinking she'd have sprayed it everywhere. Damn—Jie Little Brother had called it. Were these two fools? She began to suspect he could see the future.
Face was broken; nothing left but to fight—kill or be killed.
To keep the others safe Kyōka took the stronger Shirakura Shinichirō elsewhere; he had no idea Yoruichi didn't use her blade and Jie hadn't even awakened one—pearls before swine.
Watching him leave, Jie Chengxian sighed; he'd hoped Kyōka's Muramasa might stir his own Zanpakutō—guess it would have to wait.
"Your turn or mine?"
"Watch close, Yoruichi—my road to invincibility starts here."
She slapped her forehead; the boy was nuts. She stayed nearby, ready to rescue him.
"What, you look down on a Third-Seat? I'll show you!"
Kinoshita Hanta exploded, furious that a kid was sent to fight him.
Hearing the man was only Third-Seat, Jie Chengxian relaxed—he'd feared Second-Seat.
"Quit bluffing; it only shows your fear."
Calmly drawing his asauchi, he stared at Kinoshita—he'd longed to cut down the man who'd turned Revice into garbage.
In a flash Kinoshita's eyes widened as he parried the strike at his head. The force shocked him—kids these days were monsters?
"Hado Number Eleven—Tsuzuri Raiden."
Lightning surged down the blade; caught off-guard while fending off Jie's swordplay, Kinoshita was fried crisp. But Captain-class hides behind thick skin—no fatal wound.
"Damn you... Sever them, Tobiume!"
With the release command his Zanpakutō became a huge polearm. Confident after Shikai, Kinoshita lunged—only to be floored by Jie's Hakuda and Shunpo combo, left doubting life itself.