Isane Kotetsu and Rangiku Matsumoto flanked Soifon, shielding her as they secretly escorted her out through the back door of the First Division barracks.
The two exchanged a glance, and Rangiku Matsumoto crouched slightly in front of Soifon.
"Excuse me, Captain Soifon."
Feeling the world spin around her, Soifon was lifted up into Rangiku Matsumoto's arms.
Soifon rested steadily against the soft and fragrant embrace, with Isane Kotetsu following closely behind. They did not take the main roads of the Seireitei, choosing instead to traverse hidden paths to avoid any acquaintances they might accidentally encounter.
In the courtyard of the Fourth Division Captain's quarters, Unohana had long been standing silently in the shadows beneath the corridor.
When Rangiku Matsumoto landed with Soifon in her arms, Unohana said nothing. She merely glanced at Soifon in the other's embrace, then turned silently to lead the three of them across the courtyard.
This was a secluded building constructed from Seki-Seki Stone, with a complex barrier sealed outside the door.
Isane Kotetsu stepped forward quickly to slide the door open, and Rangiku Matsumoto carefully placed Soifon on the sickbed in the center of the room, which was covered with pristine white sheets.
Only after all this was done did Unohana Retsu sit on the edge of the bed, her fingers gently brushing away the messy hair on Soifon's face.
She lowered her gaze to look at Soifon. This person, whose Reiatsu was now as weak as a candle in the wind, had been sparring with her in Kendo just a few days ago.
Why... am I so angry?
Unohana Retsu's lips pressed into a thin line. She did not want to see Soifon this weak any longer. She suddenly flicked the sleeve of her Captain's Haori and walked out of the room without looking back.
"Captain..."
Isane Kotetsu called out softly, but there was no response from outside the door. This was the first time Unohana had treated them with such rudeness.
"Isane, let's treat her first," Rangiku Matsumoto said gently.
Nodding, Isane Kotetsu suppressed the unease in her heart. Her hands glowed with a soft fluorescence as she placed them over Soifon's chest, attempting to restore the Reiatsu of Soifon's Spirit Body.
But the effect was negligible.
Soifon's own Reiatsu level was far higher than Isane Kotetsu's. Coupled with the Hōgyoku inside her body that was slowly absorbing Spiritual Power, the Reiryoku from the Kaidō was like a drop of water falling into a desert—almost completely ineffective.
Fine beads of sweat seeped from Isane Kotetsu's forehead. She gritted her teeth, trying to increase the output of her Kaidō, but Soifon's complexion showed no sign of improvement.
"Isane..." Soifon opened her eyes slightly. "Don't waste your Spiritual Power. I will recover on my own after resting for a while."
Once Central 46 handed down the sentence and Soifon delivered the Hōgyoku to Aizen, it would be about time to actively recover her Spiritual Power.
"At that time... was there really no other way?! Did you have to go to such lengths?!"
Rangiku Matsumoto sat on the edge of the bed, gritting her teeth. Bean-sized tears rolled down her cheeks and dripped onto Soifon's shoulder.
They were warm, carrying Rangiku Matsumoto's body temperature, but turned cold as the wind blew over them.
Soifon looked at her and shook her head very lightly. Raising her hand, Soifon wanted to wipe the tears from Rangiku Matsumoto's face, but she couldn't stop the other woman's crying.
"Woo... Captain Soifon won't be sentenced, right...?"
Isane Kotetsu also withdrew her healing Kaidō, her shoulders twitching as she sobbed silently.
"I won't. Rest assured."
Soifon sat up with a guilty conscience, using both hands to wipe away the tears for the two of them.
Outside the door.
Unohana Retsu leaned against the cold wall, her arms tightly embracing the Zanpakutō in her bosom. The conversation in the room reached her ears without missing a single word.
At this moment, hurried and heavy footsteps came from outside.
The guards of Central 46 barged into the Fourth Division Captain's courtyard.
The leader immediately saw Unohana Retsu, who was holding her Zanpakutō and leaning quietly by the door. He was stunned for a moment, intimidated by her aura, and the aggressive momentum he had just carried instantly retracted.
Composing himself, he forcibly suppressed the chill in his heart and raised the paper document stamped with the seal of Central 46.
"Second Division Captain Soifon is suspected of privately granting Shinigami powers to a human in the World of the Living, a serious violation of the Iron Laws of the Seireitei! We are hereby ordered to immediately escort her to Central 46 to face judgment!"
The door to the room opened, and Isane Kotetsu and Rangiku Matsumoto blocked the doorway, both of their expressions very ugly.
"Captain Soifon's injuries have not healed; she is still undergoing treatment!" Isane Kotetsu's voice was much louder than usual. "On what grounds do you want to take her away now?!"
"Exactly!" Rangiku Matsumoto's Reiatsu fluctuated faintly. "How can a heavily injured person face judgment?!"
Buffeted by the aura of the two women, the guard captain's momentum weakened by another three degrees. He could only grip the document tightly in his hand and hold it in front of him.
Just then, a weak but clear voice came from inside the room: "Isane, Rangiku, move aside."
Soifon walked out slowly, supporting herself against the doorframe.
"Wait."
Unohana Retsu, who had been silent all this time, suddenly spoke. She finally raised her head, and those eyes that were usually so gentle became terrifying at this moment.
"Captain Soifon is physically weak and has difficulty moving. I will carry you there."
Under the nervous gaze of the guards, Unohana Retsu bent her waist slightly, allowing Soifon to press against her back.
The group left the Fourth Division in silence.
On the way, Soifon's chin rested lightly on Unohana Retsu's shoulder. She could smell the faint fragrance in Unohana Retsu's hair.
"I'm sorry," Soifon's voice was almost drowned out by the wind. "For making Captain Unohana worry about me."
"Hehe..." Unohana chuckled, carrying a hint of passive-aggressiveness. "There are many people Captain Soifon needs to apologize to."
Soifon closed her mouth and spoke no more.
...
Central 46, Judgment Hall.
Beneath the massive dome, the lighting was dim.
The tiered circular seating was filled with members of Central 46, clad in black robes that obscured their faces.
Soifon was placed on a solitary wooden chair in the center of the hall. After setting her down, Unohana Retsu quietly departed.
An elder sitting at the highest point struck the table heavily with a wooden gavel, the dull thud echoing through the empty hall.
"Captain of the Second Division, Soifon!"
Another voice immediately followed, "As a Captain of the Gotei 13, you knowingly broke the law by unauthorizedly granting Shinigami powers to a human! This act is a serious violation of the Iron Laws of the Seireitei. Do you admit your guilt?!"
"Seconded! Such conduct adds to the severity of the crime!"
"She must be severely punished!"
"With the dignity of a Captain, you should have set an example. Captain Soifon, you are too disappointing!"
voices of condemnation surged from all directions.
Soifon sat quietly on the chair, her face devoid of any expression.
"Silence!"
The wooden gavel struck again, suppressing the noise.
"Following the deliberation of Central 46, the verdict is as follows: Second Division Captain Soifon, for privately granting a human Shinigami powers, with irrefutable evidence, serious circumstances, and vile influence—and for knowingly breaking the law as a Captain, the crime is aggravated!"
"Sentenced to—Death!"
"The prisoner is to be confined in the Senzaikyū," the elder's voice continued to echo. "Seven days from now, at Sōkyoku Hill, the execution shall be carried out!"
____
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