"Tsuna, something's happened!"
The one speaking was Ginjō Kūgo. Over the past few days, he had been staying close to Ukitake Jūshirō, and through that contact, he'd gradually come to respect Ukitake's genuinely kind nature. Now that something had gone wrong, Ginjō immediately moved to seek help.
"What's got you so worked up?" Tsuna asked, already sensing something off in Ginjō's tone.
"Ukitake and Kyōraku Shunsui are fighting the Captain of Squad 10. Both of them have already been injured, and they still can't take down Captain Hitsugaya," Ginjō quickly explained.
"Can't take him down? Two captains versus Hitsugaya should be easy, right? If not, you could just jump in and help," Tsuna said.
Ginjō had captain-level strength himself. If he joined forces with Ukitake, there was no way the young Hitsugaya Tōshirō could stand against the three of them.
"Don't joke around. Those two veterans aren't losing," Ginjō replied. "It's just that the Squad 10 captain is fighting like he's gone mad. He even broke free from their Bakudō by force. They're holding back because they don't want to seriously injure him."
"Gone mad…? Mind control?"
That made sense. Someone like Hitsugaya, who strictly followed rules, wouldn't attack fellow captains without reason. The only explanation was that he was being controlled.
"Ukitake thinks it might be some kind of illusion. Didn't you use illusion techniques in front of him before? He wants you to come take a look," Ginjō said.
"Illusions…?" Tsuna sucked in a breath.
There weren't many in Soul Society capable of that—and every single one of them was dangerous.
Especially that person.
"Where are you right now?"
"Not sure exactly… somewhere near the Central 46 Chambers, I think," Ginjō said. "Earlier, Ukitake and Kyōraku said they were going there. We outsiders stayed nearby, and then we saw them getting pushed all the way here by that Squad 10 captain."
"No," Tsukishima Shūkurō interjected calmly, "they weren't being pushed back. They deliberately led him here—to reach us and contact Mr. Sawada."
Out of all possible directions around Central 46, why had they ended up here?
Because Ukitake remembered Tsuna's illusion abilities. Coordinating with Kyōraku, they had intentionally drawn Hitsugaya toward Ginjō's group.
"…Got it. I'm on my way."
Tsuna turned to Ichigo. "Ichigo, go train with Renji and Uryū. I've got something to handle."
"You sure? Need help?" Ichigo asked.
"Relax. It's not your turn yet. Yoruichi, I'll need your help getting there."
Tsuna knew where Central 46 was—but navigating there unnoticed using Reiatsu tracking alone would be inefficient. With Yoruichi leading through hidden routes, it would be much faster.
"I heard everything. Let's go," Yoruichi replied.
"Shunsui, Ginjō has already contacted them," Ukitake said, gripping Sōgyo no Kotowari as he kept his guard up against Hitsugaya.
"Let's hope it works… illusions…" Kyōraku muttered.
Before he could finish, Hitsugaya launched a barrage of ice shards. Kyōraku was forced to counter with twin wind slashes.
"Katen Kyōkotsu."
The two captains had been locked in a stalemate with Hitsugaya for quite some time, even taking injuries just to lure him to this location.
After hearing Tsuna's earlier warning, Kyōraku and Ukitake had investigated the events following the Ryoka invasion—especially regarding the supposedly deceased captain, Aizen Sōsuke.
Combining their findings with the phrase "taking the stage," they came to a conclusion:
Their enemy was hiding within the Seireitei.
And among all possible hiding places—besides noble estates—only one stood out:
Central 46, a place forbidden outside official proceedings.
On top of that, recent orders from Central 46 had been… strange.
Thus, they decided to investigate it themselves.
When they arrived—
Something felt wrong.
Too quiet.
Central 46 was a place of strict hierarchy. There should have been attendants everywhere to serve the nobles.
But now—
There wasn't a single living soul.
The two exchanged a glance, both instinctively resting their hands on their Zanpakutō.
They slowly pushed open the massive doors.
Darkness filled the chamber. Only faint light from the entrance revealed fragments of the interior.
At the end of that narrow beam of light—
Stood a familiar figure.
White hair. Sword on his back.
Hitsugaya Tōshirō.
Kyōraku was just about to speak—
When a voice with no killing intent whispered near his ear:
"Growl, Haineko."
Kyōraku reacted instantly—but it was too late.
A cloud of gray ash surged before him, threatening to engulf him completely.
A sudden force struck his back—
He bent backward like a cooked shrimp, retreating while drawing both blades to slash through the ash.
Sparks flew.
The ash didn't hit his chest—but his forearms were still shredded by countless cuts.
Unlike Kyōraku, who focused on the chamber, Ukitake had been watching their surroundings more closely. He had sensed the trap earlier, and his timely assistance prevented a fatal blow.
But that opening cost him.
While pulling Kyōraku away, he couldn't draw his blade in time—
And Hitsugaya had already closed the distance.
A flash of steel—
A long wound tore across Ukitake's shoulder.
Kyōraku immediately counterattacked, forcing Hitsugaya back.
The exchange drove both captains out of the Central 46 compound.
The massive doors slammed shut.
Blocking their path—
Were Hitsugaya and his lieutenant, Matsumoto Rangiku.
The earlier ambush had been Rangiku's doing. In darkness, Haineko became nearly impossible to detect.
In just one exchange—
Both captains were injured.
"Captain Hitsugaya. Lieutenant Matsumoto. Why are you here?" Kyōraku demanded.
No response.
Only rage-filled expressions—
And immediate attacks.
Hitsugaya released his Zanpakutō:
"Sit upon the frozen heavens, Hyōrinmaru!"
An ice dragon roared toward them.
Facing the relentless assault, both captains released their Zanpakutō.
"Flower wind in turmoil, the flower god sings—heavenly wind in turmoil, the demon laughs—Katen Kyōkotsu!"
"All waves rise—become my shield. All thunder—become my blade—Sōgyo no Kotowari!"
Ukitake stepped forward, raising his left blade. The incoming ice dragon was completely absorbed.
But Hitsugaya didn't stop—another ice dragon surged forth.
Ukitake raised his right blade—
Releasing the stored power.
The two collided midair, forming a massive frozen structure.
That was the ability of Sōgyo no Kotowari:
The left blade absorbed energy, the right released it. The chain between them, adorned with five talismans, regulated the flow and intensity.
While Ukitake engaged Hitsugaya, Kyōraku handled Rangiku.
But he made no move to defeat her.
Something was wrong.
He tested her with words—but no matter what he said, she gave no response.
After several exchanges, he noticed it—
Her face was filled with anger.
But her eyes…
Were empty.
Like a puppet with no will.
Kyōraku immediately retreated toward Ukitake. The two regrouped, fighting while exchanging information.
"Shunsui, what did you find?"
"Their eyes are lifeless. They're likely being controlled. No response to anything—only attack," Kyōraku said.
"Then what? Injure them until they stop?" Ukitake asked.
"…Let's try."
They moved in perfect coordination.
Ukitake absorbed Hitsugaya's ice bird barrage, then switched positions with Kyōraku. While Kyōraku took over defense, Ukitake converted the absorbed energy into speed and redirected it toward Rangiku.
Enhanced by speed, the attack became unavoidable.
Ice pierced through Rangiku's shoulder and abdomen—
Yet she showed no reaction.
Still attacking.
"…This is bad. Injuries won't break the control," Ukitake said.
"Then we restrain them. Ukitake—support me!"
Kyōraku swung both blades, sending spiraling wind blades toward both opponents.
"Bushōgoma."
"Bakudō #30: Shitotsu Sansen! Bakudō #61: Rikujōkōrō!"
Ukitake followed up immediately.
Rangiku was pinned to the ground.
Hitsugaya was bound midair—
But only partially.
As if he felt nothing, he continued launching ice dragons.
They hadn't expected these spells to end it.
To truly restrain them—
They needed something stronger.
Kyōraku ignored the incoming attacks and began chanting.
Ukitake stepped forward, shielding him.
Watching Ukitake's steady back, Kyōraku smiled faintly.
It had been a long time—
Since the two of them had fought like this.
With his restored body, Ukitake was no longer held back.
Kyōraku could focus completely.
"Walls of iron sand, tower of the priest form—glowing iron, silently conclude—"
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