Soul Society — Seireitei.
The once-serene streets were torn apart by shrill crimson alarms.
"Emergency broadcast! Emergency broadcast!"
"The Spiritual Pressure signal of Kuchiki Rukia, a member of the Thirteenth Division stationed in Karakura Town, has completely vanished!"
"Simultaneously, two unknown high-density energy reactions exceeding conventional limits have erupted in the central area of Karakura Town in the Living World!"
"Preliminary analysis by the Department of Research and Development indicates a major incident in the Living World! There is a high probability that Kuchiki Rukia has been stripped of her Shinigami power!"
The urgent broadcast echoed through the Gate of the White Way.
---
Sixth Division Barracks
A gentle breeze stirred the courtyard as cherry blossom petals drifted down.
Crack.
A pale hand crushed the porcelain teacup.
Standing beneath the falling petals was the Captain of the Sixth Division, the twenty-eighth head of one of the Four Great Noble Houses—Kuchiki Byakuya.
Clad in a pristine white captain's haori, the Kenseikan crown resting upon his head and the silver-white scarf of the Kuchiki around his neck, his expression froze into glacial cold.
"Stripped of Shinigami power?" he repeated softly.
He rose to his feet, killing intent blooming silently.
"Foolish ants."
"Whoever dares violate the absolute laws of the Soul Society…"
"…or defile the honor of the Kuchiki Clan…"
"Their end will be annihilation beneath my Senbonzakura."
His voice was calm—yet absolute.
To him, whatever lurked in the Living World was nothing more than dust.
---
"Captain!"
The barracks door slammed open.
Renji Abarai strode in, fury blazing in his eyes. His hand clenched around the hilt of Zabimaru.
"That idiot Rukia—she actually lost her power!"
"Give the order! I'll go to the Living World right now and tear the culprit apart, then drag Rukia back to face judgment by Central 46!"
Byakuya's gaze flicked toward him, cold and sharp.
"You alone are insufficient."
"Draw your blade, Renji."
"I will personally go."
"I want that ignorant madman to understand what it means to provoke the untouchable authority of nobility."
With a sweep of his haori, Byakuya strode toward the Senkaimon.
Unyielding. Absolute.
---
The Living World — Karakura Town
Dark clouds swallowed the moon.
Hum—!
Space twisted violently as a massive wooden gate etched with ancient runes materialized midair.
The Senkaimon opened.
A Hell Butterfly fluttered out first.
Then two figures in black shihakushō stepped forth, their spiritual pressure pressing down upon the city like an unseen tide.
"So this is the air of the Living World," Byakuya said coldly. "Vulgar."
"Captain!" Renji's eyes widened as he pointed toward the city center. "Look!"
Byakuya followed his gaze—and for the first time, shock flickered across his face.
In the heart of Karakura Town stood an enormous shrine, impossibly grand, radiating warm jade light. Vast formations surrounded it, ancient and profound, pulsing with an unfamiliar life force that made the air itself feel heavy.
"What is that thing?" Renji muttered. "This level of Reishi… it shouldn't exist here."
Byakuya frowned briefly—then scoffed.
"A crude illusion."
"The vermin who stole Rukia's power must be hiding inside."
"Did they think a barrier and a larger structure could block the judgment of the Gotei 13?"
"Laughable."
Without hesitation, the two vanished in flashes of Shunpo.
Moments later, they hovered before the shrine's massive gate.
"No Hollow presence. No Quincy signature," Renji said grimly. "Only traces of Rukia's fading Spiritual Pressure."
He stepped forward and shouted, his voice booming across the city.
"Listen up, coward!"
"I am Renji Abarai, lieutenant of the Sixth Division!"
"You violated the laws of the Soul Society and stole a Shinigami's power—today is the day you die!"
"Come out and face judgment!"
The roar echoed across Karakura Town.
Byakuya rested a hand on Senbonzakura, eyes icy and silent.
---
Inside the Shrine
The atmosphere was eerily calm.
On a high throne, Uchiha Tobirama lounged lazily, swirling crimson wine in a goblet.
At his feet, Shihoin Yoruichi lay motionless, silent, her presence subdued.
At his side stood Kuchiki Rukia, dressed in a maid's uniform, carrying a silver tray.
Renji's furious shout reached the hall.
Clang.
The tray slipped from Rukia's hands, shattering on the floor.
"R-Renji…?"
"And… my brother's Spiritual Pressure…?"
Her face drained of color as terror consumed her.
"It's over…" she whispered, sinking to her knees. "They don't understand…"
She crawled forward and pressed her forehead to the floor.
"Please… outside is my brother…"
On the throne, Tobirama smiled faintly.
"Oh?"
His Rinnegan pierced through walls and distance, locking onto the two figures outside.
"So these are the pride of the Soul Society?"
He stood, crushing the goblet in his hand as overwhelming pressure surged through the shrine.
"Perfect timing."
"Come," he said, glancing down at Rukia.
"Let's meet your noble brother…"
"And show him what happens when insects challenge a god."