"So far, 4 people have been incapacitated from battle, which is 4th Seat of the 7th division, Jirobo Ikkazaka, 3rd and 5th seat of the 11th division, Madarame Ikkaku and Ayasegawa Yumichika. Lastly, the Captain of 11th Division, Kenpachi Zaraki."
The meeting of the Lieutenant was tense, but there was a different air to it. Everyone had gathered to hear the report by someone from the 4th Division, who stood before them.
"So far we've confirmed three Ryoka, one which was dangerous enough to gravely injure the Captain of 11th Division. The report of his condition said he had a hole in his left side and lost half his body, including one of his organs, but he managed to survive due to Lieutenant Kusajishi. It seems that he's in a stable condition right now." The man said grimly, his tone filled with anger and sorrow.
"What about the one who injured Kenpachi?" A man with sunglasses, Iba Tetsuzaemon from 7th Division, spoke.
"According to Lieutenant Kusajishi's report, the one who injured Captain Zaraki was a boy with auburn hair. He's wearing a black Haori and has a strange power. It's said he uses many different swords and can launch them from a distance. He's advancing toward this place and is currently missing."
Hearing that, Renji's eyes widened. He recognized the description immediately.
It was the boy—the same boy who fought Captain Kuchiki Byakuya and forced them to retreat, and now defeated Captain Zaraki as well. It was the boy he met a few days ago.
The same boy who tried to stop them from taking Rukia back.
And now he was in Soul Society. Even an idiot knew what his goal was.
'Tsk!'
Clicking his tongue, Renji knew what would come next. The Captains and Lieutenants would be mobilized to stop him. Nothing could be done to save Rukia, it was too dangerous.
That's what he wanted to believe... But he defeated Captain Zaraki.
Reiatsu that could scare even Lieutenants was something that shouldn't be taken lightly.
Especially when that reiatsu almost rivalled Captain Zaraki himself, one who was famous as a powerful and strong Captain that led the most brutal and violent division in Gotei 13.
A reiatsu that shook the very ground, the sky, the world.
Not to mention that golden light. Renji had seen the light earlier when the air turned hot, and it felt like he could burn. His spiritual power was immense, so powerful that even a Lieutenant could feel the heat from this place, far from where the fight happened.
'How strong did that guy become?'
It had only been a week or so, and he already changed this much? It felt impossible.
Or maybe he held back when fighting them in the Human World? To ensure that they didn't destroy the area?
"Right now, we need more information about this Ryoka. So far we know that he is a master swordsman and is able to summon weapons from nothing. We believe that he might have the ability to hide his presence and his Spiritual Power because he was undetected by our surveillance." The messenger finished his report.
Hinamori Momo felt terrified from hearing it. An intruder strong enough to beat the 11th division Captain. The very idea of such a thing seemed like something out of a story. She had to be dreaming.
But no matter how much she wished for it to be just that, it wasn't. It was reality. It was real, and she had no choice but to accept it. It was terrifying.
"Th-things are getting crazy, right... huh? Renji, where are you?"
When she turned around, her red-haired friend had long since disappeared. No one knew where he had gone, except for the person himself.
Stepping out of the meeting room, Momo tried to find Renji. If he was found escaping the Lieutenant meeting, then he would definitely be scolded!
"Where is he? Is it this way?" She muttered as she saw a blockade in one of the hallways. "Let's take this shortcut so I can arrive at the ground first before Renji!"
With that, Hinamori Momo went on the shortcut.
But she didn't know that the path would bring her around the empty hallway. She turned around and saw something terrifying. Her pupil dilated in horror upon seeing blood flowing out from behind a corner.
And the source was...
"Kyaaaaa!"
... Captain Aizen Sousuke's body, which was pierced by two western swords through his heart and neck.
It was a gruesome scene. The blood flowed down and the wall was stained crimson, his white robe was now dyed red.
And then everything became a blur for her.
The girl didn't even notice that every Lieutenant had gathered here and all of them had their mouths open, their eyes wide and filled with disbelief. Some cried and some just stared at the scene.
"CAPTAIN AIZEN! No! This can't be!"
The girl screamed in shock as she saw her mentor's lifeless eyes, his blood splattered on the wall and floor. His hair and face stained in blood and his clothes torn, exposing the skin beneath. It was like he had been murdered, brutally.
Momo collapsed on her knees, sobbing uncontrollably, tears streamed down her face. She could hear people talking behind her, but none of it registered to her.
"That sword, isn't that Ryoka's sword?"
Suddenly, a silver-haired Captain with eyes similar to snake's slithered toward the swords and examined it closely. He looked calm and collected, his face expressionless. The man wore a white Haori, which indicated his rank.
"Ah, yes. We've confirmed the owner of the blade. This is one of the Ryoka's swords, for sure."
The man said. His name is Gin Ichimaru, the captain of 3rd division.
"What?!" Everyone was surprised. They didn't expect this to happen.
"It is indeed the Ryoka's sword." Gin confirmed. His expression didn't change. "The swords belong to the one who injured the 11th division Captain."
Hearing that, Hinamori felt her blood boil. Anger filled her heart and mind. She wanted to kill him, she wanted to rip his guts out and tear him into pieces!
That intruder!
Her anger grew, consuming her like wildfire.
"Captain Ichimaru." Hinamori said, her voice shaking. "Do you think that intruder did this?"
"I am not sure." The man answered. His face remained blank, though his lips curved upward slightly. "But if that's the case, I'll make sure to find out the truth and catch him."
His eyes narrowed and he smiled even more, as if enjoying the situation.
At that moment, another Captain appeared beside Momo. His height was shorter than usual and he looked young, probably younger than Momo herself.
"Captain Hitsugaya!"
The man named Hitsugaya Toshiro glared at the corpse, his turquoise eyes narrowed dangerously. Then, he glanced at Ichimaru for a second before turning to Momo.
"I'll report this to Captain Commander. The rest of you should leave, go to your Division and do what you must." His tone was firm and cold.
Everyone nodded and left the area at once. Hitsugaya's Lieutenant, a busty woman called Rangiku, helped Momo get up. She was a beautiful girl and was quite popular among the Shinigamis due to her looks.
"Don't cry anymore, Hinamori. Everything is alright." Rangiku comforted the girl. "We will avenge him."
Hinamori didn't reply, her eyes fixed at her dead mentor, feeling anger, grief, and regret.
Meanwhile, Ichimaru kept staring at the corpse of his fellow captain, his grin widening even wider.
Noticing that, Hitsugaya turned to him and spoke.
"You seem awfully cheerful, Ichimaru."
His voice was icy. He was clearly suspicious of Ichimaru, who simply chuckled, his smile widening.
"I was just trying to hold my anger, Captain Hitsugaya."
What a lie.
His face showed only joy. There was no sign of anger or sadness.
"You can't fool me. I've seen how much you enjoy this. Just now, you're trying to stop Momo from approaching the corpse. Even if you have to attack her, don't you?"
"I have no idea what you're talking about. But this corpse is evidence, so we can't let anyone touch it, no?"
"You haven't even met the intruders yet, but how can you know this is one of their swords?"
"Isn't it natural? They don't look like the swords produced in Soul Society. The shape and the materials are different."
Hitsugaya's words were like a dagger, stabbing into the heart of the silver-haired man.
However, Ichimaru's grin remained unchanged. His eyes were filled with malicious glee. He didn't try to hide it.
"Ichimaru..." The white-haired Captain said again, his eyes narrowing even more. "If you try to do something to Momo, I'll kill you."
"Now you're scaring me. But keep your important ones close, or you will lose them." Ichimaru turned his back on him, his haori fluttering against the wind. "I will return to the division. I will leave the reporting to you, Captain Hitsugaya."