"No, I cannot!"
"My lord father would never lie to me."
Such words burst from Kuchiki Xianghe's mouth, but as soon as they left his lips, doubt began gnawing at his heart. The mysterious man's words echoed with a strange, almost hypnotic power. Although Kuchiki Xianghe trusted his father-in-law, Kuchiki Ginrei, once seeds of doubt were planted, they inevitably took root.
He could not help but feel suspicious.
Seeing this shaken state, the man sneered coldly before vanishing into the darkness. The Repentance Cell was constructed entirely of Sekkiseki stone, suppressing any Reiatsu within. Furthermore, all prisoners had their Zanpakutō confiscated. For Kuchiki Xianghe to escape from here was nearly impossible.
But it didn't matter. In order to bring shame upon the Kuchiki family, the mysterious man had decided to help Kuchiki Xianghe escape. According to the original plan, once Xianghe escaped, provocations would immediately follow. If he committed an unforgivable crime in his anger, then even if Ginrei uncovered evidence of his innocence later, it would no longer matter.
Still, the people in the shadows were surprised by Xianghe's next move.
As expected of the son-in-law chosen by Ginrei Kuchiki himself, he had not waited for external help to make his move.
A muffled voice sounded from Kuchiki Xianghe's lips: "Whisper… Muramasa."
In the next instant, a figure materialized at his side – his Zanpakutō spirit, Muramasa, manifesting despite having been confiscated. To reclaim his blade through direct materialization – even while imprisoned within Sekkiseki stone walls – was truly astonishing.
"Kuchiki Xianghe, you never cease to surprise me," the hidden man murmured before quietly leaving, giving Xianghe no chance to pursue. As he departed, his low, mocking voice lingered: "Go on, cause as much chaos as you can. The louder, the better. That way, the Kuchiki family's disgrace will be complete."
What happened at the Repentance Cell soon became known across Seireitei. The facility, after all, imprisoned Shinigami who had committed grave crimes and was heavily guarded.
Bang bang bang bang!
The sound of a warning drum echoed. This was the alarm call of a squad on high alert. Immediately, the voice of a captain reverberated throughout the Court of Pure Souls via the Bakudō spell Tenrin Kōro.
"Attention all Gotei 13 personnel. The felon Kuchiki Xianghe has escaped from the Repentance Cell. All divisions are authorised to arrest him on sight. That is all."
It was no secret that Kuchiki Xianghe, son-in-law of the Kuchiki family, had been imprisoned for committing a felony. Seireitei was not so large that such news could be hidden. In the monotonous lives of the Shinigami, any incident – whether joyous or tragic – quickly became fodder for gossip.
Over the past days, debates raged over whether Kuchiki Xianghe was innocent or guilty, and how the Kuchiki clan would handle him. Many believed he would be fine – after all, he was of the Kuchiki family, leaders of the four great noble houses with unmatched status. In Soul Society's long history, nobles had always enjoyed privileges beyond the common Shinigami.
However, some believed the Kuchiki family would act justly. If Xianghe truly committed a grave crime, they would not protect him, for the Kuchiki family was a model to all nobles.
No one expected him to escape before a verdict was delivered. To most, this confirmed his guilt. They thought, He must have committed the crime and now flees punishment.
Still, upon hearing the captain's order, Gotei 13 began searching for him immediately. It was clear they were mobilising not just anyone. Kuchiki Xianghe was no ordinary Shinigami. He had been Third Seat of the Sixth Division, then captain of the First Squad's special forces. Whether due to the Kuchiki family's support or his own merit, holding such positions proved his considerable strength.
In all of Gotei 13, few could rival his power. Leaving him unchecked would threaten Seireitei's stability.
Back in the Kuchiki manor, Ginrei Kuchiki, who had been preparing to use the clan's influence to gather exonerating evidence, now wore an expression of sorrow and fatigue. "Xianghe… why did you do this?"
His heart ached deeply. Yet Xianghe's prison escape had become fact. As head of the Kuchiki family, Ginrei's duty now was to apprehend him and prevent even greater mistakes.
Within the Second Division, Yoruichi Shihōin cracked her knuckles in anticipation upon hearing the captain's message. "Looks like we've got some work to do." Smirking at her Onmitsukidō operatives, she said, "Let's make this a game. Whoever captures Kuchiki Xianghe first wins."
Her subordinates cheered, excited by the challenge.
Meanwhile, in the Eleventh Division, Gosuke Shigure set down his teacup and sighed. "Truly… an expected choice."
He was unsurprised by Xianghe's actions. Kuchiki Xianghe was the type to become blinded by anger, especially with Muramasa as his Zanpakutō spirit. Furthermore, the manipulation of those in the shadows had pushed him over the edge.
After escaping, Xianghe's first move would likely be to kill those nobles who framed him. From his own perspective, it was righteous vengeance. From the Kuchiki family's perspective, however, his actions only deepened their humiliation.
Either way, the conspirators' objectives had been achieved.
Originally, this incident had nothing to do with Gosuke Shigure. Yet, for reasons unknown even to himself, he strapped on his Zanpakutō, said quietly to his Division members, "I'll be out for a while," and left alone, destination uncertain.
The identities of those Shinigami who testified against Xianghe were no secret. They had been witnesses and were no longer working in the First Squad. Instead, they remained at home awaiting further interrogation.
Gosuke Shigure had learned their names from Yoruichi. Moving swiftly, he arrived near their residences and waited. Before long, a figure wearing the white prison uniform of the Repentance Cell appeared, rage burning in his eyes.
He had come to silence forever those who had framed him.