Facing Yamamoto Genryūsai's questioning, Shimo felt not the slightest trace of panic—if anything, he almost wanted to laugh.
The very fact that a Captain's Meeting had been convened meant one thing: Yamamoto had not already decided that the broken seal was Shimo's doing.
"There's nothing to say," Shimo replied with a lazy shrug. "If you want to suspect me, go ahead."
"I won't admit to something I didn't do."
As he spoke, he turned his gaze toward Mayuri Kurotsuchi, his eyes sharp and openly hostile.
"Captain Kurotsuchi—looks like our previous 'research collaboration' didn't quite satisfy you, huh?"
Mayuri's eyes flickered as he averted his gaze.
He had intended to smear Shimo—whether or not Shimo was actually involved didn't matter. If he could disgust him even a little, that would've been enough.
But Shimo's reaction had completely caught him off guard.
"Hmph," Mayuri snorted. "Hypotheses and speculation are essential steps toward successful research."
He attempted to explain himself—but Shimo had already turned away, clearly uninterested in hearing a single word.
No matter what, Shimo had taken note of this.
Sooner or later, he'd repay Mayuri in kind.
That man had never stopped eyeing Shimo's Zanpakutō.
Their previous cooperation hadn't been friendship—just mutual benefit.
Shimo had gotten the spatial research he wanted, and Mayuri had satisfied his own curiosity.
That was all.
"Enough."
Yamamoto Genryūsai cut in, tapping his staff against the floor.
"No matter the cause, Kuchiki Kōga has broken the seal and returned to the outside world."
Jūshirō Ukitake frowned lightly.
"Given the current situation… the Soul Society may soon face yet another crisis."
The room fell silent.
Kuchiki Kōga's Zanpakutō ability was infamous—dangerous beyond measure.
All eyes shifted toward Byakuya Kuchiki.
His expression was as cold and unreadable as ever.
Upon hearing Kōga's name, he hadn't reacted in the slightest, as though it were a matter entirely unrelated to him.
"Kuchiki Kōga is extremely powerful," Shunsui said gravely.
"His strength rivals that of a Captain, and his Zanpakutō is exceptionally dangerous. He must be dealt with as soon as possible."
Byakuya stepped forward.
"This matter concerns the honor of the Kuchiki Clan," he said calmly.
"As the current head of the clan, I will take responsibility."
Yamamoto nodded in satisfaction.
This was what a proper Captain looked like.
Not like some others—utterly unreliable.
"Kuchiki Kōga is highly dangerous," Yamamoto said. "I advise that you select another Captain to assist you."
At that moment, Shimo—who had been quietly observing—felt a sudden chill crawl up his spine.
…Wait.
Why is everyone looking at me?
Byakuya coughed lightly, mimicking Ukitake's mannerism.
"Since the Captain-Commander has raised the matter, I'll make my recommendation."
"I request that Captain Kyōraku Shimo of Third Division assist me."
Shimo stared at Byakuya in disbelief.
You too, you thick-browed traitor?!
He'd just been assigned the Underground Assembly Hall task—and now this?!
So it's really 'the more capable you are, the more work you get,' huh?!
"Captain-Commander—"
Shimo opened his mouth to refuse—
But before he could finish—
"Since Captain Kuchiki has already chosen an appropriate partner," Yamamoto said decisively, "I will entrust this task to you both."
"And with that, this Captain's Meeting is concluded."
For once, Yamamoto spoke quickly and ended the meeting without delay.
He turned to Shimo.
"Captain Shimo, do you have any further objections?"
At that point, Shimo finally understood.
These old foxes had teamed up to trap him.
And now, no matter what he said, it was useless.
Without another word, he turned and walked out of First Division.
Byakuya followed immediately.
"Captain Shimo."
Shimo kept walking, completely ignoring him.
When it came to premium sake, Byakuya always hemmed and hawed.
But the moment a dangerous mission appeared, Shimo was the first person he remembered.
What a joke.
Seeing Shimo quicken his pace, Byakuya sighed.
"All of the Kuchiki Clan's reserved premium sake… is yours."
Shimo stopped dead.
He turned around slowly, smiling.
"Now that sounds better."
"So—how much are we talking about?"
Byakuya replied calmly.
"Thirty-seven bottles."
"Goodbye."
Shimo turned to leave again.
Thirty-seven bottles? You expect me to risk my life for that?
"…Three-shaku containers."
"Finish your sentence properly."
Shimo waved dismissively. "I'm helping you this time purely out of friendship."
"Absolutely not because of the sake."
In truth, the Kuchiki Clan's premium sake had extremely limited production.
By Shimo's estimate, those thirty-seven bottles were probably their entire stock.
Byakuya looked helpless—but he also knew the truth.
Shimo was helping because of their relationship.
A few bottles of sake alone would never be enough to hire a Captain to hunt down Kuchiki Kōga—
A man known as a Shinigami Killer.
Byakuya narrowed his eyes, genuine caution flashing through them.
That said, Shimo's interest wasn't solely in the sake.
He was deeply curious about Kuchiki Kōga's ability.
Urahara Kisuke's Gikon-based Reishi Embodiment research shared similarities with it—both could manifest Zanpakutō into physical form.
But Urahara's method was useless to Shimo.
Kōga's ability, however, was far more broken.
As long as the user called out the name Muramasa, the Zanpakutō would materialize beside them—ignoring distance and spatial constraints entirely.
Furthermore, Muramasa could communicate with other Zanpakutō, awaken their instincts, subtly influence them… and ultimately force them to betray their owners.
Under normal circumstances, Muramasa shouldn't have been able to sense Kuchiki Kōga's location.
Yamamoto's spatial seal was flawless.
Unless…
Another force had intervened.
Every thread of suspicion pointed toward a familiar figure.
---
Hueco Mundo
Fierce winds howled through the endless white sands.
At the top of Las Noches, Aizen Sōsuke sat calmly upon his throne, his chin resting against his hand, his expression serene.
Below him stood Ichimaru Gin, dressed in his wide white haori, eyes narrowed into smiling slits.
Beside him stood another Arrancar.
Short black hair. Green eyes devoid of emotion. Pale skin marked with green tear-like streaks. A horned half-helmet mask covered the left side of his head.
His uniform clearly marked him as one of the Espada.
Fourth Espada — Ulquiorra Cifer.
"Lord Aizen," Ulquiorra said respectfully.
"Your orders have been carried out."
"Kuchiki Kōga… a decent chess piece," Aizen murmured, a gentle smile appearing on his face.
But unlike before, that smile was cold—cutting straight to the bone.
"I'm very curious about Captain Shimo's Zanpakutō."
"This feeling of anticipation… it's rather difficult to suppress."
A faint breath of mist escaped his lips, chilling the air.
Below the throne, a glint of blue light flashed through Gin's eyes.
"Perhaps the Soul Society will fall into chaos once again?"
Aizen nodded slightly.
"Zanpakutō rebellion will only cause them minor trouble."
"The true potential of the Shinigami… remains quite impressive."
Ulquiorra stood silently, indifferent to it all.
Aizen found such subordinates most satisfactory.
Efficient. Loyal. Powerful.
"New Espada are already being created," Aizen said calmly.
"Gin—monitor the process."
Gin nodded.
To them, Espada were little more than tools.
---
Seireitei — Third Division Barracks
Not long after Shimo returned, the newly appointed Chief Kidō Captain arrived personally.
Compared to the former Chief Kidō Captain Tessai Tsukabishi, this successor was far weaker.
The simultaneous defection of the Chief and Vice Chief of Kidō a century ago had devastated the Kidō Corps.
It had taken years before their former Third Seat was promoted to the position.
"Captain Shimo," the man said gently.
"Central 46 has already urged us several times."
"It's time to deploy the new Kidō defense barriers around the Underground Assembly Hall."
Shimo rose to his feet.
"Alright. Let's go."
The Chief Kidō Captain smiled in relief.
---
Underground Assembly Hall
As members of the Gotei 13, Seventh Division was responsible for security here.
Given Central 46's… heightened paranoia, patrols had increased significantly.
Leading the guards was Tetsuzaemon Iba.
"Captain Shimo," he greeted respectfully.
"We're here to rebuild the defensive barriers," Shimo explained.
After reporting to Central 46 and receiving approval, they were allowed through.
The security was noticeably tighter than before.
"Tch," Shimo muttered. "The new Central 46 really is terrified of dying."
The Kidō Captain forced a wry smile. "Please—watch your words."
They descended deeper.
As they entered the hall, a familiar system prompt sounded in Shimo's mind.
[Check-in complete.]
[Reward granted: Forbidden Kidō.]
The task was laughably simple.
The reward… average.
Forbidden Kidō knowledge flooded into his mind.
With Shimo's mastery of Kidō, he grasped both techniques almost instantly.
"Grand Kidō Chief," Shimo said calmly, "you handle the standard binding barriers."
"I'll take care of the Forbidden Kidō layer."
The man froze in surprise—but didn't argue.
Standard barriers were manageable.
Forbidden Kidō was another matter entirely.
Otherwise, Yamamoto wouldn't have involved Shimo at all.
Hours passed as Kidō light flashed endlessly.
When the Kidō Captain finished, he wiped the sweat from his brow.
"Captain Shimo… it's your turn."
Shimo stepped forward.
Blue light erupted from his palm, forming a blazing pillar.
In an instant—
The entire Underground Assembly Hall was engulfed in Forbidden Kidō light.
-------------------------------///
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