Under Ukitake's efforts, the Sokyoku's movements gradually slowed but still struggled. So he looked to the side and called out, "Shunsui!"
"Coming!" Kyoraku jumped out, taking hold of the other part of the Shihoin Shield and driving it heavily into the ground.
With the combined strength of the two Captains, the enormous Sokyoku was actually stopped by them!
Seeing this, Sui-Feng shouted in disbelief, "Captain Ukitake! Captain Kyoraku! Do you know what you are doing?"
As she spoke, Sui-Feng moved her feet.
But before she could state her intentions, Byakuya and Renji subtly shifted their positions, directly blocking her path!
Sui-Feng's eyes widened in shock. "Captain Kuchiki, even you..."
Out of the five Captains on Sokyoku Hill, three had essentially turned traitor in an instant!
The situation had escalated to its most critical stage!
Gritting her teeth, Sui-Feng gripped her Zanpakuto.
But then, from not far away, another figure came rushing in with incredible speed!
Her speed was so fast that even the dust couldn't keep up!
"Thanks, Byakuya-boy!"
Leaving those words behind, Yoruichi, carrying Sui-Feng, plummeted towards the forest at the foot of Sokyoku Hill!
Instantly, another Captain was gone from Sokyoku Hill.
In terms of numbers, Yamamoto and Sasakibe were now vastly outnumbered by Kyoraku, Ukitake, Byakuya, Renji, and Ichigo!
Watching this scene, someone couldn't help but type this line:
"Holy smokes, the Soul Society's Captains... it's actually full of traitors!!?"
"Kenpachi blocks two, Toshiro is an actor, plus three here, and Sister Hana leaning towards Ichigo... out of the thirteen divisions of the Seireitei, at least six are 'traitors'?"
"Captain Commander: I'm all alone?!"
Watching the scene on Sokyoku Hill where many Captains began helping Ichigo, the comments section buzzed with discussion.
They wildly speculated about the Captain-Commander's state of mind.
Unfortunately, this was just a live stream, not an anime broadcast, so how Yamamoto felt watching this remained unknown.
However, one thing was certain.
That was… Yamamoto is truly angry!
"Chojiro!" Yamamoto looked at his subordinate.
"Yes, Genryusai-sama!" As if realizing something, Sasakibe straightened his back and responded loudly.
Looking at this loyal subordinate who had accompanied him for two thousand years, a touch of tenderness appeared in Yamamoto's eyes:
"Chojiro, the time has come. Today is the day for you to use your Bankai!"
"Go. Apprehend the criminal Rukia, slay the Ryoka invading the Soul Society, and show me the power of the Bankai you have trained for two thousand years!"
Hearing Yamamoto's words, Sasakibe flushed with excitement and immediately drew his Zanpakuto!
"I will not fail your expectations, Genryusai-sama!"
After speaking, Sasakibe… this genius who had remained silent for Yamamoto for two thousand years, who once achieved Bankai in just one month, walked towards Ichigo.
Meanwhile, Ichigo had just shattered the Sekkiseki restraining Rukia and pulled her close.
Looking at Rukia, Ichigo asked with concern, "Rukia, are you okay? I've come to fulfill my promise!"
"Yes, I'm fine, Ichigo. I knew you would come to save me!" Rukia said joyfully.
However, kind-hearted Rukia, looking down at Kyoraku and Ukitake restraining the Sokyoku below, still showed a flicker of worry in her eyes.
"Ichigo, although I believed you would come to save me, I still don't understand. I am ultimately a criminal. Now Captain Ukitake has joined Captain Kyoraku to act for me. How will this farce end?"
Hearing Rukia's question, the people in Ichigo's live stream stopped discussing Yamamoto's state and began discussing among themselves.
"Yeah, we used to say 'commit crimes, then receive amnesty'. But the Soul Society's attitude is very firm. Even after Ichigo has done all this, they refuse to offer amnesty. Now more Captains have acted."
"And in the Soul Society's structure, the Central 46 is the highest authority. Captains acting out basically equals rebellion."
"Could it be that Ichigo entered the Soul Society to rescue Rukia and is now about to overturn the entire Soul Society regime?"
"But earlier, didn't Yoruichi mention a big boss, Aizen? He wants the Hogyoku inside Rukia. Now that Aizen is faking his death, won't he just come out?"
"Did you forget? The Hogyoku in Rukia is supposed to be extracted by the Sokyoku. Now the Sokyoku is stopped. What if Aizen takes this chance to fake his death and quietly leave?"
"Whoa, from that angle... it shouldn't go that far, right? How could a boss be that lazy?"
"Hmm, hard to say!"
Because of Rukia's one sentence, everyone began to worry about the future.
However, among the people present, including the Captains below, Byakuya determined to save his sister, the reckless Renji, and even Yamamoto… possibly no one was as resolute as Ichigo.
Ichigo wasn't concerned about Rukia's worries.
"Heh, you called it a farce yourself. When it can't go on any further, it will naturally end."
"Before that, all we need to do is wait."
Rukia was very puzzled by Ichigo's words. "Wait?"
Ichigo nodded. "Yes, wait. Haven't you noticed that Toshiro and Captain Unohana Retsu aren't here?"
"They've gone to the Central 46! Your crime this time originally didn't deserve death. Toshiro and Captain Unohana going to question them directly... any problems will be discovered quickly!"
"Is that so..." Rukia was shocked, even somewhat apprehensive:
"For the sake of someone like me, Captain Unohana actually went to question the Central 46..."
"And Ichigo, everyone... fighting other Captains for me, even defying Captain-Commander Yamamoto... what have I done to deserve this?"
Ichigo laughed heartily, ruffling Rukia's wonderfully textured mushroom-cut hair.
"Don't worry about that! Leave it to us!"
After saying this, Ichigo jumped down from the Sokyoku.
Renji and Byakuya had been waiting below for a long time.
Looking at the two of them, Rukia's expression was complicated. "Renji... Onii-sama..."
Rukia initially thought these two were here to stop her.
But seeing their expressions, Rukia understood.
"Wait, Ichigo, you just said 'us'? Could it be...?"
Ichigo showed a smile. "That's right! I think after that battle at the Senzaikyu, your onii-chan's brain has been knocked a bit clearer by me!"
Hearing Ichigo's words, Byakuya's face darkened, but he didn't refute anything.
Instantly, Rukia was overjoyed!
But at that moment, Sasakibe, having received Yamamoto's order, arrived!
Facing Byakuya and Renji, Sasakibe sternly questioned:
"Captain Kuchiki, Lieutenant Abarai, are you taking the side of the Ryoka?"
Hearing this, Renji, who wanted to say something to Rukia but didn't know what, showed an impatient look.
In Soul Society's legends, Sasakibe was known as the non-fighting Lieutenant, even secretly called a coward.
He was said to know Bankai but had never used it, usually just following Yamamoto. Renji, who had served in the 11th Division, looked down on this type of person.
Renji spoke irritably, "So what if we are? What can you..."
"Renji!" Renji's mocking words were cut off by Byakuya.
Looking somewhat grave at Sasakibe, Byakuya spoke seriously:
"That's correct. Taking care of my sister is a vow I made to my late wife."
"I once wanted to abide by the Soul Society's rules, but I failed. Now I only wish to fulfill my promise to my late wife."
"I see." Hearing Byakuya's words, Sasakibe's stern expression relaxed slightly.
He had heard about Byakuya's circumstances.
Thinking this way, his choice was understandable. At least this reason wasn't dislikable.
"I believe if Captain Kuchiki formally submitted a request to the Captain-Commander, he would reduce Kuchiki Rukia's sentence. So, please step aside now!"