"Tokyo has no sky... I want to see the real sky... was that it?"
"Um, what is that?"
"Hmm? Oh, just... a passage from a piece of literature in the World of the Living. I just happened to remember it."
It seemed Abarai heard the words I unconsciously muttered. He looked at me with a puzzled expression.
"Heh... I guess a teacher really is a teacher. It shows that you used to be a lecturer on World of the Living studies."
"Fufu, what's that? Are you praising me?"
"Eh!? Y-Yes, of course I am!! I don't really understand literature from the World of the Living... and besides, is the sky really that different?"
His hastily patched-together response was very much like him.
"Of course, there is no difference in the sky itself. The word 'sky' is being used to symbolize something else here."
"Huh...? The sky... symbolizes...? Uh... you mean...?"
"It means using the word 'sky' to signify meanings like 'nostalgia', 'loneliness', or 'helplessness'. Leaving a familiar land and moving to a strange place. There are no familiar faces there, and perhaps because one is a newcomer, one feels a sense of alienation. These words express those subtleties of the heart."
"What is that!? Why go through such trouble? If they're lonely, they should just say 'I'm lonely!' and be done with it."
Should I say he has a crude personality incapable of understanding literature and elegance, or assess him as having an incomparably honest and straightforward nature? It is hard to judge.
"Well, that is true. But there are situations where such complicated phrasing is praised. Besides..."
"Besides?"
"Don't you think Rukia is feeling that loneliness and helplessness to some extent right now? She hasn't been able to make contact at all until now."
"...!?"
The moment I said that, Abarai's expression tightened.
"...You're right."
"Now then, let's search for her. Her spiritual pressure has become almost imperceptible, so we need to hurry."
"Eh, almost... wait, does that mean you can tell!? Where Rukia's spiritual pressure is!?"
"Well, I can manage to sense it somewhat."
"Seriously...? Even though I can't feel anything at all..."
"Then, let's go. Follow me."
"Yes, ma'am!! Please lead the way!!"
Abarai and I began our activities in Tokyo—Karakura Town.
---
Going back one day.
"Captain Yukawa of Squad 4! I have brought a message!!"
While I was working at the Squad 4 barracks, a member of the Onmitsukido suddenly appeared. Judging by his uniform, he belonged to the Onmitsukido's 5th Corps, the Inside Force.
The Inside Force acts as messengers, or rather, a squad that transmits information between squad members. However... due to the development of the Denreishinki, their numbers have been somewhat reduced. It is the same phenomenon as the number of letters decreasing due to the development of mobile phones and smartphones. Still, a certain number remain for communications that do not go through the Denreishinki—specifically, those where one does not want to leave a communication record.
And the fact that a verbal message came from the corps instead of via Denreishinki means that what is being conveyed is likely unsuitable for such records. I have nothing but a bad feeling about this.
"A verbal message? Thank you. So, what is the content?"
"Sir! It is from Head Captain Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto. He desires your presence at the Squad 1 barracks immediately! That is all!"
...Eh?
"G-Go to the Squad 1 barracks...? From the Head Captain? Are there no other details?"
"No, I have not been told anything other than that."
That figures. They aren't told anything other than what is necessary.
"...Understood. Message received."
"Then, I shall take my leave."
It must be tough for them to be commissioned and made to run just for a message saying "Go to Squad 1"... I mean, for this content, a Denreishinki would have been fine...
Watching the retreating back of the Onmitsukido member, I couldn't help but think that.
"So, that's how it is. I'm heading out now."
"Ah, yes."
After calling out to Isane, who was nearby, I headed toward the Squad 1 barracks.
---
"Excuse me. Squad 4, Yukawa. I have arrived."
"Oh, you have come, Yukawa—"
"Lord Yukawa!! Please, please save Rukia!!"
So, I headed to the Squad 1 barracks and visited the Head Captain's room. There was already a visitor. It was—
'Trouble always starts with this man!! Everyone loves him, it's the appearance of our Byakuya Kuchiki!!!!'
...Yeah, thanks for that commentary.
"K-Captain Kuchiki... Please calm down. Head Captain, what happened?"
"Umu. To explain—"
"Rukia... my sister would never do such a thing!! I will go to Central 46 myself!!"
"Enough! Calm yourself, Kuchiki! You will remain silent for a while!! ...Ahem, it is a long story, but..."
For a moment, it became as lively as a storm... but putting that aside. Once the Head Captain regained his composure, what he spoke of was Rukia.
—According to him:
This spring, she went missing after going to the World of the Living for a stationing mission. However, the other day, a reading appeared in Karakura Town, Tokyo. At the same time, they discovered Rukia.
At this point, she is guilty of "Overstaying"—essentially, being absent without leave for a long time. In addition to that, it was discovered that she committed the grave offense of "Transfer of Shinigami Powers to a Human." Central 46 viewed these offenses heavily, designated her a felony prisoner, and decided she is to be executed.
I was told the circumstances of the Soul Reapers from the so-called "beginning of the original story."
"—That is the situation."
"No way... Rukia is in such a situation! I cannot believe it!!"
"So you say. However, this has already been decided by the Central 46. It will not be overturned."
Decisions made by Central 46 are never overtur—except by Aizen—never overturned. Perhaps knowing this, the Head Captain spoke with a hint of regret.
However, was this decision Aizen's scheme?
"...Um, I understand about Rukia. But why was I called?"
"That is—"
"I will explain that!!"
Ah, Byakuya cut off the Head Captain and stepped in.
"Lord Yukawa is aware, but normally, Rukia's case would be under the jurisdiction of the Punishment Force. However, perhaps considering that Rukia is a relative of the Kuchiki clan, the matter was passed to the Gotei 13."
Is this "passing the matter here" also Aizen's scheme? Did he aim to have her fight a real Soul Reaper or something?
"The order is Rukia's capture... I want to ask Lord Yukawa to take on that role!!"
"Eh... Eh!? Why me...?"
"Normally, it would be proper for me, her family, to go... However, I intend to appeal to Central 46 to reconsider the ruling. To argue that Rukia would never do such a thing, and see if the penalty can at least be lightened!!"
Ah... So he isn't moving to capture her himself but is continuing to appeal to the authorities. He intends to try the direct, legal approach first.
"But in that case, you don't need to call me for Rukia's capture..."
"I cannot do that!! It is precisely because it is the major task of capturing my sister that I wish to entrust it to Lord Yukawa, whom I trust most!! I cannot possibly entrust my precious sister to some person of unknown lineage!!"
When I offered a slight rebuttal, he pleaded with ten times the expected intensity.
"...That is how it is. No matter what I say, Kuchiki stubbornly refuses to nod. If I say anything clumsy, he looks like he might cause bloodshed. I was completely at a loss, so I called you."
Sighing, the Head Captain supplemented the explanation looking incredibly exhausted. When he heard about Rukia, Byakuya probably went on a rampage.
"I am sorry, but could you accept it?"
---
"I apologize for making an unreasonable request."
"Please don't worry about it. I understand your feelings."
"However, thank you sincerely for accepting."
To conclude, I accepted the request. I mean, seeing the Head Captain's exhausted face, there was no choice but to say "Yes."
So, the discussion at Squad 1 ended, and now we have moved to a certain room in the Kuchiki manor to talk alone.
Moreover, regarding this room that became our venue: unless something extraordinary happens, it is impossible for outsiders to know what is happening inside. It is a room purveyor to the nobility. Since this is the Kuchiki family, it is an overly amazing room where nothing can be known unless extraordinary things happen ten times in a row.
"I have caused Lord Yukawa trouble again and again... I owe you a debt of gratitude I cannot repay even if I spend my whole life..."
"We can listen to that story later, at leisure. More importantly, right now—"
"That is true. Rukia is the priority above all else."
For now, let's decide on a course of action with Byakuya.
"So, Captain Kuchiki. First, about appealing to Central 46... are you serious?"
"I am serious."
"But, up until now, their decisions have never been..."
"I know that!!"
A sorrowful shout was heard. Being one of the Four Great Noble Families and knowing the decisions from above intimately, he seems to understand just how difficult his choice is.
"It might end up being meaningless. But I... I do not want to do anything that would make me regret losing my family ever again! Even if I have to dirty these hands...!!"
Uh-oh. An incredibly dangerous atmosphere has started to drift out. I can sense a terrifying resolve that he wouldn't hesitate to cut down every member of Central 46 in the worst-case scenario.
"...Let's keep that as a last resort."
"Hah! P-Pardon me... I forgot myself..."
Well, having his resolve fully set is incredibly reliable in a sense.
"Next, let's decide on the basic policy."
"Basic policy... you say?"
"Yes. I will capture Rukia and transfer her. Captain Kuchiki will continue to appeal to Central 46. There is no problem up to this point, right?"
After confirming Byakuya nodded, I continued.
"The problem is if the verdict is not overturned and the execution is decided. Calculating from custom, there should be about thirty days in between. Let's decide our moves during that time."
"As I thought, we must storm in directly and use force..."
"I said let's keep that as a last resort, didn't I? Let's try to stick it out until the day of the execution, or at least the night before."
"B-But then Rukia will remain captured! Rather than letting my sister suffer such an experience, I would rather..."
Byakuya is becoming very dangerous.
"Therefore, that is the last resort. Let's go with the standard method until just before. I will also think of ways to somehow get the sentence reduced. Also, I think we can involve Squad 13."
"I see! If Captain Ukitake also joins in...!! Then we might be able to expect other collaborators too!!"
If I recall correctly, in the original story, Byakuya hurled harsh words at Captain Ukitake... things have changed.
"However, we must consider the case where even that fails... the case where there are no moves left other than executing the last resort..."
"..."
"...I will confirm one more time, okay? Going against the decision of Central 46 and saving a felony prisoner is a grave sin. Even before that, just discussing this, it wouldn't be strange to be judged as having treasonous intent against the Soul Society. Even so..."
I paused for a moment.
"...Will you really... execute it?"
"Naturally."
The reply came instantly.
"Certainly, the transfer of Shinigami powers is a serious crime! But for that alone to result in capital punishment is strange no matter how you think about it!! In that case, it is Central 46 that is wrong!! Rather than obeying a mistaken judgment and losing my family, I would not regret throwing away the name of Kuchiki!!"
Clearly declaring this, I could not feel a speck of fear or regret from Byakuya's figure. Resolve, taken to its extreme—that's what it feels like.
"...In that case, we must save Rukia no matter what."
"Eh? Um, what exactly do you mean by..."
"Will you hide her in the Rukongai? Ah, fleeing to the World of the Living might also be good. Either way, detailed advice from Rukia will be essential, right? Since Captain Kuchiki, you are likely unskilled at a life of hiding."
"...Lord Yukawa!! Thank you!!"
It seems he understood what I wanted to say. I won't spare any cooperation.
"Therefore, I will prepare now and head to the World of the Living. Also, could you lend me Abarai of Squad 6?"
"Renji, is it?"
"He has known Rukia the longest, so if we don't take him along, he'll sulk."
"Haha, I see. If that is the reason, please go ahead, use him as you wish."
So, first to Squad 6. I briefly explained the situation to Abarai—just conveying the charges and the capture mission simply as the Head Captain told me—and secured his promise to go to the World of the Living together.
After that, I went to Squad 4 and explained to the squad members, "I'm going to the World of the Living, so I'll be away for a while."
And then... since I thought Byakuya would be the one going, this is actually a bit of a chance. I should prepare everything I can think of. Not just for the mission to capture Rukia, but I should also plant some seeds that will connect to later events... which means...
Ah! No!! I can't think of anything at all!! Was there anything...?
With that feeling, we move to the opening—arriving in the World of the Living with Abarai.
However... this means I have to stab Ichigo. Because if I don't, I probably can't retrieve Rukia's Shinigami powers...
Well, it'll work out somehow!!
---
'It is the World of the Living, my Liege!! It has been a long time since the World of the Living!!'
Right.
'I wonder what kind of sexual proclivities are trending in the World of the Living now!? I want to tour the bookstores in Kanda! Or Akihabara!!'
No, no, there's no time for that... wait, maybe there is. Killing time to an extent that doesn't arouse suspicion from above, delaying the execution time, that might be a valid method, maybe...?
'Ohh!! It is worth suggesting!!'
But this is West Tokyo, so I don't think we have the time to go near Tokyo Station and come back. Also, I don't remember the geography.
Even if you make that face, no means no!! Just endure it with a neighborhood secondhand bookstore!!
'T-Then at the very least, I want to go to a coin laundry!!'
A coin laundry...? Why would you want to go to a place like that... again?
'What!! Do you not know!? It is the Codry!! How many times have I dreamed of it since hearing the stories!! I wanted to try going there once!!'
...Yeah, okay. Having dreams is important...
[Reviews - Power St0nes - Comments are highly appreciated to keep me going.....(+50 chapters) patre0n.c0m/talecrafter]