"Rukia... I am sorry..."
Those were the first words Byakuya spoke as he faced Rukia across the prison bars.
"I have made many attempts... but it was no use... I am powerless..."
"Don't say that... Brother, please raise your head...!!"
Seeing Byakuya crushed by a sense of helplessness, Rukia called out to him desperately.
"Dammit!! Is it really hopeless then?!"
"Forgive me, Renji... You have... No, both of you have your whole lives ahead of you..."
"Captain...!!"
Standing next to Byakuya, Abarai-kun also shouted in frustration.
Reports that Abarai-kun and Rukia had started dating had reached Byakuya's ears. For the sake of the happiness of his sister-in-law and his future brother-in-law (tentative)...
"Due to a First-Class Serious Crime, Rukia Kuchiki is designated a felony prisoner. She is to be executed at the Sōkyoku in twenty-five days—is that it..."
I read aloud the document stating the decision.
The Kuchiki family had campaigned extensively, and the members of Squad 13, led by Captain Ukitake and Vice-Captain Kaien, had also put in significant effort, but the decision remained overturned.
On the contrary, the "suspected" part of her crime was removed, solidifying her guilt.
In a sense, this is going exactly as planned.
However, broadly speaking, the only ones who know that are likely myself and Aizen, aren't we?
"No, not yet! It is too early to give up! If we coordinate with Squad 13, we can find a way..."
"That's right, Captain!! Just wait a little longer, Rukia! We'll get you out of here right away!!"
"Good grief... The men are certainly reliable, aren't they? Don't you think so?"
"Eh...!? Y-Yes, well... I suppose you are right..."
When I asked her quietly, she gave me a bewildered reply.
Several more days have passed since Rukia was imprisoned.
During that time, Abarai-kun has visited every single day without fail, offering Rukia words of encouragement and updating her on the situation.
I also come to see her face, though not every day.
Other than that, I have been using the time between my daily duties to contact various Captains, seeing if I can increase the number of collaborators. specifically, people like Captain Kyoraku of Squad 8 and Captain Komamura of Squad 7.
As for Byakuya, he has been ceaselessly appealing to the higher-ups, so this was the first time in several days he had shown his face to Rukia.
The members of Squad 13 also seem to come to see her frequently.
If you were to look only at these aspects, it hardly seems like she is in prison at all.
'It is like being told "Number 123! Visitor, come out!!" and then ten minutes later being told "Another visitor, come out! Here comes another one!" repeatedly! What a busy prisoner! I wish they would all come at once!!'
W-Well... it is better than being bored, isn't it?
It shows just how much she is yearning for, which should increase the possibility of the decision being reconsidered.
...Under normal circumstances, that is.
As mentioned before, the treatment toward her has not changed.
Byakuya came today to convey this decision directly and to share the sentiment that, despite the news, he intends to keep fighting.
I was dragged along as well.
Not that I mind, of course.
"But really, you must not give up until the very end. And please, keep a close eye on Abarai-kun."
"Ah, um... Renji and I are, well, not yet..."
"I will do my humble best to help so we can erase that 'not yet' from your sentence."
With a bright smile, I offered her what little encouragement I could.
...Ah!
Come to think of it, inside her soul—was it?—the Hōgyoku, that orb that grants any wish, is hidden there, right!?
...I messed up!!
Maybe if I had tried hard enough when I was close to her just now, I might have been able to extract the Hōgyoku...
No, no, no!! That's no good; if I did that, Harribel-san might not be born!!
It is useless to pile hypothesis upon hypothesis!! This is where I must endure; this is the time for patience!!
'If it is for the sake of becoming acquainted with a dark-skinned, huge-breasted partner who exposes her underboob, we must proceed with the resolve of weeping while beheading Ma Su!!'
That's right! What have we been working so hard for!! Carry out our original intention!! For that sake, we can conquer Everest! We can dive through the Mariana Trench!!
'Exactly right!! That is why we swear upon our soul!! We shall not repeat the same mistakes!! We shall learn from the spirit of those who failed climbing the mountain!!'
That's right! Thank you, Bashoku-san!!
...But, just in case, let's pray to Rukia.
Oh Hōgyoku, oh Hōgyoku, please let things unfold nicely so that I can safely become acquaintances with Harribel-san!
Also, please let me become strong enough in a good way so that I can gain Harribel-san's trust and fondle her breasts!!
"Um, Sensei...?"
"It is nothing. Rukia-san, it is about time for your cell transfer. But please, stay strong."
Instead of the traditional two bows, two claps, and one bow, I just stared at her intensely.
It is only natural she would think it suspicious if I did that suddenly.
I hope there is some divine favor from the Hōgyoku...
...I probably should have clapped my hands in prayer, too.
---
Several days later.
I was still continuing my search for collaborators.
"—And that is why I would like you to lend us your strength, Captain Aizen."
Today, I headed to the Squad 5 barracks.
To put it more bluntly, I went to the Last Boss to request cooperation, saying, "Help us, please lend me your power to crush your own plan."
Of course, I know that this is the man who will crush his glasses and stand atop the heavens.
I know he is the one pulling the strings behind the scenes regarding this Rukia incident.
But Aizen's external reputation when he is acting as a normal Captain is that of a saint.
He is a perfect superhuman, yearned for and relied upon by many Soul Reapers.
Even if it is a false face wearing a mask, there is no reason not to use it.
After all, back when I was a part-time lecturer at the Academy, I used him thoroughly. Under the guise of special lectures, I made him cough up his techniques time and time again.
So, I will do the same this time.
Whether it is a setup or a game of wits between a fox and a raccoon, I will use whatever can be used.
Don't think you can hide and maneuver in the shadows so easily!
'Use even your parents if they are standing, as the saying goes. The Lord is truly reliable!!'
"I see... so that is the situation... Well, this is... quite a difficult topic to answer..."
Aizen scratched his cheek lightly, looking as if he found it hard to speak.
—Wait, huh?
"Um, Captain Aizen... Excuse me for asking, but are you feeling unwell? You look a bit pale..."
"No, not particularly... If anything, I have just had a few sleepless nights."
It felt like Aizen was tired, or rather, emaciated...?
He seemed a little weak.
I wonder why? Despite acting so high and mighty with the attitude and speech of a villainous boss, could it be that he is so nervous he is having sleepless nights...?
If so, that is cute. Like a child the day before a field trip.
"Is that so? I apologize for interrupting your rest. If you feel unwell, please contact Squad 4."
"I will do that. Also, regarding what we were discussing..."
Oh, Aizen lowered his voice.
"Indeed, even from my perspective, I can only think of this incident as abnormal. While her charges are certainly serious, they do not warrant capital punishment. There is no precedent for it."
"Right? I think so too."
"Even if it is a decision by the Central 46, as long as it is full of irregularities, we should have the right to voice our objections. I will cooperate as much as I can."
"Thank you very much!"
Well, Aizen with his glasses on has no choice but to say that given his position.
Inwardly, he is probably seething, thinking, "Why do I have to do this!!"
Just as I secured the pledge of cooperation from the Last Boss—
"—Reaction detected! Alert for sectors three through eight!! Repeat—!!"
An emergency alarm covering the entire Seireitei was issued.
"This is...?!"
"It seems someone has made it this far."
This probably means Ichigo and the others have arrived, right?
Thank goodness... I had been worried about what I would do if they had decided to just enjoy their high school summer vacation.
'As for the date in the story, it has only just turned August... They are at the age where they still want to play... A summer of avant-garde...'
[Reviews - Power St0nes - Comments are highly appreciated to keep me going.....(+50 chapters) patre0n.c0m/talecrafter]