Good grief, it's finally over.
After returning to the Fourth Division to receive detailed information about the situation regarding Seventh Seat Yamada's kidnapping and the perpetrator, I finally made my way back to headquarters.
Based on the testimony of the squad members who were present, it's almost certain that one of the people who kidnapped him was Ichigo. But who was the other one...? They said it was a woman who had her face hidden by a mask, but was there someone like that in the original group?
Moreover, I heard that she was incredibly combative and used bombs to spread damage. Perhaps she's trying to throw our side into chaos? At any rate, she seems to have a sharp, devious mind... Many injured people have been brought in because of her, so it's probably best to stay on guard.
"Captain Yukawa, thank you for your hard work!"
As I entered headquarters, a nearby squad member greeted me.
"Yes, I've finally made it back. Has anything changed?"
"We're receiving reports that the intruders are running rampant, but we still have no information on their goal, identity, or any captures... It seems the intruders possess considerable strength."
Judging from the conversation, progress is less than stellar. If I had to guess, Aizen is likely controlling the situation skillfully, making sure the investigation stays "exactly two steps away from the right answer." Otherwise, there's no way Ichigo and the others could lead everyone around by the nose like this.
The Seireitei is the Soul Reapers' home turf, isn't it? It's our home! And fundamentally, we operate as an organization. Meanwhile, the opponents are on an individual level and don't even have a sense of the local geography. Normally, at least one of them should have been caught and interrogated by now.
'Interrogation, I say! We must put them to the torture at once!! Milord, I wish to subject Lady Orihime to the torture of a slime that dissolves only clothing and leaves one quite slippery!!'
Yes, yes, I'll definitely give you a chance later. Just wait a moment for that.
But Nubatama's words aside, it wouldn't be strange at any moment if one were caught, tortured, made to talk, and then the rest of the group was rounded up one by one.
"I see. You might have heard, but the Fourth Seat of the Seventh Division was defeated. It's better to assume the enemy has at least the strength of a Third Seat or higher. Stay vigilant."
"Eh, the Seventh Division... You mean Fourth Seat Ikkanzaka!?"
Oh, he's surprisingly famous.
"Just be careful in the event of an emergency."
"Thank you for the warning."
Well, the enemy's goal is to rescue Rukia. I don't think they'll come here.
"Ikkanzaka... was it Kamaitachi?"
"Yes, that's right... —Wait, Soifon!?"
"Yes, milady! I have just returned!!"
Just as I was about to part ways with the squad member and head toward the General Headquarters, I heard a voice. Before I knew it, Soifon was standing right beside me. Of course that's going to startle me.
"However, I must apologize. I was unable to find the person who issued the warning."
"I see..."
In that case, as I thought, that must have been a move for diversion and confusion.
"If even the Stealth Force can't find them, we should consider that there is some special reason."
"We have reached the same conclusion. However, we could not determine if someone has infiltrated or if one of the squad members is providing false reports."
"No, thank you for the effort."
Now then...
I can probably point it out now, right?
"By the way, Soifon, that cat..."
I'd been curious about it since the moment we reunited here. I mean, this girl has a black cat on her shoulder! And it's a "very familiar-looking kitty"! Plus, that kitty is radiating a "spiritual pressure I've felt a long time ago"!
...What are you doing, Lady Yoruichi...
"Yes! I just made it my subordinate!"
"Subordinate...?"
"Yes! It was acting quite wild, but I managed to discipline it by myself!"
What is that? I don't know anything about this aggressive development...??
And "discipline"...? If I look closely, both Yoruichi and Soifon seem to be injured, and the kitty has "I am here against my will" written all over its face.
...Judging from the situation, Soifon found Yoruichi. They fought. She won. And as a result, she forced her to submit through raw power? And then she brought Yoruichi back here.
What on earth, I don't know anything about such an aggressive plot twist...
Well, it's true that I've been training with Soifon frequently, her spiritual pressure is steadily rising, I taught her Shunko, and she's managed to master Shunko quite well along with other techniques I taught her... Wait, she actually looks like she could win this... No, but even so, Ichigo and the others just broke in! And she's already found her and brought her back!?
"Ah, ow! Stop that!!"
Yoruichi must really want to complain. She dug her claws into Soifon's skin, scratching her like a scratching post. Since she's in cat form and can't exactly speak carelessly, this must be a desperate measure to convey her complaints and dissatisfaction.
"For now, I'll heal the wounds on both Soifon and the kitty."
While moving, I healed the injuries of the two who looked like they had just "gone through a battle." I prioritized it because leaving visible wounds might cause unnecessary commotion. However, it's a miracle their clothes aren't torn at all despite being injured.
'Soifon and Yoruichi both wear outfits where even a slight tear would leave them fully exposed!! Oops, my apologies! How unlike me!! In her kitty form, Lady Yoruichi is currently stark naked!! ...Hah, will I be erased for this!? Is it safe if I hide it with a star symbol!?'
...A star symbol, a mark, a black box, or a ten-yen coin, I don't care what you use...
"—Anyway, please explain the circumstances to me later."
"Meow."
While performing the treatment, I whispered just loud enough for the two of them to hear. Yoruichi—or should I call her "Yoru-cat" in this form?—meowed. I think she was replying "Understood."
"In any case, I'm glad your dream came true, Soifon."
"Yes, thank you ve—!!"
In an instant, an intense bloodlust washed over us. She cut off her sentence and immediately entered a combat stance. Not only that, Yoruichi jumped off Soifon's shoulder and took a wary stance despite being in her cat form. Of course, I reacted as well.
Putting my hand on my Zanpakuto so I could respond at any time, I cast a sharp gaze toward the source of the bloodlust—the General Headquarters.
"This is..."
"Yes. I don't know who it is, but an enemy seems to be present."
From inside the General Headquarters, a presence like a deathmatch was being transmitted. It seems only one person is emitting the aura, but they appear to be quite powerful. The back of my neck tingles.
"...I'll open it."
"Then I will handle the enemy. Please provide backup."
"Right, here we go... three, two, one..."
After a quick consultation with Soifon, I put my hand on the door and timed it with the countdown.
"!!"
"...!"
When the door opened, the scent of fresh blood immediately hit my nose. Inside the room, all the squad members who had been working as communication officers were collapsed and stained crimson; I instinctively caught my breath. Following that, I heard Soifon's stunned voice.
"What on earth happened...!?"
Entering the room behind her, a gruesome sight awaited us. The room was filled with the choking smell of blood, and the squad members had all suffered deep wounds, likely from a blade.
And in the back of the room—
"Eh...?"
"Impossible...! It can't be...!?"
There was Yoruichi, dressed in black robes.
She was thrusting her Zanpakuto into Aizen's chest.
"..."
That Yoruichi turned only her face toward us and then violently pulled out the Zanpakuto. Losing his support, Aizen collapsed while coughing up blood. With hollow eyes and no reaction even when handled roughly, it seems he is indeed dead.
"...Hah! W-Wait!!"
Faced with such an utterly unexpected sight, both Soifon's and my thoughts seemed to freeze for a moment. While our reactions were dull, that Yoruichi vanished in an instant. The way she disappeared with eye-blurring speed was certainly reminiscent of Yoruichi.
"Haa..."
I see. So that's how she escapes.
Glancing at the black cat frozen a short distance away, I was feeling a slight sense of admiration.
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