"Should we go inform the Special Forces now?"
Kensei also sensed something was wrong. A raid like this couldn't possibly rely on just one squad; there were surely other rebel groups making preparations.
After a brief moment of thought, Yoruichi nodded in agreement with Kensei's idea. Going back to the Seireitei now to get help from Old Man Yama would be too late. It was better to go directly to Kuchiki Kōga and discuss countermeasures. They might even be able to turn the enemy's scheme against them.
"We'll only tell Kuchiki Kōga. We'll avoid the other two vice-captains for now."
Better safe than sorry. With the identity of the mole within the Special Forces unknown, it was wise to be cautious. Yoruichi and Kensei quickly made their way to the Special Forces camp, carefully avoiding detection along the route, and successfully infiltrated the tent Kuchiki Kōga used for rest.
"Who's there?!"
Kuchiki Kōga, who had been sitting at a table pondering how to crush the rebels, heard movement in the tent. His right hand flew to his sword hilt as he stood up, scanning his surroundings.
"Hey, kid from the Kuchiki family, relax."
Stepping out of the shadows with Kensei, Yoruichi signaled for Kuchiki Kōga to lower his guard and tossed him the letter they had found.
"We came to deliver urgent news. You'll understand once you read it."
Seeing the Shihōin family crest on Yoruichi, Kuchiki Kōga lowered his guard. He took the envelope, opened it, and read. The more he read, the more his teeth clenched. So this is why our suppression efforts keep failing! There's a mole! These damn bastards, making me get scolded by my father-in-law!
Kensei observed Kuchiki Kōga curiously, noting the distinctive Thousand Cherry Blossom Hairpin of the Kuchiki clan on his head. I wonder if this guy's Shikai, which can make others' Zanpakutō rebel, could help me awaken my own.
"These bastards!"
Kuchiki Kōga slammed his fist on the table in rage. The fury burning in his heart threatened to consume his reason. The thought that these people were the cause of his father-in-law's disappointment made him wish he could find the traitor and tear them to pieces right now.
"Sigh... Thank you both. If you hadn't warned me in advance, I would have shamed my father-in-law yet again."
Taking a deep breath to temporarily suppress his anger, Kuchiki Kōga expressed his sincere gratitude to the two.
"What's your plan now?"
As the Captain of the Special Forces, Kuchiki Kōga was in charge. Yoruichi and Kensei would defer to his judgment in this situation.
"The letter contains almost all the information about our current camp's layout. The only ones who could know such details, besides me, are Vice-Captains Kishita Hanta and Shirakura Shin'ichirō. If it's just one of them, that's manageable... but I'm afraid..."
Kuchiki Kōga trailed off, but Yoruichi and Kensei understood. If there was only one mole, they could work with the other vice-captain to quickly subdue them, minimizing the impact on the Special Forces. But if both vice-captains were compromised, and Kōga ended up in a stalemate with them while the rebels attacked the camp from outside... the losses could be severe.
"I wonder if you two would be willing to stay and help. The Kuchiki family will offer substantial thanks afterward."
Yoruichi looked at Kensei. She didn't mind either way; it was up to him.
"Why look at me? If I ran away now, Old Man Yama would chew me out."
He was, after all, someone Old Man Yama had high hopes for. Running away now would be pathetic. They're just Captain-level, right? I, Kensei Kenzuru, specialize in fighting elites!
Kensei felt a surge of excitement, even a bit giddy. This would be his first life-or-death battle against Captain-level opponents. As long as they weren't monsters like Yama, he and Yoruichi working together could probably handle them easily, right?
"Thank you. Later, I will summon the two vice-captains for a confrontation. I'll have to trouble you two then."
Kuchiki Kōga first sent someone to call the two vice-captains. He then contacted a Soul Reaper he had brought from the Kuchiki family, instructing him to secretly alert all squads to be vigilant against a surprise attack. After these preparations, the three of them waited for the vice-captains' arrival, using the time to adjust their condition and prepare for the upcoming battle.
"Captain Kuchiki, was there something specific you called us for?"
Kishita Hanta and Shirakura Shin'ichirō paused upon entering and seeing Yoruichi and Kensei, wondering what the head of the Shihōin Clan was doing here with a kid in tow.
"Lady Shihōin here just informed me she discovered a rebel outpost nearby. I wanted to go with the two of you to eliminate the threat."
Kishita and Shirakura exchanged a fleeting, subtle glance, a sense of foreboding rising in their hearts.
"If it's a small outpost, why not send a squad?"
"That would cause too much commotion and might alert the enemy. It's best if the few of us Captains handle it."
Hearing Kuchiki Kōga's explanation, Kishita and Shirakura knew they couldn't refuse. They had no choice but to follow Kōga to the rebel outpost Yoruichi had mentioned. Seeing the familiar location, their hearts sank to the pit of their stomachs.
"Alright. I imagine you two can guess why I brought you here. I hope you'll confess voluntarily. It would be more... dignified for you."
Taking the letter from his robes, Kuchiki Kōga looked at the two men calmly. Regardless of who it was, he would make the traitors pay today.
"Sigh... It seems both of you are involved. What a pity."
Seeing the two men's grim, silent faces, Kuchiki Kōga sighed regretfully. Kensei, standing behind Kishita and Shirakura, gave Yoruichi a strange look. This scene feels oddly familiar.
"Bet you they're about to monologue about their reasons for betraying everyone."
Yoruichi looked at Kensei as if he were an idiot. Who would be stupid enough to explain their evil motives after being caught?
"Hah! What else could it be? The pursuit of greater power, of course! That lord promised us! Once this succeeds, he will grant us supreme power! The entire Soul Society will be ours!"
If Yoruichi had been drinking water, she would have spat it out. Well, I'll be damned. Little Kensei actually called it. Are these two really that dumb? Looking at Kensei's expression that seemed to say 'I've seen this before', Yoruichi began to suspect Kensei might have the ability to see the future.
With the facade shattered, there was nothing more to say. It was time to fight—a battle to the death.
To avoid getting in Yoruichi and Kensei's way, Kuchiki Kōga proactively took the stronger of the two, Shirakura Shin'ichirō, to a different location to fight. Mainly, he didn't know that one of the two (Yoruichi) rarely used her Zanpakutō, and the other (Kensei) hadn't even awakened his yet. His considerate move was utterly lost on them.
Watching Kuchiki Kōga leave, Kensei felt a twinge of disappointment. He had wanted to see if Kōga's Muramasa could help him awaken his own Zanpakutō. Looks like I'll have to wait for another chance.
"Your turn or mine?"
"Watch closely, Yoruichi. My path of invincibility begins here!"
Yoruichi facepalmed, convinced Kensei had lost his mind. She could only stand nearby, ready to intervene if anything went wrong.
"What's this? Looking down on me, with my third-grade Reiatsu?! I'll show you what I'm made of!"
Kishita Hanta flew into a rage, feeling that Yoruichi and Kensei were looking down on him by sending a mere kid to fight.
Hearing that Kishita only had third-grade Reiatsu, Kensei, who had been slightly apprehensive, felt completely reassured. Oh, only third-grade? I thought it might be second-grade.
"I advise you not to bluster so much. It only reveals your weakness."
Calmly drawing the Asauchi at his waist, Kensei looked at Kishita Hanta impassively. Hell yeah, I've been wanting to cut down this 'genius' Kishita Hanta. Anyone who could turn Revice into a pile of crap deserves to be cut down. It'd be a disservice not to.
The next moment, Kishita Hanta's pupils contracted. He instinctively swung his sword to block the strike aimed at his head. The astonishing force transmitted through the blade shocked him. Are kids these days all this monstrous?!
"Hadō #11: Tsuzuri Raiden."
Dense electrical currents traveled along the blade into Kishita's body. Already struggling to keep up with Kensei's masterful swordsmanship, Kishita Hanta was caught completely off guard, his body crackling and smoking from the electricity. Unfortunately, such damage wasn't enough to seriously injure a Captain-level opponent, who were notoriously tough.
"Damn you! Sever, Kobimaru!"
As Kishita shouted the release command, his Zanpakutō transformed into a massive polearm-like greatsword. Having achieved Shikai, Kishita grinned ferociously and charged at Kensei. Confident in his enhanced slashing power, he was ready to teach Kensei a lesson. Moments later, he was on the ground, battered by a combination of Kensei's Hakuda and Shunpo, and began to question his life choices.