"Finally a near miss."

"Fortunately, we had the help of Captain Kyōraku and Captain Jūshirō. Otherwise, just one sword from the Captain-Commander would have been enough to kill us all."

"Captain Unohana as well. As expected, she chose to remain on the sidelines and didn't make a move to stop us."

"Is the Senkaimon ready?"

"Of course. It's in the underground waterway."

On the other hand,

Muguruma Kensei, Ōtoribashi Rōjūrō and the others were using Shunpo within the flame corridor. All of them wore expressions as if they had just escaped death.

Even though before the rescue, they had already known that Kyoraku Shunsui and Jūshirō Ukitake would take their side, facing the oppression of the strongest Shinigami in a thousand years still made every captain and Lieutenant feel lingering fear.

At the same time, they were extremely fortunate that Captain Unohana had not taken action. Otherwise, it would have been impossible for them to escape unscathed.

"Out!"

Seeing the flash of white light at the end of the corridor, Love Aikawa, who had once fought a captain-friendly match with Byakuya Kuchiki, couldn't help but sigh in relief.

Only a few meters remained. As long as they stepped out, the sea would be vast and the sky high. They would be able to leap freely like fish, soar like birds.

Then, passing through the Senkaimon into the World of the Living, they would use the preparations left behind by Hikifune Kirio and Shutara Senjumaru. Even if Seireitei wanted to track them down, it would be impossible.

…

Tsk.

A chill crept through them.

At the end of the flame passage opened by Jūshirō Ukitake, a shallow scratch suddenly appeared on the ground.

It was just an ordinary horizontal line, one that even a child could draw. But whether it was Ōtoribashi Rōjūrō, Muguruma Kensei, or Love Aikawa, all of them Gotei-level captains—

And the Lieutenants behind them—

Without exception, they all stopped their Shunpo. No one dared to take a step past that line.

It was as if that scratch marked the boundary between life and death—a line even Shinigami dared not cross.

Even the Chief of Kidō, Tsukabishi Tomioka, and the Vice-Chief, Hachigen, were no exception.

"Damn it! The thing we didn't want to happen the most—"

"It just had to be now—"

"He actually came back."

Of course, a mere scratch on the ground could not stop such a luxurious lineup—three captains, the Chief Kidō, the Vice-Chief, and three Lieutenants.

What truly brought Muguruma Kensei, Tsukabishi Tomioka, and the others to a halt was the person who personally drew that line at the end of the flame passage.

"Whoever crosses this line—dies."

Aiyan stood behind the scratch. Just one man, and yet he stood there, holding back eight members of the Gotei 13, making even the most powerful Shinigami not dare to take a single step past him.

"Captain Aiyan, we never intended to be enemies of Soul Society, let alone you. Everything we've done today—was for the sake of saving Captain Kirio."

"You've also experienced the judgments of Central 46. You know how they act according to their own whims, how they hand out arbitrary decisions."

"Captain Kirio has given so much to Soul Society, and this is how she ends up? Does Central 46 truly have the right to judge her?"

Supported by Kuna Mashiro, Yadōmaru Lisa, who had only just been knocked to the ground by Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni's Reiatsu, stepped forward—but still did not cross the line.

"A Lieutenant of the Gotei, from Rukongai."

"With your qualifications, as long as you continue training in Bankai, if a captain's seat opens up, it will definitely be yours."

"Lisa, it hasn't been easy for you to get this far."

Aiyan shook his head. He did not reply directly to the question of right or wrong.

"Everything I have today was given to me by Captain Kirio."

"If she truly deserves death, the most I can do—is return this Shinigami power to her."

"But, Captain Aiyan, when faced with a verdict from Central 46, didn't you also question it? Didn't you even resign from your position as Captain of the Fifth Division?"

"I just want to ask—does Captain Kirio deserve to die?"

Yadōmaru Lisa knew very well how terrifying Aiyan was. Even if there was a sliver of chance, she didn't want to fight him.

"That's all I wanted to say."

"Lisa, put down Captain Kirio and Lieutenant Shutara. Return to your post."

"I promise to give you an answer that satisfies you."

Aiyan did not answer whether it was right or wrong.

"That's all."

"It's your choice."

"Believe me—or let our Zanpakutō do the talking."

As soon as those words came out.

Yadōmaru Lisa suddenly hesitated.

If it had been anyone else, she would never believe them. But Aiyan, whether elder brother or younger brother—his character was too trustworthy.

There was no need to mention anything else.

After the Kuchiki clan was stripped of its noble status, how did Byakuya Kuchiki become the captain of the Sixth Division?

Perhaps no one else knew.

But as the Lieutenant of the Eighth Division—how could she not know?

It was because of Aiyan's intervention that Byakuya Kuchiki was saved.

He even helped him achieve Bankai.

Even a classmate from the Shin'ō Academy who used to provoke him—

When that person had fallen from grace and lost all prestige, Aiyan still lent him a hand.

This made Yadōmaru Lisa hesitate even more.

"The flames have disappeared."

At that moment, Kuna Mashiro noticed that the blazing fire which had surrounded them had now dissipated.

Clearly.

Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni had sensed Aiyan's return—and no longer saw the need to trap Muguruma Kensei and the others in flames.

"Why don't we trust Aiyan— just this once?"

"He could forgive Shinji again and again. He could help Byakuya Kuchiki time and time again."

"If he says he'll help us— he probably really will."

Sarugaki Hiyori turned around to see Kyoraku Shunsui and Jūshirō Ukitake being suppressed by Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni.

In addition,

Zaraki Kenpachi, who had previously been trapped by Hachigen's barrier, had escaped.

Byakuya Kuchiki had arrived, with Senbonzakura released.

Even the First Generation Kenpachi, Unohana Yachiru, who had remained idle until now during the execution—looked as if she was preparing to move.

And in front of them, stood the greatest genius Soul Society had seen in a thousand years.

After careful thought, she too felt—maybe they should choose Aiyan.

"Lisa, Hiyori, this isn't a question of trust. It's that we can't afford to gamble."

Seeing the look on Yadōmaru Lisa's face, Tsukabishi Tomioka reminded her.

"I don't know what you're thinking. I don't want to know either."

"But."

"I'm standing here today, risking everything— just to save Miss Kirio."

"If anyone dares gamble with her life, and depend on someone else's word, then don't blame me if Kidō strikes without mercy."

Tsukabishi Tomioka gave Aiyan a glance, then turned to Yadōmaru Lisa.

There was something he didn't say aloud.

Because of Urahara Kisuke, he harbored doubts about Aiyan.

After all,

He and Urahara were family friends.

He had grown up watching Urahara Kisuke, a man who was like an uncle to him. Tsukabishi Tomioka didn't quite believe that Urahara Kisuke was the mastermind behind the Hollowfication.

He admitted Urahara Kisuke had the talent— but not the ambition.

"Lisa, we can't afford to lose."

"This isn't just our fate on the line."

"It's also Captain Kirio's life."

Hachigen let out a sigh.

"Just like when we were kids— let's vote."

Yadōmaru Lisa said.

Muguruma Kensei, Ōtoribashi Rōjūrō, Hachigen, and Love Aikawa all raised their hands.

Only she remained still.

Even Sarugaki Hiyori hesitated after hearing the words from Tsukabishi Tomioka and Hachigen.

"Captain Aiyan..."

"I'm sorry."

Yadōmaru Lisa let out a breath, apologetic.

Her right hand gripped the hilt of her sword tightly.

Clang.

With the sound of blades being drawn—

Muguruma Kensei, Ōtoribashi Rōjūrō, Love Aikawa, and the others pulled out their Zanpakutō one after another.

Even Chief Kidō Tsukabishi Tomioka was no exception.

"Captain Aiyan."

"Excuse us."

...

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