Suspicion  

While Kokujō Tengen Myō'ō's massive form dwarfed Zaraki's, the outcome of their battle was unexpected. Sajin Komamura, the captain of the Seventh Division, was being suppressed by Zaraki.

Every clash of their blades sent tremors through Komamura's arms. The force of the impact forced him to retreat step by step.

Komamura's retreat didn't affect the surroundings much. But Kokujō Tengen Myō'ō's massive feet created craters with each step.

On the sidelines, Kaname Tōsen played a supporting role, harassing Zaraki. Every time Zaraki pushed Komamura back, Tōsen would attack, preventing Zaraki from pursuing Komamura.

Based on Komamura's performance, his attack power wasn't weak among the captains. However, Kokujō Tengen Myō'ō's speed was simply too slow compared to Zaraki.

If it weren't for Tōsen's interference, Zaraki could have easily bypassed Kokujō Tengen Myō'ō and defeated Komamura within a few breaths.

But even with Tōsen's distractions, Zaraki didn't attempt to bypass Kokujō Tengen Myō'ō. However, each clash of their blades inflicted damage on Komamura.

Blood dripped from Komamura's hands, staining the ground crimson.

"As expected of someone who could challenge Captain Ailin… I've used all my strength, but I can't even force him to release his Zanpakutō…"

Komamura gritted his teeth beneath his massive helmet. While the difference in their strength was vast, as someone who had been discovered and trained by Captain-Commander Yamamoto, it was his duty to help Yamamoto protect the Seireitei.

Therefore, even though he knew he wasn't Zaraki's match, even though fighting two against one was beneath his dignity, he hadn't hesitated to attack.

Sadly…

Bang!

The force of the impact sent his Zanpakutō flying from his grasp.

"Damn it!"

Even without his Zanpakutō, Komamura clenched his fists and threw a punch downwards.

Bang!

Shhh!

A gash, spurting blood, appeared on his chest. The massive Kokujō Tengen Myō'ō instantly vanished.

Sensing Komamura's spiritual pressure drastically weaken, Tōsen sighed. He knew that Komamura wouldn't be of much use against Zaraki.

Komamura had simply been a tool to buy time.

Sadly, he was too weak. He hadn't even lasted until Captain Aizen found that thing.

However…

Tōsen wasn't particularly concerned. While Zaraki's strength was undeniable, his ability perfectly countered Zaraki's!

Besides Captain Aizen, perhaps only Captain-Commander Yamamoto could defeat him within his Bankai's domain.

"Tch, bug. That guy's gone. What kind of fun can you possibly offer me?"

Zaraki rested his bloodied Zanpakutō on his shoulder and looked at Tōsen.

"Hmph."

Being called a "bug" by Zaraki displeased Tōsen. He didn't attack. Instead, he held his Zanpakutō before his chest, channeling his spiritual pressure into the hilt.

The iron rings on Suzumushi's hilt detached and transformed into five massive rings that floated before Tōsen.

He swung his Zanpakutō, and the rings flew outward, surrounding him and Zaraki.

"Bankai - Enma Kōrogi!"

As Tōsen shouted, black light erupted from the five rings, spreading outwards and forming a massive elliptical barrier that encased both him and Zaraki.

…

"It's so chaotic…"

Within the Thirteenth Division barracks, Rukia Kuchiki sensed the spiritual pressure surging throughout the Seireitei and murmured.

She didn't know what role her teacher, Ailin, was playing in this Seireitei rebellion.

But she knew that if she didn't act, the nobles would face Ailin's wrath. If she took action, some of the nobles might survive. But if Ailin intervened, perhaps there wouldn't be any "nobles" left in the Seireitei.

"Captain Kuchiki…"

Rukia looked up and sensed Byakuya Kuchiki's spiritual pressure clashing with Ikkaku Madarame's at the bottom of the Palace of Penitence. With Captain Kuchiki's strength, defeating Ikkaku shouldn't be difficult.

Was Captain Kuchiki waiting for her to make a decision?

"Sigh…"

Rukia sighed, placing her hand on her Zanpakutō. With a cold expression, she walked towards the Central 46 chambers.

…

Atop Sōkyoku Hill, Ailin smiled. While it was fleeting, Soi Fon, standing beside him, noticed.

"Captain Ailin, on a day like this, when a Shinigami is about to be executed, how can you possibly smile?"

"Oh? Why can't I smile?" Ailin looked at Soi Fon.

"Just wait, Soi Fon. I believe not only will I be smiling, but you will too. Perhaps you'll even smile brighter than me."

"Absurd!" Soi Fon couldn't help but retort. "Do you think I'm someone who would be happy about a Shinigami's execution?"

"Calm down, Soi Fon. While today is Shino Madarame's execution day, whether it will actually happen is still uncertain. You'd better prepare yourself. Perhaps someone will be testing your progress over the past century."

"Huh?"

Sensing something in Ailin's tone, Soi Fon's eyes narrowed. She knew Ailin wouldn't speak carelessly.

He had said these words to her. Did it mean that this place would become a battlefield?

"Oh my, oh my…"

Besides Soi Fon, Captain-Commander Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto and Shunsui Kyoraku were also present.

Naturally, they heard Ailin's words.

Yamamoto's haori fluttered in the wind, but his expression remained unchanged.

To Yamamoto, regardless of what schemes or plots might emerge, he would simply eliminate anyone who dared to challenge his authority.

As for Shunsui Kyoraku, he wondered if he had gotten involved in something he shouldn't have.

But…

The prisoner had already been rescued. Could the execution even proceed?

…

Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!

Rukia Kuchiki walked through a dark, underground passage, observing her surroundings.

"Such a dark place… No wonder it breeds so much darkness…"

The path she had taken filled her with disgust towards the Central 46 nobles.

Her teacher, Ailin, had once told her that if even they themselves felt like they couldn't face the light, then their actions wouldn't be righteous.

What good could come from those who dwelled in darkness?

Only those who stood in the sun, under the scrutiny of all, respected by all, were qualified to lead the Seireitei.

Like her brother, Byakuya!

Rukia's grip on her Zanpakutō tightened.

"Huh?"

She suddenly smelled blood.

Quickening her pace, Rukia saw countless bodies littering the passage, the blood staining the dark, damp stone a gruesome crimson.

She paled.

Had her teacher, impatient with her inaction, taken matters into his own hands?

She spread her Reikaku. To her surprise, she couldn't sense any spiritual pressure within the underground passage.

Considering the bodies, a thought crossed her mind.

Perhaps the Central 46 nobles had already been killed!

Whoosh!

Rukia's figure blurred, transforming into a streak of white as she sped through the passage and entered a spacious chamber.

This was where the Central 46 nobles discussed matters and passed judgment on the Shinigami of the Gotei 13.

However, as she had expected, the nobles and their guards were all dead!

Moreover, judging by the blood's coagulation, they had been dead for at least a week.

But if Rukia remembered correctly, the Central 46 had altered Shino Madarame's sentence several times in the past few days.

Did that mean they had already been dead back then? Was someone using their name to issue those verdicts?

Who could it be?

"Could it be… Teacher Ailin?"

This thought flashed through Rukia's mind.

In her view, perhaps only Ailin could do such a thing.

"Oh my, oh my… I wonder who decided to visit. It's just you, little junior sister."

Just as Rukia was lost in thought, a figure emerged from the passage opposite her. His white hair and fox-like smile made Rukia instantly recognize him.

"Captain Ichimaru of the Third Division!"

Gin Ichimaru's appearance here, and his calling her "little junior sister," only deepened Rukia's suspicions.

It was hard not to think of Ailin.

"Rukia Kuchiki, Third Seat of the Thirteenth Division, greets Captain Ichimaru."

After formally greeting Gin, Rukia asked, "Captain Ichimaru, may I ask when you arrived here? Did you kill these nobles?"

"Oh my, oh my, Rukia. While this is our first meeting, isn't it a bit inappropriate to blame me for their deaths?"

"My apologies, Captain Ichimaru. But I only saw you here. It's hard to convince me that you're not involved."

Clap, clap, clap, clap…

Gin clapped his hands.

"A logical deduction. But Rukia… Who told you I'm the only one here?"

"Huh?"

Rukia's pupils constricted. Her expression changed.

"Dance—Sode no Shirayuki!"

Without hesitation, she drew her Zanpakutō and released its Shikai.

Boom!

Icy blue spiritual pressure erupted from her, transforming her Zanpakutō into a pure white blade with a long white ribbon trailing from its hilt.

Shhh!

Blood splattered, instantly freezing into red ice crystals that clattered to the ground.

"Gin, you talk too much."

"Oh my, oh my. I simply have faith in Captain Aizen. I believe that even if others knew, it wouldn't affect the outcome of the battle."

A figure walked past Rukia, their Zanpakutō's tip dripping with frozen blood.

"Captain… Captain Aizen?"

Rukia pressed her hand against her chest, using Sode no Shirayuki's power to freeze her wound. She couldn't believe it. Two captains were hiding within the Central 46 chambers.

And one of them was Sōsuke Aizen, the captain of the Fifth Division, who had been killed a few days ago!

If it weren't for Gin's warning, alerting her to the danger, allowing her to release her Zanpakutō, her injury wouldn't be just a shallow cut.

"Captain Aizen, I thought you were dead. How are you here? Why did you attack me?"

"Rukia, isn't it obvious?"

Gin leaned against the wall, his arms crossed, his eyes narrowed to slits.

"If Captain Aizen is here, then the one killed outside was naturally someone else.

As for why he attacked you…

Well, you arrived at the wrong time and witnessed Captain Aizen's 'crime.'"

Rukia looked up sharply at the two captains.

Had she been wrong?

The Central 46 nobles weren't killed by Ailin, but by Captain Aizen?

Shame filled her heart, overwhelming the pain from her wound.

She had actually suspected her teacher?