The Crumbling of Reality Begins

An unexpected development.

Staring at the familiar yet somehow unfamiliar back before her, Rukia Kuchiki opened her mouth slightly.

But no words came out.

There was too much she wanted to say, like a mountain crashing down all at once.

—How did you even get in here?

—Did you run into Renji on the way?

—What's with all the wounds on your body?

Too many emotions, too many thoughts. All she could do was force it down, compress it—

Until it came out as a barely audible whisper:

"Idiot…"

"Yeah. We're all a bunch of idiots."

Idiots who chose to go against the majority just to help one person.

But—

"No one will ever regret it."

Half-turning, Ichigo Kurosaki's smile was radiant.

"Let's live together, Rukia."

Even if only for an instant, in that moment, the boy's smile was brighter and more dazzling than the sun.

"Insolent brat!"

The executioners nearby, responsible for maintaining order, rushed forward to pin Ichigo down.

But against Ichigo as he was now, men who rarely even fought their prisoners stood no chance.

A few swift punches and kicks sent them flying—effortless.

At the same time, the released form of the "King of Ruin"—its spear now unsealed—let out a majestic screech.

"Quite the noise…"

Turning his face slightly, Ichigo reached for Zangetsu on his back. The Reiryoku swirling around him shot skyward in a fierce storm.

"Let's see how strong you really are!"

A deep breath.

"Getsuga…"

Reiryoku spiraled around him.

"Tenshō!!!"

With a shout, a deep blue wave erupted—its fierce crescent arc slamming toward the King of Ruin.

The collision echoed with a sharp ringing, wind howling in every direction.

BOOM!!!

Those with weaker constitutions fell flat, utterly overwhelmed.

Among them, Ōmaeda Marechiyo.

"..."

Sui-Feng cast a disgusted glance his way, turned around, and didn't bother speaking.

—Whatever. I never expected anything from that guy anyway.

The important part was something else.

This guy who appeared out of nowhere… wasn't ordinary.

As she'd said before, the weight of one's soul reflects the density of their spiritual pressure.

And it could be felt now in every fiber of being.

Looking at that spiky-haired brat from afar, Sui-Feng's brow furrowed hard.

'What's going on…?'

Not a question—just muttering to herself.

Even from just his unleashed Reiryoku, she could feel it.

This guy… was terrifyingly strong.

A Ryoka nobody had ever heard of… yet possessing captain-level strength?

Incomprehensible.

The newer captains exchanged looks, clearly unable to grasp the situation.

Meanwhile, the old guard captains wore more subtle expressions.

Kyōraku Shunsui raised his eyebrows in surprise, muttering under his breath.

"This style… yelling out the move name like that, the look…"

Reminded him of a long-missing acquaintance.

"I thought the same."

Ukitake Jūshirō raised his right hand slightly to cover his face.

Unohana Retsu remained expressionless, and Yamamoto Genryūsai extended a hand, stopping Chōjirō from stepping forward.

"Hold."

The one who should have been most anxious… now the calmest of all.

Chōjirō found it odd.

But before he could speak, a cold voice rang out.

"Insolent brat. Do you know where you are?"

The one stepping forward was Byakuya Kuchiki.

Rukia, his adopted sister, was on the execution scaffold. The one who had just turned on him was his own lieutenant.

Byakuya's fury had long been simmering—and now it boiled over.

He had lost count of how many times—

"You've interfered with the workings of Soul Society, appeared before me time and time again."

"Does breaking the rules thrill you? Or do you simply crave this chaos?"

"No matter… it no longer matters."

Mercy had only invited deeper trespass.

From their first meeting in the living world, that yellow-haired boy had continued… again and again and again… to push his limits.

His patience was now gone.

Drawing his blade slowly, Byakuya raised it upright before him.

"This time, I won't hold back—"

Before he could finish.

Ichigo, from atop the execution scaffold, cut him off coldly.

"A Shikai? I've seen that more than once."

"Let me show you my resolve, Byakuya Kuchiki."

"This too… is the result of my training."

No more probing, no more pretense.

His presence alone made his intent clear.

To save Rukia at all costs—he would bet everything.

Ichigo's Reiryoku burst from his body, shaking the air visibly.

Even from afar, all could feel the shift.

Some lieutenants were baffled.

"What what what?!"

Ehhh????

Ōmaeda scrambled behind Sui-Feng, drawing only deeper scorn.

'Don't touch me.'

Her glare alone said it all. Sui-Feng… right now, you were so strong.

Meanwhile, captains began to show surprise.

This was…

"Ban. Kai!!!"

A boy from the living world—

Now unleashing the full might of a Shinigami.

BOOM!!!

Scattered Reiryoku condensed in an instant, then burst outward.

The wind was so violent everyone turned to shield themselves.

Sharp, imposing spiritual pressure.

With a screech of metal, smoke engulfed the field. When it cleared, the boy stood sideways, now wearing a brand-new Shihakushō.

In his hand—

A long, slender black blade.

Its deep color devoured sunlight, radiating a terrifying aura.

Rukia stared in stunned silence at his back. A boy who was once merely human… now stood before her.

Was this fate? Coincidence?

No—whatever it was, Rukia's throat tightened.

She wanted to tell him to run… but the words wouldn't come.

That seemingly impossible power… was now right in front of her. Salvation at arm's length.

Survival instinct took over—her lips parted ever so slightly—

"Save… me…"

Did he hear?

Of course he did.

But Ichigo didn't need words to answer.

He raised his left hand to shoulder height—

And gave a thumbs-up.

—Yeah. I've got this.

Everyone came here for that reason.

"Tensa Zangetsu."

Softly, Ichigo called the name and locked eyes with Byakuya below.

"This is my full strength."

The blade hummed, tilting downward.

Didn't you hear her call for help, Byakuya?

Answer her like a man.

"And you? What are you gonna do, Byakuya Kuchiki!!!"

A direct challenge.

But even without it, the 6th Division captain would fulfill his duty.

"Ridiculous."

Calm words, barely masking his fury.

"You call that a Bankai?"

Trampling tradition, breaking rules.

Now even daring to challenge a captain head-on?

How could something so light and unimposing be a real Bankai?

"Use your eyes. Witness real power."

"Ban. Kai."

"Senbonzakura Kageyoshi."

The clash escalated visibly.

Komamura Sajin was the first to move, sword in hand, preparing to step in.

Beside him, Tōsen Kaname turned his head.

"What are you doing?"

"Obviously, aiding Captain Kuchiki. To defeat the Ryoka."

With justice in his heart, Komamura knew duty came first.

But before he could act, a hand pressed down on his sword hand.

Kyōraku Shunsui.

The ever-lazy smile was gone.

"What are you doing, Captain Kyōraku?"

Before answering, Shunsui glanced around.

"Wait a bit… we'll have an answer soon enough."

"...???"

Even a dog couldn't understand this weird behavior!

Yet all other captains fell silent—an eerie consensus seemingly reached.

Far off, Ichigo and Byakuya clashed—

But nothing disturbed the stillness here.

That unnatural silence.

And then, the battle between two Bankai users erupted in full.

Tensa Zangetsu's speed gave Ichigo the edge early on. Caught off guard, Byakuya struggled—frustrated.

He switched to the next phase of Senbonzakura—

"Senkei: Senbonzakura Kageyoshi."

Abandoning defense for raw offense.

Thousands of blades aimed solely at one enemy.

A method designed to destroy the opponent with brutal efficiency.

The sudden increase in speed overwhelmed Ichigo, forcing him to retreat, bloodied and cut open.

Gritting his teeth, Ichigo knelt, panting and covered in blood.

"Damn it…"

He hadn't expected this.

"See the difference now?"

Byakuya, holding a forged blade of Senbonzakura, walked forward slowly.

The power balance had reversed.

"A Bankai is not something so flimsy… your sword can't protect anything."

"No—I will protect!"

Ichigo gasped and rose to his feet.

He had promised to put everything into this moment.

Even the part of himself he feared—he was ready to accept it.

He raised his left hand, covering his face.

His gaze sparked—

Dark arcs flickered in the air.

"I made a vow."

"I'm putting everything on the line—"

"And I will defeat you!!!"

Hollowfication.

Not passively. Willingly.

Dark lightning and a terrifying aura burst forth.

Not just Byakuya—

All captains nearby looked stunned.

Unmistakable.

This was Hollow power—just like the incident decades ago.

But before anyone could act—

A sharp flurry of movement. A figure in black appeared, kneeling before Sui-Feng.

Covert Ops.

Their sudden appearance surprised no one.

Even Sui-Feng remained calm.

"Speak."

"Confirmed! All members of Central 46 have been killed! Judging from the remains… they've been dead for over half a month!"

A crisis beyond imagination.

And the moment those words left his mouth—

A cold, mocking voice slid past everyone's ears.

"Kill him. Shinso."

Whoosh!!!

The air split.

A released Zanpakutō, like a venomous serpent, bared its fangs.

And the scales of justice—

Finally shattered.

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Powerstones?

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