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"Captain Shiraha, the password talisman has been delivered. I'll take my leave."
The OnmitsukidĹŤ operative bowed low.
Shiraha gave a slight nod. With a whisper of air the Shinigami vanished in a flash of Shunpo.
Kyoraku Shunsui, reclining casually until a moment ago, rose from his futon and wandered over, straw hat tilting lazily on his head. His eyes, however, held a keen suspicion.
"Eh? Shiraha. What's this about? Don't tell me you've gone and done something again."
The code talisman was no trivial matter. Issued under the seal of Central 46, it was invoked only when a crime of the highest order demanded immediate armed response, and it named the captains responsible for carrying out justice.
"Captain of the Eighth, you misunderstand me. I've done nothing these past days," Shiraha answered smoothly, smiling. "We'll see soon enough what this is. Forgive me, Vice Captain Ise, but would you?"
He tore open the seal and handed the document to Ise Nanao. Shunsui stepped closer, curiosity overtaking his feigned nonchalance.
Nanao's eyes flicked across the paper before she read aloud, her voice steady:
"Secret Order. Kuchiki Rukia, former member of the Thirteenth Division, previously presumed dead, has been located by the Technology Development Bureau. Evidence confirms she unlawfully transferred her Shinigami powers to a human. This crime is of the gravest magnitude. By decree, Kuchiki Shiraha, Captain of the Seventh Division, Kuchiki Byakuya, Captain of the Sixth Division, and Abarai Renji, Vice Captain of the Sixth Division, are ordered to depart immediately for the Human World. Before tomorrow, the accused Rukia Kuchiki must be returned to Seireitei to await judgment by Central 46. End of order."
Nanao's expression wavered for the first time.
"Brother... and Renji?" Shiraha murmured, eyes narrowing.
Central 46's judges lay long dead at Aizen's hand. The one who now dictated their orders was obvious. In the original flow of events, Aizen had chosen Byakuya and Renji to retrieve Rukia. Now, Shiraha's name had been added.
Byakuya, Rukia's adoptive brother. Renji, her childhood friend. And Shiraha, bound by blood as a Kuchiki. Every capture party member carried a personal tie to her. The manipulation was deliberate.
"Shiraha," Shunsui said, his voice unusually grave, "this isn't going to be easy. Rukia giving away her powers... you know how serious this is."
Shiraha inclined his head with a faint smile. "I understand. Captain of the Eighth, I'll head to the First Division and report to Commander Yamamoto. Seems I'll be missing our appointment again today."
By law, once a talisman was delivered, the appointed executors had to report directly to the Captain-Commander before departure.
Shunsui waved a hand. "Go on. We'll share that sake another time." His tone was light, but his gaze was sober. He knew the weight of what lay ahead.
Shiraha departed swiftly.
"Come, Nanao," Shunsui murmured once the door closed. "Let's visit JĹ«shirĹŤ. News like this... I want to see how he'll take it."
At that very moment the news rippled through all of Seireitei.
Kuchiki Rukia—long thought lost—was alive. Worse, she had distributed her own Shinigami power to a human, then concealed herself so well that even the Bureau had declared her dead. Now her return carried the mark of felony.
The Gotei 13 stirred with disbelief. In the barracks of the Thirteenth Division, joy at Rukia's survival clashed with the crushing weight of her crime. Whispers of relief gave way to silence as the reality of Central 46's judgment settled in.
Granting Shinigami power to a human was an unforgivable breach, a transgression that undermined the very order of Soul Society. If Central 46 had already issued the talisman, there would be no leniency. Rukia would be hunted, captured, and judged.
On his way to the First Division, Shiraha crossed paths with Byakuya and Abarai Renji emerging from the Sixth Division barracks. Byakuya's expression was unreadable stone, Renji's was taut with anger and fear.
"Captain Shiraha!" Renji rushed forward. "Are we really... are we really going to capture Rukia?" His voice cracked.
They had grown up together in the Rukongai slums, joined the Academy side by side. Even after she became a Kuchiki and their paths diverged, Renji still called her friend.
"Yes," Shiraha said calmly. "Rukia has committed a grave crime. She must face judgment."
Renji's fists clenched. "But—she's a Kuchiki now! There has to be another way."
Shiraha, noble of the Kuchiki house, captain of the Gotei 13. Byakuya, her adoptive brother, head of the clan. Surely between them they could shield her from this fate.
"Renji." Byakuya's cold voice cut through the air. His eyes did not waver as they locked onto his subordinate. "Because Rukia bears the Kuchiki name, she must be held to a higher standard. Shiraha is correct. She violated the rules. She will be punished."
Long ago Byakuya had sworn before his parents' graves that adopting Rukia would be the last time he ever broke the laws of Soul Society. He could not, and would not, betray that vow again.
"Captain Shiraha..." Renji's voice trembled with defiance and pleading.
But Shiraha raised a hand, halting his words. His expression softened into a faint smile. "Do not worry, Renji. As long as I am here, Rukia will not suffer more than she must."
In truth, Shiraha already foresaw what lay ahead. Once Aizen revealed his treachery, the trial against Rukia would crumble to dust.
"Shiraha." Byakuya's gaze shifted, stern and unyielding. "Do you realize what you're saying?"
"Brother," Shiraha answered evenly, "you cannot break your vow. But I can. For now, the only thing that matters is bringing Rukia back to the Soul Society."
Renji's breath caught. He saw in Shiraha's words a shield, a promise that Rukia would not be abandoned to the wolves. Relief flickered across his face.
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