"The prisoner was robbed. It's nothing. Just chase after them, kill the two Lieutenants, and then find someone to replace them."

"It doesn't matter if Gotei captains break the law knowingly. As the Commander, I can personally handle it."

"But the one who has truly disappointed me— Is you."

Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni looked at Kyoraku Shunsui and Jūshirō Ukitake who were blocking his path. His expression was calm, but a genuine anger brewed beneath it.

"I had already anticipated everything that happened today."

"I had even considered the possibility that Aizen might go astray."

"After all, he is too young. Too righteous. Faced with the choice between world justice and personal justice, he was bound to lose control and take the wrong path."

"But I never expected—"

"The ones who truly troubled me would bring me joy in the end…"

"While those in whom I placed the greatest trust…"

"Would become my greatest disappointment."

His voice wasn't loud.

His tone wasn't stern.

But within it was a burning, tangible fury that spread through the Sōkyoku Hill execution grounds—igniting the air with seething heat.

"Pursuing one's own sense of justice—that was something you taught us, Old Man Yama."

Kyoraku Shunsui's heart sank, but he still stood firm.

Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni had his form of justice.

And so did he.

If it had been the Urahara family lined up next to the gallows—he wouldn't have lifted a finger.

After all, what Urahara Kisuke and Hibiki had done truly crossed the line into unforgivable.

But only Hikifune Kirio and Shutara Senjumaru—

Even if it was a decree from Central 46— They should not have been sentenced to death.

"Teacher Genryūsai..."

"What is justice?"

Jūshirō Ukitake's voice trembled slightly.

He truly didn't understand anymore.

"Still don't understand?"

"No matter."

"This matter is already decided. Whatever you say now is meaningless."

"Aren't you determined to stand against the judgment of Soul Society?"

"Then draw your Zanpakutō."

"This is no longer something that can be resolved with words or fists."

Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni opened his mouth, as if wanting to say more.

But seeing the unshakable conviction in the eyes of the two before him, he realized there was no use in continuing.

Just like a thousand years ago, when someone dared speak of justice before Ryūjin Jakka—he'd cut them down without hesitation.

There's no reason to continue speaking.

Seeing that his students had already made up their minds, he stopped trying to persuade them.

What remained now—was only the chance to give them one final look.

"I'm sorry, Old Man Yama."

Kyoraku Shunsui looked into Yamamoto's eyes.

And from the eye contact alone, he understood what Yamamoto was thinking.

This was the kind of resolve that would drive a teacher to cut down his own disciples—crying as he did it—all to preserve the law of Soul Society.

"Take Captain Kirio and Lieutenant Senjumaru out of Seireitei immediately!"

Seeing that Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni was truly serious, Jūshirō Ukitake sighed deeply in his heart, then turned toward Muguruma Kensei and the others and barked a command.

At the same time, he drew his Zanpakutō.

"Reduce all creation to ash— Ryūjin Jakka."

With captains and Lieutenants rebelling one after another, and even his beloved disciples choosing to oppose the justice of the world—

Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni was finally, thoroughly enraged.

As his blade was drawn, monstrous flames exploded in every direction.

The heavens turned white.

And in an instant—the entire execution ground became an inferno.

"Damn it!"

Looking around in all directions—

The ground was surrounded by massive walls of flame, rolling and crackling.

Muguruma Kensei, Love Aikawa, and the others had drastic changes in their expressions.

Even Sarugaki Hiyori and Kuna Mashiro, who had already rushed out of the execution grounds, were caught within the flames.

One could imagine—

Just how vast the attack range of Ryūjin Jakka was.

"All waves became my shield; all Thunder became my blade— Sōgyo no Kotowari!"

At the crucial moment—

Jūshirō Ukitake released his Zanpakutō.

Using Shunpo, he landed in front of the towering wall of flame.

He stabbed one of the twin blades into the blaze and began absorbing the flames.

Though he couldn't absorb them all—

It was enough to open a passage.

Enough for Ōtoribashi Rōjūrō, Sarugaki Hiyori, and the others to escape.

"Insolent!"

Seeing this, Yamamoto Genryūsai's eyes grew colder.

The flames along his blade flared even hotter.

"The Flowery Winds Become Disturbed, The God Of Flowers Sings, The Heavenly Winds Become Disturbed, The Devil Of Heaven Sneers— Katen Kyōkotsu!"

Two Zanpakutō flew in from the sky.

They blocked the flames spewing from Ryūjin Jakka.

The wielder was none other than—

Kyoraku Shunsui, releasing Shikai.

"Captain Ukitake."

"Captain Kyoraku."

"Much appreciated."

Seeing this, Muguruma Kensei couldn't help but exhale in relief.

"Move!"

"Old Man Genryūsai is really angry now."

"Kyoraku alone can't stop him."

Jūshirō Ukitake felt a sudden surge of pain in his chest.

His heart sank.

He gritted his teeth and forced himself to endure the fatigue.

He continued widening the flame passage, spreading his Reiatsu awareness at the same time—constantly keeping track of Kyoraku Shunsui's situation.

As expected—

Even without turning around, he already sensed it.

Kyoraku Shunsui had taken a blow from Yamamoto Genryūsai, and had dropped to one knee.

Ōtoribashi Rōjūrō, Yadōmaru Lisa, Tsukabishi Tomioka, and the others dared not delay.

They didn't dare stop for even a moment.

They activated Shunpo, caught up with Sarugaki Hiyori and Kuna Mashiro who had gone ahead, and passed through the blazing corridor together.

"Hahh..."

Jūshirō Ukitake finally exhaled in relief upon seeing them all escape safely.

Even if it was just a casual strike from Yamamoto Genryūsai—

For his body, already frail—

It was still too much.

…

Tch.

Suddenly—

A figure crashed down beside him, gouging a trench through the ground.

It tumbled, rolled, and finally stopped.

It was none other than—

Kyoraku Shunsui.

Clearly—

Even holding back, facing Yamamoto Genryūsai head-on—

He had still been blown away.

"Oi, Jushiro... can you move a little faster?"

"Old Man Yama is furious."

"I really can't handle this alone..."

Kyoraku Shunsui's body was scorched black, his breath ragged.

"Sorry..."

"My body's been holding me back a bit lately."

Jūshirō Ukitake's tone was bitter.

Of course he knew how terrifying Yamamoto Genryūsai was when enraged.

But he had no choice.

His body was unreliable.

Opening that flame tunnel had taken too long.

"Alright, you two."

"Well done."

"At this point, calling you disobedient kids isn't enough."

"Since Zanpakutō have already been drawn—"

"It's time to wake up."

"You'd better tighten your nerves—don't relax for even a second."

Yamamato Genryūsai Shigekuni watched as Muguruma Kensei and the others made a clean escape.

For once, his expression changed.

He grinned.

But it was a grin full of menace.

"Because right now—"

"My temper... is really bad."

Holding Ryūjin Jakka in one hand, dragging with it flames that scorched the heavens and distorted the atmosphere—

He walked forward, step by step, toward Kyoraku Shunsui and Jūshirō Ukitake.

Alongside the rising heat—

Came a freezing killing intent, raging across the execution grounds.

A heat that could incinerate the world.

And a chill that could pierce the soul.

"It seems..."

"We've really pissed off Old Man Genryūsai this time."

Jūshirō Ukitake looked as if facing a mountain.

"To be honest—"

"This is the first time I've seen him like this."

Kyoraku Shunsui's expression darkened.

His grip on the Zanpakutō tightened.

Neither man showed even a hint of regret.

…

Tch—

Suddenly—

The sea of fire that had surrounded the entire execution ground—

Began to dissipate.

Kyoraku Shunsui and Jūshirō Ukitake, who were bracing themselves for the wrath of Yamamoto Genryūsai— were stunned.

But only for a moment.

Immediately—

They turned their heads at the same time.

Their eyes grew sharp.

Their faces turned pale.

And they murmured—

"Aiyan... has returned."

...

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