Sadly, despite his joy at seeing Ganju, Kaien Shiba ultimately refused to return home. Evidently, Miyako Shiba's death had dealt a heavy blow to Kaien. He and Miyako had been in love for over twenty years. Their bond was undeniable.
However, as deep as his love was, so was his hatred.
His love was for Miyako.
His hatred was for the nobles.
Over the years, Kaien had trained diligently and finally mastered Bankai. Of course, he knew that with his strength alone, it was impossible to kill all the nobles involved in the attack on the Shiba Clan that night.
The nobles, to maintain their rule, and Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto, to preserve the Seireitei's stability, wouldn't allow him to target them.
However, there was one individual who transcended the restrictions imposed by the nobles and the Gotei 13.
Ailin Kenpachi, the captain of the Eleventh Division!
As far as Kaien knew, after his disciple, Rukia Kuchiki, had been attacked, Ailin had wanted to purge the Seireitei's nobles.
However, Rukia had ultimately persuaded him to let her handle the matter personally.
Kaien knew that if he wanted revenge, he had to follow Rukia's lead. Only with Captain Ailin's support could she withstand the retaliation from the nobles and Head-Captain Yamamoto.
…
Within the Thirteenth Division barracks, a flash of white caught Kaien's eye. He saw a glimpse of a haori and a flicker of doubt crossed his mind.
Hadn't Captain Ukitake been in his office just moments ago? Why was he here now?
And wasn't that the direction of Rukia's usual training grounds?
After a moment of hesitation, Kaien decided to follow.
"Teacher."
However, before he could reach the small courtyard where Rukia trained, he heard Rukia's voice.
"Teacher? Rukia's teacher?"
"That's Captain Ailin!"
Rukia's words made Kaien stop in his tracks. He had assumed it was Captain Ukitake who was looking for Rukia, so he had come to see what was happening. But now, he knew it was Captain Ailin. This made his current position awkward.
With the two of them talking, wasn't he eavesdropping?
The problem was, if he hadn't stopped, there wouldn't have been an issue.
But now, with them already talking, whether he continued forward or turned back, his footsteps would alert them.
How could he explain that this was a misunderstanding?
If he told them, would they believe him?
Ailin and Rukia, unaware of Kaien's presence, continued their conversation. Powerful Shinigami could use "Reikaku" to sense spiritual pressure. However, they rarely did so actively.
After all, no one enjoyed having countless spiritual pressures swirling in their minds.
They only used Reikaku during battles or when searching for someone with a specific spiritual pressure.
The only one who could constantly monitor the entire Soul Society's spiritual pressures was perhaps Sōya Azashiro, the Eighth Kenpachi, who had fused his Zanpakutō with the Soul Society.
However, Ailin wasn't concerned about Azashiro overhearing their conversation. The Azashiro Clan was merely a low-ranking noble family. After Azashiro surrendered, the clan had declined.
Furthermore, the Azashiro Clan hadn't participated in the attack on the Shiba Clan that night.
They weren't on Ailin's purge list.
Of course, even if Ailin wanted to eliminate the Azashiro Clan, even if Azashiro escaped from Muken, it wouldn't change anything.
"Rukia, it's been twenty-six years since that incident, hasn't it?"
"Huh?"
Hearing Ailin's words, Rukia looked up at him, then lowered her head.
Twenty-six years…
Mentioning that specific time made Rukia realize what Ailin wanted to talk about.
"I'm sorry, Teacher. I've disappointed you."
Over twenty years ago, because she had also been attacked, Ailin had wanted to purge the nobles who were involved.
That night, a black cat named "Yoruichi" had approached her, explaining the dire consequences of eliminating the nobles.
The words that had ultimately swayed Rukia were: "The Kuchiki Clan is also on the purge list."
The so-called "purge list" was compiled by Ailin. It contained the names of nobles who were abusing their power. Besides those who had participated in the attack on Rukia, there were many others.
As far as Rukia knew, if Ailin carried out his plan, the Seireitei would undergo a massive upheaval.
Rukia, having been raised by the Kuchiki Clan, considered it her second home. Especially Byakuya Kuchiki, who had been like an elder brother, guiding her every day. Rukia didn't know what would happen to him if the Kuchiki Clan was purged.
"No, Rukia. You haven't disappointed me. In fact, I'm glad you have your own thoughts and act according to them."
With his hands behind his back, Ailin walked slowly through the courtyard with Rukia. He wasn't just trying to comfort her. He genuinely meant it.
In Ailin's view, everyone had their own personality, preferences, and freedom. Gin Ichimaru, Byakuya Kuchiki, Rukia Kuchiki, and Toshiro Hitsugaya were all his disciples, having received his guidance.
However, he had never wanted to control them or change them using his position as their "teacher."
He had only informed them of the potential crises they might face, and that strength was their greatest asset in protecting themselves and those they cared about.
Gin didn't need much guidance. He had someone he wanted to kill, something he wanted to reclaim. Even without Ailin's training, he would have reached that person's side and, at the opportune moment, delivered the final blow.
Compared to Gin, Byakuya, Rukia, and Toshiro's training goals were less clear.
Of course, this was their choice.
Ailin had already told them the consequences of being weak.
When the day came, whether they were grateful for their hard work or regretful for their lack of effort, it was their own responsibility.
"However, I hope you'll learn more about the situation before making your decision. Don't let someone else's words blind you to what's truly important. Pay attention to the Central 46's actions. After this incident is resolved, tell me your choice."
With those words, Ailin patted Rukia's head and left the Thirteenth Division.
This was Rukia's last chance.
If Sōsuke Aizen acted and Rukia remained silent, Ailin would personally purge the Seireitei.
"Choice?"
Rukia looked at her teacher's receding back, lowered her head, and placed her hand on her Zanpakutō.
"Who's there?"
As she contemplated her options, she suddenly heard footsteps. She quickly turned around.
"It's me, Rukia."
"Lieutenant Shiba? When did you get here?"
Seeing Kaien Shiba emerge from the corner, Rukia asked in surprise.
"I've been here from the start. But after hearing Captain Ailin and your conversation, I didn't want to interrupt."
Kaien looked in the direction Ailin had departed and sighed.
"Captain Ailin… He's truly a kind man."
"What?"
Rukia was stunned by Kaien's assessment. Kind?
As far as she knew, Captain Ailin was considered a powerful and domineering leader by most Shinigami in the Gotei 13.
How could Lieutenant Shiba possibly see him as kind?
Of course, she didn't think Kaien was wrong. To those close to him, Ailin was indeed kind. He had his own way of treating those he cared about.
"Rukia, do you know why Captain Ailin wants to purge the Seireitei's nobles? Let me tell you a story…"
…
"Seppa!"
Ganju Shiba's hand glowed with a white light. When he pressed his hand against a wall, it would instantly transform into yellow sand, creating a hole large enough for him and Orihime to pass through.
With the help of Ganju's ability, Orihime and Ganju evaded many Shinigami, heading straight for the Palace of Penitence.
"We made it!"
Seeing the two tallest structures before them, Orihime and Ganju felt a sense of accomplishment.
Shino Madarame was imprisoned here.
"Ganju, let's go!"
"Okay!"
"Koten Zanshun, I Reject!"
"Blood-Soaked Orb!"
The guards stationed at the Palace of Penitence were far weaker than the Gotei 13's Shinigami. After all, the Palace of Penitence was primarily used to imprison individuals connected to the nobles. Its name, "Palace of Penitence," was merely a facade.
For true nobles, imprisonment in the Palace of Penitence was more like house arrest. Aside from restrictions on their freedom, it was no different from living in their own homes.
These guards were nothing more than servants.
The true prisons in the Seireitei were the Ninth Division's detention center and the underground prison.
The guards were no match for Ganju and Orihime.
"This way! I sense Shino's spiritual pressure!"
However, just as they reached the top floor and were about to cross the suspension bridge to Shino's room, a figure appeared in the middle of the bridge.
"This… This is…"
A gentle breeze rustled the figure's white haori. The large "Six" on its back revealed his identity.
Byakuya Kuchiki, the captain of the Sixth Division!
While he simply stood there, his overwhelming spiritual pressure threatened to consume Ganju and Orihime.
Their faces paled, and their legs trembled.
The more they understood the Gotei 13, the more they realized the power held by the thirteen captains.
These were the thirteen super-strong individuals who stood at the apex of the Seireitei's military might!
How many captains had they encountered?
When they first arrived, they had met Gin Ichimaru, the captain of the Third Division. Ichigo had been instantly defeated and flung back to the World of the Living, forcing them to find another way to enter the Seireitei.
They had encountered Shunsui Kyōraku, the captain of the Eighth Division. Chad had been seriously injured.
They had encountered Mayuri Kurotsuchi, the captain of the Twelfth Division. Uryu had been seriously injured.
Now, just a step away from rescuing Shino Madarame, they faced Byakuya Kuchiki, the captain of the Sixth Division.
They were no longer concerned about saving Shino. They were now worried about escaping.
Byakuya raised his left hand and pointed his index finger at them.
A wave of fear washed over Orihime. Instinctively, she called upon her hairpin.
"Tsubaki!"
"Ayame!"
"Lily!"
"Santen Kesshun, I Reject!"
"Understood!"
Three small figures shot from her blue hairpin, forming a triangular, pale yellow barrier before Orihime and Ganju.
"Hadō #4: Byakurai!"
Only after Orihime had set up her defense did Byakuya's voice reach their ears.
Boom!
A blue bolt of lightning shot from Byakuya's finger. Its blinding light occcupied their vision.
Hadō #4 was a low-level Kidō. In the hands of ordinary Shinigami, it was only effective against ordinary humans, unable to even injure a small Hollow.
However, Byakuya's Byakurai possessed power comparable to a mid-level Kidō.
The violent spiritual pressure slammed into Orihime's Santen Kesshun, erupting in a thunderous roar and creating powerful gusts of wind.
Thankfully, Orihime's Santen Kesshun had considerable defensive capabilities. Byakuya's Byakurai didn't achieve the desired effect.
"Hmm?"
Byakuya let out a soft grunt.