Chapter 42: Chapter 42: An Approaching Storm
Chapter 42: An Approaching Storm
Nine hundred years ago, Yhwach, the King of the Quincies, led his army in an invasion of the Soul Society, very nearly breaching the Soul King Palace itself.
It was during that critical juncture that Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto established the original Gotei 13. Through bloody, desperate battles, they managed to annihilate the invading enemy forces entirely.
Today, nine hundred years later, of those thirteen illustrious founding Captains, only Shigekuni Yamamoto remained. The rest had all been buried beneath the dust of history.
Even the name "Yachiru Unohana" had gradually faded into obscurity.
Furofushi Saito. The founding Captain of the 6th Division; a dual grandmaster of Zanjutsu and Shunpo; the wielder of the "Multi-Stage Release" type Zanpakuto, Kurafukuro; the violent, twin-tailed terror who dared to engage in close-quarters brawls with Vasto Lordes...
In the current Soul Society, stories of her past could only be found within the Great Spirit Book Gallery.
Yet today, from the mouth of a Ryoka branded a "Villain," Yato had heard this very name.
More importantly, judging from their brief exchange of blows just now, the man opposite him was incredibly formidable. Yato knew with absolute certainty that he could not win in a fight against him.
"So your purpose in coming to the Soul Society is to find Captain Saito?"
The boy suppressed the discomfort of his depleted Spiritual Power, trying his best to soften his tone.
"I truly don’t know if there can only ever be one Multi-Stage Zanpakuto per era... But could you perhaps tell me your relationship with Captain Saito?"
Hanzo Mochizuki remained silent for a moment, seemingly lost in distant memories.
"Nine hundred years ago, Captain Saito served as the founding Captain of the 6th Division. I was her 3rd Seat."
"So you are a senior from the 6th Division," Yato said, carefully choosing his words.
"Could there be some misunderstanding regarding your designation as Ryoka? The current Gotei 13 is largely unfamiliar with the founding Captains and Seated Officers. Perhaps you could try speaking with Captain-Commander Yamamoto..."
"Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto?" Hanzo Mochizuki let out a grim chuckle.
"Kid, do you know who is responsible for leaving me looking like this?"
He pointed to the grotesque scar on his face. As he laughed and spoke, the ugly mark deformed and twisted with his facial movements.
"Koko Gonryo Rikyu... Hmph. Chojiro Sasakibe might only have mediocre skills, but his Bankai certainly packs a punch."
Yato Uchiha’s brow twitched violently; he somewhat regretted his earlier words.
He truly hadn’t expected that this group of Ryoka could be tied to an event of such magnitude, an event that even involved Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto!
Thinking about it now, the 1st Division branding them "Villains" seemed to subtly imply something far deeper.
Yato’s thoughts raced. He pooled his Spiritual Pressure into his toes and his eyes, contemplating whether he should take a gamble, use Genjutsu for a dirty trick, and seize the opportunity to escape.
However, what he didn’t know was that Hanzo Mochizuki’s attention was no longer on him.
"Several powerful Spiritual Pressures are rushing this way. Must be Tenteikura... Oh? And there’s an old acquaintance."
The Ryoka leader shook his head. He picked up his unconscious young subordinate, briefly checked his condition, and his expression softened slightly.
"Injured, but not crippled. Kid named Uchiha, you didn’t resort to bullying the weak. Very well, I shall spare your life as well."
Before his voice even faded, he vanished without a trace.
Such blazing speed in Shunpo... Yato had only ever seen it from Yoruichi Shihoin.
The boy let out a long sigh, his muscles finally relaxing.
This Ryoka leader was truly terrifying. His seniority ran deep, and his capabilities were far too formidable. He wasn’t someone Yato could handle at his current level.
He just didn’t know what Hanzo Mochizuki’s true purpose for invading the Soul Society was.
Was there a personal vendetta between him and Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto’s 1st Division, or was it something else...?
Just as Yato’s thoughts were running wild, a massive Spiritual Pressure landed nearby.
"Captain?" The boy was stunned. The new arrival had purple hair and an exquisite figure—it was none other than Kirio Hikifune!
At this moment, Kirio Hikifune’s face no longer bore its usual radiant smile. Instead, she looked stormy, her lips pressed tightly together.
"Where is Hanzo Mochizuki?"
"I apologize, Captain. His Shunpo was too fast..."
"There’s no need to blame yourself, little Yato." The purple-haired beauty sighed softly.
"Big Sis Furofushi Saito was a dual grandmaster of Zanjutsu and Shunpo. During that era, I was utterly obsessed with Kendo. Conversely, Hanzo received her guidance in Shunpo."
Seeing Yato’s bewildered expression, Kirio Hikifune offered a bitter smile and explained:
"Nine hundred years ago, when Captain Saito formed the 6th Division, I was her Lieutenant. Hanzo Mochizuki served as the 3rd Seat."
"Come to think of it, back then, Hanzo was just a crybaby brat..."
...
The moon shone brightly amidst a scattering of stars.
Late at night, at the peak of Mount Ketsuto in the Zaraki District, Kaien Shiba and Yato Uchiha sat side-by-side, staring blankly at the dense forest in the distance.
This afternoon, upon sensing Yato’s erupting Spiritual Pressure, Kaien Shiba had rushed to the scene without a moment’s pause. He had even used Tenteikura along the way to call for backup. But by the time he reached Yato, the dust had long since settled.
"Senior Kaien." Yato stroked the intricate pattern on Akame’s hilt and suddenly spoke:
"Could you tell me the story of the founding Captain of the 6th Division, Furofushi Saito?"
"I really don’t know anything about that." Kaien Shiba scratched his head, his handsome face filled with apology.
"For generations, the Shiba Clan has been in charge of the pathway to the Soul King Palace; we don’t have much interest in anything else. As for events from that long ago, I imagine only those directly involved and the Great Spirit Book Gallery would have the clearest picture."
"Alright then." Yato sighed in the darkness, a faint sense of anxiety lingering in his heart, refusing to dissipate.
A few hours ago, he had compiled a detailed report of the day’s skirmish and submitted it to the 1st Division.
Of course, the report conveniently omitted a few harmless statements, such as the mention of Lieutenant Chojiro Sasakibe’s Bankai.
The Seireitei’s reaction had been exceptionally drastic.
That afternoon, the 1st Division had issued three consecutive embargoes. The four massive gates at the cardinal directions of the Seireitei all dropped heavily into place, and the Gotei 13’s state of readiness visibly spiked.
Following Hanzo Mochizuki’s brief appearance, the atmosphere had grown increasingly tense and deadly.
A storm was approaching.
"Say, Yato..." Kaien Shiba suddenly spoke, sounding somewhat uneasy.
"Why do I feel a bit cold?"
Yato Uchiha offered a bitter smile.
"I feel the same way, Senior Kaien."
Stationed at the absolute frontlines, their chances of encountering the Ryoka were far greater than that of ordinary squad members. Even with their combined strength, they had to keep their nerves taut and treat the situation with the utmost seriousness.
"Yato, from now on, we must take turns keeping watch. At least one of us needs to stay awake at all times."
"No problem, Senior Kaien," Yato thought for a moment before continuing,
"Is there any way we can call for more reinforcements? With just the two of us here, if we run into that guy Hanzo Mochizuki again, we’re definitely dead."
"With the current situation, if we go through the official channels, our request will probably just be shot down by the 1st Division," Kaien Shiba gritted his teeth.
"How about this: I’ll have my family send some experts over. But don’t get your hopes up too high; the strongest among them will probably only be around our level."
"Having some is better than having none..." Halfway through his sentence, the boy suddenly thought of something, his expression turning pensive.
"Senior Kaien, perhaps we won’t need to ask your family for reinforcements. I think I might have another way."
"Oh?"
In the darkness, Yato’s expression grew increasingly peculiar.
"I’ve heard there’s a guy in the Zaraki District who’s a pretty good fighter."
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