Chapter 314: I Killed the Person
Hearing Shiba Isshin's words, the squad members were momentarily stunned.
A noble had been killed—shouldn't they be apprehending the murderer? Why were they instead helping the perpetrator?
But before they could voice their doubts, Vice-Captain Kuchiki Sōjun loudly commanded:
"First and Second Squads, follow me to flank from the left! Third and Fourth Squads, from the right!"
Hearing this, the squad members hesitated briefly before springing into action.
The Sixth Division members were already accustomed to following Kuchiki Ginrei's arrangements.
Although Sōjun wasn't Ginrei, he still bore the Kuchiki name, so they instinctively obeyed the order.
Amid the chaos, Ichimaru Gin narrowed his eyes and looked toward Ulquiorra, who was battling Kensei Muguruma.
They couldn't afford to drag this out.
Ulquiorra was a Hollow. If exposed, he would inevitably implicate Satoru.
Facing captains of Kensei Muguruma and Rōjūrō Ōtoribashi's caliber, Ulquiorra could still hold his own thanks to his extensive combat experience.
But if stronger opponents joined the fray, the situation could become unpredictable.
As he thought this, he saw Shinji Hirako using Flash Step to charge toward Ulquiorra.
Without hesitation, Ichimaru Gin moved.
He flashed in front of Shinji Hirako.
"Oh my, what's this about?"
Shinji Hirako raised an eyebrow.
This guy... was a seated officer of the Eleventh Division, a member of the Mikami Group.
He could use Bankai—not someone to be taken lightly.
What did his sudden intervention signify?
He grinned. "Seated Officer Ichimaru, are you... shielding a criminal?"
"Fufufu, how could that be?"
Ichimaru Gin smiled. "It's just that the Eleventh Division, as a combat unit, should naturally take action to apprehend vicious criminals who commit murder in the streets."
"Captain Hirako's Fifth Division is a rescue unit. Wouldn't it be better for you not to interfere at a time like this?"
Shinji Hirako scoffed.
"I'm a captain, and you're just a seated officer. I decide who does what, not you."
As he spoke, he drew his Zanpakutō:
"Collapse, Sakanade."
In a flash of light, his Zanpakutō transformed.
A large hollow ring appeared at the hilt, while a row of small circular holes formed along the blade.
Ichimaru Gin immediately drew his own blade without hesitation.
Shinji Hirako gave him a strange smile, then completely ignored him and continued charging toward Ulquiorra.
Ichimaru Gin raised his blade horizontally, blocking Shinji Hirako's path.
Yet, the latter passed straight through him without any obstruction.
"Hmm?"
Ichimaru Gin slightly opened his narrowed eyes.
Aiming at Shinji Hirako's retreating figure, he swung his arm and pointed his Zanpakutō:
"Shoot to kill, Shinsō!"
A silver flash—his Zanpakutō extended over a hundred meters, piercing through Shinji Hirako's form.
Wrong... it didn't feel like a hit.
The moment he received this feedback, he made his judgment.
An illusion ability!
Ichimaru Gin detested illusion-type abilities more than anything.
Since childhood, the person he disliked most was Aizen, and the sword he hated most was Kyōka Suigetsu.
He had spent considerable effort researching ways to counter illusion techniques.
Though he never found a method to deal with Aizen, there was a simple solution for ordinary illusionists—
"Bankai, Kamishini no Yari!"
BOOM!!!
A brilliant pillar of light erupted from Ichimaru Gin's body, shooting straight into the sky!
"Hey now... you've got to be kidding me?"
Feeling the overwhelming Reiatsu vibrating through the air, Shinji Hirako turned back in astonishment.
While he'd long known every member of the Mikami Group had achieved Bankai, he never expected this kid called Ichimaru Gin to possess such devastating Bankai power.
Even more surprising was that this kid dared to release Bankai within Seireitei without permission!
This was strictly forbidden by the Gotei 13!
After activating Bankai, Ichimaru Gin's Reiatsu surged dramatically, multiplying exponentially.
Under this dozens-of-times amplified Reiatsu, he easily located Shinji Hirako's true position.
It was actually in the complete opposite direction from where he'd initially attacked.
Could this guy's ability be altering perception of direction?
No... that might just be one application of his power.
Regardless, he should seize the advantage before his opponent activated Bankai!
Without another word, Ichimaru Gin pointed his Zanpakutō directly at Shinji Hirako.
Though assaulting a comrade was a grave crime, compared to the danger Ulquiorra's exposed identity might bring to Lord Mikami, what did it matter if he got imprisoned in Shin'ō Academy?
Shinji Hirako's heart tightened.
He could feel the silver-haired kid in the distance radiating intense killing intent toward him.
This guy wasn't bluffing—he genuinely intended to kill him!
The Eleventh Division truly was full of unimaginable bastards!
He flipped mid-air, pointing a finger at Ichimaru Gin, attempting to disrupt him with Kidō in advance.
His Bankai ability couldn't be used with so many allies present, so in terms of Reiatsu, he could only be suppressed by Ichimaru Gin's Bankai.
If he didn't find a way to gain the initiative, he might genuinely be defeated here.
But before he could gather enough Reiatsu to launch Kidō, he realized it was too late.
An intense sense of crisis emanated from Ichimaru Gin's blade.
Considering the ability the kid used during Shikai, his Bankai likely possessed similar capabilities.
Damn... what a monster.
Shinji Hirako twisted his body, trying to position a non-lethal area to receive the spear's thrust.
Just then, a figure leaped into the air, positioning himself between Ichimaru Gin and Shinji Hirako.
"Smash it, Tengumaru!!"
A massive black spiked club materialized out of nowhere, blocking the space between Ichimaru Gin and Shinji Hirako.
Swish!
Kamishini no Yari shot forth, piercing straight through Tengumaru.
But that momentary obstruction bought Shinji Hirako enough time.
He flashed away, barely evading Kamishini no Yari's attack trajectory.
Glaring at Ichimaru Gin standing in the distant sky, retracting his divine killing spear, Hirako snapped angrily:
"Bastard! Were you trying to kill me?!"
"..."
Ichimaru Gin simply smiled without responding.
Though he remained silent, the answer was obvious.
A vein bulged on Shinji Hirako's forehead.
You little brat, do you really want to make an enemy of me, Lord Hirako?
He turned to the afro-wearing captain beside him.
"Thanks, Love. I'd have been in real trouble without you just now."
"No need for thanks, Captain Hirako."
Love Aikawa frowned, his gaze fixed on Ichimaru Gin.
Like Shinji Hirako, he never expected someone would dare to activate Bankai illegally within Seireitei, and with lethal intent no less.
Was this guy not afraid of punishment?
As he pondered, a figure Flash Stepped to Ichimaru Gin's side.
Kaname Tōsen gripped his Zanpakutō and said gravely:
"Gin, let's work together to buy time."
"Before the Captain-Commander arrives, we must get Ulquiorra and the others to leave quickly!"
"That's exactly what I'm doing."
Ichimaru Gin smiled.
Kaname Tōsen nodded and assumed a combat stance.
Though he spoke lightly, this battle would be anything but simple.
Shinji Hirako, Love Aikawa.
And not far away, Rōjūrō Ōtoribashi and Kensei Muguruma, who were engaged in combat with Ulquiorra…
Containing four Captain-level opponents was no easy task.
Just then, he sensed something and turned his head to "look" into the distance.
A chill ran down his spine as he "saw" the figures approaching.
Captain of the Eighth Division, Shunsui Kyōraku.
Captain of the Thirteenth Division, Jūshirō Ukitake!
Two veteran Captains, the pinnacle of combat prowess in the Soul Society.
Though he had a good relationship with Lord Mikami, in the current situation, merely "having a good relationship" wouldn't solve the problem.
It was time to go all out.
He took a deep breath, preparing to use his Bankai to hold off the two of them and buy time for Ichimaru Gin.
On the ground, Komamura also drew his sword, ready to summon his own Bankai and create chaos.
But before he could act, a loud shout came from the distance:
"Hey! You up ahead! Get out of the way!"
"Uwooooh!!!"
Everyone instinctively turned to look.
They saw Mayuri Kurotsuchi, gripping his Zanpakutō with wide eyes and a horrified expression, sprinting toward them.
He held the hilt of his Zanpakutō tightly with both hands, as if unable to control a parasitic host.
"Experimental accident! My Zanpakutō is out of control... Everyone, evacuate immediately!"
Hearing this, the crowd turned pale with shock.
After Mayuri became a captain, some of his previously unknown habits gradually became famous.
Almost everyone knew that this new captain of the Twelfth Division specialized in researching unimaginable things.
His Zanpakutō had been personally modified by him, fused with many strange elements.
Who knew what functions it had been altered to possess now?
Under the terrified gazes of the crowd, Mayuri raised his Zanpakutō high as he ran toward them:
"Bankai—"
"Konjiki Ashisogi Jizō!!!"
Rumble rumble rumble!!!
A giant worm, dozens of meters tall and over a hundred meters long, descended onto the battlefield with an earth-shaking roar!
"Roar!!!"
At the front of the worm was a golden infant's head.
It opened its mouth and spewed thick purple smoke.
Mayuri shouted at the right moment:
"It's poison gas! Get away!"
"Any Shinigami below vice-captain level will be beyond saving if they inhale this gas!"
At these words, the morale of all the Shinigami gathered at the scene shattered.
Without waiting for orders from their captains, everyone turned and fled madly into the distance, faster than they had arrived.
The nobles and onlookers on the street also ran for their lives, tears and snot flying.
The three combatants—Kensei Muguruma and the others—also retreated, avoiding the pervasive purple smoke that spread everywhere.
"Kensei, don't let that guy escape!"
Rōjūrō Ōtoribashi knew that the young man with green eyes and pale white skin was definitely suspicious.
Kensei Muguruma nodded and was about to give chase.
Boom!!!
Konjiki Ashisogi Jizō burst through the nearby courtyard wall, charging toward them with an eerie roar and positioning itself between the two of them and Ulquiorra.
Kensei Muguruma stared wide-eyed at the giant worm before him, feeling as though he'd been screwed over by Komamura.
Mayuri flashed into view, appearing atop Konjiki Ashisogi Jizō's head.
"Ah... My apologies, you two. My Zanpakutō went berserk during an experiment and is now beyond my control."
"To prevent any accidents, I suggest you both find shelter quickly!"
Rōjūrō Ōtoribashi frowned and said:
"Captain Kurotsuchi, be careful of that man over there! I suspect he's a Ryoka!"
Just as he was about to force his way past Mayuri Kurotsuchi's obstruction to pursue Ulquiorra, Mayuri suddenly grinned.
"My, as expected of a genius like me, to regain control of my Zanpakutō in such a short time."
As he spoke, he opened his hand.
The giant golden worm beneath his feet transformed into a beam of light, condensing into the form of a Zanpakutō, which fell into his grasp.
Casually sheathing the Zanpakutō between his legs, Mayuri smiled at the two:
"No problems now, please continue your pursuit."
After saying this, he swayed his head and hummed a little tune as he walked back.
Rōjūrō Ōtoribashi felt somewhat heavy-hearted.
He looked toward Kensei Muguruma, wanting to compare thoughts with the latter.
Only to see that Kensei Muguruma had already roared and charged in the direction where Ulquiorra had been moments before.
"This idiot..."
Rōjūrō felt despair, but had no choice but to follow.
...
...
When Yamamoto arrived and saw the scene before him, he nearly fainted from anger.
Nearly half of the Noble District had been reduced to ruins.
Buildings destroyed by the Reiatsu unleashed when Ichimaru Gin activated his Bankai.
Structures wrecked by Tachikaze during Kensei Muguruma's pursuit of Ulquiorra.
And most significantly, buildings crushed by Konjiki Ashisogi Jizō...
Satoru Mikami stood to the side, watching the crowd with keen interest.
Earlier, he and Yamamoto had rushed over together, using Reiatsu perception to understand what had happened here.
What a spectacular free-for-all.
Fortunately, Ulquiorra had managed to escape. If that guy had been captured, today's events would have been much more serious.
Seeing Yamamoto, the nobles who had been hiding behind the Shinigami finally found their pillar of support and rushed over:
"Yamamoto! A noble has been killed! The Noble District has been destroyed like this! As Captain-Commander, you cannot escape responsibility!"
"Capture the criminal! Kill him!"
"And those bastards... who used Bankai in the Seireitei, kill them too!"
Listening to the nobles' roars, Yamamoto frowned slightly.
He looked toward the carriage.
Indeed, a noble had been killed.
"Where is the culprit?" he asked loudly.
Shunsui Kyōraku flashed to his side, ready to explain what had happened.
But before he could speak, Satoru Mikami raised his hand:
"I killed him!"
"?"
A vein bulged on Yamamoto's forehead as he looked over angrily.
This brat had clearly come with him, what nonsense was he spouting?
Under everyone's gaze, Satoru grinned:
"That dead guy... whatever his name was, Noshima, he's always been at odds with my Mikami Family. I didn't like him, so I had someone kill him."
"This is a matter between nobles. You're just a commoner, teacher, so don't meddle in our noble disputes."
Hearing Satoru's words, Yamamoto took a deep breath.
His blood pressure was rising!