The moment the words fell—
Uchiha Tobirama didn't even rise from the throne.
He simply lifted his right hand toward the vast sea of pink blades before him—
—and backhanded the air.
Rumble—!!!
There was no ninjutsu, no Kidō, no technique at all.
Pure, overwhelming physical force compressed the air into a catastrophic spatial shockwave.
Crack—crack—crack!
The boundless storm of Senbonzakura Kageyoshi, capable of blotting out the sky, collapsed instantly—like a sandcastle struck by a typhoon.
The shattered blade field rebounded in a violent torrent, slamming straight back into Kuchiki Byakuya.
"Aaagh—!!"
Byakuya was hurled backward, his Bankai dispersing in chaos as the backlash crushed into him. His captain's haori tore apart, and his body was flung dozens of meters before smashing hard into the shrine wall.
He slid down helplessly, collapsing to the floor.
One casual slap.
The wind pressure alone had erased his Bankai and shattered his ability to even sense reishi.
From the distance, Kuchiki Rukia froze, her thoughts going blank.
The brother she had always seen as untouchable—
The proud head of the Kuchiki Clan—
Now lay broken, struggling even to breathe.
Slow, deliberate footsteps echoed through the hall.
Tap.
Tap.
Tobirama descended from the throne and stopped before the fallen captain.
He raised his boot—
—and stepped down.
Firmly.
Byakuya's face was pressed into the shattered floor, his remaining strength completely suppressed.
"I told you once already," Tobirama said coldly.
"The pride of nobles means nothing to me."
He withdrew his foot at last, looking down with utter indifference.
"But today, I'll spare your life."
Turning slightly, Tobirama's voice carried—resonating through the still-open senkaimon, echoing straight toward the Soul Society itself.
"Crawl back and deliver this message."
His gaze sharpened, pressure surging like a rising tide.
"Tell your Captain-Commander.
Tell Central Forty-Six."
"I am coming to Seireitei."
"Those who submit will survive."
"Those who resist will be crushed."
With a single motion, Tobirama sent Byakuya's broken form—and the fallen body of Renji Abarai—through the senkaimon.
Hum—
The gate slowly closed.
Silence returned to the shrine.
The first clash was over.
Tobirama turned back toward the hall, spreading his arms slightly.
At once, Rukia, Shihoin Yoruichi, and Orihime Inoue knelt in unison.
The opening act had ended.
The war for the Soul Society had begun.
Next destination—Seireitei.