First Division Barracks.
Second Division Captain Soi Fon was listening to her subordinate's report alongside Head-Captain Yamamoto.
"We are currently conducting a thorough search of Seireitei, but there's no sign of the targets yet."
It was impossible for such a mobilization of the Keigun (Punishment Force) to escape Soi Fon's notice; in fact, as its commander-in-chief, her cooperation in leading the search was indispensable.
"A large-scale Keigun operation can't go unnoticed," Soi Fon remarked coolly. "It won't be long before the other Captains notice something is off."
Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni's expression was solemn. It had been some time since Unohana Retsu and Tachikawa Nobu disappeared, and there was still no trace of either. He couldn't help but suspect they'd prepared well in advance.
Sasakibe Chōjirō hesitated briefly, "Could it be that they've already left Seireitei? If they could evade surveillance, sneaking past the Four Great Gates undetected doesn't seem impossible now."
Soi Fon thought aloud, "If we're to expand the search into Rukongai, the Keigun alone won't be enough."
The sheer scale of Rukongai dwarfed Seireitei; covering all eighty districts—even mobilizing the entire Gotei 13—would still take considerable time.
Head-Captain Yamamoto remained silent a moment before instructing, "Summon the Captains of the Eighth and Thirteenth Divisions immediately."
Kyōraku Shunsui and Ukitake Jūshirō arrived swiftly upon receiving Sasakibe's transmission via Tenteikūra. After hearing the details, both showed unmistakable surprise.
"So, it really did come to this…" Ukitake murmured, suddenly feeling a pang of frustration. He'd once had the chance to persuade Unohana-taichō further—if only I'd pressed a little harder.
Kyōraku stroked his chin, thoughtful. "Perhaps it's not the worst-case scenario yet. After all, we haven't sensed any unusual reiatsu fluctuations. Given Unohana-taichō's strength, if a battle broke out, no ordinary Kidō barrier could hide such explosive reiatsu."
Soi Fon frowned, skeptical. "Then why disappear suddenly? Surely not just to find some private spot for a heart-to-heart?"
She had always despised those who blatantly flouted Seireitei's rules and laws—even if one of them was Unohana Retsu. And now her Second Division was expected to clean up their mess.
Yamamoto spoke firmly, "Since no trace was found within Seireitei, we'll search Rukongai. However, keep this discreet—use the excuse of investigating suspicious Kidō barriers."
He had considered carefully; if Unohana Retsu and Tachikawa Nobu intended to fight, they would inevitably need a barrier to hide their reiatsu.
Although Seireitei loosely managed Rukongai, the Gotei 13 constantly monitored for unusual reiatsu spikes and could swiftly detect anomalies.
Soi Fon suddenly glanced at Kyōraku. "There might be one other way."
All eyes turned to her.
She continued, "The worst scenario is they've already fought somewhere, perhaps even concluded their duel. Searching all Rukongai would waste too much time—but there is one place where we could instantly pinpoint their location."
"Where?" Ukitake asked immediately.
"The Dai Reisho Kairō (Great Spirit Library Corridor)."
Everyone was stunned by her suggestion.
The Dai Reisho Kairō, located beneath the Central 46's underground assembly hall, was an immense data repository chronicling major events and secrets of Soul Society throughout history. Its records were forcibly gathered and automatically updated, wholly independent of Shinigami influence or control.
Simply put, everything was documented automatically.
It was fundamental to Seireitei's governance and management, always under the watch of the elite noble Tsunayashiro family. Access required exceptionally high authority.
Of the captains present, only Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni and Kyōraku Shunsui qualified, and even then, they needed prior approval from Central 46.
Nobody had expected Soi Fon to suggest such an extreme measure; all fell silent, contemplating.
Kyōraku shook his head first. "Impossible. Even the Dai Reisho Kairō's records lag behind actual events. It's unlikely to have logged something so recent. Besides, if Central 46 is involved, they might reconsider Tachikawa's appointment as Tenth Division Captain."
Soi Fon's eyes widened in shock. "Tachikawa Nobu, the next Tenth Division Captain? Central 46 has already approved this?"
The news was top-secret even among captains; she'd had no idea.
To her further chagrin, it seemed she alone was unaware.
However, she was keenly aware that Kyōraku Shunsui and Ukitake Jūshirō had far greater seniority than herself. Even Sasakibe Chōjirō had served by the Head-Captain's side since the Gotei 13's inception.
Thus, Tachikawa Nobu's promotion was evidently classified above her pay grade.
Seeing her reaction, Sasakibe tactfully clarified, "This proposal has passed Central 46, but remains confidential and has yet to be publicly announced. Soi Fon-taichō, please maintain secrecy afterward."
Soi Fon nodded silently, guessing this must have been orchestrated by the Head-Captain himself, leaving the formal captain recommendation procedure merely as a future formality.
Truthfully, she disliked such methods; several others in Gotei 13 currently qualified for captaincy. Even if Nobu outclassed them in strength, fairness mattered.
Besides, this whole fiasco stemmed from Unohana Retsu's and Tachikawa Nobu's selfishness. Judging by the attitudes of those present, Nobu's captaincy seemed assured despite everything.
She suddenly spoke out sharply: "If Tachikawa Nobu blatantly disregards Soul Society's laws, how can we trust him as Tenth Division Captain? Letting someone like him hold power would inevitably lead to more chaos. Head-Captain, please reconsider carefully whether Tachikawa truly deserves captaincy."
Yet, no one responded, which only fueled her irritation.
Finally, Yamamoto spoke, firm and final, "We don't yet know their actions. First, locate them and ascertain the truth. If they're guilty, proper punishments will follow."
He then ordered Kyōraku and Ukitake, "Immediately dispatch teams into Rukongai for a search."
Kyōraku Shunsui and Ukitake Jūshirō quickly obeyed, instructing their vice-captains through Hell Butterflies.
...
Fourth Division Barracks.
Kotetsu Isane was restless, anxious over her captain and Nobu's sudden disappearance. Recalling Sasakibe-fukutaichō's unexpected visit earlier, she felt he must know something.
She'd already checked Nobu's and the captain's homes, finding no trace of them.
Where could Captain and Nobu have gone now…?
Isane thought back to Nobu's recent conversations with her, anxiety gnawing at her heart. Could something really terrible have happened between them?
Nobu was soon to become the Tenth Division Captain, his future incredibly bright. Why pick this moment to cause trouble? Didn't he think about the consequences at all?
"Fukutaichō, I couldn't find him," Aoshika reported.
"I see. You may go," Isane replied calmly. She hadn't mobilized many people, selecting only a few and asking specifically about Nobu.
After Aoshika left, worry clouded Isane's eyes once again.
...
Tenth Division Barracks.
Matsumoto Rangiku sat idly at her desk, dazed.
Hitsugaya entered, placing paperwork before her. "Without a Captain, you'll have to handle the duties yourself. Stop zoning out."
Matsumoto groaned in frustration, ruffling her hair wildly. "Ugh, I'm cursed! Life is targeting me at every turn!"
"Enough dramatics," Hitsugaya sighed. "I suspect the new captain's appointment will come soon."
She glanced up, suspicious. "How do you know?"
Hitsugaya shrugged lightly. "Right now, two within Gotei 13 clearly qualify—a fukutaichō, and a third seat."
Matsumoto guessed immediately whom Hitsugaya meant. She pondered briefly before asking quietly:
"Who do you think it'll be?"
"We're betting on our club president," Hitsugaya said offhandedly.
Rangiku pursed her lips. "Why not… the other candidate?"
"In the previous Gotei 13 Shinigami Exchange Meet, didn't Ichimaru-fukutaichō lose to our president?" Hitsugaya reasoned calmly. "Though some time's passed, I doubt the gap between their strengths has changed much."
Rangiku couldn't help but argue back, "Ichimaru-fukutaichō's strength isn't much worse than Nobu's. Besides, captaincy shouldn't depend solely on strength. Ichimaru-fukutaichō has served as fukutaichō for decades, while Nobu has only been a Shinigami for a little over two years."
Hitsugaya eyed her strangely. "Do you have a grudge against our president or something?"
"Of course not!" Rangiku stubbornly refused to admit it. She did have a slight bias, though it wasn't because she disliked Nobu.
Hitsugaya frowned, puzzled. "Everything you've said might be true, but Nobu isn't lacking compared to Ichimaru-fukutaichō in other aspects either…"
"Alright, enough already," Rangiku suddenly interrupted irritably.
Hitsugaya pointed to the paperwork again. "Just remember to handle your duties; some of these need your approval."
But Rangiku abruptly stood and headed for the door.
"Where are you going?"
"Fourth Division."
She planned to go personally and see Nobu, to hear his thoughts directly.
Yet, stepping out of the barracks, she found Seireitei unusually restless at this moment.
"Onmitsukidō…? What's happening now?"
She murmured to herself, watching the black-clad figures darting swiftly across roofs and streets.
...
Within the hidden space beneath the Sōkyoku.
The reishi barrier flickered like a candle flame in the wind. Unohana Retsu's reiatsu relentlessly battered against the blood-red dome, trapped inside without escape. The density of reishi grew oppressive, the bloody swamp beneath their feet bubbling ferociously.
Prolonged exposure to such dense reishi imposed a burden even on Shinigami spiritual bodies.
Just as Shinigami could easily float and fly in the Human World but found themselves unable to do so within Soul Society.
Nobu felt his breathing grow increasingly ragged. Every collision between their blades sent shockwaves through his spiritual reserves.
Fighting Unohana Retsu consumed a terrifying amount of reiatsu. Surprisingly, the energy used on himself through his Zanpakutō was minimal; most went into maintaining the reishi barrier encasing this space.
This reishi barrier enclosed a considerable area and continuously endured Unohana's reiatsu onslaught.
Unohana's uninhibited release of reiatsu during combat was immense. Without this barrier, she'd have shattered the limits of this replicated space long ago.
Nobu knew clearly—if the fight dragged on any longer, he'd exhaust himself before either claimed victory.
Yet, facing Unohana Retsu, he couldn't confidently say he'd win quickly even at his best.
Not to mention, his condition was deteriorating rapidly.
"What's wrong? Have you reached your limit already?" Unohana Retsu's chilling voice echoed as the blood-red blade in her hand radiated an increasingly sinister glow.
She suddenly spun, slashing out an arc of crimson. The blood droplets scattered into countless needles and bullets, raining down violently on Nobu's position.
He didn't dodge, letting the barrage hit him head-on—yet none left the slightest mark.
In his current state, hastily dodging would only provoke an even fiercer assault from Unohana.
His eyes locked onto the woman walking calmly across the blood swamp, his gaze flickering intensely. The next instant, the glowing reishi barrier covering his body suddenly shattered.
Unohana's eyes flickered at this unexpected shift. She immediately sensed a sudden, sharp aura from Nobu—nothing like the weakened figure she'd expected. Gone was his previous reserved steadiness; now, Nobu's presence brimmed with sharpness and ferocity.
Finally, she clearly felt Nobu's reiatsu.
Potent—radiating the full peak intensity expected of a Third-Class Reiatsu Authority Captain.
Her expression showed mild surprise. "What did you do?"
They had fought for so long, even she had expended substantial reiatsu, let alone Nobu.
Yet Nobu currently appeared in peak condition. Although his reiatsu wasn't quite equal to hers, it felt like it was still at its absolute maximum.
Nobu's expression was calm. "Nothing special. I just didn't want the fight to end on a disappointing note."
Using his Zanpakutō's ability, he'd regressed his physical state back to its peak condition, and used Stasis to freeze his reiatsu at that moment.
This didn't mean he could maintain peak reiatsu indefinitely—his reiatsu consumption wouldn't diminish in the slightest. Rather, every passing second would remain at its highest intensity.
Once his reiatsu ran dry, however, he'd collapse instantly.
Unohana Retsu's blood-tinged lips curled slightly upward, her smile even more enchantingly eerie.
She didn't care about the principles behind his technique; what mattered was that the coming fight could satisfy her endlessly.
Raising her blood-red blade, she blurred into a crimson afterimage across the blood swamp, abruptly appearing in front of Nobu. Her pure white haori, half-drenched in scarlet, fluttered behind her as a dazzling, sinister smile graced her face. Her blade descended alongside it.
"Come now, good boy—keep entertaining me."