Pharmaceuticals Institution:-

Upon receiving data about Hikone from Seinosuke, Kyoraku let out a prolonged sigh.

"It would seem that the Four Great Noble Families have made use of your techniques to let him 'live'. The method used is a problem, and so is the one who sponsored this, the Tsunayashiro Head. You are in a rather delicate position, so asking you to go against them would be a little unfair."

"Oh my! Surprisingly soft, aren't you, Captain Commander?"

"You could be imprisoned for defying your superiors. Although, it is undeniable that it is because of you that several of the old and the sickly among the nobility, who were supposed to have passed away long ago, are still alive."

Kyoraku touched his straw hat and lowered it.

"It is said that Kyoraku Shunsui rules with fairness, but it appears as though he can also ask for troublesome things."

The 'Captain Commander' look disappeared from Kyoraku's face, to be replaced by a look of resolution.

"I do not know how long it will take for me to re-establish the Court that Yama-jii left behind, but Tokinada must be stopped at all costs."

"If that is so, then you have been a little amiss in your duty, haven't you, Captain Commander?"

"What do you mean?"

"Don't you think it's strange that you were able to contact me at all in this way? Have you considered why Tokinada-dono took no measures to have me silenced?"

Kyoraku began to understand Seinosuke's words.

"If my surmise is correct, he has already taken counter-measures, so even if you anticipate his moves, he will be a step ahead."

"I see.."

Kyoraku allowed no signs of uneasiness to show on his face. Then, he said,

"However, I don't think I am dealing a late hand."

"Your point being?"

"I just received a report from the Onmitsukido regarding a bit of unrest that has occurred."

Kyoraku then delved into the details about the riot. Seinosuke listened and smiled.

"If you do that, it might become a problem later on."

"We are talking about the 'present'. During the last war, I did take....certain...steps...that were deemed problematic."

Kyoraku smiled in self-deprecation.

"I did open the doors to the Muken after all."

------------------------

Hikone stopped moving and fished out something from within his shihakusho. It looked like a card which glowed red. Hikone cried out in a panic-stricken state,

"Ikomikidomoe! Tokinada-sama is calling for us! Let's go!"

The gigantic Hollow shrunk in an instant, turning back to its original shape, into a pure white katana; the winged Hollows disappeared as well. Hikone sheathed the zanpakuto.

"Hey! You running away again?"

Grimmjow yelled at Hikone.

"Yes, I have to go."

As Hikone answered, he looked around, calling out,

"One of you has to be Ginjo Kugo-san!"

Ginjo was completely taken aback when he heard Hikone suddenly utter his name. For a moment, he was unsure about how to respond.

"How do you know my name?"

"Oh, so you are Ginjo-san! Tokinada-sama told me your name. I wanted to fight you, but right now I have to go, so see you later."

"Why me?"

"Tokinada-sama told me that Ginjo-san is also a candidate for the position of Rei-o, just like myself. But I am the one who is supposed to become the king, so I won't lose to you, Ginjo-san. I'm sorry that I have to leave now."

"What are you talking about?"

Ginjo was extremely confused. Hikone bowed to him and turned away. He bowed in the same manner to both the Arrancars and the Quincies.

"I am sorry that I was unable to fight you all seriously. I am now going to Tokinada-sama's 'main shrine'."

A small Garganta opened up and as Hikone made to leave, Luppi's eight vines lashed out; at the same time, a flurry of Heilig Pfeil were fired by the Quincies. Hikone's outstretched palm glowed bright, his eyes innocent, yet emotionless. A Gran Rey Cero was shot with full force. Neliel and Liltotto jumped in, side-by-side; each of them opened their mouths and devoured it. Neliel added her own Cero to the original and fired it back, using her 'Cero Doble' technique. However, by the time the flash faded, the Garganta had closed up.

"You use similar techniques.."

A voice beside Neliel spoke. She turned to find the young Quincy addressing her. Because the Cero she had fired was a bit too strong, blood dripped from the edge of Neliel's mouth. Liltotto was also exhausted, panting, because she had consumed something disagreeable. Liltotto originally bore enmity towards the Arrancars, but now she was analyzing her chances of survival. Neliel spoke to her,

"If you agree to never interfere with Hueco Mundo again, I see no reason for our factions to remain hostile towards each other."

"I disagree."

Neliel was interrupted by Grimmjow.

"What are you saying, Neliel? Do you think you can resolve a long-standing hostility with just that?"

The one behind Grimmjow was in agreement with Neliel, just to spite Grimmjow.

"She's right."

Luppi was glaring at Grimmjow.

"And why don't you keep your mouth shut?"

Luppi and Grimmjow were straining their reiatsu yet again. Hirako sighed.

"Oh, great! These idiots are starting another racket! And what's worse, that girl with the bombs is still here!"

He recalled Hikone's words to Ginjo and wondered.

"This situation is just too murky."

The sense of tranquility that was starting to drift in after the war was now being replaced by one of extreme urgency. Suddenly, a voice penetrated Hirako's consciousness and brought him out of his reverie.

"Please wait!"

A young woman's plea resonated.

"Nanao-chan! What are you doing here? I was indeed hoping to update Kyoraku-san about the current state of affairs, but I wasn't expecting you, the Lieutenant of the 1st Division, to come here personally. I thought the Onmitsukido were on their way."

Nanao was ill-suited for battle. Even though she excelled at Kido, she was only capable of defense and support. Grimmjow glanced at the young woman and said bluntly,

"Who the hell is she? She's just an ordinary Shinigami!"

Nanao, faltering under Grimmjow's reiatsu, steadied herself with a lot of effort. She was currently facing all of the factions who had each, at some point in time, defied the Gotei 13; the Espada, the Sternritters and the Fullbringers. She pushed away all the emotions that were taking root within her, fear, terror, anger, and stood her ground. She spoke squarely, and with authority,

"I am the Lieutenant of the 1st Division of the Gotei 13."

"Oh, really?"

Grimmjow took a step forward, but Halibel held him back.

"Wait, Grimmjow."

"What is it, Halibel?"

"Your target is that Shinigami with the strange zanpakuto, nobody else."

While also restraining Luppi, who was still looking daggers at Grimmjow, Halibel nodded at Nanao, urging her to continue. Nanao looked at Halibel gratefully, an unspoken understanding passing between the two women.

"I have come here with a message from the Captain Commander. There is a story that he would like all of you present here to know about."

----------------

At a certain place within Soul Society:-

"My, oh my! Such niceties are making my eyes water, honestly.."

Mayuri exclaimed, as he observed from afar, apparently bored.

"Looks like the Captain Commander has finally gotten wind of Tsunayashiro Tokinada's activities. If only he had consulted me first, I could have solved this problem much faster."

He heard a voice from behind him.

"You knew from the beginning?"

"It was because I had been monitoring the Zombie girl. That's how I managed to observe the opponent she had fought against in Hueco Mundo. I pitted you Quincies against the Fullbringers since I was sure that it would attract Tsunayashiro Tokinada's attention. But I didn't expect the Arrancar to come barging in. That was a miscalculation."

"So you lied to us?"

"Not at all. I told you before, I need you lot to capture them for my research. But because of the battle that followed, it was possible for you to analyze quite a few things."

NaNaNa Najahkoop answered with confidence,

"Oh yes. It was a little difficult at first because they were fighting, but I gained a general understanding of the reiatsu pattern, but its quality keeps changing constantly."

Mayuri offered neither praise nor disdain.

"My observation instruments are quite good, thank you very much. I could have obtained similar results using them, so you don't have to sound so boastful. Incidentally, I wonder if I should include you in the deal I struck with the girl with the big appetite?"

NaNaNa trembled as he recalled those who had betrayed him in the past.

"You haven't yet rewarded me for my wor....aaaaaaaah!"

His body became numb as he was subjected to an electric shock.

"You're really a fool! You haven't carried out your job yet."

Mayuri turned his attention to the data he had analyzed, ignoring NaNaNa's protests.

"I'm running out of test subjects here. I suppose it's okay to release the thunder girl and the one with the muscles. But it'll be a problem for me if I let you go too. I need you to work, since in a short while, we'll see who comes out on top; the Gotei or the aristocrats."

---------

Chapter 16

A strange area:-

The sky seemed to be of a somewhat darker hue of blue than it was in the Soul Society. The air drifted along differently than it did in Soul Society and in Hueco Mundo, even though it was rich in reishi. Wilderness spread all around, dotted with rocky cliffs and canyons. There were two buildings in that region which did not match with the rough landscape. One was elegant and luxurious, reminiscent of a historical palace. It was gilded with gold and it radiantly shone in that space surrounded only by rock and sand. What sort of emotion would such a scene instill within a viewer, a scenery which looked as if a part of it was replaced with the aristocratic territory of the Seireitei? The other structure was a re-worked version of the Zero Division's Reiokyu, the floating palace, surrounded by floating cities. But they were inhabited by no one; only the empty vessels remained floating in the air. Tokinada stood directly beneath the strange structure and greeted a young woman in the courtyard of the palace.

"Thank you for your hard work. It was splendidly done."

Michibane Aura spoke with her usual smile,

"It was a quick job, but I was able to manage it in the absence of Kurosaki Ichigo. So did everything not go smoothly on your end? Since you came here to the shrine in a hurry..."

Before Tokinada could reply, Hikone panicked,

"It's because I was bad and could not be by Tokinada-sama's side!"

"Ah! Maybe I could have done something if Hikone was with me, but it was I who asked you to go elsewhere, Hikone. So you don't have to worry."

Aura watched them with a nonchalant smile and then said,

"Still, this is an extremely strange place.."

"This is your third time coming to the shrine, yes? This area is a sort of 'pipeline' connecting the Soul Society to the World of the Living. It is a 'cut-off' space known as the 'Dangai', surrounded by black cavities. Pockets of space occasionally emerge like bubbles from within these black cavities, known as the 'Kyogoku' (t/n: Valley of Screams). Shinigami barely set foot in here. In the first place, the very existence of such dimensions inside the black cavities is very interesting. According to one theory, it is said that this region is composed of souls that were ejected from the reincarnation cycle, their memories completely lost. In other words, this is a world made up of souls that were neither subjected to the Konso, nor destined for the empty desert of Hueco Mundo. There are also the souls of dead Shinigami and Rukongai residents who are no longer a part of the Soul Cycle. They all gather here."

"How do you think this dimension was created?"

"There are various speculations. It is possible that when the world was reborn into its current form, the departed souls spilled into this space. The circumstances behind the creation of this space is not important now. What is important is that this is now a fortified stronghold protected by the black cavities."

Tokinada stared at the faraway cliffs, adding,

"The House of Ryuudouji were an ancient aristocratic family who were the first ones to have ventured into the Kyogoku, after their banishment by the ancestors of the Great Noble Houses. They were stripped of their status after they were exiled into the Kyogoku. It must have been unpleasant, having to face their sentence in a completely unknown place. Regrettable."

"The Ryuudouji clan aside, what if it was you who was exiled, would you seek vengeance against the Soul Society?"

"How about you?"

"So many things have happened in a place I don't know much about. It may have been in the past, but at present, I can't help but savour the moment when I see it go all down."

"But before that, will you try and make an enemy out of the Gotei 13?"

Tokinada smiled at Aura. She shook her head.

"No, I have seen how frighteningly powerful Urahara Kisuke is. And there are other top-class warriors like him among the Gotei officers. I couldn't possibly handle the rest of them."

"Yes, he is a person of infinite means. And there is also the probability of there being someone who might be the worst possible match-up for you."

Although they appeared to be words of warning, Aura did not miss the odd gleam in Tokinada's eyes.

-This person can laugh through it all.

-Even though we are quite invincible at the moment, he considers the possibility of getting destroyed, and he teases me with mockery.

"If we were in a new world, would you, who had no attachment to anything, find something you could grow fond of?"

They were Tokinada's words to Aura. Turning to Hikone, Tokinada said,

"It's all great fun, right, Hikone?"

"Yes. If Tokinada-sama finds it enjoyable, then it must be so."

Hikone smiled innocently. Aura's eyes glimmered, but she started talking again as if she misunderstood the flow of her own emotions.

"So, are you not going to meet Urahara Kisuke? My ally managed to capture him."

But Tokinada shook his head.

"Not yet. It is necessary to remain vigilant against him. I have no desire to fight on the front-lines like a commander. I am not fond of suicidal behaviour."

He then smiled, his contorted face reminding Aura of some carnivorous beast, and continued,

"I will go see him after everything he wanted to protect is destroyed. Or perhaps I should take it as a hostage instead of destroying it? But I also wish to see his face when his loved ones are killed."

Tokinada imagined his future treatment of Urahara as though he was trying to choose an interesting book and pondering upon what to read next. Aura thought to herself that this shortcoming of Tokinada was also his greatest strength. She opened her mouth again.

"By the way, when we captured Urahara Kisuke, there was another Shinigami by his side."

"Oh? But I made sure that the Kurosaki family would be nowhere close by. Was someone from the Gotei stationed there?"

"Hisagi Shuhei, Lieutenant of the 9th Division."

"What a coincidence! He was Tosen Kaname's student!"

Tokinada recalled the face of the man whose life he had ruined and spoke in a voice brimming with pleasure.

"Ha ha ha! I was indeed thinking of toying with him slowly, but it seems that now I have to kill him quickly. I was pleasantly surprised at how the acting editor-in-chief of the Seireitei Communications pushed my inauguration ceremony article to the side instead of making it the headline."

"He remains isolated within Karakura Town. Even if he were to return to the Soul Society, he can never make it this far."

Aura spoke casually, but Tokinada did not agree.

"Nobody in Soul Society will be able to come here for another few hours.. No, it may not even take as long as that. They have Kurotsuchi Mayuri on their side. He will soon know about this place as well as my purpose."

"Is that alright with you?"

"If I know Kyoraku Shunsui, he will have taken secretive measures to try and oppose me. That's why I have called for those who are good at handling tasks such as these."

Tokinada strokes Hikone's head.

"Because they can completely exterminate all those who try to disrupt my entertainment and rebellion."

-------------------

After the message from the 1st Division was received by Kenpachi Zaraki, he immediately rushed out, saying,

"I'm off!"

"Wait, Captain!"

Now, Kenpachi, followed by two other men, Ikkaku and Yumichika, were rushing through the streets of the Rukongai.

"By the way, Ikkaku, Hisagi-san told me that he was heading out to the World of the Living.."

"Really? Maybe he'll see Shino over at Karakura Town.."

"Speaking of her, I met her partner once. He seemed unreliable.."

"Ah! But he's the younger brother of that guy from the 6th Division."

"You mean Rikichi? The one who admires Renji and has a tattoo over his eyebrow? He's got guts; he did well during our joint practice session with the 6th Division."

"Well, yeah.. But Karakura has a high spiritual activity rate. So I wonder...."

----------------------

Urahara Shoten; Underground Training Facility:-

"W-w-what s-s-should we do, Shino-san? Urahara-san has been kidnapped! It's the end of the world!"

This underground facility where they had all gathered was created overnight for the sake of Ichigo's training. It even consisted of a fake sky and a couple of dead trees. Shino, annoyed at Ryunosuke's whining, had him in a fierce head-lock from behind.

"Don't be such a pessimist! At a time like this, we need to stay strong!"

"But I can't help it, Shino-san!"

"Your brother is the 3rd seat of the 6th Division, isn't he? You, on the other hand, are acting like a wimp!"

Ryunosuke, choking, blurted out.

"B-but my esteemed brother is not good at looking after the Hell butterflies and he is always being scolded by Lieutenant Abarai!"

"And who said you could argue back, huh?"

Shino grabbed him in a tighter grip.

"But think about it, if it wasn't for Urahara-san, the Soul Society would have been destroyed!"

Hiyori, who was extremely frustrated, yelled out,

"The world itself would have been destroyed in three days if it weren't for baldy Kisuke's support!"

A subdued and broken voice was heard from behind the trio.

"If only... if only I had....."

Hisagi stood there, a grief-stricken look upon his face. He still could not get over the fact that Urahara was taken away right in front of his eyes. As Hiyori shot him a glare, Hisagi turned his eyes away.

"You're Kensei's Lieutenant, aren't you? Why were you with Kisuke?"

"I.....wanted to interview Urahara-san..."

"Don't turn your eyes away. Didn't you realize that you were getting involved with a troublesome guy like him and that you would be dragged into the whole thing as well?"

"No...I didn't realize..."

Hisagi was honest with Hiyori.

"So honest, huh? It's ridiculous how you managed to get entangled in this mess!"

A voice echoed through the underground room.

"So you are unharmed, Lieutenant?"

"Yes, I am alright, but it's only because of that person's aid.."

Tsukabishi Tessai, the former Commander of the Kido Corps, was now a clerk at this sweet shop. He was rumoured to be exceedingly brilliant at Kido, rivaled only by Urahara himself. Faced with such a man, Hisagi bit his lip and lowered his head, ashamed.

"I'm so sorry....about Urahara-san.."

"It's not your fault, the boss' opponent was very powerful. If I were to blame you, then I'm sure that the boss would be hurt as well. I'm just glad that you are safe."

Hisagi wanted to believe in those words, he wanted to escape into the kindness enveloping those words, but his sense of self-loathing was too strong.

"But I couldn't do anything to help him!"

"Don't have such a low opinion of yourself."

"I'm always like this! I can't do a thing! I'm so weak and useless! I can't face either Captain Tosen or Captain Muguruma."

Hisagi murmured the last sentence in a small voice, as though he was talking to himself. But Hiyori overheard it and clenched her fist.

"Why did you address Tosen as 'Captain'?"

Hisagi replied with integrity,

" I appreciate the fact that you hold a grudge against him and I respect your sentiment. But to me, he is still a 'Captain', since he taught me everything I know and showed me my path in life."

"Well, I don't recognize him as a 'Captain'."

To Hiyori, her own past and the current era of officers overlapped. She still held onto the days when she used to be the Lieutenant of the 12th Division. Hisagi had no words of comfort to offer to such a person.

"I'm sorry. I may have been out of line."

Tessai tapped Hisagi's shoulder.

"Don't despair so. You are blaming yourself needlessly. But I can see that your eyes are not dead yet."

"I've faced death and barely survived each time. I've just been lucky every time. I'm no hero, just a coward."

Hisagi's voice was still full of self-detestation.

"You are surely no different from Kurosaki Ichigo.."

"But that's...."

Tessai cut Hisagi off mid-sentence and spoke very seriously.

"Kurosaki Ichigo fights by throwing away fear, whereas in your eyes, I can see constant fear. However, you chose to walk alongside that fear, did you not? Didn't you decide to exist as a Shinigami while holding that fear close to your heart?"

Those words reminded him of Tosen's teachings.

"If you are truly afraid of battle, then you have already gained something irreplaceable as a warrior."

-Everyone possesses fear. I do too. But do I really walk alongside fear?

-I embrace terror. But do I really know the true meaning behind the words 'embracing fear'?

When Hisagi had fought against Tosen, Tosen had told him,

"You haven't changed. I thought I told you that those who do not know fear have no right to enter battle. Even now, your words do not have a shred of fear in them."

-Captain Tosen had seen through the depths of my heart with his blind eyes.

The doubt Hisagi had felt back then was revived once more. As if he could see through this new anxiety, Tessai spoke once more.

"I'm not saying that Kurosaki Ichigo's method is better than yours, nor am I saying that your opinion is the correct one. It's true that Kurosaki Ichigo has saved us many times in the past, but he is after all just a young man who has not even lived twenty years of his life, right?"

"Yes, I know, I'm much older than he is, and yet I..."

"Listen, he is still in the middle of his growth. Therefore, the heart is both strong and fragile. The boss has been watching him for a long time now. When face with Aizen, he despaired. When Kuchiki Rukia was taken away, he cried. When the man named Tsukishima robbed him of his close friends, he cried. But he did not collapse there. First it was Urahara and then it was Kuchiki Rukia; both of them extended their hands and thus Kurosaki Ichigo was able to shake away his fear."

Although it was unknown to Tessai, Ichigo was desperate before the overwhelming power of Yhwach in the last war, but back then, there were people who had also extended their hands to him; people he had saved; and that had given him the courage to stand up and convert despair into his own strength. That was the essence of Ichigo's true strength.

Hisagi understood. Ichigo certainly possessed a lot of exemplary qualities, but the hero that he was known as today, had not been born alone. Ichigo was able to grow strong because he had been broken before.

"Grief, pain, despair, fear.. Instead of shaking all that off, turning them into strength.. that is the role of those who have walked alongside fear."

"Death is one of the root causes of fear. As a Shinigami, it is your duty to protect others from this very cause of fear."

Tessai concluded his remark with a slight cough.

"Ahem! The boss could have explained it better, I'm not very eloquent myself."

The next instant, Hisagi slapped his cheeks with both his palms, as though vigorously waking himself from slumber.

"Hisagi-san?"

"Thank you, thank you, thank you so very much. Thanks to you, I feel better now."

Hisagi bowed deeply to the ex-Commander of the Kido Corps. His expression had changed. Anxiety and hesitation had left his face.

"Whoa! Tessai's lecture brought that Shinigami back to life!"

Jinta was amazed. Ururu hushed him.

"Shh.. I think Tessai sounded really cool!"

Hisagi left the underground room and went upstairs along with the others, in order to look for clues. The barrier around Karakura was still intact and communication with Soul Society was still hindered. Hisagi then noticed a small spherical object on one of the tables in the shop. It had Urahara's face comically drawn upon it. Was it there previously? The instant Hisagi touched it, red liquid splashed all over the floor. It rearranged itself to form a sentence.

"If you're reading this now, then that means I'm probably no longer here. I'm looking for Aura's followers.."

"This is... a message from Urahara-san!"

Perhaps he had arranged for this just before activating the Gentei Kaijo for Hisagi. If so, then Urahara must have considered the possibility of being kidnapped beforehand. Hisagi marvelled at Urahara's foresightedness. Hiyori gave a loud yell when she saw the sentence written in red.

"What the hell? It's like a dying message written in the victim's own blood at the scene of the crime!"

Just then, additional characters appeared beneath the first message.

"P.S. If you think this is some 'dying-message-written-in-the-victim's-own-blood cliche, then you obviously have no sense of humour!"

Hiyori clutched her head.

"Ahhhhh! Baldy Kisuke! I'll kill him!"

She repeatedly stomped on the bloody characters until a crack appeared on the floor. Ichigo had once had a similar reaction to such a message; he had thrown a pillow at it, but Hiyori did not know that.

"What should I do, Shino-san? I also thought that it was a dying message, so does that mean I have no sense of humour?"

"But he didn't have to write it like that!"

Watching Ryunosuke and Shino's banter, and Hiyori's indignation, Hisagi, who had been in a state of unrest and unhappiness, felt his spirits rise tremendously. Tessai shook his head unhappily.

"Sorry about the post script. The boss' sense of humour... is... uh... unique... to say the least.."

------------------------

Shiba Kukaku's residence:-

"I understand. I get the full picture now..."

Kukaku looked at the assembled crowd. Another man's voice echoed nearby. It was Shiba Ganju.

"Why the hell is everyone gathered here at our place?"

Kukaku kicked Ganju and he went flying across the room, knocking down one of the doors of the hall.

"That hurt, Sis!"

"Don't make so much noise in front of your guests!"

"Who're you calling 'guests'...?"

Ganju muttered quietly, so that Kukaku would not hear. Currently, facing them across the hall were around twenty people. The number of people was not the issue, the problem lay in the people themselves. The three freeloaders of the Shiba residence were there as usual; Ginjo, Tsukishima and Giriko. Then there were three Shinigami, Hirako Shinji, Ise Nanao and Shihoin Yoruichi. Followed by three Arrancars, Grimmjow, Neliel and Halibel. The five Quincies were there as well; Candice, Meninas, Liltotto, Giselle and Bambietta. Furthermore, in the far corner of the room stood Dordonii, Cirucci, Luppi and Charlotte. Mayuri and NaNaNa stood on the opposite end. The atmosphere within the hall was far from relaxed.

"Hey, don't glare at us, Najahkoop!"

At Liltotto's words, NaNaNa shrugged his shoulders.

"A bit too self-conscious, aren't you?"

"Yeah, well, it's you we're talking about..."

"You lot joined up with Bazz-B after he struck me from behind, didn't you?"

"It's just like you to bring up ancient topics!"

Liltotto retorted, hiding behind Candice. Another pair were also glaring at each other; Grimmjow and Luppi.

"I don't want to stay in the same room as him, so hurry up and let's get this over with!"

Luppi snapped. Before Grimmjow could retaliate, an electric shock ran through Luppi's body.

"Aaaaaaaah!"

"Can't you read the situation at all?"

Mayuri shook his head in disbelief.

"I'll definitely kill you! Just you wait!"

"Well, at least you've regained your rebellious spirit, if nothing else."

Mayuri increased the voltage and Luppi screamed again. Not just him. Mayuri had electrified all the members of the Kurotsuchi Corpse Unit.

"Aaaaaah! Why us? What did we do?"

Dordonii and Cirucci cried out, agonized. Charlotte and Meninas did not scream as much; perhaps they were more resilient or perhaps they had grown immune to the suffering. Candice sneered.

"Hah! This amount of current is nothing!"

But then, she screamed as well. Mayuri had subjected her to hallucination attacks.

"As you can see, it does not matter whether you are an Arrancar or a Quincy. I make no exceptions when it comes to disciplining my subordinates."

Grimmjow was staring at Luppi with a complicated expression.

"You sure are in a tough situation, aren't you?"

"Hey, don't look at me with those pitiful eyes! I don't need your sympathy..."

Luppi looked murderous.

"I'll find a way to escape...."

As hostilities sky-rocketed, Kukaku raised her voice along with her reiatsu.

"Silence! This is my house! I have no problem if you make noise out of merriment, but any nonsense from you all, and I'll have you thrown out. Is that clear?"

Kukaku's voice held such gravity that Halibel quietly whispered to Neliel,

"That woman is strong.."

Neliel agreed. She had also felt Kukaku's reiatsu.

"Yes, but she doesn't look like a Shinigami. Who is this person?"

Ginjo and his companions, who knew Kukaku well, were quite unfazed, but the rest fell silent.

"Hey, sorry about this, Kukaku. I know this must be inconvenient for you. But please bear with them a little longer, okay?"

Yoruichi lowered her head.

"Hey, hey, Yoruichi..."

"I'm sorry, Kukaku; this time we've gotten you involved in something really unpleasant."

"Ah, don't worry, Yoruichi. I told you before, didn't I, I just love trouble!"

Kukaku answered brightly. Then she suddenly said,

"Where's Soi Fon? Wasn't she with you?"

"She has been asked to investigate certain other matters within the Seireitei."

"I see.."

While such a conversation was going on, several newer reiatsu were felt, coming from the corridor upstairs. Some newcomers were approaching the hall. Grimmjow, from the depths of his memory, recognized one of them.

"This reiatsu belongs to the man who cut down Nnoitra!"

The female Sternritters also became wary. Giriko, who usually wore a serene expression on his face, began sweating profusely. The sliding doors opened. Five Shinigami entered; Kenpachi, Ikkaku, Yumichika, Kensei and Captain Commander Kyoraku.

"What kind of odd gathering is this supposed to be?"

Kenpachi murmured. Upon seeing each other, Yumichika, Charlotte and Giselle simultaneously yelled,

"You!"

Kyoraku then addressed the crowd.

"Everyone seems to have gathered here. Good. And I'm glad to see so many beautiful ladies."

Kyoraku's reiatsu, while not as rough as Kenpachi's, was cold and piercing, making everyone feel as if they were sinking underwater. Kyoraku clapped his hands.

"Let us begin, shall we? Our meeting regarding the Four Great Noble Houses!"

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T/N: House of Ryuudouji-The aristocratic family mentioned in the film Memories of Nobody. (Thanks, u/nol00, for giving me the wiki link, the name 'Ryuudouji' had completely slipped my mind).

So that's the end of part 14. Whew!

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