[Soul Society Arc] Part 73: Steer For the Star

Yato and Hanataro were walking together, engaging in casual conversation. It remained unclear whether it was Yato's luck or Hanataro's distraction, but at no point did the 4th Division shinigami inquire about Yato's identity. He treated Yato casually, assuming him to be just another colleague, lost in his own thoughts and tasks amidst the bustling Seireitei.

Yato observed Hanataro's demeanor with a mixture of amusement and curiosity. He found it intriguing how easily he blended in, considering the chaotic situation.

Hanataro, on the other hand, appeared to be in his own world, his mind occupied with the duties and responsibilities that came with his role in the 4th Division. He chatted with Yato naturally, not suspecting anything unusual about his companion.

As Yato and Hanataro continued their walk, they noticed a commotion involving a group of shinigami.

Yato: "Let's try talking to them... maybe they know where our unit " - He suggested casually, even though he was blatantly lying about belonging to the same unit as Hanataro.

Hanataro: "Okay..."

With an earnest but somewhat clumsy attempt, Hanataro rushed toward the group, but unfortunately, his foot caught on something, and he stumbled and fell right into the midst of the shinigami. The commotion grew as the other shinigami unintentionally pushed him around, causing Hanataro to end up on the other side.

Yato couldn't help but cringe slightly at Hanataro's unfortunate mishap, but he remained composed, observing the commotion and he discreetly unsheathed his zanpakutō and navigated his way through the crowd, with a plan in mind.

Yato: "Excuse me...Sorry...My bad... just passing through..." - He muttered politely, his voice barely audible over the noise. As he moved, he subtly left invisible threads scattered among the group, each one carefully placed.

As Yato navigated through the group of shinigami, he couldn't help but overhear their loud chatter about their affiliation with the 11th Division and their disdain for members of the 4th Division. Their voices rang out like a discordant chorus, echoing their animosity.

Yato sighed inwardly, his frustration evident in his facial expression and body language. He couldn't help but feel a tinge of pity, knowing that the 4th Division was being unfairly vilified. His grip on his zanpakutō tightened, and without a word, it transformed into its shikai form.

With a calm demeanor, Yato approached his colleagues, his eyes locked on the threads he had placed among the shinigami. As he reached out and touched one of the threads with his zanpakutō, he whispered under his breath.

Yato: "Yon no Uta, Zankyosanka" [四 の 歌・残響散歌, Fourth Song, Reverberant Song].

In an instant, a surge of red flames coursed through each of the threads, setting off a chain reaction that triggered a deafening explosion around the group of shinigami. The sudden explosion enveloped the group of shinigami in a deafening and dazzling display of flames, causing them to be knocked back and sent sprawling behind Yato.

The sudden explosion left Ganju and Hanataro startled, their expressions filled with fear as they witnessed the shinigami being knocked down by the blast.

Hanataro: "Aaaaaah!!!" - He yelled in shock at the sight of the shinigami exploding.

Ganju: "What the heck was that?!"

In contrast to Hanataro and Ganju's distress, Ichigo couldn't help but smirk when he recognized the one responsible.

Ichigo: "Heh. Hey, Yato."

Yato: "Hey." - He waved casually, his relaxed demeanor belying the destruction he had just caused. - "Now that I've cleared a path for you, let's get out of here."

Yato and Ichigo swiftly took off running, while Ganju instinctively hoisted Hanataro onto his shoulders, carrying the shinigami with them.

**

# 4th Division General Relief Station, Treatment Room One #

The 4th Division was bustling with activity, overwhelmed by the sheer number of injured shinigami seeking medical treatment. The halls were filled with wounded individuals, and some of the treatment rooms were overcrowded, forcing multiple patients to share the same space.

In Treatment Room One, three shinigami lay in separate beds. Among the two who were awake, Lieutenant Izuru Kira of the 3rd Division sat on his bed, his injuries not severe enough to keep him lying down. In the adjacent bed, Ikkaku Madarame, the 3rd Seat of the 11th Division, lay with his body heavily bandaged.

Among the three shinigami in the room, Lieutenant Shūhei Hisagi of the 9th Division was the only one sleeping, recovering from his injuries. However, his rest was abruptly disturbed when he felt a hostile presence. His eyes widened just in time to witness Captain Mayuri Kurotsuchi of the 12th Division create a hole in the wall dangerously close to Ikkaku, startling the lieutenants.

Mayuri: "Heh heh... So, you refuse to talk... Eh? Madarame!" - The eccentric-looking captain spoke in an irritated tone while glaring at Ikkaku, who seemed to be unfazed as he continued to look at the wall.

Izuru: "Please wait, Captain Kurotsuchi, sir–!"

Mayuri: "Quiet! If you're going to open your mouth, at least make it useful!" - He shot a stern look at the lieutenant, causing Izuru to step back, clearly apprehensive. Mayuri's unpredictability was a well-known source of unease among the Shinigami.

One of the nurses attempted to alert the captain about the prohibited nature of such interrogations within the relief station. However, once again, using some form of Kidō, the captain created a hole in the wall next to the infirmary, startling her.

Nemu: "Mayuri-sama..." - Attempted to speak the stoic lieutenant of the 12th Division, who stood beside Mayuri.

Mayuri: "Stay quiet, Nemu! Do you want me to break you into pieces again?!"

Nemu: "No, sir. Forgive me."

With a piercing gaze, Mayuri uttered his words, his eyes examining Lieutenant Hisagi with suspicion. He tilted his head slightly, as if he were scrutinizing.

Mayuri: "Maybe Lieutenant Hisagi has something useful to add," - He stated, his voice imbued with authority. He slowly turned in the direction of the lieutenant, a deliberate gesture denoting his expectation. - "Or do you plan to hide information like Madarame?"

Hisagi felt a shiver run down his spine, his expression tense, and his eyes blinking rapidly in response to the captain's intensity. He hesitated for a moment, pondering his words as his face, a shower his internal conflict, taken over by a cold sweat trickling down his neck.

Before Hisagi could articulate a response, Ikkaku intervened.

Ikkaku: "I'm not refusing to speak," - he said firmly, his eyes staring at the wall. - "I just don't know anything," - he continued, now speaking calmly but with a hint of challenge but he knew his words could further aggravate the situation. - "I don't know the Ryoka's purpose or their destination."

Mayuri: "So, you're telling me you faced one of the Ryoka, got defeated, and couldn't gather any information?" He spoke with an irritated tone, his eyebrows furrowing in frustration.

Ikkaku: "Honestly... I didn't even get to see the enemy's face or hear their voice." Ikkaku's voice was calm as He avoided eye contact with the captain.

Izuru and Hisagi exchanged perplexed glances, disbelief etched across their faces as they watched Ikkaku blatantly lie to the captain. They both struggled with the moral dilemma of whether to speak up or stay silent, but they knew it would be futile to try and convince the captain of the 12th Division.

Mayuri: "Very Well!! Then your punishment shall be commensurate with your disgrace!!" - He bellowed, his voice filled with anger and frustration, while raising his hand, poised to strike the 3rd seat. His eyes glinted with a sadistic anticipation of the punishment he was about to deliver.

Just as Mayuri was about to unleash his attack, he was abruptly halted by the captain of the 11th Division, who had arrived on the scene. The captain's strong grip firmly held Mayuri's hand, preventing him from carrying out the punishment.

Zaraki: "Since when do you have the authority to punish members of other divisions, eh, Kurotsuchi?"

Mayuri: "Zaraki!" - He growled, his brow furrowed in anger. He clenched his teeths and his eyes shot daggers at Zaraki.

Gin: "Oh my~ I came to check on my lieutenant, but it seems we're having a little scuffle here." - Gin's voice was lighthearted with amusement as he observed the tense situation.

Izuru: "Captain Ichimaru!" - The lieutenant spoke with a voice almost relieved by the sudden appearance of his captain.

Gin: "Poor thing... when I saw your condition, I briefly thought you had angered Captain Soi Fon." - He commented with a broad smile, his words carrying a hint of mischievous humor.

Abruptly, Mayuri wrenched himself free from Zaraki's firm grip, a movement filled with defiance and indignation.

Mayuri: "Since his captain is here, there's nothing more I can do. Let's go, Nemu! Move, you idiot!" - He barked at his lieutenant, his voice a mix of frustration and begrudging compliance. Mayuri's expression was a complex blend of anger, disappointment, and resignation.

Nemu: "Yes, Mayuri-sama." - Her response was devoid of emotion, a stark contrast to Mayuri's outburst, as she obediently followed her captain.

Gin: "So scary..." - He commented with a wide smile as he watched Mayuri depart. - "Feeling better to head out, Izuru?" - He asked, turning his attention to his lieutenant.

Izuru: "Yes, Captain Ichimaru... Compared to the others, my injuries weren't too severe..." - He spoke with a tinge of embarrassment for having been defeated by one of the intruders in such a manner. His gaze dropped momentarily as he admitted his own vulnerability.

Gin: "Don't be so downhearted. Come on, I'm sure they'll call us any moment now to brief us on the current situation. After all, two lieutenants were defeated... I'm certain Commander Yamamoto will be quite furious." - He commented with a sly smile as he left the area, his lieutenant following suit. "I wish you a fast recovery, Lieutenant Hisagi and 3rd Seat Madarame~"

With Gin and Izuru's departure, Hisagi took a deep breath, feeling strangely calmer despite the continued presence of Captain Zaraki, which still left him on edge. However, it seemed that the 11th Division captain had no immediate intentions of causing a ruckus in the area.

Zaraki, now that the place had grown somewhat quieter, shifted his attention to Ikkaku.

Ikkaku: "Captain..."

Before Zaraki could say anything, suddenly, a little girl with pink hair appeared from behind his shoulders. It seemed like she had been hanging onto Zaraki's back all along.

Yachiru: "Hey~!! Are you feeling better already?!" - She asked cheerfully. - "We were worried about you, baldy!!"

Ikkaku: "I've told you not to call me that, Lieutenant..." - He commented grumpily, avoiding too much movement to prevent aggravating his recently treated injuries.

Zaraki: "It seems... you lost." - He said suddenly, his voice gruff and piercing.

Ikkaku: "Yes, sir. I'm sorry. I know it was shameful to lose and return alive, but..."

Zaraki: "Is he strong?"

Ikkaku: "He is."

Zaraki: "What's he like?"

Ikkaku: "He has orange hair and a sword as long as he is tall... He was headed for Senzaikyū Shi-Shinrō. I warned him about you. If he remembers my words, you'll have an excellent fight when you meet. He's strong... and his strength is only growing... By the time he meets you, captain, he should be quite a prize."

Zaraki's expression remained stern, but there was a glint of anticipation in his eye, reflecting his thrill at the prospect of a formidable opponent.

Ikkaku: "And there's one more thing, Captain..." - The 3rd Seat briefly glanced at Hisagi, who was paying close attention to the conversation. - "From what I've heard, this guy has a friend who, in his own words, was someone he had a tough fight with. I don't know what this other guy is like personally, but..." - He looked at Hisagi again. - "It's highly likely that he's the one who defeated Hisagi."

Zaraki: "Heh." The captain smiled excitedly, turning his gaze towards Hisagi. "What was the guy who fought you like, Hisagi?"

Tōsen: "If you don't mind... I'd like to hear about this too..." - The Captain of the 9th Division spoke as he entered the room.

Hisagi: "Captain Tōsen..." - Hisagi began, his expression a mix of surprise and reluctance, as he contemplated recounting his encounter with the mysterious foe.

Tōsen: "Don't strain yourself..."

Hisagi took a deep breath and briefly glanced at the two captains in the room.

Hisagi: "The person I faced was a slim-built guy. At first glance, he appeared quite frail, and he's disguised as a member of the 4th Division." He began the description. "His Reiatsu is extremely difficult to detect, but there's no doubt that he's very strong, and also... very unpredictable."

Tōsen: "What do you mean?"

Hisagi: "He summoned his zanpakutō without saying a release phrase... at first, I thought the zanpakutō's ability was to imprison the target with invisible objects, but... the truth is, his zanpakutō had strange fire-based abilities."

As Hisagi recounted the details of his encounter, the room grew even quieter, and all present listened intently. Hisagi's descriptions painted a vivid image of the enigmatic foe he had faced, and there was an air of unease about the mysterious abilities of this opponent.

Hisagi: "He kept using invisible constructs to restrict my movements while attacking me relentlessly from the start. I witnessed two abilities of his zanpakutō... One, he conjured red flames and incinerated objects... the other ability, I... didn't quite understand what it did but..." Hisagi narrowed his eyes, visibly frustrated with his performance in the battle. "At one point, he created yellow flames... and struck me forcefully in the neck, with enough force to decapitate me... but I wasn't even cut or burned by the blade..."

Zaraki found it uninteresting when someone resorted to these types of methods in a battle, but he couldn't help but smile at the information provided by the lieutenant because everything seemed to indicate that it was a one-sided fight.

Tōsen: "Did he say anything?"

Hisagi: "No... he remained silent for a good part of the battle. But something about his abilities worries me." He paused, his expression furrowing with concern. "In the final moments of the fight, somehow, he caused my Kazeshini to return to its sealed form while using the yellow fire ability... I was too perplexed to react, and he created a hole in my stomach with something I couldn't see..."

Tōsen wore a conflicted expression. On one hand, it seemed that Hisagi's opponent was both strong and treacherous, but on the other hand, the captain had been previously informed about Hisagi's injuries, and nothing had indicated a wound as severe as he had described.

Tōsen: 'Did the Ryoka heal him...?' - He pondered, but soon the room was filled with the maniacal laughter of the 11th Division captain.

Zaraki: "Without a doubt, you two have encountered some interesting opponents." - He said with a sadistic grin. - "What are their names?"