Chapter 344: Young Man

Yoruichi Shihōin moved with agile grace, her body fluid and dynamic as she leaped through the air, stepping on spiritual particles, heading toward the Noble District with two black pillars strapped to her back.

"Urahara, are you sure you can close the Gates of Hell?"

Her short purple hair whipped around as she sped forward, unable to suppress the question to Urahara Kisuke, who was following closely behind her.

Yoruichi and Urahara had been childhood friends, and not long ago, she had recommended him to become the captain of the Twelfth Division. After learning about the appearance of the Gates of Hell at that place, they had discussed the severity of the situation.

Both agreed that measures needed to be taken, especially since the Gates of Hell had been triggered by a mere child. To prevent the Gates from opening again, she and Urahara had developed countermeasures.

Close behind her, Urahara, with his slightly curled short blonde hair, green eyes, and a bit of stubble on his chin, wearing the captain's haori of the Twelfth Division, also had two black pillars strapped to his back as he ran low in the air toward the Noble District. He couldn't help but express the difficulty of the situation:

"There's too little information to be certain if we can close the Gates of Hell. But since the Gates opened because of that child, if we throw the child into the Gates, they should close."

Urahara's calm analysis continued, "Alternatively, we could accelerate the opening of the Gates of Hell and let them take him away, solving the problem."

Yoruichi's expression turned grim as she nodded. After all, it had been just over six months since the Gates of Hell appeared at the streets of Rukongai. The time was too short, and the data too scarce to achieve much more.

Their best option was to keep a close watch on the Gates of Hell.

Suddenly, the two of them halted in their tracks, standing on the air as their faces changed. They sensed the spiritual pressure of three captain-level Shinigami suddenly disappear. Turning toward the direction of the battle, they saw the shattered remains of the black coffin, and Kensei Muguruma, Rose Otoribashi, and Love Aikawa falling from the sky.

"So quickly?" Yoruichi and Urahara both looked on in shock.

The three captains had barely released their Bankai, their immense spiritual pressure raging across the Seireitei, yet after just one round of attacks and a single incantation of Kurohitsugi, the coffin shattered and the three captains were instantly defeated. It was all so fast.

Was this guy really that strong?

Shunsui Kyōraku, Kenpachi, Shinji Hirako, Kensei Muguruma, Rose Otoribashi, Love Aikawa—six captains in total—none of them had been able to stop him. They were all effortlessly taken down by this child.

The Shinigami across the Seireitei, who had been watching the battle with bated breath, now stared in disbelief at H'el's small figure.

"He's…this strong?"

"Captain of the Eighth Division, Captain of the Eleventh Division, Captain of the Fifth Division, Captain of the Ninth Division, Captain of the Third Division, Captain of the Seventh Division—six powerful captains, how could they be defeated? This shouldn't be possible!"

"Captain!!"

"Were the Gates of Hell opened for someone this terrifying?"

"I can't believe the captains have been defeated!"

No one knew how Shunsui Kyōraku had been defeated at the beginning.

They could rationalize Kenpachi's defeat as carelessness when he was struck by that massive Shakkaho.

Shinji Hirako's Zanpakutō had been countered and rendered completely useless, which they could attribute to bad luck or a targeted attack.

But now, despite the power of Kurohitsugi, there was no reason it could have instantly defeated a captain-level Bankai.

Now, to take down three captains at once, just how overwhelmingly powerful would one have to be to instantly defeat three captain-level Shinigami?

The Shinigami watching couldn't suppress their shock, their faces changing as they realized just how terrifying the enemy truly was.

"This is the power that caused the Gates of Hell to open?" Even Byakuya Ginrei, captain of the Sixth Division, who had been calmly enjoying tea in a high-rise of the Noble District, couldn't help but show a change in his expression. He sensed the spiritual pressure of the three captain-level Shinigami drop to nearly nothing, and he was shocked.

Six captain-level Shinigami were unable to stop him, unable to halt his advance, unable to prevent him from reaching the Noble District, where he intended to target the Tsunayashiro family.

The situation was growing more serious.

It was no longer something he could afford to overlook.

Byakuya, his face calm and ancient, reached for the sword resting beside him as he prepared to rise from his kneeling position. But before he could stand, the door to his room was thrown open, and someone rushed in with attendants in tow. Seeing Byakuya still seated, the newcomer's face showed anger, a flash of displeasure crossing his features as he said:

"Byakuya Ginrei, what are you still doing here? The Central 46 has already issued an arrest warrant, and the Nobles' Council has mobilized everyone. The Second Division is setting up traps to capture the criminal who entered the Great Spirit Book Gallery and disrupted the three realms. What are you still doing here?"

The old man who had entered was also of noble bearing, his face stern and his demeanor commanding as he scolded, "As captain of the Sixth Division, representing the noble clans and maintaining order in the Soul Society, how can you just sit here drinking tea?"

Byakuya, who had been about to stand, slowly released his grip on his sword, his body relaxing as he straightened his posture. He picked up his cup of tea with the elegance and poise of a noble and sipped calmly, speaking in a measured tone:

"There's no need to worry, Master Tsunayashiro. Since the Central 46 has issued its order, the target is already a bird in a cage."

The head of the Tsunayashiro family, his expression cold, gave a harsh snort before turning to leave.

As he departed, his attendant, Tsunayashiro Tokida, who had lost an arm and whose face was unnaturally pale, forced a smile and said, "Captain Kuchiki, please cooperate quickly with the Nobles' Council to protect the Noble District. The enemy should not be underestimated."

Byakuya didn't respond, elegantly finishing his tea before finally picking up his sword and leaving the building.

As the black shards of the shattered coffin disappeared into the air, the three fallen captains were caught and treated by Retsu Unohana on the ground.

The three thousand spheres reappeared behind H'el, absorbing the vast sea of spiritual particles from the sky.

Jushiro Ukitake's expression was grim as he watched H'el's back, seeing the three thousand spheres reappear, including the dark sphere he had previously destroyed.

His face darkened as he looked up at the Gates of Hell above the Seireitei, his mind racing. Finally, with a great deal of resolve, he softly began to chant:

"Bankai…"

But he stopped.

H'el, holding his Zanpakutō with the tip pointed downward, glanced at Ukitake, then took a step forward. As he turned, an elderly man came into view.

Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto, leaning on his wooden cane, his eyes barely open with age, spoke in a soft, weary voice:

"Young man, are you unhappy with my arrangements?"

°°°

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