Chapter 30: Aizen's Death 1/2

AN: Hey everyone, hope you're all doing well! Things are moving along a bit. The vocabulary terms list has grown a bit...but I hope you guys find it helpful.

Anyways, as always, thanks for your continued support!

Vocabulary Terms:

*Baka (Bakamono) = Fool/Idiot

*Onii-sama = Big Brother

*Obasan = Aunt

*Chappy = Most popular soul candy with a cutesy personality and depicted as a bunny.

*Ryoka = Traveling Evil(s)/ outsiders not associated with the Seireitei

*Senzaikyu = Palace of Penitence/Repentance Palace

*Sekkiseki = Spirit reducing stone, a special mineral with properties that allows it to repel all reiryoku.

*Shakonmaku = Soul-Warding Membrane. A large spherical barrier surrounding the Seireitei that vaporizes any reishi that tries to pass through the barrier.

*Sokyoku = Twinned Punishment. A giant halberd currently sealed on the Sokyoku Hill and used to execute nefarious criminals of the Soul Society.

*Seijotokyorin = Tranquil Forest of Residential Towers. The living quarters of the Central 46 members that is completely forbidden to all except the members of the Central 46.

*Daireishokairo = Great Spirit Book Gallery. A repository of all the knowledge and history of the Soul Society with restricted access to very few. Even many Captains are unaware of its inner workings.

Reading the story:

-Scene change: "888"

-Rated M Scene: "XXX"

-Hello, how are you? (Someone in their own thoughts)

-Hello how are you? (Zanpakuto Spirit speaking in a Shinigami's mind)

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Bleach.

Chapter 30

TapTapTapTapTap!

The sound of running footsteps echoed in the streets of Seireitei as Kishin dashed towards the Senzaikyu. He had to see Rukia. He had to tell her that he wasn't going to let her die. He needed to let her know that everything was going to be alright. He couldn't help feeling guilty inside as he recalled how he had told her to leave everything to him. How he had told her that everything was going to be fine. That he'd protect her. That he'd keep her safe. And yet the situation changed to where she was now imprisoned in a dark cold cell.

Just as he completed climbing the long flight of stairs that led to the center of the giant white tower that was the Senzaikyu, he halted and paused taking note of Renji who was standing at the bottom of the entrance. Renji scowled and angrily strode over to Kishin immediately gripping him by the collar and shouting, "You bastard! Didn't you promise that Rukia would be safe with you?! Look what happened! Now she's being sentenced to death with Hinamori! Where were you huh?! Why weren't you by her side all this time?! Now she's being accused of sheltering those damn Ryoka and she's being treated as a criminal of the highest order!"

Kishin frowned and shoved Renji off of him. "I know! You don't think I'm agonizing over this?"

Renji clenched his hands into fists while gnashing his teeth. He furrowed his brow and frustratingly said, "Do you know how much trust and faith Rukia's put in you? Do you know how much she cares about you? Did you know that she went willingly to prison because she didn't want to implicate you? When she was accused of helping the Ryoka she didn't even deny it! Don't tell me, did you have something to do with it?!"

Kishin gritted his teeth as he instantly understood why Rukia didn't fight back. It was because she knew the real reason why the Ryoka went missing. Renji had hit it on the mark. It was because of him. She was taking the blame in his place so that all eyes would be drawn to her instead of him. She didn't want him to be the one imprisoned.

Renji gripped Kishin by the collar once more and angrily growled, "What do you have to say for yourself?! Huh?! Lieutenant Chigetsu!"

Kishin brushed Renji's hands off of him and simply walked past, but not before saying, "I'm not going to just sit around blaming myself. I agree, this was my fault. I was negligent, but at the same time I've already saved her."

Renji frowned in confusion. "What are you talking about?"

Kishin just continued walking on. "I promised Rukia that I'd protect her. Just wait and see. I won't let her get executed." He didn't waste any more words on Renji and walked up to the long wooden bridge that connected to the Senzaikyu. Before he could keep going however he was stopped once more. This time he ran into Byakuya.

Byakuya also took note of his presence and stared indifferently at him. "Lieutenant Chigetsu. Why are you here?" He asked in his emotionless tone of voice.

Kishin simply stared back with a look of indifference as well. "Isn't it obvious? I'm here to see Rukia."

"For what reason?"

"For what reason does there need to be?"

"Rukia is a prisoner of the highest order. If you don't have a legitimate reason for needing to see her then I suggest you return to your quarters."

Kishin furrowed his brow at Byakuya's poor attitude. "Did you even fight for Rukia's innocence?"

"There was no need. She did not deny her involvement in the disappearance of the Ryoka."

"That doesn't mean that she WAS involved."

Byakuya's eyes glowered. "She did not fight for her own innocence. That is as good as claiming her own involvement." He then said with a hint of a suspicious undertone, "Unless of course...she was merely trying to mask the tracks of the true accomplice."

Kishin narrowed his eyes at Byakuya's perceptiveness and replied, "And what if she was?"

Byakuya's hand lightly rested against the hilt of his Zanpakuto. "If she was then she would still be labeled an accomplice for not coming forward when she had such knowledge."

Kishin frowned. "You're quite adamant about keeping her in prison."

"I will do what the law requires of me. Even though we are of the Great Noble Clans we are not above the law."

"Is that so? And what if this law that you uphold so dearly to turns out to be nothing but a corrupt game that others use to manipulate and play around with?"

Byakuya's hand slowly began to enclose around the hilt of his Zanpakuto as he replied, "It appears you do not think highly of our laws, Lieutenant Chigetsu. Perhaps you feel as if you stand above them."

Kishin just scoffed. "Laws are mere guidelines Captain Kuchiki. They are hardly absolute."

"And what would you know about laws? You who rarely obey the rules in the first place."

Kishin smirked as he stared at Byakuya with a complacent look in his eyes. "Of all people I thought you'd understand where I'm coming from the most."

"Of all people you say? What makes you think I need to lower myself to your standard of thinking?"

"Lower your standard? You insult yourself Captain Kuchiki."

"What are you talking about?"

"Isn't it obvious? Didn't you go against your own clan's wishes and marry Hisana who came from Rukongai? I reckon your own clan has its own set of rules and laws. That's why I figured that you'd be able to understand what I'm saying."

Byakuya's heart clenched up for just a split second in wariness. "What do you know about Hisana?"

"It doesn't matter what I know. Don't you think that you're being overly dramatic with the whole rules and regulations thing?"

"Without rules and regulations there would be chaos."

"And who do you think created those rules and regulations and by extension, the laws in the first place?"

Byakuya slightly frowned. "You think you can sway me with your words?"

Kishin ignored Byakuya's comment. "Tell me Captain Kuchiki, are we Shinigami perfect beings?"

Byakuya simply remained silent and didn't answer so Kishin just continued, "That's fine. You don't have to say it, but you already know the answer. We aren't perfect. And who creates the laws? Us flawed beings. We are imperfect flawed creatures and so too are our laws by nature. This absolution you obsess about upholding the law is just an illusion you're creating for yourself so you don't have to personally make the hard choices and decisions. Why don't you think for yourself for once instead of running around acting like Soul Society's loyal dog."

Byakuya was inwardly enraged as his reiatsu began to leak out from his body. "Careful what you say to me, Lieutenant Chigetsu."

Kishin didn't break eye contact as he raised his own reiatsu to match Byakuya's. "You think I'm afraid of you?"

"You talk too much."

"You just can't accept the truth. You're only acting this way because you know what I said is true."

"You know nothing about me."

"Is that so? Then how dare you presume to know things about myself."

"Are you the one harboring the Ryoka?"

"I advise you to think the entire situation through, Captain Kuchiki."

"Are you the one harboring the Ryoka?!" Byakuya asked again, but with a fiercer undertone, but Kishin simply dismissed it. "I'm going to see Rukia, Captain Kuchiki. Since you won't stand up for her then I. WILL."

Byakuya frowned. "Stand up for her you say. And what are you planning to do for her?"

"I will save her somehow."

"Can I take your words as future acts of rebellion against the Soul Society?"

"Take them how you will. You're the one assuming things, not me." He then rested his own hand against the hilt of his Zanpakuto. "If you draw your sword against me right now then I wonder which of us will be in violation of the laws? Captain Kuchiki."

Byakuya inwardly cursed and stared down Kishin for several more minutes before he finally reigned in his reiatsu and eased up his hand on his sword. Without exchanging any more words with Kishin he turned around and blurred into the distance.

Kishin scoffed before a concerned look found its way back to his face. He dashed towards the cell door at the end of the bridge where two Shinigami guards with frightful expressions were standing. Those two guards had witnessed the entire scene with Byakuya and Kishin and they felt just how terrifying the force of both of their reiatsus were. It was so powerful that if Byakuya and Kishin didn't control the majority of their spiritual pressure to surround just them, the two guards would have definitely been instantly crushed under the weight. So when Kishin stood in front of them they nearly fainted on the spot.

Kishin just pointed to the door and said with a commanding tone of voice, "Open it."

"Y-Y-Y-Y-Yes s-s-sir!" One of the guards fearfully saluted and took out the key to unlock the prison cell. In mere seconds the stone door opened revealing a dark circular room with a cement floor and a small winding staircase leading up to a slitted window that looked out towards the Sokyoku Hill. The prison cell wasn't empty however as two individuals sat near that slitted window. One was wearing an all white colored robe which was Hinamori whilst the other was wearing a standard Shinigami shihakusho.

"Rukia!" Kishin anxiously shouted which immediately caught her attention.

"Kishin?" She responded almost disbelievingly as she stood up from Hinamori and ran down the stairs to meet him. The moment she reached the bottom of the stairs she was whisked off of the ground and into Kishin's strong warm arms. She told herself that she wasn't going to get emotional because this was a choice she deliberately made to protect him, but in the end she couldn't help but let a tear fall from the corner of her eyes as she snuggled deep into the comfort of his chest. He held her tight and took in her scent. "You idiot. Why didn't you plead innocent?"

"Baka...you know why."

"Tch. I promised that I would protect you. Why are you trying to act like the hero now senpai?"

Rukia just smiled and relished the feeling of his presence. "Hmpf. It's called heroine! I'm a woman you know."

Kishin just smirked and kissed the top of her head.

Muah!

"Sorry sorry. Heroine." He then noted that she didn't seem too haggard or frightened at all. Instead, she was rather relaxed. "Uh...senpai, you do realize the situation you're in right?"

She stared up at him with her cute violet eyes and nodded. "Uh-huh. I know."

"Err...then how come you don't look like a person who's about to be executed?"

"Hehe, that's because I trust you."

"Hm? And what does that mean?"

She pressed her lips to his ear and softly whispered, "You said that you wouldn't let Hinamori get executed and you said that you had a plan to help Ichigo and the others. Since it's you, I know you have some sort of mischievous plot brewing in the dark. Since I was under house arrest anyways I figured I'd help take some heat off of your back."

Kishin just blinked a few times before giving her a blank stare. "Senpai...you voluntarily came in here to take away the suspicion from me and prevent a full scale investigation?"

She nodded. He let out a sigh and shook his head. "You're unbelievable. You were supposed to call me if something happened, remember?"

She simply gave him an innocent look and awkwardly turned her head. "Haha...I forgot."

He furrowed his brow and continued, "And the necklace. Where is it?"

She pouted and huffed. "Hmpf. You were tracking me with it huh?"

Kishin felt his heart clench up in guilt as he nervously coughed. "Ahem. W-What makes you say that?"

A triumphant look flashed in her eyes as she lightly patted him on the head. "I found out a while ago. Urahara-san made a comment about my necklace one day and asked if he could see it. He then told me about it and asked who gave it to me. It was too late for him to keep quiet about the necklace after he found out that you gave it to me since he already told me what its use was for."

"Wha- ...that...damn him! How could he do that…" Kishin grumbled unhappily.

Rukia just smirked and let out a sigh. "I'm happy that you want to ensure my safety, but Kishin. I'm a Shinigami too. It's inevitable that I'll be placed in a dangerous situation one day."

"Tsk. Fine. I know, but why did you have to take it off? At least keep it on so that if you ever DO need my help and you're far away then I can at least find you."

"I know I know. I just wanted to teach you a lesson."

Kishin pouted and tickled her sides.

"Ahahaha wai-ah! Hahaha Kishin stop! Hahaha no-hahaha no more! Please!" She laughed and cried and squirmed at his ministrations.

He just grinned and continued for several more seconds as he replied, "This is your punishment for worrying me senpai. I almost fought your brother just now to get to you."

Rukia immediately sobered up and turned serious at his comment. "W-What?! Nii-sama?"

Kishin realized he made a mistake in telling her that and quickly attempted to rectify his words. "I mean, we talked for a bit and he got mad that I didn't protect you well and I apologized and blah blah blah. Anyways, long story short nothing happened. At most he's slightly displeased with how I handled things." He gave her his best convincing smile to which she gave him a suspicious stare.

In the end she nodded and hopped out of his arms.

Plop!

The sound of her feet hitting the cement floor echoed in the dark prison cell. Kishin furrowed his brow and stared at Hinamori who remained unmoved the entire time.

"How's she doing?" He ventured to ask.

Rukia just shook her head. "Not well. I try talking to her every so often, but she only tells me that Captain Aizen will come rescue her."

Kishin silently nodded having expected this sort of result. He then noticed the two guards nervously pacing back and forth by the prison door occasionally popping their heads in to see if Kishin was finished with his visit. They were simply too scared to say or ask anything of him. Kishin just let out a sigh and lightly brushed his fingers over Rukia's soft cheeks. "I think my visitation time is up. The guards are getting antsy. Actually, I'm pretty sure prisoners in the Senzaikyu aren't even supposed to get visitors so…"

Rukia just nodded. "I understand. Go before you get in trouble and locked up in here too. If you do then what I did will be for nothing."

He smirked and quickly bent down to steal a kiss from her lips before pausing by her ear and whispered, "Whatever you hear or sense, don't worry about it. It's just part of the plan. Even if you hear something as drastic as I died or something."

Rukia immediately had a concerned look on her face after hearing his words. "Don't! ...Don't joke about you dying…"

He lightly smiled and poked her cheek. "It's not a joke. I'll save you. I promise." He then straightened up and gave her a playful wink before taking his leave. His heart and mind now at ease knowing that Rukia was doing just fine.

Alright, Aizen should have his eyes trained on Ichigo for now, but I doubt that guy is gonna leave things be. I bet he was hoping I intervened so he'd have an excuse to break his promise and mess with me. And if I'm right then I bet he'll pin some sort of scandal on me sooner or later, but that's fine. I've set up the important pieces already anyways. I just need to keep him away from Hinamori.

Just as he got to the bottom of the long stairwell he paused and noted a familiar face. "Captain Unohana?"

Unohana smiled and lightly nodded towards Kishin. "Lieutenant Chigetsu. It's good to see you again after so long. How are you?"

"I'm fine, though the entire situation that's currently happening is being blown out of proportion."

"Oh? What makes you say that?"

"Rukia is being sentenced to be executed. I'm upset."

Unohana nodded in understanding. "Of course. It would be strange if you weren't. I'm sorry that there wasn't anything I could do for Ms. Kuchiki-san."

Kishin just shook his head. "It's fine Captain. Are you here to check on the prisoners?"

"That's right. I'm just checking the status of their health. Although they are sentenced to be executed, the least I can do for them is make them more comfortable before the time comes. They were, after all, once important members of the Gotei 13."

Kishin nodded and continued on his way but not before Unohana called out to him. "Lieutenant Chigetsu."

Kishin paused and turned around. "Yes?"

"Ar-hm?" Unohana didn't have a chance to finish her sentence as dashing past the top of the stairs and onto the open spaced tiled floor were three haggard looking individuals. They were precisely Orihime, Ganju, and Sado. Kishin mentally slapped his palm to his face.

What the hell are they doing here? And wait...how'd they get here so fast? Where's Ishida?

The sound of the three Ryoka's loud and heavy panting could be heard as they struggled to catch their breath from running all the way up the long flight of stairs.

Huff. Huff. Huff. Huff.

"See! I...huff...knew...huff...this was the way to come. All we needed to do was sense where Ki-Mmpf!" Sado immediately covered Orihime's mouth to stop her from finishing her sentence as he noted the murderous look in Kishin's eyes that was telling them to shut up.

"Mmmpfff! Pah!" Orihime finally struggled out of Sado's grip and gasped for air. "Sado-kun? What's wrong?"

A nervous bead of sweat fell down from the side of Sado's head as he gave Kishin an apologetic look whilst Ganju's legs began to quiver fearing the dark glint in Kishin's eyes. It was then that Unohana ventured to ask, "Ahem. Lieutenant Chigetsu, have you encountered these Ryoka before?"

Kishin immediately shook his head. "Of course not Captain. How could I have had the chance to encounter these Ryoka before. It's my first time seeing them. I never imagined that they'd disappear for two entire days and make it this far inside the Seireitei."

Unohana gave a suspicious glance but decided not to pursue the matter. Kishin took a step forward towards Orihime and the others while saying, "I'll take care of this Captain."

"Oh? I see...very well. Are you planning to kill them?"

Kishin mentally cursed but he answered Unohana straightforwardly. "No. I'll capture them and imprison them in the 13th division barracks. Captain Ichimaru said that there were a total of four Ryoka, however there seems to be one here that doesn't match the description of one of the Ryoka that Captain Ichimaru described. That means Captain Ichimaru never encountered this person." He said whilst staring at Ganju. "That means there are still two Ryoka missing. It's probably best to capture them alive and gather information from them first before killing them."

Orihime, Sado, and Ganju felt their spines shiver in nervousness at how calmly and coldly Kishin spoke the words of killing them. Unohana simply stared at Kishin's back for several long moments before she closed her eyes and nodded. "I see. Then as you proposed, I shall leave this matter to you. Judging by their reiatsu the matter should be easy enough for you to handle."

Kishin nodded in agreement as he watched Unohana continue on her way towards the Senzaikyu. Just as she disappeared beyond their sight he glowered at the others and said beneath his breath, "Where the hell is Yushiro? He should have known better then to let you guys come confront me when I was near another Captain."

Ganju awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck as he was the first to reply, "Yaaa...hahaha...well you see something unexpected happened and we ran into this crazy Captain named Kurotsuchi. Ishida distracted him so we could leave and Yushiro followed him to help guide him to a safe escape route."

Sado and Orihime nodded as Orihime continued to explain, "W-We're sorry Chigetsu-kun. We didn't mean to cause you trouble it's just...with Yushiro gone we were wondering where we should go next. We felt your reiatsu earlier and so I thought that it was probably best to come find you."

Kishin pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed.

What the hell...why didn't they just stay put until Yushiro got back? If they felt my reiatsu from earlier then it was when I was talking to Byakuya. That means they felt his reiatsu too. Did they really think it was a good idea to come find me while I was clashing reiatsus with someone like Byakuya?

They noted the stressed look on Kishin's face so Sado ventured to ask, "Are you alright?"

Kishin couldn't even glance at them and just let out a long drawn out sigh. "Look, you can't do much given the current situation so it's probably best if you just stay jailed up. You'll be safe in the 13th division prison for the time being."

Ganju put up his palms and questioned, "Wait wait wait! You actually want to throw us in jail? Can't you just pretend like we escaped or something?"

Kishin had an indifferent look in his eyes as he responded, "Really? Me? Failing to capture the three of you? With my strength? What's more believable after Captain Unohana already felt the level of your strength? Me capturing all three of you or all three of you somehow miraculously surviving and escaping me?"

...

A moment of still silence loomed in the air as Ganju thought it over before scratching his head in awkwardness. "Haaah...right right...if only you weren't such a monster then you can play it off like we got lucky or something...tch."

Orihime simply tilted her head in confusion. "Hm? But can't we still play it off like we got lucky? I mean we are technically lucky right? Because we know Chigetsu-kun and so couldn't Chigetsu-kun just let us go?"

Sado felt another bead of sweat drip down the side of his head as he elected not to reply. Kishin again pinched the bridge of his nose trying not to lose any braincells from listening any further. Instead of trying to explain himself he simply commanded, "Look at me." As if on cue they all turned their focus back on Kishin, however the moment they made contact with his eyes their pupils dilated and darkened as black cherry blossoms began to fall around them. Thud. They fell to the ground completely unconscious under the influence of Kishin's Hakufuku. He shook his head and picked up their bodies.

I should have just told them to remain in the training ground. Aizen's interest is with Ichigo anyways, not these guys.

Whoosh!

It wasn't long after that he brought them back to the 13th division and locked them in the prison barracks. Their unconscious bodies laying next to one another.

"Just stay put and don't leave." He said to no one in particular.

3 Days Before The Execution

Kishin wandered around the Seireitei pretending to look for the Ryoka when in reality he was simply waiting for the day of the execution to arrive. He watched as tens and dozens and hundreds of Shinigamis grouped up patrolling the streets of Soul Society. Every so often when a group passed him by they would respectfully salute him before going on their way. He merely nodded his head and kept to himself deep in thought.

There's no way Aizen expects the Sokyoku plan to go well so he definitely has the second method to extract the Hogyoku from Hinamori. I just need to make sure that he doesn't get his hands on Hinamori in the end, but at the same time I need Aizen to reveal his true nature to the Gotei 13. I already gave Yushiro the Shihoin Shield to prepare. So far everything is going as planned, but why hasn't Aizen made any more moves? Maybe I intervened too much?

He slowly made his way towards the direction of where the Lieutenants were hosting a meeting by the eastern wall of the Seireitei. As he neared closer and closer he noticed something odd. The presence in the air was too heavy. He frowned and slightly halted his steps staring at the corner of a building that led to an open area by the eastern wall.

"Why are all of the Lieutenants gathered by the wall? And...why do I feel the presence of four Captains?"

The frown on his face became even uglier as he took note of who the four Captains were.

Captain Ichimaru, Captain Tosen, Captain Komamura, and Toshiro…

"Well...this can't be good." Just then a light bulb clicked in his head.

Wait...don't tell me that Aizen-

He never got a chance to finish his thoughts as someone appeared right in front of him.

Fwish!

Kishin took note of the all black uniform that distinguished them as a member of the Onmitsukido, however Kishin obviously recognized who this person was.

"Yushiro?" He curiously inquired, noting the panicked look on Yushiro's face.

"Something wrong?" He asked.

Yushiro immediately gripped Kishin by the shoulders and quickly said, "Get out of here! Go hide somewhere!"

"What? Why?"

Yushiro just started pushing Kishin away as he continued, "Hurry! Something happened this morning."

Kishin smirked and said nonchalantly, "Don't tell me...Aizen's dead?"

Yushiro's entire body shook in shock as he stared wide-eyed at Kishin. "H-How'd you know? Wait...you didn't actually kill Aizen did you?"

Kishin raised his eyebrow curiously at the way Yushiro worded his question. "What do you mean by that? You make it sound like I'm the suspect."

Yushiro didn't beat around the bush and nodded. "Well you are! Aizen left a letter in his office last night and your name was mentioned. The letter states that you had wanted to talk to Aizen regarding Hinamori and Rukia's execution. Something about Rukia being wrongly accused and something about you having information about the Ryoka. Since you were the last person mentioned on the letter you're the prime suspect. Not to mention that the letter states you have something to do with the Ryoka!"

Kishin glanced around the corner and relaxedly said, "Then...around the corner on the eastern wall...don't tell me. The reason I feel the presence of four Captains and the other Lieutenants in one spot is because-"

Yushiro cut him off and nodded. "Yeah! Aizen's dead body is currently impaled on the eastern wall!"

"Oh? Haha, well shit." Kishin amusedly cursed aloud.

He immediately turned around to leave when he heard Tosen speak his name. "I thought I felt your presence nearby, Lieutenant Chigetsu. No. With how the current situation stands, perhaps I should refer to you as simply Chigetsu Kishin."

Kishin scoffed, noting the mocking undertone in Tosen's words as he recalled that he stated something similar to Tosen back when they fought in Hueco Mundo. Without batting an eye he nonchalantly waved his hand in the air and greeted the blind Captain. "Yo! Captain Tosen. I didn't take you to be such a petty person. Did I hit a nerve the last time we fought?"

Tosen's hand slightly twitched at the comment.

Fwish! Fwish! Fwish! Fwish!

Soon after the others by the eastern wall appeared and surrounded the area. Yushiro who still had his hands gripped on Kishin's shoulders quietly whispered in the space between them. "I have orders to arrest you Kishin. Do something. I already have my hands on you so knock me out or something and get out of here. Pretend we're fighting."

Kishin inwardly sighed and stared Yushiro in the eyes as a red light flashed by in his irises. Yushiro instantly felt his mind grow drowsy. Black colored cherry blossoms slowly fell around him and his pupils dilated several times before he fell unconscious on the ground.

Thud.

Gin smirked nearby and commented, "Yaaa, not bad not bad. Your skill with Hakufuku is pretty good, Lieutenant Chigetsu. The Onmitsukido has orders for your capture. Can we take it that you putting up a resistance against the Commander of the Punishment Force as admission of your guilt for colluding with the Ryoka and killin' Captain Aizen?"

Kishin didn't respond while Toshiro clenched his fist feeling guilty. Toshiro felt that it was his fault in wanting to save Hinamori that led Kishin into this mess. He knew and trusted that Kishin wasn't the culprit, but as matters stood he had no way to prove Kishin's innocence. Just as he wanted to step forward and defend Kishin he paused and noted the look in Kishin's eyes that told him that everything was still fine and that this matter didn't affect the overall plan.

The next to speak out was a large burly man standing at a whopping 288cm in height. They wore bronze plated armor and bracers over their shihakusho. A bucket-like helmet was worn over their head. This person was the Captain of the 7th division, Komamura Sajin. "Lieutenant Chigetsu. To collude with Ryoka and kill a Captain of the Gotei 13. This is an inexcusable crime. What do you have to say for yourself?"

…

Silence.

A palpable tension was growing in the air as all the Lieutenants stared with both disbelief and wariness at Kishin. Kishin however didn't feel any tension at all as the aura around him was completely relaxed. He had wondered if Aizen was going to fake his death. In fact the outcome that was currently happening was one of the situations he had been prepared for. To him it didn't matter whether or not he was labeled as the killer because he was still going to wait for the day of the execution. The original plan of destroying the Sokyoku didn't change at all since he already had those pieces in place. While things were going to get a bit more dramatic, at least he no longer had to pretend to be looking for the Ryoka around Seireitei for the next few days.

Since Kishin remained silent this entire time Komamura rested his hand on his Zanpakuto and said, "Everyone, arrest Lieutenant Chigetsu."

Kishin smirked and shook his head. "Captain Komamura. I see you are good friends Captain Tosen."

Komamura slightly frowned beneath his helmet. "So you do have something to say, Lieutenant Chigetsu."

Kishin nodded. "I have just one thing to say."

"And what would that be?"

"Keep your friends close but your enemies closer. Are you familiar with this phrase, Captain Komamura?"

"Yes, I am. What about it?"

Kishin shrugged and pointed his chin at Tosen. "Nothing really. It's just that you have undoubtedly kept your enemy close to you all this time."

Tosen's finger slightly twitched and interjected before Kishin could say too much. "Enough. Arrest him."

All the Lieutenants were hesitant at first, however they steeled their resolve soon after since they were in the presence of four Captains. Just as Iba took a step forward he stopped and widened his eyes in shock and fear. The pressure in the atmosphere had suddenly increased dozens of times over causing the surrounding floors and walls to crack and quake under the violent rumble of Kishin's reiatsu. Instantly all the Lieutenants present knew that they stood no chance. The reiatsu leaking from Kishin's body wasn't at some ordinary level of strength, it wasn't even at an ordinary Captains level of strength. No, his reiatsu was shaking and weighing down on everyone with such ferocity that if they didn't personally know Kishin, they would have thought he was some old monster who had lived for hundreds and hundreds of years.

Kishin simply smirked at everyone's stunned reaction and commented, "Well then, Lieutenants, Captains, if you don't mind I'll just take my leave."

However, before he could take one step forward he heard Komamura shout, "With such a violent reiatsu, perhaps you truly did kill Aizen! You hid your true strength well Lieutenant Chigetsu, but don't think that you can perturb a Captain with just your reiatsu alone! HAAAAA!" Komamura dashed forwards and punched out with his fist aiming straight for Kishin's head.

BAM!

The floor where Kishin was standing moments prior was instantly smashed through creating a giant gaping hole in the ground, however Kishin was already on the roof of a nearby building.

"My apologies Captain Komamura, but with a speed that slow you won't be able to catch me. Oh, and allow me to add some words of advice. That thing on the wall may look like Aizen, but maybe you're all just under an illusion. Some food for thought."

TING!

Kishin smirked and blocked a sword strike to his back with his Zanpakuto.

"A cheap trick Captain Tosen, but you'll have to do better than that. Figures that a blind person would aim for a blindspot." He mocked and taunted attempting to rile Tosen up.

Tosen furrowed his brow and dashed back just as Komamura appeared in the air and slashed down with his Zanpakuto. Kishin stood completely unperturbed and slashed upwards to block, however he didn't miss the fact that Tosen dashed back in to strike him from the side.

WHOOSH!

BANG!

At the last second he blurred away with Shunpo at a speed faster than Tosen and Komamura could react to, causing their attack to destroy the roof of the building.

Komamura frowned and curiously inquired, "Captain Hitsugaya, Captain Ichimaru, why haven't you both acted?"

Gin just waved his hand in the air. "Ah? Me? No no, two on one is already unfair dont'cha think? We're giving a Lieutenant enough face already letting him fight two Captains of the Gotei 13 don't ya agree?" He then turned to Toshiro and playfully said, "Don't ya think the same, Captain Hitsugaya?"

Toshiro gritted his teeth hating the current situation. He didn't really like the vibe that Gin gave off, but he had to admit that Gin gave him a way out so he coughed and commented, "Ahem, Captain Ichimaru has a point. Four Captains against one enemy would be a disgrace to the title given to us of the Gotei 13. We'll leave it to the two of you, Captain Komamura, Captain Tosen."

Meanwhile Kishin had an amused look in his eyes as he continued to dodge, parry, and block the combined attacks of Tosen and Komamura while listening to Gin and Toshiro's excuses. Just as Komamura was about to retort, Kishin slashed with his blade right at the bronze bucket helmet.

KLANG!

Bam!

"Ugh!" Tosen groaned out as Kishin kicked him in the stomach after Tosen had blocked the sword strike to Komamura's head.

"Tosen!" Komamura shouted in alarm.

"Don't lose focus, Komamura." Tosen replied.

"He's right 7th division Captain." Kishin interjected nonchalantly as he slashed at Komamura's arm.

TING! CLANG! CLING!

He continued his onslaught at a leisurely pace simply taking his time. Taking on both Tosen and Komamura to him was no trouble at all. It had been awhile since he last tested his strength in a true battle and so he took this time to warm-up a little. There wasn't a Captain in the current Gotei 13 that he didn't dare take on except perhaps the Captain Commander himself and possibly Aizen if he didn't have to.

I wonder if I should take this chance to kill Tosen? After all, if Aizen's gonna frame me for his death then I might as well kill an actual Captain.