Chapter 361: The Forgotten One

Seireitei.

The destroyed buildings in Seireitei were now under massive reconstruction, but people couldn't shake the feeling that something was missing. Occasionally, they would look up at the sky, where a dark sphere loomed ominously, sending a chill down the spine of anyone who gazed at it.

As to why it caused such unease, no one knew.

"What kind of attack caused such devastation?" a Shinigami asked, looking at the massive pit in front of the gates of the Shin'o Academy. The pit, spanning 2000 meters, still had crystallized surfaces from the intense heat that had burned them. Just standing at the edge and looking down made one gasp in awe.

What kind of monster could have done this?

"Amazing, isn't it? You haven't seen the chasm in the central courtyard of Seireitei or the noble district, have you? Now, that's even more shocking," another Shinigami replied, shaking his head at his companion's astonishment.

The chasm in the central courtyard and the noble district was truly breathtaking.

"What kind of monster could have caused such destruction?" someone else wondered, deeply curious and stunned by the sight.

"No one knows for sure. It's said that a mysterious Hollow invaded, spreading fear and destruction throughout Seireitei. Even the Head Captain had to step in to subdue it. But after it was defeated, the Hollow's appearance, actions, and everything about it, including our memories of it, disappeared along with it," one Shinigami shared, repeating what had been confirmed by the captains.

Several captain-level Shinigami were severely injured and were receiving emergency treatment in the 4th Division.

"The Head Captain got involved? That's a shame… I would've loved to see him in action, but now I won't remember it even if I did," another Shinigami lamented, regretting that he might have witnessed the legendary Head Captain in battle but had no memory of it.

It was, after all, Captain-Commander Yamamoto—the strongest Shinigami in a thousand years. Just seeing the chasm in the central courtyard and the noble district gave a sense of how awe-inspiring the battle must have been.

But sadly, there was no memory of it.

Many Shinigami shared the sentiment. It would have been an incredible privilege to witness Captain-Commander Yamamoto in action.

Not surprisingly, Yamamoto managed to defeat such a mysterious Hollow.

"But if that Hollow was dealt with, then what's with that dark sphere in the sky? Every time I look up at it, I get this deep sense of dread. Why is that?" another Shinigami asked, pulling his gaze away from the ominous sphere and shivering involuntarily.

He couldn't understand why, but every time his eyes caught sight of the dark sphere in the sky, an instinctive fear would rise within him.

"Do you feel that way too? So do I," another Shinigami agreed. "Maybe that's why we've forgotten the Hollow. Who knows how terrifying it must have been to face it directly. Perhaps we wouldn't have been able to hold our swords steady, let alone fight," he speculated, shivering at the thought.

Even he wasn't sure if he could hold onto his sword and fight, just by seeing the Hollow's dark sphere. The fear it induced was overwhelming, making battle seem impossible.

A monster like that could probably only be handled by Captain-Commander Yamamoto.

"These things are dealt with by the captains. It's not for us to worry about. And besides, we still have Captain-Commander Yamamoto," another Shinigami said, regaining some confidence as he mentioned Yamamoto, feeling as if the chill in his heart had lessened a bit.

Even the sunlight seemed a bit brighter.

Kuchiki Estate.

"Grandfather!" The young Byakuya Kuchiki, already showing signs of becoming a handsome and elegant man, had just returned from his daily training when he was informed that his grandfather was on his last breath. Without delay, he rushed to the sickroom, tears welling in his eyes as he knelt beside his grandfather, clutching his thighs, tears streaming down his hands and legs.

"Is that you, Byakuya?" Kuchiki Ginrei, seeming to have a moment of clarity before his death, used his last bit of strength to open his clouded eyes and look at his weeping grandson.

"Yes, Grandfather, I'm here. I swear I'll kill every Hollow and avenge you!" Byakuya, still a child, saw his grandfather's skeletal hand slowly reaching out to him. He quickly leaned his head forward so his grandfather could touch him, speaking through his sobs.

"Byakuya, don't be sad. My death is an honor," Ginrei said, using the last of his strength. "Byakuya, always remember the duties of the Kuchiki family. We must be an example to all Shinigami, upholding and enforcing the laws of the Soul Society."

With that, Ginrei's eyes slowly closed, and his skeletal hand slipped from Byakuya's head. Byakuya caught it as it fell, but he couldn't catch the life that slipped away.

"Grandfather!" Byakuya cried in sorrow.

Shin'o Academy.

Classes at Shin'o Academy had returned to normal, with students attending their regular lessons in the Kido training grounds.

"Rangiku, how do you adjust the power of a Red Flame Cannon? Is there a trick to it?" one student asked in frustration.

"It's all about controlling the precision and flow of spiritual particles. Try to feel the flow of spiritual energy with your breathing. Imagine a water pipe, with spiritual energy flowing through it, expanding and contracting as if it's breathing. Practice like that, and you'll notice your control improving," Rangiku replied without hesitation.

These were just basic exercises for controlling spiritual energy, but she knew of even more advanced techniques.

It was strange, though.

Where had this knowledge come from? It just seemed to exist in her mind.

Finally, Rangiku concluded with confidence.

Ha, I must be a genius!

"Rangiku, you're amazing!" her classmates said, looking at her with admiration. "How did you come up with these techniques?"

Rangiku laughed heartily, her face lighting up with a smile. "Of course, it's because—"

Of course, it was something H'el had taught her! But for some reason, she couldn't say the name, and she didn't even know who H'el was. She felt like she had forgotten something important, like she had lost a crucial memory, a significant person.

Rangiku's smile faded, her expression freezing as she opened her mouth, trying to recall what she had lost. But no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't remember. Tears welled up in her eyes, sliding down her cheeks.

"What have I forgotten?"

°°°

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