Chapter 587: The Hollowfication Incident
Chapter 587: The Hollowfication Incident
Rukongai.
Somewhere within its depths...
Five figures were rushing forward with haste: Soifon, the 2nd Division Captain; Shinji Hirako, the 5th Division Captain; Love Aikawa, the 7th Division Captain; Lisa Yadomaru, the 8th Division Lieutenant; and Taro Jaraten, the Vice Chief of the Kido Corps.
After a while, something caught their collective attention, causing them to pause momentarily and glance toward the direction of the Northern Rukongai and its Deep Crimson Heights.
"Kakashi's Mangekyo Sharingan pressure has vanished," one of them remarked.
"Seems like he's released the Mangekyo Sharingan... The battle should be over by now," Love Aikawa added, continuing their headlong rush while glancing sideways to the north.
In just one day, the Soul Society had witnessed several momentous events. The first was the complete disappearance of Kensei Muguruma's spiritual pressure.
As a Captain-level Shinigami, the sudden loss of his spiritual pressure likely indicated that he had met with some unforeseen accident. The disappearance of a Captain from the Gotei 13 was an extremely significant matter, and thus, Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni had immediately issued an emergency summons and dispatched this group to the site of the incident.
But not long after they had set out...
A spiritual pressure far surpassing that of a Captain soared skyward, emanating from beyond the Northern Rukongai. Undoubtedly, this pressure belonged to none other than the 2nd Division's Lieutenant, Hatake Kakashi, and his Mangekyo Sharingan!
The mission to subjugate the Leopard People had clearly gone awry, or else Kakashi wouldn't have been pushed to such extremes, forcing him to not only resort to using his Mangekyo Sharingan but also to unleash its full power!
However...
What was even more startling was not this, but the fact that Kakashi's Mangekyo Sharingan spiritual pressure had reached a level beyond that of a typical Captain. Even from their distant location in the Northern Rukongai, they could sense its overwhelming might.
"Regardless of what unexpected situations arose, Lieutenant Kakashi should be able to handle them. This level of spiritual pressure... only a handful of Shinigami possess such power," Shinji Hirako remarked, his eyelids lowered.
Though he was loath to admit it, this spiritual pressure had indeed surpassed his own and that of the other Captains present. In fact, there were very few within the entire Gotei 13 who could match this level of power, and currently, it seemed only two individuals—Retsu Unohana and Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni—possessed it.
In other words, with his super-Captain-level spiritual pressure, Kakashi now stood on equal footing with Retsu Unohana and Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni, his strength surpassing that of an ordinary Captain.
With such formidable power, there were few who could withstand his Mangekyo Sharingan when unleashed at full force. Even if the Leopard People had some unexpected tricks up their sleeves, it would be exceedingly difficult for them to stand against Kakashi, especially when joined by Hatake Sakumo. Together, their combined strength was not inferior to the five Shinigami rushing to their aid.
"Mmm," Lisa Yadomaru nodded slightly, her voice grave. "Rather than worrying about their situation, we should focus on resolving our own troubles first."
Kakashi's Mangekyo Sharingan spiritual pressure had now faded away, suggesting two possibilities: either Kakashi had met with an accident, or he had successfully dealt with the unforeseen circumstances they anticipated. Naturally, these five Shinigami inclined toward the latter interpretation.
"Indeed," Taro Jaraten agreed quietly. "But Lieutenant Kakashi's talent is truly awe-inspiring. To attain such a profound level of spiritual pressure after achieving his Mangekyo Sharingan for just a few months... In the future, he may even become a contender for the role of Captain-Commander."
"That remains to be seen," Shinji Hirako said, continuing to forge ahead as he kept his eyes fixed on the path ahead. "Shinigami have their limits when it comes to growth. Once those limits are reached, further advancement becomes impossible, regardless of one's previous rate of improvement. After all, it's been thousands of years since we've seen the likes of the Captain-Commander."
Soifon was about to respond when her eyes widened slightly, a sudden realization flashing across her face. "This spiritual pressure... it's Sarutobi Hiruzen!"
Whoosh!
In an instant, Shinji Hirako's eyes sharpened, and he surged forward with increased speed, racing toward the source of Sarutobi Hiruzen's spiritual pressure.
Love Aikawa and the others quickly reacted, immediately accelerating to match Hirako's pace as they rushed in the direction of Hiruzen's spiritual pressure.
A moment later...
Clang!
Shinji Hirako reached Sarutobi Hiruzen first, his Zanpakuto slicing through the air to block a dark shadow that was hurtling toward Hiruzen.
"Shinji!" Hiruzen exclaimed, her eyes widening in surprise.
At that moment, Hiruzen's face was streaked with blood, a testament to the desperate chase she had been enduring. She had already expended all her energy just to stay ahead, leaving her no opportunity to sense the approach of allies like Hirako.
"Have you lost your mind? Why aren't you drawing your sword?" Hirako demanded, his blade still extended to shield Hiruzen as he glanced back at her.
Despite the transformation, the figure was still recognizable as Rokumon Jianyi, the 9th Division Captain, with a Hollow's mask and parts of his body transformed into a monstrous form.
"Jianyi?!"
Majiro's pupils contracted, and a look of shock crossed his face.
It was around this time that Fengqiao Lujiu and Aikawa Rabu, who were closely following Majiro, finally arrived, and they immediately recognized the figure standing before Majiro, engaged in a standoff.
"Majiro! Hizuri is fine..."
Before Aikawa could even finish asking about Hizuri's condition, he exclaimed in shock, "Jianyi?! What's going on?!"
Fengqiao's brow furrowed as he said, "Is that really Jianyi? Regardless of the mask or the spiritual pressure, he's completely Hollowfied!"
"I don't know," Majiro said in a low voice. "But I know that if we don't draw our swords, we will undoubtedly die!"
Although Rokumon Jianyi, who had already Hollowfied, was now exuding a spiritual pressure vastly different from his Shinigami form, there was no doubt that his strength was on par with a Captain's Bankai.
Even with three captains, a vice-captain, and a vice-chief of the Kido Corps present, if they didn't release their Zanpakuto, facing a captain with a Bankai would undoubtedly result in their deaths.
"Ooooooh!!!!"
Just as everyone was talking, the Hollowfied Rokumon Jianyi let out an unconscious roar, accompanied by a more intense and violent spiritual pressure that surged in all directions.
Whoosh!!!
Jianyi disappeared from his original spot and reappeared behind Aikawa.
"What?!"
Aikawa's pupils contracted, and he didn't have time to dodge. He could only hastily raise his arm to block, but he was still sent flying sideways by Jianyi's attack, his vice-captain's haori torn to shreds.
Aikawa, who had sustained a significant injury from just one hit, struggled to maintain his composure as he panted, "That punch really hurt. As expected of Jianyi..."
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!!!
As Aikawa's words trailed off, Fengqiao and the others simultaneously drew their Zanpakuto and faced Jianyi.
"Don't! Can't you see it's Jianyi?!" Hizuri exclaimed as she witnessed the scene, but before she could finish, Majiro interrupted her with a serious expression. "Don't speak, Hizuri. Precisely because it's Jianyi, we must stop him."
"That's right, Hizuri," Majiro continued. "Jianyi is important, so we must find a way to stop him. Don't worry; there are many ways to prevent him without harming his life."
Yimali Lisa, holding her Zanpakuto, spoke with an exceptionally stern and serious expression. "Cut the tendons in his hands and feet. You take the right side."
"No problem," Fengqiao replied calmly.
However, just as the two were about to make their move, another figure silently appeared behind Fengqiao and kicked him forcefully.
Yimali's pupils contracted as she immediately called out a warning, but it was too late. Fengqiao, caught off guard, was struck by the attack.
Boom!!!
Fengqiao was knocked down from the sky and crashed into the ground with a loud bang.
The attacker was Juwan Bai, the vice-captain of the 9th Division. Although there was a significant gap between a vice-captain and a captain, most captains would not be harmed even if a vice-captain attacked them freely. However, Juwan, who had Hollowfied, now possessed spiritual pressure strong enough to injure a captain!
Juwan Bai's appearance once again threw the situation into chaos.
In fact, Majiro and the others still held the advantage in terms of combat strength, but it was almost impossible for them to release their Bankai against Juwan and Rokumon. With Jianyi Hollowfied, he possessed the strength of a captain's Bankai, and Juwan had reached the level of an ordinary captain as well, leading to a period of immense confusion.
Amidst this chaos, Zhaotian Baoxuan made a decisive move.
"Binding Path No. 75—Five-Pillar Iron Penetration!"
"Binding Path No. 63—Locking Chain Binding!"
Two Binding Paths above level 60 were cast in quick succession, first suppressing Juwan and then Rokumon, immobilizing them in place.
While the 75th Binding Path was enough to restrain Juwan Bai, the 63rd Binding Path was unable to hold Rokumon Jianyi, as he easily broke free with his brute strength in his hollowfied state!
Breaking free from his restraints, Rokumon Jianyi once again launched a fierce attack on Yimali Lisa and the others. In an instant, he blasted Lisa away and then turned to assault the already injured Fengqiao Lujiu.
Upon seeing this, Zhaotian Baoxuan didn't hesitate. He brought his hands together, forming a sealing pose in front of him, and unleashed his surging spiritual pressure with a low shout.
"Binding Path No. 99 - Seal!"
Whoosh!!!
A pitch-black, cross-shaped seal weaved through the air, centering on Rokumon's position and spreading in four directions, instantly binding and pinning him to the ground.
The 99th Binding Path was far superior to the previous 60th Binding Path. Even without incantation and only using the first technique of the 99th Binding Path, it was still enough to completely suppress Rokumon.
"Impressive. To be able to forgo the incantation for a Binding Path in the 90s,"
Watching this unfold, Shinji Hirako breathed a sigh of relief as his tense expression finally eased. He turned to Zhaotian and spoke.
"It was a bit of a stretch..."
Zhaotian panted, sweat trickling down his face, clearly indicating that using the 99th Binding Path hadn't been easy for him.
Hirako looked at the restrained Rokumon and Juwan, then asked, "So, what now? Can Kido handle this situation?"
"Hmm."
Zhaotian frowned, expressing his difficulty. "Without knowing the cause, I really don't know how to deal with this..."
Aikawa Rabu approached the restrained Rokumon to examine his condition, while Yimali Lisa moved towards Juwan to do the same.
But...
Just as everyone let their guard down, a startling turn of events took place!
Hiruzen Sarutobi, who was being carried by Shinji Hirako, suddenly spewed a large amount of milky-white liquid from her mouth, and a chaotic spiritual pressure burst forth.
Whoosh!!!
Sarutobi, who had suddenly hollowfied, slashed at Shinji Hirako, catching him off guard and injuring him, causing him to fall to the ground.
Immediately, a black canopy enveloped them, depriving everyone of their senses of sight, smell, and hearing. Aikawa Rabu, Fengqiao Lujiu, and the others were all ambushed in the darkness and suffered consecutive heavy blows!
As the dark canopy shattered...
Three figures appeared: Toshiro Hitsugaya, Sosuke Aizen, and Gin Ichimaru.
"Ai...zen..."
Hirako gritted his teeth and glared at Aizen's figure with piercing eyes.
Aizen stood there, looking at the fallen Hirako and the others with a calm expression. "Indeed, the transformation of the Shinigami is quite different from that of ordinary souls."
...
Several days later...
Yoruichi Shihouin, clad in a black bodysuit and draped in a captain's haori, appeared outside the Seireitei, followed by several hundred members of the Second Division and the Secret Mobile Corps.
Flanking her on either side were Fengye and Soifon, with Lilith positioned behind Fengye.
The group soon returned to the Second Division's barracks.
Upon entering the Seireitei, Yoruichi had a feeling that something was amiss. This feeling only intensified when they reached the barracks.
As she entered the barracks, she narrowed her eyes at the welcoming squad members and asked, "What happened these past few days?"
The squad members exchanged glances, and the one in front of Yoruichi lowered his voice and reported, "Captain, the 12th Division Captain, Urahara Kisuke, conducted evil hollowfication experiments against the rules, causing the 3rd Division Captain, the 5th Division Captain, the 7th Division Captain, the 8th Division Vice-Captain, the 9th Division's Captain and Vice-Captain, the 12th Division Vice-Captain, and the Vice Master of Kido to hollowfy, a total of eight people."
"After the verdict was passed by the Central 46, Urahara Kisuke and the Master of Kido, Wogu Tetsuza, refused to accept the judgment and escaped to the World of the Living with the eight hollowfied captains and vice-captains. Their spiritual pressures have completely disappeared, and their whereabouts are currently unknown."
As the squad member finished his report, a brief silence fell over the room.
Yoruichi fixed her gaze on the squad member and slowly asked, "What...are you saying?"
(End of Chapter)
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