Bleach : Begins with a Contract with the Departed Souls of the Uchiha Chapter 286 286: Make Your Choice, Shinigami

At the very heart of the Seireitei lies the highest center of authority for governing the entire Soul Society.

The underground eting room of Central 46 was situated right next to the Senzaikyu.

Upon receiving the news that Kisuke Urahara and his associates had been spirited away, the entire chamber of Central 46 erupted in a heated outcry.

"We provided more than enough guards! How could anyone possibly steal death-row criminals from under our noses?!"

"Damn it! This cannot be forgiven!"

"What about the Gotei 13? Have they offered any explanation?!"

"The Gotei 13 is currently holding an ergency eting. However, they've lost over half of their strength. We cannot place our hopes on them to resolve this!"

"What about the Onmitsukido? They've seen a resurgence in recent years and their power has increased greatly. They should be able to do sothing!"

After several years of stability, such an egregious event had actually occurred within the Seireitei.

In broad daylight, multiple captains who were supposed to be executed had been rescued!

This was a complete trampling of the Seireitei's laws and a blatant disregard for the majesty of Central 46!

Seated in the highest position, the Great Chief Justice tapped his wooden gavel, producing a dull, heavy thud.

"Silence!"

Under the Great Chief Justice's restraint, the room gradually fell into a hush.

He looked around at the many sages below and spoke. "The Gotei 13 has lost more than half of its captains and suffered heavy casualties. They are riddled with internal issues and are completely unable to launch an investigation."

"The Kido Corps is in the sa state. They've lost both of their Grand Kido Chiefs simultaneously, so we cannot count on them either."

"Currently, the only option is to leave the investigation to the Onmitsukido, however..."

At this point, the Great Chief Justice's voice trailed off.

The leader of the Onmitsukido was the son-in-law of the Shihoin family, and those scheduled for execution—Kisuke Urahara, Tessai Tsukabishi, and the others—had very close ties with the head of the Shihoin family.

Having served two generations of the Shihoin family, he knew the current head's personality all too well.

It wouldn't be surprising if the current head had secretly orchestrated the rescue of Kisuke Urahara and the others!

Whether the Onmitsukido could be trusted remained to be seen.

The Great Chief Justice wanted to suppress the matter or smooth it over, but the impact was too great. With so many eyes watching from above and below, he couldn't simply let it go.

As he was deep in thought, a sudden commotion broke out below.

"Wait, where is Sage Ubuyashiki of the 27th seat?"

"He hasn't been seen since this began!"

The sages looked toward his seat only to find the 27th spot completely empty, with nothing but the wooden placard bearing his number remaining.

"Could he be away on official leave?"

"I am responsible for the attendance of our colleagues, and I haven't received any request for leave from him!"

"What's happening? Could it be that Ubuyashiki was also hard?"

"Impossible, absolutely impossible!"

"This place is strictly guarded. How could anyone kill him without us knowing?!"

"Silence!"

The Great Chief Justice once again quelled the crowd's noise, silently pondering the situation.

He rembered that Sage Ubuyashiki of the 27th seat had been recomnded by the Tsunayashiro family.

Was the Tsunayashiro family behind this?

But... although the current head, Tokinada Tsunayashiro, was not a good man, he was sane enough. He shouldn't be doing sothing so conspicuous during such a volatile ti.

Furthermore, Ubuyashiki was one of the Tsunayashiro family's own!

Just as the people in the room were filled with speculation, the main doors of the eting hall were violently blown open.

BANG!

The doors were struck with such force that they tore off their hinges, flying into the center of the room and shattering upon impact.

At the entrance, a figure in white stepped forward.

"Sages, Honorable Justices, please forgive my late arrival."

Upon seeing this person, the sages' brows furrowed in suspicion.

The person before them was undoubtedly Ubuyashiki Kagaya, whom they knew well.

However, the atmosphere surrounding him was entirely wrong—completely and utterly wrong!

Ubuyashiki Kagaya had always been a sickly man. Where would he get the strength to kick down those doors?

As Ubuyashiki walked toward the center, his gentle voice continued to resonate.

"From this mont on, I shall be the one to lead Central 46. I hope you sages and justices do not make a mistake. Simply obey my commands faithfully!" These words imdiately drew a chorus of rebukes.

"What?! Ubuyashiki, have you gone mad!"

"This is treason! Do you have any idea what you're doing?!"

"Take back your words imdiately, and we may still treat this as a montary delusion!"

Listening to their condemnation, the smile on Ubuyashiki's face remained unchanged.

"Everyone, ti is running out."

"Guards! Guards! Seize this traitor at once!"

At a sage's angry command, several figures flashed into the center, surrounding Ubuyashiki.

But as they moved to act, a youthful figure appeared in front of Ubuyashiki, swinging a blade.

"Mist Breathing, Second Form: Eight-Layered Mist!"

A voice spoke with almost no emotional inflection. The youth's blade danced, delivering several swift strikes.

Blood sprayed as the guards collapsed to the ground, their fates unknown.

Behind this youth, several more figures appeared, holding weapons and forming a protective circle around Ubuyashiki Kagaya.

Seeing the guards fall and Ubuyashiki's own protectors appear, the truth was finally clear to everyone.

Ubuyashiki had truly rebelled!

The hall filled with cries of alarm as the crowd shrank back in fear.

The Great Chief Justice at the top sat in a daze for a mont.

Once he regained his senses, he imdiately called for the guards behind him.

"Quick! Take the secret passage! Notify the Gotei 13 and the Onmitsukido! There's an uprising!"

"Tell them to send reinforcents imdiately to suppress this!"

At that mont, the skylight at the top of the hall shattered violently, raining down glass shards.

Amidst the falling debris, a mass of dark-red magma erupted, shooting toward the guard at the elevated position.

"Don't even think about it!"

A raspy, solemn voice rang out as the lava landed in front of the guard.

A fist extended from the mass of magma, slamming into the guard.

Thud!

The fist pierced straight through the guard's chest, and the sickening scent of seared at wafted through the air.

"Gah—"

The guard coughed up roiling lava and died instantly without even a chance to struggle.

The mass of magma shook off the corpse and condensed, transforming into a massive humanoid figure.

Dressed in a suit with a white coat fluttering behind him and a cap pulled low, he stood alone, blocking the secret door.

Sakazuki raised his head slightly, his cold gaze sweeping over the crowd.

"As long as I am here, none of you will be making any waves!"

Seeing Sakazuki's bizarre appearance, the sages of Central 46 turned pale with terror. The Great Chief Justice, being the closest, felt the scorching heat waves roasting his skin.

"You—"

He was about to bark a reprimand, but under Sakazuki's grim gaze, he felt a physical weight of killing intent that trapped his voice in his throat.

Following Sakazuki's appearance, the sound of disorganized footsteps echoed.

Soldiers wearing heavy armor and possessing robust physiques stord in, entering the eting hall and pointing the black barrels of their guns at the sages.

So sages resisted too violently and were shot on the spot.

After the deaths of two or three sages served as a grim warning, the remaining sages saw that resistance was futile and allowed themselves to be rounded up by the soldiers.

"Reporting to Admiral Sakazuki: Central 46 and the outer guards have been successfully neutralized. The situation is now under control."

"Very well."

Sakazuki nodded and looked down.

The mbers of Central 46 were tied up and gathered in the center of the hall.

Ubuyashiki, protected by his guards, walked forward to an elderly woman with an injured leg, his expression kind.

"Good day, Sage Fon of the 24th seat."

"I recall you were the previous generation's Suì-Fēng. You retired after unfortunately losing a leg on a mission, correct?"

"The title of Suì-Fēng was then passed down to your granddaughter, wasn't it?"

Faced with Ubuyashiki's words, the old woman showed nothing but disdain. After a cold snort, she turned her head away.

Beside her, another old man belonging to the Shihoin faction shouted harshly, "Ubuyashiki! I don't know who is behind you, but this rebellion of yours today ensures your death is at hand!"

"Captain-Commander Yamamoto of the Gotei 13 and Lord Ren of the Onmitsukido will definitely send people once they notice the disturbance here!"

"You won't be gloating for long. If you're smart, release us now and surrender. You might still receive a lenient sentence!"

Hearing this, a strange expression appeared on Ubuyashiki's face.

He opened his mouth, then hesitated.

"I rember you too. You are the sage of the 18th seat."

Ubuyashiki shook his head.

"Captain-Commander Yamamoto will not be coming. As for the Onmitsukido... Hmph. No one is coming to save you! No one can resist the might of our army!"

"Arrogant! Do you truly think there is no one left in the Seireitei?!"

The man grit his teeth, about to say more.

But Ubuyashiki's next words left him stunned.

Ubuyashiki raised his hand and pointed upward.

"I forgot to ntion. The one leading this uprising to purge the court of corruption is none other than Ren Shihoin!"

"Wha—"

It wasn't just him; all the captured sages felt their scalps go numb with shock at Ubuyashiki's news. Their faces were filled with uncontrollable horror!

Imdiately after, they erupted in an even more intense outcry against Ubuyashiki.

"Nonsense!"

"Lord Ren is loyal and selfless! He works only for the public good! We will not allow you to insult him like this!"

"Exactly! You must be deliberately slandering Lord Ren!"

"Damn you! When Lord Ren arrives with his n, he will surely tear you to pieces for this insult!"

Listening to their loud shouting, Ubuyashiki shook his head, his gaze sweeping over them with a hint of pity.

Were his words really so hard to believe? He was telling the truth.

These poor people. Even now, they still held such absolute trust in the man behind the scenes!

How tragic.

Ubuyashiki sighed inwardly and said to the crowd,

"Whether I am lying or not, you will find out shortly!"

Seeing Ubuyashiki's confidence, the previously skeptical crowd began to feel a hollow sense of dread in their hearts.

Could it be... but how was that possible?!

Just as doubt began to take root, a massive, grand, and heavy voice echoed from the distance.

The voice clearly ca from afar, yet it sounded as if it were right next to their ears—mysterious, profound, and radiating endless majesty.

Hearing this voice, everyone in the hall froze, their faces displaying looks of utter disbelief.

That voice... was unmistakably Ren Shihoin!

And the content of his words confird the truth of what Ubuyashiki had said!

Not just this underground eting hall, but the entire Seireitei echoed with Ren's words, which clearly declared a rebellion.

The voice was clear and unmistakable, reaching the ears of every Shinigami in the Seireitei.

The revolt at Central 46 was mirrored across the Seireitei, breaking out almost simultaneously in various locations.

The Shihoin estate, the Tsunayashiro estate, the Kuchiki estate, the Kasomioji estate, the Fon estate... all the noble manors, large and small... the Senzaikyu, the Great Spirit Book Library, the Shin'o Academy, the Departnt of Research and Developnt, the underground waterways, the Kido Corps barracks, and the divisions of the Gotei 13!

Flas of war were ignited everywhere!

The entire Seireitei had completely transford into a battlefield!

anwhile, in the First Division of the Gotei 13, an ergency eting was currently in progress.

Let us turn back the clock slightly.

Due to the casualties among the captains the previous night and the news of the escape of criminals like Kisuke Urahara, Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto imdiately convened a captains' eting.

All captains and vice-captains were gathered in the eting hall of the First Division.

Yamamoto stood at the head of the room, looking at the assembled officers. A flicker of sorrow passed through his eyes.

Currently, less than half of the captain-class officers wearing haori remained.

Jushiro Ukitake of the 13th Division, Kiganjo Kenpachi of the 11th, Shunsui Kyoraku of the 8th, Ginrei Kuchiki of the 6th, and Retsu Unohana of the 4th!

For this eting, the grand Gotei 13 actually had only five captains left!

Those divisions affected by the previous night's events had lost their captains and could only be represented by their vice-captains.

The 9th Division was the most pathetic; not only was the captain gone, but the vice-captain and third seat were also missing. Only the fourth seat, Kana Tosen, could attend!

Yamamoto sighed inwardly again, looking toward one side of the white haori section.

There was an empty spot.

"Where is Captain Yoruichi Shihoin of the 2nd Division? Why has she not arrived?"

"My order was for all captains to set aside their duties and co to the First Division for this eting!"

He looked toward the position of the 2nd Division, at the burly man standing there.

"Vice-Captain Omaeda, do you have anything to say?"

Omaeda's body trembled. Hearing Yamamoto's calm words, which felt like the precursor to a volcanic eruption, he wailed inwardly.

'My captain, why aren't you here at a ti like this?'

He hadn't received a single word, and she had even taken Suì-Fēng with her. What was a re subordinate like him supposed to do?!

Omaeda was no fool. As an officer of the 2nd Division, he usually learned of news within the Seireitei ahead of others.

He had naturally known about Kisuke Urahara's escape early on.

Considering that Kisuke Urahara and his captain had known each other since childhood, combined with his understanding of his captain's character, he was ninety percent certain.

'It must be the Captain and Suì-Fēng... the two of them tead up to rescue Kisuke Urahara and Tessai Tsukabishi!' Although he had guessed the truth, he was still a vassal of the Shihoin family and a mber of the 2nd Division. He had to cover for his superior.

"The Captain... because of last night's events, she was overco with grief... and is currently at the estate being looked after by Lord Ren. Thus, she cannot attend the eting."

"I ask for the Captain-Commander's forgiveness. I will certainly urge Captain Yoruichi to ensure this never happens again."

For now, he could only push the responsibility onto the son-in-law of the Shihoin family.

As the Commander-in-Chief of the Onmitsukido, Ren was of the sa rank as the Captain-Commander and did not fear Yamamoto's questioning.

Marenoshin Omaeda believed that with Lord Ren's steady nature, he would surely erase all traces of Lady Yoruichi's involvent, leaving no evidence!

Hearing Omaeda's explanation, Yamamoto narrowed his eyes.

"Vice-Captain Omaeda, is what you say the truth?"

Given his knowledge of Yoruichi Shihoin, it was very likely she had rescued Hirako and the others who were facing execution.

However, with more than half of the Gotei 13's captains gone, their strength was severely diminished.

He also had to consider the Shihoin family and the Onmitsukido, making it unwise to probe too deeply.

Omaeda nodded repeatedly.

"It's the truth, the absolute truth!"

Shunsui Kyoraku stepped forward from the side, tilting his straw hat as he looked at Yamamoto with a hint of helplessness.

"Old man Yama, I think that's likely how it is. Why don't we set this topic aside for now?"

His own vice-captain had also been hard the previous night and sentenced to death.

The fact that soone had rescued her ant there was a possibility of saving those from the Hollowfication experints, so Shunsui was naturally pleased.

Furthermore, the more he thought about last night, the more he felt sothing was wrong.

After a night of reflection, that sense of anomaly had beco increasingly obvious, yet he couldn't put his finger on where it originated!

Following Shunsui, Ukitake glanced at him and also stood up.

"Master Genryusai, I agree."

Seeing both of his students step forward, Yamamoto slowly nodded, agreeing to move past the matter.

Kenpachi Kiganjo tilted his head, his dark face full of disdain.

"Boring!"

"Calling here so urgently just for this? I'd rather go back to sleep."

Though his voice was low, it reached everyone's ears clearly.

"Hmm?"

Everyone knew this Kenpachi, recruited from the common folk, was crude and unbearable.

Seeing him like this, they cursed him silently but otherwise ignored him.

They continued to look toward the elevated Yamamoto.

At that mont, a series of tremors ca from the ground, accompanied by the sound of explosions.

"What's happening?"

"An earthquake?"

"How is that possible!"

Yamamoto tapped his cane against the floor, the sound instantly quieting the room.

The old man looked to one side, and a mber of the Waitintei in black clothing imdiately appeared.

"What has happened?"

"Re-Reporting to the Captain-Commander! Fires have broken out across the Seireitei, including the noble estates and the location of Central 46!"

The Waitintei mber's voice was trembling.

"Not only that, but many soldiers in heavy armor have suddenly appeared in the Seireitei, invading various key points in the inner court! They are already engaged in battle with Shinigami everywhere!"

"According to observations, our Shinigami are being suppressed. The identity of the invaders is currently unknown!"

"What!"

Yamamoto's eyes snapped open, a sharp light flashing within them.

"To think it would be at a ti like this..."

"Soone must have deliberately targeted this opening, taking advantage of the Gotei 13's weakened state to launch a rebellion!"

"No, perhaps the framing of so many captains last night was all to prepare for today!"

The old man murmured, his face as dark as charcoal.

The captains below were also shocked and found it hard to believe.

"Damn it! To think it would co to this!"

"We've been lured into a trap! The enemy exploited our vulnerability!"

"A simultaneous outbreak... the flas of war covering the Seireitei in an instant. The enemy must have co prepared!"

"But we don't even know who the enemy is!" Among the captains, in the position of the 5th Division—since Captain Shinji Hirako had been rescued after his death sentence—stood the vice-captain.

Sousuke Aizen.

Upon hearing the report, Aizen was montarily stunned, his eyes opening slightly.

He naturally knew who the rebelling party was!

Besides his senior, Ren Shihoin, who was no saint, who else could it be!

But the speed of Ren's movent was truly beyond his expectations!

Ren dared to move so early, even while the Hogyoku was still in Aizen's hands?

In his estimations, Ren would have moved much later, at least waiting until the Hogyoku was perfected before being sufficiently confident!

That would have given Aizen enough ti to make all the necessary arrangents.

Yet Ren's movents were too fast; there was practically no ti gap at all!

It completely disrupted the plans he had pre-conceived.

'This is truly...'

'As expected of my senior, always doing the unexpected.' 'This sense of the unforeseen... I never thought I would experience it personally.'

Aizen pushed up his glasses, feeling only this sense of irony in his heart.

Yamamoto tapped his cane again, quieting the room.

He was about to say sothing when an unfamiliar voice suddenly rang out within the hall.

"Ah, the BOSS moved so quickly! It scared to death!"

At the sa ti, another voice followed imdiately after. "Idiot, we've been dead for a long ti!"

"Ha! Who are you calling an idiot, you mummy!"

"I'm talking about you, mustache!"

Amidst the bickering of these two distinct voices, all the captains turned their heads in unison toward the door.

Sensing the attention of the crowd, the two voices stopped their arguing.

"Oho, they found us."

"Isn't it because you spoke up! Fine, I planned on showing myself anyway."

As the words fell, accompanied by an extrely thin mist, two figures appeared on either side of the eting hall's entrance.

Both were wearing Onmitsukido uniforms. One was covered in bandages, while the other had no eyebrows and appeared sowhat comical.

Upon seeing these two appear, all the captains' brows furrowed.

"The advisor of the Onmitsukido, Mū! And..."

"Hōzuki Gengetsu of the Special Operations Unit!"

"This is a eting of the Gotei 13 captains. Why are you here?"

As the captains spoke, Shunsui Kyoraku caught the slip in their words.

He stepped forward, his eyes sharp.

"You two, what did you an by 'moving so quickly' just now?"

"And who is this 'BOSS' you ntioned? Is it Ren Shihoin?"

Hearing this, Hōzuki Gengetsu grinned.

"Haha, I didn't expect there to be smart people here. Not that it's surprising."

At the very heart of the Seireitei lies the highest center of authority for governing the entire Soul Society.

The underground eting room of Central 46 was situated right next to the Senzaikyu.

Upon receiving the news that Kisuke Urahara and his associates had been spirited away, the entire chamber of Central 46 erupted in a heated outcry.

"We provided more than enough guards! How could anyone possibly steal death-row criminals from under our noses?!"

"Damn it! This cannot be forgiven!"

"What about the Gotei 13? Have they offered any explanation?!"

"The Gotei 13 is currently holding an ergency eting. However, they've lost over half of their strength. We cannot place our hopes on them to resolve this!"

"What about the Onmitsukido? They've seen a resurgence in recent years and their power has increased greatly. They should be able to do sothing!"

After several years of stability, such an egregious event had actually occurred within the Seireitei.

In broad daylight, multiple captains who were supposed to be executed had been rescued!

This was a complete trampling of the Seireitei's laws and a blatant disregard for the majesty of Central 46!

Seated in the highest position, the Great Chief Justice tapped his wooden gavel, producing a dull, heavy thud.

"Silence!"

Under the Great Chief Justice's restraint, the room gradually fell into a hush.

He looked around at the many sages below and spoke. "The Gotei 13 has lost more than half of its captains and suffered heavy casualties. They are riddled with internal issues and are completely unable to launch an investigation."

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