First Division Barracks.
Captain of the Second Division, Soifon, stood beside Commander-General Yamamoto as the latest report came in from their subordinates.
"The search across Seireitei is ongoing. So far, there are no signs of either target."
The deployment of the Punishment Corps couldn't escape Soifon's notice—especially as she was its Commander. Her assistance was necessary to coordinate such a large-scale operation.
"This level of mobilization won't go unnoticed," she said coolly. "The other captains are bound to pick up on the anomaly."
Yamamoto's expression was dark and unreadable. It had already been some time since Unohana Retsu and Tachikawa Shin had gone missing, and they were still unaccounted for. That made it increasingly likely the two had made extensive preparations in advance.
Sasakibe Chojiro, Yamamoto's lieutenant, spoke with some hesitation. "Is it possible they've already left Seireitei? If they found a way to evade our surveillance, slipping past the Four Great Spirit Gates wouldn't be out of the question."
Soifon frowned thoughtfully. "If we expand the search to Rukongai, the Punishment Corps alone won't be enough."
Rukongai was vast—eighty districts in total, covering more ground than all of Seireitei. Even if the entire Gotei 13 were mobilized, the sweep would take considerable time.
After a brief silence, Yamamoto finally said, "Summon the Captains of the Eighth and Thirteenth Divisions."
Kyoraku Shunsui and Ukitake Jushiro arrived swiftly via Chojiro's hell butterfly transmission. Once briefed on the situation, both displayed visible shock.
"…So they've gone through with it," Ukitake murmured bitterly. He regretted not pushing harder to dissuade Unohana. If he'd only pressed further…
Kyoraku rubbed his chin. "Maybe it's not the worst-case scenario yet. There's been no reiatsu spike detected. If Captain Unohana had truly entered combat, no standard Kido barrier could suppress the pressure she'd release."
Soifon scoffed. "What then? Did they disappear just to find a private spot for a chat?"
She always looked down on those who flouted Soul Society's laws, and now she had to help clean up after them—Unohana Retsu included.
Yamamoto spoke: "They're not in Seireitei. We'll begin a search of Rukongai—but we'll keep it discreet. Label the operation as an inspection for irregular Kido barriers."
If Unohana and Shin had begun fighting, they'd need a Kido barrier to suppress their reiatsu. And while Rukongai's regulation was looser, any reiatsu spike there would still alert the Gotei.
Soifon turned to Kyoraku, her gaze sharp. "There's another way, isn't there?"
Everyone looked at her.
Soifon said: "If they've already fought—and one may have already fallen—searching eighty districts will take far too long. But there's a place that records everything."
"Where?" Ukitake asked.
"The Great Spirit Library."
Her answer stunned the room.
The Great Spirit Library, deep beneath the Central 46 Chambers, was a massive archive that automatically recorded every major event across Soul Society. It acted independently of the Shinigami's will and was maintained by the prestigious Tsunayashiro clan.
Even most captains couldn't access it. Of those present, only Yamamoto and Kyoraku had clearance, and even they needed Central 46's approval to enter.
Kyoraku shook his head first. "Even the Great Spirit Library records with delay. It may not have processed such a recent event yet. And… if we go through Central 46, they might revoke their approval of Shin's promotion."
Soifon's eyes widened. "Promotion? Central 46 approved Tachikawa Shin as Captain of the Tenth Division?"
This had been confidential—she'd had no idea. The realization that everyone else in the room had known only deepened her irritation.
Chojiro stepped forward, resigned. "The appointment has passed through Central 46 but remains classified. We ask you to keep it confidential as well, Captain Soifon."
She nodded curtly. Of course it was the Commander's doing—soon the other captains would just give a token endorsement. She didn't like it.
"There are others qualified to be captain," she said coldly. "Even if one is weaker, fairness matters. Now we're all jumping to clean up after Unohana and Tachikawa's selfish whims… and you still want to hand him a division?"
She crossed her arms. "A man who disregards Soul Society's laws—how can he be trusted with authority? If he rises any higher, who knows what havoc he'll wreak. Commander, I urge you to reconsider."
Her words fell into silence.
No one responded.
Finally, Yamamoto spoke. "We don't know yet what they've done. When we find them, if they've broken the law, they will be punished accordingly."
Then he turned to Kyoraku and Ukitake. "Send your men to begin sweeping Rukongai immediately."
They bowed and sent out their hell butterflies.
Fourth Division Barracks.
Isane Kotetsu paced, visibly distressed. The sudden disappearance of her captain and Shin gnawed at her.
She'd searched Shin's quarters, Unohana's private chambers—nothing. They were gone.
Had something bad really happened between them?
Tachikawa Shin was supposed to be named the next Captain of the Tenth Division—he had everything ahead of him. Why risk it all now?
"Vice-Captain, no leads," Aojika reported upon returning.
"Understood. Go on."
She hadn't dispatched many. Just a few to look for him.
As Aojika left, the concern in Isane's eyes only deepened.
Tenth Division Barracks.
Matsumoto Rangiku sat dazed at her desk, chin propped on one palm.
Hitsugaya Tōshirō entered and dropped a stack of documents on her desk. "Without a captain, you're in charge. Stop daydreaming."
"I feel cursed," Rangiku groaned, raking fingers through her hair. "Like the world's out to get me."
Tōshirō shrugged. "Cheer up. The new captain should be announced soon."
She turned her head lazily. "You know something?"
He smirked. "Only that there are two qualified people—our Vice-Captain and our Third Seat."
She knew exactly who he meant. Silence lingered.
"Who do you think it'll be?"
"Our President," Tōshirō replied, meaning Shin.
"Why not the other one?"
"During the last Gotei Exchange Tournament, Shin beat Vice-Captain Ichimaru, didn't he? That wasn't long ago. I doubt anything's changed."
Rangiku frowned. "Ichimaru's strength isn't far behind Shin's. And there's more to leadership than raw power. He's been Vice-Captain for decades. Shin's only been a Shinigami for two years."
Tōshirō tilted his head. "You're biased."
"I'm not!" she snapped, a little too fast.
He smiled knowingly. "Anyway, both have strengths. But our President isn't lacking in anything."
"Enough." She waved him off irritably.
He pointed to the paperwork. "You still have duties."
But she suddenly stood. "I'm going to the Fourth Division."
"To see Shin?"
She didn't reply.
But when she stepped outside, her eyes caught motion in the sky—figures in black, leaping from rooftop to rooftop.
"…Stealth Force? What the hell is going on?"
Beneath the Sōkyoku Hill – The Hidden Realm.
The reishi barrier around the space flickered, like a candle under siege. Unohana's reiatsu pounded against the sky like a drumbeat.
The air grew thick. The mire of blood beneath their feet boiled.
Reishi saturation affected a Shinigami's body. Just like they could fly in the Human World but not here, Soul Society placed limits on their spirit bodies.
Shin's breathing was slightly labored now. Every clash of steel drained him further.
Most of his reiryoku was going to maintaining the barrier—not fueling his attacks.
The space was vast, but Unohana's reiatsu kept crashing against its limits.
If not for the barrier, this entire pocket realm would have been shattered.
He knew the truth:
If this kept up, he'd run out first.
No amount of confidence could deny it.
And yet—
"You've reached your limit?" came Unohana's voice, glacial and amused.
Her blood-blade shimmered. She spun and unleashed a crescent of crimson light, a wave of blood that splintered into razors and bullets.
Shin didn't move.
The storm struck him head-on—and passed, leaving him unharmed.
Had he dodged, it would've opened him up to worse.
His eyes stayed locked on her, sharp with resolve.
Then—suddenly—the barrier around him vanished.
Unohana's gaze narrowed.
But instead of collapse… she sensed something.
His aura surged.
Still Third-Class—but burning at full.
Vibrant. Peaking.
"You… what did you do?"
He looked completely refreshed. Despite the length of their battle, his reiatsu hadn't dropped.
He answered calmly: "I just don't want the fight to get boring."
His Zanpakutō's ability had rewound his body to its peak—resetting not only physical fatigue but spiritual stamina.
It wouldn't last. He would burn through reiryoku at the same rate.
But for every second he remained, he was complete.
Unohana smiled darkly. The blood on her lips made it all the more alluring.
She didn't care how.
Only that the thrill would last.
She raised her blade. Then vanished.
A scarlet blur tore through the swamp.
She appeared in front of him, her white haori soaked in red. Her face was bright, almost girlish in its madness.
Her sword fell like a guillotine.
"Good boy," she purred.
"Keep pleasing me."