Chapter Eighty-Five: An Unexpected Rebellion

At first, I didn't feel any unease...

Watching as the door to the First Division Captain's office slowly opened, the new captain stepped inside, clad in a pristine white haori, her long jet-black hair swaying with her movements. The faint smile on her face left everyone with a wonderful first impression.

The newly appointed Captain of the Twelfth Division—Chihane Sumiha.

Seeing Chihane Sumiha, who inspired such goodwill, Nagatsuro couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. She radiated an extraordinary sense of stability. Unlike other captains with glaring personalities, she handled everything herself; if she could manage it, she never troubled her subordinates. Her reputation among the divisions was impeccable.

I truly believed she was the best captain we could have...

"Eh? Personnel deployment, is it?"

It was Sumiha's twentieth day in office.

"Yes," Nagatsuro replied respectfully, sitting opposite the Twelfth Division Captain, quietly observing the hint of surprise on her face.

"Since the Fifth to Sixty-Fourth Districts of West Rukongai fall under the Twelfth Division's jurisdiction, and in light of recent soul disappearance incidents, we hope Captain Chihane can send someone to investigate."

"Oh, is that so?" Sumiha tucked a strand of her long black hair behind her ear, curiosity evident as she examined the documents Nagatsuro had just handed her.

"It's the first I've heard of this. Each division has its own territory, after all."

"Well... Because many divisions lack captains, their areas of responsibility are larger, so..."

"Haha, I understand. No complaints," she said, waving a hand to dispel Nagatsuro’s embarrassment, then focused once more on the thin sheets in her hand.

"But these numbers are truly alarming. One hundred and twenty-seven souls vanished in just three days?"

Sumiha frowned. The matter was far from simple—sending ordinary Shinigami would be pointless.

"Should I go myself, Acting Head Captain Shakube?"

"Eh? You want to go in person?" Even for a captain as hands-on as her, a direct investigation seemed excessive.

"No, no, sending the vice-captain will suffice. If every issue required the captain's presence, that would be overkill."

"Ah, I see," Sumiha set down the papers, straightened her attire. "Then, as you say, I’ll dispatch the vice-captain. There’s been much to do lately, and it’s truly exhausting."

"Haha, you’ll get used to it. In that case, I won’t intrude further. I’ll leave this in your hands, Captain Chihane."

"Rest assured, Acting Head Captain Shakube."

She gave a feeling of safety.

Like a gentle breeze sweeping over a battlefield after war, Chihane Sumiha's arrival brought a rare tranquility to the Seireitei.

But what is this?

Nagatsuro stared lifelessly at the ruins and flames that soared into the sky before him, his eyes empty as those of a soulless shell.

And that figure, standing amidst the wreckage and corpses, blocking his path.

Impossible...

Reflected in his ash-colored eyes was the man wielding a blade, slaughtering his comrades.

Why would you do this?

"What’s with that expression, Acting Head Captain Shakube?"

The enemy strode toward the stunned Nagatsuro, speaking words of scorn.

"Shouldn't you be responsible for protecting the Seireitei in the absence of Head Captain Yamamoto?"

Blood dripped from the enemy's blade, forming a stark crimson line upon the earth.

"But how was it so easy for me to break into the First Division Captain's courtyard?"

With each word, the enemy struck at Nagatsuro’s heart.

"A decade of peace has made the Seireitei rot. Or did you never imagine things could turn out this way?"

The enemy halted, firelight illuminating his face, imprinting his features in Nagatsuro's mind.

"My rebellion—Chihane Sumiha's rebellion."

The man who once brought Seireitei a cleansing breeze now delivered only inferno.

"No, that expression is only natural."

With a low laugh, Chihane Sumiha looked at Nagatsuro with mocking eyes and said:

"'Why would the gentle Captain Chihane do such a thing?' 'Why would the always smiling Captain Chihane act this way?'"

"Too obvious. Every Shinigami I killed wore that expression—it’s utterly foolish."

With a cold sneer never before seen on his face, Chihane Sumiha now resembled a demon, even more terrifying in the flickering flames.

"Why rebel? Isn’t it obvious? Because the opportunity is perfect."

Spreading his empty hand, Chihane pointed at the still unresponsive Nagatsuro before him.

"When the two most troublesome people are absent from Seireitei, what better moment could there be? Contact the other nobles and captains, seize control from Yamamoto Jukoku in one stroke—everything has been planned."

Nagatsuro’s lips moved, as if to speak, but Sumiha was quicker, cutting him off.

"'There are captains willing to rebel?' Such questions are pointless, Acting Head Captain Shakube."

"Wherever there is rule, there is rebellion. That's only natural."

"There are always those who refuse to be beneath others. Of course, not everyone dislikes subordination—I must admit, there are always some like you, living without a shred of dignity."

Sumiha raised his sword, the gleam as cold as its master.

"Transform into all things—Spirit Condensation."

A low hum and a crack! Sumiha's zanpakuto trembled strangely, emitting a faint explosion before settling into silence.

"I've investigated you as well, but unfortunately..."

"The power of lightning means nothing before my zanpakuto."

"Shhh!"

Nagatsuro drew his zanpakuto straight from its sheath, not even bothering to speak as he released it immediately.

A streak of lightning flashed across the slender, supple blade.

"'Words are useless'—that’s an effective expression, but I’ve already said..."

Sumiha’s spiritual pressure soared, rivaling hundreds of Adjuchas; to Nagatsuro now, he was an overwhelming foe.

"It's useless."

"Do you need me to explain my zanpakuto’s power? It’s utterly—"

"No need."

"!"

Sumiha was startled by Nagatsuro’s abrupt interruption; he’d expected the man, shaken and battered, to have forgotten how to speak.

"No matter what your power is, Chihane Sumiha..."

Nagatsuro’s long-suppressed spiritual pressure erupted, his eyes locked on his enemy like a beast hunting its prey, his expression twisted and fierce.

"I'm going to kill you!"