{🥳Joining keeps me motivated and eager to work diligently, so please support me.🥰 You can access upto 70+ advance chapter through by using the link: "Renji, get out of the way." Rukia's voice trembled as she looked at him with pleading eyes. Renji said nothing, but his stance made clear that he would never allow her to pass. For him, there was no possibility of standing aside while Rukia risked further guilt for the sake of someone on the verge of death. "Rukia, we should return." Shiraha stepped forward, his expression calm, a faint smile playing on his lips as he stood at her side. "My lord brother…" Rukia lowered her head, unable to meet his gaze, her voice no more than a whisper. "Ruki…a…" Ichigo's broken voice came weakly from the ground, his body nearly unconscious, his breath fading. "Renji, open the portal," Shiraha ordered evenly. Renji nodded without hesitation. He unsheathed his Zanpakutō, released it into Shikai, and with a swift thrust into the air, twisted the blade. Space tore open, and a portal formed. After sheathing his weapon, he stood back as the gate opened with the flutter of hell butterflies. Byakuya Kuchiki moved first, walking into the passage without a word. Renji followed at his side. Rukia lingered for a moment, torn by the faint cry that reached her ears. Ichigo's voice had stirred something inside her, but to protect him from being struck down instantly, she forced herself to mask her emotions. Her eyes betrayed her sorrow, even as she tried to appear indifferent. She turned once more, her voice hoarse. "Foolish boy… don't forget what you are. You're only human. If you dare to … I will never forgive you." Her words faltered, heavy with unspoken pain. Turning quickly, she stepped into the gate after Shiraha. Before crossing fully, Shiraha paused. He turned back, nodding faintly, as if acknowledging a presence unseen by the others, then vanished into the light of the portal. The gate closed slowly behind them, leaving only the broken bodies of Kurosaki Ichigo and Ishida Uryū sprawled in blood on the rain-soaked street. Uryū had already lost consciousness, his injuries from blood loss dragging him into silence. Ichigo, though fading, forced his eyes open. "Rukia… you saved me again…" His chest tightened as he remembered the look in her eyes—sorrow hidden beneath harsh words. His teeth clenched, fists curling in frustration. For the first time, he truly tasted his weakness. For the first time, he despised his own inability to protect anyone. Pain overwhelmed him, his vision dimmed, and at last his body gave in to unconsciousness. Above them, the skies broke open. A cold rain began to fall, droplets splattering against pale faces and pooling crimson into the streets. "Ahh, Shiraha, you've really given me a problem this time." A voice came lazily through the rain. Urahara Kisuke stepped out from the shadows, clogs clicking softly on the wet stone, a paper umbrella shielding him from the drizzle. At his side stood Tsukabishi Tessai, his massive frame unmoving and silent. Urahara was hardly surprised that Shiraha had noticed him. Back in Naruki City, when he and Yoruichi had moved cloaked in shadow, Shiraha had already caught them both. For that boy captain to leave him with this mess now, though, was enough to give even Urahara a headache. Uryū was simple—his injuries were severe but treatable. Ichigo, however, was another matter entirely. Shiraha's blade had severed both soul sleep and knot. Even with Urahara's expertise, undoing such fatal damage was no easy task. He crouched by the boy. "Mr. Kurosaki?" He called softly, but Ichigo did not respond. His chest rose faintly, his spirit pressure threadbare. Urahara's tone shifted, practical but edged with resolve. "Coma… I see. Well, we'll take you back first." "Tessai, take Ishida and Kurosaki home." "Yes, Manager," Tessai rumbled, already moving with practiced efficiency. — ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ NoveIꜰire.net Seireitei, First Division Compound Outside the First Division barracks, Chōjirō Sasakibe stood waiting at the appointed place. The portal shimmered open, and four figures stepped through—Byakuya, Renji, Rukia, and Shiraha. At that instant, a cold voice echoed in Shiraha's mind. Successful sign-in. Task reward: Gojo Satoru template progress increased by 10%. First template: Fujitora Isshō – 100%. Exclusive ability: Complete. Second template: Gojo Satoru – 70%. Abilities: Six Eyes (Perfect), Limitless Spells: Cursed Technique · Stopping Force (Perfect), Cursed Technique · Blue (Perfect), Reversal · Red (Perfect), Cursed Technique · Hollow (Advanced). Exclusive ability: Domain Expansion: Infinite Space (Advanced). Power surged through Shiraha instantly. His Reiatsu swelled, pressing outward in waves, his body feeling sharper, stronger, every sense heightened. "My Reiatsu now… it should be just shy of captains like Gin Ichimaru," he thought to himself. The upgrade to Gojo's template carried immediate gifts. The Reversal · Red had reached perfection, its range doubled from fifty thousand to one hundred thousand meters, its destructive force amplified beyond measure. "The current force of this technique… it's enough to threaten even captains," Shiraha murmured under his breath, a smile tugging at his lips. Hollow, the strongest offensive spell of the template, had also advanced. At its initial stage it could already overwhelm vice-captains. Now, raised to advanced level, its destructive potential had multiplied severalfold. His Domain remained at its advanced stage, yet its territory expanded, reaching sixty thousand meters—ten thousand more than before. As the weight of new strength settled in his body, Shiraha's heart skipped. A strange resonance stirred within him, a voice calling faintly from deep inside. "This feeling…? Is it my Zanpakutō? Why now? Could it be tied to the progress of the template?" His brows furrowed as he wondered. For so long, he had claimed gravity and Limitless techniques as his Zanpakutō's abilities, deceiving others without hesitation. But only he knew it was a façade. Now, for the first time, the whisper of a true Zanpakutō brushed against his soul. If his guess was right, then when the Gojo template reached completion and the third template unlocked, his true Zanpakutō would finally manifest. "Not yet," he told himself firmly. "When the third template opens, I'll know. Until then, focus everything on reaching one hundred percent." He exhaled, setting the thought aside. At that moment, Sasakibe approached. His voice was low, his demeanor grave. "Captain Shiraha, Captain Kuchiki… is this Rukia Kuchiki?" Sasakibe, long-serving as the First Division's vice-captain, had little reason to know an ordinary Thirteenth Division member. Rukia was neither seated officer nor lieutenant; without her status as Byakuya's adopted sister, she would have remained almost unnoticed. "Yes," Byakuya answered calmly, his tone absolute. "Very well. Sinner Rukia Kuchiki, you are to be confined in the First Division cells until judgment. Central 46 will decide your punishment." Sasakibe's words carried the weight of law, leaving no room for hesitation. { Enjoying the chapters? Please Support me on and unlock 70+ advanced chapters, with 3 new chapters released every two days! The fanfic is also available for one-time purchase on – unlock lifetime access to the full collection, no membership needed! Don't miss out –support and own it forever!