Chapter 77

In an instant, Hinamori Momo was pinned in place!

Transit group 893964460

With a thud, Hinamori Momo dropped to her knees on the ground!

Cold sweat seeped from her forehead and back; the breath of death brushed lightly against her neck.

Beneath such an overwhelming pressure, even with the combat strength of a lieutenant, she had not the slightest ability to resist!

She could only quietly await death.

Kuchiki Byakuya drew his blade in one stroke!

The long blade, blooming with cold light, like a colossal dragon-beast tearing and devouring, carrying an aura that brooked no question and no opposition, surged madly toward Hinamori Momo's neck!

He.

This strike carried a chilling killing intent!

"Byakuya!"

"What are you doing!"

Kyoraku Shunsui, Ukitake Jushiro, and the others widened their eyes and hurriedly drew their blades to stop him.

Instantly.

The meeting room erupted into chaos.

"Clang—"

A Zanpakuto wreathed in fiery light blocked the path of Kuchiki Byakuya's blade.

Invisible shockwaves surged outward in every direction.

Spreading madly toward the distance.

Two immensely powerful spiritual pressures collided with violent force!

"Squelch—"

The razor-sharp aura filling the air, along with the fierce aftershock, instantly enveloped Hinamori Momo!

It carved fine, deep wounds across her body, and a pool of blood immediately spread across the floor!

The scent of blood drifted through the meeting room; Lieutenant Hinamori Momo was gravely wounded in an instant!

Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni remained expressionless; the arm wielding Ryujin Jakka trembled slightly, his upper garment burst apart, revealing his burly muscles.

"Byakuya."

"No matter what happens, you must remain calm. Remember, the creed of the Kuchiki clan is to uphold the rules and justice of Soul Society."

Genryusai gently shook his head.

A terrifying heat radiated from Ryujin Jakka, halting Kuchiki Byakuya from advancing further.

The other captains, meanwhile, wore solemn expressions as they watched everything unfolding in the room.

This was still their first time.

Seeing Kuchiki Byakuya truly enraged!

In the past.

Kuchiki Byakuya had always been diligent and dutiful, cloaked in a halo of glory, shouldering the mission of upholding Soul Society's rules.

For the first time.

He had betrayed his own beliefs.

Publicly attacking a fellow officer of the Thirteenth Division, violating his own principles!

............... Divider................

New book on the shelves, begging for flowers, begging for subscriptions!!!

061. Schemes are worth nothing before absolute strength

"Swish—"

Kuchiki Byakuya sheathed his Zanpakuto and cast a cold glance at the gravely wounded Hinamori Momo on the ground.

The kenseikan on his head radiated a chilling, austere light.

"To publicly slander the head of the Kuchiki clan is a capital offense."

Around them.

The captains all wore complicated expressions, staring fixedly at Kuchiki Byakuya.

No one had expected.

That Kuchiki Byakuya, who had always been stern and impartial, would also have such a side to him.

In the past.

Byakuya had always been overshadowed by Kuchiki Senya's halo; everyone was only ever astonished by his family background and by having a powerful older brother.

But today.

That killing strike of his, along with his peak-captain-level spiritual pressure, proved to the world his absolute, overwhelming strength!

The strength befitting the second-in-command of the Kuchiki clan!

Although.

Kuchiki Byakuya often complained about Senya's inaction.

And often refused to give Kuchiki Senya a pleasant face in public.

Yet.

When it came to matters of importance.

He would, without the slightest hesitation, stand firmly and unwaveringly on Kuchiki Senya's side!

Beside him.

Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni narrowed his eyes slightly, merely shook his head gently, and changed into a fresh set of clothes.

The Kuchiki family.

The foremost noble clan of Soul Society, and as its head, Kuchiki Senya was one of the most esteemed figures in all of Soul Society.

Hinamori Momo, to utter such news without solid evidence—

For Kuchiki Bai Zai to strike her was entirely understandable; no one could say a word against it.

"Hinamori, do you have any proof?"

Ichimaru Gin exuded an aura like a cold, clammy serpent, forever wearing a smiling expression.

"This is… a letter left behind by Aizen my lord…"

Hinamori Momo lay in a pool of blood, utterly weak, trembling as she drew a letter from her bosom.

Her terrified gaze did not dare meet the iron-dark expression of Kuchiki Bai Zai.

"Take her away for treatment."

Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni said softly, accepting the letter.

The next moment.

Hinamori Momo was led out by members of the Fourth Division who had been stationed at the Thirteenth Division's headquarters.

The other captains gathered around, carefully reading the contents of the letter.

Their brows furrowed deeper and deeper.

Within the letter.

Without a doubt.

It was Captain Aizen's handwriting!

Within, it laid out plainly events that could shake all of Soul Society!

He had always been watching Kuchiki Senya—this man who on the surface seemed only to indulge in pleasure, yet whose thoughts no one could fathom.

In secret, he had also been investigating.

He discovered.

Kuchiki Senya was, behind the scenes, plotting a grand conspiracy to overthrow all of Soul Society! Conducting inhumane secret experiments…

The disappearance of Shinigami in Rukongai, as well as the harm done to former captains such as Hirako Shinji and Aizen Sōsuke, was also inseparable from Kuchiki Senya!

The night before Aizen was harmed.

He had gone to confront Kuchiki Senya, hoping to persuade him to abandon his scheming plot.

If he did not return, or met with an unexpected death.

Then the culprit was surely Kuchiki Senya!

……