Chapter 1508: Where Is the Protagonist?

9:30 AM, Seireitei, Sokyoku execution grounds.

The Sokyoku execution grounds consisted of a spear and a cross, both dozens of meters high. The spear was the unreleased Sokyoku. After the Sokyoku was released, it would transform into a giant flame bird named "Kikyo-o," possessing the destructive power of over a million Zanpakuto combined.

The Sokyoku sounded powerful, but in reality, it wasn't. This thing could only be used as an instrument of execution because the Sokyoku after release wasn't sturdy; it could be destroyed as long as one was prepared.

Rather than saying the Sokyoku was the most powerful Zanpakuto in the Soul Society, it was better to say it was a symbol of authority. Anyone who dared to violate the rules of the Seireitei would die under the Sokyoku.

Rukia stood below the execution platform with several Penitence Palace guards behind her, and not far away were several Shinigami of captain or lieutenant level.

Rukia was a member of the Kuchiki family, even if she was an adopted daughter, executing her wasn't a small matter, so Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni arrived in person.

The execution would take place at 10:00 AM sharp, and before the execution began, releasing the Sokyoku was the primary matter.

The captain-level Shinigami present were few: only Captain-Commander Yamamoto Genryusai, Second Division Captain Soi Fon, and Eighth Division Captain Kyoraku Shunsui. The rest sent their lieutenants, and some chose not to show up at all.

Soi Fon looked around. She had large bandages wrapped under her Shinigami uniform, and her injuries still throbbed faintly, but as the leader of the Stealth Force, she had to be present for such matters.

The few captains who showed up was completely within reason; the First Division barracks had just been leveled, and they had many things to deal with.

The execution was about to begin, and everything seemed calm. But in the area around the execution platform, hundreds of Qiyuezhe were lurking in the dark. They might have joined different factions, but their goal now was only one: Kuchiki Rukia.

Of course, for the Tier 4 Qiyuezhe of the Seireitei faction, whether it was snatching or destroying the Hogyoku, it was a mission beyond this tier.

The factions of the Qiyuezhe present could basically be divided into two sides: one was the Protagonist Team + Urahara Kisuke faction, and the other was the Seireitei faction.

These two sides were not hostile at the beginning, but after reaching this stage, both sides became hostile.

The main quest of the Protagonist Team + Urahara Kisuke faction was to ensure Kuchiki Rukia did not die and to successfully save her. This was the basic condition for completing the main quest. If they could protect the Hogyoku inside Rukia, they would make a huge profit, and the main quest reward would increase fivefold.

As for the Seireitei faction, their main quest was simple and brutal: from the start of the execution until the Hogyoku inside Rukia was taken out, successfully kill Kuchiki Rukia or ensure the execution was completed smoothly. Attacking Kuchiki Rukia at other times was prohibited.

One side wanted Rukia to live, the other wanted Rukia to die. The latter, the Seireitei faction, had a huge advantage in the early stages: a safe environment, a large number of tasks to gain benefits, etc.

Of course, both sides of the Qiyuezhe knew about Aizen's existence, so they didn't dare to be too active, or rather, they didn't dare to interfere with Aizen's plan on a large scale; that was courting death.

Because of this, the plot events had proceeded smoothly to the execution stage. If this weren't a large-scale open world, other Qiyuezhe would have already turned everything upside down.

According to Aizen's plan, Kuchiki Rukia would be executed by the Sokyoku, and the high temperature of the Sokyoku would instantly evaporate Rukia, thereby taking out the Hogyoku intact.

Originally, Aizen's plan could have been realized, but unfortunately, someone had already sensed clues and made corresponding arrangements. Today's execution of Rukia would be interrupted 90% of the time, and the problem lay within the Gotei 13.

Aizen's plan was about to fail? Of course not. He had prepared for so many years, so he naturally had a backup plan.

Qiyuezhe who were familiar with the progress of Bleach all knew that Aizen's backup plan was their opportunity, because in Aizen's backup plan, Rukia would be out of the sight of all Shinigami for 10 to 20 minutes. This was the opportunity for both sides of the Qiyuezhe. Whether it was killing Rukia or ensuring Rukia didn't die, this was their only chance.

Below the Sokyoku execution platform, the execution continued, and it had reached the stage of releasing the Sokyoku. Many Qiyuezhe were watching, waiting for the opportunity.

Just as the execution of Kuchiki Rukia was about to begin, someone arrived—Kuchiki Byakuya had arrived.

Half an hour later, the Sokyoku finished its release. A giant fire phoenix flapped its wings in mid-air, and the high temperature continued to spread to the surroundings. This was the form of the Sokyoku after release, Kikyo-o.

Kuchiki Rukia's arms were stretched out to both sides, and two pieces of Killing Stone floated above her arms, suppressing the Reiatsu inside her body to the maximum extent.

The fire phoenix lunged toward Kuchiki Rukia, its giant beak pecking straight toward her chest.

A mechanical eye floated in mid-air; this was Su Xiao's detection equipment, the Apostle's Eye. He was paying attention to the situation on the execution platform through the Apostle's Eye.

Just before the Sokyoku's beak pierced Kuchiki Rukia, a figure blocked in front of Rukia, flames surged. The Qiyuezhe who witnessed this scene were not surprised at all, because this was the result of them not interfering significantly with the plot events—it was the result of a tacit understanding. According to the development of the plot events, the plot protagonist Kurosaki Ichigo would block the Sokyoku.

"It's finally about to start."

A young Qiyuezhe squatting half a kilometer away from the execution platform spoke. Just as he was about to move, his teammate pulled his clothing.

"It seems... something is wrong."

A perception-type Qiyuezhe wearing sunglasses pressed one hand on the ground.

"It's wrong, that's not Kurosaki Ichigo."

"Kurosaki Ichigo isn't blocking the Sokyoku?"

"How is that possible? Everyone hasn't interfered significantly..." The young man seemed to think of something while speaking and asked urgently: "Is it that guy?"

"That lunatic..."

The perception-type Qiyuezhe stomped on the ground in anger.

The reason the Qiyuezhe had this reaction was that the one blocking the Sokyoku wasn't the heaven-sent miracle Kurosaki Ichigo, but Fourth Division Captain Unohana Retsu.

Flower-sister floated in mid-air, her sheathed Zanpakuto blocking in front of her. If the plot protagonist Kurosaki Ichigo could block the Sokyoku, let alone Unohana Retsu, whose strength far exceeded Kurosaki Ichigo's.

The execution was forced to stop. Soi Fon and Kuchiki Byakuya looked at Flower-sister with slight surprise. They were clearly a bit confused. Let alone these two, even Yamamoto Genryusai was somewhat surprised.

"Unohana, state your reason for doing this."

Old man Yamamoto Genryusai's wooden staff pointed at the ground, and fine cracks appeared on the staff. Terrifying Reiatsu spread out.

"Captain-Commander, the judgment to execute Rukia is not reasonable."

Flower-sister spoke slowly and gently, not caring at all about the tense atmosphere.

"This is a direct judgment from the Central 46. Whether it is reasonable or not, I will not listen to your one-sided words."

Yamamoto Genryusai didn't trust Unohana Retsu easily; this was his personality—stubborn.

"Captain-Commander, I can produce direct evidence..."

Before Unohana Retsu could finish speaking, she turned and grabbed Rukia. In Rukia's surprised expression, a giant creature resembling a ray wrapped her inside.

"No way, again!"

Soi Fon gritted her teeth and leaped with all her might, trying to stay as far away from the ground as possible. ===== CHAPTER 1509 =====