Chapter 259: Chapter 259: Filling in the Blanks

The anomaly in the Noble District quickly reachedYamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni.

The Noble District was one of the central zones of the Seireitei, so the sudden appearance of theGate of Hellhere immediately triggered an emergency alert.

The entireGotei 13sprang into action.

Within ten minutes, the captains and lieutenants of each division had arrived in front of theTsunayashirofamily estate with their squads.

TheTsunayashiromanor was shrouded in dense black-redHell Reishi.

Even faint flames could be seen glowing within.

"What intense Hell aura! TheHell Reishihere is so dense it’s visible to the naked eye!"Kyōraku Shunsuiexclaimed.

Everyone could sense there was no longer anyReiatsuactivity within the estate, so they didn’t rush in.

Genhara, vice-captain of the 5th Division, was confirming the intel withObana JirōandŌmaeda Kishinosuke.

Some of the servants who had escaped from the estate were also reporting to the 5th Division Shinigami.

Hikifune KirioandUrahara Kisukewere using spiritual measuring devices to analyze the dispersedHell Reishi.

"We really sawTsunayashiro Tokinada!"Ōmaeda Kishinosukeinsisted, confident in what he saw — and he wasn’t the only one.

"But Tokinada died some time ago... Only Captain-class beings go to Hell after death!"Genharafrowned.

TheNobutsuna Shigyōincident from years ago had already revealed some information about Hell to captains and vice-captains.

It was now confirmed that Shinigami above a certain threshold wouldn’t reincarnate in the World of the Living, but instead be reborn in Hell.

ButTsunayashiro Tokinadawas, at most, vice-captain level. Under normal circumstances, he didn’t meet the criteria for rebirth in Hell.

"Maybe... it was theLord of Hell’sdoing?"Ōmaeda Kishinosukeoffered, recalling something he had overheard.

"I remember Tokinada saying it was theLord of Hellwho gave him a chance to return."

"TheLord of Hell... you mean that legendaryWill of Hell?"Genhara’sexpression darkened.

"That persistent bastard..."Kyōraku Shunsuimuttered grimly. "You’re sure you sawTsunayashiro Tokinadaleave through theGate of Hell?"

"Yes, we were watching from that building. It was very close."

The two nodded.

"Even the servants who escaped saw him enter the Gate," addedShihoin Yoruichi.

"I already asked them and nearby witnesses to verify the reports."

She had been the first to arrive and had immediately begun confirming testimonies.

"He actually managed to open a Gate of Hell within the Seireitei..."Ukitake Jūshirō’sexpression turned grave.

This was very bad news for the Soul Society.

The Seireitei had stable space-time — if Tokinada could open the Gate here, it meant he could open oneanywherein Soul Society.

"The last time theGate of Hellwas opened inRukongai, it required sacrificing sinful souls who had illegally entered the Soul Society..."Unohana Retsurecalled.

"But this time, what method did he use...?"

"From what I’ve gathered, the gate didn’t open fully,"Yoruichiadded.

"Tsunayashiro Tokinada probably can’t open the Gate freely yet. Otherwise, Hell’s forces would’ve already invaded Soul Society,"Ukitaketheorized.

Based on theNobutsuna Shigyōcase, it was likely that theWill of Hellhad been observing the souls of Soul Society.

"He didn’t cause destruction elsewhere in the Noble District... That means he had a very specific goal,"Kyōrakureasoned.

According toKishinosukeandObana’sintel,Tokinadahad taken theEnrakyōden, the ancestralZanpakutōof theTsunayashiroclan, saying that was the reason for his return.

"Enrakyōden?"Kyōraku’spupils contracted. He suddenly turned towardUkitake Jūshirō.

He foundUkitakealready looking back at him.

FromUkitake’seyes, he saw the same realization.

"The Soul King is their target?!" they exclaimed simultaneously.

As captains, they already knew certain ancient secrets — especiallyUkitake, who carried part of the Soul King within him.

They quickly deducedTokinada’smotive for stealingEnrakyōden.

That blade had been passed down since the time of theTsunayashiroancestors — the ones who had helped dismember the Soul King.

It was a blade tainted by divine blood.

TheWill of Hell, throughTokinada, might very well intend to use it for something related to the Soul King.

"TheWill of Hellgot its hands onEnrakyōdenthrough Tokinada?"Yamamoto’sface turned grim as he looked to the sky.

"Could it be... they’re trying to destroy that thing...?"

He suspected they might be planning to destroy theThree Realms Pact.

If that were broken, Soul Society, the World of the Living, and Hueco Mundo would all collapse.

At that point, theLord of Hellcould harvest the souls andReishifrom all three realms.

"Tch..."Yoruichisucked in a breath. "Are they really planning something that massive? TheWill of Hellis truly the greatest threat to the three realms!"

She played along enthusiastically.

After receivingKishinosuke’smessage, she had also received a transmission from a shadow.

Her teacher had instructed her to quickly gather people, verify testimonies from the servants and witnesses nearby.

Yoruichihad already known this washer teacher’strap — a scheme to eliminate theTsunayashirothreat.

Though she didn’t understand how he pulled it off, she was thrilled that he had trusted her with the secret.

Now, she was doing her best to steer everyone’s suspicions toward theWill of Hell.

"Captain, the averageHell Reishidensity here is 98.5. In the core area, it’s even as high as 128.2. There’s barely any normalReishileft inside,"Urahara Kisukereported, operating his detector.

"Based on previous samples,Hell Reishidensity reaches around 51.6 when aGate of Hellopens in the World of the Living. This place is almost double that!"

"The concentration is so high it’s already harming spiritual bodies. No Shinigami below vice-captain level should enter,"Hikifune Kiriowarned.

"Captain-Commander Yamamoto, thisHell Reishiwon’t dissipate on its own anytime soon. I recommend summoning theKidō Corpsto purify it."

"Chōjirō, notify theKidō Corps. Have them come cleanse this area."

"Yes, sir!"

Sasakibe Chōjirōresponded and vanished withShunpo.

"All division captains and vice-captains, follow me inside. Everyone else, remain on standby!"

The officers followed him into the manor.

Upon reaching the central area, they felt the full weight of theHell Reishi.

They were struck by a strangesuffocation— not physical, but a spiritual disconnect from ambientReishi.

In the air floated visible blackHell Miasma.

This was the substance responsible for turning ambientReishiintoHell Reishi.

Unohana Retsureached out and touched it.

Zzzz!Her fingertip hissed, as if it had touched hot oil.

"Do not touch theHell Miasmain the air. It drainsReishifrom spiritual bodies," she warned.

"This is too dense... We can’t even form proper footholds withReishi. Is Hell like this too?"

Kyōraku Shunsuigave up any thought of chasing Tokinada into Hell.

This kind of environment might empower Hell’s inhabitants, but for Shinigami, it was toxic — like the powers of Hollows, it clashed with their essence.

If Hell was truly like this, Shinigami would be at a huge disadvantage.

"He really usedRyūjin Jakka’spower!Enrakyōdencan even copy old man Yamamoto’s Zanpakutō?!"

Kyōraku’seyes narrowed.

The scorch marks and sword gouges around the estate were unmistakable signs of a fire-type Zanpakutō.

"Hmph."

Yamamotoscowled.

Using hisRyūjin Jakkalike some child’s toy — how dare they!

The blocking flames parted on their own like curtains, revealing a charred corridor.

Following the path, they arrived at the council hall.

According toObana JirōandKishinosuke’sreports, this was whereTokinadahad takenEnrakyōdenand slaughtered the clan.

Inside the hall, they found charred corpses.

Though burned to ash, the blade wounds were still recognizable.

"All slain with blades and flames... So many killed without even using Kidō. Tokinada’s strength has grown tremendously.

Is it the power ofEnrakyōden... or something theLord of Hellgranted him?"Kyōrakumurmured.

He knew Tokinada well — the man had never been this powerful.

"Could be both... I heardEnrakyōdenexacts a cost when used. But in Hell, where one can resurrect, Tokinada can use it recklessly!"Yoruichianalyzed seriously.

Urahara Kisukecontinued scanning with his device.

After a while, he sighed.

"Captain, theReishihere has all turned intoHell Reishi. We can’t even match it to our database anymore."

"No need to compare. With this muchHell Reishi, our equipment can’t even identify the bodies — but based on the witnesses, these are clearlyTsunayashiroclan members," saidHikifune Kirio.

This area was the most saturated withHell Miasma. Even theReishiin the corpses had been corrupted.

There was no way to confirm their identities through normal spiritual comparison.

"There are no livingTsunayashiroleft... Captain-Commander Yamamoto, how should we handle this?"

Ukitake Jūshirōwas concerned about what came next.

Such an event in the Noble District would certainly lead to pressure from theCentral 46and the other noble houses.

Even if it was unforeseen, the fall of one of the Five Great Noble Houses would demand accountability.

"I will take full responsibility."

Suddenly,Kuchiki Ginrei, who had remained silent until now, spoke up.

"Father!"Kuchiki Sōjunexclaimed in shock.

This had clearly been an accident. Why was his father volunteering to take the blame?

"The Noble District is under the 6th Division’s jurisdiction. Since this happened here, the 6th Division cannot escape responsibility.

I shall bear it alone."

Ginreihad his reasons.

He had already been planning to step aside forSōjun— and it was better for him to carry the burden than the others.

This way, the 6th Division would remember theKuchikiclan’s honor, andSōjun’sfuture succession would go more smoothly.

Sōjunwas still young and new to the division, with little reputation.

Leading a division required more than skill — it required respect.

By taking the fall,Ginreihoped to win support for his son.

Those who knewGinreiquickly understood his motives.

’Clever old fox... Using even this to his advantage,’Kyōrakuthought privately.

"Father, you can’t shoulder this alone!"Sōjunprotested. "I’m the vice-captain of the 6th Division — I share responsibility too!"

ButSōjunhadn’t yet realized the nuance.

"Say no more. This is a captain’s duty. Sōjun, remember this — as a captain, you must bear the burden for your men!"

Ginreiquickly silenced him.

WithNanatsukiandAizen’smachinations — andShihoin Yoruichi’sguidance —

everyone was now fully convinced thatTsunayashiro Tokinadawas behind the massacre.

Soon after, theGrand Kidō Chiefarrived with theKidō Corps.

Even he was astonished by the density ofHell Reishi— he’d never seen anything like it.

"This is too dense to dissipate. We’ll have to seal it," he said.

"Do you really have to seal it all? Can’t I keep a little?"Urahara Kisukepleaded, eager to study theHell ReishiandMiasma.

"We’ll start the sealing ritual in thirty minutes. Collect what you can before then," theGrand Kidō Chiefsaid.

Kisukeimmediately fetched his containers. LikeKatori Nanatsuki, he had the idea of usingSakkiseto storeHell Miasma.

Half an hour later, theKidō Corpsbegan their sealing ritual to contain theHell ReishiandHell Miasma.

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