Leading the members of the Gotei 13, the Hot Spring Demon, Tenjirou Kirinji, and the Great Weave Guard, Senjumaru Shutara, surveyed the surroundings and immediately found their targets.
"Unbelievable... So that 'Belial' is really just Urahara Kisuke?" muttered the former while shouldering his spear.
Senjumaru was also in disbelief and checked her needles to test the current atmosphere. Despite her long service to the Royal Guards, this is actually her and Tenjirou's first time stepping into Hell since no one is allowed in it for obvious reasons, "Let's just do our job and return. We can't have the Royal Palace empty for long."
However, behind their calm demeanor are their confused minds. There's no question that Kisuke and his group are a threat, but how did Ichibei know what's going on here and why did he have to come ahead of them and only be allowed to follow him upon his signal? And most importantly, why did Ouetsu betray them?
Ichibei and Ouetsu's behavior was raising alarms in their heads but they didn't have the courage to question it.
The members of the Gotei 13, on the other hand, all have conflicting emotions especially when they see the comrades they previously had. Although they are all standing far away from them, the fact that they are now facing them turned their stomachs inside out.
Nevertheless, there's an outlier among them which was Zaraki, who's grinning ear to ear as his gaze met with Unohana's.
Without saying anything to his 'melodramatic' comrades, Zaraki dashed forward.
"H-hey! Captain Zaraki! Wait!" Iba yelled at him in panic. Of course, the latter just completely ignored him as he already entered a world of his own, anticipating his rematch against his first rival.
"Don't bother." Ikkaku interrupted, "He won't listen to any of us. Besides, look." He pointed towards the distant group. And as he did, one of them also dashed forward to meet Zaraki, "You'll be killed the moment you go in between them."
"So that's Captain Unohana... I've already heard about her being the first Kenpachi, but it's seriously disorienting to see her produce that much killing intent with such a joyful face." Renji commented while feeling the goosebumps in his arm, "Or is that just the influence of Hell?"
No one could answer Renji's question because this is the first time they've seen Unohana as a Kenpachi and only Tenjirou and Senjumaru are old enough to witness that.
However, the answer to that question is not that important compared to the implications it brings. If Unohana could show them that much hostility because of Hell's influence, wouldn't that be the same with others? The same with the former Captain Commander Yamamoto?
Just asking that question quietly to themselves made them very nervous and far more fearful compared to what they faced when they fought in the Quincy War.
Tenjirou and Senjumaru felt the decreasing morale from them. Although unstable, they also found it pathetic as they are supposed to be hardened soldiers who proved themselves through countless trials and reached their current position. This is also the reason why they appreciate Zaraki and Mayuri more than people like Iba.
Zaraki and Unohana already started their clash and even started moving away from them.
Senjumaru watched for a few seconds before turning around and said, "I'm a bad match against the old man. I'll take care of the traitor." She's actually interested in going against Kisuke since both of them can 'sew' but she knows that Ichibei won't allow her. Without waiting for anyone, she disappeared with a Flash Step.
At the same time, Yamamoto's group started moving, "They are splitting up. Though they don't seem to have any intent of escaping." Tenjirou observed the situation for a bit and immediately figured out their intentions, "Well, pick your fight. Just make sure that they can't get away. It's going to be annoying otherwise."
He then turned around and faced Byakuya, "Byakuya, you're the one holding that device so you will lead the rest to take care of Genryuusai."
Byakuya let out a long sigh but he ultimately nodded, "Understood. But shouldn't you be the one facing the former Captain Commander? It's embarrassing to admit it, but with this device, you alone should be enough to defeat him."
Tenjirou immediately scoffs at him, "You're underestimating me. I don't need that to contain Genryuusai. However, you guys seem to have forgotten that it's not just your dead comrades that are here."
Neither Byakuya nor the others liked his words but before they could say anything, another voice resounded, but strangely enough, it's not one of theirs, "My~ I'm honored that you haven't forgotten about me!"
"Tch!" Tenjirou clicked his tongue and placed his spear across his body.
The next instant, a foot landed on its shaft with enough strength that force Tenjirou to fly back.
In Tenjirou's former position was a young woman with black twin-tailed hair swaying and an aura of frost surrounding him.
Several Captains immediately pulled out their swords and swung them towards the young woman. But as soon as their swords touched her, they didn't feel that they cut any flesh. Instead, they felt like they just slashed at a rock.
That confusion was soon resolved when they saw that what they actually attacked was an intricate ice sculpture. The real woman who attacked Tenjirou was already in pursuit of the latter.
It was quiet for a moment until Rangiku Matsumoto murmured, "Shiro... I think she's a lot better than you in terms of manipulating ice."
Toshirou sheathed his sword and was silent for a few seconds before saying something to avoid the topic, "How did she even approach us undetected?"
But same as Renji's question, no one could really answer nor could they have anticipated that it was due to another power system that's different from Magic and Spirit.
Toshirou sighed and turned his head in a certain direction. Immediately after, his eyes met with the man with sharp features and unusual silver hair, "Matsumoto. I hope you're ready."
"You won't stop me?" Rangiku also turned to the direction he was facing, now with a mix of excitement and melancholic expression.
"You won't listen anyway. You better assist me instead of letting you move alone."
"Understood... I'm ready."