Yamahiko went to Onmitsukidō's First Division Executive Militia and assembled a combat team of ten members equipped with smoke grenades, flashbangs, sound bombs, and explosives, as well as a Kidō unit. Even if they were ambushed by a vice-captain level opponent, they would inflict significant damage.
[Executive Militia - image]
As for the thirty investigators, their abilities were slightly lower, mainly focused on tracking and reconnaissance. The rogue Shinigami was just an ordinary one and didn't require a large team for apprehension.
With Suì-Fēng in South Rukongai and Marechiyo Ōmaeda in North Rukongai, and Yamahiko in West Rukongai(location modified), this ensured that there were no gaps in the search.
Yamahiko led his team out of the Seireitei and arrived at the outskirts of West Rukongai. He ordered them to disperse and begin their search.
The main investigators were members of the Nest of Maggots - Detention Unit, skilled in tracking and stealth, using a net-like approach to locate their target.
While this method was somewhat inefficient, the Rukongai districts were densely populated, and Shinigami were unique entities. If they were in the relevant area, someone would have seen them.
[Rukongai districts - image]
The earlier districts were relatively peaceful, with most residents leading quiet lives, and there were few outsiders. Thus, they were easier to investigate.
Yamahiko instructed two investigators to check each district, one openly and one covertly. In about half an hour, they could cover one district. With thirty investigators, they could complete the search of thirty districts within an hour.
"Sir, have you seen this person?" Yamahiko handed a portrait to an elderly man.
The elderly man waved his hand and, in a hoarse voice, said, "We haven't seen any Shinigami around here for a long time."
Most Shinigami resided in the Seireitei, with the few exceptions living in the earlier-numbered districts. The probability of encountering a Shinigami decreased significantly beyond the thirtieth district.
Yamahiko continued to inquire with several more individuals, but none had seen any signs of the Shinigami. However, it was unlikely that they would come this far.
Captain Suì-Fēng had investigated East Rukongai and found that the rogue Shinigami had left. It was highly unlikely they would come to the completely opposite West Rukongai.
So as Yamahiko arrived in each district, he would dispatch some of his team to stay at key points for surveillance, just in case the rogue Shinigami tried to come to their location.
When Yamahiko finished investigating District 62, his squad members gathered around him. He beckoned them and said, "Next."
The group moved from District 62 to District 63, but in the space between the two districts was a barren wasteland.
The moment they stepped onto the wasteland, a soft chant was heard, "Shoot to kill, Shinsō!"
[Gin's Shikai, Shinsō. - image]
As the voice faded, a blade tip appeared at the chest of one of Yamahiko's squad members. The blade extended all the way into the darkness in the distance behind the squad member.
"Damn it!"
Yamahiko swiftly turned, drawing his Zanpakuto. He deflected the incoming blade that was about to strike another squad member.
Yamahiko blocked the strike with his Zanpakuto and looked at the figure emerging in the distance. He softly uttered, "Gin Ichimaru."
[Gin Ichimaru - image]
The ability used just now was the Shikai ability of Gin Ichimaru's Zanpakuto, Shinsō(Sacred Spear). In its released form, it took the appearance of a short sword(wakizashi), and its blade could extend up to a hundred times its original length, allowing for extremely fast attacks.
"Ah!"
Another agonized scream echoed as Yamahiko turned to see another squad member impaled from behind by a man with brown skin. The man held a longsword that had pierced through the squad member.
"Kaname Tōsen."
[Kaname Tōsen - image]
Yamahiko gritted his teeth and spoke these three words. Gin Ichimaru and Kaname Tōsen had arrived here and were directly engaging in a massacre. Yamahiko couldn't help but realize that something was amiss.
Both of them were affiliated with Sōsuke Aizen. Without Aizen's orders, how could they possibly come here and engage in such indiscriminate killings?
The answer was becoming clear: Aizen wanted to kill him and had sent two Captains to do it.
As Yamahiko watched Kaname Tōsen flash to another squad member, his body roared, blue light radiating from him. In the next moment, Yamahiko appeared at Kaname Tōsen's side, delivering a strike.
He wanted to strike down Kaname Tōsen before he could release his Shikai.
However, Kaname Tōsen reacted quickly, angling his Zanpakuto to block Yamahiko's strike.
Boom!
A tremendous collision resounded as Kaname Tōsen was pushed back by Yamahiko's overpowering strength. Under the amplification of Raijin: Shunko, Yamahiko's power greatly surpassed Kaname Tōsen's.
But in the next moment, Kaname Tōsen muttered softly, "Cry out, Suzumushi."
[Tōsen releases his Shikai, Suzumushi. - image]
Yamahiko quickly appeared behind Kaname Tōsen, but in the next moment, Kaname Tōsen's long blade struck again.
Bang!
Kaname Tōsen was sent flying, and Yamahiko took the opportunity to pursue him. However, his ears rang loudly, and for a moment, Yamahiko's body came to a brief halt.
"Suzumushi Nishiki."
[Attack Reference - Tōsen knocks out Uryū with Suzumushi. - Image]
This was Kaname Tōsen's Zanpakuto ability. The reiatsu on the surface of his Zanpakuto trembled, emitting a buzzing sound. It could release the restrictions on Zanpakuto and, when entering an opponent's ear with lower reiryoku, induce them into sleep.
Yamahiko's reiryoku was not inferior to Kaname Tōsen's, so it only caused a momentary pause.
"Tōsen, I leave him to you. I'll deal with these small fry first."
Saying this, Gin Ichimaru charged towards the Onmitsukidō members. He dashed and appeared behind one of them, but two other members immediately lunged forward, attacking Gin Ichimaru.
Gin Ichimaru quickly retracted, and the blade of his Shinsō extended again, piercing through one of the squad members.
The remaining squad members spread out, pulling out explosive devices and surrounding Gin.
Gin Ichimaru smiled faintly but didn't seem to mind. He gripped his Shinsō tightly.
However, Yamahiko shouted loudly, "Don't fight, get out of here quickly, and report to the Soul Society."
For a combat team, facing opponents as strong as Gin Ichimaru was a helpless situation. Even more so, Aizen was lurking in the shadows. The result of continuing the battle would be a total defeat.
It was better to use their numerical advantage and superior speed to retreat. As for Yamahiko, he was faster, far surpassing Kaname Tōsen and Gin Ichimaru. However, he couldn't escape because Aizen was still hiding in the darkness, and the target was him.
Aizen wouldn't let him escape, so he had to act as bait to divert their attention and make the Onmitsukidō members return to report.
With Yamahiko's words, the squad members took out flash and smoke grenades. After igniting them, they intended to flee.
The sudden flash of light made Gin Ichimaru pause briefly, and he tried to pursue them, but he couldn't find their trace.
Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh.
Closing his eyes, Gin Ichimaru extended his longsword to pierce through three squad members. However, five others managed to escape.
"Descend, Raijinmaru." Yamahiko released his Zanpakuto upon witnessing Gin Ichimaru massacring the squad members with his formidable perception.
Dark clouds gathered in the sky, with arcs of electricity converging into thunderbolts. With a resounding crash, Yamahiko caught the lightning in his hand, forming a short spear.
"Sandāsutoraiku"[thunder strike]
Boom, boom, boom, boom.
Several bolts of lightning struck at Gin Ichimaru.
"Oh?"
Gin Ichimaru began evading as soon as the lightning gathered, dodging two of the thunderbolts but getting struck by the other two. The electric arcs pervaded his surroundings.
However, in the next moment, a circular shield appeared before Gin Ichimaru.
Bakudō #39: Enkōsen [ Circle Lock Fan] (- Image)
With a tremendous roar, the Enkōsen was shattered by the third thunderbolt, and the fourth struck Gin Ichimaru's raised arm.
"It's quite painful."
Gin Ichimaru's body trembled, and his arm, devoid of clothing, turned dark, with blood flowing freely.
On the other side, Yamahiko's back revealed a pair of lightning wings, which instantly disappeared as he appeared behind Kaname Tōsen, thrusting his long spear.
[Lightning wings - Image]
As Kaname Tōsen instinctively dodged, Yamahiko's long spear grazed his waist and abdomen, taking away a substantial amount of flesh.
Yamahiko managed to single handedly hold off Gin Ichimaru and Kaname Tōsen, giving the other five squad members time to disperse in five different directions.
"They got away; this is bad," Gin Ichimaru sighed, tilting his head.
Yamahiko continued to press the attack against the two, aiming to keep them occupied. He hoped that if the squad members could escape, he would have a chance to survive.
However, at that moment, a voice slowly emerged from the darkness, saying, "Two captains, you let five people escape. It's quite disappointing. I guess I have to intervene personally."
Stepping out from the darkness, it was none other than Sōsuke Aizen, the captain of the Fifth Division. He wore a faint smile, and his blade was stained with blood, walking towards them step by step.
[Sōsuke Aizen - Image]
Seeing Aizen, Yamahiko's heart sank. It seemed that all five squad members had already vanished.
Kaname Tōsen quickly apologized, saying, "I apologize, Lord Aizen."
Gin Ichimaru chuckled and said, "Captain Aizen, it's not our fault. This kid is just too strong."
Aizen looked at Yamahiko with a faint smile and said, "Long time no see, Yamahiko-kun."
~End of the chapter~
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