(Karakura, the area of the fight between Renji and Allen, sometime after the end of the battle)
Aizen appeared at the scene where they fought. In front of him, images began to flicker, showing how Allen fought, each mark and cut seemed to tell Aizen what had happened.
Of course, he had thousands of ways to spy on the fight, but he didn't do it. Perhaps so Allen wouldn't think he was being watched, or simply because he didn't care enough.
Aizen saw before his eyes the release of one of Allen's zanpakuto. This raised a question: were these images only visible to Aizen's eyes, or could anyone else see what he sees?
"Divine Comedy... The Divine Comedy is a masterpiece of literature written by Dante Alighieri... It's an epic poem that narrates Dante's journey through Hell, Purgatory, and Paradise. Throughout his journey, he encounters various historical and mythological figures, while exploring themes such as sin, virtue, redemption, and the nature of the soul... Is that your zanpakuto, or does it have nothing to do with it... What does Allen Walker mean?... In the end, a clown who doesn't make anyone laugh is rather sad..."
Aizen smiled and, with a motion of his hands, restored all remnants of the fight and hid the remaining Reiatsu of Lieutenant Abarai.
These actions did not show which side Aizen was on or if he was even on one side and not just an observer, whether Aizen did them to help Allen or for his own interests.
Just as Aizen was about to leave, a Shinigami opened the Senkaimon and saw Aizen standing.
The Shinigami looked at Aizen cautiously...
"It seems that Abarai Renji wasn't careful enough..."
"Who are you, and where is Lieutenant Abarai?"
The shinigami in question wasn't anyone of importance, just a regular shinigami, but he could see Lieutenant Abarai using the Senkaimon. As it was said, there could be hundreds of thousands of shinigami, but only thirteen lieutenants, so, naturally, they draw attention.
In the face of the accusation, Aizen did not react, only adjusting his glasses to reveal his serene, impassive gaze.
"Young shinigami, you shouldn't waste your life on something like this..."
"Shut up, who are you? I can feel your Reiatsu even though you suppress it."
"No, actually, you can only feel the trace of my Reiatsu because I just used it, not my Reiatsu itself..."
"What are you saying?!"
The shinigami shouted angrily, but it was just to hide his terror. He was scared, he didn't know why, but the man who appeared wise and kind gave him chills more than any Hollow he had seen.
"Is your fear because to your eyes I am terrifying, or because you instinctively feel the danger..."
Aizen turned around to face the shinigami...
"Don't worry..."
"Don't underestimate me...huh!?" The shinigami realized he couldn't move and felt terrified.
"Underestimate you? For that, I'd have to see you as an opponent, to begin with... I'm sorry, I still have that bad habit..."
The shinigami grew more afraid the more he listened, there was something in front of him that he couldn't understand, something he shouldn't have found.
"When I say don't worry, I wasn't mocking you; I was simply pointing out a cruel fact that even your worry is pointless..."
The shinigami's eyes, wide open in desperation, showed his complete defeat, and in the end, he did something that would be enough to strip him of his position as a shinigami: he let go of his zanpakuto.
The sword slowly fell to the ground, reflecting in Aizen's eyes, which lost all trace of interest...
"Don't worry, little one, in the end, your reaction is normal, and there's no need to feel ashamed..."
A zanpakuto appeared in Aizen's hand, he took the hilt and began to use it. "Don't worry... it's over now... Shatter Kyoka Suigetsu (Mirror Flower, Water Moon)."
...
"What will you do?"
Aizen left the place with a slight sense of satisfaction. As for the reason for his good mood, no one could know it, just by looking at his calm face.
...
(Seireitei)
Rukia walked through the darkness until she reached a cleared area, similar to where combat trials are held. This place was surrounded by highly resistant walls, ideal for assessing the skills of a lieutenant.
She had not been an official before, so jumping straight to lieutenant was questioned, but with the recommendation of two captains, Yamamoto Genryusai had no choice but to give her a chance. However, it could be even more difficult than a normal promotion.
Previously, Rukia had passed the two previous tests. One consisted of measuring her Reiatsu level, which barely qualified her as a lieutenant, while the other was a knowledge test to see if she had the skills required for the position.
Finally, came the hardest test: one where she would face an evaluation conducted by three captains.
Rukia felt the pressure as she saw the three captains who would evaluate her, with Yamamoto as the final judge. Rukia had never experienced such a promotion, so she didn't know if this was orthodox, but she knew her situation was different.
One of the captains was Ukitake, of course, the captain of the division where the evaluated shinigami aspired to be a lieutenant.
Another captain was Hitsugaya Toshiro, whose eyes, as a user of an ice sword, would be suitable for assessing Kuchiki Rukia's abilities.
And finally...
"Nii-sama..."
Rukia felt immense pressure and concern upon seeing her brother, Kuchiki Byakuya, among the evaluating captains.
Kuchiki Byakuya is tall and slender, with pale skin and violet eyes, often accompanied by a furrowed brow and a severe, sometimes disdainful expression toward others. His hair is black and long, reaching his shoulder blades. On his head, he wears a "kenseikan," a symbol of his nobility, a white accessory that moves some of his hair over his forehead or across his right temple.
Kuchiki Byakuya stepped forward. "Kuchiki Rukia, this is your final test. Under the scrutiny of three captains, your practical skills will be evaluated."
Ukitake smiled bitterly, knowing that Byakuya insisted on being the third evaluating captain because his goal was to reject Rukia's promotion.
"Now, your opponent..."
To Rukia's right, a woman with long orange hair landed. It was Matsumoto Rangiku, who usually wore a light smile and a friendly demeanor, but at that moment had a serious expression.
Rukia drew her sword and became serious; this was not a battle where Rangiku would show her mercy.
Yamamoto Genryusai struck the ground with his staff, "Begin!"
...
Rangiku drew her sword and wasted no time.
"Growl Haineko! (Cat of Ash)"
The blade of Rangiku's zanpakuto began to disappear. Although it is more accurate to say that it became ashes, faint, gray, and yet tangible.
"...!"
Rukia hadn't expected Matsumoto Rangiku to start with her Shikai from the beginning. But this was an evaluation; the captains weren't just looking at Rukia's power but her abilities in unexpected situations, her decision-making under disadvantageous circumstances, and her capacity to adapt and overcome.
"Hado 31: Shakkaho!" Rukia shot a fireball toward Rangiku.
Rangiku used the hilt of her sword to cut through the Kido effortlessly, then attacked Rukia.
Rukia used her shunpo to escape, but Rangiku kept attacking. Every time Rukia stopped, Haineko's ashes tried to attack her. Rukia did her best to maintain distance and activate her shikai, but Matsumoto wouldn't let her.
The captains knew this was intentional; after all, Rukia's Shikai was slow.
While Rukia was in trouble, Byakuya's gaze watched her closely. There was a lingering doubt in his eyes as he observed his younger sister.
'Rukia...'
Rukia felt frustrated because she couldn't use her shikai. If this were a battle against a Hollow, she could escape far enough to use her shikai, but this was a test, and fleeing from Matsumoto would make her look weak.
"Hado #33 Sōkatsui (Blue Fire Rain)"
From Rukia's hands, fire appeared, spreading in all directions. This temporarily pushed Haineko away. Rukia did not miss this opportunity.
She spun her zanpakuto as if it were a ceremonial object used in rituals. The tip of the hilt dropped a white ribbon, and then she pierced the ground four times.
"Dance, Sode no Shirayuki (White Snow That Envelopes)"
Rukia's spiritual pressure began to increase as Hitsugaya Toshiro nodded. "Her Shikai is well-executed. Her power is now at the level of a lieutenant, and she managed to push Matsumoto back..."
Hitsugaya's evaluation had improved, and Ukitake also smiled upon seeing Rukia's performance. Only Kuchiki Byakuya had that look of dissatisfaction.
...
"Oh, I see you have the skill, Kuchiki-chan," Matsumoto laughed but quickly returned to a serious expression. She then pointed at Rukia and attacked again.
However, this time, it would be different. Rukia had already completed the preparations for her Shikai.
"Tsugi no mai, Hakuren (Next Dance, White Wave)"
A huge burst of ice struck Matsumoto. She opened her eyes but couldn't escape and was frozen. A mountain of ice rose upward.
"She has adequate power..." Yamamoto muttered, not noticing Byakuya clenching his fists.
Ukitake silently apologized for making Byakuya witness this.
"Enough!" Yamamoto struck the ground once more. "Hitsugaya..."
Hitsugaya Toshiro vanished and appeared next to the ice mountain, using his zanpakuto to cut the ice and free Matsumoto.
"Captain!" Matsumoto complained, hugging herself with her hands while tearful eyes reflected the cold.
"It's not the time..." Hitsugaya pointed to Rukia, who had already put away her zanpakuto and was kneeling.
Matsumoto smiled bitterly and tried to control herself.
Yamamoto Genryusai stepped forward for each captain to express their opinions.
Ukitake smiled, "She has everything necessary to serve as my lieutenant..."
Yamamoto nodded.
Hitsugaya observed with severity, "A good ability with her Shikai, but somewhat lacking in Reiatsu. Overall, acceptable."
Yamamoto looked at Byakuya...
He remained silent as the tension built.
Byakuya vanished. It was so fast that Rukia didn't see him until he was already behind her.
"Your mind is restless... For a shinigami whose duty is to protect the world, a distracted mind is not adequate..."
"I... I'm sorry."
"Don't apologize," Byakuya looked at Rukia, "What clouds your vision even at this moment?... maybe... Karakura Town?"
"...!"
"Sensei," Ukitake, knowing this was bad, intervened.
Yamamoto Genryusai struck his staff on the ground, "Captain Kuchiki, limit your comments to the evaluation..."
"My apologies..." Byakuya looked into Rukia's eyes, but she couldn't hold his gaze. "Those eyes of guilt, tell me, Kuchiki Rukia, why are you in this condition after going to the human world?"
"...!"
Rukia's eyes opened wide with disbelief as Byakuya continued to stare at her.
"Rukia, look me in the eyes and tell me if you are guilt-free..."
Byakuya was the bright sun on her horizon. Lying to his face was something she could never do. She found herself unable to fulfill that request. A drop of sweat fell from Ukitake's cheek, and Yamamoto noticed but said nothing.
"Kuchiki Rukia, your heart is elsewhere... Where are you?"
Rukia felt her will falter. Should she confess or lie to the person she admired most?
She was between a rock and a hard place... Because on the other side was Captain Ukitake, Captain Kyoraku, Lieutenant Nanao, and... him...
Rukia bit her lips. Byakuya knew his sister well, and he knew he had placed her in a difficult situation, but he did not regret it.
Rukia weighed the consequences of both things and concluded that there was no perfect ending. She had to sacrifice something.
"I sinned..."
Yamamoto's eyes widened. Ukitake sighed regretfully. Hitsugaya frowned, and Matsumoto became worried.
...
Byakuya left the evaluation area in anger, along with Hitsugaya. Both gathered the elite of their divisions and went to the human world.
...
Allen landed some distance away from the captains. His spiritual energy was undetectable when not in use, so he took advantage of this to approach the captains without being discovered.
Allen wanted to assess the situation. Did everything really follow the plot, and was his existence discovered?
It must be, or else, what sense would it make for there to be two captains in Karakura with so many members of their divisions?
Allen observed the situation with distaste. He was worried about what happened to Rukia. Had she been caught like in the canon?
Artoria – "It's better if you use a disguise; maybe they won't come for you..."
Allen didn't have enough information. If he was wrong, and they really didn't come for him, it was better to avoid revealing himself.
"Makima, Artoria... you'll only appear when I use the Quincy King identity... you too... but wear your armor."
"Yes, Allen-sama❤️~"
The new doll seemed obedient, but Allen couldn't trust her because he knew she was a little insane.
...
Byakuya looked around. There were no traces of Reiatsu he could use to track the one he wanted to find.
"Captain Kuchiki, it's better if we split up..."
"Go ahead..." Byakuya replied, looking at the sky.
Hitsugaya and Matsumoto, along with their division, jumped, stepping into the air. They both had a mission.
"Matsumoto, take half and search in that direction. I'll go this way."
"Understood!"
"And what if you just stay here?"
A chain suddenly appeared and pierced one of the elite shinigami.
Matsumoto felt chills as if she remembered a bad experience...
Makima stood in her office attire, observing the situation. She no longer hid her face; she didn't need to. Her golden eyes and aura made everyone tremble, except for Hitsugaya Toshiro.
Hitsugaya narrowed his eyes upon seeing Makima standing in the sky. She was solidifying the reishi as a shinigami would.
"You must be the woman who almost killed my lieutenant..."
"How scary... but you should thank me for not doing it."
Makima smiled cruelly as more chains attacked other shinigami, but this time, they were frozen.
Hitsugaya expelled his spirit pressure which was very strong due to his identity as a captain, "I don't have time for you. Where is that woman?"
Makima mocked, "That woman already has a husband. Look for a girl your age..."
Hitsugaya felt anger as he interacted with her, but Matsumoto shouted, "Captain, that woman is a manipulative liar. Don't fall for her words!"
"You're right..."
Seeing how Hitsugaya regained control, Makima frowned, but then relaxed her expression. "What a boring guy. I'll let my little sister deal with you..."
Matsumoto sweated coldly, 'Little sister?'
Hitsugaya felt chills and looked at the sky. A black meteorite fell on him...no; it wasn't a meteorite but a woman in black armor, holding a huge battle mass.
"Who are you calling little sister?!"
"What?!"
Hitsugaya raised his sword and blocked the attack, but the force behind it was monstrous, and he was mercilessly thrown into the ground, where he collided violently.
"Captain!" Matsumoto screamed.
The black wings held a woman in the sky. She wore full armor, but the helmet disappeared as if stored elsewhere, revealing her beautiful face with an otherworldly beauty. She had golden eyes and black hair, and her most distinctive feature was a pair of white demonic horns on her head.
"Just do your job, Albedo..." Makima said indifferently.
"Tsk... shut up! I only obey Allen-samaa~❤️~"
"Vulgar woman..." murmured Makima.
...
(Moments earlier)
Byakuya looked at the sky, unsure of what to think. Was this inevitable?
"You look depressed..."
Allen's voice entered Byakuya's ears.
"...!"
Byakuya drew his sword, spun around, and clashed it with a sword made of pure reishi; the impact generated a shockwave, driving them away from each other.
"Who are you?... No, I know the answer..."
Allen wore a black mask that covered his face. His hair was black, and his golden eyes were barely visible. His body had returned to being taller and more muscular, just like in his original world.
"Is it part of the shinigami courtesy to try and kill someone you just met?" Allen remained indifferent.
"It's unpleasant when someone gets so close to you..."
The shinigami stepped forward to protect Byakuya.
"Everyone stand down this is an opponent you can't handle,"
The many shinigami in the sixth division were very obedient so they immediately moved away.
"Are you a Quincy?" Byakuya narrowed his eyes.
"Who knows, why do you ask?"
"Just curious..."
Kuchiki Byakuya dropped his katana, and it melded with the ground, causing large blades of katana to rise from the ground.
"Bankai... Senbonzakura Kageyoshi (Vibrant Display of a Thousand Cherry Blossoms)"
The metal blades turned into a torrent of cherry blossoms that attacked Allen.
Allen regretted not understanding the situation fully, but one thing was clear: Kuchiki Byakuya was fighting seriously from the beginning.
===
A/N: I know it sounds repetitive but I apologize for the delay of the chapter, I really would like to post it several hours earlier, but these days I have lost the rhythm.
[Albedo from the anime Overlord... yandere, obsessive, jealous, possessive, psychopathic, hates humans a succubus cutie... that's it🍷🗿]