Bleach: Cero Devastador

The mood had settled down after Unohana left, she had put a lot of questions and expectations in my mind, nothing I could do anything about it. I only hoped with time we'd have an opportunity to see each other in combat and then perhaps I'd confirm my suspicion on what her true nature was. 

In the meantime, we had important matters to attend. My promise with Kurayami. 

"My sister, who was then captain of the second division, was exiled from the soul society fifty-two years ago for the crime of conducting experiments related to hollows alongside her trusted aide and then captain of the twelfth division, Urahara Kisuke. Back then I retained the same position of Onmitsukidō that I hold now" She began her story.

"Did she plead guilty?" I asked with a frown. Experiments related to hollows, could I be the byproduct of that?

"They fled before the verdict which was surely for them to be executed as that is what the law stipulates. Me and the family were shaken and even our status decreased slightly as my sister had been the second individual from our family to become the captain of the second division, an ancestor of ours was the first. Before leaving, my sister gave Shitsutora to me and didn't tell me whether she was innocent or guilty; she told me to follow my instincts, to beware of Sosuke Aizen and to investigate the disappearances of Rokungai that have been taking place for the last two hundred years".

'Sosuke Aizen, I will save that name'.

"Tell me more about those disappearances..." If I remember correctly, when I first arrived in the 78th District, Mikoto told me something of the sort. 

"Citizens of the Rokungai and even Shinigamis have continued to disappear in intervals for the last two hundred years without this matter being so much as addressed. Although it is not uncommon for souls to perish and be unaccounted for, this has been going on in a pattern taking place mostly in the lowest districts, like the 78th where you come from. I have investigated but I haven't found a single clue because the patterns, although they exist, they're quite complex... sometimes there won't be a disappearance for two years, then 10 will disappear weekly, and by the time I take notice, they have stopped. I had never found a clue until now".

It makes sense since from the way I manifested, souls can just pop up in many parts of the Rokungai out of nowhere without there being so much as a registry.

"I can tell what you're thinking... and you are wrong" Kurayami pointed out.

"Hmn?"

"A registry of souls, is what you're wondering? It exists... the thirteenth division of the Gotei 13 is the one tasked for the Shinigamis to head to the world of the living to reap the souls of those who have passed. If we go there now, there should be your name as well as the part of the Rokungai your soul was sent to. Sadly, I don't have access to this record as I am not a captain, and my investigation is private too" She shrugged her shoulders, "But if I could access it, it would help me to at least have an account of the disappearances".

Just as she was talking, Mikoto and Sakuya staggered into the room and came for their rest. Their bodies were all sweaty and their underwear was visible underneath. They sighed and leaned on either side of Ray's body.

"Sensei, I need to rest" Mikoto clung onto his arm on one side while Sakuya took the other. 

"A hundred strikes, no?".

"A hundred!"

"Very well, you have twenty minutes. Continue, Kurayami".

"This investigation had been pointless and heading into a dead-end until I found out..."

"What is it that you found?".

"Shūhei Ryōsuke died by your hand. It was supposed to be difficult to find you, but your origin of the 78th District, your strength... it all matched, so I just had Benimaru challenge you first to know your limits and then me. It was all to confirm my guesses and ask you some questions".

"What does that have to do with the disappearances?"

"I don't know... you have to tell me that. All I know is he was conducting some shady activities with the gangs in a region he was not supposed to be at when you killed him. It is you who has to tell me whether this is a clue or just a discordance. Tell me what happened that night, Ryōma" Kurayami leaned forward. It was my time to talk. 

"Very well, I don't have that much to say... whether it can help you or not, depends on you".

I told her everything that happened from what I could understand. When I arrived in the 78th District, what I found in there, was about the disappearances that I heard from those under the bridge. I merely assaulted that complex just to steal their money and end the gripping hand that the gang had on these people, I also told her that I had fun while doing so (which was the main reason for me doing it)

"That time, the gang leader Gakurou had some people blindfolded and he was handing them over to Shūhei Ryōsuke. I don't know what for, but that is all I know. Those people who were captive are now free in the 78th district, if you are interested I can tell Murasaki to lead you as he was acquainted with one of those girls" I finished my rather short tale.

"..." Kurayami mumbled and rubbed her forehead, it seemed as if the information was not that satisfactory. 

"Does that information work for you?".

"Did you hear any part of their conversation? Even if we know he was receiving some people and engaging in illegal trafficking... I have no way to tie that up with the disappearances or what even their intentions are".

"I burst out the ceiling so I couldn't hear anything of what they were talking about. However, those people we rescued were in that room with them, they must have heard."

Kurayami sighed, "Although it is useful, this is nothing conclusive... I had already interrogated his captain, he was not ordered to be in that position so there is no one to hold liable except for Shūhei Ryōsuke himself".

"I-I may have some information..." Sakuya mumbled with a stutter. 

"Sakuya?" Mikoto and I both stared at her, I could feel her mood switch completely as she left my embrace. 

"A-At one time... I was taken by Gakurou to his hideout..."

"Can you tell me in detail?"

Sakuya bit her lips and looked at me," I...can we have this conversation in private?"

"Why?" I frowned. 

"I don't want Mikoto... or you to hear it?" Her countenance fell with apparent sadness, "I'm afraid of what you'd think of me–"

I more or less had an idea of what happened.

"There is nothing you could say that's going to change my opinion of you, Sakuya. Besides, if you don't want to go into details, you don't have to" I glared at Kurayami, "She went through some traumatic experiences related to that gang, I hope you understand if she can't explain everything exactly the way you want it".

Kurayami's gaze wandered between us for a bit and then she shrugged her shoulders.

"I understand, then if you feel uncomfortable please tell me just any information you think is relevant to the investigation".

I looked at Sakuya and it seemed as if she was happier to talk with that arrangement. 

"Thank you, it is like this..."