Bleach: The Fifth Division Captain

Execution.

Just as the word implied.

Regardless of the condemned's own will, it was an external force imposing death upon them.

A punishment reserved for the unforgivable.

For many who stood trial, their crimes were severe enough that no one would feel pity for them.

But—

This was different.

Urahara Kisuke, who had been strangely composed before—almost as if he had resigned himself to his fate—suddenly snapped his head up, eyes wide.

"Wait!"

Thud!

The wooden stocks binding his hands jerked tight.

Iron chains rattled, pulling taut.

The restraints bit deeper into his wrists, clamping down with relentless force—completely severing his connection to his spiritual energy.

"Do you have something to say, criminal Urahara Kisuke?"

"Since you were once a captain—"

"You may be allowed a moment of complaint. Nothing more."

As the voice finished speaking, a few faint chuckles rose from unseen corners.

"Not like it'll change anything anyway."

And indeed, it wouldn't.

No abilities could be used here. No Zanpakutō were permitted.

This was Central 46's guarantee of absolute control.

Power held no meaning here.

Only status did.

The mockery was blatant, but Urahara didn't care.

That wasn't the point.

"Please revoke the execution order!"

Urahara tried to step forward, only for the stocks to hold him in place.

He could only raise his voice even louder.

"Those people are innocent victims! They did nothing wrong! They never betrayed Soul Society!"

"They are captains and lieutenants!"

"Just ask them! Find out the truth! They are proud members of the Gotei 13—they should not be—"

Before he could finish—

Behind the screen marked with the number "One," an aged voice cut him off.

"And so what?"

…Right.

So what?

"What they were in the past no longer matters. We have respected, honored, and sincerely appreciated everything the Gotei 13 has done to protect Soul Society."

"But that gratitude was for those who once possessed pure and noble souls—those who shared the same origins as us."

"Now, when faced with these tainted abominations—"

A pause.

Then, in a voice cold as a blade—

"Can you still call them our brethren?"

"..."

Urahara's breath caught in his throat.

His eyes widened—but he had no words left.

Seiya had silently observed everything.

Though his expression didn't change, he sighed internally.

So that's how it is.

No wonder Aizen had looked down on the so-called "high-ranking officials."

A vast web of bloodline ties, nepotism, and self-serving alliances.

People who rose through the ranks not by merit, but by connections.

Just look at them.

All the sacrifices made for Soul Society—reduced to nothing.

Not even the victims themselves were given the chance to speak.

Everything was dictated by a self-righteous, narrow worldview.

And just like that, it was over.

Seiya lowered his gaze, pressing his lips together before closing his eyes.

Until now, he hadn't interacted much with nobility.

The only aristocrats he had encountered were members of the Gotei 13.

But this—

This was his first direct encounter with the true ruling class.

Arrogant. Vain.

And in this moment, he finally understood.

Why Aizen had wiped out all of Central 46.

"A pack of useless fools—unworthy of life."

His thoughts settled.

From behind the screen, the aged voice spoke again.

"Nothing more to say? Then let us proceed. Do any of the council members have objections?"

Central 46.

A political body made up of "high-ranking nobles."

A gathering of individuals who deliberated, debated, and ultimately reached a verdict that satisfied the majority.

But the truth was—

"Agreed."

"No objections."

"Let's get this over with."

—This was never about justice.

With spirits that lived for centuries, generations had passed. The original purpose of Central 46 had long rotted away.

What remained was nothing more than a clique of self-serving elites.

And for matters as 'insignificant' as this—

Of course, there was no room for discussion.

"Then we shall now pass sentence—"

BANG!

A massive impact shook the room.

Behind the council, the doors burst open.

In the dimly lit underground chamber, a flood of light poured in—

Like the first break of dawn piercing through the gloom.

"WHO DARES TO CAUSE SUCH DISRUPTION?!"

It was an instinctive shout of outrage.

Their authority was absolute.

This was the most sacred of courtrooms—one that wielded the ultimate power over life and death.

And yet—

The intruder did not cower before their authority.

Like a predator provoked, she responded with an even louder, fiercer roar.

"SHUT UP, ALL OF YOU!"

The three condemned turned their heads.

Standing at the entrance, clad in battle gear instead of her captain's haori—

A woman stood tall, her face partially obscured.

Wind surged from behind her, sending the long cloak wrapped around her billowing wildly.

It was a crude disguise. Laughably simple.

But there was no mistaking her identity.

Shihoin Yoruichi.

Her attempt at concealment was almost laughable.

Dark skin. Agile form. A woman.

Who else in all of Soul Society matched those exact traits?

Seiya doubted there was even a second possibility.

So, really—

Did she honestly think this disguise was going to fool anyone?

"Stop her!"

Guards were present, of course.

But against the Second Division Captain?

They might as well have been standing still.

Within moments—she had knocked out an entire squad.

With a casual leap, she landed atop the trial platform.

No words were needed.

A single knife-hand strike.

The supposedly "indestructible" stocks shattered instantly.

Shards of wood and iron scattered, freed from their purpose.

Yoruichi's expression was grim.

"Let's go."

Her voice left no room for argument.

Urahara and Tessai still looked shocked.

In contrast, Seiya remained calm.

Because to him—

This was just a live reenactment of a scene he had already watched unfold.

Nothing had changed.

But that was fine.

Because he never intended to alter this outcome.

And besides—

There was something worth noting.

As Yoruichi turned to leave, Seiya cast one last glance around the chamber.

In the original story, Central 46's reaction had never been shown.

Back then, he had assumed it was simply due to time constraints.

But now—he understood the real reason.

These people… were simply cowards.

With Yoruichi's sudden entrance, their entire facade of superiority had collapsed.

If they truly cared about "noble honor," they would have at least argued back.

But—they didn't.

Because that would mean risking their own lives.

So they chose silence.

Pretended nothing had happened.

It didn't matter.

They had stirred up a storm.

And in due time—

Their "insult" today would be repaid in full.

Not even the Shihoin Clan would be spared.

Seiya's gaze lingered on the trembling nobles, and then—

He let out a soft chuckle.

They were already about to leave.

Yet still, not a single one of them spoke a word in protest.

There was no doubt about it—

These people were rotten to the core.

Seiya turned his back to them.

Flexing his numb wrists, he found himself smirking—

A faint, knowing smile, one that Aizen himself might have worn.

There was no need to lament.

This was inevitable.

So let them dance—until they finally rot away.

Yoruichi wasted no time.

Without pause, she led the three of them toward a concealed hideout.

"This place is my personal training ground. Aside from my closest Shihoin family members, no one else knows about it."

In other words—

It was completely secure.

As she spoke, Yoruichi swiftly removed the disguise she had used earlier.

Of course, Seiya already knew her identity.

But seeing it confirmed still brought a strange sense of finality to the moment.

"Lady Yoruichi…"

There were countless things he wanted to say.

Gratitude?

After all, she had risked exposing herself just to rescue them.

Or perhaps admiration?

They had grown up together, and he had always known she was reliable—but this level of trust and dedication felt almost overwhelming.

A thousand words rose to his lips, but in the end—

He simply smiled.

This was enough.

Meanwhile, Yoruichi tossed her cloak aside and spoke without looking up.

"Shinji and the others are behind that dirt mound. I also brought all the Gigai you prepared."

Tessai, still looking completely lost, blinked several times in confusion.

But Seiya understood immediately.

This was it.

The beginning of their plan to flee to the Human World.

Everything was proceeding exactly as it had before.

But before anything else—

Yoruichi turned to look directly at Seiya.

"The only remaining issue is you, Seiya."

"Are you coming with Kisuke?"

"Or are you staying to face your punishment?"

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