Shinigami: Medicine Can't Save The Soul Reaper Society

"Run!"

The first to react, Rukia shouted as she grabbed Hinamori Momo, who seemed frozen in shock, and pulled her to the side.

A split second later, the Hollow's massive claws tore through the space where Momo had just been, stabbing into the concrete with terrifying force.

Boom!

Renji and Kira, who had reacted only a fraction of a second slower, quickly followed Rukia, retreating from the overwhelming spiritual pressure radiating from the Hollow behind them.

A suffocating fear surged uncontrollably in their hearts.

The difference in power was simply insurmountable.

But before they could even widen the distance by a hundred meters using their unpolished Shunpo, the Hollow, which had been leisurely withdrawing its claws from the shattered pavement, suddenly vanished.

In an instant, their vision blurred.

The next moment, the Hollow reappeared directly in front of them, blocking their escape. Its intelligent, calculating eyes gleamed with a hint of amusement as it observed its prey.

Faced with imminent danger, Renji instinctively stepped in front of Rukia, gripping his Asauchi tightly and pointing it toward the Hollow.

"Damn it! You looking down on us, you bastard?!"

Before Renji could finish, Rukia sent a sharp kick to his side, scolding him angrily.

"Idiot! Don't provoke it!"

"Wh-what do we do now, Rukia…?" Momo's voice trembled, unable to suppress her fear.

Compared to the others, Rukia had grown up surrounded by people like Makoto and Byakuya. Having witnessed the strength of such figures firsthand, she remained significantly calmer and more composed.

"Buy time!"

"Should we split up and run?" Kira asked, his expression grim with quiet resolve.

The moment Kira spoke, Renji responded without hesitation. "You guys go! I'll take this thing on myself!"

Rukia barely resisted the urge to kick him again. Instead, she snapped, "Idiot! This is no time to act tough!"

She paused for a brief moment before lowering her voice. "I know a powerful Bakudō, but I need time to chant the incantation. You guys just need to stall for me. It might be our only chance."

"Huh? Since when did you learn high-level Bakudō?" Renji asked in surprise.

Even as she kept her eyes locked on the Hollow, Rukia's forehead twitched with irritation at his untimely questioning.

But before she could retort, her vision blurred.

The Hollow had closed the distance in an instant.

Its bloodstained claws, still slick with flesh, lunged straight for her abdomen.

So fast!

Rukia's mind reeled. The Hollow's speed—it was almost comparable to that damn bastard Makoto!

It was the same helpless feeling she had every time she faced him in training—so fast she couldn't even lift her blade to defend herself.

At that moment, a furious roar erupted beside her.

With his fiery red hair blazing like a banner, Renji hurled himself at the Hollow, snarling, "Bastard! Your opponent is me!"

Boom!

Figures clashed and scattered in the chaos.

Renji and Kira launched a simultaneous assault, while Momo, who had backed away to create distance, began chanting a Kido spell.

"Ye lord! Mask of blood and flesh, all creation, flutter of wings, ye who bears the name of Man! Inferno and pandemonium, the sea barrier surges, march on to the south!

"Hadō #31: Shakkahō!"

As Renji and Kira were effortlessly swatted aside, Momo unleashed a fiery red blast of spiritual energy. It struck the Hollow's face dead-on, engulfing it in a massive explosion of flames and smoke.

The Hollow's movements came to a sudden halt.

"Did we get it?!"

"It worked!"

Renji and Kira, both coughing up blood, stared at the motionless Hollow with a mixture of disbelief and hope.

As they turned toward Momo, Renji gave her an enthusiastic nod. "Damn, Momo! No wonder the Kido instructor always said you had talent!"

"You've already mastered Shakkahō? That's amazing!"

Flustered by their praise, Momo blushed slightly and lowered her head, feeling both shy and pleased.

---

Watching from the shadows, Aizen's eyes gleamed with quiet amusement.

"So simple… so pitifully easy to manipulate. Just a few meaningless words of praise, and she already feels fulfilled?"

"As a pawn… no, as a tool, she has excellent potential."

"Her talent is just about sufficient for a Vice Captain position… given the right guidance, of course."

---

Just then, as Momo lowered her gaze, she noticed something strange—her shadow had suddenly expanded, stretching unnaturally as though something massive was looming over her.

A chilling realization struck her.

Her pupils shrank in terror.

At the same time, Renji and Kira's frantic voices rang out.

"Momo, behind you!"

"Run—!"

But in their horrified gazes, the Hollow's raised claws were already descending toward her.

At that instant, six golden beams of light suddenly materialized around the Hollow, slamming shut with an unyielding force.

"Bakudō #61: Rikujōkōrō!"

Not far away, Rukia gasped for breath, her entire body drenched in sweat. Bracing herself against a nearby wall, she raised a trembling hand toward the Hollow and exhaled in relief.

"Hahh… just in time…"

Renji and Kira, however, stared at her in utter shock.

"Bakudō… #61?"

"Since when did the instructors teach spells of this level?!"

Bakudō #61 was on the verge of being classified as advanced-level Kido.

Yet, the highest-level Kido taught at the Shin'ō Academy barely went beyond #33.

"R-Rukia… You can use Bakudō #61?!"

"Where the hell did you learn that?!"

Faced with their stunned questioning, Rukia hesitated, unsure how to respond.

The four of them had always been close friends—not just because of their personalities, but because they all came from Rukongai. Their shared origins had naturally drawn them together.

But after entering the Shin'ō Academy and realizing what kind of monsters captains and vice captains truly were, Rukia had never known how to explain her situation.

Because if they knew the truth…

Would they start to see her as someone different? Would they distance themselves from her?

(TL/N - I Re edited the previous chapters. You can re read it for better clarifications)

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