Chapter 271 271 Strike First
To be honest, although Hanataro has a weak, timid personality, his actual strength isn't weak at all.
Hanataro is the 7th Seat of the 4th Division and the leader of the 14th Advanced Medical Team.
Being able to become a seated officer, and the 7th Seat at that, shows Hanataro's Reiatsu is definitely not weak. Most importantly, his Zanpakuto is quite peculiar.
Hanataro's Zanpakuto, Hisagomaru, is a medical-type Zanpakuto. It heals by cutting a person's wounds and absorbing the damage. If that were all, it would just be an excellent medical Zanpakuto.
But when Hisagomaru absorbs a certain amount of damage, it transforms into the scalpel-shaped Akeiro Hisagomaru, which can then release the absorbed damage to attack enemies.
Moreover, if the absorbed damage reaches its maximum, its power can even fell a Menos Grande in a single strike.
At such a moment, Hanataro might even be able to put up a fight against a Captain-level opponent.
However, this time, Hanataro didn't bring his Zanpakuto. To be honest, Toshiro felt a bit regretful not getting to see Hanataro's Zanpakuto.
"Ca-Captain Hitsugaya, could you please let Rukia-san go? Don't lock her back in the cell," Hanataro pleaded pitifully.
Hanataro knew the person he was facing was far stronger than Byakuya, someone he couldn't possibly oppose, so he could only choose to beg.
"Sigh!" Toshiro sighed. "Do you think I want to lock Rukia in a cell? Rukia is my friend too. I want to save her as well. But there are some things even my position doesn't allow me to do arbitrarily."
"I promise you, Jushiro, myself, everyone... we will all try to find a way to save Rukia. But for now, she has to endure a bit longer." With that, a wave of Reiatsu emanated from Toshiro, pushing Hanataro aside.
Then, Toshiro carried Rukia back towards the cell.
Watching Toshiro's retreating figure, Hanataro couldn't help but ask Ukitake, "P-please tell me..."
"You want to ask why Toshiro saved you, right?" Ukitake said.
"Yes," Hanataro nodded.
If Toshiro hadn't appeared, Ganju and Hanataro likely wouldn't have escaped death. "Although Captain Hitsugaya said he saved Ganju-san because of the Shiba Clan, I don't think that's the only reason," Hanataro said timidly.
"Indeed, it's not just that. The most important reason is that you wanted to save Rukia."
"Rukia is Toshiro's friend and also my subordinate. Although your methods were wrong, just the fact that you wanted to rescue Rukia from prison means we couldn't stand by and watch you get killed." Ukitake said solemnly.
"Alright, enough of that. Come with me to the 4th Division." Ukitake said.
Then, Ukitake took Hanataro and Ganju to the 4th Division.
…
Inside the Senzaikyu.
Toshiro placed Rukia back in the cell.
"You two, step outside. I need to stay here alone to look after Rukia until Ukitake arrives." Toshiro said to the two Shinigami guarding the cell.
Originally, these two guards were knocked out by Ganju and Hanataro, but they woke up during Byakuya and Yoruichi's battle.
"Th-this... Captain Hitsugaya, Kuchiki Rukia is a serious criminal. Without orders from above, even visitation isn't allowed, let alone being alone with the prisoner... So, perhaps you should step out?" One of the guards said cautiously.
"What did you say? You dare tell me, a Captain, to leave?" Toshiro said coldly.
"N-no, no! You can stay if you wish. But could we remain here to supervise?" the guard quickly said.
"Didn't you hear me? I'm telling you to leave. Don't disturb me while I'm looking after Rukia." Toshiro insisted firmly.
"But... we'll have trouble reporting to—"
"Alright, alright, Captain Hitsugaya. We'll leave now. You can stay as long as you like." One guard, who wanted to argue further, was forcibly dragged away by the other before he could finish.
"Hey! How could you agree to let Captain Hitsugaya be alone with the prisoner?! The Central 46 issued strict orders prohibiting the prisoner from contacting anyone! If something happens, we'll be in deep trouble!"
"Hmph, idiot! What could possibly happen? If Captain Hitsugaya wanted to free the prisoner, he wouldn't have brought her back to the cell just now. So, making a small exception doesn't matter. Although the Central 46 issued strict orders, we're still Shinigami of the Gotei 13. And Captain Hitsugaya isn't just any Captain, he's the Vice-Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13, the next Captain-Commander! If we offend him, we're finished!"
"See? I'm right. Alright, let's just keep watch outside here." Although the two guards spoke in the hallway outside, Toshiro in the cell could hear them clearly. However, he didn't bother with them.
"Now, since there are no disturbances... let's begin." Toshiro looked at the still-unconscious Rukia in his arms.
With that, Toshiro took out a test tube from his person. Inside was a liquid of unknown purpose.
"Sorry, Rukia. But this might not be a bad thing for you." Toshiro said, looking at Rukia in his arms.
Then, Toshiro crushed the test tube in his hand. The liquid that flowed onto his hand immediately underwent a strange transformation.
Toshiro's right hand became like dried wood, covered in intricate lines.
Then, Toshiro slowly reached this wood-like right hand towards Rukia's chest.
Schlick!
Toshiro's right hand easily pierced through Rukia's body, creating a gaping hole straight through her chest.
Strangely, not a single drop of blood flowed out.
"As expected of Urahara Kisuke's technology. It's amazing. Creating a hole like this without any bleeding, and the soul itself remains completely unharmed." Toshiro remarked, impressed.
"But for now, let's take that thing out first." Toshiro muttered to himself.
With that, Toshiro's right hand probed around inside.
"Found it!"
Toshiro withdrew his right hand from Rukia's body.
In his right hand, he held a glittering blue-black gem.
"Is this... the Hogyoku?" Gazing at the gem in his hand, Toshiro couldn't help but feel mesmerized.