Chapter 348: To Find Answers
Time—rewind, just a little.
Seireitei, First Division Headquarters.
After Kenpachi Azashiro vanished during the chaos, several captains stood in stunned silence, the echo of his departure still lingering like a bad omen. The room, once buzzing with debate, had fallen into a heavy, reflective hush.
Hitsugaya Toshiro, still young and far removed from the older histories of Soul Society, furrowed his brows in confusion. He turned slightly to face the other captains, his voice tinged with skepticism.
"Is what he said... actually true?"
Kuchiki Byakuya stood against the wall, arms crossed, face as expressionless as ever. In truth, he had not smiled once since returning from Hueco Mundo more than a year ago. In that time, his training had intensified, far surpassing his earlier efforts. The humiliating defeats—first to Aizen, then to Mazuru—had scarred his pride deeply. Each training session since had been nothing short of grueling.
He spoke without turning his head.
"I do not know him well. But a man like him would have no reason to lie."
"Why not?" Toshiro asked, puzzled.
Ukitake Jushiro let out a long sigh before Kyoraku Shunsui answered in his usual laid-back tone—though now with a rare sharpness in his gaze.
"Azashiro Soya is... how should I put it? A straightforward kind of lunatic. He may be brutal, even twisted, but deception has never been his way. When he saw that continuing to fight would mean annihilation, he surrendered without hesitation. That takes... clarity."
"Then..." Toshiro pressed cautiously, clearly intrigued now, "What exactly did he do back then?"