Chapter 142 – The Arrest

Chapter 142 – The Arrest

Early the next morning, as usual, Ailin arrived at the Kuchiki Manor grounds and began his training regimen.

Focusing his mind within his innate barrier, Ailin went to the unidentified side of the Sword Forest and continued on his path of drawing blades.

In truth, to recognize these unidentified Zanpakutō, he only needed to encounter their owners - the Shinigami themselves. By analyzing a Shinigami's essence, the corresponding Zanpakutō within Ailin's innate realm would instantly become identified, granting him an increase in power.

However, the Zanpakutō contained in this barrier encompassed all the "blades" of the Shinigami world, past, present and future - even including the Kasumiōji Family's Bakkōtō Blade.

Many of these Zanpakutō belonged to Shinigami lost to Soul Society's history, while others had yet to be born in times still to come.

Under such circumstances, for Ailin to identify them all required his own direct effort. Each time he grasped a Zanpakutō's hilt, Ailin felt like he was pulling randomized cards in a game.

This blade, not even a Zanpakutō - trash, just an N-rank card.

This one, hmm? A vaguely sentient asauchi, not bad - an R-rank.

Nice, this blade is a Bakkōtō! A solid SR-rank card.

This Zanpakutō belongs to a seated officer, a decent SR as well.

Wait, this one...not bad, my luck today! A captain-level Zanpakutō!

A prime SSR card for sure.

And this blade?

Whoa, a jackpot - one of the most powerful Zanpakutō of all?

No need to wash my hands today, a definite UR pull.

Yet, much like a certain infamous gacha game company, the odds of Ailin landing such a rare card were abysmally low.

Of course, all the cards in this realm belonged solely to him. If he persisted in flipping them over diligently, the day would come when he obtained every last UR.Fôll0w current novÊls on n/o/(v)/3l/b((in).(co/m)

Relying on simple luck to pull a UR? Well...it wasn't impossible.

After all, apart from the Zanpakutō he had replicated or forged himself, Ailin had indeed drawn one captain-level UR already.

"Hmm?"

Suddenly, Ailin sensed something and withdrew his consciousness from the barrier.

A Shinigami clad in black burial garb appeared before him and knelt down on one knee.

"Captain Ailin, Central 46 has issued a mandatory arrest warrant demanding you lead Squad 11 members to apprehend Squad 12 Captain Kisuke Urahara and Grand Kidō Chief Tessai Tsukabishi.

The elders of Central 46 stated that if the 12th Squad captain or Kidō Chief resist, you are permitted to kill them directly."

"Oh?" Hearing this order, Ailin raised an eyebrow.

He never expected that even from this distance, that bastard Sōsuke Aizen would still try to draw him into his schemes.

Didn't he fear crashing and burning?

"Understood, we'll depart immediately."

After nodding to the messenger Shinigami, Ailin's form vanished from the manor grounds in an instant.

Within their ranks, the Grand Chief held a standing equal to a Gotei Captain. Which meant their opposition this time consisted of two Captain-class powerhouses?

Although Captain Ailin was immensely strong, could they stall one of the Captains long enough before Ailin defeated the other?

If only 3rd Seat Kiganjo or Captain Zaraki were here...

Kiganjo had already attained Bankai, placing him among the Gotei's mightiest. With a Captain's recommendation and passing the audit, he could likely become a Captain himself if any division had an opening.

As for Zaraki...against him, even Kiganjo would only last a few strikes. Among captains, Zaraki was renowned as a monster.

Though aware of the mission's danger, not one of Squad 11's members showed any signs of retreating. After joining the 11th, none were craven cowards!

***

Upon reaching the Squad 12 compound, rather than beeline toward Urahara's reiatsu, Ailin strode directly through the front gates.

Lacking any prior notification, the 12th Division Shinigami had no idea Ailin had come to apprehend their captain. Seeing the intrusion, several moved to intercept them.

"Captain Ailin, may I ask your business with our division?"

"3rd Seat Akon, this is a mandatory arrest warrant issued by Central 46 for your cooperation. Otherwise, I will consider you an accomplice of Captain Urahara and detain you as well."

"This is..." Seeing the warrant for Urahara's arrest in Ailin's hand, Akon was dumbstruck. In this situation, what should he do? Obey Central 46's orders or defend his own captain?

"What's all this commotion? Don't you know I require silence for my experiments?" As Akon hesitated, an irate voice erupted from the labs - a voice that made him inwardly rejoice.

"Lieutenant Mayuri...”

"Captain Ailin has a warrant from Central 46 to arrest Captain Urahara..."

"Ah? Central 46? Those fools actually did something amusing for once."

To Akon's surprise, upon learning of the arrest warrant, Mayuri sounded almost gleefully schadenfreude.

"However, no matter what, he is still our Squad 12 captain. If we simply let you take him, how can the 12th Division maintain our standing among the Gotei?"

"Oh? Lieutenant Mayuri, your words suggest you intend to obstruct this lawful arrest?"

"Hmph..."

Mayuri huffed dismissively. "Captain Ailin, I won't interfere with apprehending that bastard Urahara elsewhere. But here in our own division grounds, I cannot allow it."

"Lieutenant Mayuri..."

Hearing his words, including Akon, the 12th Division members were filled with immense approval toward their lieutenant.

They all knew of the intense animosity between Mayuri and Captain Urahara, the two frequently arguing until Mayuri outright stated his intent to replace him as captain.

Yet when faced with a captain from another division bearing Central 46's arrest order, Mayuri set aside his grievances to defend Urahara's honor.

What subordinate wouldn't love a lieutenant like that?

"Is that so?" Rather than take offense at Mayuri’s obstruction, Ailin merely smiled.

This was exactly what he had hoped for.

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