Chapter 143 – Mayuri Seizes the MVP

Chapter 143 – Mayuri Seizes the MVP

Last night when Ailin sensed the spatial disturbance emanating from the Rukongai, he knew Shinji Hirako and the others had been relocated to Squad 12's barracks by Tessai Tsukabishi's forbidden spatial Kidō.

Today, after receiving the mandatory arrest warrant from Central 46, Ailin could not detect Kisuke Urahara's reiatsu within the 12th Division grounds. Clearly, he was still inside the barrier, helping Kensei and the others master Hollowfication.

Though ordered to apprehend Urahara, Ailin did not wish to directly interfere and disrupt his efforts to save the eight Hollowfied victims. So by brazenly invading the 12th Division compound with Squad 11 members, he intended to stall for time by engaging the divisional forces.

He recalled Urahara originally emerged from the barrier this morning, thinking his endeavor failed, only to be captured then.

Mayuri's obstruction perfectly aligned with Ailin's scheme.

"Gosuke."

"Captain Ailin."

"Squad 12's members are obstructing our mission's execution. What are you all standing around for?"

"Yes sir, Captain!"

"Everyone, follow me - we'll detain anyone impeding our orders under the same charges!"

"Hmph hmph hmph, they've underestimated my 12th Division forces." Mayuri scoffed as he drew his Zanpakutō and intoned the release command.

"Rip, Ashisogi Jizo!"

Instantly, his sword transformed into a golden trident weapon, seemingly with a golden infant's face between the hilt and blades.

"Attack!"

"Kill them!"

With Gosuke and Mayuri releasing their Zanpakutō, the Shinigami of Squads 11 and 12 immediately clashed within the 12th Division grounds.

Squad 11's members generally outmatched the 12th Division's forces in ability, each easily handling three or four opponents simultaneously.

However, only thirty-four of Squad 11 accompanied Ailin to apprehend Urahara, while this was the 12th Division's home territory.

Though Squad 11 initially breached several corridors, destroying equipment as they advanced nearly a hundred meters into the compound, reinforcements soon stabilized the defensive line for Squad 12.

Particularly without Ailin directly engaging, 6th Seat Gosuke and 7th Seat Maki Ichinose barely held off Mayuri at full power.

Of course, Mayuri deliberately restrained himself as well. He was no fool. While uncertain of Urahara's transgressions warranting Central 46's arrest order, Mayuri could surmise that even if escaping this time, Urahara would be stripped of his captain's position.

Per their agreement, once Urahara departed, the 12th Division's resources would become Mayuri's personal research domain.

By obstructing Ailin now, not only was he repaying Urahara for liberating him from the Nest of Maggots, but protecting his soon-to-be division's equipment from damage. Additionally, from Ailin, Mayuri sensed an immensely profound threat. Any covetous desires aimed at the captain would invite unimaginable terror.

So Mayuri maintained just enough pressure on Gosuke and Maki to avoid provoking Ailin's ire.

This skirmish swiftly drew the other Gotei 13 captains' attention, yet with no word from the Captain-Commander, they awaited updates at their respective divisions.

Given yesterday's disappearance of the four captains and lieutenants investigating the soul incidents, followed by Squad 11's assault on the 12th Division today, no one doubted some connection existed.

As more reinforcements arrived, Squad 12 gradually forced the Squad 11 members back.

While Squad 11 relied primarily on Zanjutsu, the 12th Division employed various unconventional tactics and strange inventions that caught their foes off-guard repeatedly.

Some members were even captured after being defeated. Seeing his forces faltering, Ailin finally entered the fray himself.

"Hmmm!"

Whoosh!

Before the awestruck gazes of Squad 12's members, three golden lightning bolts descended from the rifts above.

In an instant, they pierced straight through Konjiki Ashisogi Jizō's body. Their overwhelming power then detonated from within the creature.

To everyone's horror, the bankai form began rapidly expanding before erupting in a titanic blast, the shockwave and flames scouring the area in devastation.

Boom!

Only then did the thunderous explosion reach their ears. Mayuri's Bankai had been utterly erased, without a trace remaining.

"Konjiki Ashisogi Jizō..."

Mayuri cried out in disbelief as the shockwave slammed him to the ground before his own subordinates.

"Lieutenant Mayuri..."

Though Squad 12's members admired their lieutenant's bravery in challenging Captain Ailin, as members of Squad 11 themselves, they took pride in their captain's supreme prowess.

For a Bankai to be so casually obliterated...

While a Shinigami's Zanpakutō spirit would eventually recover alongside its wielder's reiatsu, those traumatic memories would persist.

Especially for Mayuri's unique biological-type Zanpakutō, they wondered if it could ever fully manifest in Ailin's presence again without succumbing to dread.

Regardless of its futility against their captain, the Squad 11 members still mourned Mayuri's loss in silence.

A shattered Zanpakutō hilt clattered to the ground before Mayuri, its scorched fragmentary blade a mocking testament to his reckless overreach.

Just then, the training grounds entrance creaked open as an exhausted Urahara finally emerged.

"What... what is this situation?"

Already disheartened by his failure to reverse Shinji Hirako’s Hollowfication, Urahara was stunned to find his division's forces detained, with a very familiar figure observing from above.

"Captain Urahara, I've received orders from Central 46 to arrest you and the Grand Kidō Chief, Tessai Tsukabishi. If you resist, I am authorized to execute you both on the spot. Now give me your answer, Captain. Will you surrender peacefully, or resist fruitlessly?"

Urahara opened his mouth but said nothing as Tessai appeared behind him, neither showing any intent to fight back.

With Urahara's arrival, Squad 11's apprehension mission was now complete.

After personally delivering Urahara and Tessai to the custody unit for transport to Central 46's compound, Ailin dismissed his Squad 11 members back to their barracks while he intended to return to the Kuchiki Manor and resume his card-drawing efforts as usual.

The subsequent proceedings no longer concerned him directly. He had no desire to linger outside the trial chambers, only to potentially interfere with Yoruichi's eventual exfiltration of Urahara.

However, on his way back, Ailin encountered an unexpected figure.

"Well, well, if it isn't Captain Ailin. How fortuitous to cross paths with you here."

"Captain Kyōraku, for you to utter such a blatant untruth, I'd never believe it." Ailin bluntly saw through Kyōraku's banter.

"Hahaha, yet here we are, facts on the ground."

"If you have business, Captain, simply state it directly. Given our near brotherhood through Little Nanao Ise, we've no need for pretenses."

Indeed, had Nanao became Ailin and Haruko's adopted daughter all those years ago, by familial extension Ailin could almost consider the older Kyōraku his "brother" of sorts.

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