MTLNOVEL Chapter 270: Chapter 271: The formation of the expeditionary force was swiftly taking shape.
The formation of the expeditionary force was swiftly taking shape.
Despite the efficiency, assembling an elite force from multiple divisions was no simple task. Careful coordination was required to ensure that the absence of these officers wouldn't cripple the operational effectiveness of their respective squads.
For Makoto, the days leading up to deployment were filled with farewell visits. Friends and comrades frequently sought him out—not just to bid him goodbye, but to share drinks, laughter, and the camaraderie that came with knowing they might never meet again.
Among them, one particular regret weighed on him—he wouldn't be able to attend the upcoming wedding of Byakuya and Hisana.
However, over a quiet drink with Byakuya, Makoto learned something even more surprising.
"Before the wedding, I've decided to adopt Rukia as my sworn sister."
Byakuya's tone was calm and composed, yet Makoto could sense the deeper emotions behind it.
"With this, Rukia will officially become part of the Kuchiki Clan and will be allowed to reside within the manor without issue."
Kuchiki… Rukia?
Makoto took a slow sip of sake, reflecting on the weight of Byakuya's decision. It was clear that Hisana's wish held an iron grip over him.
As he was about to respond—perhaps offering a few words of marital wisdom—their conversation was suddenly interrupted.
A Kuchiki servant rushed in, kneeling before Byakuya with an urgent report.
"Master Byakuya! A distress call has been received from the Shin'ō Academy. Lady Rukia's first Konso Training has encountered an emergency—a suspected Menos attack. Multiple students are reported dead or injured!"
A moment of stunned silence filled the room.
Byakuya's fingers tightened around his sake cup.
Makoto's gaze sharpened, but inwardly, he felt his jaw tighten slightly.
Not everyone is Gin.
The thought crossed his mind instinctively.
Unlike Gin, who had graduated in a single year, most academy students required extensive training before they could handle real Hollows.
---
A Nightmare Unfolds
At that very moment, within an abandoned steel factory in the Human World, a scene of horror played out.
Hiding behind a collapsed beam, Renji Abarai watched in barely contained terror as a Menos Grande dragged another screaming first-year into its gaping maw.
The gruesome sound of bones crunching echoed through the darkness.
"Damn it…!" Renji growled through gritted teeth, his red hair disheveled, his body trembling—not just from fear, but from sheer rage.
For a first-year, witnessing such carnage was the purest form of terror.
Standing near him were his fellow students—Rukia Kuchiki, Izuru Kira, and Momo Hinamori.
Rukia's face was pale, yet her eyes remained steady.
Kira, however, seemed even more withdrawn than usual, his usual reserved demeanor turning into something close to sheer despondency.
Meanwhile, Hinamori, who always exuded a gentle and kind nature, was barely holding herself together, hands clenched so tightly that her knuckles turned white.
The sixth-year students who were supposed to be supervising the training?
They were already dead.
Their remains—shattered, broken, devoured—lay scattered around the battlefield, an ominous reminder of the brutal reality they faced.
With no instructors left, the first-years could do nothing but huddle together, trembling, praying for Seireitei to send help before the Menos found them next.
But why?
Why is this Menos hunting us so precisely? How does it know exactly where to strike next?
The thought haunted Rukia as she unconsciously gripped the hilt of her Asauchi.
Before she could voice her fears, a terrifying sound ripped through the air—
A metal sheet was violently torn away, and from the shadows emerged a white-masked face, its hollow gaze locking onto them.
"Ah… how wonderful."
The Menos' voice rumbled with a chilling satisfaction.
"The food has gathered all on its own."
---
Racing Against Time
Byakuya didn't hesitate.
The moment the report ended, he vanished from the room in a shunpo burst, heading directly for Shin'ō Academy.
Makoto was on his heels in an instant.
"Byakuya, wait! I'll go with you. If there are wounded, I'll treat them immediately."
Though he usually maintained an air of stoicism, Byakuya's protective instincts regarding Rukia were undeniable.
Perhaps it was Hisana's influence.
Or perhaps, deep down, it was more of a genuine feeling that stems from being around the two.
But right now, none of that mattered—only the mission did.
As they sped towards the Human World, another urgent report arrived.
Captain Aizen of the Fifth Division, upon learning of the situation, had already mobilized his squad.
"Captain Aizen has dispatched a rescue force through an alternative Senkaimon route."
Makoto barely concealed his distrust.
Aizen… responding so quickly?
Somehow, that only made him more uneasy.
---
The Final Moments Before Chaos
Back at the steel factory, the first-years remained frozen, their fear paralyzing them.
Rukia took a deep breath, forcing steadiness into her voice.
"Stay calm… Seireitei will send help. We just need to hold out—"
But before she could finish, a single, horrifying realization dawned on her.
It was too late.
The Menos had already found them.
---
A Storm on the Horizon
As Makoto and Byakuya approached the battlefield, Makoto couldn't help but reflect on the broader implications of this attack.
The expeditionary force had already drained Seireitei of many of its best fighters—so was this attack a consequence of weakened defenses?
Or worse…
Was this orchestrated?
The timing was suspicious.
The location was convenient.
The enemy was far more powerful than expected.
Could this be yet another calculated move by Aizen?
Makoto's grip on his Zanpakutō tightened.
No matter what Aizen is planning—
I won't let him take any more lives.
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