Shinigami: Medicine Can't Save The Soul Reaper Society

Rukia couldn't exactly say:

"Alright, I give up. I was just pretending to be a regular Rukongai resident, but now the truth is out—I'm actually the sister-in-law of the Sixth Division Captain. I was practically raised in the arms of the Fourth Division's Vice Captain."

As for Bakudō #61: Rikujōkōrō, well… she had learned it from that damn bastard, Senju Makoto, the same guy who once tricked her into giving him a kiss.

And, to top it off, she had even used Rikujōkōrō on that bastard once—seizing the opportunity to beat him senseless when he couldn't break free.

That was why Rukia was so confident in this Kido. If it could completely restrain him, then it could definitely hold this Hollow.

So now, as she debated whether to continue hiding the truth from her friends, a far more pressing issue arose.

The Hollow bound by Bakudō #61: Rikujōkōrō seemed to swell in size, its already suffocating spiritual pressure growing heavier by the second.

Worse still, the six glowing rods of light trembled violently under its struggles, as if they could shatter at any moment.

"No way… it's only been a few seconds!"

Rukia's expression was one of sheer disbelief.

Even that bastard Makoto—Vice Captain of the Fourth Division—had been completely immobilized when she used this technique on him.

She had even once asked Captain Kuchiki Byakuya in secret, and he had personally admitted that Makoto's strength was comparable to his own.

There was no way this Hollow could be stronger than that.

Yet, as Renji and Kira lay severely wounded, unable to move, their strained voices called out in alarm.

"This is bad!"

"We have to kill it now while it's still bound—!"

But Rukia had already exhausted all her spiritual energy by casting such a high-level Kido beyond her limits.

The only one left standing was Momo.

Gritting her teeth, Momo clenched her Asauchi tightly as she faced the Hollow before her, its monstrous spiritual pressure crushing down on her like an ocean tide.

Unlike her exceptional talent in Kido, Momo was naturally kind and gentle.

She had never killed a Hollow with her own hands before.

"For everyone's sake…"

"I can't back down!"

With that thought, Momo steeled her resolve, leaped into the air, and swung her sword downward with all her might—eyes tightly shut in anticipation.

Clang!

The sharp ring of metal echoed.

Momo's eyes snapped open in shock.

Her Asauchi had struck the Hollow's mask—but there wasn't so much as a scratch.

She hadn't even left a mark.

"I… I can't even break through its defense?"

Rukia and the others were equally stunned.

As first-year students at the Shin'ō Academy, they still didn't understand the terrifying truth—when the difference in spiritual power was too vast, attacks from the weaker party simply had no effect.

And in the next instant, the Hollow stretched its arms wide.

With a resounding crack, Rikujōkōrō shattered.

A deep, guttural growl rumbled from the Hollow's throat.

Then, before Momo could even react, the monster lunged—its massive, gaping maw aimed straight for her petite form.

Between its razor-sharp, jagged teeth, the flesh of its previous victims still clung to its fangs.

A bottomless darkness loomed within its mouth.

Terror gripped Momo's heart.

Hovering mid-air, she could only watch as death came hurtling toward her—unable to move, unable to fight back.

---

"That should be enough."

In the shadows, Aizen adjusted his glasses, stepping forward at the perfect moment to make his move.

He was just about to "rescue" Momo when—

He froze mid-step.

His eyes flickered as he caught sight of another figure moving just a fraction faster than him.

Clang!

With a single hand, Makoto caught Momo, while effortlessly blocking the Hollow's attack with his upturned Zanpakutō.

In Momo's eyes, time seemed to slow to a standstill.

Bathed in moonlight, Makoto's serene profile reflected in her wide, disbelieving gaze.

A moment later, he turned slightly, looking at her with gentle warmth.

"Are you alright?" he asked.

"You… Who are you?" Momo stammered.

"Senju Makoto, Vice Captain of the Fourth Division."

Just as Makoto answered, Momo's pupils shrank. She caught sight of the Hollow behind him, claws raised for a strike.

"Watch out—!"

But before her warning could fully leave her lips, the scene blurred.

The next moment, Makoto was already standing beside Rukia, Momo still safely in his arms.

Lowering her gently onto the ground, Makoto narrowed his eyes and smiled faintly.

"Thanks for the warning, but… a Hollow that didn't evolve through normal means isn't nearly enough to harm me."

He straightened, then turned toward a figure standing on the other side of the battlefield.

"Captain Aizen, wouldn't you agree?"

Aizen, who had just witnessed Makoto steal his moment, showed no trace of irritation or displeasure.

Instead, he let out a long, deliberate breath and smiled.

"My, my… What a relief, Makoto-kun. Thanks to you, no one had to suffer any more injuries."

"No, even without me, I imagine Captain Aizen would've stepped in just in time to save this adorable young lady, wouldn't you?" Makoto mused, his tone light but pointed.

Aizen adjusted his glasses. His expression remained perfectly composed.

But deep down… he felt an eerie sense of understanding.

"As expected of Makoto-kun… He already suspects my intentions?"

With an amicable smile, Aizen replied smoothly, "Now, now, how could I possibly fault you for interfering? On the contrary, I'm quite pleased that our goals align. Thanks to you, all of our dear classmates are safe."

Makoto gazed at Aizen's ever-unreadable expression.

Not a single crack in his perfect facade. Not a hint of annoyance.

His ability to mask his emotions so flawlessly—to genuinely appear as if he was happy about Makoto's interference—made him all the more dangerous.

Makoto had expected some flicker of irritation.

Yet there was none.

Truly, Aizen was terrifying.

As the two conversed, completely ignoring the Hollow, the beast let out an earth-shaking roar.

Enraged beyond reason.

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