As soon as Nozomi left the barrier, she raised her head and lamented for those who went before them. The entire soul society is shaken by the presence of the ones they decided to judge 1000 years ago. There are screams all around. Soon, the walls are tainted with blood. Buildings are falling apart but Division 4 remained unscathed. "You are unfortunate to be the one seeing the consequence of what your predecessors did to us, 1000 years ago", Jugo found the lady standing in front of the barracks.
"If you dare enter the barriers, you will be judged once more. My barrier is anti-Quincy anyways", Nozomi raised her sword. The surrounding shinigami had their sword shaking with the amount of reiatsu the lady is using. "2,000 deaths in just a few minutes", one of them mumbled under his breath which Nozomi heard. "You were trying to be saviors when all you were destroying the balance between worlds. Because of bastards like you, nobles have to reproduce and give birth to shinigami since there is a depletion in the spirit particles. And we were products of that imbalance that you created", the white head walked towards Jugo and the rest of Yhwach's army. "What can a single shinigami do?", one of the Quincy mocked. A bolt of lightning swallowed him and was brought smashed into a wall. "You are a mere Shinigami with the blood of a noble who decided to end our existence", Jugo looked down at the woman. "But whether you had a good intention back then, your means were mistaken. If I have to erase your existence, it will be on the grounds whether you repented from that mistake", the white head thrust her sword and sharp ghastly-looking ice pierced through the Quincy soldiers. They struggled to get out. "The old man is angered. Without even having to hear it from him, I know he is pounding us with this presence scolding all of us not to show mercy to the enemy", Nozomi leaned her forehead on the sword, and the sharp block of ice shattered along with those caught along with it. The blood of the quincies trailed down the crimson red eyes and were absorbed.
"Now, you're the only one left standing", Nozomi pointed her sword at Jugo. Two shinigami were thrown next to the white head. "You cannot do that to Shiro-chan and Rangi", the lady activated a barrier that would keep the two inside. She felt the dryness of her throat and the intense humidity. "His Majesty is fighting your captain commander. Even if you struggle this much, he will come out victorious", Jugo declared and started walking away. "Then, can I play with her?", Bazz B flicked a finger causing the ground where Nozomi is standing to collapse. "I told you that everyone is responsible for their own lives", Zaraki threw some Quincy bodies on the ground and started explaining how they died. Nozomi sensed someone's spirit presence decrease drastically. "Captain", Nozomi turned to him and have his face looking in a certain direction. "Go where you want to", Zaraki raised his chin.
The Captains who got their Bankai stolen are losing their presence. Nozomi saw a familiar blonde under the rubbles. He's got a huge hole in his chest. This time, all the members of Division 4 are holed inside the barracks. "Hold on a little longer", Nozomi clenched her fist and kicked the huge pile of rock, and gently turn Kira to face the sky. "I might not have enough", the white head pressed her hand and induced her own reiatsu. Having to create a barrier that large, she felt her strength seeping away. Having secured Kira's safety, she felt someone else's reiatsu totally vanish. She bit her lips and rushed towards the next turn.
True fear occurs without reason, without bounds. It is like a swarm of insects crawling up the body. We cannot escape from our instincts
Her heart sank to see Byakuya pinned to the wall with a pool of blood where he is standing. As Nodt was about to launch another attack when someone dropped in front of Byakuya. For some reason, As Nodt retreated from the battleground since their quest of taking down the Captain Commander has been accomplished.
"I fear I will not last much longer. As a Captain of the Gotei 13, to be unable to defeat the foul intruders who dirty the soil of Seireitei, who have brought about the deaths of many soldiers and brought sadness to those soldiers' subordinates and families... to lose my life in defeat at the hands of such wretches brings me great shame. You, meanwhile, are a human. By all rights, you should never have become involved in this conflict. Indeed, you should never even have come to this place. Yet now, at the end of my life, I ask you to forgive me the vile hubris of making one request of you. Please... protect Soul Societ, Kurosaki Ichigo."
Ichigo shows a face of anger for what the enemy did to his friends and Soul Society. He didn't hesitate to throw his revenge. He went directly to Yhwach.
"Byakuya. The Captain Commander is already...", Nozomi walked closer until she was able to cup the man's face. Looking up, Nozomi balled her fist watching the light slowly disappearing from the man's eyes. "I know. My vice-captain is thrown somewhere near. He's growing and improving as the day passes by. After you save him from the brink of death, which you only have to use minimal amount of reiatsu in order for the barrier in division 4 not to collapse, I am ashamed to ask you to protect my sister", Byakuya also reached at the lady's face with his bloody hands. He can no longer see her expression since he's starting to lose consciousness. "Don't die on me Byakuya. Don't die on us. That long hair dude can still manage it and I will make sure your sister will not die", Nozomi placed her free hand on Byakuya's chest. "It's okay if you won't be able to heal me, don't blame it on yourself", the man said before leaning his head on Nozomi's shoulder. "Rest well, Byakuya. If I allow you to die now, Ayumi will pulverize me to the tiniest spirit particle", the white had a small smile.
Division 4
Nozomi carried Byakuya's body on her back and gently placed him on the bed. "He's heavy! I remembered just giving him some piggy back whenever he falls asleep in their manor's pavillion", Nozomi massaged her back. "I'm glad he's still breathing", Isane had her eyes warmed up. "What kind of Captain am I if I cannot even close a wound? That's the only thing I did, thanks to this huge barrier I have to make", Nozomi looked around and saw Unohana still clenching her fist. It was bleeding due to tight grip. "You held on very well, Captain. Its time to let go", Nozomi sat on a nearby chair beside Byakuya's infirmary bed. The pendant turned to ashes as Unohana gave an intense amount of grip.
"There's no more need to use that barrier. We will deal with them in the next battle", Unohana explained her action and continued making sure that Byakuya escapes death. She saw Kurosaki walking on the corridor with saddened eyes. She decided to follow him.
"You good?", Nozomi placed her arms around his shoulder. "I guess we're all on the same boat. I wasn't able to do anything at all", Ichigo said with a sad tone. "You scared them away. It's not like any of us were able stop Yhwach from taking on Captain Commander. But, thank you for saving the rest of Soul Society", Nozomi gave a small pat on his back. "Rukia-chan and long hair dude are alive and I believe you did exchange some words. If there are things you have to deal with, don't hesitate to ask help from your friends", Nozomi said before slightly kicking Ichigo out of the building. She knew her reiatsu will be depleted badly because of the number of injured shinigami.
Division 1
Kyouraku read Genryusai's will for him to the be next Captain Commander. "How's your eyes, Kyouraku-san?", Nozomi leaned on one of the pillars in the hall. "I am glad that you made it alive even without having to train. Nozomi, you are to call me Captain Commander from this moment. And with my first task, I will have to deal with Captain Zaraki, the 10th Kenpachi. If you understand what I am saying, I will not ask this as a request but that of a command", Kyouraku turned to face Nozomi. "Does Vice-Captain Isane knows about this?", the lady asked with a serious voice but she received no response.
"During the next attack, I will still be in the front line. Whether healing or killing, I will choose what will make me less regret any decision. That's why, tell all your Captains not to die. If it's still redeemable, I can do somethinf about it", Nozomi started walking away with heavy steps. "You've grown. I know the old man can see that as well", Kyouraku smiled.
Division 4
Isane walked around the barracks looking for Unohana. She saw a letter on the table and startes reading it. She covered her mouth and started weeping. A hand dropped on her shoulder. "Vice-Captain Isane, you are permitted to despair as everyone is. The battle is not yet over. Let's keep our mind sharp. In that way, we wouldn't have to hear anymore tears", Nozomi lets go.
The lady went out of the room and saw the Captain of the 12 division holding on to something. "Are you alright, Jushiro-san? Did you fight any of the enemies?", Nozomi asked worriedly. "I heard from Kyou- the new Captain Commander. To be in the front line and also helping in the healing would be tough. I will not stop you. You're quite old enough to decide for your own", Jushiro put a confident expression. "Thank you for worrying about me, Jushiro-san. You sounded like a father just now", the white head teases and made Jushiro flush. The members of the division 4 were asked to gather in the hall.
"We, the division 4, cannot bring a dead person back to life. All we can do is redeem the redeemable. And for those whose lives perish, we mourn. For those who mourn, are loved", Nozomi gave a speech in the middle of the corridor that gained the attention from the division 4 members as well as Isane. While the battle was happening, Unohana revealed to Isane that the former Captain of Division 4 was from a prominent Clan that vanished from the face of Soul Society. Abandoning her family's name, she proved her loyalty and gained the seat. When Unohana decided to stop using her sword to fight, Nozomi gladly offered the seat but was appointed as the vice captain. "From now on, I will assume the seat of Division 4 Captain", Nozomi wore her former haori.
Kyouraku and Jushiro are watching from behind. "Can you imagine Ayumi's expression upon hearing those words? I bet it'll be priceless", Kyouraku had a short laugh. "What a tacky speech", someone commented making the two turn to her direction. "Are my eyes playing with me?!", Jushiro held on Kyouraku. "Urahara-san asked me if I wanted to come here. I have to pay back for the help I received", Sumire explained. "I nearly had a heart attack", Kyouraku sighed.
Chapter end