Chapter 35:
Execution
Rukia Kuchiki was standing at the podium on Sōkyoku Hill before an audience of higher-ranking officers. The Head-Captain stood in front of her and declared, "And now let the execution begin." The officers were whispering among themselves. Captain Soifon commented, "Not much of a turn out. Only the second, fourth, and eighth divisions showed up. What are the fifth, eleventh, twelfth and the others thinking?" At that moment, Captain Kuchiki arrived. The prisoner stuttered at the sight of him, "B—Byakuya." The captain simply turned away. The black-haired woman lowered her head in dismay. Captain Yamamoto reclaimed her attention, "Rukia Kuchiki, have you any last words?" "Yes." she answered, "Just one thing…"
"Very well." the Head-Captain announced, "In keeping with your wishes, after the execution, we will allow the Ryoka to leave unharmed." The young woman replied, "Thank you." In crowd, Lieutenant Kotetsu muttered under her breath, "How cruel. He doesn't intend to let them live." Captain Unohana had heard the remark and addressed her subordinate, "He wasn't being cruel, Isane. He was being compassionate. At least she'll die with some peace of mind. At least she won't worry." Yamamoto ordered, "Let the Sōkyoku fall." As the words had left the captain's lips, the ropes holding the Sōkyoku in place were released. The three blocks shifted on the podium where the prisoner stood. Her bondage fell and the blocks levitated to her wrists and ankles in a crucifixion-like pose. The blocks caused her to rise up to the wooden alter. Captain Kyōraku whispered to his lieutenant, "Nanao, don't look so sad. You're making me feel bad." "It's not sadness." Lieutenant Ise replied. At that moment, the Sōkyoku burst into flames and lifted itself off the ground. "Wha—what's going on?" Lieutenant Ōmeda cried out. Soifon added in surprise, "The halberd is in flames! It's changing shape!" Kyōraku lifted his hat to get a better view of the spectacle, "This is unexpected." The Sōkyoku transformed into a giant firebird. "Kikō Oh." the Head-Captain stated, "The halberd has assumed its true form. It will impale the condemned, thereby ending the execution." Instantly, the firebird charged at the black-haired woman but then was immediately stopped by Ichigo Kurosaki's blade.
All the captains were gawking in shock. Heather looked unmoved by the sight and grumbled inaudibly. Soifon exclaimed, "That's impossible! How could he stop the destructive power of one million Zanpakutō using a single Zanpakutō? But who…who is he?" Kyōraku commented, "Heather, you've got some explaining to do." "Yeah, that's Ichigo Kurosaki alright." the woman with the faded hair color replied carelessly, "Main objective: save Rukia Kuchiki." "I see. So in the end, the Ryoka saves the day." the brown-haired man responded smugly. The firebird let out a shriek and backed away. It charged once more, however, a giant rope wrapped around its neck. "What is that?" Ōmeda inquired. Kotetsu yelled, "Captain Ukitake! Kiyone!" The end of the rope had a pole and it fell to the ground where Kyōraku plunged it deeper. He lifted his hat to glance at his lifelong friend and asked, "Hey there, handsome. What took you so long?" Kotetsu yelled again, "Captain Kyōraku!" Captain Ukitake replied confidently to Kyōraku, "Sorry. I had trouble releasing it. But now I'm ready!" He then slammed the shield into the ground. Instantly, Soifon recognized the crest on the shield and yelled to her lieutenant, "Stop them!" Ōmeda answered dumbly, "Huh? You mean me?" "They're going to destroy the Sōkyoku!" she announced urgently. Kyōraku and Ukitake placed their Zanpakutō into the shield and the spirit energy traveled up to the firebird, obliterating it.