Chapter 58: Quincy

A thousand years after the Gotei 13’s prime, the hierarchy of power among the Shinigami remains clear. At the pinnacle stand Captain Commander Yamamoto Shigekuni, unmatched in his mastery of Ryūjin Jakka, and Aizen Sōsuke, whose prodigious reiryoku rivals even the Commander’s, even without the Hōgyoku’s influence. Below them, Retsu Unohana, a versatile warrior skilled in combat, healing, and Kidō, shares the second tier with the unleashed Zaraki Kenpachi, whose raw strength surpasses all in brute force. The third tier includes Kyōraku Shunsui, whose rule-based Katen Kyōkotsu demands careful strategy, and Ichimaru Gin, a balanced fighter whose Shinso can deliver devastating first strikes. Other captains, like Suì-Fēng with her agility, Sajin Komamura with his strength, or Tōshirō Hitsugaya with his unrealized potential, vary in specialties but generally outmatch Kensei Muguruma in combat prowess.

Yamabuki Haruto’s reiryoku, by comparison, is modest—roughly four or five times Kensei’s strength. He can hold his own against captain-level opponents but lacks the power to triumph.

Haruto darted through the village using Shunpo, his movements a blur as he searched every corner and nearby settlements for the missing Shinigami. No trace. “This is strange,” he muttered, frustration mounting. “How does a Shinigami just vanish?” Had they met with danger?

Most Shinigami stationed in the Human World lack the strength to face serious threats. A Menos Grande like a Gillian or Adjuchas, or even a strong Giant Hollow, could overwhelm them.

With no leads, Haruto prepared to contact Soul Society via Hell Butterfly to request a Senkaimon. The black butterfly fluttered beside him, its delicate form a mystery—how could such a creature serve as a communication device?

A low, guttural growl interrupted his thoughts. Haruto raised an eyebrow and spun around.

A Giant Hollow loomed, its hollow eyes fixed on him, reishi dripping from its maw. Haruto’s instincts kicked in. So, the Shinigami was eaten by this thing. Hollows crave beings with high spiritual pressure, and a Shinigami’s reiryoku is a beacon compared to human souls.

“You ate my comrade, didn’t you?” Haruto asked, drawing his Zanpakutō, its blade crackling faintly with lightning.

The Hollow, devoid of intelligence, lunged, its massive jaws gaping, drool spilling. Haruto scoffed—such a creature was no match for him now. He readied a single slash to end it.

Before he could strike, a blue light erupted in the distance, coalescing into an arrow that pierced the Hollow’s mask. The beast twitched twice, then dissolved into reishi. Haruto’s eyes widened. “No way… that was a Quincy attack.”

He turned toward the source of the arrow. A man in a white robe stood there, his Western features cold and arrogant, a reishi bow in hand. The arrow had come from him.

Haruto took a half-step back, gripping his Zanpakutō tightly. The Quincy sized him up with equal suspicion.

“Who are you?” the man asked in halting Japanese.

“Just a passerby. Don’t know anything, so… bye!” Haruto replied, wary. He didn’t know if the Quincy was alone or part of a group. Better to play it safe and report to Captain Commander Yamamoto.

As he stepped back, the Quincy raised his bow, aiming at Haruto. “That sword’s a Zanpakutō, and that butterfly’s a Hell Butterfly. You’re a Shinigami.”

Haruto froze. “How do you know about Zanpakutō?”

“We captured another like you, carrying the same blade,” the Quincy said. “We extracted plenty from him. I hear you’ve formed some new squad, but it won’t matter. You’ll all be slaughtered soon.” His lips curled into a condescending smirk, as if Haruto were beneath him.

“Name, Shinigami,” the Quincy demanded.

“Yamabuki Haruto. You?”

“Martin Davis. Shinigami, I’ll be your end!” Martin drew his reishi bow, a pale blue arrow forming on the string.

Haruto gripped his Zanpakutō with both hands and flashed forward with Shunpo. Against an archer, close combat was key.

As his blade arced, reishi erupted beneath Martin’s feet, propelling him out of range with blinding speed. Hirenkyaku! Haruto thought, shocked. He pivoted, slashing again to keep Martin from firing.

“Annoying, running around like that!” Martin snapped his fingers. Two massive reishi bows materialized in mid-air, firing automatically under his reishi control. Blue beams of light screamed toward Haruto.

Haruto dodged with Shunpo, barely evading. Martin smirked. “You’re stronger than the Shinigami we captured. A big shot in Soul Society, huh?”

“Big shot? I’m just on patrol, weakest of the bunch. Soul Society’s got thousands like me,” Haruto taunted, lightning sparking along his blade. “Your strength’s nothing special either. Kinda underwhelming.”

Martin snorted. “Boastful!”

Three more reishi bows appeared, forming a five-pointed star with the others. “Shinigami, witness the gap between us!”