Chapter 1522 - 45: The Malice of Gin Ichimaru

Chapter 1522: Chapter 45: The Malice of Gin Ichimaru

Su Xiao had finally dealt with the deadly threat of Death Omen, and he was visibly more relaxed in front of the Plasma Net.

Bubu Wang started to remove the Negative Ion Plasma Superconducting Device; although this is a consumable, it is not a one-time item. As long as the Negative Ion Plasma Liquid inside the metal rod is not depleted, it can be reused. Bubu Wang regards it as a treasure, calling it a symbol of friendship.

Death Omen’s erratic behavior obviously enraged Bubu Wang, which is why he used this enemy-trapping trump card. Bubu Wang’s small fortune is not to be underestimated. Su Xiao often gives Bubu Wang pocket money, though this so-called pocket money can be considered a huge sum for some Contractors. Bubu Wang doesn’t have many places to spend Paradise coins, so it accumulates over time.

Financially obsessed Beini is very envious of this, often using the excuse of financial management to borrow from Bubu Wang, but most of the time, Beini ends up doubting her own intelligence. When Bubu Wang comes to collect the debt, Beini pretends not to hear, which is the main reason for the duel between this cat and dog.

The Plasma Net was quickly removed, and both Death Omen and Sayanod turned to ashes, leaving nothing else to say. Sayanod, this ’old man’, had high hopes for Death Omen, and after her defeat, rather than submitting to Su Xiao, he attempted to take Su Xiao down with Death Omen.

Of course, Su Xiao didn’t accompany Death Omen to the grave, but the preserved egg they created was shattered by energy shock.

After the egg creature died, its eerie fluctuations disappeared, which made Su Xiao feel more at ease. For some reason, just sensing that strange aura gave him a sense of unease.

This is the nature of clearing out violators—they differ from ordinary Contractors, and one never knows what bizarre abilities they possess. Take Death Omen, for example; she could even interfere slightly with the flow of time.

Among the violators Su Xiao has dealt with, some possess dual Reincarnation Marks, some can teleport worldwide, some can summon tens of thousands of powerful creatures, and some are a combination of violators, Workers, and Void creatures.

There’s always something more peculiar. Death Omen’s abilities were very strange; she was both close-ranged and long-ranged, perhaps even possessing Mage Lord abilities, though she refrained from using them due to Su Xiao’s identity as an Annihilator.

The commotion from Su O’s battle with Death Omen had attracted many Hollows Street civilians, who watched from afar, and some may have gone to notify Jingling Court.

As a wanted criminal of Jingling Court, Su Xiao couldn’t stay here for long, especially since Aizen’s plan was coming to fruition today. After dealing with Death Omen, he prepared to take part in it.

...

At nine in the morning, at the suspension bridge of the Palace of Penitence at Jingling Court.

Several Soul Reapers wearing gray clothes with matching fabric hoods walked across the suspension bridge. Apart from their eyes, they were completely covered.

Being a Palace of Penitence guard is naturally a hated position, hence the peculiar attire. At this moment, these guards were escorting a young girl.

The girl wore plain white clothes, with a red leather collar around her neck that completely sealed her Spiritual Pressure, rendering her nearly a normal soul, devoid of combat strength.

The girl with her hands bound was Rukia Kuchiki; today was the day of her execution. She would be escorted from the Palace of Penitence to the Sōkyoku, where she would be killed.

Upon learning of her death sentence, Rukia Kuchiki was fearful for a time, but in the days that followed, she gradually came to terms with it, prepared psychologically for today’s execution.

Rukia Kuchiki slowed her steps and looked to the sky; she seemingly saw little worth holding onto, as persisting would only implicate those who wished to save her.

Thinking of this, Rukia Kuchiki smiled, but as she prepared to face death openly, a smiling man came toward her, interrupting her thoughts.

"Good morning, Rukia."

A smiling Gin Ichimaru approached,

"Gin... Ichimaru."

Rukia instinctively wanted to take two steps back but then suddenly thought, about to be executed, why should she still fear this ’snake’? She’s become indifferent to life and death, yet still afraid of a ’snake’? How absurd.

Thinking of this, Rukia’s expression became much more composed.

"Miss Rukia, you are still so rude. Don’t call me Gin; address me as Captain Ichimaru, or else I’ll inform your brother."

Gin Ichimaru was here to ensure Rukia was sent to Sōkyoku, to prevent her from being abducted by the Traveler, but her previous attitude amused him, and he decided to tease her.

"Sorry, Captain Ichimaru."

Rukia actually didn’t want to deal with Gin Ichimaru, but he blocked her path. Behind her, the previously domineering Palace of Penitence guards turned timid, not daring to utter a word.

"Hahaha, just joking, don’t take it seriously. I won’t snitch, don’t mind what I said. We’re so familiar now."

Gin Ichimaru’s tone suddenly shifted to a mature, tricky operation. Meanwhile, several kilometers away in a residential house, Su Xiao pressed the earpiece.

"Gin, Aizen wants you to stop teasing Rukia Kuchiki and, after confirming her identity, let her pass."

At this moment, Su Xiao, Gin Ichimaru, Aizen, and Kaname Tosen were all keeping in contact, and regarding the communication method, naturally, Su Xiao provided it; being a researcher, he presented some high-tech which Aizen wouldn’t question, or rather, as long as it benefited the plan, Aizen didn’t mind the source of communication tools.

On the suspension bridge before the Palace of Penitence, Gin Ichimaru pushed on his earpiece; he couldn’t respond to Su Xiao now.

"Captain Ichimaru, why have you come to this place?"

Rukia Kuchiki squinted her eyes, sensing Gin Ichimaru’s ill intentions.

"Well, just happened to be in the area for a walk, so I came to tease you."

Gin Ichimaru was both responding to Rukia and Su Xiao, implying he found Rukia amusing and planned to continue teasing the girl.

"You awful person, do as you please."

Su Xiao ignored Gin Ichimaru and casually lit a cigarette.

On the suspension bridge.

"What’s wrong? Suddenly silent."

Gin Ichimaru remained with his smiling, annoying expression.

"It’s nothing."

"Speaking of which, the ones trying to save you aren’t dead yet, but... they will die soon."

Hearing this, Rukia Kuchiki’s expression showed displeasure.

"Such a pity, your friends are risking their lives to save you."

"Stop spouting nonsense!"

Rukia suddenly became strong, and the corner of Gin Ichimaru’s mouth raised higher.

"Are you scared?"

"..."

"Don’t want them to die, hence your sudden fear. Fear will awaken your survival instinct. How about... let me rescue you."

Gin Ichimaru released his Spiritual Pressure as he spoke.

"Captain Ichimaru..."

The Palace of Penitence guards panicked. As they listened, things seemed amiss; if other captains said this, they’d assume it was a joke, but Gin Ichimaru—he might actually do it. His demeanor gave nothing away; no one knows his true thoughts.

"What are you saying, this is..."

Gin Ichimaru ignored the guards and slowly approached Rukia Kuchiki. The powerful Spiritual Pressure made Rukia sweat cold, as she felt he would really make a move—the Spiritual Pressure was no joke!

She couldn’t understand why Gin Ichimaru acted like this; was he a reinforcement brought by Ichigo Kurosaki?

"Well? With a nod, I can save you right now."

Gin Ichimaru’s Spiritual Pressure caused the guards to tremble. Rukia stared at him, dumbfounded.

Gin Ichimaru raised his hand, and the guards felt an urge to flee.

He lightly placed a hand on Rukia’s head, leaning forward to meet her gaze.

"Just kidding."

"?"

Rukia stared blankly at Gin Ichimaru. Just now, whether an illusion or not, she truly thought he intended to save her.

Gin Ichimaru turned to leave, waving behind him to Rukia.

"Bye-bye, Rukia-chan, next time we’ll meet at the Sōkyoku."

Watching Gin Ichimaru walk away, Rukia’s pupils trembled. She had been indifferent to life and death, yet Gin Ichimaru’s teasing rekindled her desire to live, inducing fear within her—the fear of death.

Gin Ichimaru’s malevolence is like giving a dying traveler in the desert a cup of water, only to tell them with a smile at the last moment that it’s actually acid.