Marrying Unohana Retsu from Bleach

The enemy, however, was not oblivious to this tactic.

"I see," a Sternritter said, a smile playing on his lips. "So you plan to sacrifice yourself as bait, allowing your comrades to escape?"

"A wise choice. But ultimately meaningless. I will kill you swiftly, then pursue those fleeing Shinigami and pierce their chests with my arrows." He drew his bow, aiming it at Shanmu.

"Burn! Hidanmaru!" Sugi roared, his zanpakuto wreathed in flames as he swung it at the Sternritter.

But the sheer volume of arrows raining down overwhelmed him. His flames couldn't stop the torrent. 

In moments, Sugi's body was riddled with arrows, and he collapsed.

"Farewell, Shinigami," the Sternritter said, nocking a final arrow, certain this would be the killing blow.

Swish.

As the arrow flew, Sugi closed his eyes, accepting his fate. Though tragic, he had foreseen this outcome. 

His only hope was that his squad would escape, return to their respective divisions, report the situation, and receive the protection of their captains.

Bang.

Just as he braced for death, a gust of wind deflected the arrow. He squinted through the sudden breeze and saw him: a figure in a white haori, the number eleven emblazoned on its back.

"Shine! Yakushi Ruriko." Araki of the 11th Division declared, his face impassive as he released his Zanpakuto, a soft green light bathing the fallen Shanmu. The soldier's deathly pallor quickly faded, replaced by a healthier color.

"C-Captain Araki!" Shugi stammered, his eyes widening. He instinctively tried to stand and salute, forgetting his grievous injury. He stumbled and fell.

"Stay down," Araki commanded, his gaze shifting to the Sternritter.

Swish! Swish!

The Sternritter didn't hesitate. While Araki healed Sugi, he fired a volley of arrows. Araki casually swatted them aside like bothersome insects.

"Who are you?" The Sternritter's arrogance began to crumble, replaced by a flicker of panic, he had underestimated the Shinigami's power. 

This man, at least, was a force to be reckoned with.

Araki ignored him, calmly stating, "ROOM."

"What…?" The Sternritter watched in growing horror as a translucent, spherical field enveloped him. "What have you done to me?!"

Swish.

Before he could process what was happening, the light dissipated. The Sternritter suddenly felt a sickening absence. He crashed to the ground.

"My legs! Where are my legs?!" He looked down in disbelief, finding only empty air where his legs had been.

"You should be able to get up now," Araki said to Sugi, his tone indifferent to the Quincy's plight.

"My legs... they're back!" Sugi exclaimed in disbelief, feeling his restored limbs.

"Run," Araki instructed. "Head towards the 11th Division barracks. The other captains are already engaged, hunting down the Quincy. They don't have time for wounded soldiers who've depleted their spiritual energy."

Araki had foreseen the Quincy invasion minutes earlier, using Tenteikūra to alert all thirteen captains. 

The Gotei 13 had reacted swiftly, launching their counteroffensive. They were now scouring the Soul Society, engaging the Quincy in fierce battles.

"I understand, Captain Araki." Shanmu bowed deeply.

"Hm." Araki turned towards the fallen Sternritter.

"Thank you, Captain Araki! You've given me a new life." Sugi called after him, kneeling and kowtowing repeatedly. "I am Sugi Soichiro. I shall serve you forever." He then rose and hurried away, knowing he had a crucial task: to guide the other incapacitated soldiers to the safety of the 11th Division barracks.

Araki paid no heed to Sugi's fervent declaration. He approached the legless Sternritter.

"Where is your Emperor Yhwach?" he asked coldly.

"Do you think I'd tell you, Soul Society trash?!" The Sternritter snarled. "Even in death—"

Before he could finish, his head exploded in a spray of blood and brain matter.

"Silence. You're not the only Quincy who can speak," Araki said, using his Zanpakuto's power to deflect the gore with a look of disgust. 

He then raised his head, his gaze sweeping across the chaotic battlefield, taking in the white-clad Quincy.

"ROOM!"

A vast, transparent sphere, centered on Araki, expanded outward, encompassing the entire battlefield. A blinding silver light flashed; every Quincy within the sphere was bisected.

"W-we've been…cut down?"

"I…I can see my own legs floating.

"What's happening?!"

Confusion reigned among both Quincy and Shinigami alike. No one understood the sudden turn of events.

As the silver light subsided and the transparent sphere vanished, the severed Quincy landed on the ground.

"What...is that?"

"Is this... hell?"

Their eyes fell upon a horrifying sight: a throne constructed entirely of beating human hearts. A wave of nausea and dread washed over them.

"Allow me to introduce myself," a voice said.

A man with short brown hair, wearing a white haori, walked towards them, holding a still-beating heart in his hand. It was identical to those forming a grotesque throne.

"My name is Araki; I am the captain of the 11th Division of the Gotei 13. This is the Soul Society you have invaded. You could say I am one of the superiors of the Shinigami you have attacked."

"A…Shinigami?" The Quincy stared at him, drawing their bows.

Araki remained unfazed; he calmly crushed the heart in his hand. Crimson liquid dripped from his fist.

Puff.

The Quincy closest to Araki suddenly vomited blood and collapsed, dead.

"This…?" Panic spread through the ranks.

"As you can see," Araki said, shaking the blood from his hand, "these beating hearts... they are yours."

"If you make a mistake, the hearts behind me will burst. Or if your arrows miss their mark and strike your own hearts... you will die, just like this young man." He gestured to the fallen Quincy. He then casually sat upon the throne of hearts.

"Gentlemen," Araki continued, his voice cold and commanding. "Like your Majesty, I dislike unnecessary killing."

"So, you have two choices."

"First, attack me. And you will all die here."

"Second, offer me the heads of your comrades in exchange for the hearts in my possession."

"Don't worry. I am a reasonable man."

"Five heads for one heart. Of course," he added, a chilling smile touching his lips, "if someone brings me Yhwach's head, I will return all the hearts without exception."

Araki leaned back against the throne of hearts, the image of a cruel and terrible king. "Choose."

==============

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