Yamamoto Genryusai stood outside the Soul-Sealing Barrier, his gaze fixed on the sky.
A faint spark could be seen, the movement caused by the friction of the atmosphere.
He narrowed his eyes slightly, his brows furrowed, and his expression was solemn.
"The seventy-two barriers have actually been broken…"
"Is this also Yhwach's doing…?"
"Or, the Soul King…?"
Yamamoto Genryusai had heard more or less about the ancient secrets from a million years ago.
The "death" of the Soul King was once considered an undisputed outcome, as his limbs were scattered across the Three Realms.
But in Yamamoto Genryusai's heart, there had always been a hint of doubt.
Especially after Yoriichi Tsugikuni ascended to Squad Zero, the words he spoke further convinced him—the Soul King was by no means simply going to his death, but was plotting something.
However, the Soul King was, after all, a god from a million years ago, and his thoughts were vastly different from those of mortals.
No matter how much Yamamoto Genryusai pondered, he could not fully comprehend the Soul King's intentions.
After all this is over, he would go ask Yoriichi Tsugikuni or that fat monk for a clear explanation.
With this thought, Yamamoto Genryusai no longer hesitated, slowly raising his right hand to grasp the Zanpakuto at his waist.
With a low roar, Ryujin Jakka instantly unsheathed, and scorching flames coiled around the blade like a dragon.
He looked up at the massive structure falling from the sky, and Ryujin Jakka was swung out fiercely, a roaring tide of flames instantly engulfing the structure.
Before the structure could even touch the ground, it had already turned to ashes in the raging inferno, scattering with the wind.
Just then, Yamamoto Genryusai's gaze caught sight of a familiar figure—Yhwach.
He was fleeing in disarray, his body covered in black wounds, blood dripping down his clothes.
Despite being severely wounded, Yhwach's speed was still extremely fast, clearly indicating he still had reserves of power.
"How pathetic, Yhwach."
Yamamoto Genryusai spoke coldly, with a hint of mockery in his tone.
This was the first time he had seen Yhwach in such a panicked state.
However, Yamamoto Genryusai did not relax his guard because of this.
No matter what happened in the Soul King Palace, the fact that Yhwach was not yet dead was undisputed.
Therefore, he absolutely could not let the other party escape from here.
His figure flickered, instantly appearing before Yhwach, and Ryujin Jakka in his hand swung out once more.
Boom—!
Scorching flames swept out like a tidal wave, their dazzling light illuminating the entire sky, as if daylight had arrived.
To enhance the power of Ryujin Jakka, a hideous mask even appeared on Yamamoto Genryusai's face.
The power of Hollowfication instantly caused his reishi to surge, and the flames rose another notch, distorting space itself.
Seeing this, Yhwach abruptly stopped.
He stared at Yamamoto Genryusai with a solemn expression, wondering why this old man was still alive.
What in the world was Haschwalth doing?!
Immediately after, he suddenly understood the reason why Yamamoto Genryusai was still alive.
"Hollowfication! So that's it! Yamamoto Genryusai, you have also fallen!"
Yhwach said through gritted teeth, his voice filled with resentment and anger.
No wonder Yoriichi Tsugikuni said he was too arrogant.
If he had investigated carefully before acting, how could he have fallen into such a passive situation?
Now, he was paying the price.
"Fallen?" Yamamoto Genryusai sneered, his eyes beneath the mask cold and sharp,
"That doesn't sound like something you would say."
"Never mind, we walk different paths."
"Today, please accept your death with grace."
"Not even the Soul King can save you!"
Before his words finished, Yamamoto Genryusai had already used Shunpo forward, the power after Hollowfication pushing his physical functions to their limit.
Ryujin Jakka in his hand carried a destructive temperature, directly striking at Yhwach.
At the same time, Yoriichi Tsugikuni also pursued from behind.
The series of events that occurred in the Soul King Palace made him increasingly perplexed by the Soul King's actions.
Unexplained collapses, unexplained falls… He didn't believe there was no intention of the Soul King himself behind all this.
But no matter what, Yhwach couldn't escape.
At most, the location of his death would simply change.
Seeing Yamamoto Genryusai's actions, Yoriichi Tsugikuni cooperated with him; years of unspoken understanding ensured all of Yhwach's escape routes were blocked.
Imminent death reflected in his eyes, Yhwach gritted his teeth.
Since his birth, this was only the second time he had been forced into such a desperate situation.
In the three thousand futures reflected in his eyes, he had no chance of survival, but he was unwilling to fall here.
In just an instant, he saw seven thousand more futures, and then, found a glimmer of hope for survival.
He rushed towards Yamamoto Genryusai without hesitation, using all his strength to break Ryujin Jakka.
Although his entire body was burned by flames, he still escaped like an eel, using the fluctuations of the sea of fire.
Immediately after, he activated Seeleschneider, retrieving some of the Sternritter's power, barely deflecting Yoriichi Tsugikuni's slash.
Using this momentum, Yhwach quickly flew towards the crowd below.
In his foresight, the people below were Yamamoto Genryusai and Yoriichi Tsugikuni's trusted subordinates.
As long as he held them hostage, Yamamoto Genryusai and Yoriichi Tsugikuni would surely have reservations.
This was the only chance of survival he saw in the ten thousand futures.
However, Yhwach overlooked a crucial point.
—This future was based on Yamamoto Genryusai.
There was another person present.
And so.
"Bankai."
Yoriichi Tsugikuni saw through Yhwach's objective; he re-summoned Hell, and then, the surrounding space was once again sealed off.
The crowd below vanished, and Yhwach's expression became incredibly grim again.
Hell! Again, Hell! Damn it!
It was a predetermined future, so why could it always be interfered with by Hell?!
Did his The Almighty truly have no power to contend with Hell at all?
Seeing this, Yamamoto Genryusai snorted coldly, and the half-broken Ryujin Jakka in his hand once again ignited with scorching flames.
Since the surroundings were already enveloped by Hell, he had no more reservations and directly unleashed the power of his Bankai.
This time, he would definitely cut off all of Yhwach's escape routes!
… …
Outside, the crowd didn't know what had happened.
They only felt a blur before their eyes, and a powerful force instantly teleported them several kilometers away.
The street ahead was already enveloped by a massive black hemispherical sphere.
Rukia found this scene somewhat familiar and pondered to herself; if nothing unexpected happened, this should be her brother's Bankai.
At this moment.
A voice appeared in her ear… No, to be precise, it sounded in her mind.
It was very ethereal, similar to the call of a Zanpakuto, but upon closer listening, it wasn't quite that, as the owner of the voice sounded very much like a middle-aged uncle.
Saying things like "Call me~ call my name."
Rukia listened, and goosebumps rose, she couldn't help but shiver.
She looked around.
With her sharp eyes, she discovered a head in the rubble.
That head was winking at her.
"Ah!" Rukia was startled and quickly moved closer to Renji.
However, she then roughly recalled and realized that the head looked somewhat familiar.
It was… the Great Monk of Squad Zero?
She had seen him on the computer.
Renji was a little flustered by Rukia's closeness and was about to ask Rukia what was wrong.
Suddenly, he also saw that big head.
Both of them heard the voice, and Rukia tentatively spoke the other person's name:
"Ichibei… Ichibei Hyosube?"
As the name left her lips, Rukia felt a surge of weakness throughout her body, as if her power was being drawn away from thin air, and her legs went soft, nearly causing her to fall.
Renji quickly supported her.
Then, they saw the big head floating in the air, gradually coalescing into a human form.
"Hahaha!"
Ichibei Hyosube laughed loudly.
After his body was completely restored, he walked over to Rukia, patted her shoulder, and gazed at the Bankai domain not far away, laughing:
"Thank you, Rukia. If it weren't for you, I don't know when anyone else would have called out my name."
"After all, in this vast Seireitei, only a few people remember this old man."
Rukia was dumbfounded at this point; she completely didn't understand why a head, which was all that remained, could still revive.
Call out a name? Is a name that important?
Why did most of her power disappear after calling out the other person's name?
Seeming to know that Rukia had many questions, Ichibei Hyosube glanced at her and continued:
"It seems you don't know much about this old man, do you? You're right, even though you attended my class, you only knew my name."
"This old man's body was modified by the Soul King; my heart is the Squad Zero Detached Palace. As long as the Detached Palace is not destroyed, all of us can revive by calling out our names."
"Of course, this method requires a small price, which is, a portion of the caller's reishi."
"reishi can be recovered. After things here are settled, I'll have Hikifune Kirio compensate you."
"Rukia, you should take them and leave first. What happens next is not suitable for you to see."
Ichibei Hyosube took a step forward, crossing his arms, his tone carrying a hint of relief.
Rukia was confused, as were some of the captains beside her.
But alas, this was a command from the Squad Zero leader, so they could only obediently comply and quickly evacuated from the area.
When everyone had disappeared, Ichibei Hyosube looked up at a certain place—that was the Soul King's falling place.
He murmured:
"Soul King, is this the future you chose a million years ago?"
"Using all five of us, and even Yhwach, as pawns."
"Only to make the main Soul King Palace fall…"
"What for, exactly?"
He gently shook his head; although he couldn't fully understand the Soul King's intentions, he decided to act according to the Soul King's will.
He first went to the Soul King, helped the fallen Soul King to his feet, and then proceeded to the Shiba Clan.
If Ichibei Hyosube remembered correctly, the founder of the Shiba Clan was the only being back then who considered killing the Soul King a great sin.
He advocated for the Soul King's liberation, offering himself as a sacrifice.
Now…
Narrowing his eyes, Ichibei Hyosube roughly understood some of the Soul King's intentions.
Thus, he took Shiba Kaien, Shiba Isshin, and Masaki Kurosaki, who had just reunited with Shiba Isshin.
The power Masaki Kurosaki possessed greatly interested Ichibei.
… …
"This is the Soul King?!"
On the other side.
Kurosaki Masaki's voice was filled with unconcealed shock, her eyes fixed on the incomplete body before her.
As a Quincy, she had naturally heard of the Soul King's legend.
He was the Creator God, the supreme being who controlled the balance of the Three Realms, and the source of reverence for all living beings.
However, what appeared now was a mere trunk of a human body…
An indescribable complex emotion surged in her heart.
Who did this?
Kurosaki Masaki's gaze swept quickly among the crowd, trying to find answers from their expressions.
Shiba Isshin stood to the side, his expression solemn, not daring to meet her eyes, for he clearly knew his clan's original sin.
At this moment, having been summoned by Ichibei Hyosube, though he didn't know the exact reason,
his heart still vaguely felt uneasy, sensing that the impending events would be incredibly grave.
Because the once high and mighty Soul King had descended.
"Monk, you…"
Shiba Isshin finally spoke, his voice hoarse.
However, before he could finish his sentence, he was interrupted by the Monk's smiling face.
"No rush, everyone, just watch from here for now."
The Monk's gaze swept over everyone, finally resting on the Bankai domain in the distance, and he shook his head slightly.
"To be honest, I'm not entirely sure why the Soul King called you all here."
"However, I think this matter is definitely related to Yhwach."
Yhwach?
Shiba Isshin stood in the wind, frowning.
Shiba Kaien, beside him, knew some inside information.
But because it was a minor piece of information passed down by the family head for hundreds of thousands of years, and the time was too long ago, he wasn't entirely sure.
So, Shiba Kaien chose to remain silent.
Three minutes later, the Bankai domain slowly disappeared.
The Monk then heard a voice echoing from the depths of his consciousness.
His eyes sharpened, and he immediately took a step forward:
"Everyone, stay where you are, do not move."
"The Soul King has issued a new decree, and I now understand the entire cause and effect."
"Please rest assured, this matter will only benefit your Shiba Clan and cause no harm."
With that, the Monk's figure instantly vanished from his spot, appearing in the center of the battlefield with a Shunpo.
Everyone exchanged glances, their faces filled with confusion and unease.
Kurosaki ichigo hurried over with Inoue Orihime, intending to ask his parents why they were in such a hurry.
But before he could speak, a human trunk came into view.
Kurosaki ichigo was instantly stunned.
… …
On the other side.
Whoosh.
Ichibei Hyosube's figure appeared like a ghost before Yhwach.
He stood with his arms crossed, looking down at Yhwach, who was bound by hell chains and struggling on his knees.
A clear understanding flashed in his eyes.
He murmured:
"So that's it, no wonder the Soul King targeted you so much, Yhwach, your The Almighty is simply the most suitable sacrifice."
Ichibei Hyosube's voice was low, but it clearly reached the ears of everyone present.
Immediately.
The three of them raised their eyes.
"Sacrifice?"
Yhwach's eyes widened, and he instantly became enraged.
He seemed to have understood something, and while struggling fiercely, making the chains on his body rattle, he cursed,
"Hyosube, what the hell are you talking about?"
"Sacrifice, is this his intention?"
"He saw my future, including all of my defeat!?"
"Who knows?" Ichibei Hyosube smiled faintly and shook his head.
His gaze turned to Yoriichi Tsugikuni, and seeing his face full of confusion, he gently explained:
"Young Shinigami, do not be confused."
"Although the Soul King possesses The Almighty, He did not see everything."
"It was you who, through your own efforts, pulled the future back onto the correct path."
"Now, please leave him to me."
"I will give him the fairest punishment to atone for the sins he has committed over these millions of years."
With that, Ichibei Hyosube looked at Yhwach again, his voice deep and cold:
"Yhwach, no… the nameless one of the past."
"You, who were born a million years ago, did you ever think that one day you would take over the Soul King's position?"
At these words, Yhwach's expression suddenly froze.
A glimmer of disbelief flashed in his eyes, immediately replaced by overwhelming hatred.
His teeth ground together.
He struggled to get up but was suppressed by the chains.
His voice was squeezed out from between his teeth.
"Hyosube! You bastard! Is this also the Soul King's intention!?"
He understood, he understood everything.
All the efforts he had made until now were part of a scheme laid out by the Soul King a million years ago.
He had seen his actions a million years ago, seen his uncontrollability, seen how he would lead the Three Realms to destruction.
Thus, at a specific time, he would have Ichibei Hyosube gather Squad Zero, he would "gift" himself the Soul King's left hand, and he would allow himself to enter the Soul King Palace.
All of this was to "kill" himself and allow himself to "naturally" take over the Soul King's position.
After all, if he couldn't enter the Soul King Palace, couldn't meet the conditions to kill the Soul King, how could the Soul King "abdicate"?
No wonder he had seen his failed future a thousand years ago; at first, he thought it was because the Quincy were too weak, but he never thought that it wasn't the timeline chosen by the Soul King at that time.
Only a thousand years later would the best candidate to kill Him be born.
—A being who combined five powers: Quincy, Shinigami, Hollow, Fullbringer, and Human—Kurosaki Masaki!
Only someone with these five powers could kill the Soul King.
This was probably also guided by the Soul King in secret.
An indescribable sense of humiliation surged in Yhwach's heart, as if he had been slapped hard in the face.
He had once thought he controlled everything, but he never expected that he was merely a pawn on the Soul King's chessboard.
Yoriichi frowned at this point and asked in a low voice:
"So, the Soul King's purpose in doing all this was to kill Himself in the future?"
"Is it really necessary to do this? Planning for a million years…"
Such an incredibly long period, Yoriichi couldn't imagine what kind of mindset this was.
Ichibei Hyosube sighed and shook his head:
"You and I are not Him, how can we know His thoughts?"
"For us, we can die by annihilating all reishi, or at worst, destroying the Squad Zero Detached Palace, but the Soul King is not necessarily the same."
His gaze fell on Yhwach again, his voice low:
"Having Yhwach take over the Soul King's position, with the Soul King Himself retiring successfully, is currently the best way to handle the situation."
"Of course, please rest assured, even if Yhwach becomes the Soul King, he will be in the form of a corpse, just like his father…"
… …
Leaving the center of the battlefield, Yoriichi Tsugikuni saw Tsugikuni Ai.
She was standing with Yoruichi Shihouin, and although she had some minor injuries, with blood still faintly seeping from the wounds, she appeared to be mostly fine.
From her, Yoriichi learned that she and Yoruichi had teamed up to defeat a Sternritter elite.
That battle was extremely dangerous; after Askin used Vollständig, the area within twenty kilometers became a poison zone.
Anyone inside would find it difficult to breathe, even unable to move.
Fortunately, there was Saya Fushi.
Saya Fushi was in a materialized state, requiring no breathing and unaffected by the poison.
Any reishi forming the poison could be cut by her.
This allowed her to move through the area as if it were uninhabited, and Askin was literally beaten to a pulp by a single sword, eventually surrendering and meekly accepting the transformation.
Yoriichi listened to her experience, nodding slightly, secretly congratulating himself that giving her that sword back then was indeed the right choice.
He was about to inquire about the casualties in the Noble District when suddenly, a commotion came from afar.
It turned out that several ryoka had taken advantage of the chaos to break in and were discovered by Shinigami.
But then someone quickly came over to explain, claiming it was all a misunderstanding.
Yoriichi looked at the bustling scene before him, an atmosphere of survival after a disaster mixed with the smoke of war.
He couldn't help but sigh heavily, then turned to Tsugikuni Ai and said:
"Let's go, the rest of the matters can be left to the other captains."
"In a few hours or days, there will be an earthquake affecting the Three Realms; do not panic, and do not reveal this information to anyone."
"Especially you, Yoruichi."
Yoruichi Shihouin had a very wide network of information and connections; with Kisuke Urahara as her strategist, she would know about this matter within a day.
Stating it beforehand would help to stop her from spreading the news, and thus prevent certain interested parties from tracing the truth.
A glimmer of interest flashed in Yoruichi Shihouin's eyes, as if she smelled gossip.
She wanted to delve deeper, but Yoriichi ignored her.
Next, he needed to tell Kisuke Urahara about this.
Kisuke would definitely investigate, even if a ban was issued, it would be useless.
He was naturally someone who couldn't stand boredom.
However, involving the Soul King, even with his lively personality, he would probably be a bit more serious.
With these thoughts, Yoriichi left the battlefield.
Before leaving, he glanced deeply at the area where the Shiba Clan was located.
Without a doubt, the Shiba Clan was about to rise completely this time, because they were about to help the Soul King gain release.
Although this might be seen as a rebellious act in some people's eyes, it couldn't stop the inevitable trend.
Once the Soul King died, a part of the truth from a million years ago would surely be revealed, helping the Shiba Clan clear their original sin—but in doing so, the Tsunayashiro Clan would suffer.
Yoriichi lowered his eyes and sighed:
"This is also good. The Soul King was killed by them and dismembered by them, but the original sin was shared by the Five Great Noble Families."
"Now, the ugly truth will be revealed."
"From now on, there will probably be no Five Great Noble Families in the Seireitei; the Shiba Clan will replace the Tsunayashiro Clan and regain their position."
"This is probably what the Monk meant by beneficial and harmless."
"…Not bad."
Yoriichi's thoughts wandered as he waved his hand and disappeared from the spot with Tsugikuni Ai.
He also had to prepare for the future of the Tsugikuni Clan Clan.
Although the Soul King was about to die, the Three Realms would continue to evolve.
He couldn't afford to fall behind the times.