"The air has changed."
Ishikawa stood outside the Black Ridge Gate, which had always been closed but was now fully open before him.
Beside Ishikawa, figures with fierce and fanatical expressions, holding their Zanpakuto, surged directly into the Seireitei.
"Hahahaha, is this the Seireitei? Where have all the Shinigami gone? I really want to find some Shinigami to cut down."
"Idiot, we're here to cut down Quincy!"
"Can't we cut down Shinigami?"
"It's not that we can't. After we deal with those Quincy, we'll help Ishikawa take over the Seireitei too."
"Hahahahaha— I like that!!"
"…"
The moment they entered the Seireitei, all the villains were filled with excitement and fanaticism, unlike the disciplined Gotei 13.
These individuals, who revered Ishikawa as their king, were given no restraints by Ishikawa; as long as they didn't cause trouble in the higher-numbered areas, they could do whatever they pleased.
If not for Captain-Commander Yamamoto's order for the Eleventh Division to temporarily conscript and count these villains, Ishikawa himself wouldn't have known…
That the number of villains under his command was already four times the total number of Shinigami in the Gotei 13.
Among these people, those with Seated Officer-level Reishi were countless, and even the number of villains with Vice-Captain-level Reishi reached nearly a hundred.
When this number was tallied, the entire Gotei 13 was shaken, and the Central 46 even initially opposed allowing these villains into the Seireitei; it was only after Ishikawa's persuasion that the plan was approved.
It can be said that in terms of the number of combat-capable individuals, Rukongai, as the destination of all souls, holds a significant advantage!
The only thing Rukongai lacked was combat skills, but although these people didn't understand Zanji Kenki, each of them, like Zaraki and Ikkaku Madarame, knew how to deliver a fatal blow and how to defeat an enemy in the shortest possible time.
Therefore, in terms of low-level combatants, they might be far inferior to the ordinary Squad Members of the Gotei 13, but as long as their Reishi strength reached the Seated Officer level, these villains might not necessarily lose to other Seat Officers in a direct confrontation.
Because, compared to the Gotei 13, these lunatics, who had grown up through pure slaughter, had far superior spiritual body refinement than individuals of the same rank; in other words, the Reishi of villains at the Seated Officer level was mostly purer and stronger than that of the Gotei 13's Seat Officers.
As for those at the Vice-Captain-level, and even the great villains like Nishijin Ori and Nishijin Ori who possessed Captain-level Reishi, the lack of combat skills was no longer an issue.
Over these decades, Ishikawa had selectively trained them in his spare time, cultivating them as a personal guard… but this personal guard did not protect Ishikawa, but rather Boss Utsuki and Shiba.
Actually, normally, even for unlisted members, they should undergo some ideological education, at least to prevent them from openly claiming to be 'expanding territory for Ishikawa' when in reality they are just seeking excitement, constantly shouting slogans about conquering the Seireitei.
However…
"Kill, kill, hehehehe, scarface, run faster, I'll take you to find Ken-chan."
At the very front of the group of villains, a pink-haired little girl rode on a burly man, pointing excitedly and enthusiastically towards the Seireitei: "No, we'll go to the Commercial Street first, rob all the apple candy shops, and then I'll take you to find Ken-chan and kill to our heart's content!!"
"Yes, Vice-Captain Yachiru."
"What was that phrase you guys always say? Oh right, kill the men, tie up the women and bring them back to be wives for Ishikawa… Hmm, no, I need to tie up a few for Ken-chan too!"
"Yes, Yachiru Boss!!"
The leader of this northern unit had been completely ideologically re-educated by these villains; more accurately, it wasn't ideological re-education, but rather Yachiru simply found it more fun to do things this way.
"…Yachiru Boss, although I have a scar on my face, I still have a name. You can call me Oyama… or even Oyama-kun."
"Okay, scarface."
"…"
Watching the villains rush into the Seireitei, Ishikawa did not follow, but instead stood still, gazing at the Soul Sealing Barrier.
Although this unit was peculiar, Ishikawa was too lazy to complain about them anymore; his attention was completely drawn to the unusual phenomenon within the Seireitei, which almost no one else had noticed.
The air had changed!!
More precisely, the Seireitei was now filled with an aura that had never existed before.
If Ishikawa's senses weren't mistaken, that should be Yhwach's soul fragments. He spread his soul fragments throughout the world so that all who died in this battle, whether Quincy or Shinigami, would become his power.
However, doing so was not without drawbacks.
As far as Ishikawa knew, the Sternritter of the Wandenreich, in their Quincy Vollständig state, also possessed a technique to push 'Reishi concentration' to its limit, achieving a state of 'absolute Reishi subservience,' also known as Reishi Subservience.
Reishi Subservience can greatly absorb the Reishi of the surrounding environment and living beings, and can also integrate the limbs of the absorbed Reishi-bearing beings onto oneself, enhancing the power of attacks.
Living beings whose Reishi is absorbed will not only be harmed but, in severe cases, may even have all their flesh and blood drained and die on the spot.
But with Yhwach's soul fragments permeating the area, this ability could not be used.
In that case…
Ishikawa's gaze shifted towards the direction of the First Division.
That individual in Muken, presumably, should be able to play a certain role in this battle, rather than suffering in Muken…
Azashiro Soya.
Ishikawa actually wasn't particularly familiar with him, as most records about him had been erased; even the Onmitsukidō didn't have much information about him, only knowing that such a prisoner was confined in Muken.
When Ishikawa discovered that this prisoner was a man, he didn't delve deeper into the investigation.
It wasn't until a few days ago, learning from Urahara that he had intervened to help him at the last moment, that Ishikawa inquired about his abilities and past from Yoruichi and Urahara.
Ishikawa wasn't entirely sure whether he would help the Seireitei.
But regardless of whether he intervened or not, Ishikawa owed him a great favor.
Thinking of Muken, Ishikawa couldn't help but recall another acquaintance imprisoned there; releasing him would actually be a good option.
However…
Aizen could be released, but the timing had to be right; otherwise, if Yhwach didn't arrive, he might use his intelligence and charm to plunge the Seireitei into turmoil prematurely.
Ishikawa had no doubt that Aizen could achieve this; even completely bound and in a sealed state, every word Aizen spoke would be enough to draw the attention of the entire Soul Society, and even cause unforeseen changes and alter some people's perceptions.
After all…
Aizen, who had already broken free from the influence of Hōgyoku, was undoubtedly one of the few at the pinnacle of wisdom, and his most terrifying quality was his composure.
All his preparations prioritized the future, not the present.
The phrase 'thinking ten steps ahead' perfectly suited him.
In the entire Soul Society, whether Vice-Captains, Captains, or even the Captain Commander, none could compare to Aizen in this regard.
Captain-Commander Yamamoto possessed a strong sense of the bigger picture and acted with appropriate foresight, but he was less meticulous in details, and it is often the details that determine the outcome.
To put it bluntly…
The entire Gotei 13 was essentially reckless from top to bottom; except for Mayuri, they generally didn't consider strategy, just charged ahead when they could.
In this regard, Ishikawa himself was actually the same; in fact, due to spending a long time with villains, Ishikawa could be even more reckless than most people when he truly let loose.
Before invading the Wandenreich, Ishikawa's goal was to protect Cirucci and her group, but after saving Cirucci and the others, Ishikawa had absolutely no idea how to proceed to the next step, otherwise he wouldn't have fallen into this awkward situation.
Because of this, he was even scolded by Mayuri, who said that by concealing themselves, Ishikawa and Captain-Commander Yamamoto might have been able to end the war prematurely on the front lines through a surprise attack.
Although this possibility was extremely low, it was indeed not nonexistent.
However, Ishikawa did not like such a method that involved too great a sacrifice.
"Heh heh, I suddenly realized that Aizen might not have been wrong more than a year ago."
At this thought, Ishikawa's face showed a self-mocking smile.
Aizen once evaluated Ishikawa, saying that without entering the Seireitei, he had no superfluous emotions, everything about him was just a disguise, just like Aizen; but imperceptibly, he had gradually been eroded by the disguise, becoming weaker.
Previously, Ishikawa hadn't taken this statement to heart, but when he stood helplessly outside the Seireitei because of the emotions Aizen spoke of, the first thought that came to Ishikawa's mind was what Aizen had once said.
Perhaps he really had, as Aizen said, lost something while gaining strength.
"It seems it's time to pay him a visit."
However…
No regrets!
Because Ishikawa had lived a fulfilling, relaxed, and joyful life over these decades.
And harvest is destined to come with a price.
This 'harvest' made memories that he once completely disregarded, treating them merely as an information database to browse, incredibly important, and the people in those memories became those he cherished.
And to erase those regrets from his memories, he naturally had to pay a price, otherwise, what meaning would there be in him 'living' here.
However…
Helpless!
As the war continued, some names in Ishikawa's favorability list gradually dimmed, and even disappeared.
Among these, some were Squad Members of the Gotei 13, while others were Arrancar from Hueco Mundo.
While the Seireitei faced invasion, Hueco Mundo also suffered an attack of similar intensity.
However, Ishikawa wasn't particularly worried about Hueco Mundo.
Because Quincy are a race with no resistance to Hollows; everything about Hollows is poison to Quincy.
If they are corrupted by Hollows, not only will their spiritual power weaken, but their souls will also collapse, unable to even Hollowfy like Shinigami.
Natural enemy!
Quincy and Hollows are natural enemies who can mutually destroy each other.
And in a clash between natural enemies, victory is only possible if one side completely overwhelms the other.
But for the current Hueco Mundo, as long as the Yhwach appearing in Hueco Mundo is a fake, the winning side will only be Las Noches.
Which side is it?
Which side should I go to?
…
"Why is this guy just standing there in a daze?"
"The guy who can fight His Majesty doesn't look that strong."
A figure leaned against the Black Ridge Gate, muttering to himself while looking at Ishikawa standing not far away, as if completely unafraid of being discovered by Ishikawa.
Because…
No one could discover him!
Guenael had absolute confidence in this; his Schrift ability was 'Vanishing Point.' This Vanishing Point had three forms: the first could make his figure disappear, the second could make his existence disappear, and the third could make his consciousness disappear from others' minds.
So, even if he stood right there, even if he shouted loudly, the black-haired young man in front of him would not be able to perceive his presence.
"Ah, right, the updated intelligence before I came said that this guy has lost his Shinigami abilities and now only possesses physical strength."
Thinking of the four words 'physical strength' heavily marked in the intelligence, Guenael couldn't help but let out a strange laugh, making his abnormally large and protruding eyes even more bizarre.
He wondered how this intelligence was written, specifically highlighting the 'physical strength' of a Shinigami who didn't even have a physical body; it was simply a joke.
"Killing someone who can fight His Majesty seems like a very interesting thing to do."
As Guenael said this, a glimmer of excitement flashed in his deformed frog-like eyes, and a sharp spike appeared in his hand, as he walked straight towards Ishikawa.
Upon reaching Ishikawa, the spike in his hand surged with Reishi, and he thrust it directly towards Ishikawa's heart.
"Die! Hahahaha—"
As the spike landed on Ishikawa, Guenael couldn't help but burst into maniacal laughter; he could already foresee the shock of the other Sternritter members at his actions—an enemy that even His Majesty couldn't defeat had died so easily by his hand!!
However…
Clang—!
The crisp sound of metal clashing rang out, causing Guenael's pupils to sharply contract.
Can't pierce?
How is this possible!?
Guenael frantically gathered Reishi, but no matter how hard he tried, the spike lodged in Ishikawa's chest remained completely motionless.
"Are you done being noisy?"
A cold voice entered Guenael's ears, as if speaking directly to him.
To me?
Guenael instinctively looked up, and what met his eyes were a pair of bloodshot, crimson eyes, which were now staring intently at… at him!!
He's looking at me?
Before Guenael could figure out what was happening, a pain shot through his cheek, as Ishikawa's right hand directly clamped onto his face, lifting him from the ground.
"A toy?"
A toy?
The black-haired youth's mumble made a hint of confusion flash in Guenael's eyes.
I'm a toy?
"Yes, isn't it good?"
But just then, a voice replied.
That voice belonged to… a fellow Sternritter…
Gremmy Thoumeaux!
"What the fu—…"
Bang!
Ishikawa's five fingers closed, directly crushing the head in his hand. His gaze, however, passed through the splattered mixture of red and white, looking towards the figure slowly walking out of the Black Ridge Gate.
Blood, composition, brain, Reishi…
Ishikawa casually shook off the blood from his hand; everything, it all seemed so real…
It should be said that this was a real life!
However, this life was born from someone else's imagination.
"What a terrifying power it truly is. No wonder the latest intelligence from His Majesty specifically emphasized your 'physical strength'."
The figure who emerged from the Black Ridge Gate was a blond youth wearing a hooded cloak. He looked at Ishikawa, and a glint of exploratory desire flashed in his narrowed eyes:
"I'm very curious, is a Shinigami with a 'physical body' still considered a Shinigami?"