Chapter 289: Welcome to My Hueco Mundo
Whoosh!!
Ryūjin Jakka's blade burst into flames.
Gripping the hilt, Yamamoto swung the sword down at Satoru!
Satoru didn't dodge or evade, barely even reacting, simply standing there.
The tip of Ryūjin Jakka swept past his face before finally pointing at his chest.
An intense heat wave surged forward.
The heat persisted for about three seconds before subsiding.
With a twist of his wrist, Yamamoto sheathed the long sword whose flames had dissipated.
Satoru curiously pulled open his clothes and saw a flame-shaped tattoo had appeared on his chest.
After staring at it for two seconds, he suddenly looked up and stared at Yamamoto in shock:
"Is this... the Heavenly Master's Legacy?"
"You've passed all your lifelong knowledge and power to me?!"
"You old bas... ahem, Master! If you've given all this to me, what will happen to you? Do you only have a few days left to live?"
"Master, ahhh... ah!!"
The first few cries were sobs, while the last one was a scream.
Satoru pushed himself up from the floor, pulling several times with effort before extracting his head from the wooden planks.
Watching his troublesome disciple with a ring of floorboards around his neck, resembling an Australian frilled lizard, Yamamoto felt an urge to strangle Komamura.
"This is a sensory mark I left using Ryūjin Jakka."
"If you encounter an unbeatable situation, channel your Reiatsu into this mark and find a way to buy time."
"Whether you run away or surrender, hold out until I arrive."
"Even if the Zero Division truly intends to move against you, with me here, I can ensure your escape."
Hearing Yamamoto's words, Satoru's eyes widened.
Of everything said since entering the room, these words shocked him the most.
For Yamamoto, rules were paramount.
This was the same Yamamoto who, to carry out Central 46's orders, had once blinded himself and erased his emotions. Yet now he was saying he'd defy the Zero Division's will to save him...
For a moment, Satoru was overwhelmed with emotion.
"Master..."
"Hmm?"
Seeing Satoru's moved expression, Yamamoto felt a small sense of satisfaction.
This troublesome brat occasionally showed some gratitude after all.
Under his gaze, Satoru sighed:
"I truly am a man burdened with sin."
"Even the Demon Yamamoto has been captivated by my charm, willing to turn against the Zero Division for me..."
"Just thinking about the entire Soul Society, even the Three Realms, fighting over me makes my heart ache..."
"?!"
Blood pressure rising.
Outside the First Division barracks, patrolling Shinigami walked along the streets.
Suddenly, a massive explosion made everyone jump.
Turning in surprise, they saw a huge fire cloud erupt from the First Division barracks, a figure being blasted away and disappearing into the horizon.
Oh, it's just Captain Satoru.
"Notify the engineering squad to repair the Captain-Commander's study."
"Everyone else, continue patrol!"
With relieved expressions, they turned their backs to the flames dyeing the sky red and continued forward with smiles.
...
...
While Satoru was enthusiastically preparing for his journey to the Soul King Palace, Aizen slowly entered a room.
Half of the room was shrouded in shadows.
There, several figures could vaguely be seen.
Aizen closed the door behind him and turned to face them.
His eyes were hidden behind the glare of his glasses.
"Kaname, Gin, Sajin, Mayuri."
"And... Isshin."
"Welcome, to mine and Satoru's territory."
Territory?
Hearing Aizen's choice of words, each person showed different expressions.
Isshin and Komamura appeared confused.
Gin and Tōsen seemed thoughtful.
"Lord Aizen, I don't understand what you mean."
"This is clearly Rukongai, territory of the Soul Society. How can you call it your territory?"
Komamura, straightforward as ever, was the first to question.
Aizen adjusted his glasses and prepared to speak.
Before he could answer, Gin chuckled softly:
"Vice-Captain Aizen, those details aren't important."
"I just want to know... what did you mean earlier when you said you'd show me what Satoru is truly doing?"
Tōsen gave an almost imperceptible nod.
He wanted to ask the same question as Gin.
Under their collective gaze, Aizen's lips curved slightly upward.
"Patience, Gin."
"The question you ask is fundamentally the same as Sajin's inquiry."
He raised a hand, extending a finger toward the sky.
With this motion, a spatial tear suddenly ripped open behind him with a tearing sound.
Then, like a monster opening its maw, it violently expanded!
An abyssal darkness emerged from the opening.
"Garganta?!"
Seeing this, Komamura exclaimed in surprise.
His hand instinctively went to the hilt of his sword.
Mayuri sneered.
"Such theatrics. Even I can open a mere Garganta."
Aizen neither confirmed nor denied this, simply turning to step inside.
"If you all wish to know everything, then follow me."
Watching Aizen enter the Garganta and gradually disappear into the distance, everyone showed hesitant expressions.
The Garganta existed between two worlds—if anything went wrong inside, one could fall into endless temporal turbulence, never to escape.
Under their watchful eyes, Aizen paused and looked back at them.
"If you don't trust me, then trust Satoru."
"In this world, only I... will never betray him."
Having said this, he offered no further explanation, turning to continue onward.
The next moment, a figure leaped in after him.
It was Isshin.
His eyebrows were drawn together, his entire demeanor radiating determination.
Among all present, he had the most contact with Aizen—even Mayuri, who frequently discussed research with Aizen, hadn't spent as much time with him.
Toward Aizen, he had always maintained respect and admiration.
Even if Aizen intended to do something terrible, he would still follow.
At worst, he would consider it repaying a debt of gratitude!
Following Isshin, Tōsen also entered.
Though he didn't trust Aizen, he knew Satoru had absolute faith in him.
Therefore, he could place his trust in Aizen too.
One by one, the others followed, with Mayuri Kurotsuchi being the last.
Ichimaru Gin smiled, his hand casually resting on his sword hilt.
If Aizen truly intended anything malicious, despite the considerable distance between them, he remained confident he could pierce through Aizen's body in a thousandth of a second!
After walking through the long Garganta, they saw light.
Silvery moonlight shone upon silvery sand dunes, reflecting a desolate hue.
"Is this... Hueco Mundo?"
Shiba Isshin exclaimed in surprise.
Komamura raised his head, frowning as he surveyed their surroundings.
This never-before-seen landscape made his fur stand on end, making him appear almost larger.
"Lord Aizen, what exactly do you intend to show us?"
Mayuri narrowed his eyes as he posed the question.
Aizen chuckled softly.
"What I want to show you is already here."
As his words faded, a figure accompanied by the crackling sound of tearing space suddenly appeared before them.
One of the Three Great Espada—Starkk!
Then, another figure materialized behind the group.
One of the Three Great Espada—Tier Harribel!
Swish! Swish! Swish!
Under the astonished gazes of everyone, one powerful Reiatsu after another, carrying terrifying oppressive force, appeared within their perception.
In the blink of an eye, the surrounding sand dunes and sky were filled with figures clad in white uniforms, with swords at their waists.
After carefully sensing the strength of these individuals, Komamura couldn't help but suck in a sharp breath.
Among so many people, the weakest were at vice-captain level, with no shortage of captain-level existences among them.
This is Hueco Mundo?
Is Hueco Mundo really such a terrifying place?!
Breaking out in cold sweat, he turned to look at Aizen.
Under everyone's watchful eyes, Aizen slowly ascended a sand dune.
Then, he spread open his arms.
"Let me repeat."
"Everyone, welcome to... my and Satoru's territory!"
...
...
Today was the day to ascend to the Soul King Palace, and Satoru had been too excited to sleep well last night.
Early in the morning, he rushed to the First Division barracks, ready to ascend to the heavens.
Instead, he received a notice instructing him to gather at the Shiba Clan's residence.
Satoru was baffled.
Why the Shiba Clan?
Were they planning some kind of farewell ceremony?
Swaggering with an air of unrivaled confidence, Satoru entered the Shiba estate.
The Shiba Clan's courtyard was tiny—not just compared to the Kuchiki or Tsunayashiro estates, but even minor noble families had more impressive courtyards.
No wonder many nobles privately criticized the Shiba Clan for "disgracing their status."
"Isshin! Isshin!"
Striding into the courtyard, Satoru shouted at the top of his lungs.
"Where are you? Why aren't you coming out to greet me? Looking down on your old buddy from the countryside?"
"Don't worry! This year's harvest was good—I won't be mooching off you!"
Amid his shouts, a figure hurried out.
"Captain Satoru!"
Satoru turned toward the voice.
At the sight, he froze momentarily.
It was a young Shinigami, handsome with a bright, sunny smile.
His messy black hair stood up in all directions, like a hedgehog perched on his head.
Seeing this Shinigami, the first thought that popped into Satoru's mind was "Ichigo Kurosaki."
From that, he naturally deduced the person's identity.
"Shiba Kaien... Hmm, not bad. Vice-captain level Reiatsu. Worthy of noble blood."
Satoru crossed his arms and nodded.
Hearing this, Shiba Kaien looked surprised.
"Captain Satoru actually recognizes me?"
He grinned, showing a happy smile.
"Of course, of course. I even know what you look like after fusing with a Hollow..."
Satoru laughed heartily, casually glossing over the latter part of his sentence.
"Why is the young master of the main family out here greeting me? Where's Isshin?"
"Captain Satoru, Uncle went to the Fifth Division for training. He's not home today."
Shiba Kaien replied respectfully.
Satoru made an understanding sound and nodded.
Then, his eyes widened suddenly.
"Wait... What did you call Isshin? Uncle?"
"Yes, Uncle Isshin is the child of the third grandfather from the branch family."
"But you two aren't that far apart in age. Are you sure he's not your cousin or something?"
Shiba Kaien smiled wryly. "Family hierarchy... There's no helping it. Even if we're close in age, an uncle is still an uncle. That won't change."
Satoru nodded.
True, being only one generation apart wasn't so bad. Before he transmigrated, he'd even seen two kids the same age in his village who were grandfather and grandson.
Following Shiba Kaien into the inner courtyard, he finally understood why they had to gather at the Shiba Clan today.
To travel from the Soul Society to the Soul King Palace, a special vehicle was required.
A pillar-like object called the "Heavenly Pillar Chariot."
The Heavenly Pillar Chariot itself wasn't remarkable—it could just hold people and had no propulsion system.
To make the chariot fly, soar through over seventy layers of barriers, and finally land in the Soul King Palace, they had to use the Shiba Clan's heirloom super cannon to shoot the pillar upward.
"Tsk, tsk, what kind of transportation is this... If it misses, won't it crash right into the Soul King Palace?"
Shinji Hirako walked over from the side.
His hands tucked in his sleeves, he couldn't resist complaining.
At the same time, he glanced at Satoru, curious about his reaction.
He saw Satoru's eyes gleaming, his breathing quickened, looking utterly thrilled.
"A human cannon? I never thought the Soul Society had such fun toys!"
"When it launches later, I must be by the window to carefully appreciate and feel the experience!"
Hearing this, Shiba Kaien gave an awkward smile.
"Sorry, Captain Satoru, the Heavenly Pillar Carriage doesn't have windows..."
Satoru was shocked, disappointed, and bewildered.
A completely sealed pillar—no matter how thrilling it might be, what did it have to do with him?
Even the Calabash Brothers being sealed in a furnace to refine elixirs had better treatment than this!
Satoru's favorability toward the Soul King Palace decreased by 5 points.
Just as he was in despair, a Captain's Haori came floating over.
"Yo, reckless brat."
"Yo, Auntie Haori."
"?"
Shutara was enraged, controlling the haori to charge at Satoru.
"Perfect timing! My spirit is wounded and I'm craving blood!"
Just as Kirio was about to come over to greet them, she saw the man and the haori already engaged in battle.
During their exchange of attacks and defenses, Shutara seized an opportunity, twisting through Satoru's assault at an angle impossible for a human, and wrapped his head up with a whoosh.
"Hah, thinking you can defeat me by covering my eyes?"
"We old Asuras don't fall for that trick!"
As he spoke, Satoru raised both hands to tear off the cloth covering his face.
But before he could complete the motion, Shutara's voice sounded in his ear—
"Brat, remember this when you go to the Soul King Palace this time: absolutely don't say things you shouldn't say, or do things you shouldn't do."
"Especially... any topics related to the Soul King or the operation of the Three Realms."
"If you're asked about these things, you must show a satisfied attitude and say you're willing to protect the existing order."
"These aren't things I should be saying, but after interacting with you a few times, you seem somewhat interesting, so I'll give you this advice to prevent you from dying too early..."
After speaking, without waiting for Satoru's response, the white haori released him and whooshed away into the distance.
Not long after, Shiba Shota arrived, announcing that the Human Cannon had been calibrated and was ready.
Satoru, Shinji, Kirio, and the haori controlled by Shutara all entered a massive pillar together.
The members of the Shiba Clan worked together to load the pillar into the cannon.
With a thunderous roar, the pillar shot skyward, straight into the clouds!
At the First Division barracks, under the eaves of the corridor, Yamamoto stood with both hands on his cane, looking up at the sky.
His gaze was somewhat grave as he watched the flying pillar with its long trail of smoke disappear into the horizon.
The early autumn wind blew past, causing his haori to flutter and snap loudly.
Chōjirō Sasakibe stood nearby, quietly watching the man he served.
I hope everything goes smoothly...