Setsuna closed his eyes, sensing the earth-shattering changes within his body.
The evolution of the Gourmet Cell had brought about a comprehensive elevation in his very lifeform.
His Reiatsu, propelled by that surging life force and the principles of gastronomy, flowed naturally like water finding its course, crossing that seemingly unbreakable wall… the limit of 1st-Class Reiryoku!
Setsuna perceived it clearly: After 1st-Class Reiryoku came the end. Not the end of power, but the end of the classification system.
The Soul Society's classification of Shinigami Reiryoku reached its peak at 1st-Class.
Because 1st-Class Reiryoku already represented the pinnacle of Reishi Control and quality among Captain-level figures.
Beyond that point, it was no longer simple accumulation of quantity or purification of quality. It was a fundamental transcendence, touching the roots of the world and breaking the inherent shackles of life itself.
Setsuna named this realm the [Transcendent].
It signified that the soul's chains were completely unlocked, and the potential of the spiritual body had no theoretical upper limit.
One could, like the universe itself, continuously absorb, transform, evolve, and strengthen without end.
In Setsuna's view, this realm was very similar to the 'limiter' that Saitama in One-Punch Man had removed… both transcended the limits of life.
Relatively speaking, however, the 'limiter' Saitama removed was more comprehensive, encompassing both body and soul. For now, Setsuna had only surpassed the limit on the soul level.
Moreover, Setsuna also understood that among those in the [Transcendent] realm, there were still distinctions of strength.
This was merely a starting point, a true gateway to 'infinite possibilities'.
Setsuna slowly opened his eyes. The aura that had caused disturbances in the Reishi Environment gradually receded, settling into calmness. Yet his very presence seemed even more profound and unfathomable.
"S-Setsuna-nii? How do you feel?" Aizen was the first to speak. The gaze behind his glasses held unprecedented fervor and curiosity.
He could clearly sense the completely different level Setsuna now occupied.
Setsuna smiled faintly. "I seem to have transcended 1st-Class Reiryoku. Perhaps it could be called the [Transcendent] realm."
This brief statement from Setsuna stirred a tremendous wave in the hearts of the others, 'Transcending 1st-Class Reiryoku?'
Even Yoruichi, the future head of the Shihoin Clan, had never heard of such a thing.
"How strong are you now?" Kenpachi licked the corner of his mouth, his gaze blazing with intensity.
"My Reiatsu has only increased by about two or three times," Setsuna said with a light chuckle and a shake of his head. "After all, I've only just entered this realm. The increase is still limited."
The others couldn't help but draw in a sharp breath. Before his breakthrough, Setsuna's strength could already be said to be unparalleled in the Soul Society. To increase by two or three times on that foundation… just how powerful would that be?
Yoruichi couldn't help but ask, "Doesn't that make you invincible?"
"Still far from it," Setsuna shook his head slightly. "The Captain-Commander should also be in this realm. And there should be others in the Zero Division who have reached it as well."
Hearing Setsuna mention the Captain-Commander and the mysterious Zero Division, the fervor in the others' hearts cooled slightly.
The Zero Division was hard to say, but the Captain-Commander's strength was truly undeniable. Although he rarely made a move, they could all clearly sense that immense power.
There were even rumors that the Captain-Commander could cause Lieutenant-level Shinigami to freeze in terror through Reiatsu alone.
Previously, they hadn't understood why the gap was so vast. But now it seemed, it was entirely because the Captain-Commander's Reiatsu had entered another realm entirely.
"It seems the waters of the Soul Society run deeper than we imagined," Aizen said, quite thoughtfully.
Setsuna smiled. "Regardless, the future belongs to us."
…
Late at night, somewhere within the Kasumioji Clan's hidden underground facility.
In a relatively tidy room at the center of the facility, the atmosphere was stifling to the point of suffocation.
A middle-aged Shinigami, wearing a Shinigami uniform and bearing clear marks of Bakudo restraints, was tightly bound to a specially made metal chair.
Bruises marked his face, blood stained the corner of his mouth, but his gaze remained as sharp as a blade, filled with unyielding defiance and anger.
Before him stood two people.
One was Kasumioji Yuka, whose features were comely but whose eyes were sinister and insane. The other was Tsunayashiro Tokinada.
A subtle, almost imperceptible stiffness still lingered in his movements, indicating his previous injuries hadn't fully healed. But this did nothing to dampen his current good mood.
Several retainers of the Kasumioji Clan stood by with hands at their sides, their expressions a mix of deference and ruthlessness.
Tokinada paced before the imprisoned middle-aged Shinigami, bending slightly and adopting a tone of feigned surprise: "Oh my, my, isn't this the Captain-Commander Yamamoto's prized disciple, the highly anticipated 1st Division's officer, Kisaragi Shin'etsu-sama? My deepest apologies."
He straightened up, turning to Yuka and the nearby retainers. His tone carried a hint of reproach, but the smile on his face only deepened: "You all are being far too reckless! Is this any way to 'invite' Kisaragi-sama? If word of this gets out, won't it make the Captain-Commander Yamamoto misunderstand our lack of decorum?"
One retainer stepped forward and stated solemnly, "Tokinada-sama, this man secretly infiltrated the core workshop area of our Kasumioji Clan, attempting to steal confidential clan's information. He was caught red-handed. We too would very much like to know just how Captain-Commander Yamamoto instructs his disciples, to engage in such skulduggery!"
"Stealing confidential information?" The bound Shin'etsu let out a cold laugh. "Your Kasumioji Clan secretly captures souls from the Rukongai, and even abducts low-ranking Shinigami, subjecting them to inhumane Reiryoku extraction and forbidden experiments! Do you truly think the Gotei 13 are blind? It was precisely because Sensei sensed something amiss that he ordered me to infiltrate and investigate! Don't think you can cover the sky with one hand. Your time is short!"
Upon hearing this, the madness in Yuka's eyes intensified: "Another one... another self-righteous fool! To dare oppose the nobility for the sake of those ant-like commoners? Being able to contribute their paltry Reiryoku and lives to the great research of the Kasumioji Clan is an honor those commoners couldn't earn in several lifetimes! What do you know?"
Tokinada stood by, observing coldly. He thought to himself: 'This woman seems to have completely darkened after Sato Taishi's death. Good. A pawn like this is easier to use, and more reckless about the consequences.'
He lightly clapped his hands, drawing everyone's attention.
"Alright, Yuka-dono, there's no need to be angry," Tokinada's voice remained gentle. "Kisaragi-sama does have a point. As things stand, it's true that we cannot afford to completely sever ties with the entire Gotei 13, especially Captain-Commander Yamamoto. A direct conflict would be disadvantageous for us."
He shifted his tone, a flicker of malice flashing in his eyes. "However, for Captain-Commander Yamamoto to extend his reach so far, directly sending someone to investigate internal noble affairs… that in itself is an affront and a warning. If we do not respond, won't it make the nobility appear weak and easily bullied? Therefore, a necessary reciprocal gesture and warning are still in order."
He looked at Shin'etsu, his smile turning eerie. "And for this warning to be 'conveyed' by his beloved disciple… wouldn't that be most fitting? The effect would also be particularly striking."