"It's different. Renji is my Lieutenant. His affairs are also my affairs."
Byakuya said seriously. "That is the relationship between a Captain and their Lieutenant."
"Often, a qualified Lieutenant is the Captain's successor, carrying on their ideals. Renji is undoubtedly such a person." Byakuya explained.
"Saying it like that, it does seem true..." Sora recalled the original work.
Just like Hisagi Shuhei. Even though Tosen had betrayed Seireitei, Hisagi still inherited Tosen's sense of justice.
A Captain in Soul Society, no matter how flawed, is someone who has achieved Bankai, and Bankai is the truth of one's soul.
Someone who has realized their own truth appears as a genuine article to those who haven't achieved Bankai.
Fakes are naturally drawn to the genuine. That was a natural occurrence.
So, after Byakuya's explanation, Sora had no further questions.
…
Soon, the time for the advance arrived!
All thirteen divisions of the Gotei 13 were assembled beneath the Sokyoku Hill.
Looking at the assembled crowd, his accumulated military strength over a millennium, Yamamoto nodded with satisfaction.
Then, he raised his hand and ordered: "All forces, advance!"
With Yamamoto's command, Sora also slashed his hand through the air in front of him.
Swoosh!
A hole tore open, and the scenery of another world came into view!
"Forward!" Yamamoto gave the order.
The divisions entered the Wandenreich.
According to the earlier plan, all thirteen divisions mobilized, following designated routes towards the Ice Palace.
Only reserve forces like the 10th, 6th, and 13th Divisions remained behind.
But just as the Seireitei forces advanced according to plan, Yhwach had also made his preparations.
Using his own abilities and the advantage of terrain, Yhwach descended upon their main camp!
Boom—
An unprecedented wave of Reiatsu swept across the world!
"Yhwach!" Looking at the suddenly appearing Yhwach, feeling that familiar Reiatsu, Yamamoto's gaze sharpened.
"It really is you. I thought I had burned you to ashes a thousand years ago."
"I didn't expect you to truly revive. I thought it might be another man bearing the name Yhwach!"
Yamamoto said gravely.
"Heh heh, Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni, since you haven't died, how could I?" Yhwach smiled slightly before everyone.
But looking at Yamamoto himself, Yhwach was a bit puzzled: "Has Soul Society's technology advanced again? How come you haven't aged at all?"
"Hahaha! Of course I haven't aged. I've become a member of Zero Division!" Staring intently at Yhwach, Yamamoto smiled. "You didn't think you could just wait for me to die of old age, did you?"
"I didn't have such thoughts..." Yhwach scoffed.
But such things were unpredictable!
Even if he didn't have such thoughts, in reality, Yhwach had been preparing for just that.
Unfortunately, his preparations had now been shattered.
He was puzzled by the unexpected situation and how his Wandenreich had been discovered.
But now was not the time to dwell on such matters.
"As long as I kill you, your Seireitei will crumble like a house of cards, Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni. Do you dare face me in the battle we didn't finish a thousand years ago?"
Facing Genryusai, Yhwach issued a challenge for a one-on-one duel.
Hearing this challenge, Ukitake looked at Genryusai, wanting to stop him.
But how could Yamamoto refuse?
"Come, Yhwach. Let me see how much you've improved over these years."
Drawing his Ryujin Jakka, Yamamoto walked forward.
Seeing this, Sora became interested.
Opportunities to see Yamamoto personally fight were rare. Besides, he now possessed Ryujin Jakka himself, though he was used to using Hyorinmaru.
Watching Yamamoto to learn the usage of Ryujin Jakka wouldn't be bad either!
At that moment, Yamamoto and Yhwach clashed.
Yamamoto waved his hand, and a pillar of fire that warped the air and evaporated all moisture roared towards Yhwach!
An attack using Ryujin Jakka could probably incinerate even a mountain range.
But facing Yamamoto's attack, Yhwach showed no fear.
Yhwach raised his hand to block, and Yamamoto's attack vanished as if it had encountered a nullifier.
However, Yamamoto knew that this wasn't his attack being blocked.
It was being absorbed.
But precisely because of this, Yamamoto was very dismissive.
"No improvement after all these years, Yhwach."