Return to Soul Society

That's Sōsuke Aizen!

However, Xuanxin did not speak, but continued to slash towards Yammy.

Just as the blade was only centimeters away from Yammy, Aizen's cold incantation rang out once more.

"Hadō #90: The Kurohitsugi"

In an instant, Xuanxin was trapped inside a black cube, but this time the black cube lasted for a few seconds less than before.

Although he could only hold off Xuanxin for a few seconds, those few seconds were enough for a powerhouse of Aizen's caliber.

When Xuanxin broke out of the coffin, he looked up and saw that another Negación had descended from the sky, Yammy, and slowly rising into the sky.

Watching the three pillars of light slowly rise into the sky, Xuanxin couldn't help but feel a surge of anger. This was the second time someone had escaped from his blade!

Aizen!

Suddenly, Xuanxin looked up at Aizen, then swung his Zanpakuto fiercely, sending a massive sword aura soaring into the night sky.

But in the end, it was still a step too late; the Garganta closed almost at the same time the sword energy arrived.

The sword energy collided with the Garganta, unleashing a dazzling burst of light!

In an instant, the entire darkness of Karakura Town was illuminated by light.

If the light hadn't lasted only a moment, the ordinary people in Karakura Town might have thought that yet another "little boy" had come to Japan.

Half an hour later, inside Xuanxin's stronghold, Xuanxin addressed the crowd with a grave expression:

"Yoruichi, you, Renji Rukia, and the others should stay in the World of the Living to protect Orihime. Rangiku and I will go back and be back soon. There are many plans that need to be changed. Perhaps taking the initiative, as you said, is the right decision."

After saying Xuanxin, along with Rangiku, headed towards the Senkaimon without looking back.

Chapter 98 Return to Soul Society

However, compared to the tense Yoruichi, Ichigo, and the others, the atmosphere in Las Noches, far away in Hueco Mundo, was even more silent.

Aizen sat on the throne, toying with the Hōgyoku that Yammy had risked his life to bring back. He looked down the steps at Yammy, who was only one step away from death, and at Kaname Tōsen, who was kneeling on one knee, without saying a word.

Everyone in Hueco Mundo knew about Yammy's abilities, but they never expected that Yammy would be beaten to such a state simply for a routine mission to the World of the Living.

"It seems the opponent isn't someone so easy to deal with," Starrk.

After hearing Starrk's words, the group exchanged glances and nodded in agreement.

After Aizen saw that the arrogance in his subordinates' eyes had faded somewhat, and since the purpose of his warning had been achieved, there was no need for him to say anything more. After all, those who had reached this stage were not fools.

He waved his hand, signaling Ulquiorra to take the dying Yammy to receive treatment, since it was only a near-death situation and could still be saved.

Upon hearing Aizen's words, Ulquiorra nodded almost imperceptibly, then called Grimmjow to take Yammy down for treatment.

With the departure of Ulquiorra and Yammy, everyone's attention in the hall now focused on Kaname Tōsen, who was still kneeling on the ground.

Feeling the disapproving gazes from those around him, Kaname Tōsen stiffened even more.

However, since Kaname Tōsen was brought by Aizen, the others couldn't directly criticize Kaname Tōsen.

Grimmjow, the only Espada who was known for his straightforwardness, was also taken away by Ulquiorra beforehand, hence the astonishing silence in Las Noches Espada.

Just then, Aizen's magnetic voice came from above everyone's heads.

"Yes, you are the most trusted subordinate I brought from Soul Society, and this is your first mission. So, do you have anything to explain?"

Upon hearing Aizen's seemingly calm words, sweat instantly streamed down Kaname Tōsen's forehead.

He knew that although Aizen was not angry at this moment, the accusations in his words were already clear. If his next words could not satisfy Aizen, his future fate would probably not be much better than that of Kūgo Ginjō.

"Lord Aizen, I had already infiltrated the target's room, but that girl suddenly unleashed a burst of power, and even with all my strength, I couldn't break through that light shield."

Upon hearing Kaname Tōsen's words, a look of understanding flashed in Aizen's eyes, and then he tapped the throne beneath him with his fingers.

Meanwhile, the surrounding Espada were intrigued by Kaname Tōsen's words. Just as everyone was about to ask for details, Aizen suddenly spoke up:

"That's true, but that's no excuse for your failure. However, since this is your first time, I'll let you off the hook for now."

Upon hearing Kaname Tōsen raised his head as if granted a pardon and looked at Aizen, but Kaname Tōsen saw was Aizen's eyes hidden behind his glasses.

He coldly swept his gaze across the diverse expressions of the crowd below the throne, and said in a calm yet authoritative voice:

"This is the first and the last time. Yes, and you all... I don't want to see your ugly and despicable behavior again."

Having said that, he didn't look at anyone else again, and walked into the darkness with the Hōgyoku in his hand.

Although it was just a quick glance, everyone knew that this warning wasn't just directed at Kaname Tōsen, but at all of them.

Having figured all this out, the Espada left one after another, leaving only Kaname Tōsen kneeling in the same spot in the huge palace, not moving for a long time.

Similarly, Xuanxin, who had just returned to Soul Society with Rangiku, did not linger at all.

Regardless of the fact that it was late at night, she took Rangiku directly to the Captain-Commander's office and woke Captain-Commander up from his sleep.

At first, the Captain-Commander looked helpless, but when he heard that Aizen had created a new Hōgyoku, the old man immediately perked up and then immediately notified all the captains to hold an emergency meeting.

Before long, all the captains arrived at the meeting room, still half asleep. Even Jūshirō Ukitake, who rarely attended captains' meetings, made a rare appearance.

Seeing all the team leaders present, the old man slammed his cane down hard, the crisp tapping sound completely waking up the sleepy parts of everyone.

"Alright, this emergency meeting was proposed by the Second Division Captain, Shihoin Genshin. Let him handle the rest."

Seeing the old man dump the work on him, Xuanxin cleared his throat and stood beside him. Then he and Rangiku told everyone what had happened in the World of the Living.

Upon hearing this, everyone displayed a variety of expressions.

Especially Jūshirō Ukitake, whose face became even more bitter after hearing the name Kūgo Ginjō. Unohana's gaze kept shifting between Rangiku and Xuanxin, her eyes filled with scrutiny.

As Xuanxin's explanation became more in-depth, the expressions on everyone's faces grew increasingly solemn.

A monster with regenerative abilities, a Hollow with the strength of a captain, and even that Hollow having something resembling Zanpakuto —it all sounds like the ramblings of a drunkard.

But Xuanxin's serious expression told them that all of this was real.

While everyone was still pondering, Shunsui Kyōraku, who was standing in the group, suddenly stepped forward and asked:

"So, Captain Shihoin, what do you want to do? I think if you're just telling us this, you probably won't wake us up until the middle of the night."

Upon hearing this, everyone turned their attention to Xuanxin once again.

Xuanxin nodded and said, "Just as Senior Brother said, I do have an idea, but it needs to be discussed by everyone, which is why I called you all here."

Then, Xuanxin said, slowly and deliberately, "I want to launch a great expedition and launch a preemptive counterattack against Hueco Mundo."

Upon hearing Xuanxin's words, everyone, including Old Man Yamamoto, showed a hint of surprise. Before anyone else could ask a question, Old Man Yamamoto asked directly:

"Reason."

"I believe that Aizen has just obtained the Hōgyoku, and mastering Hōgyoku will take time, so now is the best time to launch a counterattack."

Upon hearing Xuanxin's words, everyone began to ponder and consider the feasibility of this matter.

Seeing everyone deep in thought, Xuanxin didn't rush them, because he knew he had to completely convince everyone, otherwise any problem in any link could become Aizen's breakthrough point.

At this moment, the Vice-Captain Sasakibe led a team of soldiers and placed a chair behind each captain, inviting everyone to sit down and discuss the matter carefully.

Ukitake, who had been quiet all along, suddenly asked Mayuri Kurotsuchi a question:

"Captain Mayuri Kurotsuchi, your Twelfth Division has been observing Hueco Mundo. We wonder how stable the space around Hueco Mundo is. If it's a large-scale operation, the stability of the passageways is something we must pay attention to."

Upon hearing Mayuri Kurotsuchi gave a light snort and said proudly, "Of course, we have been observing the space between Hueco Mundo. Although the space does not currently support the maintenance of a passage for a long time, I naturally have a way to deal with it."

"Give me another month, and my work will be finished. By then, the problem of unstable space will no longer be an issue."

"Looks like it'll take another four to five weeks? That should be fine. But if we add Kisuke Urahara to that..."

But before Xuanxin could finish speaking, Mayuri Kurotsuchi suddenly bristled and said:

"Five weeks?! I said one month, and that's it! You just wait and see! Do you think I'll be outdone by that guy?!"

After saying Mayuri Kurotsuchi out the door and returned to the Shinigami Research and Development Institute to accelerate his research.

Watching Mayuri Kurotsuchi suddenly leave, Shunsui smiled and said, "Oh dear, it seems it won't take more than two weeks."

Upon hearing Shunsui's words, everyone exchanged helpless glances before resuming their discussion.

The discussions at the meeting continued from night until the early morning of the third day.

The entire conference room followed a repetitive rhythm: identify a problem, discuss it, propose a solution, and then raise the next problem.

This process was repeated repeatedly, meticulously refining the F2A-only project proposal into every possible angle.

While the efficiency was astonishing, the fatigue accumulated by everyone was also very real.

Seeing that Ukitake's face was growing paler, Captain-Commander Yamamoto finally called a halt to the meeting, telling everyone to go back and rest, and to continue refining the operational details the next day.

Otherwise, the old man was truly afraid that before even setting out on the campaign or meeting Aizen, he would have to hold Soul Burial ceremony for his disciple.

Upon hearing this, everyone left the Captain-Commander's office and returned to their respective squads to rest.

However, this discussion, which lasted for two days and three nights, did indeed cause a slight ripple in aristocratic circles.

The nobles were once again in a state of fear, worried that the Shihoin Clan might do something to them again.

When this news reached the Shihoin Clan, Xuanxin sneered to himself:

These guys really only care about their own interests. Looks like I need to give them a good warning.

Thinking of this, Xuanxin clapped his hands and summoned Soi Fon, who had been waiting outside. Then, he casually tossed a letter onto the table and instructed Soi Fon:

Before Soi Fon tonight, I want this letter to appear 'quietly' on the bedside table of every head of a major or minor noble family in Soul Society.

Whether they are vassals of the Shihoin or collateral branches of the Kuchiki Clan, none should be overlooked.

I want them to know as soon as they open their eyes that in this war, anyone who dares to hold me back will have their entire family's necks chopped off by my blade.

Upon hearing Xuanxin's words, Soi Fon was initially taken aback but quickly regained her composure. She then respectfully took the letter and left to carry out the mission.

That very night, just as Xuanxin had wished, Xuanxin's handwritten letter appeared on the tables of all the noble patriarchs.

After reading it, the heads of the various families wisely instructed their own members to keep a low profile and not cause trouble.

With the final internal "conflicts" eliminated and the battle plan officially finalized, all troops are now preparing for this great expedition.

Thanks to Xuanxin's reforms over the years, preparations for the expedition were quickly completed, and now everyone was waiting for news from Mayuri Kurotsuchi.

Unsurprisingly, the experiment encountered an unexpected problem.

Perhaps Mayuri Kurotsuchi was too impatient, or perhaps it was fate, but just when the experiment was making a major breakthrough, the explosion once again postponed the expedition.

Seeing the ashen-faced Mayuri Kurotsuchi, Xuanxin sighed, then sent a message to the people in the World of the Living.

Let Yoruichi bring Ichigo and the others to Soul Society, since no one knows Aizen Ichigo make a move again.

When life is threatened, academic studies don't seem so important anymore.

Upon hearing this, Ichigo and the others happily agreed. After all, what could be more appealing to a few high school students than a vacation?

Yoruichi quickly returned to Soul Society with Ichigo and the others, while the Urahara Shop in the World of the Living was left to be looked after by Shinji Hirako and the others, since they couldn't just leave the shop unattended!

The task of guarding Karakura Town was not abandoned immediately, but was temporarily handed over to Gin Ichimaru.