Their Respective Views

Rewind to a little over an hour earlier, when Ye Yang was fighting Kenpachi, Seireien were swirling within the Shizuo Reigen squad. First Division, Yamamoto, sipping tea, said to his vice-captain, "Chōjirō, you sensed it too, didn't you..."

Chōjirō Sasakibe was slightly taken aback, and after sensing the collision of the two Spiritual Pressures, he nodded and said, "Such powerful Spiritual Pressure. If I'm not mistaken, one of them should be Kenpachi Zaraki. Only he could possess such astonishing Spiritual Pressure. But who is the other one? How can someone possess Spiritual Pressure comparable to Captain Zaraki? They seem quite familiar with each other though."

"Who else could it be? It's naturally that little guy from the Shihoin Clan. I said back then that this kid was no ordinary person, but I didn't expect that he would have grown to this extent after returning from Hueco Mundo fifty years ago." Yamamoto sighed and continued to drink his tea.

Sasakibe couldn't help but ask, "Genryūsai, how strong is he now?"

"Have no idea"

"Have no idea?"

Yamamoto slowly shook his head. "Before he went to Hueco Mundo, I could see through his strength, but since he came back, I can't see through him anymore. His Spiritual Pressure is sometimes strong and sometimes weak, and sometimes it even feels like he has no Spiritual Pressure at all. I can't figure out his current strength either, but judging from the level of his fight with Kenpachi, he should be among the top combatants of the Seireien."

"What! You mean his strength has reached the level of Captain Kyōraku and Captain Ukitake? But I think he's on par with Captain Zaraki!" Sasakibe exclaimed in surprise. Currently, the top combat power of the Seireien is no more than five people: Captain-Commander Shigekuni Yamamoto-Genryūsai, Eighth Division Captain Shunsui Kyōraku, Thirteenth Division Captain Jūshirō Ukitake, Fourth Division Captain Retsu Unohana, and Tenth Division Captain Isshin Shiba.

Unohana is currently a medical staff member and not participating in combat. Ukitake's health has been a persistent problem for him, which means Ye Yang is already ranked among the top five fighters in the Seireien. Although he's still missing one person— Sōsuke Aizen!

Yamamoto sighed softly, "Fighting Kenpachi Zaraki to a standstill? You underestimate him too much. His Zanpakuto is effective against all direct-attack Zanpakuto. He probably wouldn't be able to use his Zanpakuto Kenpachi Zaraki, especially since he hasn't even used his Bankai yet!"

"As for his strength," Yamamoto thought for a moment and said, "Ukitake has been ill for many years and is probably no match for him. Perhaps Shunsui can contend with him. In the entire Soul Society, the only ones who can surpass him are probably myself and Captain Unohana... Kenpachi Zaraki, if he regains his former power, perhaps he can win."

Sasakibe interjected. "You mean Shihoin will win this battle?"

Yamamoto didn't say anything more. His meaning was already very clear.

The Fifth Division Captain's Office. If any members were to enter at this moment, they would only see Captain Aizen carefully reviewing documents; of course, this was merely Kyōka Suigetsu.

The truth was that the captain of the Fifth Division was seriously practicing calligraphy. At this moment, he lacked his usual approachable demeanor. His calm face revealed no expression. Even his clumsy glasses couldn't conceal the subtle kingly aura he exuded. He seemed like a born king.

His handwriting was also different from usual; as the saying goes, a person's handwriting reflects their character, and his characters exuded an unyielding domineering aura that brooked no resistance. At the same time, they carried a hint of loneliness, for a true king is inherently lonely!

Beside him stood a Captain-level figure dressed in a white haori, with flowing silver hair—none other than Gin Ichimaru.

Aizen asked, "Gin, what do you think of what I wrote?" Five large characters were written on the paper, "The higher you climb, the colder it gets!"

"Captain Aizen, is it really lonely standing at such a high place?" Gin still had that same smiling face.

Aizen shook his head. "I don't know, but I will find out!" His tone was unusually firm, as if he were stating a fact.

"That's why I stood next to Captain Aizen, isn't it? I also wanted to see the view from up there..."

"How's things going in Hueco Mundo?" Aizen didn't bring up that question again, instead inquiring about the situation in Hueco Mundo, since their forces there would be their capital in their fight against Soul Society.

Silver: "Nothing's changed. Baraggan has declared his allegiance, but he's certainly not loyal. However, it doesn't matter. Ulquiorra should be able to handle the situation there. We've already sent Nelliel and Nnoitra to search extensively for Vasto Lorde in Hueco Mundo, but we haven't found anything. We do have a few qualified Adjuchas, though."

Aizen nodded and said, "Continue the search. Once the great war begins, only the Vasto-class Menos Grande will be of great use, so we must develop Hueco Mundo's power as soon as possible."

"Yes, Captain Aizen, but are you really not concerned about the great battle that's currently underway?" Gin asked with a grin, sensing the Spiritual Pressure in the air.

Aizen shook his head. "His Spiritual Pressure is very strong, but it's not his true strength. This battle is meaningless and there's no need to care." He then continued writing his calligraphy.

Gin murmured casually, "Wow, as expected of Teacher Ye Yang, his strength seems to have increased even more. It looks like the fifty years in Hueco Mundo have made him even stronger. Captain Aizen, could you win if it were you?"

Aizen paused slightly, thought for a moment, and shook his head, saying, "I don't know, because I don't know where his limit is right now. I've never seen him use his true strength. He's the only person I've ever met who I can't see through." Aizen paused again and continued, "But thinking about it, I'm probably still a step behind him in my current state."

"My teacher's monstrous talent is something even I am ashamed of. To surpass him would be as difficult as climbing to the heavens..." Yin seemed to sigh with a hint of helplessness.

Aizen's glasses gleamed. "There's only hope once we get our hands on that item. Alright, Gin, it's not good for you to be away from the squad for too long. Go back now, and remember to tell Tōsen to develop Hueco Mundo's influence as soon as possible."

"Yes, Captain Aizen..."

Within the Thirteenth Division, Shunsui once again used the excuse of work-related communication to freeload a meal and drinks at his friend's place. He couldn't help it because his lieutenant was keeping a close eye on him, so this was the only place where he could drink in peace. Moreover, he couldn't come too often, or he would be completely finished if Nanao found out.

Ukitake looked helpless. If you were to ask who understood him best, even his teacher Yamamoto probably couldn't compare to him. Although Shunsui seemed frivolous and disliked work, his insight was unmatched. He was superior to him in both strength and other aspects. Moreover, his physical condition had always been a problem.

The two were drinking together when Shunsui suddenly asked, "Ukitake, how many years have we been captains?"

Ukitake was taken aback, not quite understanding what he meant. After thinking for a moment, he said, "It's been about three hundred years... It's unknowingly been three hundred years." His tone was filled with emotion.

Shunsui sighed softly, "Yes, during this time, only you, Old Man Yama, and that captain have remained the same four people. The other captains have changed quite a few times. Life in Soul Society is really quite comfortable these days..."

"Yes, now that you mention it, I'm reminded of Captain Hirako. That incident back then cost us five captains. It was probably the biggest reshuffle among Captain-level." Ukitake recalled the incident that happened fifty years ago, and he was still heartbroken.

Shunsui frowned slightly. He still regretted that incident to this day. Sending Yadōmaru was a mistake. He also knew that the incident was not as simple as it seemed on the surface. He had been investigating for years, but he had not found any useful information. The only way to find out the inside story was to find Kisuke Urahara, who had escaped.

At this moment, both of them trembled. They both felt the two Spiritual Pressures emanating from the air. Ye Yang and Kenpachi's battle was not concealed at all. The clash of the two Captain-level Spiritual Pressures could probably be felt throughout the entire Seireien.

Shunsui smiled helplessly, "He really is a restless fellow."

"Is that Kenpachi Zaraki and Ye Yang? They actually released their Zanpakuto inside the Seireien. They have no respect for the rules. No, I have to stop them right away." Ukitake got up and was about to leave.

Shunsui quickly gestured for her friend to sit down. "It's alright. Although Zaraki doesn't like to think things through, Ye Yang definitely knows what's going on. Besides, even if you went, you might not be able to stop them. If anything happened, Old Man Yama would have arrived long ago."

After thinking about it, Ukitake realized that Shunsui's words made sense, so he sat down and asked, "Then what do we do?"

"No need to go over there. Just keep drinking here and keep an eye on things. That guy Ye Yang really makes us feel ashamed," Shunsui couldn't help but sigh. When they were still the captains, Ye Yang was just a kid, but now Ye Yang has reached the same level as them, or even slightly higher.

Ukitake: "So, in your opinion, who will win this battle?"

"On the surface, it seems like the two are evenly matched, but Ye Yang definitely hasn't used his true strength. Since returning from Hueco Mundo, he's become unfathomable, and perhaps he's already surpassed you and me..."

Ukitake was shocked. He knew that Shunsui's words were never without reason. "How is that possible? How old is he? Surpassing you and me? Has he already reached the level of a teacher?"

Shunsui shook his head. "Not yet. Nobody knows the true extent of his strength. I believe even Old Man Yama doesn't know. He has never shown us his true strength. What's certain is that you and I probably can't beat him."

"I might not be able to do it, but it's a different story if it's you. With your Bankai, do you think Ye Yang can beat you? Don't lie." Ukitake was still somewhat skeptical. After all, how much time had it taken them to get to where they were today?

Shunsui's eyes showed a serious expression. "I don't know. If it's a head-on battle, I'd probably be at a disadvantage. If it's a sneak attack..." Shunsui thought for a moment and then said calmly, "I don't know!"

Ukitake didn't press further, instead saying, "But no matter what, Ye Yang's heart is still in Soul Society. Do you think Ye Yang will win this battle?"

Instead of answering directly, Shunsui picked up her wine glass and said, "What do you think?"