Chapter 46

The captains had long known that Zanpakuto could be materialized, since it was a necessary condition for Bankai training.

But materializing a Zanpakuto required considerable Reiatsu. How had Muramasa materialized so many people's Zanpakuto?

The experienced captains had their doubts about that.

Shunsui Kyōraku looked at his Katen in surprise. Katen rolled her eyes at him, then led Kyōkotsu over to Muramasa without looking back.

Seeing Katen's expression, Shunsui Kyōraku gave a wry smile.

"It's only a lieutenant's Zanpakuto. Since I failed, consider it a gift to you. But my comrades and I will rule the Soul Reapers!" With that, Muramasa took the materialized Zanpakuto and vanished.

"Some gift. He clearly couldn't do it, yet he talks so arrogantly. What a clown," the black-haired Jue Nian said caustically.

"He'll find out later that the other Zanpakuto aren't his comrades either," Miyako Amamiya remarked. Shunsui Kyōraku and Jūshirō Ukitake's Zanpakuto alone were old friends who had been with them for ages, perhaps even closer than family. It was impossible to imagine them betraying their masters just like that.

They're just having a falling-out, aren't they? Miyako Amamiya thought, but didn't say it in front of everyone.

Only after Muramasa and the other Zanpakuto had completely left did everyone turn their attention to Miyako Amamiya and his Zanpakuto.

"Miyako, what's going on? Why didn't your Zanpakuto betray you after it materialized?" Rukia asked urgently.

"Well, um..." Miyako Amamiya scratched his head awkwardly, unsure how to explain. Should he just tell them his Shikai's ability? As if.

What Miyako Amamiya had actually done was borrow Muramasa's power while using his own Zanpakuto's ability to make it immune to Muramasa's influence.

"Miyako, could it be that Muramasa wasn't the one who materialized your Zanpakuto? This is..." Sharp-eyed Ukitake immediately noticed something different about Miyako Amamiya's Zanpakuto.

The Reiatsu I sense from Miyako's Zanpakuto feels very similar to Miyako Amamiya's own.

"My, my, you're quite frightening, young Amamiya. If I'm not mistaken, this is Bankai training, isn't it?" Shunsui Kyōraku walked over and said in surprise.

"Bankai?" everyone exclaimed in shock.

"You actually used Muramasa's power to materialize your Zanpakuto and meet the conditions for Bankai training..." Byakuya Kuchiki also understood what Miyako Amamiya had done. "That was too reckless. What would you have done if your Zanpakuto had betrayed you too?"

"Ahem, you're right, Captain Kuchiki. I was too reckless." Miyako Amamiya went along with that explanation.

The others wanted to ask more, but Retsu Unohana interrupted them.

"Captain Komamura and Captain Sasakibe are still seriously injured, and quite a few more people in Soul Society were hurt in the disturbance just now. The most important thing is to get them settled. As for Lieutenant Amamiya, let's leave the questioning to Captain Ukitake. He can tell us about it afterward."

As the oldest captain apart from Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto, Retsu Unohana's words carried considerable weight. After hearing her, everyone left to deal with their own affairs.

Miyako Amamiya, Rukia, and Ukitake also returned to the Thirteenth Division. Though it was already late at night, Kiyone Kotetsu and Sentarō Kotsubaki were still awake, anxiously waiting for Ukitake, Miyako Amamiya, and the others to return.

"Captain Ukitake! What happened in the Seireitei this time? Why did we hear explosions everywhere just now?" Kiyone Kotetsu asked urgently.

Because the Thirteenth Division's barracks were on the outskirts, it was one of the few places unaffected.

"And who's this beside Lieutenant Miyako?"

"Ahem, this is my... best friend?" Miyako Amamiya answered uncertainly.

"Miyako, I'm more important than a best friend," Jue Nian said with a smile.

"Kiyone, Sentarō, in any case, let us inside first," Ukitake said gravely.

In Hueco Mundo, inside a laboratory in Las Noches.

Aizen looked impassively at the Gillian Menos Grande struggling inside the glass enclosure before him, his eyes holding neither mercy nor sorrow.

Beside him, the pink-haired Szayelaporro operated an unfamiliar device in front of the enclosure. The Gillians all converged into a white bead, and a faint bluish-black light gradually appeared inside the once pure-white sphere.

"To think you're using Menos Grande as material to make the Hōgyoku. How extravagant, Lord Aizen," Szayelaporro said with a smile.

"What is it, Szayelaporro? Do you feel sorry for your own kind?" Aizen asked softly.

"No, of course not. If even trash like them can be put to use, there's no such thing as too many." Szayelaporro spread his hands.

Though Aizen had invited Szayelaporro to participate in making the new Hōgyoku, Aizen's terrifying strength kept Szayelaporro from coveting the Hōgyoku before him.

"Good... Still, the experimental records Kisuke Urahara left behind were far too crude. His Hōgyoku was only a half-finished product, but he used ordinary Hollows as material. What I find incredible is that he actually managed to make a Hōgyoku that way," Aizen said with interest.

After all, he had completed his own Hōgyoku only by collecting the souls of hundreds of Soul Reapers and people in Rukongai with the potential to become Soul Reapers and experimenting on them. And even then, it was only half-finished.

"Why not simply put these Menos Grande into your own Hōgyoku, Lord Aizen?" Szayelaporro asked in puzzlement. Injecting power directly into the existing Hōgyoku would save even the time needed to fuse the two.

"The Hōgyoku is not so simple. If I put the power of Menos Grande directly into my Hōgyoku, the power of Hollows would clash with that of Soul Reapers. But if two half-finished products fuse, the souls of Hollows and Soul Reapers will reach a balance. Then the true Hōgyoku will be born, and its abilities will no longer be so weak."

"However, I want to make a few improvements to Kisuke Urahara's experiment and see what happens." Aizen didn't believe he would fall short of Kisuke Urahara now that he had better resources.

"So you thought of using Menos Grande as material, Lord Aizen?"

"Yes. I didn't expect using Menos Grande to be so much faster than I imagined," Aizen said with a smile. He had originally thought of using the higher-quality Menos Grande to make the Hōgyoku merely to save time, but progress had been faster than he expected.

"As consumables, they're truly excellent material," Aizen remarked. "But what would happen if I added higher-level Hollows? Could I make an even more complete Hōgyoku..."

Cold sweat gradually broke out on Szayelaporro's brow. Was using Gillian Menos Grande as material not enough? Did Aizen intend to use Adjuchas too?! Most of the current Espada were Adjuchas...

"Don't be so nervous, Szayelaporro." Aizen spoke slowly, smiling. "You're my capable subordinates. How could I use you as consumables?"

Even after hearing that, Szayelaporro didn't entirely believe Aizen, but he could only agree with him aloud.

"However..." Aizen rested a hand on his chin, deep in thought. "If I remember correctly, there are still some Adjuchas outside Las Noches who haven't submitted to us, aren't there?"

"Yes, Lord Aizen. There are still some Hollows out there putting up a desperate resistance. Many powerful Menos Grande are also hiding in the Forest of Menos in particular," Szayelaporro replied respectfully.

"Then go and capture them. I need more Gillians, and even... Adjuchas," Aizen said with a smile. Since those Hollows refused to submit to him, they should at least serve some purpose. He would let them become nourishment for this new Hōgyoku...

"Notify the Espada forces. I'm calling a meeting. It's time... to extend the rule of Las Noches over all of Hueco Mundo," Aizen said with a smile.

"Yes, Lord Aizen." Kaname Tōsen bowed beside him.

"My, Captain Aizen, you really know how to work people. We've only just arrived in Hueco Mundo, and you're already planning something big," Gin Ichimaru complained with a smile.

"Yes. After all, our original plan wasn't completed, so we have to make up for lost time," Aizen said, seemingly with a sigh, though he showed no regret over the plan's failure.

It wasn't that Aizen hadn't considered searching for the Hōgyoku again, but now he had better material. Perhaps the Hōgyoku he ultimately made would be even more perfect than he had originally envisioned.

Szayelaporro bowed and acknowledged the order. He felt no sympathy for the miserable fate awaiting his kind outside Las Noches. Hollows were simply that kind of creature.

In the main hall of Las Noches, all the Espada had assembled.

Aizen came in with Kaname Tōsen and Gin Ichimaru and slowly took the main seat. Tōsen and Ichimaru stood on either side of him, highlighting their special status.

"Gentlemen of the Espada, this is the first time we've gathered like this, isn't it?" Aizen said with a warm smile, but no one dared interrupt him as he continued.

"I imagine you must have grown impatient, with me arriving in Hueco Mundo so late." Because his plan in Soul Society had been at a critical stage, Aizen hadn't given the Espada any orders after selecting them.

"First, let us establish complete dominion over Hueco Mundo."

"Starting today, all Espada will mobilize and search for every Menos Grande still outside Las Noches. If they still refuse to submit to us, don't be too quick to kill them. Just capture them one by one and bring them here."

"Whether it is our present rule over Hueco Mundo or our future war against Soul Society, do not be arrogant or impatient, and have no fear. Whatever happens, as long as you are with me, no enemy can stand before us." Aizen disliked the word "believe," because belief was weakness. Belief led to admiration, and admiration was the furthest thing from understanding.

But Aizen had immense confidence in his own strength and plans, which was why he said that as long as they were with him, there was nothing they couldn't accomplish.

The Espada said nothing. Each silently rose and went to carry out Aizen's task.

The First Espada, Coyote Starrk, returned to his palace, where Lilynette Gingerbuck, the soul he had split from himself, hurried over to question him.

"Starrk, what did Lord Aizen say?"

"Lord Aizen wants to rule all of Hueco Mundo. We Espada are going to wage war across Hueco Mundo and conquer every Hollow that hasn't submitted yet. And in the future, we'll also have a war against Soul Society." Coyote Starrk scratched his head irritably. He disliked trouble, and this would take a great deal of effort, but it was the first task Aizen had given them since coming to Hueco Mundo, so he couldn't just do a halfhearted job.

"Oh, Soul Society? Will we win, Starrk?" Lilynette Gingerbuck asked curiously.

"Yeah, we'll win, as long as we follow Lord Aizen."

That night, Uryū Ishida returned home. He looked toward his father's room and went upstairs.

Normally, he wouldn't have gone to see Ryūken Ishida. The two would each be busy with their own affairs and wouldn't speak at all.

But what Miyako Amamiya had said in Soul Society left Uryū Ishida with no choice but to ask his father about some things.

Uryū Ishida knocked and opened the door without waiting for Ryūken Ishida to answer.

"It's very rude to enter someone else's room without their permission. I believe I taught you that, Uryū," Ryūken Ishida said coldly, pushing up his glasses.

"Is that so? I don't seem to remember it," Uryū Ishida said dismissively. Ordinarily very polite, he became extremely rude when facing his father.

"..." Ryūken Ishida stared at Uryū Ishida, knowing he was expressing his dissatisfaction with what he had done over the years. From watching his son in secret, he knew he was a polite, outstanding boy who only acted this way when facing him.

"I know you secretly went to Soul Society," Ryūken Ishida said. "But I didn't expect you to come to me before I came looking for you."

"What..." Uryū Ishida hadn't expected his father to discover what he had been up to. He had thought his father was indifferent to everything he did.

"And..." Ryūken Ishida frowned as he sensed Uryū Ishida's current condition. "Have you already lost your Quincy powers...?"

You actually used the Sanrei Glove... Father, why did you give it to Uryū...? Ryūken Ishida wondered.

"..." Uryū Ishida fell silent. He hadn't expected his father to be so perceptive as to see his condition at a glance.

"Perhaps that's for the best. Now that you've lost your Quincy powers, give them up. I'll say it again: saving the dead is meaningless. You should settle down and study medicine with me to save the living." Ryūken Ishida ignored Uryū Ishida and returned to his book.

Ryūken Ishida soon realized that this was an excellent opportunity to make Uryū Ishida give up his Quincy powers, so he wouldn't tell him how to restore them.

Uryū Ishida clenched his fists. Just as he had expected, his father still hated Quincy powers and had held fast to his beliefs all this time.

Uryū Ishida had begun to doubt what Miyako Amamiya had told him, because the man before him didn't look like he knew much about the Quincy at all.

But his Quincy powers weren't only for protecting innocent people. They were also his grandfather's final charge to him before he died.

"You have a way to restore my powers!" Uryū Ishida decided to bluff his father.

Ryūken Ishida's hand paused on the book, then resumed turning the pages.

"That guy Amamiya was right. You do have a way to restore my Quincy powers!" Uryū Ishida said, his feelings complicated after noticing Ryūken Ishida's slight movement.

"Amamiya? Miyako Amamiya?" Ryūken Ishida frowned as he said the name.

"Yeah, that's right, Miyako Amamiya. He told me you have a way to restore my powers." Uryū Ishida decided to tell his father everything Miyako Amamiya had told him, hoping Miyako Amamiya hadn't lied to him.

"Tch, what a blabbermouth..." Ryūken Ishida said irritably. Leaving aside how Miyako Amamiya knew, the sight of an outsider interfering in his family affairs made Ryūken Ishida unable to keep from resenting his meddling.

"Ryūken! Tell me how I can get my Quincy powers back after using the Sanrei Glove!" Uryū Ishida demanded urgently.

"What he said has nothing to do with me. Even if I have a way, I won't tell you." Ryūken Ishida had regained his composure.

"...That man asked me to pass a message on to you." Out of options, Uryū Ishida told him the last thing Miyako Amamiya had instructed him to say.

A message from Miyako Amamiya? Could it be? Ryūken Ishida frowned, suspecting that Miyako Amamiya might have already investigated the history of a thousand years ago.

"The timing matches up perfectly. That man's return is unstoppable. As the only Mixed-Blood Quincy who came to no harm, he should at least have the power to protect himself." Uryū Ishida delivered the message, then saw an unprecedentedly ferocious expression on his father's face.

After hearing those words, Ryūken Ishida understood what Miyako Amamiya meant. His guess had been right! His wife's inexplicable coma six years ago and Masaki Kurosaki's mysterious death at the hands of a Hollow had all been caused by him, that king of the Quincy! Yhwach!

Ryūken Ishida closed his book and slammed it on the desk.

He stood up, stepped forward, and seized Uryū Ishida by both shoulders. "What else did that man say?" he demanded angrily.

It was the first time Uryū Ishida had seen his father so angry. Neither his mother's death nor his grandfather's disappearance had made him like this. Why had such a short message today made him so furious?

"He... he didn't say anything else. He just asked me to give you that message..." The sudden anger left Uryū Ishida frightened and at a loss, and he answered his father's question instinctively.

After hearing him out, Ryūken Ishida released Uryū Ishida and returned to his seat. His expression began to settle as he turned his back on his son.

Uryū Ishida seemed to realize something then. He said nothing and simply waited in silence.

Ryūken Ishida's thoughts were in turmoil. Since Miyako Amamiya had sent Uryū Ishida to give him that message, it meant Miyako Amamiya had already uncovered some things from a thousand years ago.

Moreover, the matter of the Mixed-Blood Quincy was something Ryūken Ishida himself had discovered only after years of investigation. Before this, he had never told Miyako Amamiya that, apart from Masaki Kurosaki, all those who died were Mixed-Blood Quincy.

"Ryūken..." Seeing his father like this, Uryū Ishida's voice began to sink. Much as he wanted to know everything, Ryūken Ishida probably wouldn't tell him in his current state.

"Uryū." Ryūken Ishida turned to face him again, having made up his mind. "I can help you regain your Quincy powers."

"What!? Really!?" Uryū Ishida asked in delight.

"However, it won't be free," Ryūken Ishida added calmly. "I want you to... swear that you'll never have anything to do with Soul Reapers again."

"What did you say?" As if he hadn't heard clearly, Uryū Ishida asked again, dazed and shocked.

"You must swear to cut all ties with Soul Reapers from this day forward. Only then will I restore your Quincy powers," Ryūken Ishida repeated calmly.

Hearing his father's firm voice, Uryū Ishida froze.

He didn't know when he returned to his room. He only knew that after his father finished speaking, he had wandered out of his father's room in a daze, without agreeing to his condition.

Ryūken Ishida silently gazed out the window, unable to unclench his tightly balled fist.