Supporting the World of the Living

Mayuri Kurotsuchi's lips twitched. He was clearly very uncomfortable being ordered around like this—especially by someone who wasn't even a Seated Officer commander. He was the captain of the Twelfth Division, the director of the Technology Development Bureau, and one of the smartest people in Soul Society.

His pride wouldn't allow him to obey orders from others, especially when this "other person" didn't even have a name in the official organization of Soul Society.

"Hmph," he sneered, his tone full of disdain, "To expect so many captains to obey the orders of someone who isn't even Seated Officer... it's laughable."

But his actions spoke louder than his words. He turned and walked toward the already set-up device, his fingers flying across the control panel as he input a series of complex commands. Streams of data flashed across the device's screen, the data glaringly bright in the dim light of the Hueco Mundo.

Then, a pitch-black crack slowly opened in the void— the Garganta opened.

"Such a trivial technique," Mayuri Kurotsuchi's voice came from behind the mask, still tinged with disdain, but now tinged with smugness, "Still questioning my abilities? Be careful, or I'll seal you inside the Garganta and make sure you never get out."

Liu Ziyun ignored his threat. He walked to Retsu Unohana's side, where the gentle and kind woman stood quietly, waiting. She carried a medical kit in her hand, had Zanpakuto at her waist, and exuded a reassuring aura.

"Captain," Liu Ziyun's voice softened considerably, "I'll lead the way for a while, with Ichigo Kurosaki behind. You can stay behind him and help him recover his Reiatsu."

Retsu Unohana smiled slightly, a smile as warm as the spring sun, bringing a sense of warmth to one's heart. "Okay."

She turned to look at Isane Kotetsu, the Lieutenant who had always been by her side, diligently learning the Kaidō technique. Isane's eyes were a little red, clearly she had just cried—the news of Orihime Inoue being taken away had made her feel guilty for a long time.

"Isane," Retsu Unohana's voice was gentle yet firm, "The wounded in Hueco Mundo are all counting on you."

Isane Kotetsu nodded vigorously, wiping away the tears from the corners of her eyes. Her voice was hoarse but firm. "Captain, don't worry, I won't let anyone die."

Liu Ziyun took one last look at Hueco Mundo —this white wasteland, this place that had witnessed countless lives and deaths. His gaze swept over the figures still fighting, those who had already fallen, and those who were leaving. Then he turned and leaped into the Garganta.

Ichigo Kurosaki followed closely behind, his steps still a little unsteady, but his eyes had regained their resolve. Retsu Unohana brought up the rear, her steps unhurried, as if she were taking a stroll rather than traversing a dangerous void passage.

The Garganta slowly closed behind them, Hueco Mundo the white wasteland of Hueco Mundo into another world.

In the World of the Living, Karakura Town.

The sky was overcast, with low-hanging dark clouds that made it hard to breathe. A dense Reiatsu permeated the air—the result of dozens of powerful beings releasing their Reiatsu simultaneously, turning this once calm sky into a sea before a storm, with undercurrents surging and danger lurking everywhere.

Sōsuke Aizen stood in the air, looking down at the battlefield below. His expression remained unfathomably calm, with a faint smile on his lips, as if he were not fighting, but rather enjoying a meticulously choreographed performance.

Behind him stood three Arrancar silently—the second Espada, Baraggan Ruizenbon, the old man who called himself the "King of Hueco Mundo"; the Espada, Tia Tier Harribel, the female Arrancar with flowing power; and the Number One Espada, Koyatai Coyote Starrk, the lazy man who was always uninterested.

Opposite them, the members of the Gotei 13 and the Visored had already formed their battle formation. Shigekuni Yamamoto-Genryūsai stood at the forefront, his Ryūjin Jakka radiating the Heat, the surrounding air distorting and warping due to the intense heat.

Shunsui Kyōraku stood beside him, his Zanpakuto, Katen Kyōkotsu, already unsheathed, with strange patterns appearing on its blade. Jūshirō Ukitake stood on the other side, his twin swords, Sōgyo no Kotowari, twirling gently in his hands, emitting a low hum.

Further away, the members of the Visored each occupied advantageous positions. Shinji Hirako's hat was tilted to one side, his Zanpakuto held horizontally in front of him, and a cynical smile played on his lips.

Hiyori Sarugaki gripped her Zanpakuto, her eyes blazing with fighting spirit. Kensei Muguruma, Love Aikawa, Rōjūrō Ōtoribashi Lisa Yadōmaru —everyone was ready for battle.

The advance message from Liu Ziyun gave them ample time to prepare. Tactical arrangements, personnel deployment, and even the planning of retreat routes were all completed during this period. Therefore, when Aizen appeared in the skies above Karakura Town with his Arrancar, they did not rush into battle but calmly met the enemy.

The battle escalated to a fever pitch in an instant.

Baraggan Ruisenbon's ability to age makes every Soul Reaper who gets close to him feel troubled—anything, whether it's the blade of Zanpakuto or the light of Kidō, will instantly decay, age, and turn to dust upon contact with his body.

However, Shigekuni Yamamoto-Genryūsai's Ryūjin Jakka was an exception—the speed of the flames burned out faster than the speed of aging. Under the Captain-Commander's suppression, Baraggan's death aura was peeled away layer by layer, his body was engulfed by flames, and finally turned into a charred corpse, falling from the sky.

Tia Tier Harribel's water manipulation abilities are equally powerful—her Zanpakuto can control water, creating massive waves in an instant that can engulf everything. However, Tōshirō Hitsugaya's Hyōrinmaru is precisely her nemesis.

The duel between ice and water, the contest between cold and fluidity, ultimately ended in victory for Tōshirō Hitsugaya – "Hyakuka Burial of the Ice and Snow," as countless ice crystals rained down from the sky, freezing Tier Harribel completely within them. She remained in the stance of wielding her sword, like an ice sculpture, solidified in the void.

Koyat Coyote Starrk fought against Shunsui Kyōraku. Their fighting styles were strikingly similar—both were the type that seemed nonchalant but were actually deadly. Coyote Starrk's Cero required no charging and could be launched instantly; Shunsui Kyōraku's Katen Kyōkotsu could turn a child's game into a killing machine.

The two fought back and forth, neither gaining the upper hand, but as time went on, Shunsui Kyōraku gradually gained the upper hand—not because he was stronger, but because he had more combat experience and a more composed mindset.

Just as Baraggan was killed, Tier Harribel was frozen, and the Coyote Starrk were at a disadvantage—a dark crack appeared in the sky.