Izuru Kira said in a deep voice, "Please don't say that. We set off after receiving orders. Reaching the Senkaimon and then passing through the Dangai, even at high speed, fifteen minutes is perfectly normal."
The Vice-Captain of the Third Division was absent due to other commitments, so Kira from the Second Division was sent in his place. As a member of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads, he was obligated to explain the situation clearly.
What are you all arguing about? It's unnecessary, isn't it? Everyone's doing just fine, isn't that right?
Just as Ryūsaki was about to say that it would be more than fifteen minutes, Kitahara's voice suddenly appeared.
Ginjo jumped to his feet, his hand trembling uncontrollably as he pointed at Kitahara: "You, you, you weren't already, already..."
"You've already hung up, right? Look closely, I really did hang up."
Takumi interrupted Ginjo's stammering, spreading his hands to show everyone what was going on with him: a phantom body, clearly a symbol of a soul.
"When a human body dies, it quickly condenses into a soul due to the power of Reiryoku," Hirako said calmly.
Ginjo exclaimed excitedly, "So, he's not dead after all! He still exists!"
"No, strictly speaking, I am already dead in the World of the Living world, and I will be extradited to Soul Society."
Compared to Ginjo's excitement, Kitahara, fully aware of his own situation. He was already relieved to see that his companions were alright.
"Ha, that's easy, just go to the Black Cat Store and buy a Gigai! You can fight even if you wear the Gigai all the time..."
Ginjo offered a solution with a smile, but Kitahara's face remained etched with a parting, aunt-like smile. Ginjo understood this and her smile vanished abruptly, leaving her silent.
He calmly asked Hirako and Amagai, "Is it possible to avoid sending him to Soul Society?"
"The rules of Soul Society clearly don't allow this kind of situation. Mr. Ginjo doesn't need to worry about Mr. Kitahara. He can live for hundreds of years in Soul Society. You can reunite then."
Hirako first explained the rules, then comforted Ginjo, hoping he wouldn't harbor resentment towards Soul Society because of this.
"If I spend a few days in the World of the Living, I should be fine, right?"
"That shouldn't be a big problem."
Kitahara's request was met with a response from Amagai. As a human fighting against the Hollows, Kitahara deserved credit for his hard work, even if he hadn't achieved anything significant.
At this moment, Hirako's Denreishinki rang. He went to the side to answer it, and when he returned, he told the others that the four of them would be staying in the World of the Living for a while.
In the New World, Aizen returns from Hell, followed by a man who has removed his cloak. He has Black Markings on his face, a ponytail, and an indifferent expression.
If Ryūsaki were here, Zero, who could see everything through him, would definitely be able to call out his name— Azashiro Sōya!
This was Zero's stepping stone to Kenpachi; in a one-on-one fight, Azashiro was defeated by Zero.
Aizen asked Tōsen softly, "Yo, how's the experiment going?"
"I'm very sorry, but the combat skills of the four Experimental Subjects were lacking, barely reaching the level of Vice-Captain. Of the Substitute Soul Reaper group, only Kitahara Takumi was killed, but his soul still exists..."
Kaname Tōsen gave a rough estimate: allowing the Togabito to Hollowfication would indeed allow them to fight openly in the World of the Living, and their strength would be greater than when they were wearing cloaks.
Since they are already dead, they are not afraid of death. Severe injuries that can cause death are almost non-existent for the Togabito, unless Togabito, like Ginjo did.
Its weakness is also obvious: once the mask of the Togabito is broken, it will be instantly pulled back to Hell by Chains.
Like Ryūsaki Ishida, tear off Ziyun's mask, instantly dragging her back to Hell.
"Next, let's figure out how to deal with the weakness. If Hollowfication doesn't work, Lang Zuo, try using your Gigai technique on Togabito."
"Yes, Lord Aizen."
Aizen's words instantly invigorated Kagerōza Inaba. His 'Clone Army' experiment had been ongoing, but Aizen's Kyōka Suigetsu had detected flaws, which was why it hadn't been put into mass production.
The 'Clone Experiment' is to replicate the soul power of Captain-level, creating a cloned Artificial Soul Candy with the same mind and power, and then placing it into Gigai capable of containing that intensity of Reiatsu, thus creating a perfect cloned Captain-level.
However, under Aizen's inspection, those Captain-level produced seemed to have a high degree of loyalty to Soul Society...
"Aizen, isn't this a bit too much trouble? By shattering our Chains, you're essentially bringing us Resurrection, aren't you?" suggested Azashiro, who had been following behind Aizen.
Aizen glanced at him and said gently, "You're oversimplifying things. The setup of Hell isn't that simple. Once the Chains are completely broken, you'll either be dragged deeper into the layers by the heavier Chains and become unable to move, or your body will be pulverized and never be able to reform."
"Hell's setup is simple: it just ensures that captured souls cannot escape until they are obliterated. If you want to try it, I can help you!"
Azashiro was speechless after Aizen's words. He had always thought that those broken ones did so because they couldn't bear the torture, but he never expected that breaking the Chains would also lead to this result.
After everyone had left, Aizen began watching the video replays of those battles. By the end, he had taken in the appearance of the Captain-level, Ryūsaki's provocation, and Kitahara's soul.
Suddenly, another plan to manipulate others formed in his mind... Adding fun to the boring wait, that's life.
A few days later, Amagai of the Third Division was suddenly transferred back to Soul Society, while two Vice-Captains, Ashido and Shiba Miyako, were sent to support him.
Hirako and Momo Hinamori are both staying at the Black Cat Store, a shop in the World of the Living that their old acquaintances Yoruichi and Tessai run together, while Shiba Miyako has gone to Shiba Hospital to visit Isshin...
"Ginjo, it's time to send me to Soul Society!" At this moment, Kitahara Takumi, who had been having a great time for several days, realized that he should not stay any longer and asked his friend to send him on his way.
"Takumi, is it really necessary to go? I already have enough power to defy the rules of Soul Society." Ginjo was somewhat reluctant, and after learning Bankai, he no longer wanted to live under the surveillance of Soul Society.
"I've come up with a way to stop Soul Society from monitoring you: I'll become Captain-level and then the Question to Shunsui Kyōraku's surveillance plan."
"That would take too long; I might not live to see that day."
"Be patient, Ginjo. Your power is not yet fully developed."
"I can rebel and continue to grow at the same time, what's wrong with you? Weren't you always supporting me before?"
Takumi paused for a moment after being asked by Ginjo: "If Bankai is the standard for becoming Captain-level, then the other side has thirteen people. Before you find thirteen allies, including Vice-Captains, you shouldn't resist."
Ginjo understood what Takumi meant. He might not be afraid of a one-on-one fight, but Captain-level could easily overwhelm him with numbers, and he would be the one to be crushed.
"Think about Tsukishima and the others; they trust you completely!"
To encourage Ginjo to be patient, Takumi reminded him that he wasn't alone and needed to consider his other companions.
After a long while, Ginjo finally nodded in agreement to send Takumi away, much to the disappointment of Ryūsaki, who was waiting nearby for Ginjo to cause trouble.
Ryūsaki thought that Ginjo would force Takumi to stay, and then, no longer able to tolerate the suppression of his power, he would turn against Soul Society and wage war... but unexpectedly, Takumi persuaded him to stay.
Fortunately, even if Ginjo betrays him, he can't help me much with his current strength.
Under Ryūsaki's watchful gaze, Ginjo used his Substitute Badge to transform into Soul Reaper, placed the hilt of his sword against Kitahara's forehead, and sent him to Soul Society.
Ryūsaki thought the matter was over and that the next step was to find out why the Togabito had appeared, but an unexpected incident occurred...
After Takumi followed the Hell Butterfly through the Dangai, he was assigned to Runlin'an, the most Rukongai district in Junrinan.
When he first arrived, Takumi was curiously looking around at his surroundings. He had walked for an hour and still hadn't reached the end of the huge city.
In a secluded corner, Takumi was struck on the back of the head with a stick and immediately lost consciousness. He was then stuffed into a sack and carried away...
Another month passed, and the Captain-level Soul Reapers could only kill time by cleaning up Ragged Hollows.
On a bright and sunny midday, a strange Reiatsu reappeared; the Togabito had arrived!
The first to be attacked was Momo Hinamori, who was out shopping. Hirako, who was about to rush to help, was stopped by a voice...
"The Soul Society isn't all that great these days! The Captain-level Reiatsu isn't very strong, was he crippled by Nangong Ling?"
A slightly indifferent voice came, causing Hirako to turn around and look. In that instant, he froze!
Hirako knows this person: the Eighth Kenpachi — Azashiro Sōya!
The person who was killed by Nangong Ling, a true Captain-level powerhouse, has also appeared, which means that the situation is worse than imagined!