Ch. 423Absorbing the Spirit King (Second Update)
Hawking defeated the Zero Squad and read their memories, gaining knowledge of Spirit King Power and the ability to create a new Spirit King. He met the Spirit King, who agreed to give him his power and revealed that he had accepted his betrayal to fulfill his mission; Hawking then began absorbing him.
- Hawking broke Eye Monk's seal and knocked out all five members of the Zero Squad with Tenma Kofuku.
- Hawking read the Zero Squad's memories, including Eye Monk's knowledge of Spirit King Power and Ōetsu Nimaiya's Zanpakuto-making techniques.
- Hawking entered the palace and found the Spirit King, who said he foresaw Hawking's arrival and was willing to give him his power.
- The Spirit King told Hawking that he had not resisted the Five Great Noble Ancestors because it was necessary and that he expected to be freed a million years later.
- Hawking asked what lay beyond the world, and the Spirit King described nothingness while acknowledging that other worlds likely existed.
- Hawking confirmed that many other worlds existed, placed his hand on the Spirit King, and began absorbing his power.