"Who is this man?!"
Even if Ryuken Ishida had been as thick-headed as ever, he now recognized the extraordinary nature of the man before him. His Spiritual Pressure was so immense that it warped the space around them, suffocated him, and made Isshin Shiba and Urahara Kisuke—two people far stronger than himself—treat him with such respect. This man's identity was unquestionably exceptional.
"He is the Captain-Commander of our Gotei 13!"
"Mr. Ryuken, I advise you not to entertain any thoughts of trying something foolish~"
"Captain-Commander Araki is far stronger than either of us~"
"He is, without question, the strongest Soul Reaper in Soul Society's history."
Urahara deliberately warned Ryuken.
"The strongest Soul Reaper in Soul Society's history?!"
Ryuken's expression changed slightly. His already fair complexion seemed to drain of even more color, making him look even paler.
"And he is also the Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13?"
As Ryuken spoke, he bit through his lip. The thick scent of blood rushed to his head, while hatred and malice multiplied endlessly within his heart, making him as violent as a wild beast.
"So, the extermination war the Soul Reapers launched against the Quincy back then was ordered by this man?!"
Ryuken stared fixedly at Araki as he questioned Urahara beside him.
"Well, about that..."
Cold sweat appeared on Urahara's forehead.
"If you mean the decisive battle between the Soul Reapers and the Quincy nearly a thousand years ago, then I was a participant. If you mean the slaughter war the Soul Reapers waged against the Quincy two hundred years ago, then just as you think, I was the one directing that war from behind the scenes."
The moment Ryuken asked that absurd question, Araki turned around and coldly addressed him.
"Then I cannot hand Masaki over to you!"
As he spoke,