The Secret of Zero Division

As the Garganta that Chiba Makoto and Aizen Sōsuke's group had entered slowly closed, this "False Karakura Town," which had already been completely reduced to ruins, suddenly fell silent.

Only the fierce flames ignited by the aftereffects of Zanka no Tachi continued to burn.

Yet the fires scattered throughout every corner of Karakura Town brought not the slightest warmth to the surviving Soul Reapers. Nearly all of them were chilled to the bone.

They had lost!

Having gathered the fighting strength of the entire Thirteen Divisions and the Visored Army, they had suffered a complete and utter defeat.

The war seemed to have been declared over at this very moment.

And the reason they had survived was less their strength than sheer luck and... contempt...

"Damn it!"

Even Ōtoribashi Rōjūrō, who had always valued gentlemanly conduct above all else, could not help losing his composure. He slammed a fist viciously into the ruined wall beside him, venting the humiliation and fury of being disregarded by Aizen Sōsuke as if he were an ant.

Yet beyond humiliation and anger, despair blanketed every heart.

"Is there really no way left?"

With his spiritual pressure nearly exhausted and even his Bankai no longer sustainable, Hitsugaya Tōshirō forced his expression taut, maintaining the dignity and bearing expected of a captain as he spoke.

But his question was met only with silence.

Facing Aizen Sōsuke, who had defeated Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni head-on, and the No. 0 Arrancar, who had effortlessly defeated Chōjirō Sasakibe, Hirako Shinji, Ukitake Jūshirō, and Kyōraku Shunsui in succession while instantly taking down countless Soul Reapers...

Who in the Thirteen Divisions could possibly stand against them now?

The atmosphere grew ever heavier and more oppressive, while despair continued to spread among them after they had lost their pillar of support.

"Yo~"

Just