Raising the Curtain for the New King

Aizen Sōsuke and Chiba Makoto, who had entered the Dangai ahead of the others, were still unaware of Urahara Kisuke and the remaining captain-class Soul Reapers' actions.

Even if they had known, they would not have cared.

The site of the final battle... needed spectators. It could also serve as an opportunity to continue clearing out some of Zero Division's agents left within the Seireitei.

Zero Division... would not descend to the lower realm!

Unless Chiba Makoto voluntarily exposed his identity as the wielder of "names," Zero Division would absolutely never leave the Soul King Palace.

This was the conclusion Chiba Makoto and Aizen Sōsuke had reached through their secret deductions!

It was true that a "King's Key" capable of entering the Soul King Palace could be created by destroying Karakura Town.

But if Zero Division's members descended, would they not each be living, breathing "King's Keys"? Moreover, once Zero Division's members left the Soul King Palace, they could be killed for good.

More importantly, just as Chiba Makoto was wary of Hyōsube Ichibē, Hyōsube Ichibē's wariness of Chiba Makoto was no less profound.

Before confirming Chiba Makoto's identity as the wielder of "names," there was no way Hyōsube Ichibē would leave the Soul King Palace. Otherwise, he would be giving Chiba Makoto an opportunity to raid his home.

Hyōsube Ichibē would never make such a choice, nor would he dare weaken the Soul King Palace's defenses so casually.

They would only remain within the Soul King Palace, waiting for the challenging Aizen Sōsuke to ascend!

Both Aizen Sōsuke and Chiba Makoto understood this clearly. And if Zero Division truly descended in full, Chiba Makoto and Sōya Azashiro would not mind turning their pretense into reality and raiding their home.

They would first thoroughly desecrate and study the "Soul King,"