"What... what happened?"
"Why are we back?"
"How did this place become like this?"
"Who is he?"
"..."
One second, they had been in Hueco Mundo, fighting those terrifying Ten Blades. The next, they had returned to their utterly familiar headquarters. Every Sternritter present wore a baffled expression.
However, when they saw the ruined buildings around them, they all froze.
Had someone invaded this place?
"He is..."
At last, someone recognized the figure standing in the center of the city. "He's that guy named Duan Mu, one of the six Special War Potentials. What is he doing here?"
"How is that possible?"
After recognizing Duan Mu, everyone's pupils shrank, their eyes filled with disbelief.
Never before...
Never before had anyone other than a Quincy entered the Wandenreich, let alone a Soul Reaper!!
Duan Mu ignored the reactions around him. He beckoned with his right hand, hanging at his side, and a gray-bladed, white-hilted sword condensed into existence in his grasp.
With Yhwach's return, this space, located in the same position as the Seireitei, had become indestructible. Continuing his analysis would only be a waste of effort.
"Now this feels a little more like welcoming a guest."
Duan Mu slowly raised his head and addressed Yhwach with a faint smile. "A guest has come to your door, yet it took the host this long to come out and greet him. Is this how you Quincies treat your guests?"
Yhwach did not answer. He merely watched Duan Mu grimly as the azure flames sealing the Shadow Domain completely merged into this world.
Only after finishing all this did he slowly lower his head and look down at Duan Mu. The gloom in his eyes gradually settled into calm.
No. Rather than returning to calm, it was more accurate to say that