Stay or Go

It would be no exaggeration to describe the attack of the Sinners as a surging tide. In order to protect the safety of the remaining forces, the captains, Beyond Bankai, released their techniques time and time again, constantly depleting their spiritual pressure.

The first person to force himself to release his Beyond Bankai state was Hirako Shinji. His star destroyer-like flash cannon consumed too much spiritual pressure and couldn't be sustained for long.

Next up was Toshiro. Having already used the Shikai Hyōketsu once, he once again entered the Ryouran Hyorinka state, Beyond Bankai. He had only just released the Crimson Lotus when he could no longer sustain it.

Kyōraku's pink net-like structure was struggling to hold on, and it looked like it wouldn't last much longer. Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto wanted to use his Sōkotsu to burn everything, but the Hell Magma above his head that resurrected the Sinners was an invisible mockery of him.

"Kisuke, think of something!" Kyōraku said through gritted teeth.

In dire straits, Kyōraku has no choice but to rely on Urahara Kisuke Urahara's creativity.

However, this time Urahara Kisuke was unable to offer any advice that could turn the tide. Looking at the shattered sky, he realized that he had simply not had enough time to study Hell and make repairs.

"Preserve our strength, abandon the World of the Living, and Aizen and Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto will lead the remaining combatants to retreat to Soul Society and Hueco Mundo." Urahara Kisuke said these words with great difficulty.

"Abandon the World of the Living? You need to know that the World of the Living isn't just Karakura Town. Do you know how many people will die if we leave!" Sajin Komamura retorted, his sense of justice forbidding him from abandoning other vulnerable lives.

Once these targets disappear from the World of the Living, these Sinners will immediately turn their attacks to other cities, and at that time it will truly be a scene of devastation and Hell on earth.

"He knows. Kisuke has lived in the World of the Living for over a hundred years; he knows the World of the Living data better than you do." Hirako asked calmly, "Is there no other way, Kisuke?"

"He's trying to trade space for time, using the entire World of the Living to buy time to study Hell, sacrificing one world for peace between two."

Aizen's tone was neither joyful nor sorrowful; on the contrary, he held Urahara Kisuke in higher regard. Being able to abandon sentimentality at crucial moments was what those who pursue the truth of the world should do.

Aizen's words silenced everyone else. Everyone knew he was right, but no one dared to take that step.

"I'm sorry." A light female voice rang out. Tatsuki stretched her body. "I've chosen to stay. If Tsuna comes back and sees the World of the Living swallowed up, he won't be happy."

As he spoke, Tatsuki unleashed the form of Poseidon, causing a massive surge of seawater to counter the tide of people. He swallowed the Sinners but did not kill them; this was the only method Tatsuki could think of.

But how long can her spiritual pressure last?

The waves that seemed so powerful in London appeared utterly insignificant in the face of this tireless crowd, with Sinners stepping on their comrades to continue their attack.

"Unfortunately, Karakura Town is our Xcution's base. If we lose it, the organization will be defunct."

Ginjo's lazy voice rang out, and all the members of Xcution stood behind Tatsuki, having made the same choice at that moment.

Tatsuki is human, and her family is still living in the World of the Living, so her choice is understandable.

The Xcution group lived like orphans; they could have easily become spirits and stayed in Soul Society or Hueco Mundo, but instead, they chose to fight to the death in the World of the Living.

With Tatsuki the way, the other kids in the World of the Living naturally stood together. However, unexpectedly, Liltotto also brought her best friends to stand beside Uryū.

"What are you looking at! We don't trust those Bleach guys!" Liltotto retorted stubbornly. As for running away with the Hollows? Just thinking about those poisonous guys made her itch all over.

Nel looked at Stark, "From now on, Hueco Mundo is yours. I'm staying; I owe them a favor!"

When she was a child, Nel fell into Karakura Town and lived with the Kurosaki Residence for a long time, so she already had feelings for the World of the Living.

Before Stark could speak, Grimmjow jumped in, cracking his neck, "You can leave if you want. I'd love to have an endless supply of punching bags!"

Lilynette, inside Stark, was also infected by this heroic atmosphere, "Stark, fight them!"

Stark smiled helplessly. "Looks like I can't leave either; my little buddy inside me won't allow it."

"In that case, anyone who wants to leave can leave at any time." Nel looked at the other Arrancar and said this without any restraint, yet none of them Arrancar action. The situation was already very clear.

"Even Xu isn't afraid of death, so you want me to leave? What a joke!"

Muguruma Kensei's words provoked the wrath of the Arrancar, but they also awakened all the Bleach.

"Captain-Commander Kyōraku, you said that the Gotei 13's responsibilities have expanded to protect the Three Worlds. I will fulfill my duties accordingly."

Byakuya Kuchiki used the established rules to justify his actions, while the others were less formal and less pedantic.

"An endless stream of enemies? Yachiru, let's have some fun!" Kenpachi Zaraki's lips curled up to his ears.

"6th Division, follow closely in Lord Kuchiki's footsteps!" Renji said.

"Lady Yoruichi, don't even think about abandoning me again!" Soi Fon stood on Yoruichi's other side.

"I am a man who deserves to die, so it is not so bad for me to meet my end again." Kaname Tōsen stood next to Sajin Komamura.

"Temari..."

"Stop talking nonsense!" Gin got a hard punch from Temari. "How could I leave in a situation like this, Gin! You're not allowed to lie to me again in your next life."

"Lord Mimihagi still has the strength to fight!" Ukitake struggled to his feet.

"I will stay!" Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto said succinctly, his burning eyes fixed on death.

"In that case, all Gotei 13, heed my command!" Kyōraku felt a surge of pride. "The time has come to fulfill the Gotei's duty, to safeguard the stability of the Three Worlds, and to offer your lives!"

The remaining Gotei 13 roared in fury.

Knowing everyone's intentions, Urahara abandoned his previous idea and turned to Aizen, saying, "Aizen, can I ask you a favor? Take Jinta and Koume away to the Soul King Palace. If it really comes to the last step, they might be able to play a role."

Jinta and Koume were the artificial Soul King that Urahara researched after failing to imitate the Soul King using the Hogyoku. Unfortunately, this project was only half-finished. Their existence might be able to stabilize the world for a short time when it was out of balance.

"Kisuke, I don't want to go." Koume tugged at Urahara's trouser leg.

Jinta had an even more fiery temper, "If you want to leave, then leave! I still have to fight the enemy!"

Just as Urahara Kisuke about to angrily rebuke the two for thinking about the bigger picture, Aizen asked smugly, "Why didn't you deliver it yourself?"

"I am a member of the Gotei 13, so of course I must carry out the Captain-Commander's orders." Urahara Kisuke's gaze fell on the vengeful Sinners kept charging forward.

"Then what makes you think I'll run away?" Aizen stood beside Urahara Kisuke. "If Sawada Tsunayoshi had handed over the method to other worlds, I might have been interested. But now, once you've lost your position, where in the world is there any safety?"

Aizen calmly analyzed the situation and found a reason for himself to stay. Though his words were reluctant, his body betrayed him, Kyoka Suigetsu continued to surge, slaying enemies time and time again.

Even Aizen had been rational his entire life, made such an irrational choice. Urahara had nothing more to say. He ruffled Jinta and Koume's hair and together they unleashed their power on Sinners.

The resistance was not without strategy. Under proper command, they adopted a method of rotating defense, with one area-of-effect (AOE) character leading other single-target demolition personnel in shifts. Their goal was not to kill the Sinners, but simply to withstand the attacks.

The effectiveness of this defensive method is limited. The biggest problem is that the speed at which the consumed spiritual pressure recovers is far slower than that of those tireless Sinners, because they are fearless and use all their Sinners to the death.

After wave of attacks, the defenders' spiritual pressure began to wane, and only Aizen remained capable of Beyond Bankai.

But Aizen wasn't a machine. Prolonged and numerous battles would eventually tire him out, and before he knew it, a Sinners rushed in through the crack in the Kyoka Suigetsu.

A white Zanpakuto flashed by, Rukia used the Three Dances: White Blade to freeze the Sinners into pieces. Fortunately, it wasn't one of the stronger ones, otherwise she might not have been able to handle it.

Aizen nodded slightly in thanks. Rukia was one of the few who could still maintain a high level of concentration in the fight. He watched Renji lay on the ground, silently recovering their spiritual pressure.

Aizen didn't know was that Rukia wasn't alone in monitoring the battlefield; there was a man and a woman inside her who were constantly keeping an eye on the changes on the battlefield for her.

They are Homura and Shizuku, who were taken into Rukia's body in Hueco Mundo. They are Rukia's childhood friends and the representatives of the Hollow's power within Rukia, enabling Rukia to enter Hollowfication at any time.

Even with two extra cameras helping to monitor the battlefield, Rukia still felt an unprecedented fatigue.

This is too difficult. The entire defense line is currently supported by Aizen. If Aizen has any problems, the defense line will collapse instantly. And Aizen's mental strength is clearly starting to decline. How long can he hold on?

Homura and Shizuku, who are inside Rukia's inner world, can constantly sense Rukia's changing state of mind. At this moment, Rukia's heart is filled with dark clouds and is clearly filled with sorrow.

Even without Rukia's explanation, Homura and Shizuku understood the reason for the emotional shift. The battle was already on the verge of collapse, and if things continued like this, Rukia's life would likely be in danger.

"Shizuku, have you been happy these days?"

Hearing her sister's question, Shizuku already understood what she wanted to do. "Homura, wherever you go, I'll be with you."

Homura gently held Shizuku's hand. "We were destined to die anyway. We should be content to Rukia one more time. Shizuku, let's burn for Rukia one last time!"