Aizen's Masterpiece, the Crystallization of Wisdom!

At the edge of Nigoku District, outside the Barren Land.

A bizarre creature kept moving forward.

Its entire body was the white that symbolized emptiness. Its form was divided into upper and lower halves. The lower half was a massive inverted cone covered in dense spikes, enough to send chills down anyone's spine.

Its upper body was humanoid, its chest and back covered in faces bearing different expressions of extreme agony. Six spiraling horns grew from its head, along with a vicious bone mask that brought terror to its utmost extreme.

"Delicious..."

A low, suppressed voice emerged from behind the mask. Its scarlet eyes turned toward the Barren Land, filled with greed and longing.

Without hesitation, the bizarre being shifted its conical body and crossed Rukongai at tremendous speed, heading straight for...

The shrine where Mimihagi-sama resided.

Because he had forced himself to fight despite his illness, Jushiro Ukitake had rested where he was for nearly an hour before regaining the ability to move.

In his words, once they returned to Seireitei, he would personally apologize to Captain-Commander Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto and calmly accept Central 46's judgment.

However, Su Feng suspected that Yamamoto Genryusai would protect his disciple within the limits permitted by the rules.

As Jushiro Ukitake's close friend, Shunsui Kyoraku would also use his connections to minimize the impact of this matter.

Though no matter how one looked at it, Jushiro Ukitake had absolutely nothing to do with Jushiro Ukitake's centuries-long scheme.

But then again, Jushiro Ukitake was willing to take responsibility.

Compared to all these dark matters, Su Feng felt that Jushiro Ukitake's parents were the truly formidable ones...

Just as they set out to return and left the Barren Land.

The bizarre creature arrived in Nigoku District from another direction and rushed toward Mimihagi's shrine at great speed.

It opened its gaping maw, exposing rows upon rows of sharp teeth to the air as it frantically devoured the reishi drifting out from within.

At both cheeks of its bone mask, gill-like organs continuously opened and closed, filtering out useless reishi.

The reishi and spiritual pressure left behind by the battle were completely devoured and fused into its body, until the bizarre form began to glow with faint, mottled colors.

Blue, pale cyan, and black.

The colors constantly shifted, while bloated chunks of flesh continuously proliferated, forming one bulge after another across its body.

Greedy roars echoed through the empty Barren Land. One emotionless eye after another opened upon the bone mask, slowly widening as they gazed equally upon everything in the world.

Aizen had granted it the respective traits of Soul Reapers and Menos, then used special techniques to alter the core of its power.

The accumulated wisdom of countless years was perfectly displayed in this creation.

The bizarre creature reached Mimihagi's shrine at top speed.

By then, its body had expanded to over ten meters tall. Even its conical lower body stood half a shrine taller than the building.

Faced with the shrine that had once enshrined the Soul King's Right Arm, the monster held not the slightest reverence.

It greedily opened its enormous mouth and, without hesitation, bit down on the eaves of the ancient structure.

Crack—

The shrine collapsed, vanishing before the naked eye.

At the same time, Su Feng and the others, who had just left the Barren Land, noticed the anomaly in the distance.

Su Feng stopped, his brows drawing together as he looked back into the distance.

"This spiritual pressure..."

Within his senses, the suddenly appearing massive spiritual pressure felt like a conglomeration of countless different spiritual pressures, filled with negative emotions such as brutality, greed, and despair.

Yet the wind carried through the air told him that the massive spiritual pressure in the distance belonged to only a single individual.

"A Menos!"

Jushiro Ukitake abruptly turned around, his face full of shock. "How could a Menos with spiritual pressure of this level appear in Nigoku District?!"

"Could it be because of Mimihagi-sama's passing?"

Su Feng caught the key point in his words. "You mean that Nigoku District has never suffered a Menos invasion?"

Jushiro Ukitake nodded, his face pale as he explained seriously, "Ever since Mimihagi-sama's shrine appeared, neither Hollows nor Menos have been seen in Nigoku District. Even conflicts have become far less frequent."

Hearing this, Nanao Ise's expression shifted as she spoke up. "According to the Eighth Division's intelligence records, there has never been an incident of a Menos harming people at the end of East Rukongai. Nigoku District is even called the final salvation amid chaos."

Su Feng fell into thought.

Though the Soul King's Right Arm had seemed somewhat lacking in its displays, its actual authority was no weaker than that of the Soul King's Left Arm.

Yet a Menos had appeared the moment it disappeared. That was far too suspicious.

Could someone have already begun making their move?

Was this a test, or did they have another purpose?

Countless thoughts swirled through Su Feng's mind, tangling together beyond sorting out.

"Captain Su Feng, please return to Seireitei at once and request reinforcements."

Jushiro Ukitake suddenly interrupted Su Feng's thoughts and declared with firm resolve:

"I will hold that Menos back for now. I will never let it enter the depths of Rukongai, much less allow it to threaten Seireitei!"

Su Feng glanced sideways at Jushiro Ukitake beside him.

His Captain's Haori was stained with blood, his hanging white hair was a mess, and an unnatural flush had appeared on his pale face due to his agitation.

Blood continued to seep from the corners of his mouth. He looked utterly miserable, completely unlike his usual gentle and refined self.

Yet Su Feng had every reason to believe that even if Jushiro Ukitake faced that bizarre Menos alone, there would be no problem whatsoever.

By the time Su Feng returned with reinforcements, Jushiro Ukitake might have already dealt with it.

Years of experience had taught him never to underestimate anyone who appeared mild-mannered.

Aizen was the best example.

"Isn't that just slapping me in the face?"

Su Feng rested his left hand on the hilt at his waist and smiled gently. "Captain Ukitake, you're not only wounded right now, you're also awaiting punishment."

"You absolutely can't afford any mishaps."

"Otherwise, if Central 46 holds me accountable, I won't be able to bear it."

"Leave that big fellow to me..."

The others could not help but stare blankly. Only Rangiku Matsumoto curled her lips disdainfully and muttered under her breath:

"Since when has the Captain ever taken Central 46 seriously?"

Before Jushiro Ukitake could try to stop him, Su Feng used Shunpo and rushed straight toward the shrine.

His figure vanished in an instant, heading deep into the Barren Land.

When Su Feng reached the shrine, he finally saw the owner of the spiritual pressure he had sensed.

The massive creature crouched atop the ruins, gnawing at the last remaining fragments of brick and tile.

Seemingly sensing another spiritual pressure, the Menos took a moment amid its feast to turn its body. Countless cold eyes instantly locked onto the figure not far away.

A hollow, layered voice echoed across the wilderness:

"Soul Reaper..."