The many Soul Reapers gazed at the all-too-familiar buildings before them, each wearing a different expression.
Only Shunsui Kyōraku let out a helpless sigh.
Forget it. Whatever happens, happens.
He was tired...
"Can't even someone with your strength enter the Wandenreich?" Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto noticed that Shengyi had stopped after arriving at the Seireitei. Doubts arose in his mind, and he mistakenly thought Shengyi had run into a problem too.
Shengyi shook his head, his gaze calm as he watched the Seireitei. His voice was low and firm. "No, I just wanted to see this place with my own eyes!"
As his words fell, their surroundings changed in an instant.
The once-peaceful Seireitei vanished, replaced by a gloomy scene.
A cold chill washed over them, as though they were standing amid polar glaciers.
An enormous ice palace appeared before them. Thick layers of ice covered its exterior, making it resemble a sparkling, translucent crystal castle.
Two cracked, tusklike arched pillars stood at the palace's front entrance, lending it a solemn, imposing air.
Behind the palace stood a building bearing a cross motif, giving it an unfathomably mysterious feel.
Beneath the palace lay vast buildings and clock towers covered in ice, exuding an ancient, solemn air.
Shengyi gazed at the ice palace, a glimmer of understanding flashing in his eyes.
He spoke slowly. "This is the Wandenreich's base. They've kept it hidden in the Seireitei's shadows for a long time, leaving you completely unaware of it."
Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto and the other Soul Reapers stared at the ice palace in shock, their hearts filled with anger and helplessness.
They had always believed the Seireitei was safe, never imagining that the enemy had long since established such an enormous base right under their noses.
Just then, the ice palace's gates suddenly creaked