Stifled sobs and roars of defiance echoed through this once-peaceful city of souls.
And when the lieutenant of the 4th Division, Isane Kotetsu, announced the devastating news that shattered all of Soul Society to the surviving members of the Gotei 13 in her hoarse voice-
"Captain of the 1st Division, Head Captain Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto..."
"...has been confirmed killed in action..."
All of Seireitei sank into a deathly despair.
The Head Captain, who had always stood like an unshakable anchor, the strongest pillar of the entire Gotei 13...
-was dead.
Everyone, from ordinary soldiers to the captains who had likewise suffered grievous injuries and lost their Bankai, fell into an unprecedented state of bewilderment.
They had absolutely no idea.
Where was the Gotei 13 supposed to go without its Head Captain?
How were they supposed to defeat the Wandenreich?
Just as panic engulfed all of Seireitei-
Humm-!!!
Without warning, a golden pillar of light pierced straight through Soul Society's sky!
Then, beneath the horrified gazes of all the Soul Reapers!
A magnificent palace resembling the Tenkyūmon slowly descended from within the golden pillar of light!
At the very top of the palace, five figures radiating terrifying Reiatsu calmly looked down like gods upon Seireitei, which had been reduced to ruins.
"What is that?!"
"It's the Zero Division!!"
"It's the royal special task force, the lords of the Zero Division!!!"
For a moment, a spark of hope reignited in every surviving Soul Reaper!
Just as in the original story.
The royal special task force, the Zero Division, descended from the sky.
Their leader was a bald monk with a thick beard, and the Reiatsu emanating from him made every captain-class Soul Reaper present tremble from the depths of their souls.
The Monk Who Calls the Real Name, Ichibē Hyōsube.
With an