"Where exactly is this place?"
What exactly did you do to us?
The Bounts watched with growing tension as Bount sat on the Sōgo Shihoin. A sense of dread washed over them at their unfamiliar surroundings. Their sixth senses were constantly screaming alarms, repeatedly warning them of the danger. Their instincts screamed for escape, but faced with the seemingly Zanpakuto, they didn't know where to run...
" Sōgo Shihoin, what exactly is the purpose of bringing us here from Soul Society?!"
"If it's just about killing us, don't you think you're making a mountain out of a molehill?!"
Even in this unfamiliar environment, Kariya kept his hands in his pockets, maintaining a poker face and his cool demeanor. However, the beads of sweat on his forehead betrayed his inner turmoil; he was incredibly nervous as he spoke with Shihouin Sougo...
Although Kariya Jin claimed to have taken life and death lightly, when the moment of death actually arrived, when he faced death head-on, he still felt a slight fear of the unknown.
"This is out of respect for you."
"I brought you here to show my respect for you!"
"Celebrate!"
"You are the first people besides me to see my world."
Sōgo Shihoin sat high on his throne, answering Kariya Jin's question with a calm expression.
"Respect?!"
"Ha ha ha ha..."
"As the head of the Shihoin Family family, one of the Five Great Noble Clans of Soul Society, you have no respect for us rats in the street?!"
Isn't this a little too funny?
Kariya Jin burst into laughter. He found Sōgo Shihoin's words utterly hilarious. Would humans respect rats? In human eyes, rats were nothing more than experimental subjects. Once they were no longer useful, humans would find an excuse to get rid of them. That was the purpose of these rats.
How could they possibly earn the respect of others when they lead such pathetic and meaningless lives, lives that don't even qualify them as props?!
Even if they did earn Sōgo Shihoin's respect, so what?!
Even if they did gain respect... then... why hunt them down in the first place?!
Who gave respect to their brothers and sisters, fellow Soul Hunters, who perished in the clutches of Soul Reaper? Who gave respect to those whose bodies lay exposed in the wilderness, those ordinary people who shouldn't have died, who had never fed on living beings, but were forcibly transformed into Soul Hunters due to failed experiments?
Therefore, he doesn't need respect; all he needs is for their enemies in the Bount to pay the price, to pay in blood.
"Oh, because of my origins, you're prejudiced? Then how are you any different from those Soul Reaper kill you simply because you're Soul Hunters?"
Sōgo Shihoin felt no anger at all towards the laughing Kariya Jin beneath him; in fact, he wanted to laugh. This world was full of arrogance and prejudice, and those who were discriminated against often discriminated against others, eventually forming twisted chains of discrimination.
However, all of this was meaningless to Sōgo Shihoin. He did whatever he wanted, following his own heart. He respected whomever he wanted and did whatever he wanted; no one else could interfere.
"..."
Kariya Jin was momentarily stunned by Sōgo Shihoin's words, and he stood there speechless for a long time.
"Since you have no more questions..."
"So now you can finally listen to me properly, right?"
Sōgo Shihoin looked at the silent Kariya Jin and spoke with a smile.
"..."
Kariya Jin watched Sōgo Shihoin silently, wondering what Sōgo Shihoin was up to this time.
"I can help you quell the restless forces within you, and I can let you choose your own path in life—whether you become Soul Reaper or ordinary human beings. This time, the choice is yours, and I can grant you any request."
"Including but not limited to erasing your memories, reshaping your memories, allowing you to live a carefree and happy life, and finally returning to the world as Reishi."
Sōgo Shihoin explained the customized services he had chosen for these people, but he also concealed some details. For example, if they chose to become Soul Reaper, they would be imprisoned in the Nest of Maggots for absorbing living beings in the World of the Living without permission, until they died.
Choosing to become human does indeed allow one to live an incredibly short and ordinary life. This ordinary life is Soul Society Soul Reaper of Soul Society owe these Soul Hunters. Sōgo Shihoin won't cheat these Soul Hunters on this, but the price is that when these people's lives in the World of the Living come to an end, their souls will not go to Soul Society like other souls, but will directly transform into Reishi and enter the cycle of the Great World.
"Let us become Soul Reaper? Or let us become human again?"
After hearing Sōgo Shihoin's words, everyone was stunned. This was simply unbelievable, utterly outlandish!?
"Are you kidding me?"
"How is such a thing even possible?"
"If this is really possible, then what do our sacrifices matter!?"
Some people were unconvinced. A man in a suit, who looked like an English gentleman, roared loudly, not believing that what Sōgo Shihoin said was true.
"Others may not be able to do it, but I can."
"Besides, this kind of thing is a piece of cake for me."
"Now, you'd better hurry up and choose!"
Sōgo Shihoin patiently explained to everyone.
"..."
Silence followed the Sōgo Shihoin, an endless stillness.
Everyone frowned, deep in thought. They pondered Sōgo Shihoin's words. Although they all said they didn't want to believe it, they all knew perfectly well that someone as powerful as Sōgo Shihoin wouldn't deceive them. But... but they had sworn to avenge their fallen brothers and sisters. Now, being forced to choose here, what difference would that make from betraying their own sisters?!
"Make your choice quickly!"
The long wait made Sōgo Shihoin a little impatient. He had kindly intended to help these poor people solve their problems, but he didn't plan to spend too much of his time on it...
"If possible... please erase my memories and let me be a new person."
As Sōgo speaking, a burly man stepped forward, his mind already made up.
" Koga Gō?!"
The group of Bount stared in surprise at the first man to step forward...
After a long wait, the first person to step forward was none other than Koga Gō, who had remained silent and watched everyone without saying a word—something no one had expected.
"Gentlemen, I have made up my mind. Rather than doing something that is impossible, I will do something that I can do and do it to the best of my ability."
Koga Gō's eyes were calm and indifferent. He knew that others would not understand his choice, but he knew it was the best choice for him.
" Koga Gō..."
In the Bount, there was an old man with gray hair, quietly watching Koga Gō. He was constantly weighing the pros and cons in his heart. When someone came to his door and said that as long as they chose to give up their power, they would no longer have to live that Hell life of constant fighting, and could return to a peaceful life, the old man hesitated.
Originally, abandoning their powers and returning to being mortal was the Bount. However, when it was revealed that this wish could be fulfilled with just a nod, everyone stood still, constantly questioning their own hearts.
They asked themselves, having become accustomed to extraordinary power, having already considered themselves superhuman, how many of them could actually use that power to exchange for ordinariness?!
Once you have something, it becomes incredibly difficult to let go of it...
"We also choose to be human! But please don't erase our memories."
The speakers were two Bount children. After much deliberation, they decided to follow Uncle Koga Gō and become human. Perhaps because of their young age, they didn't want to have their memories erased like Koga Gō had. In their eyes, their time as Bount hadn't been filled with much pain, but rather a vibrant and colorful experience...
"Okay, no problem."
Sōgo Shihoin looked at the two of them and nodded slightly, agreeing with their choice.
"What about the others?"
Sōgo Shihoin continued asking the others questions, waiting for their answers.
Unfortunately, the others were not as quick to agree as the three in front of them. They all hesitated, for their own different reasons, and were unable to easily relinquish their power.
"Haha... It seems you still can't make up your minds, is it because you're afraid I won't be able to keep my promises to you? Fine."
"Then open your eyes wide and watch carefully, this cut will be quick..."
Sōgo Shihoin didn't force anyone; he smiled faintly at them.
Two flashes of light appeared in the next second!
The first strike severed the surging power within the three men's bodies!
The second cut severed all of Koga Gō Bount's memories of Bount from his mind.
Where am I?
In the instant the blade flashed, Koga Gō's eyes changed from their previous resolute look to one filled with confusion, as if his memories had been completely severed along with the blade.
"Throughout the three thousand worlds, there is none who will not be slain!"
"The myriad phenomena of the universe are all interconnected!"
Looking at the scene before him, Kariya Jin muttered to himself, finally understanding the meaning of Sōgo's words before releasing his Zanpakuto.
As long as he remains within the boundaries of this world, Sōgo Shihoin can sever everything...
All of this includes the visible and the invisible, the tangible and the intangible...
That's a power that can sever concepts!
Our power has vanished.
The two children looked at their hands. They could feel that after Sōgo's strike, they instantly lost contact with the puppets inside their bodies. Sōgo's slash was comparable to a painless abortion—fast, effective, and utterly admirable.
Even if Sōgo no longer wants to be a nobleman in Soul Society, he can always World of the Living a gynecologist in the human world. With his painless, one-cut technique, he deserves the title of gynecological master and is a friend to countless wayward young women and married women.
Wishing you happiness in your new life!
Sōgo Shihoin waved gently at the three people who had just finished their surgery, and the next second the three of them disappeared from everyone's sight.
The three of them were sent to the World of the Living with Sōgo Shihoin's hand...
"Now you can make your choice with confidence, right?!"
Sōgo Shihoin smiled slightly at everyone. He felt he had shown enough, and now these guys should be able to rest assured and let him perform a painless abortion... uh, no, he meant, a painless removal of the doll.
"Us..."
For a moment, only five people remained on the field: Kariya Jin, Udagawa Ryo, Yoshi, Saw atari, Maki Ichinose. Some of them looked confused, some were afraid, some were at a loss, and some were doubtful... Each of them was someone who could not easily make a conclusion.
" Uda, Yoshi, Saw atari, you three listen up."
"Go and become human! As for Mabashi and Ugaki, I'm leaving them to the three of you."
As time ticked by, Kariya Jin watched as Sōgo grew increasingly impatient. To avoid alienating Sōgo and ultimately losing more than he gained, he decided to issue orders to the group as the leader of the Bount.
" Kariya Jin, you bastard..."
"Could it be?!"
Udagawa Ryo gently stroked his mustache, a certain possibility coming to mind.
"Ha ha ha ha..."
"Please, have mercy on me!"
No wonder I'm not as good as you.
As Udagawa Ryo laughed, he made up his mind. He walked to Kariya Jin's side and gently patted Kariya Jin's shoulder.
"I'll leave the rest to you. You don't need to worry about things in the World of the Living." After saying this, Udagawa Ryo walked directly to Sōgo Shihoin's feet. "Please sever my power, preserve my memories, and send me to the World of the Living!"
"Good!"
Sōgo nodded slightly, fulfilling the other party's request. A flash of cold light appeared, and the immense power within Udagawa Ryo's body naturally vanished completely.
Goodbye~
Sōgo waved lightly at Udagawa Ryo, sending him away.
"I'm just like Udagawa Ryo..."
After Udagawa Ryo was sent away, Yoshi also went to Sōgo Shihoin and made the same choice as Udagawa Ryo.
"Good!"
A flash of dazzling light appeared, and Yoshi was also taken away by Sōgo Shihoin.
In that instant, only the lofty Sougo Kariya Jin Sōgo Shihoin, Maki Ichinose, and Saw atari— remained in the entire world.
Hehehehe...
"My days are numbered. You youngsters certainly don't know the terror of death, but I am terrified."
" Lord Sōgo, please let me become Soul Reaper! I... I don't want to die anymore."
Saw atari walked to Sōgo Shihoin's feet and bowed respectfully in worship.
"Are you sure?"
"If you become a Soul Reaper, you have to abide by the rules of Soul Society."
Sōgo Shihoin had practically made it clear to Saw atari that the price of becoming Soul Reaper was far beyond Saw atari's imagination.
"It doesn't matter. As long as I can become a noble Soul Reaper, I don't care what price I have to pay."
Saw atari's attitude was resolute. Unlike the others, he was already in his sixties. If he weren't an immortal Bount, he would have died long ago. If his power were cut off now, he might die in the next second. He had no choice but to choose the path of becoming Soul Reaper.
"Okay~"
"Since you insist on this, there's nothing we can do."
Sōgo Shihoin sighed helplessly and waved his finger at Saw atari.
The next second, Saw atari felt a surge of heat throughout his body, an intense restlessness, then his eyes rolled back, and he collapsed to the ground, unconscious.
"Take him away, next one."
Sōgo Shihoin snapped his fingers at Saw atari, who was lying on the ground. The next second, Saw atari, who was lying on the ground, vanished without a trace.
"The last two remaining, what are your choices?"
Sōgo Shihoin, like a high and mighty god, looked down at Kariya Jin and Maki Ichinose beneath him and asked.
" Maki, I'm sorry to have brought you to this point."
Instead of answering Sōgo Shihoin's question, Kariya Jin turned to Maki Ichinose and apologized.
"From the moment I pledged my allegiance to you, your affairs are my affairs. Now that you are prepared, I will naturally accompany you to the end, until this very last moment."
Maki Ichinose drew his Zanpakuto from his waist, smiling gently with an air of detachment from the world.
"You know I don't want to kill anyone." Sōgo frowned, looking at Bount and Maki Ichinose were still speaking in riddles. "I know you're both smart people. Since there's a better option, I think you'll make the choice that satisfies me."
I'm so sorry!
"To die on the battlefield is my greatest wish!"
A hurricane swept around Kariya Jin, and the terrifying air currents Sōgo Shihoin Sougo, who was sitting on the throne high in the sky, rustle.
"Shine, Nijigasumi!" At the same time, Maki Ichinose, standing beside Kariya Jin, Shikai his Zanpakuto and solemnly faced Sōgo Shihoin, who exuded an invincible aura. Even so, Maki Ichinose did not lose his courage to fight. He looked at Kariya Jin beside him and shouted, " Lord Kariya Jin, it is my pride to fight alongside you!"
"Hurricane!"
"Shine, Ultimate Crimson Mist!"
After hearing Maki Ichinose's words, Kariya Jin turned to the side, exchanged a smile with Maki Ichinose, and the next second, the two of them launched an attack on Sōgo Shihoin at the same time.
"Whoosh!"
At the same time, their time was forever frozen at that moment.
Sigh~
A soft sigh echoes endlessly in this world, lingering forever.
Bright red flowers bloomed everywhere, and two headless corpses fell to the ground...
In the Sōgo Shihoin, Bount organization.
This chapter continues with another 5,000 words~
(End of this chapter)