Chapter 252

"Is the Hōgyoku about to be completed?"

Wang Xun stared at the prism in Aizen's hand.

In the Shadow Domain, he witnessed firsthand what Aizen had done and also saw Pernida's fate.

The Soul King's left hand was completely swallowed by the Hōgyoku.

Wang Xun had already pushed the Hōgyoku Awakening Level to forty percent using the fragments he had cut from Gerard and Lille Barro.

The entire left hand of the Soul King was swallowed by the Hōgyoku. Aizen dared not even imagine how far the Hōgyoku Aizen his hand could evolve.

Everything Aizen did before was ultimately aimed at getting that half of the Hōgyoku from Kisuke Urahara.

Only by fusing the two can it be pushed to a higher level.

But now it seems that Aizen no longer needs Kisuke Urahara's Hōgyoku.

Aizen held the Hōgyoku in his palm, blue light flowing inside the prism, the refracted light shining on his face.

He stared at the Hōgyoku, his eyes filled with an excitement that had been suppressed for too long.

"The complete Hōgyoku will be available soon."

He put the Hōgyoku away.

"Then we can begin the next stage: fusing the Hōgyoku, creating the Arrancar, and building an army."

Aizen spoke calmly, outlining his plans for the future.

"I found this out in the Great Spirit Book Gallery: by fusing 100,000 souls in a Jūreichi to create the King's Key, one can enter the Soul King Palace."

Aizen raised his head and looked up at the sky.

"I will go to the Soul King Palace to see the Soul King for myself, and then I will create an ideal new world."

At that moment, Aizen turned his head to look at Wang Xun.

"While it's possible to continue developing slowly while remaining hidden in Soul Society, there's no need for that anymore."

Aizen's lips curled up slightly.

"Those Quincy were a great help, but unfortunately, they were all troublemakers."

"Now that Shigekuni Yamamoto knows about me, if you had activated your Bankai just now, you could have temporarily blocked the ability of Kyōka Suigetsu."

"Wang Xun, why didn't you make a move?"

Wang Xun looked at Aizen.

Yamamoto has lost his Bankai, so even if he brings himself along, he isn't entirely confident he can defeat Aizen.

While Wang Xun hesitated, Aizen continued speaking to himself.

"Actually, you were thinking of attacking just now, weren't you?"

Aizen's tone was very soft.

"Fortunately, you didn't choose to take action."

He adjusted his glasses.

"Otherwise, you might be facing a Shigekuni Yamamoto has lost his mind after being Hollowfication."

Wang Xun raised his eyes.

"Lieutenant Aizen, would you really do this?"

"If it were the previous Hōgyoku, I might doubt whether it could affect the Reiatsu of someone like Shigekuni Yamamoto."

"But now that the Hōgyoku has evolved and Shigekuni Yamamoto's Bankai has been taken away, to be honest, I'm actually thinking of giving it a try."

Aizen paused, a thoughtful look flashing in his eyes.

"However, since Shinji Hirako was able to withstand Hollowfication for so long, I suspect that Shigekuni Yamamoto's Reiatsu might be able to suppress Hollowfication with his own power."

"If that's the case, it would be even more disadvantageous for me. I won't try it unless absolutely necessary."

Aizen turned to look at the spot where Yhwach had just disappeared and sighed softly.

"The Quincy really invented something great: Quincy Medallion Transformation, stealing Bankai. The Soul Reaper who relied on Bankai have so easily lost their most important ability."

He looked away.

"Fortunately, I don't rely on Bankai, and I've found a second path: Hollowfication."

Aizen looked at Wang Xun again.

"Now that Shigekuni Yamamoto knows my plan, there's no need for him to stay in Soul Society."

"The biggest enemy now is actually the Quincy; Yhwach is indeed troublesome."

Then, Aizen looked at Wang Xun.

"I'm going to Hueco Mundo, Wang Xun, do you want to come with us?"

Wang Xun looked at Aizen and sighed.

"I still prefer to stay in Soul Society. Hueco Mundo isn't really suitable for me."

"Is that so?" Aizen said. "That's a real shame."

Wang Xun noticed that Aizen's hand was on his Zanpakuto.

The atmosphere suddenly became tense.

A moment later, the hand released its grip.

"It's terrifying. In just a few short years, you've grown to a point where I have to be wary of you."

He looked at Wang Xun, his tone carrying a hint of genuine emotion.

"Your performance in the Wandenreich was outstanding. If I were to use my Hollowfication abilities, I wouldn't dare say I could take you down with 100% certainty."

Aizen withdrew his hand and put it behind his back.

"Wang Xun, I've enjoyed working with you for a long time. I hope you'll behave yourself and not get in my way."

"If you're still alive and witness my success, I'd be happy to reserve a place for you in the new world. After all, you're quite an interesting person."

Aizen turned and left, his steps neither hurried nor slow.

"I hope that in the end I won't be forced to kill you."

Aizen's figure disappeared into the distance.

He went to Kaname Tōsen ask for Gin Ichimaru.

Heading to Hueco Mundo and fusing with the Hōgyoku —no preparations can be omitted.

Wang Xun stood in the empty laboratory and let out a long sigh.

Everything that has happened during this period has been far too complicated and chaotic.

Perhaps I should go and talk to an old friend to see what he thinks.

A few days later, Seireitei.

Post-war reconstruction work has been underway for some time.

The members of the Fourth Division pushed carts filled with bandages and medicine bottles back and forth between the divisions.

The charred potholes on the stone path were being filled in, Mayuri Kurotsuchi was collecting the Quincy corpses with little interest, attempting...

Some surviving individuals were found among them.

Wang Xun was reviewing documents in the 11th Division's office.

After Kisuke Urahara defected, the Thirteenth Division tightened its control over the portals to the World of the Living several times over, requiring Captain-level approval for the opening of all Senkaimon.

He's the team leader now and has the authority, but it's difficult for him to fill out the reason for applying to go to the World of the Living.

They can't exactly write about going to the World of the Living to reminisce with the former Third Seat of the Second Division who had defected.

Just then, there was a knock on the door.

"Captain Wang Xun and Captain Kirio Hikifune are officially promoted to Zero Division today. First Division has informed all squad captains that a farewell party will be held this afternoon in the headquarters conference room."

"Mayuri Kurotsuchi of the Twelfth Division has cracked the technique for obtaining Bankai using the Quincy Medallion. For this contribution, he has been promoted to vice-captain of the Twelfth Division. After Captain Hikifune's promotion, Mayuri Kurotsuchi be in full charge of the Twelfth Division."

Wang Xun took the document and glanced at it.

"Knew."

Mayuri Kurotsuchi deciphered the Quincy Medallion.

In other words, the Bankai that was taken away can be retrieved.

Yamamoto's Zanka no Tachi, Isshin Shiba's Engetsu.

After that, when facing the Quincy might make a comeback, the captains no longer needed to be so hesitant.

This is indeed good news at this critical juncture.

Wang Xun stood up and walked towards the headquarters meeting room.

Several people had already arrived in the conference room.

Shunsui Kyōraku stood in his place, his complexion not looking healthy, after all, he had not fully recovered from the injuries sustained in the great battle.

Isshin Shiba was using crutches, his right arm still in a sling across his chest, looking even worse than Shunsui Kyōraku, but his face had regained some color, so he seemed to be recovering quite well.

Soi Fon stood in the Second Division's seat. When she saw Wang Xun enter, her eyes unconsciously lingered on him until Wang Xun looked over, at which point she hurriedly looked away.

Unohana stood next to Soi Fon, glancing sideways at Soi Fon's performance before looking at Wang Xun with a subtle expression.

The elderly Ginrei Kuchiki was resting with his eyes closed. Jūshirō Ukitake coughed twice and nodded to Wang Xun.

After everyone had arrived, Shigekuni Yamamoto was the last to enter.

"Kirio Hikifune has been promoted to Zero Division today."

Yamamoto's voice was hoarse but powerful.

"During her years in the Gotei 13, she made irreplaceable contributions to the development of Soul Society."

"The summons from Zero Division is an affirmation of her abilities."

Kirio Hikifune stepped forward, her expression calm, with a slight smile on her lips.

"Thank you, Captain-Commander, thank you everyone."

Her gaze lingered on the faces of everyone present for a moment.

"I have handed over all the affairs of the Twelfth Division to Mayuri Kurotsuchi. He has finished compiling the solution to the Quincy Medallion and will distribute it to each division in the next few days."

"A captain whose Bankai has been taken away will no longer have to fear that the enemy will use their Bankai on their own people."

"And the reclaimed Quincy Medallion can also unleash Bankai and return to its owner."

Upon hearing this, Isshin Shiba, the first captain to have his Bankai taken away, finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"There's one more thing."

Kirio Hikifune's tone became more serious.

"I looked at some data about Hollowfication in the Twelfth Division's research lab. That data was discovered by Kisuke Urahara when he was wanted by the authorities."

There was a moment of silence in the conference room.

The name Kisuke Urahara hasn't been mentioned in the captains' meetings for a long time.

"Based on the data he left behind, plus the Quincy Medallion samples seized from the Quincy during this war, we were able to decipher it so quickly."

Kirio Hikifune looked at Yamamoto.

"Captain-Commander, I heard there was more to the story than meets the eye regarding the Captain Hollowfication Incident. And did the disappearance of Sōsuke Aizen, the lieutenant of the Fifth Division, really confirm this?"

Yamamoto glanced at the Fifth Division's location, where Acting Captain Aizen should have been, but it was now empty.

He recalled what the Quincy had said and remained silent for a moment.

"I will investigate this matter thoroughly."

Kirio Hikifune nodded, bowed slightly, and left the meeting room.

The envoy from Zero Division was already waiting for her outside.

After Kirio Hikifune left, Yamamoto stood up.

"Each division continues its repair work. Unohana, Fourth Division, submit your complete casualty figures. Soi Fon, Second Division, continue investigating Quincy traces within the Seireitei."

He looked at Wang Xun.

"Wang Xun, how's the investigation of Aizen that day going?"

"Aizen wasn't in the Fifth Division. When I went there, his office was already empty."

Wang Xun reported on the events of that day.

"However, Aizen's disappearance itself proves one thing."

Yamamoto stared at him for a few breaths.

"How credible do you think of the Quincy's accusations regarding the Captain Hollowfication Incident?"

"To be honest, I do know the inside story of this matter, but the ability of 'Kyōka Suigetsu' is too unsolvable, so I haven't had the chance to say it."

"The Captain Hollowfication Incident was indeed Aizen's doing, and Kisuke Urahara and the others' defection was truly a last resort."

Now that Aizen Jun has gone to Hueco Mundo for a team-building event, Wang Xun can say it without any reservations.

Shigekuni Yamamoto remained silent, but there was truly nothing he could do about it.

"Continue the investigation. Find Aizen, preferably alive. If he resists, kill him on the spot."

"Yes."

The meeting adjourned.

Wang Xun walked out of the headquarters meeting room, Soi Fon chased after him from behind.

The two walked side by side across the stone-paved road and turned into a deserted alley.

How much do you know about Aizen?

Soi Fon gets straight to the point.

"A lot of."

"How many."

"From the Captain Hollowfication Incident, to Kisuke Urahara being wanted, to Captain Unohana being imprisoned in the Maggot's Nest."

Soi Fon stopped and stared at him.

You've always known.

"Right."

But you didn't tell me.

Soi Fon clenched her fist and then relaxed it.

She took a deep breath and lowered her voice.

"You know that Lady Yoruichi was framed."

"Know."

"When will the case be overturned? When will Lady Yoruichi return?"

"Don't worry, it'll be soon. Aizen has already left Soul Society. Once his deeds are confirmed, everyone's crimes will be re-examined."

Soi Fon fell silent, looking up at Wang Xun.

After a moment, she looked away and turned to walk out.

"Wait a minute, I'm going to the World of the Living in a couple of days. Do you want to come?"

"What do we do in this World of the Living?"

Soi Fon turned around, a hint of curiosity flashing in her eyes.

"Go find Kisuke Urahara."

"What?! So that means we can find Lady Yoruichi too, right?"

Seeing Soi Fon's wide eyes, Wang Xun nodded.

"Okay, don't forget to call me when you leave. I'll go arrange some work first."

Wang Xun leaned against the wall of the alleyway, waiting for Soi Fon's footsteps to completely disappear before turning around and walking towards the 11th Division.

Late at night, Wang Xun sat in his captain's office, with the application form for the Senkaimon spread out on the table.

The form has been filled out, and the reason for the application is listed as "Application for Cleanup of Residual Illusions in This World of the Living".

A few days later, the technique for Senkaimon was activated under the supervision of the Twelfth Division.

Mayuri Kurotsuchi actually showed up to help operate the system. He stared at the control panel, his yellow eyes sweeping over Wang Xun.

"World of the Living patrol," Mayuri Kurotsuchi drawled, "Captain Wang Xun is really diligent."

"Having just finished fighting the Quincy, he's off to the World of the Living to fight Hollows right away. Is the captain of the 11th Division so restless?"

"Or is there some other purpose?"

"Stop talking nonsense and open the door."

Mayuri Kurotsuchi pursed his lips and pressed the start button.

The Senkaimon unfolded on the platform, and a black tunnel rotated within the portal frame.

Wang Xun and Soi Fon stepped into the passage together, the Reishi energy whistling past their ears.

In the World of the Living, within Karakura Town.

It was just getting dark when Wang Xun walked out of the Senkaimon.

He stood on the roof of an abandoned warehouse, with the city lights in the distance.

The concentration of Reishi in the World of the Living is much thinner than in Soul Society; even breathing feels a bit lighter.

He extended his senses and simultaneously released his Reiatsu.

The Reiatsu of Captain-level quickly spread throughout most of the city.

Sure enough, a few minutes later, a figure quietly landed in front of him.

Kisuke Urahara, along with the black cat on his shoulder, silently stared at Wang Xun and Soi Fon beside him.

Kisuke Urahara was now wearing a fisherman's hat that covered half his face, and a green kimono. When he saw Wang Xun, he slightly...

He squinted his eyes slightly.

"Hey, Wang Xun, I didn't expect to see you so soon."

"I've heard that Soul Society has been quite lively lately, but could you tell me in detail what exactly happened?"