Chapter 156: Thirty Years in a Flash! Araki: I've Said It All, No

"Is that so? In other words, as long as I choose to join you and become your companion, we can unite and rule the entire 'Hollow World', am I right?!"

"Arturo thought for a moment, then asked the Aizen Sosuke before him."

"Of course~"

"Aizen, hearing that, wore a faint smile and spoke softly."

"So what is your answer?"

"Aizen, with his hands behind his back, asked Arturo."

"My answer is, of course, I refuse your invitation!"

"Arturo hesitated not at all and directly refused Aizen."

"Can you tell me the reason?"

"Aizen, hearing that, showed a regretful expression and at the same time asked Arturo."

"Hehe..."

"The thing I, Arturo, like to do most in my life is to say 'no' to those conceited guys!"

"Arturo said this, raising his chin, looking down on Aizen from above, and spoke in a low voice."

"What a pity~"

"After receiving Arturo's answer, Aizen merely gave a light smile."

"Although Aizen's words were filled with regret over Arturo's refusal of his invitation, his expression showed not a trace of regret, as if Aizen had not been overly surprised by Arturo's refusal."

"Well then, unnamed Vasto Lorde-level Menos~"

"I hope you can tell me the whereabouts of other Vasto Lorde-level Menos; I believe there will surely be like-minded companions who will accept my invitation and join my forces..."

"After his invitation to Arturo failed, Aizen continued speaking to Arturo before him. To Aizen, Arturo was at most one of his ideal subordinates, but it was not necessary to recruit him."

"Hahaha, Shinigami! I advise you not to indulge in daydreams!"

"We Vasto Lorde-level Menos, how could we possibly submit to you petty Shinigami?!"

"Upon hearing Aizen's words, Arturo immediately burst into loud laughter."

"At this moment, Arturo laughed wildly, as if, hundreds of years ago, the Arturo who had been subdued by Araki's absolute violence and ultimately chose to pledge loyalty to Araki, was not him."

"Hehe, is that so?"

"Aizen, hearing Arturo's words, did not say much more."

"In fact, Aizen had already extracted the information he needed from Arturo's words."

"Just now this guy said, 'We Vasto Lorde-level Menos!' If that's the case, then in this vast 'Hollow World', there must indeed be more than one Vasto Lorde-level Menos, right?!"

"If so, perhaps the current state of the 'Hollow World' is exactly what I inferred from Mr. Kukaku's records after his second great expedition into the 'Hollow World' while I was in the 'Soul Society', as written in his 'Hollow World Observations'..."

"Moreover, judging by the tone of this Vasto Lorde-level Menos before me, the number of top-tier Menos in the 'Hollow World' seems quite large! Perhaps even more Vasto Lorde than Mr. Kukaku encountered during his expedition of the 'Hollow World'! And these Vasto Lorde-level Menos appear to share some strange connection..."

"But this was also within my earlier expectations: when an ecosystem evolves too many top predators, those predators, to avoid meaningless mutual slaughter, will surely divide into individual hunting territories! The hunting ground I now occupy should be the territory of this Vasto Lorde before me."

"Aizen merely through a few brief exchanges with Arturo gathered a large amount of the information he needed, narrowed his eyes, and began to devise his plan for conquering and reforming the 'Hollow World'."

"Whoosh!"

"Meanwhile, Arturo attempted to attack Aizen with Hollow Flash, but his Hollow Flash simply passed through Aizen's body and struck a nearby hill, exploding into scorching mushroom clouds."

"Damnable hypnosis."

"Seeing this, Arturo shouted angrily at Aizen before him."

"Ah~"

"Mister Vasto Lorde, I should have already told you before, your attacks are ineffective against me~"

"After Arturo's attack interrupted his train of thought, Aizen spoke to Arturo with a blank expression."

"A lowly Shinigami who only knows dirty tricks."

"Seeing this, Arturo kept trash-talking at Aizen."

"Hehe~"

"Aizen, hearing that, felt neither anger nor annoyance; in this world, lies do not provoke anger—only facts and truth do."

"Do as you please~"

"Anyway, I will absolutely, absolutely not join you."

"Arturo, in the short term, had not yet figured out how to deal with Aizen; after spending several tens of minutes realizing that, without using his Zanpakutō release, none of his abilities worked on the Aizen who was not even truly present before him, he gave up the idea of continuing to grapple with the Aizen before him, as whatever Aizen would do next was none of his concern, he didn't want to bother with it, and now he only wanted to find a place to vent his urge to kill."

"No! You will..."

"Upon hearing Arturo's words, Aizen revealed an extremely confident smile."

"Huh? You're joking, I absolutely will not marry into your..."

"Upon hearing Aizen's words, Arturo's body first trembled slightly, then he turned and raised his middle finger at Aizen."

"Arturo has always loved ultimate lips, ultimate enjoyment~"

"Then let's wait and see~"

"Aizen remained calm and composed, like a flawless precision machine, or like a god high above looking down on all beings; he calmly, steadily, and stably controlled the fates of those he wished to control."

"Hehe..." Arturo gave a cold chuckle, somewhat perfunctorily, replying to Aizen: "Then let's wait and see~young little Shinigami!"

"After Arturo finished speaking, his figure had completely vanished from before Aizen; evidently Arturo did not wish to remain beside that Shinigami who, standing before him, muttered mysteriously and gave an unfathomable, eerie feeling..."

"Well then, let me go and take a look at the deepest part of the Hollow World~"

"After watching Arturo's figure completely disappear before his eyes, Aizen's gaze turned toward the deepest part of the 'Hollow World'."

"Lord Araki, your disciple Aizen Sosuke has arrived."

"At the same moment, just as Arturo stepped away from Aizen, he relayed the information that Aizen had already arrived in the 'Hollow World' to Araki, who remained in the 'Soul Society'."

"I understand, no need to pay too much attention to him; just continue accompanying him in his act~"

"As for whether you wish to join the organization founded by that brat Aizen, just follow your true hearts; there's no need to deliberately cooperate with him, for that child is very perceptive, and intentional cooperation will be noticed by him~"

After Huangmu obtained the information that Lanran had arrived in Hollow Circle, he immediately relayed the news to all the divine generals he had subdued in Hollow Circle.

「Understood! 」

Huangmu's divine generals, after receiving Huangmu's order, all gave Huangmu an extremely affirmative response.

「All right, Zongyoujie~」

「Lights, stage, actors, script, Master has prepared them all for you~」

「Now this big show, you must perform well as the lead role~」

「Master has long awaited deep in my heart; Zongyoujie, you can grow quickly! I hope your strength, through your efforts, will swiftly reach the point where you can show Master your sharp fangs—I truly look forward to that day's arrival... 」

Huangmu stood in the 【First Division】 captain's quarters, the corners of his mouth slightly raised, his eyes full of anticipation for Lanran Zongyoujie, for after Lanran rises to power, he will be able to enjoy his own happy retirement...

「Huangmu~」

Just as Huangmu was pondering, a coquettish murmur suddenly came from the rear hall of the 【First Division】 captain's quarters where he was.

「Here I come~」

The Huangmu who had been posing in the front hall of the captain's quarters, upon hearing the voice beside his ear, immediately walked toward the rear; seeing Huangmu's mouth corners continually rise, his steps became noticeably lighter.

「Pat—pat—pat…」

Soon after, fierce fighting sounds came from the captain's quarters rear hall.

Elsewhere……

Leading the Monk of Destruction extermination unit to Hollow Circle to exterminate the Monks of Destruction, Zhicheng Shuangye also passed through the Dimensional Gate, successfully bringing his subordinates back to Soul Society.

During the time Zhicheng Shuangye walked through the Dimensional Rift, he kept his brows furrowed and remained silent, paying no heed to his subordinates' questions or anyone's flattery toward him...

At this moment, Zhicheng's mind was filled with the encounter he had before leaving Hollow Circle with that Vasto Lorde-level Hollow; frankly, Zhicheng was deeply shaken by A'ertuoluo's immense spiritual pressure.

Thus, even after returning to Soul Society, Zhicheng's mind continued to dwell on the Hollow.

「Is that the power of a Vasto Lorde-level Hollow? It easily slew a pure-blood Monk of Destruction, as easy as chopping vegetables; its combat ability indeed surpasses that of some captain-level Shinigami in the current Thirteen Court Guard Squads... 」

「It seems that Senior Kuwushi's compiled 《Hollow Circle Records》 accurately describes the Vasto Lorde, and in my view it's even too conservative; facing such a monster, do the ordinary Shinigami soldiers of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads really have a chance to flee? ！」

「It seems that after I return to the First Division and finish handing over the mission to exterminate the Monks of Destruction, I should draft a report on the danger of Hollow Circle and submit it to Teacher Huangmu, and urge Teacher Huangmu to quickly organize a third expedition to Hollow Circle; otherwise, if that Vasto Lorde-level Hollow as powerful as the one I saw before continues to appear from Hollow Circle, it will definitely deal a catastrophic blow to Soul Society and the Pure Spirit Court. 」

Zhicheng's mind is now full of A'ertuoluo, whom he encountered in Hollow Circle, and that opponent's immense power.

Once Zhicheng considers that there might be more than one Hollow as strong as A'ertuoluo in Hollow Circle, he feels a chill; if such Hollows simultaneously invade Soul Society, they would surely deal a devastating blow to Soul Society. To prevent this imagined scene from becoming reality, Zhicheng Shuangye decides to take the initiative, urging his teacher Huangmu to organize a third expedition by the Pure Spirit Court against the Hollows of Hollow Circle.

At the same time, Zhicheng decides that, if Huangmu agrees to his request, he will volunteer to personally lead a team to Hollow Circle; after all, as a Shinigami, having failed to act upon encountering A'ertuoluo and instead letting him escape is nothing short of a disgrace to him, and he wishes to personally defeat A'ertuoluo and wipe away this shame.

Unfortunately, Zhicheng did not know that his planned course of action was directly rejected by Huangmu......

Nonsense, whether it's Zhicheng or A'ertuoluo, both are Huangmu's people, flesh and blood; how could he possibly let these two sides slaughter each other?!

However, these are matters for later. For now, what Zhicheng Shuangye must do first is to record in detail all the abilities of the God-exterminators that he observed during his campaign against them in the 'Hollow Circle'.

Yes, when Zhicheng Shuangye had just returned to the barracks of the First Division, he immediately went into his office, took out a stack of paper, and began writing his report……

"Zhicheng this guy truly lives up to his noble birth; he really knows how to write reports~"

"Unlike me, a rough guy who walked out of Wandering Soul Street, let alone writing a high-quality report like that kid Zhicheng Shuangye did, just seeing a page full of text makes me want to doze off."

This made Kukuyashiki Ryu, who like him is a squad captain under the First Division, shed tears of envy. After all, even his own "Hollow Circle Observations Record" was only written after others transcribed his oral account, polished and revised it……

"First, whether pure-blood or mixed-blood God-exterminators, they can generate arrows by manipulating spiritual particles in the atmosphere and then fire them at the enemy! The arrows formed by this ability are called Holy Annihilation Arrows by these God-exterminators! At the same time, Holy Annihilation Arrows are also the most basic attack capability of all God-exterminators."

"Second, whether pure-blood or mixed-blood God-exterminators, they can use the spiritual particles in the atmosphere to move; this ability is called Swift Leg by the God-exterminators, and it is their primary means of movement, comparable to the Flash Step used by us Soul Reapers. The exact speed is unknown; for now we define it as equal to the speed of the Flash Step. Thus far, these are the basic abilities demonstrated by the God-exterminators during this extermination campaign……"

"Next, concerning the abilities of pure-blood God-exterminators: first, the God-exterminators have an ability called "Blood Equipment", which seems usable only by pure-blood God-exterminators. According to the pure-blood God-exterminator I fought, this is an innate ability of pure-blood God-exterminators. That God-exterminator demonstrated a power called "Still Blood Equipment" in our battle, which can make his body nearly as strong as steel. As for whether pure-blood God-exterminators who possess Still Blood Equipment also master an ability called "Moving Blood Equipment", that is currently unknown……"

"Finally, pure-blood God-exterminators seem able to use an ability called "Power of the God-exterminator's Final Form", through which they can decompose and absorb any matter composed of spiritual particles to enhance their own strength! It seems there is a time limit, and the side effect appears to be the loss of all God-exterminator powers; whether recovery is possible is unclear. Based on analysis and recommendations of the God-exterminators' abilities, it is not advised to fight God-exterminators in a world rich in spiritual particles; instead, it is advised to conduct extermination operations against them in a world where spiritual particles are extremely scarce, such as the "Present World"."

Zhicheng Shuangye, based on the information he obtained after fighting the God-exterminators, wrote an analysis of about five hundred characters at length.

Immediately afterward, Zhicheng Shuangye took out another sheet of paper; this time he wanted to write: "On the possibility of another invasion by the God-exterminators into the Soul Society, and the necessity of forming a third expeditionary force to the Hollow Circle……"

Elsewhere.

In Zhicheng Shuangye's God-exterminator special forces unit, moreover, all the captains of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads had recruited the students they valued from the current graduating class of the Central Spirit Arts Academy, directly making them members of the Thirteen Squads; however, over half of the graduates still could not find work.

Yes, given that the Thirteen Court Guard Squads nowadays basically encounter no worthy opponents, to the point that the casualty rate of its members has dropped to the lowest in history; since the veteran members have not fallen in battle, there is no need for newcomers to replace them, after all, the Thirteen Squads' staffing is one position per person~

Even though the Thirteen Court Guard Squads, under Araki's leadership, have undergone several reforms and expansions in staffing, such that the Soul Reapers of the Thirteen Squads all maintain a pattern of one day on, two days off, and even on holidays, aside from the duty personnel all taking leave—a state of extreme leisure—not all graduates of the Central Spirit Arts Academy can be guaranteed a decent position in the Thirteen Squads.

Well, the current graduates of the Spirit Arts Academy are just like contemporary college students; after graduating from their own schools, they find they simply cannot find suitable work, consequently feeling utterly lost about their future; among them, Ise Shichio is one of these lost individuals, and even Ise Shichio feels more lost than the average Spirit Arts Academy graduate, because unlike those ordinary graduates, she does not even possess a single Soul-Cutting Sword……

Although Shichio had tried countless times during her six years of advanced study at the academy, attempting to form a connection with the academy-issued short strikes in order to obtain her own Soul-Cutting Sword, unfortunately, all of the short strikes, the moment she touched them, directly rejected her; this situation is extremely rare throughout the Soul Society, and even the headmaster, Old Man Shan, had never seen it before, and unfortunately, he does not know how to resolve it.

"Where exactly does my future lie?"

Shichio sat in the classroom, gazing blankly out the window; for now she can still stay in the classroom, but in a month's time, once she has fully graduated, she will not even be able to remain in the classroom.

"I heard you went for an interview at the Fifth Division; how did it go?!!"

"Don't mention it! No way it'll work, okay?! My spiritual pressure doesn't meet the standard at all, but Aizen's third seat is really handsome~"

"Hahaha, I get it, I get it! Compared to Aizen's third seat, Hinamori's vice-captain just looks clueless……"

Behind Shichio were a crowd of her peers who, like her, had also failed to secure a suitable division; while they were still before graduation, they were enjoying their last days of school to the fullest, but Shichio did not join their conversation, firstly because she is not a fangirl.

"Shichio, have you decided where you want to go?"

However, although Shichio does not want to engage in meaningless conversation with these people, that does not mean these so-called classmates will not approach her, feigning concern to ask.

"You know, I don't even have a Soul-Cutting Sword of my own; I'm not considering the normal staffing of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads. I plan to, when the deadline approaches, go to the Spirit Way Corps under the First Division's jurisdiction, give it my all, and ultimately whether I get selected or not, I won't think too much about it—anyway, it's him~"

Ise Shichio crossed her arms in front of her chest and answered firmly. As for interviews with other divisions, since there is hardly any chance of being selected anyway, Shichio couldn't even be bothered to think about them.

"Speaking of which, Shichio's talent for Spirit Way is truly high!"

"Yes, yes! Shichio's Spirit Way grades have always been A-level……"

"I heard that Shichio also exchanged with an external instructor sent by the West Minor Bureau, and ultimately received an A grade from that instructor."

Those classmates of Shichio, upon hearing her words, immediately began chattering away.

"If only Shichio could also possess a Soul-Cutting Sword."

"That's right! Shichio's spiritual pressure, Spirit Way, hand-to-hand combat, and sword technique are all excellent; she is no inferior to those few students specially recruited by the Thirteen Court Guard Squads; if it weren't for her lacking a Soul-Cutting Sword, she would have……"

Those few students kept talking, and then they brought up the issue regarding Nanao's Soul-Cutting Sword. However, they only hinted at it, and they themselves understood clearly that this might perhaps be a kind of offense to Nanao.

Let's translate:

"Those few students kept talking, and then they brought up the issue regarding Nanao's Soul-Cutting Sword. However, everything they said was just hinted at, and they themselves also understood that, for Nanao, this might be considered an offense."

But we need to be concise, not add extra. Let's produce a concise translation:

"The few students kept talking, then they brought up the problem concerning Nanao's Soul-Cutting Sword. However, their words were merely hinted at, and they themselves also understood that, for Nanao, this might be considered an offense."

Check if we omitted anything: Original: "Those few students kept talking, and then they brought up the issue regarding Nanao's Soul-Cutting Sword. However, their words were only hinted at, and they themselves understood clearly that this might perhaps be a kind of offense to Nanao."

Breakdown:

Those few students kept talking,

and then they brought up the issue regarding Nanao's Soul-Cutting Sword.

However, their words were all just hinted at,

they themselves also understood clearly,

this, for Nanao, might perhaps be a kind of offense.

We'll retain the word 'perhaps'.

Now output as single line with 【121】 prefix.

【121】 The few students kept talking, then they brought up the issue regarding Nanao's Soul-Cutting Sword. However, their words were merely hinted at, and they themselves also understood that, for Nanao, this might be considered an offense.

Sorry, Nanao! We didn't mean to...

Translation: "Sorry, Nanao! We didn't mean it……"

We need to keep the quotes and punctuation. The line includes Chinese quotes 「 」. We'll keep them as English quotes? Usually we keep the same punctuation? The instruction: translate faithfully; we can replace Chinese quotes with English quotes? Probably we should keep the same style? The example didn't specify. We'll keep the Chinese quotes? But output must be English; we can replace with English quotation marks. However the line includes 「」 which are Chinese quotation marks. We'll translate the content and keep the punctuation as appropriate English: "Sorry, Nanao! We didn't mean it……"

We need to keep the trailing …… (two dots? Actually Chinese uses two dots? It's "……". We'll keep as "……". We'll output: 【122】 "Sorry, Nanao! We didn't mean it……"

But we need to keep the line as a single output line.

"Sorry, Nanao! We didn't mean it……"

Thus, mid-sentence, everyone stopped and looked at Nanao as they expressed their apologies.

Translation: "Therefore, as they spoke halfway through, everyone stopped and looked at Nanao, expressing their apologies."

But we need to be concise: "Thus, midway through their words, everyone stopped and looked at Nanao, expressing their apologies."

Let's produce: 【123】 Thus, midway through their words, everyone stopped and looked at Nanao, expressing their apologies.

Thus, midway through their words, everyone stopped and looked at Nanao, expressing their apologies.

【124】 "It's fine, I've already gotten used

It's okay, I'm already used to it and don't mind~

Translation: "It's fine, I've already gotten used to it, I don't mind~"

We need to keep the tilde ~ at end. So: 【124】 "It's fine, I've already gotten used to it, I don't mind~"

Besides, what you're saying are just the facts...

Translation: "Besides, what you said are just the facts……"

We'll output: 【125】 "Besides, what you said are just the facts……"

After hearing everyone's discussion, Nanao merely gave a light smile.

Note: The term means 'discussion'. Translation: 'After hearing the students' discussion, Nanao merely gave a light smile.'

We'll output: 【126】 After hearing the students' discussion, Nanao merely gave a light smile.

During Nanao's six years at the Soul Reaper Academy, she had long since become accustomed to her classmates discussing her lack of a Zanpakutō, which often included mockery and sarcasm, but she simply didn't mind.

Translation: "During the six years Nanao studied at the Spiritual Arts Academy, she had long since grown accustomed to her classmates discussing her lack of a Soul-Cutting Sword, which often included mockery and sarcasm, but she simply didn't care."

We need to keep the tilde? No.

Let's produce: 【127】 During the six years Nanao studied at the Spiritual Arts Academy, she had long since grown accustomed to her classmates discussing her lack of a Soul-Cutting Sword, which often included mockery and sarcasm, but she simply didn't care.

Moreover, Nanao knew that these classmates truly meant no offense.

Translation: "Moreover, Nanao knew that these classmates before her truly had no intention of offending her."

We'll output: 【128】 Moreover, Nanao knew that these classmates before her truly had no intention of offending her.

Um...

Translation: "Um……"

We'll output: 【129】 "Um……"

Those girls, upon hearing Nanao's words, all fell silent, unable to comprehend how much hardship she had endured at such a young age to become so open-minded and magnanimous.

Translation: "Those few girls, after hearing Nanao's words, all fell silent, unable to comprehend how much hardship she had endured at such a young age to become so open-minded and magnanimous."

We'll output: 【130】 Those few girls, after hearing Nanao's words, all fell silent, unable to comprehend how much hardship she had endured at such a young age to become so open-minded and magnanimous.

Hehe~

Translation: "Hehe~"

We'll output: 【131】 "Hehe~"

However, what these girls didn't know was...

Translation: "However, what these girls did not know was……"

We'll output: 【132】 However, what these girls did not know was……

Outside their classroom door, a man wearing a straw hat was silently listening to everything inside.

Translation: "Outside the door of their classroom, a man wearing a straw hat was silently listening to everything inside."

We'll output: 【133】 Outside the door of their classroom, a man wearing a straw hat was silently listening to everything inside.

When the man felt the atmosphere inside was about right, he first gave a light chuckle, then pushed open the classroom door.

Translation: "When the man felt the atmosphere inside was about right, he first gave a light chuckle, then pushed open the classroom door."

We'll output: 【134】 When the man felt the atmosphere inside was about right, he first gave a light chuckle, then pushed open the classroom door.

Click~

Translation: "Crack~"

We'll output: 【135】 "Crack~"

The sound of the man pulling the classroom door instantly drew the attention of the students still lingering in the class, and upon seeing his appearance, they froze in place.

Translation: "Accompanied by the sound of the man pulling the classroom door, it instantly drew the attention of the students still lingering in the class; upon seeing the man's attire, they froze on the spot."

We'll output: 【136】 Accompanied by the sound of the man pulling the classroom door, it instantly drew the attention of the students still lingering in the class; upon seeing the man's attire, they froze on the spot.

You're kidding, right? How could the captain of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads come to our classroom?

Translation: "You're kidding, right? How could the captain of the Guardian Thirteen Squads come to our classroom?"

We'll output: 【137】 "You're kidding, right? How could the captain of the Guardian Thirteen Squads come to our classroom?"

For a moment, the entire classroom fell silent, everyone staring wide-eyed at the newcomer. The students never imagined that the captain of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads would personally come to their classroom.

Translation: "For a moment, the entire classroom fell silent, everyone staring wide-eyed at the arrival. The students could never have imagined that the captain of the Guardian Thirteen Squads would actually come in person to their classroom……"

We'll output: 【138】 For a moment, the entire classroom fell silent, everyone staring wide-eyed at the arrival; the students could never have imagined that the captain of the Guardian Thirteen Squads would actually come in person to their classroom……

Ah! Here, here~

Translation: "Ah! Here I am, here I am~"

We'll output: 【139】 "Ah! Here I am, here I am~"

Looks like my luck isn't too bad~

Translation: "Looks like my luck isn't bad after all~"

We'll output: 【140】 "Looks like my luck isn't bad after all~"

The man ignored the students' surprise, his gaze sweeping across the classroom before settling on little Ise Nanao.

Translation: "The man paid no heed to the classmates' surprise; his gaze swept across the classroom and then locked onto the small Ise Nanao."

We'll output: 【141】 The man paid no heed to the classmates' surprise; his gaze swept across the classroom and then locked onto the small Ise Nanao.

Huh?!

Translation: "Huh?!"

We'll output: 【142】 "Huh?!"

Upon seeing the man, Nanao instinctively looked up; seeing his stubble-covered, disheveled face and the familiar brown-yellow straw hat on his head, her pupils trembled.

Translation: "After seeing the man, Nanao instinctively looked up; upon seeing his stubble-covered face, his disheveled cheeks, and the familiar brownish-yellow straw hat on his head, her pupils trembled."

We'll output: 【143】 After seeing the man, Nanao instinctively looked up; upon seeing his stubble-covered face, his disheveled cheeks, and the familiar brownish-yellow straw hat on his head, her pupils trembled.

Although she hadn't seen him many times, Ise Nanao immediately recognized the goofy-looking man before her as...

Translation: "Although she had not seen him many times, Ise Nanao still immediately recognized the man before her, who looked rather foolish, as to who he was……"

We'll output: 【144】 Although she had not seen him many times, Ise Nanao still immediately recognized the man before her, who looked rather foolish, as to who he was……

Uncle? Uncle Shunshui?

Translation: "Uncle? Shunsui Uncle?"

We'll output: 【145】 "Uncle? Shunsui Uncle?"

Nanao had heard that her uncle worked in the Thirteen Court Guard Squads, but she never imagined he would be a captain.

Translation: "Nanao had heard that her uncle worked in the Guardian Thirteen Squads, but she never imagined her uncle would be the captain."

We'll output: 【146】 Nanao had heard that her uncle worked in the Guardian Thirteen Squads, but she never imagined her uncle would be the captain.

"Little Nanao, why didn't you come find me at the Eighth Division? Uncle is really heartbroken~"

Translation: "\"Little Nanao, why didn't you go to the Eighth Squad to find me? Uncle is really feeling hurt~\""

We'll output: 【147】 "Little Nanao, why didn't you go to the Eighth Squad to find me? Uncle is really feeling hurt~"

Upon hearing Nanao's words, Kyoraku Shunshui pretended to wipe away tears as he spoke.

Translation: "Kyoraku Shunsui, upon hearing Nanao's words, deliberately pretended to wipe away tears and said."

We'll output: 【148】 Kyoraku Shunsui, upon hearing Nanao's words, deliberately pretended to wipe away tears and said.

"I had no idea you were the captain of the Eighth Division!"

Translation: "I had no idea you were the captain of the Eighth Squad!"

We'll output: 【149】 "I had no idea you were the captain of the Eighth Squad!"

"And you never told me either..."

Translation: "You never told me……"

We'll output: 【150】 "You never told me……"

Upon hearing Shunshui's words, Nanao couldn't help but retort.

Translation: "Nanao, upon hearing Shunsui's words, couldn't help but retort."

We'll output: 【151】 Nanao, upon hearing Shunsui's words, couldn't help but retort.

"Huh? Do I need to say that?"

Translation: "Eh? Do I need to say that?"

We'll output: 【152】 "Eh? Do I need to say that?"

"Although my sister-in-law, at home, wants you to grow up happy and healthy, so she doesn't let us mention anything about the Thirteen Squads; thus, every time I return from the squad, I change clothes before coming…"

Translation: "\"Although my sister-in-law, at home, wants you to grow up happy and healthy, so she doesn't let us mention anything about the Thirteen Squads; thus, every time I return from the squad, I change clothes before coming…\""

Although my sister-in-law, at home, wants you to grow up happy and healthy, so she doesn't let us mention anything about the Thirteen Squads; thus, every time I return from the squad, I change clothes before coming…

We'll output: 【153】 "Although my sister-in-law, at home, wants you to grow up happy and healthy, so she doesn't let us mention anything about the Thirteen Squads; thus, every time I return from the squad, I change clothes before coming……"

"But you're a student at the Soul Reaper Academy and have studied there for six years; don't you even know the names of the current captains of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads?"

Translation: "\"But you, as a student of the Spiritual Arts Academy who has studied there for six years, don't you even know the names of the current captains of the Guardian Thirteen Squads? \""

We'll output: 【154】 "But you, as a student of the Spiritual Arts Academy who has studied there for six years, don't you even know the names of the current captains of the Guardian Thirteen Squads?"

"You don't need me to tell you this, right? Shouldn't this be common knowledge?"

Translation: "\"These things don't need me to say, right? Shouldn't this be common knowledge? \""

We'll output: 【155】 "These things don't need me to say, right? Shouldn't this be common knowledge?"

Upon hearing his niece's words, Kyoraku Shunshui was completely dumbfounded; he was truly defeated by her innocence and naivety, and he also felt she seemed a bit naturally airheaded.

Translation: "Upon hearing his niece's words, Kyoraku Shunsui was completely dumbfounded; he was truly defeated by his niece's innocent and unbounded demeanor. At the same time, Shunsui felt his niece seemed a bit naturally clueless……"

We'll output: 【156】 Upon hearing his niece's words, Kyoraku Shunsui was completely dumbfounded; he was truly defeated by his niece's innocent and unbounded demeanor. At the same time, Shunsui felt his niece seemed a bit naturally clueless……

After all, they've known each other for several hundred years; could it be that she truly never noticed anything about his identity? However, Shunshui thought, perhaps it's because in her eyes he's simply not important…

Translation: "After all, he and she had interacted for several hundred years; could it be that she truly noticed nothing about his identity issue? However, Kyoraku thought, perhaps it's because in his niece's eyes he is fundamentally unimportant……"

We'll output: 【157】 After all, he and she had interacted for several hundred years; could it be that she truly noticed nothing about his identity issue? However, Kyoraku thought, perhaps it's because in his niece's eyes he is fundamentally unimportant……

For a moment, Shunshui suddenly felt a pang in his heart…

Translation: "For a moment, Shunsui suddenly felt his heart ache……"

We'll output: 【158】 For a moment, Shunsui suddenly felt his heart ache……

Um...

Translation: "Um……"

We'll output: 【159】 "Um……"

Nanao fell silent after hearing Shunshui's words.

Translation: "Nanao fell silent after hearing Shunsui's words."

We'll output: 【160】 Nanao fell silent after hearing Shunsui's words.

At this moment, Nanao also found it hard to tell Shunshui, because lacking a Zanpakutō she had resolved she could never join the Thirteen Court Guard Squads; thus, during her six years of schooling, she had never paid any attention to the Squads, at most wasting considerable thought on the Kidō Corps selection.

Translation: "At this moment, Nanao also found it hard to tell Shunsui, because lacking a Soul-Cutting Sword, she had resolved that she would definitely not be able to join the Guardian Thirteen Squads; thus, during these six years of schooling, she had never paid any attention to matters concerning the Thirteen Squads, at most wasting considerable thought on the selections for the Kido Corps."

We'll output: 【161】 At this moment, Nanao also found it hard to tell Shunsui, because lacking a Soul-Cutting Sword, she had resolved that she would definitely not be able to join the Guardian Thirteen Squads; thus, during these six years of schooling, she had never paid any attention to matters concerning the Thirteen Squads, at most wasting considerable thought on the selections for the Kido Corps.

"I didn't notice."

Translation: "Didn't pay attention."

We'll output: 【162】 "Didn't pay attention."

For a moment, little Nanao blushed as she spoke.

Translation: "For a moment, little Nanao blushed and said."

We'll output: 【163】 For a moment, little Nanao blushed and said.

"Sigh..."

Translation: "Sigh……"

We'll output: 【164】 "Sigh……"

"It's really tough, you can't help it; anyway, come report to the Eighth Division!"

Translation: "\"It's really hard for you, anyway, just come report to the Eighth Squad! \""

We'll output: 【165】 "It's really hard for you, anyway, just come report to the Eighth Squad!"

Upon hearing that, Kyoraku sighed helplessly, then roughly rubbed Nanao's head with his rough big hand, and formally extended an invitation to her.

Translation: "Upon hearing that, Kyoraku sighed helplessly, then vigorously rubbed Nanao's little head with his rough big hand, and formally extended an invitation to her."

We'll output: 【166】 Upon hearing that, Kyoraku sighed helplessly, then vigorously rubbed Nanao's little head with his rough big hand, and formally extended an invitation to her.

Looking at all this year's graduates of the True Central Soul Reaper Institute, Nanao is also the only one who prompted the captain of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads to personally come to the academy to invite her…

Translation: "Looking over all this year's graduates of the True Center Spiritual Arts Academy, Nanao is also the only one who prompted the captain of the Guardian Thirteen Squads to personally come to the academy to invite her as a student……"

We'll output: 【167】 Looking over all this year's graduates of the True Center Spiritual Arts Academy, Nanao is also the only one who prompted the captain of the Guardian Thirteen Squads to personally come to the academy to invite her as a student……

"Hmm."

Translation: "Hmm."

We'll output: 【168】 "Hmm."

Upon hearing that, Nanao did not refuse Kyoraku's kindness, but instead lightly nodded.

Translation: "Upon hearing this, Nanao did not refuse Kyoraku's kindness, but instead lightly nodded."

We'll output: 【169】 Upon hearing this, Nanao did not refuse Kyoraku's kindness, but instead lightly nodded.

Because Nanao never thought her foolish uncle was a captain of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads, and during her time at the Soul Reaper Academy she never used any advantage from her family or her uncle's status…

Translation: "Because Nanao never thought her foolish uncle was the captain of the Guardian Thirteen Squads, during her time at the Spiritual Arts Academy she also never took advantage of any slight benefit from her family or her uncle's status……"

We'll output: 【170】 Because Nanao never thought her foolish uncle was the captain of the Guardian Thirteen Squads, during her time at the Spiritual Arts Academy she also never took advantage of any slight benefit from her family or her uncle's status……

Precisely for this reason, she realized how great an honor it is to have a squad captain personally come to invite her to join; if she were to throw a tantrum and refuse, it would somewhat show a lack of gratitude.

Translation: "Precisely for this reason, she finally understood how honored it is to have a squad captain personally come to invite her to join; if she were to throw a tantrum and refuse, that would somewhat show she doesn't know what's good for her."

We'll output: 【171】 Precisely for this reason, she finally understood how honored it is to have a squad captain personally come to invite her to join; if she were to throw a tantrum and refuse, that would somewhat show she doesn't know what's good for her.

"Then let's go~"

Translation: "Then let's go~"

We'll output: 【172】 "Then let's go~"

Kyoraku said, extending his hand toward Nanao.

Translation: "Kyoraku said, extending his hand toward Nanao."

We'll output: 【173】 Kyoraku said, extending his hand toward Nanao.

"Hmm."

Translation: "Hmm."

We'll output: 【174】 "Hmm."

Nanao nodded, took Kyoraku's hand, and together they left the Soul Reaper Institute classroom amid the shocked and bewildered stares of their classmates, who never imagined that the girl without a Zanpakutō had a captain of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads as her uncle, who is also a direct disciple of the current Commander-General.

Translation: "Nanao nodded, took hold of Kyoraku's hand, and together they left the Spiritual Arts Academy classroom amid the shocked and bewildered gazes of all her classmates, who never imagined that the girl lacking a Soul-Cutting Sword had an uncle who was the captain of the Guardian Thirteen Squads, and moreover, that this uncle was a direct disciple of the current Captain-Commander."

We'll output: 【175】 Nanao nodded, took hold of Kyoraku's hand, and together they left the Spiritual Arts Academy classroom amid the shocked and bewildered gazes of all her classmates, who never imagined that the girl lacking a Soul-Cutting Sword had an uncle who was the captain of the Guardian Thirteen Squads, and moreover, that this uncle was a direct disciple of the current Captain-Commander.

"By the way, were those few girls just now your friends?"

Translation: "By the way, were those few girls just now your friends?"

We'll output: 【176】 "By the way, were those few girls just now your friends?"

After Kyoraku led Nanao out of the classroom, he asked her.

Translation: "After Kyoraku pulled Nanao out of the classroom, he asked her."

We'll output: 【177】 After Kyoraku pulled Nanao out of the classroom, he asked her.

"I guess so; they're decent people."

Translation: "Pretty much, they're decent people."

We'll output: 【178】 "Pretty much, they're decent people."

Upon hearing that, Nanao casually nodded.

Translation: "Upon hearing that, Nanao casually nodded."

We'll output: 【179】 Upon hearing that, Nanao casually nodded.

Oh, it just so happens I remember that the Thirteenth Division has a few vacancies, so let them go~

After hearing Qixu's words, Jing Le casually replied.

After hearing Nanao's words, Kyoraku seemingly absentmindedly replied with a sentence.

"En."

Qixu heard that, although she said nothing, her heart felt warm and happy; she knew this was her uncle showing concern.

But in Qixu's eyes, despite Jing Le being the captain of the Eighth Division, he was still her foolish uncle, and that would never change...

"Although I also wanted to recruit those cute girls into the Eighth Division to keep you company, casually recruiting people would surely earn a lecture from Xiao Lisha, huh… sigh…"

Before Qixu could think further, she heard Jing Le Chunshui's sigh beside her ear.

"Idiot."

Qixu heard that, muttering softly, indeed this man wearing a haori is truly her foolish uncle.

Elsewhere.

The land of the Koumi dai family.

"Is this the latest report on the 'Full Manifestation Technique'?"

"Those chosen by the fragments of the Spirit King's Majesty?"

"Haha, how interesting! This is truly fascinating~"

Koumi dai Shitan sat in the meeting room, looking at the research reports submitted by his clansmen, and suddenly burst into wild laughter.

"If I were to collect all these fragments, how would the Spirit King's Majesty react?"

"This really makes me eagerly anticipate~"

The evil Koumi dai Shitan twisted his wicked thoughts, thinking of more fascinating things.

'Second Division'.

"Your name is Urahara Kisuke, right? From today you are the Third Seat of our Second Division."

Si Fengyuan Ye Yi gazed at this man, whom she had favored since hundreds of years ago, finally arriving at the Third Seat position, and she revealed a brilliant smile.

"Exactly~"

"Thank you very much for your cultivation, Captain Ye Yi~"

Pu Yuan Xi Zhu, whose face showed youthful inexperience, upon hearing Si Fengyuan Ye Yi's words, smiled and nodded slightly; at this moment, facing the high-ranking Si Fengyuan Ye Yi, he still lacked the later arrogance...

Now Pu Yuan Xi Zhu's attitude toward Si Fengyuan Ye Yi is completely that of a subordinate toward a superior, with no ulterior motives whatsoever.

'Fifth Division'.

"Aizen, Aizen where are you?!"

"Damn brat, vanished in a puff of smoke—no idea where he ran off to……"

Ping Zizhenzi walked the corridors of the Fifth Division, searching everywhere for Aizen's traces, muttering complaints as he went, clearly dissatisfied with Aizen's disappearance.

"Vice Captain Ping Zizhenzi is at it again, huh?"

"No way! Aizen Third Seat is clearly in the captain's office reviewing documents in place of the captain, yet he's still running around looking for Aizen Third Seat—this is blatantly looking for trouble for Aizen Third Seat!!"

Regarding Ping Zizhenzi's search throughout the division for Aizen Sosuke, such behavior is not uncommon among the Fifth Division members; to them it's already ordinary, and even behind his back they gossip about his petty troublemaking toward Aizen.

"Ping Zizhenzi, come here!"

Just as Ping Zizhenzi was still wandering about like a biker gang, the captain of the Fifth Division, Youcun Chuangzhen, finally couldn't hold back and called out to the fleeing Ping Zizhenzi.

"Oh, Captain Youcun, you're looking for me?" Ping Zizhenzi glanced at Youcun, casually brushing him off while asking, "By the way, Captain Youcun, have you seen Aizen Sosuke~"

"That doesn't matter……"

After hearing that, Youcun felt his head swell; Ping Zizhenzi's endless nagging about Aizen, Aizen—doesn't he get annoyed? Is he gay? If not, why does he keep chasing after a man nonstop?

"Doesn't that matter?"

Ping Zizhenzi froze; in his view, tracking Aizen's whereabouts is the most important thing.

"That's completely irrelevant! Moreover, Ping Zizhenzi, listen: I have some insight to share with you! I've already decided to retire; after I leave the division, the position of Fifth Division captain will be vacant, and I will recommend you as the captain—I recall your Bankai training has been going smoothly, right?!"

Youcun looked at Ping Zizhenzi and, in one go, said everything he wanted to say.

"Huh? Let me be the Fifth Division captain?"

Ping Zizhenzi froze, looking at Youcun and asking.

"Exactly so……"

Youcun nodded firmly upon hearing that.

'Guardian Court Twelfth Division'.

"The present-day Technical Development Bureau."

"I succeeded! My experiment succeeded……"

A woman with an impressive bearing, mysterious and noble light purple hair, unforgettable at a glance, a beauty capable of toppling nations, now excited like a child, shouted loudly in the lab.

"Congratulations, Captain Ye Zhou, on successfully creating the 'Temporary Soul' technique!"

All the white-coated members of the Technical Development Bureau, after hearing the beautiful woman's exclamation, eagerly praised her. Frankly, nobody here had imagined that their captain's drunken daydream would, after years of effort, actually appear before them.

"Hahaha……"

The beautiful woman, hearing that, lay directly on the lab table, laughing heartily nonstop.

Although her large movements caused her open chest to reveal a great deal of spring scenery, she continued to laugh happily, merely laughing more and more, she added a hint of harm……

For, if she had not guessed wrong, she too would, like Captain Qian Shou Wan, have to go to the Spirit King Palace to become a member of the Zero Division guarding the Spirit King~

As soon as she thought of having to bid farewell to the members of the Twelfth Division and go alone to the Spirit King Palace, her heart felt an indescribable sorrow.

Yes, this beautiful woman is none other than the Twelfth Division captain, Ye Zhou Tong Sheng! By now she has long shed her youthful inexperience, matured greatly, and her beauty is beyond compare……

"Being able to stay here and accompany the division members day by day is fine~"

Ye Zhou Tong Sheng thought that, and her mood improved considerably.

Time passed.

In the blink of an eye, thirty years passed quietly.

In these thirty years, Soul Society underwent many changes.

In the Fifth Division, Captain Youcun Chuangzhen requested leave of absence from Huangmu, and entrusted the Fifth Division to his vice-captain Pingzi Zhenzi. After Pingzi Zhenzi displayed his Bankai, he smoothly became captain of the Fifth Division. At the same time, due to Pingzi's promotion to captain, the original Fifth Division's Third Seat Lanran Souzuke directly rose to vice-captain.

Besides that, the original Seventh Division Captain Shanmu Zongyilang also submitted a leave of absence request to Huangmu, and recommended his current vice-captain, Aichuan Luwu, who as the Seventh Division's vice-captain would take over his position. As for Shanmu Zongyilang, after choosing to take leave, the next day he went back to the First Division for an interview, and ultimately he happily returned to report for duty in the First Division. In response, Huangmu gladly gave Shanmu Zongyilang the Seventh Seat position in the First Division, and let Shanmu serve as captain of the First Division's Special Operations Squad.

The consecutive changes of the Fifth and Seventh Division captains made Huangmu raise his eyebrows slightly; he felt something bad seemed about to happen. Indeed, as Huangmu had anticipated, not long after Youcun and Shanmu both chose to take leave, his beloved disciple Gangmida Shitan submitted a leave of absence request to him.

In response, Huangmu flew into a rage, glaring at Shitan and shouting: "Wicked disciple, it's fine that they took leave, but why are you taking leave?!"

"Master, I know you're anxious, but please don't rush~"

Shitan said, pulling out a letter of recommendation from his bosom, recommending himself as captain of the First Division's Fullbring Research Team.

"What is this?"

Huangmu looked at Shitan's letter, his brows furrowing.

"I plan to summon all Fullbring users from the Three Worlds together, for our Soul Society and also for you, to specially organize a brand-new team composed entirely of Fullbring users~"

After hearing Huangmu's words, Shitan dropped to one knee before him and spoke respectfully.

"Granted!"

After hearing Shitan's words, Huangmu pondered for a long time, but ultimately still agreed to Shitan.

"Thank you for your support~"

Upon hearing that, Shitan thanked Huangmu.

"However, your Ninth Division cannot lose its captain just because you leave."

Huangmu reminded Shitan.

"Don't worry, I've already arranged a suitable person to replace me; although that kid is still immature, he will surely mature someday~" Shitan said, waving at someone outside the First Division Captain's Office, "Come in quickly, little brat!"

"Yes, Captain Shitan."

As Shitan's words fell, a sturdy man with silver-white short hair styled in a pompadour lightly pushed open the door of Huangmu's Captain's Office and strode over to him.

"Let me introduce you, this is Liuchu Quanxi, our Ninth Division's exceptionally outstanding……"

Upon seeing the arrival, Shitan broke into an extremely satisfied smile, just like this man before him—he not only lacks cunning, his strength isn't too strong either, and he meets the standard of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads' Captain's Office, being a man very easy to manipulate, which is not so common.

"No need for you to introduce him, I know him……"

"The renowned Liuchu Quanxi, huh~"

"I really can't fail to know him……"

Before Shitan could finish speaking, Huangmu had already taken over his words, looking at the swaggering Quanxi walking toward him with a false smile, and said:

"Ahahaha……"

"I didn't expect even the Captain-Commander to know my name! But those are just empty titles, and mostly it's thanks to Captain Shitan's care over the years that I've gotten to where I am today……"

Upon hearing Huangmu's words, Liuchu Quanxi suddenly burst out laughing, and spoke to Huangmu somewhat shyly.

"Hehe, that's no empty title; it's all earned by your own strength, battle after battle!"

Upon hearing Liuchu Quanxi's words, Huangmu merely gave a cold chuckle and said no more.

But deep inside, Huangmu's heart kept slandering the Quanxi before him.

However, speaking frankly, Huangmu could find no fault in Quanxi's character and conduct; Quanxi is righteous, deeply beloved by his comrades, and also possesses a heart that delights in helping others, doing good deeds daily……

However, there is one thing about Quanxi that cannot be overlooked: his strength is truly rather weak.

If Quanxi were merely a vice-captain, he would be an exceptionally high-spec vice-captain, but since he is actually a captain, he seems somewhat unqualified……

"Then, Teacher Huangmu, I'll hand over the Ninth Division to Quanxi~"

Shitan didn't know what Huangmu was thinking, and also mistakenly believed that Huangmu was satisfied with the successor he had chosen.

In response, Shitan looked at Huangmu with a smile and said:

"Hmm."

Upon hearing that, Huangmu merely nodded lightly.

However, in reality, at this moment Huangmu was already thinking about letting Lanran start the Hollowfication experiment as soon as possible, to quickly remove from Seireitei these captains who have been an embarrassment to the Thirteen Court Guard Squads.

Thinking that, Huangmu suddenly recalled a meme from his previous life……

In the Blood War arc, after Lanran emerged from Muken, he looked at the list of names in the Thirteen Court Guard Squads' Captain's Office, his brows knitting in anger as he shouted: "I finally managed to kick out those filler fodder from the Thirteen Court Guard Squads' Captain's Office, and yet you've brought them back again!"