Chapter 164: with translation of chapter title

Emergency broadcast! Emergency broadcast……

9th Division Captain Liùchē Quánxī and Lieutenant Jiǔnán Bái's spiritual pressure has disappeared from within Soul Society; now order all captains of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads to immediately go to the 1st Division's temporary meeting room to hold an emergency captains' meeting!

At the moment Liùchē Quánxī and Jiǔnán Bái collapsed, a series of broadcast sounds rang out, immediately echoing throughout Seireitei; the troops who had been asleep instantly woke from their dreams, and everyone's faces changed.

Huh? A captain's spiritual pressure has disappeared……

I have a feeling this incident might blow up big!

No need for your feeling; this incident has already blown up big……

Since Captain-Commander Huāngmù took office, the Thirteen Court Guard Squads have never before seen a captain-level Soul Reaper's spiritual pressure disappear like this.

For a moment, the troops awakened by that alarm began to chatter noisily.

12th Division Captain's quarters.

It hurts……

After staying up late writing a paper and falling asleep, Pǔyuán Xǐzhù was awakened by the alarm; he first rubbed his still groggy head, then suddenly thought of something, his face drastically changed, and he became fully awake.

Not good! That kid Rìshìlǐ has already gone to Rukongai……

Pǔyuán Xǐzhù's face drastically changed, then he strode open the laboratory where the 12th Division troops were, and nervously asked the troops still pulling an all-nighter collecting experiment data: 'Rìshìlǐ, where exactly is Lieutenant Rìshìlǐ now?!'

If you mean Lieutenant Rìshìlǐ, she has already set out……

Still young, resembling a little radish head, Ājìn calmly answered the flustered Pǔyuán Xǐzhù.

Damn it……

Pǔyuán Xǐzhù's face drastically changed; he now couldn't care about anything else, and his current knowledge of the situation on Rìshìlǐ's side is nearly zero!

He could only first attend the emergency captains' meeting summoned by Captain-Commander Huāngmù; after receiving Huāngmù's approval, he could rush straight to the front line, no matter what, to save his own lieutenant.

After all, Rìshìlǐ went to investigate that soul spontaneous combustion disappearance incident in Rukongai precisely because she trusted him……

Meanwhile, not far from the Thirteen Court Guard Squads is the Central Spirit Academy.

What exactly are they making a fuss about out there?

What on earth is up with those brats of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads panicking like this?

Yuánliǔzhāi, hearing the noise outside, also couldn't bear to go back to sleep; after getting up and dressing, he asked the empty bedroom:

Reporting to Lord Yuánliǔzhāi, it seems the spiritual pressure of the 9th Division Captain Liùchē Quánxī and his Lieutenant Jiǔnán Bái, who went this morning to investigate the soul spontaneous disappearance case in Rukongai, has vanished, prompting Captain-Commander Huāngmù to summon all captains of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads for a temporary emergency captains' meeting!

After Yuánliǔzhāi finished speaking, Québù Zhǎngèrláng, who had already gathered the outside intel, dropped to one knee before him and related the situation in detail.

Oh? In other words, that brat Huāngmù's Thirteen Court Guard Squads have run into trouble?

Upon hearing Québù's words, Yuánliǔzhāi instantly showed a face of great interest in this so-called 'spontaneous combustion' incident.

Yes……

Québù lightly nodded in response to Yuánliǔzhāi's words.

Interesting, this also counts as the first major incident Huāngmù has experienced since becoming Captain-Commander; let me see how this brat plans to resolve it~

Yuánliǔzhāi said, sitting back in his seat, turning on the room's light as his eyes narrowed slightly.

Lord Yuánliǔzhāi, don't you plan to come out of retirement to help Huāngmù?

Québù, hearing Yuánliǔzhāi's words, asked doubtfully.

Such a trivial matter doesn't require this old man's intervention; moreover, the current Captain-Commander is that brat Huāngmù, and I believe he will handle it properly……

Yuánliǔzhāi, hearing Québù's words, spoke lightly.

Yes, sir.

Upon hearing that, Québù said nothing more.

To Yuánliǔzhāi and Québù, the death of a division captain is nothing major; in the early days of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads, division captains died all the time……

Meanwhile, not long after Captain-Commander Huāngmù convened the emergency meeting, the various captains of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads gathered in the emergency meeting room of the 1st Division.

Except for the Captain of the 12th Division, Pǔyuán Xǐzhù……

Regarding the disappearance of the spiritual pressure of 9th Division Captain Liùchē Quánxī and his Lieutenant Jiǔnán Bái, according to the Thirteen Court Guard Squads' emergency contingency guide, we will dispatch five captains to handle this incident……

You must remember, as members of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads, protecting this world is our duty! We must thoroughly resolve this matter and restore a safe Soul Society for the people of Seireitei and Rukongai……

Huāngmù stood at the forefront of the captains and unintentionally added a few more words.

Huāng, Captain-Commander Huāngmù……

My lieutenant, Sarugaki Rìshìlǐ, has also been dispatched by me to the place where the captains of the 6th Division are; I hope Captain-Commander Huāngmù can send me to the front line……

Just as Huāngmù finished speaking, the emergency meeting room's door was suddenly flung open by Pǔyuán Xǐzhù, who panted heavily and pleaded with Huāngmù.

No! You are a researcher of the Technical Development Bureau; you absolutely cannot go to the front line. If this incident, as the 6th Division Captain said, is some kind of virus released by the enemy, then in the end we will still need you to resolve this incident……

Huāngmù, hearing Pǔyuán Xǐzhù's words, refused righteously.

But……

Pǔyuán Xǐzhù still felt somewhat reluctant at this moment, seeing that Huāngmù obviously still wanted to say something.

Pǔyuán Xǐzhù, you've done enough! That kid is the one you sent out yourself, right? Trusting your subordinates is also something we captains must do; if every mishap required captains to personally handle it, the Thirteen Court Guard Squads might as well only recruit thirteen captains and disband everyone else to go home……

Before Pǔyuán could say more, Sìfēngyuàn Yèyī stepped forward and sternly rebuked Pǔyuán Xǐzhù.

Captain Yèyī……

Upon hearing Yèyī's words, Pǔyuán's expression instantly changed; his brows knit tightly into a knot, although he remained worried about his lieutenant Rìshìlǐ……

But he also knew that Captain-Commander Huāngmù was right; if this incident truly was caused by some unknown virus, then the one who would inevitably save Seireitei would be him……

Since Captain Pǔyuán now has no objections, as Captain-Commander I hereby announce the list of captains who will go on this rescue mission……

Huāngmù waited until Yèyī had finished scolding Pǔyuán before continuing to speak.

Hah……

Yèyī, hearing that Huāngmù seemed not to take it to heart, let out a sigh of relief.

At the same time, Yèyī also decided in her heart that after this incident ends, she will give Pǔyuán a good scolding, even though Pǔyuán behaves without restraint in her presence……

But in front of her master Huangmu, she must be given the utmost respect, especially not to interfere with Huangmu's decisions; put bluntly, these ordinary captains of theirs have no qualifications to bargain with Huangmu on such a major event……

Right or wrong, on such a major event they only need to obey the orders of Captain-Commander Huangmu; that is enough. In the vast Seireitei, the only person who possesses this qualification was driven away by Huangmu to the academy to teach children~

"Then, 3rd Division Captain Fengqiao Lou Shilang, 5th Division Captain Pingzi Zhenzi, and 7th Division Captain Aichuan Luwu, three captains step forward; you three captains of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads, plus the Grand Kido Master Wo Ling Tie Zhai and Vice Kido Master You Zhao Tian Bo Xuan of the 1st Division's third detachment, Kido Corps—these five captain-level Shinigami, immediately proceed to the incident site to investigate the true circumstances of the 'spontaneous combustion' event and the disappearance of the spiritual pressure of 9th Division Captain Liu Che Quanxi and his vice captain……"

Huangmu, in front of everyone, began to read out the list of members of the investigation team.

Meanwhile, 4th Division Captain Uohana Retsu, please always be ready to receive the wounded; 2nd Division Captain Yoruichi Shihoin, 6th Division Captain Ginrei Kuchiki, 8th Division Captain Shunsui Kyoraku, and 13th Division Captain Jushiro Ukitake, you four captains protect the Seireitei, always be ready for enemy invasion……

12th Division Captain Kisuke Urahara, please immediately return to your own division and mobilize all members of the 12th Division; your division is the most crucial, you need to always be ready to face the unknown virus!

Kisuke Urahara, remember this: what we face this time may be something unprecedented for the Thirteen Court Guard Squads, a kind of powerful virus that can even infect captain-level Shinigami; in other words, everyone present could be infected, each of us could end up following in the footsteps of the 9th Division Captain and his vice captain! So you are the most crucial existence……

Huangmu seemed to have thought of something else, and he spoke to Kisuke Urahara with earnest sincerity.

"I, I understand."

Kisuke Urahara, upon hearing this, nodded thoughtfully.

"Finally, 11th Division Captain Kenpachi Zaraki, having received orders, given the enemy's unknown situation, we will estimate their combat strength to the utmost……"

Therefore, once the captains of the 3rd, 5th, and 7th Divisions, as well as both the Grand and Vice Kido Masters, suffer defeat alike, you may act without my permission, annihilating any presence that can be called an enemy before you, leaving none……

Finally, Huangmu looked at his beloved disciple Zaraki and spoke in a calm tone.

It was as if, as the Captain-Commander Huangmu now, he was telling everyone here a matter: that the issue which the three captains of the 3rd, 5th, and 7th Divisions together with the Grand and Vice Kido Masters could not resolve, Zaraki alone could easily settle; in other words, Zaraki's individual combat power surpasses the combined strength of those five captain-level Shinigami.

"Ah?!"

"I understand……"

Zaraki, after hearing Huangmu's words, replied with five words in a composed manner, as if he didn't take this incident to heart at all. In Zaraki's view, it was merely the loss of Liu Che Quanxi; if he were to deal with Liu Che Quanxi himself, he wouldn't specifically choose to act at night—anyway, it would just be something he could kill in a single blow. And for the enemy to go after a mere Liu Che Quanxi yet choose to strike at night obviously shows they aren't that strong, which left Zaraki with no interest whatsoever……

"Then……"

Huangmu, having said this, was about to conclude the meeting.

"Huangmu-sensei, I have something I want to say……"

Just as Huangmu's words were about to fall, Kyoraku suddenly interjected.

"Speak!"

Huangmu glared at the jumping-out Kyoraku, then spoke lightly.

"Eh hehe……"

"Well, how should I put it?"

"I think the situation ahead is still unclear; if we let both Kido Masters go, wouldn't that be somewhat inappropriate?"

"What I mean is, why not let the Kido Master rest first and have my vice captain Lisa-san substitute for the Kido Master; what do you think?"

Kyoraku Shunsui first gave a dry laugh, then proposed to Huangmu.

"Huangmu-sensei, you see, the Soul Society right now is really too peaceful; after all, the beings we Shinigami call enemies are nearly all slain by you alone—such a training opportunity is hard to come by~"

Kyoraku Shunsui, without waiting for Huangmu to speak, continued to add.

"Can."

Huangmu, hearing this, lightly nodded.

"Kyoraku, are you saying we should now go to the 8th Division to inform your vice captain? Is there still time? The situation is quite urgent……"

Ukitake, after hearing Kyoraku's words, asked Kyoraku.

In fact, Ukitake was utterly shocked by Kyoraku's bold proposal; among all the captains of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads, only Kyoraku Shunsui would dare to protest in such a situation—this most mischievous disciple of Huangmu……

"It's fine, Lisa-san should be nearby……"

Kyoraku gave Ukitake a light smile, then looked toward the window and softly called out: "Lisa-san, come out for a bit~"

"Here!"

As Kyoraku's words fell, Lisa Yadomaru immediately appeared from the meeting room's window, revealing her face.

"Did you hear about what just happened?"

Kyoraku looked at Lisa Yadomaru and asked.

"I've heard……"

Lisa Yadomaru lightly nodded.

"No problem, right?"

Kyoraku looked at Lisa Yadomaru and continued to ask.

"Of course!"

Lisa Yadomaru gave Kyoraku a thumbs-up, then dashed off incredibly cool toward the distance, because those following her were all the captains of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads; if she didn't step ahead first, she'd be left behind by them.

"You see, Lisa-san also went~"

"So don't worry about Shirō; that kid isn't weak, just slightly inferior to my Lisa-san……"

"In short, just obediently follow Captain-Commander Huangmu's arrangements~"

"Rest easy, everything will go smoothly~"

Kyoraku looked at the still-worried Kisuke Urahara and smiled lightly.

"I……"

Urahara, upon hearing Kyoraku's words, showed a hint of hesitation in his expression.

In fact, if the original Urahara, after hearing Kyoraku's comforting words, had not secretly gone to the scene out of deep worry for Shirō, then Aizen's plot to frame Urahara Kisuke would have become somewhat more troublesome~

Of course, given Aizen's ability, if he wants to scheme against someone, unless he achieves the result he desires, that person's final outcome will not change no matter what they do; the only difference is how much time Aizen spends……

"I understand……"

In the end, Kisuke Urahara still lightly nodded; as for how much he actually absorbed, only Urahara himself knows.

"Meeting adjourned."

Huangmu, seeing this, announced the dissolution of the meeting.

As Huāngmù's words fell, the captains of the 3rd Division, 5th Division, and 7th Division, whose names had been called, immediately used Flash Step to leave the conference room……

""

Only the person who was a member of the Spirit Way Unit, Yǒuzhāotián Bōxuán, stared with widened eyes.

Aren't these people bullying the fat guy, right? Don't they know that their Spirit Way Unit normally doesn't train, and skills like Flash Step?! Isn't this bullying an honest person?

Although Yǒuzhāotián Bōxuán was somewhat speechless, he still used his fastest speed, jogging all the way with Flash Step, heading toward the scene.

At the same time.

In the darkness, Rìshìlǐ was constantly sprinting through the forest; the equipment she had originally prepared was now scattered all over the ground, all the parts having become a complete mess……

"Damn it, damn it, really damn it……"

Rìshìlǐ kept cursing under her breath; honestly, the situation before her completely exceeded her expectations.

She never imagined that the enemy would be Liùjū Quánxī and Jiǔnán Bái!

Although Rìshìlǐ didn't know what had happened to Liùjū and Jiǔnán, the two were obviously now completely out of control, beginning to wildly destroy everything around them……

"I need to think of a plan……"

Rìshìlǐ muttered to herself.

However, just as Rìshìlǐ momentarily lost focus, a pitch-black figure lunged at her……

"Oh no!"

Rìshìlǐ looked at that originally familiar figure, now turned into something that frightened her, her pupils constantly constricting, her face continually paling.

"Boom!"

However, just as Rìshìlǐ was about to be hit by that attack, a yellow figure descended from the sky, blocked the enemy's attack for her, and cleaved the enemy away with a single strike.

"Rìshìlǐ you idiot, why don't you use your Soul-Cutting Sword to cut the opponent?"

"If you keep holding back like this, you'll endanger your own life, idiot!"

Píngzi Zhēnzi embraced Rìshìlǐ and shouted angrily.

"Píngzi, quickly look at who our enemy really is!"

Before Píngzi could say more, Rìshìlǐ suddenly shouted loudly.

"The enemy……"

Upon hearing that, Píngzi then recalled something; the man he had just knocked away with his sword seemed somewhat familiar to him.

"How could this be!!"

As Píngzi lifted his head and looked at the man who had attacked Rìshìlǐ, he froze in place, his pupils constantly constricting: "Is this Quánxī?"

"Yeah! Quánxī and the others don't know what they encountered; when I discovered them, they were already like this……"

Rìshìlǐ lightly nodded, continuing to speak.

"But the current Quánxī, whether in spiritual pressure or appearance, is exactly like a Hollow—what the hell is going on?!"

Píngzi felt increasingly doubtful, his brows knitting tightly together.

"Roar!!"

Exactly one second after Rìshìlǐ and Píngzi communicated, the Quánxī that Píngzi had knocked away let out another roar, turned into a blur, and rushed at Píngzi.

"Damn……"

Facing the frenzied Quánxī, Píngzi broke out in a few beads of cold sweat on his forehead; he embraced Rìshìlǐ with one hand, tightly gripped his Soul-Cutting Sword with the other, and continuously swung at the Liùjū Quánxī before him, clashing intensely with Liùjū Quánxī.

However, the current Liùjū Quánxī is completely different from before; Quánxī has now gained Hollowfication power, with his strength, speed, and spiritual pressure greatly increased. According to the standards of Soul Reapers, the fully Hollowfied Liùjū Quánxī before us even has spiritual pressure reaching Second-Class Spiritual Might……

Although Píngzi Zhēnzi, as the strongest captain among those dispatched by Huāngmù to investigate the spontaneous combustion and disappearance of souls, had spiritual pressure reaching the Second-Class level, he could only fight with one hand and was no match for Liùjū Quánxī, soon being suppressed by Quánxī.

"Hey hey hey! What's going on?!"

"That guy couldn't be……?"

"How did he turn into a Hollow?"

Just as Píngzi Zhēnzi was gradually falling into a disadvantage, Àichuān Luówǔ, Fèngqiáo Lóushíláng, and the vice-captain of Jīnglè Chūnshuǐ, Shǐméi Wán Lìshā, arrived at the scene using Flash Step.

"Stop standing there spouting cold talk, come help me—I can't hold on much longer……"

Píngzi Zhēnzi watched Àichuān Luówǔ and the others; although they had clearly arrived at the scene, they were still standing there as if nothing were wrong, making him shout angrily at everyone.

"Here, here……"

After Àichuān Luówǔ and the others heard Píngzi Zhēnzi's words, they then casually moved to attack Liùjū Quánxī; everyone present had sufficient understanding of Quánxī's strength, and in their view, with all the captains gathered, dealing with a mere Liùjū Quánxī ought to be a piece of cake!!

"Hey hey hey! That's Quánxī, don't go overboard!"

Upon seeing the captains step forward and surround Quánxī, Rìshìlǐ couldn't help but call out to everyone present.

Although these captains' strength is indeed not that great, their relationships are actually quite good; especially Rìshìlǐ, she regards Quánxī as well as Píngzi Zhēnzi and the others as her own family.

"Don't worry, we have so many captains here—taking down a Quánxī isn't exactly easy? Moreover, even if we don't kill Quánxī, there are plenty of ways to subdue him, right?"

Àichuān Luówǔ said this, having already drawn his Soul-Cutting Sword and charged at Quánxī.

"For example, chopping off all of Quánxī's limbs……"

"That way, he should be unable to move, right!!"

Lìshā thought for a moment, then asked the people around her.

"Luózī, you on the left, me on the right……"

Lìshā saw that no one around her responded, so she herself told Fèngqiáo Lóushíláng, in a slightly commanding tone, speaking softly.

"Alright~"

Perhaps because Fèngqiáo Lóushíláng had just become a captain not long ago, or because he was accustomed to being reprimanded by his vice-captain, he did not feel angry at Lìshā's order but chose to cooperate with her willingly.

"Then let's launch……"

As Lìshā's words fell, she and Luózī instantly turned into two blurs, rushing toward the Quánxī that was entangled with Àichuān Luówǔ in the sky.

"Boom!"

At the same time, when Ai Chuan Luo Wu faced Quan Xi, his complexion changed; originally Luo Wu, the strongest man present, seemed able to suppress a mere Quan Xi with his strength, but when they truly clashed he realized he was wrong—Quan Xi's power was many times greater than before, far above him, and even though he gripped his blade tightly he could only wrestle with the one‑handed Quan Xi…

It was precisely after Ai Chuan Luo Wu sensed Quan Xi's overwhelming strength that a doubt arose in his mind: how did Pingzi Zhenzi manage to entangle the opponent with only one hand against such a powerful Quan Xi? Could that scoundrel Pingzi have been holding back during their sparring?

"Boom!"

Before Luo Wu could think further, Quan Xi accelerated his attack, striking with both hands and sending Luo Wu flying.

"Damn…"

Luo Wu crashed to the ground like a cannonball, cracking the earth as his feathered robe fell to tatters; though he sustained few injuries, his appearance was utterly wretched.

"Got him!"

Meanwhile, Lisa and Luo Zi attacked the fully dematerialized Quan Xi from opposite sides in the air; Lisa slashed Quan Xi's left leg from the left, while Luo Zi struck his right arm from the right.

Yet the moment their Zanpoka blades touched Quan Xi's body, both their faces changed dramatically, because the blades met not the feel of soft flesh but the hardness of a massive iron lump—unyielding.

"Roar!"

As Lisa and Luo Zi were bewildered, the completely dematerialized Quan Xi let out a thunderous roar, delivering a punch at each of them…

"Pfft…"

In an instant, both Lisa and Luo Zi spewed countless crimson droplets from their mouths, then were flung backward, kicking up clouds of dust on the ground.

"Damn."

Lisa's physical condition was slightly inferior to Quan Xi's; after the dematerialized Quan Xi struck her, her internal organs churned, and she could not get up quickly enough to continue fighting.

"Damn…"

"There's no other way; at this point we have to unleash the ultimate release."

Luo Zi, though a captain‑rank Death God, rose from the ground after being punched away by Quan Xi, wiped the blood from his mouth, then aimed his Zanpoka at Quan Xi. Having given up on continuing the fight, he decided to directly unleash the ultimate release and take Quan Xi down.

"Whoosh!!"

Yet just as Luo Zi pointed his Zanpoka at Quan Xi, a whistling sound ripped through the air above his head.

"Huh?"

Luo Zi instinctively looked up at the sound.

"What?"

What came into Luo Zi's view was a white knee.

"Boom!"

Luo Zi had no time to dodge; the white knee struck his head hard, his brain spun, his eyes rolled white, and he collapsed, losing the ability to fight.

"Jiu Nan Bai!?"

Pingzi Zhenzi stared at the suddenly battlefield‑entering white figure, her brows tightly knit.

The current situation had far exceeded Pingzi's expectations: first Liu Che Quan Xi turned intangible, then Jiu Nan Bai also became intangible; perhaps they too risk infection by this mysterious virus…

"We must end this quickly!"

At that moment, Pingzi Zhenzi made a decision.

"Binding Path sixty‑two hundred steps railing! Binding Path sixty‑three lock‑bar lock…"

While Pingzi Zhenzi hesitated whether to release her Zanpoka, a chanting rang out and countless railings fell from the sky, pinning Jiu Nan Bai in place…

Then golden chains sealed around Quan Xi's limbs, binding them completely and forcing Quan Xi down to the ground.

"Sorry, captains, I'm late…"

"Your instantaneous steps were too fast; I couldn't keep up."

The newcomer was none other than the deputy Ghost‑Path Master You Zhaotian Boxuan, who, panting heavily, wiped sweat from his forehead and, with a wave, deployed two Sixty‑turn Binding Paths, instantly restraining Quan Xi and Jiu Nan Bai, the two captains, in place.

"So it's You Zhaotian Boxuan~"

"Thanks to you, we're saved~"

Upon seeing You Zhaotian Boxuan, Pingzi relaxed.

At the same time, Pingzi felt a chill at You Zhaotian Boxuan's ghost‑path power; his Sixty‑turn Binding Paths required no chant to activate and could suppress captain‑rank Death Gods, a truly unrivaled ghost‑path skill, worthy of the deputy title.

"Huh? Could those two be…"

"What happened to them? How did they end up like this…"

After a brief rest, You Zhaotian Boxuan finally realized that the two he had restrained were the Ninth Squad captain Liu Che Quan Xi and his deputy captain Jiu Nan Bai, previously judged by the Pure Spirit Court to have completely lost their spiritual pressure.

For a moment You Zhaotian Boxuan became confused; he didn't consider Liu Che Quan Xi and Jiu Nan Bai his enemies—clearly the true enemy had not appeared…

"I don't know; when we arrived they were already like this. Anyway, bring them back so Pu Yuan Xizhu and Huangmu, commander of the Mozhihua Brigade, can assess Quan Xi's condition…"

After hearing You Zhaotian Boxuan's words, Pingzi Zhenzi shook her head lightly; she too didn't know what was happening, but for now they must capture Liu Che Quan Xi and Jiu Nan Bai and take them back, leaving the rest to Captain Huangmu.

"That's all we can do for now…"

After hearing Pingzi Zhenzi, You Zhaotian Boxuan nodded lightly; as Pingzi said, there was no other way but to bring Liu Che Quan Xi and Jiu Nan Bai back to the Pure Spirit Court for treatment.

"It hurts…"

After You Zhaotian Boxuan used his formidable ghost‑path to temporarily suppress Liu Che Quan Xi and Jiu Nan Bai, the previously collapsed Yashiro Mar Lisa, Ai Chuan Luo Wu, and Feng Qiao Lou Shilang (i. e., Luo Zi) slowly rose from the ground.

"You all get some rest, prepare to go back~"

When Pingzi saw her companions unharmed, she regained her usual playful demeanor, lightening the mood for everyone present.

"Haha, Pingzi, you really know how to talk~"

"How many tricks did you hide during past sparring sessions?!"

Ai Chuan Luo Wu rubbed his lower back and, addressing the only seemingly composed captain among them, Pingzi Zhenzi, sighed helplessly.

"Haha, how should I put it…"

Pingzi smiled lightly at Ai Chuan Luo Wu's words.

In fact, in past battles Pingzi and Ai Chuan Luo Wu had never fought at full strength; after all, his Zanpoka wasn't suited for one‑on‑one duels, and if possible Pingzi preferred to fight hordes, to fully exploit his Zanpoka's ultimate release…

"So we can head back now, right?"

Lisa stretched her long beautiful legs, looked at Pingzi and asked.

"Of course..."

Pingzi hearing that lightly nodded.

"Roar!!"

At the moment Pingzi nodded, a change occurred again: the six‑carriage fist west, originally held in place by You Zhao Tian Bo Xuan, suddenly let out an angry roar, burst out with the spiritual pressure of a Great Hollow, and forcefully broke the golden chains binding him.

"What?!"

This sudden scene made everyone present change expression.

"Counterattack!"

For a moment, everyone decided to once again suppress the six‑carriage fist west.

"Swish..."

However, just as Pingzi Zhenzi, You Zhao Tian Bo Xuan, Shiban Lisa, Ai Chuan Luo Wu, and Luo Zi reached a consensus, endless darkness suddenly came from behind them and attacked.

"What?!"

For a moment, whether it was Ai Chuan Luo Wu, Pingzi Zhenzi, or You Zhao Tian Bo Xuan, they all lost hearing, sight, smell, and even their sense of spiritual pressure.

"Pingzi! Luo Zi! Lisa!"

"Damn! What the hell happened?!"

Ai Chuan Luo Wu shouted loudly, his eyes flashing with endless anxiety.

"Pfft..."

However, the response to Ai Chuan was not his comrades' reply, but a Soul‑Cutting Sword piercing his chest; for a moment endless pain filled his heart.

"How could this be?"

Ai Chuan Luo Wu's face changed drastically, blood continuously poured from his mouth, his eyes filled with despair.

"Swish!"

Not long after, that darkness receded like a tide.

When the darkness disappeared, what remained were a group of captains cut down on the ground—whether Ai Chuan Luo Wu, Luo Zi, You Zhao Tian Bo Xuan, or Shiban Lisa, all were felled, eyes rolled back, completely unconscious.

"Damn, damn..."

"What the hell is going on?!"

For a moment, only Pingzi Zhenzi stood bewildered on the battlefield, looking at his fallen comrades, feeling at a loss.

"Let go of me, Pingzi..."

At that moment, the Risshiri held in Pingzi's arms suddenly felt something; she exerted all her strength to break free from his embrace, then, before Pingzi's face, spat out countless white viscous substances, which quickly solidified in the air, forming a white bone‑shaped mask on her cheeks.

"Roar!!"

At that moment, the liberated Liuche Quanxi fiercely glared at Pingzi Zhenzi; the completely hollowfied Liuche Quanxi seemed to follow his instincts, not directly attacking Pingzi Zhenzi but smashing the Binding Way that You Zhao Tian Bo Xuan used to suppress Jiunan Bai with a single punch.

"Roar!!!"

For a moment, Liuche Quanxi, Jiunan Bai, and Risshiri, having become completely hollowfied and lost all reason, turned into beasts and monsters, glaring fiercely at the only one who appeared unharmed—Pingzi Zhenzi.

"Hey hey hey, please spare me~"

"Risshiri, don't cause trouble at a time like this, okay?!"

Pingzi Zhenzi looked at Liuche Quanxi, Jiunan Bai, and Risshiri, couldn't help but wryly smile; a single completely hollowfied Liuche Quanxi was already enough to make him drink a pot, and now three came at once—wasn't this trying to take his life?!

"Roar!!"

At the moment Pingzi Zhenzi felt a headache, the Ai Chuan Luo Wu, Lisa, Luo Zi, and You Zhao Tian Bo Xuan, who had originally lain on the ground not knowing what had knocked them down, likewise began to spit out white substances and emit hoarse roars like a Great Hollow.

"No way?!"

Pingzi Zhenzi watched the several people howling together, his pupils slightly constricted; facing one captain and two high‑ranking vice‑captains alone was already enough for him to bear, and adding Luo Wu, Lisa, and Luo Zi meant that even if his strength was a notch above theirs, he couldn't withstand it!

"I really brought this misfortune upon myself!"

Pingzi helplessly cried out, then began to think calmly.

"If I now report what happened here to the Seireitei, Commander Araki will undoubtedly release that madman Geng Mu Jian Ba..."

"With Geng Mu Jian Ba's mad personality, he would surely deem everyone present—including Liuche Quanxi and the others—as enemies threatening the Soul Society and slay them all!! That means I must, before the Seireitei detects the disappearance of Luo Zi and the others' spiritual pressure, single‑handedly clean up this mess..."

"This really gave me a big headache!"

Pingzi Zhenzi wiped the cold sweat from his forehead; he felt immense pressure.

"Perhaps I am not fighting alone now; maybe I can ask for help from Urahara Kisuke— that guy's daily whimsical ideas might actually have a way to deal with the mutation occurring in Liuche Quanxi and the others..."

After a brief thought, Pingzi Zhenzi finally made a decision.

"Anyway, before notifying Urahara, I still have to calm these guys down! Since it's a team battle, I won't hold back against Liuche Quanxi, Luo Zi, etc. ~"

"Bankai·Reverse Evil Eight Treasure Seal!"

Pingzi Zhenzi said, directly releasing his Soul‑Cutting Sword in front of his former comrades; accompanied by a strange floral fragrance centered on him, a beautiful carnation flower slowly bloomed behind him, forming a pedestal for one person to stand on; Pingzi Zhenzi flashed onto it and then silently watched his hollowfied former comrades.

"Roar!!"

The next second, a miraculous thing happened: the captains who had been glaring at Pingzi Zhenzi with tiger‑like eyes, after he released his Bankai, first let out an angry roar, then began to fight each other in front of him, turning on one another.

"Then what..."

After dealing with the hollowfied comrades before him, Pingzi Zhenzi broke the skin of his right hand, then drew a totem on his arm.

"Binding Way #77: Heavenly Pillar Net"

Pingzi Zhenzi immediately used the Heavenly Pillar Net, trying to inform Urahara Kisuke of the current situation.

"Then, Urahara junior, please hurry over!"

"Please be sure to arrive before Liuche Quanxi and the others decide the outcome and before the Seireitei notices what's happening here, to rescue them—I don't want to bear the charge of killing comrades and survive~"

After releasing the Heavenly Pillar Net, Pingzi Zhenzi showed an expression of extreme pain.

12th Division Captain's Quarters.

"What? Quanxi and the others haven't died, but their bodies have shown features like a 'Great Void'; this must be the Death Gods' voidification—someone performed a Death God voidification experiment in the Jingling Court! Who could be so fanatically insane?"

Urahara Kisuke's complexion changed sharply after receiving Hirako Mako's celestial sky‑robe; he had originally thought an unknown virus had truly emerged in the Soul Society to suppress the increasingly powerful Death Gods, but it turned out not to be a naturally formed virus at all, but a man‑made experiment.

Nature and artificiality are two different concepts…

"I have to go."

Urahara Kisuke knows that Hirako Mako needs him right now.

But just as Urahara was about to set out, he suddenly recalled what Kyōraku had said; with Urahara's intellect, he naturally understood that Kyōraku was soothing him, intending to prevent him from acting on his own—everything must obey Captain Araki's arrangements…

Yet at this moment Urahara Kisuke can no longer worry about any of that; his own vice‑captain is still waiting for his rescue! It would be no exaggeration to say that every second counts now. Moreover, Urahara lacks great confidence in the Jingling Court; he can place a bet that the mastermind behind this voidification incident is very likely a member of the Gotei 13, perhaps even a captain.

With that thought, after leaving a handwritten letter for the only captain he trusts within the Gotei 13, Shihoin Yoruichi, Urahara Kisuke donned the black cloak he invented that can conceal his spiritual pressure, and headed toward the direction where Hirako Mako is.

Meanwhile.

About a thousand meters away from Hirako Mako and the group of voidified captains…

Sosuke Aizen and Tosen stood here in silence, quietly watching the distant scene, waiting for Hirako Mako, who is coming with Urahara Kisuke, and for the group of voidified captains who, affected by Hirako's Bankai, have erupted into a chaotic melee.

"Lord Aizen, it seems Urahara Kisuke has, as per the plan, rushed toward us after receiving the message…"

"Should we eliminate Urahara Kisuke and Hirako Mako here together, and snatch the Hogyoku you need from Urahara's hands?!"

Tosen proposed to Sosuke Aizen.

"No need for that. Our mission ends here; let others handle the cleanup~"

Aizen, after hearing Tosen's words, gently shook his head.

"What do you mean?"

Tosen's expression flickered slightly after hearing Aizen.

"The beast is about to break out…"

Aizen gave a faint smile after hearing Tosen.

"Return to the Jingling Court!"

"Staying here any longer is already unsafe~"

Aizen glanced at Tosen and smiled lightly.

"Understood."

Tosen, after hearing Aizen, suddenly seemed enlightened.

What Tosen now needs to do is create a complete alibi.

But he doesn't have to make the alibi himself; Lord Aizen has already prepared everything for him…

A dozen minutes later…

Near the White Path Gate of the Jingling Court, a blood‑soaked Tosen, carrying three equally scarred squad members, left a trail of blood‑stained footprints as he approached the gate.

"Hey! What did you do? How did it become…?!"

The 11th Division squad members on duty at the White Path Gate, looking at the Tosen who was almost turning into a blood‑man, asked frantically.

"Quick! Quickly go rescue, rescue our captain…"

After hearing the squad members, Tosen, with his blood‑splattered hand, seized the squad members before him, and with a voice that sounded as if he might die at any moment—weak yet unusually resolute—left this final sentence for the on‑duty squad, then fell to the ground and completely lost consciousness.

"Quick! Four wounded: the third seat Licheng Pingzao of the 9th Division, the fourth seat Weidao Ren of the 9th Division, the fifth seat Tosen, and the sixth seat Toudou Weizamen! All four are on the brink of death; please transport them to the 4th Division for treatment as fast as possible…"

"Damn it, just the 9th Division that went to investigate already has four senior officers on the brink of death, the captain and vice‑captain are missing, the other captains dispatched by the Gotei 13 to reinforce have not reported back for half a day, what on earth is happening in Soul Street? Could it be that several Wastode‑class Great Voids have formed a Death God encirclement of the allied forces, collectively attacking the Soul Society?"

These 11th Division squad members first escorted Tosen and the others to the 4th Division, then muttered, unable to imagine what kind of enemy could achieve such results on Death God territory, leaving several captains helpless.

"What is happening here?"

Just as these 11th Division squad members, their faces pale and eyes full of worry as they gazed toward the distant Soul Street, a hoarse, authoritative voice suddenly sounded beside them.

"Captain Gengmu!"

Seeing the newcomer, the squad felt as if their backbone had returned and instantly steadied.

"The 9th Division investigation team that set out this morning just returned; all four senior officers are on the brink of death, and the only one still relatively conscious keeps repeating a sentence, asking us to rescue their captain…"

The 11th Division squad members, upon seeing the newcomer, answered truthfully.

"Huh? As a captain of the Gotei 13, you actually need your subordinates to go to the Jingling Court for rescue while they're on the brink of death; the Gotei 13 is really soft now, aren't you?"

Gengmu frowned slightly after hearing his squad's words.

"Captain Gengmu, what do you think we should do now?"

The squad members dared not contradict Gengmu, and carefully asked.

"I'll go personally, to see who turned the Soul Society into such a smoggy mess…"

Gengmu said, hoisting his Zanpakutō, his expression icy, and headed toward Soul Street.

"Captain Gengmu, please be careful…"

The squad members, watching Gengmu's back, nervously reminded him.

"Who do you think I am?!"

Gengmu answered coldly.

"Ten‑thousand‑character chapter! Twelve thousand~"