Chapter 179

"The Present World"

Because of Kurosaki Ichigo's birth, the relatives of the Shiba Isshin family who remained in the Living World—Shiba Tenju and Shiba Zehong, as well as the Ishida family, who are relatives of Kurosaki Masaki, all gathered; even Ishida Ryuuken took time off and came to the clinic of Isshin and Masaki.

When Ishida Ryuuken looked at Kurosaki Masaki's arms, at the baby with a head of blond hair just like Masaki's, yet with a face that clearly inherited the excellent genes of the Shiba family, looking somewhat roguishly handsome, his brows immediately furrowed.

"This child just looks hateful."

Ishida Ryuuken looked at Masaki's arms holding Ichigo, muttering to himself.

At that very moment, the obsession in Ryuuken's heart seemed to just let go.

"This child is really cute~"

"He looks exactly like his father~"

At the same time, a nurse passed by Ryuuken's side, chuckling softly as they whispered about Ichigo's appearance; perhaps because Ichigo was born with a head of blond hair, from birth he has attracted the affection of countless girls.

"It's precisely because he looks like his father that he's hateful!"

Ryuuken lightly pushed his glasses on the bridge of his nose, muttering dissatisfiedly.

Perhaps, if Ichigo Kurosaki were not a boy but a girl who inherited Masaki Kurosaki's appearance and that sunny personality, then the matter of opposing Yhwach might have had nothing to do with Ichigo and Uryū……

Ryuuken: "For my adopted daughter! Even if you're the Quincy progenitor, I'll kill you right before your eyes! Let you see just how far my eighteen years of effort—far surpassing Uryū's talent—can take me! Old man Yhwach, open your mouth and taste my Silver Blood Clot Arrow!"

Too bad, Ichigo is a boy, and moreover a damned blond who inherited Isshin's appearance.

"Soul Society"

In the office of the First Division captain.

"Ara~"

"Aramaki, what exactly are you looking at? You're so engrossed~"

Unohana Retsu, at some point, had come up behind Aramaki, a soft mass naturally resting on his head, allowing Aramaki to inhale the orchid-like fragrance from Unohana's body without lifting his head.

"Let's see what my useless disciples are up to~"

Aramaki, hearing this, gave a faint smile to Unohana Retsu behind him.

"Aizen Sousuke?"

Unohana Retsu raised her elegant brows and asked.

And there's Shiba Isshin's brat, the child born in the Living World.

Aramaki explained.

"Shiba Isshin's child is already married?"

"And he got married in the Living World? That would mean his wife is a human?"

"Does Soul Society have any examples of Shinigami marrying humans?"

"With the Shiba family's enormous spiritual power, can an ordinary human really bear it? Can that child even be born safely?!"

Unohana Retsu has been a colleague of Shiba Isshin for over a hundred years, so she still has some impression of him, the former captain of the Tenth Division.

"Haha, the wife of that little brat Shiba is far from an ordinary human! A few years ago he went to the Living World and formed a good bond with a pure-blood Quincy! That child is the offspring of a Shinigami and a Quincy……"

"In other words, the child born to that little brat of the Shiba family inherits the bloodline of one of the founders of the Five Great Noble Houses, the Shiba family founder! He is a descendant of both that lineage and the Quincy progenitor Yhwach!"

"Furthermore, my conceited disciple Aizen Sousuke, using a material similar to what that guy Ōetsu uses to forge Zanpakutō—namely the souls of dead Shinigami—created a Menos Grande–level 'Grand Hollow' comparable to a Vasto Lorde, and sent that Grand Hollow to the Living World, causing no end of trouble for the Shiba family and Yhwach's descendants~"

"After the Shiba brat and Yhwach's descendants teamed up to take down that upper-level Grand Hollow, the Hollow, in order to survive, mixed its power into the Quincy descendant—that is, the pure-blood Quincy's body! In other words, from the moment of his birth, Isshin Kurosaki's child inherited within him the powers of the Shinigami progenitor, the Quincy progenitor, and a top-tier Grand Hollow!"

"And before, when I went to the Living World, I added a little something to that child on top of the foundations of Hollow, Shinigami, and Quincy power, ensuring he could be born in this world at his strongest! Honestly, even I now look forward to seeing just how far that child, who has inherited so much power, can go—perhaps he'll surpass all of our imaginations~"

Aramaki, smiling, explained to Unohana Retsu.

At the same time, Aramaki also found Ichigo Kurosaki's appearance rather amusing; Ichigo is probably the only one who inherited blond hair, bull horns, and poor hearing—three elements utterly mismatched with a hot-blooded manga—yet remains a hot-blooded manga protagonist.

"You really care about other people's kids, huh~"

Unohana, hearing Aramaki's words, spoke with a slight reproach.

"How could that be?"

"Speaking of which, the timing seems about right……"

"It's also time for us to start creating our own love-crystal~"

"With our strength, our child's talent will absolutely not be lacking~"

Aramaki said this as he rose to his feet and moved to kiss Unohana's thin lips.

"Hmph~"

Unohana, hearing Aramaki's words, first let out a light snort.

Immediately, as two haori fell to the ground, Aramaki and Unohana began their sparring and exertion for the day~

Yes, after the birth of Kurosaki Ichigo, the child of destiny, the obstacles blocking Aramaki have largely disappeared; now he can boldly create his own child together with Unohana Retsu, and then have fun playing with her~

For an immortal like Aramaki, if a child is not born to be played with, then giving birth to it would be meaningless! Cough cough……

"Hey hey hey! Don't forget about me!"

Just as Aramaki and Unohana were opening their shamelessly happy life……

The vice-captain of the First Division, Saitō the Undying, angrily burst into the rear hall of Aramaki's captain's office; Aramaki had no time to mourn Unohana Retsu's defeat! Next, Saitō the Undying chose to join the battle……

It seems that because of the birth of the eternal child, Kurosaki Ichigo, the Three Worlds have once again fallen into a false peace; even the originally obsessed Aizen, who had been fixated on Hollowfication experiments, has begun to lie low, quietly observing what he considers his greatest masterpiece born from various chances and coincidences—namely, the growth of Kurosaki Ichigo~

Thus, time flew by, and nine years passed in the blink of an eye.

Once again it was June 17, and once again the sky was overcast with gloom, a rainy day.

Shiba Isshin—should I say Kurosaki Isshin—stood in his private clinic, a cigarette clenched between his lips, emitting heat and sparks, because Masaki had once said his smoking looked cool, and ever since then Isshin's cigarette has never left his hand.

"What terrible weather! It reminds me of long ago……"

"I hope nothing happens to Masaki and Ichigo's child."

Isshin Kurosaki gazed out at the rain, and couldn't help but recall the day he met Masaki, and then the day he saved her; it seems that whenever something major happens, the sky drizzles a misty rain.

On the other hand, Ichigo, having just finished school, was being escorted by his mother Masaki Kurosaki, wearing a raincoat, constantly running through the streets.

Though the thick fog obscured Hei Qi Yi Hu and Zhen Xi's sight, it did not hide Hei Qi Yi Hu's curiosity about things, nor his continuously playful mood in the park~

"Hehe, slower~"

Zhen Xi watched Hei Qi Yi Hu running back and forth, holding an umbrella in one hand and a strawberry bun bought from the bakery in the other, while still smiling and gently reminding Hei Qi Yi Hu to stay safe.

"…"

Hei Qi Yi Hu did not take Zhen Xi's words to heart.

It wasn't until Hei Qi Yi Hu, while in the park, seemed to notice something, ran all the way to the center, waved at a child also strolling in the rain but received no reply, that his expression finally changed.

"Roar!!"

When Hei Qi Yi Hu reached the girl, a huge creature appeared before him: its head bore a lamp‑like bulb resembling that of an Ankang fish, its slender body was covered in long hair like a giant mouse, its cheeks resembled a human's with vivid emotions, its features were masked by a white bony mask, and its size was comparable to a mammoth.

"What is this?!"

At that moment Hei Qi Yi Hu stood dumbfounded on the spot; he had never seen such a terrifying creature.

"Hee hee hee…"

"Your soul alone smells delicious!"

The mammoth‑sized creature first gave Hei Qi Yi Hu a gentle smile, then revealed an extremely ferocious expression.

At the instant the massive creature appeared before Hei Qi Yi Hu, Lan Ran Zong You Xie, who had been closely monitoring Hei Qi Yi Hu's movements, and Huang Mu both furrowed their brows.

Huang Mu's words were fine, since he had already set everything up on Hei Qi Yi Hu; the one truly worried was Lan Ran Zong You Xie…

Because of Zhen Xi, Lan Ran could not place many things around Hei Qi Yi Hu, lest Zhen Xi notice, yet he could not tolerate his greatest creation being killed by a low‑rank Hollow before it matured.

"Looks like I really have to take time to go to the Void Circle; I need to properly teach those lawless Hollows the rules of Lan Ran."

The flat lenses on Lan Ran's nose bridge constantly reflected the lights as he said coldly, "From today onward, without my permission, Lan Ran will not allow any Hollow to enter Kongzuo Town and disturb his test subjects."

However, Lan Ran did not pay much attention to the Hollow before him, after all, Zhen Xi, a pure‑blood Annihilator, is a ruthless figure who can even slay his own Hollow White~

A mere low‑rank Hollow is no match for pure‑blood Annihilator Zhen Xi.

"Boom!"

Just as Lan Ran Zong You Xie was thinking that, Zhen Xi arrived before Hei Qi Yi Hu and, with one hand, blocked the ferocious Great Hollow before them.

Indeed, the Hollow with a lamp‑like bulb on its head, bearing the title GrandFisher, had, after enduring endless pressure from Bai Le Gang and his backing group in the Void Circle, finally evolved in adversity…

It has become the Void Circle's last GrandFisher, and also the strongest GrandFisher, a being beyond the lower‑tier Great Hollow Kilian, classified as an A‑Qiu‑Kas level Great Hollow.

Regrettably, even though the GrandFisher has evolved from a low‑rank Hollow to the A‑Qiu‑Kas level, under Bai Le Gang's pressure it remains essentially a low‑rank Hollow; to higher‑tier Great Hollows, an A‑Qiu‑Kas is merely a slightly larger low‑rank Hollow, hardly different from ordinary Hollows.

Thus, the overburdened GrandFisher finally fled the Void Circle, whose food was richer, and came to the present world to hunt for prey! Because as an A‑Qiu‑Kas Great Hollow ordinary souls no longer affect him, he went straight to Kongzuo Town, a place of strong spiritual energy, to feed, and unexpectedly, upon arriving, he encountered a mouth‑watering delicacy: Hei Qi Yi Hu, whose body harbored immense spiritual pressure yet was still extremely immature.

Unfortunately, before the GrandFisher could taste the Hei Qi Yi Hu he considered a delicacy, Zhen Xi, using the Annihilator's Feilian Kick, rescued the young Hei Qi Yi Hu and, with one hand, blocked the powerful GrandFisher.

"Impossible! How can a human possess such massive power? Who are you?! Are you a Soul Reaper?"

GrandFisher stared at the Zhen Xi radiating overwhelming pressure; cold sweat broke out on its forehead. At the moment Zhen Xi saw her child attacked and displayed a mother's resolve, GrandFisher instinctively felt endless terror.

"Me? I'm just a pure‑blood Annihilator…"

Zhen Xi seemed not to have acted for a long time; she first stretched her limbs, then with one hand drew a bow made of spirit material, and the shining holy annihilation arrows on the bow continuously emitted a silvery glow.

"Annihilator? There are still living Annihilators in this world?"

GrandFisher's expression turned shocked; he had only heard of Annihilators in legends, and this was his first time seeing a living one. Supposedly, Annihilators are the mortal enemies of Hollows, a group that hunts Hollows.

"You don't need to know too much! Farewell, Great Hollow!"

Zhen Xi said that as she drew the spirit bow in her hand.

Zhen Xi seemed confident in her holy annihilation arrows, believing a single shot could eliminate the Great Hollow before her!

In fact, it was true; even Lan Ran's powerful experimental Hollow White could be slain by Zhen Xi's holy annihilation arrows…

"Bastard…"

GrandFisher roared, seeming to intend to flee.

But the one locked onto by Zhen Xi had no time to prepare anything.

However, just as Zhen Xi was about to unleash the holy annihilation arrow, a flash of bewilderment appeared in her eyes! The next second, Zhen Xi felt a low chant at her ear, as if someone was constantly invoking the Annihilator power within her!

"Boom!"

As Zhen Xi's pupils slightly dilated, the spirit bow arrows in her hand instantly dissipated into the heavens and earth.

"Good opportunity!"

GrandFisher stared at Zhen Xi, whose internal spiritual power was fading, and suddenly a light sparked in his eyes. Though he did not understand why the previously dominant Zhen Xi suddenly lost strength, he knew clearly that his chance had arrived.

GrandFisher did not intend to give up the chance; he lunged at Zhen Xi and snapped his jaws toward her neck.

"Swoosh!"

For a moment, a sky of vivid red rained down…

The bread bag in Zhen Xi's hand was scattered on the ground by GrandFisher's massive impact, mixing countless buns with blood…

The young Hei Qi Yi Hu, who had been shielded behind Zhen Xi with all his strength and life, stared in shock at everything before him.

The young Hei Qi Yi Hu could not believe what was happening before his eyes.

"Mom?!"

Hei Qi Yi Hu looked at his mother, suddenly clutched by the massive creature, and whispered.

"…"

At this moment, the Zhen Xi being fiercely bitten by GrandFisher gave no response to the Hei Qi Yi Hu behind her; she lowered her head like a dead corpse.

"Mom!"

This tightened the young Hei Qi Yi Hu's heart.

However, only the GrandFisher biting Zhen Xi at this moment could comprehend just how dire the situation was!

"Damn! You bastard, why are you so tough!"

Just as Hei Qi Yi Hu worried, the GrandFisher suddenly roared.

Only then could one see that Hei Qi Zhenxiao, who had been clamped in GrandFisher's mouth, had originally loosened the bread bag and umbrella; like a corpse, his body suddenly lit up with countless fine purple patterns, those patterns like an invisible armor shielding his form, and the blood on the ground was actually oozing from GrandFisher's mouth…

At this moment GrandFisher felt as if he were biting a massive iron weight; not only was it futile, but his mouth was filled with wounds, even his proud teeth that could pierce other Great Void steel skins were shattered by several pieces of the armor that lit up on Hei Qi Zhenxiao's body, and his mouth bled nonstop.

"Got you~"

As for Hei Qi Zhenxiao, she now wore a cunning smile of a plot fulfilled; she grabbed GrandFisher's massive head, and at the same time her pale hands suddenly glowed purple, instantly gathering two spirit‑seed bow arrows aimed at the temples on either side of GrandFisher.

"Damn! You have this power and you still scheme against me?!"

"You treacherous, cunning Extinction Master, I curse you to a miserable death!"

"You who play tactics have filthy hearts! All of you should die…"

These were GrandFisher's final words; he now understood everything—Hei Qi Zhenxiao had not lost her power earlier; it was a trap to lure him into attacking.

"Pfft~"

As Hei Qi Zhenxiao unleashed the Holy Extinction Arrow, two huge holes appeared on GrandFisher's head; countless scarlet fragments fell to the ground, and he, unwilling, collapsed onto the floor.

"Are we GrandFisher destined to die from birth?"

"Are we GrandFisher meant from birth to be used as lanterns by our own kind? Even if I escaped the Void Circle, is another hell all that awaits me?"

"I am not content! I curse you..."

GrandFisher roared, his body gradually turning into countless spirit seeds filling the sky.

"……"

Hei Qi Zhenxiao looked at the dead GrandFisher, her brows slightly furrowed.

At this moment Zhenxiao felt no joy at having slain the Great Void; she inexplicably felt a hint of sorrow.

Perhaps her compassion has started to act again?!

If at this moment the instigator of the GrandFisher clan's extermination, Bai Legang, heard GrandFisher's words, he would surely cackle: "Of course, the GrandFisher clan has been destined since birth to become the Void Circle's light bulbs! As for whether they should die? If you don't die, does that mean I must die? How childish!"

"Mom, what was he just saying?!"

"I don't understand, I really can't make out what he was saying!"

The young Hei Qi Yigu, looking at the dead GrandFisher, had huge confusion in his tiny eyes; he hadn't understood GrandFisher's words at all.

"Um, this..."

Zhenxiao looked at the young Yigu, gently rubbed his little head, then smiled: "When you grow up, you'll know!"

"Oh."

Yigu nodded as if half‑understanding.

Unfortunately, Zhenxiao didn't know that her big son would still not understand when he grew up!

He would even evolve to the point that, even if others explained a lot to him face‑to‑face, he still wouldn't comprehend a single word.

Only now, in the Soul Society's First Division captain's office, Huangmu silently watched Yigu and shook his head: "A fine child, already going deaf at such a young age! Bu Qu is the so‑called 'D‑Deaf' Holy Script, the destined child of selective deafness."

Huangmu thought this and couldn't help recalling his past life, the countless netizens' comments on the three hot‑blooded manga protagonists Naruto, Luffy, and Yigu when they faced loquacious villains.

Naruto rejects the opponent's verbal attack and counters with an even superior verbal technique to persuade them.

Luffy ignores the opponent's verbal attack and sticks to his own ideas.

Hei Qi Yigu is the toughest of the three; regardless of the opponent's reasoning, he declares he simply doesn't understand, shouting: "I don't get what you're saying!" then brandishes his Zanpakutō, ready to fight!

Meanwhile…

Because the bread Zhenxiao bought fell to the ground, after freeing her hands she scooped up the young Hei Qi Yigu, one hand holding the umbrella, the other cradling Yigu, and walked home on her own.

At this moment Zhenxiao's face showed no joy at defeating GrandFisher; she furrowed her brows, seeming to be deep in thought.

"Just now, the Extinction Master power within me did indeed waver for a moment."

"An invisible force mercilessly stripped away the Extinction Master power inherited from my pure bloodline, and at my moment of weakness another force restored the stolen power—how strange..."

"I need to go to the Shi Tian household and ask Senior Xiaolong and Zongxian!"

Zhenxiao knew in her heart that the recent palpitations and the waver of the Extinction Master power meant there was a problem within their Extinction Master lineage.

Zhenxiao, after pondering, first sent the young Yigu back home, then immediately used Feilian steps to rush to the Shi Tian residence.

When Zhenxiao arrived at the Shi Tian residence, she saw a group of fainted half‑Extinction Master hybrids, and the solemn, silent Shi Tian Longxian and Zongxian.

"Zhenxiao, you're here."

When Zhenxiao reached the residence, Longxian's tightly furrowed brows showed a slight, visible relaxation, and a hint of gentleness flickered in his eyes.

"Xiaolong, what exactly happened?"

Zhenxiao looked at the serious, tense Longxian and asked immediately.

"……"

After hearing Zhenxiao, Longxian's brows furrowed even tighter, a trace of unease in his gaze.

"It's a holy separation!"

Before Longxian could speak, Zongxian was the first to tell Zhenxiao the truth.

"Holy separation?!"

Zhenxiao was startled the moment Zongxian spoke.

"Our Extinction Master's king, Youhabah has already awakened."

Before Zhenxiao could think further, Zongxian spoke each word deliberately, revealing the truth.

"Youhabah?!"

Zhenxiao's pupils narrowed slightly, she said in disbelief.

Meanwhile, in the shadows of the Soul Society and the Pure Spirit Court…

the invisible empire hidden within the darkness.

Upon the throne that stands atop all things, a majestic and solitary figure sits silently; his eyes seem to gaze upon all of the Three Realms, overlooking the past and future of all beings, mastering everything in the world!

That seemingly all‑knowing, all‑powerful man is named…

Youhabah!!

In this pitch‑black realm, the Eradicators call men this way.

Yes, the man's name is Youhabah. He is the king of the Eradicators, the true enemy of the Shinigami! Nine hundred and ninety years ago he led the Eradicators in the invasion of the Soul Realm, the chief culprit! As recorded in the Holy Emperor Hymn, the sealed King of the Eradicators regained his heartbeat after nine hundred years, and his consciousness after another ninety…

At this moment the King of the Eradicators, Youhabah, has fully restored his heartbeat and consciousness, awakening from endless slumber. The first thing the awakened Youhabah does is employ Divine Severance to reclaim, in his view essentially useless, the scattered power within the mixed‑blood Eradicators across the world.

My subjects! During the time I was sealed, you have toiled!

Now I have fully awakened from the sunless darkness of my sleep; in nine years I will completely restore my power, and then, as the prophecy foretells, lead you all to seize the entire Three Realms within nine days! And create a world ideal to us!

Youhabah sits upon the throne, his voice hoarse, composed, and full of power, resonating in the minds of every Eradicator living within the Invisible Empire.

Praise the great Emperor Youhabah!

At this moment, countless Eradicators raise their right hands, clench them into fists, and press them forcefully against their hearts, willing to give the great King of Eradicators everything— their power, spirit, life, and even their hearts.

Then, next…

Hasward, who currently holds power in the Soul Realm?

Or is it that old fellow Shanben Yuanliuzai Chongguo?

Youhabah says, his grim gaze turning toward the shadow at his side, speaking coldly to the figure standing within the darkness.

Reply, Your Majesty Youhabah~

At present the leader of the Guardian Thirteen Squad is not Shanben Yuanliuzai, but Yuanliuzai's disciple Huangmu. Five hundred years ago, Huangmu already, in the Void Circle, defeated his master and seized the position of squad commander.

As for the original commander Yuanliuzai, according to my intel he has long since lost his former ambition, become a withered husk, and simply fled to the Spiritual Arts Institute to take students, now focusing on training a new generation of Shinigami!

Hasward, after hearing Youhabah's words, replied lightly.

Oh? Yuanliuzai actually lost? And lost to Huangmu, that annoying little brat—so Yuanliuzai really has grown old, huh?

Since the Jingling Court has now become Huangmu's territory, what about the Guardian Thirteen Squad that Yuanliuzai founded, a violent group that acted under the name of protection?

Youhabah continued to ask Hasward.

If you refer to the original first Guardian Thirteen Squad, they are long gone; according to our intel, the first Guardian Thirteen Squad were all slain in the Void Circle. The current Guardian Thirteen Squad's lineage is unknown, because under Huangmu's rule the Jingling Court has been so peaceful that wars are scarce, so in my view their strength pales compared to the original…

Hasward, after hearing Youhabah, answered.

Hahaha…

Youhabah, after hearing Hasward, couldn't help but burst into laughter.

The original Guardian Thirteen Squad were all slain in the Void Circle?!

Don't joke! How could those assassins be killed by a mere Great Void!

It's just dirty political infighting! In peaceful times a blade need not be stained with much blood! But that suits me; the Shinigami are like cutting off their own wings…

In the war a thousand years ago, the Guardian Thirteen Squad were invincible because they were cold‑blooded, like an endless battle machine!

The current Guardian Thirteen Squad are merely greenhouse blossoms—sunlit, beautiful, and fragile! They are no match for our Invisible Empire.

Youhabah laughs at this moment, his cruel eyes gaining a touch of mockery. When he hears the Shinigami begin to wane, not to mention how utterly exhilarating it is!

Que Bu Zhang Jirou, Bing Zhu Bu Yi Bingwei, Shanben Yuanliuzai Chongguo, and Huangmu! Everything you four did to me a thousand years ago, I will return to you unchanged…

In Youhabah's heart, he gritted his teeth and uttered the four names.

He ranked these four according to his level of hatred.

Among them, Que Bu remains at the top of the hatred list! Although Bing Zhu, Yuanliuzai, and Huangmu have all, to varying degrees, plotted against him, at least their schemes were open and righteous…

You, Que Bu Zhang Jirou, are the most treacherous and cunning—choosing to backstab him in the midst of his duel with Yuanliuzai! No sense at all; you must die!

Youhabah has harbored this vengeance for nearly a thousand years—yes, a thousand years!

Youhabah's revenge, a thousand years is not too late…

Hasward, do you have anything else to report to me?

Youhabah gently touched his chest, the spot where Que Bu once pierced him, and after a moment of reminiscence he asked Hasward.

Your Majesty Youhabah, there is one more matter I need to report to you!

Although the Shinigami are no longer as strong as before, the few disciples Huangmu has trained are still worth your attention…

They are, respectively, the Fifth Squad captain Lanzan Zongyousai, and the Eleventh Squad captain Gengmu Jianba! Both are immensely powerful.

Hasward, looking at Youhabah seated on the throne, spoke softly.

Oh?

Youhabah, upon hearing that, added a hint of curiosity to his expression.

Let me see just how strong Huangmu's disciple is…

Youhabah murmured to himself, his gaze seeming to drift toward the distant Jingling Court.

After a while, Youhabah suddenly gave a light laugh: "Heh, nothing more than that!"

Even though Youhabah's brows were furrowed into a knot, he still gave Lanzan and Gengmu the same "nothing more than that" assessment…

Meanwhile, in the First Squad's barracks.

Huangmu has three tablets: one to monitor Lanzan, one to monitor Kurosaki Ichigo, and the last naturally to monitor Youhabah.

After Youhabah successfully employed Divine Severance and seized the power within Kurosaki Masaki, the portion of power Huangmu left inside Masaki also, together with the part taken by Youhabah, transferred into Youhabah's body, successfully connecting Huangmu to the Invisible Empire's network.

Keep pretending! Who can outact you, Youhabah?

I am now somewhat curious: when you learn that your created destiny is to liberate the Spirit King, act as the Spirit King, and ultimately become the Spirit King, will you still be able to show such a dashing smile?

Huangmu sits in the First Squad's command room, watching the tablet where Youhabah's scheming appears as if nothing in the world can escape his eyes, and he can't help but smile.

Breaking Lanzan's guard is not the ultimate goal…

Huangmu's sole ultimate purpose is to break Youhabah's guard.

Even if some Lord Spirit King who founded the Three Realms is not content, Huangmu wouldn't mind letting the Lord Spirit King also have his guard broken.

The Dao turns, the heavens spare no one! Everyone, please do not be hasty, do not be restless! In any case, everyone will have a day when their guard breaks~

'Present World'.

Inside Urahara's shop.

"Has Yhwach, the King of the Mekkaishi, already awakened?"

Urahara Kisuke pressed down his green fisherman's hat and muttered to himself.

Because Urahara Kisuke has spent recent years close to Ishida Uryu and the Mekkaishi, he has also learned about the Mekkaishi and the legendary Imperial Hymn…

According to what he learned in History class at the Spiritual Arts Academy, nearly a thousand years have indeed passed since the war between Yhwach and the Shinigami.

"What a leaky roof and a night of rain~"

"The internal enemies of the Shinigami have not yet been identified, while the external enemies have already revived and are preparing for the next invasion of the Soul Society…"

"Then, Captain Araki, have you already prepared to face all the strong foes? Or do you think that even you, Captain Araki, have no guaranteed victory in this destiny‑shaped war that occurs once every thousand years?!"

Urahara Kisuke looked at the drizzle outside and muttered.

In fact, a few years later, when Urahara Kisuke learned that the mastermind behind everything was none other than Aizen Sosuke, his heart did not waver a iota; Aizen himself had already been within their doubts.

However, when Urahara Kisuke discovered that the mastermind behind Aizen's plan was actually Captain Araki, he recalled his earlier oath before Araki—vowing, to prove his wit, that he would find the hidden puppet master—and felt utterly ashamed.

Urahara Kisuke could not imagine how delighted Araki, the true mastermind behind all events, must have felt when he first heard Urahara promise Araki to find the hidden culprit of the Voidification incident with absolute certainty; surely Araki mocked him, which explains why Araki said he wasn't very smart—indeed, he was quite foolish.

The same year…

When Kurosaki Ichigo was nine years old, the year Yhwach awakened.

Momo no Hana Retsu became pregnant, and ten months later gave birth to a daughter for Araki.

Indeed, as Yhwach strained to regain his power, Araki and Momo no Hana Retsu were also diligently bringing forth offspring.

"... Yachiru!"

Araki, without a second thought, immediately named his and Momo no Hana Retsu's daughter.

"Yachiru~"

"What a familiar name indeed~"

"From today onward, she shall be called Araki Yachiru~"

"It nicely combines both our names~"

Momo no Hana Retsu cradled the infant daughter, her eyes filled with compassion.

"This child is worthy~"

Araki gazed at Momo no Hana Retsu with gentle eyes. He named their daughter Yachiru not only to announce to the world that she was his child with Momo no Hana Retsu, but also because their daughter's talent was high enough to merit the dominant name Yachiru.

As the daughter of Captain Araki of the Gotei 13 and the First Division's Zangetsu, Momo no Hana Retsu, Yachiru possessed a spiritual pressure of at least third rank at birth! In other words, Araki's daughter was born with a captain‑level Shinigami's formidable spiritual pressure, and her future achievements are beyond imagination.

After all, Araki and Momo no Hana Retsu's daughter inherited not only Retsu's formidable swordsmanship, but also the Void Power of the Complete Manifestation Technique, the Mekkaishi, and the Twelve Divine Generals from Araki's body, as well as the Soul King's power from the King Key. In terms of raw capability, she even surpasses Kurosaki Ichigo.

Just as Araki and Momo no Hana Retsu were happily looking at the baby in their arms.

The Invisible Empire…

"Araki, you're so foolish!"

"Family would only be a burden to people like you and me!"

"Once you have a wife and a daughter, your heart becomes attached; once your heart is attached, the sword in your hand slows down! A slowed sword means you'll lose to your enemies! In your current state, you're utterly vulnerable…"

Yhwach naturally knew about the birth of Araki and Momo no Hana Retsu's daughter, and he sighed helplessly, suddenly feeling bored; those he once regarded as opponents were either aged or weakened, and this world that is now within easy reach truly makes one feel bored and lonely~

A ten‑thousand‑character chapter~