Chapter 198: Araki: Don't rush, Yhwach, you're not just going to have your defenses broken

At the moment Kurosaki Ichigo was being hoodwinked by Ichibe Hyosube into heading to the Spirit King's Approach to bear the great power of the Soul King, and Ishida Uryu was being hoodwinked by Araki into deciding to head to the Wandenreich to backstab Yhwach, the training of the others in the Soul King Palace continued.

In the training grounds.

Hitsugaya Toshiro's Bankai, Daiguren Hyorinmaru, had been ruthlessly shattered by the Araki sisters. The twelve ice petals behind him, used for timing, had completely melted and vanished! Even the ice dragon attached to Hitsugaya, symbolizing Hyorinmaru, had been forcibly ripped off by Yachiru, who was now tossing it around in her hands for fun...

"Huff, huff..."

Hitsugaya Toshiro lay on the ground of the training field like a broken, played-out doll, gasping for air...

In truth, long before the battle between Hitsugaya and Araki's daughters began, he had prepared himself mentally...

Yet, Hitsugaya had never imagined that Araki's daughters could be this strong—strong enough to break his Bankai in nearly an instant.

"Want to keep going, little Shiro?"

Yachiru tossed the dragon head she had grown bored of to the side and asked the dazed Hitsugaya lying on the ground.

"No matter what, I am a Captain of the Gotei 13! Even if you are the daughters of Captain-Commander Araki, do not underestimate me!"

Hearing this, Hitsugaya staggered to his feet, even though the injuries on his body were severely hindering his movements...

Yet he showed no intention of giving up; clearly, Hitsugaya still had a trump card he believed could turn the tide.

"Little Shiro, the ice petals behind you used for timing have all melted away~"

"Your Bankai should be reaching its limit. Is there any need to continue fighting? Even if you keep battling me and my sister, you still won't be able to defeat us~"

Yachiru glanced at the petals on Hitsugaya's head, which had melted away completely, and couldn't help but remind him.

"Princess, you say my Bankai is reaching its limit? Don't make me laugh! My Bankai has only just begun! I don't recall ever telling anyone that once the timing petals on my head melt, my Bankai reaches its limit! That was merely your own speculation!"

"However, the truth is exactly the opposite! Only after the timing petals on my head have completely melted can my Bankai—Daiguren Hyorinmaru—reveal its true form. Princess Yachiru, Princess Fuka, watch closely: this is the true form of Hyorinmaru, hailed as the strongest ice-type Zanpakuto in the Soul Society~"

Hitsugaya smiled upon hearing Yachiru's words.

Everyone in the Soul Society said that Hitsugaya was a genius, but because he was too young, he hadn't fully mastered his Bankai! Because of this, timing-like ice petals appeared on his head after he activated it...

In reality, they were all wrong. Those petals didn't appear because his Bankai was incomplete; he had intentionally set his Bankai to a semi-released state to suppress his overly powerful strength, so as not to place too great a burden on his young body...

However, after his training in the Soul King Palace, the drawbacks caused by his frail body had vanished! Now, he no longer needed to worry about the overly powerful and domineering strength of Hyorinmaru causing harm to his body! If it were the current him, he could unleash his true Bankai to fight anyone~

"Bankai! Daiguren Hyorinmaru!!"

With that, Hitsugaya unleashed his true Bankai.

"Boom!"

Violent, chilling Reiatsu surged from his body like a tidal wave the moment he unleashed his true Bankai, and the temperature of the entire dojo plummeted rapidly with Hitsugaya at the center! A layer of frost even coated the wooden floor.

This was only because Hitsugaya was activating his Bankai in the Soul King Palace; if he were in the Seireitei or elsewhere, he could freeze everything within a radius of one ri just by standing still. Even though Hitsugaya's Bankai couldn't yet compare to Genryusai's Zanka no Tachi, it was still worthy of the title "strongest."

"Shiro-chan, you seem to have grown taller~"

Yachiru looked at Hitsugaya, who had grown from a little bean under 1.4 meters to about 1.85 meters tall after unleashing his true Bankai, with his sharp, handsome features and a cold, aloof aura radiating from his entire body, and said in surprise.

"Yes. Honestly, this Bankai is great in every way, except that it makes me look a bit old. It's not that I haven't tried to improve it, but unfortunately, the results weren't ideal..."

The adult-form Hitsugaya replied helplessly to Yachiru.

"The ice dragon is gone? Is this really a Bankai?"

At this moment, Fuka, who hadn't spoken until now, blinked her beautiful eyes and asked in confusion after looking Hitsugaya up and down.

Fuka noticed that after Hitsugaya's Bankai, aside from his body becoming taller, the ice dragon that usually attached to him had vanished without a trace. At this moment, Hitsugaya looked very similar to his Shikai state.

"Because it's no longer needed..."

"That ice dragon was merely a tool to assist me in battle when this body was immature and unable to bear the full power of Hyorinmaru!"

"Now that this body has matured, the dragon's assistance is no longer required. As for your doubts about whether this is my true Bankai, I can tell you clearly: this is my true Bankai..."

Hitsugaya replied calmly to Fuka.

"Hehe~"

"Whether little Shiro is using his true Bankai or not, we'll know once we try it out, won't we?! If what little Shiro says is true, he should be able to block this blade in my hand with ease, right?!"

Yachiru said, drawing her Zanpakuto and rushing straight toward Hitsugaya, shouting: "Shine, Sunlight!"

"Boom!!"

As Yachiru spoke, her Zanpakuto underwent a change. Boundless, scorching white light erupted from her blade, condensing into flames. Those scorching flames were comparable to the surface of the sun, reaching over 5,000 degrees! If Hitsugaya had been in his Shikai state, he absolutely would not have been able to block this strike.

With a roar, the flaming strike, formed from countless scorching white lights, descended upon Hitsugaya Toshiro's head. Even the early-stage Bankai ice dragon form of Hitsugaya would have found it difficult to withstand this blow.

If it were the usual Hitsugaya, he would likely have chosen to retreat, but this time he didn't. He chose to face Yachiru's strike head-on. Hitsugaya stood motionless, watching Yachiru leap into the air, and then slowly exhaled a puff of white mist...

"Boom!!"

The second Hitsugaya decided to attack, Yachiru's Zanpakuto, along with Yachiru herself, were frozen in mid-air~

"What?!"

This scene left Fuka, who hadn't held high expectations for Hitsugaya, stunned on the spot. She never imagined that Hitsugaya's cold air, which seemed so weak, could freeze her sister, who wielded the power of the sun.

"Princess Fuka, perhaps you are wondering why my Zanpakuto, despite being hailed as the 'strongest ice-type Zanpakuto in the Soul Society,' shows no ice at all after unleashing its true Bankai! The answer is simple: everything my eyes behold becomes ice, and everything my Reiatsu covers becomes frost!"

Hitsugaya said softly to Fuka, holding his Zanpakuto.

In truth, not everyone's Bankai becomes massive!

Zanpakuto like his Hyorinmaru, Sasakibe Chojiro's Koko Gonryo Rikyu, and Yamamoto Genryusai's Zanka no Tachi, which control the elements of earth, ice, lightning, and fire...

Even after Bankai, the physical form of the blade doesn't change much, sometimes appearing no different from Shikai! However, the amount of elemental power they can bear undergoes a world-shaking change after Bankai. The blade may look the same, but the power contained within is incomparable...

"Huff..."

Just as Hitsugaya finished speaking, Fuka's body seemed to be frozen in place, with a layer of frost coating her entire body!

"Apologies, I forgot to tell you. After I unleash my Bankai, a barrier that freezes everything automatically forms around me! Within the time it takes for a normal person to walk four steps, every element in this world—earth, water, fire, and wind—will be completely frozen!"

Hitsugaya looked at the frozen Fuka, unsurprised, and explained his ability calmly in front of both Fuka and Yachiru.

"It's all over..."

After explaining his ability, he said indifferently.

It seemed as though he had completely defeated both Fuka and Yachiru~

"Crack, crack..."

However, the second after Hitsugaya thought he had won, cracks suddenly appeared on the frost that had frozen Fuka and Yachiru.

"Hmm?!"

Hitsugaya's pupils contracted as he looked at the scene, his eyes filled with disbelief. "Impossible! How could my Four-Step Freeze be broken so easily?!"

"Boom!"

Before Hitsugaya could think further, the ice on Fuka and Yachiru shattered completely, and boundless Reiatsu surged from their bodies! Only when Fuka and Yachiru fully unleashed their Reiatsu did Hitsugaya perceive the true power of Araki's daughters.

"It seems you weren't lying, Shiro-chan. This really is your Bankai~"

"Since you've shown us your Bankai, let me show you the Bankai of us sisters~"

Yachiru, bathed in golden Reiatsu, casually stretched her stiff neck, which let out a series of 'crack, crack' sounds, and then raised her Zanpakuto, aiming it straight at Hitsugaya Toshiro.

"Bankai! Shine Upon the World: Nikko Henjo Bosatsu!"

As Yachiru spoke, a crimson fairy robe immediately draped over her small body, her left palm holding a sun wheel, and her right hand wielding a crimson flower.

"Bankai! Lord of the Taiyin Star: Gekko Henjo Bosatsu!"

After Yachiru's Bankai, Fuka also unleashed hers, appearing in a white fairy robe, holding a moon wheel that emitted a soft white light.

"This is?!"

At this moment, Hitsugaya Toshiro was rattled in a way rarely seen.

"Shiro-chan, I admit your Bankai is strong; it can freeze the four elements of 'earth, water, fire, and wind,' and even the five elements of 'wood, fire, earth, metal, and water'! But please answer me: can your Four-Step Freeze freeze the morning star of the sun?!"

Yachiru tilted her small head and asked Hitsugaya Toshiro softly.

The moment Yachiru finished speaking, the domain Hitsugaya had created after his Bankai was instantly replaced by flames!

The temperature Yachiru was emitting, which had previously only been that of the sun's surface, now approached the 15 million degrees of the sun's core!

Yes, Yachiru's Zanpakuto was never weaker than Ryujin Jakka!

"Damn it..."

Hitsugaya Toshiro's forehead beaded with sweat, but he didn't give up, instead attempting to drive the freezing air between heaven and earth to freeze the 'sun' with absolute zero!

However, as he tried to drive the ice, he discovered that something had happened: his Zanpakuto suddenly stopped responding, as if it had been frozen by an even colder frost~

The moment that thought crossed Hitsugaya's mind, he couldn't help but laugh at himself. The idea was too absurd; Hyorinmaru was already the 'strongest ice-type Zanpakuto in the Soul Society.' Where in this world could there exist an ice-type Zanpakuto capable of freezing Hyorinmaru?!

If one existed, it certainly wouldn't be an ice-type Zanpakuto...

"Give up, Hitsugaya! Your Daiguren Hyorinmaru has already been frozen by my Zanpakuto and cannot be used! I admit, your Zanpakuto is indeed the strongest ice-type, but in the face of this moonlight, which symbolizes the Taiyin Star, even the strongest ice must be controlled! How can mere ice and snow compete with the stars?! All the freezing air and ice in this world shall submit to my Zanpakuto..."

Fuka looked at Hitsugaya, who was unable to channel his ice, and said indifferently.

"Huh?!"

When Hitsugaya, unable to drive Hyorinmaru, heard Fuka admit that she had used the power of Gekko Henjo Bosatsu to freeze his Hyorinmaru, his expression was filled with confusion and disbelief!

So, just like that, the 'strongest ice-type Zanpakuto in the Soul Society' had changed hands? For a moment, Hitsugaya Toshiro seemed to have his defenses broken by Fuka's overwhelming Reiatsu and her Zanpakuto's ability, which countered his perfectly! According to Fuka, it seemed he would never be able to defeat her, the ruler of all ice and snow, in his entire life~

However, when Hitsugaya saw the 'Nikko' in Yachiru's hand, he breathed a slight sigh of relief. Perhaps before long, the title of 'strongest fire-type Zanpakuto' would also change hands from Ryujin Jakka, who knows? Thinking of this, Hitsugaya felt his confidence return! Hmm, having one's defenses broken is only interesting when everyone does it together~

Meanwhile, on the other side...

"Bankai! Sōō Zabimaru!"

"Bankai! Hakka no Togame!"

"Bankai! Ryumon Hozukimaru!"

"Bankai! Kinshara Butodan!"

After Abarai Renji and Madarame Ikkaku arrived at the Soul King Palace, they learned that their Zanpakuto were only half-Bankai, and with the help of the monk, they finally learned the true names of their Zanpakuto! Kuchiki Rukia also realized her Bankai, while Ayasegawa Yumichika only further mastered his Bankai ability...

Elsewhere...

Under Araki's supervision, Inoue Orihime and Sado Yasutora not only fully mastered their Fullbring abilities but also further enhanced their power...

"Giant's Power! Manifest..."

With a low murmur from Sado Yasutora, his body seemed to transform into the Hulk; he turned into a giant monster nearly five meters tall, crimson all over, and possessing infinite strength. At this moment, Yasutora was like the Red Hulk from Marvel~

"Giant's Impact!"

Yasutora said, swinging his arm and firing a crimson light cannon toward Inoue Orihime in the distance! The power of this punch was far beyond Yasutora's own imagination, not even inferior to the Cero of an Adjuchas-class Menos!

"Santen Kesshun! I reject..."

However, when Inoue Orihime saw the light cannon heading toward her, she remained calm, gently touching the crystal hair clip on her hair...

Following Inoue Orihime's words, the hair clip glowed slightly, and a fluorescent yellow light shield opened in front of her without any spirits flying out...

The light shield enveloped the impact from Yasutora, and the moment Inoue Orihime said the word "reject," the impact vanished without a trace.

According to Araki's explanation, Inoue Orihime had just rejected the existence of Yasutora's light cannon! This was the correct way to use 'Santen Kesshun'...

It was just limited by Inoue Orihime's Reiatsu; she still couldn't easily block attacks that were too powerful with her incomplete 'Santen Kesshun.'

"Devil's Power! Manifest!"

On the other side, seeing his ability rejected by Inoue, Yasutora immediately switched forms, changing from a giant nearly five meters tall into a smaller, hideous-looking, white-bodied devil. At this moment, Yasutora looked more like a Menos from Hueco Mundo than a human.

"Swish!"

After transforming into a devil, Yasutora's movements became even more agile, and he turned into a blur, rushing toward Inoue Orihime.

"Riten Kesshun! I reject everything!"

However, Inoue seemed to have guessed that Yasutora would rush toward her, so she directly used her ability to open a massive barrier and unleashed her strongest power: the rejection of all strange abilities in the world...

The moment Yasutora entered Inoue's domain, he was forcibly exited from his devil-manifestation state, turning back into an ordinary human with no special abilities, and while inside Inoue's barrier, Yasutora couldn't even feel his own Fullbring ability.

Yes, this was the strongest ability Inoue had developed with Araki's help! She would trap both the enemy and herself in an absolutely inviolable special barrier, then reject all special abilities of both parties, forcibly pulling an enemy far stronger than her down to her own level, only to be beaten up by the enemy at the same level...

Unfortunately, despite how strong and flashy Inoue's ability was, she was still just a young, beautiful, curvaceous, gentle yet resilient high school girl with no physical strength~ Even without special abilities, she couldn't beat Sado Yasutora, who was as tall as a black tower and could hold off fifteen delinquents by himself.

"Ehehe~"

Inoue tried to play cute to get out of it.

"Inoue, you should use this ability less when you're alone."

Araki sighed as he watched Inoue playing cute, advising her.

"Understood, Teacher Araki!"

Inoue put away her Shun Shun Rikka and nodded gently to Araki.

"In any case, your trial in the Soul King Palace is over!"

"Once Kurosaki Ichigo returns, you can all leave together..."

Araki said helplessly to Inoue.

"Okay, Teacher Araki~"

Because Araki had taught Inoue for a period, she called him 'Teacher' directly. Araki didn't deny it, letting her call him that. Araki could be considered to have taken Inoue and Yasutora as his two disciples...

It was a week later when Kurosaki Ichigo emerged from the Spirit King's Approach...

During the week Kurosaki Ichigo spent training in the Spirit King's Approach, Hitsugaya, who had finished his training and had his defenses broken, had already returned to the Seireitei in advance with Yachiru, Renji, Ikkaku, Yumichika, and Rukia~

As for Ishida Uryu, who was fully prepared and intended to go undercover with Yhwach, he had also returned to the Seireitei ahead of time with Renji and the others. He had to go undercover before Ichigo found out, otherwise, he wouldn't be able to explain it, as Ichigo's deafness was well-known to all~

Thus, when Kurosaki Ichigo appeared before Araki and the others in his Shihakusho, wielding two Zanpakuto, only Inoue Orihime and Sado Yasutora came to meet him. Although it seemed a bit sparse, the strength of all three had undergone massive changes.

"Inoue, Yasutora, where are the others?"

Ichigo greeted Inoue and Yasutora first.

"They all went down first~"

Inoue replied softly to Ichigo with a smile.

"Is that so?"

Ichigo scratched his hair upon hearing this; he wasn't surprised that everyone had left early, finding it quite expected.

"Ichigo, you've become stronger!"

Yasutora greeted Ichigo, whom he couldn't see through no matter what. Yasutora had originally thought he had become strong enough to help Kurosaki Ichigo, but when he saw Ichigo, he knew he was wrong; Ichigo's strength was far beyond his imagination.

"Yeah! I've truly become stronger. Now, I can use my own power to protect everyone I want to protect! From this moment on, I will never watch anyone be taken away from me by others again..."

Ichigo said seriously and earnestly to Yasutora and Inoue.

When Ichigo bore the power of the Soul King, he had briefly seen the past of the Soul King and witnessed the future the Soul King had seen!

In the future Ichigo saw, Inoue Orihime seemed to be taken away by Aizen, but the situation had already changed drastically from the future he had seen...

As long as Kurosaki Ichigo was here, such a future would never happen. This could only be considered a warning, reminding Ichigo not to be careless~

"Ichigo, you've become strong now~"

Just as Ichigo voiced his thoughts, Araki approached his side, patting Ichigo's shoulder like an old friend, and laughed.

"Yeah, Mr. Araki, thank you for letting me obtain this power sufficient to protect everyone in this world! If it weren't for you, I would have had to endure many things that would have left me feeling bitter..."

Ichigo looked at Araki beside him, speaking earnestly.

"Ichigo, I merely gave you the power that already belonged to you!"

"You don't need to thank me! On the contrary, while I helped you obtain power, I also placed shackles upon you. From now on, you will be drawn into the center of the vortex of power struggles in the 'Three Realms.' By then, I'm afraid even if you want to quit, it will be too late..."

Araki said to Ichigo solemnly.

"I know! But I would rather it be this way than just go with the flow! Now, at least I have the ability to resist fate and protect my family and friends!"

Ichigo naturally understood what Araki meant. In fact, from the very beginning, he had vaguely sensed that the monk who took him to the 'Spirit King's Approach' actually had ill intentions!

However, he still thanked that monk; regardless of what kind of heart the other party had, the fact that they helped him obtain power was an accomplished fact~

"As long as you don't regret it..."

Araki looked deeply at Ichigo and smiled.

"Rest assured! I absolutely, absolutely will not regret it..."

Ichigo smiled at Araki, his tone incredibly serious! He seemed to be making a promise to Araki, or perhaps swearing an oath to his own soul.

"Alright! Return to the 'Seireitei'~"

"You can all stay in the 'Seireitei' until the summer vacation ends~"

Araki patted the back of Ichigo's head and laughed.

"Thank you again, Uncle Araki~"

Ichigo affectionately called Araki 'Uncle.'

After all, the power within him also contained a contribution from Araki.

"Speaking of which, I have one thing I want to ask you: how are we supposed to go down?"

Immediately after, Kurosaki Ichigo seemed to remember something and looked at Araki, asking.

"Indeed? How are we supposed to go down?"

Araki asked back, looking at the Tenchuren parked on the Approach.

"No way?!"

Kurosaki Ichigo followed Araki's gaze, and when he saw the Tenchuren, his eyes twitched slightly. At this moment, Kurosaki Ichigo was filled with disbelief! He couldn't understand why the 'Zero Division,' with such advanced technology, was so crude in their choice of transportation...

But regardless, at this moment, Kurosaki Ichigo once again recalled the fear of being dominated by the Tenchuren~

"Whoosh!"

Thus, ten minutes later...

Araki took Ichigo, Yasutora, and Inoue, and the four of them boarded the Tenchuren, descending toward the 'Seireitei'...

"Tell me, what's the difference between this thing and free-falling?"

Kurosaki Ichigo looked at Araki, puzzled.

"Compared to free-falling, we have a shell on the outside~"

Araki explained with a smile upon hearing this.

"Isn't that just the same thing?"

Ichigo retorted loudly.

"Boom!"

In any case, no matter what Ichigo thought, they boarded the Tenchuren and successfully arrived in the 'Seireitei,' smashing a massive crater into the soil.

"Welcome back to the 'Seireitei'~"

After returning to the 'Seireitei,' Araki said to the three people inside the Tenchuren, whose stomachs were churning, with a smile.

"Finally back..."

Inside the Tenchuren, Kurosaki Ichigo and the others wiped their mouths, which seemed about to vomit, and stepped out of the Tenchuren's door. For a moment, Ichigo even felt that it would have been better to just free-fall; at least free-falling wouldn't cause motion sickness.

"ICHIGO!!"

Just as Kurosaki Ichigo's Reiatsu appeared in the 'Seireitei,' Zaraki Kenpachi, having heard the news, was already rushing toward Kurosaki Ichigo with his Zanpakuto.

"It's Kenpachi~"

Ichigo greeted Kenpachi with a relaxed and composed expression upon seeing him, then swung the Zanpakuto in his hand, colliding with Kenpachi's blade.

"Boom!!"

The moment Ichigo and Kenpachi's blades collided, a violent wind whipped up around them, and countless sparks danced and flew between the two Zanpakuto held in their hands~

"Boom!"

However, unlike before, this time Kenpachi couldn't gain any advantage from Ichigo, and was even sent flying by Ichigo's pure strength.

"Ichigo, you've become stronger!"

Kenpachi, sent flying by Ichigo, was stunned for a moment, then looked at Kurosaki Ichigo and laughed wildly.

"Yeah! Compared to before, I'm much stronger..."

Ichigo nodded confidently. He didn't deny it, nor was he humble; he had simply become stronger, and he was just that honest~

"Ichigo, let's have a fight!"

Kenpachi looked at Ichigo, provoking him.

"Alright!"

Ichigo was just about to agree to Kenpachi, but remembering something, he turned his head to look at Araki behind him, his eyes seemingly asking Araki if he could fight Kenpachi?!

"A fight is unnecessary, but a little sparring is fine..."

"However, don't fight inside the 'Seireitei.' If you want to fight, go to the uninhabited mountains! Also, remember, neither of you is allowed to use Bankai during the sparring."

Araki naturally understood Ichigo's meaning. After looking at Ichigo and Kenpachi and sensing the burning fighting spirit in their eyes, he said helplessly.

"We guarantee to follow the rules!"

Ichigo and Kenpachi, hearing this, happily promised Araki, and then the two vanished from Araki's sight using Shunpo.

"Oh my..."

Araki sighed helplessly as he watched Ichigo and Kenpachi vanish.

"You two, are you going to follow them to see this epic duel between Ichigo and Zaraki, or are you coming with me for a walk through the 'Gotei 13'?!"

Araki turned to Inoue and Yasutora, who were watching Ichigo being taken away, helpless to do anything, and asked softly.

"We'd rather walk around with you~"

Inoue and Yasutora looked at each other and said to Araki.

"Very well~"

Araki nodded gently to them.

Araki wasn't surprised by Inoue and Yasutora's choice...

After all, with Inoue Orihime and Sado Yasutora's speed, they couldn't catch up to Kurosaki Ichigo and Zaraki Kenpachi, who were going all out with Shunpo~

"Boom!"

However, shortly after, the massive Reiatsu that shook the entire 'Soul Society' from the 'Rukongai' proved just how terrifying the battle between Kurosaki Ichigo and Zaraki Kenpachi was. If they had been allowed to fight in the 'Seireitei,' it would have been a disaster~

Meanwhile, during the week Araki spent training Kurosaki Ichigo and the others in the 'Soul King Palace,' the 'Gotei 13' had undergone some changes...

First, because of the betrayal of Aizen, Tosen, and Ichimaru Gin~

The captain positions for the 3rd, 5th, and 9th Divisions were left vacant~

Because those with great strength in the 'Gotei 13' all had their own work and were too lazy to come out and lead divisions~

Ultimately, after discussions by the 'New Central 46,' the positions were filled by the former 3rd Division Captain Otoribashi Rojuro, 5th Division Captain Hirako Shinji, and 9th Division Captain Muguruma Kensei.

As for the remaining members of the Visored, they didn't return to their respective divisions but, under Araki's instruction, went to work for the 'New Central 46.' In short, they couldn't be idle; they were destined to be laborers for the 'Seireitei' for the rest of their lives, working hard every day while being grateful to Araki, who was like a saint, for finding them such a good job...

In the 'Gotei 13,' besides the personnel changes in the 3rd, 5th, and 9th Divisions due to the captains' betrayal! The '13th Division' also underwent some personnel changes because Kuchiki Rukia had successfully mastered her Bankai~

The former 13th Division Captain Ukitake Jushiro, after witnessing Kuchiki Rukia's Bankai, gloriously announced his retirement and recommended Shiba Kaien as the new 13th Division Captain...

Because the Shiba Clan didn't control any division in the 'Gotei 13' at the moment, Kaien becoming captain was affirmed by all current captains of the 'Gotei 13'~

Under normal circumstances, with Ukitake retiring and Kaien being promoted, the person to take over Kaien's vice-captain position should have been Shiba Miyako, who had the same seniority and strength as Kaien~

Unfortunately, after Ukitake Jushiro resigned, Shiba Miyako also announced her retirement for various reasons~ Therefore, after the first choice retired, the person to fill the vice-captain position of the '13th Division' naturally became the second choice, Kuchiki Rukia.

Thus, after experiencing Aizen's scheme, Kuchiki Rukia not only didn't suffer any major damage but actually gained unexpected benefits, increasing her strength and getting a promotion and raise upon returning to the 'Seireitei'~

As for Ukitake Jushiro and Shiba Miyako, after leaving the '13th Division,' they immediately entered the 'Central 46' to serve as Sages. Ukitake entered the 'Central 46' to assist his ancestor Genryusai, while Shiba Miyako entered the 'Central 46' entirely to clean up the mess left by her grandfather!

After all, Shiba Tenjun really didn't do a single useful thing...

But regardless, the 'Gotei 13' as a whole gave people a sense of prosperity~ It seemed they hadn't suffered any negative impact from the betrayal of Aizen and the others~

Meanwhile, under Araki's guidance, Ishida Uryu had already successfully entered Yhwach's 'Wandenreich' using the unique shadow ability of the Quincy, holding the pass known as the Quincy Cross, which symbolized his identity as a Quincy~

"His Majesty has been waiting for you~"

The moment Ishida Uryu entered the 'Wandenreich,' he was intercepted by Haschwalth, who wore a white knight's uniform and had long, golden, silk-like hair and an incredibly handsome appearance.

"Who are you?"

Uryu asked, puzzled.

"Jugram Haschwalth! Grandmaster of the Sternritter under His Majesty."

Haschwalth glanced at Uryu and replied indifferently.

"I understand..."

Upon hearing that the golden-haired man claimed to be the Grandmaster of the Sternritter, Uryu's pupils contracted slightly...

Honestly, Uryu hadn't expected to meet the target Araki had set for him so quickly, the moment he entered the 'Wandenreich'~

So, according to the task Araki gave him, to become the Grandmaster of the Sternritter within two years, did that mean Araki wanted him to defeat Haschwalth within two years?!

"Interesting~"

Uryu thought to himself, and after walking through the 'Wandenreich' with Haschwalth for a while, the two arrived at a...

Palace that looked incredibly dignified and was overall gray-white.

"His Majesty is inside~"

"Please go in alone..."

Haschwalth looked at the palace and said to Uryu.

"I understand."

Uryu nodded gently to Haschwalth and walked into the palace on his own.

Uryu hadn't walked far into the palace when he saw a man quietly sitting on the throne, with thick black hair and a face that looked incredibly ferocious! He wore a black trench coat over a white knight's uniform, and his appearance was nearly identical to the Quincy power he had once seen inside Kurosaki Ichigo, but he looked much older.

Ishida Uryu knew that this man was the King of the Quincy—Yhwach!

"Ishida Uryu! My child wandering in the outside world~"

The moment Ishida Uryu entered the palace and saw Yhwach...

Before Ishida Uryu could speak, the man sitting on the throne had already spoken Uryu's name and identity. Clearly, Yhwach knew Ishida Uryu~

"Your Majesty!"

Uryu nodded gently toward Yhwach.

"Come here! Let me take a good look at you..."

Yhwach beckoned to Uryu, signaling him to come to his side.

"..."

Uryu didn't think much of it and walked straight to Yhwach's side after hearing his words; he didn't seem worried at all that Yhwach might suddenly attack and kill him...

"Ishida Uryu! My child! You've had a hard time all these years~"

Yhwach looked at Uryu's face with a touch of fatherly love.

"Your Majesty, don't you want to ask me why I've come?"

Uryu, not expecting Yhwach to play by his own rules, frowned slightly and asked Yhwach.

"Does a child need a reason to find their father?"

Yhwach asked back with a smile after hearing Uryu's words.

"Uh, indeed, no reason is needed."

Uryu thought for a moment and shook his head gently.

A child searching for their father indeed needed no reason...

But Ishida Uryu had never thought of being Yhwach's child; he had come here to backstab him~

"Uryu, drink my blood! And then fight for me~"

Yhwach looked Uryu up and down, then pricked his finger, dripping blood into a wine glass, and handed it to Uryu.

"..."

Uryu looked at the wine glass, his brow furrowing slightly.

But it was only a slight furrow...

"Gulp, gulp, gulp..."

Soon, Uryu swallowed Yhwach's blood into his stomach.

"Uh..."

And it was the very next moment after Uryu drank Yhwach's blood...

Uryu awakened his own Schrift, Schrift A—Antithesis.

"Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty~"

Uryu said, kneeling before Yhwach and speaking respectfully.

"Hahaha..."

Yhwach looked at the kneeling Uryu and laughed loudly.

In truth, Uryu was kneeling before Yhwach from the bottom of his heart; after all, there weren't many people like Yhwach who would personally bestow upon a subordinate the power to kill them~

"Uryu! I shall name you the Crown Prince of our 'Wandenreich'!"

"You shall become the next Emperor for all the Quincy in this world~"

"I wonder, are you happy?"

Yhwach seemed to think of something, looking down at Uryu kneeling on the ground, telling him his arrangements and asking softly.

"I naturally agree!"

Uryu had no ill intentions; he naturally agreed.

Two years later, when Uryu backstabbed Yhwach from behind with a blade, Yhwach looked at Uryu in anger: "I named you Crown Prince, and as long as I die, you are the King of the Quincy! Why do you betray me?"

"Fool! You said it yourself: only when you die am I the King of the Quincy! If you never die, what am I supposed to do? How can there be an eternal Crown Prince in this world? I think you're already too old to tell north from south; why don't you just pass away early, Your Majesty, and let me take the throne of the King of the Quincy in peace~"

Uryu looked at the furious Yhwach as if looking at an idiot, speaking solemnly.

However, Uryu's words were so logical and well-founded that Yhwach couldn't find a way to refute them for a moment...

It wasn't until Yhwach was sealed in a crystal, standing in the 'Soul King Great Inner Palace' as the new 'Soul King,' that Yhwach learned from a certain fake monk with no ill intentions that Uryu had gone to the 'Wandenreich' specifically to backstab him from the very beginning~

For a moment, Yhwach, whose defenses were already broken, upgraded to a clown~

Another week passed...

After Uryu had familiarized himself with his Schrift ability, Yhwach summoned all members of the 'Sternritter' and introduced them: "This is Ishida Uryu, a new member of our Sternritter! And the Crown Prince of our 'Wandenreich'~"

"What?!"

Yhwach's words caused an uproar among everyone present; they all looked at Ishida Uryu, who stood by Yhwach's side looking plain and unremarkable, with expressions of disbelief.

"..."

Ishida Uryu stood tall and proud before the Sternritter. He didn't speak, merely sweeping his indifferent gaze across the faces of all the Sternritter members present, secretly noting their physical characteristics.

Then, Ishida Uryu calmly drew the 'Sword of the Victor' from his waist and said coldly to all the Sternritter members present: "I'm not targeting anyone in particular; I'm just saying that among everyone here, besides His Majesty, you are all trash..."

"Huh?! This kid really dares to say that!"

"I can't take it anymore, I'm going to kill him!"

"You little brat who popped out of nowhere, don't think that just because you have His Majesty backing you, you're really the Crown Prince?!"

Following Ishida Uryu's words, those Quincy roared in anger at Uryu, as if they wanted to tear him apart with their gazes.

"..."

Uryu didn't say anything; this was the effect he wanted to see.

"Those who don't submit, come out and fight me! If you win, the Crown Prince position is yours..."

Uryu said, walking out of the palace with a swagger. To gather information on everyone present, he needed to fight each of them personally~

"Bastard..."

Shortly after Uryu left, the hot-tempered Sternritter members in the room rushed out after him; they wanted to see what kind of strength Ishida Uryu had to be named Crown Prince by Yhwach!

"Your Majesty, is this wise?"

"Infighting among Sternritter members is against the rules~"

After everyone had left the meeting room, Haschwalth came to Yhwach and remonstrated.

"Uryu is not just a Sternritter member; he is the Crown Prince!"

However, Yhwach only replied indifferently after hearing Haschwalth's words.

"I understand."

Haschwalth stopped obstructing him.

Outside...

The moment Ishida Uryu stood on the training field, his challengers launched their so-called challenge! However, these Sternritter members didn't seem to follow the rules of fighting one by one; the moment he arrived on the training field, countless Heilig Pfeil were shot toward Uryu.

"..."

Uryu glanced at the Heilig Pfeil in the sky, then locked his gaze onto the one among the Sternritter who was the most boisterous.

Hmm, it was none other than you, Bazz-B.

"Did this guy pee his pants? He's not even moving..."

"Looks like he only has the ability to talk big~"

"The Crown Prince of the 'Wandenreich' should only be Haschwalth's!"

At this moment, Bazz-B didn't know he was about to face disaster; he was still laughing at Uryu, who stood motionless on the training field~

"Hum!"

Unfortunately, the scene Bazz-B imagined—Uryu being pierced by countless Heilig Pfeil—didn't happen. He only felt the scene before his eyes change, and he discovered that his position had swapped with Uryu's; Uryu stood alone behind the crowd, while he was the one facing the Heilig Pfeil in the sky~

"Huh?!"

For a moment, the invincible Bazz-B was completely dumbfounded.

12,000 words, big chapter~