https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-557-Mr-Fengye-is-Incredibly-Competent/12559945/
Chapter 556: District 78 of the Southern Rukongai
Chapter 556: District 78 of the Southern Rukongai
Soul Society, Seireitei.
This was the inner court guarded by the Gotei 13, with towering structures exuding grandeur and authority. From above, one could see countless Shinigami coming and going, clad in their black shihakusho.
Within one of the grand doors, marked with the character 'five,' lay the barracks of the Fifth Division's rescue squad. In a room at its center, a man dressed in the black and white captain's shihakusho lay bored on a mat.
He was the current captain of the Fifth Division, Shinji Hirako.
"So boring..."
Shinji lay on the mat, his head pillowed on the floor, his expression one of utter boredom.
Not far from Shinji, through a door, was a small office. Inside, a man sat reading a book.
This man wore glasses and had a gentle, warm expression on his face, making him seem very reassuring. He was the current vice-captain of the Fifth Division—Sosuke Aizen!
"...After creating the Soul Society and Hueco Mundo, the Hollow King left this world. The Soul King remained, guiding souls into the Soul Society and gradually building the world as we know it today."
Aizen scanned the content of the book in his hand and murmured to himself, a thoughtful look on his face. "Captain Shinji, I wonder what the world was like before these two kings?"
"How should I know?"
Shinji rolled his eyes. "Isn't that a children's book? Why are you reading that? I don't know if the Soul King created this world or not, but I've never heard of this Hollow King. They don't talk about it in Hueco Mundo either."
Aizen set down his book with a sigh and adjusted his glasses. "Captain Shinji, your address toward the Soul King is rather disrespectful."
"Pfft, as if anyone's listening. Let him come and bite me if he wants!"
Shinji scoffed and turned away.
He couldn't be bothered with things like the Soul King or the Hollow King. All he wanted was for someone to bring some excitement to his dull life.
Seeing Shinji's lazy attitude, Aizen shook his head and picked up his book again, returning to his calm and gentle demeanor, appearing kind and harmless.
Just as Aizen resumed reading...
Buzz!!!
The abrupt sound of an alarm rang through the division.
Aizen immediately put down his book, turned toward the door, and stood up.
Shinji also rolled over and sprang to his feet. "Hey, what's going on? What's happening?!" he called out.
A Shinigami rushed in and quickly reported to Shinji, "Captain Shinji! It's an alert from the Eighth Division! They've detected unusual spiritual pressure fluctuations in the Rukongai!"
"Huh?"
Shinji cocked his head. "It's just unusual fluctuations. Was it necessary to sound the alarm?"
A bead of cold sweat formed on the Shinigami's forehead. "No, the message from the Eighth Division says it's not the usual kind of fluctuation but a type that has never been seen before..."
"Oh?!"
Shinji's eyes lit up. "Now that's interesting. Let's go take a look. Hey, Aizen, you come too."
"Yes, Captain Shinji."
Aizen acknowledged and closed the book in his hand, following Shinji out.
Soon, they arrived at the barracks of the Eighth Division's intelligence squad, and the captains of several other divisions had already gathered there, assembled in the barracks.
"Why was the highest alert suddenly sounded? What unusual situation has been discovered?"
Yoruichi Shihoin, the current captain of the Second Division, stepped into the room and asked the Eighth Division members present.
Following her were captains of other divisions, such as Jushiro Ukitake of the Thirteenth Division, Shunsui Kyoraku of the Eighth Division, and Shinji Hirako of the Fifth Division, who also turned to look at the Eighth Division members.
"Please come this way, captains!"
Lisuke Yuriyuri, vice-captain of the Eighth Division, beckoned to the group and led them upstairs to a room filled with various monitoring screens.
The room was heavy with tension, and many members of the Eighth Division could be seen with sweat on their brows, including Shunsui Kyoraku, the captain of the Eighth Division, who wore a grave expression.
"Hey, what's going on?"
Shinji addressed Shunsui.
Shunsui, his eyes fixed on several monitoring screens, replied gravely, "Unusual spiritual pressure fluctuations have been detected in the Soul Society. The scope of this fluctuation is unprecedented, like nothing we've ever seen before!"
"Oh? How large is the area affected?"
Yoruichi placed her hands on her chest and inquired.
Shunsui took a breath and turned his head, his eyes serious as he addressed the captains behind him. "The entire Soul Society!"
...
Rukongai.
"Finally, I've arrived."
As the timelines nearby gradually stabilized and the temporal fluctuations calmed, Feng Ye breathed a sigh of relief, his eyes sweeping across the surroundings.
In an instant, he took in the countless buildings, the eighty districts of the Rukongai that were separated into four sections, and Seireitei, located at the very center of the Soul Society.
However.
Because Feng Ye had used the perspective of the Eye of God to scan the Soul Society without concealing his presence first, it triggered a violent reaction in the temporal fluctuations. As a result, when he fully materialized in the Soul Society, the aura he exuded caused a significant disturbance.
The Soul Society and Hueco Mundo were partially shaped by his power, and after enduring for millions of years, his reappearance seemed to have triggered a sense of recognition. This portion of his power began to tremble as if responding to its master.
Feng Ye's eyebrows furrowed slightly.
In the next moment, he restrained his aura, but the turmoil in the Soul Society did not immediately subside. Instead, it was like a drop of water falling onto a calm lake, creating countless ripples.
Dust fell from many buildings, and ripples formed on the flowing rivers, as if the entire world was shaking.
A few minutes later.
The world's tremors gradually ceased.
"Hmm... It's not yet at the time when Ichigo Kurosaki's story begins, but it's already the part I'm familiar with. This will do."
The faint golden light in Feng Ye's eyes gradually faded, returning to their ordinary appearance.
He raised his hand, about to release Lilys, but suddenly sensed something. He was slightly taken aback and turned to look in a particular direction to his right.
In that direction.
A young girl holding a baby looked around in confusion.
"What's going on...?"
The baby in the girl's arms was her sister. After their deaths in the human world, they had been sent together to District 78 of the Southern Rukongai.
Because this was the district closest to the edge, it was exceptionally chaotic, and even the water necessary for souls to survive was scarce. She couldn't possibly survive out here with her sister, and so, with a heavy heart, she had decided to abandon her sister.
But just as she was about to leave her sister behind, the world suddenly shook, and the rock in front of her visibly trembled.
"Is this the heavens' wrath because I'm about to abandon my sister?"
The girl holding the baby trembled, frozen in place, unsure of what to do.
"What are you doing?"
Just as the girl was at a loss, a voice suddenly came from behind her.
The voice didn't startle her because it sounded warm and sunny, completely unlike the voices of the ruffians she had encountered in the chaotic District 78.
"I... It's nothing..."
The girl's body stiffened, and she replied woodenly, slowly turning her head.
Before her stood a handsome young man with silver hair, dressed in a black kimono. Beside him was a girl around her age with red eyes.
Feng Ye's appearance was vastly different from those she had encountered in the chaotic District 78, causing the girl to pause briefly. But soon, she regained her composure, turned away, and began to flee with her sister in her arms.
However.
Before she could take more than a few steps, her weak body faltered, and she stumbled forward, about to fall to the ground. But she didn't make contact with the ground as a hand reached out and gently supported her.
Feng Ye effortlessly lifted the girl, smiled gently, and then brought his right hand behind his back before producing a white steamed bun, which he offered to the girl.
"..."
The girl was taken aback.
Hesitation and uncertainty flashed in her eyes, but in the end, she reached out and took the bun, muttering, "Thank... Thank you..." as she began to eat.
Unlike the human world, souls in the Soul Society could survive on just water. However, in District 78 of the Rukongai, even water was scarce and had to be fought over. Food, therefore, was an even rarer luxury.
Feng Ye smiled, unconcerned, and his warm and sunny demeanor caused the girl to pause once more. She then heard Feng Ye ask, "What's your name?"
"Hii... Hiyori..."
As expected.
Upon hearing the girl's reply, a knowing look appeared in Feng Ye's eyes. The girl before him appeared to be around the same age as Lilys, but her features resembled those of Rukia Kuchiki.
Even without directly using his ability to foresee the future, he had a good idea of the girl's identity, and his question had just confirmed his suspicions.
At this point in time, they had just arrived in the Soul Society and had not yet met Byakuya Kuchiki. So, the sisters still went by their original names, Hikaru and Rukia.
Since the young girl was Hikaru, the identity of the infant in her arms was unquestionable. It was none other than a baby Rukia.
As Feng Ye pondered this, Hikaru had already finished eating the steamed bun.
Everything in the Soul Society was composed of spirit particles, and food made from these particles was quickly digested by the souls who consumed them. The particles she lacked were rapidly replenished, and she regained some vigor.
"Umm... Are you a Shinigami?"
Hikaru looked at Feng Ye and asked cautiously.
In a place like the Rukongai, anyone who could produce food and appeared neat and tidy, without a hint of dishevelment, was likely a Shinigami from the Seireitei.
To the residents of the Rukongai, even a low-ranking member of the Gotei 13 was an important figure. Every Shinigami could wield a Zanpakuto and was qualified to reside within the Seireitei.
"No."
Feng Ye smiled faintly and shook his head.
Hikaru looked at him with a touch of surprise and asked, "Then... Have you just arrived in the Soul Society?"
This question made her hesitate because newcomers to the Soul Society shouldn't possess precious food. Unless, of course, a Shinigami who had brought it to Feng Ye had given it to him.
"I suppose so."
Feng Ye replied thoughtfully.
If they were referring to the 'present' Soul Society, then he had indeed just arrived.
"Ah..."
Hikaru opened her mouth in surprise at Feng Ye's answer.
If he had just arrived, he wouldn't know much about the place and wouldn't realize the value of food here. That was why he had given her such precious food so readily.
With this thought, her gaze became somewhat evasive as she hesitated—should she take advantage of Feng Ye's ignorance and flee, or should she try to compensate him somehow?
After hesitating for a few seconds, Hikaru looked at Feng Ye timidly and said, "Well, since you've just arrived, I'll show you around, okay?"
Feng Ye smiled at her behavior and did not refute, simply replying, "Okay."
Hikaru breathed a small sigh of relief and, holding the infant Rukia, introduced her to Feng Ye, saying, "This is my sister, Rukia..."
"I'm Feng Ye,"
Feng Ye smiled amiably and glanced at Lilys by his side. Considering that his physical appearance was that of a twenty-year-old, it would likely invite strange looks if he claimed the thirteen or fourteen-year-old Lilys was his daughter. He might even be mistaken for some kind of pervert, so he said, "This is my sister, Lilys."
Hikaru was slightly taken aback but felt that Feng Ye and Lilys did give off a somewhat similar air.
She didn't ask about their cause of death either. In this world, it was rare for people to inquire about how others had died. After all, coming here meant being reborn.
Hikaru held Rukia and bowed slightly to Feng Ye, then walked to the side and said, "Aside from the Seireitei in the center, the Soul Society is divided into four main districts: south, east, west, and north. Each district has eighty smaller districts, also known as the Rukongai."
"Generally, the closer a Rukongai district is to the Seireitei, the lower its number, and the better the living environment. This place is the South Rukongai's District 78. It's quite a remote area..."
As she spoke, Hikaru glanced at Feng Ye, a bitter smile on her face. "So, both of us have been quite unlucky to be assigned to this area."
"No."
Lilys, who had been walking quietly beside Feng Ye without saying a word, suddenly spoke up.
"Well, yes," Hikaru acknowledged with a sigh. "Compared to Districts 79 and 80, our luck is indeed better."
Lilys tilted her head to look at Hikaru, as that wasn't what she meant, but she didn't elaborate further.
Hikaru glanced at Feng Ye again and continued walking forward until they reached a very dilapidated house. She opened the door and went inside, continuing to explain the situation in the South Rukongai's District 79.
"The Soul Society is huge, far larger than the human world. The lifespan of souls here is much longer than that of humans in the human world, and most people who die are sent here. Plus, souls can marry and have children here, so the population of souls living here far exceeds that of humans in the human world."
"Although District 79 is already quite remote, and the number of souls living here is very small, there are still almost as many souls here as a tenth of the human world's population. So, this area is vast, and it would take a long time to walk to another district."
(End of Chapter)
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