https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-615-The-Arrival-of-the-Zero-Squad/12560009/
Chapter 616: Audience with the King of Hueco Mundo
Chapter 616: Audience with the King of Hueco Mundo
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Seireitei, the tranquil Soul Society.
On its shattered streets, far beyond the confines of the 2nd Division's barracks, a large group of Shinigami gathered. They dared not venture any closer to the battlefield where captains clashed, let alone a battle that transcended such ranks. The sheer spiritual pressure emanating from the distant conflict was enough to knock them to the ground and render them unconscious.
Even at a distance of several thousand kilometers, the immense spiritual pressure rippling from a thousand kilometers away made their hearts tremble.
In truth, if it weren't for captains like Kyoraku Shunsui, who had intercepted a portion of Yamamoto Genryuusai Shigekuni's spiritual pressure waves, even the residual pressure and heat at this distance would be unbearable for them.
Among the group of Shinigami, at the forefront stood Soi Fon, who had chosen to stay away from the captains' battlefield. On one hand, she had no desire to fight against Lilys and Nel, nor did she wish to engage with Feng Ye. On the other hand, as a non-captain, she wasn't obliged to participate in the battle.
Like Yoruichi, she trusted that Feng Ye wouldn't do anything to jeopardize the Soul Society. However, just like with the previous Hollowification incident, Yamamoto and the Central 46 Chambers were rushing to judgment without thoroughly investigating the matter. They had immediately ordered the execution of the Hollowfied captains and the permanent imprisonment of Nigeki Teisai, while deciding to exile Urahara Kisuke.
"Feng Ye, you..." Soi Fon murmured as she gazed into the distance, sensing the spiritual pressure from that direction. She clenched her fists slightly.
She hoped that Feng Ye wasn't truly an enemy of the Soul Society, for if he were, as Yoruichi's bodyguard and a member of the Secret Mobile Corps, she would have no choice but to fight him.
That was an outcome she dreaded.
Feng Ye had already earned her recognition, and apart from Yoruichi, he was the only other person she acknowledged.
Standing behind Soi Fon were Hinamori Momo and Kuchiki Rukia, huddled close together. Their faces wore identical expressions of tension and fear as they stared at the distant sky.
"Why... why are they fighting against my sister...?" Rukia, with the appearance of a child no older than a few years, clung tightly to Hinamori's arm and pressed herself against her leg. Her eyes reflected panic and worry.
Hinamori glanced at the group of Shinigami surrounding them, effectively placing her and Rukia at the center of their formation, and then at Soi Fon, who stood protectively in front of them. Suppressing the anxiety in her heart, she said, "It seems like Feng Ye-dono has done something to provoke them, which is why it escalated into a battle..."
"What should we do then?" Rukia tilted her head back to look up at her sister, Hinamori.
Hinamori lightly bit her lip before responding, "We can only put our faith in Feng Ye-dono."
Neither she nor Rukia possessed the strength to do anything in this situation. Their only option was to pray and wait here anxiously.
"How could this be..."
Just then, Soi Fon, who had been standing in front of them, suddenly displayed a slight change in her expression. A hint of disbelief flashed in her eyes, and in the next moment, she vanished from her spot.
This unexpected disappearance caused Hinamori and Rukia to exchange a glance, but the uncertainty in their eyes revealed that neither of them knew what had just transpired.
Whoosh!
Soi Fon reappeared in the sky, gazing into the distance with a shocked look on her face.
She witnessed the battle between Feng Ye and Yamamoto Genryuusai Shigekuni. She saw Feng Ye as if he belonged to another dimension, possessing a terrifying might that far surpassed Yamamoto's, making it impossible to fathom the full extent of his power. With every casual move, he effortlessly countered Yamamoto's attacks.
This exceeded her precognitive abilities!
Feng Ye's spiritual pressure went beyond that of a typical captain-level Shinigami, and his Zanpakuto's abilities were also exceptionally powerful. However, if Feng Ye had merely blocked Yamamoto's attacks with his Zanpakuto, fought him evenly, or even managed to suppress him, Soi Fon wouldn't have been so shocked. Those were all plausible scenarios.
But Feng Ye hadn't even drawn his Zanpakuto. He faced Yamamoto's assaults with his bare hands, handling them with such ease that it was hard to even call it a fight. It was more akin to an adult playfully indulging a child!
Soi Fon couldn't comprehend the level of power Feng Ye possessed.
It wasn't something that could be explained by super-captain-level spiritual pressure or his Zanpakuto's capabilities. This level of power was beyond her understanding.
"Just what are you...?"
She stared into the distance, toward Feng Ye's direction, her heart filled with a sense of awe that she struggled to put into words.
Around this time, she also noticed a massive pillar descending from the sky, crashing down onto the earth of Seireitei with a thunderous boom.
As a member of the Secret Mobile Corps, a noble of Seireitei, and Yoruichi's close bodyguard, Soi Fon, despite her young age, knew of the existence of the Zero Squad, although she had only met Yagoro aside from the other members.
Leading the group was a large, bead-wearing monk with a jovial appearance—the leader of the Zero Squad, Oomaeda Marechiyo, also known as Konpoo.
Closely following him was the newly promoted 'Valley King' Hikifune Kirio, and a little further ahead was the 'Great Weave Guard' Tsunayashiro Tenshiro. Next to them was the 'Spring Demon' Kirinji Tenshiro.
And finally,
The 'Sword God', Nimaiya Oetsu, whose age and ancientness far surpassed that of Yamamoto Genryuusai Shigekuni, dating back over two millennia. He was the one who had created the Zanpakuto, second only to Oomaeda Marechiyo in terms of seniority.
As the five members of the Zero Squad stepped out of the Tenchuren, their expressions were solemn, and with each step they took, an oppressive aura spread throughout the area.
All the captains, including Kyoraku Shunsui and Ukitake Jushiro, fixed their gazes upon the five figures.
Under the watchful eyes of the captains, Oomaeda Marechiyo took a serious stride forward, ascending into the sky alongside Nimaiya Oetsu and the others until they reached Feng Ye's side and walked towards him.
"A royal family's special forces, superior to the Gotei 13."
"The Zero Squad..."
Soifon watched from a distance, her heart pounding with growing anxiety.
Even Komamura Sajin and Shiba Isshin felt the tension, holding their breath as the atmosphere in the sky seemed to freeze.
Lilys and Nel had displayed strength beyond that of captain-level Shinigami, proving to be a challenge even for the combined forces of all the captains except Yamamoto. And now, Feng Ye had revealed a power that transcended their understanding, surpassing Yamamoto by a significant margin.
This meant that the Gotei 13 had no chance of defeating Feng Ye.
And now, the Zero Squad had arrived.
One could say that all the might of the Soul Society, the forces protecting the Seireitei and the Royal Palace, had gathered here. What would happen next? Could the Zero Squad stop Feng Ye?
As these thoughts swirled in the minds of Shiba Isshin and the others, their expressions suddenly froze, their movements and faces becoming rigid as if time had stopped.
All the captains in the sky witnessed the same scene—Oomaeda Marechiyo and the four other members of the Zero Squad approaching Feng Ye and then—
Bowing to him.
"Zero Squad, greeting... Hollow King."
The actions of Oomaeda Marechiyo and the others were synchronized, and their clear voices rang out in the sky, causing the entire atmosphere to turn silent as if it had become a still oil painting.
Kuchiki Rukia clenched her hands within her sleeves and gently closed her eyes.
So it was...
As expected...
Aizen lowered his face slightly, and a faint light flashed in the depths of his eyes. From the start, he had predicted that something beyond everyone's expectations would occur with Feng Ye, and indeed it had.
Ukitake Jushiro's fists tightened, and beads of sweat slid down his temples. He looked towards Feng Ye, his gaze shifting several times.
So that's how it is.
No wonder the King's Arm sealed within him had stirred restlessly after Feng Ye's appearance, and no wonder Feng Ye possessed such incomprehensible power, far surpassing even Yamamoto.
Yoruichi remained frozen in the air for a moment. Although she had said that she wouldn't be surprised even if Feng Ye were the reincarnation of the Soul King, at this moment, a tsunami of emotions was surging within her, and she couldn't suppress the tremors in her heart.
Hollow King!
Perhaps among the ruling Hollows in Hueco Mundo, there were those who also called themselves by that title. But the Feng Ye who received the respectful bows of the Zero Squad was clearly not one of them.
To achieve Bankai on the first day of wielding a Zanpakuto, to possess strength far surpassing Yamamoto, and to make the Zero Squad bow in reverence—there was only one Hollow King who fit this description: the one who had created the Soul Society alongside the Soul King, millions of years ago!
One of the two supreme rulers of the Soul Society!
No wonder Feng Ye didn't care about Nel at all, and no wonder there had always been so many mysteries surrounding him. No wonder he didn't care about the duties of a captain... All the unanswered questions suddenly became clear in this moment.
Yoruichi could even imagine the entire process—Feng Ye joining the Gotei 13 perhaps out of boredom, his constant composure no matter what he faced, which was indeed genuine.
It wasn't an act, nor was it his personality.
It was simply because he was the Hollow King.
(End of Chapter)
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