https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-641-Infertility-is-Nothing-to-Apologize-For/12560035/
Chapter 642: Aizen's Move
Chapter 642: Aizen's Move
"May I ask what His Majesty the Hollow King has done?" Yoruichi Shihoin asked thoughtfully, looking at Liana.
Liana giggled and casually replied, "It's just a small matter. He eradicated the Quincies who had eluded your notice long ago."
Even the Zero Squad couldn't detect the existence of the Invisible Empire, but she was aware of what transpired within it because she possessed a portion of the Soul King's authority, and her sight could pierce through all spaces within the Soul Society. Although she couldn't see as clearly as Fengye, she could still infer what had transpired.
Especially since the Invisible Empire was supposed to have been destroyed by Fengye.
"Quincies?"
Yoruichi paused, taken aback for a moment. But before she could inquire further, Liana's figure vanished from her sight.
Left alone with Byakuya Kuchiki, Yoruichi shook her head slightly.
Although she didn't know the specifics, since it was something Fengye had done, there probably wasn't much cause for concern. She could simply report this information to Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto.
...
Around the same time.
In one of the barracks of the Seireitei.
"I apologize, Captain Aizen. I wasn't able to gather any useful information."
Gin Ichimaru, clad in the captain's haori of the Third Division, strolled into the room, his eyes half-lidded as he addressed Aizen, who was seated behind a desk.
Aizen calmly replied, "It's fine. I'm just glad you returned safely."
For about a decade, his research on transcending the boundaries of Shinigami had stalled, and his investigations into the Hogyoku had reached a dead end.
Under these circumstances, he had no choice but to turn his attention to Kisuke Urahara. He began scrutinizing Urahara's past experiments while also making frequent trips to the human world to gather more intelligence on him.
The fact that Urahara understood Hollowification meant that he had conducted similar experiments, and he might even have researched the 'Hogyoku' like Aizen had. However, it was most likely an incomplete product.
If Aizen could obtain Urahara's research data and findings, he might be able to complete his own research and truly break the boundaries of Shinigami.
However, the challenge lay in the difficulty of investigating Urahara. Urahara was already highly cautious of him, and Yoruichi was also keeping a close eye on him. Any move he made would immediately be communicated to Urahara.
Given Urahara's exceptional intellect, trying to uncover his secrets while he was on guard was akin to climbing a mountain—an incredibly difficult task. And even if he did manage to find something, it would be hard to discern whether it was genuine or a deception.
In other words,
To truly find an opportunity to uncover the intelligence he needed, he couldn't rely on Ichimaru or Kaname Tosen to carry out superficial reconnaissance missions. He had to take matters into his own hands, and it had to be done discreetly.
"It seems like Captain Aizen already has a plan in mind," Ichimaru remarked, tilting his head slightly in surprise.
Setting down the scroll he had been reading, Aizen adjusted his glasses and said calmly, "While you were in the human world diverting their attention, I've already made some preparations. And the recent turn of events has conveniently diverted everyone's attention away from me."
As he spoke, he stood up and started walking toward the exit, continuing nonchalantly, "The time is right."
...
Barracks of the First Division.
Yoruichi Shihoin was exiting the barracks.
She had already reported the information she received from Liana to the captain-commander, Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto, and Shusuke Amagai had also been in contact with the Shinigami in the human world, gathering intelligence from that side.
Combining the information from both sides left Yoruichi and Yamamoto stunned for a long while, and even the usually composed Yamamoto spoke up after a prolonged silence.
"It is my failure."
The Quincies that Fengye had eradicated did not originate from the present; they were remnants of the Invisible Empire that had been hiding within the Soul Society for over nine hundred years!
They had concealed themselves in the shadows of the Seireitei, right under the noses of the Gotei 13.
What a terrifying revelation.
It was akin to an average person living a mundane life, working nine-to-five, eating meals cooked by their spouse, and sleeping when tired, only to discover one day that someone had been living under their bed for decades, hidden from view. There was no doubt that if those Quincies had hatched a plot or reignited the war that had ended a millennium ago, the Gotei 13 would have been at a severe disadvantage.
This lapse was undoubtedly a failure on the part of the Gotei 13, and every member of the Gotei 13 shared the blame, including Yamamoto.
The thought that every shadow within the Seireitei, lurking beneath the shadows of its structures, concealed the Invisible Empire's space and housed an army of Quincies was nothing short of terrifying.
Fortunately, Fengye had averted the crisis ahead of time.
Otherwise, the consequences would have been unthinkable.
Normally, any surviving Quincies after such an incident would be subjected to strict surveillance or even imprisonment by the Gotei 13. However, as Fengye had retracted all the Quincies' powers, turning them into ordinary humans, and expressed his intention to let the matter rest, Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni ultimately ordered only a simple investigation and to maintain the current situation.
This portion of the order had little to do with her, and the responsibility fell to the Eighth Division's intelligence unit for subsequent covert investigations and surveillance.
It was uncertain where Fengye was after dealing with the Invisible Empire.
As Soihfon was deep in thought, walking forward.
Suddenly.
A dark figure flashed by and appeared at her side. Dressed in the uniform of the vice-captain of the Second Division, it was none other than Soifon, the current captain of the Onmitsukido and vice-captain of the Second Division.
Soifon appeared and immediately addressed Soihfon, "Lady Soihfon, several large Hollows have appeared in the human world, and the Shinigami stationed there are unable to cope. The rescue squad has already been dispatched."
Soihfon looked sharply at Soifon, narrowing her eyes. "Has Aizen gone to the human world?"
"Yes."
Soifon replied affirmatively.
Soihfon's eyes flickered, and she said, "Let's go and notify Kisuke Urahara immediately."
The appearance of powerful Hollows in the human world, endangering the Shinigami stationed there, and Aizen leading the rescue squad from the Fifth Division to provide assistance seemed reasonable. But because it was Aizen who went to the human world, it became unreasonable! Soihfon would rather believe that Fengye had no interest in women than believe that Aizen's trip to the human world was solely for the rescue of a few Shinigami.
However.
Just as Soihfon was about to set off with Soifon towards West Rukongai to contact Kisuke Urahara through the outpost he had set up, a gloomy and oppressive spiritual pressure suddenly erupted from a direction within the Seireitei and soared into the sky.
This spiritual pressure was peculiar; it didn't belong to any of the captains, nor was it similar to that of a Shinigami or a Hollow, yet its intensity was not inferior to that of any captain.
"!!!"
Soihfon and Soifon's figures froze simultaneously.
Both of them turned abruptly, their gazes fixed on the direction from which the spiritual pressure had erupted.
"What is this spiritual pressure...?"
Soifon's expression was filled with doubt and suspicion. "It's not from a Shinigami or a Hollow..."
Beside her, Soihfon's face twisted with worry as she exclaimed, "This is the spiritual pressure of Hell! Someone has broken through the gates of Hell within the Seireitei... Aizen, you bastard!!!"
Soihfon's face betrayed a hint of anger.
Hell was not a prison but a space independent of Soul Society, similar to the Royal Palace, existing outside of it. When the gates of Hell were broken, it meant that the poisonous miasma of Hell would leak out, affecting Soul Society adversely. Not only would malevolent souls be able to escape, but the jailers of Hell would also treat everyone from the outside as prisoners and attack them indiscriminately!
This was a grave situation that threatened all of Soul Society! Barely after Aizen's departure, and just as she was about to notify Kisuke Urahara, such a significant problem arose in Seireitei. She couldn't bring herself to believe that Aizen had nothing to do with it!
However, even if she knew that Aizen was trying to tie her and Soifon down, preventing them from notifying Kisuke Urahara, she was powerless to do anything about it.
Not only was she the captain of the Second Division, but she was also the head of the Shihoin family, known as the 'Heavenly Warrior Equipment Clan.' They possessed various equipment bestowed by the Soul King, including restraints for the twin sepulchers and devices to suppress the gates of Hell.
With the disturbance in Hell, she had no choice but to act!
"Damn it..."
Shihoin cursed under her breath, but in the end, she could only grit her teeth and turn to Soifon, ordering, "Soifon, go to the Shihoin family at once and retrieve the Prison Binding Pillar with my command!"
"Yes!"
Soifon took a deep breath, having also guessed the severity of the situation. However, she, too, was helpless and could only obey Soihfon's order, rushing towards the Shihoin family's estate.
Without hesitation, Soihfon sent Soifon to retrieve the special equipment from the Shihoin family. She herself changed direction and sped towards the interior of Seireitei, rushing towards the area where the gates of Hell had been opened.
(End of Chapter)
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