"Since these Quincy refuse to submit and continue to cause trouble, it seems they are a lost cause. Keeping them around only works against us."
"Furthermore, if Yhwach were to be revived in the future, these people would surely turn against us. Leaving them alive is an inherent risk; we have no choice but to slaughter them!"
Sengoku spoke with a touch of solemnity, his voice calm and steady.
Yet the content of his words was cold and ruthless, as if carrying the scent of an impending bloodbath.
Upon hearing this, Shisui was startled.
"To kill so many prisoners... isn't that a bit excessive? They have already surrendered..."
"It is an unavoidable necessity."
After Sengoku finished speaking, he looked at Ren, quietly awaiting his response.
Ren frowned, remaining silent for a moment before asking, "Does Nobunaga and the others know about this?"
Sengoku said in a heavy voice, "I only dropped some hints. Lord Nobunaga understood, and he does not object."
"As for Lord Shimazu and Lord Yoichi, they value the honor of a warrior. I did not ask them directly, though I suspect they would not agree."
Ren nodded. Based on his understanding of the three, the situation was exactly as Sengoku described.
Nobunaga saw the big picture and possessed a decisive mind; he could suppress his own feelings to make a ruthless decision.
In contrast, Shimazu Toyohisa and Nasu no Yoichi had received traditional upbringings and carried the pride of their clans, so they would likely struggle with the psychological burden.
He asked again, "What about the opinions of the officers and soldiers?"
Sengoku sighed. "The common soldiers are easy to keep in the dark, but the same cannot be said for the generals."
"Though they are commanders, their minds are pure. They believe firmly in justice and do not care for such schemes. They will certainly oppose this!"
The figures of Garp and Zephyr appeared in his mind.
If this decision were made known to them, it would undoubtedly face fierce opposition.
It might even trigger a large-scale mutiny!
These two held immense prestige within the army, which was primarily composed of former Navy personnel.
Sengoku's voice continued.
"I have made some reassignments during this time. With Lord Nobunaga's deliberate cooperation, I have gradually arranged for those likely to oppose the plan to return to Yomi Castle."
"Once Zephyr and his group are transferred away, leaving only Sakazuki and the others, we can proceed with the execution."
Ren's brow relaxed slightly.
"As long as you have a plan."
Pausing, he held up two fingers and added, "I have two more questions."
"First, the members of the Sternritter are capable experts. I personally recruited some of them; what do you intend to do with them?"
"Second, if the Quincy are slaughtered, how will this space be maintained?"
Sengoku explained, "Though those individuals are powerful, they are few. We will hand them over to Mayuri Kurotsuchi for research. We can monitor them closely, so keeping them alive won't be an issue."
This was a consideration for Ren's face as his superior.
By sparing their lives for now, they could see how things developed.
If they harbored resentment and attempted a revolt, they could be killed later without any further hesitation.
"As for this shadow space... during the transition over the past few days, our people have already mastered the barrier that maintains it. Even without the Quincy, it will remain stable."
Hearing Sengoku's words, it was clear that everything had been properly arranged.
The final value of these Quincy had been squeezed out. Keeping them provided no benefit, only potential hidden dangers.
Ren pondered for a moment, then sighed, his expression turning solemn.
"In that case, let it be as you said—kill them!"
"Understood."
Sengoku responded firmly, his mind made up.
Ren remained for a while to discuss other minor matters with Sengoku before going to find Nobunaga.
When he arrived, Nobunaga was in the military tent handling affairs.
Seeing Ren arrive with Sengoku behind him, Nobunaga understood immediately.
"Ren, have you truly decided?" Nobunaga dismissed the soldiers in the tent and asked in a low voice.
Ren's gaze was deep, his face showing total resolve.
"Yes."
Seeing this, Nobunaga sighed and scratched his head, a helpless expression on his face.
"As long as you have made your decision. I will arrange for the 'good people' to be moved so they do not witness it."
"But how will we explain this to Toyohisa and Yoichi?"
How else could they handle it? They would have to keep them in the dark.
Once the die was cast, even if they were angry, they would have no choice but to accept it.
At that time, Ren would apologize to them and appeal to their shared bonds.
Both were sentimental men; they wouldn't say much more.
Ren spoke, "Grandfather and Yoichi have been here for a while. They haven't seen Touichirou in a long time and surely miss him."
"Nobunaga, in a few days, find some time to give them a day off. Bring them to the Shihoin house. Touichirou misses them dearly as well."
Nobunaga glanced sideways at Ren, a teasing look on his face.
"To use such a reason... you certainly know how to pick them. That is a truly sinful excuse."
"Fine, I will go when the time comes."
With that, he looked at Sengoku beside him.
"Brother Sengoku, remember to notify me once you have the timing arranged."
"I will."
Ren stayed in the military tent for a while longer before leaving with Shisui.
Returning to the Stealth Force, Ren had just emerged from the underground when he encountered someone sent by Senju Tobirama to find him.
"Tobirama said a guest has come to the Stealth Force to see me?"
"Yes, the Chief of Staff has already invited the person to wait in the parlor."
"Did they say anything about their identity?"
"No, the visitor is very mysterious. They suddenly appeared at the headquarters entrance and asked for you openly. The Chief of Staff did not dare to make a snap judgment, so he came to ask for your decision."
"Then let's go see this guest."
Ren smiled inwardly and walked toward the parlor.
On the way, he looked at Shisui and asked, "Shisui, who do you think this mysterious guest is?"
A look of contemplation appeared on Shisui's face as he replied, "We just came up from the underground, and then someone comes looking for us. It should be related to our actions in the shadow space."
The most significant action they had taken in the shadows was opening the Gates of Hell!
The visitor was clearly here for that.
"It's that most mysterious Great Noble clan!"
"Their family's responsibility is to guard Hell. With the Gates of Hell opening repeatedly, it's impossible for them not to notice!"
With that, Shisui's brow furrowed, a look of concern on his face.
"Now, the only doubt is: since this family can detect the movements of the Gates of Hell, what about the shadow space?"
"Since this family sent someone to our door, will they also be able to observe our actions within the shadows?"
Hearing Shisui's response, a look of satisfaction flashed in Ren's eyes.
"Shisui, you are correct. Although this family dislikes involving themselves in worldly affairs, they are a hidden threat nonetheless."
"As for whether they know or not, we will find out once we ask."
Before opening the Gates of Hell, he had already anticipated the current situation.
Naturally, he had prepared a countermeasure long ago.
When Ren led Shisui into the parlor, he saw Senju Tobirama chatting with the visitor.
And Ren had seen that person before.
It was the very person he had met on the eve of his wedding, under the supervision of the former head of the Shihoin family!
"Long time no see."
"I never thought your clan would visit a dark place like mine. Aren't you supposed to have no interest in the secular world?"
The visitor's expression remained entirely serious.
Seeing Ren's arrival, he stood up and spoke, "It has been a long time, Lord Ren. Please forgive the sudden intrusion."
After a simple exchange of pleasantries, he was straightforward, getting right to the point of his visit.
"Just now, my clan detected frequent abnormal activity with the Gates of Hell. Lord Ren, you command the Stealth Force and know every movement within the Seireitei, which is why I have come to seek your strength."
Looking at the man's serious face, Ren leaned back against the sofa.
Staring at the space between the man's eyebrows, Ren waited several seconds before speaking.
"Is that really all?"
"I know your clan has its methods. For the sake of our acquaintance, why don't you tell me the truth?"
The man was taken aback, looking at Ren with slight surprise as he suddenly realized something.
He sighed softly and said in a heavy voice, "Since Lord Ren says so, I will not hide it."
"I have come here only wanting one answer from Lord Ren. Was the opening of the Gates of Hell your doing?"
"Yes and no."
Under the man's puzzled gaze, Ren spoke slowly, "Since you are being so honest, I will not hide anything either."
He nodded.
"Recently, the Stealth Force captured some criminals. Due to their unique nature, they could not be shown to the public, so we performed secret executions within the base."
"I did not expect that after killing those people, the Gates of Hell would actually open. It seems those people were not killed in error!"
The Gates of Hell only open for sinners, dragging their souls down to be punished.
With the judgment of the Gates of Hell, they were clearly sinners who deserved death!
Hearing Ren's words, the man nodded, but then his brow furrowed again.
"Lord Ren, that is also not quite right."
"Based on our detection, the location where the Gates of Hell opened was indeed within the Seireitei, but the spot was remote, in the backyard of a noble's estate."
Ren reached out and tapped the table. "Naturally, it was in that noble's home."
"That is a lower-ranking noble family subordinate to the Shihoin clan. The Stealth Force excavated an underground space there to serve as a base."
Ren had already made arrangements.
The location Guernica chose in the shadows wasn't a waste of effort.
Ren's people had already taken control of the barrier that constructed the shadow space. They then mapped the shadow space to specific locations within the Seireitei one by one to find that piece of land to serve as cover.
"So that's how it is. I understand now."
The man nodded, a look of realization appearing on his face.
Watching the man's expression, Ren glanced at Shisui and Senju Tobirama beside him.
The two were incredibly serious, observing the man's every expression closely, not missing a single detail.
Shisui's Mangekyo Sharingan had already been activated.
Ren's heart stirred. For him, there was still one urgent question to resolve.
Whether or not this family knew about the shadow space.
He still needed to test him further.
Ren asked, "By the way, when we met last time, I signed a contract with you. I saw the name of the Quincy Progenitor back then; do you still have a connection with him?"
The man was startled, then nodded.
"Yes. A thousand years ago, when the Quincy rose, we noticed Yhwach and signed a contract with him to suppress the Gates of Hell."
"Later, when Yhwach invaded the Soul Society and was killed by Captain Commander Yamamoto, we were no longer able to call upon his spiritual pressure."
At this point, he thought of something and asked curiously, "Lord Ren, why do you mention this man? Could the opening of the Gates of Hell be related to him?"
"In a way."
Ren chose to tell the truth.
"The purpose of the Stealth Force is to move in the darkness and silently protect the peace of the Seireitei."
"Recently, I found some groups of Quincy and sent people to kill them secretly. I heard these people saying things like Yhwach would be revived and that they would conquer the three worlds and destroy the Seireitei to fulfill a thousand-year-old wish."
"Did you know about this?"
Upon hearing this, the man understood immediately.
He shook his head and said solemnly, "Lord Ren, please forgive me. Regarding the personal information of a contractor, we have no right to disclose it to anyone."
"I'm not asking you to disclose anything. I'm just asking about a dead man. What, do you even protect the secrets of the dead?" Ren's voice grew a bit heavier.
Yet the man remained serious, refusing to show any emotion.
"Lord Ren, if you truly wish to know, please obtain the person's consent first before we can inform you."
Ren's face immediately flushed with simulated anger as he shouted sharply, "Yhwach is already dead! Where am I supposed to go to get his consent!"
"That is not for us to consider. Lord Ren must find a way himself."
Seeing the man was completely unyielding, Ren stared at him intently, his tone softening slightly.
"Don't you know that this concerns the safety of the Soul King, the survival of the three worlds, and the very existence of the Seireitei?"
"Oh."
The man's expression was flat, as if he had heard a trivial, common matter.
He suddenly reacted, realizing his response was too indifferent. His face then showed a helpless expression of being willing but unable to help, mixed with a trace of deep sorrow.
"I am very sorry, Lord Ren."
"The lives within the three worlds are naturally of the utmost importance, but we can only apologize. This is not within our jurisdiction; we truly cannot interfere."
He looked at Ren and nodded heavily.
"Lord Ren is wise and decisive, and Captain Commander Yamamoto is experienced and steady. I believe that under your leadership, the Quincy will certainly not be a match for you, and you will surely protect the three worlds and preserve the peace of the Seireitei."
"You really won't say anything?" Ren gritted his teeth. "If Yhwach succeeds, the three worlds will be beyond redemption. Can you truly remain indifferent?"
"When that time comes, it will be your responsibility! Your indifference will have led to the destruction of the world!"
Faced with Ren's moral pressure, the man only apologized repeatedly, his lips tightly sealed, refusing to budge.
"This is not our jurisdiction, Lord Ren. Please forgive us."
'It's fine, I forgive you.'
Ren chuckled inwardly, though his face still showed him gritting his teeth, glaring at the man before him.
After a few seconds, an impatient look appeared on Ren's face.
"If that's the case, I have nothing more to say to you."
"Shisui, see him out."
Hearing these words, the man slowly rose.
He apologized and bowed repeatedly to Ren while, under Shisui's cold voice, he walked outside.
Watching the man's departing back, the expression on Ren's face vanished instantly, replaced by immense satisfaction.
He hadn't expected this family to be so faithful to their rules; it truly exceeded his expectations.
He had laid out the survival of the three worlds, yet the man still hadn't mentioned a single word. He truly followed the rules!
This was truly perfect!
Once Shisui returned, Ren reached out and signaled the two of them to sit down.
Ren asked, "In your opinion, did that man lie just now?"
Shisui said, "Based on my observation, he shouldn't have been lying. Except, of course, when he was being questioned by you, Lord Ren."
"I didn't see any lies either."
Senju Tobirama added his agreement.
He had been reading the other's micro-expressions just now and hadn't found any flaws.
"He doesn't know about the things in the shadows!"
"It makes sense. The shadow space was designed by those Quincy after all. If the Seireitei hasn't noticed anything abnormal for a thousand years, his clan likely wouldn't be able to see through it either!"
Ren nodded.
"I am very satisfied with his attitude just now."
"Whether his clan knows or not, they won't leak our secrets."
If they truly had detected the shadow space, they would only watch with their own eyes, indifferently letting things take their course.
Just like the Quincy in the original story.
Yhwach destroyed the Seireitei and attacked the Royal Palace, yet these people were never seen standing up.
Now, with him, it would be the same!
"They don't even care about the safety of the three worlds. It seems they are truly focused solely on Hell."
Unfortunately, even Hell, from today onwards, was no longer under their control!
Instead, it had been wrested away, held firmly in his own hands!
[Reviews - Power St0nes - Comments are highly appreciated to keep me going.....(+50 chapters) patre0n.c0m/talecrafter]