Senjumaru cast a somewhat surprised glance at a certain someone and exclaimed, "You actually managed to connect this to the Quincies?"
Naraku Sora grinned. "The world always misunderstands me. Little do they know, I am someone who truly possesses world-shaking wisdom."
The corners of Senjumaru's lips curled into a beautiful arc as she nodded in perfect cooperation. "Indeed. Compared to certain stubborn old fools with nothing but muscle in their heads, Silly Boy's wisdom can certainly be called world-shaking."
Yamamoto: "..."
*'The conversation was going perfectly fine just a moment ago. How did it suddenly veer toward me in the blink of an eye? Although my methods can be a bit rigid, I am far from being a muscle-brained fool, right? Besides, haven't I changed quite a bit over these past few years?'*
"The reason I am certain it is the Quincies is because their method of dealing with Hollows differs from ours."
"Hollows killed by them are completely eradicated, breaking away from the Reishi cycle of the three realms."
As if to convince Yamamoto, Senjumaru set down her teacup and softly explained.
"Actually, a long time ago, I proposed to Central 46 that we restrict the Quincies' authority to kill Hollows and leave it entirely to the Soul Society."
"Surprisingly, those stubborn old fools agreed and dispatched three Captains to negotiate with them."
"Of course, in the eyes of the Quincy clan, their duty is to purify the World of the Living and eliminate all Hollows and Menos Grande that appear before them."
"However, doing so only causes souls to vanish, bringing the Reishi cycle to a standstill."
"The Quincies in the World of the Living rejected our proposal. Since the situation back then was nowhere near as severe as it is now, the matter was eventually dropped."
"But as time passed, the Quincies continued to multiply and grow stronger. Their numbers have steadily increased, even expanding into multiple pure-blood families."
"If this continues, it won't even take ten years before the Reishi cycle impacts the Soul Society."
Listening to this explanation, Yamamoto slowly closed his eyes, seemingly pondering a countermeasure.
Not long ago, they had just discovered the remnants of the Wandenreich hiding within the shadows of the Soul Society, and now he was learning of the hidden danger posed by the Quincies in the World of the Living.
It seemed the very meaning of this race's existence was to destroy the world.
In order to nip this disaster in the bud, Yamamoto had specifically issued a strict order to Kyōraku Shunsui: aside from his Squad duties, he was to dedicate six hours every day to training.
The focus was to be on mastering his Shikai, striving to open a stable pathway within the shadows as soon as possible.
If he was caught slacking off, he would enjoy the exact same treatment as Naraku Sora.
Although he wanted to weep tears of despair over this, Kyōraku Shunsui could only swallow his sorrow to avoid getting beaten by Yamamoto, spending every day researching how to unearth the full potential of his Kageoni.
It was worth mentioning that, in order to train himself, he would occasionally open a shadow pathway to search for traces of the Quincies.
However, after taking a direct hit from Ennetsu Jigoku, the Wandenreich seemed to have packed up and relocated entirely.
In their original location, nothing remained but endless emptiness.
They hadn't even left a single brick behind.
One could only imagine the massive psychological trauma Yamamoto had inflicted upon those Quincies.
But this was for the best. At the very least, they wouldn't have to worry about a few burly Quincies suddenly popping out of the shadows at critical moments.
However, Kyōraku Shunsui was now burdened with an additional task: locating the Wandenreich.
Currently, it was only confirmed that they still existed within the shadows, but their exact location remained unknown. Once their whereabouts were discovered, he was required to notify Squad 1 and the Onmitsukidō immediately.
After the time it took to drink a cup of tea, Yamamoto opened his eyes, a flicker of golden-red flame flashing through his pupils.
"Since that is the case, then I shall be the one to decide their fate."
"Naraku Sora."
The certain someone who was currently fiddling with a teapot instinctively looked up.
"You will lead a squad of Soul Reapers to the World of the Living. Representing the Soul Society, you are to negotiate with the Quincies and forbid them from hunting Hollows or Menos Grande in any manner."
"This order is permanently effective."
"If they discover Hollows roaming nearby, they must report it to the Soul Reaper stationed in the city. Once permission is granted, the Soul Society will dispatch Soul Reapers to eradicate them."
Naraku Sora pinched his chin. "And what if they refuse to cooperate?"
Yamamoto's gaze shifted. A scorching heat permeated the air, causing the temperature in the room to spike drastically.
"Those who refuse to cooperate are to be apprehended on the spot. Those who deliberately resist—"
"Kill them!"
Leaving the study and heading back to the Shino Prison, Naraku Sora began to ponder who he should bring along.
Yamamoto had granted him immense authority; aside from a select few Soul Reaper Captains who were currently on missions, he could mobilize anyone else.
Of course, he couldn't just take everyone all at once.
The Seireitei still needed them for protection.
Kuchiki Kōga was definitely a no-go. That kid was strong in internal Soul Reaper conflicts, but when it came to fighting outsiders, he was a bit lacking. Plus, he needed him to stay behind and help manage the Shino Prison.
Currently, Urahara Pal and Mayuri Pal were wholeheartedly devoted to the barracks' renovation work and the Zanpakutō research projects, leaving them with absolutely no time for management.
Looking at it this way, there really weren't many usable people in his Shino Prison.
Right at that moment, Senjumaru's voice suddenly rang out from beside him.
"Sora, your recent renovations to the Shino Prison have been quite impressive."
"The squad members are united as one, and you've even managed to handle that guy, Kurotsuchi Mayuri."
"I originally planned to teach you how to get along with him, but looking at it now, your performance is even better than I anticipated."
Hearing this, Naraku Sora frowned, seemingly realizing something.
"Bad woman, you're not leaving the Soul Society, are you?"
Senjumaru stretched lazily, the several golden skeletal arms behind her emitting crisp sounds, much like clashing metal.
This was the advanced technology she had developed recently. Not only could it be used in combat, but it could also assist in experimental research and handle various odds and ends.
"Mhm, my Zero Division Palace is nearing completion."
"Furthermore, several of my research projects are drawing to a close. The only thing I still don't have much of a clue about is probably you."
Naraku Sora twitched his lips.
He naturally knew that Senjumaru was referring to the perfect Hollowfication within his body.
Let alone her, even Aizen didn't have any ideas and could only record data from Umino Unpei.
In the words of his good brother, it was a miracle that could not be replicated at this current stage.
Perhaps in the future, if there were breakthrough developments in the field of Hollowfication, they might be able to uncover its mysteries.
Although this bad woman was naturally two-faced and occasionally tried to torment him, she had genuinely provided a lot of help.
For instance, helping him quickly master his Shikai, creating his custom-made Shihakushō, and guiding him through various training issues.
Hearing the sudden news of her departure, he actually felt a bit reluctant to see her go.
Seeing Naraku Sora's expression, Senjumaru's lips curled into a delighted smile as she spoke softly.
"Well, it will still be a few years before that day comes. Besides, there are no rules in the Soul King Palace strictly forbidding Zero Division members from leaving."
"As far as I know, the legendary Soul Reaper who created the Zanpakutō, Nimaiya Ōetsu, frequently visits the World of the Living..."
With Senjumaru's gentle voice echoing in his ears, Naraku Sora's expression grew slightly dazed. He suddenly realized that, without even noticing, he had formed deep bonds with the people of this world.
Compared to his days as an academy student striving to outdo everyone else, there were now far more people he cared about.
But this feeling... didn't seem too bad.
The World of the Living, Karakura Town.
Inside a manor on the outskirts of the city.
Hundreds of people had gathered here, the dense sea of heads making for a spectacular sight.
These people varied in age and appearance, but their only commonality was that they all wore pentagram-shaped accessories.
Unlike the Quincies of the Wandenreich, the Quincies in the World of the Living had not participated in the war against the Soul Reapers hundreds of years ago.
However, there was no shortage of individuals among them who had broken away from the Wandenreich.
For example, Ishida Sōken of the Ishida family. As a genius Quincy among the surviving pure-bloods, he had mastered numerous battle formations and the Heilig Pfeil long ago.
His personal strength was even comparable to a select few Captains of the Gotei 13.
Of course, aside from Ishida Sōken, there were other powerful entities among the Quincies in the World of the Living.
Otherwise, they wouldn't have been able to push the cycle of souls to the brink of collapse in just a few decades.
Today was a gathering of the Quincy clan.
Various pure-blood families had assembled here to exchange information on the number of Hollows hunted this year, as well as newly developed battle formations and training experiences.
Everyone felt genuine joy at the ever-growing strength of the Quincy faction.
Some ambitious individuals even clamored at the banquet to completely sever ties with the Soul Society, allowing the Quincies of the World of the Living to become truly independent entities.
"As far as I know, the highest tier of Soul Reapers in the Soul Society are the Captains. I once saw a Captain take action in Naruki City, and whether it was his destructive power or his Reiatsu, it could only be described as average."
"Even if the other Captains are stronger, just how much stronger could they possibly be?"
"On the other hand, we Quincies are born with the powerful ability to gather Reishi, and our growth cycle is several times shorter than those Soul Reapers."
"After so many years of biding our time and building our strength, we are no longer the weak Quincies of the past!"
The sonorous and forceful voice filled the speech with infectious energy, and many Quincies agreed with this sentiment.
The so-called Soul Reapers were nothing more than paper tigers.
Although they had issued harsh statements several times demanding the revocation of their authority to hunt Hollows, it was always all bark and no bite, with absolutely no substantive action taken.
Over time, coupled with the continuous expansion of the Quincies' power, they had lost the reverence they once held.
Quincies should not be subservient to Soul Reapers!
In the crowd, Ishida Sōken looked helplessly at his indignant kinsmen around him. He wanted to voice his opinion several times but didn't know where to begin.
As a Quincy who had defected from the Wandenreich, no one knew the terrifying nature of the Soul Reapers better than he did.
Even His Majesty, the invincible Emperor, had been beaten into the ground. Did this group of people in the World of the Living really think they could turn the world upside down?
Just as Ishida Sōken was secretly shaking his head, the Reishi in the air suddenly shifted, and a violent fluctuation of Reiatsu appeared in the sky above.
A trace of shadow emerged beneath the sun. When the crowd looked up, the sunlight was instantly obscured. Ancient doors unfolded like a memorial scroll, instantly enveloping the entire manor.
As the Senkaimon opened, a profound and oppressive Reiatsu poured down like a bursting dam. The air suddenly grew thick and viscous, making even breathing feel unnatural.
Dazzling white light bloomed from within the gateway, and an overwhelmingly imposing figure stepped out into the sky, looking down at the Quincies from above.
"Everyone, were you waiting for me?"