"Jugram Haschwalth?"
The surging spiritual power gradually calmed. The three people who had been confronting one another put down the weapons in their hands the moment they saw him.
Haschwalth was Lord Soul King's other half, the two being one body and one heart. This matter was not a secret among the upper echelon, and basically everyone knew it. Therefore, the instant they saw Haschwalth, they knew that Lord Soul King was currently not in danger.
"If you had come one step later, I truly wouldn't have been able to explain myself."
Ichibē Hyōsube let out a sigh of relief and sat down on the Omotesandō with a thud. He sighed bitterly and said with resentful eyes: "You should explain it instead. They simply don't believe me."
Actually, this matter could not entirely be blamed on others.
Mainly because of those things he had done in the past. No matter who it was, they would not believe him.
"The Soul King is temporarily fine."
Haschwalth was silent for a moment before continuing: "But it is also true that he is not in the Soul King Palace."
"I roughly understand now..."
Aizen lightly sighed and thoughtfully said: "No wonder he refused to reveal it. Presumably there is enormous risk hidden within the Soul King's disappearance, which is why you resorted to doing this, correct?"
"It cannot be spoken, cannot be asked, cannot be known."
Ichibē Hyōsube lightly said: "Unless within the Soul Realm, with the strength of you two, once you know this matter, it could very likely cause unpredictable consequences. That is the reason for hiding it from you."
To put it bluntly, he simply disliked how weak they were.
The corners of Aizen's eyes twitched. That eternally unchanged old schemer face of his almost broke character from this single sentence.
Kyōraku Shunsui was stunned for a moment, then seeing Aizen forcibly maintaining his smile, helplessly said: "Since that is the case, then we will not ask further about the Soul King's matter. But the Human World is currently facing a massive disaster."
"I already know what you wish to say."
Haschwalth glanced at the two of them and said: "Prime Celestial Arishem will not personally come to Earth. That newly born Celestial will be handled by Ichibē Hyōsube."
"He... alone can do it?"
Kyōraku Shunsui expressed serious doubt. That was a genuine Celestial.
"Heh, no need to worry."
Ichibē Hyōsube laughed disdainfully and said: "A mere Celestial is no different from an ant in my eyes."
"I have no intention of boosting others' morale while diminishing our own, but with only you..." Aizen sighed and said: "Wanting to suppress a Celestial is definitely not as simple as you think. In the memories Gin saw, this is an extremely ancient race. Even within the universe, they are overlords."
Using an entire planet to nurture offspring, these methods were simply horrifying beyond belief.
Even after fusing with the Hōgyoku and entering his Transcendent form, Aizen did not feel he could contend against this race.
"If he cannot, then I am still here."
Haschwalth's emerald-green pupils suddenly split into a pattern of multiple pupils: "Although the Soul King's whereabouts remain unknown, I can borrow the Soul King's power. A mere Celestial... can be suppressed with one hand."
"This is... The Almighty?!"
Aizen and Kyōraku Shunsui both trembled upon seeing those pupils.
Back then, Yhwach had nearly swept across the entire Soul Society and Hueco Mundo with this ability, and had even suppressed the members of Squad Zero with his own power. If not for the final gathering of many methods, who would have won in the end truly remained uncertain.
Ichibē Hyōsube's expression was somewhat complicated, though he did not appear surprised. He had long known about this matter.
Regarding The Almighty, he had personally experienced it deeply.
A nearly invincible power in this world, a domain impossible for mortals to tread upon. Only the Soul King lineage could grasp this power that represented knowing and changing all futures.
Since Haschwalth could use 'The Almighty,' then it meant the Soul King had awakened a step further.
Within the monk's eyes was hidden a trace of joy.
...
...
...
Seventy-two hours after Fury's disappearance.
The disastrous defeat of the Hell's Kitchen operation heavily damaged HYDRA's vitality for a period of time. Over a hundred elite agents, along with three Harrier fighter jets, had all been completely lost in this battle.
As acting director, Alexander Pierce could not escape blame and received severe condemnation from both the Security Council and Congress.
But compared to these losses, what was even more troublesome was that Fury had once again disappeared from beneath their noses.
Not only that.
The martial arts hall master, Chen Lin, had also vanished after the battle. The Sky Eye System was completely unable to detect him, as if he had evaporated from the world, causing Alexander to feel deeply uneasy.
However, the bad news continued nonstop.
Just as he was thinking about how to find Fury, Alexander received a message from Grant.
Agent Natasha Romanoff and Captain America Steve Rogers had injured dozens of elite agents and successfully escaped their imprisonment. Their whereabouts were currently unknown.
"A bunch of trash!!!"
Veins bulged on Alexander's forehead as he roared and threw out a coffee cup. Staring with bloodshot eyes like an enraged beast, he shouted: "I'm giving you three days. You must retrieve the Obelisk at all costs, understand?!"
"Yes, Leader."
Grant's face looked ugly, but he could only lower his head and agree before quickly ending the communication.
Alexander's fury had not yet subsided. The muscles on his old face trembled, and vicious light flashed in his eyes.
But soon, his expression changed.
"Alexander Pierce, you disappoint me greatly." A cold voice drifted out from the shadows in the office.
Immediately after.
A strange insect-like creature flew out from the shadows, vibrating its wings while floating in midair and producing unsettling buzzing noises.
Alexander's expression slightly changed, rare panic appearing in his eyes: "Lord Hive... this was an unexpected situation. Please wait patiently for a few more days. I will definitely retrieve the Obelisk!"
"This is the last time, Alexander."
The strange insect voice was hoarse and gloomy as it said: "Do not disappoint me again. Otherwise... someone else can sit in that chair of yours."
"Yes, I understand. I will not disappoint you again."
Alexander Pierce lowered his head, cold sweat sliding down along his temples.
Who knew how long later, he slowly raised his head and discovered that 'Hive' had already disappeared without a trace.
His fists clenched fiercely. Purple veins jumped across his face, and visible fury rose in his eyes. Alexander Pierce's face was gloomy as he ground his teeth until they crackled.
"You are very unwilling, aren't you?"
A playful laugh suddenly sounded within the office.
Alexander's expression drastically changed as he suddenly turned around. He discovered a man wearing a multicolored robe and a golden double crown sitting on his luxurious leather chair, crossing his legs while playfully sizing him up.
The man's face was blurry and unclear, seemingly distorted and severed by some kind of power.
"Who are you?"
A drop of cold sweat slid down his face as Alexander Pierce nervously asked.
"A person who can fulfill your wishes."
The man leisurely played with his fingers and grinned: "I can make you the king of the world. I can also grant you eternal life. Even... becoming a god is not impossible."
"R-Really?"
Alexander's eyes turned bloodshot as he continuously gasped for breath.
Normally always cautious and careful, he surprisingly did not doubt this man in the slightest, as though every word he spoke was truth itself. These highly tempting conditions fiercely tugged at his heartstrings.
"Of course it's all true."
The man smiled and said: "You only need to... pay a tiny little price."
Alexander swallowed his saliva: "What... price?"
"Very simple, help me do one small thing."
The man snapped his fingers, lowered one leg, leaned his body slightly forward, and smiled: "Deep within the Mariana Trench, there is a secret laboratory. Some things are stored inside. Just release it."