— — — — — —
At the mention of "Aizen," Soifon's expression shifted. She stared at Unohana in disbelief.
Captain Unohana… hadn't sided with Ryo Yagami, but with Aizen?
How… how was that even possible?
Unohana simply smiled with narrowed eyes.
"Aizen asked me to tell you the time. In one hour, the Hueco Mundo forces will finish assembling and prepare to attack the Soul Society."
More precisely, they would attack the Wandenreich hiding in Soul Society's shadows.
That was the plan she and Yamamoto had arranged with Aizen earlier. But now she deliberately chose an ambiguous tone just to mess with everyone.
"Changed the schedule again?"
Ryo wasn't surprised by Aizen's move. The man probably guessed Yhwach's intentions and was interfering with his ability to observe the future.
Also… Aizen's Hōgyoku was evolving fast. As someone who also possessed a Hōgyoku, Ryo couldn't help noticing it.
"Captain Unohana… you…"
Inside the cell, Soifon looked at her with a mixture of disappointment and anger.
"The Soul Society can't keep me anymore." Unohana's voice was gentle as she explained.
And that was the truth.
Kyōraku Shunsui had persuaded her to enter Hueco Mundo alone and negotiate with Ryo under the condition that she would be allowed to leave the Gotei 13 and go to Little Garden.
Unohana barely needed a moment to agree.
Kyōraku had expected as much.
In fact, Yamamoto, Kyōraku, Ukitake, and even Urahara all understood the same thing: Anyone who knew about Little Garden and also understood Unohana's true nature knew this woman could never resist the pull of a stronger battlefield.
Fighting powerful opponents wasn't a hobby for her. It was a compulsion.
Compared to the few top-tier fighters in the Bleach world—most of whom weren't pure swordsmen—Little Garden, with its countless strong individuals, was irresistible.
So with Yamamoto's tacit approval and Kyōraku's maneuvering, Unohana naturally ended up at Ryo's side.
It was, in truth, a political compromise.
Once they accepted Aizen replacing the Soul King, Yamamoto knew he would eventually have to step down.
Soul Society needed him to abdicate to stabilize the new order.
At the same time, Yamamoto quietly designated Kyōraku as the next Captain-Commander through agreements with Aizen. Kyōraku, with his flexibility and diplomacy, could work with Aizen far better than stubborn old him.
But after Yamamoto stepped down, Unohana obviously couldn't remain the 4th Division Captain.
Kyōraku couldn't suppress someone like Unohana. No one except Yamamoto ever could.
Her death in the original storyline had always carried that unspoken political shadow. Only Yamamoto had the force of presence to keep Unohana loyal and satisfied, even submissive in her own way.
If he died or stepped aside, Kyōraku couldn't hope to control someone stronger and more feared than himself.
So sending Unohana to Little Garden was a peaceful solution.
It removed a dangerous political piece while also handing Ryo — someone who could actually restrain her — a powerful asset. And Ryo was the key to the Little Garden transition anyway.
Otherwise the Gotei 13, under Kyōraku's rule and its policy against captains retiring, would have found some absurd excuse to imprison her, or send her to her death… much like the original story where she died "to awaken Kenpachi."
Because of all these twists, things had arrived at this point.
Ryo understood this perfectly. And as Arcadia's new leader, how could he refuse such a treasure delivered straight to his door?
Even if Unohana was a battle maniac… so what? Didn't that make her even better?
"..."
Inside the cell, unaware of the deeper politics, Soifon spoke with a complicated expression. "I don't understand why you would betray the Soul Society."
"Because it's in my nature," Unohana said with a gentle smile.
Then she looked at Ryo, eyes opening slightly. "Aizen invited me."
"Oh?" Ryo raised a brow. Was she actually considering working with Aizen?
"But I refused."
Ryo shot her a look, exasperated. "You twisted woman… fine. Once Soul Society's situation is settled, I'll arrange a proper fight for you."
Heh. Once she reached Little Garden, Lancelot and Luo Hao — those two duel-obsessed lunatics — would teach her what real combat junkies looked like.
"Oh my, you said it yourself. I didn't twist your arm."
Unohana's smile grew softer, even though she knew perfectly well Ryo would throw impossibly strong opponents at her. That was exactly what she wanted.
Ryo gave her a sidelong glance, then turned to leave. "Let's go. Time to head to Soul Society and end this."
---
Wandenreich
On the throne in the grand hall, Ichibe Hyosube watched Yhwach with calm, red eyes after the man dispelled The Almighty.
Ichibe walked forward and stopped five meters away, chuckling.
"Well now. I didn't expect you to send someone to reveal your location to me. Even more surprising, you've been hiding in Soul Society's shadow for a thousand years."
He narrowed his eyes, smiling at Yhwach. "Is this wise? Giving me such crucial information at a time like this?"
"With my warning, Yamamoto is already prepared to face you in a death match."
"And Aizen, empowered by the Hōgyoku and the Soul King's essence, continues to evolve upward. Before long, he may very well have the qualifications to replace the Soul King."
"Not to mention that suspicious Yagami. His Zanpakutō is something even Yamamoto can't handle."
"Facing these enemies, you just woke up… can you really win?"
"..."
"Victory has always been mine," Yhwach spoke coldly, straightening as he stared at Ichibē. "And the so-called 'Soul King' of Soul Society has always been you, hasn't it?"
He fixed Ichibe with a frigid gaze.
"You are the thief who stole my father's power and turned him into a living pillar…"
Ichibe grinned, flashing white teeth. "What a misunderstanding. I am merely a humble servant of His Majesty the Soul King."
Yhwach ignored the excuse. "My father longed for death. He longed for release."
"That isn't certain," Ichibe said with an easy laugh. "Even if His Majesty's insides were hollowed out, limbs severed, ears cut off, eyes gouged out… he still loves the Soul Society."
"Don't try to provoke me. I know your true body isn't here." Yhwach's voice remained icy.
"You're trying to stall for Yamamoto and delay the future where I attack Soul Society. I've already seen through it."
"How ridiculous. Yamamoto cooperated with Aizen because he fears those incomprehensible Little Garden beings. He'd even sacrifice you, yet you still help him. Foolish."
"Oh? Yamamoto and Aizen are working together?" Ichibe actually looked surprised, though he didn't doubt the claim.
He knew exactly how far The Almighty could reach. Anyone who had manipulated the Soul King and the Soul Society for nearly a million years would.
Not that it mattered. Compared to him, Yamamoto and Aizen were far too young. Neither could kill him.
Yhwach, though, was a real threat.
Ichibe smiled playfully. "Yhwach, the Soul King's successor could be Ichigo Kurosaki, Aizen, even Kugo Ginjo. But it will never be you."
Yhwach rose from the throne. "There's no need for more words. I'll end everything within a day."
A massive white arrow formed beside him.
It shot forward instantly, piercing clean through Ichibe's heart.
"My my… seems I didn't manage to buy much time," Ichibe said lightly.
Then his body collapsed and turned into someone else entirely — an ordinary Shinigami Ichibe had been using as a disposable stand-in.
Yhwach snorted and turned toward Haschwalth waiting outside.
"Spread my order. Have the Sternritter assemble. We march on the Seireitei."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The response came immediately from beyond the doors.
.
.
.