Chapter 225: The Funeral
"Seal this palace, Fiander! When you possess opportunity stepping into the sky, I shall emerge!"
Aizen closed his eyes, seated himself in his previous position, then ceased speaking entirely.
Witnessing this scene, Fiander understood. He walked swiftly toward the palace entrance. Before departing, Fiander turned his head and addressed Aizen positioned above: "Although we've utilized one another, I still appreciate you!"
"Especially, thank you for protecting me during that period. Then farewell, Captain Aizen—this represents the final time I'll address you thus!"
As his voice concluded, Fiander's figure vanished from Aizen's chambers. With a tremendous bang, Aizen's chambers sealed tightly. Not even sunlight could penetrate through the door's crack.
When Fiander had advanced forward for hundreds of meters, he suddenly turned aside and whispered: "Emerge, Gin!"
The instant Fiander finished speaking, Ichimaru Gin's figure materialized before him and declared: "It appears you've concluded your conversation?"
"Witnessing your former leader again—how do you feel?"
Observing Ichimaru Gin's smiling expression, Fiander teased lightly.
"Leader? You understand my purpose perfectly, Fiander!" Ichimaru Gin pursed his lips and spoke with obvious displeasure, his brows furrowing.
"Haha! My apologies, my apologies!" Fiander patted Ichimaru Gin's shoulder with a smile and continued: "I didn't intend embarrassing you regarding this. So what are your thoughts about this matter?"
"This matter? Are you referring to the fact that you released Captain Aizen from his seal?" Ichimaru Gin tilted his head and spoke with his characteristic smile: "It matters absolutely nothing to me. When you decided rescuing Captain Aizen, wasn't everything already predetermined?"
Observing Ichimaru Gin's insufferable smile, Fiander contemplated briefly before sighing and pressing his forehead: "You're correct. However, can you possibly alter this habit of smiling incessantly?"
"My apologies, Fiander! I've grown accustomed to it!"
Ichimaru Gin shrugged, appearing entirely indifferent.
"Very well. What about the outer perimeter?"
Fiander changed the subject and inquired regarding the situation elsewhere.
"Not many forces arrived from their side. We can still manage adequately. Lilynette proves extraordinarily powerful—one person can engage several Quincy simultaneously! Even Ulquiorra..."
Ichimaru Gin, having just returned from the battlefield, remained extraordinarily aware of circumstances there. Just as he prepared tirelessly explaining the battle situation at the outer perimeter to Fiander, he was interrupted:
"You understand that's not what I'm inquiring about!"
"My apologies. I believed you were more concerned regarding the Espada's combat situation. However, if it's not about this matter, what do you wish to know?"
Fiander didn't bother conversing further with Ichimaru Gin. He asked straightforwardly: "Did you just encounter Yhwach?"
"Naturally. The Quincy successfully evacuated under Yhwach's leadership. However, his strength proves extraordinarily formidable. We couldn't detain any of them—except for those two individuals before Las Noches' gates!"
After understanding what Fiander wanted to ask, Ichimaru Gin abandoned his unscrupulous demeanor and reported to Fiander in straightforward manner.
"Not a single one detained? With Lilynette's strength, circumstances shouldn't prove so inadequate. Is this due to the Quincy's existence, or because these individuals have grown complacent for far too long and have already slackened?! Gin! Summon the Espada to the throne hall for assembly. I don't care if they're severely injured or incapable of walking. As long as they draw breath—including their Fracción and all Arrancar belonging to Las Noches—everyone must assemble!"
Upon learning that the Espada hadn't eliminated any Sternritter members, Fiander's expression grew extraordinarily ugly. After all, compared to the original timeline, the surviving forces within current Las Noches proved considerably stronger. All internal scheming had been eliminated. No one dared withholding effort.
Additionally, the training techniques Fiander had provided had elevated their strength to higher levels—particularly Lilynette, whose separated soul had returned. She'd regained her prime condition. Her strength had reached Vasto Lorde-class Menos Grande's peak.
Yet even under such circumstances, when facing fewer than ten Sternritter, Fiander felt profoundly furious.
Some individuals were destined for misfortune!
At this moment, within Soul Society's Seireitei, at Sōkyoku Hill—which had once been utilized for executing Rukia Kuchiki—all Gotei 13 captains and lieutenants had gathered here, except for the First Division's lieutenant who'd perished before Yamamoto Genryūsai... Chōjirō Sasakibe.
"Chōjirō Sasakibe—a man who should have become Captain. According to records, he mastered Bankai before Jūshirō and Kyōraku were born. Yet since Gotei 13's formation, he never employed it before others. In truth, the Captain-Commander isn't universally revered. He'd also heard regarding Sasakibe's strength and regarded him as a 'lieutenant who avoided combat'—treating him as mere bureaucrat to insult him. However, regardless of circumstances, Chōjirō Sasakibe remained within the lieutenant's position, completely unmoved. Even when captain positions changed repeatedly or became vacant—not to mention acting captain, like Hisagi and Kira—he flatly refused. All... all because of his loyal heart!"
With composed features, Byakuya Kuchiki whispered to his lieutenant Abarai Renji regarding the life of Gotei 13's "most senior" lieutenant.
"Chōjirō Sasakibe was the man who vowed remaining lieutenant for as long as Yamamoto Genryūsai reigned. And that man... employed Bankai for the first time in battle... and perished. The Captain-Commander's grief... surpasses our comprehension!"
At this funeral gathering, everyone appeared solemn. Even Kyōraku Shunsui—typically most humorous—lowered his hat. The shadow across his face represented this man's identical grief. Chōjirō Sasakibe had also served as instructor to himself and others, teaching Shin'ō Academy's first student generation.
"Ignite!"
With the funeral personnel's loud proclamation, the surrounding torches were simultaneously raised and thrown beneath the wooden coffin where Chōjirō Sasakibe's body lay.
WHOOSH—
Turbulent flames blazed intensely. Tears of profound grief slowly descended from the corners of Yamamoto's eyes—throughout Soul Society's history...
On another front, within Las Noches' throne hall, Fiander—seated upon the throne—regarded the Arrancar bearing various injuries below with cold expression.
Lilynette still wished playing with Fiander as she had previously, but was frightened by the other party's frigid gaze. Her entire form froze. She stood there blankly, thinking within her heart that circumstances had deteriorated catastrophically!
The peculiar atmosphere persisted for considerable duration. Under the oppressive environment, no one dared speaking hastily and becoming the outlet for Fiander's—the King's—venting.
Not until Ulquiorra entered through the gates, dragging an individual who resembled a Sternritter, did Fiander finally speak: "Explain to me, Ulquiorra!"
"Only nine enemies arrived here. Why couldn't you—commanding Las Noches' entire combat strength—handle them?"