"As expected, Azashiro-san is acting out of a personal grudge, right?" Shin said.
"Heh, just as you said, perhaps I'm more driven by selfish motives." Sōya calmed down.
Then, his gaze hardened. "Nohara-san, what if the person most important to you were slain by a Hollow right before your eyes?"
Shin said, "No Hollow could kill someone dear to me in front of me."
Sōya suddenly lost control of his emotions. "Ahahaha, I forgot that you possess great power."
"But back then I had nothing. I could only watch helplessly as my sister perished with the Hollows, and even my power was obtained from my sister's death."
"All Hollows are damned. Since then, I've sworn to purge every Hollow from this world."
"That's why I said you don't understand at all."
Tears glistened in Sōya's eyes, and a look of madness spread across his face.
Shin fell silent for a moment. "Could you tell me what happened back then?"
"Alright."
"The Azashiro clan was once a noble house, but it suffered a sudden calamity. The remaining members were sentenced to death for a rebellion, and my sister, while confronting Hollows at the execution grounds, died to protect me."
Sōya gave a brief account of those events.
"Fighting Hollows? The execution grounds are the abolished gallows, where criminals are thrown into the arena to battle Hollows while nobles watch for entertainment. What a rotten system."
Shin sensed that Sōya had witnessed his sister being brutally slain by Hollows in his youth, leaving a deep psychological scar.
Shin asked, "Then have you ever considered taking revenge on those nobles?"
Sōya said, "Revenge? After revenge, you gain nothing. When I killed the nobles who watched for sport, I found my soul was not redeemed."
Shin was still confused. Sōya didn't intend to avenge the actual executioners, so why was he so obsessed with eradicating Hollows?
"Since you gave up revenge, why can't you let go of your hatred toward Hollows?"
Sōya said, "Nohara-san, I think you've misunderstood something. I don't hate Hollows, they simply need to be purified."
Shin understood. Regardless of his reasons, his goal was to eliminate all Hollows.
He seemed to think—it's not me who's wrong, but this world.
Sōya clearly knew the adverse consequences of wiping out all Hollows for this world, but he either didn't care or was in denial.
"I understand, but I still think your method is unacceptable."
"Eradicating Hollows isn't limited to the path of destruction. If you aim to destroy Hueco Mundo, it's tantamount to declaring war on the entire world, making your goal virtually unattainable."
"I'm sure Azashiro-san knows about the Quincy. Their abilities can completely annihilate Hollows, which would cause the three worlds to collapse, so they were eventually slaughtered to extinction."
"Azashiro-san, do you really think your power can stand against the whole world?"
Sōya fell silent.
In fact, while his ability is formidable, it has many drawbacks, and opposing the world is a pipe dream.
Shin continued, "Hollows play an important role in maintaining the balance of souls among the three worlds, but what if we establish a new balance?"
"By breaking the current situation and creating a new order that strips Hollows of their purpose, they would eventually vanish completely."
Shin was merely spouting nonsense, first dismissing Sōya's original plan, then proposing a seemingly viable alternative.
In reality, he had no idea whether Hollows could truly be eradicated.
Sōya pondered. Compared to his own scheme, perhaps Shin's suggestion was a decent option. Even if it fails, the ensuing chaos would give him more opportunities.
So he probed, "I didn't expect you to have such ambitions. Do you also wish to be like Aizen?"
Shin shook his head. "Aizen? No, I'm not like him. Although our goals are similar, I won't use his methods."
Sōya hadn't previously realized Shin harbored such thoughts, but given his growth, it might be possible.
"If you can help me purge Hollows, I will devote all my power to aid you. How does that sound?"
"Sure."
Shin wasn't sure how much Sōya believed him, but as long as he had a sliver of faith, the problem wouldn't be too big.
No wonder Aizen's sentence in the original timeline wasn't as long as Sōya's. Aizen only seeks power, whereas Sōya is practically aiming to destroy the world.
There are too many ruthless people in this world, each wanting to overturn it. Compared to those people, Shin felt he was the gentlest of all.
Sōya asked, "What do you need me to do?"
Shin said, "All you need to do now is keep an eye on the Noble District and Central 46, gathering information on each noble."
"Nobles? Do you intend to eliminate them? But as far as I know, you have close ties with Shihōin Yoruichi and Soi Fon."
"That's why I asked you to watch the Noble District."
Sōya suddenly realized that the Noble District was inhabited by the majority of nobles led by the Tsunayashiro clan. Central 46 also largely consists of members from these clans.
Clans like the Kuchiki Clan and Shihōin Clan, which are closely linked to the Gotei 13, are situated near their respective division barracks.
Sōya asked, "Then how should I report the situation to you?"
Shin spends most of his time outside Seireitei, and he's trapped in Muken.
"I'll come to the Seireitei later, just have Urozakuro find me."
Thus, their mutually scheming partnership began.
—
The next day.
The Gotei 13 convened another Captain's Meeting to decide on battle arrangements.
Finally, Yamamoto issued the order.
Shin would serve as captain of this Hueco Mundo extermination squad, responsible for command and coordination.
Fourth Division Captain Unohana Retsu would act as deputy captain, handling logistics and medical support.
Eleventh Division Captain Zaraki Kenpachi, Sixth Division Captain Kuchiki Byakuya, and Twelfth Division Captain Kurotsuchi Mayuri would cooperate in the operation.
Second Division Captain Soi Fon and Tenth Division Captain Hitsugaya Tōshirō would remain stationed in the Human World.
In the combat divisions, aside from the deputy captains, each division captain may bring up to two squad members into battle.
Additionally, if Aizen attacks the Human World, the Captain Commander will personally lead a team to intercept.
'I originally just wanted to take it easy, there aren't many captain‑level forces.'
Shin assumed Soul Society would assign a veteran captain like Shunsui, but unexpectedly he was made captain.
Afternoon.
Each division finalized its roster of participants.
Fourth Division: Deputy Captain Kotetsu Isane, Seventh Seat Hanatarō Yamada, and ten regular squad members.
Sixth Division: Deputy Captain Abarai Renji...