"The monk actually lost."
High in the sky, Kirinji Tenjirō looked as if he were doubting life itself.
Although he hadn't fought Hyōsube Ichibē much, he knew very well how powerful the leader of the Zero Division was.
He didn't even need to pull out his killer move, Futen Taisatsuryō; he only needed to take out Ichimonji and draw a single stroke, and the battle would be completely over.
The gap in strength was comparable to that between Yamamoto and an ordinary Soul Reaper Captain.
They simply weren't in the same dimension.
Yet, such a powerful existence had actually lost to Naraku Sora. The world truly was unpredictable.
Nimaiya Ōetsu pulled out a pair of sunglasses from who knows where, put them on, and muttered, "Since it's already over, let's head back to the Soul King Palace first."
"Don't forget our duties."
He casually opened a Chōkaimon and stepped inside, not forgetting to leave one last reminder before leaving: "Next, there might be major changes. Everyone, please prepare yourselves mentally."
Looking at the spectacular scene within the Seireitei, Senjumaru's expression was somewhat complicated. After standing in place and thinking for a few seconds, she seemed to realize something, and the corners of her mouth curled up slightly.
No matter what, as long as Naraku Sora was fine, it saved her the trouble of backstabbing the others.
After taking one last look, Senjumaru finally walked into the Chōkaimon.
"Of course I've thought it through. Do you even have the right to refuse?"
Naraku Sora looked strangely at Hyōsube Ichibē, who had been sliced in half, beginning to wonder if he had accidentally hit this guy's brain just now.
The monk shook his head in amusement. "As your defeated opponent, I naturally have no right to choose. I only hope that you consider it carefully before making a decision."
"Some things, once decided, have no turning back."
In his view, a Soul Reaper demanding fragments of the Spirit King was nothing more than wanting to integrate them into themselves to become stronger.
As the essence of power, even a minuscule fraction of the Spirit King was enough to cause an earth-shattering transformation in a Soul Reaper.
This point had been verified countless times over millions of years.
Even now, the Tsunayashiro family was still collecting Spirit King fragments, attempting to create a new "Spirit King" and regain that supreme authority.
Hyōsube Ichibē was naturally happy to see this, so he had never interfered.
As for Naraku Sora, although he had mastered power from outside this world, once he integrated the power of the Spirit King fragments, whether he was willing to become the linchpin of the three realms...
That would no longer be up to him.
Of course, right now, Hyōsube Ichibē naturally couldn't do anything to Naraku Sora.
But that didn't mean the Spirit King couldn't.
Once he returned to the Soul King Palace, he would head to the Greater Palace and personally ask for Lord Spirit King's thoughts.
Even if Lord Spirit King's condition didn't look so stable, Hyōsube Ichibē believed that as long as he wanted to, he could step out of the seal at any time.
The true strongest existence of the three realms would always be the Spirit King.
This point would never change.
Once Naraku Sora integrated the power of the Spirit King fragments, he would become the existence closest to the Spirit King. When that time came, using him as the linchpin of the three realms wouldn't be a problem at all—
Just as Hyōsube Ichibē was fantasizing, Naraku Sora suddenly frowned. "Why do I feel like you're scheming against me?"
The monk's expression stiffened, and he let out a few awkward laughs. "How could that be?"
"I've already been reduced to this state. Even if I had the intention, I lack the ability."
"Sora, you're being a bit too sensitive."
Naraku Sora stared intently at Hyōsube Ichibē. "Is that so?"
"Of course!"
When the monk said this, his expression wasn't quite natural.
If it were in the past, he would never have acted like this.
But Naraku Sora had already displayed power that surpassed his. When both sides spoke as equals, or when he was even in the weaker position, a million years of experience didn't matter as much.
Naraku Sora shook his head and didn't press the issue.
He could be certain that this old geezer was one hundred and twenty percent up to no good.
As a Soul Reaper with rich experience in being targeted, he had seen similar expressions on too many people's faces.
For example, Senjumaru, Sōsuke, Yamamoto, and even Urahara Kisuke.
However, he had no intention of killing Hyōsube Ichibē right now. The other party's bones were forged with the power of the Spirit King; as long as his name was called out, he could revive.
There were plenty of people in the world who knew the name Hyōsube Ichibē. He couldn't possibly kill them all, could he?
As for how to counter the other party's malicious intentions, Naraku Sora naturally had his own methods.
His world-shaking intellect was no joke.
While the two were conversing, Kyōraku Shunsui walked over with a cautious expression.
Noticing the lack of hostility in the air, he raised an eyebrow. "Sora, who is this?"
"Oh, I almost forgot to introduce him. Hyōsube Ichibē, the leader of the Zero Division."
Naraku Sora said casually, "Monk, this is my senior brother, the Captain of Squad 8 of the Gotei 13, Kyōraku Shunsui."
Hearing this name, Kyōraku Shunsui's pupils shrank, and a stormy sea surged in his heart.
He wasn't the kind of Soul Reaper Captain who knew nothing.
Long ago, Yamamoto had revealed the situation of the Zero Division to him.
Hyōsube Ichibē, the strongest existence in the Zero Division. Even Yamamoto had little confidence when facing him.
Once he knew your name, your own abilities would no longer work on him.
In a sense, he was the number one person in the three realms.
But now—
Kyōraku Shunsui glanced at Hyōsube Ichibē's miserable state. A ferocious slash had split his burly, muscular body in two.
Severed internal organs were clearly visible on the smooth cross-section. If it were any other Soul Reaper, they would have died long ago.
Yet this guy was still chatting with a booming voice, not looking like someone severely injured at all.
But what shocked Kyōraku Shunsui even more was that Naraku Sora had actually completely defeated him in a head-on battle.
Did that mean the title of the strongest in the three realms had already changed hands?
Could Old Man Yama still beat this kid?
Just as countless thoughts flashed through Kyōraku Shunsui's mind, Hyōsube Ichibē grinned. "So it's Captain Kyōraku. I've heard much about you while in the Soul King Palace."
Kyōraku Shunsui narrowed his eyes. He couldn't help but feel as if he had been stripped naked in front of this large monk, with no secrets left at all.
How on earth did Naraku Sora fight such a terrifying guy?
The other Captains arrived late. A Reiatsu that almost covered the entire Soul Society couldn't possibly go unnoticed.
However, considering that their meager strength wasn't enough to participate, they simply waited until the battle was over before rushing over so as not to cause trouble for Naraku Sora.
The first to arrive on the battlefield was a scorching figure.
The moment he appeared, the surrounding air distorted, and the nearby moisture evaporated madly.
"Ah, Shigekuni is here."
The monk propped himself up with one hand and used the other to pull his severed lower half closer, preparing to stitch himself back together.
However, when he saw Yamamoto, he immediately stopped what he was doing, and his expression instantly turned serious.
Simply because he sensed a potent threat radiating from the old man.
"Lord Genryūsai, you seem different from the last time we met."
After staring at each other for a few seconds, the monk couldn't help but ask.
Yamamoto remained expressionless, flames seemingly burning in his eyes. "It's nothing. My strength has merely improved slightly."
His tone was indifferent, completely lacking the familiarity of their previous meetings.
It was as if he were talking to a stranger.
The old man was in a bad mood right now.
Although he had mentally prepared himself before Naraku Sora ascended to the Soul King Palace, he never expected this kid to escalate things to this extent.
He forcefully knocked the leader of the Zero Division down from the Soul King Palace.
He even crushed him in front of everyone.
But what displeased Yamamoto even more was that Naraku Sora was a disciple of Genryū. If he wanted to beat him, he would do it himself.
What right did a member of the Zero Division have to beat his disciple?
Last time, when he sent Senjumaru to the Soul King Palace, you attacked Naraku Sora and even used the opportunity to strip the Spirit King's right hand from Ukitake Jūshirō's body.
And now you attacked him again.
If that kid's demands were too absurd, couldn't you just refuse?
Did he really think this old man had no temper?
Yamamoto's gaze toward Hyōsube Ichibē grew increasingly hostile, and the temperature in the air seemed to have no upper limit as it continuously climbed.
At the same time, among the surrounding Soul Reaper Captains, another gaze fell upon Hyōsube Ichibē, sizing him up.
A look of deep thought flashed through those brown eyes, as if plotting something.
Hyōsube Ichibē's expression froze. As the wisest existence in the three realms, he couldn't quite understand. He was clearly the victim here, so why was this Seireitei full of malice?
Had he committed some unforgivable sin?
Also, as the strongest Soul Reaper, what did Yamamoto Shigekuni mean by "strength has merely improved slightly"?
And it wasn't just him. Why did the spectating Soul Reaper Captains all have the aura of Hollows on them?
What exactly had you all done?
Why had the Soul Society become so unfamiliar?!
Just as Yamamoto was about to find Naraku Sora and ask him clearly what had happened in the Soul King Palace, he realized that his rebellious disciple had disappeared at some point.
"Lord Hyōsube, I am suddenly very curious as to why you have repeatedly attacked Sora."
"If you don't mind, please step into the barracks for a chat."
Looking at that emotionless face, a bad premonition suddenly arose in Hyōsube Ichibē's heart.
Nothing bad is going to happen, right?
"Sōsuke, did you see how cool I looked beating up Hyōsube Ichibē?"
Inside the laboratory, Naraku Sora boasted animatedly.
"Even that big monk was defeated by my hands. Who else in this world can stop me?"
Listening to the grating voice beside him, Aizen felt a headache coming on.
Although he was somewhat surprised by the immense strength Naraku Sora displayed, he still couldn't help but interrupt, "Did you get the Spirit King fragments?"
"No rush. Once that monk heals his injuries, I'll just make another trip to the Soul King Palace."
Naraku Sora grinned. Just as he was about to continue showing off, he suddenly thought of something and frowned. "Sōsuke, I almost forgot to mention."
"That Hyōsube Ichibē seems to be harboring some malicious intentions."
He recounted the post-battle conversation between the two of them to Aizen.
The air in the laboratory suddenly fell silent, and a dangerous light glinted behind the lenses of Aizen's glasses.