Aizen's Scheme
"Judging from the information we have right now, Hyōsube Ichibē probably hasn't given up on the idea of making you the Spirit King."
After pondering for a few seconds, Aizen gave his answer.
Naraku Sora paused slightly, instinctively replying, "I beat that monk until he was kneeling on the ground. Could he really still be plotting something?"
"If it weren't for the Spirit King fragment, he wouldn't even have been able to return to the Soul King Palace."
Aizen looked up at him and said seriously, "It's not that simple."
"Hyōsube Ichibē's true reliance isn't his own strength, but the Spirit King—who had his limbs severed and his internal organs hollowed out."
After so many years of research, although he still hadn't unearthed the full power of the Spirit King fragments, he could analyze a few things.
Just a minuscule fragment was enough to completely transform a Soul Reaper or a Menos Grande, breaking the boundaries of their souls and even turning them into transcendent beings.
Combined with the hidden records in the Great Spirit Book Gallery and the Tsunayashiro family's ancestral shrine, he deduced that the one who truly ended the primordial era was the Spirit King, not the founders of the Five Great Noble Families.
The Spirit King's own power was absolutely beyond imagination.
How could such a powerful existence not be a match for the founders of the Five Great Noble Families?
There was only one true answer: the Spirit King did all of this willingly.
As an ancient being who had lived for a million years, Hyōsube Ichibē had followed the Spirit King since the primordial era and naturally knew the secrets behind it.
Therefore, he didn't purge the Five Great Noble Families.
So here came the question.
When it came to choosing the next Spirit King, what exactly was the Spirit King himself thinking?
Was choosing Naraku Sora to be the next Spirit King the Spirit King's own idea, Hyōsube Ichibē's wishful thinking, or perhaps—
A precaution for the future?
"Remember when we first ascended to the Soul King Palace, Hyōsube Ichibē asked you if you wanted to become the Spirit King."
Aizen tapped lightly on the keyboard, bringing up a large block of text that recorded all the details of everything that happened during their first visit to the Soul King Palace.
Although his intellect far exceeded that of ordinary people, the sheer volume of issues to consider and the large time span forced him to seal away some important memories.
Facts proved that this method was simple and efficient.
Naraku Sora leaned in and immediately recalled his first conversation with Hyōsube Ichibē.
"The reason he gave was the Spirit King's own will, and the fact that you meet almost all the conditions to become the Spirit King."
"Soul Reaper, Hollow, Quincy."
"Although you can perfectly master these three powers, judging from Hyōsube Ichibē's words, you are still missing the most crucial power."
"But the most crucial power happens to be the one we need to worry about the least."
"So, what is the Soul King Palace not lacking?"
Beside him, Naraku Sora didn't even think before answering instantly, "The Spirit King."
Aizen's eye twitched slightly as he corrected, "It's the power of the Spirit King."
"Senjumaru once said that after becoming a member of the Zero Division, their bones were transformed into the Ōken by the power of the Spirit King, and this is the key to ascending to the Soul King Palace."
"Without the consent of a Zero Division member, ascending to the Soul King Palace through normal means is impossible."
A look of sudden realization dawned on Naraku Sora's face.
At first, he thought it was the power of Fullbring, but after a little analysis, wasn't the so-called Fullbring essentially just Spirit King fragments?
So all he had to do was fuse with a bit of a Spirit King fragment, and he could sit on that golden toilet?
Seeing the expression on Sora's face, Aizen felt somewhat gratified. He nodded and said, "In that case, the reason Hyōsube Ichibē harbors malicious intentions is highly likely because he hasn't given up on his previous idea of making you the next Spirit King."
"As mentioned before, even a minuscule Spirit King fragment is enough to completely transform a Soul Reaper or a Menos Grande."
"Matsumoto Rangiku, Kakyo, and the Espada are perfect examples."
"In Hyōsube Ichibē's eyes, the reason you want to obtain a Spirit King fragment is because you can no longer continue to grow stronger."
"But once you fuse with a fragment, the position of the next Spirit King will undoubtedly be yours."
Hearing this, Naraku Sora sighed with emotion.
This million-year-old geezer was still too insidious.
If he weren't strong enough, he might have really been forcefully shoved onto that golden toilet by Hyōsube Ichibē to live a cold, fulfilling life.
"Looking at it this way, it doesn't seem to be a problem."
Naraku Sora grinned. "Anyway, I'm just bringing the Spirit King fragment back to feed Grimmjow. It's just a bit annoying being constantly targeted by someone."
"Sōsuke, is there any way to blast the hell out of him?"
Hearing this vulgar language, Aizen gave him a deep look before analyzing, "Just as you said before, Hyōsube Ichibē's entire body was rebuilt by the power of the Spirit King. Even if he dies, he can easily resurrect."
"This trait is very similar to Arturo."
"Do you remember how we dealt with Arturo back then?"
Naraku Sora's eyes lit up.
Aizen nodded. "However, normal sealing Kidō will most likely be ineffective against the leader of the Zero Division, who controls all the names in the world."
"So—"
"I need a little time."
Squad 1 Barracks, Tea Room.
Hyōsube Ichibē looked at Ryūjin Jakka thrust into the stove and couldn't help but twitch his eye.
If Nimaiya Ōetsu saw this scene, he would definitely throw a massive fit.
As the God of the Sword, the thing he despised most was Soul Reapers who didn't cherish their Zanpakutō.
In Nimaiya Ōetsu's eyes, a Zanpakutō was a Soul Reaper's only partner, an existence they could rely on with their lives.
Using a Zanpakutō to boil tea was more than a little disrespectful to it.
"Lord Hyōsube, please enjoy."
Yamamoto pushed the teacup in front of the monk and gestured.
Although the monk still bore hideous wounds, his severed body had mostly healed. Just drinking tea wouldn't be a problem.
Hyōsube Ichibē stroked his messy beard and gave the old man in front of him a meaningful look.
He could clearly sense that the Head Captain of the Gotei 13 was dissatisfied with him.
It was highly likely because of Naraku Sora.
Speaking of which, with Naraku Sora's strength, he was fully capable of taking on the position of Head Captain.
Repeatedly attacking him was indeed somewhat unwise.
As Hyōsube Ichibē thought this, he picked up the teacup and downed it in one gulp.
Then he froze in place.
"This taste—"
Hyōsube Ichibē lowered his head in surprise, looking at the teacup in his hand, feeling a wondrous tea aroma still lingering around his lips.
The tea he swallowed radiated a scorching heat, bringing about a continuous chain reaction that warmed even his internal organs.
It swept away the gloom in his chest, calming his body and mind, making him feel a sense of serenity.
"How was this brewed?"
Hyōsube Ichibē carefully savored the sweet aftertaste in his mouth, his expression exceptionally novel.
"Nothing special, just practice."
Yamamoto lowered his gaze to the bubbling tea stove and said in a deep voice, "You've drank the tea, and your wounds are mostly healed."
"Does Lord Hyōsube still remember my question from earlier?"
The monk paused, thought for a few seconds, and nodded. "Did Lord Genryūsai want to ask why I repeatedly attacked Sora?"
"It's nothing, really. The first time was because I couldn't see through the abilities of his Zanpakutō, so I simply tested him out of curiosity."
Yamamoto nodded.
This was not out of his expectations.
He had always known that Naraku Sora's Vajrayati was extremely special.
He just didn't expect that even Hyōsube Ichibē couldn't see through it.
"As for the second time—"
The monk's words paused slightly. He lowered his head, staring at the teacup on the table, and couldn't help but narrow his eyes.
"Sora wanted some Spirit King fragments."
"As the leader of the Zero Division, I cannot tolerate any actions detrimental to the Spirit King. In a fit of anger, I attacked him."
"As for the result, I'm sure Lord Genryūsai has already seen it."
Yamamoto: "..."
Although it was somewhat absurd, judging from Hyōsube Ichibē's expression, it was probably true.
This rebellious disciple was truly audacious, directly going up to the Soul King Palace to snatch Spirit King fragments.
Looking throughout the million-year history of the Soul Society, this was probably the first time.
But then again.
*My disciple is not someone an outsider like you can just test!*
*Also, the matter of stripping the Spirit King's right hand from Ukitake Jūshirō's body hasn't been settled yet!*
One must know, in the Soul Society, that wasn't just the Spirit King's right hand, but the indigenous god Mimihagi.
It possessed its own consciousness.
It was the one who chose Ukitake.
Hyōsube Ichibē attacked Naraku Sora, forcing Ukitake Jūshirō to release Kamikake to summon the Spirit King's right hand, taking the opportunity to strip and seal it.
Although Ukitake was cured of his illness as a result, that was his rebellious disciple's credit and had nothing to do with Hyōsube Ichibē.
Yamamoto's eyelids drooped, his voice devoid of any emotional fluctuation.
"When the Gotei 13 was founded, the Zero Division invited me to the Soul King Palace as a guest. At that time, Lord Hyōsube mentioned something."
"During your long life, Lord Hyōsube once met the senior Soul Reaper who perfected the Hakuda system."
"And you even had an in-depth exchange with him."
"Because of this, Lord Hyōsube's Hakuda skills must be extremely exquisite. I am very curious about this and would like to test it out."
Hyōsube Ichibē's expression froze. He hadn't expected Yamamoto to say such a thing.
Thinking carefully, the other party must be dissatisfied with him repeatedly attacking Naraku Sora, so he wanted to vent his anger on behalf of his disciple.
But Zanka no Tachi's impact on the Soul Society was too great; the slightest carelessness would result in a disaster.
As for Hakuda—
He raised his eyes and looked at the old man in front of him.
Calm and peaceful.
No different from an ordinary old man.
Although he had sensed a trace of threat from Yamamoto earlier, it shouldn't be a problem.
A freak like Naraku Sora was already outrageous enough to have just one.
Thinking of this, Hyōsube Ichibē grinned, revealing a confident smile. "Since Lord Genryūsai has graciously invited me, how could I refuse?"
"But you'd better prepare yourself. My Hakuda is very strong!"