Chapter 62: Greeting the Hollow King |
In the middle of a ruined street, just beyond the perimeter of the Second Division's barracks, stood a massive gathering of Soul Reapers from the Second Division and the Stealth Force. These rank-and-file members were incapable of standing on a battlefield meant for captain-class combatants, let alone approaching one where those beyond captain-class clashed.
A simple flare of spiritual pressure from such beings was enough to instantly crush an ordinary Soul Reaper into the dirt. Even now, having retreated several kilometers from the epicenter of the battle between Yeruashi and Genryusai, the low-ranking Soul Reapers continued to feel a primal tremor throughout their bodies as they encountered the fading echoes of the Captain-Commander's spiritual pressure.
In truth, these ordinary Soul Reapers wouldn't have been able to withstand even those lingering echoes if a portion of the pressure hadn't been neutralized by the presence of Shunsui Kyoraku and the other Gotei 13 captains.
This group of Soul Reapers from the Second Division and the Stealth Force was led by Soi Fon, who had opted for a strategic retreat beyond her division's grounds rather than directly involving herself in the captains' struggle.
Her reasoning was twofold: she had no desire to fight Nelliel, Lilith, or potentially even Yeruashi, and she was bound by the Captain-Commander's decree that only the captains of the Gotei 13 were to participate in the battle.
Soi Fon, much like Yoruichi, continued to believe that Yeruashi was not a true enemy of the Soul Society. She felt the situation had only escalated to this point because the Captain-Commander hadn't even attempted to grasp the heart of the matter. It was reminiscent of the recent Hollowfication incident, where the Central 46 had immediately sentenced the affected Soul Reapers to death and Kisuke Urahara to exile in the World of the Living, stripped of his powers, without so much as double-checking the evidence or listening to the testimony of the accused.
'Yeruashi, he...'
Soi Fon clenched her small fists tightly, sensing the gargantuan spiritual pressure radiating from the Gotei 13's leader.
She prayed now that Yeruashi would not become an enemy of the Soul Society, for if he did, she—as the commander of the Stealth Force's Punishment Unit—would inevitably be forced to confront him in one way or another.
After all, Yeruashi was the only person besides Yoruichi-sama who had earned her absolute recognition.
Hidden behind the petite Soi Fon were the terrified Rukia and Hisana, who watched the distant battlefield with gazes full of apprehension and confusion.
"Why... why are they fighting, sister..."
Rukia, clutching her older sister tightly, whispered with a mixture of panic and dread.
Hisana first looked at the numerous Soul Reapers surrounding them under Soi Fon's command, then whispered back, unsuccessfully trying to suppress her own anxiety, "It seems Master Yeruashi offended his superiors, so a battle broke out between them..."
"What do we do now?!"
Rukia cried out, looking up at her older sister.
Hisana bit her lip. "We can only believe in Master Yeruashi."
They could only hope and trust that this nightmare would soon end and all misunderstandings would be resolved, for neither she nor Rukia possessed the strength to exert even the slightest influence on what was happening.
"No... it can't be..."
Soi Fon's somber mood was suddenly replaced by shock and disbelief. Her figure vanished instantly, leaving behind only a flickering afterimage.
Rukia and Hisana looked at each other questioningly, not understanding what had just transpired.
Whoosh!
Soi Fon reappeared in mid-air, staring into the distance with naked shock. She clearly saw the scene where Yeruashi suppressed Yamamoto Genryusai with exaggerated ease, as if he existed on an entirely different plane of power.
Yamamoto Genryusai had been completely overwhelmed and then utterly crushed by Yeruashi in a few shockingly simple, brutal moves. It looked less like a battle between equals and more like a captain disciplining a common lieutenant. Yet, the one in the 'lieutenant's' position wasn't some subordinate from the Second Division, but the strongest Soul Reaper and Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13...
This went far beyond even Soi Fon's most daring expectations!
She knew Yeruashi possessed an incredibly potent Bankai ability and spiritual pressure that exceeded the captain class, so she wouldn't have been entirely surprised if he had blocked Yamamoto Genryusai's attack using his Bankai.
No.
She wouldn't have felt such overwhelming shock even if Yeruashi had forced a difficult stalemate or suppressed Yamamoto after releasing his Bankai. In Soi Fon's mind, such an outcome was at least within the realm of possibility.
But Yeruashi...
With his bare hands—without even drawing his Zanpakuto from its scabbard, let alone releasing a Shikai or Bankai—he had completely halted the attack of Yamamoto Genryusai, who had already unleashed his Bankai!
It wasn't even accurate to call it halting an attack; it looked more like an adult humoring a child.
This couldn't even be called a fight!
Soi Fon simply couldn't comprehend how strong Yeruashi actually was.
This could no longer be explained away by an outrageous Bankai ability or extraordinary spiritual pressure, because Yeruashi's current power defied the understanding of any normal Soul Reaper.
'Who are you really, Yeruashi...'
Soi Fon whispered softly, continuing to watch the distant figure with a sense of detachment.
At that very moment, a massive white pillar suddenly manifested in the sky, crashing down into the center of the Seireitei with a thundering roar.
Due to her young age, Soi Fon had only seen one member of the Zero Division during her time in the Gotei 13—Kirio Hikifune. However, as a member of the lower noble Fon family under the protection of the Shihoin clan, she was well aware of the Zero Division's existence.
The Royal Guard had arrived!
Soi Fon involuntarily leaned forward, watching with awe and reverence as five figures stepped slowly out of the celestial pillar.
The arriving group was led by a bald man with piercing red eyes, wearing large red Buddhist prayer beads.
Ichibei Hyosube—the leader of the Zero Division, known by the title 'Monk Who Calls the Real Name'.
Beside him walked the 'Queen of Grains', Kirio Hikifune, who had only recently joined their ranks. Slightly behind them were the 'Great Weave Guard' Senjumaru Shutara and the 'Demon of Hot Springs' Tenjiro Kirinji.
Bringing up the rear was a man who was not only far older than Yamamoto Genryusai but had created the Asauchi thousands of years ago—the 'King of Swords' Oetsu Nimaiya, the most distinguished and respected member of the Zero Division after Ichibei Hyosube!
An imposing and majestic aura surrounded the five members as they emerged from the pillar, their oppressive and intense spiritual pressure steadily rising with every step.
The undivided attention of Shunsui Kyoraku, Jushiro Ukitake, and the rest of the Gotei 13 captains was fixed upon the newcomers.
Led by Ichibei Hyosube, the Zero Division floated gracefully into the sky and began walking toward Yeruashi, followed by the intense gazes of the Gotei 13 captains.
"The special organization that stands above the entire Gotei 13 and our Stealth Force."
"The Zero Division."
Soi Fon's tension and anxiety spiked as the Royal Guard drew closer to Yeruashi.
Sajin Komamura, Isshin Shiba, and the other captains held their breath, watching the scene unfold with rapt attention.
First, Lilith and Nelliel had demonstrated power beyond the captain class, presenting a massive problem for every captain except Yamamoto Genryusai. Then, Yeruashi had revealed a force even more unimaginable and terrifying, proving to be an insurmountable obstacle for even the Captain-Commander.
That meant...
The combined combat power of the Gotei 13 was not enough to defeat Yeruashi, Lilith, and Nelliel!
But now.
The Zero Division had appeared in full force.
It could be said that all the forces of the Soul Reapers responsible for protecting the Seireitei and the Soul King Palace were now gathered in one place.
The events that followed would likely be a defining moment in the long history of the Soul Society!
Would the members of the Zero Division overcome Yeruashi, or would they suffer the same pathetic fate as the Captain-Commander had just moments before?
A storm of thoughts swirled in the minds of Isshin Shiba and the others, but a moment later, their expressions froze and their minds went blank.
For in that moment, they witnessed the Zero Division, led by Ichibei Hyosube, stop several meters away from Yeruashi—and then bow deeply and respectfully to him!
"The Zero Division greets... the Hollow King."
The synchronized, deliberate movements of the Royal Guard, accompanied by the clear voice of their leader, were followed by absolute silence. It was as if the unfolding scene had been transformed into a surreal painting, captured by a master artist on a vast canvas.
Retsu Unohana nodded gently and closed her eyes, folding her hands in front of her.
'As I suspected from the very beginning...'
'It really is him...'
A small bead of sweat rolled down Aizen's cheek, and a flash of intense excitement and tension flickered in the depths of his eyes. From the moment Yeruashi appeared, he had theorized that something unimaginable was about to happen, something that would shatter the expectations of every Soul Reaper present.
And so it had.
Jushiro Ukitake's pained expression shifted several times as he watched the silent tableau in the sky.
'So that was why...'
That was why the Soul King's arm, sealed within his body, had stirred vaguely upon Yeruashi's arrival.
That was why Yeruashi possessed such unimaginable and tyrannical power, a force before which even Yamamoto Genryusai—the man who had held the title of strongest Soul Reaper for millennia—was completely helpless.
Yoruichi stood with her mouth agape, unable to find the words to describe what she was seeing.
Earlier, the Captain of the Second Division had boldly claimed she wouldn't be surprised if Yeruashi turned out to be the reincarnation of the Soul King. But now, for several seconds, she struggled in vain to suppress the tremors of excitement that swept through her body and mind like a tsunami.
The Hollow King!
Self-proclaimed lords of Hueco Mundo had existed since ancient times, but Yeruashi clearly had nothing to do with them, judging by the deferential and respectful attitude of the Zero Division.
There was only one Hollow King capable of achieving Bankai upon his first contact with an Asauchi, effortlessly crushing Yamamoto Genryusai, and receiving such a greeting from the Zero Division—the Hollow King who had created the Soul Society and Hueco Mundo alongside the Soul King a million years ago!
One of the two true creators and supreme lords of the entire world!
Now it was clear why Yeruashi had been so indifferent to her warnings about the danger of Nelliel staying in the Seireitei. Now it was clear why Yeruashi's identity had been shrouded in a mystery she could never unravel, no matter how hard she tried. Now it was clear why Yeruashi showed absolutely no interest in the position of a Gotei 13 captain. She had just received a definitive answer to all the questions that had haunted her for the past several years.
Now, Yoruichi could even begin to understand the reasons behind his behavior.
It was highly likely that he had joined the Gotei 13 for nothing more than rest and entertainment. His tranquil and carefree demeanor in every situation wasn't a mask worn to hide a secret motive; it was the manifestation of his true self.
After all, he was the Hollow King.