The Soul Society was in complete chaos, with countless Shinigami struggling bitterly against the monstrous creatures that had suddenly appeared.
The disappearance of Head Captain Kyoraku had not yet been made public, and for now, it was the Captains of the Gotei 13 who were organizing the defense.
This time, the scale of the monster outbreak was no less than the last one, making it extremely difficult for the Shinigami of Seireitei to resist.
Seeing the devastation consuming the Soul Society, countless Shinigami could only pray in their hearts that the Emperor of the Living World would appear once more and save them, just like before.
Suddenly, a golden beam of light shot up into the sky in the distance.
The moment this scene unfolded, countless Shinigami's eyes widened in shock—because they had seen this before.
That pillar of golden light, sharp as a blade cleaving the heavens, was a signature technique of the Emperor of the Living World!
Wherever the golden light descended, it obliterated everything in its path.
Among the horde of monsters, a towering female figure was locked in battle against several Captains.
But as the golden pillar slashed downward, it instantly cleaved her in two, killing her on the spot!
"This is…" Komamura Sajin, who had been fighting desperately, was momentarily stunned by the sudden turn of events.
All eyes turned toward the source of the golden light.
High above in the distance, two familiar figures stood in the sky.
This scene was all too familiar.
The savior who had once rescued the Soul Society—had he come to save them once again?
A glowing purple orb slowly ascended into the sky, radiating light like a violet sun, casting its illumination across the entire Seireitei.
The exhausted Shinigami, weary from battle, couldn't help but pause at the sight.
In the next instant, over a thousand beams of white light shot out simultaneously in all directions.
Each beam struck with absolute precision, piercing through the monsters' bodies and killing them instantly.
It all happened in a single moment.
Just like before, this display of divine power etched itself deeply into the minds of every Shinigami.
High above in the sky,
Unohana watched the scene unfold with a complicated expression.
A calamity that threatened the very survival of the Soul Society…
For this Emperor of the Living World, was it truly something he could resolve with a mere wave of his hand?
Once was like this, and now twice as well—just like a meticulously rehearsed play, making the Shinigami seem utterly powerless in comparison.
"…His Majesty is truly divine in might," Unohana spoke from the side.
Makoto chuckled lightly and said, "It was nothing but a trivial effort."
Unohana looked at the ruins below, thinking to herself: It's already in such a state of devastation…
With the Head Captain gone and the upper noble class nearly wiped out, where would the Soul Society go from here?
She felt that even if the Emperor of the Living World took advantage of this situation and sought to claim the Soul Society as his own, it would be understandable.
With his immense strength, having such ambition would be nothing out of the ordinary.
And right now, the Soul Society was completely defenseless.
If the Emperor simply willed it, they might have no choice but to bow their heads to him.
"Captain Unohana," Makoto suddenly called out.
"Your Majesty," Unohana promptly responded.
"I will have my people thoroughly investigate the source of these creatures in the Living World. If you Shinigami have any requests, feel free to come to me at any time."
"Thank you, Your Majesty. We truly have no way to repay such kindness."
"Don't say that," Makoto replied with a faint smile.
"The fact that you Shinigami selflessly protect the balance of the world—I deeply admire that. Moreover…"
As he spoke, his gaze shifted toward her, his smile widening.
"Having someone as outstanding as Captain Unohana fall victim to these creatures would be far too great a loss."
At these words, Unohana's heart involuntarily tightened.
The two descended onto a vacant area below, and Unohana then used Tenteikura to summon all the Captains to the scene.
Together, they expressed their gratitude toward the Emperor of the Living World and then bid him farewell.
After saving the Soul Society from its crisis, Makoto departed immediately—not through the Senkaimon but by tearing open a rift in space, returning directly to the Living World.
To some Captains, it seemed as though the Emperor was eager to leave to avoid any unnecessary misunderstandings, a sign of his noble character.
Many praised him for this, while Unohana stood quietly to the side, saying nothing.
At that moment, a squad member suddenly arrived to report that the Central 46 Chambers had summoned the captains for a council meeting.
"They still have people alive?" Gin remarked with mild surprise.
He had assumed that after this turmoil, the entire Central 46 Chambers would have been wiped out.
"Mind your words," Soi Fon, the Captain of the Second Division, frowned.
The Central 46 Chambers merely represented the noble factions of Seireitei, led by the Four Great Noble Clans.
In both of these uprisings, the monsters that had emerged were all transformed from high-ranking nobles of Seireitei.
Whether that was a coincidence or something else remained unknown.
As long as nobility existed, even if the entire Central 46 Chambers were wiped out, they could always be reassembled.
That was why, in the original storyline, even though Aizen had slaughtered the then-current Central 46 Chambers, a new group was later appointed to pass judgment on him.
The captains arrived at the Central 46 Compound, which was now in a state of ruin, though guards still stood at the entrance.
Inside the council hall, they found the remaining members of the Central 46—though only a few had survived.
These individuals were still, in name, the ones governing them, so the captains respectfully paid their greetings.
The middle-aged man leading the group was from the Shihoin Clan, someone all the captains recognized.
He spoke,
"We have summoned you all here to discuss the fate of the Soul Society after this catastrophe."
With two Head Captains missing and the Soul Society severely weakened, if Hueco Mundo were to make any moves now, they would be completely defenseless.
Moreover, the Soul Society no longer had the power to stand on equal footing with the Living World.
They had already sought the aid of the Emperor of the Living World twice—were they supposed to shamelessly beg for help again the next time disaster struck?
The Shinigami who were meant to govern the cycle of life and death were now weaker than a mortal ruler—this was a terrifying reality.
If, in the future, an immensely powerful being from the Living World were to defy death, how would they enforce their laws?
Would the boundaries between life and death not be shattered then?
Komamura Sajin spoke up,
"I believe the Emperor of the Living World is a just ruler. He aids the Soul Society not only out of goodwill but also to maintain the stability of the world."
Goodwill? What goodwill did the Soul Society have toward the Living World?
Guiding the dead to the afterlife and maintaining the balance of life and death was indeed of great importance to the Living World.
The Soul Society also relied on a continuous influx of souls.
In some ways, the duty of the Shinigami was not purely for the sake of some grand cosmic justice.
Among the captains, Aizen had remained silent.
Normally, he always maintained a refined and gentle demeanor, but on an occasion like this—one that concerned the very fate of the Soul Society—he should have been actively participating.
Yet, he had not spoken a single word.
That was because he already knew how this would end.
The Emperor of the Living World was not only going to take control of the Soul Society, but he would also have the Shinigami begging him to do so.
That conversation he had with the Emperor of the Living World had revealed many things.
The two had discussed much, and Aizen had come to understand the Emperor's entire plan.
The truth was that this monstrous uprising had been orchestrated by none other than the Emperor himself.
The so-called Central 46 Chambers had long since fallen under his control.
Once the turmoil settled, the Central 46 would propose submitting to the Empire of the Living World.
If a majority opposed the idea, then the Emperor's hidden ally—the ruler of Hueco Mundo—would launch an attack on the Soul Society.
The Central 46 member from the Shihōin family spoke with a stern expression, "Seireitei must change. Otherwise, we won't even be able to protect ourselves. Our first priority must be survival before we can consider anything else. If another catastrophe like this happens again and the Living World refuses to aid us, what will we do?"
Komamura Sajin said, "I believe His Majesty, the Emperor of the Living World, would not stand idly by."
A member of the Central 46 immediately refuted, "And what makes you so sure? Should we entrust the fate of the Soul Society to a mere belief?"
Komamura Sajin was left speechless.
"What exactly are you suggesting?" Hitsugaya Toshiro asked.
Then, the captain of the Twelfth Division, Kurotsuchi Mayuri, spoke with a sinister tone, "Why not submit to the Living World now? That way, we can rightfully seek his protection while continuing to maintain the stability of the Soul Society."
His words plunged the room into silence.
When they first arrived in this world and witnessed the power of the Living World's ninja, they had already considered an important question—
When the Emperor of the Living World eventually reaches the end of his lifespan and his soul arrives in the Soul Society, how should they accommodate him?
Before, with Head Captain Yamamoto still present, they believed it wouldn't be an issue.
They all thought that no one could surpass the strongest Shinigami of the past thousand years.
But now, both Head Captain Yamamoto and Captain Kyoraku were gone, and so the answer to that question had changed.
They would pledge their allegiance to him!
..............
A few days later, Makoto received news in Konoha that the Soul Society had not sent anyone to investigate the source of the monsters.
Perhaps they were preoccupied with rebuilding Seireitei, or perhaps there was another reason.
This morning, Makoto suddenly received a report from the stationed Shinigami at Seireitei's Konoha office, informing him that a Captain would be visiting.
However, it was not only a Captain who came to visit. Members of the Central 46 accompanied them, appearing at the Reincarnation Palace in a solemn and formal ceremony, requesting an audience with the Emperor of the Living World.
Makoto granted them this audience, receiving them in the council hall of the front palace.
Leading the Captains was now Unohana, as she was the most senior among them.
The other Captains present included:
Soifon, Captain of the 2nd Division
Ichimaru Gin, Captain of the 3rd Division
Aizen Sosuke, Captain of the 5th Division
Komamura Sajin, Captain of the 7th Division
Shunsui Jiro Sakuranosuke, Captain of the 8th Division
Tosen Kaname, Captain of the 9th Division
Hitsugaya Toshiro, Captain of the 10th Division
Zaraki Kenpachi, Captain of the 11th Division
Kurotsuchi Mayuri, Captain of the 12th Division
Makoto had already anticipated their purpose.
Watching them kneel before him in unison, first expressing their gratitude for saving the Soul Society, then praising his virtue and martial prowess—it almost resembled a formal tribute ceremony, had they not previously been allies rather than adversaries.
"We sincerely hope that Your Majesty will accept our pledge of loyalty."
Makoto modestly declined at first, but Unohana spoke sincerely, saying that for the stability of the world, they hoped the Emperor would take control of the Soul Society.
Following her words, the entire delegation collectively pleaded in unison.
Only then did Makoto "reluctantly" accept.
Makoto then said, "The source of the monster crisis has been found. Like you, they are also beings from another world. I have already sent people to capture them, and they will be delivered to the Soul Society for trial."
Everyone expressed their gratitude once more.
Makoto then asked, "There are still vacant Captain positions in the Gotei 13, correct?"
Unohana was momentarily stunned but quickly understood his implication and responded, "Yes. These two disasters have left us with heavy casualties, and we've lost many outstanding members. As for the vacant Captain positions, Seireitei currently has no suitable candidates."
After a brief pause, Makoto said, "Captain Unohana, from this moment forward, I appoint you as Head Captain of the Gotei 13 and Captain of the 1st Division."
Unohana lowered her head in acknowledgment. "Understood."
The 4th, 6th, and 13th Divisions still remained without Captains.
The 4th Division was responsible for medical care and logistics, but Unohana knew that the Emperor had no particular interest in that area.
She planned to train her lieutenant, Isane Kotetsu, so that once she mastered Bankai, she could take over as the Captain of the 4th Division.
As for the 6th and 13th Divisions—one was dedicated to upholding noble interests, while the other was responsible for guiding souls from the living world and purifying Hollows.
The Emperor clearly intended to take direct control over both divisions.
The 13th Division needed to maintain direct contact with the Empire, and as for the 6th Division, there were no longer any high-ranking nobles left—only a few minor aristocrats remained.
Makoto slowly said, "I happen to have two excellent candidates in mind."
A living-world native becoming a Shinigami Captain…
Unohana lowered her head respectfully and said obediently, "We shall follow Your Majesty's arrangements."
Makoto rose from his imperial seat and walked slowly toward Unohana.
Looking down at her kneeling form, he reached out and helped her up.
"Head Captain Unohana, do not disappoint my expectations," Makoto said with a faint smile, his hand grasping her wrist.
Unohana's emotions were complicated at that moment.
For a thousand years, she no longer knew what kind of person she had become.
She had once resolved to abandon her past and atone for her sins slowly.
And yet, now… she had suddenly become the Head Captain.
The others remained kneeling in silence.
Unohana subtly withdrew her hand when she felt the Emperor's fingers lightly trace over the back of it.
Without changing her expression, she solemnly said, "I will do my utmost to fulfill my duty."
"Rise," Makoto said, allowing everyone else to stand.
The gathered Captains expressed their gratitude.
Makoto then instructed his Anbu to summon two individuals.
Within ten minutes, Uchiha Obito and Sarutobi Asuma appeared in the great hall, each with a Nichirin Blade fastened at their waists.
"These two men—one is an elite ninja of the Empire's Uchiha clan, and the other is the son of the former Third Hokage. Both are outstanding talents of the Empire."
Makoto introduced them to the assembled Captains.
He had previously bestowed Nichirin Blades upon them and had them undergo intense, continuous training.
Now, both had already mastered Bankai.
"From now on, Uchiha Obito will serve as the Captain of the 6th Division, and Sarutobi Asuma will take charge of the 13th Division."
Naturally, no one dared to voice any objections.
"In the future, more Solarity Towers can be built in the Soul Society to help maintain its security."
After issuing all necessary instructions, the representatives from the Soul Society prepared to take their leave.
The follow-up tasks would need to be carried out gradually.
As Makoto watched Unohana's departing figure, he gently stroked his chin, his gaze flickering with a thoughtful glint.
--------------
Exclusive access : All novel on paetron
Genshin impact Complete novel, Naruto birdcage Complete novel, Overlord Complete novel
From the apocalypse 100+ch, Fairy tail Destiny Complete novel, Genshin Impact Eerie Teyvat 300+ch
Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz