"Can I kill this guy?"
Zaraki Kenpachi gripped his Zanpakutō, glaring at Tsunayashiro Tokinada with clear annoyance.
A shiver ran down the spines of several Shinigami present.
They knew that when Zaraki said something like that, he meant it—he was fully prepared to cut Tokinada down.
But attacking a member of one of the Four Great Noble Families was a serious crime.
"Ikkaku, control your captain!" Sheba Tetsuzaemon urged quickly.
Even if Tokinada was a marginalized member of the Tsunayashiro clan—barely even acknowledged—he still represented that family's name.
And he hadn't come alone. The Shihouin clan had sent a representative, and the Kuchiki clan had as well.
Madarame Ikkaku just curled his lip in annoyance."Don't tell me to rein him in. Honestly, I want to kill this guy myself."
"Enough, Tsunayashiro Tokinada."
Byakuya Kuchiki's voice was cold as his gaze bore into Tokinada."If you continue to speak nonsense, I will punish you as head of the Kuchiki family."
Though they were from different clans, the Four Great Noble Families shared the same bloodline and influence.
That meant Byakuya, as the current Kuchiki head, had every right to discipline a member of the Tsunayashiro family if necessary.
"Tch…" Tokinada looked at Byakuya with both jealousy and resentment, but in the end, he shut his mouth.
"Captain-Commander…"
Several Shinigami turned toward Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni, who now looked fully recovered—calm and immovable, like a mountain.
Hirako Shinji, reinstated as the Fifth Division's captain, spoke lazily with his hands in his pockets."So, Captain-Commander… are you saying we're actually going to fight Nanaya?"
Muguruma Kensei frowned."That guy's no pushover. If we fight, the damage will be massive."
Zaraki Kenpachi snorted."Don't kid yourself." He turned toward Yamamoto."Even you might not be able to beat Nanaya now."
The room went silent.
During the battle in Karakura Town, Yamamoto had been caught off guard by Aizen Sōsuke and defeated before he could even release his Bankai.
Then came Nanaya's fight with Aizen.
Though Yamamoto had never crossed swords with Nanaya himself, most of the captains present had the same unsettling thought—Nanaya might actually be stronger than the Captain-Commander.
Yamamoto gave a cold snort, then spoke evenly."Regardless, Nanaya is still human. He should remain in the World of the Living and abandon this idea of being Hueco Mundo's ruler."
The captains frowned at that.
Make Nanaya give up being King of Hueco Mundo? That was impossible.
Kyoraku Shunsui scratched his head with a sigh."That's a bit much, old man. Nanaya's not going to agree to that condition."
Many others silently agreed.
After all, Nanaya had helped them bring down Aizen Sōsuke. And now they were planning to take Hueco Mundo—the land she had claimed—away from her?
It was absurd.
Not to mention, Nanaya wasn't weak.
The fact that she had defeated both Aizen Sōsuke and Yhwach proved her strength was beyond normal dimensions.
If they forced her hand, it would spark another catastrophic war.
"This isn't my decision alone," Yamamoto said, tapping his cane against the floor. His voice deepened."The Central 46 has ruled on this matter."
"Allowing someone on par with Yhwach to rule Hueco Mundo is far too dangerous."
His eyes narrowed."As a human high school student, she should simply live in her own world… and besides—"
Yamamoto's gaze shifted to a meteor streaking across the sky.
"—the Zero Division feels the same."
At the mention of the Zero Division, every captain's expression grew serious. They all knew the nature of that squad.
Though it was called a "division," its members were captain-level or stronger, directly serving under the Soul King himself.
It was the most elite force in the entire Soul Society.
"I didn't think they'd get involved…" Byakuya's expression hardened."This will be troublesome."
An order coming from both the Central 46 and the Zero Division was absolute.
If Nanaya refused…
There was going to be a fight.
Just as that thought crossed everyone's minds—
A blinding light flashed across the sky.
With a thunderous boom, a massive cylindrical object came crashing down into the First Division's barracks, smashing a gaping crater into the ground.
"What… is that?"
The gathered Shinigami stared in surprise.
Even the captains looked stunned—none of them had expected the Zero Division to arrive so suddenly.
With a metallic creak, the cylinder's surface split open.
Two figures stepped out.
The one in front, a man with a cocky grin, twirled a soup ladle in his hand and called out:
"Yo, Shinigami brats! Nice to meet ya!"
"I'm the East God General—Izumi Tangui, Kirinji Tenjirō!"
He jabbed a thumb over his shoulder."Now hurry it up and bring that human kid here!"
Beside him stood a tall, elegant woman in flowing white robes, golden ornaments glinting in her hair. Her voice was calm but carried authority.
"I am the North God General—Ōrinosu no Mori, Shutara Senjumaru."
"Long time no see, Captain."
At their arrival, Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni's narrow eyes glinted. He tapped his cane against the ground."So… he's taking this matter seriously enough to send you two."
Shutara Senjumaru—creator of the Shinigami's standard death garb. Even the Soul Society's current alert level system, Shudoro Level, bore her name.
Kirinji Tenjirō—creator of the healing hot springs, renowned for both his overwhelming combat ability and sharp tongue.
Senjumaru's lips curved in a faint smile."Of course. Aizen Sōsuke, Yhwach, and Nanaya—each one poses a threat to the Soul King's Palace."
"And they're all exceptionally dangerous. Take Aizen Sōsuke, for example—didn't he nearly kill you?"
"As for Yhwach… well, our mission this time is simple: to work with you, Captain, and eliminate all threats."
Yamamoto let out a cold snort."Those two, I can deal with myself."
"Hah!" Kirinji barked out a laugh, striding closer."Stop puffing yourself up, old man. That 'mere' Aizen Sōsuke nearly killed you!"
Then he scanned the area, almost impatient."So, where's that human? Bring him here. I can't stay away from my spring for too long."
"As for this so-called King of Hueco Mundo—he just needs a good beating. Let's see if he still dares call himself that after."
"And Aizen Sōsuke, Yhwach—send them my way too! I'll take 'em all down!"
He laughed again, but the sound was cut short.
The sky above Seireitei suddenly split apart.
Jagged black cracks tore through the heavens, stretching wide over the city.
The protective barrier surrounding Seireitei didn't even react—it was as if it wasn't there at all.
Kirinji's laughter froze. His eyes widened, shock plain on his face.
"Hey… hey… hey… Is this… Hueco Mundo… invading the Soul Society?"
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