Meanwhile, in the Wandenreich.
Inside the massive, magnificent ice palace, Sternritter members vanished one by one into pure white light.
Their destination... naturally the Seireitei!
As the knights departed, Yhwach sat upon his throne, a faint smile spreading across his face.
Beside him, Haschwalth stood in silence.
Only after all the invasion forces had left did Haschwalth raise his eyes slightly and say—
"...Your Majesty, isn't this approach somewhat too risky?"
Just moments ago, Haschwalth had been the first to notice that their surveillance target, Segawa Shigure, had gone to Captain-Commander Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto's side.
After leaving, he'd begun using special Soul Reaper incantations to connect with all captains and lieutenants throughout the Seireitei.
Upon learning this, Haschwalth immediately reported to Yhwach.
But after hearing the report, Yhwach suddenly decided to directly begin—
The first invasion of the Seireitei ahead of schedule!
Just now, three advance knights had been simultaneously dispatched to Segawa Shigure's location to execute the mission of 'eliminating' him.
Then the formal knight invasion force departed.
Haschwalth could naturally guess Yhwach's general thinking behind these orders, but still had doubts.
Hearing Haschwalth's words, Yhwach maintained his light smile—
"Haschwalth, you think it's risky... why?"
"..."
Haschwalth's expression remained calm as he replied evenly—
"The risk I speak of naturally doesn't refer to your invasion of the Seireitei. That matter holds no suspense."
"The Seireitei will ultimately be destroyed by your great power."
"The 'risk' I refer to is... Segawa Shigure."
"..."
Yhwach raised his eyes slightly, his smile unchanged, waiting for Haschwalth to continue.
Haschwalth lowered his eyes, considering for a moment before continuing—
"As I previously advised you—"
"Segawa Shigure's soul... differs from all other souls in this world."
"Ultimate 'purity' and ultimate 'complexity' exist simultaneously in his soul."
"This 'impossible' characteristic makes his existence completely distinct from... all the Soul King's creations in this world."
"Therefore..."
"Even your great 'Almighty' power can only partially affect him."
"One could even say it's completely impossible... to predict any of his 'futures.'"
"Not only that, all phenomena he's interfered with also become extremely blurred in their 'futures,' impossible to discern."
"Before we've finished analyzing his power, Your Majesty, you've directly dispatched 'three knights' simultaneously to his location..."
"Regarding this action, might it be somewhat risky?"
Finishing, Haschwalth lowered his eyes and said no more, his face still ice-calm.
Yhwach raised his eyes slightly, his smile deepening—
"Hasch, everything you've said—"
"Isn't that precisely why I designated him as 'Supreme Special War Power'...?"
Haschwalth remained silent.
Indeed, two years ago, Yhwach had already announced throughout the empire—
The Fifth Division Captain of the Seireitei, Segawa Shigure, was to be treated as the strongest enemy, namely—
Above the four Special War Powers...
The Supreme Special War Power!
At the time, many knights showed disdain.
But over the following two years, as Haschwalth continued observing him, the knights recognized the severity of this designation.
Thus, Segawa Shigure's name gained weight.
Yhwach leaned back against his throne, gazing into the void—
"You're right. Regarding Segawa Shigure, we currently possess far too little information."
"Even his Bankai's true ability remains in a state of absolute unknown."
"This makes even stealing it a troublesome matter, however..."
Yhwach paused slightly, his smile deepening—
"Precisely because of this, I dispatched one 'Schutzstaffel' member to personally lead two Sternritter there—"
"Three knights' combined power is completely sufficient to force out his Bankai!"
"And then, analyzing his power will no longer be an obstacle for us."
"After all, 'he' excels most at receiving and analyzing power..."
"..."
Hearing this, Haschwalth's gaze flickered slightly.
Indeed, if they could successfully analyze his power or steal his Bankai, then... necessary risks were acceptable.
Then Yhwach spoke again—
"As for this operation's true purpose, Hasch... don't forget—"
"Whether eliminating Segawa Shigure or subjugating the Gotei 13, the purpose is only to..."
"Force the Soul King Palace... to open its gates!"
By the end, Yhwach's voice had become resounding and weighty.
Haschwalth bowed his head slightly, respectfully—
"I understand. I shall obey Your Majesty's will."
Yhwach rose from his throne. A massive black rift immediately appeared before him.
Unlike the pure white light the knights departed through, this blackness seemed exceptionally deep.
The Emperor's Shadow Gate.
Yhwach's lips curved as he stepped into it, calling back to Haschwalth—
"Come, Hasch. Now, witness alongside me..."
"The Gotei 13's demise."
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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