After Aizen was sealed, Karakura Town finally regained a fragile calm. Yet although casualties were few, the city itself lay in ruins. Under the clash of Moyu and Aizen, it was already a miracle that the destruction had not spread to the surrounding districts.
Confirming Aizen's state once more, Moyu exhaled quietly. With a step of Shunpo he appeared among the captains, his voice light but steady.
"Everyone. It's over."
For a moment they could not react.
"Won… did we win?"
"Is it finally finished…?"
"Has Aizen truly been dealt with?"
"Captain Moyu's strength… it is beyond prediction…"
The battle had been too strange. Moyu clearly dominated, yet Aizen revived time and again on the brink of death. If not for Moyu standing before them now, they might not have believed it ended.
No one cheered. No celebration followed. The captains understood: this was merely the close of one catastrophe. Though no captain or lieutenant had died, Seireitei had suffered a humiliation without precedent. Even the Head Captain, along with many others, had been grievously wounded, their lives nearly claimed. Without Moyu, Karakura Town would already be dust on the wind.
He was the undisputed savior of this disaster. His merit surpassed even Yamamoto Genryūsai. Yet even so, questions gnawed at them. The nature of Hōgyoku, the path of transcendence, and most of all—what was the source of Moyu's power?
"Yare yare."
The soft drawl cut through the silence. All eyes turned as Urahara Kisuke stepped into view, his Shunpo swift as ever.
"It's finally done," he said with his usual half-smile. "All thanks to Mr. Moyu."
Seeing his relaxed manner in the aftermath of such devastation, Moyu raised a brow. "Do you have any plans for Karakura's reconstruction?"
Urahara sighed. "I knew it. The moment I show my face, more work finds me. Karakura Town, Karakura Town…" He surveyed the endless wreckage, searching for something to salvage, but within moments abandoned the attempt. Not a single intact structure remained; under the crushing weight of their Reiatsu, even whole walls had been ground to rubble.
"The rebuilding will fall to Seireitei," came a voice. From the group stepped a somewhat battered but still steady figure. Kyoraku Shunsui adjusted his hat, his tone grave.
"Though I dislike spoiling the mood, I must ask, Moyu—what is that black cross at the center of the ruins?"
Moyu's answer was immediate. "Aizen's seal. Through the Hōgyoku he became a true transcendent, an immortal. He cannot be killed. So I sealed him." His gaze shifted toward Urahara. "As for details, ask him. He is the inventor of the Hōgyoku. If anyone should understand it, it is him."
Dozens of eyes turned at once.
Caught under their stares, Urahara stiffened. Only then did he realize Moyu had neatly shifted the burden onto him.
"Ahem…" He coughed, forcing a smile. "Well, yes, Hōgyoku… where to begin. Truthfully, even I don't understand it fully. By the time my research reached its end, it had already evolved beyond Shinigami comprehension. Its essence lies in a realm beyond us." He paused, then added, "Only when two Hōgyoku fuse is the object truly complete. The other was crafted by Aizen himself. About that one, I know very little."
The captains exchanged glances. None pressed further. They understood there were matters better left in shadows. Some truths were closer to danger than to knowledge. Urahara's role in Seireitei was too valuable to dismantle here. Without him, this calamity might not have been survived. And with him, millions had been saved.
Moyu's eyes swept the group, his tone calm. "Regarding Aizen, you may rest assured. Any change in his state remains under my sight. Once returned to Seireitei, he will face judgment."
His words had scarcely settled when a staggering figure burst into view, panting heavily.
It was Ōmaeda Marechiyo, vice-captain of the Second Division. His chest heaved from the strain of Shunpo, yet his voice rang out loud and urgent.
"Captains! I've located an Arrancar on the southern edge of Karakura Town… She calls herself Harribel!"
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