"Huff... Huff..."
Rangiku panted, her breathing rapid.
"Captain Matsumoto, are you alright?"
Seeing Rangiku's battle end, Isane quickly stepped forward to ask.
"Yes, don't worry, Isane."
"I'm fine."
After giving Isane a smile, Rangiku released her Zanpakuto and sheathed it at her waist.
Beneath her, a cat-girl clad entirely in pink fluffy clothing lay wounded on the ground.
"Sorry, Haineko..."
Crouching down, Rangiku gently stroked Haineko's head.
To be honest, if not for Koga's Bankai this time, Rangiku wouldn't have known that Haineko harbored so many things in her heart.
Just like herself, because her strength simply couldn't keep up with Gin and Kyoya, she could only enjoy their protection.
Whenever there was danger, they shielded her.
Even though she tried her hardest and became the Captain of the 10th Division, there was still a long way to go before she could reach their level.
Haineko was the same.
Haineko's limit simply couldn't reach Captain-level.
Rangiku's own potential, in reality, also couldn't reach Captain-level.
Even looking at the 5th Division's Lieutenant, Hinamori Momo, Rangiku felt as if she was seeing her past self.
If she hadn't met Kyoya, her own strength probably wouldn't be much better than Momo's.
With Kyoya's help, she trained hard in swordsmanship and finally broke through, becoming what Kyoya called a [Great Swordsman].
Under such circumstances, the original flaw of Haineko's lack of killing power was completely compensated for.
Wherever the 'ash' formed by Haineko existed, she could directly launch flying slashes.
It could be said that the swordsmanship at the Great Swordsman level, combined with Haineko's ability, allowed Rangiku to possess strength rivaling that of a Captain-level existence.
Later, also thanks to Tenshintai's help, Rangiku successfully materialized Haineko and ultimately cleverly completed the training for her Zanpakuto's Bankai.
By this time, what was holding Rangiku back was her own Zanpakuto, Haineko.
Just as Rangiku had always been troubled that she couldn't keep up with Kyoya and Gin, couldn't help them, and instead always needed their care, Haineko also felt that she seemingly couldn't provide much help to Rangiku.
Sometimes, Haineko even wondered if it would be better for Rangiku without her?
After losing her, could Rangiku nurture a Zanpakuto even stronger than herself?
"We really are in the same boat..."
"But, Haineko..."
"Just like no matter what I'm like, Kyoya and Gin have never thought about abandoning me,"
"No matter what kind of Zanpakuto you are, you are my one and only Zanpakuto, Matsumoto Rangiku's Zanpakuto!"
"I am also family to Kyoya and Gin..."
"They haven't abandoned me, so how could I possibly abandon you?"
"From now on, let's work hard together!"
"You chase after me, and I'll chase after them."
…
"Not bad!"
Patting his body, Kyoya tore off the tattered Shihakusho, revealing his chest.
At this moment, a conspicuous white mark appeared on Kyoya's torso between his chest and abdomen.
Moreover, this white mark was fading at a speed visible to the naked eye.
"Zaraki, if that move of yours were ten times stronger, you might have been able to injure me."
This statement was a genuine exclamation from Kyoya.
The white marks left by Zaraki wielding his sword with one hand would recover instantly.
But the power unleashed by Zaraki wielding his sword with both hands actually made this white mark take a full two seconds to completely recover on his body.
"Heh, need to be ten times stronger, you say?"
Hearing this, Zaraki snorted.
"Then you just wait, Kyoya!"
"Next time, I will definitely cut you down!"
Just a moment ago, Zaraki felt as if someone was calling his name.
That voice felt very familiar to Zaraki.
Barring any surprises, this was the first time his Zanpakuto was responding to his expectations.
In the coming time, Zaraki felt that he should go find Yamamoto in the 1st Division to learn how to communicate with his Zanpakuto.
As long as he mastered the power of his Zanpakuto, his strength would absolutely skyrocket by more than ten times!
This was Zaraki's confidence in himself and in his Zanpakuto's abilities!
"Ah, then I'll look forward to it."
"Yachiru, let's go!"
"Okay, I'm coming, Ken-chan!"
Shouldering his Zanpakuto, Zaraki jumped over the deep pit and called out to Yachiru, who was sitting dazed on a rooftop in the distance.
Zaraki's call snapped Yachiru out of her reverie.
"Let's go!"
Then, Yachiru revealed a small smile, pushed off the pillar with her small hands, and after a few flashes, appeared on Zaraki's shoulder-
Punching forward, Yachiru said, "Ken-chan, there are still many strong people fighting over there, let's go there!"
The direction Yachiru pointed to was precisely the location of Sokyoku Hill.
"Forget it, I've had enough fun for today."
Raising his head to sense the Reiatsu at Sokyoku Hill, Zaraki hesitated for a moment, but ultimately shook his head.
Zaraki once thought that the battle with Unohana Yachiru was the most enjoyable slaughter he had ever experienced.
But today's battle with Kyoya made Zaraki truly understand what truly exhilarating slaughter felt like.
It's just a pity, he was still too weak.
'If I could be ten times stronger, then Kyoya probably wouldn't feel bored while fighting me, right?' Zaraki could feel that the final slash he unleashed with both hands must have awakened some of Kyoya's fighting desire.
It's just a shame that even Zaraki couldn't unleash attacks of that level consecutively many times.
Otherwise, Zaraki would definitely fight Kyoya again.
But if he couldn't let his opponent enjoy the thrill of slaughter, that would also be a disgrace for Zaraki.
He remembered today's battle!
Once he learned his Zanpakuto's name and completed the training for his Zanpakuto's Bankai, Zaraki would make Kyoya know that he was the only one who could make Kyoya feel the joy of battle!
…
"Oh? It seems everyone is in a good mood."
In the main meeting room of the Revolutionary Army's headquarters on Baltigo, golden light converged to form Kyoya's figure.
Immediately, the Army Commanders, who had been laughing heartily just moments before, now sat up straight and proper, greeting Kyoya.
"Kyoya-sama."
"Kyoya-sama."
With a single glance, Kyoya could tell from Shusuke's sour expression what everyone had been laughing about earlier.
There was no helping it… Shusuke, who prided himself as the strongest Army Commander, being defeated by a mere Lieutenant of the Gotei 13, was just too normal a subject for mockery.
This also had to do with Shusuke's usual personality.
As the first person to become an Army Commander of the Revolutionary Army, Shusuke saw himself as the big brother to all the Army Commanders, always feeling he should take care of the younger 'brothers and sisters'.
However, everyone in the Revolutionary Army grew up in the Rukongai, and each had their own personality.
They didn't feel they needed anyone's care.
But although their words were stubborn, they could still feel Shusuke's sincerity.
Therefore, everyone didn't openly resist Shusuke's self-proclaimed big brother behavior.
"This battle was hard on everyone."
Having finally found a joke that could make Shusuke tone it down a bit, how could they let him off without fully exploiting the potential of this joke?
"However, everyone has felt it, right?"
Without participating in the topic of everyone mocking Shusuke, Kyoya first affirmed everyone's performance in this war.
"The gap in strength between us and the Gotei 13 is still quite significant."
Hearing Kyoya's words, everyone wiped the smiles off their faces.
Mocking Shusuke was one thing,
But everyone also knew that if they encountered Sasakibe, their performance would probably be even worse than Shusuke's.
Among the Army Commanders present, aside from Hitsugaya, every single one of them was somewhat weaker than Shusuke.
Seeing everyone quiet down, Kyoya continued, "Everyone, you might not fully understand the purpose of this simulated war I had you undertake against the Seireitei's Gotei 13."
"Perhaps you think this is a rehearsal for our Revolutionary Army's attack on the Seireitei."
"But today, I will tell you a truth-"
"This battle is indeed a war rehearsal, but it's not between us and the Seireitei, but against the Quincy group from a thousand years ago!"
"A thousand years ago, before the progenitor of the Quincies, Yhwach, whom Captain-Commander Yamamoto killed, died, he left a prophecy-"
"He would use nine hundred years to regain his heartbeat."
"Use ninety years to regain consciousness."
"Use nine years to regain power."
"Finally, use nine days to seize the world."
"Perhaps you think this is just the desperate, helpless cry of the Quincy Progenitor on his deathbed a thousand years ago."
"But what you don't know is that the Quincy Progenitor, Yhwach, is an existence born from the Soul King's Quincy power. It wouldn't be wrong to call him the Soul King's 'son'."
"Yhwach possesses a power called [The Almighty]."
"This ability allows Yhwach to see the future and negate futures that can harm him."
"In terms of manifestation, it means that all futures seen by Yhwach cannot cause him harm."
"Since Yhwach uttered such a 'prophecy' before his death, it means he chose the 'future' a thousand years from now where he can seize the world in nine days."
"The occurrence of this prophecy is also inevitable."
"That is to say, the returned Yhwach will inevitably seize the world!"
"The reason I had everyone participate in this simulated war is because I want everyone to take part in the future battle against the Quincy group led by Yhwach, to experience this 'certain defeat' battle."
"Certain defeat?"
Hearing Kyoya say this, confusion appeared in everyone's eyes.
"Correct, 'certain defeat'!"
"In this coming war, Yhwach will inevitably achieve victory and ultimately seize the world."
"Kyoya-sama, can even you not stop Yhwach?"
Rukia asked.
Everyone now looked at Kyoya.
This was also their doubt.
Kyoya is strong!
Captain-Commander Yamamoto is also strong!
They simply couldn't imagine a future where Yamamoto and Kyoya would lose.
And if even powerful beings like Kyoya and Yamamoto fail in the future, what meaning would there be for them to participate in this war?
"I can stop him, but I must not stop him."
Kyoya stood up, walked to the window of the meeting room, and looked up at the sky.
At this moment, Kyoya seemed to feel the will of the Soul King, pleading with him not to let his plans fail.
The Soul King is seeking release.
What right does Kyoya have to stop someone's dream of seeking release through death?
In fact, the death of the Soul King would absolutely be a good thing for Kyoya.
Only after the Soul King's death can Kyoya complete the final achievement.
The reward he would receive then would become the boost for Kyoya's ultimate leap.
"Kyoya-sama, since it's a war of certain defeat, what's the point of us participating?"
After a long time, it was Rukia who spoke up to ask.
"Everyone, it's true that Yhwach will achieve victory in this war, successfully seize the world, and fulfill the prophecy he set a thousand years ago."
"But, how long he can sit on that throne after seizing the world depends on all of you."
"After fulfilling the prophecy, Yhwach will no longer have any special protection and can be defeated."
"After all, seizing the world for a million years is seizing the world, and seizing the world for one second is also seizing the world."
"My original plan was to knock him down from the throne after Yhwach fulfills the prophecy."
"However, we are not the Gotei 13 after all. The Revolutionary Army protects not the Seireitei."
"I understand."
"So, whether to participate in the future battle between the Gotei 13 and the Quincy group led by Yhwach is up to your own choices."
Kukaku said solemnly, "Kyoya-sama, I will participate in this war!"
"After all, the three worlds after the turmoil still need the Seireitei to maintain order."
"If we can reduce the Seireitei's losses, they can contribute more power to the stability of the world in the future."
"Hahaha, after being a Shinigami for so many years, I've never fought against Quincies before."
"I hope they can give me a surprise!"
Ikkaku propped his Zanpakuto on the ground, grinning widely.
"Sigh, good grief, can't this world be more peaceful?"
Although he didn't say it explicitly, one could still tell from Ayasegawa's face that he was the same as always.
Wherever Ikkaku is, he is there.
Next, everyone in the Revolutionary Army expressed their stance one after another.
Their reasons were mostly similar.
Either, like Kukaku, they felt that for the stability of the three worlds, they couldn't let the Seireitei lose too much power.
Or, like Ikkaku, they simply wanted to fight strong opponents.
Or, similar to Ayasegawa, they would participate in the war for the sake of someone.
"Since you've all made your decisions, then everyone, fight with all your might in these next two years!"
"Anyway, you've all seen the gap between you and the Gotei 13's Captains this time. I assume you now have the motivation to train."
"I don't want to have to attend the funeral of one of you after the war ends."