"Captain-Commander, the barrier has been set up. We can switch the spaces between Karakura Town and the Soul Society at any time."
In the First Division's meeting room, a Shinigami from the Kido Corps knelt on one knee in the center, reporting to Yamamoto.
"Yare yare, after waiting for so long, is this day finally coming?"
Kyoraku adjusted the hat on his head and asked his good friend Ukitake in a low voice, "Jushiro, how are you feeling?"
"Not very well."
Ukitake's face was somewhat grave.
From the intelligence gathered so far, the battle between the Gotei 13 and Hueco Mundo was fast approaching.
To prevent the battle from causing greater destruction to Karakura Town, the Seireitei's Kido Corps had already set up spatial barriers in Karakura Town and the 78th District of the Soul Society.
Once the battle began, the barrier would be activated immediately, swapping the spaces of the Living World's Karakura Town and the Soul Society's 78th District. This would make the battle appear to occur in the Living World, but the actual damage would be inflicted on the Soul Society.
Additionally, the purpose of this was also to prevent Aizen from extracting the souls of the humans in Karakura Town before the battle ended to complete the creation of the [Oken].
The Oken could also be considered part of the [Soul King's body].
This was the [Soul King's bones] that Shinigami needed to possess to live in the Soul King Palace.
However, the members of the Royal Guard couldn't actually extract the Soul King's skeleton and implant it into their bodies, so they adopted a more extreme method.
They used the souls of a hundred thousand people from a Jureichi in the Living World to forge their own bones into the Soul King's bones, gaining the ability to live in the Soul King Palace.
Because this method caused great harm to the Living World, under normal circumstances, it took at least a hundred years to create one [Oken].
As the Captain of the 13th Division, Ukitake would inevitably participate in the battle.
However, recently, his physical condition hadn't been very good.
If he didn't fight, he could still hold on.
But once he fought and engaged in intense activity, his condition would worsen.
"What about letting Kaien go?"
Kaien was the Lieutenant of the 13th Division and also Ukitake's chosen future candidate for the 13th Division's Captain.
"Kaien is still lacking."
Hearing Kyoraku's words, Ukitake shook his head. "Although he has completed his Bankai Training, he is still young and hasn't grown to his peak."
"That's true too."
Kyoraku sighed.
Kaien did indeed possess Captain-level strength.
But he could only be considered at the bottom among Captain-level combatants.
Whether in terms of Reiatsu or Zanpakuto ability, Shiba Kaien could only be considered 'qualified', not 'outstanding'.
Let alone compared to the Gotei 13's Captains, even compared to the Army Commanders of the Revolutionary Army in the Rukongai, Kaien was still somewhat lacking.
"Rest assured, Kyoraku."
Knowing Kyoraku was worried about him, Ukitake smiled at him. "Even if my body is unwell, I'm not someone ordinary can compare to."
Ukitake's words were almost saying that even if he was unwell, the strength he could exert was above Kaien's.
"..."
Kyoraku sighed.
He believed Ukitake had such capability.
But what about the others?
He remembered that a few months ago, the Captain's Meeting had all thirteen Captains present.
Now, only eight Captains stood here for the meeting.
"Everyone, even if we fight Aizen in the Living World, we still need Captains to guard the Seireitei."
"According to Urahara Kisuke's intelligence, there are currently six remaining Espada, the strongest in Hueco Mundo."
"Adding Aizen Sosuke, Ichimaru Gin, and Tosen Kaname, Hueco Mundo's top combatants total nine."
Hearing Yamamoto's description, the faces of the present Captains were quite solemn.
Although seven of the Espada had already died, from the limited battles, everyone could see that the Arrancar army assembled by Aizen possessed strength no less than that of the Gotei 13's Captains.
Nine Captain-level powerhouses, plus the Fracción of those Espada… even for the Gotei 13, dealing with the Las Noches faction led by Aizen wouldn't be an easy task.
"Of course, everyone shouldn't worry too much. In this battle, at least five of the Revolutionary Army's seven Army Commanders will participate."
Hearing this, many Captains felt a wave of relief in their hearts.
The Revolutionary Army was the faction established by Kyoya. Each Army Commander possessed Captain-level strength.
Although, compared to the Captains present, some of the Revolutionary Army's Army Commanders were still somewhat immature, it was undeniable that the addition of at least nine Captain-level powerhouses would greatly alleviate the pressure on the Gotei 13.
"For this battle, Captain Sui-Feng of the 2nd Division, Captain Unohana of the 4th Division, and Captain Matsumoto of the 10th Division, the three of you will guard the Seireitei."
"Captain Kurotsuchi of the 12th Division, monitor the movements of Hueco Mundo at all times. Once activity in Hueco Mundo is detected, Captain Zaraki of the 11th Division will go with you to suppress it."
Then, Yamamoto looked at the remaining Captains and said solemnly, "Captain Kuchiki of the 6th Division, Kyoraku of the 8th Division, and Ukitake of the 13th Division, the three of you be ready at all times."
"Once Aizen heads to Karakura Town in the Living World, we will immediately go to intercept him!"
"For this battle, among the Lieutenants, apart from Chojiro of the 1st Division who will go with us to the living world, all Lieutenants will assist Captain Unohana in guarding the Seireitei."
"Yes, Captain-Commander!"
While the Gotei 13 of the Seireitei was making intense preparations, the Revolutionary Army wasn't idle either.
Toshiro, Ikkaku, Yumichika, and Ichinose had been stationed in the Living World.
On one hand, it was convenient for Toshiro to learn about the systems and management methods of the Living World.
On the other hand, it was also to let those staying in the Rukongai get used to it first.
After all, barring accidents, after the battle with Aizen ended, Ikkaku and the others would enter the Seireitei to wait for the battle with the Quincies two years later.
This included Toshiro.
Although Toshiro wouldn't join the Seireitei, it was undeniable that he was a powerful asset, potentially truly stepping into the second tier of Captain-level strength in two years.
Such strength was an indispensable powerful asset in the Thousand-Year Blood War.
According to Kyoya, Aizen's fusion with the Hogyoku would take half a year.
As the time for the final battle drew nearer, the atmosphere among everyone in Karakura Town grew increasingly tense.
After all, no one knew when Aizen would attack, nor what kind of force he would bring to the Living World.
During this period, after school, Ichigo and the others would gather at Urahara Shop.
On one hand, Kisuke's underground training room allowed everyone to practice their abilities freely without worrying about causing an impact.
On the other hand, Kisuke had equipment to monitor the Dangai. Once it detected a Garganta opening from Hueco Mundo into the Living World, everyone could gather in the shortest time to deal with the impending war.
"Kyoya-senpai, is Aizen after fusing with the Hogyoku really that terrifying?"
In the underground training ground, Ichigo came to Kyoya's side and asked doubtfully.
Since he fully mastered the powers of the Quincy Zangetsu and the Hollow Zangetsu, he could feel that his strength seemed to have reached a limit.
Even Kisuke, whom he previously thought was unfathomably deep, now seemed nothing special to Ichigo.
The only ones who could give Ichigo a sense of pressure were Kyoya and Yamamoto.
Great strength gave Ichigo great confidence.
But it was precisely this that prevented Ichigo from resonating with the others.
He couldn't feel the same pressure as the others.
"Yes, very strong."
Kyoya glanced at Ichigo, understanding his current state.
"How strong?"
"Well..."
Kyoya stroked his chin, looking Ichigo up and down.
"What I say won't give you much of a feeling."
"..."
"Urahara, set up a barrier. I'll let you all see Aizen's strength first."
"Alright."
Hearing Kyoya say this, Kisuke was immediately overjoyed.
Among everyone present, only Kyoya understood Aizen the most.
If they could learn about Aizen's strength before the battle began, it would undoubtedly be good news for everyone.
Immediately, Kisuke didn't delay, calling Tessai. The two of them together set up a barrier in the underground training ground.
A few minutes later, Kyoya and Ichigo entered the barrier.
Outside the barrier, Toshiro and the others, as well as Uryu, Orihime, Chad, and Tatsuki, stood behind Kisuke, watching Kyoya and Ichigo inside the barrier.
"Ichigo, Aizen's strength isn't strong in just one aspect, but strong in all aspects."
"His Zanpakuto's ability, Kyouka Suigetsu, manipulates the five senses. He can manipulate an enemy's five senses at will according to his own intentions… he could even make someone perceive a mosquito as a dragon, and no one could tell the difference."
"This point, I think Urahara, Yoruichi, and Tessai, you already have a good understanding."
Kisuke, Yoruichi, and Tessai nodded slightly.
Why were they forced to flee the Soul Society a hundred years ago?
Wasn't it because Aizen pinned everything he did on Kisuke?
All the evidence and witnesses pointed to Kisuke, pinning the blame on him definitively.
To be honest, if Kisuke hadn't clearly known what he did and what he didn't, he might have thought it was all his own doing.
"I can't simulate Aizen's Zanpakuto ability, so what I'm simulating here now is only his state without his Zanpakuto."
"Ichigo, are you ready?"
"Ready, come on!"
Ichigo drew the large black and white sword from his back, focusing his gaze on Kyoya.
"Then, I'm coming!"
"My current state is Aizen's current form."
After speaking, Kyoya's figure flashed, instantly appearing in front of Ichigo.
His palm directly touched Ichigo's chest.
"Aizen's Shunpo has been trained to the extreme."
"In front of Aizen, if your speed can't match his, then distance in battle is meaningless."
As Kyoya's words fell into Ichigo's ears, golden lightning bloomed in his palm.
"Hado #63, Raikoho!"
Boom!
"Ichigo!"
Outside the barrier, Orihime and the others exclaimed upon seeing the explosion of lightning.
They never expected that at the very beginning of the battle, Ichigo would be instantly hit by Kyoya.
"Is Aizen that strong?"
Uryu couldn't help but swallow hard and said with difficulty.
"Ah, what Captain Kyoya displayed isn't much different from the Aizen in my impression."
Kisuke's gaze was grave.
His only real battle with Aizen was that one exchange over a hundred years ago.
That time, because Shinji and the others weren't in good condition, they only exchanged a single move.
But Aizen's incantation-less [Danku] completely defended against Tessai's Hado #88, Hiryu Gekizoku Shinten Raiho.
At that time, Kisuke knew that Aizen's proficiency in Kido was also not lacking at all.
Sure enough, after the dust settled, Ichigo's Shihakusho at the chest was slightly charred, and his face showed a trace of fear.
"Kido is one of the four basic combat skills of a Shinigami."
"Aizen's Kido proficiency has also reached the pinnacle."
"Not to mention just a #63 Kido, even top-level Kido above #90, he can release instantly without incantation."
"Next, is swordsmanship—"
Seeing Kyoya slowly draw the Zanpakuto at his waist, Ichigo's pupils contracted, involuntarily remembering the scene when he went to rescue Rukia and Aizen grasped his Zanpakuto.
"Zangetsu!"
Boom!
Ichigo's Reiatsu surged abruptly. The large sword in his hand split, forming one long and one short Zanpakuto, which Ichigo held in both hands.
Clang!
Clang!
Two sparks flashed. The next moment, Kyoya's figure appeared behind Ichigo.
"[Senka] is a technique that combines rotating Shunpo with swordsmanship. It can instantly strike an enemy's Saketsu and Hakusui."
"Ichigo, your instinctive reaction is good. Although you couldn't see my attack, you could block it based on combat instinct."
Kyoya still recognized Ichigo's combat instinct.
Unlike Zaraki's simple instinct for slaughter, Ichigo's combat instinct wasn't about 'slaughter' but 'protection'.
Protecting Ichigo was the 'instinct' of the Quincy Zangetsu and the Hollow Zangetsu.
Naturally, Ichigo's battles always focused on protecting himself, with killing the enemy being secondary.
It was precisely because of this that Ichigo, relying on such instinct, defended against Kyoya's attack.