The same scene played out across the Gotei 13.
Fifth Division, Underground Base
"Eh, eh, eh…"
"Captain Aizen, this is huge! Looks like we've stumbled upon another major discovery!" Under his light purple bangs, Ichimaru Gin's eyes were no longer half-closed but wide open, revealing his full irises.
His eyes were filled with complex emotions—shock, suspicion, excitement, and… a hint of hidden worry!
Yes!
The fox-faced man's heart was a whirlwind of emotions!
He was puzzled by the term "Second Generation Captain-Commander"—where did it come from?
At the same time, given the video's confirmed authenticity, Ichimaru Gin couldn't help but worry—if this title was true, if Shunsui Kyōraku really became the Second Generation Captain-Commander in the future…
Then where was Old Man Yamamoto?
Could he… have died?!
The mere thought made Ichimaru Gin's breath catch.
The old man was the strongest Shinigami in a millennium! Who in this world could kill him?!
"Second Generation Captain-Commander…"
Ignoring Ichimaru Gin's comment, Aizen stared silently at the screen, his mind racing with speculations.
As the mastermind manipulating the Gotei 13 from behind the scenes, he could deduce what Ichimaru Gin had.
Yet, even with the subtitle staring him in the face, Aizen found it hard to believe, though a spark of anticipation flickered in his heart.
Could it be…
In the near future, the Soul Society would fall to the invasion of the pure-blood Quincy?
Without the Captain-Commander's protection, no one should be able to stop him from replacing the Soul King, right?
---
Eleventh Division
"No… impossible, right?"
Pupils trembling, the Kenpachi trio froze in place.
The joy from Kenpachi Zaraki's heroic display was replaced by a chilling dread!
"I'm not questioning Captain Kyōraku's strength—he's on par with Captain Kenpachi, among the top-tier captains!"
"But… how could he become the Second Generation Captain-Commander?!"
Madarame Ikkaku was drenched in sweat, his thoughts in disarray.
Back when he and Ayasegawa Yumichika were still roaming the Rukongai, the Captain-Commander's reputation as the strongest Shinigami in a millennium was already etched into their souls.
Even now, no one in the Soul Society dared to question or even dream of replacing him!
Yamamoto Genryūsai was the Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13—an unbreakable law!
Because of this, Madarame Ikkaku found it absurd, even instinctively doubting the subtitle's authenticity!
But…
If the video's authenticity was in question, how could they explain Kenpachi's battle scenes?
If it was all fake, wouldn't their excitement be for nothing?
"Second Generation Captain-Commander… doesn't that mean the old man's dead? What nonsense!" Kenpachi Zaraki scoffed, dismissing the subtitle entirely.
"I'd rather believe the video's fake than fall for this rubbish!"
Gritting his teeth, Kenpachi roared irritably, "The Captain-Commander… that old monster stronger than me, killed in the future? No way!"
---
Meanwhile, in the Living World, Karakura Town Suburbs, Visored Hideout
"Impossible! Absolutely impossible!"
"Shunsui Kyōraku, that carefree slacker, becoming the Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13?!"
"And replacing Old Man Yamamoto, no less!"
The moment they saw the subtitle, the Visoreds' first reaction was that it was absurd!
Compared to the current captains, a hundred years ago, before they defected from the Soul Society, they had worked alongside Shunsui Kyōraku for a long time and knew the laid-back middle-aged man well.
Say what you will, but even if the old man met an unfortunate end in the future and a successor was needed, in terms of prestige and seniority, it should be Unohana Retsu's turn first, right?
Shunsui Kyōraku wouldn't exactly inspire confidence!
"What do you all think?"
Hirako Shinji broke the silence first.
Even he, usually so carefree, was now serious, not daring to joke around.
After all… the showcase videos were proven to be real!
This had been acknowledged in the previous rounds!
"No clue, can't figure it out. I bet everyone feels the same, right?" Slowly setting down her magazine, Yadōmaru Lisa spoke in a low voice.
Back then, she was Kyōraku's lieutenant!
She knew him better than anyone and thus found it even harder to believe he could become the leader of the Shinigami!
"…"
Everyone nodded silently, their doubts lingering.
Just then, the subtitle faded, replaced by a familiar scene—Karakura Town's city center!
And… a new voice never heard before:
"Someone once said…"
"Uniting against a common enemy is a peculiar human vice, but… as an artist, I don't quite agree with that…"
Under wavy golden hair was a tailored, luxurious suit.
As the camera panned, Rose Ōtoribashi appeared, standing in mid-air.
"That's right, because… we are all heroes!"
With another gruff voice, Love Aikawa calmly stepped beside his comrade.
Their appearance caused an uproar within the Gotei 13!
"Who are they?!"
In the Tenth Division, Hitsugaya frowned in confusion.
He had never seen these two before!
"Are they human? No… they clearly have captain-level spiritual pressure!" After observing closely, Matsumoto Rangiku's expression changed drastically.
Not only that, their spiritual pressure was denser than that of ordinary captains—far stronger than the current Hitsugaya!
Who… were they?
---
Second Division
"Reinforcements?"
As the commander of the Stealth Force, Soi Fon accurately assessed the situation from a single frame, surprised, "It seems in the future war against the Arrancar, the Gotei 13 is at a disadvantage!"
"Captain, really? Are the Espada that terrifying?"
Ōmaeda Marechiyo broke out in a cold sweat.
As a lieutenant, he'd likely be on the battlefield too, right?
Would he die there?
How terrifying!
"Shut up… just watch quietly! Since this round focuses on Captain Kyōraku, these two's appearance can't be a coincidence!"
Soi Fon scolded coldly, while secretly hoping she'd get some screen time too.
---
Fifth Division, Underground Chamber
Watching the two figures on the screen, Ichimaru Gin quickly snapped out of his shock and suspicion, a playful smirk curling his lips, "Well, well… the viewing experience just keeps getting better. So many bombshells, it's hard to keep up…"
Who would've thought!
The Visoreds, once toyed with as test subjects and forced to flee the Soul Society, would reappear after all these years… in this way!
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