The ranking video darkened as the lens was consumed by spreading shadows.
Uryū and Haschwalth's figures faded into the darkness, their fates unknown, leaving the battle's outcome a mystery.
The round ended, but its abrupt cut and information overload—especially Haschwalth's actions—cemented his "traitor" status, sparking outrage among the Quincies.
"Haschwalth, you still claim you're not a traitor?!"
"You bastard! You exposed His Majesty's power!"
"Get down here! You don't deserve to stand above us!"
"Traitor! Get out of Silbern! Get out of the Wandenreich!"
The Sternritter, already scheming and far from saints, reached their breaking point. With "evidence" before them, their fury ignited, openly defying Haschwalth despite imperial laws.
"You…"
Haschwalth's face was a stagnant pool, his sapphire eyes flashing with rage and helplessness.
His hand rested on his sword's hilt, his voice sharp: "Until His Majesty fully awakens, are you planning open rebellion?!"
Alone, he could only use Yhwach as a shield. His ability, exposed moments ago, wasn't limitless and couldn't handle multiple foes.
If five or more Sternritter attacked, even Haschwalth's confidence wouldn't save him from fighting while guarding against sneak attacks.
The rankings had brought him no benefits, only plunging his status into crisis.
The tense atmosphere signaled Silbern's impending fracture. Most Quincies joined the outcry, and even the loyal Schutzstaffel wavered.
---
The scene shifted to Karakura Town's outskirts.
Urahara Kisuke, fan in hand and a bag of snacks tucked away, strolled out of his shop.
Looking at the clear sky, he mused, "My, it's already afternoon. Dusk is coming soon…"
"Right, Yoruichi-san?"
As he spoke, a swift figure flashed through the air to his left, snatching the snack bag like lightning, accompanied by a teasing laugh:
"Kisuke, you always know me so well, sensing my presence from so far away…"
Purple-brown hair tied in a ponytail, an orange bodysuit hugged a curvaceous figure, radiating mature feminine charm. Her amber eyes gleamed with a cat-like spark.
Shihouin Yoruichi, the Flash Goddess!
The woman who'd once driven male Shinigami wild, begging the video's creator to remove her mosaic.
Having wandered the wilderness, Yoruichi returned during the ranking's brief pause, deciding to strategize with Urahara.
"Heh, too bad you're a step late, or you'd have seen Isshin-san!" Urahara chuckled, adjusting his disheveled hair under his hat.
"Oh?" Yoruichi raised an eyebrow. "Shiba… no, Kurosaki Isshin was here?"
"Yep. At the start of the rankings, suspecting it was my prank, he rushed over," Urahara said, shrugging helplessly.
He'd been the scapegoat early on.
"Where is he now?" Yoruichi asked curiously.
"Karakura First High," Urahara replied, squinting. "I sent him to fetch Ichigo before anything unexpected happens."
"Unexpected? You think the Shinigami, Arrancars, or Quincies might target Kurosaki Ichigo?" Yoruichi's brows furrowed, realizing the gravity.
"Exactly," Urahara nodded. "Until we know their intentions, this shop is the safest place in Karakura Town."
But just as he spoke—
Boom!
A violent spiritual pressure erupted from the city's skyline, clouds scattering rapidly.
"What's that?!"
Within three seconds, Yoruichi and Urahara's faces changed, exclaiming, "Damn it! We jinxed it—the Arrancars have invaded the human world!"
Even from a distance, the unmistakable, savage spiritual pressure of high-level Hollows confirmed it. The Arrancars had torn open a Garganta and arrived in Karakura Town.
"Kisuke, what now? Strike first or wait?" Yoruichi tied her ponytail tighter, ready for battle.
Urahara pondered briefly, then said confidently, "They likely don't know Ichigo's identity yet. That's our biggest advantage."
"We wait. Head to Karakura First High and rendezvous with Isshin and Ichigo!"
"Got it! Let's bring Tessai too. We'll need a Kido master like him!" Yoruichi grinned, eager.
"Of course! With the former Kido Corps Commander ambushing, those Arrancars are in for a surprise!" Urahara's fighting spirit flared.
---
In Karakura Town's city center, the blue sky split open, revealing a deep, endless Garganta.
Three powerful figures, accompanied by several menacing subordinates, emerged with savage auras.
"Tch… so this is the human world? More bustling than I expected!" Grimmjow, hands in pockets, surveyed the skyscrapers below with a sneer.
"Yammy, Grimmjow…"
Ulquiorra issued orders coldly: "Time's short. Our invasion will soon be noticed by the Gotei 13. Split up and find Kurosaki Ichigo as quickly as possible!"
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The plans are now available.
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