The Wandenreich.
This was a vast space hidden in the shadows of Seireitei.
Jugram Haschwalth followed Yhwach into Silbern.
Haschwalth was the Grandmaster of the Sternritter and also Yhwach's personal guard.
Yhwach sat upon the throne.
Haschwalth asked, "Your Majesty, did Aizen agree?"
Yhwach replied nonchalantly, "No, but whether he agrees or not is irrelevant. Even if he stands against us, it will only be a minor inconvenience."
Haschwalth bowed slightly. "Yes, Your Majesty."
Then, he continued, "Sasakibe did not die. Shin used some method to revive him."
Yhwach's tone finally changed. "Oh? I recall my order to you was to shoot him through the heart?"
Chōjirō had ambushed Yhwach during the great war a thousand years ago.
Killing Chōjirō was meant as a warning to Seireitei, and a 'grand gift' to Yamamoto.
"Yes, Your Majesty. I can confirm that his heart was pierced at the time, but Shin still revived him."
Yhwach leaned back, sighing slightly, "Is that so? This enigmatic human possesses too many uncertainties."
Haschwalth continued to report on the declaration of war against Seireitei.
"Your Majesty, the Shinigami have learned from Sasakibe that we can steal their Bankai. However, they seem to believe that we need to chant an incantation to do so."
The Medallion, developed by the Wandenreich over a millennium of hiding in the shadows of Seireitei and gathering intel on the Shinigami, was a perfectly circular metal disc used to steal a Shinigami's Bankai.
However, the Sternritter did not need to chant an incantation to use the Medallion to steal a Shinigami's Bankai.
Yhwach was unconcerned. "It doesn't matter if they know. As long as they are hesitant and unable or unwilling to use their Bankai, the Shinigami pose no threat."
Then, he suddenly asked, "Haschwalth, among the 'Six Special War Potentials,' who do you think should be dealt with first?"
The Six Special War Potentials were "unknowns" that Yhwach identified as being outside his control. Each had unique characteristics, but all had the potential to hinder his goal of destroying Soul Society.
The six individuals were Shin, Aizen, Ichibē, Kisuke, Ichigo, and Zaraki.
Shin represented "Mystery", his strength and motives were a mystery. Originally just an ordinary human, he grew at an incredibly fast rate, and his combat power increased with every battle.
Aizen represented "Reiatsu," possessing an extremely high Reiatsu far exceeding that of an ordinary Captain-level Shinigami. After fully merging with the Hōgyoku, he became an "immortal and indestructible" being.
Ichibē represented "Wisdom". He was the leader of the Zero Division, the oldest known Shinigami, possessing the highest seniority and profound strategic intellect.
Kisuke represented "Unpredictability", he was the creator of the Hōgyoku and capable of solving all problems with an endless array of unknown methods.
Ichigo represented "Potential," possessing the possibility of unpredictable evolution.
Zaraki represented "Combat Power," always maintaining high fighting spirit and combat prowess.
Haschwalth replied, "Your Majesty, I believe it is Nohara Shin. If left unchecked, his strength will undoubtedly grow, posing an increasingly greater threat to us."
Shin was neither a Shinigami, nor a Hollow, nor a Quincy. Therefore, they had limited means to counter him.
Yhwach agreed with this view, "Haschwalth, send someone to probe Shin. Gather as much information about him as possible."
The Wandenreich currently only understood the combat abilities Shin displayed within Seireitei.
"Yes." Haschwalth responded.
—
Shin and his group returned to the Human World.
With five days remaining until the announced time, they needed to prepare.
Nohara Home.
Except for Uryū, everyone who remained in the Human World gathered here.
As for Uryū, Shin had Ichigo inform him about the situation and objectives of the Wandenreich. The choice of how to proceed was entirely up to him.
"That's roughly the situation." Shin began by explaining the relevant circumstances.
"Losing hundreds of Shinigami in one go?!"
"They can steal a Shinigami's Bankai?"
Everyone gasped, realizing the formidable nature of this enemy surpassed all previous ones.
"The goal of these Quincies is to destroy Soul Society, and once Soul Society is destroyed, the Human World will likewise not escape its fate."
"The reason I've gathered everyone here is in hopes that you can all temporarily set aside past grievances and work together to defeat this enemy." Shin explained his intentions.
Gin was the first to state, "I naturally have no problem with that."
Rangiku was still in the Gotei 13. Even if Shin hadn't said anything, he wouldn't have been able to let it go.
Love and Hachigen also expressed their agreement, then turned their gaze to the remaining Hiyori.
Hiyori crossed her arms and said, "Can't be helped, those baldies are there, so I'll go too."
The rest of the Visoreds were among the Gotei 13, so even Hiyori, who disliked Shinigami, readily agreed.
Kisuke interjected, "However, that ability to steal Bankai is a huge problem."
"The Captain Commander wants Captain Kurotsuchi and me to research it, but I'm not confident we can come up with anything."
Without any research materials, even for top scientists like Kisuke and Mayuri, getting a satisfactory result would be basically impossible.
Ichigo clenched his fist. "Damn it! If only we could get our hands on that thing that absorbs Bankai."
Chad said, "But they're hiding in the shadows, all we can do is passively wait."
Shin said, "There's nothing we can do. We can only wait for them to make their move, and when they do, I'll find a way to get that thing."
Kisuke speculated, "According to Lieutenant Sasakibe's description, he has already lost his Bankai power, which seems to have been stored inside that metal disc. This is completely different from the previous Zanpakutō rebellion incident, so perhaps the enemy might be able to use the stolen Bankai power."
"What?!"
"If that's true, then we need to be extra careful."
"If a Bankai like the Captain Commander's were stolen, the situation would be dire."
...
Everyone chimed in with their opinions.
Shin said, "In any case, they are hidden and we are exposed, so everyone must be careful."
"Then it's settled. Everyone go back and prepare. We'll head to Soul Society tomorrow."