"Phosphorus Qi?"
Naraku Sora frowned, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. He felt as if he had heard the term somewhere before, but the impression was faint. His memories from his previous life were a chaotic jumble, including various forbidden doujinshi related to Soul Reapers. Perhaps he had encountered the concept in one of those, but it had been far too long.
It was only natural that he couldn't remember clearly. If Aizen provided more information, he might be able to piece it together.
Seeing that Naraku Sora had given up on active recollection, Aizen turned his gaze back to the light screen. With a few taps on the device, the relevant data was instantly magnified.
"Phosphorus Qi originates from Hell."
"I do not mean the place where you reside, but a separate world entirely, independent of the Soul Society, Hueco Mundo, and the Living World."
At this point, Aizen knit his brows slightly. "I have combed through a vast number of ancient texts in the Spiritual Arts Academy library, but records concerning Hell are few and far between. Based on the written descriptions, it often seems like mere superstition. Consequently, I did not pay much attention to the concept of Hell at the time."
"However, the appearance of Takeda Goki shattered my original preconceptions. In the days following the attack, I returned to the Squad Five library to review the records once more. Among them, I found a mention of Phosphorus Qi, identifying it as a substance unique to Hell. Its specific use remains unclear, but it is certain that it can resonate with Soul Reapers and, to some extent, influence the Soul Reaper themselves. To truly understand it, I require more samples and data."
Aizen reached out and tapped the air. The light screen folded and retracted in an instant, and the laboratory returned to its original state.
"While it remains unclear how Phosphorus Qi is obtained, we can make some deep assumptions based on this. For instance, whether the Tsunayashiro clan has some connection to Hell, and whether their schemes involve Hell itself..."
Naraku Sora listened, looking utterly shocked. He seriously doubted whether he was missing a segment of memory that everyone else possessed. Just a moment ago, they were discussing noble infighting and purging the pests of the Soul Society. How did they fast-forward straight to Hell in the blink of an eye?
If it were the Hell within the Shino Prison, that would be fine; that was his territory. Except for the lowest level, Muken, which required the key held by Yamamoto, he could enter and exit the other levels at will, just like his own home. But what Aizen was describing was Hell in the true sense of the word.
If he remembered correctly, the Spiritual Arts Academy had taught about the rituals surrounding the death of a Soul Reaper. A Soul Reaper's physical body is composed of Reishi. Upon death, the body returns to the Soul Society in the form of Reishi. However, Reishi of Level Three spiritual power or higher is too dense to return naturally. To facilitate this return, the Gotei 13 leads a ceremony known as the Soul Burial Festival.
Aizen clearly knew this as well. After letting the atmosphere settle for a moment, he continued.
"In reality, according to the texts I uncovered, Reishi of Level Three or higher cannot return to the soil of the Soul Society regardless of what is done. The so-called Soul Burial Festival has a deeper meaning. The true purpose of this ritual is to let the powerful Soul Reapers who have died—fall into Hell!"
Naraku Sora grew pensive. He did have some memory of what Aizen was saying, but because the specific details involved were sparse, he hadn't taken it to heart.
"My guess is that the Tsunayashiro may have mastered a method to open the Gates of Hell. They likely attempted exploration, obtained a certain amount of Phosphorus Qi, and conducted related experimental research. The Phosphorus Qi contained within Takeda Goki's arm is the result of that research."
Naraku Sora grinned. "Since we're guessing, why not be a bit bolder? For example, perhaps that fellow Takeda Goki was supposed to fall into Hell, but because of certain operations by the Tsunayashiro, he remained in the Soul Society in his current state..."
Hearing the first half, Aizen couldn't help but frown. Scientific hypotheses are based on a foundation of facts, not wild, imaginative guessing. But as Naraku Sora finished his sentence, Aizen's brow smoothed out. His eyes grew increasingly bright, as if he had discovered a whole new world.
"Sora, you are truly suited to be a researcher."
"?"
Naraku Sora seriously suspected that Aizen had been driven mad by him. Why was a perfectly sane man suddenly talking nonsense?
"My previous hypothesis was indeed too conservative," Aizen admitted candidly. "Phosphorus Qi is a substance unique to Hell. I previously attempted a fusion experiment using the portion stripped away on a certain retainer of the Shihōin clan. Unfortunately, it failed. A violent rejection reaction made it impossible for him to accommodate the Phosphorus Qi. If the affected area hadn't been amputated in time, the man would have completely collapsed. At first, I thought my research on Phosphorus Qi was insufficient, or perhaps there was a deficiency in the Soul Reaper subject. But after your reminder, I realized—"
Aizen looked up, staring seriously at Naraku Sora, enunciating every word.
"Takeda Goki might already be dead..."
...
On the boundless plains of District 72 of the West Rukongai.
Two groups of men stood in opposition. A cold, stern aura pierced the sky. Heavy dark clouds blanketed the plains, blotting out the starlight and spreading an oppressive weight.
The moment the rain began to fall, both sides erupted with spiritual pressure simultaneously. The chaotic, disordered pressure completely shattered the silence of the plains. The Soul Reapers stepped forward with Flash Steps, charging toward the enemy with unstoppable momentum.
The initial clash was a clean, decisive struggle of swordsmanship. Cold blade-light carved through flesh with the sound of tearing silk. Bright red blood splashed onto the grass, appearing exceptionally vivid.
As the chaotic battle fully erupted, the light of Kido bloomed in its wake. Blazing flames burned wildly amidst the rolling dust and smoke, adding several shrill cries of misery to the war.
The most eye-catching figure was the one wearing a red scarf.
Unlike his gentle demeanor within the Seireitei, Kuchiki Kōga was currently like a god of slaughter. Everywhere he passed, enemy Soul Reapers collapsed with a crash, losing all strength to struggle. As the leader of the unit suppressing the rebels, he was the main force of this war and the pillar of support for everyone. As long as that flash of red remained, they were destined not to fail.
In the eyes of his own camp, this rising star of the Soul Society was an invincible existence!
Before long, once the rebel casualties reached a certain proportion, they collapsed completely. With no remaining will to resist, they lay honestly on the ground, surrendering.
Kuchiki Kōga stood at the forefront, his cold gaze fixed upon the desolate battlefield. Behind him, many Soul Reapers looked at his back, their faces flushed with obvious fanaticism. Someone in the crowd began to shout.
"Kuchiki!"
"Kuchiki!"
The shouts of the Soul Reapers broke through the clouds at the vault of the sky. A ray of sunlight spilled onto Kuchiki Kōga's shoulder. His tense face finally relaxed, revealing a trace of a smile that was almost imperceptible.
This kind of recognition was exactly what he yearned for...