Chapter 66: The Great Sinner from Two Thousand Years Ago
The intense spiritual pressure that erupted multiple times from Sōkyoku Hill drew the attention of many within Seireitei, but as everyone gazed at the high cliff, one person had, at some unknown point, infiltrated the deepest part of the underground great prison—the 'Mugen'.
Unlike the 'Maggot's Nest' which held potentially dangerous individuals, dangerous sparks that Central 46 attempted to extinguish prematurely.
The Eighth Prison, 'Mugen', was the sealing ground for extremely dangerous felons.
Though there were only a handful of people, without exception, they were all vicious criminals who had nearly caused great harm to Soul Society, or had already committed heinous crimes.
Kotsubagane, which isolated spiritual pressure, no light at all, making it almost impossible to distinguish up, down, left, or right, a completely dark underground cavern...it was like an artificial space.
Criminals were thrown into it, unable to perceive the existence of the world.
Over time, people in the outside world would also forget their existence.
"Ah~ ah~ That's what they say, but didn't I still get in?"
Ichimaru Gin, with a light, cat-like stride, opened the gate of 'Mugen' with a key he got from who knows where, and then found a prisoner.
The prisoner was bound by Bakudo, his five senses sealed, unable to move.
This was standard for 'Mugen'.
To undo the Bakudo, even advanced Kido wouldn't work, because it was a tangible Bakudo created with a great deal of effort.
Only the keys held by Central 46 could open it.
But these keys now appeared in Ichimaru Gin's hands.
It could be said that he effortlessly removed all the restraints on the prisoner.
Then, he led the person out of 'Mugen'.
"I never thought I'd see the light of day again."
The prisoner closed his eyes, sensing the scent of green grass and earth, listening to the sound of the wind, and the warmth of the sun.
His stagnant heart gradually came alive, and when he opened his eyes again, his yellow pupils were filled with an overbearing sense of supremacy.
"It was quite difficult to get you out."
Ichimaru Gin sat leisurely on a nearby tree trunk.
"A former Captain of the Twelfth Division thought it was unsafe to keep all the 'Mugen' seals together, so he dispersed them. I spent a lot of effort, went to several places...but those were fine. What gave me the biggest headache was the 'Sōkyoku'."
"That was a core seal specifically prepared for you."
"Only when it is released can there be a brief window of opportunity."
"Otherwise, even if I ran myself ragged and got the keys to release your Bakudo, you wouldn't be able to step half a pace out of 'Mugen'."
The prisoner looked up, staring at Ichimaru Gin with a defiant and fearless gaze.
"Racking your brains, exhausting your efforts, just to release me, who once nearly destroyed Soul Society, what is your intention? Also, I'm very curious, how did you know of my existence?"
"You see, I've been 'deceased' for two millennia. Such a long time is enough to erase any traces left by me, who doesn't belong to this world."
"Oh, that~"
Ichimaru Gin spread his hands, complaining.
"Recently, an Adjuchas appeared in Rukongai. It accidentally ran into an acquaintance's laboratory and, after eating some discarded, unclean things, underwent a slight mutation, gaining the ability to conceal its spiritual pressure."
The prisoner listened with a frown, not understanding what he was saying.
"At the same time, it also messed up the lab. As my acquaintance and I were about to leave, I inadvertently saw a line of text on the ground...to be precise, a name."
"Arturo Plateado."
Ichimaru Gin narrowed his eyes, watching the slight change in the other's face.
"By the way, that Hollow is named Cokes Kucabara, a dog-type Menos Grande."
"Cokes...?"
The prisoner's expression relaxed.
"I see, you saw that name, became curious, looked up past records, and then learned of my deeds?"
"Mr. Arturo's subordinate is very loyal, it seems he's been looking for an opportunity to rescue you."
"Heh, if he had that ability, he wouldn't just be an intermediate Menos Grande... His loyalty and ambition are proportional. I think he wants to find my Zanpakuto, eat my sword, and then inherit my power, right?"
Arturo caressed the remnant of a mask on his forehead, draped in a tattered cloak. Mask aside, his appearance was no different from a human.
But in reality, the owner of the name Arturo Plateado was a spontaneously Arrancarized high-ranking Menos Grande.
He broke his mask with his own ability, transforming his soul's core into a Zanpakuto.
Although he was sealed, he was still alive, and his sword was still there.
So Arturo could tell at a glance what his former subordinate was planning.
"That good-for-nothing probably only recently evolved to the point where he can devour swords, but even so, he's no match for a Shinigami in a single blow."
"If he dares to approach Seireitei, he'll definitely be killed. The best case scenario is a serious injury and escape... In that case, his body, mutated by special abilities, will inevitably degenerate into an unintelligent wild dog, won't it? Hahahahaha! If that's true, it would be fitting. That's the fate a good-for-nothing deserves!"
"What about Mr. Arturo himself?"
Ichimaru Gin's words brought the Arrancar prisoner's arrogant laughter, full of satisfaction, to an abrupt halt.
"What do you mean?!"
"Don't worry~ I'm not being sarcastic. I'm just curious, how much courage does the great criminal who single-handedly almost conquered Soul Society two millennia ago still have to oppose Soul Society?"
"...Heh."
Arturo gave Ichimaru Gin a deep look.
"I understand, you want to use me to destroy Soul Society, right? Although I'm confident I can do it, it's an undeniable fact that I'm not in my prime right now."
"But you, a Shinigami, actually released me and incited me to oppose Soul Society... It seems that old man Yamamoto is also on his last legs, unable to even control his own subordinates."
"Don't say that~ The Captain Commander is still strong in his old age~ Is that so, not in his prime? I've considered that. Right now, there's something good waiting for you to take, something that will not only help you recover but also surpass your past self."
Ichimaru Gin said meaningfully.
"Oh?"
Arturo scoffed, about to say, 'Would such a good thing be kindly left for me?'
Suddenly, a figure burst out of the dense forest, appearing at one of the essential hidden exits of this underground great prison.
"Ichimaru, you're talking about the 'Hōgyoku', aren't you?"
"Eh?"
Ichimaru Gin looked surprised at Toushiro, who had suddenly intervened.
"Isn't that Captain Hitsugaya? When did you start following me?"
"...None of your business."
Toushiro's expression was terrifyingly serious. He held up his Gikon and gestured, "I've recorded your conversation... While not very clear, we'll get to the bottom of everything once we apprehend you two."
"Apprehend us...?"
Ichimaru Gin's mouth twisted into a へ shape, looking extremely speechless.
"I say, Captain Hitsugaya... You're only one person, you know. Are you sure you can handle both of us at once?"
Arturo, however, sneered at this moment, "He's not that foolish... Although he's a shorty, he wears the same uniform as you, so he wouldn't be that naive."
As he spoke, he cast a playful gaze at the two women who reappeared.
"Of course... he's not that smart either."
"Ca-Captain...!"
The moment the green-haired, yellow-eyed man in the mask looked over, Isane instantly felt as if she had fallen into an ice cave.
"Don't be nervous, Isane."
Retsu Unohana gently comforted her, observing the situation while instructing, "Use 'Tenkei Kura' to inform the entire division that a dangerous criminal has colluded with a traitor. This reason alone should be enough to calm everyone down... Frankly, I even think Captain Ichimaru did a good thing."
"Captain Unohana is truly composed, but isn't it a bit too dangerous for the head of the medical division, who normally stays in the rear, to come to the front lines?"
Ichimaru Gin couldn't help but applaud.
His relaxed demeanor reminded Toushiro of some unpleasant things. Suppressing his boiling killing intent, he coldly questioned, "Ichimaru, I have a question for you before we start fighting."
"Are you asking about that girl... who killed Vice-Captain Hinamori?"
—!"
Ichimaru Gin's blunt counter-question pierced Toushiro's heart like a spear. He subconsciously gripped the hilt of the sword behind him, staring at Ichimaru Gin with an even sharper gaze, radiating terrifying killing intent and spiritual pressure, as if to force the truth out of the other with this aura.
But Ichimaru Gin seemed to feel nothing. No one could know what he was thinking, and it was impossible to discern whether the perpetual smile on his face contained malice or something else.
"You might not believe it... that girl, she committed suicide."
"What?!"
Toushiro's pupils constricted, enraged.
"Is that so! It seems you don't want to tell the truth... Then I won't hold back! If I can't figure it out, I'll just eliminate all the suspects!"
"Captain Hitsugaya...! Isane!"
Retsu Unohana wanted to persuade her increasingly extreme colleague to calm down, but knowing it would be futile, she urged her Lieutenant to act quickly.
"Ah? Understood!"
Isane hurriedly performed 'Tenkei Kura', a high-level Bakudo used to capture spiritual pressure and instantly share information with multiple people.
Those with Kaido aptitude often have decent Kido skills.
Just then.
Arturo raised his hand, palm aimed at Isane, making a grasping motion, and forcibly crushed the 'Tenkei Kura' that was about to form.
More precisely, he caused the spirit particles constructing the spell to go berserk and lose control.
"Ah...!?"
Isane fell to the ground in fright.
Seeing this, Retsu Unohana and Toushiro's expressions became somewhat grim.
"This is... the ability to manipulate spirit particles? No... is it an alternative use of the ability to absorb spirit particles?"
But whatever it was, Retsu Unohana knew it would be impossible to use Kido in front of this Arrancar.
"Captain Hitsugaya, where is Lieutenant Rangiku?"
"We ran into Kira on the way. She went to intercept Kira... I can't contact her for a while."
Toushiro gritted his teeth.
"Then we can only have Isane leave here first and then notify everyone else."
This thought flashed through Retsu Unohana's mind.
Arturo, however, guessed their intention a step ahead, releasing immense spiritual pressure to construct a circular white space, isolating the three within.
"Oh~ This is really impressive, how long can this thing last?"
Ichimaru Gin exclaimed.
"An hour or two is no problem... It was originally a fighting arena to prevent prey from escaping, I didn't expect to use it in this situation..."
A move that could imprison two Captains and a Lieutenant for an hour or two was undeniably powerful, but Arturo felt humiliated.
However, to avoid being recaptured, and to quickly regain his strength to get revenge on Yamamoto.
This bit of shame would instead ignite more fighting spirit.
"Let's go, let's seize the 'Hōgyoku' you spoke of."
"...You believe my words so easily? And you don't seem to quite understand what the 'Hōgyoku' is, do you?"
Ichimaru Gin was slightly surprised.
"It's nothing more than another divine artifact. I know the power of such things all too well. I'm not at all surprised that it can restore me and even surpass my peak. As for why I believe you... don't joke, I've never had such feelings."
Arturo strode past the tree Ichimaru Gin was sitting on, saying without looking back:
"I'm only giving you, a nobody, some face because you saved me. If you don't appreciate the favor of the King of Hueco Mundo, I will execute you... It's that simple."
"...Hmm, he doesn't seem like the kind of subordinate Captain Aizen would like, this is really..."
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