King Chengdui's immense power, his lofty attitude, and his domineering personality made it highly likely that he would never tolerate the native inhabitants of Soul Society.
And that was precisely the opportunity Qin Yi had been waiting for.
Unlike his opponent, he was thoroughly familiar with this world and knew how to maximize the effectiveness of every resource and force available.
Originally, he had merely intended to watch the situation unfold.
But now, he had seen the unwillingness and suppressed fury burning in the eyes of Soul Society's Captains.
It was the fire of vengeance.
A hatred born from refusing to submit to tyranny and from loathing the enemy.
Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni's death had undoubtedly awakened the deepest and fiercest hatred within every Shinigami of Soul Society. It could be said that King Chengdui's hatred level throughout Soul Society had already reached its absolute peak.
Under such circumstances, bringing those people into his own camp was naturally the best choice.
Compared with that, the small amount of risk posed by facing King Chengdui was hardly worth mentioning to Qin Yi.
"Your Majesty, the passage to Soul Society has been opened." Ulquiorra bent slightly and spoke in a low voice.
"Very good. Everyone present, come with me first. The others will follow as quickly as possible."
Qin Yi nodded.
Seeing the black-and-crimson dimensional rift not far ahead, he stepped into it.
Behind him, Urahara Kisuke, Ge Nie, Zhang Liang, Ace, Namikaze Minato, and the others entered one after another.
The Arrancar army and the Espada followed closely behind.
These elite experts gathered from countless different worlds could already be considered among the strongest forces under Qin Yi's command.
Although some of them had originally come from lower-level civilizations, once freed from the limitations of their native worlds, the speed at which their strength grew became astonishing.
Talent remained talent no matter where it was placed.
In another world, they could achieve fame even more extraordinary than before.
....
Meanwhile, in Soul Society's Seireitei… King Chengdui advanced step by step.
Holding his blade, he radiated a terrifying aura that suppressed the entire battlefield and placed immense pressure upon every Shinigami present.
After killing the Captain-Commander, the oppressive force he exuded had become even greater.
"What do we do?" Hitsugaya Tōshirō's eyes flickered.
His body was covered in wounds, and he was already nearing exhaustion.
Around him, every Captain was being forced to face enemies whose numbers far exceeded their own. There was no chance of breaking through.
Under such circumstances, more and more Nie Kingdom Shinigami continued to pour in.
The only outcome awaiting them seemed to be death.
Time passed rapidly.
Suddenly, a muffled groan sounded.
The Captains turned around.
A spray of blood blossomed in the air as one of the Captains slowly bent over.
"Kaname Tōsen!!" Kyōraku Shunsui shouted.
Blood poured from Tōsen Kaname's waist.
A Nie Kingdom Shinigami wielding a flower-shaped Zanpakutō had carved away a large chunk of flesh.
"Ugh!"
At the same moment, pained cries erupted from other parts of the battlefield.
"Renji!!"
"Rangiku!!"
Alarmed shouts echoed across the war zone.
As wave after wave of Nie Kingdom Shinigami rushed past King Chengdui and flooded deeper into the battlefield, the number of wounded on Soul Society's side continued to rise.
An atmosphere of despair settled over everyone.
"What should we do?"
"Is Soul Society beyond saving?"
One Shinigami after another wore expressions of hopelessness as their fighting spirit rapidly faded away.
Then, suddenly—
A thud rang out from Tōsen Kaname's position.
To everyone's shock, the Captain dropped to both knees and threw his Zanpakutō onto the ground.
"I surrender."
His low voice echoed across the battlefield.
The words shook everyone to their core.
The Shinigami of Soul Society stared in disbelief.
The determination they had maintained despite overwhelming odds began to crumble the moment this Captain knelt.
"Ah... why did it come to this?"
"Don't kill me!"
"Mercy! Please spare me! I'm willing to surrender!"
Once someone took the lead, panic and cowardice spread rapidly throughout the ranks.
Soon, heads lowered across the battlefield.
Seeing this scene, King Chengdui curled his lips into a smile.
"Now this is the correct choice. I hate fools who don't know their place. Anyone willing to submit to the Nie Kingdom, kneel immediately. From this moment onward, kill any enemy who remains standing!"
His command spread throughout the battlefield.
Another large group of Shinigami, their eyes red and filled with tears, trembled as they slowly dropped to their knees.
There was no doubt that such a humiliating surrender filled every Shinigami with unwillingness and shame.
Yet in the face of death, they had no choice.
Such was human nature.
Such was reality.
When confronted with the great terror between life and death, how many people could truly stand firm?
"Damn it!"
Kuchiki Byakuya roared in fury at the sight.
His Zanpakutō transformed into countless pink cherry blossom petals that surged outward in all directions, yet he still could not carve a path through the enemy ranks.
One opponent alone might not be his match, but when multiple enemies joined forces, they could unleash power equal to his own.
He understood the situation all too clearly. They were being overwhelmed by sheer numbers.
This mysterious Nie Kingdom possessed far too many experts!
"Soul Society... is finished." Ichimaru Gin muttered softly.
His eyes narrowed into slits as cold light flickered from within them.
"But before I die, I'll take a few more enemies down with me."
Some endured the humiliation and knelt.
Others, however, had already resolved to die fighting.
The countless facets of humanity revealed themselves in full at this moment.
King Chengdui smiled in satisfaction.
He was extremely pleased with the current situation.
Conquering Soul Society was merely the beginning.
Next, he intended to launch a campaign against Hueco Mundo and completely destroy the King who had dared oppose him.
He lifted his foot, preparing to step into the battlefield and personally deliver the final blow to these stubborn remnants.
But at that very moment…
Black-and-crimson cracks suddenly appeared across the sky above Soul Society.
Buzz!
An incomparably majestic kingly aura swept across the heavens. It descended instantly, suppressing everything below.
Everyone present froze. Then they all looked up.
"What is that?!"
The scene reflected in their eyes caused every pupil on the battlefield to contract.
Figures appeared one after another.
They filled the sky itself.
Standing upon the empty air, they gazed down coldly upon the battlefield below. An invisible yet overwhelming pressure spread through Soul Society in an instant.
Even the battle paused momentarily. More and more crimson-black fissures appeared.
And from them emerged an increasing number of people.
"Who are they?"
"They don't seem to be with Kenpachi Chengdui!"
The Captains exchanged astonished looks.
Their eyes flickered with surprise.
They quickly noticed that the expressions of the Nie Kingdom Shinigami had changed as well.
Especially Kenpachi Chengdui.
The smile that had been on his face vanished.
In its place appeared an icy expression.
"It's that man! The one who killed Kenpachi Chengdui that day!" Kyōraku Shunsui stared upward.
His eyes suddenly locked onto a particular figure among the newcomers.
"It seems we've arrived at exactly the right time. The ones who should be eliminated will be eliminated. And the ones who should be saved will be saved."
The man wore a Black Dragon Robe.
His long black hair flowed freely behind him.
His eyes glowed crimson.
Looking down upon the battlefield, a faint, inscrutable smile rested upon his lips.
Yet it was the aura surrounding him that drew everyone's attention.
"Perhaps I should thank you, King Chengdui."
The moment those words were spoken, everyone's expressions changed.
"Now then, everyone. Do what you came here to do."
Crossing his arms before his chest, Qin Yi spoke calmly.
With a single command, countless figures dived downward from the sky and entered the battlefield.
"Hirako Shinji?!"
"Muguruma Kensei?!"
"Captain Urahara Kisuke?!"
"And... Kenpachi Zaraki?!"
One familiar figure after another was recognized by the Shinigami of Soul Society.
Shock filled their eyes.
"Stop standing around in disbelief!"
"Come with us and leave this place!"
Urahara Kisuke shouted urgently.
The people of Soul Society immediately understood.
These newcomers had come to save them.
At the same time, large numbers of unfamiliar warriors appeared, swiftly surrounding the Shinigami and separating them from the advancing forces of the Nie Kingdom.
At this moment, King Chengdui's gaze had become incomparably cold.
His eyes remained fixed upon Qin Yi, who stood in the sky with his arms folded.
"I have been looking forward to this moment for a very long time."
"Today..."
"I want you dead!"
However, before he could act, another figure stepped directly into his line of sight.
"King Chengdui!"
"Today…"
"This King wants you dead as well!"
It was Li Yuanli.
His Zanpakutō vibrated with a sharp hum as he drew it from its sheath.
The two kings faced one another.
A time for vengeance.
A time for settling old grudges.
(End of Chapter)
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