Aizen was thrilled.
In this book, he glimpsed a fragment of the world's truth.
If what was written was indeed real, it meant the Spirit King was not as exalted as imagined.
The so-called Royal Guard were likely "jailers" guarding the Spirit King's seal, rather than true protectors loyal to his will.
No wonder no one had seen the Spirit King's true form for countless years.
Because his situation was worse than that of ordinary people.
Of course, this was merely the claim within this book.
Moreover, this tattered tome had been passed down for unknown generations and was already worn beyond repair. Only this single line within it seemed valuable, and its authenticity remained uncertain.
Yet despite that – when Aizen read these words, he felt that his long search had finally borne fruit.
Next was only to verify the book's authenticity, nothing more.
How could he confirm it?
There was a very simple method.
If what the book recorded was true, then long ago certain beings had dismembered the Spirit King and scattered his body fragments across the world.
If those people had not erased all traces, perhaps somewhere in this world, remnants of the Spirit King's body still existed.
As his strength continued to grow, Aizen increasingly sensed that Shinigami possessed limits.
More precisely, he himself was approaching that limit.
If he reached it, what awaited him was stagnation.
That was something Aizen absolutely refused to accept.
Over the years, beyond exploring the world's truth and unmasking reality itself, he had pursued one additional goal:
To find a method of evolution.
If Shinigami had limits, was there a way to break them?
If the Spirit King truly was the cornerstone stabilising existence, and his power maintained cosmic balance, then if one acquired the Spirit King's fragments – could they use that power to evolve into something transcendent?
Furthermore, the principle of "balance between souls" was another truth that deeply intrigued Aizen.
At this stage, Aizen's curiosity towards everything in the world had reached its peak.
This thirst for knowledge, combined with his terrifying aptitude, made him realise Shinigami's ceiling long ago, driving him to actions that would shape the future.
Although that future had not yet arrived, the seeds of his path had already sprouted.
⸻
At the same time – after graduating from the Shin'ō Academy, both Yoruichi and Urahara Kisuke joined the Second Division.
Yoruichi entered the Onmitsukidō, where she would train within the Corps of Stealth Forces, preparing for the day she inherited command of the Second Division.
For some people, their lives were clearly planned from birth.
Yoruichi was one of them.
As the main heir of the Shihōin Clan, and the most gifted of her generation, whether she wished to or not, once she displayed her talent, the burden of the Shihōin future fell upon her shoulders.
She was destined to uphold her family's legacy.
In the future, she would inherit leadership of the Second Division and the Onmitsukidō.
Yoruichi understood this well.
Especially after witnessing the downfall of the Shiba family and the political struggles of the Ise family, she realised clearly – even among the Four Great Noble Houses, safety was an illusion.
Once weaknesses were revealed, enemies struck without mercy, leading to irredeemable ruin.
In such a world, the only way to protect the Shihōin Clan was through overwhelming personal strength.
For these reasons, after joining the Second Division as a formal Shinigami, Yoruichi trained harder than anyone else.
She took on missions actively, and through real combat, her strength advanced rapidly.
Although Shihōin Kōketsu felt some sorrow for his granddaughter's burdens, he also knew that Yoruichi was destined to grow and shoulder the responsibilities of her clan.
Thus, he deliberately assigned her many challenging tasks.
And Yoruichi never let him down, accomplishing each one flawlessly.
⸻
Compared to Yoruichi, Urahara Kisuke appeared idle.
He entered the Third Unit under the command of the Second Division – specifically, the Detention Unit.
The duty of the Detention Unit was to guard the Nest of Maggots, the prison built by Soul Society to confine Shinigami judged as potential threats.
Although these prisoners had not committed crimes severe enough for the underground prison of Central 46, each one was considered dangerously unstable.
Leaving them free risked catastrophe.
Thus, for Soul Society's safety, they were confined here under constant watch.
If, one day, a prisoner was deemed no longer a threat, release was technically possible.
However, in reality, releases were exceedingly rare.
Those imprisoned here were all outcasts and eccentrics.
The Shinigami guarding them often thought of them that way.
But Urahara Kisuke saw something different.
Among these people, he glimpsed another hidden world.
Some of these mad researchers spoke nonsense, their words seemingly deranged. Yet after careful consideration, Urahara Kisuke realised their insights held profound meaning.
He was a brilliant thinker, adept at deconstructing complexity.
His days within the Nest of Maggots, living as a caretaker, granted him time and space to contemplate freely.
⸻
Here, Urahara Kisuke quietly began to metamorphose.
Because he spent long hours thinking, he appeared more reticent and withdrawn than before.
⸻
Meanwhile, Zaraki had acquired a baby.
Well – to be precise, Zaraki was a combat maniac. He lived for battle, loved fighting, and held no interest in men or women. Under normal circumstances, it was naturally impossible for a woman to bear his child.
Yet, he had indeed come to possess a child.
This child was a small girl with soft puffy cheeks, her appearance adorably delicate.
"So, you encountered this child in a forest in Rukongai while out hunting Hollows?"
Gosuke Shigure glanced at the ferocious Zaraki before shifting his gaze to the timid little girl hiding behind him.
"Yeah," Zaraki grinned, revealing sharp teeth.
"I thought she and I had fate. I've already named her Yachiru."
"Since I picked her up in Kusajishi District, her name is Kusajishi Yachiru."
Although he had already guessed it in his heart, Gosuke Shigure still felt a subtle wave of emotion upon hearing the name.
Yachiru had appeared after all.
Even though he brought Zaraki to Seireitei earlier in this life, it had not altered the manifestation of Kusajishi Yachiru.
Because Kusajishi Yachiru was, in truth, Zaraki's Zanpakutō – materialised in the world to respond to her master's will.
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