"What's this?"
Inside the Dangai (Precipice World), Soi Fonheld a small, delicate device in her hand, turning it over curiously.
"This is a music player," Kurotsuki Renyaexplained with a smile. "High-fidelity sound quality, with earphones. There are plenty of songs stored inside. I asked other Shinigami to purchase them from the Human World."
As he spoke, Renya gently placed the earphones into Soi Fon's ears.
"Oh?"
Her expression shifted slightly. "This rhythm… it's quite lively."
Listening to the music flowing through the earphones, Soi Fon looked genuinely surprised.
Renya smiled. "That way, Sister Soi Fon won't be bored while staying here."
"What did you say?"
Soi Fon turned her head sharply toward him, her eyes meeting his. That serious yet faintly curious look made Renya's heart skip slightly.
Renya pointed toward her ears. After she removed the earphones, he said, "I said this way you'll have something to pass the time."
Soi Fon nodded. "That's true. Listening to music isn't bad."
"There's more than just music," Renya continued. "I also brought a tablet. It contains novels, comics, and drama series from the Human World. Thousands of them. You can read or watch whatever you like."
"You're thoughtful," Soi Fon said softly, the corner of her lips lifting.
"I just wanted to share what I've seen in the Human World with you," Renya replied.
He stepped closer and carefully placed the earphones back on her. As his fingers brushed against her earlobe, a soft warmth traveled through his hand.
Renya then slowly walked back toward the center of the open space and resumed his training.
Within the Dangai, Renya continuously tempered his body. With food supplies, rest, entertainment, and the companionship of trusted comrades, the passage of time felt far less oppressive than expected.
Time flowed steadily.
In the blink of an eye, a month passed.
It had been two months since Aizen Sōsuke's betrayal, yet within the Dangai, Kurotsuki Renya had already spent nearly twenty years.
"Renya, come. Let's spar."
Renji Abarai drew his Zanpakutō and smiled confidently.
"Brother Renji, are you sure?" Renya asked calmly.
"Only swordsmanship," Renji replied. "No Zanpakutō abilities."
Renya's Zanpakutō abilities far surpassed Renji's. Between Kidō-type and elemental Zanpakutō, physical-type Zanpakutō were at a disadvantage. Still, Renji would eventually possess power surpassing that of ordinary captains.
"Alright," Renya agreed.
"Then here I come!"
Renji stepped forward and swung his blade downward.
But
The slash was stopped.
By a single finger.
A finger that appeared slender and unremarkable.
"…What?"
Renji froze, disbelief filling his eyes.
During the periods when the Dangai gate opened, Renji had accumulated nearly eight years of extra training time. But Renya had spent twenty years continuously tempering his body under extreme spatial pressure.
Aizen had once blocked Kurosaki Ichigo'sblade with a finger.
Now, Renya did the same blocking Renji's unreleased Zanpakutō effortlessly.
Renji withdrew his blade, his face pale.
"I… can't even damage your finger…"
Years of effort, yet he couldn't breach Renya's defense. The realization struck hard.
Renya said nothing and calmly returned to his training.
He understood Renji's feelings.
Since the Academy days, Renji had always chased from behind. Decades of effort, yet the distance only widened.
Still, Renya remained silent. If Renji broke here, he would be useless in the coming war.
Renji had defeated only one Arrancar—Ilfort Grantz, a Fracción of the Eighth Espada. Even then, the battle had been difficult. Later, he was completely overwhelmed by Szayelaporro Granz, and alongside Yasutora Sado, defeated by Yammy Llargo.
Even after achieving Bankai, Renji was only barely beneath captain-level.
If he stagnated now, he would not survive the next battle.
Renji clenched his teeth, steadied himself, and resumed training.
Seeing this, a faint smile appeared on Renya's face.
Two more months passed in Soul Society.
Within the Dangai, sixty years had elapsed.
It had been four months since Aizen's rebellion.
According to original events, Aizen should have attacked Karakura Town by now but it hadn't happened.
Because he still lacked Urahara Kisuke's completed Hōgyoku.
Without a perfected Hōgyoku, Aizen could not achieve true evolution.
Would he still attack?
Renya didn't know.
If Aizen delayed too long, Yhwach might recover fully and move. The Quincy Emperor despised Aizen's ideology, but cooperation was not impossible.
Seireitei could not withstand both the Quincy Empire and the Arrancar Armysimultaneously.
The decisive battle would come within two years at most.
After reaching a conclusion, Renya exited the Dangai.
After sixty years of tempering, his reiatsu had reached the ninth tier, sufficient for the coming war.
What remained was deeper Zanpakutō mastery something the Dangai's narrow space could not support.
His training here was complete.
Four months have passed, Aizen.
When will you strike?
Atop the roof of Las Noches, Ichimaru Ginsmiled lazily.
"It's not enough yet," Aizen replied calmly. "I've prepared measures against Yamamoto Genryūsai. The remaining forces can deal with the other captains."
"And now?" Gin asked.
"A report from Seireitei," Aizen said. "Kurotsuki Renya trained in the Dangai. His reiatsu has increased. His Bankai duration will be longer."
"He can't kill me," Aizen continued, "but he can eliminate my Arrancar. If they fall too quickly, I'll be forced to fight personally and that leaves openings."
Gin's eyes narrowed. "You're worried about Urahara Kisuke."
"Yes," Aizen admitted. "Without the Hōgyoku, I can't afford exhaustion."
Gin smiled. "Then let me handle Renya."
Aizen shook his head. "No. I'll prepare something special for him. Gin you'll lead the assault and restrain pursuit. I'll face Yamamoto… and Renya."
Gin nodded. "Understood."
"We move in two months," Aizen concluded.
As Aizen departed, Gin remained, staring into the endless white desert, his smile unreadable.