Haschwalth pondered Gremmy's suggestion for a moment.
Then, he nodded and uttered two words: "Go."
"Everything is for His Majesty."
"Only by capturing Tsugikuni Ai can we make Yoriichi Tsugikuni hesitate."
"Intelligence shows he values his family immensely… It's a pity his wife is in the Noble District…"
"But this is enough; it wasn't in vain that we detonated the Forest of Menos in advance."
The anomaly in the Forest of Menos was deliberately made known to the Shinigami by Haschwalth.
His purpose was to lure Yoriichi Tsugikuni there, then seize the opportunity to capture his wife and daughter alive.
Actually, Haschwalth had never had such an idea before.
But when he learned about Tsugikuni Ai's enrollment… he keenly realized.
There was no better time to launch this war than now.
Under the guise of war, they could skillfully carry out a kidnapping, even if they broke into the 1st Division, they would have an excuse.
And once they broke into the 1st Division and abducted Tsugikuni Ai, it would be logical and reasonable for the Quincy.
Gremmy nodded thoughtfully upon hearing this:
"Since we're acting, which member do you think is suitable to send?"
"For His Majesty, you and I cannot show ourselves."
"Among the remaining members, Kiruge, Giselle, and Leah are all in Hueco Mundo."
"Pernida and Gerard, as the Soul King's Left Hand and Soul King's Heart, are still in training."
"Royd Lloyd and Royd Lloyd are His Majesty's vessels; their abilities cannot be wasted now."
"Considering the 1st Division's strict security and tight defenses, the Quincy sent must possess sufficiently strong power and excellent abilities."
"And Yamamoto Genryusai is most likely not dead yet at this time; if they encounter him, they might not return, so their ability cannot be too outstanding, and the number of people acting cannot be too many…"
"They must be able to kidnap Tsugikuni Ai under Yamamoto Genryusai's nose, and also meet the condition that their existence is irrelevant to His Majesty…"
"Are there such Quincy in Wandenreich?"
This was a meticulously planned operation, with every detail impacting success or failure, so rash actions were absolutely forbidden.
Even Gremmy, as arrogant as he was, now put aside his usual pride and began to seriously consider the list of personnel.
Haschwalth gave a cold smile, a smile that carried a hint of "appreciation" for someone.
He gazed at the scene of the Menos Grande attempting to invade the 1st Division, then calmly stated his thoughts:
"Of course there is, Gremmy, have you forgotten her?"
"Bambietta Basterbine."
"She is an irrelevant existence to His Majesty, and at the same time, her ability is quite excellent in group battles."
"Given her personality, she probably won't refuse this mission."
"If she captures Tsugikuni Ai and then massacres the Shinigami…"
A sharp glint flashed in Haschwalth's eyes, his tone slightly cold,
"I wonder what Yoriichi Tsugikuni will think when he finds out about this later."
Gremmy frowned, as if it were indeed so.
The Sternritter [The Explode] disregards defense and Reiatsu differences.
This means that even if Yamamoto Genryusai is in front of her, he could get injured if he's not careful.
Having her act is indeed the most appropriate choice, but…
Gremmy looked at Haschwalth, his eyebrows slightly raised:
"Haschwalth, has anyone told you that your personality seems to have changed?"
"Is dispatching Bambietta to pressure Tokito Iwákatsu?"
"What do you think? Haven't you changed too?" Haschwalth's expression remained as calm as water, and he did not deny Gremmy's words.
He glanced at the other party, then withdrew his gaze,
"Everything is for His Majesty."
"As long as His Majesty can win that war decades from now, I am willing to bear all the blame."
"Tokito Iwákatsu… perhaps, I can't see through him, true and false, real and illusory, who he is, I can no longer distinguish."
"But no matter what, kidnapping Tsugikuni Ai is a must."
"Instead of sending someone else, it's better to send Bambietta."
Haschwalth murmured to himself,
"I also want to see how Tokito Iwákatsu will treat Bambietta after she does this."
After speaking, he decisively ended the topic,
"Go act, Gremmy, it's getting late, delays cause complications."
"Even if you want to question my decision, you'll have to wait until after the matter is over."
Gremmy sighed, feeling emotional, everyone had changed.
Not just Haschwalth, even he himself had transformed from that arrogant fantasist into someone more realistic.
Although he still remained arrogant in front of others…
At this moment.
He couldn't refute Haschwalth's words and could only send a clone to Bambietta to hand over the mission to her.
…
As the two incidents occurred almost simultaneously.
So, when Gremmy appeared outside Bambietta's house, Yoriichi Tsugikuni also arrived there.
The two met, and the atmosphere instantly became extremely awkward and heavy.
Gremmy was awkward.
Yoriichi was heavy.
Because it was obvious that the other party was there for something important.
However, in both their minds, their own matters were certainly more crucial.
How to get the other party to leave became the first problem they had to solve.
Gremmy certainly wouldn't leave; this matter concerned the future of the entire Wandenreich.
However, for him to tell Bambietta the plan to kidnap Tsugikuni Ai in front of Tokito Iwákatsu… he couldn't do it.
Just as Haschwalth said before, Tokito Iwákatsu's identity couldn't be confirmed.
If he really was Yoriichi Tsugikuni, then revealing this plan would be tantamount to self-exposure, and all past efforts would be in vain.
He couldn't bear such responsibility.
The same was true for Yoriichi Tsugikuni; the safety of hundreds of Shinigami in Seireitei was at stake and absolutely could not be interfered with by Gremmy.
The air fell silent like this, neither of them spoke, but five seconds later, considering the urgency of time, both acted simultaneously.
Gremmy was just about to banish Tokito Iwákatsu tens of thousands of miles away, claiming his imagination had momentarily gone out of control.
Suddenly, clack, the door opened.
The door blocked their view, and Gremmy's imagination instantly ceased.
Yoriichi Tsugikuni also instinctively retracted his sword-drawing motion at that instant.
Then, they saw Liltotto Lamperd walk out from inside the door.
She had a lollipop in her mouth, looking leisurely.
Behind her was another person, Meninas McAllon, who was saying her goodbyes.
It was obvious that these two had probably come to Bambietta's for afternoon tea.
Liltotto originally wanted to say goodbye together, but as soon as she raised her eyes, she saw Gremmy standing outside the door.
She froze for a second, then she noticed Tokito Iwákatsu.
Meninas McAllon then also noticed them, letting out an "Eh?"
Bambietta walked out, hands on her hips, and retorted:
"Hey, what are you two big men doing standing here?"
"Are you looking for me? Come on in!"
Liltotto still didn't know that she had inadvertently defused a fierce confrontation.
Listening to Bambietta's words, her thought of leaving gradually disappeared.
Because, for these two to appear here at the same time, it must be something important.
However, facing Bambietta's invitation, Gremmy hesitated for a while, but ultimately chose to leave.
There were too many people, they couldn't fight, and it wasn't good to secretly give the mission to Bambietta; for now, they could only switch personnel.
Although he wasn't clear about Tokito Iwákatsu's purpose for being there, Gremmy didn't believe it would be related to Tsugikuni Ai.
As long as Yoriichi Tsugikuni didn't know about this, no matter how he acted, the Quincy would hold the advantage.
After discussing with Haschwalth, Gremmy ultimately chose another person to participate in the plan.
Pepe Waccabrada, the owner of Sternritter L—Love.
He can mark opponents with a heart, and anyone he marks, regardless of their Reiatsu level, will become his slave.
Of course, the higher the Reiatsu, the greater the chance of self-awareness, but how much Reiatsu could Tsugikuni Ai possibly have?
As long as she was marked while hidden among the Menos Grande, there would be no need for a deliberate kidnapping; she would come out on her own.
And to create confusion, she naturally wouldn't be the only one marked; those noble children would also make excellent human shields.
Using them, even someone as strong as Yamamoto Genryusai would find it tricky.
Two-pronged approach, double assurance.
This time, success is guaranteed!
…
Bambietta watched Gremmy leave without a word, a strange expression on her face.
She silently cursed him as a lunatic, then looked at Tokito Iwákatsu:
"Why aren't you leaving?"
"Do you need something from me?"
Yoriichi didn't speak, and walked into Bambietta's house on his own.
Liltotto and Meninas didn't leave, perhaps they had developed a slight interest in the matter, but in Yoriichi's eyes, none of that mattered.
On the contrary, the more members of the Female Knight Squad, the better.
"Hey, speak up, do you have something to say to me or not?"
Bambietta was getting a little angry.
Although Tokito Iwákatsu was her Vice-Captain and they had a close relationship, it shouldn't be this casual.
Anyone who didn't know would think this was his home.
Yoriichi turned around, surveyed the room, looked at the three girls in front of him, and asked:
"Is Candice not here?"
Liltotto sucked on her lollipop and replied: "Candice is training."
"Tokito, did you come to Bambietta's place to look for her?"
She hadn't heard of any connection between Tokito Iwákatsu and Candice…
Liltotto truly couldn't understand this act of going to one girl's house to look for another girl.
Yoriichi seemed to see through Liltotto's strange gaze, but he didn't pay attention, because he wasn't there to catch up with them.
Since he knew Candice was training and wouldn't be coming anytime soon, things would be easier.
Yoriichi immediately pulled out a small orb and crushed it without hesitation.
Then, the surrounding space and time seemed to freeze.
Liltotto suddenly found her body stiff and unable to even lick her lollipop.
At first, she didn't understand what was happening, but when she saw that Yoriichi Tsugikuni was unaffected, she instantly reacted.
Her deadpan eyes widened sharply.
"Tokito… you!"
…
"Everyone! Everyone! Don't run around!"
Inside the bustling 1st Division, Chōjirō Sasakibe looked at the chaotic students and suddenly felt a sense of powerlessness.
Beads of sweat rolled down his forehead; he hastily wiped them away, his eyes never stopping, fixed on the area outside the main gate.
He had never missed the Captain-Commander so much.
And something had to happen precisely when Yoriichi Tsugikuni left.
—Damn Quincy!
He gritted his teeth, a surge of determination rising in his heart, deciding to use his adult authority to calm the panicked students.
Even if he were to be punished by those nobles afterward, he wouldn't hesitate.
However.
Just as Chojiro Sasakibe was about to speak, a shout suddenly echoed throughout the entire space.
"Everyone, shut up!"
This was Tsugikuni Ai's voice.
At this sound, all the students who were in a panic instantly froze in place.
Clearly.
They knew how formidable the young lady of the Tsugikuni Clan family was.
One person regained his composure and said with a crying voice:
"Miss Ai, there's no need to set rules at a time like this, right? Let's hurry and escape."
"It'll be bad if those enemies attack!"
"Yes, yes."
These words seemed to resonate with everyone, and another person quickly echoed, saying urgently,
"Time is short, we are still young, and enemies like this should be left to the Shinigami to handle..."
"We shouldn't stay here and cause them trouble."
"Where's the back door? Quickly take us there!"
They said there was no need to set rules, but isn't this setting them quite well?
After a chaotic discussion, the scene unexpectedly quieted down, and these people's thoughts seemed to clear up considerably.
However, before they could start looking for the back door,
Tsugikuni Ai stood with her hands on her hips, her gaze somewhat serious, staring intently at the students in front of her, and coldly snorted:
"Escape? Can you escape? If we could, we wouldn't still be here."
She turned to look at Chojiro Sasakibe, her tone confident but still with a hint of inquiry,
"Wouldn't you agree, Grandfather Chojiro?"
Seeing everyone's gaze focus on him, Chojiro's expression shifted, and he finally sighed dejectedly:
"Yes, Miss Ai is right. Both the back door and the front door are blocked by Menos Grande, and even the underground tunnel exit is as well."
"As of now, the only safe area around is here."
"In other words, we are surrounded."
"Surrounded? Then hurry up and break through!" One person exploded upon hearing this news.
"I'm telling you, I am a high-ranking noble. If I die here, it's not something a mere Vice-Captain like you can bear the responsibility for!"
He imperiously pointed at Chojiro Sasakibe, his voice urgent,
"Even if it means sacrificing lives, the safety of us nobles must be guaranteed! Isn't that the duty of the Gotei 13!"
Enrolling in the Spiritual Arts Academy did not mean one had to join the Gotei 13.
Some nobles just went through the motions to add a layer of prestige to their identity, to prevent their families from being suppressed by the Gotei faction.
At this moment, not only him, but at least one-third of the thirty-plus nobles present had the same idea as him.
And so, the scene once again descended into chaos.
The noisy human voices almost drowned out the occasional explosions from outside, and Chojiro Sasakibe's mood was extremely complicated.
Although he really wanted to directly use his Reiatsu to intimidate these disobedient students, unfortunately, he did not have the courage and prestige of Yamamoto Genryusai.
Just as Chojiro was thinking about how to appease the fragile hearts of these noble students.
Tsugikuni Ai's expression hardened, and she strode forward a few steps, throwing an unhesitating punch at the boy who was wantonly disrupting order.
Thud!
The boy fell to the ground and instantly passed out, a tooth flying out. This action instantly shocked everyone present, even disrupting Chojiro's thoughts.
Plop. The tooth landed, rolled a few times on the ground, and finally stopped.
Chojiro looked at the scene before him and had only one thought.
That was—the Captain-Commander's daughter is truly a heroine who can stand her ground against men.
Some boys, when facing a crisis, might not even be as decisive and courageous as her.
"Annoying."
Tsugikuni Ai snorted in displeasure. She stomped her foot slightly, and with a 'crack,' the hard floor instantly cracked.
Amidst the flying wood splinters, she surveyed her surroundings with an unquestionable tone, asking:
"Does anyone else want to taste my fist?"
"Come out together."
"I'm telling you, don't think you can be so arrogant just because my father isn't here."
"So what if you're high-ranking nobles?"
"Who isn't a high-ranking noble? Do you really not fear my father, daring to order Grandfather Chojiro around like this?"
Although doing so had the suspicion of relying on her father, Ai couldn't care less at this moment.
If order wasn't restored, all of them would die.
The students present had never seen such a scene or heard such a tone.
Spoiled by their elders since childhood, they wanted to retaliate, especially the friends of the one who was punched.
Calling him Grandfather Chojiro, one might think he was a noble, a mere Vice-Captain...
However, just as these thoughts formed in their minds and words were about to escape their lips.
A strange chill inexplicably crept up their spines and spread throughout their bodies.
It was as if saying anything more would lead to the same fate as the person on the ground.
Looking forward, Ai was clenching her fist.
In that instant, the anger in their hearts was extinguished as if by a bucket of cold water.
For the sake of their own lives, they decisively gave up speaking, each lowering their heads, not daring to utter another word.
"Tch." Seeing this, Ai was disdainful.
A group of boys actually chickened out like that; she had wanted to teach a few more a lesson as a warning to others.
But the current situation wasn't bad either; at least order had been restored.
She took out a doll from her backpack and whispered a few words to it.
The crowd didn't hear clearly, but immediately after, they saw the doll move.
It bounced and hopped towards the door.
Then, the scene suddenly changed.
"Is it an illusion?"
Chojiro Sasakibe was well-informed and recognized at a glance what ability the doll had just used.
Tsugikuni Ai glanced at him, nodded, and explained:
"That's right, this is one of the bodyguards my father once assigned to me, a modified soul named Rin."
"I originally thought I might never need it in my life, but I didn't expect these Menos Grande to openly attack."
"Since that's the case, I can't hide it anymore."
"After upgrading, the illusion incorporates some abilities of Sakanade and Kyōka Suigetsu, capable of making fakes indistinguishable from the real thing."
"Delaying for a few hours shouldn't be a problem."
"It just depends on when father can return."
"Grandfather Chojiro, please conserve your strength first. Only then can we hold out until father returns."
Tsugikuni Ai knew that Chojiro Sasakibe possessed Bankai, so in the current battlefield, he was the most important one and absolutely could not be allowed to get into trouble.
Breaking through? Unrealistic.
Hundreds of Arrancar.
Even father might not be able to kill them all in a short time, let alone Chojiro Sasakibe.
If Yamamoto Genryusai were here, the situation might be completely different, but unfortunately, the Quincy side had long since targeted him.
To prevent him from participating in the battle, they simply sent a hundred ordinary Arrancar and twenty zombie Arrancar to harass him.
From the constantly rising temperature and the continuously evaporating water in the surroundings from a few minutes ago, one could judge how intense the battle on the other side was.
They had to save themselves.
For this reason.
Chojiro Sasakibe sighed deeply. At such a critical moment, his thoughts were still not as clear as a child's.
Two thousand years had truly been lived in vain.
Fortunately.
He was enlightened in time.
As his thoughts turned, Chojiro Sasakibe quickly led the students deeper into the 1st Division.
During the journey, he urgently hoped that the Captain-Commander would return as soon as possible.
Even if only a clone returned, it would be good.
These Menos Grande, he didn't know what kind of madness had possessed them...
So crazy...
...
"Hehehe... Sorrow, truly sorrowful."
Outside the 1st Division.
A fat, dark-skinned man with a white beard suddenly appeared through the void, leisurely riding on a tray behind a group of Menos Grande.
He watched the scene of Shinigami and Hollow constantly fighting and bleeding in front of him.
The excited expression from his mission gradually disappeared, replaced by a rather playful, seemingly compassionate demeanor.
His voice also carried a pretentious tone:
"So-called war, no matter when, is always tragic."
"But, don't worry, I, Lord PePe, have arrived."
"I will bring love and completely end this war."
"Love... interesting."
PePe suddenly remembered his mission objective, and his rare serious expression turned somewhat lewd.
Wearing sunglasses, he chuckled:
"I believe that once this mission is completed, even Haschwalth will look at me with new eyes."
"The daughter of the Soul Society's Captain-Commander..."
"I'm really looking forward to it."
"I wonder what makes her different from those common women."
"Ah... be strung up by the chains of love!"
He sincerely exclaimed, then his figure flickered and he abruptly vanished from his spot.
The mission was special; he couldn't be reckless.
Considering that the 1st Division had only one entrance, he couldn't enter temporarily, so he could only hide in the shadows to help these Menos Grande defeat the Shinigami.
Only then could he kidnap Tsugikuni Ai amidst the chaos.
The thought of having dozens or even hundreds of slaves in the future made PePe drool uncontrollably.
Heaven, it was nothing more than this.
...
On the other side, in the Wandenreich.
Liltotto simply couldn't believe what she was seeing.
Her colleague, a Quincy she had once invited, admired, and believed had a bright future, was actually a Shinigami's person.
Who could have imagined this?
She herself was actually fine, just a faint sadness welling up in her heart.
Because she knew that under these circumstances, she probably couldn't escape.
But Bambietta...
Bambietta didn't care about any of that; she only knew that she had been made a fool of.
Veins bulged on her forehead, her eyes were bloodshot, and her fists were clenched. She wanted to hit someone, wanted to use her Sternritter to blow the man in front of her to smithereens.
However, at this moment, she couldn't even move a finger.
Speaking... was even more difficult.
Because the flow of time here was two thousand times faster than the outside world.
For some unknown reason, their physical bodies were equivalent to those outside, so their speaking speed was correspondingly two thousand times slower.
Yoriichi Tsugikuni had given them two thousand minutes to think.
Once the time was up, it would be the moment to decide their own fate.
Remaining... one thousand nine hundred ninety minutes.