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Speaking of the Soul King's organs, one cannot help but mention the Wandenreich; both the Soul King's Heart and the Soul King's Left Arm are there.
"Aside from Jūshirō's matter…" Aozaki Reiji snapped his fingers, "Take some time to observe the Shadow Realm in the Seireitei."
"Shadows?" Kurotsuchi Mayuri scanned the area, then turned to Aozaki Reiji, "What's in there?"
"The Quincy you're so fixated on," Aozaki Reiji replied with a smile.
"Do you find this joke funny?" Kurotsuchi Mayuri asked with a frown.
This is the Seireitei, the ruling center of the Shinigami; how could Quincy possibly be here?
"Nine hundred years ago," Aozaki Reiji said to himself, "that great war between the Shinigami and the Quincy ended, but the Quincy were not wiped out. They constructed a space within the Shadow of the Seireitei."
"A portion of the Quincy who survived the war hid in this space and established a nation called the Wandenreich within it."
"The war when the Quincy invaded the Soul Society?"
"Exactly."
"But how do you know all this?"
"I have my ways."
"Shouldn't you be asking Urahara Kisuke about this?"
Kurotsuchi Mayuri completely ignored Aozaki Reiji's smile.
"He is a Gotei 13 Captain, and the safety of the Seireitei should be his concern, shouldn't it?"
"I don't want anyone else to know about this for now," Aozaki Reiji said.
Kurotsuchi Mayuri's face showed a strange, eerie smile, "It seems there's something you care about in there…"
"You can understand it that way," Aozaki Reiji said indifferently, "I need you to find a way to enter the Shadow Realm."
Kurotsuchi Mayuri gritted his teeth, "You, are you treating me as your subordinate?"
"Aren't you?" Aozaki Reiji raised an eyebrow, "Don't forget my identity: Shinigami Research and Development Institute Advisor. As Vice-Captain, your position is below mine. Strictly speaking, you are my subordinate."
"Tsk, that hateful woman, Hikifune Kirio," Kurotsuchi Mayuri muttered.
Aozaki Reiji stood up, placed his hand on his shoulder, and said enthusiastically:
"Don't look so resentful. We can both get what we want."
"Those are Quincy who invaded the Seireitei. You should have some understanding of the ferocity of that bloody battle nine hundred years ago."
"You know my strength. You need to rely on my power to contend with them."
As he spoke, Aozaki Reiji slightly released his Reiatsu, allowing Kurotsuchi Mayuri to get a rough idea of his current strength.
"And I will only take what I want. I'll also catch some Quincy to bring back for your research. Those are pure-blooded Quincy."
Pure-blooded Quincy, indeed tempting…
But this guy's Reiatsu has become truly terrifying!
Kurotsuchi Mayuri's heart jolted, and his eyes flickered as he said, "I agree."
"A correct decision," Aozaki Reiji nodded.
...
The Thirteenth Division is built in the suburbs, with winding stone paths along the river leading to the Squad Barracks.
Aozaki Reiji was walking on the road leading to the Thirteenth Division's Squad Barracks. Birds chirped in the ginkgo trees along the road, and pedestrians occasionally passed by on the riverside stone path, greeting him.
These pedestrians were all Squad members from various Squads.
As the Eleventh Division Captain, Aozaki Reiji received their utmost respect, even if they were not part of the same Squad.
This was both a respect for a strong individual and an acknowledgment of this approachable, gentle, and brave Captain.
The Thirteenth Division, built in the suburbs, was exceptionally large, yet it lacked the extravagance of the Second Division, nor was it a martial arts arena like the Eleventh Division. Instead, it resembled a serene and elegant retreat for a recluse.
The Squad Barracks as a whole consisted of quaint Japanese-style architecture, with multiple courtyards and pavilions arranged in a well-ordered manner, and a faint fragrance that evoked a sense of tranquility and leisure.
The entrance to the Thirteenth Division was brightly lit, and Squad members in Shinigami robes welcomed him inside.
Aozaki Reiji was quite famous among the Shinigami, not to mention being Yamamoto's disciple. During the rebel uprising, he defeated one Captain-class strong individual after another, and there were even two dedicated fan groups within the Gotei 13.
This ensured his fame in the Seireitei would not be low.
The guard evidently knew he was coming, respectfully stepped back, then bowed, and said reverently:
"Lord Kenpachi Aozaki, Captain Ukitake has been waiting for a long time."
The guard's voice was not loud, but all the Shinigami with excellent hearing heard it.
The previously tightly closed gate slowly opened, and everyone in the courtyard looked uniformly at Aozaki Reiji.
Aozaki Reiji, being watched by them, showed no shyness. He had long been accustomed to being the center of attention and could calmly accept being in the spotlight.
"It's Captain Reiji!" a girl with sparkling eyes couldn't help but whisper.
The Squad members present all tacitly looked at Aozaki Reiji.
Although long-lived Shinigami have the chance to see many handsome men and beautiful women in their lifetime, Aozaki Reiji was clearly in a league of his own.
Among the various handsome men in the Soul Society, Aozaki Reiji was also the most outstanding.
He could even make it so that when you scanned across, you would only notice Aozaki Reiji. Neither the perfectly noble Kuchiki Soujun nor the sickly Jūshirō Ukitake could attract your gaze.
Sometimes, good-looking people aren't scary; what's scary is when good-looking people know they are good-looking.
Aozaki Reiji was well aware of his advantages, and facing the gazes of so many people, he generously displayed his appearance.
As Aozaki Reiji walked into the large residence, the courtyard behind him resumed its clamor.
With Aozaki Reiji's keen hearing, he could still occasionally hear phrases like, "Lord Kenpachi is too handsome!" "Lord Reiji just looked at me!" "I should have chosen the Eleventh Division back then," and so on.
The corridors inside the large residence were deep and quiet. Although Jūshirō Ukitake's status was not particularly noble, the decor here still showed a noble style.
However, it was not a capable officer of the Thirteenth Division who greeted Aozaki Reiji, but rather the Fourth Division Vice-Captain, Kotetsu Isane.
"Sister Isane, why are you here?" Aozaki Reiji asked with some confusion as he watched Kotetsu Isane approach.
"I came to check on Captain Ukitake and to see my sister," Kotetsu Isane said shyly, her large eyes almost spinning in circles, "Please follow me, Captain Ukitake is in the Rain Temple."
"Is this really okay?" Thirteenth Division Third Seat, Sentarō Kotsubaki, leaned against the wall, peeking out and saying, "Your sister looks like she's about to faint."
"You absolutely must do this. Feelings cannot be hidden in the heart; they must be shown."
Thirteenth Division Acting Vice-Captain Kiyone Kotetsu also peeked out her head.
"Otherwise, with her personality, she'll never take that step in her life."
"But why do I feel like your sister is a bit pitiful?" Sentarō Kotsubaki said, winking.
"The more it's like this, the stronger you must be!" Kiyone Kotetsu raised her small fist, as if cheering on Kotetsu Isane, "Go, sister!!"
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