Yamamoto's voice echoed through the main assembly hall.
The silence lasted for about a dozen seconds.
Kyoraku Shunsui pushed his straw hat up slightly.
"Then, I'll go first."
"The Wandenreich is hidden within the Shadow Realm. According to the data provided by Kurotsuchi Mayuri, the internal spatial structure of the Shadow Realm is more complex than the Seireitei, and the Reishi concentration is far higher than in the Soul Society."
"The enemy holds the geographical advantage. My suggestion is to divide our forces into three echelons. The first echelon will consist of the Stealth Force, responsible for infiltration and intelligence gathering."
"Once we have the corresponding intelligence and aren't fumbling in the dark, Hasumi Ren will lead the Eleventh Division as the second echelon for armed suppression and frontal combat."
"After that, Shiba Isshin and I will serve as the third echelon, responsible for cutting off the enemy's reinforcement routes and rear communications."
"Captain Unohana will hold down the Fourth Division to manage the evacuation of the wounded. Captain Hikifune will be responsible for maintaining the stability of the entrance portal. If something goes wrong with the portal, none of us will be able to return."
"Captain Kuchiki and Captain Ukitake should remain to guard the Seireitei. We must secure our rear in case of a surprise attack by the Quincies."
Kuchiki Ginrei had not made a sound until now. When he spoke, his voice was not loud, but it was steady.
"Captain Kyoraku is correct. The Sixth Division will be responsible for garrisoning the outer defensive perimeter of the Seireitei. Once the assault force pushes entirely into the Shadow Realm, we must prevent the interior of the Seireitei from being left defenseless."
Yamamoto nodded slightly and looked at Hasumi Ren.
"Frontal breakthroughs are the primary duty of the Eleventh Division. Hasumi Ren, what is the nature of your Bankai?"
Hasumi Ren thought for a moment and did not conceal it.
After all, if his ability was activated, it would also strike his allies heavily. If he didn't notify them in advance, someone might inevitably suffer an accident.
"My Bankai is a domain type. Once expanded, it has a suppressive effect on all special abilities within its range. If it is a Zanpakuto, it will force it to revert to its unreleased state."
The meeting room went quiet for a beat.
As an acting captain attending the meeting, Aizen's eyes flashed slightly.
At the same time, Kuchiki Ginrei, standing opposite him, slightly raised his eyes.
This sort of ability targeting Zanpakuto was rather familiar, reminding him of his son-in-law who had been sealed and suppressed.
Kyoraku pulled his straw hat down further to hide his surprised gaze.
"You seal everyone's abilities and then engage them in a pure sword fight. You are the Kenpachi... this Bankai truly suits you."
Ukitake coughed lightly.
"Both friend and foe are affected, which means captains cannot use Bankai within the domain either. Captain Hasumi, this ability of yours is a double-edged sword."
"You cannot use your Bankai when allies are present."
"That is true. I will pay attention to this issue."
Hasumi Ren said.
Yamamoto was silent for a good while.
"Then this condition will be added to the combat regulations and relayed to every captain and vice-captain who possesses a Bankai."
"Hasumi Ren, since your Bankai can seal abilities, it is a trump card for our assault. Before the official invasion, I will personally test it with you."
"Yes, Head Captain."
Yamamoto crossed his hands over his cane, his gaze slowly sweeping across the faces of every captain present.
"There is still some time before the portal opens. All units are to prepare according to the plan without delay."
Inside the Twelfth Division's technical workshop, Hikifune Kirio sealed the final crate of equipment and handed it to Kurotsuchi Mayuri, who was waiting to the side.
Mayuri leaned against the edge of the workbench, staring at the ceiling with a smile hanging on his lips.
The pen in his hand twirled around his fingertips twice before stopping as he wrote a line in the notebook in front of him.
'Department of Research and Development, First President, Kurotsuchi Mayuri.'
He tore the page out and stuck it on the blank wall in the center of the workshop that had been empty for a long time.
Hikifune Kirio glanced at him as she walked past, saying nothing.
After all, she was about to be promoted to the Zero Division; she no longer needed to concern herself with such matters.
At the same time, on the First Division's training grounds, Hasumi Ren took off his captain's haori and drew Garenge.
Yamamoto Shigekuni stood opposite him.
"Demonstrate your Bankai."
Hasumi Ren nodded and drew his Zanpakuto.
"Bankai, Bankou Kimu Renge."
A majestic spiritual pressure erupted, blowing Yamamoto's Shihakusho so hard it fluttered wildly.
An invisible sense of restriction appeared, and Yamamoto felt his connection with his Zanpakuto seemingly sever a little.
Yamamoto narrowed his eyes slightly, trying to communicate with his Zanpakuto while chanting the release command.
"All things in the universe, turn to ashes, Ryujin Jakka..."
The Zanpakuto gave him no response.
Yamamoto froze for a moment.
This ability actually could seal a Bankai, and even a Shikai... would be sealed.
For a Soul Reaper, this was far too terrifying.
Subsequently, Yamamoto raised his spiritual pressure. A terrifying spiritual pressure skyrocketed, and he chanted the release command for Ryujin Jakka once more.
A sky full of spiritual pressure fragments rained down, which also caused Hasumi Ren's spiritual pressure capacity to rise rapidly.
This time, Yamamoto's Zanpakuto reacted. Boosted by the majestic spiritual pressure, Ryujin Jakka actually managed to achieve Shikai successfully.
"It seems that as long as the volume of spiritual pressure is sufficient, the effect of Shikai will not be suppressed, but Bankai..."
Hearing a voice beside his ear, Sasakibe turned his head in surprise and saw Aizen standing to the side.
"Vice-Captain Aizen, when did you appear here?"
"Oh, Vice-Captain Sasakibe. I came to report the Fifth Division's work to the Head Captain. I just arrived here and didn't expect to see the Head Captain's Shikai. It truly is spectacular."
"But it looks like it might not be a convenient time for the Head Captain. If not, I can come back later."
Sasakibe frowned, assuming he had been too captivated by Yamamoto's Shikai to notice his surroundings.
"Is that so... It's fine, just wait a moment. They are only testing Captain Hasumi's Bankai; it will end shortly."
Sasakibe paid no more attention to Aizen, and Aizen quietly breathed a sigh of relief.
The effect of Kyoka Suigetsu had actually been suppressed the moment Hasumi Ren activated his Bankai, exposing him to Sasakibe's eyes.
Fortunately, he had prepared a contingency plan...
'Hasumi Ren... truly someone I must be wary of.'
In the distance, Yamamoto retracted his Shikai and called Sasakibe over to try.
After all, even if his own Bankai couldn't be activated, he wouldn't dare test it recklessly.
Sasakibe stepped forward and attempted to activate his Bankai, but no matter how much he raised his spiritual pressure, he could not activate it successfully. In the end, he tried his Shikai instead, which actually succeeded.
Everyone formed a preliminary judgment of Hasumi Ren's ability.
As long as one's spiritual pressure capacity exceeded Hasumi Ren's, they could achieve Shikai, but Bankai was indeed difficult to activate.
For those whose spiritual pressure was insufficient, even Shikai would be difficult to activate.
After drawing this conclusion, the test ended.
Hasumi Ren sheathed his sword, turned around, and walked out of the First Division's training grounds. As he passed the entrance, he saw Aizen greeting him.
"Captain Hasumi, what an outstanding Bankai."
"Vice-Captain Aizen... thank you for the compliment."
The two crossed paths and walked past each other.
Aizen also walked inside to report his work.
...
At night, Aizen sat in the Fifth Division's vice-captain's office, an internal bulletin regarding the Gotei 13's latest personnel changes spread out before him.
Unohana Retsu reinstated as captain, Shiba Isshin appointed as Tenth Division Captain, Soi Fon appointed as Second Division Captain, Hasumi Ren taking the post of Eleventh Division Kenpachi.
The vacancies were filled quickly, much faster than anticipated.
He closed the file and took out the Hogyoku.
Inside the transparent prism, the deep blue light glowed a bit brighter than before.
Many soul fragments had been collected, and all the data from the Captain Hollowfication experiments was in hand.
Only the final puzzle piece remained.
The Hogyoku needed an even more powerful sample to complete its final metamorphosis.
'Urahara Kisuke...'
Aizen tucked the Hogyoku back into his robes.
However, the impending war might just provide him with something he wanted.
The Wandenreich, Silbern.
Jugram Haschwalth stood in the center of the war room. Before him was a massive projection marking the deployment locations and statuses of all the Sternritter members.
"What movements are there from the Seireitei?"
An adjutant stepped forward to report.
"The Soul Reapers are assembling their main forces. The construction of the spell for the Shadow Realm's entrance is accelerating. It is estimated that their operation will take place within the next few days."
Haschwalth turned around.
"Quilge."
Quilge Opie stepped out from the ranks of the knights.
He wore round-framed sunglasses, his face gaunt and capable. He was the universally recognized drill instructor of the Sternritter and highly valued.
"The surprise attack plan you proposed earlier can now be executed. Take a small squad to Aizen's laboratory. Focus on destruction and strive to draw the Seireitei's attention, but do not prolong the fight."
Quilge bowed slightly.
"Understood."
Quilge took his orders and left. He picked three people.
Berenice Gabrielli walked at the edge of the team.
His Schrift Q, The Question, could use words to influence an opponent's actions, even negating enemy abilities. It was highly practical.
Jerome Guizbatt was massive and taciturn. His Schrift R, The Roar, allowed him to transform into a giant ape and launch sonic attacks through roaring.
Royd Lloyd walked at the rear. Ever since returning injured last time, he had remained silent. His Schrift Y, The Yourself, could perfectly replicate a target's appearance, spiritual pressure, and memories.
The four crossed the edge of the Shadow Realm and appeared in the wasteland surrounding the Seireitei.
Aizen's former secret laboratory was located in the barren mountains west of the Rukongai. When the group arrived, they found that the originally placed barriers and experimental equipment had long been removed, leaving only an empty cavern in the mountainside.
Quilge crouched at the cave entrance, sensing for any residual energy fluctuations.
Nothing at all.
The equipment was gone, the spell carvings on the walls completely erased, and the experimental residues on the floor cleaned up as if no one had ever been there.
But at that moment, a few figures appeared in the distance.
"Hey, you guys look rather unfamiliar. Are you locals?"
Quilge frowned and looked at the newcomer. It was a guy he didn't recognize.
But the attire on his body was undoubtedly that of a captain from within the Seireitei.
A newly appointed captain?
Aizen...
He intentionally exposed these abandoned coordinates to the Soul Reapers to lure them over.
He had just arrived with three squad members, and the Soul Reapers showed up immediately.
The timing was too precise.
They had been played.
Opposite the group, Shiba Isshin frowned slightly.
He had only come personally after receiving an abnormal spiritual pressure report from the patrol squad.
He saw the cave and the four white-clad figures standing at the entrance, his heart drumming a little.
This attire looked too much like the Quincies described in the intelligence files.
Shiba Isshin rested his hand on his Zanpakuto.
Quilge adjusted his sunglasses and walked out from the cave entrance.
The moonlight shone on his white combat uniform, his round lenses reflecting a cold glint.
"It seems the Soul Reaper captains are also starting to make up the numbers."
Quilge's voice wasn't loud, but it carried disdain.
Shiba Isshin didn't waste breath on him.
Flames ignited on Engetsu's blade, and scorching spiritual pressure overflowed from the edge, roasting the surrounding wild grass until it curled.
"Burn, Engetsu."
Flames erupted from the blade, transforming into a scorching arc that slashed straight at Quilge's face.
Quilge sidestepped to dodge. The flames brushed past his shoulder, leaving a scorch mark on his combat uniform.
He backhanded a condensed Reishi short sword and thrust it toward Shiba Isshin's ribs.
Shiba Isshin turned his blade horizontally. The Reishi short sword struck Engetsu's flaming blade and was deflected.
Quilge took a step back.
His wrist was numb from the shock, his palm stinging. The web of his hand was torn open by the recoil of the Reishi short sword, blood seeping out.
This newly arrived captain struck much heavier than he had anticipated.
Shiba Isshin gave him no chance to catch his breath.
Engetsu twirled in his hands, horizontal slashes followed by vertical chops, every swing carrying a heavy sound of breaking the wind.
Quilge blocked several strikes in succession, but in the next moment, his Reishi short sword was directly knocked away, shattering into fragments that scattered across the ground.
He condensed two more Reishi short swords with both hands, but before he could even assume a defensive posture, Shiba Isshin had already closed the distance.
Engetsu slashed upward from below.
Quilge leaned back to avoid it. The tip of the blade brushed past his chin, and the scorching spiritual pressure roasted a small patch of skin at his collar.
He retreated to the cave entrance, raising his hand to fire a volley of Reishi arrows at Shiba Isshin's chest.
Shiba Isshin didn't dodge. He used the flat of his blade to block the assault of the Reishi arrows and pressed forward.
He condensed his spiritual pressure into the blade, and Engetsu's spiritual pressure skyrocketed in that instant.
"Getsuga Tensho!"
The flames condensed on the blade transformed into a massive crescent-shaped slash that crushed forward, swallowing the Reishi arrows in mid-air.
Quilge forcefully dodged sideways. The Getsuga Tensho grazed past his left arm, plowing a scorch mark several meters long into the ground.
Quilge's left arm hung limply.
His sleeve was burned away, leaving a blackened burn mark on his forearm, the skin cracked open.
He stared at the sword in Shiba Isshin's hand, his chest heaving violently.
Behind him, Jerome let out a low roar, transforming into a giant ape. He charged forward and knocked Shiba Isshin away, then let out a massive roar. The tyrannical sonic waves disrupted Shiba Isshin.
Berenice's mouth kept moving, attempting to use his ability to seal away Shiba Isshin's desire to fight.
But his voice was completely drowned out by Jerome's roar. The condition for activation was that the target needed to hear his speech, yet Shiba Isshin heard absolutely nothing.
At this moment, braving the sonic attack, Shiba Isshin Shunpoed to his side and brought his blade down, splitting him in half.
He then looked at the fallen corpse in surprise. He thought the enemy was going to activate some ability, but he never expected him to be so frail.
"What were you babbling about? I couldn't hear a thing..."
Just then, Shiba Isshin looked behind him and was distracted for half a second.
Another 'himself' had actually appeared.
He then realized that this was the Quincy mentioned in the files who could change his appearance.
The two exchanged a strike; the enemy's ability was very troublesome.
Quilge and Jerome on the side also surrounded him, and the pressure on Shiba Isshin began to rise.
One against three. After several rounds of trading blows, he too sustained injuries.
He gritted his teeth, and the flames on the blade surged once more.
Spiritual pressure frantically gathered on the blade, making the flames even more violent.
Quilge watched the spiritual pressure frantically condensing on Shiba Isshin's blade.
He wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, drew a Medallion from his waist, his expression gloomy.
'Must I use it...?'
In the distance, Shiba Isshin had already roared aloud.
"Bankai!"