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Fate In Bleach (370)
🕑 Added 2024-12-13 17:00:08 +0000 UTCChapter 370 - Ichigo, The Special One
“Hold on, hold on…”
Akon had been the Third Seat of the Twelfth Division since Kisuke Urahara’s captaincy. Urahara didn’t doubt Akon’s abilities. Now, however, Mayuri Kurotsuchi was the captain. If Akon severed the connection, re-establishing contact with the Soul Society would take considerable time.
“Captain Kurotsuchi, I contacted the Soul Society because I have important information for Captain-Commander Yamamoto.”
“Hmph.” Kurotsuchi grunted, acknowledging Urahara’s conciliatory tone. He didn’t order Akon to sever the connection.
“Fine. I’ll send someone to fetch the Captain-Commander. Wait there.” Despite his dislike for Urahara, Kurotsuchi could distinguish priorities.
Within five minutes, Captain-Commander Yamamoto arrived at the Twelfth Division.
“Kisuke Urahara, you summoned me. What information do you have?”
“Captain-Commander Yamamoto.” Urahara lower his head slightly. “Last night, Arrancar under Aizen’s command arrived in the World of the Living and caused some damage.”
“Oh?” Yamamoto’s voice sharpened. “If I recall correctly, Captains Ailin and Hitsugaya are stationed there. How strong were these Arrancar, to cause damage under the watch of two captains?”
“Indeed, Captain-Commander. These Arrancar were quite powerful. The strongest among them, the self-proclaimed Sexta Espada, fought Captain Hitsugaya to a standstill, even after he released his Bankai.”
Urahara added hastily, “Of course, this was because Captain Hitsugaya’s reiatsu was suppressed by a limiter. Otherwise, he would have easily defeated the Arrancar.”
“How much damage could an Arrancar who didn’t even force Hitsugaya to release his limiter cause? Was it a large-scale Hollow attack?”
Yamamoto frowned and said, “With Captain Ailin present, even a horde of Hollows shouldn't be a problem.”
Hearing this, an image flashed through Urahara’s mind: the sight of countless golden ripples filling the sky above the Twelfth Division, the blades of Zanpakutō glinting menacingly, as if ready to annihilate them all. It had been the day of his arrest.
“No, Captain-Commander. If it were merely some damage to the World of the Living, I wouldn't have contacted you. These Arrancar were merely pawns, a distraction. Aizen’s true objective was to abduct a human.”
“Orihime Inoue.”
Urahara briefly explained Orihime’s abilities.
“In other words, Captain-Commander, with Orihime’s help, Aizen’s Hōgyoku fusion will accelerate significantly. Even if he completes the fusion tomorrow, I wouldn’t be surprised.”
“Is that so?” Yamamoto’s eyes narrowed.
“Ichigo Kurosaki, Uryū Ishida, and Chad Sado have already entered Hueco Mundo. Captain-Commander Yamamoto, Ichigo is our trump card against Sōsuke Aizen—”
“Kisuke Urahara!” Yamamoto’s voice thundered, interrupting him. “This is a battle between the Gotei 13 and Aizen. It has nothing to do with humans. Or do you believe I’m too old to wield a sword?”
Even through the Denshin Shinki, Urahara could sense Yamamoto’s fury. From Yamamoto’s perspective, Urahara’s actions implied that the Gotei 13 was no match for Aizen, that only Ichigo could defeat him. This was a grave insult to Yamamoto’s pride.
Urahara fell silent. He had forgotten Yamamoto’s arrogance. But…
“Captain-Commander Yamamoto, I acknowledge your strength. However, you mustn’t forget that everyone in the Soul Society, including yourself, has been affected by Aizen’s Kyōka Suigetsu. Your senses have been completely manipulated. I don’t need to explain the potential consequences of even a momentary lapse in judgment during battle, do I?”
“I have only one question, Captain-Commander. When facing Aizen, how will you determine if the Aizen before you is the real Aizen, or a captain under his illusion’s influence?”
Yamamoto fell silent, considering Urahara’s words. Indeed, Aizen’s strength, coupled with Kyōka Suigetsu’s ability, made the entire Gotei 13 a laughingstock. Once hypnotized, they couldn't distinguish friend from foe.
“Ichigo, however, hasn’t seen Aizen release his Zanpakutō. Therefore, Kyōka Suigetsu has no effect on him. As long as he avoids looking at Aizen’s Zanpakutō release during their battle, he won’t be hypnotized.”
“Captain-Commander Yamamoto,” Urahara’s voice was grave, “we cannot afford to lose this battle.”
Within the Twelfth Division, Yamamoto’s grip tightened on his cane. If it weren’t his Zanpakutō in its sealed state, it would have crumbled to dust. He didn't want to admit it, but Urahara was right.
The Gotei 13 couldn't afford to lose this battle. They couldn't even afford significant casualties. In two years, Yhwach, as foretold, would return and attack the Soul Society. If the Gotei 13 suffered heavy losses, they would be powerless to resist him.
He now understood why Urahara had contacted him. But…
“Kisuke Urahara, I concede your points. However, a mere Substitute Shinigami, whose strength is inferior to that of a Gotei 13 captain… Aizen wouldn't even need to release his Zanpakutō to kill him. How can you expect me to believe such a weakling can defeat Aizen?”
Within his underground lab, Urahara breathed a sigh of relief. As long as Yamamoto was willing to listen, there was hope.
“Captain-Commander Yamamoto, how long has it been since you last saw Ichigo? The reason I allowed him to enter Hueco Mundo to rescue Orihime is because I recently discovered that his spiritual pressure has reached the limits of a Shinigami. He’s no weaker than a veteran captain.”
“Hmm?” Even Yamamoto was astonished. He remembered Ichigo’s visit during the Kasumiōji Conspiracy. Back then, his strength had been comparable to that of Shusuke Amagai, who had attempted to assassinate him. He had sent Captains Ailin and Hitsugaya to the World of the Living precisely because Ichigo had been defeated by an Arrancar.
Urahara continued, “Captain-Commander Yamamoto, Ichigo is… special.”
He glanced towards the sky. Yamamoto quickly understood.
They had both encountered the Soul King’s will. They knew he sought release. And with the Soul King’s benevolence, even in death, he wouldn't abandon the world. He would choose a successor, a new Soul King.
If Ichigo was the chosen one, his rapid growth was understandable.
“Captain Kurotsuchi,” Yamamoto said, turning to his subordinate, “is the replica of Karakura Town complete?”
“How could it be finished so quickly?” Kurotsuchi scoffed. “It will take at least three more days.”
“Three days…” Yamamoto murmured, then looked at Urahara on the screen. “Captain Kurotsuchi, how long would it take you to open a Garganta to Hueco Mundo?”
“What? That’s child’s play,” Kurotsuchi said with a sneer. “If even Kisuke Urahara can do it, it poses no challenge for me. I can open a Garganta at any moment.”
“Good. Make the necessary preparations. I will send several captains to Hueco Mundo to delay Aizen’s Hōgyoku fusion. They must postpone his attack on the World of the Living by at least three days.”
“Understood. I’ll open a Garganta now. Those going to Hueco Mundo can enter directly from the Twelfth Division.”
“Yes.”
Once Yamamoto left, Kurotsuchi turned to Akon. “Akon, sever the connection. Now.”
“Yes, Captain Kurotsuchi.”
…
Beep! Beep! Beep!
In the World of the Living, the Denshin Shinki on Ailin’s wrist suddenly rang. He answered the call.
“Hello, this is Ailin.”
“Captain Ailin? This is Chōjirō Sasakibe, lieutenant of the First Division.”
“Oh, Lieutenant Sasakibe. Is there something Captain-Commander Yamamoto needs?”
“Yes, Captain Ailin.” Sasakibe’s respectful tone was evident even through the device.
Ailin could picture Sasakibe’s demeanor perfectly. Sasakibe was arguably the most unassuming powerhouse in the Soul Society. Despite possessing the strongest lightning-type Zanpakutō and the strength to injure even Yamamoto, he remained by Yamamoto’s side, his loyal “shadow.” He had no ambition for power, only the unwavering resolve to follow Yamamoto.
When action was required, he could feign death, then launch a surprise attack on Yhwach, creating an opening for Yamamoto’s decisive blow. When inaction was necessary, during Rukia’s execution, he and three other lieutenants had been effortlessly defeated by Ichigo, remaining “unconscious” until the battle ended. Despite his immense strength, he adhered to Yamamoto’s rules, content with his position as lieutenant, always respectful towards the captains.
“Captain Ailin,” Sasakibe continued, “Captain-Commander Yamamoto has learned of Orihime Inoue’s abduction. He intends to send Captains Unohana and Zaraki to Hueco Mundo with a team to delay Aizen’s fusion and postpone his attack on the World of the Living.”
“However, the replica of Karakura Town in the Soul Society will require three more days for the Kidō Corps to set up the spatial distortion barrier. Therefore, the Captain-Commander requests that you prevent any Hollows from remaining in the World of the Living during these three days. Otherwise, when our forces concentrate in the World of the Living, any Hollows caught in the spatial distortion could be transported to the Soul Society, causing significant casualties among both the residents of Karakura Town and the souls in Rukongai.”
“Understood. Please inform Captain-Commander Yamamoto that I won’t allow a single Hollow to remain within Karakura Town’s spiritually dense areas during these three days.”
“Yes, Captain Ailin.”
After ending the call, Ailin’s expression turned serious. While the Soul Society planned to battle Aizen in Karakura Town, they wouldn’t disregard the lives of its residents. They had already devised a plan: to create a replica of Karakura Town within the desolate Zaraki district of Rukongai.
Before the battle, they would swap the two locations, transferring the real Karakura Town to the Soul Society and replacing it with the replica. This way, even the most destructive battle between the Gotei 13 and Aizen would only damage the replica, leaving the real Karakura Town unharmed.
Furthermore, the residents of Karakura Town, once transferred to the Soul Society, would be rendered unconscious by a special mist created by the Twelfth Division, preventing them from wandering outside the designated area and becoming stranded in the Soul Society after the battle.
Ailin hadn’t told Ichigo about this plan to maintain a sense of urgency. Ichigo, despite his enthusiasm for battle, was essentially a laid-back teenager. Unless his friends were in danger, he rarely displayed a strong fighting spirit.
Ailin didn’t want any unnecessary casualties in either Karakura Town or Rukongai. Therefore, after receiving Sasakibe’s call, he flew out of the hotel and hovered above Karakura Town. He extended his right hand, pointing his index finger towards the sky.
“Bakudō #58 - Kakushitsuijaku!”
A white circle appeared on his fingertip, ripples spreading outwards rapidly. As the ripples expanded, Ailin sensed every spiritual being within Karakura Town. He then continued.
“Bakudō #77 - Tenteikūra!”
Black Kidō inscriptions spread across the sky, connecting Ailin’s reiatsu to the spiritual pressures he had sensed. He excluded ordinary humans who lacked the ability to manipulate reiryoku.
