Chapter 219 The Wandenreich's Declaration of War—The Death of Chōjirō Sasakibe!
"ALERT! ALERT!"
"What's the current situation? What threat level has been designated?"
Within the Technology Development Bureau, busy technicians rushed back and forth carrying instruments and information requiring immediate reporting.
"The current situation has been classified as Level Four—extremely serious!"
"Damn it! Why was this reported so slowly?"
"My apologies! We've experienced similar minor occurrences previously, but each time minor adjustments proved sufficient to resolve them."
Then, the instant the reporter's voice fell, other inspectors responsible for monitoring Hollow activity in the human world shouted urgently: "Sectors 902 through 202—112 Hollows have vanished again!"
"Sectors 6603 through 8983 also report 51 Hollow life signatures disappearing!"
"Boundary erosion is being corrected! Please contact the correction team immediately!"
At the Third Seat position of the Twelfth Division, Akon propped his hands against the table. With bloodshot eyes, he regarded the numbers and murmured: "No good. At this rate, the boundary between Soul Society and the human world will collapse."
"Report to the First Division immediately!"
"Yes, Third Seat Akon!"
Witnessing the staff member rushing away, Akon then departed to consult with the Captain... What is this?
"Hmph." After releasing a soft snort, Kurotsuchi Mayuri spoke with gravity: "Obviously, something can completely eliminate Hollows..."
"Who else besides them?"
"Them? Have you already deduced their identity?"
On another matter, Rukongai had discovered numerous incidents involving the sudden disappearance of spirit bodies. Because the numbers proved so tremendous, concealment was essentially impossible. Consequently, Gotei 13 dispatched the Ninth, Tenth, and Eleventh Divisions to send investigation teams to examine the locations where spirits had vanished.
"Third Seat Madarame! Fifth Seat Ayasegawa!"
At this moment, within a declining village in Rukongai's eastern region, an Eleventh Division member rushed toward Madarame Ikkaku and Ayasegawa Yumichika and declared: "We've searched every corner of the village. Not a single spirit body remains. There's no trace of the village's residents—even the children haven't been found!"
"The entire village has vanished..." Ayasegawa Yumichika stroked his chin thoughtfully. "It's almost like a supernatural phenomenon!"
"Don't jest. Is such an absurd conclusion sufficient reason for closing this case?" Madarame frowned deeply. He stepped forward and addressed the team member who'd just reported: "Anything else noteworthy?"
"Actually... there are indeed some peculiar signs!" The team member pondered momentarily, then addressed them both: "Please examine this..."
Soon, all three arrived at an open area. The surrounding uninhabited ground was covered with chaotic footprints everywhere. Careful observation revealed that the surrounding footprints converged toward this location, then vanished collectively. Among these footprints, only two types appeared—those wearing straw sandals and those barefoot.
All indications suggested these disappearing spirits represented hardworking Rukongai villagers.
After obtaining such conclusions through analysis, Ayasegawa Yumichika instructed the surrounding team members: "Additional clues must exist. Please continue searching!"
"Yes!"
Several hours later, within Seireitei's Gotei 13—inside the First Division's assembly hall—Okikiba Genshirō was reporting various division updates regarding these incidents to Yamamoto Genryūsai, when Yamamoto suddenly narrowed his eyes and looked behind himself, speaking coldly: "Who's there?"
Okikiba Genshirō felt startled. He hadn't anticipated someone could approach the First Division's assembly hall so silently.
He looked in the direction Yamamoto observed. At some point, seven mysterious individuals wearing white cloaks and black masks had materialized within the previously empty chamber.
"This represents our first meeting. You are the Captain-Commander of Gotei 13—the renowned Yamamoto Genryūsai-sama, correct?"
The leading masked figure addressed Yamamoto directly, neither humble nor arrogant: "I've come to convey... our declaration of war!"
Hearing "declaration of war," the old man raised his eyebrows. A contemptuous, mocking gleam flashed through his eyes.
The masked figure continued: "How truly surprising. The private office of Gotei 13's Captain-Commander can be invaded so easily. It seems these years of comfort have made Shinigami vigilance somewhat lax!"
"Don't get cocky!" Yamamoto Genryūsai narrowed his eyes slightly. His solemn killing intent made the tension throughout the scene escalate dramatically.
"With me present, that constitutes the best security!"
"Indeed. Your final words have been delivered. Five days hence, Soul Society will be annihilated by the Wandenreich. Enjoy your remaining days!"
The instant after the masked figures finished speaking and prepared departing, a dark shadow was thrown from considerable distance, landing directly within Yamamoto Genryūsai's arms.
After perceiving the figure's appearance clearly, Yamamoto felt furious rage—because what had fallen into his arms was Chōjirō Sasakibe, the First Division's Lieutenant who'd served him for countless years.
At that moment, the tension throughout the entire assembly hall had climbed to its absolute peak, as though in the next instant, Yamamoto's entire being would explode like a powder keg, incinerating everyone present.
"Hmm?"
Suddenly, the masked figure turned toward Yamamoto and spoke mockingly: "Are you asking who we are with that expression?"
"Actually, you should already know such questioning proves futile. You can deduce our identity with minimal speculation. Withdraw!"
Immediately, black shadows materialized beneath the seven masked figures' feet, engulfing them like a swamp.
"Wait!"
Witnessing their imminent escape, the enraged Yamamoto hesitated not at all. He swung Ryūjin Jakka within his grasp. Violent flames directly obliterated half the assembly hall. After the flames dissipated, aside from the devastation and charred wooden boards, no trace of those masked figures remained.
They'd escaped... Their Reiatsu no longer existed within Seireitei. In other words... could these individuals move regardless of the Shakonmaku barrier?
Just as Yamamoto speculated regarding how they'd departed, Chōjirō Sasakibe's dying voice suddenly emerged from behind him.
"Captain-Commander Yamamoto..."
"I... I have something critical... to tell you!"
At this moment, Chōjirō Sasakibe supported himself against the floor with one hand, gripping his broken Western sword, maintaining his final breath: "Those... those individuals... they... they possess the ability to steal Bankai...!"
On another front, outside Las Noches, nearly a dozen mysterious individuals wearing white cloaks and black masks stood beyond the palace gates. Surrounding them lay the corpses of several beheaded Menos Grande and Arrancar.
These figures had materialized suddenly outside Las Noches and mercilessly attacked the Menos Grande and Arrancar guarding the palace. However, this represented a completely one-sided slaughter. In less than a dozen breaths, all guards had been eliminated.
While they waited quietly beyond Las Noches' gates, a creaking sound echoed. The enormous doors opened. Ichimaru Gin regarded these individuals with his characteristic smile, then spoke cheerfully:
"Welcome to Las Noches! Though your behavior doesn't resemble what guests should demonstrate!"
"A Shinigami?"
"Why does Hueco Mundo harbor Shinigami?"
Sensing that Ichimaru Gin's Reiatsu differed completely from typical patterns, the masked figures exchanged glances and spoke doubtfully:
"Could a weak individual like you possibly be in charge of Hueco Mundo following Aizen's defeat?"
Hearing someone questioning his identity, Ichimaru Gin responded with feigned distress: "What? Don't I appear the part? How troublesome. Since you all believe I'm unsuitable... then guess... who truly rules here?"
After Ichimaru Gin's voice fell, the masked figures all sensed bone-deep chill emanating from behind them. They witnessed massive black clouds spanning tens of miles across the sky, obscuring the sunlight gradually. The masked figures turned collectively to regard the heavens.
At this moment, a figure floated above the firmament. With cold, indifferent eyes, he gazed down at all enemies below.