The members of the Gotei 13 all secretly swore an oath in their hearts. In the future, when they had the opportunity, they would fight to the death to avenge their Captain-Commander. Yhwach must never be allowed to commit such an abominable act again.
The Shinigami of Soul Society were indeed filled with righteous fury. Though they said nothing aloud, they cursed Yhwach and eighteen generations of his ancestors in their minds.
At the same time, through Yhwach's words, they gained a clearer understanding of what Captain Yamamoto had once been—learning just how terrifying he used to be.
Captain Yamamoto's former power was beyond doubt. He had dealt such a devastating blow to Yhwach that the Quincy Emperor had been forced to hide for a thousand years. The man who would later seem so invincible had been reduced to a broken shadow of himself.
It was tragic that Captain Yamamoto, despite his incredible strength, had ultimately fallen to Yhwach's schemes. Even in Yhwach's own words, the current Captain-Commander was deemed unworthy to stand among the five Special War Powers—unlike Ichigo Kurosaki, Kenpachi Zaraki, and Kisuke Urahara.
Had Captain Yamamoto's compassion truly become his weakness?
[Ichigo Kurosaki]: So that's why Yhwach didn't consider the old man a Special War Power...
[Orihime Inoue]: But kindness isn't weakness! Protecting people is what makes us strong!
[Uryu Ishida]: His Majesty sees through illusions that others cannot. Sentiment is indeed a fatal flaw in battle
[Renji Abarai]: Don't you dare lecture us about weakness, Quincy!
[Chad Sado]: Orihime's right. The Captain-Commander's compassion was his strength, not his weakness
After witnessing Orihime and Ichigo's incredible abilities in previous projections, many now believed Yhwach's assessment. These two humans were indeed extraordinarily powerful—hanging forces among hanging forces, as some might say—people who would have the opportunity to face Yhwach in the future.
In the future, Orihime would even be able to repair damage caused by Yhwach himself, and could block some of his attacks. She was indeed a formidable individual that even seasoned Shinigami might not be able to match.
Yhwach naturally understood this human girl very well. Virtually nothing that happened in any of the three worlds could escape his omniscient gaze. Orihime and Ichigo were no exception.
Of course, at this moment, he did not yet know that the roles played by Ichigo and Orihime in the future would far exceed even his current imagination.
At this moment, Yhwach truly looked down upon Captain Yamamoto—both his strength and his mentality were far removed from the terrifying demon of the past. Therefore, Captain Yamamoto was unqualified to be considered a Special War Power.
Meanwhile, observing this series of exchanges, Aizen was able to understand Yhwach's perspective completely.
[Aizen Sosuke]: Indeed, this Captain Yamamoto is no longer as terrifying as he once was
[Aizen Sosuke]: This Yhwach witnessed Yamamoto's horror one thousand years ago, so naturally he understands just how weakened the old man has become
[Aizen Sosuke]: If Captain Yamamoto had truly been willing to destroy everything—including all of Karakura Town—without hesitation... I suspect my plans would have been considerably more difficult to execute
Aizen sighed inwardly. His Wonderweiss might never have had the opportunity to seal Captain Yamamoto's flames under such circumstances.
So to some extent, he truly had to acknowledge that if Yamamoto had remained as ruthless as in the past, even Aizen might not have emerged unscathed.
Unfortunately, there were no "what-ifs" in reality.
Yhwach's disdain for Captain Yamamoto proved that the old man's current mentality was far removed from his most terrifying self.
With such understanding, Aizen quickly connected the sequence of events: Yhwach had first visited him in the underground prison, and after being rejected, returned to the surface to kill Captain Yamamoto. After the Captain-Commander's death, Yhwach prepared to completely destroy Soul Society.
At that critical juncture, Ichigo suddenly appeared to stop Yhwach, only to be thoroughly beaten. After the beating, whether intentionally or by coincidence, Yhwach's time limit arrived, forcing him to return to the Wandenreich without finishing off Ichigo.
Therefore, Ichigo would later travel to the Soul King Palace to find Nimaiya and the others, seeking to reforge his broken Zanpakuto after Yhwach had shattered Tensa Zangetsu.
[Aizen Sosuke]: How amusing... Kurosaki-kun is always rushing toward death, always being manipulated
[Aizen Sosuke]: Throughout his entire life, he has been nothing but a pawn dancing to others' designs. Quite pitiful, really
[Ichigo Kurosaki]: Shut up, Aizen! I make my own choices!
[Aizen Sosuke]: Do you truly believe that, Kurosaki-kun? How wonderfully naive
Aizen hoped that in the end, Ichigo would be able to defeat Yhwach as he desired—whether with Aizen's assistance or through his own power. As long as Yhwach could be defeated, everything would be worthwhile, and Ichigo's growth would have meaning.
As everyone contemplated this tragic battle, the screen quickly switched to the next scene.
After receiving help from Ichigo Kurosaki, Yhwach was finally able to break through the seventy-two barriers protecting the Soul King Palace and arrive directly within the royal domain.
At this moment, he was finally able to smoothly confront Squad Zero and officially battle them.
[Toshiro Hitsugaya]: So it's the Soul King Palace scene. It seems it's finally time for him to fight Squad Zero
[Rangiku Matsumoto]: Although we all know Squad Zero probably won't be able to stop Yhwach in the end, we need to see what abilities he uses to gather as much information about him as possible
[Rukia Kuchiki]: That's right, we have to understand everything we can and prevent this tragedy from repeating itself
[Byakuya Kuchiki]: I believe that with our combined strength, we can deal fatal damage to Yhwach, as long as we can find his weakness. No matter how strong he is, it will be meaningless
[Ichibei Hyosube]: I also want to see how he overcame my abilities. Was it like his method against Yamamoto... through some conspiracy?
Countless people eagerly anticipated the next battle. This would definitely be a fight second only to the final showdown with Ichigo.
How exactly had Squad Zero—who had always been so arrogant, members like Nimaiya and the others who thought themselves superior—how exactly had they failed? Everyone needed to understand.
Soon after, the screen began to play.
[Yhwach gazed around the Soul King Palace with a mixture of satisfaction and contempt.]
["So this is the Soul King Palace I have always sought to reach," Yhwach declared, his voice carrying across the royal domain. "How good it is that I finally have the chance to deal with these sinners."]
["It is necessary to kill these Squad Zero members who have been tormenting the Soul King, in order to avenge my father."]
[Using his overwhelming spiritual pressure, Yhwach began systematically destroying various facilities throughout the Soul King Palace.]
[CRASH! BOOM! RUMBLE!]
[The destruction was calculated—designed to draw the attention of Squad Zero members.]
[Seeing the devastation, Squad Zero quickly arrived to intercept the invasion.]
[Observing Yhwach's emotionally charged expression, Jugram Haschwalth immediately dropped to one knee, speaking respectfully to his emperor.]
["Your Majesty, I can fully understand your feelings," Haschwalth said with reverence. "To finally be able to come to this place of our dreams."]
[Yhwach merely smiled coldly at this sentiment.]
["What is there to lament, Haschwalth?" Yhwach replied dismissively. "Looking at a dilapidated tombstone—is this truly worth sighing over?"]
[The implication was clear: he did not take the defenses of the Soul King Palace seriously at all. His tone was supremely arrogant.]
[Ichibei Hyosube]: This arrogance... does he truly believe he can treat the Soul King Palace like his personal playground?
[Kirio Hikifune]: The nerve of this Quincy! He'll learn the power of Squad Zero soon enough
[Tenjiro Kirinji]: Let him come. I'll show him what happens to those who trespass in the royal domain
[Oetsu Nimaiya]: Ha! This should be entertaining. Been a while since we had some real action up here
[Senjumaru Shutara]: His confidence is admirable, if misplaced. We shall see how long it lasts
At this moment, both Squad Zero and the Gotei 13 found themselves unable to effectively counter his words. After all, what Yhwach said was not entirely wrong—he had indeed proven capable of completely disregarding Squad Zero as a whole.
The entire Soul King Palace, in his perception, might as well have been an undefended territory. They could only pray that in the upcoming battle, the Shinigami would fare slightly better and not be too brutally dominated by Yhwach.
[Subsequently, Yhwach summoned his subordinates—the Sternritter of the Wandenreich, his holy soldiers from the Invisible Empire.]
[The first Squad Zero member to respond was Tenjiro Kirinji, identifiable by his exaggerated pompadour hairstyle. He arrived first to confront Yhwach's forces.]
[With a proud expression, he declared:]
["Oh, you don't understand what this place is, do you?" Tenjiro announced with supreme confidence. "This is the world's number one Soul King Palace, and strangers are not permitted here."]
["I am the first officer of Squad Zero, the God General of the East."]
["Tenjiro Kirinji!"]
[Yhwach Juhabach]: How amusing. Another ant announces itself before being crushed
[Lille Barro]: Shall we dispose of this one quickly, Your Majesty?
[Gerard Valkyrie]: Let me handle this weakling! I'll show him the power of a true warrior!
[Pernida Parnkgjas]: Kkkk... his spiritual pressure is... interesting
[Askin Nakk Le Vaar]: Oh my, how troublesome. Do we really have to fight in such a cramped space?
[Tenjiro Kirinji]: You Quincy scum have no idea what you're dealing with! This is the domain of the gods!
[Ichigo Kurosaki]: Be careful! These aren't ordinary enemies!
[Orihime Inoue]: Everyone, please be safe...
The stage was set for an epic confrontation between the Royal Guard and the elite Sternritter. The fate of the Soul King Palace—and potentially all three worlds—hung in the balance as these titans prepared to clash.