The moment Shusuke opened his mouth and said he wanted to gauge the strength of Yamamoto, he genuinely scared everyone.
Kyoya sighed.
Perhaps, he was also the only one who knew why Shusuke wanted to challenge Yamamoto.
Others only knew that Shusuke's father, Kisaragi Shin'etsu, was framed by the nobles of the Seireitei, but they didn't know that Shusuke's father was also the youngest disciple of Yamamoto.
After his father lost his power, Yamamoto never once went to visit him. Moreover, when those nobles wanted to exterminate his family, Yamamoto did not do anything.
In Shusuke's view, Yamamoto was no different from those nobles in the Seireitei… they all only treated his father as a 'tool'.
It's just that those nobles used his father as a 'tool' to show defiance against Yamamoto, while Yamamoto used his father as a 'tool' to eliminate that noble clan.
After his father lost his power and had no more use value, it seemed Yamamoto had also discarded his father.
Regarding this point, Kyoya also had some criticism for Yamamoto.
His disciple was crippled, yet he first, did not give Shin'etsu any official recognition or status, and second, overestimated the nobility's fear and respect for himself, believing that they won't do anything to Shin'etsu.
Back then, if not for his intervention, Shin'etsu and his family might have truly been silenced by the Kasumioji Clan.
As for Shusuke, who managed to escape, he could only change his name to Amagai Shusuke and infiltrate the Hueco Mundo Expedition Army, waiting for an opportunity for revenge.
Now, although due to his interference, Shin'etsu and his wife lived peacefully in the Rukongai, and Shusuke had grown into a Captain-level powerhouse, possessing the ability to protect himself, his family, and even more people-
The resentment in his heart towards Yamamoto was not so easily dispelled.
"Haha, you should still have dreams, what if they come true?"
Kyoya eased some of Shusuke's embarrassment and said to him, "Shusuke, I know you hold a grudge against Captain-Commander Yamamoto."
"Alright then, in this simulated war, as long as you successfully defeat one of the Captains of the Gotei 13,"
"I will allow you to challenge Captain-Commander Yamamoto."
"However, if the situation becomes untenable, I will intervene."
"Thank you, Kyoya-sama."
Shusuke was overjoyed.
No matter what, Yamamoto was still his father's teacher.
Shusuke not only lacked the ability to kill Yamamoto, but even if he had the capability, he would have to consider his father's stance.
Of course, Shusuke was well aware of his own limitations.
If Kyoya hadn't stated that this was a 'simulated war' where neither side would truly fight to the death, Shusuke wouldn't dare to draw his sword against Yamamoto either.
Now, with Kyoya's assurance, Shusuke naturally felt much more secure.
He knew that with Kyoya present, even if he were severely injured, he would be quickly healed, without any negative impact on his future training.
"By the way, for this battle, I hope you can try to avoid using Bankai as much as possible."
"Even if you must use Bankai, pay attention to the timing."
"If you really need to use Bankai, try to conceal more information about your Bankai as well."
In the Thousand-Year Blood War, the Medallions used by the Quincies to steal the Bankai of the Shinigami were created by Yhwach using his [Almighty] ability and the [Bankai Eradication] ability.
Whenever a Zanpakuto whose abilities were fully known to the Quincies released its Bankai in front of them, their Bankai would be stolen by the Medallions.
The Quincies could use the stolen Bankai through the Medallions.
Moreover, the priority of the Medallions stealing Bankai was even higher than that of Koga's Bankai.
"As for Koga..."
Kyoya pondered for a moment.
During the first invasion of the Seireitei by the Wandenreich, the biggest blow to the Captains was undoubtedly the theft of their Bankai.
Although, Koga was also a criminal wanted by the Seireitei, and Koga didn't have power as strong as his to make the nobles wary, so Koga had only entered the Seireitei once with Haruko when Ginrei passed away.
If Koga were to enter the Seireitei again, those nobles might use it as a pretext to have Yamamoto capture Koga.
However...
If, through Koga's hands, the Captains of the Gotei 13 could gain experience in losing their Zanpakuto beforehand, perhaps in the future when they fight against the Quincies, they would have experience in dealing with their Bankai being stolen, and even fighting against their own Bankai.
Thinking carefully, as long as Koga isn't directly defeated by Yamamoto, there shouldn't be any accidents.
After all, after Aizen manipulated the Central 46 to influence Miyako's sentence, he killed all the nobles of the Central 46.
"Koga, for this battle, you will do this..."
…
In the sky above West Rukongai District 1, a faint cracking sound suddenly echoed.
The next moment, visible cracks appeared in the air.
"Not good, a Garganta is about to open!"
This situation was quickly noticed by the Revolutionary Army's soldiers stationed here.
Immediately, four or five Revolutionary Army's soldiers wearing white suits rushed over using Geppo, surrounding the cracks.
"Everyone, this area might become a battlefield. Please evacuate in an orderly manner, leaving at least a thirty-meter radius combat space for us."
"In addition, all items damaged due to the battle will be compensated double after the battle ends."
Following the soldiers' words, the surrounding residents did not hesitate and quickly moved away from the area where the space was fracturing.
However, they didn't go too far, stopping about thirty meters away as the Revolutionary Army's soldier had said, and turned back to look at the cleared area.
"Tsk tsk, the Revolutionary Army is really reliable..."
"Indeed, although we are only separated from the Seireitei by a wall, in the past when Hollows appeared, it took a long time for the Shinigami to arrive..."
Some elderly people who had lived through the old times watched the Revolutionary Army surround the fractured space and couldn't help but sigh.
"Yeah, and the attitude of those Shinigami..."
Others who had lived through the same era nodded in agreement.
The Revolutionary Army's soldiers prioritize protecting the ordinary residents of the Rukongai during battles. After the battle, they even compensate double for any damages caused.
Whereas those Shinigami only had eyes for the Hollows.
Whether it was the lives of the ordinary people in the Rukongai or their livelihood resources, they were nothing in the eyes of the Shinigami.
During battles, those Shinigami wouldn't care about their lives or property safety.
After killing the Hollow, the Shinigami would return to the Seireitei, leaving the residents to bear the losses themselves.
After the Revolutionary Army appeared, everything changed.
If the people in the lower-numbered Rukongai Districts felt the change in their living conditions, then the people in the higher-numbered districts felt the change in attitude.
The Revolutionary Army's soldiers are almost always smiling and friendly, not aloof like the Shinigami.
It can be said that among people aged thirty or forty and above, if not one hundred percent, at least seventy percent have a better impression of the Revolutionary Army than of the Shinigami.
It's just that later, as life improved, many children who grew up in peaceful times looked down upon the smiling Revolutionary Army's soldiers, instead envying the aloof Shinigami in the Seireitei and vainly hoping to join the Seireitei and become one of them.
However, isolated by the Sekkiseki Wall and the barrier, they wouldn't know that after entering the Seireitei, unless they possessed extraordinary talent, they would ultimately end up at the very bottom of the Seireitei.
Crack, crack...
Under everyone's gaze, the cracks in the air grew larger and larger, finally shattering with a 'boom'.
"Everyone, be careful, something is about to come out!"
Hearing the sound of space shattering, the leading Revolutionary Army's soldier waved his hand, immediately telling everyone to prepare.
Although, in recent years, most of the Hollows that entered the Rukongai from the Garganta from Hueco Mundo were small to medium-sized Hollows, with few being Gillian-level or higher Menos.
But they were not cadres of the Revolutionary Army either. Once they encountered a Gillian-level or higher Menos, it would still be very dangerous.
No one would joke with their own lives!
Boom!
However, to everyone's surprise, what emerged from the spatial rift wasn't a Hollow, but four humans and a black cat.
…
"Hurry up, Ichigo!"
In the Dangai, Yoruichi in her black cat form ran while shouting to Ichigo and the others, "The thing behind us is called the Kototsu."
"If we get swallowed by the Kototsu, we're finished!"
"Yaaaaah!"
"Yoruichi-san, this is too scary!"
Behind Ichigo, Ishida Uryu, Sado Yasutora, and Inoue Orihime were pale with fear. Orihime nearly fell.
If Uryu hadn't pulled Orihime, she might have already been caught by the Kototsu behind them.
And Uryu, because of this, slowed down for a moment, and the hem of his clothes was swallowed by the Kototsu.
"It's close, the white light ahead is the exit, everyone run faster!"
At this moment, a white dot of light appeared ahead in the dark passage.
From the words of Yoruichi, everyone knew that as long as they ran to that light spot and rushed out from it, they would reach the Soul Society!
"Ahhhhhh!"
Crash-
As if shattering glass, Ichigo and the others burst out of the Dangai and saw the familiar blue sky and white clouds.
"Ahhhhhh!"
However, when they clearly saw their location, the four of them screamed in terror.
Their point of arrival was actually in the air!
Under the influence of gravity, the four humans and one cat fell to the ground.
"Not Hollows, but Ryokas?"
Seeing Ichigo and the others, the expressions of the Revolutionary Army's soldiers changed.
The Soul Society, being the headquarters of the Shinigami, often had powerful individuals from other places entering.
If these people abide by the rules of the Soul Society or the Seireitei, their presence wouldn't cause much impact.
Others, who rely on their powerful strength to act recklessly in the Soul Society, are called [Ryoka].
The predecessors of these Ryoka were actually nobles from the Seireitei.
However, they lost in power struggles, were exiled from the Seireitei, and, unwilling to live in the living world, could only survive in the spatial crevices between the living world, Hueco Mundo, and the Soul Society.
The lucky ones, following some wandering souls, would find a [Valley of Screams] to serve as a habitat for their clan.
However, compared to the three worlds, the environment in the Valley of Screams is extremely harsh, and only a very few can survive there.
Most perish along with the other lost souls.
"Ryoka, please state your purpose for intruding into the Soul Society."
A squad leader of the Revolutionary Army said sternly to Ichigo and the others.
The ideology of the Revolutionary Army meant that these soldiers, even though they knew Ichigo and the others were Ryoka, wouldn't treat them as criminals and arrest them before they had committed any crimes.
Questioning their intentions would determine whether they were individuals who could be reasoned with or enemies to be fought.
"Huh?"
Hearing the soldier's voice, Ichigo and the others got up from the ground.
"Sorry about that, mister."
"We came here to go to the Seireitei to save someone."
"Mister, which way is the Seireitei?"
Brushing the dust off his Shihakusho, Ichigo asked the Revolutionary Army's soldier.
"Go to the Seireitei to save someone?"
The Revolutionary Army's squad leader was stunned.
This was the first time he had seen someone so bold.
Although he greatly admired Kyoya and strongly believed in the Revolutionary Army's ideology-
He also knew that, for now, the Revolutionary Army was still somewhat inferior to the Seireitei's Gotei 13.
This young Shinigami's Reiatsu felt no weaker than that of the cadres in the Revolutionary Army to him.
But if this youth only had this level of ability, it would be impossible for him to successfully rescue anyone from the Seireitei.
It was more likely that they would be captured by the Shinigami of the Gotei 13.
"Young man, I don't know who you want to save."
"But your strength..."
The squad leader glanced at the three people behind Ichigo and shook his head.
It wasn't that he was boasting, but among these four, apart from the youth wearing the Shihakusho, the other three seemed to be possibly even weaker than himself.
"Don't underestimate us!"
Although the squad leader didn't finish his sentence, both his eyes and his actions made it clear to Ichigo and the four others what he meant.
"Mister, we are very strong."
Ichigo gave a thumbs-up to himself.
"Please tell us the location of the Seireitei."
The squad leader shook his head and raised his hand, pointing behind Ichigo and the others, "Fine, suit yourselves."
"The Seireitei is right over there."