Several people left the training ground one after another.
Yoriichi was quite satisfied with the X-cution that Kurosaki Masaki had mastered.
Let's not even mention the abstract concept of "shattering everything" for now.
The mere fact that it could be released without the aid of reishi already far surpassed the scope of Shinigami and Quincy.
Any Quincy who naively believed they could defeat her by using Vollständig would undoubtedly suffer a painful lesson.
Bambietta's experience was still vivid in memory.
"As expected of a fragment of the Soul King, with just a bow, she can shatter the results of centuries of effort by a Quincy."
"If Kurosaki Masaki's spiritual pressure were higher, she might even be able to injure Yhwach."
"After all, judging from her performance just now, whether it's the Quincy of the Human World or the Wandenreich, their bodies are composed of anomalous matter…"
Yoriichi had to admit that among all the X-cution that had appeared so far, the X-cution represented by this bow was the most destructive.
Even "Severing All Things" by Tsukishima Shūkurō was far inferior to it.
Thinking of this, Yoriichi turned his head to look at Kurosaki Masaki, who was beside him, deep in thought about her own power, and seriously suggested:
"Regarding your X-cution, it's best to use it in places with few people from now on."
"It's still unclear what the consequences would be if it hits a human."
"If it hits a teammate and they are disintegrated, it's hard to say if even their soul would survive."
Kurosaki Masaki hesitated for a moment after hearing this, then finally nodded: "Yes, I understand."
"However, if I encounter those malicious Quincy, I should be able to use it, right?"
"According to your speculation, non-Fullbringers will have their defenses rendered useless before the 'Bow of Disillusionment' and will be directly annihilated."
"So, if I kill them, will it still benefit the stability of the Three Realms?"
"Of course, but you need to exercise caution," Yoriichi replied, pausing before continuing,
"Your ability is too special; once the Quincy know about it, it will undoubtedly attract endless pursuit."
"They might not be able to kill a Captain in the Soul Society, but in the Human World, killing you would be as easy as flipping a hand."
"Although your X-cution is powerful and restrains any Quincy, you are ultimately alone, and the power of X-cution is not endless."
"…I understand, thank you for your reminder." Yoriichi's words made Kurosaki Masaki realize.
She secretly rejoiced, having almost been carried away by her enthusiasm.
Before she possessed absolute strength sufficient to handle everything, it was best to act discreetly and cautiously protect herself.
As for Shiba Isshin, to be honest, his protection was no longer needed.
However, to conceal her X-cution and ensure the safety of herself and her family, it was best not to separate during this period.
Lest she be hunted by the Wandenreich and fall into endless danger.
Seeing that Kurosaki Masaki had taken his words to heart, Yoriichi then took Tsukishima Shūkurō and left Karakura Town.
The most difficult training was over; the remaining consolidation and improvement phase could be left to Shiba Isshin.
Next was training specifically for Tsukishima Shūkurō, and at the same time, a refinement of his character.
Considering that parents would worry if a child disappeared for too long, Yoriichi first went to Urahara Shop to retrieve his Gigai.
Then, he made a home visit, using the excuse that Tsukishima Shūkurō was a genius, and took him to a karate training class.
…
"You will be spending the next few days here."
Inside the spacious and bright training class, Yoriichi Tsugikuni instructed Tsukishima Shūkurō,
"Remember, the children here are not all Fullbringers like you; most of them are ordinary humans."
"Therefore, absolutely do not use X-cution in front of them, nor mention any related information, to avoid causing them unnecessary panic."
Tsukishima Shūkurō nodded sensibly:
"Yes, I understand."
After speaking, he curiously looked around, at the empty space and the tatami mats covering the floor.
There were also more than ten children ranging in age from seven to ten.
In terms of the size of the venue, these people were a bit too few.
However, considering that this was a training class run by special individuals, whether there were many people or not was irrelevant.
At this moment, a young man dressed in a white martial arts uniform, with black hair and eyes, and a gentle yet resolute demeanor, walked steadily towards them.
Yoriichi saw the newcomer and said:
"Ginjo Kugo, this child is in your hands; he is a Fullbringer just like you."
"Although he is still young, he has already completed the initial transformation of his X-cution."
"Remember to teach him how to control this power."
"Of course, more importantly, let him have the power to protect himself when facing Hollows."
A flicker of surprise flashed in Ginjō Kūgo's eyes, then he nodded knowingly.
A genius, huh…
He half-squatted, a kind smile on his face, his gaze gentle as he looked at Tsukishima Shūkurō, and softly asked:
"What's your name? Let's get acquainted; my name is Ginjō Kūgo, I'm eighteen years old, and the X-cution I possess is 'Cross of Scaffold'."
"Currently, I'm working part-time at this training class, so I'm sort of your teacher."
"Do you have any prior experience in karate or other martial arts?"
Tsukishima Shūkurō looked at the big brother in front of him and shook his head affirmatively.
After saying his name, he thought to himself, how could he have any relevant experience when he couldn't even fight?
Seeing this, Ginjō Kūgo pondered for a moment.
He scrutinized Tsukishima Shūkurō, seemingly contemplating a suitable training method for him.
After a long while, he slowly spoke:
"I see, Shukuro, I probably know how to train you. Come with me first."
"The strength of X-cution is closely related to one's physique."
"And a person's physique concerns all aspects of life."
"You're not a picky eater, are you?"
…
…
Soul Society.
Inside a ward in the Fourth Division, the air was filled with a faint scent of medicine.
Captain Rose looked at the silver-haired man in front of him, his expression slightly downcast.
He trembled slightly from time to time due to coughing, and his face was as pale as paper, clearly still not fully recovered after a serious illness.
After Ichimaru Gin stated his purpose, Captain Rose slightly lowered his eyes, his voice filled with melancholy:
"I see, you want to challenge me? I understand."
"Sigh, it seems I can't escape this century-long curse either."
"Ichimaru Gin, I've heard of you."
"One of the geniuses of the Spiritual Arts Academy, who completed all courses in just one year, and defeated the Fifth Division Third Seat immediately after graduating…"
"Although you eventually betrayed for some unknown reason, you were ultimately pardoned."
"Counting carefully, you must be almost two hundred years old this year, right? Sigh, so young."
He recalled that when he himself was two hundred years old, he was still living under his mother's shadow.
It wasn't until Captain Maika retired at three hundred years old that he finally got promoted and stood on his own stage.
Now, having been in office for over ninety years, he originally thought he was just about to break the curse of ordinary Captains struggling to stay in office for a century.
He didn't expect to fail at the last moment.
With a soft sigh, Captain Rose looked up:
"I agree. When should we set the time?"
"Captain Retsu Unohana said I should recover in about a month."
"Those previous illnesses, just thinking about them is terrifying…"
The Third Division was a support division, and Captain Rose was one of the Captains who rushed to the Spiritual Arts Academy for support.
Although this job was full of danger, for Ichimaru Gin, it was nothing.
No matter how strong the enemy, a single poke from a distance could solve it, perfectly utilizing the effectiveness of Shinsō.
Upon hearing this, Ichimaru Gin responded without hesitation:
"Then let's set it for a month from now. I will submit the application to Captain-Commander."
"Senior Rose, please take good care of your injuries during this month."
"I hope to defeat you at your peak; such a victory would be more meaningful."
"I would do that even if you didn't tell me."
Captain Rose shook his head, his golden hair appearing somewhat dry at this moment.
He sighed: "I also hope the Third Division can get better and better under the leadership of another Captain."
"I myself, due to severe injuries, used Mayuri's medicine. Although my spiritual pressure didn't decrease, my lifespan was shortened, and my potential has been exhausted."
"Ichimaru Gin, you are different; you are only a little over a hundred years old and have a great future ahead of you."
"If you can demonstrate absolute strength, I will feel at ease handing the Third Division over to you."
"Let's meet again in a month."
Seemingly unwilling to say more, or perhaps due to physical exhaustion and inner emotion, Captain Rose indicated he wished them to leave.
Seeing this, Ichimaru Gin bowed slightly and left the ward.
In the corridor, soft light streamed down, and he saw Rangiku waiting for him.
The two walked side by side, the atmosphere subtle.
"Gin, what did Captain Rose say?" Rangiku suddenly asked.
Ichimaru Gin replied: "It's settled. Now we just need to get the Captain-Commander's approval."
"Rangiku, I hope you can help me."
"With what happened in the Seireitei, at such a critical moment, the Captain-Commander might not let me be the Third Division Captain for your sake."
"I hope you can help me convince him."
"No problem," Rangiku responded without hesitation.
She patted her chest,
"Leave it to me. Even if the Captain-Commander doesn't agree, I'll make Uta agree."
"If that doesn't work, there's still Ai."
"As long as these two agree, even if the Captain-Commander is still reluctant, he should give you a chance to try."
"Whispering in ears, I'm best at that."
…
In the evening, the afterglow streamed through the window, spilling onto the tatami mats indoors.
Facing Ichimaru Gin's application for the position, Yoriichi's expression was stern, and he resolutely refused the request:
"No."
"Why not?" Rangiku frowned slightly, her eyes full of confusion.
"No means no."
Yoriichi's gaze was steady as he looked at Uta and Rangiku in front of him, slowly replying,
"Although Gin has mastered Bankai, this does not mean he possesses the necessary qualifications to become a Captain."
"He is too young. The Third Division is the most dangerous division apart from the Eleventh Division; this war alone has cost at least two hundred division members."
"If you don't want to lose your life at a young age…"
He paused, "Wait a few more decades."
"In twenty years, it might be possible to consider it."
Upon hearing this, Rangiku roughly understood Yoriichi's meaning.
She was silent for a moment, then softly asked:
"Are you planning to arrange Gin's position after the war with the Quincy ends?"
"Twenty years… I personally have no objection to this timeframe, and Gin can certainly wait."
"It's just that Captain Rose's situation is a bit tricky…"
He's been too severely injured this time. Are you still going to let him continue to be the Third Seat Captain?
"Is there a problem?" Yoriichi raised an eyebrow slightly, asking in return, while gently putting down the brush he was writing with.
"Until he formally submits a transfer or retirement application to me, he will always be the captain of the Third Division."
"Of course, after this battle, he might choose to retire, but that will be a matter for later."
"At least, at this stage, such a situation has not yet arisen."
"Moreover, even if it does happen, besides Gin, I have another suitable candidate here."
Yoriichi paused briefly here, his gaze first falling on Uta, and then looking at Rangiku, his words seemingly implying something.
"If he truly wants to become a captain, he might as well leave behind his bloodline first... This way, he will at least have no regrets in life."
As soon as these words were spoken, Rangiku was stunned.
Anyone with a normal mind could understand the deep meaning behind these words.
At this moment, Rangiku lowered her head slightly, a strand of hair falling to cover her slightly reddened cheeks, not daring to face this rather awkward topic.
But upon careful consideration, Yoriichi's words were not without reason.
After all, as a Shinigami, the probability of dying in the line of duty is unavoidable.
If an accident truly occurred, having a child would at least leave a legacy for oneself.
In the past, Rangiku might have held a relaxed, bystander's attitude towards such matters, finding them amusing.
However, now that such a thing had fallen upon her... she couldn't help but be immensely grateful that Gin was not by her side at this moment.
Otherwise, she truly wouldn't know how to face him tonight.
Rangiku gently exhaled, slowly nodded, and decisively skipped this topic:
"I understand. Since this is your suggestion, I can only comply."
"However, what happens later... let's just let fate decide."
"Gin and I are still very young. If we suddenly have a child..."
She gently bit her lip.
"To be honest, I'm really worried if I, with my current personality, can educate him well."
Rangiku was not the traditional type of virtuous wife and loving mother after all.
She just tried her best to appear more docile and obedient, no longer as willful as before.
Just thinking about life after having a child, the joy of shopping would disappear, and the time for fun would be gone forever...
Such a life would be too tragic.
This was something she absolutely could not accept at this stage.
Without saying anything more, Rangiku bowed slightly and turned to leave.
After she left, Yoriichi noticed Uta's gaze fixed on him.
He met her eyes and asked softly:
"Do you think my decision is too Rational?"
"No." Uta shook her head, a hint of understanding in her eyes.
"I think it's fine. Actually, I don't want to see Gin die on the battlefield either."
"It's just that Rangiku kept begging me, so I brought her to you."
"Yoriichi, can you tell me who the Third Division Captain you've chosen is?"
...
"Me? I'm actually going to be the Third Division Captain?"
In the Ninth Division.
Tōsen Kaname, who had lost interest in combat due to Yoriichi's departure and was focused on paperwork, was astonished when he heard the news that he was to succeed as the Third Division Captain, causing his brush to clatter to the ground.
He never expected that Yoriichi would entrust such an important captain position to him.
Although according to regulations, before officially taking office, he needed to have a battle with Captain Rose to verify his own strength.
Logically speaking, such a battle would certainly be perilous.
However, in Tōsen Kaname's eyes, this was almost no different from a huge pie falling into his lap for free.
Because he had previously undergone Hollowfication, his reishi had reached the second tier, belonging to the level of veteran captains, while Captain Rose was only at the third tier.
With such a clear difference, he could win with his eyes closed.
Zanpakuto?
Both sides' attacks targeted the senses; there was no question of one restraining the other.
Beside him, Komamura Sajin, the Seventh Division Captain, felt greatly relieved seeing his friend's surprised expression.
He nodded, his voice deep and powerful:
"Indeed, when I first heard this news, I also found it a bit hard to believe."
"But it's absolutely true."
"Congratulations, Tōsen."
"I believe your friend in the afterlife will also be happy for you."
Upon hearing Komamura Sajin mention Kaede, Tōsen Kaname's thoughts immediately drifted into deep recollection.
After a long while, he exhaled and said with a hint of emotion:
"Happy... perhaps, but it's a pity she'll never have the chance to witness any of this herself."
"However, I will definitely not let down the Captain-Commander's earnest expectations."
Although he would be serving as the Third Division Captain this time, not the ninth division captain, and thus couldn't freely punish the world's evils as he could in the Ninth Division.
However, those evil individuals who wantonly attacked Shinigami were undoubtedly a significant part of that evil.
For example, the Quincy close at hand.
The two of them chatted on and on, and time unknowingly slipped away little by little.
Later, Komamura Sajin temporarily left as he had some matters to attend to.
Tōsen Kaname looked at the slightly cool tea in front of him, recalling his life, and his heart was filled with mixed emotions.
...
A month passed in a flash.
While Tōsen Kaname was busy with his succession as the Third Division Captain.
Gremmy in the Human World was busy with his plan but achieved nothing.
He never imagined that Shinigami had been secretly monitoring the individuals he intended to target.
Like Rinshiro Tsukishima, whom he had targeted before.
Yoriichi had actually personally accompanied him; this situation was utterly absurd.
As a result, his meticulously planned 'accident' failed, and even Rinshiro Tsukishima, who served as bait and a tool, was captured by Yoriichi, and his clone was directly killed.
Fortunately, he managed to close off memory sharing in time, otherwise, he would have to endure the pain of a thousand cuts again.
However, Gremmy did not give up.
He didn't believe his luck would continue to be so bad.
So, in the following days, he tried to capture several more people, including the Quincy in the Human World.
The result...
Swish.
A green arrow streaked across the sky like a meteor, directly striking Gremmy's heart.
Gremmy's eyes widened, and before he could even utter a word, he instantly disintegrated into scattered reishi particles floating everywhere.
His main body, far away in the Wandenreich, sensed this and a chill immediately surged through his heart.
Even without any pain upon death, he understood that this move was something he could absolutely not block.
"...Kurosaki Masaki? I'll remember you."
Gremmy gritted his teeth slightly.
Although it might just be his illusion, he didn't forget this experience.
He reported this matter to Haschwalth, but Haschwalth didn't care about the minor matter of the clone's death.
At this moment, he was racking his brains trying to figure out how to fill the empty slots in the Sternritter.
Wasting troops and severely injuring Shinigami was satisfying, but after the satisfaction, there was endless trouble.
The female group was falling apart, with only one left, and her loyalty to His Majesty was questionable.
Tokito Iwákatsu had been in the Wandenreich for so many years and had interacted with many people.
Their true intentions... he didn't dare to think deeply, only feeling a headache.
In short, for the next decade or so, Haschwalth would probably have to work tirelessly to eliminate hidden dangers.
Gradually, the ninth year of the countdown quietly arrived.
On this day, which was New Year's, snowflakes drifted down in abundance.
Yoriichi appeared at the residence of the Ishida Clan.
He looked at Katagiri Yae's slightly troubled expression and spoke to Ishida Ryūken:
"If nothing unexpected happens, the 'nine years to regain power' explicitly mentioned in the Quincy prophecy should refer to Seeleschneider."
"Currently, we still don't know who among the Quincy will have their powers absorbed."
"However, to be on the safe side, starting today, your Ishida Clan should temporarily cease using your Quincy powers."
"Besides you, we have also sent people to notify other Quincy clans in the Human World."
Yoriichi said, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a delicate small bottle containing some pills.
"This is a special medicine specifically for suppressing the power of your bloodline. After taking it, it can completely transform you into ordinary humans."
"Although it's still unclear if this medicine can block Yhwach's perception, it's better than nothing. You might as well try it first."
Ishida Ryūken solemnly took the medicine bottle.
A hint of hesitation flashed in his eyes, and after a moment of thought, he finally slowly opened the cap and took a pill.
Immediately after, he handed the medicine bottle to his wife, Katagiri Yae.
After Katagiri Yae finished, she found nothing unusual and gave it to her son.
After Ishida Soken and his wife also finished, Yoriichi added:
"One pill is effective for one month. This bottle of medicine is enough for your whole family to take for three years."
"After three years, I will send another bottle, continuously until Yhwach truly revives."
Upon hearing this, Ishida Ryūken frowned slightly, a hint of worry flashing in his eyes, and asked:
"Will this medicine inhibit our absorption of reishi?"
"Are we to live as ordinary humans for these nine years?"
"Isn't that a bit too long?"
"Not long. As I said before, this is just a trial."
"During this period, we will verify the patterns of who Seeleschneider absorbs."
"If you don't want to die in a muddle, patience is necessary."
Yoriichi answered patiently.
After speaking, he turned his gaze to Ishida Uryū, with a hint of expectation in his eyes: "Especially for your son."
"If there's an opportunity, you can let him try the karate training class run by Shinigami here in Karakura Town."
"You might encounter a surprise."