With Yhwach's command, the vast military machine of the Wandenreich slowly began to operate.
Hundreds of Quincy poured into the Human World like a tide, their reishi fluctuations completely undisguised.
Almost simultaneously, the alarm bells of the Twelfth Division shrieked, instantly echoing throughout the Seireitei.
Woo—!
Kisuke Urahara, still pondering how to train Inoue Orihime, frowned upon hearing these sounds, his expression instantly turning grim.
He stood up without hesitation, his folding fan snapping shut with a'snap', and his gaze, like a torch, fixed on the window.
Subsequently, upon arriving at the monitoring room, he received news of Yhwach's revival and the Wandenreich's full-scale assault on the Three Realms.
"It's here, as expected. Though a few days early, it's insignificant."
Kisuke Urahara's eyes narrowed slightly, muttering softly, his calm words suggesting everything was within his predictions.
While using Tenkei Kakura to inform Yoriichi Tsugikuni and Yamamoto Genryusai, he quickly walked to the control panel and pulled a lever all the way down.
With a soft 'click', the reishi of all buildings within the Seireitei was completely stabilized.
A moment later.
He then rapidly pressed a series of buttons on the control panel.
The activation of these buttons enveloped certain areas in an invisible barrier, separating some of the Quincy who had invaded Soul Society one by one, completely preventing a chaotic melee.
After resolving Soul Society's initial defenses, Kisuke Urahara's thoughts turned to the Human World.
He turned around, his gaze serious, and asked his subordinates behind him:
"How many Quincy have invaded the Human World?"
A subordinate quickly reported an approximate number.
Kisuke Urahara nodded, a hint of solemnity flashing in his eyes, and then ordered:
"More than five hundred... As expected. To be safe, let's prepare for large-scale memory erasure."
Yhwach's purpose in distributing his forces this way was obvious.
He wanted Shinigami and Quincy to be completely exposed in broad daylight.
This was inconsequential for the Quincy, but for the Shinigami, it was a fatal blow.
At this moment, Tenkei Kakura had already connected to the two Captain-Commanders, and Kisuke Urahara quickly explained the situation to them.
However, before he could finish, the communication suddenly cut off, as if due to a bad signal.
Simply because.
Two Yhwachs appeared before them, seizing all surrounding reishi and suppressing the effectiveness of Kido.
Kisuke Urahara's expression changed slightly.
"Two Yhwachs?!"
This was a development he had never anticipated.
Although he knew that one of these two might be fake, or even both of them, the problem was that the Captain-Commanders didn't know.
If they believed the ones before them were real, they would undoubtedly maintain 100% vigilance, which would then delay them for a few minutes.
These few minutes were very short in normal times, but in the current tense situation, they were incredibly fatal.
Even a slight misstep could lead to the complete collapse of order in the Human World.
"Damn it," Kisuke Urahara gritted his teeth, quickly asking,
"Can we use the Communication Device to notify them?"
"I apologize, Captain, I've tried every method, but none have been successful."
A researcher answered urgently, his hands typing on the keyboard so fast they were a blur, sweat beading on his forehead, yet all his efforts were in vain.
This situation was remarkably similar to when they had blocked the Quincy's bloodline signals and isolated the effects of Seeleschneider.
Upon hearing this, Kisuke Urahara leaned forward, resting his hands on the desk, clenching and unclenching his fists, a hint of helplessness flashing in his eyes.
He stared at the screen, silently praying that the two Captain-Commanders could resolve the fake Yhwach situation as quickly as possible.
Otherwise, the Three Realms would be in danger.
...
Inside the 1st Division, the atmosphere was tense.
Yoriichi Tsugikuni sat in the center of the hall, his gaze cold as he stared at Yhwach before him, his Zanpakuto slightly tightened in his grip.
Beside him was Chōjirō Sasakibe, his muscles tensed, intending to fight Yhwach to the death.
Yhwach calmly stared at the two, a hint of disdain in his eyes.
As his gaze swept over Chojiro, a sense of déjà vu suddenly welled up in his heart.
He narrowed his eyes, a cold sneer on his lips:
"It's you."
He remembered now; it was the fellow who had hidden among the corpses and pierced him a thousand years ago.
If he wasn't mistaken, he should be Yamamoto Genryusai's lieutenant and student.
Only a thousand years have passed, yet he didn't expect them to have become so old...
"How pathetic."
Yhwach murmured softly, the reishi in his hand surging to form a pale blue sword of light.
The sword of light pointed forward with an unstoppable momentum, as if to cleave everything before it.
"Come, let me see if you, the current Captain-Commander, are truly worthy of taking over Yamamoto Genryusai's position."
Yhwach's voice was deep and cold,
"For a thousand years, I've been eagerly anticipating a good fight with Yamamoto Genryusai."
"Meeting you now isn't bad either."
With that, Yhwach's figure instantly vanished from his original spot, leaving only an afterimage in the air.
He charged at Yoriichi Tsugikuni with his sword, his attack range encompassing Chōjirō Sasakibe as well, as if to slay both of them at once.
Chōjirō Sasakibe had intended to draw his sword to block.
However, before he could utter his release command, Yoriichi Tsugikuni appeared before him and repelled Yhwach with a single sword strike.
The clash of swords produced a crisp 'clink' sound, and sparks flew.
"Sasakibe, you should leave first. Leave this to me," Yoriichi Tsugikuni instructed without turning his head.
"Although I'm not sure why Yhwach would directly attack us, now is not the time to delve into that."
"There are still Shinigami outside waiting for your support."
Although Chōjirō Sasakibe very much wanted to stay and help the Captain-Commander, as two people fighting were far more efficient than one.
As long as Yhwach was dealt with, the Quincy outside would surely collapse without a fight.
But unfortunately, a two-on-one battle with perfect coordination only exists in imagination.
The reality was that if he participated, Yoriichi Tsugikuni would have to divert his energy to protect him, resulting in a 1+1 less than 1 outcome.
Chojiro felt deeply helpless about this but could only reluctantly accept the fact.
Under Yhwach's angry and bewildered gaze, Chōjirō Sasakibe quickly left the 1st Division.
Clang!
Immediately after, Yhwach, who was Royd Lloyd in disguise, was struck flying by a sword.
He slowly stood up from the rubble, shards of stone falling from his body.
He had never thought before that,
Even with all the power of The Almighty, excluding the true Almighty possessed by His Majesty, he would still be so fragile in front of the opponent.
He knew the strength was great, but he didn't expect it to be this great...
No matter, for His Majesty, I must hold him back.
If one ran, then one ran. Anyway, no matter how much he escapes, he won't escape His Majesty's grasp.
Everything is within His Majesty's predictions.
Royd Lloyd re-gripped his sword, absorbing the reishi from the atmosphere, and his spiritual pressure climbed another notch.
...
On the other side.
The vanguard unit dispatched by the Wandenreich, tasked with directly striking the heart of the Soul Society, encountered another group of Quincy.
Candice stood at the front of her team, her gaze cold as she stared at Liltotto and Meninas before her, her anger instantly flaring up.
During her year of imprisonment, she had already learned the reason for her current predicament.
It was all because of them, because of their betrayal, which led to her not being trusted by Haschwalth.
If not for that, why would she have suffered Seeleschneider, her life's efforts rendered futile?
The killing intent in her eyes almost overflowed, and Candice's fingers trembled slightly.
Not far away, Liltotto was leisurely eating sushi. Seeing that her opponents were also Quincy, a displeased expression involuntarily appeared on her face.
She pouted, her voice laced with impatience:
"So annoying. We've already surrendered, and they still make us do this and that. Now they want us to fight our own kind..."
"Such annoying people."
Beside her, Bambietta scoffed.
She put her hands on her hips, her eyes disdainful:
"Quiet, you. Of course you'd find fighting bothersome when you have food and drink. When have you ever considered our feelings?"
"I haven't bought new clothes in a month!"
"These people are just in time! Once I deal with them, I'll have money again!"
"We absolutely cannot let them escape!"
Listening to their conversation, Meninas's expression was indifferent; she seemed to have no desire to participate in the argument.
She stared at the few people directly opposite her, and suddenly felt one person's figure seemed somewhat familiar.
Because her entire body was wrapped, and even her face was covered by a mask, Meninas temporarily didn't recognize her.
But the characteristic of being well-endowed would not be concealed by these useless disguises.
"Is that Candice?" Meninas narrowed her eyes, asking tentatively.
At these words, Liltotto and Bambietta's bickering was interrupted.
Both looked over, a hint of amusement in their eyes:
"Candice?"
No way, this is too much of a coincidence.
In front, Candice, hearing her identity revealed, immediately lifted the mask from her face, revealing her true appearance, full of fury.
Her hair was a bit disheveled, and her face showed a hint of exhaustion. Someone beside her tried to dissuade her, but she cut them off:
"Shut up! Haven't you realized yet? Haschwalth sent us here to die!"
"Hiding our identity doesn't matter anymore!"
"I'm going to kill them today!"
"These liars..."
Candice gritted her teeth hatefully, her teeth grinding, and her body trembling with rage.
In front, Liltotto pulled out a dorayaki from her body, casually saying:
"It really is you. Sent to die... I think I understand."
"It seems your life hasn't been very good after we left."
"Liars... You've misunderstood us there."
She took a bite, the aroma of red bean bursting in her mouth, her demeanor so relaxed as if discussing a trivial matter.
"Our situation is the same as yours, you know."
"No freedom, constantly under the jurisdiction of Shinigami every day."
"Ultimately, if it weren't for survival, who would be willing to live such a humiliating existence?"
Humiliating existence? Candice laughed, her laughter full of sarcasm.
She watched Liltotto enjoying her food, thinking angrily, if this was a humiliating existence, then what was her experience in the Wandenreich?
Like a slave or servant? No, even a slave or servant wouldn't encompass her tragic experience.
These bastards, even at this critical moment, were still mocking her.
Candice clenched her fists, her nails digging deep into her palms, blood dripping between her fingers.
Her killing intent surged to its peak.
"Die!"
Without warning, a brilliant bolt of lightning was unleashed with a wave of her hand.
She had already forgotten their past camaraderie.
She thought, even if she died, she would never let them have an easy time.
A bunch of… liars.
… …
"Yamamoto Genryusai, you've grown old as well."
Yhwach, disguised as Royd Lloyd, stood in an open space.
His profound gaze rested on the old man before him, a hint of an imperceptible sigh in his voice.
"Pathetic, regrettable, the Sword Devil of yesterday, now in his twilight years…"
"How many years do you have left to live?"
Thud.
Yamamoto Genryusai took a step forward, and the ground beneath his feet instantly cracked, with scorching flames erupting from the fissures.
His eyes burned like torches, fixated on the "Yhwach" before him, his reishi pressure as heavy as a mountain, steadily rising:
"The esteemed leader of the Quincy, when did you become so sentimental?"
"Yhwach, you don't need to say anything."
"Today, you are destined to die here."
"Just like back then!"
"Oh?" Yhwach, disguised as Royd Lloyd, curled his lips into a mocking smile.
He lightly waved the reishi longsword in his hand, as if responding to the other party's provocation.
His voice was deep.
"After many years, you are still as arrogant and haughty as ever."
"It must have made you quite furious that you couldn't kill me back then, right?"
"Don't you have anything you want to say to me?"
Yamamoto Genryusai snorted coldly and stopped wasting words.
His figure vanished from the spot like a ghost, leaving only an afterimage.
Immediately after, Ryujin Jakka, engulfed in explosive flames, instantly spread across the entire area, the scorching flames roaring like a giant dragon towards Royd Lloyd.
Wherever it passed, the air was scorched and distorted!
Unusual events always signal something sinister.
Yhwach knew that the two sides were vastly outnumbered, yet the first thing he did upon invading the Soul Society was not to reduce the enemy's numerical advantage, but to seek out an old retired man like himself.
This act itself was quite strange.
Catching up…
Was he worried that not enough Quincy had died?
With his ambition and having endured for a thousand years, it was impossible for him to do something so illogical.
There could only be a conspiracy.
Yamamoto Genryusai could not let him succeed, so he prepared for a quick battle.
With one swing of his sword.
Only a crisp "crack" was heard.
The Blut Vene on Yhwach's body, tempered through countless trials, was on the verge of shattering, cracks rapidly spreading like a spiderweb.
This sudden scene caused Royd Lloyd's pupils to contract, a hint of shock flashing in his eyes.
Before he could ponder why Yamamoto Genryusai's strength had become so much greater than a thousand years ago, another slash came directly at him!
It was too late.
Yamamoto Genryusai's actions were too decisive, and his strength was severely inconsistent with what he remembered.
In desperation, Yhwach, in his Royd Lloyd form, could only use his strongest defensive move.
"Sanctuary Praise!"
With his loud shout, a large amount of reishi transformed into a blue light barrier, protecting him.
Yamamoto Genryusai's flame-engulfed sword strike was ultimately blocked.
Royd Lloyd witnessed this scene, a drop of cold sweat appearing on his forehead, which was quickly evaporated by the high temperature.
He was almost, almost beheaded.
Although he did not fear death, dying so abruptly was unacceptable to anyone.
Has this Yamamoto Genryusai guy… taken some drugs?
He could only fight evenly with His Majesty a thousand years ago by using Bankai.
Now, his Shikai can instantly kill His Majesty from back then…
He took a deep breath.
Royd Lloyd had intended to put on airs in Yhwach's tone to force Yamamoto Genryusai to use Bankai, so he could absorb it using his Star Mark.
But he hadn't expected.
"You are not Yhwach, who are you?"
Yamamoto Genryusai noticed the anomaly in Royd Lloyd's expression.
The Yhwach in his memory would not be shocked by the changes in his strength.
Yamamoto Genryusai slashed down all the Holy Arrows shot from the Sanctuary Praise in front of him, then stepped forward, arriving before Royd Lloyd.
Drawing his sword.
"Ryujin Jakka—"
"Matsumae!"
Flames like a tornado suddenly surged, crushing all defenses of the Sanctuary Praise from top to bottom, roaring as they enveloped Yhwach.
This sudden attack made Royd Lloyd swallow all his words.
He struggled to resist, using all of His Majesty's lifelong knowledge, until he transformed his Blut Vene into Blut Vene Anhaben, barely managing to hold on.
But his body was still scorched by the flames, causing a sharp pain.
"Just as I thought."
Yamamoto Genryusai snorted coldly; he had been half-believing before, but now, he was absolutely certain that the Yhwach before him was a fake.
The true Yhwach would not be so disheveled.
Because even the weakest The Almighty could see the future and thus defend or evade in advance.
"Speak! Where is the real Yhwach?!"
"What kind of conspiracy are you Quincy plotting?"
Yamamoto Genryusai's voice was deep and powerful; he narrowed his eyes, looking at Royd Lloyd, and pressed him:
"Are you here to buy time?"
No need to say, he already knew.
Seeing that Royd Lloyd did not reply, only looking pale and gritting his teeth at him.
Yamamoto Genryusai also bothered no more with words.
"Bankai—!"
Just as he was about to use Bankai to instantly kill this fake Yhwach, the signal suddenly returned, and two minutes had already passed.
In his earpiece, Kisuke Urahara hurriedly said:
"Genryusai-dono, we have now investigated the plans of these Quincy, please spare him; he is not the real Yhwach!"
"Killing him will only return his power to Yhwach's body."
"Currently, Tsugikuni Captain-Commander has already defeated another Yhwach; with yours, we might be able to force him to reveal himself!"
Yamamoto Genryusai narrowed his eyes slightly, and his expanding reishi pressure calmed down a little.
He pinned Royd Lloyd to the ground with a single sword, rendering him immobile, then asked in a deep voice:
"Have you found out? What is their plan?"
"This boy not being Yhwach, this old man already knew."
"Yhwach is not that weak."
Upon hearing this, Royd Lloyd became enraged: "Presumptuous!"
He could not tolerate anyone belittling His Majesty, no matter who.
Just as he was about to use all his strength to break free from Yamamoto Genryusai's restraint and uphold His Majesty's dignity, the next second.
"Ryujin Jakka—Fuzan!"
One of Royd Lloyd's arms fell off out of thin air, and blood instantly stained the ground.
Yamamoto Genryusai glanced at him indifferently, then burned him to ashes with a single sword.
"Brat, don't speak to me with his face; you are not him."
"Return to your original appearance; there's no need to pretend anymore; you've already lost."
"Or… can you only use others' abilities when you transform into their appearance?"
Seeing Royd Lloyd gritting his teeth in pain, Yamamoto Genryusai thought that was probably the case.
Then, he heard the Quincy's plan to conquer the Human World.
"Conquer the Human World?"
"Yes, but please don't worry, Tsugikuni Captain-Commander has already rushed there."
Kisuke Urahara exhaled and nodded in response,
"Although the current Human World has suffered heavy losses, it is still within an acceptable range."
"What we need to worry about is the true Yhwach."
"His location is still unknown, so these fake Yhwach are very important; they might know Yhwach's whereabouts."
"I see." Yamamoto Genryusai understood Kisuke Urahara's meaning.
He nodded, and before Royd Lloyd could absorb reishi and recover his arm, he struck again with his sword.
After three more slashes, he was reduced to a human stick, rolling on the ground and wailing in pain.
Yamamoto Genryusai watched him coldly, and after sending him away, he left the spot to continue upholding his duties.
… …
In a hidden space, Yhwach sat quietly on his throne.
Before him was a giant mirror, which clearly reflected the battle scenes of the two Captain-Commanders and "himself."
"Interesting, truly interesting. Everything is as I saw it; Yamamoto Genryusai has actually become even stronger than I was in the past."
"Where did he obtain such power?"
Yamamoto Genryusai's increase in strength surprised him somewhat.
But Yoriichi Tsugikuni's situation seemed completely illogical.
He cut Sanctuary Praise and Royd Lloyd in half with one slash.
If it weren't for the fact that a Quincy being cut in half was not a fatal injury, that battle would have ended in three seconds.
Yhwach narrowed his eyes slightly, a cold glint flashing within them:
"What a wealth of talent, in just a mere hundred years… As expected of a Special War Power."
"Fortunately, I have seen it all."
"Now, it's my turn."
Because the future he chose would definitely occur without external interference.
Precisely because of this, the current Human World, in places unseen by the Shinigami, had undergone earth-shattering changes.
Gremmy single-handedly took out all the high-ranking officials and replaced them using his imagination.
Then, a disturbance occurred that would be difficult for all Shinigami to resolve.
It was similar to a demon parasitizing the imperial court; by the time the Shinigami discovered it, it was already too late.
Yhwach never forgot that his goal was to seize the Soul Society and break into the Soul King Palace.
Therefore, all underhanded tactics could be used.
Including.
Taking over the Human World and fundamentally destroying the balance of the Three Realms.
… …
Time flowed by minute by minute, and the unrest in the Human World grew increasingly severe.
The streets were filled with chaotic crowds, buildings collapsed, and flames raged, as if the entire city had fallen into hell.
Ichibei Hyosube appeared as expected in Yhwach's waiting.
He took Yoriichi Tsugikuni to the Soul King Palace and announced an order.
The upcoming battle was to take place in the Soul King Palace.
Only this way.
Could it bring the last ray of hope to the Three Realms.
This was the future seen by the Soul King.
… …
… …
At the same time, in the hidden space where Yhwach was, a white door slowly opened.
Yhwach looked at the scene on the other side of the door, and the three pupils in his eyes suddenly trembled.
"Soul King…"
He murmured, "So that's it, you already knew my objective."
"Did you see the future I saw?"
"Hmph, worthy of being my father."
"Never mind."
"Whether it's luring the enemy into a trap or something else…"
Yhwach contacted Haschwalth and some Sternritter members, giving the order,
"Haschwalth, take them and enter the Soul King Palace with me."
"We'll meet those old friends."