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When Aozaki Reiji heard the 3 words "The Soul King," the image of a human torso, without hands or feet, organs or viscera, life or death, appeared in his mind, floating high above the heavens.
However, despite this, this human torso still possessed consciousness and could issue orders to the Zero Division.
From this, it was clear that the Soul King still posed a threat to him.
According to Aozaki Reiji's judgment, even after losing many vital organs, the Soul King's remaining power must be considerably strong, certainly surpassing Yhwach after he regained his Omnipotent and Omniscient power.
However, judging from Shutara Senjumaru's and Hikifune Kirio's attitudes, this mysterious great god did not seem to regard him as an enemy.
Since that was the case, should he go and meet the Soul King?
If the Soul King truly wanted to eliminate him, escaping to any part of the Three Worlds would be futile.
After some thought, Aozaki Reiji silently nodded, indicating his willingness to accept the invitation.
On the other side, Yamamoto leaned on his cane, lost in thought.
Aozaki Reiji receiving an invitation from the Zero Division was not a problem; he had been mentally prepared for it.
Kenpachi Kuruyashiki had also been invited by the Zero Division in the past due to his outstanding strength.
And now, with Aozaki Reiji being his excellent disciple, it was only natural for him to receive an invitation.
But… why wasn't it an invitation to join the Zero Division?
Why did the Soul King want to meet him personally?
Although that kid Reiji always seemed to be afraid of this Old Man, his strength had indeed surpassed his own; there was no doubt about that.
More precisely, he was so powerful that he hardly seemed like a Shinigami!
Could it be that the Soul King had noticed Reiji's unusualness and wanted to confirm it with his own eyes?
Or was it that the incident that occurred in the Seireitei Underground Great Prison not long ago had caught the Soul King's attention, and he wanted to understand the situation from Aozaki Reiji?
Although Urahara Kisuke and Unohana had a very good relationship with him, he had not personally participated in the investigation after all.
So, why ask Reiji?
It was too unusual.
Yamamoto narrowed his eyes, looking at Aozaki Reiji.
He found that Aozaki Reiji first showed a thoughtful expression, then surprisingly gave him an arrogant look, as if saying, "Who do you think I am?"
How annoying, what's there to be arrogant about?
Did he really think this Old Man was envious that he could ascend to the Soul King Palace?
What an idiot!
Yamamoto's eye twitched a few times, and he finally let out a heavy sigh.
"Then it's settled. The time is set for three days from now. Reiji-kun, you must be prepared." Hikifune Kirio instructed with a serious expression.
"Understood!" Aozaki Reiji nodded seriously in response.
"It's not easy to return to Soul Society. Kisuke, take us for a stroll around the Twelfth Division and see what the Squad looks like now." Shutara Senjumaru turned to Urahara Kisuke, a hint of anticipation on her face.
Captain-Commander Yamamoto leaned on his cane, quietly watching the three figures depart.
Aozaki Reiji and Unohana stood behind him, equally silent.
Only after the three figures disappeared did Yamamoto turn around, narrow his eyes, and say to Aozaki Reiji in a solemn tone:
"This trip to the Soul King Palace, remember not to flaunt your martial prowess."
"Your paltry skills, don't bring them out to make a fool of yourself. This Old Man cannot afford to lose face."
"If they ask about the Seireitei Underground Great Prison incident…" Yamamoto pondered for a moment, then continued, "Captain Unohana will tell you; just convey the situation to them."
"Understood, Old Man." Aozaki Reiji nodded slightly, indicating his comprehension.
He had always been low-key and composed, so such a request was naturally not a problem for him.
Hiding his strength? He was best at it.
Yamamoto raised his hand and pointed to the tea table nearby.
Aozaki Reiji immediately picked up a cup of good tea and handed it over.
The Old Man nodded in satisfaction.
"This time ascending to the Soul King Palace, what you truly need to pay attention to is the Royal Special Forces Zero Division," he slowly said.
"You don't need to worry too much about the others; they are all Shinigami who were promoted from the Gotei 13."
The Old Man continued to explain, "Even Kirinjii Tenjiro, who doesn't know you, should give this Old Man some face."
"The ones you truly need to be careful of, and who could pose a threat, are the other two individuals in the Zero Division."
The Old Man's gaze grew serious, "One is the master of the Phoenix Palace, Nimaiya Ōetsu, titled 'Sword God'."
"And the other is the leader of the Zero Division, Ichibei Hyosube, 'Hyosube Ichibe'e, 'Eye Monk''."
"The two are the creators of Zanpakuto and the namers of all things in Soul Society, respectively."
"They were active in an era even more distant than this Old Man's, and their strength is immense. This Old Man has no friendship with them to speak of."
The Old Man frowned, his tone heavy as he spoke.
"Nimaiya Ōetsu is fine; with his personality, as long as you don't provoke him, he won't make things too difficult for you."
"As for Hyosube Ichibe'e, 'Eye Monk'… that great monk looks very kind, like an honest person."
"But never be deceived by his appearance; in truth, that fellow's heart is very dark!"
"He is a figure from the same period as the Soul King and the ancestors of the Five Great Noble Houses."
"He witnessed the primordial chaos, the separation of the Three Worlds, and has been the Soul King's guardian since millions of years ago."
"For him, protecting the Soul King is his sole belief."
Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto said in a deep voice, "No matter how many lives, they are insignificant before this belief."
"His ability can erase names and diminish power."
"Even this Old Man's Ryujin Jakka is powerless to resist."
"Therefore, unless absolutely necessary, it is best not to clash with him." Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto warned.
"He sounds like a very stubborn fellow, just like you, Old Man," Aozaki Reiji said with a teasing smile, "Except your belief is to protect Soul Society, and his belief is to protect the Soul King."
Some people in this world live by their beliefs.
Hyosube Ichibe'e, 'Eye Monk' was like that, and the Old Man was like that too.
Hearing Aozaki Reiji's disrespectful words, Yamamoto clenched his fist, making a "clack, clack" sound.
Seeing Aozaki Reiji obediently shrink his neck, Yamamoto then nodded and said:
"Reiji, your power is too great, far beyond that of an ordinary Shinigami."
"Hyosube Ichibe'e, 'Eye Monk' will never allow any existence that could threaten the Soul King to appear."
"Once he believes your existence might pose a threat to the Soul King, he will absolutely and without hesitation move to eliminate you."
"So you must be extremely careful and absolutely rein in your sharpness!"
Upon hearing this, Aozaki Reiji stroked his chin and couldn't help but say, "Old Man, you're so serious, you're making me feel like this trip might bring more ill than good!"
Yamamoto said in a deep voice, "Kid, don't say this Old Man didn't warn you."
"In the thousands of years this Old Man has been in power, the Soul King Palace has never invited outsiders up."
"There are only three ways to go up."
"Either directly invade the Soul King Palace, or join the Zero Division, or be selected into the divine soldier units under the Zero Division."
"Since they called your name, and didn't ask you to join the Zero Division or the divine soldier units, things are definitely not simple."
"Being careful is not excessive!"
Aozaki Reiji raised his eyebrows, a faint smile on his lips, and said, "What if I am extremely careful, but still end up fighting them?"
"For the safety of the Three Worlds, should I just meekly accept my fate?"
Upon hearing this, Yamamoto's gaze became complex and profound.
He silently pondered for a few seconds.
Suddenly, he gripped the cane in his hand tightly and pressed down with force.
The cane instantly turned into a cloud of flying ash, revealing the ancient Zanpakuto that had been hidden within for a long time.
Under Aozaki Reiji's astonished gaze, Yamamoto slowly drew his Zanpakuto, its blade shimmering with cold light.
He sneered, a hint of disdain in his voice: "Accept fate? Kid, when did this Old Man ever teach you such a cowardly way to die?"
Before his words faded, the blade of Ryujin Jakka rapidly ignited with raging flames.
The scorching flames soared into the sky like a fire dragon, directly piercing the clouds, as if to set the entire sky ablaze.
Under the fiery red sky, Yamamoto laughed ferociously: "Even if you die, you must find a way to cut off their heads!"
"Remember, in this world, no one cannot be killed, except the Soul King!"
"Moreover, this Old Man's body is still quite sturdy, and he also wants to test if the long sword in his hand is still as it was back then."
Upon hearing this, Aozaki Reiji widened his eyes, looking at Yamamoto in surprise.
At such a time, he still thought that the Soul King could not be killed and that the stability of the Three Worlds must be maintained; truly worthy of being the Old Man.
He really… I'm so touched.
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