Chapter 396: The New Era
LSP, activate!!
The Priest sat cross-legged in front of the screen, raised the controller, and pressed the button.
The first thing he did after logging in was to check his friends list for Baraggan Louisenbairn.
Recently, he had been practicing Dragon Ascent diligently, and his skills had improved significantly. He was sure he could redeem himself and surpass him in the damage rankings!
But the name that was usually online 24/7 was grayed out today!
For a moment, the Priest was stunned.
Hueco Mundo, a certain desert.
Baraggan looked at the sword in his hand with a slightly complicated expression.
"Ikomikidomoe… is that his current name?"
"I thought he had died, but it turns out his name was stripped away and he was sealed within a Zanpakutō."
"How boring. It would have been better if he had died."
Seeing Baraggan's disdainful expression, Satoru asked curiously:
"I thought you would be moved to see an old friend."
Hearing this, Baraggan burst into laughter:
"Friend?"
"I am a Hollow. Hollows don't have such ridiculous thin— Ow!"
Before he could finish speaking, a shadowy hand from nowhere smacked him on the head.
"A mere prisoner dares to call himself 'We' in my presence?"
"Damn you, Satoru! Do not push me too far!"
"I'll forward what you just said to Sōsuke in a moment."
"...It's just a self-proclaimed title. If I must change it, so be it. Do you think I am some narrow-minded ruler?"
After surrendering at lightning speed, Baraggan raised his Zanpakutō:
"Hatch and perish, Ikomikidomoe!!"
As his Reiatsu poured into the blade, a powerful spiritual pressure erupted violently!
Under their watchful eyes, a figure appeared on the sand dune.
It was a white Menos Grande, over five meters tall, resembling a giant upright catfish with sharp claws on its arms.
Looking at the familiar figure before him, Baraggan clicked his tongue and shook his head.
"After thousands of years, I never thought I'd see this fool again."
"Who… Who has awakened me?!"
The giant catfish opened its mouth and roared.
But as soon as the words left its mouth, Baraggan slapped it from a distance.
A solidified mass of powerful Reiatsu smashed into the back of Ikomikidomoe's head, sending him crashing into the sand dune.
"A mere prisoner dares to call himself 'I' in my presence?"
After coldly mocking Ikomikidomoe, Baraggan felt much better.
Indeed, happiness is built upon the suffering of others.
Attacked the moment he awoke, Ikomikidomoe grew furious.
But sensing the familiar spiritual fluctuations in the air, he suddenly froze.
"This power…"
He lifted his head and looked at the muscular old man before him.
"You are… Baraggan?"
"This form is?!"
Baraggan grinned, his wrinkled face showing a proud smile:
"Correct, this is the power of an Arrancar!"
"Fool, can you do the same?"
Watching Baraggan laugh arrogantly, Ikomikidomoe felt both shocked and increasingly enraged.
He raised one of his massive claws and slammed it down hard toward Baraggan!
SMACK!!
To Ikomikidomoe's astonishment, the muscular old man merely lifted a hand and caught the claw, which was larger than his entire body!
Feeling the strength in his grip, Baraggan clicked his tongue and shook his head.
"Too weak."
"Compared to the you of three thousand years ago, the current you is like a worm crawling in the mud."
"Originally, I… ahem, I had some expectations of you. I thought if you still retained your former strength, I might grant you the chance to become my steed."
"But now, it seems that won't be necessary."
Hearing Baraggan's undisguised contempt, Ikomikidomoe roared and swung his other claw at him.
Watching the massive claw descending like a hammer of divine punishment, Baraggan remained expressionless.
He spoke calmly:
"Decay, Baraggan Louisenbairn."
A flash of black light, and he instantly transformed from a muscular elder into a stark white skeleton.
Black smoke spread from his body.
The arm Ikomikidomoe had swung at him, upon touching the black smoke, instantly decayed into ash, the decay spreading upward along its length!
Watching the roaring Ikomikidomoe, Baraggan's eyes, flickering with soul fire, held neither joy nor sorrow.
Once a king of Hueco Mundo who stood shoulder to shoulder with him, now it was merely a nameless waste.
All he could do for it was preserve its final dignity, letting it die by the hand of its former nemesis.
Otherwise, if it fell into Aizen's hands, it might not even be allowed to die...
Just as this thought crossed his mind, he suddenly saw a flash of blade light, and Ikomikidomoe's massive arm crashed to the ground.
Satoru, holding Sayafushi, revealed a smile.
"Since you don't want it, I'll take it back."
"An experimental subject bound by the power of rules, Sōsuke would surely be very fond of it."
Hearing this, Baraggan silently looked up at the sky.
He had done his best. From here on, he could only hope this former nemesis wouldn't be tortured too terribly.
Releasing his Resurrección, he gave a nod to the side.
A Hollow wearing a goat-like bone mask and a Las Noches uniform instantly appeared beside him, kneeling on one knee and presenting a document.
Baraggan reached out and took it.
"This is the list for the exchange program. I... have already arranged it."
"Oh, thank you, thank you. Much appreciated."
Satoru's eyes lit up as he took the USB drive from Baraggan.
The Hueco Mundo–Soul Society Exchange Program was an experimental initiative spearheaded by him and Aizen, with participation from Yamamoto and Baraggan.
The Soul Society and Hueco Mundo would each send two groups—one of promising newcomers and one of seasoned veterans—for exchange battles.
The main purpose was to apply some pressure to the warriors of both sides, now that they had entered an era of peace.
Whether it's Shinigami or Arrancar, their lifespans are exceptionally long. Without applying some pressure regularly, there's little hope they'll improve on their own.
Originally, the Seireitei would never have accepted such a cooperative plan with Hollows.
But... as the stable introduction of Hueco Mundo's Reishi progressed, more and more people began to realize that the Arrancars of Hueco Mundo were beings with stable emotions and thoughts, capable of normal communication.
Moreover, during the Hell War, the Arrancars stepped forward to protect the civilians of Rukongai.
During the Sōkyoku conflict, the Arrancars actively intervened to protect the Shinigami on the battlefield.
Through these repeated demonstrations of their nature, the Soul Society's perception of Arrancars gradually changed.
This cooperation was the sprouting seed of trust taking root in fertile soil.
Watching Satoru's joyful expression, Baraggan remained silent.
Initially, when his Las Noches was taken and he lost his identity as the King of Hueco Mundo, he was filled with immense rage. Even though he superficially chose submission, he harbored hatred towards Satoru and Aizen in his heart.
But as time passed, he gradually came to understand.
Under this man's leadership, Hueco Mundo could truly become better.
This guy, despite being a Shinigami, was probably the first person in the world who could interact with Hollows like them with complete sincerity.
Without Satoru, that man called Aizen would never have truly treated them as "one of his own."
As for those in the Soul Society, it would have been even more impossible.
Now, rather than reclaiming the throne that once belonged to him, he hoped this man would continue forward without dying.
If they lost him, both the Soul Society and Hueco Mundo would likely return to their former states.
He had grown tired of the long, decaying eternity.
For the remainder of his life, he wanted to try witnessing something new.
...
...
Before winter arrived, Yamamoto Shigekuni officially stepped down.
No longer the Captain of the First Division or the Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13, his only position now was as the Principal of Shin'ō Academy.
For a moment, Yamamoto's feelings were complex.
A thousand years of responsibility, a thousand years of treading on thin ice, a thousand years of bearing heavy burdens.
Finally... he could lay them down.
As all the Captains looked on, Sasakibe came to his back and removed the white Haori bearing the character for "One."
On the other side, the new Vice-Captain of the First Division, Matsumoto Rangiku, approached Satoru's back with an extremely solemn expression, holding a new Haori and putting it on him.
Looking at the man wearing the Haori, Yamamoto's eyes held a gentle gaze.
He had imagined this scene countless times over the years.
Originally, he had even prepared himself for the possibility that he might not live to see it.
This premonition was incredibly strong, as if on some worldline, this had truly happened.
If those events were indeed originally destined to occur, then the one who changed everything must be the man before him.
Life is a process of countless choices.
Two hundred years ago, taking on this foolish apprentice was undoubtedly the most correct choice he had ever made.
Yamamoto turned around, preparing to leave the stage to the younger generation.
But just then, he suddenly heard Satoru's voice from behind:
"Everyone, I'm going to issue my first order as Captain-Commander!"
Yamamoto's face darkened.
Trouble was coming!
Sure enough, before he could turn back, he heard Satoru say:
"In light of the current situation, the Seireitei urgently needs personnel."
"With formidable foes lurking on all sides and new policies being implemented, the Soul Society is truly in a turbulent era!"
"Therefore, we hereby specially reinstate Lord Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto and appoint him as Captain-Commander's Secretary to assist in handling all matters, big and small!"
Yamamoto widened his eyes, looking at someone with a gaze that seemed to say, "What the hell, Komamura?"
There, Satoru glanced over, revealing a villainous, sinister smile.
Didn't expect that, did you, old man Yamamoto!
That day, the advice Aizen gave him could actually be interpreted in reverse.
If Satoru refused Yamamoto's appointment, Yamamoto would continue to exploit him under the pretext of being the "Acting Captain-Commander."
So, what if the tables were turned and he himself became the Captain-Commander?
Exactly! If he became the Captain-Commander, he could use his authority to appoint Yamamoto to a position and make him work tirelessly!
Hehehe!
Seeing Satoru's triumphant smile, Yamamoto was furious.
Before he could say anything, Satoru continued:
"Next is the second Captain-Commander order!"
What? There's a second one?
Yamamoto was stunned.
Satoru declared:
"From today onward, all female members of the Gotei 13 must change the style of their Shinigami Uniforms to... Holy shit! An assassin!!"
Mid-sentence, he leaped into the air.
Ryūjin Jakka slashed horizontally through the spot where he had just been standing.
Enraged, Yamamoto attacked, chasing Satoru and hacking away at him.
"Treason! Treason! The former Captain-Commander refuses to relinquish power and even attempts a public assassination!"
"Protect the Captain-Commander! Protect him!"
Satoru desperately fled, circling around a pillar.
Witnessing this heartwarming scene, the captains all wore warm, comforting smiles.
Anyway, setting aside the bloody incident of master and disciple trying to kill each other...
On this day, Satoru officially assumed the position of Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13.
...
...
As Satoru and his advisory team officially took over the First Division, the implementation speed of various reforms began to advance at a terrifying pace.
Reformers in the real world often have too many concerns.
The backlash from vested interests, the difficulty of policy implementation, the stability of public sentiment...
But for Satoru and his group, these were not problems at all.
The reason was simple.
On one hand, it was Satoru's strength.
As a Transcendent, his power had already surpassed that of any captain in history.
On the other hand, it was Satoru's age.
When Yamamoto founded the Gotei 13 and became Captain-Commander, he was already nearly two thousand years old.
Even so, he held the position for a thousand years.
Compared to Yamamoto, Satoru, who was only a little over two hundred years old, could potentially hold the Captain-Commander position for an unimaginably long time.
Moreover, with his strength already surpassing Yamamoto's, his lifespan would undoubtedly be even longer.
For the next several thousand years, the results of the reforms would be guaranteed, without worrying that everything would vanish upon the death of the person in charge.
With such a solid backing, those responsible for the various processes naturally spared no effort in pushing forward.
On the third day after Satoru became Captain-Commander, a massive pillar crashed down in the Seireitei, on the grounds of the Shiba Clan.
Shiba Kaien and Shiba Isshin, astonished, rushed to the scene with their people.
There, they saw all five members of the Zero Division assembled.
The sight left the two speechless.
Especially Isshin.
As an early member of the Mikami Group, he knew many unsavory things.
Could these Zero Division members be here to cause trouble...
He frowned slightly, his fingers subtly pressing against his forearm.
There, Aizen had laid a special Kidō for him—as long as spiritual power was injected, they could sense each other.
But before he could act, the lead priest grinned widely:
"Well, well, the little brats of the Shiba Clan!"
"Where's that guy Satoru?"
"Tell him we've come to congratulate him on becoming Captain-Commander!"
Hearing this, Isshin's eyes widened.
The arrival of all members of the Zero Division shocked the entire Seireitei.
No one expected the Zero Division, which never paid attention to the Seireitei, would descend in full force to congratulate Satoru.
After all, even when the Gotei 13 was first established, the Zero Division never made such a formal appearance.
Especially since, after formally congratulating Satoru, these five stayed for half a day, holding a banquet in the First Division's cafeteria and drinking heartily with Satoru and the others.
Without a doubt, their arrival wasn't due to any traditional rules or etiquette.
Recalling how Satoru had stayed with the Zero Division for several years, the nobles realized this man's backing was likely far stronger than they had imagined—strong beyond comprehension.
From that point on, even those most reluctant to accept it had to admit:
The era of Yamamoto Shigekuni had ended.
A new era named Satoru had begun!