That outcome was: while Gin remained youthful, Rangiku would grow old and frail!
Gin couldn't accept this future. That was why he chose to infiltrate Aizen's ranks, waiting for an opportunity.
For him, what mattered was an eternal bond, not just a few hundred years of happiness.
For the sake of eternity, Gin was willing to sacrifice a century or two, enduring hardship for that time.
This was Ichimaru Gin, a true man devoted to his wife!
Sora truly admired Gin for such dedication!
"This is easy to handle!"
Sora nodded. He wouldn't disappoint Gin.
"But simply doing this isn't enough to repay the value of the Hogyoku."
"I will grant you both greater power!"
"Look forward to it!" Sora took the Hogyoku from Gin.
Then, he produced his own Hogyoku. The two instantly merged.
The next second, an astonishing change occurred.
The merged Hogyoku elongated, and in an instant, a scepter appeared before everyone's eyes.
"Oh, this..."
Sora took the floating scepter, feeling it carefully.
Then, his eyes widened in shock. This wasn't just a scepter… it was an authority!
With this, the Soul King's authority over this world was completely in Sora's grasp!
Although the being sitting on the throne (the original Soul King) was just a mutilated husk, it was still the Soul King!
He sustained the existence of the three worlds, but because he lacked consciousness, he couldn't exercise his authority.
But now, that authority belonged to Sora!
Raising the scepter, Sora pointed it at the two.
"I shall grant you a bond and restoration!"
With Sora's words, an immense power surged into both of them.
Instantly, Gin could clearly sense a thread connecting him and Rangiku!
Through this thread, their life forces, Reiatsus, everything could be shared.
And the thread could do even more!
At Rangiku's thought, acting on instinct, she actually merged with Gin!
The next moment, like a fusion of two warriors, a striking figure with silver hair and a tall, well-proportioned form appeared before Sora!
"Wh-What is this!!?" Gin looked down at his chest in slight panic.
Though they had fused, and Gin's consciousness was dominant, Rangiku's most prominent feature hadn't disappeared.
"Heh heh, it's me, of course!" Rangiku laughed, sensing Gin's fluster.
Seeing the always composed Gin so flustered made her overjoyed.
But these were small matters. What was truly important was the strength of this combined form!
Rangiku's potential had been restored by Sora, and her strength had instantly reached Captain-level!
Two Captain-level beings combined, and their capabilities were more than just additive!
Rangiku concentrated.
Then, a wave of ash began to stir around the fused being's body.
This was the ash from Rangiku's Zanpakuto, Haineko. Like Gaara's absolute defense, although Gin controlled the body, Rangiku could still control her own Haineko.
Not only that...
"Ye lord! Mask of blood and flesh, all creation, flutter of wings, ye who bears the name of Man! Inferno and pandemonium, the sea barrier surges, march on to the south!"
A passionate Kido incantation suddenly echoed from within Gin's body.
Then, a red fireball coalesced around the fused being's form!
This was clearly the Hado #31, Shakkaho, formed by the incantation just recited.
Though Gin appeared as a single person, his body now housed two souls.
Rangiku could still use Kido and control her Zanpakuto.
The implications of this were obvious!
The fused Gin's strength had increased far more than twofold!
And such a fusion would also ensure Rangiku's safety.
Truly, Gin was immensely satisfied with the power Sora had given him!
Of course, while Gin was overjoyed, Sora was nonchalant.
After all, for him, this was just a relic of a bygone era!
But even if it was old news to him, to Gin, it was the best gift imaginable.
Thus, Gin and Rangiku were deeply grateful to Sora.
With this power, no matter how the Soul Society changed, they could remain secure.
Consequently, Gin chose to switch allegiance.
"My lord, you may not know this, but regarding you, the Soul Society... the Captain-Commander... We..."
Gin began to explain the Soul Society's decision.