Seeing Amamiya in this state, Ishida Ryūken burned with questions. What exactly had happened in that room? What level of power had he attained? But now was not the time, and he had no right to demand answers. Their transaction was simple.
He reached into his pocket and tossed an object to Amamiya, who caught it neatly. It was a silver badge, cold and heavy, etched with an intricate sunburst pattern.
"A loan. Not a gift," Ryūken stated flatly, adjusting his glasses. He had found this pass among his father Sōken's effects. His research indicated it could open gateways, specifically to Hueco Mundo. He had even used it once himself, in a futile search for his missing father in that white desert. But the artifact was dangerous; his studies suggested it could also access another, shrouded location—likely the shadow realm of the 'Empire,' the Wandenreich. It was a hot potato he was glad to pass on, especially now that his focus needed to shift to his research on the mysterious 'Silber' substance extracted from deceased Gemischt Quincy.
Amamiya examined the pass, recognizing it as an older model of a Wandenreich Sankt Zwinger—a 'Sun Key.' Its design differed from the one Uryū would later receive, but its function was undoubtedly similar.
"Understood. Thank you, Ishida-san. I'll look after Uryū." Amamiya's confidence was unshakable.
Channeling his spiritual energy into the badge, a rectangular door of pure white light irised open in the air before him, distinct from the swirling black vortex of a Hollow's Garganta. Without a backward glance, Amamiya stepped through. The door sealed shut behind him, leaving Ryūken alone in the ruined chamber.
'No need to repair this…' Ryūken thought, turning away. With Uryū unable to learn Blut, this extreme training method was obsolete. 'Now… to focus on the Silber research.' The metallic substance found within Gemischt Quincy after the Auswahlen reclaimed their power—it had to be significant. Perhaps it would be the key to opposing Yhwach himself.
…
Amamiya found himself in a stark, pure white antechamber. The room was featureless save for three identical doorways, including the one he had just entered from.
He focused his senses. From one door emanated a dense, predatory spiritual pressure—the unmistakable aura of Hollows and vast Reishi. Hueco Mundo. The second door felt utterly null, as if sealed by immense power. The shadow realm. The Wandenreich. The door behind him resonated with the thin, familiar energy of the Human World.
'A transit hub. Three doors for the three primary realms, with the Quincy's hidden empire nested in Soul Society's shadow. Sōken must have stolen this pass before the Wandenreich updated their security. A fortunate oversight.'
He took a long, measuring look at the sealed door. When the time came, he would need to return here and attempt that path. But not today.
Stepping through the door to Hueco Mundo, he was blinded by a searing white light. When his vision cleared, he stood upon an endless expanse of white sand, beneath a starless black sky. Sparse, jagged white structures—petrified trees or bone-like formations—punctured the landscape. The air was thick, heavy with spiritual particles.
Hueco Mundo.
Checking the pass in his hand, he found it inert. Moving a few paces away, he looked back. Brushing aside the sand, he revealed a raised sun symbol identical to the one on the badge, etched into a flat stone.
'A fixed anchor point. A Sun Gate. You can only depart from where you arrived. Good thing the old Quincy never implemented two-factor authentication.'
The ambient Reishi here was profoundly rich. He summoned his Quincy Cross. A Heilig Bogen materialized in his hand almost instantly, its form denser, more solid than ever before. With a thought, he willed it to change—the bow's frame shifting, condensing, expanding with fluid ease.
'My base Reishi manipulation… it's already on par with what I achieved using Shinya Zetsunen in that training room. The environment makes all the difference.' A fierce confidence surged within him. 'Let Hueco Mundo be the stage where the Quincy's power is truly reborn.'
Closing his eyes, he turned his focus inward, to the Hōgyoku nestled within his soul. As if recognizing a sibling, the orb resonated, sending a faint, pulsing sense of direction toward the distant horizon—toward the massive, monolithic structure of Las Noches.
'I don't need a frontal assault. While Ichigo and his team provide the distraction… I'll find my opening.' He pulled the dark cloak Urahara had once given him from his Gigai, draping it over his Shinigami uniform to obscure his silhouette and spiritual signature. Then he set off, a lone figure moving swiftly across the bleached dunes toward Aizen's palace.
…
The Wahrwelt – The Royal Palace of the Wandenreich
"Your Majesty. The Las Noches Sun Gate has been activated," Jugram Haschwalth reported, kneeling before the throne where Yhwach sat in regal silence.
"Intriguing. That long-dormant gate… Could it be Sōken Ishida, returning at last?"
"No, Majesty. The spiritual signature does not match. It is Amamiya Miyako. The Shinigami who utilized Quincy abilities within the Seireitei."
"Amamiya Miyako… So it is him." A profound, knowing smile touched Yhwach's lips. "Pay it no mind, Haschwalth. He will join our ranks in due time. My eyes have already perceived that thread of fate…"
His voice, deep and resonant, filled the chamber. "…My child, born of the mingled darkness. Amamiya Miyako. The Holy Child."
…
Meanwhile, in a canyon not far from Las Noches, a reunion was taking place.
"Rukia?!" Ichigo Kurosaki stared, astonished, as Kuchiki Rukia dropped down to join him, Chad, and Uryū.
"Kuchiki-san?" Uryū and Chad echoed in surprise.
"Ichigo! Why did you run off to Hueco Mundo by yourself without waiting for us?!" Rukia scolded, hands on her hips.
"Didn't your Captain-Commander forbid anyone from coming? And wait, you said 'us'?" Ichigo looked around, seeing only Rukia.
"After Miyako and I returned to Soul Society, it was Byakuya-nii and Captain Hitsugaya who… hinted to us. They said their orders were only to 'retrieve' us. What we did afterward was our own business." Rukia explained. "Miyako figured they were turning a blind eye, so we went back to the Human World. Urahara helped me get here, but he stopped Miyako. That's why it's just me. But I know Miyako! He'll find a way!"
"Byakuya and Hitsugaya actually did that…" Ichigo felt a surge of gratitude toward the two Captains. "But why would Urahara stop Amamiya?"
"I'm not sure! Those two have been whispering and plotting behind my back for ages! If you hadn't left in such a hurry, I would have made Miyako confess everything!" Rukia fumed.
Uryū, listening nearby, frowned deeply. Amamiya Miyako was an enigma wrapped in secrets. Even his own comrade didn't know his full agenda?
"Well, whatever. We can't wait. Let's go!" Ichigo's expression hardened with resolve. "We're going to save Inoue and Tatsuki!"