Soon, in the projection, what surprised the other viewers even more was that Ichigo Kurosaki actually heard a strange voice that seemed to speak directly into his mind.
Hyosube Ichibei was communicating with him through a voice that only Ichigo Kurosaki could perceive.
"Call my name, Ichigo."
Kurosaki Ichigo looked puzzled, and after hesitating for several moments, he carefully spoke the monk's name aloud.
"Hyosube Ichibei..."
The instant those words left his lips, Hyosube Ichibei's dismembered body began reassembling itself in an utterly mystical fashion!
Swish, swish, swish!
It didn't take long for his scattered flesh and blood to mend completely and return to perfect condition.
He stood up as if nothing traumatic had happened and spoke with characteristic calm:
"Oh! Thank you so much, Ichigo!"
At this moment, Shihouin Yoruichi, Shiba Ganju, Inoue Orihime, Yasutora Chad, and the entire audience watching the projection were completely stunned by this impossible resurrection.
My God... Is this truly the incredible ability of the Royal Guard?
Could it be that even after suffering damage to this extreme extent, complete restoration was still possible?
This was genuine resurrection from the dead! Absolutely incredible!
Hyosube Ichibei in the projection began explaining his miraculous recovery:
"Although my physical form was indeed destroyed, all of my true power is contained within my name!"
"Simply by calling my name aloud, I can draw a small portion of strength from you to repair my body."
"As long as we combine your power with mine, completely restoring my physical form isn't a significant problem."
The audience was stunned once again and remained utterly amazed by this revelation.
[Inoue Orihime]: The scene just now seemed rather supernatural. Was this monk communicating with Ichigo through some form of telepathy?
[Shihouin Yoruichi]: Only Ichigo could hear it? I couldn't perceive anything in the projection either. It seems Ichigo really is fundamentally special.
[Urahara Kisuke]: Hyosube Ichibei specifically emphasized that it was Kurosaki-kun's power that enabled this - truly amazing.
Urahara Kisuke in the present world recalled the classified information he possessed about the Royal Guard from his past service.
The more he contemplated these revelations, the more secretly shocked he became.
He vaguely understood that Hyosube Ichibei commanded the power of names! And there was also his mastery over the concept of blackness itself!
It just so happened that... Kurosaki Ichigo's given name contained the character for "black"!
Was this the will of heaven itself?
This name also came from Ichigo's mother, Kurosaki Masaki... and when Masaki appeared before Shiba Isshin and White, it had indeed seemed somewhat coincidental.
Even if this wasn't some grand conspiracy, Urahara had to marvel at the interconnected nature of these events.
Kurosaki Ichigo's birth was truly filled with remarkable coincidences! Throughout his entire journey, he had lived such an extraordinarily rich life under the influence of various mysterious forces and powerful figures from different factions!
In the future, Kurosaki Ichigo would definitely alter the fundamental direction of this world!
In the chat group, everyone continued discussing the monk's astounding abilities.
[Lille Barro]: Is this the Hyosube Ichibei who claims to have mastered the power of all names? Even after suffering such devastating damage, can he still recover once more?
[Aizen Sosuke]: This ability is similar to my Hogyoku in some respects, but in other ways, it seems far more specialized and powerful.
[Ichimaru Gin]: It appears that completely eliminating this Hyosube Ichibei won't be an easy task...
[Gerard Valkyrie]: Tsk! Compared to my miraculous power, it's nothing special! I can be resurrected even if I'm completely obliterated!
[Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni]: Indeed, Hyosube Ichibei is said to have mastery over all names that exist in the world. The power of nomenclature he possesses is genuinely formidable. Even our Shinigami' Zanpakuto fall under his dominion.
[Aizen Sosuke]: As expected, Hyosube Ichibei's ability matches what I had theorized. If I want to defeat him decisively, I must be extraordinarily clever about my approach. So the previous vision of human-sword unity was absolutely correct!
Aizen was now more convinced than ever about his chosen path! Only by transcending the Shinigami system entirely could he avoid being constrained by Hyosube Ichibei's name-based powers!
I must create something that neither Hyosube Ichibei nor the Soul King can control... For example, the Hogyoku! And Kurosaki Ichigo, who has achieved human-sword unity! And myself, when I achieve that same transcendent state!
[Hyosube Ichibei]: Aizen, I know you're someone who seeks to transcend the Shinigami system entirely... But don't assume I can't find ways to deal with you.
[Nimaiya Oetsu]: Hmph, I don't believe your current Zanpakuto can remain uncontrolled by me, the God of the Sword!
[Ichigo Kurosaki]: I understand now! That's why I always feel compelled to shout out my Zanpakuto's name during battles. I sense that it contains far more powerful energy when I do so. This is also one of the factors influencing that phenomenon.
[Ichigo Kurosaki]: So when that Yhwach wanted me to call out his name, I didn't say "Yhwach" - I called out "Zangetsu" instead...
[Ichigo Kurosaki]: Does that also weaken his power to some extent?
[Byakuya Kuchiki]: Oh, that's a very feasible explanation. Being unable to name something accurately will indeed greatly limit its abilities and influence.
Simultaneously, Aizen was contemplating even more significant implications.
Kurosaki Ichigo is becoming increasingly connected to the Royal Guard and the Shinigami hierarchy. His new Zangetsu was also forged by Nimaiya Oetsu. And I'm well aware of the darker aspects of these Royal Guard operations.
Therefore, Aizen would seek ways to reach Karakura Town, create his own Oken, and establish his personal Royal Guard.
Aizen was genuinely concerned at the moment - if the Royal Guard intended to manipulate Kurosaki Ichigo in any way, it would be extremely difficult to counter...
Of course, if that scenario arose, then as Kurosaki Ichigo's "father," he definitely wouldn't stand idly by!
In the projection, after Hyosube Ichibei's resurrection, he quickly addressed Kurosaki Ichigo with an expression of grave urgency:
"You must hurry and stop Yhwach!"
"The entire Royal Guard has been defeated by him!"
"Although I was able to recover my physical form, it will take considerable time for my strength to return to full capacity."
"There is no one else who can possibly stop him!"
"Ichigo, I'm not asking you to kill him."
"Just stop him - that's all!"
He seemed to understand that Ichigo Kurosaki's identity as a Quincy would create internal conflict, making it difficult for him to attack fellow Quincy with complete determination.
He continued explaining the critical importance of this battle to Ichigo with desperate seriousness.
"The Soul King is the keystone that holds our world together!"
"If the Soul King dies, then Soul Society, Hueco Mundo, and everything else will disappear completely and permanently."
"So I'm begging you to protect the Soul King!"
"Ichigo!"
At this moment, Hyosube Ichibei's expression was solemn beyond measure as he desperately pleaded with Kurosaki Ichigo!
The audience was amazed by this tremendous revelation of information.
[Tier Harribel]: Is this so-called Soul King truly so important to everything?
[Coyote Starrk]: In that case, is Kurosaki Ichigo also working to save our Hueco Mundo?
[Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez]: Damn, this is such a disgusting feeling - being dependent on a Shinigami for survival.
[Tenjirō Kirinji]: This Soul King is so fundamentally important... Then Ichigo has essentially become the savior of all three worlds.
[Inoue Orihime]: It seems we also need to work as hard as possible and fight alongside Kurosaki-kun!
[Rukia Kuchiki]: Yes, Ichigo would fight with everything he has for his friends. Not to mention fighting for all living beings across the three realms.
[Shiba Isshin]: I keep placing these enormous burdens on you again and again. This is really difficult for you, my son.
[Aizen Sosuke]: Don't worry, I'm not an inadequate father like you. I will fight together with Kurosaki Ichigo, and no one will be allowed to harm my Soul Society!
[Shiba Isshin]: Hey, Aizen, do you want to start another argument?
While the audience watched the screen with rapt attention, the projection continued switching to the next scene.
Yhwach walked toward the highest palace step by step with methodical determination.
The cannon fodder Soul King guards who attempted to block his path were simply powerless against his overwhelming might.
They would be eliminated by him instantly.
Swish, swish, swish...
He cut them down like harvesting weeds, effortlessly and without concern!
This scene made the Quincy ecstatic with pride and satisfaction!
The Shinigami were pale as paper, with expressions frozen on their faces in horror.
Especially the veteran captains who possessed deep understanding of the Soul King and Royal Guard - their palms were drenched with sweat, and perspiration poured down their backs like rain.
They realized that the upcoming battle would be unprecedented in its significance.
The Soul King absolutely must not die! Otherwise, Soul Society... and even the Three Realms... would be completely destroyed!
At the same time, the audience was incredibly surprised and eagerly anticipating the Soul King who awaited at the end of this journey...
What would this so-called supreme existence of the three realms actually look like?
What would happen between him, Ichigo Kurosaki, and Yhwach?
After all, the Royal Guard had stated that everything they did, including bringing Ichigo Kurosaki to the Soul King Palace, represented the Soul King's will!
What did Ichigo Kurosaki represent in the Soul King's perspective?
If the Soul King took direct action, could he change the entire situation?
At this time, the Shinigami who didn't fully understand the Soul King were still trying to boost morale and encourage others not to despair.
[Rukia Kuchiki]: Although the Royal Guard has failed, the Soul King himself hasn't taken action yet! I don't believe such a powerful Soul King will allow Yhwach to dominate him.
[Abarai Renji]: Maybe once the Soul King makes his move, this Yhwach will be finished decisively.
[Hitsugaya Toshiro]: Yes, the Soul King is the true God! He's not comparable to Yhwach, Aizen, and others.
[Komamura Sajin]: I believe that Yhwach won't be able to defeat the Soul King easily. With Ichigo Kurosaki's assistance, Yhwach will definitely fail.
Yhwach sneered at this naive optimism.
[Yhwach]: Hmph, is that really what you believe? You know absolutely nothing about the truth of Soul Society and the Soul King Palace! I can see the future clearly, so I already know how this ends!
[Jugram Haschwalth]: Victory will definitely belong to us. His Majesty is absolutely correct! There's nothing you can do even if you refuse to accept it.
[Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez]: What are you bragging about? You claim you can see the future? Do you really think you're some kind of god?
[Tenjirō Kirinji]: Yes, Aizen also claimed he had guaranteed victory in the future, but didn't events eventually exceed his expectations?
[Rukia Kuchiki]: Your eyes look lifeless, like those of a dying old man - what could you possibly see... ah! What the hell... look at Yhwach's eyes!
At this moment, the audience also noticed Yhwach's bizarre and unsettling eyes.
They had never witnessed such terrible and disturbing ocular features.
In each eye, there were at least three distinct pupil formations.
[Ichimaru Gin]: What terrifying eyes! Is this some special ability?
[Baraggan Louisenbairn]: Hmph, could it be that the monk beat him senseless? His eyes have rolled back.
[Urahara Kisuke]: No, the spiritual pressure within Yhwach's body is not only perfectly stable... it could even be described as terrifyingly powerful! Do these eyes represent his strongest state?
[Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni]: Indeed, this individual has exceeded my expectations... This spiritual pressure... is definitely not weaker than Kurosaki Ichigo's recent display!
[Kurotsuchi Mayuri]: It seems like his eyes can genuinely see through the essence of everything in existence... Is this the overwhelming power that Yhwach possesses? Is that how he was able to defeat the Royal Guard?
[Jugram Haschwalth]: That's absolutely right! You will soon discover exactly how powerful His Majesty truly is!
And then, a shocking scene appeared once again on the screen.
As Yhwach continued walking, he spoke in a very complex tone filled with both condemnation and strange compassion:
"Soul King, you are so incomplete that you don't even possess the strength to escape from this place."
"Let me put an end to the endless humiliation you have endured!"
At this moment, he had officially entered the Soul King's palace!
He arrived in the hall where the Soul King resided!
Opposite Yhwach, within a transparent crystal barrier, the face of the Soul King that everyone had been desperately waiting to see finally appeared.
It was a Soul King who had lost his left hand and left foot, right hand and right foot...
It was as if he had been reduced to a living torso! He couldn't move even an inch within the crystal prison, remaining completely motionless...
People who didn't understand the situation might have mistaken him for some kind of doll-like existence.
The audience who had been unaware of this truth seemed struck by lightning and were utterly shocked by this revelation.
[Abarai Renji]: What? This... this being is supposed to be the Soul King?
[Rukia Kuchiki]: How can he be like a statue, with no ability to move independently!
[Hitsugaya Toshiro]: Just as Yhwach said, he can't even escape, and has to endure endless humiliation?
[Ulquiorra Cifer]: Is this the Soul King that the Royal Guard has been protecting? I never imagined he would appear like this.
[Aizen Sosuke]: This... is the Soul King... Hmm...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Support me at [email protected]/goldengaruda and check out more chapter of this or more early access chapter of my other fanfic translation.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~