Twelfth Division.
"Hehehe…"
"A Hueco Mundo, secretly remodeled right under our noses? That must have been quite the grand undertaking!!!"
Inside the Technology Development Bureau's main building.
In the monitoring hall on the first floor, Mayuri Kurotsuchi stood with his hands clasped behind his back. Behind his blue-and-white mask, his eyes never once shifted.
His gaze was locked on the footage—the battle scene where the cameras had caught the surrounding Hueco Mundo environment.
Blue skies.
Daylight.
And above all, the blazing sun hanging in the heavens.
That sight made Mayuri's eyes gleam as he let out a cold, amused chuckle.
"Captain Kurotsuchi…"
"Just now, the First Division sent us the latest order: they want you to mobilize the full resources of the Bureau to investigate this matter thoroughly!"
"The Head Captain wishes for a clear and definite truth!!!"
Behind him, Third Seat Akon hurried forward, his tone grave as he gave his report.
Yet the only response he got—was Mayuri's disdainful indifference:
"Hehehe… what's the rush!"
"The inventory video has only just begun. The real performance is only now getting underway. There's no need to spoil the fun by rushing to do anything…"
"Our only role is to sit back and play the part of an 'audience' properly!"
His eyes flicked about, but his words were immediate. He didn't even think twice before dismissing the command. From start to finish, his gaze never once left the translucent light curtain!
Clearly—
Though he was a captain, one of the Gotei 13's most powerful forces—deep down, Mayuri's thoughts were no different from the other elites: he too was curious.
Would his Zanpakutō make the list?
After all—
Mayuri was the only one in the Gotei 13 with the knowledge and skill to modify a Zanpakutō.
He was confident—
That in the future, after his countless modifications, his Zanpakutō, Ashisogi Jizō, that rare biological-type Zanpakutō…
Would absolutely become stronger by several folds!
And one day claim its place among the Top Ten Zanpakutō!
Meanwhile.
As Mayuri indulged in his fantasies—
The translucent light curtain flared, and the video continued—
The scene changed.
No longer Hueco Mundo, but a brand-new battlefield:
As far as the eye could see—ruins everywhere, collapsed buildings, and the scars of terrible destruction.
And notably—
The damaged structures shown on screen—
Were neither modern buildings from the World of the Living…
Nor traditional wooden houses of the Soul Society!
It was something else entirely.
A completely new realm!
A place built in secret by another race, another faction altogether!!!
Such an unfamiliar scene—
Of course, its sudden exposure by the video sparked another wave of discussion:
"Eh… where is this?"
"I have no recollection of it at all!"
Inside the shop, Urahara Kisuke rubbed his chin, racking his memory, his face puzzled.
As a genius intellect—and the founder of the Technology Development Bureau—
Kisuke's knowledge of the Soul Society was far broader than most.
And yet—
This scene baffled him. Even rifling through the entirety of his mental library…
He could not match it to anywhere!
Not the World of the Living, not Hueco Mundo, not the Soul Society…
Nothing matched.
How strange!!!
"I think it's the Soul Society," Tessai offered, "If Hueco Mundo itself could be remodeled like that…"
"Then there's no rule that says the Soul Society couldn't also undergo some transformation in the future."
But—
There was a contradiction in his logic.
If his guess was right—if the place shown was the future Soul Society—
Then that would mean…
Just like Hueco Mundo, the Soul Society itself must have been invaded!
And a large-scale battle must have broken out!
That thought made Tessai's pupils shrink as his scalp prickled.
Who could it be?
What kind of force would dare… and have the power… to invade the Soul Society and devastate it so completely?!
It was a terrifying thought!!!
"No matter what, rather than speculate wildly, let's just keep watching."
"At least this round of the inventory isn't finished. Whatever happens, as a captain, Byakuya will surely step forward to repel the invaders!"
As Yoruichi spoke those words—
The video resounded with a wild, arrogant laugh, a voice that had never before been revealed, booming out deafeningly:
"Hahahahahaha…"
"Soul Reaper captains—though you are my enemies, I must give you some credit…"
"If not for your combined assault just now, my body would never have been able to grow to such size, thanks to the power of the 'God-Size Scale'!"
The next moment—
As the camera panned—
A colossal giant came into view, so massive he towered like a mountain, barely fitting in the frame.
With a crazed grin, he stood amid the battlefield's ruins.
The surrounding buildings, compared against his gargantuan body—looked like toys!
And as he appeared—
The entire video shook violently, struggling to contain his pressure, radiating an oppressive aura so overwhelming that no words could describe it.
At once—
That pressure spread into the real world!
Every strong soul in every realm felt the crushing force.
The impact was immediate—uproar everywhere:
"That pressure… this is insane!"
"What strength! He already surpasses any captain I've ever seen!"
"Damn it! Just his aura eclipses every single Espada!"
"This monster of a giant… who the hell is he?!"
In that instant—
Whether in Hueco Mundo, Soul Society, or hidden in the World of the Living—
Everyone shouted in unison, utterly shaken by the overwhelming spiritual pressure pouring from that mysterious colossus.
The sheer weight of it—
Already surpassed the Espada, surpassed the captains…
It felt like something beyond their level altogether!!!
Which only made the shock even greater:
No one had expected—
That Byakuya Kuchiki's next opponent in the inventory…
Would be such an inhuman monster!
Could a foe like that… really be defeated?!
(End of Chapter)
If I see that this fanfic has support, I will upload it to Patreon!!
[[email protected]/Zukooo]
[Thanks for your support!]