A situation that could have easily spiraled into a total war turned into a drinking party in an instant.
It all happened because I told them to wait a second and brought out some booze I'd stashed away a long time ago.
Genryusai, likely sensing that the situation wasn't right for a fight, brought out his own prized sake, and as we went on, the atmosphere gradually relaxed… until it eventually became a full-blown drinking session.
It somehow felt like a scene straight out of One Piece, but whatever. They're both Weekly Shonen Jump works; they can afford to be a little similar.
I chuckled and popped the bottle. A refreshing pop echoed, followed by the pleasant aroma of alcohol.
I took a light whiff of the scent before pouring a cup for both Genryusai and Yhwach.
Genryusai accepted his immediately, but Yhwach seemed a bit hesitant.
"What are you doing? My arm's gonna fall off."
"…I shall drink."
He must find this awkward too. He'd marched in here shouting about 'War, never again anything but war!' only to end up at a drinking party when it came time to actually fight.
Even I found it absurd, so imagine how he must feel.
"Alright… Now that we've all had a drink, how about we talk a bit to lighten the mood? Anything you're curious about?"
Genryusai, having drained his first cup, let out a low grunt.
"It is a fine brew."
"I brewed a few bottles as a hobby; I guess they turned out well."
"I did not expect to be discussing such things over a good drink, but I must ask. What was that from before? Your transformation into a Hollow."
"I guess just seeing it isn't enough for a full explanation, huh?"
Yhwach has eyes that see the future, so he could vaguely understand it, but normally, this would be the reaction.
I nodded, lightly swiveling the bottle as I reached into the past.
"It was part of the cycle that existed in the Original World. Back then, even becoming a Hollow was part of that cycle."
"That was part of the cycle? If a soul is devoured by another, that soul would cease to exist, would it not?"
"No. Back then, the concept of a soul vanishing didn't exist. They would scatter for a moment and then reappear. Of course, in the form of a Hollow, as you know. That's how the cycle continued. Though it was a bit twisted."
"That seems like a slightly different concept from what I know. Hmmm…"
"You think that because you're focusing on the act of a Hollow eating a human. Even if the flesh dies, the soul does not vanish."
Yhwach, who had been listening silently, set down his untouched cup and looked up.
"Then why did the Original World collapse? If everything was part of the cycle as you say, there would have been no reason for the Original World to fall."
"Souls killed by Hollows didn't vanish, but the problem started when 'Hollows that eat Hollows' appeared. When multiple souls began to clump together into a single body."
The balance began to crumble.
"And… the one who appeared to stop this was the Soul King."
Seriously, when I first saw him, I thought I was a goner too.
They say life is full of ups and downs, but I never expected to become close friends with the Soul King of all people.
"That guy was incredible. Mountains crumbled with a wave of his hand, no attack could touch him, he created the sun and the moon, and he saw the past and the future… He was a truly magnificent human."
"At that point, is he not a being more fittingly called a God than a human?"
"Oh, please. He was a human too."
A single human who saw the future but refused to submit to a fixed fate, choosing his own future through his own will and volition.
A superhuman who, despite knowing he could be saved and knowing the way to survive, chose to step down by his own will.
Since that wasn't something I really needed to say, I brushed it off with a laugh and chugged the alcohol straight from the bottle.
I finally understood what a character from a famous series meant when they said they were 'drinking cold fire.'
I'd made this without even considering the proof, and the ice-cold liquor was so damn strong it felt like pouring fire down my throat.
"Cough… This is poison. Straight poison. You actually enjoy drinking this stuff?"
"It seems you still haven't learned how to drink."
"It's just that I haven't had the chance."
If the Soul King were still alive, wouldn't we have drank quite a lot together?
At the sudden thought, I swirled the bottle and let out a sigh.
Am I drunk already? Thinking weird things.
I took another swig, wiped the runaway drops with the back of my hand, and continued.
"Anyway, after the Soul King appeared, the balance of the world completely shattered. That guy 'eradicated' the Hollows. He literally obliterated them, soul and all. Because of that, a flaw appeared in the once-perfect Original World."
"Hah…"
"You know what happens when you keep using a cracked wheel, right?"
Yhwach replied while staring down at his cup.
"As it rolls, it eventually fails to bear the weight and shatters."
"Exactly. The cycle that supported the Original World broke like that. Because of it, the concepts of Life and Death were born. This is why everyone born after that cannot escape death."
"Then are you saying all of this happened because of the Soul King?"
"The Soul King was the start of everything, but he wasn't the cause of the problem. What you're saying is like blaming the blacksmith who forged the sword just because a robber used it to kill someone. Life and Death exist because of the Soul King, but without the Soul King, none of you would even be here."
"Both enemy and savior, then."
I had plenty to say, but since it wasn't my place to meddle, I stayed silent.
After that… well, I just told them a bit more about the Soul King, and that was that.
"Then, there is one last thing I wish to ask."
"You want to know what to do about the suffering people? Like I said before, there's no way. I can offer some help, but a fundamental solution is impossible."
"Would it not be solved by removing the source of the suffering?"
"You saw it earlier, but whether death exists or not, the end is eventually obliteration. So, let's say we remove death, assuming there are no side effects. Will humans stop suffering? No. Even without death, humans are bound to suffer. If the absence of death meant an absence of suffering, then I shouldn't be suffering at all."
But that's not how it works.
Because being human isn't a process that works that way.
"Why is that?"
"Once humans satisfy their physiological needs, they desire a stable life. Once they have a stable life, they desire social success. And once they have that, they want respect. At the end of it all is self-actualization. Becoming the person you want to be. That is why they have no choice but to struggle in pain."
"I asked you why."
"Because there is no 'me' inside of me. This is crossing into philosophy, and I don't really want to talk about philosophy anymore. So, find out for yourself."
"Then at least tell me how to offer that 'help.'"
"Love your fate. Life, death, pain, and joy—they are all entirely yours. Not someone else's will, not some destiny dictated by the world, but your own will becoming your fate. Love your own 'fate.' That's the end of the story."
I've said all I have to say. I won't say more even if you beg.
Philosophy isn't a subject that gives answers; it's one that asks questions.
I don't give answers.
Having said that, I finished the bottle.
"I'm done talking. The remaining problems are for you two to solve together."
Honestly, I've done enough, haven't I?
With that thought, I stood up.
The King of the Quincies who declared war and the Captain-Commander of the Soul Society who was invaded.
It was clear enough who was in the wrong that there was no need to argue, but well, they'll figure it out.
If things go south and they start fighting again, I won't be using words next time.
If they still fight after I've gone this far, it means words aren't enough.
"You."
"Huh?"
Turning around at the voice calling me, I met eyes with Unohana, who was smiling brightly.
The moment I saw that face, my only thought was: I'm screwed.
"Ah… I forgot to mention something. Do you mind if I go talk for a bit?"
"Yes. I'll be waiting."
If I actually leave just because she told me to, I'm dead. No, seriously.
Sensing alarm bells ringing at a primal level, I turned back and stood by Unohana's side.
"I'm sorry. For keeping it a secret until now."
Unohana, who had been watching me in silence, let out a deep sigh and bowed her head.
"Haa… You have nothing to be sorry for. Why are you apologizing when you did nothing wrong?"
"Because you must have been shocked. I showed you something like that without a word."
"If you're referring to you turning into a Hollow at the end… yes, I was shocked. Extremely. But it's alright. Because I believed in you. However… I would appreciate it if you didn't hide such important things in the future. We are husband and wife, after all…"
"I will from now on. But I want you to know this. It wasn't that I hid it because I wanted to."
I just told her the honest truth.
There's more I'm hiding, and I can't tell you yet.
Even if we're married, I can't exactly talk about Hell, can I?
Unohana looked at me with a surprised expression before nodding with a bitter smile.
"Thank you for understanding."
"Um… It's not that I don't believe you or anything like that, but… it's not another woman, is it?"
That is called not believing me.
Well, but… I guess I can't say it's completely incomprehensible.
I scratched my head and answered.
There was a reason she had no choice but to believe me.
"It's a bit embarrassing to say this myself, but do you really want to say that to a man who was a virgin for a million years?"
"Ah…"
Don't let out a gasp of pity.
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