Chapter 46 : Yhwach

[The screen starts!]

[Within the expansive white walls, numerous ancient structures are scattered about. In the center stands a magnificent white edifice.]

[This is the Seireitei, located at the heart of the Soul Society, serving as the central hub for Shinigami's political, military, and residential affairs.]

[The scene is serene, bustling with Shinigami going about their duties, creating an atmosphere of peace.]

[At this point, the camera starts its ascent from bottom to top.]

[The blue sky, devoid of a single cloud, suddenly witnesses an ominous presence.]

[The camera zooms in, revealing a man with long black hair and a beard. He carries an imposing countenance, adorned with three silver badges on each lapel and a crimson cloak.]

[He stands aloof in the sky, gazing down upon the Seireitei.]

In the invisible empire, Yhwach closed his eyes and tilted his head slightly, expressing surprise.

"So, my future has been revealed... But at this point, it hardly matters."

In this world, Ichigo Kurosaki's body tenses, and he gazes at the figure in disbelief, his mind plagued with profound questions.

"Why is that Zangetsu? What is happening here?"

In Hueco Mundo, Aizen's countenance darkens.

In the vision of the future, the Seireitei remains unharmed. Could it be that he has failed?

Impossible. How could he lose when he possesses the Hōgyoku?

Within the conference room of the Seireitei, Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto suddenly emanates a tremendous Reiatsu. All the captains present feel as though a mountain is bearing down upon them, making it nearly impossible to breathe.

The captains are left in astonishment, unable to comprehend why the head captain's reaction is so intense.

At that moment, Yamamoto retracts his Reiatsu, fixes his gaze on the figure displayed on the screen, and utters solemnly:

"He's human! The King of the Quincy... Named Yhwach!"

"And I... beheaded him a thousand years ago!"

Resurrection from the dead?

A different possibility dawns upon everyone. Perhaps the enemy never truly perished.

In this vision of the future, revenge is imminent!

Just as the captains reel from shock, the scene shifts.

[Dozens of sword-like blue Reiatsu burst into the sky, shattering the protective barrier enveloping the Seireitei.]

[Subsequently, numerous figures emerge from the blue Reiatsu.]

[Amidst an impending disaster, captains and officers from every division rush to confront the threat.]

[The first to encounter the enemy is the Third Division.]

[Before Kira can clearly see the enemy, a spiritual light arrow obliterates the right half of his body.]

[Suddenly, the other division members meet the same fate.]

[The scene transitions to seven individuals in white uniforms, set against an exhilarating musical backdrop.]

[These are the members of the Sternritter, the Star Cross Knights!]

[First is the Sternritter F, Äs Nödt, symbolizing the power of "Fear."]

[Second is the Sternritter E, Bambietta Basterbine, representing the power of "Critical Strike."]

[Third is the Sternritter N, Robert Accutrone, associated with the power of "Unknown."]

[Fourth is the Sternritter I, Cang Du, known for the power of "Steel."]

[Fifth is the Sternritter O, Driscoll Berci, holding the power of "Excessive Torture."]

[Sixth is the Sternritter H, Bazz-B, embodying the power of "Scorching Heat."]

[And the leader of the Sternritter, Jugram Haschwalth, bearing the letter "B" and symbolizing the "Balance of the World."]

[At this moment, the leader, Haschwalth, wearing an expression of disdain for all beings, declares:]

"Tremble, Shinigami. From now on, you shall be purged by the Sternritter!"

[His words delivered, four captains rush to the battlefield.]

[Byakuya Kuchiki, Komamura Sajin, Hitsugaya Tōshirō, and Sui-Fēng.]

[In the midst of battle, they realize the enemy's overwhelming power, forcing them to resort to their Bankai.]

[However, a shocking twist unfolds—the Sternritter easily confiscate and employ the Bankai abilities of the four captains.]

In the Shinigami world, the captains within the conference room can scarcely believe the scene before them.

This is the power to steal Bankai, their greatest strength!

Bankai is the cornerstone of a captain's might!

How can they combat this impending threat?

[The screen continues.]

[Kyoraku Shunsui, who has never released his Bankai, confronts the Sternritter N, Robert Accutrone.]

Just as the captains await the outcome with bated breath, a startling occurrence transpires.

[Within a few exchanges, Kyoraku Shunsui loses an eye to the enemy.]

[In just ten minutes since the Sternritter invaded, the Soul Society suffers heavy casualties.]

[On the other front, Byakuya Kuchiki, robbed of his Bankai, battles against the Sternritter F, Äs Nödt.]

[Deprived of his Bankai's strength, Byakuya falls victim to the enemy's Reishi Light Arrow.]

[Witnessing this, Äs Nödt jeers, "Your Sternritter ability is 'Fear.' Anyone hit by your attack will scream and go mad from fear!"]

[Yet, Byakuya remains a captain, trained over many years. Despite being wounded, he retaliates with his blade.]

[Fear, however, is an innate human emotion that can be suppressed but never vanquished.]

[As time passes, the fear in Byakuya's heart intensifies.]

[But then, Byakuya realizes that the best way to conquer fear is to imagine the people he holds dear. To protect them, no fear can deter him.]

[At that moment, Rukia's image appears in Byakuya's mind.]

[She is the sole individual he cherishes.]

[In his mind, Rukia wears a gentle smile.]

[To safeguard that smile, Byakuya's resolve solidifies.]

Within the conference room, the captains regard Byakuya with admiration. His stoic countenance reveals no trace of fear.

Indeed, Byakuya Kuchiki has swiftly conquered fear.

Yet, in the invisible empire, Äs Nödt's eyes betray a sense of mockery.

[Byakuya, fortified by his newfound courage, remains steadfast.]

[However, in the next instant, this serene moment shatters.]

[Rukia's visage, once gentle, begins to decay gradually. Her skin peels away, unveiling a skull. Flies infest one eye, while nerves dangle from her mouth.]

[Rukia's transformation into a grotesque and terrifying skeleton is complete.]

[The courage in Byakuya's heart dissipates, his spiritual foundation crumbles.]

[His consciousness wanes, and he falls.]

[Äs Nödt, representing fear, advances, impales Byakuya through the chest, and seizes his spiritual realm.]

[Countless flies swarm over his body, infiltrating through nose and mouth.]

[A revolting buzzing ensues, a requiem for Byakuya.]

[Byakuya cries out in agony, summoning his last vestiges of instinct, and slashes at Äs Nödt.]

[Yet, Äs Nödt effortlessly evades, taking the opportunity to taunt:]

"Bankai! Senbonzakura Kageyoshi!"

[Suddenly, myriad sakura petals transform into razor-sharp blades, mercilessly slicing Byakuya.]

[Blood sprays, sakura petals converge to form a ring-shaped pink cloud.]

[Ace Nödt slowly descends from the ring, looking down at Byakuya like a deity.]

[Renji attacks, only to be sent flying after a few blows.]

[Observing this, Byakuya stands once more. Yet, countless sakura blossoms transform into a deluge, submerging him.]

[Blood stains Byakuya's form; his once-dreaded Bankai now becomes his own nightmare.]

[Finally, his Zanpakutō shatters, Byakuya falls to the ground, his fate uncertain.]

The conference room falls into silence, a pall of shadow casting over the captains. Byakuya Kuchiki's expression is the most grim of all.

Even across the screen, Rukia's grotesque transformation renders him horrified and incredulous.

In the human world, Urahara Kisuke, the shopkeeper, is astounded.

Even in the midst of the Aizen crisis, his resolve remains unbroken.

Yet, before him, the enemy has dismantled a formidable captain with ease. Without understanding the mechanics at play, he is left perplexed as to how Bankai was stolen.

Can this future, even if known, truly be altered?

At this moment, his confidence wavers.

[In another part of the Soul Society, Haschwalth, leader of the Sternritter, reports to Yhwach, referred to as His Majesty.]

[However, this news fails to elicit satisfaction from Yhwach, who nonchalantly remarks:]

"It took longer than expected. It seems we underestimated our opponents."

As everyone gazes upon Yhwach's seemingly insincere demeanor, only Captain Zaraki Kenpachi and Captain-Commander Yamamoto feel a shiver creeping from their spine to their brain.

Is this merely a bluff?

Has Yhwach truly unleashed his full power?

In an instant, they can only hope that the man before them is indeed all talk.

[His words hang in the air, the space around darkening. Suddenly, an overwhelmingly potent Reiatsu materializes.]

[The two turn to witness a one-eyed man approaching, bearing the corpses of three Sternritter members.]

"Ha, are you the leader of this group of weaklings?" Zaraki Kenpachi exclaims eagerly.

The conference room erupts in excitement.

Everyone recalls that Zaraki Kenpachi never even uses Shikai; these Sternritter are merely playthings to him!

Observing the screen, Zaraki Kenpachi bears few scars compared to his previous battles. It appears this fight is quite easy for him!

Zaraki Kenpachi gazes at Yhwach with unbridled enthusiasm.

"At last, someone worth cutting has appeared... Hahaha!"

[The screen continues.]

[Zaraki Kenpachi bursts into laughter, wielding his Zanpakutō, covered in gaps, and slashes at Yhwach.]

[Yet, Yhwach merely raises his arm with a smile, effortlessly blocking the strike.]

[After several rounds...]

[Zaraki Kenpachi collapses, unconscious and drenched in blood.]

[Yhwach seizes him by the neck, hanging him in the air, and taunts him:]

"One of the special combatants, Zaraki Kenpachi, is so fragile. It seems I overestimated you."

"Sleep, Soul Society is helpless..."

In Hueco Mundo, Aizen narrows his eyes, sensing an impending unease.

In the conference room of the Seireitei, Yamamoto remains resolute, waiting for nothing.

Unohana Retsu's gaze hints at a change as she regards Zaraki Kenpachi, who is still exhilarated.

At this moment, a potent and familiar Reiatsu abruptly emanates from the screen.

[The screen shifts, revealing the appearance of a captain on the other side of the Soul Society.]

"Everything shall turn to ash and drift away!"

"Ryūjin Jakka!"

[The Commander-in-Chief roars in fury as Ryūjin Jakka sweeps forth with a mighty slash.]

[Opposite him, the Sternritter O, Nianzol Weizol, embodying excessive brutality, is instantly consumed by the raging flames, reduced to ashes within seconds.]

[In the following moment, the Commander-in-Chief employs Shunpo, hurtling towards a long-forgotten Reiatsu.]

[The immense Reiatsu he exudes permeates every corner of the Seireitei.]

[After he remembers about thousand years ago, a wrathful Yamamoto Genryūsai, wreathed in ferocious flames, crashes before Yhwach.]

"Long time no see, Yhwach. I shall put an end to your existence!!!"

*****

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