Chapter 851: [851] : Destroying the Sōkyoku

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"Captain-Commander, I know Rukia Kuchiki made a mistake, but this is too much. A death sentence is going too far," Kyōraku Shunsui said, pleading on Rukia’s behalf.

He was here at the behest of his friend, Jūshirō Ukitake. Since Rukia was a member of the 13th Division, Ukitake felt responsible and had asked Kyōraku to help him appeal to Yamamoto.

"I agree. This punishment is too severe," Ukitake added, supporting his friend.

But they both knew that trying to sway the old man was a fool’s errand. Yamamoto was known for his stubbornness.

"This is the judgment of the Central 46," Yamamoto stated flatly.

Hearing those words, Kyōraku knew it was a lost cause. Getting Yamamoto to change his mind was impossible.

’Why would those old geezers in the Central 46 hand down a sentence like this?’ Kyōraku wondered.

Rukia’s crime was serious, but it didn’t warrant death. Imprisonment would have been sufficient.

Kyōraku and Ukitake exchanged a look. It was clear they would have to resort to their other plan to save Rukia, even if it meant being branded as criminals themselves. Ukitake couldn’t bear to see his squad member harmed, and Kyōraku was there to back his friend.

The old man glanced at his two former students, then turned his gaze toward the Sōkyoku, which was beginning its release sequence.

Shin frowned, extending his Reiatsu to sense the area.

’As expected, the plot has changed. Ichigo Kurosaki isn’t here yet.’ Shin knew that Ichigo probably wasn’t going to make it in time.

For some reason, Ichigo and his friends hadn’t had such an easy time in this version of events. After a grueling battle with Kenpachi Zaraki, the ever-unpredictable Gin Ichimaru had severely wounded him.

He had almost been killed. Gin had spared him in the end, pretending to have been defeated by Ichigo. This only served to make the Soul Reapers of the Seireitei take the intruders more seriously, drawing most of their attention and inadvertently helping Aizen’s plans.

In fact, besides Shin, nearly every other Soul Reaper was focused on the intruders. The captains found the situation fascinating—it had been a long time since Soul Society had faced such a powerful group of outsiders. There had been intruders before, but never on this level.

"Well, in that case, it looks like it’s up to me."

Shin glanced at Kyōraku and Ukitake, who were also preparing to make their move.

"Hadō #88: Hiryū Gekizoku Shinten Raihō!"

He raised his hand, and a terrifying blast of lightning shot forth, striking the Sōkyoku, which had taken the form of a fiery phoenix.

The moment the attack connected, the Sōkyoku, which held an immense amount of power, was shattered by Shin’s single spell. It was completely obliterated.

"Just as I thought. All bark and no bite. It’s got a lot of power behind it, but the quality is garbage," Shin said nonchalantly.

His casual words were heard by everyone nearby. Kyōraku, who had been about to act, stared at Shin in stunned silence.

"Shin-sama..."

Rukia looked at Shin, tears welling in her eyes. She couldn’t believe that just as she was about to accept her death, Shin had saved her. But now, wouldn’t he be in trouble?

’Thank you,’ Ukitake thought, offering a silent word of gratitude.

"Shin Uzumaki, what do you think you’re doing?" Yamamoto Genryūsai roared, his terrifying Reiatsu crashing down on Shin.

Even under the full force of Yamamoto’s spiritual pressure, Shin remained perfectly calm.

"I say, old man, don’t get so worked up. I was just curious to see how strong the Sōkyoku really was. My hand slipped. I just didn’t expect it to be such a glass cannon."

Shin even had a look of disappointment on his face as he spoke.

His single attack had left all the surrounding Soul Reapers in shock. The legendary Sōkyoku, destroyed so easily?

The old man’s face was dark as he stared daggers at Shin. He didn’t believe a word of his excuse.

"Are you going to fight me, old man Yamamoto?"

Seeing Yamamoto’s glare, Shin asked him.

"I think right now, you shouldn’t be focused on me. You should be worried about someone else."

"What do you mean?" Yamamoto asked Shin.

At this moment, Yamamoto didn’t understand what Shin was getting at, but his intuition told him something major was about to happen.

"You’ll find out soon enough. But I don’t mind telling you—our dear Captain Aizen isn’t dead."

Shin didn’t mind telling Yamamoto. Aizen was about to reveal himself anyway—he already had the Hōgyoku. It wouldn’t be long before he could create a complete one, and Shin’s own goal would be achieved.

Shin’s objective was to let Aizen create the perfect Hōgyoku. Then, he would copy it for himself. Of course, he wasn’t planning on stealing it—just replicating it. He wanted to see if he could use Aizen’s evolved power to strengthen himself.

"Aizen isn’t dead?" Yamamoto’s eyes narrowed as he studied Shin, trying to see if he was lying.

"Shin, are you telling the truth?" Kyōraku asked.

Though he was asking, Kyōraku instantly believed him. He had complete faith in Shin’s words.

"Whether you believe me or not is up to you."

Shin didn’t elaborate.

’If Aizen isn’t dead, then what is he planning?’ Kyōraku immediately suspected Aizen was plotting something.

He had always been wary of Aizen, a suspicion planted years ago by Shinji Hirako and the other Visoreds. Shinji had told him they had been framed by Aizen, that he had orchestrated their downfall. At the time, Kyōraku hadn’t fully believed him, but he had kept a closer eye on Aizen.

However, he had never found any flaws in Aizen’s behavior, so he had eventually let his guard down.

Now, Kyōraku’s suspicion of Aizen was reignited, but it was too late. Aizen had already achieved all his goals. The next step was to betray Soul Society. In the future, Aizen would be much more secure in Hueco Mundo than he ever was in Soul Society.

And what Aizen was doing now—even with Kyōka Suigetsu, he couldn’t completely hide it. It was bound to be exposed. Leaving was his only option. As for taking on all the captains of Soul Society right now, Aizen wouldn’t do that. He didn’t have that kind of power yet. He was still very wary of the old man Yamamoto.

Yamamoto’s strength was indeed greater than Aizen’s at this moment. Even with a Zanpakutō as broken as Kyōka Suigetsu, Aizen wasn’t guaranteed to get the upper hand against him.

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