Bleach: The Captain of the Fifth Division Becomes Stronger Through Training.

Chapter 356: The Right Person

No, no, no, now is not the time for infighting.

Kyoraku Shunsui raised his right hand as if he had a headache, and pressed hard on the bridge of his nose.

The big battle is starting the day after tomorrow, and they're still fighting amongst themselves at a time like this? Honestly... just thinking about it is enough to give me a headache and make my scalp tingle.

Moreover, for the person primarily responsible at this moment, this feeling is even stronger than ever before.

It's really exhausting.

But he had no choice but to do these things... After all, the old man was right beside him, and at that moment he was giving him a meaningful look indifferently.

Be content; my situation back then was far more complicated than yours.

Kyoraku Shunsui calmly adjusted the straw hat on his head, his expression remaining completely unchanged.

—No, no, no, times have changed. Don't compare the present with the old ways…

—What nonsense are you spouting? How could my things be useless? It's clearly your own fault for being incompetent, yet you're blaming others?
So communicating with the elderly is such a difficult thing...

Watch your words and actions, you brat!
The unspoken criticisms between the former and current Captain-Commander-in-Chief went unnoticed. Meanwhile, the Hueco Mundo members watched the Quincy procession slowly disappear into the distance, and some dissenting voices began to emerge.

"Is it alright to just let them leave like this?"

Halibel is always able to think about problems from a relatively objective perspective.

And at this moment, she can do the same 'level'.

"Having your strength reduced is a major taboo at a time like this, no matter what, right?"

As she said this, she glanced at the person beside her, as if seeking their opinion. Of course... in terms of her actions, she was asking for their opinion, but this was also a way of respecting others.

Although I wasn't the one being asked the question.

But Barragán, the former No. 2, had already spoken up on his own.

"It doesn't matter how many of those guys leave. After all, the battle is just a contest between the upper echelons... as long as the high-end combat power is not affected."

Although this guy always acts arrogant, there's actually some truth to what he says occasionally.

only……

Why did this guy take the initiative to speak?

"It's probably because it feels so good to be praised like that."

"But Miss Halibel shouldn't be asking him, should she?"

"Pfft... Stop talking, stop talking, it won't be good if someone hears us."

Although the discussion has become much quieter, there's nothing that can be done... Sometimes, for some powerful individuals, these commotions are practically as loud as thunder.

Veins bulged prominently on Barragan's head, and he suddenly glared, looking directly behind him.

"Who's talking badly about me behind my back!"

At this moment, no one dared to speak... After all, according to the rules of Hueco Mundo, offense is equivalent to challenge.

In the past, it would have been commonplace for people to fight each other to the last drop of blood over a mere disagreement.

but……

It's not hard to see that this was the old rule.

“Calm down a bit, Barragan.”

Stark calmly raised his right hand and gently patted the other man's shoulder.

The tone at that moment was less of a threat and more like a whispered sigh.

"After all, no one meant any harm; it was just a lighthearted joke."

This kind of behavior is what makes people so angry!!!

Although I wanted to make this comment.

But Barragan was completely speechless... after all, Hueco Mundo has always been a place where strength reigns supreme.

Might makes right.

Furthermore, with the addition of a smaller version of the Hogyoku, the original ranking of the Espada remains unchanged... This suggests that the gap between the two sides may have actually widened.

No matter how resentful or angry they were, it seemed that at this moment, they could only swallow their anger.

At this moment, Baregan could only glance deeply behind him before turning his gaze back.

He cannot say 'no' to those stronger than himself, just as Barragan has always maintained this attitude... Hueco Mundo respects the strong, and this principle will never change based on the will of others.

To outsiders, this 'peace' may seem strange and illogical, but to the Arrancar present, it is a completely new attempt and system.

It is also a rule that they are willing to follow.

However, despite this, Stark still cannot make a final judgment at this moment.

He turned his head to the side and gazed at the spot behind him.

"Is this really good?"

This is not a one-sided statement, but rather a solicitation of others' opinions at this moment.

Stark's gaze swept past the people around him and landed on a figure in the distance.

The other person was reclining casually on a simple bench, wearing a plain robe, and one of their eyes revealed a languid look.

Aizen Sosuke.

As one of the main instigators of the Karakura Town battle, this guy is a serious criminal in the literal sense.

Normally, let alone appearing in this kind of situation, even getting some fresh air would be a pipe dream.

Even though everyone was unwilling, or many harbored obvious malice towards him, they still couldn't do anything meaningful to deal with him.

There are two reasons.

The first is the order from the current captain.

In order to make the best use of human resources, even things that are despised should be picked up and used rationally.

This was not only Kyoraku Shunsui's understanding of responsibility, but also an action permitted by Yamamoto... It's hard to imagine how troublesome it would be to persuade that stubborn old man, but in any case...

The result is what it is.

Even some of the captains who were unwilling to accept this situation could only swallow their thoughts back at this moment.

And regarding this... that leads to the second reason.

Incomparably powerful.

With Aizen Sousuke as the center, no one could approach him within a two-meter radius.

This was not only due to the other party's special status, but also because of the immense spiritual pressure that constantly emanated from them...

From a normal person's perspective, it's hard to imagine that a person's spiritual pressure could be so powerful—just standing next to the other person can make you feel a tearing pain in your body.

This difference in levels further exacerbates the 'gap' between them.

In the eyes of many, Aizen Sousuke at this moment has become a monster in another sense.

They are just... outcasts with human-like appearances.

Perhaps for this reason, even though the other party has the title of 'pardon,' no one dares to step forward and remove the restraints on Aizen Sousuke.

of course……

As for the parties involved, this indifferent attitude is also one of the reasons.

After hearing the other person's whispers and meeting Stark's gaze...

Aizen Sousuke, who had been resting with his eyes closed, slowly opened them. He lazily surveyed everything before him, his eyes losing all their brilliance, as if he were observing something extraordinary in the world.

There was no joy or sorrow, and no emotional fluctuation whatsoever.

He simply moved his gaze calmly until it landed on the people of Hueco Mundo.

"That's really strange..."

After a soft, wistful whisper.

It was Aizen Sousuke's tone, which was almost mocking.

"You actually thought of asking for my opinion? Stark... I am no longer your leader, and I have no connection with Hueco Mundo anymore."

It's not to distance myself from the situation.

After saying these words, Aizen Sousuke closed his eyes on his own.

"You've had a lot of complaints about me before, haven't you? It's alright, those kinds of thoughts are indeed understandable."

"It's just that I've lost interest in studying old things... You are some of the milestones and achievements on my research path."

"From the perspective of a certain stage, it is indeed something to be happy about. But unfortunately... I have already entered the next stage."

These things were naturally worthless to Aizen Sousuke.

—The mask has been removed.

Once a guy's true nature is revealed, he becomes truly despicable.

The undisguised tone not only elicited expressions of disgust from many Arrancar, but also heightened the tension in the atmosphere.

In contrast, some hot-tempered individuals have already begun to rub their hands together in anticipation.

Even knowing they can't win, they'll still go for it... In a sense, this is also a characteristic of being a 'Void'.

"What did you say?!"

Judging from the tone of voice, this was by no means a 'peaceful' exchange.

However, Stark seemed completely unmoved; he simply maintained his respectful posture and lowered his head slightly at that moment.

“I do not agree with your ideas, but as much as I respect them… these things are not affected by external changes.”

Stark's ideas have always been simple.

"I'm not a smart guy; the only reason I'm in this position is because I'm a pretty good fighter..."

"Lord Aizen, you have completed my tracing of origins and also helped me find my home."

"Even if it were just for these things, I would do such a thing..."

Stark was born in solitude, and is also one of the few powerful beings capable of destroying his own face... It was his longing for companions that led him to join the Espada.

It's not surprising that she feels grateful to Aizen.

It's just that this kind of value system is too simplistic.

It's so ridiculous it's almost laughable.

Aizen Sousuke's gaze fell on what was behind him. After a brief silence, he couldn't help but curl the corners of his mouth into a long-lost and joyful smile.

"That does sound very much like something you would say."

He sighed softly.

The aloof and high-ranking prisoner simply adjusted his posture at that moment.

With his right hand supporting his chin and his legs crossed, Aizen Sousuke tilted his head slightly and spoke in a condescending tone.

"So, what exactly do you want to ask?"

Undoubtedly, it's a form of recognition in another sense... Although it might be a bit infuriating in its form, that's just their style.

Stark's head drooped.

"I'd like to know if you have any way to bring these people together."

There was no immediate response.

Aizen Sousuke only pondered for a moment before speaking.

"More than that, I'm curious why you came up with this idea in the first place?"

As an Arrancar, why is he so concerned about his so-called alliance? Is he simply afraid?
of course not.

Stark's eyes flickered slightly, and he hesitated for a moment.

Then he said softly.

"I just think... the guys I used to find annoying and scary are actually pretty much the same as us."

It was precisely because of their past encounter in Karakura Town that Stark was able to express such sentiments.

—If I had shown my true abilities, I definitely wouldn't be alive today.

However, these beings, who are far more powerful than himself, are now forced to join forces with him due to certain circumstances.

This absurdity, however, is enough to illustrate the seriousness of the situation.

There's nothing inside the sphere.

It was empty and desolate, devoid of any element that allowed reason and morality to survive.

Even as Arrancars and Hollows, many natives would find it hard to say they would like such an extreme environment that could lead to despair.

But... no matter what.

Those are all the hometowns of people like Xu.

Even if one is unwilling to admit it, this is still an essence etched deep into the soul, like a brand.

"That's Habach who wants to destroy everything, right? From that perspective... we didn't have a choice from the very beginning."

If they don't want to die, joining forces is the only way out.

In this regard, Stark, who had once been rivals but also fought side by side, deeply sympathized with Kyoraku Shunsui's views.

After hearing what the other party had to say, Aizen Sousuke fell into a brief silence.

The smile on his face had vanished without him noticing.

Now he calmly looks at Stark not far away, scrutinizing him as if he were getting to know him all over again.

Until finally, a faint smile appeared on his face.

"If that guy were still around..."

Perhaps they would say something similar?

"Lord Aizen, what do you think?"

"I have no objection. From my perspective, I am not interested in the future of the Three Realms at all."

just.

“I’m still waiting for someone to come back… so until then, necessary peace and tranquility are also an indispensable part.”

Aizen Sousuke's lips curled up slightly.

"It won't be easy to unite those guys. Even if you convince the Quincy, there are still many Shinigami who won't accept it."

"So if we want to reach this consensus, we need someone who has enough influence on both sides and who can speak for them."

"So... do you have anyone in mind?"

(End of this chapter)