Death: Then stood in the sky.

The door closed.

The old wooden door made a sound as if a duel had begun.

We must replace this door someday; it can't be left standing.

One by one, Aoshi took out the items.

"The Mask of the Great Hollow - taken from Yoruichi's collection."

"A broken Zanpakuto - a blade fragment that broke beyond repair upon its master's death."

"A stone containing a large amount of spiritual pressure—a product I synthesized myself multiple times to imitate the Hōgyū."

"..."

"..."

"Matsumoto Rangiku's hair—taken from... well... obviously, let's not mention it."

"as well as......"

Aoji suddenly took a deep breath and solemnly took out the last piece of material that was packed in the box.

It was a substance that emitted a faint light.

Traces and residues of the Hogyoku!

In order to develop and experiment with the Hogyoku, Aizen would release various Hollows with different abilities into the Seireitei and Rukongai. These were all experimental subjects created by the Hogyoku and were ultimately destined to be destroyed by the Shinigami.

But just like a high-powered weapon being shattered, even if it disappears without a trace, something will always remain, though it is invisible to ordinary people.

Qing Si is no ordinary person.

These remnants of the Hogyoku's power were as if they were deliberately broken open and shown to him, clearly captured by him, because these were all materials that could be used for synthesis.

“I have appeared in places where Aizen has conducted experiments many times, which has definitely attracted his attention. It is unrealistic to completely hide from this guy whose intelligence and talent are like a monster, let alone the area where the Soul Burial exercise was conducted this time.”

The so-called soul burial practice is a ritual in which students of the Shin-O Spiritual Arts Academy practice after receiving training.

The Shinigami will specially clear out an area where only low-level Hollows remain, for Shinigami candidates to practice in, after which they can graduate and become a true Shinigami.

To put it bluntly, it's just a formality, letting the children see blood—that's how it usually is, but this time is different.

Because of this Soul Burial exercise, Aizen regarded it as an experimental site. He released many new Hollows with various abilities and strength far exceeding that of the Shinigami candidates into it to observe the creative potential and performance of these Hogyoku.

In order to obtain enough Hōgyoku residue, Seiji took some risks and became a member of the Soul Burial Training Area with Ukitake Jushirō's permission.

Therefore, they immediately engaged in battle with the experimental Hypogeans.

However, in order to cover his tracks, Seiji did not use the Life-restoring Potion in advance for this battle, which is also the real reason why Ukitake Jushiro thought Seiji was about to die.

It's worth mentioning that Kira Izuku, known as the nemesis of birdmen, Hinamori Momo, the Soul King with a high health bar, Kuchiki Rukia, the first flat-haired ahoge, and Abarai Renji, the red-haired stray dog, were all in this Soul Burial rehearsal.

Therefore, Aoji was certain that having dealt with these Hollows, he had already been marked with a prominent symbol in Aizen's eyes. He had gone from being a somewhat interesting passerby to an NPC with an exclamation mark above his head, waiting for Aizen to start a side quest for him.

This is supposed to be exciting... just kidding!

Let's wait and see.

After pondering for a while, Qing Si compiled all the materials together.

Point your hand at them.

Alchemy synthesis engine.

A dazzling light suddenly erupted, as if some kind of change was taking place within it.

Fission, fission, infinite fission.

Fusion, fusion, infinite fusion.

When the light faded, Qing Si's eyes widened in astonishment, which quickly turned into ecstasy.

"This time, it's not just a disastrous start."

Chapter 4 Nekorea: Don't try to fool my eyes.

First team team building.

The team leaders' meeting was held here.

"Well, it seems I'm the last one." A somewhat lazy voice rang out as a man wearing a pink embroidered feather coat and a straw hat walked in looking embarrassed.

Inside the room, eleven people dressed in white down coats looked at him at the same time.

"Captain Kyoraku, you're too slow." Soi Fon crossed her arms, her face full of impatience.

"I'm so sorry." Kyoraku Shunsui quickly put his hands together in a pleading gesture, glancing subtly at the old man standing in the center.

He was an old man with a long, silvery-white beard that reached his waist, and a distinct crisscross scar on the right side of his forehead.

His aged face was covered with wrinkles, and his eyes were slightly narrowed under his long eyebrows. He was not tall, but he exuded an extremely terrifying aura.

This is the First Division Captain, Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni!

The strongest Shinigami in Soul Society in a thousand years!

His strength is comparable to that of a monster. He has mastered all four of the Shinigami's abilities—slashing fist and demon walking—to the extreme. Even his Shinigami spiritual pressure has reached the pinnacle of Shinigami power. He is recognized as the strongest and has led the Gotei 13 to maintain peace in the three realms for a thousand years.

Tsk.

Old Man Shan seems genuinely angry this time.

Kyoraku Shunsui realized something, exchanged a glance with Shiba Isshin, nodded slightly, and then returned to his own place.

"Now that everyone is here, let's officially begin this captain's meeting," said Chojiro Suzume, stepping forward at the opportune moment. He would be responsible for recording the proceedings of this captain's meeting.

"Wait a moment!"

Just then, Nekori chuckled sinisterly, "You said everyone's here, but it seems like one person is missing, doesn't it?"

Kyoraku Shunsui pressed down on his straw hat and patiently explained, "Ukitake has already taken sick leave in advance."

Kyoraku Shunsui was aware of what happened last night.

He knew what his friend was going to do, and he also knew the truth about the One-Eyed God, but he didn't know why they didn't continue to the end.

In any case, Jushiro Ukitake's health has indeed been affected, and he needs a period of rest.

The affairs of the 13th Division are also handed over to the 13th Division's vice-captain, Shiba Kaien, for handling, which has become the norm for the 13th Division (PS1).

Nejiri, that madman, didn't back down. He mocked, "I think he's going to die soon anyway, so why don't I send him over for me to study?"

As she spoke, Nejiri moved her fingers morbidly: "Maybe I can cure him? Or maybe I should give him his younger brother; he seems to have the same illness. What an interesting subject..."

"Don't go too far, Captain Kurotsuchi." Seeing that Kurotsuchi was going too far, Kyoraku Shunsui interrupted him with a sharp look.

"What, are you trying to kill me? If I really did that?" Nekori said sarcastically.

"what?!"

"A knife attack?!"

Kenjiro Zaraki, whose mind was completely blank and wandering in the distance, noticed the key words.

"who?"

Where?

Is that you?

He tilted his head and looked at Nekori, revealing a cruel and bloodthirsty smile.

Nekori: "..."

Get lost, you lunatic! Stay away from me!

"Silent!"

A loud thud.

The wooden cane fell to the ground, but it seemed to strike the hearts of everyone present.

Kuroko looked at the cane that Captain Yamamoto was leaning on.

His Zanpakuto, Ryujin Jakka, is hidden within it. It is the strongest and oldest Zanpakuto of the fire type, and is known to possess the strongest offensive power in Soul Society.

The heat released by the initial release can reach the surface of the sun, turning everything it passes through into ashes.

The temperature after Bankai can be considered the core of the sun.

This is a Zanpakuto that can truly destroy the world.

Sensing the old man's gaze, Nieji scoffed and fell silent.

"Is this captain's meeting because of what happened yesterday?" Komamura Sajin, whose face was completely covered by armor, suddenly spoke up: "The Soul Burial exercise was supposed to be a safe zone, but several Hollows suddenly appeared and almost caused irreparable damage to the students of the Shinigami Academy. Something just doesn't seem right."

Everyone present understood what Komamura Sajin was saying.

The Shinigami have a spiritual pressure signal capture device provided by the Twelfth Division's Technology Development Bureau. The appearance of any Hollow's spiritual pressure will trigger an alarm on the device.

But this time, the spiritual pressure signals from those Great Void beings completely broke through the protective effect of the alarm device.

If it weren't for Seiji Ukitake's timely appearance, the students of the Shinigami Academy would likely have suffered heavy casualties.

"Heh, you might as well say it plainly. Someone deployed those Hollows in advance in the area where the Soul Burial exercise was held. That's what you really want to say, right?" Nekori deliberately dragged out her words, glancing at the captains with their various expressions.

Komamura Sajin remained silent.

“How interesting.” Nekori twitched the corner of her mouth, revealing her deliberately yellowed teeth: “The entire area of ​​the Soul Burial exercise was under close surveillance, with detection methods left by the Technology Development Bureau everywhere, yet an accident still happened… No, this was no accident.”

"Captain Nekori, may I interpret you as meaning that you believe all of this is pre-arranged?"

“Isn’t this obvious? If you don’t need the brain, you can send it to the Technology Development Bureau… well… never mind, the Technology Development Bureau doesn’t need this kind of useless garbage.” Nekori interrupted her directly.

Soi Fon's face darkened instantly, and she suddenly felt like pulling out something to blow up this foul-mouthed guy.

Nekoli continued as if no one else was around, "You all haven't forgotten, have you? The countless strange things that have happened over the years."

The souls of the Rukongai have disappeared in large numbers.

The members of the Gotei 13 have gone missing.

The Great Void mysteriously passed through the spiritual energy barrier and appeared in Seireitei.

And so on, one after another.

"Although your methods are very clever, deliberately spacing out these events over time to make them seem less conspicuous, don't think you can fool me." Nekori grinned and tapped his head with his index finger.

Aizen pushed up his glasses and, seeing Kurotsuchi looking at him, gave him a gentle smile.

"So Captain Nekomaru is saying that there's a problem within our Shinigami ranks? That's a terrifying thought." Gin Ichimaru squinted, deliberately feigning exaggerated fear.

"Speaking of which, Captain Aizen and Captain Gin Ichimaru also arrived at the Soul Burial training area immediately, right? What was your assessment?" Isshin Shiba suddenly interjected.

Aizen replied gently, "By the time we arrived, Ukitake Seiji had already killed all the Hollows. If I had to make a judgment, it would probably be that these Hollows that suddenly appeared seemed to have some kind of ability to conceal their spiritual pressure."

"Concealing spiritual pressure?" Soi Fon's pupils widened in shock. As the leader of the assassination squad, although her Bankai didn't seem particularly assassin-like, no one understood better than her the terrifying nature of the ability to conceal spiritual pressure.

“There’s another point I find interesting,” Gin Ichimaru reminded her with a smile. “To be able to take care of those Hollows so decisively while carrying such a sick body, Captain Ukitake’s younger brother must be quite something, right?”

PS1: Shiba Kaien died long ago, but this was changed for the sake of the plot.

PS2: I've read the Bleach anime and manga, as well as the Four Noble Clans arc. I've already signed a contract and can invest with confidence.

Chapter 5 Unohana Retsu

"Is this the beginning?"

Nekori's eyes flickered.

For most Shinigami, Shikai is already the most powerful skill they dream of.

Once you master the initial release, you are basically qualified to become a captain of the Gotei 13, and it is even possible to continue honing your skills and become a vice-captain.

However, considering that Ukitake Seiji is Ukitake Jushiro's younger brother, mastering Shikai doesn't seem like such a big deal...