Starting with Naruto, I'll become stronger through my own efforts.

Chapter 428 Sister Hua, We're Not Rebels

As Xia Zuo looked at the giant spear Destruction King, which stood opposite the execution rack on the Twin Extermination Platform, he suddenly remembered the scene not long after that when Kurosaki Ichigo single-handedly blocked the attack.

He's really handsome.

He laughed and said, "The power of a million Zanpakuto... what terrifying power that is!"

"Sister Hua, have you seen this before?"

Retsu Unohana nodded: "Of course I've seen it, but the statement about a million Zanpakuto is incorrect."

Xia Zuo asked to confirm, "So you were really just bragging?"

Retsu Unohana replied, "Of course he's bragging."

"Once released, a Zanpakuto can destroy a house with a single strike; the entire Seireitei doesn't even have ten thousand houses."

"If the King of Destruction truly possesses the power of a million Zanpakuto, the Seireitei would cease to exist after just one activation."

Xia Zuo asked with a smile, "Hehe, you really were exaggerating about the power. What about the limitation of only punishing the most heinous criminals?"

""

The older sister rolled her eyes, a rare occurrence for her: "Why did everyone slack off during this invading party? We caught the travelers but didn't kill them; we even treated them properly! Isn't it because everyone thinks Rukia didn't commit a crime?!"

"I initially thought the nobles were acting foolishly, but it turns out they were being controlled."

"9

Retsu Unohana glanced in the direction of Room 46 and said softly, "They should all be dead by now—"

Xia Zuo asked, "Sister Hua, aren't you planning to expose Aizen ahead of schedule this time?"

Unohana was quite pleased to hear the nickname "Hana-nee" and said arrogantly, "Hmph, although I don't remember, I definitely did it in my dream, but no one killed Aizen. There's no need to do useless things anymore."

"They're all useless, and old man Yamamoto is useless too, so this time I'll personally kill him."

Xia Zuo:

Okay, now he's really starting to worry about Aizen. If he gets killed by Hanabi, will his story end there?

What?

The Quincy and their invisible empire lurking in the shadows?

It's still a long way from when that thing will actually appear.

Besides, if the Gotei 13 hadn't suffered heavy losses fighting the Hollows of Hueco Mundo, what would the Wandenreich, hidden for a thousand years, have mattered?

To think that hiding in the shadows and never seeing the light of day can accumulate the strength to overthrow the Soul Society is, like the Shanghai Green Gang's use of force to overthrow warlords, utterly delusional.

Unless this warlord is crippled by another warlord.

Alternatively, like Yhwach learned from Aizen, he could infiltrate Hueco Mundo, a sacred ground for hunting, to strengthen his own power before launching an attack on the Soul Society.

Well, in the end, it was the Soul Society's inaction that allowed Hueco Mundo to exist and let the enemy develop in this wilderness.

Well, perhaps it's not that they don't want to manage Hueco Mundo, but rather that the Soul Court is truly incompetent, and the five noble families and their derivative families are incompetent.

The Third Division of the Gotei 3 is only barely able to control the Soul Society and the Human World. To take over Hueco Mundo, more Shinigami are needed, and the number of divisions needs to be further expanded.

However, the number of Shinigami supported by the nobles is limited, and they need to rely on the prestige and power accumulated over thousands of years to control the Gotei 13.

This is already the limit of the power of the nobility.

Over the past millennium, the proportion of Shinigami from Rukongai in the 13th Division has been steadily increasing, while the number of Shinigami from noble families has been steadily decreasing.

Especially after Shiba Kaien's death, the Shiba family collapsed and disintegrated, ending up in Rukongai, and a large part of the noble family's power crumbled.

Apart from the Kuchiki family firmly controlling the Sixth Division, and the Shihouin family indirectly controlling the Second Division through Soi Fon, Yoruichi's little admirer, the five noble families no longer have direct military power.

Moreover, only a thousand years have passed, and Aizen has already emerged from the Thirteen Divisions, severely retaliating against the Central Forty-Six Chambers.

What about the 18th Division? Or the 26th Division?

Xia Zuo thought for a moment, and figured that someone would probably write "The whole city is covered in golden armor" on the wall of the Spirit King's Palace.

No, maybe it's a group of squads teaming up to play the underdog against the superior.

After all, the culture of the Soul Reign is more inclined towards small books, and their traditional crafts are different from those of the University of Tokyo.

Upon hearing Xia Zuo's guess, the two-thousand-year-old elder sister said, "What you said makes a lot of sense. How come I didn't think of that before?"

"Thinking about it that way, it's quite interesting. Imagine carrying a knife and storming into a nobleman's mansion, killing one person at a time, letting the blood of the 'nobles' flow everywhere, forming streams—"

"That would be very interesting."

Xia Zuo swallowed hard and reminded her, "Sister Hua."

An excited Unohana turned her head: "Hmm?"

Xia Zuo clasped his hands together and created a mirror with his spiritual power: "Your current appearance could scare Vice-Captain Kotetsu Isane to death."

But to his surprise, the moment the mirror appeared, the gloomy, crazed, and bloodthirsty Egg Flower Retsu instantly transformed into a gentle, quiet, dignified, and elegant Yamato Nadeshiko, smiling with unparalleled tenderness.

"Oh dear, I'm still very gentle."

Xia Zuo swore that he sensed a chilling murderous intent beneath Hua Jie's gentle smile.

He quickly dropped the mirror he was holding and laughed awkwardly, "Haha, yes, yes!"

Xia Zuo and Unohana Retsu chatted casually, concealing their aura and spiritual pressure as they awaited the execution.

Soon the executioners brought Rukia to the execution platform.

Rukia, dressed in the white robes of a sinner, with shackles around her hands and neck representing a death row inmate, her furrowed brows revealing her inner sorrow.

Rukia wasn't afraid of death, but rather because she heard that her companions had smuggled themselves from the human world to Soul Society to save her, and even broke into the Soul Society, only to be captured as travelers.

She was worried about her companions, and concerned about their uncertain fate.

Thankfully, Ichigo Kurosaki wasn't captured, otherwise she would have been even more worried.

The Double Punishment is a major event for the Soul Society, no less important than the Thirteen Divisions' grand tournament.

Logically, all the captains and vice-captains should have been present, but when Yamamoto looked around, he only saw a handful of people.

The old man was so angry his beard practically stood on end, and he slammed his cane on the ground. "Hmph, they don't even follow the most basic etiquette anymore! The Grim Reaper's standards are getting lower and lower!"

Soi Fon, who is usually quiet and reserved, chimed in, "It's time to really crack down on discipline."

"Only the 1st Division, 2nd Division, 8th Division, 10th Division, and 13th Division have all their captains and vice-captains present; that's less than half."

"Captain Kuchiki took leave to avoid suspicion, and Captain Ukitake, despite being ill, still arrived on time. What are the other captains doing?"

Kyoraku Shunsui said with a smile, "There's nothing we can do about the Fifth Division's situation, and Captain Zaraki of the Eleventh Division is probably lost again."

"Huh? Captain Unohana of the Fourth Division isn't here either?"

Kotetsu Isane replied somewhat nervously, "Captain Unohana left early this morning, but she said she would arrive before the final execution."

Just then, Captain Komamura Sajin of the 7th Division arrived in a hurry with Vice Captain Iba Tetsuzaemon.

Komamura Sajin strode up to the Captain-Commander, bowed, and apologized, saying, "I'm sorry, Captain-Commander, I'm late."

"6

Yamamoto was very forgiving of Komamura Sajin, explaining on his behalf, "I know you encountered an emergency. It's not your fault that you're late. Go back to your place."

"Yes, thank you for your magnanimity!" Komamura Sajin turned around and bowed to the other captains, apologizing, "I'm sorry for causing you all trouble."

After saying that, he led his bearded vice-captain to the position of the Seventh Division.

Just then, Byakuya Kuchiki, the captain of the Sixth Division, slowly walked over.

Rukia saw his eyes widen and his lips move several times before he managed to say, "Brother, brother—"

Kuchiki Byakuya's expression was cold and stern, as if he hadn't heard Rukia's voice. He walked to his seat as if the person being held on the execution platform was not his sister-in-law, but a stranger.

Rukia's eyes were filled with desolation. She lowered her head deeply, closed her eyes, and said nothing more.

Seeing Byakuya Kuchiki's expression, Soi Fon's heart tightened, and she asked in a low voice, "Didn't Captain Kuchiki ask for leave to avoid suspicion and not come?"

Ōmaeda, always eager for drama, exclaimed, "Captain Kuchiki did indeed take leave, but he might have changed his mind and came specifically to storm the execution ground!"

"Shut up, you jinx!" Soi Fon elbowed Ōmaeda in the liver, stopping his rambling. "Keep a close eye on him! Don't let him do anything reckless!"

"It hurts, it hurts!"

Byakuya Kuchiki's aura was so powerful and imposing that no one noticed that Renji Abarai, the vice-captain of the Sixth Division who was supposed to be there, was absent.

But Retsu Unohana and Natsusa, who were hiding in the shadows, discovered them.

They exchanged a glance, and Retsu Unohana immediately understood that there was a story behind it, while Natsu also knew that Unohana was unaware of the details.

So he took the initiative to tell us about the relationship between Renji Abarai and Rukia, as well as the battle between Renji Abarai and Byakuya Kuchiki.

Unohana Retsu's eyes sparkled: "Renji Abarai has also mastered Bankai. He's really composed."

"However, Kuchiki Byakuya was more unexpected. Not only was he able to defeat Renji Abarai with the Manji, but he was also able to control his spiritual pressure during the battle to the point that no one could detect it."

"This expressionless noble boy is much stronger than I expected."

Xia Zuo nodded repeatedly. This guy could be compared to Uchiha Itachi from the Naruto world. He might not be the strongest, but his prestige was unmatched.

They always have a trump card in battle, and are invincible except when facing the protagonist.

At this moment, Yamamoto spoke up and asked, "Kuchiki Rukia, do you have any last words?"

Rukia slowly opened her eyes and said, "Yes, there's only one thing. If possible, could you release those wandering monsters back into the human world after I'm executed? They trespassed into Soul Society because of me."

After considering for a moment, Yamamoto said, "Then so be it. After the executions, let those wandering monsters return home safely."

"Thank you so much"

That old man Yamamoto is really something, he's crying his eyes out.

He was too soft-hearted. Even though he had already decided to exterminate the Travelers, he still verbally agreed to Rukia's request so that she could leave in peace.

This could definitely be considered merciful, though not much.

However, the fact that Yamamoto, as the captain-commander of the Gotei 13, had even a tiny bit of compassion is not a good sign.

This does not mean that those in power in armed violent groups are absolutely devoid of any compassion.

The old saying goes that a kind heart cannot command an army, and righteousness cannot manage finances. This only means that one must be ruthless in critical moments, not that one must be cold-hearted at all times.

If that were the case, morale would have already collapsed, and the team would be impossible to lead.

Back in the day, the 101st Army, which famously declared, "I don't want casualty figures, I just want Tashan," was an exemplary figure who cared deeply for his soldiers.

Even in commanding battles, he would rack his brains to reduce the risks to his soldiers, sometimes even appearing overly indecisive.

The problem is that Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni was not originally like this; he was a truly cold-hearted and ruthless man with blood on his hands.

Now that I'm old, I've developed a kindness in my heart that I'm not even aware of.

Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni is no longer the iron-fisted leader he once was!

Such a change is the most dangerous, as it will cause the old man to hesitate at crucial moments.

Hesitation will lead to defeat.

Hearing Xia Zuo's almost defamatory evaluation, Unohana Retsu frowned: "You're right, old man Yamamoto is indeed getting old, and it's time to change the Captain-Commander position."

Xia Zuo asked, "Sister Hua, would you like to sit down for a while?"

Retsu Unohana glanced at him: "Natsuzo, do you think I'm an idiot, Unohana-nee?"

Xia Zuo chuckled awkwardly, "Hmm, not like it."

Retsu Unohana: "That's it then. I need to think about who to get to take the blame."

Xia Zuo immediately suggested based on his memory: "Sister Hua, I suggest we let Kyoraku Shunsui perform."

Unohana Retsu's eyes lit up: "Great idea! Kyoraku Shunsui is the old man's disciple, and Ukitake Jushiro is his classmate. He was the first principal of the Shinigami Academy, and most of the Shinigami are his disciples and grand-disciples."

"He is more than capable, has excellent management skills, and cares deeply about his subordinates."

99

"I must say, Chunshui is indeed very suitable to be the Captain-Commander. Hmm, Xia Zuo, you saw this from the future, didn't you?"

Xia Zuo nodded in agreement: "Hehe, yes, and there's an even more crucial reason."

Unohana Retsu asked curiously, "What else?"

Xia Zuo replied, "Captain Kyoraku Shunsui has a good personality. He is particularly good at processing negative emotions and rarely experiences real emotional fluctuations. Even when he does, they are all positive emotions."

Unohana Retsu nodded: "That's right, it's a great advantage."

After thinking for a few seconds with her head down, Sister Hua suddenly raised her head and announced domineeringly, "I've decided, Kyoraku Shunsui will go on stage!"

Xia Zuo nodded in agreement, then shook his head: "The two of us discussing the Captain-Commander's fate here seem more like traitors than Aizen."

The usually domineering Sister Hua suddenly froze, then burst out laughing: "Nonsense, we're not rebels, we're doing this for the sake of the Captain."

Xia Zuoling quickly corrected himself, saying, "Yes, we were thinking of the Captain-Commander. He fought for Soul Society and the Seireitei his whole life, and it's time for him to retire and rest."